Patents Assigned to Franklin C. Wade
  • Patent number: 4808037
    Abstract: A method for removal of large metal objects such as offshore platforms that may be embedded in or substantially immobile and lying on the seabed. The environment should be dislodged from at least a portion of the supporting pile embedded below the mud line. A liquified gas is injected into the environment in contact with the pile to embrittle the pile. Upon embrittlement, the pile is fragmented. Thereafter, the pile may be removed from the seabed.A cannister for use in the above method has a body shaped to conform to the pile or object to be fragmented and contains liquified gas to be sprayed from nozzles by a pressurized gas to chill the object to be fragmented upon embrittlement. A support is positioned on the body for raising and lowering the cannister within the pile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignees: Franklin C. Wade, Richard H. Barron
    Inventors: Franklin C. Wade, Richard A. Anderson, Richard H. Barron