| 摘要 |
A method of joining a first pipe section (109) to a second pipe section (111), for example during J-lay of an undersea pipeline, is described. The method includes positioning the two pipe sections (109, 111) in an end-to-end configuration to define therebetween a joint to be welded (115), measuring the degree of alignment of the pipe sections (109, 111) when they are in the end-to-end configuration in a position ready for welding, ascertaining the relative movement required of the pipe sections (109, 111) in order to improve their alignment, effecting the relative movement so ascertained, and welding together the two pipe sections (109, 111). The method may include the use of geometric data of the end of the pipes in order to ascertain the relative movement required of the pipe sections. A control unit may be used to calculate, using such data, a target orientation that lines up the pipe sections. The measuring step may be performed using, for example, a laser (123) or a camera (223) and backlight (225). |
