The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 05, 1988
Filed:
Aug. 13, 1986
Lyle D Finn, Houston, TX (US);
Leonard D Power, Houston, TX (US);
Exxon Production Research Company, Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
A flexible structural joint of 'flex joint' for use in an articulated structure is disclosed. The articulated structure has a first section and a second section which are located along a longitudinal axis of the structure, the first section being subject to lateral or transverse loads. The flex joint is located between the first and second sections and accommodates lateral pivoting of the first section with respect to the second section through elastic flexing or bending of certain of its members. No moving parts are used. In a first embodiment, the flex joint consists of an elongated axial load member and at least three shear and torsion links oriented so as to lie substantially in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the structure. Each of the links is connected at one of its ends to the first section and at its other end to the second section. In a second embodiment of the invention, four shear and torsion links are joined to form a shear and torsion frame which lies in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the structure. The frame is connected to the first section of the structure at the opposite ends of a first diametral line lying in the plane of the frame. Similarly, the frame is connected to the second section of the structure at the opposite ends of a second diametral line lying in the plane of the frame. Preferably, the first and second diametral lines are substantially mutually perpendicular.