Underwater Loading Or Unloading Patents (Class 414/137.3)
  • Patent number: 8678733
    Abstract: The structure (10) for transporting and installing or retrieving underwater equipment comprises a floating hull (11) equipped with legs (20) that can be moved vertically relative to the floating hull (11), a platform (60) carried by shuttles (30) each associated with a leg (20) and able to be moved vertically relative to the hull (11) by said legs (20), means of temporarily anchoring the equipment to the underside of the platform (60) and means (65, 66) of moving said equipment in the water between a first position pressed against the anchoring means and a second position away from said means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Technip France
    Inventors: Pierre-Armand Thomas, Jean-Marc Cholley
  • Patent number: 7908988
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing debris from an ocean floor or seabed employs a subsea debris basket. The basket eliminates the absolute necessity of a cargo barge or any other supporting vessel that might be required to remain in a field until the objects on the ocean floor can be lifted. The present invention provides a non-weather sensitive solution. The present invention affords the safe operation in that all lifting and lowering is performed in a subsea environment next to the ocean floor or seabed. The present invention enables operation to be completed with the use of an ROV or remotely operated vehicle. The present invention provides improved offshore efficiency, less time being required to recover debris from the seabed to the underwater salvage basket or debris basket. The present invention enables the possibility of use of an A-frame or simple crane to lower debris into a subsea basket. The basket can be reused or redeployed in the field if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Inventor: Jon Khachaturian