Abstract: A cantilever beam of a jack-up unit is provided with constant force restraining members mounted on a deck of a jack-up unit forward from conventional hold-down cantilever beam clamp. A modified cantilever beam end plate engages a first end of constant force restraining member, which may be a hydraulic cylinder, with the second end of the hydraulic cylinder secured to movable padeye, which is releasably secured to the deck of the jack-up unit. If desired a fixed foundation may be secured to the deck to reinforce the area of attachment of a padeye to the deck. To allow extension of the cantilever beam even farther to a drill well, an extension member may be attached to the end plate between a free end of the end plate and the hydraulic cylinders.

Abstract: A cantilever beam of a jack-up unit is provided with constant force restraining members mounted on a deck of a jack-up unit forward from conventional hold-down cantilever beam clamp. A modified cantilever beam end plate engages a first end of constant force restraining member, which may be a hydraulic cylinder, with the second end of the hydraulic cylinder secured to movable padeye, which is releasably secured to the deck of the jack-up unit. If desired a fixed foundation may be secured to the deck to reinforce the area of attachment of a padeye to the deck. To allow extension of the cantilever beam even farther to a drill well, an extension member may be attached to the end plate between a free end of the end plate and the hydraulic cylinders.

Abstract: The invention relates to a leg assembly for an offshore structure, such as a self-elevating jack-up rig. The leg assembly has a pair of parallel leg chords divided into a plurality of sections by transverse bracing members. A unit of angular bracing members is secured within each such section. The unit has four angular members defining a rhombus, with each angular bracing member attached to a transverse bracing member and an adjacent leg chord. The braces are connected at four points to each other. The leg assembly is free from obstructing, drag-increasing auxiliary braces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a semi-submersible vessel designed to operate in harsh environment. The vessel has a twin-hull pontoon structure that supports four corner caissons extending vertically from the pontoons above an operational draft of the vessel. A pair of slender parallel horizontal braces connects each pair of opposing caissons, the braces extending in a general plane perpendicular to longitudinal axes of the pontoons. One of the pair of braces is secured between the forward columns and another of the pair of braces is secured between the aft columns. The braces reduce spreading and torque-induced forces acting on the columns, while not substantially increasing water plane area of the vessel. Each brace has an internal “redundancy” feature, being divided into two independent watertight compartments to continue providing buoyancy to the structure if one of the compartments is breached.

Abstract: The invention relates to a semi-submersible vessel designed to operate in harsh environment. The vessel has a twin-hull pontoon structure that supports four corner caissons extending vertically from the pontoons above an operational draft of the vessel. A pair of slender parallel horizontal braces connects each pair of opposing caissons, the braces extending in a general plane perpendicular to longitudinal axes of the pontoons. One of the pair of braces is secured between the forward columns and another of the pair of braces is secured between the aft columns. The braces reduce spreading and torque-induced forces acting on the columns, while not substantially increasing water plane area of the vessel. Each brace has an internal “redundancy” feature, being divided into two independent watertight compartments to continue providing buoyancy to the structure if one of the compartments is breached.