| 摘要 |
<p>Apparatus for laying and/or retrieving elongate flexible elements, such as pipes and cables having accessories at spaced intervals, is mounted on a floating vessel such as a barge (12) and comprises two self powered conveyors (2, 3) pivotally connected together through a hinge (19) but which may be locked relative to one another for use. A trolley (4) runs on wheels (8) on rails (5) on either side of the conveyor system and has an upper surface consisting of a further powered conveyor (6). The sides of conveyor (3) extend to form a chute (7) at the outboard end. In normal operation the trolley (4) is stored and the pipe or cable is carried by the conveyors (2, 3) to the chute (7) which guides it into the water. The shape of the chute (7) permits the pipe/cable to leave the barge at up to 45° either side of the fore and aft axis of the conveyor. When an accessory on the pipe/cable approaches the trolley (4) is raised to support the pipe/cable behind the accessory carrying the pipe with the accessory above and out of contact with the conveyors (2, 3) until the accessory has entered the water. The trolley (4) is then retrieved.</p> |
