Apparatus and method for inserting an elongate object into a trench

A method of operating an apparatus defining a leading end and a trailing end for inserting an elongate object into a trench, the method comprising:

• cutting a trench on a seabed using a trench cutting device;
• moving the trench cutting device relative to the trench on the seabed;
• transferring with a transfer device located proximate the leading end of the apparatus and having a gripping device and a lifting device at least part of an elongate object into a support device located proximate the leading end of the apparatus, wherein the lifting device further comprises a first support proximate the leading end and positioned adjacent to the gripping device on a leading side of the gripping device and a second support proximate the leading end and positioned adjacent to the gripping device on a trailing side of the gripping device, such that the at least part of the elongate object is engaged by both the first support and the second support;
• supporting with the support device the at least part of the elongate object in at least one first position displaced from the trench cutting device in a direction transverse to a direction of travel of the apparatus during cutting of the trench;
• and
• moving the support device transversely and independently from the transfer device to position the at least part of the elongate object to at least one second position above the trench cutting device.

An apparatus for inserting an elongate object into a trench, the apparatus defining a leading end and a trailing end and comprising:

• a trench cutting device for cutting a trench;
• a moving device for moving the trench cutting device relative to the trench;
• a first lifting device proximate the leading end comprising a gripping device and configured to move laterally relative to the trench cutting device to grip and lift the elongate object on a seabed and positioned lateral to the trench cutting device, and at least one second lifting device for applying a lifting force to a lower surface of the elongate object at a plurality of locations spaced apart along the elongate object;
• and
• a supporting device proximate the leading end configured to support the elongate object and to move laterally relative to the trench cutting device independently of the first lifting device;
• and
• wherein at least one said second lifting device further comprises a first support proximate the leading end and positioned adjacent to the gripping device on a leading side of the gripping device and a second support proximate the leading end and positioned adjacent to the gripping device on a trailing side of the gripping device, such that the lower surface of the elongate object is engaged by both the first support and the second support.

A method of operating an apparatus defining a leading end and a trailing end and configured for inserting an elongate object into a trench, the method comprising:

• cutting a trench using a trench cutting device;
• moving the trench cutting device relative to the trench;
• gripping and lifting with a first device located proximate the leading end the elongate object positioned lateral to the trench cutting device from a seabed;
• applying a lifting force with a second device located proximate the leading end to a lower surface of the elongate object at a plurality of locations spaced apart along the elongate object, wherein the second device further comprises a first support proximate the leading end and positioned adjacent to the first device on a leading side of the first device and a second support proximate the leading end and positioned adjacent to the first device on a trailing side of the first device, such that the lower surface of the elongate object is engaged by both the first support and the second support;
• transferring the elongate object with the first device and the second device to a third device located primate the leading end;
• and
• moving the third device laterally relative to the first device and the second device to orient the elongate object above the trench cutting device.

An apparatus for inserting an elongate object into a trench, the apparatus having a leading end and a trailing end and comprising:

• a trench cutting device for cutting a trench;
• a moving device for moving the trench cutting device relative to the trench in a direction of travel;
• a cable grab arm proximate the leading end supporting a cable grab and a lifting device;
• and
• a cable support tray proximate the leading end;
• wherein the cable grab arm is configured to extend and retract laterally relative to the direction of travel and independently of the cable support tray;
• wherein the cable support tray is configured to move laterally relative to the direction of travel and independently of the cable grab arm;
• wherein the cable grab is configured to selective grip an elongate object positioned lateral to the trench cutting device in the direction of travel at a first location whereat the elongate object is supported by a seabed and to move the elongate object to a second location whereat the elongate object is spaced from the seabed;
• and
• wherein the lifting device is configured to selectively engage a lower surface of the elongate object at multiple locations along the elongate object when the elongate object is at the second location, and wherein the lifting device further comprises a first support proximate the leading end and positioned adjacent to the cable grab on a leading side of the cable grab and a second support proximate the leading end and positioned adjacent to the cable grab on a trailing side of the cable grab, such that the lower surface of the elongate object is engaged by both the first support and the second support.

A method of operating an apparatus defining a leading end and a trailing end for inserting an elongate object into a trench, the method comprising:

• cutting a trench on a seabed using a trench cutting device;
• moving the trench cutting device relative to the trench on the seabed;
• extending a cable grab arm located proximate the leading end, which supports a cable grab and a lifting device, laterally relative to a direction of travel of the trench cutting device;
• gripping an elongate object with the cable grab;
• retracting the cable grab arm to lift the elongate object with the cable grab;
• and
• supporting underneath the elongate object with the lifting device, wherein the lifting device further comprises a first support proximate the leading end and positioned adjacent to the cable grab on a leading side of the cable grab and a second support proximate the leading end and positioned adjacent to the cable grab on a trailing side of the cable grab, such that underneath the elongate object is engaged by both the first support and the second support;
• moving the cable grab arm to position the elongate object into a cable tray located proximate the leading end and lateral to the trench cutting device in the direction of travel, wherein the cable grab arm moves laterally independently of the cable tray;
• releasing the elongate object from the cable grab and the lifting device to locate the elongate object into the cable tray;
• and
• moving the cable tray independently of the cable grab arm from lateral to the trench cutting device to aligned with the trench cutting device in the direction of travel.