# US 7,744,314 B2 · Clamping device for buoyancy bodies

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- Number: US 7,744,314 B2
- Document ID: US7744314B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/095,206
- Filed: 2006-12-01
- Published: 2008-11-20
- Granted: 2010-06-29
- Earliest claimed: 2005-12-01
- Inventors: Hallvar Eide
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7744314B2

## CPC

- E21B 17/012: {with buoyancy elements (E21B17/015 takes precedence)}
- F16L 1/20: Accessories therefor, e.g. floats or weights
- F16L 1/24: Floats; Weights
- E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL

## Abstract

Buoyancy unit for use on a riser for sub sea applications, particularly for great depths, with a clamp 11 to be tensioned around the riser 16, and with a tensioning member 18 to damp the clamp 11. Buoyancy bodies 26, 27 are provided to engage with the clamp 11, said clamp 11 having at least one arched element 12-15 providing an annular structure to enclose the riser and to be pressed thereto with a tensioning strap 18. The buoyancy bodies 26, 27 are attached to the arched segments, The clamp 11 is cast from of a concrete material where at least the outer shell or layer is provided to prevent the intrusion of water, the casting of the clamp preferably containing powdered aplite.

## Claims

### Claim 1

Buoyancy unit for use on a riser for sub sea applications, comprising:
a clamp to be tensioned around the riser, said clamp having at least one arched element providing an annular structure for enclosing the riser,
a tensioning strap constructed and arranged to clamp the clamp and press the clamp to the riser, and
buoyancy bodies which engage with the clamp,
wherein the buoyancy bodies are attached to the at least one arched element, and
wherein the clamp is cast from a concrete material where at least an outer shell or layer of the clamp is provided to prevent intrusion of water.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

Buoyancy unit according to claim 1, wherein the claim is cast from a material including powdered aplite.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

Buoyancy unit according to claim 2, wherein the material includes a minimum of 25% by weight of powdered aplite.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

Buoyancy unit according to claim 2, wherein the casting material contains about 30% by weight of cement.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

Buoyancy unit according to claim 2, wherein the casting material contains aplite sand, grade 8/11.