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:
Mar. 19, 2013
Filed:
Sep. 01, 2009
Jesse B. Riha, Houston, TX (US);
Jesse B. Riha, Houston, TX (US);
Vetco Gray Inc., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
A self-tensioning tendon for pulling a tension leg platform (TLP) down to a desired draft position. The self-tensioning tendon can be utilized with either a co-installation process or a pre-installation process and connects to an assembled tendon joint. The self-tensioning tendon comprises a hydraulically controlled Length Adjustment Joint (LAJ) that further comprises an integral cylinder with external threads and a piston rod. The self-tensioning apparatus has features that advantageously reduce the time required to ballast the hull of the TLP. A hydraulic source actuates the integral cylinder to pull the TLP down to the target draft position, significantly reducing the time needed to ballast the hull of the TLP with millions of gallons of water. A Top Tendon Connector (TTC) ratchets down along the cylinder to lock the TLP at the final draft position.