Anchor line-stabilized system
US4797033A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 15, 1980 |
| Grant date | Jan 10, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 15, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63B22/021
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An offshore system of the articulated tower type is provided, which utilizes chain devices extending in different directions from the upper portion of the tower to the seabed to help maintain the tower in a largely vertical orientation. In one system wherein the tower must be held close to the vertical orientation, as where the system is used for drilling underwater hydrocarbon wells, an inclinometer is utilized to measure small angles of tilting of the tower, to operate one or more winches that pull on the chain devices. The chain devices can be in the form of heavy chains extending in loose curves. In another system, the chain devices are lines of highly stretchable material such as nylon, and which may be nearly neutrally buoyant, and with the lines extending in almost straight lines between the tower and seabed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.