US3792538A

US3792538A - Artificial island formed of hingedly interconnected pontoons

Info

Publication number: US3792538A
Application number: US00218206A
Authority: US
Inventors: Groot R De
Original assignee: IHC Holland NV
Current assignee: IHC Holland NV
Priority date: 1971-01-18
Filing date: 1972-01-17
Publication date: 1974-02-19
Anticipated expiration: 1991-02-19
Also published as: AU3794172A; AU459069B2; NL162159C; DE2202464A1; NL7100649A; BE778168A; FR2122915A5; GB1355448A; DE2202464B2; NL162159B; DE2202464C3

Abstract

An artificial island in the form of a mobile offshore platform comprises a pontoon and at least three columns that are movable vertically relative to the pontoon to support the pontoon in lowered position or to float with the pontoon in raised position. The pontoon is sectional and the sections are pivotally interconnected for horizontal swinging movement relative to each other so that the sections can occupy different positions relative to each other when the platform is being transported and when the platform is emptied. Each section carries at least one of the columns. A suction dredge is carried by the pivot between two adjacent sections.

Description

[451 Feb. 19, 1974 1 ARTIFICIAL ISLAND FORMED OF I-IINGEDLY INTERCONNECTED PONTOONS [75] Inventor: Robert De Groot, Westkinderdijk,

Netherlands [73] Assignee: N. .V. Industrieele lie am i fieNetherleeei [22] Filed: Jan. 17, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 218,206

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Jan. 18, 1971 Netherlands 7100649 [52] US. Cl 37/67, 37/72, 37/73, 61/465, 114/77, 114/235 R [51] Int. Cl E02f 3/88, E02b 17/00 [58] Field of Search 9/2 R, 2 C; 114/5 D, 43.5, 114/77, 235 R; 37/72, 67, 73; 61/34, 46.5

2,944,352 7/1960 Kaufmann.... 114/77 R X 180,622 8/1876 Murphy 114/30 203,185 4/1878 Murphy 114/30 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 267,806 1/1913 Germany 114/77 R 6,264 10/1912 Great Britain 37/73 Primary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey Assistant Examiner-Clifford D. Crowder Attorney, Agent, or FirmYoung & Thompson [5 7] ABSTRACT An artificial island in the form of a mobile offshore platform comprises a pontoon and at least three columns that are movable vertically relative to the pontoon to support the pontoon in lowered position or to float with the pontoon in raised position. The pontoon is sectional and the sections are pivotally interconnected for horizontal swinging movement relative to each other so that the sections can occupy different positions relative to each other when the platform is being transported and when the platform is emptied. Each section carries at least one of the columns. A suction dredge is carried by the pivot between two adjacent sections.

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures ARTIFICIAL ISLAND FORMED OF IIINGEDLY INTERCONNECTED PONTOONS The present invention relates to an artificial island of the type sometimes referred to as a mobile offshore platform, comprising a buoyant pontoon and at least three columns which can be moved vertically and locked against vertical movement relative to the pontoon. Such platforms float on the water when the columns are raised and are transported by towing in this position. The platforms are emplacedby lowering the columns to supporting relation with the sea floor.

However, the mobile platforms of this general type are usually of enormous size, and so it is often diflicult to control the movements of these structures when they float, for example, when moving such a structure through a waterway. 1

According, it is an object of the present invention to provide an artificial island of the type described above, which is readily adaptable for movement both through waterways and on the open sea.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an artificial island of the type described, in which special provision is made for the mounting of an excavating device suchas a suction dredge.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of an artificial island of the type described, which will be relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble, easy to transport, emplace and remove, and rugged and durable in use.

Briefly, the objects of the present invention are achieved by providing an artificial island of the type comprising a pontoon with vertically movable columns, in which the pontoon is sectional and comprises at least two sections which are hingedly connected for relative horizontal swinging movement. Each section has at least one column.

Various shapes can thus be imparted to this structure, depending on whether and under what conditions the structure is being transported, or whether the structure is to be emplaced for use. It is thus possible, for example, to swing the sections into parallel relationship or abutting relationship or in-line relationship.

US Pat. No. 3,590,587 discloses an artificial island having at least five columns each of which is carried by and horizontally displaceable within a rotatable framework. U.S. Pat. No. 3,680,321 discloses an artificial island with at least six colums each of which is disposed in a rotatable framework and supported by a rotatable base. These constructions make it possible to alter the direction of movement of the island without having to float the island. In each case, however, the island maintains the same bodily orientation and configuration.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each section of the pontoon has at least two vertically movable columns at least one of which is eccentrically disposed in a framework rotatable about a vertical axis. This framework may be either as described in US. Pat. No. 3,590,587 in which the column can be displaced also horizontally relative to the framework, or as in US. Pat. No. 3,680,321, in which the column has a rotatable base. With such constructions, the hinged connection between the pontoon sections makes it possible to swing the sections of the island relative to each other while the sections are supported on the columns.

Dutch applications 125,626 and 68-03564, both of which have been laid open to inspection, disclose such islands which also include an excavating device such as a suction pipe with a cutter. The present invention also comprises an improvement in such islands provided with an excavating device, in which the excavating device is universally pivotally mounted within the hinged connection between the sections of the pontoon. In this way, the universal mounting of the excavating device is facilitated by the fact that a hinged connection between pontoon sections has already been provided.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic top plan view of an artificial island according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. l but showing the sections of the pontoon swung to a collapsed position for storage or transport;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the universal joint between the sections of the pontoon of FIGS. 1-3, showing also the mounting for the excavating device;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the invention, with the transport or storage position shown in full lines and the operative or emplaced position shown in phantom lines; and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but showing still another embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to the drawing in greater detail, and first with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, there is shown an artificial island according to the present invention, comprising a pontoon in two

sections

1 and 2 interconnected by a hinged connection 3. Section 1 has two

columns

4 and 5 which can be raised and lowered and locked against movement but which cannot be rotated or horizontally moved relative to section 1. Section 1 also has two rotatable frameworks 6 and 7 with columns 8 and 9 disposed eccentrically therein, respectively.

Section 2 has a column 10 which is vertically adjustable and a rotatable framework 1 l carrying a vertically adjustable eccentric column 12.

Power means (not shown) are provided for

moving columns

4, 5 and 10 vertically relative to their respective pontoon sections and for locking them in vertically adjusted positions. Power means (not shown) are also provided for rotating each framework 6, 7 and 11 relative to its associated pontoon section about a vertical axis, thereby to move the

associated columns

8, 9 and 12, respectively, horizontally relative to their associated pontoon sections. Power means (not shown) are also provided for moving the

columns

8, 9 and 12 vertically relative to their respective rotatable frameworks and for locking those columns in vertically adjusted positions, including positions of the pontoon sections above the water level as shown in FIG. 2 and as disclosed in the above-identified US. patents.

FIG. 1 shows the operative or emplaced position of the island, in which the head portion 13 of section 2 abuts the side 14 of section 1. FIG. 3 shows the collapsed or transport or storage position of the pontoon sections, in which they are generally parallel to each other, this movement being achieved by the rotation of the frames 6, 7 and 11.

An excavator in the form of a suction dredge comprises a suction tube having a rotary cutter 16 at the lower end thereof driven by conventional means (not shown) to excavate marine soil and convey the same up tube 15. A hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly 17 swings tube 15 vertically to raise and lowercutter 16. Winches (not shown) mounted at the outer ends of

sections

1 and 2 operate cables which are secured at their ends to lower ends of columns 9 and 12 and bear against tube 15 intermediate their lengths, for the purpose of swinging tube 15 laterally.

The upper end of tube 15 is universally connected to the hinged connection 3, by the structure shown in FIG. 4. Hinged connection 3 not only interconnects

sections

1 and 2 of the pontoon but also provides a vertical pivot for a frame 18 which provides a horizontal pivot for the upper end 19 of tube 15 about stub axles 20 carried by frame 18.

Locking means (not shown) can be provided for maintaining the parts in the FIG. 3 transport or storage position, these locking means including support means for maintaining tube 15 in a raised position.

FIG. 5 shows a plan view of a modified form of the invention comprising three

sections

21, 22 and 23 hingedly interconnected at 24 and 25. Each section has a column 26 which is movable only vertically and a rotatable framework 27 carrying a base 28. In this embodiment, the phantom-line position is the operative position and the full-line position is the transport posit1on.

FIG. 6 shows still another embodiment of the invention in which the pontoon is in three

sections

29, and 31, the transport or storage position being shown in full line in which the

sections

29 and 30 are parallel to each other and the section 31 is transverse thereto, the operative position being shown in phantom lines.

From a consideration of the foregoing disclosure, therefore, it will be evident that all of the initially recited objects of the present invention have been achieved.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in connection with preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and variations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, as those skilled in this art will readily understand. Such modifications and variations are considered to be within the purview and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An artificial island comprising a buoyant pontoon and at least three columns that are vertically movable relative to the pontoon, the pontoon being in a plurality of sections hingedly interconnected with each other for horizontal swinging movement relative to each other about a vertical axis, each of said sections having at least one of said columns, said sections being elongated and being swingable between relatively collapsed and relatively extended positions relative to each other, and means for moving said pontoon sections vertically relative to said columns to positions above the surface of a body of water on the bottom of which the lower ends of the columns are supported.

2. An artificial island as claimed in claim 1, the hinged connection between the sections being so disposed that the sections are swingable between an extended position in which they are disposed at to each other and abut each other, and a collapsed position in which they are parallel to each other.

3. An artificial island as claimed in claim 1, each said section having at least two said columns, at least one of said two columns being mounted eccentrically in a rotatable framework which is carried by said pontoon and is rotatable about a vertical axis.

4. An artificial island as claimed in claim 1, and an excavating device carried by the pontoon for universal swinging movement relative to the pontoon at a point lying on the said vertical axis.

5. An artificial island as claimed in claim 4, said excavating device comprising a suction dredge having an elongated tube and a cutter at the lower end of said tube.

6. An artificial island as claimed in claim 4, and a universal joint by which said excavating device is mounted for said universal swinging movement relative to said pontoon, said universal joint comprising a vertical pivot and a horizontal pivot, said vertical pivot being common to said pontoon sections.

7. An artificial island as claimed in claim 1, said sections being swingable relative to each other between a position in which they are in alignment with each other and a position in which they are disposed at an angle to each other.

8. An artificial island as claimed in claim 7, there being three said sections.

9. An artificial island as claimed in claim 1, and means for moving at least some of said columns bodily laterally relative to their associated said sections while maintaining said columns upright.

Claims

2. An artificial island as claimed in claim 1, the hinged connection between the sections being so disposed that the sections are swingable between an extended position in which they are disposed at 90* to each other and abut each other, and a collapsed position in which they are parallel to each other.

8. An artificial island as claimed in claim 7, there being three said sections.