FIELD: machine building; pipelines.
SUBSTANCE: invention refers to the sphere of pipeline services construction and is to be utilised for purposes related to underwater pipelines arrangement and operation. The bottom module is composed of a set of mutually insulated reservoirs to be filled with bulk material arranged linearly at a fixed or variable spacing. The reservoirs are interconnected with flexible load-carrying belts so that to enable clinging application onto the pipeline. Each reservoir is equipped with lifting lugs and a top-mounted loading chute. In the course of the pipeline operation the bottom module weight compensates for decrease of the bottom trench backfill weighting capacity resulting from exposure to ice packs and grounded hummocks or from the surface of the bottom and the trench backfill material bulk undergoing deformation and/or ridging caused by floating masses of ice. In case the pipeline laid inside the bottom trench becomes dangerously exposed due to impact exercised by individual ice floes the bottom module with its reservoirs filled with bulk material serves to protect the pipeline surface from damage that may be caused by collision of underwater parts of drifting ice masses.
EFFECT: enhanced operational reliability of the underwater pipeline.
14 cl
