Grouting system and arrangement for offshore structure
AssigneeLynes, Inc.
InventorsMalcolm G. Coone, Erwin E. Hoffman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An inflatable seal is first effected adjacent the lower end of the annular space between a piling and a jacket of a supporting leg of an offshore structure and thereafter grouting material is inserted into the annular space between the jacket and the piling. After the seal has been effected, means trap inflating fluid in the seal adjacent the lower end of the annular space while grouting material is discharged into the space.
Claims11
A method of grouting an offshore structure positioned on the seabed and having at least one tubular jacket in the water and a piling in the jacket having an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the jacket to thereby form a space between the jacket and piling, said method comprising the steps of:
- a. positioning inflatable seal means adjacent the lower end of the jacket;
- b. securing conduit means to communicate selectively with the seal means and space;
- c. injecting inflating fluid through the conduit means to inflate the seal means inwardly to sealingly engage the piling;
- and
- d. introducing grouting material through the same conduit means and into the space.
An arrangement for grouting an offshore structure positioned on the sea bed and having at least one tubular jacket in the water and a piling in the jacket having an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the jacket to thereby form a space between the jacket and the piling, said arrangement including:
- a. inflatable seal means positioned on the lower end of the jacket for sealingly engaging with the piling;
- b. conduit means for conducting inflating fluid to said seal means;
- c. conduit means for conducting grouting material to the space;
- d. means to communicate said conduit means with the space when the pressure in the conduit means reaches a predetermined amount;
- and
- e. means for closing off the space with the grouting material therein to prevent back flow through said conduit means,
- f. said means for closing off the space comprising one-way acting check valve means which remain closed until the pressure in said conduit means reaches a predetermined amount.
As arrangement for grouting an offshore structure positioned on the sea bed and having at least one tubular jacket in the water and a piling in the jacket having an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the jacket to thereby form a space between the jacket and the piling, said arrangement including:
- a. inflatable seal means positioned on the lower end of the jacket for sealingly engaging with the piling;
- b. conduit means for conducting inflating fluid to said seal means;
- c. conduit means for conducting grouting material to the space;
- and
- d. means for closing off said seal means with the inflating fluid therein;
- e. said means closing off said seal means comprising one-way acting check valve means which remains open until the pressure in said conduit means reaches a predetermined amount and which closes when the pressure in said conduit means falls below such predetermined amount.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.