Patent ID: 8915677
Filing Date: 2014-12-23
Classification: B63B,E02B

Abstract:
1. A jack-up rig for offshore operations, comprising: a hull; a support leg moveably coupled to the hull, wherein the support leg has a central axis, an upper end, and a lower end opposite the upper end, and wherein the support leg is adapted to be axially raised and lowered relative to the hull; a ballast tank movably coupled to the support leg, wherein the ballast tank is configured to be axially raised and lowered relative to the support leg and the hull; and a translation mechanism coupled to the support leg and the ballast tank, wherein the translation mechanism is configured to move the ballast tank axially relative to the support leg in a first direction toward the upper end of the support leg and in a second direction toward the lower end of the support leg; wherein the translation mechanism is configured to move the ballast tank axially relative to the support leg to a position between the upper end and the lower end of the support leg to apply a ballast preload to the support leg to urge the support leg axially downward.