Patent ID: 8511245
Filing Date: 2013-08-20
Classification: B63B,E21B,F16L

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising: a strake section having a plurality of helical fins, each of the plurality of helical fins separated from one another by at least one helical opening such that a circumferential distance between each of the plurality of helical fins can be modified to accommodate an underlying tubular diameter; a slot formed through a base portion of one or more of the plurality of helical fins; a belt positioned through the slot and dimensioned to hold the one or more helical fins to an underlying structure; and a positioning member attached to the belt and dimensioned to maintain a circumferential distance between at least two of the plurality of helical fins positioned around the underlying tubular structure, and wherein a helical shape of each of the helical fins is fixed and conforms to an outer diameter of the underlying tubular such that each of the helical fins is capable of attaching itself around the underlying tubular and maintaining a desired position using frictional forces between each of the helical fins and the underlying tubular.