IP Library Granted Patent US 10,024,482
Granted Patent B2
US 10,024,482 · App. 14/696,093 · Granted Jul 17, 2018

Bend stiffener assembly

Inventors: William Whitefield (Houston, TX); Brandon Carringer (Houston, TX); Michael E. Fisher (Houston, TX)
Assignee: Whitefield Plastics Corp.
F16L57/02F16L57/005H01B7/045F16L11/02F16L11/127
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,024,482
App. No.
14/696,093
Granted
Jul 17, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A bend stiffener assembly for coupling a tubular member includes a nonmetallic flange member having a central bore for receiving a tubular member and an elastomeric member coupled to the flange member and having a central bore for receiving the tubular member, wherein the elastomeric member is configured to provide a bending resistance to a tubular member extending therethrough.

Claims (29)

1. A bend stiffener assembly for coupling a tubular member, comprising:

a nonmetallic flange member having a central bore for receiving a tubular member, wherein the central bore has a frustoconical inner surface;

an elastomeric member coupled to the flange member and having a central bore for receiving the tubular member, wherein the elastomeric member is configured to provide a bending resistance to a tubular member extending therethrough; and

are arrangement member disposed in the bore and configured to couple with a cable disposed in the tubular member, wherein the arrangement member includes a frustoconical outer surface for physically engaging the frustoconical inner surface of the central bore of the flange member;

wherein the arrangement member includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced bores extending axially therethrough;

wherein the arrangement member includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots, wherein each circumferentially spaced slot extends radially between one of the circumferentially spaced bores and the outer surface of the arrangement member.

2. The bend stiffener assembly of claim 1 , wherein the flange member is configured to provide a radially inward clamping force on an outer surface of the arrangement member in response to a compressive force applied to a front face of the arrangement member.

3. The bend stiffener assembly of claim 1 , wherein each circumferentially spaced slot is configured to receive a cable of the tubular member.

4. The bend stiffener assembly of claim 1 , wherein an inner surface of the elastomeric member is coupled to an outer surface of the nonmetallic flange member.

5. A bend stiffener assembly for coupling a tubular member, comprising:

a flange member having a central bore for receiving a tubular member, wherein the central bore has a frustoconical inner surface;

an elastomeric member coupled to the flange member and having a central bore for receiving the tubular member, wherein the elastomeric member is configured to provide a bending resistance to a tubular member extending therethrough; and

an arrangement member disposed in the bore and configured to couple with a cable disposed in the tubular member, wherein the arrangement member includes a frustoconical outer surface for physically engaging the frustoconical inner surface of the central bore of the flange member;

wherein the arrangement member includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced bores extending axially therethrough;

wherein the arrangement member includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots, wherein each circumferentially spaced slot extends radially between one of the circumferentially spaced bores and the outer surface of the arrangement member.

6. The bend stiffener assembly of claim 5 , wherein the flange member is formed from a nonmetallic material.

7. The bend stiffener assembly of claim 5 , wherein the flange member is configured to provide a radially inward clamping force on an outer surface of the arrangement member in response to a compressive force applied to a front face of the arrangement member.

8. The bend stiffener assembly of claim 5 , wherein each circumferentially spaced slot is configured to receive a cable of the tubular member.

9. A bend stiffener assembly for coupling a tubular member, comprising:

a flange member having a central bore for receiving a tubular member;

an elastomeric member coupled to the flange member and having a central bore for receiving the tubular member, wherein the elastomeric member is configured to provide a bending resistance to a tubular member extending therethrough; and

an arrangement member disposed in the bore and configured to couple with a cable disposed in the tubular member;

wherein the flange member is configured to provide a radially inward clamping force on an outer surface of the arrangement member in response to a compressive force applied to a front face of the arrangement member;

wherein the arrangement member includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced bores extending axially therethrough;

wherein the arrangement member includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots, wherein each circumferentially spaced slot extends radially between one of the circumferentially spaced bores and the outer surface of the arrangement member.

10. The bend stiffener assembly of claim 9 , wherein the flange member is formed from a nonmetallic material.

11. The bend stiffener assembly of claim 9 , wherein the central bore of the flange member has a frustoconical inner surface.

12. The bend stiffener assembly of claim 11 , wherein the arrangement member includes a frustoconical outer surface for physically engaging the frustoconical inner surface of the central bore of the flange member.

13. The bend stiffener assembly of claim 9 , wherein each circumferentially spaced slot is configured to receive a cable of the tubular member.

Assignments (3)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 5, 2023
From: MEARTHANE PRODUCTS, LLC
To: STIFEL BANK & TRUST, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 063226/0875 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 4, 2023
From: WHITEFIELD PLASTICS CORP.
To: MEARTHANE PRODUCTS, LLC
Reel/Frame 063214/0311 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 22, 2018
From: WHITEFIELD, WILLIAM; CARRINGER, BRANDON; FISHER, MICHAEL E.
To: WHITEFIELD PLASTICS CORP.
Reel/Frame 045875/0977 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20160312544A1 · Oct 27, 2016