Abstract: A guiding assembly for a riser piping system (2) in an opening in the bottom (8) of a floating structure, said assembly permitting limited axial and angular displacement of the riser piping system (2) in said opening. The assembly comprises a prismatic anchor (1) surrounding a portion of the riser piping system (2) and being connected thereto, an outer prismatic guide tube (4) receiving the prismatic anchor (1), the outer prismatic guide tube (4) having inner surfaces that are parallel to and equally spaced from outer surfaces on the prismatic anchor (1), and rollers (3) arranged in at least two different levels and confined in spaces (2) formed between said inner and outer surfaces, the rollers (3) permitting relative axial movement between the prismatic anchor (1) and the outer prismatic tube (4).

Abstract: A guiding assembly for a riser piping system (2) in an opening in the bottom (8) of a floating structure, said assembly permitting limited axial and angular displacement of the riser piping system (2) in said opening. The assembly comprises a prismatic anchor (1) surrounding a portion of the riser piping system (2) and being connected thereto, an outer prismatic guide tube (4) receiving the prismatic anchor (1), the outer prismatic guide tube (4) having inner surfaces that are parallel to and equally spaced from outer surfaces on the prismatic anchor (1), and rollers (3) arranged in at least two different levels and confined in spaces (2) formed between said inner and outer surfaces, the rollers (3) permitting relative axial movement between the prismatic anchor (1) and the outer prismatic tube (4).

Abstract: An extruded beam element suitable for the construction of sandwich structures, comprises two parallel plates (2,3), each having a first part (2) and a second part (3), wherein the first parts of said plates (2) are connected by multiple webs, wherein at least two of said webs (1) are inclined with respect to the longitudinal plane (Y) perpendicular to the plates (2,3), and wherein the first parts (2) and the webs (1,5) form a relatively rigid portion of the beam element and the second parts (3) form a relatively flexible portion of the beam element, as well as sandwich panels and tanks comprising said beam elements.

Abstract: A tank subjected to thermal expansion and contraction, comprising a support block in contact with the bottom of the tank, where the support block and the bottom of the tank are connected by a rib in either the bottom of the tank or the support block, where the rib is in a groove in either the bottom of the tank or the support block to prevent horizontal movement of the tank.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a cruciform construction element for use inside a tank to connect panels, which element is forged or molded in one piece and comprises intersecting webs.

Abstract: A support assembly mounted on the roof of a tank comprising a support block, a base plate between the support block and the tank, and guiding brackets or rails joined to a structure above the tank. The guiding brackets or rails comprise a face turned towards a cooperating face of the support block. The face of the bracket or rail and the cooperating face of the support block are inclined at an angle which depends on the width and height of the support block.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for increasing the internal pressure of a pressure vessel (1) containing a medium being present in both a liquid (3) and gaseous (2) phase, the vessel comprising one inner (9)and one outer (10) fluid tight barrier, said barriers being separated by an inter-barrier space (8), comprising the steps of: —circulating a suitable fluid through both the inter-barrier space and a heating unit; and —heating the fluid by the heating unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides an extruded beam element suitable for the construction of sandwich structures, wherein the transverse cross section of the beam comprises two parallel plates (2,3), each having a first part (2) and a second part (3), wherein the first parts of said plates (2) are connected by multiple webs, wherein at least two of said webs (1) are inclined with respect to the longitudinal plane (Y) perpendicular to the plates (2,3), and wherein the first parts (2) and the webs (1,5) form a relatively rigid portion of the beam element and the second parts (3) form a relatively flexible portion of the beam element, as well as sandwich panels and tanks comprising said beam elements.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a substantially prismatic tank (1) for the transportation and storage of fluids comprising a bottom and a first (10) and second pair of opposite side walls, both pair of walls joined to said bottom, wherein the first pair of side walls are inclined with an obtuse angle with respect to the bottom, said first pair of side walls having a height of more than half the total height of the tank, and the second pair of side walls have a substantially straight angle with respect to the bottom.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a cruciform construction element for use inside a tank to connect panels, which element is forged or moulded in one piece and comprises intersecting webs.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a support arranged at the bottom of a tank subjected to thermal expansion and contraction, comprising a block (1) in contact with the bottom of the tank, means (3-5) being arranged to prevent movement at the tank with respect to the block (1) in a horizontal direction, wherein said means comprises a rib (5) arranged in one of said bottom of the tank and block (1) and a corresponding groove (4) in the other said bottom and block (1).

Abstract: A support assembly mounted on the roof of a tank, comprising a support block (1), a base plate (4) between the support block (1) and the tank, and guiding brackets or rails (2) joined to a structure above the tank characterized in that each of the brackets or rails (2) comprise a face turned towards a cooperating face of the support block, the face of the bracket or rail and the cooperating face of the support block (1) are inclined at an angle, said angle depending on the width and height of the support (1).

Abstract: The present invention provides an assembly of orthogonal tension beams (4) in alternate horizontal layers for use in a tank, wherein at least some of the intersection points between the orthogonal tension beams are interconnected by vertical spacer elements (5) with bending stiffness and torsional flexibility as well as spacer elements suitable for said assembly.

Abstract: The present application concerns a substantially prismatic tank having internal tension beams having a cross section with a web and orthogonal flanges along the edges of the web, the beams being arranged in alternate orthogonal layers and being connected to each other at at least some crossing points, wherein the beams are arranged with their flanges oriented vertically and their webs oriented horizontally.