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.

Date of Patent:
Mar. 20, 2001

Filed:

Feb. 03, 2000
Applicant:
Inventors:

Mark A. Childers, Spring, TX (US);

David Rowan, Houston, TX (US);

Alan Quintero, Cypress, TX (US);

Assignee:

Atwood Oceanics, Inc., Houston, TX (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
E02D 1/100 ; E02D 1/300 ; E02D 9/00 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
E02D 1/100 ; E02D 1/300 ; E02D 9/00 ;
Abstract

A bottom-founded offshore structure in relatively shallow waters is protected against sliding. It uses at least one pile and a suction pump inside the pile. The pile has a length-to-diameter ratio such as to achieve sufficient pile imbedment with the selected suction pump. A dedicated pile lowering and lifting device lowers and lifts the pile as needed. Guides allow the pile's vertical motion and limit its rotational motion during imbedment and extraction. A stop device limits the vertical motion of the pile's top rim during pile extraction. The pile is reusable, light weight, easy to install and to extract, self-contained, and economical in relationship to its high holding power when imbedded.


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