Patent · US Expired

Non-Abrasive subsea mat

US5944449A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
11References
29Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 17, 1998
Grant dateAug 31, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 17, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16L1/123
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Non-abrasive and non-shielding pads are attached to the at least one side of concrete elements with polymeric based fasteners that are embedded into a cast material, such as concrete, when the latter is soft. A flexible rope is laced through the center of each element in two directions to form a mat in a row-column array, and a groove is established to interconnect two mats together. Adequate spacing is provided between each element to allow the mat to conform to an uneven seabed or structure. The non-abrasive non-shielding pads separate the elements from the underwater installation to prevent the elements from scratching and permitting cathodic protection of the structures. Grooves are provided in selected elements, and loops are provided at the outer edges of the mat to enable several mats to be linked together.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.