Russell L Baldwin

US Patent:

55539777, Sep 10, 1996

Filed:

Dec 16, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/357954

Inventors:

William F. Andersen - San Jose CA
Andrew B. Boyd - Houston TX
Russell L. Baldwin - Houston TX
Bisuddha N. Datta - Katy TX

Assignee:

Northrop Grumman Corporation - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

E02B 1708

US Classification:

405204

Abstract:

A method is described for using a particular spring element to facilitate the transfer of deck modules to a hull or jacket during the construction of an off-shore well platform. The spring element not only absorbs energy from the compressive loading expected during the transfer, but also resists any shear loading caused by relative motion between the module and the jacket or hull caused by the operation being performed in a body of water. The spring element includes two significantly different resistances to crushing when subjected to compressive loading including an initial resistance during which significant energy is absorbed. The spring element is also provided on the carrier barge between the barge and the deck module so that if the carrier barge should reengage the module once the transfer has been started, damage will be inhibited.

US Patent:

52194515, Jun 15, 1993

Filed:

Apr 24, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/874235

Inventors:

Bisuddha N. Datta - Katy TX
Russell L. Baldwin - Houston TX
Junius D. Allen - Dallas TX

Assignee:

Atlantic Richfield Company - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

E02D 2500

US Classification:

405204

Abstract:

An offshore deck or platform unit is provided with depending legs having shock absorbing stabbing tip assemblies for engagement with the upstanding columns of a marine substructure to transfer the weight of the deck to the substructure by positioning the deck relative to the substructure with a barge and ballasting down the barge to move the deck into engagement with the substructure. The barge also carries a deck support structure comprising plural sand jack assemblies which provide for disengagement of the barge from the deck. The stabbing tip assemblies include coaxially arranged primary locating pins which are dropped into position to hold the location of the deck relative to the columns and annular resilient collars for transferring vertical and lateral shock loads between the columns and the deck during the transfer process. Final steel-to-steel engagement of the deck legs with the columns and final disconnection of the vessel from the deck is carried out by actuation of sand jacks which are interposed between the stabbing tip assemblies and the columns and between the deck and deck support structure on the barge.