Patent ID: 7112011
Filing Date: 2006-09-26
Classification: E21B,F16F

Abstract:
1. A tensioner unit, comprising: a barrel having a bore and an aperture on one end and having a pressurized fluid contained within and forming at least part of a primary accumulator, the primary accumulator having a preset volume of gas Vg a first piston having a first and second side and slidably carried in the bore of the barrel, the piston having a piston rod that extends from the second side of the piston and through the aperture of the barrel, having one of the sides of the piston in communication with the pressurized fluid, and positioned to increase the pressure P a secondary accumulator housing having a bore and forming at least part of a secondary accumulator, the secondary accumulator having a preset volume of gas Vg a fluid separator having first and second sides and positioned between the primary and secondary accumulators to maintain functional separation of fluid volumes of the primary and secondary accumulators when the primary accumulator pressure P wherein an effective total gas volume VgT available to the tensioner to maintain tension on a supported riser system substantially equals the primary accumulator gas volume Vg wherein the effective total gas volume VgT available to the tensioner to maintain tension on the supported system substantially equals the sum of the primary accumulator gas volume Vg