Method and apparatus for sinking a suction pile

Abstract

A remotely operated vehicle-mounted pump is used to pump water from a suction pile, causing the suction pile to sink into the seabed of the ocean. The remotely operated vehicle exhibits a first mating member, and the pile exhibits a second mating member. The mating members define a channeled interface, channeling the first and second mating members to a common axis.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A suction pile suction interface comprising: 
 a remotely operated vehicle, the remotely operated vehicle exhibiting a first mating member; and    a pile exhibiting a second mating member, the first and second mating members defining a channeled interface channeling the first and second mating members to a common axis.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which the common axis is horizontal.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which the first mating member is male and the second mating member is female.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which the channeled interface is conical.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a fastener releaseably fastening together the first and second mating members.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  in which the fastener is a hydraulic latch.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which the channeled interface exhibits a deflective seal.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  in which the deflective seal is an o-ring.