John T Sutton

US Patent:

44887051, Dec 18, 1984

Filed:

Sep 28, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/306366

Inventors:

John R. Sutton - Beaumont TX

International Classification:

B66F 100

US Classification:

254108

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a jacking apparatus for effecting relative vertical movement between an upright leg and a platform. The jacking apparatus includes a frame having at least two generally vertical parallel side rails. A carrier arranged adjacent the upright leg is movably carried along the frame by fluid cylinders for vertical movement relative to the rails. First and second elongated jack tracks are fixedly secured in a generally vertical orientation to the upright leg. Each of the jack tracks is received within a correspondingly shaped recess in the carrier. Each of the jack tracks further includes a plurality of regularly spaced openings extending completely through the jack track in a direction generally along the circumference of the leg. First and second pins supported by the carrier are selectively engaged in an aligned one of the openings in the first and second jack tracks to prevent vertical movement of the carrier relative to the leg. Each of the pins has a width which exceeds the width of the opening of the jack track in a circumferential direction of the leg.

US Patent:

42035767, May 20, 1980

Filed:

Jul 11, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/923583

Inventors:

John R. Sutton - Beaumont TX

International Classification:

B66F 712

US Classification:

254 89R

Abstract:

A jacking assembly for a leg of a jackup offshore platform includes driving assembly and a movable carriage. The driving assembly includes a pair of counterrotating pinions spaced to receive a double-toothed gear rack of the carriage. The driving assembly is attached to the platform so that it can be entirely removed for reuse, if desired. The double-toothed gear rack is pivotally connected to a movable yoke at the upper end which yoke surrounds the leg. Surfaces of the double-edged gear rack are provided with stiffening members that cooperate with the driving assemblies to guide the gear rack during relative movement between the leg and the offshore platform. To selectively connect the carriage with the leg, the movable yoke is provided with a plurality of actuators having pins received by openings at preselected distances along the leg. A locking device is provided on the platform to engage other openings on the leg to fix the relative location of the platform and the leg while the carriage is repositioned. The driving assembly operates at a first speed while setting the leg and raising the offshore platform and moves at a second, higher speed when the carriage is being repositioned.

US Patent:

47238755, Feb 9, 1988

Filed:

Feb 13, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/014709

Inventors:

John R. Sutton - Beaumont TX

International Classification:

E02B 1702
E02B 1708
E02D 2500

US Classification:

405204

Abstract:

A deep water support assembly for a jack-up type marine structure comprises a support base, pile guides in the base through which piles are driven to anchor the support base to a marine floor, at least one receptacle containing a grouting material and adapted to mate with the jack-up structure for providing an anchoring foundation, and a support structure for supporting the receptacle at a fixed height below the marine surface. A method of assembling the marine structure is also disclosed.

US Patent:

39496996, Apr 13, 1976

Filed:

Nov 13, 1974

Appl. No.:

5/523506

Inventors:

William E. Heese - Wadsworth OH
John R. Sutton - Beaumont TX

Assignee:

HydraPower Inc. - Wadsworth OH
Offshore Equipment Development Co. - Beaumont TX

International Classification:

B63B 2162

US Classification:

114235A

Abstract:

A method of and apparatus for connecting two vessels, such as a tugboat and a barge, to form a composite vessel, are disclosed. The method uses hydraulically powered apparatus completely controlled from one of the vessels to extend a shaft from one vessel toward the other vessel which has apparatus to capture the extended shaft. The method accommodates substantial misalignment between the vessels being connected by permitting lateral adjustment during connection. The apparatus for effecting the connection includes an active member carried by one of the vessels and a passive member carried by the other of the vessels. The active member is hydraulically actuated, includes a longitudinally reciprocable shaft which is actuated by a powered toggle linkage, and includes a release mechanism. The passive member is carried by the other of the vessels and automatically engages the shaft of the active member. The toggle linkage establishes a latching mechanism which does not require separate locking members and which does not fail in the event of pressure loss or hydraulic fluid leakage.

US Patent:

45094462, Apr 9, 1985

Filed:

Dec 21, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/451923

Inventors:

John R. Sutton - Beaumont TX

Assignee:

Marine Concepts, Inc. - Beaumont TX

International Classification:

B63B 3542

US Classification:

114 45

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a drydocking method and apparatus including a moment resisting arrangement for maintaining the drydocking device in a substantially horizontal plane while raising or lowering a vessel relative to a surface of a body of water. The drydocking device includes a submersible pontoon having a first side positioned adjacent to a single fixed structure and having an arrangement for selectively introducing air or water into at least one chamber within the pontoon for raising and lowering the pontoon, respectively. The pontoon has a moment resisting arrangement which includes a cable secured to the fixed structure and extending around a first sheave positioned adjacent to the first side of the pontoon. The cable extends across the pontoon and around a second sheave positioned adjacent to a second opposite side of the pontoon to an anchoring arrangement beneath the second side of the pontoon. The moment resisting arrangement also includes at least one permanent void tank and at least one permanent ballast tank positioned within the pontoon for creating an induced moment tending to rotate the first side of the pontoon downwardly.

US Patent:

49021699, Feb 20, 1990

Filed:

May 17, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/353253

Inventors:

John R. Sutton - Beaumont TX

International Classification:

E02B 1700
E02D 2500

US Classification:

405204

Abstract:

A marine structure which includes a jack-up platform assembly having a platform and at least three support legs, each leg having a generally cylindrical adapter at a lower end thereof. A support assembly includes a receptacle for each of the support legs, the receptacle mating with the support leg adapter and supporting the platform assembly, enabling the platform to be jacked up above an ocean surface. A stop assembly is removably attached to each of the support legs, the stop assembly being spaced from the support leg adapter and including a stationary part which mechanically engages a portion of the receptacle when the support leg adapter penetrates a predetermined distance into the receptacle. The stop assembly is secured to the receptacle by pins extending through a part of the stop assembly and a part of the receptacle. The stationary part can be a cover attached to the support leg by racks engaging racks at the corners of the support leg or a horizontally extending annular base secured around the support leg by a framework including racks engaging the racks at the corners of the support leg.

US Patent:

40079147, Feb 15, 1977

Filed:

Jun 17, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/587705

Inventors:

John R. Sutton - Beaumont TX

International Classification:

B66F 100
E02D 2100

US Classification:

254108

Abstract:

Jacking apparatus is disclosed for effecting relative vertical movement between an upright leg and a platform. The jacking apparatus comprises a frame which includes a cross member mounted on the platform. Vertically spaced first and second fluid cylinders are carried by the platform, with the first cylinder being mounted on the cross member. Each fluid cylinder carries a beam and a holding device for selectively coupling the beam to the leg. The power cylinders and the holding devices are operated 180. degree. out of phase to effect step-by-step movement of the platform relative to the leg. Power transfer chains operably connect the first and second fluid cylinders to the cross member of the support frame to transfer forces from the first and second fluid cylinders directly to the cross member. As a result, a relatively balanced distribution of vertical forces is applied to the cross member thereby reducing its size requirements. A support frame includes an integral frame assembly arranged to be secured as a unit to the platform.