US3677113A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for forming a foundation-leg assembly for an offshore platform
Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
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Filing: 1971-01-07
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Granted: 1972-07-18
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Expires: 1991-01-07
Abstract
Abstract A pile is driven through a first formation and into a subterranean second formation of the earth beneath a body of water, a cavity is formed below the pile and extends outwardly beyond the pile, and a concrete volume is thereafter formed in the cavity and a portion of the pile. The pile is in intimate contact with the first and second formations and the concrete is in intimate sealing contact with the pile and the second formation.
Inventors
- 👤 William R Bowles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 03:50
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B17/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
A method for forming a foundation and leg of an offshore platform, comprising: driving a pile having a chamber downwardly through a first formation and a preselected distance into an adjacent second formation of the earth positioned beneath said first formation, said first and second formations being positioned beneath the surface of a body of water and said second formation being substantially more dense and consolidated than said first formation; removing the portions of first and second formations within the chamber of the pile; removing a portion of the second formation through the pile for forming a cavity in the second formation at a lower elevation than the pile, said cavity extending downwardly from the pile a preselected distance and at least a portion of the cavity extending laterally, outwardly from the pile a preselected radial distance beyond said pile; filling the cavity and filling at least a portion of the length of the chamber of the pile with concrete, said concrete filled portion of the pile extending from the cavity upwardly to an elevation at least higher than an upper surface of the second formation; and maintaining the pile in contact with the first and second formations and the concrete in contact with the second formation and the pile chamber for a time sufficient for the concrete to set.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
220 words
A method for forming a foundation and leg of an offshore platform, comprising: driving a pile having a chamber downwardly through a first formation and a preselected distance into an adjacent second formation of the earth positioned beneath said first formation, said first and second formations being positioned beneath the surface of a body of water and said second formation being substantially more dense and consolidated than said first formation; removing the portions of first and second formations within the chamber of the pile; removing a portion of the second formation through the pile for forming a cavity in the second formation at a lower elevation than the pile, said cavity extending downwardly from the pile a preselected distance and at least a portion of the cavity extending laterally, outwardly from the pile a preselected radial distance beyond said pile; filling the cavity and filling at least a portion of the length of the chamber of the pile with concrete, said concrete filled portion of the pile extending from the cavity upwardly to an elevation at least higher than an upper surface of the second formation; and maintaining the pile in contact with the first and second formations and the concrete in contact with the second formation and the pile chamber for a time sufficient for the concrete to set.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method, as set forth in claim 1, including driving the pile into the second formation a distance of at least 10 feet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method, as set forth in claim 1, including driving the pile through the fIrst and into the second formation to an elevation spaced at least 90 feet below the body of water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method, as set forth in claim 1, including removing a sufficient portion of the second formation for forming a cavity therein extending downwardly from the pile a distance of at least about 11 feet and with at least a portion of the cavity extending a radial distance of at least about 4.25 feet laterally, outwardly beyond said pile.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method, as set forth in claim 1, including filling the cavity and at least a portion of the chamber of the pile with an amount of concrete sufficient to position an upper surface of the concrete at an elevation higher than the subterranean first formation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method, as set forth in claim 1, including driving the piling through a jacket extending from an elevation above the body of water, through the body of water and into contact with the first formation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
187 words
A formation and leg assembly of an offshore platform, comprising: a metal pile having an outer surface, a lower end, and a chamber, said pile extending from a location above the surface of a body of water, through the body of water, through an adjacent subterranean first formation positioned beneath said first formation and a preselected distance into substantially more dense subterranean second formation with the outer surface of said pile being in intimate contact with the first and second formations; and a volume of concrete having first and second ends and first and second portions, said first end being within the pile at an elevation at least above the second formation, said second end being at a location spaced a preselected distance downwardly from the lower end of the pile, the first portion filling and being within the pile chamber, and at least a portion of said second portion extending laterally outwardly through the second formation from the pile a preselected radial distance beyond said pile with said first and second portions being set and in intimate sealing contact with their respective pile and second formation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
187 words
A formation and leg assembly of an offshore platform, comprising: a metal pile having an outer surface, a lower end, and a chamber, said pile extending from a location above the surface of a body of water, through the body of water, through an adjacent subterranean first formation positioned beneath said first formation and a preselected distance into substantially more dense subterranean second formation with the outer surface of said pile being in intimate contact with the first and second formations; and a volume of concrete having first and second ends and first and second portions, said first end being within the pile at an elevation at least above the second formation, said second end being at a location spaced a preselected distance downwardly from the lower end of the pile, the first portion filling and being within the pile chamber, and at least a portion of said second portion extending laterally outwardly through the second formation from the pile a preselected radial distance beyond said pile with said first and second portions being set and in intimate sealing contact with their respective pile and second formation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
An assembly, as set forth in claim 7, wherein the lower end of the pile is positioned in the second formation at a distance of at least 10 feet below an upper surface of the second formation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
An assembly, as set forth in claim 7, wherein the lower end of the pile is positioned within the second formation at an elevation of at least 90 feet below the overlying body of water.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
An assembly, as set forth in claim 7, wherein the second end of the volume of concrete is located a distance of at least 11 feet downwardly from the lower end of the pile and with at least a portion of the second end portion of the volume of cement extending a radial distance of at least 4.25 feet laterally, outwardly beyond said pile.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
An assembly, as set forth in claim 7, wherein the first end of the concrete is at an elevation higher than the subterranean first formation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
An assembly, as set forth in claim 7, wherein the pile is a metal conduit having an outside diameter of about 42 inches and a wall thickness of about 1 1/2 inches.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
An assembly, as set forth in claim 7, including a metal jacket positioned about the pile and extending from a location above the body of water, through the body of water and into contact with the first formation.
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) | 1975-07-18 | 1976-01-17 | 1976-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-18 | 1980-01-17 | 1980-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-18 | 1984-01-17 | 1984-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |