Underwater riser buoyancy
US4102142A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 30, 1976 |
| Grant date | Jul 25, 1978 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 30, 1996 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B17/012
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Controlled buoyancy of underwater pipe installations, typically subsea risers, is achieved by securing to the pipe at least two buoyancy members each comprising a plurality of rigid hollow tubular members arranged side-by-side to form a group which is enclosed in a rigid liquid-tight shell. Advantageously, the tubular members have flat sides lying in planes which are radial with respect to the pipe when the buoyancy member is in place, and adjacent pairs of the tubular members are in flush side-wall-to-side-wall contact. Superior results are obtained when the tubular members are pultrusions of polymeric material and the shells are continuous layers of fiber-filled polymeric material.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.