Riser bending relief joint

• Main Author: ALEXANDER DAVID JAMES
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 13.05.2014
• Subjects: BLASTING; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; HEATING; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; LIGHTING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; WEAPONS

A connector for use with a subsea riser installation is provided. The connector comprises a body, wherein the body comprises a first connecting face comprising a through-passageway and adapted for connection to a first external conduit element and a ball joint within the body, wherein the ball joint comprises a through-passageway which is substantially aligned with the through-passageway in the first face, and a second connecting face on an opposite side of the connector to the first connecting face and adapted for connection to a second external conduit element. The connector further comprises at least one detent mechanism adapted to engage a corresponding locating feature on the ball joint, wherein the through-passageway are maintained in alignment and wherein the ball joint is prevented from moving relative to the body until a predetermined bending moment is applied to the ball joint across the axis of the through-passageway in the ball joint.