Actively steerable gravity embedded anchor systems and methods for using the same
AssigneeIntermoor Inc.
InventorsThomas C. Bauer, Kenneth A. Ullrich, Michael J. Covello
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for a self-directed (i.e., autonomous), steerable gravity-embedded anchor. This anchor free-falls through the water column, accelerates due to gravity and uses its kinetic energy to embed itself into the seafloor so as to function as an anchor for mooring of both floating vessels and other underwater structures. Unlike existing gravity-embedded plate anchors, this device can steer itself to its intended target location on the seafloor, enhancing placement accuracy and allowing release directly from an installation vessel on the water surface, thereby greatly simplifying installation.
Claims41
A method for installing one or more anchor systems in a seafloor underlying a body of water, comprising:
- providing at least one steerable anchor system from an installation vessel on the water surface, the steerable anchor system comprising:
- an embeddable anchor body configured to moor a sea surface vessel to the seafloor from an embedded position below the seafloor,
- one or more steering system components, and
- an on-board control system having at least one processing device coupled to control the steering system components;
- allowing the steerable anchor system to free fall through the water toward the seafloor to cause the embeddable anchor body to impact and penetrate to a position completely embedded below the seafloor such that the entire embeddable anchor body is below the level of seafloor;
- and
- using the on-board control system to control the steering system components to alter the descent path of the anchor system to steer the anchor system to a target location on the seafloor.
A steerable anchor system, comprising:
- an embeddable anchor body configured to moor a sea surface vessel to the seafloor from an embedded position below the seafloor, one or more steering system components, and an on-board control system having at least one processing device coupled to control the steering system components;
- where the control system is configured to control the steering system components to alter the descent path of the anchor system to steer the anchor system to a target location on a seafloor when the anchor system is allowed to free fall through the water toward the seafloor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.