US3693362A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Protection of underwater equipment by immersion
Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
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Filing: 1970-05-12
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Granted: 1972-09-26
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Expires: 1990-05-12
Abstract
Abstract An improvement is disclosed in apparatus of the type including a base anchored to a submerged bottom, an elongated tower provided with a buoyancy chamber near its upper end, and a pivot assembly that connects the tower to the base and permits the tower to sway in response to environmental forces. The improvement resides in a fluid tight, open bottom housing connected to said tower and adapted to enclose the pivot assembly in a bath of a lubricant, regardless of the angle of tower sway.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodore E Leonard
- 👤 James R Lloyd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:35
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B35/00; B63B35/44; B63B35/4406
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
Offshore apparatus comprising: a. a base provided with means for anchoring the same at the bottom of a body of water; b. a rigid tower that extends upwardly from said base toward the surface of said body of water; c. a pivot assembly interconnecting said tower and said base; d. a buoyancy chamber attached to said tower near the upper end and positioned to remain at least partially beneath the water surface when the tower is installed in said body of water; and e. a fluid-tight, open-bottom housing attached near the lower end of said tower and extending downwardly about said pivot assembly to retain a lighter-than-water lubricating fluid around saId pivot assembly as the tower sways in response to environmental forces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
Offshore apparatus comprising: a. a base provided with means for anchoring the same at the bottom of a body of water; b. a rigid tower that extends upwardly from said base toward the surface of said body of water; c. a pivot assembly interconnecting said tower and said base; d. a buoyancy chamber attached to said tower near the upper end and positioned to remain at least partially beneath the water surface when the tower is installed in said body of water; and e. a fluid-tight, open-bottom housing attached near the lower end of said tower and extending downwardly about said pivot assembly to retain a lighter-than-water lubricating fluid around saId pivot assembly as the tower sways in response to environmental forces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1 including a means for collecting any of said fluid that escapes said housing, said means situated above said open bottom of said housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 2 wherein said collecting means is a fluid tight outer skirt disposed about the perimeter of and extending downwardly from said bottom of said housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 2 wherein said collecting means is a fluid tight, open bottom housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 including means for transferring fluid from said collecting means to said housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 5 wherein said transfer means includes a pump and at least one conduit.
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) | 1975-09-26 | 1976-03-27 | 1976-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-26 | 1980-03-27 | 1980-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-26 | 1984-03-27 | 1984-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |