Marine Riser Tensioner with Dynamic Cylinder Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RAM style push-up tensioners are not suitable for use with tension leg platforms (TLPs due to their inability to accommodate varying riser tilt, which limits the size of the passage for the riser and restricts the range of vertical motion, leading to potential riser collapse and corrosion issues.
Innovation Solution
A marine riser tensioner system utilizing hydro-pneumatic cylinders with flexible joints that can move between a running and tensioning position, coupled with a guide roller assembly to resist rotation and accommodate riser tilt, allowing for automatic coupling to a tensioner ring and maintaining tension across multiple planes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If RAM style push-up tensioners are used with fixed cylinder orientation, then the tensioner can maintain compact size, but it cannot accommodate varying riser tilt and limits vertical motion range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the cylinder orientation adjustable rather than fixed. The cylinders can be positioned at different angles to accommodate varying riser tilt conditions, allowing the tensioner to adapt to dynamic changes in riser orientation while maintaining a compact overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The tensioner system is segmented into multiple independently adjustable cylinder units. Each cylinder can be positioned and oriented independently to match the specific tilt conditions, allowing the system to handle various riser configurations without requiring a completely different tensioner design.
2Area of stationary object
If cylinder passage size is reduced to fit compact tensioner, then the tensioner occupies less space, but it restricts the size of riser passage and limits vertical motion accommodation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the cylinder configuration dynamic by allowing adjustment of cylinder positions and orientations. This enables the system to optimize the passage size for risers while maintaining a compact footprint, as the cylinders can be positioned to minimize obstruction to riser movement and maximize vertical motion accommodation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If push-up tensioner is used to minimize corrosion exposure, then corrosion resistance is improved, but it cannot accommodate TLP applications with varying riser tilt
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the corrosion-resistant design of push-up tensioners (with high pressure seals isolated from atmosphere and caustic fluids) with dynamic cylinder positioning capability. This allows the tensioner to maintain its corrosion protection advantages while simultaneously accommodating the varying riser tilt conditions required for TLP applications.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables the use of push-up tensioners with TLPs by accommodating varying riser tilt, maximizing space, handling larger loads, reducing corrosion, and maintaining continuous tension, thus preventing riser collapse and equipment damage.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of hydro-pneumatic cylinders
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of hydro-pneumatic cylinders
Implementation Method 3
Each hydro-pneumatic cylinder has flexible joints on opposite ends for coupling the cylinder between the deck and the tensioner ring
Implementation Method 4
A guide roller assembly that is adapted to mount to the deck and roll along the riser
Data Source
AI summary
A push-up tensioner for maintaining a tensile force in a riser having an axis couples to a floating platform and maintains the tensile force while the riser tilts variably from the vertical. The tensioner includes a plurality of cylinders having a lower end pivotally coupled to the deck. The cylinders are substantially perpendicular to the deck in the running position and at an angle to the deck in the tensioning position. After running of the riser, a placement assembly moves the cylinders from the running position to the tensioning position. A tensioner ring is run on the riser proximate to an upper end of the cylinders, and the cylinders are then automatically coupled to the tensioner ring.