US2870639A - Gripper and jack assembly for platforms and supporting columns - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 27, 1959 G. E. suDERow v GRIPPER AND JACK ASSEMBLY FOR PLATFORMS AND SUPPORTING` COLUMNS 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS,

Jan. 27, 1959 G. E. sDERo GRIPPER AND JACK ASSEMBLY AND SUPPORTING co 8 Sheets-Shet 2 FOR PLATFORMS LUMNS Filed June 2. 1953 GneogpE. ,Sudeznw I Jan. 27, 1959 G. E. suDERow 2,870,639

GRIPPER AND JACK ASSEMBLY Fon PLATFORMS AND SUPPORTING cQLuMNs 8 Sheets-Sheet 3.

Filed June 2. 195s INVENTOR;

N Jan. 27, 1959 G. E. suDERow GRIPPER -AND JACK ASSEMBLY FoR PLATFORMS AND SUPPORTING coLuMNs 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 2, 1953 INV ENT OR.

Gprge EMSjuderp/zv,

Y ATToRNEY Jan. 27, 1959 G. E. suDERow 2,870,639

GRIPPER AND JACK ASSEMBLY FOR PLATFORMS ANO SUPPORTING COLUMNS Filed June 2, 1953 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEYS.

Jan. Z7, 1959 G. E. sum-:Row 2,870,639

ORIPPER ANO JACK ASSEMBLY POR PLATFORMS ANO SUPPORTING COLUMNS Filed J unef 2, 1953 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 102 f ,96 1oz (epzg E. Suderpm 1MM A? ATTORNEY JUL 27, 1959 G. E. sUDERow 2,870,539

GRIPPER ANO JACK ASSEMBLY FOR PLATFORMS ANO SUPPORTING COLUMNS Filed June 2, 1953 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 IN VENTOR ATTORNEYS.

Jan.- 27, 1959 G. E. suDERow GRIPPER AND JACK ASSEMBLY FOR PLATFORMS AND SUPPORTING COLUMNS 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed June 2. 1955 I NVE NTOR I ATTORNEYS.

United StatesI Patent O GRIPPER AND JA'CK ASSEMBLY FOR PLATFORMS AND SUPPORTING COLUMNS George E. Snderow, Staten Island, N. Y., assignor to DeLong Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application June 2, 1953, Serial No. 359,115 12 Claims. (Cl. 74162) by such a mechanism obviously is limited by the friction between the metal and the rubber. 'In some cases, as when the supporting leg becomes smeared with oil or mud, the frictional engagement between the jacking mechanism and the supporting leg is lessened so that an even lesser load can be carried by the jacking mechanism.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved jacking mechanism, of the type disclosed in the aforesaid Pointer application, wherein thev engagement between the jacking mechanism and a supporting column is effected by metal-to-metal contact.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved jacking mechanism of the type described in the aforesaid Pointer application which can carry greater loads, with substantially no increase in operating power, than the Pointer type of jacking mechanism.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved jacking mechanism of the type disclosed in the aforesaid Pointer application wherein the engagement between the jacking mechanism and a supporting leg is selfenergizingy so that the greater the load, the tighter the jacking mechanism will grip the supporting leg.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying claims and drawings.

Referring to the drawings in which are shown preferred embodiments of the invention:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view, with parts omitted or shown in dotted lines, of an improved jack assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 2 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 3--3 of Figure 1.

Figure `4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan View, partly in section, of a segment of the gripper assembly shown in Figure l.

Figure 5 is an enlarged plan view of one of the slip members shown in Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a rear elevational view of the member shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a front or face elevational view of the member shown inv Figure 5.

Figure 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary, plan view of a portion of Figure 1 showing a slip or shoe member connected to a segment.

2,870,639 Patented Jan. 27, 1959 Figure 9 is a bottom plan view of the showing of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 10-10 of Figure 8.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 11-11 of Figure 1.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional -view taken substantially along the line 12-12 of Figure l.

Figure 12a is a sectional view similar to Figure 12 but taken through a lower part of the jack assembly.

Figure 13 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of the assembly shown in Figure 1 and taken in the direction of the arrow 13 of Figure 1.

Figure 14 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of a portion of Figure 1. y

Figure 15 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 15-15 of Figure 16.

Figure 16 is a fragmentary side elevational View of the assembly shown in Figure 1.

Figure 17 is a fragmentary sectional plan view takenA substantially along the line 17-17 of Figure 15.

Figure 18 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 18-18 of Figure 17.

Figure 19 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on line 19-19 of Figure 17, of the upper jack channel member.

Figure 20 is an enlarged fragmentary View of a portion of Figure 18.

Figure 21 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in section, of another portion of Figure 18.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly Figures 15 and 16, the improved jack assembly is generally indicated by the numeral 25, and for the purpose of illustration is shown associated with a base in the form of a floating barge 26 having a deck 27 and guiding wells 27 through each of which loosely extends a supporting column, upright, or pile 28, here shown in the form of a caisson. At an erection site the jack assemblies 25 may be operated to move the caissons 28 down into engagement with the marine bottom and raise the barge 26 on the caissons, as described more in detail in the aforementioned Pointer application. Each jack assembly 25 comprises an upper gripper 29 and a substantially identical lower gripper 30 (Fig. 15) which are selectively controllable to frictionally engage the outer surface of the column 28 or be readily released therefrom.

Each of the grippers includes a segmental ring or annular member 31 (Figure 1) having a plurality of segments or sections 32, 33, and 34, preferably three in number. Carried on the inner side of each of the segments are a plurality of circumferentially spaced gripper slips or shoes 35 which are movably mounted on each segment by upper and lower flexible members 36 and 39 (Figure 8). The members 36 are connected to the tops of the sections and the slips 35 by screws 37 and washers 38.` Similarly, the bottom of each section and an adjacent slip are movably connected together by the flexible members 39 and retaining screws 40. Each of the flexible members is formed of any suitable durable material, such as rubber or the like and permits independent vertical movement of the ring 31 relative to the slips or shoes 35 within predetermined limits and also radial or lateral displacement of the slips relative to the ring 31.

The sections of the ring 31, such as the sections 32 and 33 (Figure 2), are each formed at one end with a reduced shouldered portion 41 having an opening 42 prowith the slightly larger or wider opening 42 in the adjacent end of an adjacent section or segment so as to receive a connecting pin in the form of a wedge or tapered member 46. It will be seen that vertical movement of the wedge member 46 in engagement with the opposed vertical and' inclined Walls of the openings 45 and 42 will move the sections of the ring 31 towards each other so as to reduce the circumference and diameter of the ring. A suitable resilient buffer or stop 22 may be positioned in the space between the arms 44 (Figure 2) to abut and limit the inward movement of the end 41 of the adjacent section.

Each of the wedges 46 is vertically displaceable by suitable operating means such as the piston rod 47 of a double-acting fluid pressure cylinder 48 (Figure 3). its lower end the cylinder 48 is pivotally connected to the outer side of an adjacent section of the ring 31 by a supporting bracket or plate 49 having an upstanding arm 50 which may be welded thereto as at 51 and to which is pivotally connected by a pin 52 a depending bifurcated arm 53 extending from the cylinder. The upper end of the rod 47 has a bifurcated head 53 to which is pivotally connected a bar 54 by a pin 55. The bar 54 is welded to a transverse plate 56 as at 57. The plate 56 is preferably of channel shape so as to have the depending sides 58 and is secured to the top of the wedge 46 by screws 59. Fluid under pressure may be introduced into or withdrawn from the opposite ends of the cylinder 48 through flexible supply pipes or conduits 60 and 61 (Figure 13).

In order to assist the wedges 46 in reducing the diameter of the ring 31 and to positively expand the latter when the wedges are released, an auxiliary horizontally disposed, double-acting fluid pressure cylinder 62 connects the adjacent endsk of the ring segments (Figure 1). Each cylinder is mounted between a pair of vertically spaced horizontal arms 63 (Figure 11) welded as at 64 to a channel shaped member 65 which in turn is welded as at 66 tothe outer side of one of the sections of the ring. The cylinder 62 has trunnions 67 extending from opposite sides thereof and arranged to t int-o bearing openings 68 formed in the arms 63. The piston rod 69 of the cylinder 62 is pivotally connected by a pin 70 to a lug 71 extending outwardly from the reduced end portion 41 of the adjacent ring segment (Figure 13). The cylinder 62' and its associated parts are maintained in position `by retaining plates 72 and screws 73 which fit into corresponding threaded openings formed in the arms 63. Fluid under pressure may be introduced into and withdrawn from the opposite ends of the cylinder 62 through the flexible hose or conduits 74 and 75 (Figure 13). Thus, it will be seen that when the piston rod 69 is moved outwardly relative to the cylinder, it will expand or increase the diameter of the sectional ring 31 and conversely, when the piston rod 69 is moved inwardly, it will contract the ring. The operation of the double-acting cylinders 62 is synchronized with the operation of the cylinders 48 so that when the wedge members 46 are raised, the sections will simultaneously be pulled together so as to reduce the diameter of the ring 21. Conversely, when the wedge members 46 are moved downwardly to release the sections of the ring, the piston 69 is moved outwardly to positively expand the ring.

Each of the sectional rings 31 preferably is of outwardly-facing channel shape (Figure l2) and is provided on its inner side or periphery with circumferentially spaced guide plates 76 having downwardly inclined upper edges 77 for facilitating the insertion of a caisson orv the like 28 within the ring. The guide plates 76 are positioned between adjacent slips 35 of each of the sections of the ring (Figure 1) and coact with similarly formed guide members 78 carried by the bifurcated arms 44 of each of the sections of the ring (Figure 3) so that the caisson 28 or other cylindrical supporting member may be guided into the ring.

As best shown in Figures 4, 5, 6, and 10, the inner surlface or side of each of the sections is of increased radius between its ends, as at 79 (Figure 4) and provided opposite each shoe 35 with a pair of circumferentiallyspaced, generally radially inwardly-extending lugs or projections 80 having downwardly and inwardly inclined inner wedging surfaces 80 which are arranged to coact with complementary inclined wedging surfaces 81 on lugs 81 extending outwardly from each of the slip members 35 (Figure 5). The slip members 35 on opposite sides of each lug 81 are provided with similar lugs 82 having outer wedging surfaces 82 of an inclination opposite to that of the surfaces 81 and which coact with complementary wedging surfaces 83 on lugs 83 on the inner side of the adjacent ring section.

From the foregoing construction, itwill be seen that the center lugs 80 and 81 interfit `between the circumferentially spaced lugs 82' and 83 to maintain the shoes 35 against circumferential movement relative to the ring 31. It also will be seen that relative vertical movement in either direction between a shoe 35 and a ring 31 from the centered position shown in Figures l0 and l5 will cause a mutual wedging action between the surfaces 80 and 81 or between the surfaces 82 and 83 that will be effective to move the shoe radially inwardly. Hence, when the shoes 35 engage a leg 28, such relative movement will effect a tighter gripping engagement of the former with the latter. The exposed inner face 85 of each of the slips 35 is provided with serrations or teeth 86 so as to provide a rm gripping engagement with the work, such as the caisson 28 or the like, when the gripper is moved into clamping engagement therewith.

The upper gripper 29, which is composed of a sectional ring 31 and circumferentially spaced slips 35, is connected to the lower gripper 30, which is similarly formed of a sectional ring 31 and slips 35, in part by an upper bracket or connector 87 and a lower bracket or connector 88 (Figures 15 and 16). Each of the bracket members may be formed of spaced, vertical, parallel sides or flanges 89 (Figure 16) which are connected by vertically-spaced horizontal webs 90 and 91. The upper end of each bracket member 87 extends inwardly as at 92 so as to t into the' channel portion 93 of a section of the ring 31 (Figures 10 and 15), when the parts are assembled. Each of the lower bracket members 88 is similar in form to the bracket 87 so that its end portion 92 fits in the channel portion 93 of an adjacent ring section (Figure l5). Between the upper gripper 29 and the lower gripper 30 are positioned circumferentially spaced, two-way uid pressure jacks 94, each of which has convex ends 95 having centrally disposed threaded stems 96 which project through-central openings 97 in concave thrust bearings 98 (Figure 20) and aligned openings 99 in vertically spaced jack rings 100 and 101 and are retained by nuts 96. Each of the rings 100 and 101 may be provided with side flanges 102 welded or other` wise connected thereto, in order to form annular channel members which face in opposite directions from the ends of the jacks 94. The bracket members 87 and 88 have inwardly extending arms 103 and 104 (Figure 15) which are secured, as by welding, to the jack rings and 101 so that extension or retraction of all of the jacks 94 in unison is transmitted through the bracket members 87 and 88 to the grippers 29 and 30.

Circumferentially spaced tie rods 105 having at their opposite ends T-shaped heads 106, are arranged to extend through openings 107 in the deck 27 of the barge and slots 110 in the lower horizontal webs 91 of the upper brackets 87 (Figures l5, 16, and 17). The webs of the lower bracket member 88 are slotted, as at 109 (Figure 16) to accommodate the rods 105. Thus, it will be seen that the rods 105 may be readily detachably con nected to the jack assembly 25. The upper ends of each of the rods 105 may be retained in position in the slots 110 by a transverse retaining bolt 112 that extends through spaced lugs 113 that are welded to the inner opposed sides 89 of the bracket 87. It will be seen that when each lug 113 is mounted on the bracket member 87 and its nut 114 tightened, it will releasably maintain the tie rod 105 in proper position. Each of the jacks 94 may be operatively connected to any suitable source of hydraulic power through flexible conduits 115 and 116 (Figure 18). Each of the jack rings 100 and 101 may be provided with spaced guide members 118 for both reinforcing the rings and guiding the caisson 28 through the rings 100 during its insertion into the jack assembly.

In operation, it will be understood that the cylinders 48 and 62, as well as the jacks 94, are operatively connected through control valves to a source of hydraulic pressure. These valves are initially actuated so that the upper and lower grippers are normally in their full opened or expanded position so that the caisson 28 may be inserted into the jack assembly (Figure 15). With the caisson moved down into engagement with the marine bottom, and both the grippers 29 and 30 in their open position, the jacks 94 are simultaneously operated to lraise the upper griper 29 to its uppermost position, as shown in dotted lines in Figures 15, and raise the tie rods 105 to the position shown in Figure 16. The resulting downward thrust of the jacks 94 is taken by pedestals 117 spaced about the well 27' beneath the lower ring 31 and resting on the deck 27 of the barge 26. The upper gripper 29 is then clamped in tight frictional engagement with the caisson 28 by actuation of the valves controlling the cylinders 48 and 62. This 'movement contracts the upper ring 31 and moves the teeth 86 of the upper slips 35 into tight clamping engagement with the caisson 28. Each of the jacks 94 is now retracted so as to raise the lower gripper 30. The lower gripper 30 is then closed so that the lower slips 35 engage the caisson. The upper gripper 29 is then released by the reverse operation of the cylinders 48 and 62. The lower gripper 30 now firmly engages the caisson and the lifting jacks 94 are operated to raise the upper gripper 29 which pulls the barge 20 along therewith. Consequently, a downward thrust is imparted to the caisson 28 so that the latter is driven to a bearing in the marine bottom, and thereafter the barge is raised on the caisson by continuing to recycle the jack assembly. By appropriate manipulation of the jack assembly, the barge may be lowered so as to oat on the water and the caissons raised so that the barge and the equipment thereon may be easily transported to another point of use.

The lifting jacks 94 are circumferentially spaced so as to uniformly distribute their forces around the caisson 28 in order tov efticiently raise or lower the same. Each of the jacks 94 is retracted aftereach expansion stroke so as to move the upper and lower grippers towards each other. The tie rods 105 are slidably mounted in the openings 107 of the deck 27 and are limited in their upward movement by engagement of the head 106 with the underside ofthe deck. Instead of a two-way jack, other suitable means may be provided, such as a single or ram type jack, to move the grippers apart, and a separate jack or mechanical operating means may be used to move the grippers toward each other.

It thus will be seen that the objects of this invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It will be realized, however, that the foregoing specific embodiment has been shown and described only for the purpose of illustrating the principles of this invention and is subject to extensive change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A gripper assembly for selectively engaging or disengaging a smooth-surfaced, elongated, cylindrical element against relative movement in either direction longitudinally of the element, comprising: a segmental ring adapted to surround the element; movable wedge means interconnecting the adjacent ends of each pair of adjacent segments of said ring and effective on movement in one direction to contract said ring and force said segments radially inwardly into tight gripping engagement with the element and on movement in the opposite direction to release said segments for expansion of said ring; and power-operated means interconnecting said adjacent ends of each pair of adjacent segments for moving said ends circumferentially apart to expand saidv ring and move said segments radially outwardly on release of the latter by said wedge means.

2. A gripper assembly for selectively engaging or disengaging a smooth-surfaced elongated element against relative movement in either direction longitudinally of the element, comprising: contractible ring means adapted to surround the element; at least one gripper shoe carried by said ring means on the inner side thereof; and means defining two oppositely inclined sets of wedging surfaces on said ring means and said shoe effective on relative movement therebetween in either direction longitudinally of the element, from a centered relative position wherein the surfaces of both sets are engaged, to force said shoe radially inwardly of said ring means.

3. A gripper assembly for selectively engaging or disengaging a smooth-surfaced, elongated, cylindrical element against relative movement in either direction longitudinally of the element, comprising: a circularly arranged series of gripper shoes for surrounding the element; means carrying said shoes and movable generally radially inwardly toward the element to engage said shoes therewith; and means defining two oppositely inclined sets of wedging surfaces on said carrying means and each shoe effective on relative movement therebetween in either direction longitudinally of the element, from a centered relative position wherein the surfaces of both of said sets are engaged, to force said shoe radially inwardly of said carrying means.

4. The structure defined in claim 3 including resilient means fastening each shoe to the carrying means for normally maintaining the surfaces of both sets in engage'- ment.

5. A gripper assembly for selectively engaging or disengaging a smooth-surfaced, elongated, cylindrical element against relative movement in either direction longitudinally of the element, comprising: a circularly arranged series of radially-movable members adapted to surround the element; means interconnecting said elcments against relative movement therebetween longitudinally of the element; at least one gripping shoe carried by each of said members for engagement with the element; and means defining two oppositely inclined sets of wedging surfaces on each of said members and its corresponding shoe effective on relative movement therebetween in either direction longitudinally of the element, from a centered relative position wherein the surfaces of both of said sets are engaged, to force said shoe radially inwardly of said member.

6. The structure defined in claim 5 including poweroperated means for selectively restraining or effecting radial movement ofthe members in either direction.

7. In a jack mechanism releasably engageable with a smooth-surfaced, elongated, cylindrical element, the combination comprising: a pair of spaced, coaxial segmental rings adapted to surround the element; means for selectively contracting or expanding each of said rings to move said segments thereof radially inwardly into, or outwardly out of, gripping engagement with the element; a pair of rigid rings coaxial with said segmental rings and positioned therebetween;` means connecting each of the segments of each segmental ring to one of said rigid rings for movement therewith in either direction longitudinally of the element and for radial movement relative thereto; and power-operated means connected to said rigid rings for selectively moving them axially toward or away from each other.

8. The structure dened in claim 7 in which the power-operated means includes a plurality of uniformly spaced fluid pressure motors interposed between the rigid rings, and including means defining a pair of opposed, substantially sphecal thrust bearing surfaces between each end of each of said motors and each of said rigid rings.

9. The structure delined in claim 7 in which the contracting or expanding means includes wedge means interconnecting the adjacent ends of each pair of adjacent segments.

10. The stmcture defined in claim 7 including at least one gripper shoe carried by each segment and means defining two oppositely inclined sets of wedging surfaces on said segment and said shoe effective on relative movement therebetween in either direction longitudinally of the element, from a centered relative position wherein the surfaces of both sets are engaged, to force said shoe radially inwardly of said segment.

11. The structure defined in claim 7 in which each segment has a radially-outwardly facing recess therein, and the connecting means includes members rigidly secured to the rigid rings and projecting into said recesses.

12. In a jacl; mechanism releasably engageable with a smooth-surfaced, elongated, cylindrical element, the combination comprising: two spaced, circularly-arranged, coaxial series of radially-movable member-s adapted to surround the element; meansv interconnecting the elements of each ofsaid series against relative movement therebetween longitudinally of the element; at least one gripper shoe carried by each of said members for engagement with the element; means defining two oppositely-inclined sets of wedging surfaces on each of said members and its corresponding shoe effective on relative movement therebetween in either direction longitudinally of the element, from a centered relative position wherein the surfaces of both of said sets are engaged, to force said shoe radially inwardly of said member; `power-operated means for selectively effecting or restraining radial movement of all of the members of each of said series in unison; and power-operated means connected to both of said series for selectively moving them axially toward or away from each other.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 26,261 Ehrenfeld Nov. 29, 1859 175,401 Williams Mar. 28, 1876 531,014 Barnes Dec. 18, 1894 555,841 Adams Mar. 3, 1896 779,656 Kirk Jan, 10, 1905 1,194,209 Middaugh Aug. 8, 1916 2,035,242 McCann Mar. 24, 1936 2,208,747 Campbell July 23, 1940 2,308,743 Bulkley Jan. 19, 1943 2,352,370 Carruthers .Tune 27, 1944 2,555,145 McKinney May 29, 1951 2,592,448 McMenimen Apr. 8, 1952 2,612,671 Martin Oct. 7, 1952 2,700,201 Bannister Feb. 8, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Feb. 22, 1935

Images