Global Patent Index - EP 0816574 A1

EP 0816574 A1 19980107 - Apparatus for burying pipes or cables in the sea bed

Title (en)

Apparatus for burying pipes or cables in the sea bed

Title (de)

Vorrichtung zum Verlegen von Röhren oder Kabeln auf dem Meeresboden

Title (fr)

Appareil pour enterrer des conduites ou câbles au fond de la mer

Publication

EP 0816574 A1 19980107 (EN)

Application

EP 96304922 A 19960703

Priority

EP 96304922 A 19960703

Abstract (en)

A trenching machine (1) is provided for digging a trench on a seabed (5) after a pipeline (2) is positioned. The trenching machine (1) has a trenching body (3) and a connecting pipe (9) by which the trenching body (3) is attached to a vessel. Jet water nozzles (22, 24) and suction ducts (20) are provided on two legs of the trenching body (3) for liquidising the seabed (5) and removing the liquidised material to form the trench. The jet water power and the suction power are provided by the vessel via the connecting pipe (9). Skids (8) are provided at both sides of the trenching machine (1) in order to provide horizontal stability. A steering mechanism is provided in a coupling (10) between the trenching body (3) and the connecting pipe (9) in order to provide additional fine steering capacity. The legs (4) can be lowered independently along an axis perpendicular to the pipeline in order to allow safe deployment of the trenching machine (1) over the pipeline (2) at the start of the works. <IMAGE>

IPC 1-7

E02F 5/10

IPC 8 full level

E02F 5/10 (2006.01)

CPC (source: EP)

E02F 5/104 (2013.01); E02F 5/107 (2013.01); E02F 5/108 (2013.01)

Citation (search report)

Designated contracting state (EPC)

BE DE DK ES FI FR GB IE IT NL PT SE

DOCDB simple family (publication)

EP 0816574 A1 19980107

DOCDB simple family (application)

EP 96304922 A 19960703