Global Patent Index - EP 1167637 A3

EP 1167637 A3 20020515 - Trenching apparatus

Title (en)

Trenching apparatus

Title (de)

Grabenbaggervorrichtung

Title (fr)

Excavateur de tranchées

Publication

EP 1167637 A3 20020515 (EN)

Application

EP 01305068 A 20010611

Priority

GB 0014348 A 20000612

Abstract (en)

[origin: GB2363407A] A trenching unit is used to cut trenches in the seabed for laying pipelines or cables. The unit comprises: a jetting arm 3 with a plurality of sections, each section having at least one nozzle 8; means for supplying fluid to nozzles in at least two sections; and valves 4 for separately controlling the flow characteristics of the fluid supplied to each individual section of the jetting arm. Two or more units of such apparatus can be used in tandem to extend the fluidisation period of a localised area of the seabed. This is particularly useful when pipes or cables are relatively stiff. The fluidisation period depends upon the distance between the units which is calculated as a function of the characteristics of the seabed and the capabilities of the individual units. The distance between the units is determined by the length of an adjustable linkage. Preferably there are two arms 3 which can be moved vertically and horizontally.

IPC 1-7

E02F 5/10

IPC 8 full level

E02F 3/92 (2006.01); E02F 5/00 (2006.01); E02F 5/10 (2006.01)

CPC (source: EP US)

E02F 3/9206 (2013.01 - EP US); E02F 5/006 (2013.01 - EP US); E02F 5/104 (2013.01 - EP US); E02F 5/107 (2013.01 - EP US)

Citation (search report)

Designated contracting state (EPC)

AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR

DOCDB simple family (publication)

GB 0014348 D0 20000802; GB 2363407 A 20011219; EP 1167637 A2 20020102; EP 1167637 A3 20020515; NO 20012823 D0 20010608; NO 20012823 L 20011213; US 2002017041 A1 20020214

DOCDB simple family (application)

GB 0014348 A 20000612; EP 01305068 A 20010611; NO 20012823 A 20010608; US 87840201 A 20010612