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:
Feb. 10, 2004
Filed:
Sep. 14, 2001
Applicant:
Inventors:
Stephen B. Wetch, Sugar Land, TX (US);
Michael Ernest Utt, Sugar Land, TX (US);
Assignee:
Union Oil Company of California, El Segundo, CA (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
F16L 1/306 ; E02B 1/700 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
F16L 1/306 ; E02B 1/700 ;
Abstract
A substantially rigid riser to offshore platform connector and a process of using the connector allows a riser to be preloaded and adjustably positioned relative to the offshore platform. The connector allows the riser tensile load to be limited by preloading and adjustably positioning the connector. In the preferred embodiment, hydraulic cylinders are used to preload the connector as well as to partially or fully support the riser during maintenance or repair procedures.