Load and deflection measurement system for elastomeric bearings

An elastomeric bearing comprising, in combination;

• a metal load member;
• a metal support ring;
• elastomer disposed between the metal load member and the metal support ring for coupling force between the metal load member and the metal support ring;
• and
• force transducer components mounted to the metal support ring between the metal support ring and the metal load member for sensing the force between the metal load member and the metal support ring, wherein the force transducer components and the metal support ring are bonded to the elastomer, and wherein the force transducer components include a diaphragm, substantially incompressible fluid between the diaphragm and the metal support ring, and a fluid pressure sensor for sensing pressure of the substantially incompressible fluid between the diaphragm and the metal support ring.

An elastomeric bearing comprising, in combination;

• an inner metal support ring;
• an outer metal support ring;
• a plurality of metal reinforcement laminations and elastomer layers between the inner metal support ring and the outer metal support ring;
• and
• force transducer components mounted to the outer metal support ring at a surface of the outer metal support ring facing the metal reinforcement laminations and at spaced positions around an axis of the outer metal support ring;
• wherein the inner metal support ring, the outer metal support ring, the plurality of metal reinforcement laminations, and the force transducer components are bonded to the elastomer of the elastomer layers.

An elastomeric bearing comprising, in combination;

• an inner metal support ring;
• an outer metal support ring;
• a plurality of metal reinforcement laminations and elastomer layers between the inner metal support ring and the outer metal support ring;
• and
• force transducer components mounted to the outer metal support ring at a surface of the outer metal support ring facing the metal reinforcement laminations and at spaced positions around an axis of the outer metal support ring;
• wherein the inner metal support ring, the outer metal support ring, the plurality of metal reinforcement laminations, and the force transducer components are bonded to the elastomer of the elastomer layers;
• and
• wherein the force transducer components include, at each of a plurality of the spaced locations, a diaphragm mounted to the outer metal support ring, substantially incompressible fluid between the diaphragm and the outer metal support ring, and a fluid pressure sensor for sensing pressure of the substantially incompressible fluid between the diaphragm and the outer metal support ring.

An elastomeric bearing comprising, in combination;

• a first load member;
• a second load member;
• elastomer disposed between the first and second load members for coupling force between the first and second load members;
• a diaphragm mounted to the second load member between the elastomer and the second load member;
• substantially incompressible fluid between the diaphragm and the second load member;
• a fluid pressure sensor for sensing pressure of the substantially incompressible fluid between the diaphragm and the second load member;
• and
• a sensor responsive to volume of the substantially incompressible fluid between the diaphragm and the second load member.

An elastomeric bearing for supporting a tendon depending from a floating platform to a subsea anchor, said elastomeric bearing comprising, in combination;

• a metal load member adapted for coupling to the tendon for supporting the tendon;
• a metal support ring adapted for coupling the elastomeric bearing to the floating platform for supporting the elastomeric bearing;
• elastomer disposed between the metal load member and the metal support ring for coupling force between the metal load member and the metal support ring;
• and
• force transducer components mounted to the metal support ring between the metal support ring and the metal load member for sensing the force between the metal load member and the metal support ring, wherein the force transducer components and the metal support ring are bonded to the elastomer.

An elastomeric bearing for supporting a tendon depending from a floating platform to a subsea anchor, said elastomeric bearing comprising, in combination:

• an inner metal support ring adapted for coupling to the tendon for supporting the tendon;
• an outer metal support ring adapted for coupling to the floating platform for supporting the elastomeric bearing;
• a plurality of metal reinforcement laminations and elastomer layers between the inner metal support ring and the outer metal support ring;
• and
• force transducer components mounted to the outer metal support ring at a surface of the outer metal support ring facing the metal reinforcement laminations and at spaced positions around an axis of the outer metal support ring;
• wherein the inner metal support ring, the outer metal support ring, the plurality of metal reinforcement laminations, and the force transducer components are bonded to the elastomer of the elastomer layers.