SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE WITH TRIANGULAR COLUMNS
According to the invention a semi-submersible vessel including a semi-submersible platform body is provided. The semi-submersible platform body is adapted to float in a body of water wherein the platform body comprising a plurality of pontoons arranged together to form a triangular structure, a plurality of columns having a lower portion and an upper portion, the columns extending outwardly from each corner of the triangular structure, wherein each column is triangular. Further, the semi-submersible vessel includes a deck supported by the upper portion of the columns.
1 . A semi-submersible platform body adapted to float in a body of water comprising:
a plurality of pontoons arranged together to form a triangular structure; and
a plurality of columns extending outwardly from each corner of the triangular structure, wherein each column is triangular.
2 . The semi-submersible platform body of claim 1 , wherein the triangular structure is an equilateral triangle.
3 . The semi-submersible platform body of claim 1 , wherein a transverse section of each column is an equilateral triangle.
4 . The semi-submersible platform body of claim 1 , wherein the triangular structure formed by the pontoons has an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter, wherein the inner perimeter defines an open recess.
5 . The semi-submersible platform body of claim 1 , wherein each pontoon has a first side, a second side, an upper edge and a lower edge, wherein the first side and the second side define a width of the pontoon.
6 . The semi-submersible platform body of claim 5 , wherein each face of the column is parallel to the first side and the second side of the pontoon.
7 . The semi-submersible platform body of claim 5 , wherein the corners of the triangular structure are rounded along the outer perimeter.
8 . The semi-submersible platform body of claim 5 , wherein the column covers half the width of the pontoon.
9 . The semi-submersible platforms body of claim 5 , wherein the column covers one-third the width of the pontoon.
10 . A semi-submersible vessel, comprising:
a platform body adapted to float in a body of water, the platform body comprising
a plurality of pontoons arranged together to form a triangular structure;
a plurality of columns having a lower portion and an upper portion, the columns extending outwardly from each corner of the triangular structure, wherein each column is triangular; and
a deck supported by upper portion of the columns.
11 . The vessel according to claim 10 , wherein the triangular structure is an equilateral triangle.
12 . The vessel according to claim 10 , wherein a transverse section of the columns is an equilateral triangle.
13 . The vessel according to claim 10 , wherein the triangular structure formed by the pontoons has an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter, wherein the inner perimeter defines an open recess.
14 . The vessel according to claim 13 , wherein the corners of the triangular structure are rounded.
15 . The vessel according to claim 10 , wherein each pontoon has a first side, a second side, an upper edge and a lower edge, wherein the first side and the second side define a width or the pontoon.
16 . The vessel according to claim 15 , wherein each face of the column is parallel to the first side and the second side of the pontoon.
17 . The vessel according to claim 15 , wherein the column covers half the width of the pontoon.
18 . The vessel according to claim 15 , wherein the column covers one-third the width of the pontoon.
19 . The vessel according to claim 10 , wherein the columns have rounded corners along the upper portion.
20 . The vessel according to claim 10 , wherein a lower portion of the columns is coupled with the second side of the pontoons at the corners of the triangular structure.