Seafloor-surface coupling device comprising a flexible, leak-tight connection between a riser and a float

摘要

The present invention relates to a bottom-to-surface connection device comprising at least one undersea pipe or riser ( 1, 1 a- 1 b) capable of including a single float ( 2, 2 ₁- 2 ₇), said float being connected at its bottom end to a junction device ( 8 ) creating a leaktight flexible joint between the bottom end of the float ( 2 ) and said riser ( 1 a), the connection device being characterized in that said junction device ( 8 ) is interposed between and secured to a bottom portion ( 1 a) of the riser going down to the sea bottom and a top portion of the riser passing through said float and rising to the surface, said junction device ( 8 ) comprising at least one first laminated abutment in the form of a body of revolution having a plurality of elastomer layers defining surfaces of revolution that are frustoconical in shape or ellipsoidal in section.