Folding torpedo anchor for marine moorings

Abstract

The present invention comprises a deepwater anchor that combines the high holding capacity of a plate anchor with the simple installation procedures associated with torpedo anchors. The complex embedding procedure typical for plate anchors is avoided. Instead, the anchor is installed by allowing it to free-fall through the water and then impact into the seabed. After penetrating the seabed, a pull on the anchor line causes the deployment of initially folded flukes. In their deployed positions, one or more flukes or plate-like structures extend perpendicularly toward the anchor shank, and function similar to conventional plate anchors. As a result of the fluke deployment, the holding capacity of the anchor against uplift loads is significantly greater than with a conventional torpedo anchor. Another aspect of the invention relates to the modular construction of a torpedo anchor, wherein the properties of an anchor can be adapted to the specific conditions determined at the deployment site. Still another aspect of the invention relates to fast, inexpensive procedures for installing a torpedo anchor in a desired operational environment.

1 . A substantially solid torpedo pile, said pile comprising:
 a substantially solid, longitudinally elongated anchoring member, wherein said anchoring member further comprises a tapered tip, a shaft, and a connecting member,   wherein said tapered tip, shaft, and connecting member further comprise a plurality of inter-connectible modules.   
   
   
       2 . (canceled) 
   
   
       3 . The pile of  claim 1 , wherein said pile further comprises a trailing body stabilizing member. 
   
   
       4 . The pile of  claim 3 , wherein said stabilizing member further comprises a buoy. 
   
   
       5 . The pile of  claim 3 , wherein said stabilizing member further comprises a fin. 
   
   
       6 . The pile of  claim 3 , wherein said stabilizing member further comprises a drag plate. 
   
   
       7 . The pile of  claim 2 , wherein said pile further comprises a stabilizing member. 
   
   
       8 . The pile of  claim 7 , wherein said stabilizing member further comprises a buoy. 
   
   
       9 . The pile of  claim 7 , wherein said stabilizing member further comprises a fin. 
   
   
       10 . The pile of  claim 7 , wherein said stabilizing member further comprises a drag plate. 
   
   
       11 . A folding torpedo pile, said pile comprising:
 a longitudinally elongated anchoring member, wherein said anchoring member further comprises a tapered tip, a shaft, and a connecting member; and   at least one fluke member, wherein said fluke member further comprises an end portion pivotally disposed in communication with said anchoring member, so that said fluke member pivots from a first position substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said anchoring member to a second position substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said anchoring member.   
   
   
       12 . The pile of  claim 11 , wherein said anchoring member further comprises a plurality of inter-connectible modules. 
   
   
       13 . The pile of  claim 11 , wherein said pile further comprises a trailing body stabilizing member. 
   
   
       14 . The pile of  claim 13 , wherein said stabilizing member further comprises a buoy. 
   
   
       15 . The pile of  claim 13 , wherein said stabilizing member further comprises a fin. 
   
   
       16 . The pile of  claim 13 , wherein said stabilizing member further comprises a drag plate. 
   
   
       17 . The pile of  claim 12 , wherein said pile further comprises a stabilizing member. 
   
   
       18 . The pile of  claim 17 , wherein said stabilizing member further comprises a buoy. 
   
   
       19 . The pile of  claim 17 , wherein said stabilizing member further comprises a fin. 
   
   
       20 . The pile of  claim 17 , wherein said stabilizing member further comprises a drag plate. 
   
   
       21 . A method of deploying a torpedo pile in a body of water, said method comprising:
 connecting said pile to a connecting member;   connecting a first portion of said connecting member to a first deployment position, and connecting a second portion of said connecting member to a second deployment position, wherein said first deployment position and said second deployment position are separated by a spatial distance;   releasing said first portion of said connecting member from said first deployment position while said second portion of said connecting member remains connected to said second deployment position; and   allowing said pile and said first portion of said connecting member to free fall through said body of water and thereafter penetrate into a ground surface disposed beneath said body of water, while said second portion of said connecting member remains connected to said second deployment position.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said spatial distance between said first deployment position and said second deployment position comprises approximately 4 percent of the water depth through which said pile is allowed to free fall prior to penetrating into said ground surface.