Multi-purpose suction anchor with interior access doors

Abstract

An improved reusable suction anchor, method of using this suction anchor, and method of manufacturing this suction anchor which uses doors to provide access to the interior of the anchor, by ROV or crane operated shovel for example. It provides a simple way to eliminate piping or plugging. It provides a simplified way to install or maintain a blowout preventer. It also provides a simplified way to align various diameters of pipe and to install conductor pipe. It also provides storage and protection from falling objects.

1 . A suction anchor comprising:
 an anchor body   pumping means to create a differential pressure for the purpose of imbedding over 30% of the anchor body into the sea floor soil or lifting over  30 % of the anchor body out of the sea floor soil.   a door or a multiplicity of doors to provide a method for entering or exiting the interior cavity of the suction anchor using door means.   seal means at the location where said door or multiplicity of doors come into contact or near contact with the anchor body when they are closed, to retain said differential pressure when the door or multiplicity of doors are closed   moving means to open or close said door or multiplicity of doors.   
     
     
         2 . The suction anchor of  claim 1  where said seal means is gasket means. 
     
     
         3 . The suction anchor of  claim 1  where said moving means is a motor powered device or a multiplicity of motor powered devices. 
     
     
         4 . The suction anchor of  claim 1  where said moving means is an engine powered device or a multiplicity of engine powered devices. 
     
     
         5 . The suction anchor of  claim 1  which also comprises one or more items from the following list:
 valve, throughput port, hole, flange, attachment point, screen or vent. 
 
     
     
         6 . A method for using the suction anchor of  claim 1  which includes the use of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) or a multiplicity of ROVs, using ROV means. 
     
     
         7 . A method for using the suction anchor of  claim 1  which includes the use of a shovel or a multiplicity of shovels. 
     
     
         8 . A method for using the suction anchor of  claim 1  which includes a hydraulic motor or multiplicity of hydraulic motors. 
     
     
         9 . A method for constructing the suction anchor of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . A method for constructing the suction anchor of  claim 2 . 
     
     
         11 . A method for constructing the suction anchor of  claim 3 . 
     
     
         12 . A method for constructing the suction anchor of  claim 4 . 
     
     
         13 . A method for constructing the suction anchor of  claim 5 . 
     
     
         14 . A method of using the suction anchor of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . A method of using the suction anchor of  claim 2 . 
     
     
         16 . A method of using the suction anchor of  claim 3 . 
     
     
         17 . A method of using the suction anchor of  claim 4 . 
     
     
         18 . A method of using the suction anchor of  claim 5 . 
     
     
         19 . A method of removing undesirable material from in or near the suction anchor of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         20 . A method of adding desirable material into or near the suction anchor of  claim 1 .