Method and apparatus for protecting underwater structures, in particular pipelines or the like laid on the sea bed

摘要

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for protecting underwater structures, in particular pipelines, cables, or the like laid on the sea bed, against mechanical and/or hydromechanical actions. According to the invention, a covering fill of loose solid material is heaped up over the underwater structure. The solid material is poured into a gravity tube, the discharge orifice of which is held and guided in a controlled manner above the underwater structure. To avoid blockages in the gravity tube, the falling velocity of the solid material is increased by the free opening rim of the inlet opening of the gravity tube being held under the water surface during the pouring-in of the solid material. <IMAGE>