Patent US3876181A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3876181A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for quickly erecting off-shore platforms
Assignee: Marine Engineering Co C A
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Filing: 1973-04-23
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Granted: 1975-04-08
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Expires: 1993-04-23
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for elevating an off-shore well drilling or other platform on a support structure in a minimum of time with maximum safety. The platforms are elevated on one or more caissons, utilizing one or more jacking units. One type of support structure comprises three caissons arranged as a tripod. The platform to be mounted thereon has three open caisson wells and is floated into position, with one caisson received in each well. A caisson locking gate is closed to hold the platform in place. A pre-set-up jacking unit is located near or straddles each caisson well. Each jacking unit includes a jacking head, one or more jacking legs pivotally connected at their upper end to the jacking head, and a jacking mechanism surrounding each jacking leg and connected by a gimbal joint at its lower end to the platform. A stabilizing frame for each jacking unit is mounted on the platform. Trolleys mounted on the opposite sides of the frame, pulleys and tensioned cables initially hold the jacking head centered in the frame. Additional cables hold the jacking head suspended above the upper end of its associated caisson, ready to be lowered onto the caisson to immediately commence the platform hoisting operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph E Lucas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:33
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B17/00; E02B17/04; E02B17/08; E02B17/0836; E02B17/0854; E02B17/02; E02B17/027; E02B2017/0039
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A jacking unit for use in elevating a platform relative to an upright support, comprising:: a rigid upright jacking leg to be connected at its upper end with said upright support; a jacking mechanism surrouding said jacking leg; means at the lower end of said jacking mechanism for connecting the same to the platform, said jacking mechanism including two sets of wedge-type gripping elements, each set being concentric to and engageable with substantially the full circumference of said jacking leg, one set being mounted in an upper holder and the other in a lower holder; air pressure operated means connected to and arranged to actuate said gripping elements axially upwardly to energized position and axially downwardly for retracting the same; and means between said holders operable to move said holders toward and away from each other along said jacking leg.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A jacking unit for use in elevating a platform relative to an upright support, comprising:: a rigid upright jacking leg to be connected at its upper end with said upright support; a jacking mechanism surrouding said jacking leg; means at the lower end of said jacking mechanism for connecting the same to the platform, said jacking mechanism including two sets of wedge-type gripping elements, each set being concentric to and engageable with substantially the full circumference of said jacking leg, one set being mounted in an upper holder and the other in a lower holder; air pressure operated means connected to and arranged to actuate said gripping elements axially upwardly to energized position and axially downwardly for retracting the same; and means between said holders operable to move said holders toward and away from each other along said jacking leg.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A jacking unit as claimed in claim 1, including means for pivotally connecting the upper end of the jacking leg with the upright support; and means for pivotally connecting the lower end of the jacking mechanism with the platform.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The jacking unit claimed in claim 2, wherein the means for pivotally connecting the upper end of the jacking leg with the upright support includes a self-aligning pivot joint, and the means for pivotally connecting the jacking mechanism to the platform is such as to provide for universal movement therebetween.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The jacking unit claimed in claim 3, wherein the means for connecting the lower end of the jacking mechanism for universal movement relative to the platform comprises a gimbal joint.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
The jacking unit claimed in claim 1, wherein the gripping elements of the jacking mechanism are self-energizing wedge slips mounted in the holders and are simultaneously engageable with the jacking leg for gripping the same; and wherein the means for moving the holders toward and away from each other comprises a plurality of hydraulically operated cylinders and pistons disposed between the slip holders and connected therewith.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The jacking unit claimed in claim 1, including means for locking the gripping elements in energized position, said locking means overriding and preventing retraction of the gripping elements by the air-pressure-operated means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The jacking unit claimed in claim 6, wherein the locking means is only manually releasable, to thereby prevent retraction of the gripping elements by inadvertent actuation of the air-pressure-operated means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The jacking unit claimed in claim 5, wherein four hydraulically operated cylinders and pistons are disposed between the upper and lower slip holders of the jacking mechanism, and wherein one of the slip holders is pivotally connected with the cylinders and the other slip holder is pivotally connected with the pistons.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
94 words
The jacking unit claimed in claim 5, wherein the wedge-type slips have toothed inner faces, and smooth outer faces inclined upwardly and inwardly and engaged with the inner surface of the holders; means slidably retaining said slips in said slip holders; and wherein the mounting means for the jacking mechanism includes a ring connected with the lower slip holder mounting the same for pivotal movement relative thereto on a diametrical axis; and means for mounting said ring for pivotal movement relative to the platform on an axis at right angles to said diametrical axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The jacking unit claimed in claim 9, wherein the ring constitutes one element of a gimbal joint, and the lower slip holder constitutes another element of said gimbal joint.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
113 words
The jacking unit claimed in claim 5, wherein a slip actuating ring is mounted for limited vertical movement at the lower end of each slip holder, and wherein a compression spring is positioned between the slip-actuating rings and each slip, normally urging the slips in a direction upwardly away from said rings, each slip having an element connected thereto and engageable by one of said rings for moving the slips downwardly against the force of the compression springs; and wherein the air-pressure-operated means is carried by the respective slip holders and connected with their associated rings and selectively actuatable to move the rings downwardly relative to their holders to thereby release the slips.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The jacking unit claimed in claim 5, wherein each of the slips is connected to a slip-actuating ring, and a compression spring is disposed between each slip and the slip-actuating ring; and wherein the air-pressurue-operated means is connected with the slip-actuating ring.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
55 words
The jacking unit claimed in claim 12, wherein each of the slip holders has a plurality of spring-pressed locking pins mounted thereon, and the slip-actuating ring has openings to receive said pins for locking the slips in energized position; and wherein the air-pressure-operated means connected with the slip-actuating rings is mounted on the slip holders.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The jacking unit claimed in claim 13, wherein the locking pins can only be released manually; and wherein the air-pressure-operated means for operating the slip-actuating ring to move the slips to retracted position can be operated only after the locking pins have been manually released.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The jacking unit claimed in claim 1, including a jacking head; and means pivotally connecting the jacking head with the upper end of the jacking leg.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
The jacking unit claimed in claim 15, in combination with a frame to be mounted on the platform and having means for supporting the jacking head above the support and for lowering the jacking head into the upper end of the support.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
86 words
The jacking unit claimed in claim 15, in combination with a frame to be mounted on the platform and having means for supporting the jacking head above the support and for lowering the jacking head into the upper end of the support; and wherein the frame has uprights to be positioned adjacent to and outwardly of the jacking legs; and wherein means including tensioned cables connect the frame uprights with the opposite ends of the jacking head for stabilizing the jacking unit relative to the platform.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
126 words
A jacking unit for use in elevating a platform relative to an upright support, comprising a normally horizontal jacking head; means connected with said jacking head for raising and lowering said jacking head to position the same upon the upper end of the support; at least one pair of upright jacking legs; means connecting the upper end of said jacking legs with the jacking head; a jacking mechanism surrounding each jacking leg, said jacking mechanisms each including two sets of wedge-type, self-energizing gripping elements mounted in separate holders; resilient means normally urging said gripping elements in a direction to engage the jacking legs; and air-pressure-operated means connected with said gripping elements and operable to energize or retract said gripping elements with respect to the jacking legs.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
126 words
A jacking unit for use in elevating a platform relative to an upright support, comprising a normally horizontal jacking head; means connected with said jacking head for raising and lowering said jacking head to position the same upon the upper end of the support; at least one pair of upright jacking legs; means connecting the upper end of said jacking legs with the jacking head; a jacking mechanism surrounding each jacking leg, said jacking mechanisms each including two sets of wedge-type, self-energizing gripping elements mounted in separate holders; resilient means normally urging said gripping elements in a direction to engage the jacking legs; and air-pressure-operated means connected with said gripping elements and operable to energize or retract said gripping elements with respect to the jacking legs.
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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) | 1978-04-07 | 1978-10-07 | 1979-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-07 | 1982-10-07 | 1983-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-10-07 | 1987-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |