Retention strap assembly for a buoyancy module in a riser system

Abstract

A retention strap assembly for a buoyancy module in a riser system, the retention strap assembly comprising: an elongate strap member comprising connection points at opposite ends, the strap member configured to wrap around the buoyancy module; a buckle member comprising connection formations configured to receive the connection points of the strap member, wherein the buckle member further comprises a tensioner configured to tension the strap member, the buckle member being configured to tension and hold the strap member around the buoyancy module; and a plurality of attachment formations spaced along a length of the strap member, each attachment formation comprising an attachment point configured for attachment to auxiliary riser equipment. The connection points of the strap member may be provided by ends of the strap member being looped or folded over. The strap member may comprise at least two overlapping layers.

1 . A retention strap assembly for a buoyancy module in a riser system, the retention strap assembly comprising:
 an elongate strap member comprising connection points at opposite ends, the strap member configured to wrap around the buoyancy module;   a buckle member comprising connection formations configured to receive the connection points of the strap member, wherein the buckle member further comprises a tensioner configured to tension the strap member, the buckle member being configured to tension and hold the strap member around the buoyancy module; and   a plurality of attachment formations spaced along a length of the strap member, each attachment formation comprising an attachment point configured for attachment to auxiliary riser equipment.   
     
     
         2 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said connection points of the strap member may be provided by ends of the strap member being looped or folded over and wherein said strap member may comprise at least two overlapping layers. 
     
     
         3 . A system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said overlapping layers may comprise a single continuous strap, folded over itself, or plural strap parts arranged one above the other. 
     
     
         4 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , as characterized in that said buckle member may comprise a buckle housing to which the tensioner is mounted. 
     
     
         5 . A system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said tensioner may be rotatably or pivotally mounted to the buckle housing and wherein said tensioner may be fixable relative to the buckle housing, e.g., using a mechanical fastener 
     
     
         6 . A system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said buckle member may comprise two connection formations wherein said connection formations may comprise crosspieces or transverse supports and/or a solid body (e.g. bars or rods) around which the strap member may be guided or wrapped wherein one connection formation may be provided on the buckle housing and the other connection formation may be provided on the tensioner. 
     
     
         7 . A system as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said transverse supports may be removably attached to the buckle member and/or be removably attached by mechanical fasteners, e.g., nuts or screws and/or be removed to connect or disconnect the strap member, and then fastened in place so that the strap member cannot be removed without detaching the support members, in use. 
     
     
         8 . A system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein neither the strap member nor the buckle member may be attached to the buoyancy module by mechanical fasteners. 
     
     
         9 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , as characterized in that said tensioner may comprise a lever member wherein said lever member may be an over centre lever and include one of the connection formations and, via a levering action about its fulcrum, may be configured to tension the strap member when its connection point is connected to the connection formation of the lever member. 
     
     
         10 . A system as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said lever member may embody a class 1 or class 2 lever and will be secondarily retained in place through the use of mechanical fastener, once in its tensioned position. 
     
     
         11 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , as characterized in that said strap member may be of a polymer, e.g., plastic or rubber, manufactured to include Kevlar strands; said buckle member may be of metal, e.g., steel and said attachment formations may be of metal, e.g., steel. 
     
     
         12 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , as characterized in that said attachment formations may be spaced along an entire length of the strap member at regular intervals and wherein one of the attachment formations may be provided on the buckle member. 
     
     
         13 . A system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said attachment formation may comprise a socket and spigot assembly and may include a socket body which defines the socket. 
     
     
         14 . A system as claimed in  claim 13 , as characterized in said spigot may have an elongate spigot head, and the socket may define an elongate aperture through which the spigot head is configured to pass and/or may define a cavity behind the aperture such that the spigot head may be rotated within the cavity once it has passed through the socket. 
     
     
         15 . A system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said strap member may be provided with slots at spaced apart intervals where the attachment formations are to be placed wherein said slots may allow the spigot to pass through. 
     
     
         16 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , as characterized in that said socket body may define locating formations in the cavity, the locating formations configured to locate the spigot head in a rotated position wherein said spigot head may not be withdrawn through the aperture, in the rotated position. 
     
     
         17 . A system as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said locating formations may be angularly offset, e.g., 90°, relative to the aperture and attachment formations may provide “twist and lock” functionality, accordingly. 
     
     
         18 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , as characterized in that said attachment point may be connected to the spigot head, e.g., via a shank or neck. 
     
     
         19 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , as characterized in the extension of said invention to a buoyancy module assembly comprising a buoyancy module; and at least one retention strap assembly, as defined above, strapped to the buoyancy module and/or the extension of said invention to a riser system comprising at least one riser joint having attached thereto a buoyancy module assembly as defined above. 
     
     
         20 . A system as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein said plural riser joints may be connected together to form a riser string.