Floating platform with an articulating keel skirt
US9862468B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 10, 2014 |
| Grant date | Jan 9, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 15, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63B2035/448
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present disclosure provides in at least one embodiment a rotatable keel skirt assembly on a rectangular-shaped keel pontoon. The rectangular-shaped keel pontoon reduces the maximum hull width by a significant percentage compared to a circular-shaped keel pontoon while maintaining the same hull motion performance. The rotatable keel skirt assembly allows the size of the pontoon to define the width of the hull during some fabrication phases of the platform, rather than the additional width of the keel skirt assembly. Thus, the outreach of the crane and other equipment can be effectively used as if the keel skirt assembly was not present. After fabrication, the hull can be moved away from the quayside and the keel skirt assembly can be rotated into position for service. Various systems and methods are disclosed for articulating the keel skirt assembly about the hull.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.