Seafloor cable systems are failing in increasing numbers due to fishing-trawler-induced damage. It has been demonstrated that the burial of seafloor cables markedly reduces the incidence of damage. The objective of this work was to identify viable cable burial system concepts and to perform the research and analysis necessary to select the most promising approach to burying cables 3 feet deep in the seafloor to depths of 6,000 feet. The three major problem areas considered were the propulsion, excavation, and running gear subsystems. Propulsion systems investigated included towing, thrusters, tracks or wheels, and cable traction. Excavating means included fluidizing, plowing, water jetting, trenching, and direct insertion of the cable. The running gear systems investigated were skids, rolling elements, and a water cushion. Subsystem candidates were combined into system concepts, and the concepts were rated according to their power and force requirements, probability of cable damage, capability of handling different soils and terrains, controllability, weight, size, and complexity. It was concluded that the system with the best chance of successfully burying cables in the deep ocean while meeting the operational requirements and design requirements would be self-powered with thrusters, supported on skids, and utilize vibratory plowing and/or water jetting for the burial means. (Author)
Deep Ocean Cable Burial Concept Development
1976
80 pages
Report
No indication
English
Online Contents | 1996
British Library Online Contents | 1996
|New-generation undersea cable burial plow
Tema Archive | 1999
|NEW-GENERATION UNDERSEA CABLE BURIAL PLOW
British Library Online Contents | 1999
|