Coffer dam for servicing marine structures
A coffer dam for use in maintenance and repair of support pylons for marine structures such as piers, wharfs, and drilling platforms. Insulated bottom, side walls and roof members form an enclosure that can be heated, or cooled, to provide a good work environment and can protect against undesirable condensation that could adversely effect chemicals and coating materials. A grated floor member allows for debris to be collected and a vacuum system is used for proper disposal, and an improved seal protects against water leaking into the enclosure.
This invention relates to an improved coffer dam or work enclosure for servicing marine structures, having priority based upon U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/148,037, filed on Jan. 28, 2009, and is an improvement over devices such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,996 granted on Feb. 12, 1991.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIt is known to position a segmented coffer dam about a piling, or pylon, or leg, hereafter referred to as a supporting member for a marine structure positioned in and over water in lakes, rivers, or oceans. Such structures include wharfs, piers, drilling platforms and the like, and the supporting members may be comprised of wood, concrete, metal beams and the like. The coffer dam is located partially under water and partially above the water line and secured to the supporting member by suitable clamps and seals. After sealing the work enclosure against inflow of water, water contained within the coffer dam during assembly is evacuated and thereby provides a suitable work environment for accommodating a workman during protecting, repairing, refurbishing, coating, painting, and/or metalizing the supporting member in, over and under the splash zone.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention includes enhancements over similar prior art devices in that the enclosed working area is provided with insulated walls, ceiling and bottom, and climate control apparatus such as a heater and/or air conditioner for providing a comfortable work area and for maintaining proper humidity levels to preclude sweating of the interior walls that could interfere with paints and other chemicals being applied to the supporting structure. A debris evacuation system is provided for eliminating scrapings of rust, paint chips, damaged material, sand from sandblasting, water from cleaning, and other debris to pass through a grated flooring to a collection area from which it can be periodically vacuumed for proper disposal thereby eliminating contamination of the surrounding water.
The present invention also includes an improved sealing apparatus for cooperating with the supporting structure, including a combination of closed cell foam sealing material, pneumatic or hydraulic tubing and structure for securely holding the tubing in proper position.
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The illustrated embodiments of the invention have been set forth only for the purposes of example and should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined in the appended claimed subject matter.
Claims
1. A coffer dam for use in providing maintenance and repair of a support member for a marine platform, said coffer dam comprising a plurality of wall segments, a bottom portion and segmented roof portions for creating a closed work space enclosed by said wall segments, means for securing said segments together about the support member, and sealing means below said coffer dam for keeping water from entering into said enclosed work space.
2. A coffer dam as defined in claim 1 wherein said sealing means is comprised of arcuate closed cell foam members for receiving said bottom portion of said coffer dam, and inflatable tubular means for forming a seal with the support member.
3. A coffer dam as defined in claim 1 wherein said wall segments, said bottom portion and said segmented roof portions each contain insulation material for providing climate control of said closed work space.
4. A coffer dam as defined in claim 3 including means for selectively heating or cooling said closed work space.
5. A coffer dam as defined in claim 1 including a grated floor member having openings for allowing debris to pass therethrough and be collected at said bottom portion.
6. A coffer dam as defined in claim 5 including vacuum means for collecting and removing said debris from said bottom portion.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 28, 2010
Publication Date: Jul 29, 2010
Inventor: Gregory B. Burkhardt (Lusby, MD)
Application Number: 12/656,416
International Classification: E02D 19/04 (20060101);