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US3817412A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method of connecting underwater installations

Assignee: Total Compagnie Francaise des Petroles SA
•
Filing: 1972-10-20
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Granted: 1974-06-18
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Expires: 1992-10-20
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Abstract

Abstract A ship is provided with a through-hull well extending from the upper deck 3 through the main deck 2 to the ship''s bottom. A derrick 4 is positioned on the upper deck above the well. To assemble a multi-unit load for lowering to the sea bottom, a sliding platform 10 at the main deck level is moved over the well opening. A sliding crane just below the upper deck then transports a first load unit from a storage area adjacent the well to the platform. The crane is then withdrawn, the load unit is restrained against lateral movement in vertical guides, and is raised up into the derrick. Additional load units are delivered in this manner to the platform and coupled to the unit(s) above it to produce the final load. The platform is then slid back from the well opening and the load is lowered by the derrick to the sea bottom.

Inventors

  • 👤 B Mercier
  • 👤 Serrano F De

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 21:18
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B19/00; E21B19/002; E21B15/00; E21B15/02

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim 154 words
A method of unloading an underwater apparatus from an installation on the water surface subjected to the action of ground swell and waves and comprising a deck carrying a derrick, a well straight below the derrick and opening into a storage area below the deck, a platform capable of supporting and attaching loads positionable across the well, and load transport means in the storage area, the method comprising: making a load fast with the transport means, transporting the load to the platform when the platform spans the well, making the load fast with the platform, disengaging the load from the transport means, moving the transport means back into the storage area, positioning lateral guide means in contact with the load, connecting the load to hoisting means of the derrick, disengaging the load from the platform, drawing the platform back out of the well, and lowering the load down the well while guiding it laterally.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 154 words
A method of unloading an underwater apparatus from an installation on the water surface subjected to the action of ground swell and waves and comprising a deck carrying a derrick, a well straight below the derrick and opening into a storage area below the deck, a platform capable of supporting and attaching loads positionable across the well, and load transport means in the storage area, the method comprising: making a load fast with the transport means, transporting the load to the platform when the platform spans the well, making the load fast with the platform, disengaging the load from the transport means, moving the transport means back into the storage area, positioning lateral guide means in contact with the load, connecting the load to hoisting means of the derrick, disengaging the load from the platform, drawing the platform back out of the well, and lowering the load down the well while guiding it laterally.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 35 words
A method as in claim 1, in which a frame is positioned around the load at the level of the center of gravity of the load and which is positioned by vertical guides during lowering.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 26 words
A method as in claim 2, in which the vertical guides are displaced away from the load during the application of the frame to the load.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

FR1124425A Cited
US3422971A Cited
US3368509A Cited
US3463247A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1977-06-17 1977-12-17 1978-06-18 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1981-06-17 1981-12-17 1982-06-18 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1985-06-17 1985-12-17 1986-06-18 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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