Patent EP0239447A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3602301A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Underwater borehole servicing system
Assignee: Transworld Drilling Co
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Filing: 1969-08-27
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Granted: 1971-08-31
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Expires: 1989-08-27
Abstract
Abstract Underwater borehole servicing system in which a submersible chamber is pulled down onto a wellhead platform by a hauldown cable. In one embodiment, accurate alignment of the chamber with the platform is effected by extensible guide projections on the chamber cooperating with receiving recesses on the platform. In another embodiment, an annular, depending portion of the chamber cooperates with an annular guide segment of a generally hemispherical platform to align the chamber on the platform. In a third embodiment, alignment is effected by a combination of extensible guide projections on the chamber and an annular chamber portion respectively cooperating with recesses and an annular guide segment on the platform. Propulsion devices carried by the chamber are provided for registering the aligning equipment on the chamber with the aligning equipment on the platform.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodore K James
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:19
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63C; B63C11/00; B63C11/34; B63C11/44; E; E21; E21B; E21B41/00; E21B41/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
Method for uniting a submersible chamber and an underwater borehole assembly including a base and being connected to the chamber by an elongated tension member, the chamber including first aligning means and the base including second aligning means, the chamber including propulsion means for propelling the chamber, one of the aligning means including a plurality of extensible and retractabLe guide projections and the other aligning means including means forming a plurality of recesses for receiving the guide projections, comprising the steps of retracting the guide projections, hauling the chamber down to a location contiguous to the base by shortening the tension member, at least partially extending one of the guide projections, propelling the chamber to register the one guide projection with a recess, inserting the one guide projection into the registered recess, propelling the chamber to register the remainder of the guide projections with the remainder of the recess, extending the remainder of the guide projections, inserting the remainder of the guide projections into the registered recesses and, hauling the chamber downwardly onto the base by further shortening the tension member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
Method for uniting a submersible chamber and an underwater borehole assembly including a base and being connected to the chamber by an elongated tension member, the chamber including first aligning means and the base including second aligning means, the chamber including propulsion means for propelling the chamber, one of the aligning means including a plurality of extensible and retractabLe guide projections and the other aligning means including means forming a plurality of recesses for receiving the guide projections, comprising the steps of retracting the guide projections, hauling the chamber down to a location contiguous to the base by shortening the tension member, at least partially extending one of the guide projections, propelling the chamber to register the one guide projection with a recess, inserting the one guide projection into the registered recess, propelling the chamber to register the remainder of the guide projections with the remainder of the recess, extending the remainder of the guide projections, inserting the remainder of the guide projections into the registered recesses and, hauling the chamber downwardly onto the base by further shortening the tension member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
113 words
Apparatus for submarine operations, comprising: means defining a submersible chamber, an underwater borehole assembly including a base, cooperating first aligning means carried by the chamber on the base, propulsion means carried by the chamber for propelling the chamber to register the first aligning means with the second aligning means, and hauldown means including an elongated, flexible tension member connected to the chamber and to the underwater borehole assembly for hauling the chamber downwardly onto the base, one of the aligning means including a plurality of extensible guide projections, and means for selectively extending each guide projection, and the other aligning means including means defining a plurality of recesses for receiving the guide projections.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
113 words
Apparatus for submarine operations, comprising: means defining a submersible chamber, an underwater borehole assembly including a base, cooperating first aligning means carried by the chamber on the base, propulsion means carried by the chamber for propelling the chamber to register the first aligning means with the second aligning means, and hauldown means including an elongated, flexible tension member connected to the chamber and to the underwater borehole assembly for hauling the chamber downwardly onto the base, one of the aligning means including a plurality of extensible guide projections, and means for selectively extending each guide projection, and the other aligning means including means defining a plurality of recesses for receiving the guide projections.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 2, the first aligning means including the guide projections and the second aligning means including the recesses.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 2, the first aligning means including an annular, downwardly projecting guide member, and the second aligning means including an annular guide member having the general configuration of frustum of a hollow hemisphere.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 2, the propulsion means being operable for propelling the chamber in translational and rotational movement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 5, the propulsion means including a plurality of propulsion members, each propulsion member having a direction of thrust, and directional means for changing the direction of thrust of each propulsion member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 6, the directional means including means for moving each propulsion member to change the direction of thrust.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 6, each propulsion member including a screw propeller.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
121 words
Apparatus for submarine operations, comprising: means defining a submersible chamber, an underwater bore hole assembly including a base, cooperating first aligning means carried by the chamber and second aligning means carried by the base for aligning the chamber on the base, propulsion means carried by the chamber for propelling the chamber to register the first aligning means with the second aligning means, and hauldown means including an elongated, flexible tension member connected to the chamber and to the underwater borehole assembly for hauling the chamber downwardly onto the base, the first aligning means including an annular, downwardly projecting guide member, and the second aligning means including an annular guide member having the general configuration of a frustum of a hollow hemisphere.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
121 words
Apparatus for submarine operations, comprising: means defining a submersible chamber, an underwater bore hole assembly including a base, cooperating first aligning means carried by the chamber and second aligning means carried by the base for aligning the chamber on the base, propulsion means carried by the chamber for propelling the chamber to register the first aligning means with the second aligning means, and hauldown means including an elongated, flexible tension member connected to the chamber and to the underwater borehole assembly for hauling the chamber downwardly onto the base, the first aligning means including an annular, downwardly projecting guide member, and the second aligning means including an annular guide member having the general configuration of a frustum of a hollow hemisphere.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 9, the second-named annular guide member having a flaring peripheral guide lip.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 9; the base having the general configuration of a hollow hemisphere, and the second-named member forming a portion of the base.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 9, the propulsion means being operable for propelling the chamber in translational and rotational movement.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 12, the propulsion means inclUding a plurality of propulsion members, each propulsion member having a direction of thrust, and directional means for changing the direction of thrust of each propulsion member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 13, the directional means including means for moving each propulsion member to change the direction of thrust.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 13, each propulsion member including a screw propeller.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-30 | 1975-03-01 | 1975-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-30 | 1979-03-01 | 1979-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-30 | 1983-03-01 | 1983-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |