Movable-joint device for connecting a sea-bed exploitation column to its base, connecting and disconnecting processes using the said device, and joint element used in the said device
First Claim
1. A universal movable-joint device for removably connecting a sea-bed exploitation column to its base arranged on the sea floor, said column comprising a shaft with a top end preferably emerging from the sea and a bottom end or foot located near the sea-bottom defining thereby an emerged upper part and a submerged lower part, said column being provided with a buoyant float means for biasing the shaft towards a substantially vertically extending position when the same is connected to said base, characterized in that said movable-joint device is essentially constituted by a joint element of resiliently deformable material interposed between the foot of the column and the base and connected to the said foot and base, respectively to removably joint said column to said base and to permit the free oscillation of the column with respect to its base under the action of sea heave or of the wind.
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Abstract
This invention relates to an universal movable-joint device for connecting a sea-bed exploitation column to its base arranged on the sea floor. This device is essentially constituted by a joint element of resiliently deformable material interposed between the foot of the column and the base and connected to the said foot and base, respectively.
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Citations
16 Claims
- 1. A universal movable-joint device for removably connecting a sea-bed exploitation column to its base arranged on the sea floor, said column comprising a shaft with a top end preferably emerging from the sea and a bottom end or foot located near the sea-bottom defining thereby an emerged upper part and a submerged lower part, said column being provided with a buoyant float means for biasing the shaft towards a substantially vertically extending position when the same is connected to said base, characterized in that said movable-joint device is essentially constituted by a joint element of resiliently deformable material interposed between the foot of the column and the base and connected to the said foot and base, respectively to removably joint said column to said base and to permit the free oscillation of the column with respect to its base under the action of sea heave or of the wind.
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15. A process for connecting a sea-bed exploitation column, comprising a shaft with a top end preferably emerging from the sea and a bottom end or foot located near the sea bottom defining thereby an emerged upper part and a submerged lower part, said column being provided with a float for keeping the shaft in an at least approximately vertical position in its connected position, said column being movably jointed to its base disposed on the sea bottom by a device essentially constituted by a joint element of resiliently deformable material interposed between the foot of the column and the base and connected to said foot and base, respectively, to permit the free oscillation of the column with respect to its base, characterized in that it comprises the following successive steps:
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moving the column provided with its resilient element to a substantially vertical position above a recess formed in the base, driving the foot of the column into the said recess, in particular by ballasting the column, until the entire resilient element has moved past an inwardly projecting edge of the said recess, and, exerting an upward force on the said column, notably by deballasting the same, to allow the said element to move into abutment against the said inwardly projecting edge.
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16. A process for disconnecting a sea-bed exploitation column, comprising a shaft with a top end preferably emerging from the sea and a bottom end or foot located near the sea-bottom defining thereby an emerged upper part and a submerged lower part, said column being provided with a float for keeping the shaft in an at least approximately vertical position in its connected position, said column being movably jointed to its base by means of a device essentially constituted by a joint element of resiliently deformable material interposed between the foot of the column and the base and connected to said foot and base, respectively, to permit the free oscillation of the column with respect to its base, said column and base being associated with coercive means, characterized in that it comprises the following successive steps:
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driving the foot of the column into a recess formed in the base, notably by ballasting the column, until the said foot abuts against the bottom of the recess, actuating the coercive means until the said element is capable of at least partially moving past an inwardly projecting edge of the said recess, exerting an upward force on the column, notably by deballasting the same, until the said resilient element, having moved past the said inwardly projecting edge, is entirely outside the said recess, thus extracting the column foot from the said recess.
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Specification