Chevron ribbon fairing apparatus and method for hydrodynamic vibration and drag reduction
US10286983B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 29, 2017 |
| Grant date | May 14, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 29, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63B21/663
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention is a chevron ribbon fairing that reduces hydrodynamic drag on marine cables towed by a vessel. The fairing is the shape of a “V,” with an angle between the legs of the “V” chosen on the basis of the predicted cable angle relative to the flow. The chevron angle is twice the cable angle. The tip of chevron ribbon fairing is woven into the outer armor strands of the steel cable or molded to a jacketed cable. When the cable is at shallow angles to the fluid flow, the fairing aligns with the flow, a presents a reduced cross sectional area to the fluid flow behind the towed cable. The chevron design allows the ribbon to naturally align with the fluid flow even as the ribbon rotates about its axis. This ensures a reduction in tangential drag regardless of the level of cable tension.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.