US3719048A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Offshore structure with static and dynamic stabilization shell
Assignee: Chicago Bridge and Iron Co
•
Filing: 1971-11-18
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Granted: 1973-03-06
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Expires: 1991-11-18
Abstract
Abstract An offshore structure floatable to a site for positioning by submergence on the floor of a body of water and subsequently raising it having a domed roof shell enclosing a volume therebelow, said roof shell being open at the bottom and having a peripheral ballasting ring which provides a substantial righting moment against significant tilting of the structure while the ballasting ring is at least partly above water level, a stabilization shell mounted adjacent to the upper part of the roof shell in fixed position relative thereto by connecting means joined to the roof shell, said stabilization shell being open at the bottom and enclosing a volume between the shells, a plurality of spaced apart bulkheads extending vertically between the two shells thereby dividing the space between the shells into compartments, and means to remove air from beneath the roof shell and from said compartments in submerging the structure.
Inventors
- 👤 C Arne
- 👤 E Brogren
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 16:45
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D88/00; B65D88/78
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
An offshore structure floatable to a site for positioning by submergence on the floor of a body of water comprising: a domed roof shell enclosing a volume therebelow, said roof shell being open at the bottom and having a peripheral ballasting ring which provides a substantial righting moment against significant tilting of the structure while the ballasting ring is at least partly above water level; a stabilization shell mounted adjacent to the upper part of the roof shell in fixed position relative thereto by connecting means joined to the roof shell, said stabilization shell being open at the bottom and enclosing a volume between the two shells; a plurality of spaced apart bulkheads extending vertically between the two shells thereby dividing the space between the shells into compartments; and means to remove air from beneath the roof shell and from said compartments in submerging the structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
An offshore structure floatable to a site for positioning by submergence on the floor of a body of water comprising: a domed roof shell enclosing a volume therebelow, said roof shell being open at the bottom and having a peripheral ballasting ring which provides a substantial righting moment against significant tilting of the structure while the ballasting ring is at least partly above water level; a stabilization shell mounted adjacent to the upper part of the roof shell in fixed position relative thereto by connecting means joined to the roof shell, said stabilization shell being open at the bottom and enclosing a volume between the two shells; a plurality of spaced apart bulkheads extending vertically between the two shells thereby dividing the space between the shells into compartments; and means to remove air from beneath the roof shell and from said compartments in submerging the structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
146 words
An offshore structure floatable to a site for positioning by submergence on the floor of a body of water comprising: a domed roof shell enclosing a volume therebelow, said roof shell being open at the bottom and having a peripheral ballasting ring which provides a substantial righting moment against significant tilting of the structure while the ballasting ring is at least partly above water level; a stabilization shell mounted adjacent to the upper part of the roof shell in fixed position relative thereto by connecting means joined to the roof shell, said stabilization shell being open at the bottom and enclosing a volume between the two shells; a plurality of spaced apart bulkheads extending vertically between the two shells thereby dividing the space between the shells into compartments; and means to remove air from beneath the roof shell and from said compartments in submerging the structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
146 words
An offshore structure floatable to a site for positioning by submergence on the floor of a body of water comprising: a domed roof shell enclosing a volume therebelow, said roof shell being open at the bottom and having a peripheral ballasting ring which provides a substantial righting moment against significant tilting of the structure while the ballasting ring is at least partly above water level; a stabilization shell mounted adjacent to the upper part of the roof shell in fixed position relative thereto by connecting means joined to the roof shell, said stabilization shell being open at the bottom and enclosing a volume between the two shells; a plurality of spaced apart bulkheads extending vertically between the two shells thereby dividing the space between the shells into compartments; and means to remove air from beneath the roof shell and from said compartments in submerging the structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
An offshore structure according to claim 1 in which the peripheral ballasting ring is at the lower edge of the roof shell and said edge is in a horizontal plane when the shell is in upright, nontilting position, and the stabilization shell has a lower peripheral edge in a plane parallel to the lower edge of the roof shell.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
An offshore structure according to claim 2 in which the periphery of the ballasting ring and the periphery of the stabilization shell are circular, and the stabilization shell and roof shell have a common vertical axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
An offshore structure according to claim 3 in which the bulkheads on the stabilization shell are radially positioned and are spaced apart equally from adjacent bulkheads.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
An offshore structure according to claim 3 in which the bulkheads extend from the stabilization shell to the roof shell and are joined thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
An offshore structure according to claim 1 in which the roof shell has a hollow tubular vertical column extending upwardly from the top of the roof shell, and the submergence shell is joined to the vertical column.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
An offshore structure according to claim 6 in which a conduit communicates with each compartment for removing air therefrom.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
An offshore structure according to claim 1 in which the compartments are arranged to function as surge tanks during wave action and by so functioning alleviate the forces on the structure caused by waves.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
An offshore structure according to claim 8 in which an alleviating force is derived form partly filling and emptying the surge tanks and is vested in the translocation of mass.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
An offshore structure according to claim 8 in which an alleviating force is derived from partly filling and emptying the surge tanks and is vested in flow of liquid in the near vicinity of the structure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
An offshore structure according to claim 1 in which the compartments are effective to lower the structure to the bottom.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
An offshore structure according to claim 1 in which the compartments are effective to raise the structure from the bottom.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
An offshore structure according to claim 1 in which the compartments are proportioned to carry the structure upwards from the bottom with a moderate force, and air spilled from the compartments will make a path for the structure to follow in upward motion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
An offshore structure according to claim 1 in which the compartments are proportioned to carry the structure upwards from the bottom with a moderate force but are also designed to expell a quantity of air or water in a sudden burst which will cause the structure to be jarred loose from contact with the sea bottom.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
An offshore structure according to claim 1 in which the compartments are effective to carry the structure upwards and air expelled from the compartments is captured under the main roof and retained there to bring the structure to an intermediate position of buoyancy.
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) | 1976-03-05 | 1976-09-04 | 1977-03-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-05 | 1980-09-04 | 1981-03-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-05 | 1984-09-04 | 1985-03-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |