VERTICALLY FOLDING SERVICE ARM FOR A MOVABLE PLATFORM OFFSHORE DRILLING OR SERVICING RIG

摘要

An apparatus and method for maintaining electrical and hydraulic connectionsbetween a junction box (or junction boxes) located on or near an offshoreplatform's floor and a movable drilling rig structure are disclosed. Thedisclosed invention is a unique vertically folding service arm capable ofmoving in both the horizontal and vertical directions in order to provideenhanced range of movement. The increased range of movement provided by thevertically folding service arm of the present invention allows electrical andhydraulic supply lines to remain connected between a junction box (or boxes)located on or near the platform floor and the rig structure even as the rigstructure moves back-and-forth on the platform between multiple well centers.The vertically folding service arm of the present invention can also be easilydisconnected and "folded" for transport without requiring the electrical andhydraulic supply lines to be disconnected from the drilling rig structure.