US2422168A - Marine tower and method of placing same - Google Patents

Description

June 10, 1947. G. L. KlRBY 2,422,168

MARINE-TOWER AND METHOD OF PLACING SAME Filedv Oct. 23, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 10, 1947. G. L. KIRBY MARINE TOWER-AND METHOD OF PLACING SAME Filed oct. 23, 41945 4 sheets-sheet 2 June 10, 1947. G. KIRBY MARINE TOWER AND METHOD OF PLACING SAME Filed oct. 23, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 10, 1947. G. L. KIRBY 2,422,168

MARINE TOWER AND METHOD OF PLACING SAME 'l Filed oct. 23, 1945 4 Sheets-sheet 4 HPPRox cEN TER aF 6R19 YITY poses whichrequire a support that is positioned Patented June 10, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MARINE TOWER AND METHOD F PLACING SAME George L. Kirby, Houston, Tex., assignor to Kirby .Development Corporation, San Antonio,` Tex.,

a corporation of Texas Application October 23, 1945, Serial No. 624,023

22 claims. l

in and above water.

Heretofore, marine towers (whether assembled to their full length on shore or on a barge) and the methods of placing them, of which I have knowledge, have been such as required flotation tion to the desired location. This is a hazardous` operation, particularly if storms or rough water are encountered. Furthermore, with this type of handling, a tower is liable to be distorted or damaged to a material extent, evento its total loss. In addition, such an operation requires the use of expensive and elaborate equipment, such as barge derricks, etc.,y In other types of towers, the methods of placing them in position on the water-bed include the iiotation of a tower base to a location, sinking it to the water-bed and then erecting thel tower vertically from the base. These towers also require the use of complicated devices and mechanisms, including divers, and, in some instances, caissons.

The important and principalv object of the present invention is the provision of a tower of such design that it may be readily assembled, in a horie/ zontal position, on shore and, which, when assembled, is capable of being floated, in a horizontal position, to the location where it is to be erected and placed on the water-bed. Consequently,l the necessity of costly erection equipment is eliminated and a minimum of offshore operation is required, thereby eliminating, or greatly minimizing, the hazards of distortion of, or of severedamage to, the tower during transportation tothe point of location. It is desirable that the tower be provided with floodablebuoyant devices, by means of which it may be'erected to a vertical position whereupon it can be so manipulated as to settle upon the desired spot on the water-bed where it is to be anchored. By means of these same floodable, buoyant devices, the tower may subsequently be raised and moved to a new location, or it may be completely salvaged.

It is also an importantobject oi.' the invention to provide a marine tower construction that comprises a plurality of spaced columns which are or transportation of the towers in a vertical posi-v f disposed concentrically about a center opening so that .the tower willbe substantially circular in cross'section with a central, unobstructed shaft extending from the ,top to the bottom thereof. Furthermore, the tower is preferably composed of a multiplicity of interchangeable sections, each comprising sections of the spaced columns, the end of the columns of adjacent sections being removably secured together' and the column sections of each tower section being held in position by vertical and horizontal bracing so as to make 'each tower section a unitary structure, but, nevertheless, without obstructing the hollow shaft in the center of the tower.

Another .object of the invention resides in the` provision of a tower base which is annular in form, and upon which the columns rest, the base being so designed and proportioned that loads are distributedl concentricaily and equally on the bedbottom, the base being a hollow, watertight, buoyant member that is connected with standard equipment for flooding or blowing out the same as desired.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tower' having reduced resistancev to external forces,such as to water current and wind presf sure', by forming the columns and bracing thereof with exterior" surfaces which are rounded or circular in cross section.

Another feature of .the invention is the provi'- sion of hollow, buoyant members, other than the base members, disposed along the length of the tower, at least one being positioned so as to be at or about, but preferably a slight distance below,

the normal low water line of the tower, when the latter is resting on the water-bed. Another hol- "opening so as to cooperate in forming the paslowybuoyant member may be disposed adjacent the base of the tower when it isdesired to supplement the function ofthe base, either for providing added buoyancy or addedweight, when the base is'or is not to be flooded, for settling or fixing the tower in position or removing it therefrom. There may be other and intermediate hollow, buoyantk members employed if desired or required. All of these buoyant members are circular or polygonal in shape and have a center sage or shaft which extends vertically through the tower.

A stilll further object of the invention is to provide a Y sectionaltower of the above described character that permits the ready removal or addition of sections as may be required according to ,placed, or according to the work to be performed.

. as it appears when in position in the water;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view' taken substantially on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a crosssectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4' is a cross sectional view taken substantially on line 4--4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary side view in elevation lof one ofthe vertical columns and the bracing `rods associated therewith for rigidly uniting the several sections of the tower;

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view, similar to Figure 6, illustrating a channel pipe chase on one of thel bracing rods;

Figure 8 is an enlarged cross sectional view, similar to Figure 2, with parts broken away to illustrate the construction of the supporting base for the tower;

Figure 9 is a cross sectional view through the base and is taken substantially on line 9-9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a cross sectional view taken substantially online IIJ- I8 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a side view in elevation'of the tower in position on a floating scow from which it is launched;

Figure 12 is an end view in elevation of the tower andscow illustrating the manner of re- A of the body of water; and,`

Figure 15 is a cross sectional view through the scow and illustrating the compartments therein, one of which is adapted to be flooded for launch-il ing the tower and thereafter blown out.

As shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, the present invention comprises a marine tower I6 which is made up of a series of sections I1. The sections are supported one above the other and the entire framework formed by these sections is carried on a base I8. Merely for the purpose of giving an indication of the proportions of the tower herein illustrated in Figure 1, thebase is \about 66 feet indiameter and five feet high with a central opening of about 46 feet in diameter; and the sections I1 are each approximately 25 feet in length or height and about 60 feet in diameter. Of course, it will be understood that these dimensions are given only by way of example and that they will be changed or varied according to changes in design or construction that may be desirable or required under varying circumstances and conditions.

'I'he base I8, as more clearly illustrated in Figures 2, 8, 9 and 10, is ringlike and it may have polygonal sides or it may be a true annulus. As

shown, said base comprises top and bottom plates I9 and 28 and side plates 2| and'22 which may be welded at their meeting edges. The base has a hollow, watertight interior to provide a floodable, buoyant member or chamber I8' and I nay-y accommodate any suitable type of reinforcing structure that will distribute the imposed vertical load thereon concentrically of the base. It is reinforced by a multiplicity of spaced cross beams 23 which form supports for the girders or eye beams 24 which are arranged in parallel relation andcoextensive longitudinally with the Walls Aof the base. Cross channel members 25 rest on the beams 24 at intervals, preferably, adjacent the ends of the beams 24. These members 23, 24

and 25 are secured together by suitable means,"

such as welding as one example.

Stub columns 2B are arranged in spaced relation on the top plate IS-preferably over these cross vmembers 25-and the upper end of each is sealed by a circular plate I9a welded thereto and extending beyond the perimeter thereof to form a iiange for receiving the pipe column of the lowermost section of the tower framework. A plurality of spaced rcutting bars 28, attached to the bottom plate 28, are adapted for scouring a seat or bearing for the base structure on the bed of the water as the tower is brought into position.

From the above description of the base, it will be seen that the base is so designed that the imposed loads 4are directly over the bearing and that there has been provided a stiiened and reinforced watertight casing to form the base. These reinforcing elements are so designed and proportioned that loads are distributed concentric with the columns of the tower, andthe center portion of the base is open to permit multiple drilling or other operations, or the erection of various structures. In order to provide access to the interior'of the base, one or more manholes 28 have been provided in the top plate I9, and they may be closed by suitable watertight covers, not shown.

The base I8 may be used for adding buoyancy to the tower structure, or for adding weight thereto when positioning said structure on the bed ofthe body of Water. 29 extends from the base to a control point Yin the upper end of the tower. and is employed for flooding or venting the base when occasion demands or, in some instances, for supplying concrete to the interior of the base` for increasing the weight and stability of the base when it has settled in position, In order to provide buoyancy, water is pumped from the base to the control point in the tower.

As previously indicated, the shaft of the tower f upper and lower ends of each pipercolumn carryv a connecting member to which is attached vertical and horizontal struts. These members also provide means for uniting the sections by the use of bolts or the like. I

Referring particularly to Figure 5 of the drawings which shows the connected adjacent ends A Consequently, a pipe of the apex portion of said triangular plate-.36.

, The extending ends of the triangle 36 form lugs which have openings therein through which horizontal brace members may besecured.

The ilange-formingportions of the plates I9a and 34 and the corresponding area of the plate 36 are designed to engage in abutting relation and each is provided with a circular series of matched openings to receive bolts 45 which secure the adjacent ends of aligned rcolumn sections together as well as the stub columns 26. Triangular vanes 31 and 3.9 extend upwardly from the plate 34 and downwardly f'rom the plate member 36 as well as radially relative to their respective column sections 32, and each has one edge thereof welded or otherwise secured to its pipe section 32, as indicated at 38 and 40, respectively, and each may also be welded or otherwise xed to the plates 34 and 36, respectively.

Bracing rods 4I are attached to the vanes 31 and 39 and are preferably diagonally disposed so as to cross one another, as shown in Figure l of the drawings, for vertically bracing adjacent column sections of each tower section. These bracing rods are shown as being provided with adjusting turn-buckles 42, rods 43 extend from the lug 36a on one column 32 to a similar lug in an alternate column and are secured thereto by bolts 43a. This arrangement of the horizontal bracing rods is more particularly shown in Figure 3 of the drawings; and said rods are also provided with adjustable turn-buckles 44. Additional horizontal struts 45 extend between and connect with adjacent lugs 36a by means of bolts 46.

Thus, the vertical bracing rods 4I, horizontal bracing rods 43, and pipe struts 45, together with the vertical pipe columns 32, make up each section I1 of the shaft of thetower and the sections are joined together by bolts ,41, as indicated in Figure 5 of the drawings, which pass through the plates 34 and 36. While the rods 4 I and 43 are shown as being adjustable, they may be fixed, non-adjustable rods and they may be welded in place. It is to be noted that the column section 32, and the bracing rods 4I, 43 and 45 are each circular in cross section so as to reduce their resistance to external forces, such as Water currents and wind pressures,

Another feature of the invention resides in the use of chambered or hollow buoyant members lixedly positioned within the tower structure, and preferably on opposite sides of its centerof gravity, whereby said structure may be floated horizontally, manipulated to vertical position, and lowered to its site with a minimum of effort and equipment. These members may also be used for raising the tower. For purposes of illustration, two such buoyant members 48 and 49 have been shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. These buoyant members 48 and 49 are, preferably, identical and, by referring toFigure 4 of the draw-7 ings, it will be noted that they are placed and held, respectively, within the vertical pipe columns 3,2 of the tower section I1 andare secured in fixed position therein by any suitable means.

'I'he ybuoyant member 48 is preferably positioned considerably below the upper end of the tower, that will support the platform |80, shown in `dotted line, and rides partially above the? water surface so as to support the tower afloat in fits upright position before the tower is sunk to rest upon the water-bed. The buoyant member 49 may be placed in any desiredposition, but

, i. e., substantially doughnut-shaped-to provide Horizontal bracing i an unobstructed and'unrestricted work area or shaft that will permit multiplev drilling from a rig or derrick IUI supported on the platform |80, or for other operations, through the entire length of the tower I6.

Each buoyant member 48 and 49 is connected l with ooding and venting pipes 5I and 52 termi-f nating at a controlpoint or station 3l having control valves 3Ia and at which station a subplatform may be provided for such station and for other auxiliary apparatus, including the "Christmas tree, upon completion of the drilling of the wells. The buoyancy of the members 48 and 49 may -be selectively controlled by the means just described-that is to say, water may be admitted through the pipes 5I, respectively, to said members 48 and 49 and any air therein may-be vented from said members through the pipes 52; and, water thus admitted may be forced out of said members through pipes 5I by admitting air under pressure to said members through pipes 52.

As is to be understood, valves, pumps, and blow out equipment of known standard design and for flooding and emptying any of the buoyant members I8', 48 or 49, are provided at the control station 3I 'and/or the control station may be connected to similar equipment located at a remote point-.say for instance, on a barge or tug which is standing |`ny-all of which is well-known in the art. Inasmuch as the detailed construction of said equipment is no part ofthe present invention, no illustration thereof has been made beyond a general designation there as shown. A pipe chase 53 extends upwardly from the base I8 through the tower structure for the protection of the pipes 29 and 30, 5I and 52, which extend, respectively, from the buoyant base I8 and the buoyant members 48 and 49.

The uppermost section 54 of the shaft or tower I 6 is provided with conventional hoisting Windlass means 55 to which are connected chains or cables 56 that may also be connected to anchors, not shown, and which run over idler rollers 51 which are preferably positioned on the tower I6 at,y or slightly below, the water lever 61. 'The lower ends of these cables or chains are to be i connected to suitable anchors, not shown,which have been previously set on the water-bed 66 at spaced distances around,v and remote from, the

site selected for the base I8. While the tower is being located and positioned on the bed of the body of water, the calbles` or chains are selectively slackened or tightened to adjust and maintain' the tower I6 to and in a perpendicular position during the period of positioning and, afterwards, for adding to the stability of the tower and to aid in maintaining the same in a vertical position in times of extreme stress.

Inl accordance with the present invention, the tower is to be erected on shore and, by reason of its simple design, necessity of costly erection Y equipmentis eliminated. l When placing the tower, for example, in water up ,to iifty feet in depth where the chambered base I8 and one, two or three sections I'I- (of about 25 feet each 1n length or height) comprise the tower I6, theV umns 32 above the center of gravity take the Y place Yof the buoyant member 48 and greatly aid in placement'of the tower. During the sinking operation, the more'the chambered base I8 is flooded, the more the sealed columns tend to keep the tower iny an upright position. Of course, if

desired, a buoyant member 48 ofl appropriate dimensions .may be used with a tower comprising a base and three or more sections, either for floating the tower in upright position to location or in a horizontal position and for controlling its placement in position.

For .towers made up of more than three sections and the'base, there is shown in Figures 11 to 15 inclusive of the drawings, one method of transportation. This method is used where certain considerations or problems prevent towing afloat the entire buoyant structure to the point of location of its placement. `In such case, it will be seen that there is employed a scow'58 for transporting a relatively high or long tower, the interior of which barge or scow is hollow and divided longitudinally,. as at 58a, to' provide 4a pair of control compartments 59 and 60,`from which'extend pipes 6| and 62, respectively. The Y deck of the barge is provided with transversely extending skidways 63, and skids 64 to the tower by means of the cables 65.

l With the tower in position on, and secured to, the barge 58, said barge' is Ythen towed to the desiredsite or location in the water. In order toV release the tower from the barge, the tower is unsecured therefrom andthe compartment 59 thereof is iiooded through the pipe 6I, causing the barge to assume the position shown in Figure 13 of the drawings. At this time, through the medium of the skids 63 and 64, the tower will be launched sidewise in a horizontal position. The buoyancy of the control members 48 and 49 and the base I8 will allow the tower toride in a hori-` zontal position, though partly submerged.

After launching from the barge, the tower may be floated to the area where it is to be positioned.

Then, by iiooding the lower buoyant members 49 Y and/or I8, thertower will assume an upright position, as shown in Figure 14. The hupper control v, buoyant member 48 is designed so that when it is empty 'it will carry or support Ythe entire dead load of theV structure and will buoy the tower so that it willremain slightly above the bed 66 of the body of water 61. In this position, the tower may be manipulated into place over the desired spot on the bed 66upon which it is to rest. Subsequentcontrolled floodingof the upper buoyant member 4.8 (and of the buoyant member 49 if not completely flooded, or ofthe buoyant base memare attached i ber I8) causes'the tower. to settle slowly onto the bed 66. Y f

movement imparted to the tower will cause the Vlil cutting bars 21' to-s'cour a seat for the base I8 When resistance of 4the Y' structure in contact with the-water-bed prevents further movement, the tower is maintained in a as the tower settles.

vertical position by adjustment ofthe control cables 56 and by thev controlled iioodingV of the buoyant membersV I8, 48 and 49, which'may be Y ooded to the extent required to provide suilcient weight to prevent the ebase of the Atower from creeping. Whenthere is no -motion of the water,

l5 or the consistency or characterof the bedY 66 is such that the scouring process is insufllcient to provide a suitable seat,;other practical means,

such as aV hydraulicjet, may beV tain a proper bearing. Y l

VWhile the invention'may be practiced without employed-to obthe columns 32 of the frameworkbeing hollowv Y and sealed, the employment of this feature'in combinationY withV the other ieatures of this invention has many advantages-'among which are. (l) providing a strong structure with a minimum of surface subjected to corrosive elements and (2) the hollow sealed columns contribute to the buoyancy of the structure, by reducing its spef cific gravity, and, when sinking the tower to the Y water-bed while in vertical position, furnish that necessary buoyancy desirable to' control the po' sitioning of the tower, thus permitting the control buoyant member 48 to beV of smaller size and dimensions resulting in less cost.

Consequently, referring to Figure 14, with the columns 32 hollow and sealed, the buoyant mem-V ber 48 is computed and designed, with respect to the weight of the entire tower, to Vhave an excessdisplacement over theamount necessary for net buoyancy-i e., tosustain afloat 'the entire with the base chamber I8 and/or the buoyant dimension or area' A* (Fig. 14) Vrepresents the l gross displacement; dimension B represents ,dis-VIV placement to sustain said dead load; and dimen- V sion C representsY the excess displacement for iv estimated weight, but less the brroyancy afforded l by the sealed columns 3,2.

Therefore; in computing the displacement of thebuoyant member 48, the area or dimension VE ofthe tower (above the waterline) is computed at its full weight while the portion/or area D (below the'waterline in Fig. .14) is figured at apj proximately of its full weight, Vdue to the specific gravity being about l-to 8, whereby the rso structural membersof the submerged portion of \\the towerlose t/g of their weight byfdisplacement Y which is a gain of about 100 poundsin buoyancy,

per linear foot submerged (with the tower'as Vat Vpresent designed), and to which is tobe added the net air spaces within the sealed columns 32fvamounting (in the tower as atpresent designed) `to Vabout 9.6 cubic feet or approximately 600 Y poundsperY linear foot of the submerged portion ofthe tower, thus making a total of about 70 `700 pounds per linear foot submerged.

Now, with the tower as shown in Fig. 14 .haveY ,ing either or both of the buoyant chambers' I 8' and 49 ilooded and with buoyant member 48 empty, the bottom of the base In water having a certain degree ofmotion, the

dead load of the tower as shown in' Figure 14 erected and positioned in' place. Io this end, the" control of the tower and to allow for` variations in" I8 maybe esti'Y mated to be about 15'feet (distance F) above the water-bed 66, or in any event, above the point on which it is to iinally rest, and the tower will be sustained afloat in that position with the dimension C of member 48 above the water surface. When it is desired to sink the tower further, the dimension B of the buoyant member 48 will be flooded-to an amount equal to the dimension C-as indicated by the line C. In other sinking and this is provided by the captive air in sealed columns 32 in the dimension E above the waterline. In View of the above computations, which have been used by way of example, the tower now may be sunk further for a distance of one foot for every 700 pounds of water admitted to the buoyant member 48 (over and above the amount C' that has been already admitted). Consequently, when F' (the dimension of the tower above the waterline and corresponding to the distance F between the base I8 and the waterbeen admitted to the member 48, in addition to the amount C', the tower base will be on oradjacent the water-bed 66 but will be still suspended aoat by enough buoyancy to keep any pressure oil the base I8 of the tower.

The operation of the proper valves at station 3|, or at other remote places, will stop this sinking movement at any time and at anystage, and, conversely, will initiate sinking or,by blowing out the member 48, raise the tower to selected levels. While so suspended, the motion of the tower due to surface motion of the water, will agitate the tower so that water will be squeezed or compressed in and out of the space between the base I8 and the water-bed 66, causing loose material to be obliterated and, inthe case of heavy material, the cutting bars 21 will break said material loose to be washed out. Eventually, there will be nothing but bare soil or a bearing surface conforming to the under-surface of the base I8. As previously stated,lwhen there is no such surface motion of the water which will agitate the tower, hydraulic jets may be employed where necessary.

It will be appreciated that a very small amount of water admitted to or blown out of buoyant member 48, under the conditions above mentioned,

.will give an appreciable amount of control.

When a seat or bearing surface for the base has .bed 66) multiplied by '700 pounds of ,water has been thus made and the base seats itself propy erly, the control valve at the station 3| will be open wide to flood the buoyant member 48 completely which, of course, puts the full load of the tower on the water-bed 86. During the time ofn setting the tower, the upright position of the latter is controlled by means of the Winches 55 most section I1 to conform to any use to which the tower may be put. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, a. wide clear working space has been provided down through the center of the shaft or tower for drilling .any convenient number of wells. orfor other purposes.

If for any reason it is desired to remove the tower to another location or" to recover the same,

complete salvage may be effected by reversing the method employed in positioning the tower on the bed of the body of water.

For the purposes of the following claims the terms "buoyant mem r" or buoyant members may refer to either t e base chamber I8'lor the members 48 or 49; and the term at or adjacent the base, which deines the disposition of certain of the buoyant members, shall refer to and mean either or both of theparts I8 and/oi` 48.

To summarize some of the advantages of the tower, according to the present invention, the tower- 1. May be transported'in a horizontal'position, either in the water, where it floats partially submerged, or on a barge or scow from which it is discharged in a horizontal position to'fioat;

2. May be used in any water location or marshy location;

3. May be transported and positioned without the requirement of specially constructed equipment', thus eliminates costly erection equipment;

4. Requires a minimum of offshore operation in placing and putting into use;

5. Provides its own base and means of securing' same on bottom of body of water or in marshy locations;

6. Provides means for scouring its seat securing a firm seating or bearing for seating itself on bottom of bed or other location;

7. Has full salvage possibilities;

8. May be constructed and erected to any desired height (within design limits, which will vary) by adding like sections of interchangeable parts and sections;

9. Has its framework and base arranged-so as to provide open and unobstructed space within lframework and base full length of tower and ase;

10. Reduces resistance-of external forces to a minimum;

, 11. Has its base formed by a reinforced structure designed and constructed to support and distribute the weight of the load of the tower, platform and the load placed on platform;

12. Has itsI base enclosed to form a watertight floodable chambered buoyant member that may increase the weight and stability of the tower by flooding said member with concrete after the tower is in position; y

13. Has buoyant members fixed within certain sections, equipped with means for flooding and blowing out for controlled buoyancy, and spaced in such manner as to facilitate controlling, floating, sinking, raising, scouring, placing and anchoring tower, and may be used for storage or other purposes while tower is in use;

14. Ha's sections I1, and parts thereof, interchangeable with each other;

15.' Has-sections I1 individuallybraced horizontally, transversally, cross-braced.' and vertically, so as to provide an unobstructed interior work shaft throughout length of tower;

16. Has controllable control-buoyant-members fixed and within framework of tower that do not obstruct the open work shaft or space within the tower;

17. May have other control-buoyant-members added as desired or necessary; 18. Has hollow, sealed, air-containing supporting columns, or like members, in its framework that reduce the specific gravity of the tower and increases .the controll of the tower in sinking or raising same and that furnish added buoyancy at regular intervals about and throughout the length of the tower;

19. May be anchored by means of guy chains and anchor means which provides and allows greater control and safety;

20. Provides means of overcoming, or avoiding, l

creeping or shifting of the base;

21. May be seated, or set, by hydraulic jet when necessary;

22. Is more economical to construct and place than other devices for similar purposes; and

23. Is a single unit, composed of interchangeable sections, and parts thereof, a base and other buoyant members.

Obviously many modifications and operations of the invention as Vhereinabove set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore only such limitation should 'be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

What I claim as new is: Y

1. A fioatable structural marine tower, to rest on a water-bed and extend above the surface of the water to support a superimposed load rthereupon, comprising a hollow annular-like water- I tight casing forming a buoyant base to rest upon the water-bed, an open framework to support said superimposed load and extending from said base and arranged about the central opening in said base, and means for controllably flooding and emptying said base; said framework and` the opening in said base defining an unobstructed open-work-area or shaft extending the length of the tower to allow multiple drilling operations through the center` of the tower.

2. A floatable structural marine tower adapted to rest upon a water-bed and comprising a framework to support superimposed loads and including an annular-like base to support said framework upon the water-bed, a xed controllable buoyant member within said framework and disposed at a point remote from the base to aid in positioning said tower; said base, buoyant member and framework being arranged to denne a central work space or shaft extending therethrough-longitudinally of the tower.

3. A floatable marine tower adapted to rest upon a water-bed to support a superimposed load thereupon comprising a hollow annular-like base,v

a framework secured to and extending from said base and disposed about the central opening in said base, annular-like buoyant means carried by said framework and spaced from saidbase, the opening in said base and buoyant means being in substantial alignment, controllable means connected with said base and buoyant means for se- `lectively flooding and emptying said base and buoyant means when floating or positioning said tower.

4. A fioatable marine tower adapted to rest upon a water-bed to support a superimposed load thereupon comprising a hollow annular-like base, a framework secured to and extending from said base and including a plurality of hollow sealed columns, containing captive air, disposed about the length of the tower to at least its estimated waterline, annular-like buoyant means carried by nected with said base and buoyant means for seleotively flooding and emptying said base and buoyant means when fioating or positioning said tower.

5. In a structural marine tower comprising an annular-like base defining a central work opening therethrough, a framework extending vertically from said base when the tower is in upright position, said framework being arranged relative to the opening in said base to define a central workarea longitudinally of the tower, said base including a watertight casing embodying means for distributing the vertical load imposed thereon concentrically throughout the base, the interior of said casing being hollow for buoyancy, and other buoyant means disposed on the tower at a point or points along said framework.

6. In a floatable structural marine tower to rest on a water-bed and extend above the surface of the water to support a superimposed load thereupon, a hollow annular-like watertight casing forming a buoyant base to support the tower upon the'water-bed, a framework to support said superimposed load and extending from said base and including bearing columns that are hollow. and sealed and containing captive air, to decrease the specific gravity of the structure and increase the control of the structure when in water, and that extend the length of the tower at least to its, estimated water line and that are Aarranged at intervals and secured to said base,

, intervals about saidopening in said base, means the central opening in said base and extending l water.

uniting said columns to define a central work space or area longitudinally of said tower, a controllable buoyant-means carried by said tower, and means for controllably flooding and emptying said buoyant means. y,

8. A structural marine tower as set forth in claim 7 further characterized by the base being polygonal or circular-like and said columns being arranged substantially concentrically of said base, about the opening in said base, and saidbase including a stiifened watertight hollow casing forming a controllable buoyant means.

9. A structural marine tower including a base, a, framework extending vertically from said base, said framework formed of a multiplicity of superimposed interchangeable sections, said base comprising a stiifened watertight casing the interior of which is hollow for buoyancy, and cutting bars secured to the bottom face of said base to aid in positioning said tower on the b'ed of a body f 10. A structural marine tower including a circular-like base, a framework extending vertically from said base, said framework formed of a multiplicity of superimposed interchangeable sections, said base comprising a stiffened watertight casing the interior of which is hollow for buoyancy, controlled means within said tower to permit location and settling thereof in a body of i water, and cutting bars secured to the bottom face of said base to aid in positioning said tower on the bed of a body of water.

11. A structural marine tower comprising a base, a tower framework extending vertically from the base when the tower is in upright position, control buoyant members, at least one of said members being at or adjacent the base and at least another disposed adjacent the normal or estimated lower-water line of the tower when erected into position, and means connecting said buoyant members to instrumentalities for controllably flooding the same or for removing the water therefrom, whereby the tower. may be floated into position and be permitted to settle and to rest in a vertical position with its base on the bed of a body of water.

12. A structural marine tower comprising a hollow watertight base, a tower framework extending vertically from the base when the tower is in upright position, said framework comprising a multiplicity of columns disposed substantially concentrically about the center of the base, one or more chambered buoyant members disposed at intervals along the length of the tower to provide buoyant means for floating the tower to location, and means connecting said buoyant member or members and said` base to instrumentalities for controllably flooding the same or for removing the water therefrom whereby the tower may be floated into position and be permitted to settle and to rest in a vertical position with its base on the bed of a body of water.

13. A structural marine tower comprising a base, a framework extending from the base and formed of a plurality of superimposed interchangeable sections, each of said sections including columns arranged substantially concentrically about the base, and bracing means for said columns, one or more control chambered buoyant members disposed between said columns and said bracing means of certain of said sections, and means connecting said buoyant member or members to instrumentalities for controllably iiooding the same or removing the water therefrom, whereby thetower may be floated horizontally into position, manipulated to a vertical position and be permitted to settle and to rest in a vertical position with its base on the bed of a body of water.

14. A structural marine tower, adapted to rest upon the bed of a body of water and extend above the surface of said body of water, comprising a unitary framework including a plurality of supporting columns, said columns being hollow to provide buoyancy t the structure, buoyant chambered members disposed along the l.length of the tower, at least one on each side of the center of gravity of the tower, whereby the tower may be floated horizontally to location where it is to be positioned, means connecting said buoyant members to instrumentalities for controllably flooding the same and for removing water therefrom, whereby upon flooding of one of said buoyant members, the tower will become upright in the water and suspended afloat over said location and, then, by admitting water to the other of said buoyant members, the tower may be sunk and manipulated to settle andl rest upon the water-bed in a vertical position.

15. A structural marine tower as set forth in claim 14 wherein, when the tower is, in said upright suspended position, the buoyant capacity of the upper buoyant member, in combination with the buoyancy of said submergedhollow columns, being sufficient to sustain the structure aiioat in an upright position with a portion of the columns extending above the waters surface, the buoyancy of said columns being insufficient to float said structure when said buoyant member is rendered non-buoyant, the buoyancy of said upper member being controlled by said instrumentalities and when rendered non-buoyant to a degree that balances with the load, the buoyancy of the columns above said upper buoyant member affords such buoyancy sufficient to support the tower afloat, whereby further admission 4 of water to said upper buoyant member results in nicety of control of the aoat position of tower for setting the tower and scouring a seat for itself before resting on said seat on the water-bed.

16. In a floatable structural marine tower to rest on a water-bed and extend above the surface of the water to support a superimposed load thereupon, a hollow annular-like watertight casing forming a buoyant base to support said tower upon the water-bed and having a central work opening therethrough, a framework to support said superimposed load and extending from said base and including hollow sealed bearing columns containing air and arranged at intervals about said opening in and secured to said base and bracing for said columns, and means for controllably ooding and emptying said base, the framework and the opening in said base defining an unobstructed work area or shaft extending the length of th'e tower to allow multiple drilling operations through the center of the tower.

17. The method of positioning a marine tower in place ona water-bed, which tower comprises a framework with at least two controllable chambered buoyant members, one on each side of the center of gravity of the tower, said method including floating the tower in a horizontal position to the point of location where the tower is to be erected, then ooding one of said buoyant members to bring the tower to an upright position and supporting the same in that position by the other of said buoyant members, then controllably flooding the said last-mentioned buoyant member to allow the tower to settle downwardly to rest upon the water-bed.

18. The method of positioning a marine tower in place on a water-bed, which tower comprises a framework with a base end and a controllable chambered buoyant member carried by the tower p and positioned on the side of the center of gravity of the tower opposite that of the base end of the tower, said methodincluding supporting the tower afloat in a body of water in an upright positioniby said buoyant member with the base end of the tower above the water-bed, and controllably flooding said buoyant member to sink the tower so that its base end will contact but not be supported by the water-bed, whereby surface motion of the body of water will cause the base end of the tower to form a bearing seat on the water-bed, and then further flooding said buoyant member to bring the base endv of the tower to rest on the water-bed.

19. The method of positioning marine towers in place, which towers may be built-up on land or on a oating barge and comprises spaced buoyant members, one of which is positioned at or adjacent tothe base of the tower, said method comprising floating the tower in a horizontal position, then ooding a buoyant member at or adjacent the base of the tower to bring said tower to a vertical partly submerged position, and manipulating the tower, asthe ooding of said buoyant member is continued, or the flooding of another buoyant member is commenced, to settle the tower downwardly and to bring the base to rest on the bed of the body of water. l

20. The method oi. positioning marine towers in place, which towers may be built-up on land or on a floating barge and which include spaced buoyant embers, one of which is Vpositioned at or adjacen to the base of the tower, said method comprising disposing the tower upon the barge horizontally, then transporting the barge to the general,V area where the tower is to be located, then discharging the tower from the barge while thetower is in a horizontal position thereon whereby the tower becomes aoat in a maneuverable horizontal position, then ooding the buoyant member at or adjacent the base of the tower to bring said tower to a vertical partly submerged position, and settling the tower downwardly by further ooding said buoyant members or one of said buoyant members to bring the base of the tower to rest on the bed of a body of water.

, `21. The method of positioning marine towers in place, which Vtowers may be built-up on land or on a, floating barge and which comprises spaced buoyant members, one of which is. positioned at or adjacent the base of the tower, and which said barge is` provided with at least one control/buoyant membensaid method comprising disposing the tower upon the barge horizontally, then transporting the barge to the general area where thel tower is to be located, then iiooding said control buoyant member orfvsaid barge to tilt said barge for discharging the tower therefrom whereby the The following references are ofV record in the Y of said tower, or another of said buoyant membersV o f said tower, continues to further settle the. Vtower-bringing the base of the tower to rest on the bed ofthe body of water. 1

22. The method of Vpositioning marine towers in place as set forth in claim 19, further comprising selectively islackening .and/or tightening remotely anchored guy means connected with the tower to adjust and maintain the tower to and in substantially perpendicular position, during the period the tower has assumed a vertical position by flooding certain of said buoyant members and is settling to water-bed; andL thereafter, for adding to the stability of the Jtower and raid in maintaining the same in ayvertical position in times of extreme stress.

GEORGE L. KIRBY.-

REFERENCES CITED iile of this patent: I 'Y Y UNITED STATES PATENTS Y Number Name A Y Date 2,248,051 Armstrong July 8, 1941 `1,856,312 Bradshaw` May 3, 1932 2,210,408 Henry s Aug. 6,V 1940 1,681,533 I Gilliasso Aug. 21, 1928

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