Tension-Leg Platform Anchoring System

Abstract

A tension-leg platform anchoring system is used to tether the columns of a floating platform to the seabed and restrict movement of the entire platform. The tension-leg platform anchoring system includes a topside and a plurality of anchored floating supports. The topside provides a deck for supporting workers and equipment. The anchored floating supports are used to keep the topside afloat and limit movement. The anchored floating support includes a column, at least one mooring assembly, and an anchor. The column is connected to the topside and is used to keep the tension-leg platform afloat. The mooring assembly includes a column coupler, a first tendon, and an anchor coupler, which are used together to tether the column to the anchor. The column coupler is tethered to the anchor coupler through the first tendon, which is connected to the column by the column coupler.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tension-leg platform anchoring system comprises:
 a topside;   a plurality of anchored floating supports;   each of the plurality of anchored floating supports comprises a column, at least one mooring assembly, and an anchor;   the mooring assembly comprises a column coupler, a first tendon, a second tendon, an anchor coupler, a tendon joint, a protruding mount;   a first base of the column being mounted normal to the topside;   the column coupler being mounted to the column;   the anchor coupler being tethered to the column coupler by the first tendon;   the first tendon being positioned adjacent and along a lateral portion of the column;   the anchor being attached adjacent to the anchor coupler, opposite to the first tendon;   the protruding mount being connected adjacent to the lateral portion, adjacent to the first base;   the protruding mount and the column coupler being positioned opposite of each other across the first base;   the column coupler being tethered to the tendon joint by the second tendon;   the anchor coupler being tethered to the tendon joint by the first tendon;   
     
     
         2 . The tension-leg platform anchoring system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the column coupler is mounted to the lateral portion of the column. 
     
     
         3 . The tension-leg platform anchoring system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the column coupler is mounted onto the first base of the column. 
     
     
         4 . The tension-leg platform anchoring system as claimed in  claim 1  comprises:
 the mooring assembly further comprises a bell mouth; 
 the bell mouth being connected adjacent to the lateral portion of the column; 
 the bell mouth being positioned offset from the column coupler along the column; and 
 the first tendon traversing through the bell mouth. 
 
     
     
         5 . The tension-leg platform anchoring system as claimed in  claim 1  comprises:
 the tendon joint comprises a first socket, a second socket, and a tendon link; 
 the first socket being tethered to the anchor coupler by the first tendon; 
 the second socket being tethered to the column coupler by the second tendon; and 
 the first socket being engaged to the second socket through the tendon link. 
 
     
     
         6 . The tension-leg platform anchoring system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the column coupler is a bridge socket. 
     
     
         7 . The tension-leg platform anchoring system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first tendon is a plurality of wire cables. 
     
     
         8 . The tension-leg platform anchoring system as claimed in  claim 1  comprises:
 the mooring assembly further comprises a sheave; 
 the sheave being rotatably mounted onto the first base and the protruding mount; and 
 the second tendon being tensionably engaged about the sheave. 
 
     
     
         9 . The tension-leg platform anchoring system as claimed in  claim 8  comprises:
 the mooring assembly further comprises a tendon adjustment cable and a pulley; 
 the pulley being rotatably mounted to the first base, adjacent to the sheave; 
 the column coupler being tethered to the tendon joint by the tendon adjustment cable; and 
 the tendon adjustment cable being tensionably engaged about the pulley.