Tendon for tension leg platform
US7422394B2 · kind B2 · utility
1Cited by
11References
19Claims
0Family size
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 15, 2006 |
| Grant date | Sep 9, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 7, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63B21/502
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A tendon for mooring a tension leg platform having an uppermost pipe segment with a reduced diameter compared to at least one of the lower pipe segments. The tendon is watertight and sealed from the ocean environment, preferably filled with air at one atmosphere of pressure. One or more interior bulkheads may be included to divide the tendon into multiple compartments. The reduced outer diameter of the uppermost pipe segment provides reduced drag due to waves and currents and accommodates smaller tendon support buoys and vortex fairings, while the greater diameter of the lower pipe segment provides for increased tendon buoyancy.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.