Composite tendon

Abstract

A composite tendon comprises a main body of rope type construction. The ends of the tendon body terminate in eye splices for connection to termination connectors. Component strands of the composite tendon may form separate eye splices for connection to the termination connectors. Multiple composite tendons of rope type construction may be joined to a single termination connector. The termination connectors secure one end of the tendon to the seabed and the opposite end thereof to a floating platform.

1 . A composite tendon, comprising:
 a) a tendon body of rope type construction having two ends;   b) each end of said tendon body terminating in an eye splice; and   c) termination connectors adapted for connection to said ends of said tendon body.   
   
   
       2 . The composite tendon of  claim 1  wherein said tendon body comprises two or more tendon components. 
   
   
       3 . The composite tendon of  claim 2  wherein said tendon components are separated at said ends of said tendon body, said tendon components forming separate eye splices. 
   
   
       4 . The composite tendon of  claim 1  wherein said termination connectors include an integrated clevis at one end thereof adapted for connection with said eye splice of said tendon body. 
   
   
       5 . The composite tendon of  claim 4  including a load pin coupling said termination connectors with said eye splice of said tendon body. 
   
   
       6 . The composite tendon of  claim 3  wherein said termination connectors include an integrated clevis at one end thereof, and further including two or more load pins coupling said termination connectors with said eye splices of said tendon components. 
   
   
       7 . The composite tendon of  claim 1  including two or more tendon bodies secured to said termination connectors. 
   
   
       8 . The composite tendon of  claim 7  wherein said termination connectors include integrated clevis plates for connecting at least four tendon bodies to said termination connectors. 
   
   
       9 . The composite tendon of  claim 1  including a load pin connecting said termination connectors with said eye splice of said tendon body and wherein said load pin includes load cells operatively connected for monitoring tensile load variations in said composite tendon. 
   
   
       10 . The composite tendon of  claim 1  wherein said tendon body forms a continuous loop spliced at a single point.