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US3908784A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Air cushion drilling vehicle
Assignee: Global Marine Inc
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Filing: 1973-05-24
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Granted: 1975-09-30
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Expires: 1993-05-24
Abstract
Abstract An air cushion vehicle particularly useful for a drilling rig for oil wells and the like employed in arctic environments having open water, muskeg, ice, snow, and tundra is described. The vehicle includes a watertight compartmented chassis or platform about which is provided a flexible skirt for cooperation with a surface for minimizing air leakage therebetween. Means are provided on the platform for supplying a volume of air under pressure to the region within the skirt for raising the pressure thereunder and thereby lifting the principal portion of the weight of the platform. Wheels are also provided for yieldably applying a force to the surface on which the vehicle rides to provide sufficient contact with the surface to provide control of the vehicle as it is towed. The means for supplying air comprises blowers selectively connected to prime movers, such as diesel engines, which are also selectively connectable to the draw works of the drill rig. The drill rig also includes a tower foldable between an erect drilling position and a lowered transporting position with the mode of folding such that the transverse center of gravity of the tower is not significantly shifted between these two positions.
Inventors
- 👤 Leon C Blurton
- 👤 Saverio J Cina
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 16:55
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B15/00; B; B60; B60V; B60V3/00; B60V3/02; B60V3/025; F; F02; F02B; F02B3/00; F02B3/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
An air cushion vehicle comprising: a load supporting chassis; flexible skirt means around the periphery of the chassis and depending therefrom for cooperation with a surface for minimizing air flow therebetween; means on the chassis for supplying air under pressure within the skirt means for maintaining sufficient pressure to support a major portion of the weight of the chassis and load; a plurality of wheels within the skirt means and beneath the vehicle; and means for yieldably biasing the wheels downwardly from the vehicle for yieldably engaging a surface with a predetermined substantially constant force equal to a minor portion of the weight of the chassis and load.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
An air cushion vehicle comprising: a load supporting chassis; flexible skirt means around the periphery of the chassis and depending therefrom for cooperation with a surface for minimizing air flow therebetween; means on the chassis for supplying air under pressure within the skirt means for maintaining sufficient pressure to support a major portion of the weight of the chassis and load; a plurality of wheels within the skirt means and beneath the vehicle; and means for yieldably biasing the wheels downwardly from the vehicle for yieldably engaging a surface with a predetermined substantially constant force equal to a minor portion of the weight of the chassis and load.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
An air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for resiliently biasing comprises: a hydraulic actuator for urging the wheels downwardly; and a pneumatic accumulator for operating the hydraulic actuator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An air cushion vehicle as defined in claim 1 further comprising; means for towing the air cushion vehicle from one location to another.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
172 words
An air cushion vehicle comprising: a load supporting chassis; flexible skirt means around the periphery of the chassis and depending therefrom for cooperation with a surface for minimizing air flow therebetween; means on the chassis for supplying air under pressure within the skirt means for maintaining sufficient pressure to support a major portion of the weight of the chassis and load; a first wheel; means for biasing the first wheel downwardly from the vehicle for yieldably engaging a surface with a predetermined substantially constant force equal to a minor portion of the weight of the chassis and load; a second wheel substantially coaxial with the first wheel, the center of gravity of the air cushion vehicle being approximately over a coaxial line between the first and second wheels; and means for biasing the second wheel downwardly from the vehicle for motion independent of motion of the first wheel for yieldably engaging a surface with a predetermined substantially constant force equal to a minor portion of the weight of the chassis and load.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
172 words
An air cushion vehicle comprising: a load supporting chassis; flexible skirt means around the periphery of the chassis and depending therefrom for cooperation with a surface for minimizing air flow therebetween; means on the chassis for supplying air under pressure within the skirt means for maintaining sufficient pressure to support a major portion of the weight of the chassis and load; a first wheel; means for biasing the first wheel downwardly from the vehicle for yieldably engaging a surface with a predetermined substantially constant force equal to a minor portion of the weight of the chassis and load; a second wheel substantially coaxial with the first wheel, the center of gravity of the air cushion vehicle being approximately over a coaxial line between the first and second wheels; and means for biasing the second wheel downwardly from the vehicle for motion independent of motion of the first wheel for yieldably engaging a surface with a predetermined substantially constant force equal to a minor portion of the weight of the chassis and load.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
148 words
An air cushion vehicle comprising: a load supporting chassis; flexible skirt means around the periphery of the chassis and depending therefrom for cooperation with a surface for minimizing air flow therebetween; means on the chassis for supplying air under pressure within the skirt means for maintaining sufficient pressure to support a major portion of the weight of the chassis and load; a plurality of wheels positioned outside the skirt means; means for yieldably biasing the wheels downwardly from the vehicle for yieldably engaging a surface with a predetermined substantially constant force equal to a minor portion of the weight of the chassis and load comprising: a mounting frame for each wheel, said mounting frame being movably connected to the chassis within the skirt means, and a fluid actuator for moving the mounting frame; and sealing means for preventing air leakage between the skirt means and the mounting frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
148 words
An air cushion vehicle comprising: a load supporting chassis; flexible skirt means around the periphery of the chassis and depending therefrom for cooperation with a surface for minimizing air flow therebetween; means on the chassis for supplying air under pressure within the skirt means for maintaining sufficient pressure to support a major portion of the weight of the chassis and load; a plurality of wheels positioned outside the skirt means; means for yieldably biasing the wheels downwardly from the vehicle for yieldably engaging a surface with a predetermined substantially constant force equal to a minor portion of the weight of the chassis and load comprising: a mounting frame for each wheel, said mounting frame being movably connected to the chassis within the skirt means, and a fluid actuator for moving the mounting frame; and sealing means for preventing air leakage between the skirt means and the mounting frame.
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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) | 1978-09-29 | 1979-03-31 | 1979-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-29 | 1983-03-31 | 1983-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-29 | 1987-03-31 | 1987-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |