Lord Corporation

W Scott Redinger

Keith R Ptak

Frank J Krakowski

John P Smid

This invention relates to an undersea riser bearing designed to operate at higher temperatures over an extended time frame while maintaining performance advantages of high capacity laminate (HCL) elastomeric composite bearings.

Elevated temperature riser bearing

A fluid mounting (,) for isolating or damping vibration between a vibrating member (,) and a structure (,). In one aspect, the fluid mounting (,) includes inner (,) and outer (,) members, a flexible element (,), first (,) and second (,) operating chambers, a fluid passageway (,) interconnecting operating chambers (,), and a partitionless volume compensator (,) including a compensator chamber (,) separated into a gas-filled portion (,) and a fluid-filled portion (,). Notably, the chamber (,) is devoid of any separating barrier. At least one lock passage (,) interconnects the fluid-filled portion (,) with one of the first and second operating chambers (,), and a working fluid (,). Preferably a bubble trap depression (,) focuses any gas bubbles into the lock passage (,). In another aspect, mounting (,) may include laminated shim construction with sloping profiles thereon to prevent bubble trapping.

Fluid mount including a partitionless compensator

A fluid mounting (20) for isolating or damping vibration between a vibrating member (21) and a structure (23). In one aspect, the fluid mounting (20) includes inner (22) and outer (24) members, a flexible element (26), first (28) and second (30) operating chambers, a fluid passageway (32) interconnecting operating chambers (28, 30), and a partitionless volume compensator (36) including a compensator chamber (38) separated into a gas-filled portion (40) and a fluid-filled portion (42). Notably, the chamber (38) is devoid of any separating barrier. At least one lock passage (44) interconnects the fluid-filled portion (42) with one of the first and second operating chambers (28, 30), and a working fluid (34). Preferably a bubble trap depression (46) focuses any gas bubbles into the lock passage (44). In another aspect, mounting (20) may include laminated shim construction with sloping profiles thereon to prevent bubble trapping.

An elastomer bearing (20) and assembly method therefor. The bearing (20) includes an inner member (22) having an outer profiled surface with a maximum radial dimension, an outer member (24) having a minimum radial dimension which is smaller than said maximum radial dimension and a inner profiled surface. The outer member (24) includes first (26) and second halves (28) being inserted axially over the spherical portion (23) of inner member (22). Each halve (26, 28) including axial threaded portions (32) which are threadedly interconnected to secure halves (26, 28) together. An elastomer layer (30) is bonded to said outer profiled surface of said inner member (22) and said inner profiled surface of said outer member (24). In another aspect, the profiled surfaces are spherical surfaces. Preferably, air is vented into the threaded escapeway (33) during the bonding process. A radial gap (34) is provided to aid is air removal/venting.

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Erie, PA, United States of America

W Scott Redinger