Subsea multi-segmented pile gripper
US5743677A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 29, 1996 |
| Grant date | Apr 28, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 29, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE02B2017/0052
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A pile gripper which uniformly engages a plurality of gripper teeth against a pile during engagement and uniformly retracts those same gripper teeth during disengagement is described. In one embodiment, the pile gripper is comprised of a an elastomeric bag, a plurality of segments arranged circumferentially on the pile-side of the gripper's structure, and a plurality of segment retraction elements. Each segment has a plurality of teeth which are used to "grip" an anchor pile. Segment teeth direction may alternate from segment to segment or segment group to segment group. Each segment group comprises a plurality of N segments, and each segment in a segment group is operatively coupled via grouping bars to the other segments in the segment group. The combination of uniform segment teeth movement during both engagement and disengagement provides significantly more load bearing capability for a specified gripper assembly length or, alternatively, a significantly shorter gripper assembly for a specified load bearing capability than prior art grippers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.