Patent US4335979A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4335979A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Offshore tower with ball and socket joint having fluid flow passage
Assignee: Chicago Bridge and Iron Co
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Filing: 1980-09-29
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Granted: 1982-06-22
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Expires: 2000-09-29
Abstract
Abstract An offshore tower having a buoyant column; a yoke at the lower end of the column; a socket joined to the end of the yoke; a base, adapted to be anchored to a sea floor, having a ball which fits in the socket for rotational joined movement relative to each other; a fluid delivery passageway, extending through the base and ball, communicating with a fluid swivel above the ball; and a fluid conduit having a flexible portion, extending outwardly from the fluid swivel and into engagement with the column.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald C. Stafford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 23:01
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/01; B; B63; B63B; B63B21/00; B63B21/50; B63B22/00; B63B22/02; B63B22/021; E21B17/00; E21B17/02; E21B17/08; E21B17/085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
An offshore tower comprising: a buoyant column; a yoke at the lower end of the column; a socket joined to the end of the yoke; a base, adapted to be anchored to a sea floor, having a ball which fits in the socket for rotational joined movement relative to each other so that the column can rotate unrestrictedly in a sea level circle, including axial rotation of the column relative to the base; a fluid delivery passageway, extending through the base and ball, communicating with a fluid swivel above the ball; and a fluid conduit means having a flexible portion, extending outwardly from the fluid swivel and into engagement with the column.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
An offshore tower comprising: a buoyant column; a yoke at the lower end of the column; a socket joined to the end of the yoke; a base, adapted to be anchored to a sea floor, having a ball which fits in the socket for rotational joined movement relative to each other so that the column can rotate unrestrictedly in a sea level circle, including axial rotation of the column relative to the base; a fluid delivery passageway, extending through the base and ball, communicating with a fluid swivel above the ball; and a fluid conduit means having a flexible portion, extending outwardly from the fluid swivel and into engagement with the column.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
An offshore tower according to claim 1 in which the fluid conduit means includes a second fluid swivel near the column.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
An offshore tower according to claim 1 in which the fluid conduit means includes an elbow extending from the swivel to a second fluid swivel from which the fluid conduit extends into engagement with the column.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
An offshore tower according to claim 3 in which the fluid conduit means includes a third fluid swivel near the column.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
An offshore tower according to claim 1 in which a quick connect-disconnect connector joins the ball to the base and the connector permits fluid flow therethrough in communication with the passageway.
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) | 1985-06-21 | 1985-12-21 | 1986-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-06-21 | 1989-12-21 | 1990-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-06-21 | 1993-12-21 | 1994-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |