Abstract: A connector for connecting underwater cables includes: a connection housing in which the cables enter parallel to each other and parallel to a first direction; and a handling bar, connected to the connection housing by a linking unit hinged along an axis perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: An arrangement and system places an external cable into a slot. The arrangement includes a slot extending from a first end to a second end. The slot includes a recess configured to receive a cable therein. The arrangement includes a movable component configured to slide along a length of the slot. The movable component includes a first end and a second end. Sliding the movable component along the slot in a first direction from the first end to the second end of the slot one of frees a first portion of the cable from the slot or places a second portion of the cable in the slot.

Abstract: An assembly for installing a subsea cable, the assembly comprising a submersible apparatus and a submersible cable holder comprising the subsea cable, the subsea cable being connectable to the submersible apparatus through the connector for transmission of electric power and/or data to the submersible apparatus; wherein the assembly is configured to install the subsea cable while the submersible apparatus is electrically powered through said subsea cable. And a method for installing a subsea cable with a submersible apparatus, the method comprising: supplying electric power and/or transmitting data through the subsea cable to the submersible apparatus; and laying the subsea cable in a sea with the submersible apparatus.

Abstract: A method of temporarily supporting a soil mass susceptible to slide at a scarp slope bounding the soil mass includes advancing a supporting wall in an advancing direction along the scarp slope; and, in addition to the movement in the advancing direction, also moving a surface portion, in direct contact with the soil mass, of the supporting wall, so as to minimize friction between the soil mass and the supporting wall.

Abstract: A method of underground laying a continuous elongated member in a bed of a body of water, wherein the continuous elongated member lies on the bed of the body of water along a given path; the method including the steps of: fragmenting a soil mass in the bed along the given path and under the continuous elongated member, so as to form in the bed two scarp slopes bounding the fragmented soil mass by two soil masses susceptible to slide; advancing two supporting walls along the given path in an advancing direction, along the respective two scarp slopes, and transferring the fragmented soil mass between the two supporting walls, so as to promote sinking of the continuous elongated member between the two supporting walls.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means by which an underwater plow can avoid large obstacles that otherwise would prevent the plow from executing its desired path. The underwater plow is released into the water, drops to the sea floor, orients itself, and begins to deploy the sensor array along a pre-programmed path. If the plow encounters a sea floor obstacle, the plow 10 automatically maneuvers to overcome the obstacle and continues deployment of the sensor array. The buoyancy shifting apparatus 110 allows the plow to automatically maneuver. The present invention shifts the center of buoyancy of the underwater plow, thereby allowing the plow to float over obstructions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for subsea installation of elongate flexible element, comprising a container for allocating/storing/accommodating an elongate flexible element intended to be installed, said container being positioned on a trenching vehicle arranged to trench said elongate flexible element into the seabed, which container comprises a guide system arranged to control the release of the flexible element, and which trenching vehicle is further linked to a surface vessel via an umbilical cable whereby said vehicle is remotely operable subsea from said surface vessel wherein said guide system comprises a coiling arrangement for keeping the elongate flexible element in a defined coiled configuration inside said container.

Abstract: A system for burying fabric cloth in marine sediment includes a sled having first and second ends and a partially open bottom surface proximate to the second end. A fabric deployer is coupled to and extended from the sled adjacent to the second end. A sediment disruption device resides opposite the fabric deployer and faces the first end. The fabric deployer is a tubular structure having a slot therein extending lengthwise along the tubular structure facing away from the first end. A fabric cloth is disposed on an axle within the tubular structure so a distal end of the cloth protrudes from the slot. An electronics package is releaseably secured adjacent to the second end by a release mechanism and to the end of the cloth by a tether. A cathode may be connected to the electronics package, forming, with a buried fabric cloth anode, a microbial fuel cell.

Abstract: An underwater plow includes a plow assembly that is attached to a frame. The plow assembly includes a blade portion, which defines a blade trough, and a sensor chute portion. The blade portion extends downwardly below a plane that is coincident with a longitudinal axis defined by the frame, while the chute portion extends upwardly above the same plane. A depressor arm is pivotably attached to the blade portion and biased to be in contact with the trough. The depressor arm has a groove that is sized to allow the cable, but not the sensors, to pass through the groove while the depressor arm is in contact with the trough. With this configuration, an array cable passes downward through the blade portion of the plow assembly and becomes buried in the ocean floor. Array sensors, however, are routed upward and pass through the chute portion of the plow assembly.

Abstract: Existing underwater networks are formed using telecommunications cable technology designed for intercontinental links. The network is formed by a continuous series of transport segments that are connected in the factory by repeaters or bypasses and deployed continuously from the surface by a cable ship.

Abstract: An apparatus for retrieving a cable or pipe buried under water in bed material comprises a shank (2) having a first surface and a fluke member (5) having a second surface. When the apparatus is towed in a towing direction, the fluke member (5) and shank (2) become buried in the bed material to a predetermined depth suitable for retrieving the cable or pipe. The first and second surfaces are arranged such that under normal working conditions the interaction between the material and at least the first and second surfaces generate opposing forces in these surfaces causing the apparatus to be maintained at substantially the predetermined depth. The apparatus may also be adapted for burial of a cable or pipe by ploughing a furrow in the bed material into which the cable or pipe is supplied using guiding means.

Abstract: A marine plough includes twin, complementary steering mechanisms, one or more soil-engaging fins, which are able to be steered, and a tow rope attachment mechanism that enables adjustment of the position of the tow rope retention point relative to the plough. This alters the position at which the line of a tow rope crosses the longitudinal axis of the plough, so that the plough can operate at offset tow positions. The tow rope attachment mechanism includes a bridle having two bridle limbs terminating at respective bridle limb retention points. The adjustment of the position of the tow rope retention point relative to the plough is done by moving the bridle rope retention points or adjusting the relative length of the bridle limbs. The bridle limb retention points can be moved, using cylinders, from towing positions to lifting positions at which the tow bridle can be used to lift plough in a substantially level attitude.

Abstract: A submarine plough is disclosed comprising a plough share 216 having a cutting edge 207. A heel 220 is arranged rearwardly of the cutting edge 207, and a plough beam 205 has an attachment portion for enabling a towing means 209 to tow the plough to cut a trench in the sea floor. The plough share 216 is pivotable relative to the plough beam 205 to adjust the vertical separation between the cutting edge 207 and the attachment portion. Front skids 204 are arranged adjacent a forward end of the plough beam 205 and hydraulic rams 219 pivot the plough share 216 relative to the plough beam 205. A cable is passed in an arcuate path into the trench rearwardly of the cutting edge 207 and heel 220.

Abstract: A submarine plough is disclosed comprising a plough share 216 having a cutting edge 207. A heel 220 is arranged rearwardly of the cutting edge 207, and a plough beam 205 has an attachment portion for enabling a towing means 209 to tow the plough to cut a trench in the sea floor. The plough share 216 is pivotable relative to the plough beam 205 to adjust the vertical separation between the cutting edge 207 and the attachment portion. Front skids 204 are arranged adjacent a forward end of the plough beam 205 and hydraulic rams 219 pivot the plough share 216 relative to the plough beam 205. A cable is passed in an arcuate path into the trench rearwardly of the cutting edge 207 and heel 220.

Abstract: Apparatus for laying underground cable or conduit (such as innerduct) includes a vertical cable plow connected to the boom of an excavator, the excavator being mounted on a first flat-bed rail car, and a second flat-bed rail car following the first for carrying supply reels of cable or conduit fed from the second car to the first. Cable guides guide the cable or conduit from the supply reels to the plowshare and through the plow assembly to the desired subterranean level in a ditch made by the plow. The first and second flat-bed cars are preferably pulled by a pair of conventional diesel-electric locomotives. A rigid element mountable to the first flat-bed rail car and extending outward from either side of the first flat-bed rail car transfers torque on the plowing assembly to the rail car. The rigid element (“boot”) is preferably removable to temporarily narrow the apparatus for travel mode. The apparatus may be installed on a flat-bed truck or a canal barge instead of a rail car.

Abstract: An ocean plow device and accompanying method which incorporate a passive plow blade and a jetter tool working in conjunction with one another to lower drawbar and increase cable deployment speeds. In order to avoid cavitation due to sand dilation, in one embodiment of the plow device, the jetter tool includes nozzles oriented in a downward and backward direction relative to the plow device which creates a flow pattern to turbulently remove surface soil in front of the jetter tool in a rapid manner. The jetter tool is pivotally suspended from a point in front of the passive plow blade, such that the jetter will be free to find its own equilibrium position. That is, the pivotal mounting enables the jetter tool to rotate upward in harder soils and become fully extended in softer soils in order to reach the equilibrium position. The passive plow blade behind the jetter tool provides a constant burial depth for the cable and also provides protection from side loads encountered during deployment.

Abstract: A cable burial system includes a cable burial tool having a base frame, a blade extending downwardly from the base frame and having a vertically oriented internal slot therein with a slot width, and a feed shoe with an arcuate feed shoe periphery and a feed shoe width less than the slot width of the blade. The feed shoe is pivotably connected to the base frame and is pivotable between a lowered position wherein the feed shoe lies within the slot, and a raised position wherein the feed shoe lies outside of the slot. The feed shoe includes a jet opening in a periphery of the feed shoe, and a source of pressurized water in an interior manifold of the feed shoe in communication with the jet opening in the periphery of the feed shoe. A guide is operable to guide a cable into the slot in contact with the feed shoe periphery when the feed shoe is in the lowered position.

Abstract: An underwater plough for ploughing an underwater bed, the plough comprising a first share (10) and a second share (21) which is movable with respect to the first share whereby the depth of the ploughing profile presented by the plough can be varied.

Abstract: A cable-laying technique and apparatus are disclosed. A base is lowered to the seafloor which contains multiple cable reels, each of which is preconnected to a surface production facility. An articulated plow is lowered onto the base and manipulates a reel from its cradle. The plow is pulled by a surface vessel after obtaining the cable reel from the cradle. The cable is buried as it is payed out with the vessel pulling the plow. The plow is returned by the vessel to the base where it grabs another reel and the process is repeated. The cable does not need to be designed to support its own weight because it is payed out from the reel supported by the plow as opposed to being on the deck of the boat. Similarly, the boat structure required to perform the method is simplified due to the reduction in weight and bulk of the reels for the cables.

Abstract: It is characterized in that it consists in using a self-propelled sea plough (1) remote-controlled via a control flexible (2), said sea plough carrying at least one reel (6) of flexible conduit (7), controlling said sea plough from a site (5) so as to lay and bury a length of the flexible conduit up to a first predetermined point (P.sub.1), controlling said sea plough beyond said first predetermined point from another site (10), continuing laying and burying of the flexible conduit as far as a second predetermined point (P.sub.2), one of said sites being the land (5) and the other comprising a waterborne vessel.Applications include simultaneous laying and burying of flexible conduits such as optical cables, coaxial cables for analogue transmission, electrical cables, single or multiple flexible tubular conduits.

Abstract: The underwater cable burial machine uses a single cable for both towing and lifting. The machine includes a retractable cable, which is connected between a retraction mechanism and the towing cable. There is a cable guide through which the retractable cable passes. The cable guide is located over the center of gravity of the machine. In order to use the towing cable to lift the machine, the retraction mechanism pulls the retractable cable and the towing cable until the point where the retractable cable and the towing cable meet is at the cable guide. At that point the towing cable will be over the center of gravity of the machine, and the machine can be lifted onto the surface vessel to which the towing cable is attached.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a physical design for an ocean floor trenching tool. The tool consists of a replaceable forward-extending plowguard and detachable hardened plow tips. Surfaces forming the tool's mouth around the plowguard cause the tool to penetrate the ocean bed under normal operation. The surfaces are also effective to "spoil" or break up the compacted bed for easier tool advancement. If an unplowable obstacle is encountered, the plowguard prow rides up and over it, clearing the plow tips away from potential damage. Once past the obstacle, the tool again planes down to operating depth. The tool is useful as a plowability assessment device. With addition of a cable-burying rear chute, the tool can also bury repeatered or repeaterless cable.

Abstract: An underwater trenching system comprises a closed trenching system that vacuums up sediment removed during the trenching operation and deposits that same sediment into the trench, thereby burying a pipeline that has settled into the trench. The invention provides a trenching sled having high pressure water jets for digging and a vacuum head and lines for sucking the resulting sediment into a surge tank on a barge, from which it is re-deposited by a bury sled.

Abstract: A plough by means of which a cable may be buried below the sea-bed is characterized by means to vary the length of the path of a cable extending through the plough, which means is responsive to changes in tension in the cable. In one preferred form of the plough, the cable extends over two surfaces and these surfaces are mounted so as to be relatively movable in response to changes in the cable tension.

Abstract: A cable plow having a chassis with a pivot arm having a first end pivotably connected to the chassis and a second end pivotably connected to a plow element characterized by an arrangement extending between the plow element and the pivot arm to resist pivoting of the plow element from a desired or rated plowing position in response to increased forces applied on the element. Preferably, the chassis is constructed as a sled which is adapted for plowing or laying cable on either land or beneath the water's surface.

Abstract: A sled device for burying a pipe within the ground under water. The sled is arranged to be pulled over the ground and includes a blade adjustably mounted within a tower in the sled. The blade is arranged to cut a furrow in the ground as the sled is pulled thereacross and to pull a pipe, which is connected to the lower end of the blade, into the furrow. A mandrel assembly, including a cylindrical member located in front of the leading edge of the pipe is tethered to the blade to enlarge the diameter of the furrow as it is cut so that the pipe can be readily pulled therethrough. The mandrel also protects the pipe from impact by buried obstacles. The mandrel assembly is releasably secured to the lower end of the blade by a releasable means including a crank assembly.

Abstract: An embedding apparatus for optionally cutting through different densities of soil and rock in order to embed cable in a waterbed. The apparatus comprises a low pressure jet assembly for cutting into the soil, a rock-cutting assembly with teeth for cutting into soft rock; a rock-embedment depressor with a rotary saw blade assembly for cutting into relatively harder rock; and a depth sensor device. The low pressure jet assembly is part of a pivotal soil embedment depressor and liquifies the soil without any permanent soil displacement. The rock embedment depressor is selectively attachable to the soil embedment depressor, and has jets connected to a source of pressurized fluid to provide an hydraulic cushion thereunder and to clear the rock debris for the embedment of the cable.

Abstract: The plough consists of two portions separable by rams (72). Each portion comprises a beam (14, 16) joined to a plough body part (18, 20). The portions include two pairs of longitudinally-spaced arms (69) interconnected by pivots (70). At each end of the plough a support including bearers (61) is closed by a ram (59) to entrap the pipeline (26). Another ram lifts the support to raise the pipeline between the plough body parts (18, 20). The support ram is connected to a pressurized accumulator so that the support rollers (62) are kept against the pipeline (26) as the plough rises and falls and pitches. The elevated positions of the arms (69) and the relatively short separation between the two pairs of arms (69) allows the plough to descend and pitch relatively to the pipeline. In a modification the two beams are joined by rigid bridging structure and the plough body parts are pivotally connected to their respective beams. In other modifications the supports are dispensed with; or only one is used.

Abstract: A pipeline trenching plough is towed along the seabed by a tow wire (20) connected to a ship or tractor. The course of the plough is changed or maintained by oppositely-acting forces imposed on the wire (20) and on the body (10) of the plough by a hydraulic ram (24). The offset angle between the wire (20) and the lengthwise direction (30) of the plough is monitored by a potentiometer (33, 35). The wire (20) is connected to the plough at a real hitch point (22) vertically above the center of resistance (23) of soil forces on the ploughshare (12) and landside (14). Under normal equilibrium conditions the forces from the ram are zero. The forces required to change the course are small and independent of the offset angle. Ram force can counteract a side-sloping seabed. In modifications, the wire (20) is connected to a virtual hitch point formed by an adjustable linkage; or by a carriage adjustable along a transverse beam.

Abstract: A ditching machine for digging a ditch or a trench for submarine cables having at least several pairs of blades disposed along the longitudinal direction of the center body of the machine. At least the blades in the forward position have a ditching portion which ditches soil, and a soil-pushing portion which pushes the soil thus ditched away in a direction lateral to the moving direction of the ditching machine. The soil-pushing portion is at the top of the ditching portion and has a wider horizontal width as seen from front of the ditching machine than that of the ditching portion when the ditching machine is in a normal operation position. Further, the tapering angle at the bottom of the center body being in the range between 10.degree. and 17.degree. and the towing tension of the towing wire between the ditching machine and the work ship is considerably reduced.

Abstract: A device for burying a submarine cable under water by easily and accurately detecting the cable position and a method for guiding the same by utilizing the characteristics unique to submarine cables, by supplying an AC only to the portion of the cable between two arbitrary repeaters through a so-called transformer-coupling system to generate an AC magnetic field, and by detecting the magnetic field with a magnetic field detector.

Abstract: A self-loading plough assembly comprises a plough (2) having a channel (16) for the passage of a cable or pipe (8) and a cutter or cutters (5) for cutting and lifting a wedge of material from a substrate to form a trench into which the cable or pipe (8) is laid. The assembly also comprises a jib (11) for supporting the plough (2) and a carrier (7) for supporting the jib (11). The plough (2) is rotatably mounted under the jib (11) and the jib (11) is slideably mounted on the carrier (7) in such manner that the jib (11) can be raised or lowered and the plough (2) can be rotated about a horizontal axis to scoop the cable or pipe (8) into the channel (16).The assembly can pick up cable or pipe from the ground, e.g., the sea bed, and load it into the plough without manual intervention for burial, and reverse the procedure if need be.

Abstract: For burying piping (1) in a sea-bed, at least one excavating machine (3) is provided for forming a first trench (4) parallel to the front portion (1.sub.1) of the piping and to a guide formwork (5) adapted both for moving parallel to the first trench (4) and for then forming automatically, during its horizontal advance, a second trench (8) parallel to this first trench, contiguous therewith and extending planewise in the extension of the front piping portion, said structure having for this purpose an oblique front moldboard (9) which pushes back laterally into the first trench the earth engaged thereby and for automatically burying the piping (1) in the second trench (8) thus formed.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for the simultaneous trenching and installation of submarine pipelines. The apparatus is based on a single unit which includes an excavating portion, an attached ditch sidewall retention shield, and a pipeline installation guide. The excavator creates a trench of a slightly larger cross section than required, the shield prevents the trench from closing due to the collapse of the sidewalls, and the pipe guide causes the pipeline to be deflected into that portion of the trench protected by the shield. The pipeline is fabricated on the surface of the sea or on floating ice, and is supported and guided to enter the forward portion of the shield by a stinger or other means, when required.

Abstract: A marine continuous pipe laying system comprising a variable departure angle reel operably connected to a retractable trenching plow and backfilling apparatus. The reel comprises a pipe straightening mechanism connected to the rotational axis of the reel by a yoke for automatically maintaining proper bending moment regardless of the departure angle of the pipe. The plow comprises a shaped chisel share which is pivotally retractable within a sled frame for avoiding existing pipelines and varying the depth of cut and is provided with instrumented guide rollers to permit an operator to adjust the tow length of the plow to properly position the plow with respect to the catenary curve of the pipe being laid. The distance between the plow and the backfilling apparatus is adjustable to insure that the pipe is in the bottom of the trench before backfilling occurs.

Abstract: The apparatus will include a support sled portion having a pair of spaced apart elongated pontoon sections. The pontoons are interconnected by a plurality of I-beam spacer members. A cutter apparatus, including an endless cutter chain projecting into the soil is mounted to the underside of the I-beam spacer members.

Abstract: A marine continuous pipe laying system comprising a variable departure angle reel operably connected to a retractable trenching plow and backfilling apparatus. The reel comprises a pipe straightening mechanism connected to the rotational axis of the reel by a yoke for automatically maintaining proper bending moment regardless of the departure angle of the pipe. The plow comprises a shaped chisel share which is pivotally retractable within a sled frame for avoiding existing pipelines and varying the depth of cut and is provided with instrumented guide rollers to permit an operator to adjust the tow length of the plow to properly position the plow with respect to the catenary curve of the pipe being laid. The distance between the plow and the backfilling apparatus is adjustable to insure that the pipe is in the bottom of the trench before backfilling occurs.

Abstract: A cable or the like is embedded into an underwater ground by introducing the cable into a zone of reduced density which is produced progressively in the ground by a flushing process; upon meeting with ground formations which are only insufficiently loosened by the flushing process, mechanical loosening tools assist the loosening action of the flushing process. Preferably, the mechanical loosening tools are automatically put into and out of operation in dependence upon the depth of penetration of the flushing process.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the entrenching of pipes in underwater beds, of the type in which a framework, provided with excavating means, is positioned across the pipe to be entrenched and dragged along the pipe so as to excavate two parallel trenches adjacent to both sides of the pipe, the pipe being entrenched due to the collapsing (either spontaneous or caused by disgregating means) of the bed zone thus remaining under the pipe already laid onto the bed. The excavated material is removed by means of a pump and discharged again, at a predetermined distance from and rearwardly of the framework, on the entrenched pipe. The framework is provided with side supporting skid members, by which furthermore the entrenching height is adjustable.

Abstract: An apparatus for burying a pipeline in a sea bed having a spoil collection scoop surrounding the air lift intake portions of the sled. The apparatus includes a jet sled having jetting legs for disposition on the opposite sides of a pipeline to be buried and directing a stream of high pressure water through nozzles into the sea bed to form a trench for the pipeline, and air lift conduits each providing spoil intake and spoil discharge portions for removing spoil cuttings from the trench cut by the jetting legs. A spoil collection scoop surrounds the intake portions of the air lift conduits, collecting and consolidating spoil cut by the jetting legs at the air lift conduit intake portion for discharge of the cut spoil material from the trench into which the pipe will be buried.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing and releasing an underwater flexible line (30) within a channel (20) is disclosed. The channel (20) is formed on the support member (22) of an offshore structure such as the leg of a fixed offshore platform of the tension member of an offshore riser buoy system. The apparatus comprises a sled (22) which advances relative to the channel (20) on a track system. The sled (32) includes an aligning system for orienting and seating the line within the channel (20) as it advances along the length of the structure. Initially, the line is attached to the upper end of the offshore structure, preferably at or above the water surface and allowed to hang freely to the sea bed. Thus, the line is adjacent the channel and readily available for proper aligning and seating within the base of the channel. After the sled aligns and seats the line within the channel, it closes the channel securing the line by means of latches (34) pivotally mounted to one side of the channel.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for laying a pipe or cable in a bed of material. There is provided an elongated generally straight tube having a plurality of cutter means mounted in generally parallel spaced relationship with one another along the outer surface of the tube. The cutter means is adapted to remove material by shaving to form a trench when the tube is moved along the bed of material. There is provided adjustable skid means mounted on the tube. The tube or cable to be laid is received by the tube, so that, during movement of the tube, the tube or cable is laid in the trench.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for entrenching an elongated pipeline and the like uses a trenching apparatus having a trench cutting assembly which is detachably connected to a sled base. A floating vessel has means to control positioning of the trenching apparatus, including means to raise and lower, and to connect and disconnect, the trench cutting assembly and the sled base. Several methods and apparatus are disclosed for raising and lowering the trench cutting assembly while leaving the sled base positioned on the bottom of the body of water, straddling the elongated pipeline. In each embodiment, the cutting means may be lifted on board the vessel for maintenance and/or repair, leaving the sled base in position relative to the pipeline. Means are provided for abandoning the sled base at the entrenching site and returning later to lower the trench cutting assembly into its operational relationship with the sled base.

Abstract: Laying tool for laying of submarine cable in a sea-bottom trench. The tool comprises a drag unit and a pulling tube joined by a cardanic suspension and drawn by a vessel for use under variable sea and bottom conditions. The cable is laid out from the vessel through the pulling tube, a canal in the drag unit, and, finally, into a sea-bottom trench formed by a ploughing device on the drag unit. This unit is constructed so that the cable is forced down onto the bottom of the trench even if the unit is not operating in a proper position due to a rough sea-bottom. Moreover, the drag unit is constructed so that all material turned up from the sea-bottom is pushed aside from the trench and the ploughing device. The laying tool is also provided with floating tanks adjusted so that the drag unit without cable will float but with cable it will sink. The tanks may be filled with both water and air to facilitate submergence and refloating of the drag unit.