Buoyancy module with external frame
AssigneeEDO Corporation, Fiber Science Division
InventorsRandall W. Nish, Randy A. Jones, Metin Karayaka, Robert G. Schoenberg, Sudhakar Tallavajhula
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A buoyancy system for deep-water risers of a deep water floating platforms includes an ecto-skeleton formed by a plurality of members to withstand lateral and bending loads, and a buoyant vessel disposed in an interior cavity of the ecto-skeleton to resist pressure loads. The member of the ecto-skeleton can include hollow tubular members having hollow interiors with a buoyant material disposed in the hollow interiors of the tubular members.
Claims36
A buoyancy system configured to be couplable to a riser to provide buoyancy for the riser, the system comprising:
- a) a rigid ecto-skeleton, configured to be couplable to the riser, defining an interior cavity configured to receive the riser therethrough;
- and
- b) a vessel, disposed in the interior cavity of the ecto-skeleton, configured to contain a buoyant material to provide buoyancy for the riser;
- e) the ecto-skeleton including a plurality of longitudinal and lateral members forming an external truss framework configured to withstand forces between the riser and a floating platform and to protect the vessel;
- f) a plurality of gaps, formed between proximal members of the framework;
- and
- g) a plurality of cladding members, each disposed in one of the plurality of gaps around the interior cavity, the cladding members including a buoyant material.
A buoyancy system configured to be couplable to a riser to providing buoyancy for the riser, the system comprising:
- a) a rigid ecto-skeleton, configured to be couplable to the riser, defining an interior cavity configured to receive the riser therethrough, the ecto-skeleton including a plurality of members forming an external framework;
- and
- b) a vessel, disposed in the interior cavity of the ecto-skeleton, configured to contain a buoyant material to provide buoyancy for the riser;
- and
- c) the plurality of members including tubular members having hollow interiors;
- and
- d) a buoyant material, disposed in the hollow interiors of the tubular members.
A buoyancy system configured to be couplable to riser to provide buoyancy for the riser, the system comprising:
- a) a rigid ecto-skeleton, configured to be couplable to the riser, defining an interior cavity configured to receive the riser therethrough, the ecto-skeleton including a plurality of members forming an external framework, the plurality of members defining a plurality of gaps formed between proximal members of the framework;
- b) a vessel, disposed in the interior cavity of the ecto-skeleton, configured to contain a buoyant material to provide buoyancy for the riser;
- and
- c) a plurality of cladding members, each disposed in one of the plurality of gaps around the interior cavity, the cladding members including a buoyant material.
A system in accordance with claim 18, wherein the ecto-skeleton is a first ecto-skeleton of modular configuration, and further comprising:
- a) a second ecto-skeleton of modular configuration, attached to the first ecto-skeleton;
- and
- b) a plurality of mating protrusions and indentations disposed on the first and second ecto-skeletons.
A buoyancy system configured to be coupled to a riser to provide buoyancy for the riser, the system comprising:
- a) a rigid ecto-skeleton, configured to be couplable to the riser, defining an interior cavity configured to receive the riser therethrough, the ecto-skeleton having a square cross-sectional shape;
- b) a vessel, disposed in the interior cavity of the ecto-skeleton, configured to contain a buoyant material to provide buoyancy for the riser;
- and
- c) a plurality of inserts, disposed in the ecto-skeleton between the ecto-skeleton and the vessel at corners of the square cross-sectional shape, the inserts including a buoyant material.
A modular buoyancy system configured to be coupled to a riser to provide buoyancy for the riser, the system comprising:
- a) a plurality of buoyancy modules, attached together in series, each module including:
- 1) a rigid ecto-skeleton, configured to be couplable to the riser, defining an interior cavity configured to receive the riser therethrough;
- and
- 2) a vessel, disposed in the interior cavity of the ecto-skeleton, configured to contain a buoyant material to provide buoyancy for the riser;
- and
- b) adjacent ecto-skeletons being attachable together by a male projection formed on one ecto-skeleton extending into a female indentation on the other ecto-skeleton.
A buoyancy system, comprising:
- a) a buoyant platform configured to be disposed on or under a surface of an ocean;
- b) an elongated riser, coupled to the platform and configured to extend to a floor of the ocean;
- c) a rigid ecto-skeleton, at least partially movably disposed within the buoyant platform and couplable to the riser, defining an interior cavity capable of receiving the riser therethrough;
- and
- d) a buoyant vessel, disposed in the interior cavity of the ecto-skeleton, containing a buoyant material to provide buoyancy for the riser;
- e) the ecto-skeleton including a plurality of longitudinal and lateral members forming an external truss framework to withstand forces between the riser and the platform and to protect the vessel;
- f) a plurality of gaps, disposed between proximal members of the framework;
- and
- g) a plurality of cladding members, each disposed in one of the plurality of gaps, the cladding members including a buoyant material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.