Underwater pipeline entrenching apparatus and method of using the same

摘要

A system for entrenching an underwater pipeline on a water bottom. The system is comprised of an underwater pipeline positioned on a water bottom; a floating vessel; an elongated tubular entrenching tool having a plurality of tool nozzles; a jetting head having a plurality of nozzles attached to the entrenching tool by a flexible jetting head hose; first and second waterlines; means for connecting the first waterline to the rear end of the entrenching tool and means for connecting the second waterline to the front end of said tool; and means for suspending the entrenching tool below the pipeline. A pump supported on the surface vessel is connected to the waterlines and is utilized to pump a volume of water at a desired pressure through the waterlines to the entrenching tool to create a trench on the water bottom for entrenching the pipeline by the jets of water at the tool and jetting head nozzles. The entrenching tool also has an attached air pipe connected to an air hose and an air compressing means supported on the surface vessel to produce a volume of air at a desired pressure through air holes in the air pipe to enhance the creation of the trench and the entrenchment of the pipeline. The systems is provided with means to move the suspended entrenching tool along the pipeline to further expand the trench created by the tool.