ARTICULATED JOINTS FOR DEEP WATER INSTALLATIONS

摘要

The application discloses an articulated joint for a deep water installation in which two hollow structural members are connected so as to afford limited pivotal movement between the members. The joint comprises flexible tendons connecting the structural members with a clearance between them. A hollow convoluted shaft permits access of men or materials from one of the structural members to the other through the joint. This shaft is sealed in fluid-tight manner to each of the members and is formed by spaced-apart plates connected in fluid-tight manner by members of substantially toroidal form able to withstand hydrostatic pressure in the form of hoop stress and bending stresses resulting from relative motion of the two members.