Flex joint

Patent · Tue Jan 05 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:5409002

Finn, L D; Power, L D

A flex joint for use in an articulated structure having first and second sections located generally along a longitudinal axis of the structure, the flex joint adapted to permit the first section to pivot laterally with respect to the second section in response to transverse loads. The flex joint is described comprising: an axial load member attached to both the first and second sections and adapted to transmit axial loads therebetween; and shear and torsion means for transmitting shear and torsion loads between the first and second sections, the shear and torsion means having at least three elongated shear and torsion links located between the first and second sections and oriented so as to be substantially in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the structure, each of the links having a first end connected to the first section and a second end connected to the second section. The axial load member and the shear and torsion links are adapted to accommodate lateral pivoting of the first section through elastic bending.

• Assignee: Exxon Production Research Co., Houston, TX
• Patent Number(s): US 4717288
• OSTI ID: 5409002
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
03 NATURAL GAS
030300 -- Natural Gas-- Drilling
Production
& Processing
42 ENGINEERING
420206 -- Engineering-- Mining & Drilling Equipment & Facilities-- (1980-1989)
BENDING
DESIGN
DYNAMIC LOADS
ELASTICITY
FLEXIBILITY
JOINTS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OFFSHORE PLATFORMS
OIL WELLS
SHEAR
TENSILE PROPERTIES
TORSION
WELLS