Patent ID: 7976247

Claim:
A self contained dual pressure cylinder for use in tensioner assemblies for oil and natural gas floating vessels, the self contained dual pressure cylinder comprising: a. a high pressure outer barrel surrounding an inner barrel, forming a high pressure gas reservoir in communication with a high pressure gas channel, wherein the high pressure gas reservoir is a space formed between the high pressure outer barrel and the inner barrel; b. a low pressure outer barrel surrounding the inner barrel, forming a low pressure gas reservoir in communication with a low pressure fluid channel, wherein the low pressure outer barrel adjoins the high pressure outer barrel, wherein the low pressure gas reservoir is a space formed between the low pressure outer barrel and the inner barrel, wherein the low pressure fluid channel is connected to a low pressure fluid port, and wherein the low pressure fluid port comprises a low pressure compression area; c. a hollow rod movably disposed within the inner barrel, wherein the hollow rod has a hollow rod first end for engaging a load bucket of a tensioner assembly, and further wherein the hollow rod has a chamber fluidly connected to the high pressure gas reservoir through the high pressure gas channel enabling the hollow rod to support a load; d. a dual pressure capture plate for sealing the hollow rod inside the inner barrel, wherein the hollow rod has moveable rod wear bands; e. a piston on a hollow rod second end opposite the tensioner assembly, to form the self contained dual pressure cylinder; and f. a low pressure seal adjacent to a low pressure/high pressure separator and a high pressure seal adjacent the low pressure/high pressure separator, wherein the low pressure/high pressure separator is static and does not engage the hollow rod, wherein the low pressure/high pressure separator provides a separation between the high pressure gas reservoir and the low pressure gas reservoir, wherein the self contained dual pressure cylinder is usable in oil and natural gas floating vessels.