Patent US3580207A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3580207A
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Method and means for mooring
Assignee: John J Mcmullen Associates Inc
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Filing: 1969-04-04
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Granted: 1971-05-25
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Expires: 1989-04-04
Abstract
Abstract A method and means for mooring and particularly adapted for mooring semisubmersible platforms, such as drilling platforms used in the offshore drilling of oil wells. The invention contemplates providing the platform with a series of tensioned mooring lines, sensing means for sensing tension in the various mooring lines, and means for relieving the tensions on selected mooring lines responsive to the tension on a mooring line rising above its initially tensioned condition due to surge motions of the platform resulting from wind and waves.
Inventors
- 👤 Frans V A Pangalila
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 03:39
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B15/00; E21B15/02; B; B63; B63B; B63B21/00; B63B21/50; E02; E02B; E02B17/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for stabilizing about a preselected position a floating platform of the type having anchored mooring lines and comprising the steps of: pretensioning each mooring line so that the horizontal components of the pretension add to zero when the platform is at said preselected position; sensing the tension in each mooring line; and manipulating only those mooring lines whose tensions are below pretension in response to the tension sensed so that platform motion is minimized and in such a manner that no line is subjected to a tension substantially above its pretension.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for stabilizing about a preselected position a floating platform of the type having anchored mooring lines and comprising the steps of: pretensioning each mooring line so that the horizontal components of the pretension add to zero when the platform is at said preselected position; sensing the tension in each mooring line; and manipulating only those mooring lines whose tensions are below pretension in response to the tension sensed so that platform motion is minimized and in such a manner that no line is subjected to a tension substantially above its pretension.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said select lines are below pretension and are manipulated in such a manner that they are actively increased in tension when the external environment causes an increase in tension, and they are actively reduced in tension when the external environment causes a decrease in tension.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 and further comprising the steps of: comparing the tension sensed in each line with the pretension in that line; and sensing the direction in which the tension changes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 wherein each mooring line is provided with a counterpart mooring line and wherein only the mooring lines whose tensions are below pretension are manipulated, and further comprising the step of: manipulating the below-pretension lines so that their counterpart mooring lines are maintained substantially at pretension.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 and further comprising the step of: discontinuing the manipulation of the mooring lines when the tension in said select lines remains at pretension.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
95 words
A control unit useful in stabilizing a floating platform of the type having anchored and pretensioned mooring lines and comprising: first means for controlling the tension is one set of mooring lines; second means for controlling the tension in a further set of mooring lines, said further set of mooring lines being a counterpart of said first set of mooring lines; and means for sensing and controlling tHe tension in only those mooring lines whose tensions are below pretension so that platform movement is minimized and so that no line substantially increases above its pretension.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
95 words
A control unit useful in stabilizing a floating platform of the type having anchored and pretensioned mooring lines and comprising: first means for controlling the tension is one set of mooring lines; second means for controlling the tension in a further set of mooring lines, said further set of mooring lines being a counterpart of said first set of mooring lines; and means for sensing and controlling tHe tension in only those mooring lines whose tensions are below pretension so that platform movement is minimized and so that no line substantially increases above its pretension.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
The invention as recited in claim 6 and further comprising: means for sensing the tension in each line; means for comparing the tension sensed with the pretension of each line; means for detecting the direction in which the tension of each line changes; and means for controlling tee tension in each line in response to the level of the tension and to the direction of tension change.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention as recited in claim 6 and further comprising: means for regulating the tension in predetermined mooring lines so as to maintain counterpart mooring lines substantially at pretension.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
The invention as described in claim 6 and further comprising: means for actively decreasing the tension in a mooring line when environmental forces cause said line to decrease in tension; and means for actively increasing the tension in a mooring line when environmental forces cause said line to increase in tension.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3121954A
Cited
US3422783A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-24 | 1974-11-23 | 1975-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-11-23 | 1979-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-24 | 1982-11-23 | 1983-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |