Method and apparatus for routing an underwater cable system
US5504685A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 9, 1994 |
| Grant date | Apr 2, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 9, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2203/0658
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system and method for identifying a route for excavation of an underwater trench on the seafloor includes a surface vessel, a plurality of penetrometers and an onboard computer. As the surface vessel plies along a proposed route for the underwater trench, penetrometers are launched from the vessel at selected launch points. Upon impact of a penetrometer with the seafloor, acoustic signals transmitted from the penetrometer during the impact event are analyzed by the onboard computer. From this computer analysis the seafloor at the impact point is classified as being in either a first state indicative of proceeding along the proposed route or a second state necessitating a deviation from the proposed route. Depending on the state of the seafloor and the number of deviations needed, the proposed route is returned to and followed, or a new proposed route is established. Data from the impact events are subsequently compiled to establish an actual route for excavation of the underwater trench.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.