| 摘要 |
A method and apparatus for joining pipe sections ( 102, 104 ) together to form an underwater pipeline. The pipe sections ( 102, 104 ) are in an abutting position and have a generally vertical orientation. An upper end ( 108 ) of the most recently joined pipe sections ( 104 ) is to be welded to a lower end ( 106 ) of a new pipe section ( 102 ). The apparatus comprises at least two welding equipment carriers ( 148, 152 ) and at least two welding heads ( 110, 112 ). Each welding head is connected to an equipment carrier ( 148, 152 ) by means of at least one umbilical ( 130, 132 ). The apparatus further comprises a welding head guide assembly ( 113 ) which is adapted to be fixed to one of said upper of lower pipe sections. The welding head guide assembly ( 113 ) guides the welding heads about the pipe sections ( 102, 104 ). The apparatus further comprises a guiding device ( 133 ) which guides the welding equipment carriers ( 148, 152 ) around said welding area ( 115 ). The welding equipment carriers ( 148, 152 ) are movable independently from one another.
|
