Patent ID: 6196767
Filing Date: 2001-03-06
Classification: E02B

Abstract:
A jack-up platform comprising:a plurality of bearing legs having lower ends, respectively;a buoyant upper barge mounted so as to be movable along the length of said bearing legs;mechanical moving means for moving said bearing legs relative to said upper barge; anda submersible storage tank connected to the lower ends of said bearing legs so that said storage tank can be moved by said mechanical means relative to said upper barge,said storage tank having a lower opening for selectively permitting an interior of said storage tank to be placed in free communication with a body of water, said storage tank being adapted to rest on a surface below the body of water,wherein an upper portion of said storage tank defines a cavity having an inverted U-shaped cross-section for confining an air pocket therein, andwherein said mechanical means are operable to apply a force on said bearing legs in order to cause said storage tank to sink, and to apply an opposite force on said bearing legs to cause said storage tank to rise.