Slot form for pipeline buoyancy control

摘要

A device for controlling buoyancy of a buried pipeline, the device comprising a form placed atop the pipeline and a flexible strap extending around the form adjacent its top. The form may comprise a first trough located adjacent the first side of the pipeline, a second trough located adjacent the opposing second side of the pipeline, and a middle section with an inverted-U-shaped cross section such that the middle portion fits over the top of the pipeline and joins the first trough and the second trough. The troughs are filled with backfill when the pipeline is buried. Thus, when fully installed, the device may comprise the slot form, the strap, and the backfill. As the pipeline tends to rise, the straps deform, bringing the sides of the troughs inward and compressing the backfill therein. This prevents further upward movement of the pipeline.

主权项

1. A device for controlling buoyancy of a pipeline with a top, a first side, and an opposing second side, the device comprising:
a form, where the form has a top, a bottom, two opposing sides, and two opposing ends, and where the form comprises:
a first trough located adjacent the first side of the pipeline, where the first trough has two open ends;a second trough located adjacent the opposing second side of the pipeline, where the second trough has two open ends; anda middle portion, where the middle portion has an inverted-U-shaped cross section such that the middle portion fits over the top of the pipeline and joins the first trough and the second trough; a strap encircling the form adjacent the top of the form, such that the strap runs along each of the two sides and spans the two ends, where the strap remains in place encircling the form while the device is in use; and four end pieces, where each of the open ends of each of the troughs is at least partially covered by one of the four end pieces.