The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 10, 1976
Filed:
Jan. 22, 1975
Albert M Koehler, Houston, TX (US);
Stanley J Hruska, Houston, TX (US);
Brown and Root, Inc., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
The invention affords a method and apparatus for transporting and erecting an offshore tower. The invention entails a barge which buoyantly supports the tower as it is conveyed to a desired offshore location. Supporting means connected to the barge and sliding means connected to the tower slidingly interconnect the tower and the barge. Suitable rotating means operably associated with the barge serves to rotate the barge about the longitudinal axis thereof to lower one side and thus statically, laterally incline the supporting means and the sliding means relative to the surface of the surrounding water. This occurs once the barge and tower reach the desired offshore location. Translating means operably associated with the barge are afforded for the purpose of moving the tower down the resulting incline, off the lowered side of the barge, and into the surrounding water. In the course of this downward movement, the tower and sliding means move in sliding relation along the supporting means. In transporting and erecting an offshore tower, the tower is first supported on the barge and floated to the desired offshore location. Thereupon, the barge is rotated about the longitudinal axis thereof to lower one side and statically, laterally incline the surfaces upon which the tower rests, relative to the surface of the surrounding body of water. Thereafter the tower is translated down the incline off the lowered side of the barge and into the water, free of the barge. The intended lower portion of the tower is next submerged to turn the tower upright in the body of water. Next the base of the tower is located at the desired location on the floor of the body of water.