US 11,718,965 B2
Apparatus and method for reinforcing a partially submerged structural element
Hamid Saadatmanesh, Tucson, AZ (US); Ehsan Mahmoudabadi, Tucson, AZ (US); and Farokh Mehrshahi, Tucson, AZ (US)
Assigned to CARBOSHIELD, INC., Tucson, AZ (US)
Filed by CARBOSHIELD, INC., Tucson, AZ (US)
Filed on Nov. 16, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/99,375.
Application 17/099,375 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/884,585, filed on May 27, 2020, granted, now 11,118,364.
Application 16/884,585 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/321,163, granted, now 10,689,868, previously published as PCT/US2017/044378, filed on Jul. 28, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/936,151, filed on Nov. 15, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/367,762, filed on Jul. 28, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2021/0115634 A1, Apr. 22, 2021
Int. Cl. E01D 21/00 (2006.01); E01D 22/00 (2006.01)
CPC E01D 22/00 (2013.01) 5 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus (800) for assembling and lowering a sleeve structure (410) around a partially submerged structural element (402), the apparatus (800) comprising:
a. an upper unit (810), configured for fixation to the structural element (402), the upper unit (810) comprising:
i. two or more upper perimeter components (812), configured to attach together so as to surround the structural element (402);
ii. two or more anchors (814), each extending inwardly from the upper perimeter components (812) so as to fix the upper unit (810) to the structural element (402); and
iii. two or more support brackets (816), each extending outward from the upper perimeter components (812);
b. two or more flexible support members (822), each extending downwardly from one of the support brackets (816); and
c. a lower unit (830), configured to be suspended from the flexible support members (816), the lower unit (830) comprising:
i. two or more lower perimeter components (832), configured to attach together so as to surround the structural element (402);
ii. one or more releasable attachments (434) connecting two or more of the lower perimeter components (832), the releasable attachments (434) configured to be released from a distance;
iii. two or more gap guides (838), each extending inwardly from the lower perimeter components (832) so as to maintain a gap between the lower perimeter components (832) and the structural element (402);
iv. two or more lower attachment points (842) for attachment of the lower perimeter components (832) to the flexible support members (822);
v. one or more sleeve structure supports (844), each extending inwardly or outwardly from the lower perimeter components (832);
wherein the lower unit (830) is configured to support the sleeve structure (410) as the sleeve structure (410) is assembled and lowered from the upper unit (810) by the flexible support members (822) and to release the lowered sleeve structure (410) upon release of the releasable attachments (834).