Back to results
US 12,366,277 B2Granted
System and method for damping forces exerted on a cable
AssigneeCameron International Corporation
InventorsDag Holen, Kristian Tindvik, Rune Skibsrud
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method includes coupling a damper to a cable and a load, and moving the damper, the cable, the load, or a combination thereof. In response to the movement, slack is introduced into the cable, and the slack is suddenly released, which exerts a tensile load on the damper and the cable. The damper is configured to dampen the tensile load exerted on the cable.
Claims20
A method, comprising:
- coupling a damper to a cable and a load such that the damper is positioned between the cable and the load;
- and
- moving the damper, the cable, the load, or a combination thereof, wherein, in response to the movement, slack is introduced into the cable, and the slack is suddenly released, which exerts a tensile load on the damper and the cable, wherein the damper is configured to dampen the tensile load exerted on the cable, and wherein the damper comprises:
- a first connector, wherein the cable is coupled to the damper via the first connector;
- a second connector, wherein the load is coupled to the damper via the second connector;
- and
- a body extending between and connecting together the first and second connectors, wherein the body permanently increases in length in response to the tensile load applied to the body by the cable and the load, and wherein the body comprises:
- a first portion that is substantially straight and extends longitudinally between the first connector and the second connector;
- and
- a second portion, wherein the first portion is configured to experience more plastic strain than the second portion, wherein the second portion comprises two laterally offset portions, wherein the first portion is positioned at least partially between the two laterally offset portions, wherein each of the two laterally offset portions of the second portion comprises a plurality of continuous loops and a tortuous portion, wherein the tortuous portion comprises a plurality of turns extending in opposite upward and downward directions over a common distance between the first connector and the second connector, and wherein the plurality of turns comprises first, second, and third turns over the common distance arranged laterally outward relative to a longitudinal axis of the damper,
- wherein the body further comprises a one-piece configuration having the first and second portions.
8 more elements
A method, comprising:
- coupling a damper to a cable and a load such that the damper is positioned between the cable and the load;
- and
- moving the damper, the cable, the load, or a combination thereof, wherein, in response to the movement, slack is introduced into the cable, and the slack is suddenly released, which exerts a tensile load on the damper and the cable, wherein the damper is configured to dampen the tensile load exerted on the cable, and wherein the damper comprises:
- a first connector, wherein the cable is coupled to the damper via the first connector;
- a second connector, wherein the load is coupled to the damper via the second connector;
- and
- a body extending between and connecting together the first and second connectors, wherein the body permanently increases in length in response to the tensile load applied to the body by the cable and the load, and wherein the body comprises:
- a first portion that is substantially straight and extends longitudinally between the first connector and the second connector;
- and
- a second portion, wherein the first portion is configured to experience more plastic strain than the second portion, wherein the second portion comprises a plurality of turns between the first connector and the second connector, wherein the plurality of turns of the second portion defines an S-shape in a vertical position along a longitudinal axis of the damper when arranged in a vertical orientation, a top of the S-shape faces toward the first connector, a bottom on the S-shape faces toward the second connector, a first linking portion extends from the top of the S-shape along a height of the S-shape toward the second connector, and a second linking portion extends from the bottom of the S-shape along the height of the S-shape toward the first connector, and wherein the S-shape is laterally between the first and second linking portions in a lateral direction relative to the longitudinal axis,
- wherein the body further comprises a one-piece configuration having the first and second portions.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.