Repair unit for underwater operations - has multi-coupler fitted to pipeline to enable remote control from submarine

摘要

The system allows repair work to be carried out at depths greater than 500 m i.e. beyond the range of a diver. A manned submarine (3) having detected a fault (1a) in an underwater pipeline (1) fixes a clamp to the pipe near to the fault. The clamp is connected by a cable (5a) to a surface vessel. The maintenance apparatus containing hydraulically operated tools (4) is lowered down the line and clamped by the manipulating arm of the submarine, to the pipeline. The underwater unit also contains a multi coupler (8) onto which the submarine attaches a mating connector (9). By means of the submarine battery-operated hydraulic pump unit and the flexible connections (11) the submariner is able to perform the maintenance operations.