Patent · US Expired

Compliant tower

US5642966A · kind A · utility

13Cited by
47References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 23, 1995
Grant dateJul 1, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 23, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE02B17/027
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A compliant tower is disclosed having a foundation connected to a wide-bodied compliant framework with a plurality of vertically extending legs a minimum of horizontal bracing. The compliant framework is configured to maintain a substantially wide, open riser suspension corridor. A topside facility is supported by the compliant framework and a plurality of freely suspended production risers extend through the riser suspension corridor from the vicinity of the topside facility to communicate with the reservoir. These production risers are spaced to provide clearance to prevent riser interference in response to normal flexure of the compliant tower and normal environmental loads on the risers. A riser support assembly is configured to accomodate relative motion between the risers and the topside facility, supporting the production risers in tension near their upper ends to provide the principal load transfer between the riser and the compliant framework.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.