Apparatus and method for deploying an object to a sea floor

Abstract

A deployment apparatus for deploying an object to a sea floor is disclosed. The deployment apparatus comprises a body and an attachment part mounted to the body for releasably attaching an object to the apparatus. Thrusters provide thrust to transport the apparatus having an object attached thereto, and inflatable tanks mounted to the body have adjustable buoyancy.

1 . An apparatus for deploying an object to a sea floor, the apparatus comprising:
 a body;   at least one attachment device mounted to the body for releasably attaching an object to the apparatus;   at least one thrust generating device mounted to the body for providing thrust to transport the apparatus having an object attached thereto; and   at least one buoyant device mounted to said body and having adjustable buoyancy, wherein at least one said buoyant device comprises at least one tank adapted to be filled with air and/or gas by means of a conduit connected to a vessel located at the sea floor.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one conduit adapted to be releasably connected to at least one said tank for filling said tank with air and/or gas from a vessel located at the sea floor. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising at least one release device for releasing at least one said conduit from the corresponding said tank. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one said buoyant device comprises at least one buoyant member adapted to be moved between a respective first position, for transport from a vessel to said first location, and a second position, for transport from said first location to a second location on the sea floor. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein at least one said buoyant member is pivotable between said first and second positions. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for deploying an object to a sea floor, the apparatus comprising:
 a body;   at least one attachment device mounted to the body for releasably attaching an object to the apparatus;   at least one thrust generating device mounted to the body for providing thrust to transport the apparatus having an object attached thereto; and   at least one buoyant device mounted to said body and having adjustable buoyancy, wherein at least one said buoyant device comprises at least one buoyant member adapted to be moved between a respective first position, for transport from a vessel to said first location, and a second position, for transport from said first location to a second location on the sea floor.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein at least one said buoyant member is pivotable between said first and second positions. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein at least one said buoyant device comprises at least one tank adapted to be filled with air and/or gas. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein at least one said tank is adapted to be filled with air and/or gas by means of a conduit connected to a vessel located at the sea surface. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , further comprising at least one conduit adapted to be releasably connected to said at least one said tank for filling said tank with air and/or gas from a vessel located at the sea floor. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , further comprising at least one release device for releasing at least one said conduit from the corresponding said tank. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one power supply for operating at least one implement releasably mountable to at least one said attachment device. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein at least one said power supply comprises at least one hydraulic power unit. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is adapted such that the centre of mass of the apparatus with an implement mounted thereto when suspended in air is at a different location from the centre of buoyancy of the apparatus with an implement mounted thereto when suspended in water. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein at least one power supply is arranged adjacent an edge of the apparatus. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one aperture for enabling flowing material to pass therethrough. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one implement adapted to be releasably attached to at least one said attachment device. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the implement comprises at least one sea floor removal device and/or at least one locating device for locating at least one elongate object in a trench. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the implement comprises at least one sealing device for sealing an oil and/or gas well. 
     
     
         20 . A method of deploying an object to a sea floor, the method comprising:—
 attaching an object to at least one attachment device of an apparatus according to  claim 1 ; 
 deploying the apparatus and object by means of a cable from a vessel to a first location on a sea floor; 
 increasing buoyancy of at least one said buoyant device; and 
 moving the object to a second location on the sea floor by means of at least one said thrust generating device. 
 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , further comprising deploying said apparatus and object to said first location through an aperture in a vessel located in sea ice. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 20 , further comprising deploying said object to the sea floor at said second location by generating downward force on the apparatus by means of at least one said thrust generating device. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the step of increasing said buoyancy comprises filling at least part of at least one said buoyant device with air and/or gas. 
     
     
         24 . An apparatus for displacing material from a sea floor, the apparatus comprising:
 a body:   at least one thrust generating device mounted to the body for providing thrust to transport the apparatus; and   at least one displacement device for generating a flow of water to the sea floor to displace material therefrom.   
     
     
         25 . The apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein at least one said thrust generating device is adapted to provide thrust having a vertical component. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein at least one said displacement device comprises at least one fan.