Abstract:
A method for burying a pipeline in a bed of a body of water that provides for: making a trench (T) with a bottom surface (22) in a bed (9) of a body of water (10) by means of a bed working vehicle (12) advanced in an advancing direction (Dl); advancing a floating unit (11) in the body of water (10); releasing a pipeline (1) in the body of water (10) by means of a tensioner (17) and along a lay device (15) tilted in an adjustable manner and constrained to the floating unit (11); guiding the pipeline (1) to the bottom surface (22) of the trench (T) by means of a guide vehicle (13) advanced on the bed (9) of the body of water (10); and controlling the tensioner (17), the floating unit (11), the lay device (15), the bed working vehicle (12), and the guide vehicle (13) for minimizing stress along the pipeline (1).
Abstract:
Apparatus and method for placement of a subterranean curtain (2) below the face (5) of the earth, comprising the steps of: -selecting an area with soil in which the subterranean curtain (2) is to be placed; 5 -carving a slit at a predefined location in the soil; -providing a movable casing (8) in said slit; -providing the movable casing (8) with the curtain (2); -dispatching the curtain (2) from the movable casing (8) into the slit; 10 -closing said slit; -providing the subterranean curtain (2) as a waterpermeable curtain (2) in an area with a predefined stratification of a sand layer (3) and a clay layer (4) on top of said sand layer (3), using the steps of: 15 -carving a slit at a predefined location in said area comprising said sand layer (3) and said clay layer (4); and -after dispatching the waterpermemeable curtain (2) from the movable casing (8) into the slit, introducing sand 20 (3) and clay (4) in the slit on opposite sides of the water- permeable curtain (2) so as to close said slit and restore the area's original stratification of sand and clay.
Abstract:
An apparatus for controlling the depth of a hoe bucket, including a hoe bucket defining a cutting edge, an elongated member pivotably connected to the bucket, an actuator operationally connected to the elongated member, an electronic controller operationally connected to the actuator, and a position sensor operationally connected to the cutting edge and operationally connected to the electronic controller. The actuator may be energized to pivot the elongated member to a position adjacent the cutting edge for engaging ground, and positioning of the elongated member adjacent the cutting edge prevents the cutting edge from digging ground.
Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a machine 8109 configured so that its ground speed is at least in part dependent on the measured force that is applied to an attachment (12) attached thereto. The present disclosure also provides an attachment for a machine that is configured to provide feedback to the machine it is configured to be attached to, wherein the feedback is representative of the force applied to the attachment. The present disclosure also provides a method of automatically controlling the ground speed of a machine based on feedback measured in an attachment attached to the machine.
Abstract:
An apparatus for forming a trench in a seabed for burying a line generally consisting of a main frame, at least one buoyancy tank mounted on the main frame, a pair of endless track assemblies, each engageable in gripping relation with a side of the line for propelling the frame along the line, a pair of jet legs mounted on the main frame and communicable with a source of fluid under pressure, for ejecting high velocity streams of fluid to dislodge portions of the seabed when the track assemblies grip the line and propel the main frame along the line to form a trench and allow the line to fall therein.
Abstract:
A device for determining a position relative to two layers (14, 16) of different permeability includes at least one fluid outlet (12), means for supplying fluid to the outlet (30), measuring means for measuring the flow rate (36) and/or pressure (38) of the fluid to determine a position relative to the layers. The device is located on an underwater mining machine (82) and the fluid outlet is associated with material removing means (22) of the mining machine. The position determined by the device is the position of an interface between the two layers or the position of one of the layers relative to the other layer so that the depth of the material removing means can be set relative to the two layers in response to the position determined by the device.
Abstract:
A steerable plow (10) configured for towing in a direction along a seabed (12) comprises a body (16) and a soil cutting member (18) slidingly connected to the body. The soil cutting member defines a cutting vane (32) for cutting a trench in the seabed. The body includes two skids (20) and a cross member (24) spanning the two skids. The skids are spaced apart from each other and from the soil cutting member to stabilize the plow (10). A motive element (36) is included to move the soil cutting member (18) relative to the body (16), and a steering control included within the head (19) receives commands from a remote location to control the motive element. At least one towing member (28) is included to attach the plow (10) to a tow cable (30).
Abstract:
The invention is embodied in a construction quality control tool that allows owners and contractors to meet design plans and specifications. It saves time and costs to both parties' budgets by easily measuring pipe grading while eliminating need for surveyors on site and quickly transmitting print data in real time for third-party inspectors to prepare as-built plans. Most importantly, it ensures pipes are installed safely and accurately to prevent construction issues in the future. The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises two devices: (1) a pipe setter and (2) a remote processing and recording unit. The pipe setter is mounted inside the new pipe to be installed. The pipe setter helps the pipe installer reliably and accurately install pipe that matches the line and grade (fixed x, y z) per design plan. The remote processing and recording unit enables the construction superintendent and the third-party inspector monitoring the pipe installation in real time.
Abstract:
Support and guiding apparatus (3) for feeder lines comprising at least a feeding tube (5) for a digging device (2), said support and guiding apparatus (3) comprising at least a support branch (4) and a plurality of transverse connecting elements or crosspieces (40) connected to said at least a support branch (4), wherein said at least a support branch (4) comprises: a single flexible traction element (6), defining a longitudinal axis (X) said flexible traction element (6) having two opposite end sections (7) and an intermediate section (8) interposed between said end sections (7), said flexible traction element (6) having, at least in the intermediate section (8), a cross section S in a plane YZ perpendicular with respect to said longitudinal axis X, said cross section S being substantially constant all along the length of said at least an intermediate section (8) along the longitudinal axis (X), said cross section S having a width B extending in the direction of the axis Y and a thickness or height H extending in the direction of the axis Z where said width B is greater than said thickness or height H; a plurality of spacer elements (30,39) coupled to said single flexible traction element (6), each one of said spacer elements (30) having a first seat (33) housing the flexible traction element and which is crossed by the flexible traction element, said first seat (33) being shaped in such a way as to orient said flexible traction element (6) along a lying plane XY, and to prevent rotation of the spacer element (30, 39) around the longitudinal axis X, each one of said spacer elements (30,39) being arranged to allow the rotation of the support branch (4) around a rotation axis parallel with respect to said axis Y.