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:
Aug. 19, 2014
Filed:
Apr. 15, 2011
Arcandra Tahar, Houston, TX (US);
Edward E. Horton, Iii, Houston, TX (US);
James V. Maher, Houston, TX (US);
Arcandra Tahar, Houston, TX (US);
Edward E. Horton, III, Houston, TX (US);
James V. Maher, Houston, TX (US);
Horton Wison Deepwater, Inc., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
A platform for offshore drilling and/or production operations comprises an equipment deck. In addition, the platform comprises a buoyant hull coupled to the equipment deck and configured to extend below the surface of the water. The hull comprises a first column having a central axis, an upper end coupled to the deck, a lower end distal the deck, and a plurality of axially stacked cells between the upper end and the lower end. Each cell defining an inner chamber within the cell and an exterior region outside the cell. The plurality of cells includes a first cell extending from the upper end of the first sub-column and a second cell axially positioned below the first cell. The first cell is water-tight. Further, the second cell includes a gas port configured to supply a buoyancy control gas to the inner chamber of the second cell.