Ships – Anchor – Fluke type
Patent
1995-05-31
1997-06-24
Swinehart, Edwin L.
Ships
Anchor
Fluke type
114294, B63B 2132
Patent
active
056409214
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an anchor fluke having having a penetration or front edge and a rear edge, and a longitudinal plane of symmetry intersecting these edges, comprising means for attachment of connecting means to a penetration- anchor line.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide an anchor fluke having a stable and favourable penetration behaviour.
It is moreover an object of the invention to provide an anchor fluke and anchor having a great holding force relative to the weight.
It is furthermore an object of the invention to provide an anchor that is very suitable to be included in vertical anchoring systems.
According to the invention an anchor fluke is provided, having a penetration or front edge and rear edge and a longitudinal plane of symmetry intersecting these edges, comprising means for attachment of connecting means to a penetration-anchor line, the fluke having an upper side which, in a portion connecting to the front edge, extends from that front edge according to a convex path which ascends in longitudinal direction and extends there, in both areas of the front portion situated on either side of the longitudinal plane of symmetry, according to paths that ascend in transverse direction in a direction away from the plane of symmetry.
It has been found that an anchor fluke having such a shape can quickly and in a stable manner penetrate to a large depth. Although applicant does not wish to confine himself to that reasoning, he suspects that the stability is aided by the presence on both sides of the longitudinal plane of symmetry of convex faces ascending rearwards and sidewards, so that the soil which moves along the fluke (seen relatively) can exert a reversely outwardly sideward directed force on the upper surface of the fluke, and can readily be pulled into the soil in longitudinal direction as a consequence of the convex shape.
It is preferred that the path which ascends in transverse direction is also convex.
It is preferred that the front edge of the fluke, on both sides of the longitudinal plane of symmetry, has a front edge which runs in an oblique direction towards the front from that plane, said front edge merging in a foremost penetration-point into a side edge which extend substantially along the side of the fluke towards the rear edge. The front portion of the upper side of the fluke herein ascends in a convex manner from the front edges, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the front edges. The sideways and convexly ascending portions herein extend preferably up to a foremost portion of the outer or side edges. Thus it is achieved that a significant part of the front portion of the upper surface of the fluke ascends outwards and sidewards from the longitudinal plane of symmetry, and that on that front portion of the upper surface of the fluke, the surfaces are only directed in two main directions, with a transverse component having an opposite direction which, as is nonetheless supposed, has a stabilising effect and also gives the fluke a smooth shape.
The upper surface of the fluke is preferably shaped in such a way, that the ascending convex front portion of the upper surface of the fluke merges into a convex, descending portion, the rear portion. Thus, the upper surface of the fluke will comprise a portion, which will have hardly any influence on the penetration during penetration of the anchor fluke, that is to say will not hamper this penetration, but will contribute to the weight, and which can be active in a vertical anchoring system after the anchor fluke has penetrated sufficiently.
Vertical anchoring usually takes place with TLP's, by means of tie rods and very expensive piles, for which ever more advanced driving equipment has to be developed as a result of the great water depth. Another possibility is to shoot the anchors into the ground, after which the anchors position themselves horizontally if one exerts a vertical force on them. The solutions required for this purpo
REFERENCES:
patent: 1838745 (1931-12-01), Croney
patent: 4704982 (1987-11-01), Sahlberg
patent: 4781142 (1988-11-01), Cheung
Degenkamp Gijsbertus
Van Den Haak Rob
Swinehart Edwin L.
Vrijhof Ankers Beheer B.V.
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