# US 7,465,127 B1 · Method for positive locking of tendon bottom connectors

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- Number: US 7,465,127 B1
- Document ID: US7465127B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 11/705,935
- Filed: 2007-02-13
- Granted: 2008-12-16
- Earliest claimed: 2006-02-13
- Assignees: Sea Engineering, Inc.
- Inventors: Robert M. Kipp
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7465127B1

## CPC

- E02D 27/52: Submerged foundations {, i.e. submerged in open water (E02D27/12 - E02D27/24 take precedence)}
- E02D: FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS (specially adapted for hydraulic engineering E02B); UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES {(tunnels, tunnelling, mining E21)}

## Abstract

A method for positive locking of a tension leg platform tendon bottom connector C in a tendon receptacle R contained in a tendon foundation pile P, the bottom connector and receptacle having mating locking elements. A vertical space S is provided in the foundation pile between the tendon receptacle and the soil level inside the pile sufficient to allow vertical entry and locking of the bottom connector and receptacle locking elements, and a material M of sufficient density is placed into the space beneath the tendon bottom connector in the tendon receptacle and the soil level inside the pile to limit downward vertical motion of the bottom connector and prevent accidental release of the locking elements. When required, a sufficient amount of the material may be removed to allow the requisite vertical motion of the bottom connector to release the locking elements.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for positive locking of a tension leg platform tendon bottom connector in a tendon receptacle contained in a tendon foundation pile, the bottom connector and receptacle having mating locking elements, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a vertical space in the foundation pile between the tendon receptacle and the soil level inside the pile sufficient to allow vertical entry and locking of the bottom connector and receptacle locking elements; and
placing a material of sufficient density into the space beneath the tendon bottom connector in the tendon receptacle and the soil level inside the pile to limit downward vertical motion of the bottom connector and prevent accidental release of the locking elements.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein
said step of providing a vertical space comprises removing sufficient soil within the pile to allow the requisite vertical motion and activation of the locking elements.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, comprising the further step of:
removing a sufficient amount of the material from the space beneath the tendon bottom connector in the tendon receptacle to allow the requisite vertical motion of the bottom connector to release the locking elements.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein
said step of placing a material comprises pumping a dense slurry of material beneath the bottom connector.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method according to claim 4, wherein
said dense slurry of material comprises material used as pumped ballast.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The method according to claim 4, wherein
said dense slurry of material comprises rigid or semi-rigid particles of compact shape that are negatively buoyant in sea water.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein
said step of placing a material comprises the preliminary step of pumping lightweight cement into the pile to cover the soil level inside the pile and form a stable base; and thereafter
pumping a dense slurry of material beneath the tendon bottom connector in the tendon receptacle and the cement covering the soil level inside the pile to limit vertical downward motion of the bottom connector.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein
said step of placing a material beneath said tendon bottom connector comprises pumping a dense slurry of material through an open space between an inner surface of the receptacle and exterior of the bottom connector.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein
said step of placing a material beneath said tendon bottom connector comprises pumping a dense slurry of material through apertures in an upper end of the pile.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein
said step of placing a material beneath said tendon bottom connector comprises pumping a dense slurry of material through apertures in the tendon receptacle.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, comprising the further step of
removing the material from beneath the tendon bottom connector sufficient to allow the requisite vertical motion to unlock the locking elements and release of the bottom connector.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method according to claim 11, wherein
said step of removing the material comprises water jetting the materiel from beneath the tendon bottom connector and conducting the material through apertures that were used to introduce the material.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method according to claim 12, wherein
said step of water jetting the materiel from beneath said tendon bottom connector includes agitating the material to facilitate its removal.