Riser tensioning system

Patent · Tue Apr 07 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6825406

Peppel, G W; Sullivan, P E

This patent describes a tensioner for exerting a relatively constant predetermined tension on a line securing a marine riser to a floating platform while permitting the line to be payed out and taken in by the tensioner for a predetermined distance as the floating platform moves relative to the marine riser. The tensioner system comprises: a frame mounted on the floating platform and including a cylindrical portion for rotation about the first axis, a tapered drum having a groove formed therein for receiving the line. The groove extends in an outward spiral away from the first axis from a first end of the groove. The line is secured at a first end to the drum near the radially outermost extent of the groove and is wrapped around the drum in the groove as the line is taken in so that the radial distance between the first axis and the position where the line extends out of the groove decreases as the line is taken in on the drum. The second end of the line is secured to the marine riser; and an elastomeric element having a first and second end and being resiliently deformable in torsion about a torsional axis by rotating one of the ends relative the other end.

• Assignee: Lockheed Corp., Calabasas, CA
• Patent Number(s): US 4655433
• OSTI ID: 6825406
• 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
423000 -- Engineering-- Marine Engineering-- (1980-)
DESIGN
ELASTOMERS
FASTENERS
GEARS
MACHINE PARTS
MARINE RISERS
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
MOTION
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OFFSHORE PLATFORMS
OIL WELLS
OPERATION
PIPES
POLYMERS
POSITIONING
ROTATION
STRAINS
SUPPORTS
TORSION
WELLS