Abstract: An improved strake for structures that are subject to vortex induced vibrations and motions due to fluid flow around the structure. One embodiment includes a streamliner on the edge of the strake. The streamliner may be added to existing strakes or may be formed at the same time as the strake for extruded strakes. The streamliner reduces vortex induced vibrations and motions of the structure to which the strake is attached. Another embodiment of the invention provides a tension resisting support attached to the strake and structure. The support provides a different load path along the strake than the previously known art for carrying the pressure loading from fluid pressure acting normal to the surface of the strake.

Abstract: A side buckle of swimming goggles is approximately formed into a strip shape. The side buckle has a retaining clip and a retaining groove respectively at two ends thereof. The retaining clip has two shaft rods and a step-shaped urging portion. The retaining groove has two shaft holes and a belt hole. A connecting portion is formed between the retaining clip and the retaining groove. The retaining clip and the retaining groove may be locked to each other after the connecting portion is bent. Thereby, the side buckle of swimming goggles is fitted at side edges of a pair of swimming goggles and connected to a belt. The connecting portion is pressed to trigger the operation of the retaining clip to loosen or fasten the belt, so as to quickly adjust a length of the belt.

Abstract: A floating offshore structure having a buoyant hull with an open truss frame having heave plates vertically spaced along the truss frame. One or more of the heave plates include a skirt plate that is attached around the outer perimeter of the heave plate and increases the effectiveness of the heave plate at trapping water mass between the heave plates for reducing heave motions of the floating offshore structure. A skirt plate is attached to one or more heave plates at essentially a right angle to the heave plate. The skirt plate may extend beyond the upper and lower surfaces of the heave plate or be positioned so as to be flush with the one surface of the heave plate and extend only beyond the opposite surface of the heave plate.

Abstract: A side buckle of swimming goggles is approximately formed into a strip shape. The side buckle has a retaining clip and a retaining groove respectively at two ends thereof. The retaining clip has two shaft rods and a step-shaped urging portion. The retaining groove has two shaft holes and a belt hole. A connecting portion is formed between the retaining clip and the retaining groove. The retaining clip and the retaining groove may be locked to each other after the connecting portion is bent. Thereby, the side buckle of swimming goggles is fitted at side edges of a pair of swimming goggles and connected to a blet. The connecting portion is pressed to trigger the operation of the retaining clip to loosen or fasten the blet, so as to quickly adjust a length of the blet.

Abstract: A deep draft semi-submersible floating offshore structure. Interconnected buoyant pontoons form a center well. Buoyant columns attached to the pontoons extend upwardly therefrom. A topside structure is supported on the upper end of the columns. A first heave plate is located in the center well of the pontoons. A second heave plate is positioned above the first heave plate between the columns. Risers may be positioned to be received through the heave plates, the pontoons, or a center well in the columns. The columns of the structure are sized to provide an operational draft that is deeper than a typical semi-submersible structure. The arrangement of the structure provides dampened vertical motions, is structurally efficient, has no extendable moving parts, provides better structural integrity, and is construction friendly.

Abstract: An improved strake for structures that are subject to vortex induced vibrations and motions due to fluid flow around the structure. One embodiment includes a streamliner on the edge of the strake. The streamliner may be added to existing strakes or may be formed at the same time as the strake for extruded strakes. The streamliner reduces vortex induced vibrations and motions of the structure to which the strake is attached. Another embodiment of the invention provides a tension resisting support attached to the strake and structure. The support provides a different load path along the strake than the previously known art for carrying the pressure loading from fluid pressure acting normal to the surface of the strake.

Abstract: A method for fabricating sections of a floating offshore spar type structure and mating the sections offshore. A buoyant hard tank is fabricated vertically. The hard tank is then transported in a vertical orientation to a site where it is mated to a truss section of the spar structure offshore while the hard tank and truss section are both in the vertical orientation. The mated tank and truss sections are then towed in the vertical orientation to the operational site. The hard tank is fabricated with a larger diameter and correspondingly shallower draft than a more traditionally proportioned hard tank.

Abstract: A method for fabricating sections of a floating offshore spar type structure and mating the sections offshore. A buoyant hard tank is fabricated vertically. The hard tank is then transported in a vertical orientation to a site where it is mated to a truss section of the spar structure offshore while the hard tank and truss section are both in the vertical orientation. The mated tank and truss sections are then towed in the vertical orientation to the operational site. The hard tank is fabricated with a larger diameter and correspondingly shallower draft than a more traditionally proportioned hard tank.

Abstract: A compliant offshore platform wherein the sole foundation support for platform loads not provided by seawater buoyancy is provided by traditional skirt piles rigidly attached to the platform base near the ocean floor. Lateral flexibility of the platform is enhanced by the introduction of unbraced portal frames located throughout the platform framing in such a way as to facilitate lateral shearing displacements within the platform framing to the extent that the required compliant characteristics are obtained for the sway mode (first structural mode) of vibration while at the same time allowing the overturning moments generated by wind, wave, and current loads to be resisted by the vertical forces within the platform legs and platform foundation. The addition of these portal framed sections at selected locations into an otherwise traditional jacket provides a framing system with improved fundamental modes of vibration as are required for compliant structural behavior.