Tendon-based floating structure
US6431107B1 · kind B1 · utility
24Cited by
19References
23Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 15, 1999 |
| Grant date | Aug 13, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 15, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63B77/00
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A floating offshore structure has a buoyant hull with sufficient fixed ballast to place the center of gravity of the floating structure below the center of buoyancy of the hull. A support structure coupled to an upper end of the hull supports and elevates a superstructure above the water surface. A soft tendon is attached between the hull and the seafloor. A vertical stiffness of the soft tendon results in the floating structure having a heave natural period of at least twenty seconds.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.