Patent ID: 9695959
Date: 2017-07-04
CPC Classifications: F16L

Claim:
1. A pipeline guide system comprising: a float unit; a trolley selectively connectable to a pipeline which can span a designated path between a laying vessel and a bed of a body of water, said trolley being configured to roll along the pipeline, parallel to the designated path, to adjust a position of the float unit along the pipeline, said trolley including a plurality of grip rollers configured to roll along a bottom of the pipeline, said grip rollers being selectively movable between: (i) a release position, in which the pipeline is insertable between the grip rollers, and (ii) a closed position, in which the grip rollers are positioned contacting the pipeline, wherein each grip roller has a truncated-cone-shaped outer surface and is configured to rotate with respect to a respective arm about a first axis, said respective arm is configured to selectively rotate with respect to a frame of the float unit about a second axis parallel to said first axis; and at least one powered roller motor configured to drive a powered roller contacting the pipeline to adjust a distance between the float unit and the laying vessel.