TLP marine riser tensioner
AssigneeLockheed Corporation
InventorGeorge W. Peppel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Several embodiments of a marine riser tensioner (10, 100, 200, 300) are disclosed for use in tensioning a marine riser (12) on a tension leg platform (14) by the use of elastomeric elements. In one embodiment, a plurality of elastomeric pads (60) are placed in pad shear to provide tension to the marine riser. In another embodiment, elastomeric disks (124) are placed in torsional shear to provide the tension to the marine riser. In other embodiments (200, 300) elastomeric cones (208) deform in ring shear.
Claims8
A riser tensioner for use in maintaining a tension on a marine riser from a tension leg platform, the tension leg platform moving relative to the marine riser and the marine riser having a center line, comprising:
- (a) an elastomeric assembly, adjustably deformable in pad shear, for maintaining the riser in tension during vertical movement of the platform relative to the riser, said elastomeric assembly having upper and lower ends;
- (b) a gimbal assembly for pivotally connecting said upper end of said elastomeric assembly to the tension leg platform to accommodate misalignment between the riser and the tension leg platform;
- (c) a base ring to which said lower end of said elastomeric assembly is secured;
- and
- (d) a collar, securely mounted on the riser, for resting within said base ring to connect said lower end of said elastomeric assembly to the riser.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.