Importance

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Abstract

A bottom anchor connector for securing the tension legs of a tension leg platform (10) having a flexible joint (26) between a first body member (22) and a second body member (24) including a latch carrier (44) having latch segments (46) thereon which react with an anchor receptacle recess (18) to provide the connection between the connector (10) and the anchor receptacle (R) when the bottom connector (10) is lowered into the anchor receptacle (R). The latch carrier forms part of a self-actuating installation and release mechanism and includes, in one embodiment, keys (46) which cooperate with the receptacle recess (18) to position the dogheads (50) of the latch segments (46) to be free of the receptacle recess (18) so that the dogheads may move within the inner wall of the receptacle without reacting to the recess (18) to release the bottom connector from the receptacle. This is the primary release mechanism for disconnecting the bottom connector (10) from the receptacle (R) and is done without the use of tools, ROV intervention, or the like. Two types of bottom connectors are disclosed, one, a non-rotatable type and, two, a rotatable type--both having similar primary release mechanisms. There is also disclosed a redundant (secondary) means (tool 100) for releasing both types of bottom connectors (10) from the anchor receptacle (R).

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First Claim