US3768268A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drilling or production platform for work at sea
Assignee: ENTREPRISE DE RECHERCHES ET D ACTIVITES PETROLIERES ELF FR
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Filing: 1971-09-20
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Granted: 1973-10-30
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Expires: 1991-09-20
Abstract
Abstract A platform for drilling or production operations at sea, consisting of a working platform 3 above sea-level, carried by a column 4 which is buoyant, containing tanks 5 and 6 for ballasting, and equipped with a jointed coupling 7 capable of swinging movement in two relatively transverse planes, connecting this first column to the upper end 9 of a second column 12, the other end of which, possibly equipped with another jointed coupling 13 with two degrees of play, is attached to a base 15 with high non-buoyancy, designed to rest on the sea-bed.
Inventors
- 👤 M Laffont
- 👤 J Houot
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:13
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B35/00; B63B35/44; B63B35/4406; E; E02; E02B; E02B17/00; E02B17/02; E02B17/027
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A platform for drilling or production operations at sea, comprising: a non-buoyant base, resting on the sea bed, a single lower buoyant column, comprising internal ballasting means, said column having its lower end attached to the base and its upper end provided with a supporting member, a single upper buoyant column comprising internal ballasting means and having at its lower end a jointed coupling pivotally attaching said column to said supporting member for movement in a plurality of planes relative to said supporting member, said upper column being provided, at its upper end, with a working platform projecting above the sea level, and constituting the sole support for said platform.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A platform for drilling or production operations at sea, comprising: a non-buoyant base, resting on the sea bed, a single lower buoyant column, comprising internal ballasting means, said column having its lower end attached to the base and its upper end provided with a supporting member, a single upper buoyant column comprising internal ballasting means and having at its lower end a jointed coupling pivotally attaching said column to said supporting member for movement in a plurality of planes relative to said supporting member, said upper column being provided, at its upper end, with a working platform projecting above the sea level, and constituting the sole support for said platform.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A platform according to claim 1, in which a jointed coupling is interposed between the lower end of the lower column and the non-buoyant base.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A platform according to claim 1, in which the lower end of the lower column, carries a jointed coupling which is attached to a socket which fits into the non-buoyant base.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A platform as claimed in claim 1 in which said supporting member is provided with upwardly projecting pins and said jointed coupling comprises a socket member having slots therein positioned to receive said pins.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A platform according to claim 3, in which the base carries guide-pins which fit into slots provided in the corresponding socket, to ensure accurate positioning of the said socket on the said base.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A platform according to claim 4, comprising means for locking the socket to the corresponding supporting member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A platform according to claim 3, comprising means for locking the socket to the corresponding base.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A platform according to claim 6, in which the locking means consists of hydraulic piston devices fitted to the socket and controlled from the surface, with the pistons of said devices fitting into slots provided in the supporting member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A platform according to claim 7, in which the locking means consists of hydraulic piston devices fitted to the socket and controlled from the surface, with the pistons of said devices fitting into slots provided in the base.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3355899A
Cited
US3522709A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-29 | 1977-04-30 | 1977-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-29 | 1981-04-30 | 1981-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-29 | 1985-04-30 | 1985-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |