Compliant banding system
AssigneeVIV Suppression, Inc.
InventorsRodney H. Masters, Cecil M. Brandon, Jr., Stuart John Harbert, Kurt D. Vandervort, Bill Griffith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention discloses a compliant banding system for use in a marine environment comprising a flexible compliant member and an abaxial relatively rigid strap, both constructed to extend circumferentially around an underlying structure such as a strake or fairing collar. The strap maintains a fixed circumference while the compliant member flexes intermediate the strap and an underlying.
Claims20
A fastener for securing a vortex induced vibration inhibitor to a marine element, comprising:
- a compliant band having an arcuate contact surface, a channel, and an interior cavity disposed therein, wherein the interior cavity is positioned between the contact surface and the channel;
- a strap disposed at least partially within the channel;
- a fastening device coupled to a first end of the strap and adapted to secure the strap;
- and
- an anti-rotation device having an alignment peg extending therefrom, wherein the alignment peg is adapted to fit at least partially within the interior cavity.
A method for securing a vortex induced vibration inhibitor to a marine structure, comprising:
- installing a vortex induced vibration inhibitor about a marine structure;
- installing a fastener at least partially about the vortex induced vibration inhibitor, the fastener comprising:
- a compliant band having an arcuate contact surface, a channel, and an interior cavity disposed therein, and wherein the interior cavity is positioned between the contact surface and the channel;
- a strap disposed at least partially within the channel;
- a fastening device coupled to a first end of the strap;
- and
- an anti-rotation device having an alignment peg extending therefrom, wherein the alignment peg fits at least partially within the interior cavity;
- and
- securing the strap with the fastening device.
A fastener for securing a vortex induced vibration inhibitor to a marine element, comprising:
- an annular compliant band having a convex contact surface, a channel, and an interior cavity disposed therein, wherein the interior cavity is disposed between the contact surface and the channel;
- a strap disposed at least partially within the channel, wherein a diameter of the compliant band decreases when the strap is tightened;
- a fastening device coupled to a first end of the strap, wherein the fastening device is adapted to receive a second end of the strap and to secure the strap in a fixed circumference within the channel;
- and
- an anti-rotation device having an alignment peg extending therefrom, wherein the alignment peg is adapted to fit at least partially within the interior cavity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.