Patent ID: 6220303
Filing Date: 2001-04-24
Classification: E21B,F16L

Abstract:
A bend limiter for a flexible pipe, wherein the pipe has ends and has end fittings at the ends thereof, the bend limiter comprising:at least one stiffener around a length of the flexible pipe, the stiffener having a rear part for fixing to a build-in support and having an opposite front end; anda bearing element for the stiffener, the bearing element being disposed between the flexible pipe and the stiffener and being wrapped around the flexible pipe,wherein the stiffener includes at least one part which is deformable when the flexible pipe is bent, and which extends over a length of the flexible pipe lying at least between the rear part and the front end of the stiffener;and wherein the stiffener has an inside diameter, one of the end fittings of the pipe has an outside diameter, and the stiffener inside diameter is larger than the maximum outside diameter of the one end fitting so that the stiffener can be installed onto the flexible pipe by sliding the stiffener over the one end fitting,further wherein the end fitting on the pipe comprises a connecting member of the pipe, the connecting member has an outside diameter equal to the maximum diameter of the one end fitting, and the bearing element includes a rear part thereof around a main body of the end fitting.