Compliant banding system
The present invention discloses a compliant banding system for use in a marine environment comprising a flexible compliant member and an abaxial relatively rigid strap, both constructed to extend circumferentially around an underlying structure such as a strake or fairing collar. The strap maintains a fixed circumference while the compliant member flexes intermediate the strap and an underlying.
1. A fastener for securing a vortex induced vibration inhibitor to a marine element, comprising:
a compliant band having an arcuate contact surface, a channel, and an interior cavity disposed therein, wherein the interior cavity is positioned between the contact surface and the channel;
a strap disposed at least partially within the channel;
a fastening device coupled to a first end of the strap and adapted to secure the strap; and
an anti-rotation device having an alignment peg extending therefrom, wherein the alignment peg is adapted to fit at least partially within the interior cavity.
2. The fastener of claim 1 , wherein the channel comprises a longitudinal slot and a longitudinal opening, and wherein the longitudinal opening provides a path of communication between the longitudinal slot and an exterior of the compliant band.
3. The fastener of claim 2 , wherein a width of the longitudinal opening is less than a width of the longitudinal slot.
4. The fastener of claim 1 , wherein the fastening device is adapted secure the strap in a fixed circumference within the channel.
5. The fastener of claim 1 , wherein the contact surface is convex.
6. The fastener of claim 1 , further comprising at least one compression indicator disposed on the first side of the compliant band.
7. The fastener of claim 1 , wherein the anti-rotation device is disposed between a first end and a second end of the compliant band.
8. The fastener of claim 1 , wherein the compliant band is unitarily constructed.
9. The fastener of claim 1 , wherein the compliant band comprises a polyether based polyurethane.
10. The fastener of claim 1 , wherein the compliant band has a first orifice disposed therein, and the alignment peg has a second orifice disposed therein, and wherein a pin is adapted to fit through the first and second orifices to secure the anti-rotation device to the compliant band.
11. The fastener of claim 1 , wherein the anti-rotation device has a rectangular cross-section.
12. A method for securing a vortex induced vibration inhibitor to a marine structure, comprising:
installing a vortex induced vibration inhibitor about a marine structure;
installing a fastener at least partially about the vortex induced vibration inhibitor, the fastener comprising:
a compliant band having an arcuate contact surface, a channel, and an interior cavity disposed therein, and wherein the interior cavity is positioned between the contact surface and the channel;
a strap disposed at least partially within the channel;
a fastening device coupled to a first end of the strap; and
an anti-rotation device having an alignment peg extending therefrom, wherein the alignment peg fits at least partially within the interior cavity; and
securing the strap with the fastening device.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising tightening the strap within the channel, thereby causing the internal cavity to deform.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the anti-rotation device is disposed between a first end and a second end of the compliant band.
15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the channel comprises a longitudinal slot and a longitudinal opening, wherein the longitudinal opening provides a path of communication between the longitudinal slot and an exterior of the compliant band; and the method further comprises placing the strap within the longitudinal slot.
16. The method of claim 12 , further comprising monitoring one or more compression indicators disposed on the compliant band when the strap is secured.
17. The method of claim 12 , further comprising securing the strap in a fixed circumference within the channel with the fastening device.
18. A fastener for securing a vortex induced vibration inhibitor to a marine element, comprising:
an annular compliant band having a convex contact surface, a channel, and an interior cavity disposed therein, wherein the interior cavity is disposed between the contact surface and the channel;
a strap disposed at least partially within the channel, wherein a diameter of the compliant band decreases when the strap is tightened;
a fastening device coupled to a first end of the strap, wherein the fastening device is adapted to receive a second end of the strap and to secure the strap in a fixed circumference within the channel; and
an anti-rotation device having an alignment peg extending therefrom, wherein the alignment peg is adapted to fit at least partially within the interior cavity.
19. The fastener of claim 18 , wherein the anti-rotation device is disposed between a first end and a second end of the compliant band.
20. The fastener of claim 18 , wherein the compliant band has a first orifice disposed therein, and the alignment peg has a second orifice disposed therein, and wherein a pin is adapted to fit through the first and second orifices to secure the anti-rotation device to the compliant band.