Wear indicator for a joint between a riser and a floating platform

Abstract

The invention relates to a packer assembly comprising an inner packer element and an outer concentric packer element, an actuator which is slidable over the outer packer element to deflect the outer packer element inwards against the inner packer element and a sensor for detecting linear movement of the actuator relative to the outer packer element.

1 . A packer assembly comprising an inner packer element and an outer concentric packer element, an actuator which is slidable over the outer packer element to deflect the outer packer element inwards against the inner packer element and a sensor for detecting linear movement of the actuator relative to the outer packer element. 
     
     
         2 . A packer assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer packer element comprises a profiled outer surface. 
     
     
         3 . A packer assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein a setting component is provided between the actuator and the outer packer element. 
     
     
         4 . A packer assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the setting component comprises a profiled outer surface. 
     
     
         5 . A packer assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the setting component comprises a plurality of bodies mounted between the actuator and the packer assembly. 
     
     
         6 . A packer assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of bodies form a segmented ring between the actuator and the packer assembly. 
     
     
         7 . A packer assembly according to  claim 6  wherein the plurality of bodies are radially moveable relative to the packer elements. 
     
     
         8 . A packer assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein each body is substantially C-shaped. 
     
     
         9 . A packer assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein each body of the setting component comprises a spine with a profiled outer surface. 
     
     
         10 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A packer assembly according to claim  11 , wherein a connector bar or strap is provided between adjacent bodies of the setting component, and is slidably mounted between the adjacent bodies. 
     
     
         13 . A packer assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the actuator comprises a cam surface which cooperates with the profiled outer surface of the outer packer element. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A packer assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the actuator comprises a substantially tubular sleeve slidably mounted over the outer surface of the outer packer element or the setting component. 
     
     
         16 . A packer assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein the cam surface of the actuator is provided on an internal surface of the sleeve. 
     
     
         17 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A packer assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the profiled outer surface of the outer packer element comprises a plurality of polyurethane blocks, elements or forms, wherein the plurality of polyurethane blocks, elements or forms on the outer surface of the outer packer element have a tapered surface which cooperates with the tapered surface on the cam profile on the actuator sleeve. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A packer assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein one or more pistons are mounted to the outer surface of the sleeve. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A packer assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the sensor comprises a body which is moveable through a secondary chamber. 
     
     
         25 . A packer assembly according to  claim 24 , wherein one or more apertures are provided between the piston chamber and the secondary chamber to provide a pathway for hydraulic fluid from the chamber within which the piston is provided and the secondary chamber. 
     
     
         26 . A packer assembly according to  claim 24 , wherein the secondary chamber comprises a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion having a second diameter, the second diameter being smaller than the first diameter. 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A packer assembly according to  claim 26 , wherein the diameter of the second portion is around ¼ the diameter of the first portion. 
     
     
         29 . A packer assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein when the actuator slides over the outer surface of the outer packer element, hydraulic fluid is forced from the piston chamber into the sensor chamber through the apertures to force the sensor body to move through the sensor chamber. 
     
     
         30 . A packer assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein a window or slot is provided in the sensor chamber for viewing the position of the sensor within the chamber. 
     
     
         31 - 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A packer assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the assembly further comprises an outer housing. 
     
     
         36 - 38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . A packer assembly according to claim  38 , wherein the outer housing surrounds the packer element and comprises flanged covers at each end, which have angled detents provided therein into which a profiled locking member of a latch for securing the flanked covers to the outer housing can be driven. 
     
     
         40 . A packer assembly according to claim  36 , further comprising one or more spacers mounted between the packer elements and the flanged covers of the housing. 
     
     
         41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . A telescopic joint comprising and outer tubular member and a concentric inner tubular member, the inner member being slidably received within the outer member and a packer assembly according to any of the preceding claims provided between the inner wall of the outer tubular member and the outer wall of the inner tubular member. 
     
     
         43 . (canceled)