US3791156A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for determining the position of a pipeline or the like during the entrenching thereof
Assignee: IHC Holland NV
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Filing: 1971-09-13
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Granted: 1974-02-12
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Expires: 1991-09-13
Abstract
Abstract Pipelines are entrenched on a marine floor by dragging therealong a plurality of spray nozzles that dig a trench for the pipeline. Undesirably sharp local curvature of the pipeline is avoided by providing each spray device with a clinometer the clinometer readings being transmitted to a point above the surface of the water and the composite of these received clinometer readings permitting control of the trenching process so as to avoid that undesirable curvature.
Inventors
- 👤 Zutphen A Van
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:47
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02F; E02F5/00; E02F5/02; E02F5/10; E02F5/104; E02F5/107; F; F16; F16L; F16L1/00; F16L1/12; F16L1/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for determining the position of a pipeline or the like during the laying and/or entrenching of a pipeline, comprising disposing a series of regularly spaced clinometers along the length of a pipeline, transmitting signals from said clinometers to a centrally disposed receiving zone thereby to provide data characteristic of the shape of the pipeline along said series of clinometers, entrenching the pipeline by means of spray devices spaced along the pipeline, moving said spray devices along the pipeline, and controlling the movement of said spray devices in dependency on said signals.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for determining the position of a pipeline or the like during the laying and/or entrenching of a pipeline, comprising disposing a series of regularly spaced clinometers along the length of a pipeline, transmitting signals from said clinometers to a centrally disposed receiving zone thereby to provide data characteristic of the shape of the pipeline along said series of clinometers, entrenching the pipeline by means of spray devices spaced along the pipeline, moving said spray devices along the pipeline, and controlling the movement of said spray devices in dependency on said signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, and moving said clinometers along the pipeline at the same speed as said spray devices.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
93 words
Apparatus for determining the position of a pipeline or the like during the laying and/or entrenching of said pipeline, comprising a plurality of clinometers, means supporting said clinometers adjacent the pipeline in equally spaced relation in a series along said pipeline, means for moving said series of clinometers lengthwise along the pipeline while maintaining said equally spaced relation, and spray devices for entrenching said pipeline, said spray devices being spaced along said pipeline and articulately interconnected, said clinometers being connected to said spray devices for movement with said spray devices along said pipeline.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
93 words
Apparatus for determining the position of a pipeline or the like during the laying and/or entrenching of said pipeline, comprising a plurality of clinometers, means supporting said clinometers adjacent the pipeline in equally spaced relation in a series along said pipeline, means for moving said series of clinometers lengthwise along the pipeline while maintaining said equally spaced relation, and spray devices for entrenching said pipeline, said spray devices being spaced along said pipeline and articulately interconnected, said clinometers being connected to said spray devices for movement with said spray devices along said pipeline.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, each said spray device comprising a framework having a plurality of spray nozzles thereon spaced apart lengthwise of the pipeline, and a said clinometer carried by said framework.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |