Offshore structure support
A pile based braced caisson structural support device includes a number of legs. These legs are configured in a teepee type configuration such that the footprint of the base is larger than the footprint of the opposing end. This structural support can be used as a base for an offshore drilling platform in that the support reduces the lateral forces on the support caused by wave action.
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This application claims the benefit of and priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/291,637, filed May 18, 2001, entitled “Offshore Platform,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to structural-supports. In particular, this invention relates to structural supports for, for example, offshore drilling platforms, or the like.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventional offshore platforms have deck legs that are vertical or are battered outward as they extend downwards. The conventional arrangement provides structurally efficient support for the deck but the associated dimensions of the platform at the water surface result in increased expense for the platform.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONPile are configured in a “teepee” type configuration, where the piles are arranged to generally form a conical shape with their intersection being approximately at the elevation of, for example, a waterline. The tops of the piles extend pass this intersection to support, for example, a platform or structure, such as a drilling platform. The opposite ends of the piles are proportionally spaced on or below another surface, such as the mudline on an ocean floor.
The basic concept of using conical spaced piles can be extended such that two or more piles can be used to support, for example, a structure at a first end, while also providing support for, for example, a central member, such as a drill pipe, that extends through a central axis of the assembly. However, it is to be appreciated, that three or more piles can be used without a center member to support a structure as discussed above. Furthermore, two or more supports can be used with one or more center members to also support a structure as discussed above.
For example, two piles can be offset substantially 180° from each other, e.g. X shaped, three piles offset substantially 120° from each other, four piles offset substantially 90° from each other, e.g, teepee shaped, or the like. However, it is to be appreciated that the specific offset between the piles, and the number of piles, can be varied depending on, for example, expectant forces on the structure, the topology of the surface the assembly is to be secured to, the weight, structure and anticipated forces of the device that sits on top of the piles, or like.
An aspect of the invention relates to providing a structure support with at least three legs that are positioned in a teepee configuration.
Aspects of the present invention also relate to providing a structure support with four or more legs positioned in a teepee configuration.
Accordingly, an aspect of the invention allows piles to be configured such that the footprint has a greater surface area than the area formed by the opposing ends of piles.
Additional aspects of the invention related to minimizing the bracing required for a structural support in a wave zone.
Aspect of the invention additionally relate to a support structure that reduces lateral wave forces on the structure.
Aspects of the invention additionally relate to providing a structure in which the majority of the components can be installed and welded in-place above a waterline.
Aspects of the invention also relate to reducing drilling platform size.
These any other features and advantages of this invention are described in or are apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe embodiments of the invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein:
The exemplary embodiments of this invention will be described in relation to a support structure, such as drilling platform, supported by three piles and a central vertical member, such as drill pipe. However, to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention, the following description omits well-known structures and devices that may be shown in block diagram form or otherwise summarized. For the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the present invention may be practiced in a variety of ways beyond these specific details. For example, the systems and methods of this invention can be generally expanded and applied to support any type of structure. Furthermore, while exemplary distances and scales are shown in the figures, it is to be appreciated the systems and methods of this invention can be varied to fit any particular implementation.
With reference to
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It is, therefore, apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the present invention, a support and method for assembling the support to support a structure. While this invention has been described in conjunction with a number of illustrative embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations would be or are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. Accordingly, the disclosure is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, equivalents and variations that are within in the spirit and scope of this invention.
Claims
1. A method of constructing a structure support comprising the steps of:
- providing at least three legs in a teepee configuration;
- providing at least one central member extending substantially vertically through an intersection point of said at least three legs;
- placing a first end of the first three legs on a mounting surface; and
- affixing a structure to a second end of the at least three legs, wherein the three legs are unitary structures from a first end to a second end, and wherein the structure is located at a position above the intersecting point of the at least three legs.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the structure is a drilling rig.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing an angular guide structure to orient the at least three legs.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the angular guide structure is positioned at said intersecting point.
5. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of drilling a well bore with the drilling rig.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of producing a hydrocarbon product through the well bore.
7. A method of constructing a support structure comprising the steps of:
- providing at least three legs in a teepee configuration, said at least three legs being substantially linear unitary structures from a first end to a second end;
- placing a first end of the first three legs on a mounting surface;
- intersecting said at least three legs at an intersecting point such that a surface area of a plane defined by said first ends of said at least three legs is greater than a surface area of a plane defined by said second ends of said at least three legs; and
- fixedly securing a support structure to said second ends of the at least three legs;
- wherein a distance from the support structure to the intersecting point of the at least three legs is less than a distance from the intersecting point of the at least three legs to the first ends of said at least three legs.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the support structure supports a drilling rig.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of drilling a well bore with the drilling rig.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of producing a hydrocarbon product through the well bore.
11. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of providing an angular guide structure orient the at least three legs.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the angular guide structure is positioned at said intersecting point of said at least three legs.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 26, 2006
Publication Date: Oct 26, 2006
Applicant: KEYSTONE ENGINEERING, INC. (Metairie, LA)
Inventors: Rudolph Hall (Madison, LA), Ralph Shaw (New Orleans, LA)
Application Number: 11/474,387
International Classification: A47B 91/00 (20060101);