METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF CABLES, PIPES ETC. AND USE OF A SURROUNDING CLADDING

Abstract: A method and means for protection and maintenance of cables, pipes etc. (3), from damage or growth in a marine environment, by providing the cables, pipes etc. (3) with an external cladding (1) which is removed when necessary and replaced by a new cladding (1). A use of the cladding (1) is also disclosed.

Description: METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF CABLES, PIPES ETC. AND USE OF A SURROUNDING CLADDING. The present invention is related to a method and device to protect and maintain cables, pipes etc. against damages and growth respectively in a marine environment. The invention is further related to a use of a cladding around cables, pipes etc. which is arranged to be removed and replaced by a new cladding as required. More specific the invention is intended to be used in connection with seismic cables and measuring cables in oceans where growth (fouling) on the cables are likely to occur. Growth on cables in a marine environment is a problem. Growth will attach to the cables and the handling of these becomes highly complicated. Cleaning the cables is a very expensive and time consuming operation, which often is ineffec- tive and results in loss of time and production of measuring data. Today these cables are cleaned by means of mechanical brushes, or by water under high pressure. Both methods result in high risk of damage of the cable and in addition the methods are ineffective. Antifouling means are also used. These are toxic and dangerous to the environment when they are used and to those working with and get in touch with these products. Therefore, the object of the present invention is to solve the problem related to the prior art techniques as described above. This is achieved by a method for protection and maintenance of cables, pipes etc. against respectively damage and growth in a marine environment, characterized in that the cables, pipes etc. externally are provided with a cladding, which can be removed and replaced by a new cladding as required. Preferred embodiments of the method are further described in the claims 2 to 9. Further, the objects of the present invention are achieved by means of a device for protection and maintenance of cables, pipes etc. against damage and growth in a marine environment, characterized by an external cladding applied on the cables, pipes etc. whereby the cladding is arranged to be removed and replaced by new cladding as required. The device is further explained in the claims 11 to 14. Finally, the objects of the present invention are achieved by use of cladding around the cables, pipes etc. which is arranged to be removed and replaced by a new cladding as required, to protect and maintain the cables, pips etc. against damage and growth, respectively in a marine environment. The invention is now further explained by means of an embodiment, and by the means of enclosed drawing, wherein: Fig. 1 shows a cross section of a pipe, cable etc. where the cladding according to the invention is provided around the outer circumference, and Fig. 2 shows a part of the cladding in fig. 1. With reference to fig. 1 , a cladding 1 is shown arranged around the outer circumference of a pipe or a cable 3. In fig. 2 the cladding itself 1 is shown in a widespread (unrolled) condition, as pulled out of a roller for example. The cladding 1 is manufactured from a soft plastic material which is thick enough to withstand penetration of marine growth. The cladding 1 is arranged with a small line (stripe) of glue in the form of an adhesive material 2 at the one side edge, and this is as shown approximate one centimetre of width. The adhesive is so manufactured of a glue which is not weakened by submerging in water, this including saltwater, freshwater etc. The adhesive 2 is further protected by a glue protective band or by an adhesive protection 4 in the form of a removable tearing-off material. The intention by this adhesive protection 4 is to have the cladding 1 stored on a roller, and furthermore the adhesive protection 4 will simplify the work of bringing the cladding 1 on a cable 3, for example by attaching the cladding 1 on to the cable 3, the adhesive protection 4 will successively be removed as the cladding 1 is attached around the cable 3. The cladding 1 is in the shown embodiment in a "tape form" and made from plastic material. The cladding 1 has a width that slightly exceeds the circumference of the cable. The one side of the cladding 1 has, as earlier mentioned, a relatively narrow line of adhesive 2 at least at one longitudinal edge area of the cladding covered by an adhesive protection 4 in the form of a removable material. The cladding 1 is pulled of a roller and laid on to the cable 3 in its longitudinal direction. The cladding 1 is wrapped around the cable 3, such that the adhesive 2 is overlapped by the opposing edge area of the cladding. The adhesive protection 4 is successively removed as the cladding 1 is wrapped around the pipe 3, whereby the adhesive 2 is attached against the overlapping edge area of the cladding 1. With regular intervals approximate 20 metres a "belt" of common "Diver tape" is taped around the cladding 1 and the cable 3. The purpose of this is to limit the damage in case of a damage of cladding 1. The cable 3 being protected is movable inside the cladding 1. When replacing the cladding 1 , which may be necessary due to damage or due to unacceptable growth, the cladding 1 is cut loose in the longitudinal direction and removed. A new cladding 1 will normally be attached successively just after the previous cladding 1 has been removed. New cladding 1 will normally be applied after the old one is removed. When replacing the cladding 1, a knife type article will normally be pushed in between the cladding 1 and the cable 3. When the cladding 1 is split in the longitudinal direction, it will fall off the cable 3, and a new cladding 1 can be attached to the cable 3. The cladding 1 removed will then be lodged. Finally, it should be mentioned that the embodiment described above represents one of several areas of use of the invention. Therefore, the invention is only limited by the attached claims.

Claims: PATENT CLAIMS. 1. A method for protection and maintenance of cables, pipes etc. (3) against respectively damage and growth in a marine environment, characterized in that the cables, pipes etc. (3) externally are provided with a cladding (1) which can be removed and replaced by a new cladding (1) as required. 2. Method according to claim 1 , characterized in that the cladding (1) is wrapped tight around the cables, pipes etc. (3) and the edge areas of the cladding (1) overlap each other and are attached to each other. 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cladding (1) is provided in tape form on a roller as the adhesive (2) on at least one of the longitudinal edges of the cladding is covered with a adhesive protection (4) in the form of a removable (tearing off) material. 4. Method according to anyone of the previous claims, characterized in that the cladding (1) is provided with a width slightly larger than the circumference of the cables, pipes etc. 5. Method according to anyone of the previous claims, characterized in that the cladding (1) is made from a plastic material. 6. Method according to anyone of the previous claims, characterized in that the cladding (1) is pulled out of the roller and wrapped around the cables, pipes etc. (3) in the longitudinal direction, the cladding (1) is wrapped around the cable whereafter the adhesive protection (4) is removed and the edge areas of the cladding (1) are adhered to one another. 7. Method according to anyone of the previous claims, characterized in that a belt of preferable tape is attached around the circumference of the cables, pipes etc. with regular intervals. 8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the interval is 20 metres. 9. Method according to anyone of the previous claims, characterized in that the cladding (1) is cut and split in its longitudinal direction and removed from the cables, pipes etc. as required. 10. A device for protection and maintenance of cables, pipes etc. (3) against damage and growth in a marine environment, characterized in that a cladding (1) is externally applied to the cables, pipes etc. (3) whereby the cladding (1) is arranged to be removed and replaced by a new cladding (1) as required. 11. Device in accordance to claim 10, characterized in that the cladding (1) has a width which is slightly larger than the circumference of the cables, pipes etc. (3). 12. Device according to claim 10 or 11 , characterized in that the cladding (1) consists of a plastic material. 13. Device according to claims 10,11 or 12, characterized in that the cladding (1) along at least one of its longitudinal edge areas is provided with an adhesive. 14. Device according to anyone of the claims 10, 11 , 12 or 13, characterized in that the adhesive is provided with a removable adhesive protection (4). 15. Use of a cladding (1) around cables, pipes etc. (3) which is arranged to be removed and replaced by a new cladding (1) as required for protecting and maintaining cables, pipes etc. (3) against damage and growth in a marine environment.

Inventors: SKINNES ARNT, SKINNES, ARNT
Applicants: SKINNES ARNT, SKINNES, ARNT
Application year: 2000
Main classification: F16L57
IPC codes: F16L1, F16L57