US 2004/0069103 A1 · Method and apparatus for cutting underwater structures

Abstract

A method for the cutting of underwater structures below the level of the sea bottom on which they are installed, comprising the following phases: determination of the ideal plane of cutting, having considered the characteristic features of the structure (30) i.e. its morphology and its positioning on the bottom (20), the shape and consistency of the bottom (20) itself, and the depth below the level of the bottom (20) at which the cut must be effected; positioning and anchoring of the cutting means (1, 2, 3, 4; 5, 2, 3, 4; 7, 8, 2, 3, 4; 9, 2, 3, 4) in proximity of the cutting area; obtainment of at least one perforation or boring (21) in proximity of the structure (30) through the bottom (20) at least up to the predetermined level for the cutting of the structure, along a direction parallel to the cutting direction and preferably lying on the cutting plane; and introduction of the cutting means (3, 4) inside said perforation or boring (21) and cutting of the structure (30); and an apparatus for carrying out said method.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for the cutting of underwater structures below the level of the sea bottom on which they are installed, comprising the following phases:

determination of an ideal plane of cutting, having considered the characteristic features of the structure (30) i.e. its morphology and its positioning on the bottom (20), the shape and consistency of the bottom (20) itself, and the depth below the level of the bottom (20) at which the cut must be effected;
positioning and anchoring of the cutting means (1, 2, 3, 4;
5, 2, 3, 4;
7, 8, 2, 3, 4;
9, 2, 3, 4) in proximity of the cutting area;
obtainment of at least one perforation or boring (21) in proximity of the structure (30) through the bottom (20) at least up to the predetermined level for the cutting of the structure, along a direction parallel to the cutting direction and preferably lying on the cutting plane;
introduction of the cutting means (3, 4) inside said perforation or boring (21) and cutting of the structure (30).

4 more elements

An apparatus for carrying out the method for the cutting of underwater structures below the level of the sea bottom, comprising the phases of:

(a) determination of an ideal plane of cutting, having considered the characteristic features of the structure;
(b) positioning and anchoring of the cutting means in proximity of the cutting area;
(c) obtainment of at least one perforation or boring in proximity of the structure through the bottom at least up to the predetermined level for the cutting of the structure, along a direction parallel to the cutting direction and preferably lying on the cutting plane;
(d) introduction of the cutting means inside said perforation or boring and cutting of the structure,
characterised by the fact of comprising means for perforation or boring (303), means for cutting which comprise a cutting frame (2, 3, 304, 533) and one movable cutting unit (204, 504, 404, 4), means for the positioning (302, 202, 212, 102, 122;
307, 207, 308, 407) of said perforation means (2, 3, 303) and of the said cutting means (2, 3, 304, 533, 204, 504, 404, 4) and anchoring means (201, 401;
108, 509, 609).

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for cutting underwater structures

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for cutting underwater structures

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20