Ram style tensioner with fixed conductor and floating frame
AssigneeVetco Gray Inc.
InventorsJoseph W. Pallini, Edward A. Mendoza
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A riser tensioner for an offshore floating platform has a frame stationarily mounted to the upper portion of the riser. Pistons and cylinders are spaced circumferentially around the riser and connected between the frame and the floating platform. A tubular guide member is mounted to the floating platform for movement in unison in response to waves and currents. The riser extends through the guide member. A guide roller support is mounted to and extends downward from the frame around the guide member. At least one set of guide rollers is mounted to the guide roller support in rolling engagement with the guide member as the guide member moves in unison with the platform.
Claims15
An offshore facility having a floating platform, a riser having a lower end adapted to be secured to subsea equipment and an upper portion at the platform, an improved riser tensioner, comprising:
- a frame stationarily mounted to the upper portion of the riser;
- a plurality of pistons and cylinders, each piston and cylinder being mounted between the frame and the floating platform, the cylinders being supplied with a pressurized fluid to apply tension to the riser;
- a guide member mounted to the floating platform for movement in unison in response to waves and currents;
- and
- at least one bearing carried stationarily by the frame and in movable engagement with the guide member as the guide member moves in unison with the platform.
A riser tensioner system for applying tension to a riser extending from a subsea location to a floating surface platform, comprising:
- a first member adapted to be coupled to the riser to enable a force applied to the first member to be transferred to the riser;
- a plurality of piston and cylinder assemblies adapted to be secured to the surface platform, wherein each piston and cylinder assembly is coupled to the first member to enable the plurality of piston and cylinder assemblies to provide a force to the first member to maintain the riser in tension;
- a guide member adapted to be secured to the surface platform for movement therewith and adapted to guide relative movement the first member and the surface platform;
- and
- at least one roller assembly carried by the first member and in rolling engagement with the guide member to enable the first member to roll along a length of the guide member as the guide member moves with the surface platform.
A method for applying tension to a riser extending from a subsea location to a floating surface platform, comprising:
- coupling a first member to the riser to enable a force applied to the first member to be transferred to the riser;
- securing a plurality of piston and cylinder assemblies to the surface platform and the first member to enable the plurality of piston and cylinder assemblies to provide a force to the first member to maintain the riser in tension;
- securing a guide member to the surface platform, and with the guide member, guiding relative movement between the first member and the surface platform;
- and
- coupling at least one roller assembly to the first member and rolling the roller assembly along a length of the guide member as the surface platform and the guide member move in unison relative to the first member.
An offshore facility, comprising:
- a floating platform;
- a riser having a lower end adapted to be secured to subsea equipment and an upper portion at the platform;
- a frame stationarily mounted to the upper portion of the riser;
- a plurality of hydro-pneumatic cylinder assemblies, each cylinder assembly mounted between the frame and the floating platform, the cylinder assemblies being supplied with a pressurized fluid to apply tension to the riser;
- a guide member mounted to the floating platform for movement in unison with the platform in response to waves and currents;
- and
- at least one set of rollers mounted to the frame and in rolling engagement with the guide member as the guide member and frame move relative to each other.
An offshore facility, comprising:
- a floating platform;
- a riser having a lower end adapted to be secured to subsea equipment and an upper portion at the platform;
- a frame fixed to the upper portion of the riser;
- a plurality of pistons and cylinders, each piston having an upper end mounted to the frame, each cylinder having an upper end mounted to a deck of the floating platform for movement with the platform, the cylinders being supplied with a pressurized fluid to apply tension to the riser;
- an elongated, vertically extending tubular guide member having an end mounted to the floating platform for movement therewith;
- and
- at least two rollers mounted to the frame and in rolling engagement with opposite sides of the guide member as the guide member moves in unison with the platform.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.