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:
May. 25, 2004
Filed:
Oct. 22, 2001
Richard David Haun, Katy, TX (US);
OPE, Inc., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
A mechanical joint assembly for a steel catenary riser (SCR) is disclosed. The lower section of the mechanical joint assembly is comprised of steel or alternate high strength components, rather than elastomers to absorb the high loads and increase life of the unit. The lower mechanical joint assembly provides for reduction of bending moments and resulting fatigue stresses at the SCR top by removing resistance to movement in all angular directions, providing increased lateral and in-plane angles to provide increased construction tolerances for the pipeline approach corridor. Pipeline approach angle increase is accommodated by providing dual orthogonal trunnions in addition to an axial swivel. The upper mechanical joint assembly, acting without riser tension loads, allows for the use of either flexible high-pressure pipe or swivel arrangements to accommodate angular flexure before the rigid deck piping. As a system, the mechanical joint assembly provides for upstream and downstream valving for safety and maintenance without decreasing the fatigue life of SCR's.