Michael John Crenshaw

US Patent:

46966021, Sep 29, 1987

Filed:

Mar 27, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/844711

Inventors:

Richard A. Daigle - Thibodaux LA
William G. Stanfield - Dallas TX
Michael E. Crenshaw - Dallas TX

Assignee:

LTV Energy Products Company - Dallas TX

International Classification:

E02B 1702
E02D 2100
E02D 2302

US Classification:

405205

Abstract:

Disclosed is a flooding system for uprighting and setting marine structures into and above bodies of water. The structures include a surface platform and at least one hollow support leg. Each leg includes at least one port that when closed will seal the leg. The system includes a valve attached to each port. The valve serves as a closure that regulates the flow of water from the body of water through the port to flood the structure. An operator is coupled to each valve by a low friction remote control cable. The operator is located above the surface of the body of water and usually attached to the platform. The cable translates the relative motion of the operator to open and close the valve. The cable comprises a flexible member encased in a flexible casing. The flexible member is isolated from the casing by a bearing means that allows the member to move axially within the casing to translate the motion of the operation to control the valve.