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US 9,957,769 B2Granted
Elevated temperature riser bearing
AssigneeLord Corporation
InventorsKeith R. Ptak, Frank J. Krakowski, John P. Smid, W. Scott Redinger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention relates to an undersea riser bearing designed to operate at higher temperatures over an extended time frame while maintaining performance advantages of high capacity laminate (HCL) elastomeric composite bearings.
Claims21
A riser bearing (200), comprising:
- a pressure housing (206) having a top and a bottom;
- a riser joint (266);
- a flange (208) secured to the top (278) of the pressure housing (206), the flange (208) having an inner surface (224) oriented towards the bottom (280) of the pressure housing (206);
- a load carrying bearing (202), the load carrying bearing (202) being a composite laminated bearing having a plurality of elastomeric members (218) and non-extensible shims (220), wherein the elastomeric members (218) and non-extensible shims (220) are laminated together with an outer elastomeric member (226) oriented towards and incorporated with the inner surface (224) of the flange (208) and an inner elastomeric member (229) oppositely positioned from the outer elastomeric member (226);
- a first end plate (222) having an inner surface (240) and an outer surface (228), the outer surface (228) oriented towards and incorporated with the inner elastomeric member (229) of the load carrying bearing (202);
- an intermediate flange (242) proximate to and engaged with the inner surface (240) of the first end plate (222);
- a sealing bearing (204), the sealing bearing (204) being a composite laminated bearing having a plurality of elastomeric members (218) and non-extensible shims (220), wherein the elastomeric members (218) and non-extensible shims (220) are laminated together with an outer elastomeric member (248) oriented towards and incorporated with an inner surface (246) of the intermediate flange (242) and an inner elastomeric member (252) oppositely positioned from the outer elastomeric member (248);
- a second end plate (244) having an inner surface (254) and an outer surface (250), the outer surface (250) oriented towards and incorporated with the inner elastomeric member (252) of the sealing bearing (204);
- a sleeve (212) having an inner surface (264) and an outer surface (256), wherein the sleeve (212) has an upper ring (270) and a lower ring (272), the sleeve (212) bonded to the upper and lower rings (270, 272), wherein the sleeve (212) is positioned to separate the sealing bearing (204) from the riser joint (266), wherein the sleeve (212) position protects sealing bearing (204) from elevated temperatures, elevated pressures, and/or working/drilling fluids associated with the riser joint (266);
- and
- wherein the outer surface (256) of the sleeve (212) is positioned proximate to at least the sealing bearing (204).
8 more elements
A riser bearing (200), comprising:
- a pressure housing (206) having a top and a bottom;
- a flange (208) secured to the top (278) of the pressure housing (206), the flange (208) having an inner surface (224) oriented towards the bottom (280) of the pressure housing (206);
- a load carrying bearing (202), the load carrying bearing (202) being a composite laminated bearing having a plurality of elastomeric members (218) and non-extensible shims (220), wherein the elastomeric members (218) and non-extensible shims (220) are laminated together with an outer elastomeric member (226) oriented towards and incorporated with the inner surface (224) of the flange (208) and an inner elastomeric member (229) oppositely positioned from the outer elastomeric member (226);
- a first end plate (222) having an inner surface (240) and an outer surface (228), the outer surface (228) oriented towards and incorporated with the inner elastomeric member (229) of the load carrying bearing (202);
- an intermediate flange (242) proximate to and engaged with the inner surface (240) of the first end plate (222);
- a sealing bearing (204), the sealing bearing (204) being a composite laminated bearing having a plurality of elastomeric members (218) and non-extensible shims (220), wherein the elastomeric members (218) and non-extensible shims (220) are laminated together with an outer elastomeric member (248) oriented towards and incorporated with an inner surface (246) of the intermediate flange (242) and an inner elastomeric member (252) oppositely positioned from the outer elastomeric member (248);
- a second end plate (244) having an inner surface (254) and an outer surface (250), the outer surface (250) oriented towards and incorporated with the inner elastomeric member (252) of the sealing bearing (204);
- a sleeve (212) having an inner surface (264) and an outer surface (256), wherein the sleeve (212) has an upper ring (270) and a lower ring (272), the sleeve (212) bonded to the upper and lower rings (270, 272);
- wherein the outer surface (256) of the sleeve (212) is positioned proximate to at least the sealing bearing (204);
- wherein a shape factor of the sealing bearing (204) is greater than a shape factor of the load carrying bearing (202).
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.