Abstract:
A method of installing a plurality of pin piles into a seabed including at least the steps of: (a) lowering a pin pile apparatus comprising a first pin pile and an attached clump weight towards the seabed; (b) allowing the first pin pile to self-penetrate the seabed based on self-weight of the pin pile apparatus and the momentum from step (a) until the clump weight reaches the sea bed; (c) disconnecting the clump weight from the first pin pile; and (d) recovering the clump weight for use with a second pin pile and repeating steps (a)-(c). In this way, the pin piles are easily installed from their descent to the seabed with the clump weight, which can then be removed and applied to the next pin pile in an easy and repeatable operation without requiring a suction apparatus or hammer or drill.
Abstract:
A pipeline buoyancy control assembly is operable to simultaneously retain a plurality of pipelines against buoyancy forces. Respective ends of two retaining straps corresponding to two respective pipelines engage a tie-down member of a single control assembly. The retaining straps are placed over the respective pipelines and other ends of the retaining straps are attached to additional control assemblies. Further, stresses exerted on the retaining straps when the pipelines are subjected buoyancy forces are minimized by the unique structure of the tie-down member and the manner by which the retaining straps attached thereto.
Abstract:
A placement and support system for installing long lengths of connected pipe sections and method of using the same are provided having a series of pairs of spaced apart piles that are installed at predetermined sites by pile-driving into the floor of an expanse and, in particular, a body of water. Each pile has a bent seat at lower end and the piles are driven until the seats are positioned at the desired distance above the floor. The sections of pipe are preconnected on land or on a barge to a desired length. A prefabricated pipe saddle assembly is installed between each pair of piles and positioned above the water line by wedging or a hydraulic jack to form a series of pipe saddle assemblies. Each pipe saddle assembly has a transverse support beam. There is a pipe sleeve at each end of the support beam dimensioned to slide over the piles. A generally U-shaped pipe saddle is affixed to the transverse beam. The long pipe is positioned on the pipe saddles by crane or other appropriate tools or machinery and secured to each pipe saddle by a pair of U-bolts. The wedges or jacks are removed and the pipe slowly filled with water. The pipe sleeves slide down the piles until they abut the bent seats at or near the bottom. After the pipe is positioned, the piles are filled with concrete to a point slightly above the pipe and the empty pile above the pipe is removed.
Abstract:
A clamping apparatus for lockingly engaging and supporting a length of conduit, such as a pipeline span extending above an irregular seabed. The clamping apparatus includes a saddle shaped to overlie the conduit span to be supported and a frame straddling the saddle and pivotably coupled thereto. The saddle includes clamps which automatically swing to a closed position when the saddle is seated on the conduit. The frame has extensible legs for supporting the conduit on an underlying support surface, such as a sandy seabed.
Abstract:
Apparatus for supporting pipe suspended over depressions in the sea bed and method of, comprising a service modular unit capable of being completely recovered and another modular unit intended for properly supporting the pipe: the two modular units are so connected that they can be disjointed under a command from the pipe-laying barge.The service modular unit is equipped with a recoverable assembly for placing the supporting modular unit in a correct vertical posture on the sea bed and for vertically holding such supporting modular until the pile-driving operation has been satisfactory completed.
Abstract:
An apparatus and a method of securing an underwater pipeline to the bed of a body of water is provided. A buoyant boom is attached to a floating line to be guided down to the pipeline. The floating line is secured to the pipeline by a clip that can utilize compressed air to penetrate the underwater bed. The buoyancy of the boom can be controlled to regulate both ascent and descent. A sled like base member is attached to the boom by a cardan joint and carries both a source of compressed air and a control panel. A television system can be utilized to monitor the control panel and the actual sinking of inverted L-shaped piles by a vibro-piledriver.