US 9,869,128 B1Granted

Installation systems and methodology for helical strake fins

AssigneeVIV Solutions LLC

InventorsDonald Wayne Allen, Julie Ann Dehne, William Andrew West

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

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Abstract

An apparatus and method for helically installing a vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression fin about a tubular. The apparatus may include an outer ring member dimensioned to encircle an underlying tubular and an inner ring member positioned concentrically inward from the outer ring member. The inner ring member is configured to rotate with respect to at least one of the outer ring member or the tubular as the outer ring member moves along the tubular. The apparatus may further include a fin guide configured to receive a fin and helically position the fin along the tubular as the inner ring member rotates. A method of installing a vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression fin about a tubular may include removably attaching a VIV suppression fin to an installation member. The installation member may be positioned along a tubular and moved about the tubular to helically position the fin around the tubular.

Claims8

Dependent claims

An apparatus for helically installing a vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression fin about a tubular, the apparatus comprising:

a support member configured to wrap a VIV suppression fin helically around a tubular, the support member comprising an attachment opening and an alignment opening, the attachment opening and the alignment opening being formed entirely through the support member, the attachment opening being formed between a first portion and a second portion of the alignment opening, and each of the first portion and the second portion of the alignment opening are an elongated opening having a different size than the attachment opening and extend from the attachment opening at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the support member, and wherein the support member is modifiable between a first open configuration and a second closed configuration, wherein in the closed configuration, the VIV suppression fin is in a helical shape suitable for installation around the tubular in the absence of a cylindrical shell positioned between the VIV suppression fin and the tubular.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/841,720Filed 15 Mar 2013 · us provisional application
Priority: 24 Nov 2012
Granted: 16 Jan 2018
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification3 codes

E21B 19/22
Handling rods, casings, tubes or the like outside the borehole, e.g. in the derrick; Apparatus for feeding the rods or cables: handling reeled…
E21B 17/01
Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings: risers
E21B
Earth or rock drilling