Oil boom end connector
AssigneeTcom, L.P.
InventorsChun C. Chou, Joe Falk, Robert Ferguson, Glenn Beach
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Abstract
An end connector for use with oil containment booms, wherein the connector design utilizes a stress distribution technique which avoids the need for proximal end flanges, internal cavity traction surfaces, and further avoids bolts, rivets, or other fasteners through the boom fin end. The end connector design has a smaller size than conventional end connector designs with comparable tensile strength capabilities. Further, the end connector may be fabricated faster than conventional end connectors, reduces connector cost, and reduces final boom assembly time.
Claims20
An oil boom end connector, comprising:
- two curved beam arms made of a predetermined material, which define a central cavity wherein a width h of each of said two curved beam arms is defined by:
- ##EQU26## where:
- R.sub.R =a single arm load;
- .sigma..sub.WS =the predetermined material allowable working stress;
- r=a radius of the central cavity;
- and
- h=a thickness of the each of said two curved beam arms.
An oil boom end connector, comprising:
- two curved beam arms made of a predetermined material, which define a central cavity wherein a width h of each of said two curved beam arms is defined by:
- ##EQU27## where:
- R.sub.R =a single arm load;
- .sigma..sub.WS =the predetermined material allowable working stress;
- r=a radius of the central cavity;
- and
- h=a thickness of the each of said two curved beam arms.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.