The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 26, 1977
Filed:
Sep. 04, 1975
Nico DEBoer, Kenner, LA (US);
Robert L Olsen, New Orleans, LA (US);
J. Ray McDermott & Co. Inc., New Orleans, LA (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for entrenching submerged elongate structures, such as a pipeline, within the bed of a body of water. A spreader frame straddles the pipeline to be entrenched. Port and starboard sled frame members having pontoons are pivoted in the spreader frame on each side of the pipeline for pivotal movement. Each sled frame member carries a fluid jetting leg which includes jetting nozzles. Hydraulically operated linkage moves the sled frame members causing the jetting legs to substantially enclose the pipeline bringing the ends of the fluid jetting legs into close proximity beneath the pipeline. Jetting action by the nozzles forms a trench in the bed for receiving the pipeline. The fluid jetting legs are adjustable for various depths and for various sizes of pipeline. The combined structure formed by a sled frame member and fluid jetting leg has a center of gravity that is inboard of its pivot point causing the jetting legs to move apart upon the apparatus being urged off the submerged floor such that the jetting sled does not engage or tangle the pipeline.