COMPLEX FOR LAYING UNDERWATER PIPE LINES Russian patent published in 2000 - IPC

FIELD: erection of pipe lines over shelf of sea bottom. SUBSTANCE: laying the pipe line is effected by J-method. Pipe laying ship carries crane and magazine of pipes intended for welding. Welding machine provided with laser (or with welding head only) is positioned inside pipe line near its end faces. Welding machine possesses positive buoyancy. Axes of pipe and pipe line are aligned. In case, laser is fitted in welding machine, radiation generated by laser is directed to swivel mirror and after reflecting from this mirror it is directed to focusing objective where radiation is focused and is directed to joint to be welded. In case, laser is located above pipe to be welded, radiation generated by it is directed vertically downward inside pipe to be welded to welding head where it gets on swivel mirror and then it is directed to joint to be welded via focusing objective. EFFECT: extended operational capabilities; facilities; facilitated erection of underwater pipe lines. 2 cl, 5 dwg