Load-transfer system for mating an integrated deck with an offshore platform substructure

Claim 2

A load transfer system for use in mating an integrated deck with an offshore platform substructure, said load transfer system comprising: a probe extending downwardly from said integrated deck and having a lower end with a first load bearing surface formed thereon; shock-load absorbing means mounted between said integrated deck and said probe, said shock-load absorbing means comprising, in series, a first spring having a linear compressive response and a second spring having a variable compressive response, said second spring including: a hydraulic cylinder; means for conduction a hydraulic fluid into and out from said hydraulic cylinder; and means for conducting a compressible gas into and out from said hydraulic cylinder; and a second load bearing surface forced on said offshore platform substructure, said second load bearing said first load bearing surface when said probe is lowered into contact with said offshore platform substructure.

Claim 3

The system of claim 1, wherein said first spring is an elastomeric spring.

Claim 4

The system of claim 2 wherein said elastomeric spring comprises a plurality of elastomeric discs arranged in series.

Claim 5

The system of claim 1, wherein said compressible gas is air.

Claim 6

The system of claim 4, wherein said means for conducting said compressible gas into and out from said hydraulic cylinder comprises: an air line connecting the interior of said hydraulic cylinder to the atmosphere; and a valve for controlling the flow of air through said air line.

Claim 7

The system of claim 1, wherein said means for conducting a hydraulic fluid into and out from said hydraulic cylinder comprises: a hydraulic line connecting the interior of said hydraulic cylinder to a reservoir containing said hydraulic fluid; a valve for controlling the flow of said hydraulic fluid through said hydraulic line; a pump for pumping said hydraulic fluid from said reservoir into said hydraulic cylinder through said hydraulic line; and means for releasing said hydraulic fluid out from said hydraulic cylinder.

Claim 8

A load transfer system for use in mating an integrated deck with an offshore platform substructure, said integrated deck having at least one downwardly extending leg matable with a corresponding upwardly extending leg of said offshore platform substructure, said load transfer system comprising: shock-load absorbing means mounted in each said downwardly extending leg of said integrated deck structure, said shock-load absorbing means comprising, in series, a linear spring and a hydraulic cylinder; a probe extending into and being axially slideable with respect to each said hydraulic cylinder, said probe having an upper end adapted to form a piston within said hydraulic cylinder and a lower end extending downwardly from said hydraulic cylinder and having a first load bearing surface formed thereon; means for conducting a hydraulic fluid into and out from each said hydraulic cylinder; means for conducting a compressible gas into and out from each said hydraulic cylinder; and a second load bearing surface formed in each said upwardly extending leg of said offshore platform substructure, said second load bearing surface corresponding to and adapted to mate with said first load bearing surface when said probe is lowered into said upwardly extending leg of said offshore platform substructure.

Claim 9

A load transfer system for use in mating an integrated deck with an offshore platform substructure, said integrated deck having at least one downwardly extending leg matable with a corresponding upwardly extending leg of said offshore platform substructure, said load transfer system comprising: shock-load absorbing means mounted in each said downwardly extending leg of said integrated deck structure, said shock-load absorbing means comprising, in series, a linear spring and a hydraulic cylinder; a probe extending into and being axially slideable with respect to each said hydraulic cylinder, said probe having an upper end adapted to form a piston within said hydraulic cylinder and a lower end extending downwardly from said hydraulic cylinder and having a first load bearing surface formed thereon; means for conducting a hydraulic fluid into and out from each said hydraulic cylinder; means for conducting a compressible gas into and out from each said hydraulic cylinder; and a second load bearing surface formed in each said upwardly extending leg of said offshore platform substructure, said second load bearing surface corresponding to and adapted to mate with said first load bearing surface when said probe is lowered into said upwardly extending leg of said offshore platform substructure.

Claim 10

The system of claim 7, wherein said compressible gas is air.

Claim 11

The system of claim 8, wherein said means for conducting said compressible gas into and out from said hydraulic cylinder comprises: an air line connecting the interior of said hydraulic cylinder to the atmosphere; and a valve for controlling the flow of air through said air line.

Claim 12

The system of claim 9, wherein said means for conducting a hydraulic fluid into and out from said hydraulic cylinder comprises: a hydraulic line connecting the interior of said hydraulic cylinder to a reservoir containing said hydraulic fluid; a valve for controlling the flow of said hydraulic fluid through said hydraulic line; a pump for pumping said hydraulic fluid from said reservoir into said hydraulic cylinder through said hydraulic line; and means for releasing said hydraulic fluid out from said hydraulic cylinder.

Claim 13

The system of claim 7, wherein said linear spring is an elastomeric spring.

Claim 14

The system of claim 11, wherein said elastomeric spring comprises a plurality of elastomeric discs arranged in series.

Claim 15

The system of claim 7, wherein said load bearing surface formed in said upwardly extending leg of said offshore substructure is a tubular bearing surface.

Claim 16

The system of claim 13, wherein said load bearing surface formed on said lower end of said probe is a circular load bearing ring.

Claim 17

A load transfer system for use in mating an integrated deck with an offshore platform substructure, said integrated deck having at least one downwardly extending leg matable with a corresponding upwardly extending leg of said offshore platform substructure, said load transfer system comprising: a hydraulic cylinder in each said downwardly extending leg, said hydraulic cylinder having a substantially vertical axis; an elongate tube mounted on the upper end of, and substantially coaxially with, each said hydraulic cylinder, said elongate tube extending upwardly to said integrated deck; deformable means for suspending each said elongate tube from said integrated deck; a plurality of elastomeric discs mounted in series about each said elongate tube intermediate said upper end of said hydraulic cylinder and said integrated deck; a probe extending into and being axially slideable with respect to each said hydraulic cylinder, said probe having an upper end adapted to form a piston within said hydraulic cylinder, and a lower end extending downwardly from said hydraulic cylinder, said lower end having a first load bearing surface formed thereon; means for conducting a hydraulic fluid into and out from each said hydraulic cylinder; means for conducting a compressible gas into and out from each said hydraulic cylinder; and a second load bearing surface formed in each said upwardly extending leg of said offshore substructure, said second load bearing surface corresponding to and adapted to mate with said first load bearing surface when said probe is lowered into said upwardly extending leg of said offshore platform substructure.

Claim 18

A load transfer system for use in mating an integrated deck with an offshore platform substructure, said integrated deck having at least one downwardly extending leg matable with a corresponding upwardly extending leg of said offshore platform substructure, said load transfer system comprising: a hydraulic cylinder in each said downwardly extending leg, said hydraulic cylinder having a substantially vertical axis; an elongate tube mounted on the upper end of, and substantially coaxially with, each said hydraulic cylinder, said elongate tube extending upwardly to said integrated deck; deformable means for suspending each said elongate tube from said integrated deck; a plurality of elastomeric discs mounted in series about each said elongate tube intermediate said upper end of said hydraulic cylinder and said integrated deck; a probe extending into and being axially slideable with respect to each said hydraulic cylinder, said probe having an upper end adapted to form a piston within said hydraulic cylinder, and a lower end extending downwardly from said hydraulic cylinder, said lower end having a first load bearing surface formed thereon; means for conducting a hydraulic fluid into and out from each said hydraulic cylinder; means for conducting a compressible gas into and out from each said hydraulic cylinder; and a second load bearing surface formed in each said upwardly extending leg of said offshore substructure, said second load bearing surface corresponding to and adapted to mate with said first load bearing surface when said probe is lowered into said upwardly extending leg of said offshore platform substructure.

Claim 19

The system of claim 15, wherein said compressible gas is air.

Claim 20

The system of claim 16, wherein said means for conducting said compressible gas into and out from said hydraulic cylinder comprises: an air line connecting the interior of said hydraulic cylinder to the atmosphere; and a valve for controlling the flow of air through said air line.

Claim 21

The system of claim 17, wherein said air line is routed to said hydraulic cylinder through said elongate tube mounted thereon.

Claim 22

The system of claim 17, wherein said means for conducting a hydraulic fluid into and out from said hydraulic cylinder comprises: a hydraulic line connecting the interior of said hydraulic cylinder to a reservoir containing said hydraulic fluid; a valve for controlling the flow of said hydraulic fluid through said hydraulic line; a pump for pumping said hydraulic fluid from said reservoir into said hydraulic cylinder through said hydraulic line; and means for releasing said hydraulic fluid out from said hydraulic cylinder.

Claim 23

The system of claim 19, wherein said load bearing surface formed in said upwardly extending leg of said offshore substructure is a tubular bearing surface.

Claim 24

The system of claim 20, wherein said load bearing surface formed on said lower end of said probe is a circular load bearing ring.

Claim 27

The method of claim 22, wherein said step of lowering said second load bearing surface into contact with said first load bearing surface comprises conducting said compressible gas into said hydraulic cylinder.

Claim 28

The method of claim 22, further comprising the subsequent step of disengaging said barge from said integrated deck when the desired portion of said load of said integrated deck has been transferred to said substructure, whereby the remaining load of said integrated deck is transferred to said substructure upon disengagement of said integrated deck from said barge.

Claim 29

The method of claim 22, wherein said step of lowering said integrated deck comprises the step of ballasting said barge.

Claim 30

The method of claim 22, wherein the step of conducting said hydraulic fluid into said hydraulic cylinder further comprises substantially continuously conducting said hydraulic fluid into said hydraulic cylinder as said integrated deck is lowered.

Claim 31

A load transfer system for use in mating an integrated deck with an offshore platform substructure, said load transfer system comprising: a probe extending downwardly from said integrated deck and having a lower end with a first load bearing surface formed thereon; shock-load absorbing means mounted between said integrated deck and said probe, said shock-load absorbing means comprising, in series, (a) a first spring having a linear compressive response and (b) a second spring having a compressive response which is adjustable during the transfer of the load of said integrated deck to said offshore platform substructure; a second load bearing surface formed on said offshore platform substructure, said second load bearing surface corresponding to and adapted to mate with said first load bearing surface when said probe is lowered into contact with said offshore platform substructure.

Claim 32

A load transfer system for use in mating an integrated deck with an offshore platform substructure, said load transfer system comprising: a probe extending downwardly from said integrated deck and having a lower end with a first load bearing surface formed thereon; shock-load absorbing means mounted between said integrated deck and said probe, said shock-load absorbing means comprising, in series, (a) a first spring having a linear compressive response and (b) a second spring having a compressive response which is adjustable during the transfer of the load of said integrated deck to said offshore platform substructure; a second load bearing surface formed on said offshore platform substructure, said second load bearing surface corresponding to and adapted to mate with said first load bearing surface when said probe is lowered into contact with said offshore platform substructure.

Claim 33

The system of claim 28, wherein said second spring comprises: a hydraulic cylinder; means for conducting a hydraulic fluid into and out from said hydraulic cylinder; and means for conducting a compressible gas into and out from said hydraulic cylinder.

Claim 34

The system of claim 28, wherein said first spring is an elastomeric spring.

Claim 35

The system of claim 30, wherein said elastomeric spring comprises a plurality of elastomeric discs arranged in series.

Claim 36

The system of claim 29, wherein said compressible gas is air.

Claim 37

The system of claim 32, wherein said means for conducting said compressible gas into and out from said hydraulic cylinder comprises: an air line connecting the interior of said hydraulic cylinder to the atmosphere; and a valve for controlling the flow of air through said air line.

Claim 38

The system of claim 29, wherein said means for conducting a hydraulic fluid into and out from said hydraulic cylinder comprises: a hydraulic line connecting the interior of said hydraulic cylinder to a reservoir containing said hydraulic fluid; a valve for controlling the flow of said hydraulic fluid through said hydraulic line; a pump for pumping said hydraulic fluid from said reservoir into said hydraulic cylinder through said hydraulic line; and means for releasing said hydraulic fluid out from said hydraulic cylinder.

Claim 39

An integrated deck having a load transfer system mounted thereon for use in mating said integrated deck with an offshore platform substructure, said load transfer system comprising: a probe extending downwardly from said integrated deck and having a lower end with a first load bearing surface formed thereon; shock-load absorbing means mounted between said integrated deck and said probe, said shock-load absorbing means comprising, in series, a first spring having a linear compressive response and a second spring having a variable compressive response, said second spring including: a hydraulic cylinder; means for conducting a hydraulic fluid into and out from said hydraulic cylinder; and means for conducting a compressible gas into and out from said hydraulic cylinder; and a second load bearing surface formed on said offshore platform substructure, said second load bearing surface corresponding to and adapted to mate with said first load bearing surface when said probe is lowered into contact with said offshore platform substructure.

Claim 40

An integrated deck having a load transfer system mounted thereon for use in mating said integrated deck with an offshore platform substructure, said load transfer system comprising: a probe extending downwardly from said integrated deck and having a lower end with a first load bearing surface formed thereon; shock-load absorbing means mounted between said integrated deck and said probe, said shock-load absorbing means comprising, in series, a first spring having a linear compressive response and a second spring having a variable compressive response, said second spring including: a hydraulic cylinder; means for conducting a hydraulic fluid into and out from said hydraulic cylinder; and means for conducting a compressible gas into and out from said hydraulic cylinder; and a second load bearing surface formed on said offshore platform substructure, said second load bearing surface corresponding to and adapted to mate with said first load bearing surface when said probe is lowered into contact with said offshore platform substructure.