US3717113A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flotation and access apparatus for sub-sea drilling structures
Assignee: Fluor Drilling Services Inc
•
Filing: 1970-10-19
•
Granted: 1973-02-20
•
Expires: 1990-10-19
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is an apparatus to provide access from the water surface to a submerged structure anchored or moored to the floor of the ocean. This apparatus may be employed, for example, as mining or well drilling rigs having internal compartments and passageways maintained free of water and within which one or more persons may work. The entry is provided by an entry tube of approximately ten feet in diameter with an arrangement on the lower end thereof adapted to provide sealed, flexible attachment to an adjoining portion of the sub-sea structure. Located near the upper end of the entry tube are one or more buoyant members of controllable buoyancy for providing a net positive or negative buoyancy to the entire access apparatus. The buoyant members are rotatably affixed to the entry tube and are shaped with an airfoil like cross-section. The rotatable mounting of the foil to the entry tube is at a point in the foil cross-section located ahead of the center of pressure of the foil so that the foil will rotate in response to ocean currents to present a minimal crosssectional area to the current and to cause a minimum drag resulting therefrom. The upper end of the entry tube will, in general, contain a removable cover for access to the interior of the entry tube and may further include moorings to facilitate boat landing to the entry tube, a diesel power room and/or a helicopter landing deck.
Inventors
- 👤 A Wilde
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 20:15
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B35/00; B63B35/44; B63B35/4406; B63B21/00; B63B21/50; E; E02; E02B; E02B17/00; E02B17/02; E02B17/027; E02B17/04; E02B17/06; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/01; E21B43/017; F; F02; F02B; F02B3/00; F02B3/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
In combination, an elongate supported member extending generally vertically in a body of water and buoyancy means for providing buoyant forces to said supported member, said buoyancy means comprising at least one buoyant member having a streamlined shape, and means for rotatably mounting said buoyant member to said supported member so as to enable said bouyant member to align itself by and with the flow of water with respect to the supported member, said mounting means comprising a bearing formed by radially spaced apart facingly disposed surfaces of revolution on said supported member and said buoyant member, self-lubricating material between said surfaces of revolution, said supported member being of uniform external diameter adjacent said bouyant member and having a radially outwardly extending flange secured to said supported member above said buoyant member, and means on said buoyant member for engaging said flange, at least one of said flange and said last mentioned means being of self-lubricating material so that buoyancy forces from said supported member may be provided through said flange to said supported member while permitting said alignment of said buoyancy member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
In combination, an elongate supported member extending generally vertically in a body of water and buoyancy means for providing buoyant forces to said supported member, said buoyancy means comprising at least one buoyant member having a streamlined shape, and means for rotatably mounting said buoyant member to said supported member so as to enable said bouyant member to align itself by and with the flow of water with respect to the supported member, said mounting means comprising a bearing formed by radially spaced apart facingly disposed surfaces of revolution on said supported member and said buoyant member, self-lubricating material between said surfaces of revolution, said supported member being of uniform external diameter adjacent said bouyant member and having a radially outwardly extending flange secured to said supported member above said buoyant member, and means on said buoyant member for engaging said flange, at least one of said flange and said last mentioned means being of self-lubricating material so that buoyancy forces from said supported member may be provided through said flange to said supported member while permitting said alignment of said buoyancy member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
183 words
In combination, an elongate supported member extending generally vertically in a body of water and buoyancy means for providing buoyant forces to said supported member, said buoyancy means comprising at least one buoyant member having a streamlined shape, and means for rotatably mounting said buoyant member to said supported member so as to enable said bouyant member to align itself by and with the flow of water with respect to the supported member, said mounting means comprising a bearing formed by radially spaced apart facingly disposed surfaces of revolution on said supported member and said buoyant member, selflubricating material between said surfaces of revolution, said supported member being of uniform external diameter adjacent said bouyant member and having a radially outwardly extending flange secured to said supported member above said buoyant member, and means on said buoyant member for engaging said flange, at least one of said flange and said last mentioned means being of selflubricating material so that buoyancy forces from said supported member may be provided through said flange to said supported member while permitting said alignment of said buoyancy member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
183 words
In combination, an elongate supported member extending generally vertically in a body of water and buoyancy means for providing buoyant forces to said supported member, said buoyancy means comprising at least one buoyant member having a streamlined shape, and means for rotatably mounting said buoyant member to said supported member so as to enable said bouyant member to align itself by and with the flow of water with respect to the supported member, said mounting means comprising a bearing formed by radially spaced apart facingly disposed surfaces of revolution on said supported member and said buoyant member, selflubricating material between said surfaces of revolution, said supported member being of uniform external diameter adjacent said bouyant member and having a radially outwardly extending flange secured to said supported member above said buoyant member, and means on said buoyant member for engaging said flange, at least one of said flange and said last mentioned means being of selflubricating material so that buoyancy forces from said supported member may be provided through said flange to said supported member while permitting said alignment of said buoyancy member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The buoyancy means of claim 1 wherein said interposed self-lubricating material is a plastic material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The buoyancy means of claim 2 wherein said plastic is nylon.
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) | 1976-02-20 | 1976-08-21 | 1977-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-20 | 1980-08-21 | 1981-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-20 | 1984-08-21 | 1985-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |