US3964423A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Offshore terminal
Assignee: Gulf Research and Development Co
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Filing: 1975-02-24
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Granted: 1976-06-22
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Expires: 1995-02-24
Abstract
Abstract In an offshore terminal for loading tankers, a bottom-supported column is surrounded by a floating collar. Standpipes in the column for connection with transfer lines to shore are connected by flexible lines to the collar. A floating station flexibly connected to the collar extends radially from the collar to support rigid pipes. An elongated powered boom having a power unit at each end supports rigid pipes which are connected by flexible hoses to the manifold of a tanker at one end and at the other end to the pipes supported by the floating station. The wide spacing apart of the power units on the powered boom facilitates the powered boom holding the tanker from swinging and picking up momentum that might damage the terminal.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul L. Gassett
- 👤 Wilfred R. McLeod
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:15
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B22/00; B63B22/02; B63B22/021; E; E02; E02B; E02B3/00; E02B3/20; E02B3/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
In an offshore terminal for delivering oil from one to the other of a tanker and an elongated floating station adapted to rotate about a terminal unit connected by delivery lines to onshore storage, said floating station having an outer end remote from the terminal unit and an inner end connected to the terminal unit for delivery of oil thereto, an improved loading boom comprising an elongated framework spaced from the terminal unit and movable independently thereof, a power unit at each end of the framework for movement of each end of the loading boom independently of the other end, a plurality of pipes supported by the framework and extending substantially the full length of said framework, float means extending downwardly into the water at intervals located between the power units to support the framework above the water, first flexible conduit means at one end of the framework for connecting one end of the pipes to the tanker, and second flexible conduit means at the other end of the framework for connecting the other end of the pipes to the outer end of the floating station, said power units having power adequate to move the tanker to the desired position and to resist wind and wave forces to maintain the tanker at the desired location during loading operations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
218 words
In an offshore terminal for delivering oil from one to the other of a tanker and an elongated floating station adapted to rotate about a terminal unit connected by delivery lines to onshore storage, said floating station having an outer end remote from the terminal unit and an inner end connected to the terminal unit for delivery of oil thereto, an improved loading boom comprising an elongated framework spaced from the terminal unit and movable independently thereof, a power unit at each end of the framework for movement of each end of the loading boom independently of the other end, a plurality of pipes supported by the framework and extending substantially the full length of said framework, float means extending downwardly into the water at intervals located between the power units to support the framework above the water, first flexible conduit means at one end of the framework for connecting one end of the pipes to the tanker, and second flexible conduit means at the other end of the framework for connecting the other end of the pipes to the outer end of the floating station, said power units having power adequate to move the tanker to the desired position and to resist wind and wave forces to maintain the tanker at the desired location during loading operations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An improved loading boom as set forth in claim 1 in which the power units are separated by a distance in the range of 100 - 400 feet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An improved loading boom as set forth in claim 2 in which each of the power units has at least 1,000 horsepower.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
167 words
A loading boom movable independently of an offshore terminal for moving a tanker through water into position at the offshore terminal and maintaining the tanker in position during loading comprising: a. an elongated framework; b. a plurality of pipes for transporting oil from one end of the loading boom to the other supported by the framework and extending longitudinally for substantially the full length of the framework; c. a power unit at each end of the framework supporting the framework and pipe above the water level; d. each of said power units being constructed and arranged for moving each end of the power boom independently of the other end; e. the power units having power adequate to move the tanker to a desired position at the offshore terminal and maintain the tanker at said desired position during loading operations; and f. a plurality of float means positioned at intervals along the framework extending downwardly therefrom into the water to support the framework and pipes above the water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
167 words
A loading boom movable independently of an offshore terminal for moving a tanker through water into position at the offshore terminal and maintaining the tanker in position during loading comprising: a. an elongated framework; b. a plurality of pipes for transporting oil from one end of the loading boom to the other supported by the framework and extending longitudinally for substantially the full length of the framework; c. a power unit at each end of the framework supporting the framework and pipe above the water level; d. each of said power units being constructed and arranged for moving each end of the power boom independently of the other end; e. the power units having power adequate to move the tanker to a desired position at the offshore terminal and maintain the tanker at said desired position during loading operations; and f. a plurality of float means positioned at intervals along the framework extending downwardly therefrom into the water to support the framework and pipes above the water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
165 words
A loading boom movable independently of an offshore terminal for moving a tanker through water into position at the offshore terminal and maintaining the tanker in position during loading comprising: a. an elongated framework having a length in the range of 100 to 400 feet; b. a plurality of pipes for transporting oil supported by the framework; c. a power unit at each end of the framework supporting the framework and pipes above the water; d. each of said power units comprising a motor, a propeller driven by the motor and rudder means adapted to move each end of the loading boom independently of the other end; e. the power units having power adequate to move the tanker to a desired position at the offshore terminal and maintain the tanker at said desired position during loading operations; and f. a plurality of float means positioned at intervals along the framework extending downwardly therefrom into the water to support the framework and pipes above the water.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
165 words
A loading boom movable independently of an offshore terminal for moving a tanker through water into position at the offshore terminal and maintaining the tanker in position during loading comprising: a. an elongated framework having a length in the range of 100 to 400 feet; b. a plurality of pipes for transporting oil supported by the framework; c. a power unit at each end of the framework supporting the framework and pipes above the water; d. each of said power units comprising a motor, a propeller driven by the motor and rudder means adapted to move each end of the loading boom independently of the other end; e. the power units having power adequate to move the tanker to a desired position at the offshore terminal and maintain the tanker at said desired position during loading operations; and f. a plurality of float means positioned at intervals along the framework extending downwardly therefrom into the water to support the framework and pipes above the water.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A loading boom as set forth in claim 3 including lift means on the boom adjacent the flexible conduits for supporting the conduits above the water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
210 words
A loading boom movable independently of an offshore terminal for moving a tanker through water into position at the offshore terminal and maintaining the tanker in position during loading comprising: a. an elongated framework; b. a plurality of pipes for transporting oil from one end of the loading boom substantially to the other extending longitudinally of, and supported by, the framework; c. a power unit at each end of the framework supporting the framework and pipe above the water level; d. each of said power units comprising a motor, a propeller driven by the motor and rudder means adapted to move each end of the loading boom independently of the other end; e. the power units having power adequate to move the tanker to a desired position at the offshore terminal and maintain the tanker at said desired position during loading operations; f. float means between the power units extending from the framework downwardly into the water and adapted to support the framework and pipes above the water; g. flexible conduits connected to the ends of the pipes for placing the pipes in communication with the tanker and terminal; and h. lift means mounted on the loading boom adjacent the flexible conduits for supporting the flexible conduits above the water.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
210 words
A loading boom movable independently of an offshore terminal for moving a tanker through water into position at the offshore terminal and maintaining the tanker in position during loading comprising: a. an elongated framework; b. a plurality of pipes for transporting oil from one end of the loading boom substantially to the other extending longitudinally of, and supported by, the framework; c. a power unit at each end of the framework supporting the framework and pipe above the water level; d. each of said power units comprising a motor, a propeller driven by the motor and rudder means adapted to move each end of the loading boom independently of the other end; e. the power units having power adequate to move the tanker to a desired position at the offshore terminal and maintain the tanker at said desired position during loading operations; f. float means between the power units extending from the framework downwardly into the water and adapted to support the framework and pipes above the water; g. flexible conduits connected to the ends of the pipes for placing the pipes in communication with the tanker and terminal; and h. lift means mounted on the loading boom adjacent the flexible conduits for supporting the flexible conduits above the water.
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) | 1979-06-22 | 1979-12-22 | 1980-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-22 | 1983-12-22 | 1984-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-22 | 1987-12-22 | 1988-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |