Auxiliary reaction frame system for cantilevered jack-up rigs, and method therefore
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for supporting a cantilever assembly extending from a self-elevating drilling unit, comprising:
- a reaction frame attached to and extendable from said drilling unit, said reaction frame formed to support said extended cantilever assembly by transferring load from the underside of said cantilever assembly to the structure of said self-elevating drilling unit;
wherein, upon said self-elevating drilling unit being positioned within a minimum approach distance with regard to a platform, said reaction frame is formed to selectively extend and support said extended cantilever assembly beyond said minimum approach distance; and
wherein said reaction frame is formed to be repositioned to a stowed position adjacent to said drilling unit, and wherein said stowed position is formed to situate said reaction frame within said minimum approach distance.
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Abstract
A retractable stern reaction frame for reinforcing self elevating platform cantilever beams. The preferred embodiment contemplates a support framework mounted on a self elevating platform transom and positioned to engage the cantilever to project the reaction point farther towards the cantilever reach. The frameworks are to be retractable (or portable) to allow the self elevating unit to position itself closer to the jackets than would otherwise be possible. The framework is designed to transmit the reaction forces back to the main deck, cantilever support bulkheads, inner bottom and bottom structure.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. An apparatus for supporting a cantilever assembly extending from a self-elevating drilling unit, comprising:
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a reaction frame attached to and extendable from said drilling unit, said reaction frame formed to support said extended cantilever assembly by transferring load from the underside of said cantilever assembly to the structure of said self-elevating drilling unit; wherein, upon said self-elevating drilling unit being positioned within a minimum approach distance with regard to a platform, said reaction frame is formed to selectively extend and support said extended cantilever assembly beyond said minimum approach distance; and wherein said reaction frame is formed to be repositioned to a stowed position adjacent to said drilling unit, and wherein said stowed position is formed to situate said reaction frame within said minimum approach distance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for supporting a cantilever extending from a drilling unit above a platform, said drilling unit having a bulkhead, comprising:
a reaction frame engaged to said drilling unit so as to be extendable from said drilling unit, said reaction frame formed provide underlying support to said extended cantilever at least 25% of the distance said cantilever extends from said drilling unit, said reaction frame selectively from a storage position adjacent to said drilling unit, to a deployed, cantilever-supporting position under said cantilever, wherein one end of said reaction frame engages said drilling unit, while another end extends from said drilling unit below said cantilever, to provide a support point for said cantilever extended away from said drilling unit and situated above said platform, said reaction frame formed to transfer load from said cantilever, at said support point, to the bulkhead of said drilling unit. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. An apparatus for supporting an extended cantilever from a drilling unit having a transom and a bulkhead, comprising:
- a selectively deployable reaction frame having first and second ends, said first end engaging said bulkhead of drilling unit, said second end formed to selectively extend from said drilling unit and engage the underside of said extended cantilever at least 25% of the distance said cantilever extends from said drilling unit, so as to transpose vertical efforts associated with said extended cantilever to said drilling unit via said transom;
wherein said dnllin unit has a transom and wherein said reaction frame pivotally engages said transom of said drilling unit. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
- a selectively deployable reaction frame having first and second ends, said first end engaging said bulkhead of drilling unit, said second end formed to selectively extend from said drilling unit and engage the underside of said extended cantilever at least 25% of the distance said cantilever extends from said drilling unit, so as to transpose vertical efforts associated with said extended cantilever to said drilling unit via said transom;
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38. A method of supporting a portion of a cantilever extending from a drilling unit, comprising the steps of:
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a. providing a support assembly, comprising; i. a reaction frame having an upper portion having first and second ends and a length, said length having situated thereon a support portion formed to providing underlying support to a portion of said cantilever assembly; ii. a mount engaging said structure; iii. said reaction frame pivotally engaging said mount such that said reaction frame is selectively deployable from a stowed position to an extended, supporting position; b. positioning said drilling unit within the vicinity of a platform; c. raising said drilling unit; d. positioning said reaction frame from said stowed position to said extended, supporting position; e. extending a portion of said cantilever from said drilling unit to above said platform; f. allowing said support portion of said reaction frame to engage and provide underlying support to said cantilever above said platform. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A method of supporting a cantilever extending from a drilling unit, in which the extended portion of said cantilever is subjected to a load, comprising the steps of
a. providing a support member attached to and selectively deployable from a stowed position adjacent to said drilling unit to an extended position extending from said drilling unit; b. placing said support member in an extended position to engage the underside of said cantilever, so as to transfers a portion of said load to said drilling unit, such that an area of the extended portion of said cantilever rated at full load capacity when not supported by said support member is increased by at least 40% capacity when engaged by said support member.
Specification