US4087984A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Marine structure for drilling after and/or production of hydrocarbons
Assignee: A S HOYER ELLEFSEN
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Filing: 1976-06-09
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Granted: 1978-05-09
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Expires: 1996-06-09
Abstract
Abstract A floating offshore platform is provided which, in operation, is anchored to the sea bed by an anchoring device. The platform includes an elongate column-like structure which, in operation, floats in an upright position. An anchoring device is connected to the elongate structure by at least one vertically extending cable or the like which is tensioned to restrain vertical displacement of the structure, and a plurality of generally horizontally extending members which interconnect the lower end of the structure with the anchoring device so as to restrain lateral displacement of the lower end of the structure. With this arrangement, the column-like structure behaves as a floating column pivoted to the sea bed.
Inventors
- 👤 Olav Mo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 21:38
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02B; E02B17/00; E02B17/02; E02B17/025; E02B2017/0056; E02B2017/0069; E02B2017/0073; E02B2017/0086
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A floating off-shore platform which, in operation, is anchored to the sea bed by an anchoring means, said platform comprising an elongated floating structure which, in operation, floats in an upright position; an anchor means which, in operation, is founded on the sea bed beneath the floating structure; at least one vertically elongated member interconnecting the floating structure and the anchor means; means, located on said platform, for tensioning the at least one vertically elongated member so as to restrain vertical displacement of the floating structure; a plurality of horizontal members interconnecting the lower end of the floating structure and the anchor means; and means, located on said platform, for tensioning said horizontal member so as to restrain lateral displacement of the lower end of the floating structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A floating off-shore platform which, in operation, is anchored to the sea bed by an anchoring means, said platform comprising an elongated floating structure which, in operation, floats in an upright position; an anchor means which, in operation, is founded on the sea bed beneath the floating structure; at least one vertically elongated member interconnecting the floating structure and the anchor means; means, located on said platform, for tensioning the at least one vertically elongated member so as to restrain vertical displacement of the floating structure; a plurality of horizontal members interconnecting the lower end of the floating structure and the anchor means; and means, located on said platform, for tensioning said horizontal member so as to restrain lateral displacement of the lower end of the floating structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A marine structure according to claim 1, wherein the vertical elongated member is placed centrally on the marine structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A marine structure according to claim 1, wherein both the vertical and the horizontal members are flexible.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A marine structure according to claim 1, wherein one end of each of the horizontal members is fixed to a column projecting up from the anchor means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A marine structure according to claim 4, wherein the columns are equipped with clamping means fixed at different heights, whereby the distance between the lower end of the buoyancy means and the upper end of the anchor means may be varied.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A marine structure according to claim 1, wherein each of the horizontal members runs from a column on the anchor means over a pulley on the lower end of the floating structure and up to a winch on a deck on the marine structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
A marine structure according to claim 1, wherein each of the horizontal members extends vertically down from a winch on the deck to a pulley on the anchor means via a pulley on the lower end of the buoyancy means and back to the winch on the deck via a third pulley fixed on the lower end of the buoyancy means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A marine structure according to claim 1, wherein the tension in both the vertical and the horizontal members is kept substantially constant.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A marine structure according to claim 1, wherein the horizontal cables diverge out from the columns on the anchor means in order to reduce angular displacement of the floating structure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3036438A
Cited
US2972973A
Cited
US2986889A
Cited
FR1389216A
Cited
US3386407A
Cited
US3686886A
Cited
US3597931A
Cited
CA987506A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-05-08 | 1981-11-07 | 1982-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-05-08 | 1985-11-07 | 1986-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-05-08 | 1989-11-07 | 1990-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |