Fillable Anchor

Abstract

A tillable anchor has a number of planar sides, typically four, attached to a base and to one another, forming an enclosed structure with a cavity therein. Attachment points for a deployment line and for mooring lines are provided. After the empty anchor is deployed to the seafloor or other water bottom, an inlet and an outlet permit placement of a flowable weight material into the cavity. The anchor may have an extended skirt around the base to enhance holding capability.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a base;   three or more planar sides connected to the base and to one another, forming an enclosed pyramidal shaped structure having a cavity therein, said structure when viewed from a side comprising a height and a width;   an inlet for placement of a flowable material having a density greater than sea water into said cavity;   an outlet adapted to permit water within said cavity to flow out of said cavity, in response to placement of said flowable material within said cavity;   one or more attachment points for a deployment line; and   one or more attachment points for a mooring line.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said height is between about 30% and 40% of said width. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said inlet further comprises a pressure regulating element. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said outlet comprises a pressure regulating element. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said inlet and said outlet further comprise pressure regulating elements. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of said sides comprise openings therein, and wherein said one or more attachment points for a mooring line comprise plates fastened over at least one of said openings, and ring elements attached to said plates. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said three or more sides comprise four sides, upper ends of said four sides terminating in a flat surface forming a truncated pyramidal shape, at least one of said attachment points positioned substantially centrally on said flat surface. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said flat surface comprises a side length, and wherein said side length is between about 20% and 30% of said width. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of said sides comprises a skirt section extending beyond said base. 
     
     
         10 . An anchor, comprising:
 a base;   four planar sides connected to the base and to one another, forming an enclosed pyramidal shaped structure having a cavity therein, said structure when viewed from a side comprising a height and a width;   an inlet for placement of a flowable material having a density greater than sea water into said cavity;   an outlet adapted to permit water within said cavity to flow out of said cavity, in response to placement of said flowable material within said cavity;   one or more attachment points for a deployment line; and   one or more attachment points for a mooring line.   
     
     
         11 . The anchor of  claim 10 , wherein said height is between about 30% and 40% of said width. 
     
     
         12 . The anchor of  claim 11 , wherein said four sides terminate in a flat upper surface, forming a truncated pyramid shape when viewed from a side. 
     
     
         13 . The anchor of  claim 12 , wherein said flat upper surface has a side length between about 20% and 30% of said width. 
     
     
         14 . The anchor of  claim 13 , wherein an attachment point is positioned on said flat upper surface. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of said inlet and said outlet further comprise pressure regulating elements. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein one or more of said sides comprise openings therein, and wherein said one or more attachment points for a mooring line comprise plates fastened over at least one of said one or more openings, and ring elements attached to said one or more plates. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein one or more of said sides comprises a skirt section extending beyond said base.