US3927636A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of retrieving anchors
Assignee: Ocean Drilling and Exploration Co
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Filing: 1974-09-26
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Granted: 1975-12-23
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Expires: 1994-09-26
Abstract
Abstract A method of retrieving an anchor buried in the sea bottom and attached by a long mooring line to a floating moored structure. A submerged remote-releasable hook, having a yieldable catch, is towed with a service line in a direction intersecting the mooring line at a point between the floating structure and the anchor until the hook catches the mooring line. The catch will automatically open to allow the hook to capture the mooring line. The service line is then moved in the direction of the mooring line with the hook sliding down on the mooring line until the hook arrives at or near the anchor. The service line is then pulled up to unseat the anchor. The hook''s catch is remote operated to release the mooring line from the hook.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark A Childers
- 👤 Enoch L Dawkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:28
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B21/00; B63B21/22; B63C; B63C11/00; B63C11/48; B63C11/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
The method of locating and retrieving an anchor, buried in the seabed and being attached to the bottom end of an inclined mooring line whose upper end is attached to a submerged member of a structure floating in a body of water, by utilizing a surface ship and equipment, said surface ship being on the surface of the body of the water and having a service line, and said equipment including a remote-operated catch hook on the service line, and a control unit on said ship for remotely controlling the opening of the catch on said hook; said method being characterized by utilizing the following steps: moving the ship near the structure, submerging the hook and a portion of the service line into the body of water; towing the submerged hook in a direction intersecting the mooring line until the mooring line forcibly opens the catch and becomes hooked; gradually swerving the service line in the direction of the mooring line toward the buried anchor; progressively lowering the service line as the ship moves toward the anchor allowing the hook to slide down on the mooring line; uplifting the service line to retrieve the anchor from the seabottom; progressively taking in the mooring line into the structure; progressively taking in the service line into the ship, while supporting the anchor with the service line; moving the ship toward the structure; remotely releasing the hook''s catch by actuating said control unit; and bolstering the anchor onto the structure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
247 words
The method of locating and retrieving an anchor, buried in the seabed and being attached to the bottom end of an inclined mooring line whose upper end is attached to a submerged member of a structure floating in a body of water, by utilizing a surface ship and equipment, said surface ship being on the surface of the body of the water and having a service line, and said equipment including a remote-operated catch hook on the service line, and a control unit on said ship for remotely controlling the opening of the catch on said hook; said method being characterized by utilizing the following steps: moving the ship near the structure, submerging the hook and a portion of the service line into the body of water; towing the submerged hook in a direction intersecting the mooring line until the mooring line forcibly opens the catch and becomes hooked; gradually swerving the service line in the direction of the mooring line toward the buried anchor; progressively lowering the service line as the ship moves toward the anchor allowing the hook to slide down on the mooring line; uplifting the service line to retrieve the anchor from the seabottom; progressively taking in the mooring line into the structure; progressively taking in the service line into the ship, while supporting the anchor with the service line; moving the ship toward the structure; remotely releasing the hook''s catch by actuating said control unit; and bolstering the anchor onto the structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said control unit is an acoustIc transmitter and said hook comprises signal responsive means responsive to a received acoustic signal for opening said catch, and wherein the step of remotely releasing the hook includes transmitting an acoustic signal from said transmitter to said signal responsive means to open the catch on the hook, thereby releasing the service line from the mooring line.
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) | 1978-12-22 | 1979-06-23 | 1979-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-22 | 1983-06-23 | 1983-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-22 | 1987-06-23 | 1987-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |