Patent US1620377A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3834432A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3834432A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Transfer system for suboceanic oil production
Assignee: SUBSEA EQUIPMENT ASS Ltd
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Filing: 1969-09-11
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Granted: 1974-09-10
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Expires: 1989-09-11
Abstract
Abstract A transfer system for offshore petroleum production has a vertically movable riser extending from a collection tank on the ocean floor to a storage tanker on the ocean surface. The riser is releasably attachable by a pivotal connection to the tanker during flowing operation and disconnectable during storms or otherwise violent sea states. In the disconnected mode, the riser remains submerged under the ocean surface to avoid excessive structural loading. The riser is articulated and moored by a system of weights and floats to maintain tension within acceptable stress limits throughout a wide range of changes in vertical and some horizontal movement of the tanker.
Inventors
- 👤 H Lilly
- 👤 G Morgan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:53
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B22/00; B63B22/02; B63B22/021; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/402; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86236
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
A transfer riser system for use in offshore oil production comprising: stationary storage means on the ocean floor; a riser having an upper end disposed near the ocean surface and a lower end connected to said storage means for transferring the contents thereof to the ocean surface; weight means secured to said riser at a point between the ocean surface and floor; flotation means operatively associated with said upper end for providing an upward force sufficient to support the weight of the riser plus said weight means and maintaining said upper end near the ocean surface; said riser having sufficient flexibility to allow said upper end to rise and fall with the wave action and said weight means being sufficiently large to cause said upper end to follow instantaneously the rising and falling waves to allow said flotation means to always maintain a tension force on the riser, said riser further including an upwardly directed portion and a generally laterally extending portion pivotally connected at one end to the lower end of said upwardly directed portion and pivotally connected at the other end to said storage means; and a mooring system means having means connected to the pivotal connection for maintaining the laterally extending portion under continuous substantially axial tension.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
A transfer riser system for use in offshore oil production comprising: stationary storage means on the ocean floor; a riser having an upper end disposed near the ocean surface and a lower end connected to said storage means for transferring the contents thereof to the ocean surface; weight means secured to said riser at a point between the ocean surface and floor; flotation means operatively associated with said upper end for providing an upward force sufficient to support the weight of the riser plus said weight means and maintaining said upper end near the ocean surface; said riser having sufficient flexibility to allow said upper end to rise and fall with the wave action and said weight means being sufficiently large to cause said upper end to follow instantaneously the rising and falling waves to allow said flotation means to always maintain a tension force on the riser, said riser further including an upwardly directed portion and a generally laterally extending portion pivotally connected at one end to the lower end of said upwardly directed portion and pivotally connected at the other end to said storage means; and a mooring system means having means connected to the pivotal connection for maintaining the laterally extending portion under continuous substantially axial tension.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The structure set forth in claim 1 above, wherein: said mooring system means for maintaining said laterally extending portion under tension includes at least one mooring line having one end thereof secured to the pivotal connection between said laterally extending portion and said upwardly directed portion, and having the other end thereof secured to anchor means on the ocean floor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The structure set forth in claim 2 above, wherein: a buoyant mass is secured to said mooring line intermediate the said ends thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system set forth in claim 2 above, wherein: said mooring system means comprises at least two diverging mooring lines, each of said lines extending from the pivotal connection to a separate anchor; each of said anchors being spaced apart a substantially equal distance on either side of the longitudinal axis of said one riser portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system set forth in claim 4 above, further including: separate float means secured to each of said two mooring lines intermediate the connection thereof with said second pivotal connection and said anchors, said float means being displaced downwardly upon said vertical movement of said other riser portion in an upward direction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1977-09-09 | 1978-03-11 | 1978-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-09 | 1982-03-11 | 1982-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-09 | 1986-03-11 | 1986-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |