Submarine pipeline spoiler

Abstract

A method and apparatus for stabilizing and burying a conduit in a waterbed is disclosed. A plurality of spoilers are placed on the conduit at longitudinally and radially different positions to promote self-burial, reduce vortex-induced vibration, prevent upheaval buckling, minimize future corrective work by continuous reburial of the under water conduit or pipeline.

1 . A method for promoting self-burial of a conduit in the bottom of a water bed, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a first seat on a first portion of a conduit, said first seat having first, second and third grooves therein parallel to said first portion of said conduit for receiving fins, said first groove being approximately over dead center along said first portion of said conduit, said second groove being radially spaced approximately 10-30° from said first groove in a first direction, and said third groove being radially spaced approximately 10-30° from said first groove in a direction opposite said second groove;    providing a first protruding part in said first groove in said first seat;    providing a second seat on a first portion of a conduit, said second seat having first, second and third grooves therein parallel to said second portion of said conduit for receiving fins, said first groove being approximately over dead center along said second portion of said conduit, said second groove being radially spaced approximately 10-30° from said first groove in a first direction, and said third groove being radially spaced approximately 10-30° from said first groove in a direction opposite said second groove;    providing a second protruding part in said second groove in said second seat.    providing a third seat on a first portion of a conduit, said third seat first, second and third grooves therein parallel to said third portion of said conduit for receiving fins, said first groove being approximately over dead center along said second portion of said conduit, said second groove being radially spaced approximately 10-30° from said first groove in a first direction, and said third groove being radially spaced approximately 10-30° from said first groove in a direction opposite said second groove;    providing a third protruding part in said third groove in said third seat.    
   
   
       2 . Canceled.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1  further comprising the step of: 
 providing a fourth seat on a fourth portion of a conduit, said fourth seat having first, second and third grooves therein parallel to said fourth portion of said conduit for receiving fins, said first groove being approximately over dead center along said second portion of said conduit, said second groove being radially spaced approximately 10-30° from said first groove in a first direction, and said third groove being radially spaced approximately 10-30° from said first groove in a direction opposite said second groove;    providing a fourth protruding part in said first groove in said fourth seat.    
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said step of providing a second seat comprises securing said second seat to said conduit at a longitudinal distance along said conduit of at least four inches from said first seat.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1  further wherein said first protruding part comprises a fin and means for permitting water flow through at least a portion of said fin.  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 5  wherein said step of providing a second seat comprises securing said second seat to said conduit at a longitudinal position along said conduit approximately adjacent to a longitudinal position of first seat.  
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said step of providing a second protruding part comprises securing said second protruding part to said second seat at a longitudinal distance along said conduit approximately four inches from said first protruding part.  
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said step of providing a third protruding part comprises securing said third protruding part to said conduit at a longitudinal distance along said conduit of at least four inches from said second protruding part.  
   
   
       9 . Canceled.  
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said first and second protruding parts each comprises a fin.  
   
   
       11 . Canceled.  
   
   
       12 . A method for providing stability for a conduit in the bottom of a water bed, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a first seat on a first portion of a conduit, said first seat having first and second grooves therein parallel to said first portion of said conduit for receiving fins, said first groove being approximately over dead center along said first portion of said conduit and said second groove being radially spaced approximately 10-30° from said first groove;    providing a first protruding part in said first groove;    providing a second protruding part in said second groove.    
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 12  wherein said providing stability for a conduit comprises at least one of: 
 stimulating self-burial of said conduit;    reducing vortex-induced vibration of said conduit; and    preventing upheaval buckling of said conduit.    
   
   
       14 . A pipeline assembly comprising: 
 a length of pipe;    a first seat secured to a first portion of said length of pipe, said first seat having first and second grooves therein for receiving fins, said first and second grooves being parallel to said first portion of said length of pipe, said first groove being approximately over dead center along said first portion of said length of pipe and said second groove being radially spaced approximately 10-30° from said first groove;    a first protruding part secured in one of said first and second grooves.    
   
   
       15 . A pipeline assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein said first protruding part is secured in said first groove and said pipeline assemble further comprising: 
 a second seat secured to a second portion of said length of pipe, said second seat having first and second grooves therein for receiving fins, said first and second grooves being parallel to said second portion of said length of pipe, said first groove being approximately over dead center along said second portion of said length of pipe and said second groove being radially spaced approximately 10-30° from said first groove;    a second protruding part secured in said second groove on said second template seat.    
   
   
       16 . A pipeline assembly according to  claim 14  wherein: 
 said first template seat further comprises a third groove parallel to said first portion of said length of pipe, said third groove being radially spaced 10-30° in a direction opposite said second groove.    
   
   
       17 . A pipeline assembly according to  claim 15  wherein said second protruding part is longitudinally spaced on said length of pipe approximately four inches from said first protruding part.  
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said first, second and third portions of a conduit a plurality of adjoined sections of pipe.  
   
   
       19 . A submarine pipeline spoiler assembly comprising: 
 a substantially fin; and    a template seat for placement along a length of a conduit, wherein said template seat comprises a first side for placement adjacent said a conduit and a second side for placement away from said conduit, said second side having a plurality of grooves therein for receiving said fin, said grooves being substantially parallel to said conduit when said template seat is secured to said conduit and radially spaced from one another on said second side of said template seat.    
   
   
       20 . A submarine pipeline spoiler assembly according to  claim 19  wherein said template seat further comprises a means for receiving a second conduit.  
   
   
       21 . A submarine pipeline spoiler assembly according to  claim 19  wherein said plurality of grooves comprise a first groove for placement approximately over dead center on said conduit; and a second groove spaced radially approximately 10 to 30 degrees in a first direction on said template seat from said first groove.  
   
   
       22 . A submarine pipeline spoiler assembly according to  claim 21  wherein said plurality of grooves further comprises a third groove spaced radially approximately 10 to 30 degrees in a second direction on said template seat from said first groove.