Patent ID: 8794874
Filing Date: 2014-08-05
Classification: B65H,F16L

Abstract:
1. A marine tensioner for handling an elongated article, said marine tensioner being adapted to absorb the load exerted by said elongated article on the marine tensioner, said marine tensioner comprising: A tensioner frame, Multiple track units mounted opposite to each other in said tensioner frame at positions distributed around an article passage having a passage axis, Wherein each track unit of the multiple track units comprises an elongated chassis, said elongated chassis having end portions at opposed ends thereof as well as a central portion between said end portions, Wherein each track unit of the multiple track units further comprises an endless track supported by said elongated chassis and one or more track drive/brake members for effecting drive or braking motion of the endless track, the endless track having a multitude of friction elements adapted to engage on the elongated article, to move and support the elongated article along the passage axis, Multiple connecting structures, wherein each connecting structure of the multiple connecting structures is provided between a track unit of the multiple track units and the tensioner frame and each connecting structure of the multiple connecting structures at least allows for lateral motion of the respective track unit relative to the passage axis so as to allow for variation of a diameter of the article passage and thus to adapt the position of the respective track unit to a diameter of the elongated article in the article passage, Wherein each connecting structure of the multiple connecting structures is solely connected to the central portion of the elongated chassis of the respective track unit and comprises a central linkage bar assembly which is pivotally connected to the central portion of the elongated chassis at one end and pivotally connected to the tensioner frame at another end, and each connecting structure of the multiple connecting structures is thus adapted to allow for a pivotal motion of the respective track unit so as to obtain a non-parallel orientation of the endless track of the respective track unit with respect to the passage axis and with respect to another track unit, for supporting a tapered section of the elongated article with all of the multiple track units, Wherein for each track unit of the multiple track units, one or more squeeze actuators are provided between the tensioner frame and the elongated chassis of the respective track unit, wherein the one or more squeeze actuators are each pivotally connected to the elongated chassis and are each also pivotally connected to the tensioner frame to laterally move and pivot the respective track unit and to exert a squeeze force by the friction elements of the endless track of the respective track unit on the elongated article in the article passage, and Wherein actuator control devices are provided which are associated with said one or more squeeze actuators of each track unit of the multiple track units and allow to control the squeeze force exerted by the friction elements of the endless track of each track unit of the multiple track units on the elongated article in the article passage.