US 11,235,957 B2Granted

Motion arresting and dampening device

AssigneeOceaneering International, Inc.

InventorsEric H Galerne, Miles Roden, Nat Spencer

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

In embodiments, motion may be arrested and/or dampened using a motion arresting and dampening device comprising a lifting spreader bar, one or more bar mounted winches, deployment wire, a restorative inflation device, restraining wires and winches, hoses and controller, mechanical connection release system circuitry. Multiple restraints from winches mounted strategically on a vessel crane's boom may be applied to the spreader bar to restrain the bar during the lifting operation. The forces induced into the lifted object by the movement of the crane as it deploys the object into installation position are attenuated by the physical restrain of the adjustable wires. These adjustable wires may also be used to provide rotation of the object during final alignment of the object during installation.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A motion arresting and dampening device, comprising:

a. a damper dimensioned to fit a predetermined tubular dimension of a tubular, the damper comprising an inflatable restorative inflation device;
b. a lifting spreader bar deployment assembly, comprising:
i. a lifting spreader bar;
ii. a set of object connector connection receivers;
iii. a set of lifting connector receivers disposed about the lifting spreader bar at a first offset from a center of the lifting spreader bar;
iv. a set of lifting connectors operatively connected to the set of lifting connector receivers;
v. a set of restraining connector receivers disposed about the lifting spreader bar at a second offset from the center of the lifting spreader bar;
and
vi. a set of adjustable restraining connectors operatively connected to the set of restraining connector receivers;
c. a lift, comprising:
i. a crane;
ii. a lifting connector operatively connected to the set of adjustable restraining connectors;
and
iii. a lifting winch operatively connected to the lifting connector (32) and to the crane;
d. a damper support, comprising:
i. a deployment connector operatively connected to the damper (60);
and
ii. a bar mounted winch disposed about a predetermined portion of the lifting spreader bar and operatively connected to the deployment connector;
e. a predetermined set of winch and bladder activation hoses operatively in communication with the winches and bladders;
and
f. a controller disposed proximate the lift and operatively in communication with the predetermined set of winch and bladder activation hoses.

18 more elements

A method of arresting and dampening motion using a motion arresting and dampening device comprising a damper that comprises an inflatable restorative inflation device dimensioned to fit a predetermined tubular dimension;

a lifting spreader bar deployment assembly comprising a lifting spreader bar, a set of object connector connection receivers, a set of lifting connector receivers disposed about the lifting spreader bar at a first offset from a center of the lifting spreader bar, a set of lifting connectors operatively connected to the set of lifting connector receivers, a set of restraining connector receivers disposed about the lifting spreader bar at a second offset from a center of the lifting spreader bar, and a set of adjustable restraining connectors operatively connected to the set of restraining connector receivers;
a lift comprising a crane, a lifting connector operatively connected to the set of adjustable restraining connectors, and a lifting winch operatively connected to the lifting connector and to the crane;
a damper support comprising a deployment connector operatively connected to the damper and a bar mounted winch disposed about a predetermined portion of the lifting spreader bar and operatively connected to the deployment connector;
a predetermined set of winch and bladder activation hoses;
and a controller;
the method comprising:
a. attaching an object to the lifting spreader bar assembly;
b. positioning the object above a tubular;
c. operatively connecting the set of adjustable restraining connectors to the lifting winch mounted on the crane and to the lifting spreader bar to restrain movement of the lifting spreader bar during a lifting operation;
d. positioning the damper about a predetermined portion of the tubular;
e. inflating the damper to engage the tubular;
f. inducing forces into the tubular by movement of the crane as it deploys the tubular into an installation position;
g. attenuating the induced forces by adjusting the set of adjustable restraining connectors to physically restrain movement of the tubular;
and
h. using the set of adjustable restraining connectors to rotate the tubular during alignment of the tubular during installation.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/926,240Filed 10 Jul 2020 · us provisional application
Priority: 23 Aug 2019
Published: US 2021/0053799 A125 Feb 2021
Granted: 1 Feb 2022
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

B66C 13/02
Other constructional features or details: devices for facilitating retrieval of floating objects, e.g. for recovering crafts from water
B66C 13/063
For minimising or preventing longitudinal or transverse swinging of loads: electrical
B66C 23/53
Floating cranes: including counterweight or means to compensate for list, trim, or skew of the vessel or platform
E02B 17/0034
Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor:…