Spar platform
US6263824A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 23, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jul 24, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 23, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63B2021/504
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A spar platform is disclosed having a deck, a buoyant tank assembly supporting the deck, and a counterweight. A counterweight spacing structure connects the counterweight to the buoyant tank assembly. The buoyant tank assembly has a first buoyant section connected to the deck and a second buoyant section disposed beneath and axially vertically aligned with the first buoyant section. The second buoyant section has a substatially larger diameter than the first buoyant section and a buoyant section spacing structure connects the first and second buoyant sections in a manner providing a horizontally extending vertical gap therebetween. Another aspect of the invention is a method for reducing VIV in spar platform by providing a substantially open horizontally extending vertical gap in the cylindrical buoyant tank assembly between a first buoyant section and a second buoyant section. The first and second buoyant sections are vertically aligned and are selected to combine first and second buoyant sections of substantially different diameters.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.