Anchoring apparatus and method
US5890451A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 20, 1998 |
| Grant date | Apr 6, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 20, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63B2021/262
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A drag embedment normal load anchor ("Denla") comprises a fluke with a shank pivotally attached thereto, the shank including an anchor cable attachment point and control or restraint mechanisms whereby the shank can be set such that the cable attachment point can lie selectively in first, second, and third directions relative to the fluke centroid, the directions providing three fluke centroid angles (.alpha., .beta., and .theta., respectively) with the fluke forward direction (F). The Denla is part of an anchoring apparatus including a rear drogue line serving to orientate the anchor correctly at the sea bed without the need for a separate pendant line. In operation, the Denla is embedded by pulling on an anchor cable with the first fluke centroid angle .alpha. present; when the desired horizontal anchor loading is achieved, the shank is moved to the second larger centroid angle .beta. and the anchor swung back until the fluke forward direction (F) is inclined upwardly, this position constituting the normal load anchoring position. For Denla retrieval, the shank is swung forwardly to occupy the smaller third fluke centroid angle .theta., and the anchor pulled upwardly in the inclu…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.