Patent ID: 7427006

Claim:
A pipe tensioner machine for offshore pipe laying operations, comprising: A) a frame structure; B) two top tension banks and two bottom tension banks mounted to the frame structure for transferring tension forces to a pipe string, said top tension banks having tracks and said bottom tension banks having tracks that are longer than the tracks of the top tension banks; C) an adjustment device mounted to the frame structure for moving the tracks of the top tension banks relative to the tracks of the bottom tension banks, the adjustment device having 1) first guides slidingly mounting the two top tension banks, said first guides arranged in the form of a narrow “V” with a 45° angle between the guides, and 2) second guides slidingly mounting the two bottom tension banks, said second guides arranged in the form of a wide “V” with a 135° angle between the guides; and D) a driving structure for the tracks of the tension banks.