US3859804A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for transporting and launching an offshore tower
Assignee: Brown and Root Inc
•
Filing: 1973-04-25
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Granted: 1975-01-14
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Expires: 1993-04-25
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for transporting and launching an offshore tower. The apparatus comprises a watertight buoyancy system for supporting an offshore tower in a generally horizontal transporting posture substantially above the surface of a body of water and subsequently for controllably righting the offshore tower onto the bed of the body of water at a preselected marine site. One specific embodiment of the transport and launch apparatus includes a first and second tubular buoyancy member, each of which is releasably connected to at least one leg of an offshore tower. The first and second tubular buoyancy members are transversely interconnected along the lengths thereof to operably unify the members together. First and second auxiliary tubular buoyancy members are connected to the outboard sides of the first and second tubular buoyancy members respectively for augmenting the buoyancy and stability of the transport and launch apparatus. First and second spherical buoyancy chambers are connected to a base portion of the offshore tower in positions substantially opposed to base portions of the first and second tubular buoyancy members. Means are connected to the first and second tubular buoyancy members, the first and second auxiliary tubular buoyancy members, and the first and second spherical chambers for operably controlling the buoyancy thereof whereby an offshore tower may be transported to a marine site in a generally horizontal posture and controllably launched at the preselected marine site into a generally vertical posture onto the bed of the body of water. The method of transporting and launching an offshore tower according to the invention comprises the steps of floating an offshore tower to a preselected marine site upon a buoyancy assembly including tubular and spherical buoyancy chambers. After reaching the preselected offshore site, at least a portion of the tubular buoyancy chambers at the base of the offshore tower are ballasted and thereby pitching the offshore tower about first and second auxiliary tubular buoyancy members until first and second spherical buoyancy chambers engage the surface of the body of water. The method further includes ballasting the first and second spherical buoyancy chambers to right the offshore tower within the body of water and further ballasting the spherical and tubular buoyancy members to lower the righted offshore tower onto the water bed. The final step entails removing at least the tubular buoyancy members from the offshore tower for subsequent reuse.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert M Koehler
- 👤 Jesse W Crout
- 👤 Larry K Shaw
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:02
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B17/00; E02B17/0008; B; B63; B63B; B63B35/00; B63B35/003; E02B17/0013; E02B17/02; E02B17/027; B63B35/28; B63B35/30; B63B35/301; E02B2017/0039
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
383 words
An offshore tower transport and launch apparatus comprising: a first tubular buoyancy member including, a unitary tubular section, and a bifurcated tubular section connected to said unitary section at one end thereof; means for connecting said first tubular buoyancy member to at least one leg of the offshore tower; a second tubular buoyancy member including, a unitary tubular section, and a bifurcated tubular section connected to said unitary section at one end thereof; means for connecting said second tubular buoyancy member to at least another leg of the offshore tower; means transversely interconnecting said first and second tubular buoyancy members at spaced intervals along the length of said first and second tubular buoyancy sections; first auxiliary tubular buoyancy means connected to the outboard side of said unitary tubular section of said first tubular buoyancy member for augmenting the buoyancy and stability of the transport and launch apparatus; second auxiliary tubular buoyancy means connected to the outboard side of said unitary tubular section of said second tubular buoyancy member for augmenting the buoyancy and stability of the transport and launch apparatus; means connected to at least said first and second tubular buoyancy members for operably controlling the buoyancy thereof, whereby an offshore tower may be transported to a marine site in a generally horizontal posture substantially above the surface of a body of water and launched at the preselected marine site into a generally vertical posture onto the bed of the body of water; a first spherical buoyancy chamber connected to a base portion of another leg of the offshore tower in a posture substantially diametrically opposed to the bifurcated tubular section of said second tubular buoyancy member and generally above the bifurcated tubular section of said first tubular buoyancy member when the first and second tubular buoyancy members are in a horizontal posture; a second spherical buoyancy chamber connected to a base portion of at least another leg of the offshore tower in a posture substantially diametrically opposed to the bifurcated tubular section of said first tubular buoyancy member and generally above the bifurcated tubular section of said second tubular buoyancy member when the first and second tubular buoyancy members are in a horizontal posture; and means connected to each of said first and second spherical buoyancy chambers to control the buoyancy thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
383 words
An offshore tower transport and launch apparatus comprising: a first tubular buoyancy member including, a unitary tubular section, and a bifurcated tubular section connected to said unitary section at one end thereof; means for connecting said first tubular buoyancy member to at least one leg of the offshore tower; a second tubular buoyancy member including, a unitary tubular section, and a bifurcated tubular section connected to said unitary section at one end thereof; means for connecting said second tubular buoyancy member to at least another leg of the offshore tower; means transversely interconnecting said first and second tubular buoyancy members at spaced intervals along the length of said first and second tubular buoyancy sections; first auxiliary tubular buoyancy means connected to the outboard side of said unitary tubular section of said first tubular buoyancy member for augmenting the buoyancy and stability of the transport and launch apparatus; second auxiliary tubular buoyancy means connected to the outboard side of said unitary tubular section of said second tubular buoyancy member for augmenting the buoyancy and stability of the transport and launch apparatus; means connected to at least said first and second tubular buoyancy members for operably controlling the buoyancy thereof, whereby an offshore tower may be transported to a marine site in a generally horizontal posture substantially above the surface of a body of water and launched at the preselected marine site into a generally vertical posture onto the bed of the body of water; a first spherical buoyancy chamber connected to a base portion of another leg of the offshore tower in a posture substantially diametrically opposed to the bifurcated tubular section of said second tubular buoyancy member and generally above the bifurcated tubular section of said first tubular buoyancy member when the first and second tubular buoyancy members are in a horizontal posture; a second spherical buoyancy chamber connected to a base portion of at least another leg of the offshore tower in a posture substantially diametrically opposed to the bifurcated tubular section of said first tubular buoyancy member and generally above the bifurcated tubular section of said second tubular buoyancy member when the first and second tubular buoyancy members are in a horizontal posture; and means connected to each of said first and second spherical buoyancy chambers to control the buoyancy thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
288 words
An offshore tower transport and launch apparatus comprising: a first tubular buoyancy member including, a unitary tubular section, and a bifurcated tubular section connected to said unitary section at one end thereof; means for connecting said first tubular buoyancy member to at least one leg of an offshore tower, including pivotal connecting means extending between a base portion of the offshore tower and a lowermost portion of said bifurcated tubular section; a second tubular buoyancy member including, a unitary tubular section, and a bifurcated tubular section connected to said unitary section at one end thereof; means for releasably connecting said second tubular buoyancy member to at least another leg of the offshore tower, including pivotal connecting means extending between a base portion of the offshore tower and a lowermost portion of said bifurcated tubular section; means transversely interconnecting said first and second tubular buoyancy members at spaced intervals along the length of said first and second tubular buoyancy sections; first auxiliary tubular buoyancy means connected to the outboard side of said unitary tubular section of said first-tubular buoyancy member for augmenting the buoyancy and stability of the transport and launch apparatus; second auxiliary tubular buoyancy means connected to the outboard side of said unitary tubular section of said second tubular buoyancy member for augmenting the buoyancy and stability of the transport and launch apparatus; and means connected to at least said first and second tubular buoyancy members for operably controlling the buoyancy thereof, whereby an offshore tower may be transported to a marine site in a generally horizontal posture substantially above the surface of a body of water and launched at the preselected marine site into a generally vertical posture onto the bed of the body of water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
288 words
An offshore tower transport and launch apparatus comprising: a first tubular buoyancy member including, a unitary tubular section, and a bifurcated tubular section connected to said unitary section at one end thereof; means for connecting said first tubular buoyancy member to at least one leg of an offshore tower, including pivotal connecting means extending between a base portion of the offshore tower and a lowermost portion of said bifurcated tubular section; a second tubular buoyancy member including, a unitary tubular section, and a bifurcated tubular section connected to said unitary section at one end thereof; means for releasably connecting said second tubular buoyancy member to at least another leg of the offshore tower, including pivotal connecting means extending between a base portion of the offshore tower and a lowermost portion of said bifurcated tubular section; means transversely interconnecting said first and second tubular buoyancy members at spaced intervals along the length of said first and second tubular buoyancy sections; first auxiliary tubular buoyancy means connected to the outboard side of said unitary tubular section of said first-tubular buoyancy member for augmenting the buoyancy and stability of the transport and launch apparatus; second auxiliary tubular buoyancy means connected to the outboard side of said unitary tubular section of said second tubular buoyancy member for augmenting the buoyancy and stability of the transport and launch apparatus; and means connected to at least said first and second tubular buoyancy members for operably controlling the buoyancy thereof, whereby an offshore tower may be transported to a marine site in a generally horizontal posture substantially above the surface of a body of water and launched at the preselected marine site into a generally vertical posture onto the bed of the body of water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
An offshore tower transport and launch apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said transversely interconnecting means comprise: a plurality of tubular buoyancy members transversely spanning between said first and second tubular buoyancy members at selected locations along the length thereof; and means connected to each of said transverse tubular buoyancy members for controlling the buoyancy thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
80 words
An offshore tower transport and launch apparatus as defined in claim 3 and further comprising a plurality of tubular buoyancy members interconnecting at least some of adjacent ones of said plurality of transversely spanning tubular buoyancy member, said plurality of tubular buoyancy members having central longitudinal axes extending normal to and intersecting the longitudinal axes of said transversely spanning tubular buoyancy members; and means connected to each of said plurality of interconnecting tubular buoyancy members for controlling the buoyancy thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
An offshore tower transport and launch apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein: said means transversely interconnecting said first and second tubular buoyancy members at intervals along the lengths thereof are fashioned having progressively increasing longitudinal lengths whereby said first and second tubular buoyancy members are mutually inwardly inclined from the bifurcated tubular sections to the unitary tubular sections.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
An offshore tower transport and launch apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein: each of said first and second tubular buoyancy members are provided with a plurality of transversely extending bulkheads at longitudinally spaced locations along the length thereof for facilitating the regulation of buoyancy within the transport and launch apparatus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
310 words
An offshore tower transport and launch apparatus comprising: a first tubular buoyancy member including, a unitary tubular section, and a bifurcated tubular section connected to said unitary section at one end thereof; means for releasably connecting said first tubular buoyancy member to at least one leg of an offshore tower; a second tubular buoyancy member including, a unitary tubular section, and a bifurcated tubular section connected to said unitary section at one end thereof; means for releasably connecting said second tubular buoyancy member to at least another leg of the offshore tower; means transversely interconnecting said first and second tubular buoyancy members at spaced intervals along the length of said first and second tubular buoyancy sections; a first spherical buoyancy chamber connected to a base portion of another leg of the offshore tower in a posture substantially diametrically opposed to the bifurcated tubular section of said second tubular buoyancy member and generally above the bifurcated tubular section of said first tubular buoyancy member when the first and second tubular buoyancy members are in a horizontal posture; a second spherical buoyancy chamber connected to a base portion of at least another leg of the offshore tower in a posture substantially diametrically opposed to the bifurcated tubular section of said first tubular buoyancy member and generally above the bifurcated tubular section of said second tubular buoyancy member when the first and second tubular buoyancy members are in a horizontal posture; and means connected to at least said first and second tubular buoyancy members and said first and second spherical buoyancy chambers for operably controlling the buoyancy thereof, whereby an offshore tower may be transported to a marine site in a generally horizontal posture substantially above the surface of a body of water and launched at the preselected marine site into a generally vertical posture onto the bed of the body of water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
310 words
An offshore tower transport and launch apparatus comprising: a first tubular buoyancy member including, a unitary tubular section, and a bifurcated tubular section connected to said unitary section at one end thereof; means for releasably connecting said first tubular buoyancy member to at least one leg of an offshore tower; a second tubular buoyancy member including, a unitary tubular section, and a bifurcated tubular section connected to said unitary section at one end thereof; means for releasably connecting said second tubular buoyancy member to at least another leg of the offshore tower; means transversely interconnecting said first and second tubular buoyancy members at spaced intervals along the length of said first and second tubular buoyancy sections; a first spherical buoyancy chamber connected to a base portion of another leg of the offshore tower in a posture substantially diametrically opposed to the bifurcated tubular section of said second tubular buoyancy member and generally above the bifurcated tubular section of said first tubular buoyancy member when the first and second tubular buoyancy members are in a horizontal posture; a second spherical buoyancy chamber connected to a base portion of at least another leg of the offshore tower in a posture substantially diametrically opposed to the bifurcated tubular section of said first tubular buoyancy member and generally above the bifurcated tubular section of said second tubular buoyancy member when the first and second tubular buoyancy members are in a horizontal posture; and means connected to at least said first and second tubular buoyancy members and said first and second spherical buoyancy chambers for operably controlling the buoyancy thereof, whereby an offshore tower may be transported to a marine site in a generally horizontal posture substantially above the surface of a body of water and launched at the preselected marine site into a generally vertical posture onto the bed of the body of water.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
129 words
An offshore tower transport and launch apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said means for releasably connecting said first and second tubular buoyancy members to an offshore tower comprises at least: pivotal connecting means extending between base portions of the offshore tower and lowermost portions of each of said bifurcated tubular sections and wherein the transport and launch apparatus further comprises; first auxiliary tubular buoyancy means connected to the outboard side of said unitary tubular section of said first tubular buoyancy member for augmenting the buoyancy and stability of the transport and launch apparatus; and second auxiliary tubular buoyancy means connected to the outboard side of said unitary tubular section of said second tubular buoyancy member for augmenting the buoyancy and stability of the transport and launch apparatus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
An offshore tower transport and launch apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said transversely interconnecting means comprise: a plurality of tubular buoyancy members transversely spanning between said first and second tubular buoyancy members at selected locations along the length thereof; and means connected to each of said transverse tubular buoyancy members for controlling the buoyancy thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
80 words
An offshore tower transport and launch apparatus as defined in claim 9 and further comprising a plurality of tubular buoyancy members interconnecting at least some of adjacent ones of said plurality of transversely spanning tubular buoyancy member, said plurality of tubular buoyancy members having central longitudinal axes extending normal to and intersecting the longitudinal axes of said transversely spanning tubular buoyancy members; and means connected to each of said plurality of interconnecting tubular buoyancy members for controlling the buoyancy thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
315 words
An offshore tower transport and launch apparatus comprising: a first tubular buoyancy member; means for releasably connecting said first tubular buoyancy member to at least one leg of an offshore tower; a second tubular bouyancy member; means for releasably connecting said second tubular buoyancy member to at least another leg of the offshore tower; means transversely interconnecting said first and second tubular buoyancy members at spaced intervals along the length of said first and second tubular buoyancy sections; first auxiliary tubular buoyancy means connected to the outboard side of said first tubular buoyancy member for augmenting the buoyancy and stability of the transport and launch apparatus; second auxiliary tubular buoyancy means connected to the outboard side of said second tubular buoyancy member for augmenting the buoyancy and stability of the transport and launch apparatus; a first spherical buoyancy chamber connected to a base portion of another leg of the offshore tower in a posture substantially diametrically opposed to said second tubular buoyancy member and generally above said first tubular buoyancy member when the first and second tubular buoyancy members are in a horizontal posture; a second spherical buoyancy chamber connected to a base portion of at least another leg of the offshore tower in a posture substantially diametrically opposed to said first tubular buoyancy member and generally above said second tubular buoyancy member when the first and second tubular buoyancy members are in a horizontal posture; and means connected to at least said first and second tubular buoyancy members said first and second auxiliary tubular buoyancy members and said first and second spHerical chambers for operably controlling the buoyancy thereof, whereby an offshore tower may be transported to a marine site in a generally horizontal posture substantially above the surface of a body of water and launched at the preselected marine site into a generally vertical posture onto the bed of the body of water.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
315 words
An offshore tower transport and launch apparatus comprising: a first tubular buoyancy member; means for releasably connecting said first tubular buoyancy member to at least one leg of an offshore tower; a second tubular bouyancy member; means for releasably connecting said second tubular buoyancy member to at least another leg of the offshore tower; means transversely interconnecting said first and second tubular buoyancy members at spaced intervals along the length of said first and second tubular buoyancy sections; first auxiliary tubular buoyancy means connected to the outboard side of said first tubular buoyancy member for augmenting the buoyancy and stability of the transport and launch apparatus; second auxiliary tubular buoyancy means connected to the outboard side of said second tubular buoyancy member for augmenting the buoyancy and stability of the transport and launch apparatus; a first spherical buoyancy chamber connected to a base portion of another leg of the offshore tower in a posture substantially diametrically opposed to said second tubular buoyancy member and generally above said first tubular buoyancy member when the first and second tubular buoyancy members are in a horizontal posture; a second spherical buoyancy chamber connected to a base portion of at least another leg of the offshore tower in a posture substantially diametrically opposed to said first tubular buoyancy member and generally above said second tubular buoyancy member when the first and second tubular buoyancy members are in a horizontal posture; and means connected to at least said first and second tubular buoyancy members said first and second auxiliary tubular buoyancy members and said first and second spHerical chambers for operably controlling the buoyancy thereof, whereby an offshore tower may be transported to a marine site in a generally horizontal posture substantially above the surface of a body of water and launched at the preselected marine site into a generally vertical posture onto the bed of the body of water.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
An offshore tower transport and launch apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said means for releasably connecting said first and second tubular buoyancy members to an offshore tower comprises at least: pivotal connecting means extending between base portions of the offshore tower and lowermost portions of each of said tubular sections.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
57 words
An offshore tower transport and launch apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said transversely interconnecting means comprise: a plurality of tubular buoyancy members transversely spanning between said first and second tubular buoyancy members at selected locations along the length thereof; and means connected to each of said transverse tubular buoyancy members for controlling the buoyancy thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
80 words
An offshore tower transport and launch apparatus as defined in claim 13 and further comprising a plurality of tubular buoyancy members interconnecting at least some of adjacent ones of said plurality of transversely spanning tubular buoyancy members, said plurality of tubular buoyancy members having central longitudinal axes extending normal to and intersecting the longitudinal axes of said transversely spanning tubular buoyancy members; and means connected to each of said plurality of interconnecting tubular buoyancy members for controlling the buoyancy thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
49 words
An offshore tower transport and launch apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein: said means transversely interconnecting said first and second tubular buoyancy members at intervals along the lengths thereof are fashioned having progressively increasing longitudinal lengths whereby said first and second tubular buoyancy members are mutually inwardly inclined.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
51 words
An offshore tower transport and launch apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein: each of said first and second tubular buoyancy members are provided with a plurality of transversely extending bulkheads at longitudinally spaced locations along the length thereof for facilitating the regulation of buoyancy within the transport and launch apparatus.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
An offshore tower transport and launch apparatus as defined in claim 16 where said first and second tubular buoyancy members each include: a unitary tubular section, and a bifurcated tubular section connected to said unitary section at one end thereof;
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
251 words
An offshore tower transport and launch apparatus comprising: a first tubular buoyancy member; means for releasably connecting said first tubular buoyancy member to at least one leg of an offshore tower; a second tubular buoyancy member; means for releasably connecting said second tubular buoyancy member to at least another leg of the offshore tower; means transversely interconnecting said first and second tubular buoyancy members at spaced intervals along the length of said first and second tubular buoyancy sections; a first spherical buoyancy chamber connected to a base portion of another leg of the offshore tower in a posture substantially diametrically opposed to said second tubular buoyancy member and generally above said first tubular buoyancy member when the first and second tubular buoyancy members are in a horizontal posture; a second spherical buoyancy chamber connected to a base portion of at least another leg of the offshore tower in a posture substantially diametrically opposed to said first tubular buoyancy member and generally above said second tubular buoyancy member when the first and second tubular buoyancy members are in a horizontal posture; and means connected to at least said first and second tubular buoyancy members and said first and second spherical chambers for operaBly controlling the buoyancy thereof, whereby an offshore tower may be transported to a marine site in a generally horizontal posture substantially above the surface of a body of water and launched at the preselected marine site into a generally vertical posture onto the bed of the body of water.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
251 words
An offshore tower transport and launch apparatus comprising: a first tubular buoyancy member; means for releasably connecting said first tubular buoyancy member to at least one leg of an offshore tower; a second tubular buoyancy member; means for releasably connecting said second tubular buoyancy member to at least another leg of the offshore tower; means transversely interconnecting said first and second tubular buoyancy members at spaced intervals along the length of said first and second tubular buoyancy sections; a first spherical buoyancy chamber connected to a base portion of another leg of the offshore tower in a posture substantially diametrically opposed to said second tubular buoyancy member and generally above said first tubular buoyancy member when the first and second tubular buoyancy members are in a horizontal posture; a second spherical buoyancy chamber connected to a base portion of at least another leg of the offshore tower in a posture substantially diametrically opposed to said first tubular buoyancy member and generally above said second tubular buoyancy member when the first and second tubular buoyancy members are in a horizontal posture; and means connected to at least said first and second tubular buoyancy members and said first and second spherical chambers for operaBly controlling the buoyancy thereof, whereby an offshore tower may be transported to a marine site in a generally horizontal posture substantially above the surface of a body of water and launched at the preselected marine site into a generally vertical posture onto the bed of the body of water.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
52 words
An offshore tower transport and launch apparatus as defined in claim 18 wherein said means for releasably connecting said first and second tubular buoyancy members to an offshore tower comprises at least: pivotal connecting means extending between base portions of the offshore tower and lowermost portions of each of said tubular sections.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
57 words
An offshore tower transport and launch apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein said transversely interconnecting means comprises: a plurality of tubular buoyancy members transversely spanning between said first and second tubular buoyancy members at selected locations along the length thereof; and means connected to each of said transverse tubular buoyancy members for controlling the buoyancy thereof.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
80 words
An offshore tower transport and launch apparatus as defined in claim 20 and further comprising: a plurality of tubular buoyancy members interconnecting at least some of adjacent ones of said plurality of transversely spanning tubular buoyancy member, said plurality of tubular buoyancy members having central longitudinal axes extending normal to and intersecting the longitudinal axes of said transversely spanning tubular buoyancy members; and means connected to each of said plurality of interconnecting tubular buoyancy members for controlling the buoyancy thereof.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
49 words
An offshore tower transport and launch apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein: said means transversely interconnecting said first and second tubular buoyancy members at intervals along the lengths thereof are fashioned having progressively increasing longitudinal lengths whereby said first and second tubular buoyancy members are mutually inwardly inclined.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
51 words
An offshore tower transport and launch apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein: each of said first and second tubular buoyancy members are provided with a plurality of transversely extending bulkheads at longitudinally spaced locations along the length thereof for facilitating the regulation of buoyancy within the transport and launch apparatus.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
286 words
A method for transporting and launching an offshore tower comprising the steps of: floating an offshore tower in a generally horizontal posture to a preselected offshore site resting upon a transport and launch apparatus including a first and second tubular buoyancy means connected along the lateral extent of the offshore tower, a first and second auxiliary tubular buoyancy means connected to the outboard side of the first and second tubular buoyancy means, respectively, a plurality of transversely extending tubular buoyancy members interconnecting the first and second tubular buoyancy means and a first and second spherical chamber connected to a base portion of the offshore tower in a posture opposed to the first and second tubular buoyancy means respectively; after reaching the preselected offshore site, ballasting the first and second tubular buoyancy means and the transversely extending tubular buoyancy members interconnecting the first and second tubular buoyancy means at the base portion of the offshore tower, and thereby rapidly pitching the offshore tower about the first and second auxiliary tubular buoyancy means, acting as a fulcrum, until the first and second spherical chambers engage the surface of the body of water wherein tendencies of the offshore tower to roll about a central longitudinal axis thereof will be minimized; ballasting the first and second spherical buoyancy chambers to right the offshore tower within the body of water; lowering the righted offshore tower onto the water bed by further ballasting the first and second spherical buoyancy chambers, the first and seCond tubular buoyancy chambers, and the first and second auxiliary buoyancy chambers; and removing at least the first and second tubular buoyancy means, the auxiliary buoyancy means and the interconnecting buoyancy members from the offshore tower for subsequent reuse.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
286 words
A method for transporting and launching an offshore tower comprising the steps of: floating an offshore tower in a generally horizontal posture to a preselected offshore site resting upon a transport and launch apparatus including a first and second tubular buoyancy means connected along the lateral extent of the offshore tower, a first and second auxiliary tubular buoyancy means connected to the outboard side of the first and second tubular buoyancy means, respectively, a plurality of transversely extending tubular buoyancy members interconnecting the first and second tubular buoyancy means and a first and second spherical chamber connected to a base portion of the offshore tower in a posture opposed to the first and second tubular buoyancy means respectively; after reaching the preselected offshore site, ballasting the first and second tubular buoyancy means and the transversely extending tubular buoyancy members interconnecting the first and second tubular buoyancy means at the base portion of the offshore tower, and thereby rapidly pitching the offshore tower about the first and second auxiliary tubular buoyancy means, acting as a fulcrum, until the first and second spherical chambers engage the surface of the body of water wherein tendencies of the offshore tower to roll about a central longitudinal axis thereof will be minimized; ballasting the first and second spherical buoyancy chambers to right the offshore tower within the body of water; lowering the righted offshore tower onto the water bed by further ballasting the first and second spherical buoyancy chambers, the first and seCond tubular buoyancy chambers, and the first and second auxiliary buoyancy chambers; and removing at least the first and second tubular buoyancy means, the auxiliary buoyancy means and the interconnecting buoyancy members from the offshore tower for subsequent reuse.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
132 words
A method for transporting and launching an offshore tower as defined in claim 24 wherein the transversely extending tubular buoyancy members at least at the base of the offshore tower are interconnected with a plurality of tubular buoyancy members having central longitudinal axes extending normal to and intersecting the longitudinal axes of the transversely extending tubular buoyancy members, and further comprising the step of: ballasting the plurality of tubular buoyancy members interconnecting the transversely extending tubular buoyancy members simultaneously with the step of ballasting the first and second tubular buoyancy means and the transversely extending buoyancy members at the base portion of the offshore tower to further facilitate pitching of the offshore tower into the body of water while simultaneously minimizing the tendency of the tower to roll during the pitching operation.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
340 words
A method for transporting and launching an offshore tower comprising the steps of: floating an offshore tower in a generally horizontal posture to a preselected offshore site resting upon a transport and launch apparatus including a first and second tubular buoyancy means connected about the lateral extent of the offshore tower, a first and second auxiliary tubular buoyancy means connected to the outboard side of the first and second tubular buoyancy means, respectively, a plurality of transversely extending tubular buoyancy members interconnecting the first and second tubular buoyancy means and a first and second spherical chamber connected to a base portion of the offshore tower in a posture opposed to the first and second tubular buoyancy means respectively; after reaching the preselected offshore site, ballasting the first and second tubular members at the base portion of the offshore tower, and thereby pitching the offshore tower about the first and second auxiliary tubular buoyancy means until the first and second spherical chambers engage the surface of the body of water; ballasting the first and second spherical buoyancy chambers to right the offshore tower within the body of water; lowering the righted offshore tower into the water bed by further ballasting the first and second spherical buoyancy chambers, the first and second tubular buoyancy chambers, and the first and second auxiliary buoyancy chambers; releasing the first and second tubular buoyancy means from connection along the lateral extent of the offshore tower; pivoting the first and second tubular buoyancy means, the first and second auxiliary tubular buoyancy means and the plurality of transversely extending tubular buoyancy members away from the lateral surface of the offshore tower about pivotal connections between the first and second tubular buoyancy means and a base portion of the offshore tower; and completely releasing the buoyancy means from the offshore tower at the pivotal connections and towing the first and second tubular buoyancy means, the first and second auxiliary tubular buoyancy means and the plurality of transversely extending tubular buoyancy members away from the offshore tower for subsequent reuse.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
340 words
A method for transporting and launching an offshore tower comprising the steps of: floating an offshore tower in a generally horizontal posture to a preselected offshore site resting upon a transport and launch apparatus including a first and second tubular buoyancy means connected about the lateral extent of the offshore tower, a first and second auxiliary tubular buoyancy means connected to the outboard side of the first and second tubular buoyancy means, respectively, a plurality of transversely extending tubular buoyancy members interconnecting the first and second tubular buoyancy means and a first and second spherical chamber connected to a base portion of the offshore tower in a posture opposed to the first and second tubular buoyancy means respectively; after reaching the preselected offshore site, ballasting the first and second tubular members at the base portion of the offshore tower, and thereby pitching the offshore tower about the first and second auxiliary tubular buoyancy means until the first and second spherical chambers engage the surface of the body of water; ballasting the first and second spherical buoyancy chambers to right the offshore tower within the body of water; lowering the righted offshore tower into the water bed by further ballasting the first and second spherical buoyancy chambers, the first and second tubular buoyancy chambers, and the first and second auxiliary buoyancy chambers; releasing the first and second tubular buoyancy means from connection along the lateral extent of the offshore tower; pivoting the first and second tubular buoyancy means, the first and second auxiliary tubular buoyancy means and the plurality of transversely extending tubular buoyancy members away from the lateral surface of the offshore tower about pivotal connections between the first and second tubular buoyancy means and a base portion of the offshore tower; and completely releasing the buoyancy means from the offshore tower at the pivotal connections and towing the first and second tubular buoyancy means, the first and second auxiliary tubular buoyancy means and the plurality of transversely extending tubular buoyancy members away from the offshore tower for subsequent reuse.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method for transporting and launching an offshore tower as defined in claim 26 and further comprising, prior to said step of pivoting, the step of: deballasting to a generally neutrally buoyant condition the first and second tubular buoyancy means, the first and second auxiliary tubular buoyancy means and the plurality of transversely extending tubular buoyancy members.
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) | 1978-01-13 | 1978-07-15 | 1979-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-13 | 1982-07-15 | 1983-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-13 | 1986-07-15 | 1987-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |