US3851492A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for offshore operations
Assignee: SEASCOPE SERVICES Inc
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Filing: 1973-05-18
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Granted: 1974-12-03
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Expires: 1993-05-18
Abstract
Abstract A new and improved system, apparatus and method for performing operations on the floor of the sea or other underwater locations utilizes a combination of tension devices for maintaining work bodies in desired positions while also permitting viewing of such underwater operations by remote control television camera or other operations.
Inventors
- 👤 G Cannon
- 👤 J Kruger
- 👤 T Short
- 👤 B Jobe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 05:33
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L1/00; F16L1/26; B; B63; B63C; B63C11/00; B63C11/34; B66; B66D; B66D1/00; B66D1/28; B66D1/40; B66D1/48; B66D1/52; E; E21; E21B; E21B19/00; E21B19/08; E21B19/09; E21B41/00; E21B41/06; F16L1/12; F16L1/20; F16L1/201
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of anchoring a submarine pipeline beneath a body of water, comprising the steps of: lowering a work platform from a transporting marine vessel to a submerged position adjacent the pipeline; anchoring the pipeline with the earthen floor beneath the body of water; automatically controlling relative movement between the work platform and the pipeline during anchoring; and said step of controlling relative movement including: a. sensing the position of the work platform relative to the pipeline; and b. limiting movement of the work platform with respect to the pipeline in accordance with the results of said step of sensing, whereby a stable anchoring operation independent of transporting vessel movement may be performed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of anchoring a submarine pipeline beneath a body of water, comprising the steps of: lowering a work platform from a transporting marine vessel to a submerged position adjacent the pipeline; anchoring the pipeline with the earthen floor beneath the body of water; automatically controlling relative movement between the work platform and the pipeline during anchoring; and said step of controlling relative movement including: a. sensing the position of the work platform relative to the pipeline; and b. limiting movement of the work platform with respect to the pipeline in accordance with the results of said step of sensing, whereby a stable anchoring operation independent of transporting vessel movement may be performed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, further including the step of: monitoring the anchoring operations in order to determine if such operations are proceeding properly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
means responsive to said means for sensing for regulating movement of said platform means with respect to the object or the floor of the body of water whereby said platform means is maintained in the desired position and movement of said transport vessel at the surface does not induce movement of the work platform relative to the pipeline.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
means responsive to said means for sensing for regulating movement of said platform means with respect to the object or the floor of the body of water whereby said platform means is maintained in the desired position and movement of said transport vessel at the surface does not induce movement of the work platform relative to the pipeline.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 1, further including the step of: storing a plurality of anchoring augers with the work platform wherein such augers are available in the submerged position adjacent the pipeline for the next anchoring operation after a preceding operation is completed, permitting the performance of a second anchoring operation without returning the work platform to the transporting marine vessel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1, further including the step of: entrenching the pipeline preceding said step of anchoring wherein the pipeline is anchored beneath the earthen floor of the body of water.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1, further including the step of: uncovering the pipeline preceding said step of anchoring wherein the pipeline is firmly anchored with the earthen floor of the body of water.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
63 words
An apparatus for controlling offshore work operations beneath a body of water, comprising: a. platform means for lowering from a transporting vessel to a submerged position adjacent the location of the work operation; b. means mounted with said platform means for performing the offshore work operations; and c. means for permitting relative movement between the transporting vessel and said work platform means comprising:
Claim 10
Independent Claim
63 words
An apparatus for controlling offshore work operations beneath a body of water, comprising: a. platform means for lowering from a transporting vessel to a submerged position adjacent the location of the work operation; b. means mounted with said platform means for performing the offshore work operations; and c. means for permitting relative movement between the transporting vessel and said work platform means comprising:
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The structure of claim 6, further including: means for monitoring the work operations in order to insure that such operations are proceeding properly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The structure of claim 6, wherein said means for performing offshore work operations comprises: a. auger means for anchoring a pipeline with a submaring earthen surface; and b. motor means for driving said auger means into the earthen surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The structure of claim 8, wherein said platform includes: means for storing a plurality of said auger means wherein said auger means are available without delay after completion of a prior anchoring operation to permit continuing anchoring operations.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The structure of claim 8, further including: means for entrenching the pipeline wherein the pipeline is anchored beneath the earthen floor of the body of water.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The structure of claim 8, further including: means for uncovering the pipeline wherein firm anchoring of the pipeline with the earthen floor is obtained.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The structure of claim 8, further including: means for positioning said auger means to be driven vertically into the earthen surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The structure of claim 8, further including: means for positioning said auger means to be driven obliquely into the earthen surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The structure of claim 8, further including: means for fluidizing the earthen surface beneath said auger means to facilitate uncovering and entrenching of the pipeline.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The structure of claim 6, further including: bathysphere means mounted with said platform means for permitting submarine control and observation of the work operations.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
77 words
The structure of claim 6, further including: means for lowering said platform means from the vessel, comprising: cable means for suspending said platform means; winch means for adjusting the tension in said cable means; and said means responsive to said means for sensing for regulating movement including: adjustment means responsive to said means for sensing for controlling said winch means wherein relative movement between the vessel and said platform means is controlled to permit stabilized work operation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
The structure of claim 6, further including: a cable for supporting said work platform and piston means for stabilizing and controlling the position of said work platform with respect to the vessel to adjust the tension and torsion in the cable.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
50 words
The structure of claim 6, further including: cable means movably supported by the transporting vessel and having weight means secured to one end and having the other end secured to the work platform for stabilizing said work platform with respect to the vessel tO adjust tension in the cable means.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for controlling and stabilizing work operations beneath a body of water, comprising the steps of: lowering a work platform from a transporting marine vessel to a position adjacent the location of the work operations; performing the work operation; controlling relative movement between the transporting vessel and the work platform for stabilizing the position of the work platform during the work operations; and said step of controlling relative movement including: sensing the position of the work platform relative to an object or the earthen floor beneath the body of water; and regulating movement of the vessel with respect to the work platform in accordance with the results of said step of sensing, whereby stable and safe work operations may be performed.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for controlling and stabilizing work operations beneath a body of water, comprising the steps of: lowering a work platform from a transporting marine vessel to a position adjacent the location of the work operations; performing the work operation; controlling relative movement between the transporting vessel and the work platform for stabilizing the position of the work platform during the work operations; and said step of controlling relative movement including: sensing the position of the work platform relative to an object or the earthen floor beneath the body of water; and regulating movement of the vessel with respect to the work platform in accordance with the results of said step of sensing, whereby stable and safe work operations may be performed.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 19, wherein said step of controlling further includes the step of: controlling relative horizontal movement between the transporting vessel and the work platform.
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) | 1977-12-02 | 1978-06-03 | 1978-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-02 | 1982-06-03 | 1982-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-02 | 1986-06-03 | 1986-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |