US3756179A - Immersion process for heavy underwater structures with particular applications for underwater oil tanks - Google Patents

Immersion process for heavy underwater structures with particular applications for underwater oil tanks Download PDF

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Publication number
US3756179A
US3756179A US00165526A US3756179DA US3756179A US 3756179 A US3756179 A US 3756179A US 00165526 A US00165526 A US 00165526A US 3756179D A US3756179D A US 3756179DA US 3756179 A US3756179 A US 3756179A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
compartment
float
floats
ballast
chain
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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US00165526A
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English (en)
Inventor
M Laffont
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ELF ENTREPRISE
ENTREPRISE ELF FR
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ELF ENTREPRISE
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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D15/00—Handling building or like materials for hydraulic engineering or foundations
    • E02D15/08—Sinking workpieces into water or soil inasmuch as not provided for elsewhere
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B63B35/44—Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an immersion process for structures whereby the structure to be immersed is equipped with at least two groups: of floats each comprising at least two individual floats in which, by using elongated floats attached vertically to the structure to be immersed and capable of being ballasted or unballasted by the filling or emptying of a central compartment forming the principal ballast, an operation is carried out alternately on each one of the floats in each group consisting either in the ballasting of the said float followed by unballasting and by the simultaneous release of a given length of the chain, or cable connecting the structure to the float, or solely in the release of a given length of the chain or cable, the associated float being empty and its position in relation to the structure being fixed during this operation, and in which this operation is carried out simultaneously or alternately on each group of floats until the structure is immersed in the proper position.
  • this system requires an extremely large number of floats, and hence involves a substantial investment.
  • its implementation requires an unencumbered space whose radius is at least equal to the depth at the immersion site.
  • the structure immersion process according to the present invention whereby the structure to be immersed is equipped with at least two groups of floats, each of which includes at least two floats, is characterized in that each of the floats, which are elongated in shape, are attached vertically to the structure to be immersed by a chain or cable of variable length, and are able to be ballasted or unballasted as required via the filling or emptying of the central compartment forming the main ballast.
  • An operation is performed alternately on each of the floats in each group consisting either of the ballasting of the said float followed by unballasting and the simultaneous releasing of a given length of the chain or cable connecting the structure to its float, or solely'in the releasing of a given length of the chain or cable connecting the structure to this float, the associated float remaining empty and its position in relation to the structure remaining fixed throughout this operation.
  • This operation is carried out simultaneously or alternately on each group of floats until the structure is immersed in the proper position.
  • the structure immersion device for the implementation of the process according to the invention includes at least two groups of floats each of which consists of at least two floats attached to the structure to be immersed, each of the floats, which are of elongated shape, including a central compartment forming the main ballast, a lower compartment the filling of which ensures the vertical positioning of the float, a chainwell in the lower compartment, an upper compartment connected with the chain-well via a conduit that traverses the central compartment, and connected with the outside via a central chimney traversing the central compartment and the lower compartment, said upper compartment supporting a windlass over which passes a chain held in reserve in the chain-well and which can be attached to the structure passing through the central chimney; means for filling and emptying the central compartment and the lower compartment, and means for varying the chain length.
  • the means for filling and emptying the central compartment and the lower compartment include a compressed air inlet connected by a gate system to each of the said compartments, and two conduits, each of which admits water to one of the compartments through gates controlled from the upper level.
  • FIG. 1 represents the cross section of a float.
  • FIG. 2 shows the manner in which the floats are attached to the tank.
  • FIG. 3 represents the starting phase of the immersion of the tank.
  • FIGS. 4 and 5 represent two complementary intermediate phases of the immersion.
  • FIG. 6 shows the end of the immersion.
  • FIG. 1 shows a float designed to equip the structure for its immersion.
  • This float is of elongated shape and includes three compartments.
  • Compartment 1 has a large volume and extends along about three quarters of the length of the float; compartment 2, in the lower part, is independent from compartment 1.
  • Compartment 2 has a chain-well 4 in which a certain length of chain is held in reserve.
  • the upper part of the float houses compartment 3, which has a sufficient volume so that, when compartments 1 and 2 are full of water, it ensures the buoyancy of the total structure.
  • compartment 3 In the upper part of compartment 3, there is a hydraulic braking pulley 6, or windlass, over which passes chain 5 coming from chain well 4.
  • a brake for chain 7 is also mounted in the upper part of compartment 3.
  • the chain traverses this brake and descends via a central chimney that runs through the entire float, this chain being attached in a working position to the structure to be immersed.
  • a compressed air inlet 9 makes it possible, via pipe 10, to empty compartment 2 and, via pipe 11, to empty main compartment 1.
  • Two gates 13 and 13 make it possible to let water into or evacuate it from compartments 1 and 2. The gates are operated from the upper level by controls 14 and 15.
  • FIG. 2 represents the hooking of a float onto the structure.
  • This structure is brought to the immersion site in a state of positive buoyancy, towed by towers.
  • structure 16 is equipped with a sufficient number of auxiliary floats 17.
  • auxiliary floats When the auxiliary floats are attached, the structure is given a slightly negative buoyancy so that the apparent weight is supported by auxiliary floats 17.
  • Compartment 2 is then ballasted, thereby enabling the float to assume a vertical position and, using the windlass described above, considerable tension is applied to chain 23.
  • Two floats represented by 19 and 22 are shown clearly emerging above the surface of the water 18.
  • the structure to be immersed is equipped with cables 20 and 21 attached to chambers not shown, thereby ensuring considerable lateral tension designed to center the structure on the immersion site and prevent it from sliding sideways.
  • FIG. 3 shows an intermediary phase in the immersion.
  • Floats 17 have been removed and the two floats 19 and 22- are in a vertical position.
  • Main compartment 1 of float l9 and compartment 2 of float 22 have been filled with water.
  • float 19 has been forced down, enabling the structure to sink to a certain depth.
  • Float 22 is in a position right on the surface of the water and is supporting the structure.
  • This cross section shows only two floats, but in actual practice, two, three or four series of two floats are distributed equiangularly around the structure. The floats function in pairs, as shown in the figures.
  • the brake is then released, enabling the chain to be let out to a given length, with the result that there is a lessening of the tension exerted on structure 16 by chain 23.
  • compartment 1 of float 19 is emptied. Under the effect of these two operations, float 19 rises and float 22, whose main compartment is empty, sinks.
  • FIG. 4 shows the phase during which float l9, whos main compartment is filled with water, has completed its run, while float 22, whose main compartment is empty, is braking the structures downward motion. At this point, chains 24 and 23 are under tension.
  • the ensuring operation consists of releasing a given length of chain 23 while emptying, by the use of compressed air, the main compartment of float 19. Float 19 rises, while float 22 sinks.
  • FIG. 6 shows the following phase during which the main compartment of float 22 is full while the main compartment of float 19 is empty. We thus gradually get nearer to the immersion of the structure, using a step-by-step approach, and continuously exerting a considerable safety traction so as to prevent the maneuver from geting out of hand at any time. This safety is automatic.
  • a method of immersing a structure in a body of water which comprises the steps of utilizing flexible connecting means to attach to said structure a plurality of pairs of elongated floats,
  • each float comprising at least one ballast compartment and being equipped with means for varying the effective length of said connecting means between said structure and float and means for ballasting and unballasting said compartment,
  • a method as claimed in claim 1 which comprises the step of simultaneously introducing and removing ballast from one float of each pair.
  • a method as claimed in claim 1 which comprises the step of first introducing and removing ballast from one float of one pair, and next introducing and removing ballast from one float of another pair.
  • a structure immersion assembly consisting of at least two groups of floats each of which has at least two floats attached to the structure to be immersed, characterized by the fact that each of the floats, which are of elongated shape, includes a central compartment forming the main ballast tank, a lower compartment the filling of which ensures the vertical positioning of the float, a chain-well in the lower compartment, an upper compartment connected with the chain-well via a passage traversing the main compartment and connected to the outside via a chimney traversing the main compartment and the lower compartment, the said upper compartment containing windlass over which there passes a chain held in reserve in the chain-well and capable of being attached to the structure by passing through the central chimney, means for filling and emptying the central compartment and the lower compartment, and means for regulating the length of the chain.
  • a structure immersion assembly characterized by the fact that the means for filling and emptying the central compartment and the lower compartment of each float include a compressed air inlet connected by a gate system with each of the said central and lower compartments and two watercarrying conduits, each of which conduits is connected with one of the compartments viaremotely controlled gates.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Paleontology (AREA)
  • Cleaning Or Clearing Of The Surface Of Open Water (AREA)
  • Farming Of Fish And Shellfish (AREA)
  • Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)
US00165526A 1970-07-24 1971-07-23 Immersion process for heavy underwater structures with particular applications for underwater oil tanks Expired - Lifetime US3756179A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR7027350A FR2098691A5 (de) 1970-07-24 1970-07-24

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3756179A true US3756179A (en) 1973-09-04

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ID=9059181

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US00165526A Expired - Lifetime US3756179A (en) 1970-07-24 1971-07-23 Immersion process for heavy underwater structures with particular applications for underwater oil tanks

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US3756179A (de)
JP (1) JPS5512496B1 (de)
DE (1) DE2136967A1 (de)
FR (1) FR2098691A5 (de)
GB (1) GB1334761A (de)
NL (1) NL7110162A (de)
NO (1) NO132205C (de)
OA (1) OA03763A (de)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4015554A (en) * 1975-05-02 1977-04-05 Lin Offshore Engineering, Inc. Construction and launch barge and method of producing and installing offshore structures
WO2008147211A1 (en) * 2007-05-25 2008-12-04 Aker Marine Contractors As A method and equipment arrangement for relocation of an object from one location to another on the seabed
FR3000720A1 (fr) * 2013-01-08 2014-07-11 Technip France Barge flottante submersible

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2159481B (en) * 1984-06-01 1988-09-21 Univ London Method of lifting an object from a surface exterior to a vessel
GB2464714B (en) * 2008-10-24 2010-09-08 Subsea Deployment Systems Ltd Method and apparatus for subsea installations
RU2659176C1 (ru) * 2017-07-17 2018-06-28 Общество С Ограниченной Ответственностью "Газпром Трансгаз Краснодар" Способ позиционирования подводного оборудования

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1840324A (en) * 1929-09-17 1932-01-12 Carl J Lindquist Airship sea beacon and service station
US2118466A (en) * 1936-01-20 1938-05-24 Jennings Edward Henry Submarine
US2371404A (en) * 1941-06-20 1945-03-13 Mumford Ivor Ross James Submersible container
US2783027A (en) * 1953-04-24 1957-02-26 Shell Dev Method and apparatus for submerged well drilling
US2908141A (en) * 1954-07-23 1959-10-13 Raymond Int Inc Marine platforms
US3189922A (en) * 1963-01-16 1965-06-22 Electricite De France Variable-buoyancy floats
US3256537A (en) * 1963-01-09 1966-06-21 Daniel W Clark Mobile marine platform
US3386407A (en) * 1966-08-02 1968-06-04 Bossert Mfg Corp Anchors and anchoring mechanisms
US3559413A (en) * 1968-02-07 1971-02-02 Pan American Petroleum Corp Adjustable stinger for use in laying pipeline in water covered areas
US3623443A (en) * 1968-11-13 1971-11-30 Babcock & Wilcox Ag Underwater housing structure

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1840324A (en) * 1929-09-17 1932-01-12 Carl J Lindquist Airship sea beacon and service station
US2118466A (en) * 1936-01-20 1938-05-24 Jennings Edward Henry Submarine
US2371404A (en) * 1941-06-20 1945-03-13 Mumford Ivor Ross James Submersible container
US2783027A (en) * 1953-04-24 1957-02-26 Shell Dev Method and apparatus for submerged well drilling
US2908141A (en) * 1954-07-23 1959-10-13 Raymond Int Inc Marine platforms
US3256537A (en) * 1963-01-09 1966-06-21 Daniel W Clark Mobile marine platform
US3189922A (en) * 1963-01-16 1965-06-22 Electricite De France Variable-buoyancy floats
US3386407A (en) * 1966-08-02 1968-06-04 Bossert Mfg Corp Anchors and anchoring mechanisms
US3559413A (en) * 1968-02-07 1971-02-02 Pan American Petroleum Corp Adjustable stinger for use in laying pipeline in water covered areas
US3623443A (en) * 1968-11-13 1971-11-30 Babcock & Wilcox Ag Underwater housing structure

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4015554A (en) * 1975-05-02 1977-04-05 Lin Offshore Engineering, Inc. Construction and launch barge and method of producing and installing offshore structures
WO2008147211A1 (en) * 2007-05-25 2008-12-04 Aker Marine Contractors As A method and equipment arrangement for relocation of an object from one location to another on the seabed
GB2462565A (en) * 2007-05-25 2010-02-17 Aker Marine Contractors As A method and equipment arrangement for relocation of an object from one location to another on the seabed
GB2462565B (en) * 2007-05-25 2011-12-21 Aker Marine Contractors As A method and equipment arrangement for relocation of an object from one location to another on the seabed
FR3000720A1 (fr) * 2013-01-08 2014-07-11 Technip France Barge flottante submersible
WO2014108631A1 (fr) * 2013-01-08 2014-07-17 Technip France Barge flottante submersible

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO132205B (de) 1975-06-23
NO132205C (de) 1975-10-01
DE2136967A1 (de) 1972-01-27
JPS5512496B1 (de) 1980-04-02
NL7110162A (de) 1972-01-26
GB1334761A (en) 1973-10-24
FR2098691A5 (de) 1972-03-10
OA03763A (fr) 1971-12-24

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