US3766582A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Offshore structure having a removable pivot assembly
Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
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Filing: 1972-02-07
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Granted: 1973-10-23
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Expires: 1992-02-07
Abstract
Abstract A buoyant tower having a removable pivot assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base provided with means for anchoring it to the bottom of a body of water, an elongated tower that extends upwardly from the base and a buoyancy chamber attached to the tower near its upper end and positioned to remain at least partially submerged beneath the water surface when the tower is installed in a body of water. A primary pivot assembly interconnects the tower and the base and is provided with means for disengaging the same. An auxiliary pivot assembly is included in the tower structure and is situated adjacent the primary pivot assembly. This auxiliary pivot interconnects the tower and base when the primary pivot is disengaged.
Inventors
- 👤 J Lloyd
- 👤 M Childers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:54
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B35/00; B63B35/44; B63B35/4406
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
Offshore apparatus comprising: a. a base provided with means for anchoring the same at the bottom of a body of water; b. a tower that extends upwardly from said base toward the surface of said body of water; c. 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; d. a primary pivot assembly pivotally connecting the lower end of said tower to said base and serving to transmit a load imposed by said tower to said base, said pivot assembly adapted to be disengaged therefrom; e. an auxiliary pivot assembly connected to the apparatus adjacent the primary pivot assembly and adapted to interconnect said tower and said base when said primary pivot assembly is disengaged; and f. means situated on said structure adjacent said pivot assemblies for transferring the load acting through said primary pivot assembly to said auxiliary pivot assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
Offshore apparatus comprising: a. a base provided with means for anchoring the same at the bottom of a body of water; b. a tower that extends upwardly from said base toward the surface of said body of water; c. 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; d. a primary pivot assembly pivotally connecting the lower end of said tower to said base and serving to transmit a load imposed by said tower to said base, said pivot assembly adapted to be disengaged therefrom; e. an auxiliary pivot assembly connected to the apparatus adjacent the primary pivot assembly and adapted to interconnect said tower and said base when said primary pivot assembly is disengaged; and f. means situated on said structure adjacent said pivot assemblies for transferring the load acting through said primary pivot assembly to said auxiliary pivot assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said auxiliary pivot includes a spherical skirt and a spherical bearing surface configured to mate therewithin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said tower includes a vertical way extending therewithin dimensioned to permit said primary pivot assembly to pass therethrough and provided with means for guiding the said pivot assembly as it moves vertically therewithin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said spherical skirt is attached to the lower end of said tower and said spherical bearing surface is attached to said base.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for transferring said load to the auxiliary pivot assembly includes a plurality of hydraulic cylinders.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said auxiliary pivot assembly includes a torque pin interconnecting said spherical bearing surface and said spherical skirt.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said auxiliary pivot is comprised of a universal joint situated in the tower structure in series with said primary pivot.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said auxiliary pivot is comprised of a ball joint situated in the tower structure in series with said primary pivot.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein a second plurality of hydraulic cylinders are connected to said apparatus and are situated adjacent said auxiliary pivot assembly.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of removing a pivot assembly from an offshore structure wherein said structure is of the type including a base anchored to the floor of a body of water, an elongated tower extending upwardly from the base and having a buoyancy chamber situated near its upper end, and including a primary pivot assembly connecting the tower to the base and serving to transmit a load imposed by said tower to said base and an auxiliary pivot assembly for interconnecting said tower and said base when said primary pivot assembly is disengaged, comprising transferring the load acting through said primary pivot assembly to said auxiliary pivot assembly, disengaging said primary pivot assembly from said structure without disassembling same and withdrawing said primary pivot assembly from the structure.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of removing a pivot assembly from an offshore structure wherein said structure is of the type including a base anchored to the floor of a body of water, an elongated tower extending upwardly from the base and having a buoyancy chamber situated near its upper end, and including a primary pivot assembly connecting the tower to the base and serving to transmit a load imposed by said tower to said base and an auxiliary pivot assembly for interconnecting said tower and said base when said primary pivot assembly is disengaged, comprising transferring the load acting through said primary pivot assembly to said auxiliary pivot assembly, disengaging said primary pivot assembly from said structure without disassembling same and withdrawing said primary pivot assembly from the structure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as defined by claim 10 wherein said primary pivot assembly is withdrawn from the structure through a vertical way extending vertically through the tower and provided with means for guiding said pivot assembly therethrough.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-22 | 1977-04-23 | 1977-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-22 | 1981-04-23 | 1981-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-22 | 1985-04-23 | 1985-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |