William Michael Abrams

US Patent:

41201671, Oct 17, 1978

Filed:

Jun 6, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/803888

Inventors:

Lee Richard Denman - Houston TX
William Randolph Abrams - Mystic CT

International Classification:

F16L 100
G01S 966

US Classification:

405157

Abstract:

The forward movement of a pipe-laying vessel when laying pipe offshore is controlled to maintain the position of the pipe as laid on the sea bed as close as possible to the desired track. The position of the touch down point on the sea bed of the pipeline suspended from the vessel is measured at periodic intervals by driving a survey vessel fitted with an echo location device along the already laid line. The measured position of a touch down point is compared with the desired track and any deviation is computed. Further movements of the pipe-laying vessel are adapted to minimize this deviation.