Folding torpedo anchor for marine moorings

Abstract

The present invention comprises a deepwater anchor that combines the high holding capacity of a plate anchor with the simple installation procedures associated with torpedo anchors. The complex embedding procedure typical for plate anchors is avoided. Instead, the anchor is installed by allowing it to free-fall through the water and then impact into the seabed. After penetrating the seabed, a pull on the anchor line causes the deployment of initially folded flukes. In their deployed positions, one or more flukes or plate-like structures extend perpendicularly toward the anchor shank, and function similar to conventional plate anchors. As a result of the fluke deployment, the holding capacity of the anchor against uplift loads is significantly greater than with a conventional torpedo anchor. Another aspect of the invention relates to the modular construction of a torpedo anchor, wherein the properties of an anchor can be adapted to the specific conditions determined at the deployment site. Still another aspect of the invention relates to fast, inexpensive procedures for installing a torpedo anchor in a desired operational environment.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to torpedo type anchors, and in a particular, though non-limiting embodiment, to a folding torpedo anchor useful for attaching objects to a seabed and methods of deployment therefor.BACKGROUND[0002]Successful operation of a sea vessel in deep water often requires the vessel to be temporarily or permanently moored to an associated seabed. This is most commonly achieved by attaching mooring lines to the vessel, and then fixing the remote ends of the mooring lines to the seafloor using anchors. While sea anchors have been in use for more than 2000 years, the development of deepwater anchors was brought about by the oil & gas industry's more recent venturing into deep waters. Typical for anchors deployed in deep water is the steep angle between the anchor line and the seabed, which leads to a high uplift load being imparted to the anchor. In order to sustain these high vertical loads, deepwater anchors must be entrenche...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]A method of deploying a torpedo pile in a body of water is also provided, wherein the method includes connecting the pile to a connecting member; connecting a first portion of the connecting member to a first deployment position, and connecting a second portion of the connecting member to a second deployment position, wherein the first deployment position and the second deployment position are separated by a spatial distance; releasing the first portion of the connecting member from the first deployment position while the second portion of the connecting member remains connected to the second deployment position; and allowing the pile and the first portion of the connecting member to free fall through the body of water and thereafter penetrate into a ground surface disposed beneath the body of water, while the second portion of the connecting member remains connected to the second deployment position.

Problems solved by technology

Some efforts have also been made to drive piles and anchors into the seafloor by means of explosive charges or pressurized gas but none of these technologies are currently in commercial use in the offshore industry.

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