US3736756A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for assembling an offshore structure
Assignee: Exxon Mobil Corp
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Filing: 1971-11-03
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Granted: 1973-06-05
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Expires: 1991-11-03
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus are disclosed for constructing a buoyantly supported tower at an offshore worksite. Apparatus is disclosed for assembling an elongated tower at an offshore location by connecting a number of tower segments in end-to-end relationship. The apparatus includes a rigid buoyant structure provided with a central vertical well. The buoyant structure is provided with means for locking a tower segment in a preselected position within the well to permit connection of its upper end to an additional tower segment, and for releasing the locked segment to permit the newly connected tower segment to be lowered within the well and locked in place for the connection of an additional tower segment thereto. The method includes the step of positioning a tower segment at a preselected position within the well, aligned with the locked segment and rigidly connected thereto. The locked segment is then released and the rigidly connected segments are lowered and locked into place to permit the joining of additional tower segments. Additional segments are joined to the assembled section and lowered toward bottom until the tower extends to bottom. The buoyant assembly may then be elevated relative to the tower and rigidly affixed to the upper end.
Inventors
- 👤 J Lloyd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:01
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B35/00; B63B35/44; B63B35/4406; E; E02; E02B; E02B17/00; E02B2017/0039; E02B2017/0043
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
A method of assembling in a body of water an elongated tower comprised of a plurality of tower segments for connection in endto-end relation comprising: a. situating a rigid buoyant structure having a central, vertical well extending therethrough at the surface of the body of water; b. positioning a first tower segment at a preselected position within said well; c. locking said first segment to said rigid buoyant structure; d. positioning a first additional tower segment within said well and aligning the same with said locked first segment; e. rigidly connecting said first additional tower segment to said locked first segment; f. releasing said locked first segment, lowering said rigidly connected segments and locking the same to said buoyant structure at a preselected position within said well to permit a second additional tower segment to be positioned within said well and connected to the upper end of said rigidly connected segments; g. continuing to position additional tower segments within said well, rigidly connect said segments to the assembled tower formed by the rigidly connected tower segments and lower said assembled tower to permit additional segments to be connected thereto until the assembled tower extends to the bottom beneath said body of water; h. anchoring the lower end of said assembled tower to said submerged bottom, and i. affixing said rigid buoyant structure to said assembled tower near the upper end thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
231 words
A method of assembling in a body of water an elongated tower comprised of a plurality of tower segments for connection in endto-end relation comprising: a. situating a rigid buoyant structure having a central, vertical well extending therethrough at the surface of the body of water; b. positioning a first tower segment at a preselected position within said well; c. locking said first segment to said rigid buoyant structure; d. positioning a first additional tower segment within said well and aligning the same with said locked first segment; e. rigidly connecting said first additional tower segment to said locked first segment; f. releasing said locked first segment, lowering said rigidly connected segments and locking the same to said buoyant structure at a preselected position within said well to permit a second additional tower segment to be positioned within said well and connected to the upper end of said rigidly connected segments; g. continuing to position additional tower segments within said well, rigidly connect said segments to the assembled tower formed by the rigidly connected tower segments and lower said assembled tower to permit additional segments to be connected thereto until the assembled tower extends to the bottom beneath said body of water; h. anchoring the lower end of said assembled tower to said submerged bottom, and i. affixing said rigid buoyant structure to said assembled tower near the upper end thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of elevating said rigid buoyant structure with respect to said assembled tower prior to affixing said rigid structure thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said rigid buoyant structure is elevated by deballasting the same.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
114 words
Apparatus comprising a rigid buoyant structure adapted to float in a body of water and provided with a central, vertical well extending therethrough and with releasable locking means for locking a tower segmEnt in a preselected position within said well to enable the connection of an additional tower segment to the upper end thereof in combination with a plurality of tower segments rigidly connected in end-to-end relationship, said tower segments extending downwardly from said rigid buoyant structure to the bottom of said body of water, the upper end of said assembled segments being rigidly affixed to said buoyant structure and the lower end being provided with means for anchoring the same to said bottom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
114 words
Apparatus comprising a rigid buoyant structure adapted to float in a body of water and provided with a central, vertical well extending therethrough and with releasable locking means for locking a tower segmEnt in a preselected position within said well to enable the connection of an additional tower segment to the upper end thereof in combination with a plurality of tower segments rigidly connected in end-to-end relationship, said tower segments extending downwardly from said rigid buoyant structure to the bottom of said body of water, the upper end of said assembled segments being rigidly affixed to said buoyant structure and the lower end being provided with means for anchoring the same to said bottom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus defined by claim 4 wherein the cross-section of each said tower segment is geometrically similar to that of the well extending through said buoyant structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus defined by claim 4 wherein said means for anchoring the lower end of said tower to the submerged bottom includes a base provided with means for anchoring same to the submerged bottom and a pivot assembly for interconnecting said tower and said base.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus defined by claim 4 wherein said means for anchoring the lower end of said tower to the submerged bottom includes a pivotal ballast tank rigidly affixed to the lower end of the string of rigidly connected tower segments.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 4 wherein the lowermost tower segment includes a ballast chamber and has a pivot assembly and guide base attached to the lower end thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 7 further including ballast conduit extending upwardly from said ballast chamber to a point near the upper end of the tower.
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) | 1976-06-04 | 1976-12-04 | 1977-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-04 | 1980-12-04 | 1981-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-04 | 1984-12-04 | 1985-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |