It is necessary with existing pipelines to gain entry to the bore of the pipes to allow equipment to be towed through the pipeline for cleaning or inspection purposes for example as described in our copending patent application GB9724231.7.

According to the invention there is provided apparatus for guiding a cable or the like through a conduit and comprising a guide device for receiving a cable, means for allowing passage of the cable through the guide device and means for automatically moving the guide device from a first position to a second position during passage of the cable into the conduit to assist in the movement of the cable along the conduit.

Further according to the invention there is provided a method for guiding a cable or the like through a conduit and comprising passing the cable through a guide device lowering the guide device into the conduit and automatically moving the guide device from a first to a second position due to forces on the cable to assist in the movement of the cable along the conduit. The invention will now be described by way of example <BR> with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 shows the guide arrangement prior to insertion into the hole in the pipe; Figure 2 shows the arrangement abutting the pipe hole; Figure 3 shows the arrangement in the towing position; Figure 4 shows an alternative arrangement with a seal attachment to allow insertion when the pipe is carrying fluid; and Figure 5 shows the arrangement following lowering of the cable guide into the pipe.

The guide arrangement or Figure 1 is utilised where there is a need to gain access to the bore of the pipe for one of a number of purposes, for example, cleaning or inspection.

In order to gain access into a sector of the pipeline two small holes are drilled in the pipe wall at either end and a lightweight threading wire passed therebetween using, for example, techniques disclosed in our copending patent application (Ref 4695). The wire 8 is then used to pull a more substantial tow cable 1, shown in Figure 1, through the pipe to allow the desired operation to be carried out on the pipeline. A guide device 12 is used to assist in the tow cable deployment and comprises a body portion with two arms 5 supporting axles 9 and 10 carrying upper and lower pulleys 3 and 4. A retaining pin 20 also extends across the arms. The arms carry an angled face portion 16, which is approximately 45° to the vertical. The arms 5 are free to pivot about axle 9 which is affixed at either end to a tubular support 13. The support 13 carries a saddle 2 for resting on the exterior pipeline wall and includes extension 14 which is for abutting the aperture in the pipeline wall.

The tow cable 1 is fixed to the termination 6 prior to mounting and the retaining pin 20 prevents the cable from slipping out from pulley 4 and the guide. As shown, arms 5 are in a substantially vertical position and on lowering of the support 13, the guide device 12 slips easily through the aperture 15 in the pipe 7 <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> until the saddle 2 comes to rest on the pipe wall as shown in Figure 2 with the extension shoulder 14 in the aperture.

At this stage the pulley arms are still substantially vertical and the guide wire 8 will be pulled back from the hole in the pipe at the end of the sector to bring with it the tow cable 1.

As the guide wire 8 is pulled and the slack taken up, the guide device 12 will automatically move to the second position shown in Figure 3. This occurs due to the pulling action causing arms 5 to pivot about axle 9 and the cable 1 fully engages both pulleys 4 and 3 as it is tensioned. Further pivoting of the arms is prevented when angled face 16 abuts the wall of the pipeline.

Once the tow cable reaches the remote hole in the pipe (which can also carry its own guide and support assemblies) the inspection or other device can be added and the tow cable employed along the sector.

In this configuration the vertical upward towing force (supplied by a winch, for example) is reacted down the support between the saddle of the support 1 and the pulley arms 5 in a scissors action. The horizontal towing force is reached by the support saddle bearing against the left hand side of the access hole in the Figure 3 arrangement.

Hence the guide assists in the movement along the pipeline and prevents damage to the cable around the entry point.

In the case of operation on a pipe carrying fluid, a sealable chamber will be required to prevent escape of the fluid from the pipeline. Such an arrangement is shown in Figures 4 and 5.

In the Figure 4 arrangement, the support 13 is in the form of an elongate inner tube within an outer pressure tube 14. The cable 1 extends externally via a running seal 22. The inner tube 13 can be moved by means of a jacking mechanism 15.

The arrangement is mounted on a slide valve 21 which covers the pipe aperture to seal the pipe. The slide valve includes an equalising valve 23. The slide valve will be in place in the closed position as shown in Figure 4 before operation of the insertion of the guide.

The cable guide wire has been attached to the towing cable termination 6. The pressure between the pipe and the pressure containing tube 14 is equalised by opening the slide valve equalisation valve 23. The running seal 22 seals against the towing cable to prevent leakage.

The slide valve 21 is then opened and the inner tube 13 is moved down against the pressure by the jacking mechanism 15 as shown in Figure 5.

The guide device 12 attached to the inner tube 13 moves into the pipe 7 and as the guide wire 8 is pulled and the slack taken up, the guide device 12 will automatically move under pivoting action into the position similar to that shown in Figure 3 above, abutting the pipe wall.

Although the arrangement has been described in relation to pipelines it is suitable for other ducts or conduits and indeed can be used solely for the purpose of introducing into a conduit a heavyweight electrical cable, for example.