# US 8,770,894 B1 · Helical strakes with molded in stand-offs

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- Number: US 8,770,894 B1
- Document ID: US8770894B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 13/725,077
- Filed: 2012-12-21
- Granted: 2014-07-08
- Earliest claimed: 2011-12-27
- Assignees: VIV Solutions LLC
- Applicants: VIV Solutions LLC
- Inventors: Donald Wayne Allen; Julie Ann Dehne; William Andrew West; Troy William Dehne
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770894B1

## CPC

- F15D 1/10: around bodies of solid material
- E21B 17/01: Risers
- B63B 39/06: to decrease vessel movements by using foils acting on ambient water (constructional aspects of bilge keels B63B3/44 {; foils mounted on the housing of outboard motors B63H20/34})
- F16L 1/123: {Devices for the protection of pipes under water}
- F15D: FLUID DYNAMICS, i.e. METHODS OR MEANS FOR INFLUENCING THE FLOW OF GASES OR LIQUIDS
- E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06)
- F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL

## Abstract

A vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression device including a body having a wall dimensioned to at least partly envelope a tubular member in an interior area of the body. The device further including a fin protruding outward from an exterior surface of the wall and a stand-off member positioned along an interior surface of the wall. The stand-off member dimensioned to space the body away from the tubular member and having a protruding portion formed by the interior surface of the wall and an indention portion formed by the exterior surface of the wall.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression apparatus comprising:
at least one body having a wall dimensioned to at least partly envelope a tubular member in an interior area of the body;
at least one fin protruding outward from an exterior surface of the wall; and
at least one stand-off member positioned along an interior surface of the wall for spacing the body away from the tubular member, the stand-off member having a protruding portion formed by the interior surface of the wall and an indention portion formed by the exterior surface of the wall.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The VIV suppression apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stand-off member is formed by molding the protruding portion into the wall of the body.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The VIV suppression apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a filling element dimensioned to be positioned within the indention portion.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The VIV suppression apparatus of claim 3, wherein the filling element in the indention portion makes the exterior surface of the wall even at the indention portion.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The VIV suppression apparatus of claim 3, wherein the filling element is bonded to the indention portion.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

The VIV suppression apparatus of claim 3, wherein the filling element is held in place by a band placed over the filling element.

### Claim 7 (depends on 3)

The VIV suppression apparatus of claim 3, wherein the filling element comprises a compressible material capable of regaining an original shape.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The VIV suppression apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stand-off member runs along a circumferential direction of the body.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The VIV suppression apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stand-off member runs parallel to the fin.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The VIV suppression apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stand-off member runs along a longitudinal direction of the body.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The VIV suppression apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indention portion is dimensioned to accommodate a band in the indention portion for securing the VIV suppression apparatus to the tubular member.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The VIV suppression apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stand-off member stops at the fin.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The VIV suppression apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fin is formed during a molding process of the body.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The VIV suppression apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body comprises at least two modular pieces that fit together to form the body.