Joseph L Lucas

US Patent:

42770513, Jul 7, 1981

Filed:

Apr 24, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/899391

Inventors:

Joseph E. Lucas - Houston TX

Assignee:

Marine Engineering Company, C. A. - Caracas

International Classification:

B66F 100

US Classification:

254106

Abstract:

Method and apparatus for elevating a prefabricated, off-shore, well-drilling or other platform. The platform is elevated by jacking units on the platform having legs suspended from a superstructure on the support. At least one pair of preassembled jacking units is mounted upon the platform at each caisson well. A superstructure is premounted on the upper end of each caisson. A set of self-energizing "fail safe" slips is mounted in the superstructure near each of its ends. Each jacking unit includes a tubular jacking leg. Means are provided for positioning each jacking leg so as to positively lock its upper end in the slips in the superstructure after berthing. Each jacking unit also includes a jacking mechanism comprising two slip holders, each containing a set of self-energizing, "fail safe" slips surrounding the jacking leg. Lifting rods associated with slip holder housings are pivotally connected at their lower end to the platform. Each jacking unit also has a cylinder and piston on opposite sides of the jacking leg.

US Patent:

43290884, May 11, 1982

Filed:

Jul 31, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/062537

Inventors:

Joseph E. Lucas - Houston TX

Assignee:

Marine Engineering Company, C.A. - Caracas

International Classification:

E02B 1704

US Classification:

405196

Abstract:

Method and apparatus for elevating a prefabricated, offshore, well-drilling or other platform on a prefabricated upright support in deep water. The platform is elevated by jacking units on a platform having legs suspended from a superstructure on the support. The upright support is stabilized against wind and wave action by four guy lines anchored at one end to the sea bottom and connected at its opposite end to the drum of winches mounted on two of the caissons. There are two drums in each of the two caissons. Each drum is connected to one guy line and is separately driven by a remotely controlled, reversible hydraulic motor. The motors are operated to maintain the support vertical and the fottings equally loaded; otherwise, uneven penetration of the footings into the sea bed would result. The guy lines are always tensioned against marine and wind forces. The platform is buoyant and has four open caisson wells arranged in the same geometric pattern as the caissons of the support.