Vessel for forming a trench in a water bottom

Abstract

A vessel ( 1 ) for forming a trench in a water bottom ( 100 ) includes a ladder ( 2 ) and trenching elements mounted to the ladder ( 2 ). The trenching elements are formed by a first upwardly inclined auger ( 10 ) for forming a first inclined trench wall ( 101 ) and a second upwardly inclined auger ( 20, 20 ′) for forming a second inclined trench wall ( 102 ). The first auger ( 10 ) is arranged to be rotated to move material of the water bottom ( 100 ) in an upward direction along the first auger ( 10 ).

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A vessel for forming a trench in a water bottom, comprises a ladder and trenching means mounted to the ladder, wherein the trenching means are formed by a first upwardly inclined auger for forming a first inclined trench wall and a second upwardly inclined auger for forming a second inclined trench wall, wherein the first auger is arranged to be rotated to move material of the water bottom in an upward direction along the first auger. 
     
     
         18 . The vessel according to  claim 17 , wherein the first and second augers are together orientated in a V-shape. 
     
     
         19 . The vessel according to  claim 17 , wherein an upper end of the first upwardly inclined auger is directed in an oblique rearward direction with respect to a trenching direction of the vessel. 
     
     
         20 . The vessel according to  claim 17 , wherein the second auger is arranged to be rotated to move material off the water bottom in an upward direction along the second auger. 
     
     
         21 . The vessel according to  claim 20 , wherein an upper end of the second upwardly inclined auger is directed in an oblique rearward direction with respect to a trenching direction of the vessel. 
     
     
         22 . The vessel according to  claim 17 , wherein the second auger is arranged to be rotated to move material of the water bottom in a direction towards the first auger. 
     
     
         23 . The vessel according to  claim 22 , wherein the second auger has a smaller moving capacity than the first auger. 
     
     
         24 . The vessel according to  claim 20 , wherein an upper end of the second upwardly inclined auger is directed in an oblique forward direction with respect to a trenching direction of the vessel. 
     
     
         25 . The vessel according to  claim 17 , wherein the trenching means are provided at a bow of the vessel. 
     
     
         26 . The vessel according to  claim 17 , wherein the trenching means are provided at a stern of the vessel. 
     
     
         27 . The vessel according to  claim 17 , wherein the trenching means comprise a plough, positioned behind the first and second auger. 
     
     
         28 . The vessel according to  claim 17 , wherein the vessel comprises a plurality of spuds and respective spud carriages which can move the spuds in a horizontal direction with respect to the vessel to define a trenching direction. 
     
     
         29 . The vessel according to  claim 17 , wherein the ladder is moveably mounted to lift and lower the trenching means. 
     
     
         30 . The vessel according to  claim 17 , wherein the vessel comprises adjustment means, for adjusting the orientation and/or relative position of the first and second augers. 
     
     
         31 . A method of trenching comprising
 providing a vessel with a ladder and trenching means mounted to the ladder,   lowering the ladder to position the trenching means at a predetermined depth, wherein   
       the trenching means are formed by a first upwardly inclined auger for forming a first inclined trench wall and a second upwardly inclined auger for forming a second inclined trench wall, the method further comprising
 rotating the first auger to move material of the water bottom in an upward direction along the first auger while moving the vessel in a trenching direction. 
 
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 31 , further comprising adjusting the orientation and/or relative position of the first and second augers.