초록 ▼

A buoyancy system for a deep water floating platform includes at least one composite buoyancy module coupled to a riser. The module includes an elongate vessel with a vessel wall, and upper and lower ends. The vessel is attached to the riser, vertically oriented, and submerged under a surface of wat

A buoyancy system for a deep water floating platform includes at least one composite buoyancy module coupled to a riser. The module includes an elongate vessel with a vessel wall, and upper and lower ends. The vessel is attached to the riser, vertically oriented, and submerged under a surface of water such that the upper end is disposed at a lower water pressure, and the lower end at a higher water pressure. The vessel wall has a thickness that varies from a thinner wall thickness at the lower end to a thicker wall thickness at the upper end. The vessel may be internally pressurized with air such that an internal air pressure of the vessel substantially equals the higher water pressure at the lower end of the vessel resulting in a lower pressure differential at the lower end with the thinner wall thickness and a higher pressure differential at the top end with the thicker wall thickness. The module is sized to have a volume to produce a buoyancy force at least as great as the weight of the riser.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A buoyancy module configured to be coupled to a deep water riser, comprising:a) an elongate vessel having a vessel wall, and upper and lower ends; b) the vessel wall having a thickness that varies from a thinner wall thickness at the lower end to a thicker wall thickness at the upper end; c) the

1. A buoyancy module configured to be coupled to a deep water riser, comprising:a) an elongate vessel having a vessel wall, and upper and lower ends; b) the vessel wall having a thickness that varies from a thinner wall thickness at the lower end to a thicker wall thickness at the upper end; c) the vessel being configured to be attached to the riser, vertically oriented, and submerged under a surface of water, such that the upper end with the thicker wall thickness is disposed at a lower water pressure, and the lower end with the thinner wall thickness is disposed at a higher water pressure; and d) the vessel being configured to be internally pressurized with air such that an internal air pressure of the vessel substantially equals the higher water pressure at the lower end of the vessel, resulting in a lower pressure differential at the lower end with the thinner wall thickness, and a higher pressure differential at the top end with the thicker wall thickness.