ROLLER
The invention relates to a roller ( 10 ) which is to be mounted upon a conduit ( 12 ) to be deployed on the seabed. The roller facilitates lateral movement of the conduit. It is able to rotate relative to the conduit when mounted. The roller has an outer face ( 36 ) which contacts and rolls upon the seabed in use. The outer face is shaped to provide treads ( 38 ).
1 . A roller configured for mounting on a conduit to be deployed on the seabed to facilitate lateral movement of the conduit, the roller being able to rotate relative to the conduit when mounted, and having an outer face for contacting and rolling upon the seabed, wherein the roller's outer face is shaped to provide treads.
2 . The roller as claimed in claim 1 which is buoyant.
3 . The roller as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the roller includes two or more roller elements for assembly around the conduit, the roller elements together forming a through-going passage for receiving the conduit.
4 . The roller as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the treads comprise grousers.
5 . The roller as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the treads comprise strakes upstanding from the roller's outer face.
6 . The roller as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the roller rotates about an axis and the treads extend parallel to the axis.
7 . The roller as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the strakes have a cross sectional shape which is convergent in a radially outward direction.
8 . The roller as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the strakes have a delta shape in cross section.
9 . The roller as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the treads have a height along a radial direction which is between 5% and 25% of the diameter of the roller unit.
10 . The roller as claimed in claim 1 has a convex profile, viewed along a radial direction.
11 . The roller as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the convex profile is arcuate.
12 . The roller as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the roller has an internal cavity for receiving a clamp mounted on the conduit.
13 . The roller as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the internal cavity has a radially inwardly facing bearing surface for running upon the clamp.
14 . The roller as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the radially inwardly facing bearing surface comprises low friction material.
15 . The roller as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the radially inwardly facing bearing surface is formed by an insert.
16 . The roller as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a clamp for mounting upon the conduit to axially constrain the roller.
17 . An installation comprising a conduit and a roller as claimed in claim 1 .
18 . The installation as claimed in claim 17 deployed on a seabed.