US3654886A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tethered platform flotation
Assignee: BP America Production Co
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Filing: 1970-06-24
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Granted: 1972-04-11
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Expires: 1990-06-24
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a structure floating on a body of water. The structure comprises a working deck with buoyancy means supporting the deck. The buoyancy means comprises one or more slender vertical floats which have a unique structure having two parts. The first part comprises a straight, vertical, prismatic volume which runs the entire vertical length of the vertical floats. The volume of the prismatic portion comprises between about 40 and 80 percent of the total displacement. There is a second or auxiliary volume of displacement which is submerged below the trough up the maximum wave to be expected. The relative buoyancy of the two parts can be adjusted so as to minimize the vertical forces on the structure due to passing waves. This invention is concerned with additional means to vary the flotation of the prismatic part and to control the water plane area of the floats so as to reach smaller minimum variations of vertical forces on the structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel Silverman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 08:42
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B35/00; B63B35/44; B63B35/4413; B63B1/00; B63B1/02; B63B1/10; B63B1/107; B63B1/12; B63B2001/128
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A floating structure for use in a body of water which comprises: a deck; buoyancy means for supporting said deck, said buoyancy means including at least one slender vertical float member; said at least one vertical float member of said buoyancy means having a volume defined in two parts, the first part resulting from a straight, vertical, prismatic shape which runs the entire vertical length of the buoyancy means, the volume of the prismatic portion comprising a predetermined portion X, of the total displacement of the buoyancy means, and an auxiliary portion having a volume of displacement comprising (1-X) of the total displacement, said auxiliary volume being placed below the trough of an expected maximum wave; and control buoyancy means comprising at least one vertical tubular means associated with said at least one float member, said tubular means of such length that its top is above the crest of, and its bottom end is below the trough of, said expected maximum wave, said tubular means having adjustable closure means below said trough of said maximum wave.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
A floating structure for use in a body of water which comprises: a deck; buoyancy means for supporting said deck, said buoyancy means including at least one slender vertical float member; said at least one vertical float member of said buoyancy means having a volume defined in two parts, the first part resulting from a straight, vertical, prismatic shape which runs the entire vertical length of the buoyancy means, the volume of the prismatic portion comprising a predetermined portion X, of the total displacement of the buoyancy means, and an auxiliary portion having a volume of displacement comprising (1-X) of the total displacement, said auxiliary volume being placed below the trough of an expected maximum wave; and control buoyancy means comprising at least one vertical tubular means associated with said at least one float member, said tubular means of such length that its top is above the crest of, and its bottom end is below the trough of, said expected maximum wave, said tubular means having adjustable closure means below said trough of said maximum wave.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A floating structure as in claim 1 in which said tubular means is closed at the top.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A floating structure as in claim 1 in which said tubular means is open at the top.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A floating structure as in claim 1 in which said tubular means is exterior to the float member with which it is associated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A floating structure as in claim 1 in which said tubular means is positioned within the outer contour of the float member with which it is associated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A floating structure as in claim 1 in which said control buoyancy means comprises a plurality of tubular means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A floating structure as in claim 1 in which said adjustable closure means is adapted to provide an adjustable resistance to flow of water into and out of said vertical tubular means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A floating structure as in claim 7 including servo means to control the resistance to flow of said closure means in response to the heave of said structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A floating structure as in claim 1 in which said predetermined portion X comprises between 40 and 80 percent of the total displacement.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A floating structure as in claim 1 in which said predetermined portion X comprises between 45 and 65 percent of the total displacement.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A floating structure as in claim 1 in which said structure is tethered by at least one substantially vertical tension member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A floating structure as in claim 11 and including servo means to control the buoyancy of said control buoyancy means in response to the tension in said tension member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A floating structure as in claim 1 in which said structure is restricted in its range of horizontal motion by means other than vertical tethers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A floating structure as in claim 13 in which said horizontal motion of said structure is restricted by catenary anchor means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
A floating structure as in claim 13 and including servo means to control the buoyancy of said control buoyancy means in response to at least one parameter of the vertical motion of said structure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A floating structure as in claim 15 in which said parameter is the vertical acceleration of said structure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A floating structure as in claim 1 in which said structure is anchored to the floor of the body of water only by parallel elongated members.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A floating structure as in claim 1 in which said vertical tubular means has its upper end open.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-04-11 | 1975-10-11 | 1976-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-11 | 1979-10-11 | 1980-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-11 | 1983-10-11 | 1984-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |