US3877237A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Underwater trenching apparatus guidance system
Assignee: NORMAN OFFSHORE SERVICES Inc
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Filing: 1973-08-01
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Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1993-08-01
Abstract
Abstract An underwater self-propelled buoyant trenching apparatus for burying a pipeline or cable on the bottom of a body of water. Water jets on a frame cut the trench. The apparatus is motivated by a drive roller that is resiliently urged against the pipeline. Forward guide rollers positioned ahead of the water jets sense the pipeline direction and act to torque the apparatus onto the centerline of the pipeline.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M Norman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 05:33
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02F; E02F5/00; E02F5/02; E02F5/14; E02F5/145; E02F5/10; E02F5/104; E02F5/105; E02F5/107
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
An underwater trenching apparatus for burying pipeline and the like beneath the bottom of a body of water comprising: a frame for positioning over the pipeline to be buried, jet means carried by the forward end of said frame, to dig a trench for the pipeline, power means to move said apparatus along said pipeline, said power means being mounted on said frame for contact with said pipeline, guide means for sensing the direction of the pipeline in front of said apparatus and applying a torque for correcting the alignment of said apparatus, said guide means being secured to said frame forwardly of said power means, whereby upon said guide means sensing a preselected magnitude of change in pipeline direction relative to the axis of said apparatus, a torque is applied to said apparatus to align the apparatus with said pipeline.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
An underwater trenching apparatus for burying pipeline and the like beneath the bottom of a body of water comprising: a frame for positioning over the pipeline to be buried, jet means carried by the forward end of said frame, to dig a trench for the pipeline, power means to move said apparatus along said pipeline, said power means being mounted on said frame for contact with said pipeline, guide means for sensing the direction of the pipeline in front of said apparatus and applying a torque for correcting the alignment of said apparatus, said guide means being secured to said frame forwardly of said power means, whereby upon said guide means sensing a preselected magnitude of change in pipeline direction relative to the axis of said apparatus, a torque is applied to said apparatus to align the apparatus with said pipeline.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guide means includes sensing means in rolling contact with said pipeline, control means to translate an impulse of preselected magnitude from said sensing means into a force to torque the apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 2 including said guide means being secured to said frame forwardly of the mounting of said power means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guide means includes at least one roller means contacting the pipeline, abutment means mounted between said frame and said roller means to transmit a torque to said frame from a force from rearward movement of said roller means, and resilient means positioned between said roller means and said abutment means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 4 including yoke means mounting said roller means for selected movement toward and away from said frame, said guide means including an arm extending from said frame forwardly of said jet means and mounting said roller means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 5 including stop limit means limiting the movement of said roller means upon contact with said abutment means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
127 words
The apparatus of claim 1 said guide means including an arm extending forwardly from said frame from said jet means, a yoke means carried by said arm, roller means mounted within said yoke for contact with said pipeline to sense changes in direction of said pipeline relative to said apparatus, resilient means positioned between said arm and said yoke, stop limit means positioned between said roller means and said arm and abutment means to cooperate with said stop limit means, whereby upon selected movement of said roller means following changes in direction of said pipeline, said roller means forces said yoke to create contact between said abutment means and said stop limit means to torque the apparatus through said arm to a selected alignment with said pipeline.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guide means includes a roLler in contact with said pipeline.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guide means includes a torque means extending forwardly from said frame to apply a torque to said frame.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said torque means includes an arm secured to said frame at one end and in contact with said pipeline at the other end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guide means includes at one end a roller for contact with said pipeline and an arm secured to the frame at the other end to torque said apparatus into alignment with said pipeline.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guide means is mounted on said frame rearwardly of said jet means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guide means includes an arm mounted on said frame rearwardly of said jet means and forwardly of said power means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guide means includes a torque means secured to the frame at one end to torque the apparatus into alignment with said pipeline and a roller in contact with said pipeline.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guide means includes a torque means secured to the frame at one end to torque the apparatus into alignment with said pipeline and a roller in contact with said pipeline, and wherein said guide means is mounted on said frame rearwardly of said jet means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guide means includes a torque means secured to the frame at one end to torque the apparatus into alignment with said pipeline and a roller in contact with said pipeline, and wherein said guide means includes an arm mounted on said frame rearwardly of said jet means and forwardly of said power means, and wherein said guide means is mounted on said frame rearwardly of said jet means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said torque means includes an arm secured to said frame at one end and in contact with said pipeline at the other end.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said torque means includes an arm secured to said frame at one end and in contact with said pipeline at the other end.
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) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |