Ships – Mooring device – Boom type
Patent
1990-04-12
1991-11-19
Basinger, Sherman
Ships
Mooring device
Boom type
441 5, B63B 2150
Patent
active
050656899
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a turret device for connection to a floating structure such as a ship Turret devices for mooring of ships are known amongst others from U.S. Pat. Nos. 3191201 and 3279404. The drawbacks and deficiencies of known turret devices are mainly connected with their dimensions. These turrets are large and heavy, and this causes the manufacturing to be time consuming, difficult and expensive. Further, the large dimensions of the turret necessitate a correspondingly large well (cut-out) in the hull. This well can be difficult to arrange when modifying an existing ship, and under all circumstances the large cutout represented by the well must be structurally compensated by substantial reinforcements in the well area.
Hull deformations cause the bearing designs to be complicated.
If the vessel is to be disconnected from its anchor mooring lines, this must be done by disconnecting one anchor line at a time. Such operation is time consuming and can be critical in an emergency situation.
The above mentioned turret devices are positioned midship or in the forward half of the ship.
There are also smaller turret devices positioned in front of the ship's bow. The connection to the ship consists of a strong bearing housing which is transferring all the bearing forces. This bearing housing is positioned below the water surface. The structure which is supporting the bearing housing must be relatively strong because of the sea forces, which are largest in this part of the ship, and the bearing forces which are acting in all directions. Emergency release of the respective mooring lines is impossible because the lines are fixed to a plate below the bearing. Emergency release of the comparatively strong bearing arrangement below water is also practically impossible. Riser tubes are conducted through the center of the bearing and further through a tubular structure up to a fluid transferring swivel on level with the forecastle deck.
There is also a loading buoy, NO. 864496, which is clamped to the bow of a ship with two rigid clamps of several meters diameter, one upper and one lower. When releasing this buoy, the clamps must be detached and the loading buoy with its bearing arrangement is released from the ship.
The particular advantages obtained by this invention is a simple and light weight turret with a flexible bearing arrangement which is simple to install in the vessel, and a coupling mechanism which makes possible a simple engagement and release between the turret and the vessel. This invention comprises a turret arrangement with very limited dimensions. It is simple to release the anchor moored part of the turret in an emergency situation, or if the floating structure is to be temporarily moved for transportation of cargo, repairs or other reasons. The reconnection when the floating structure is returned is also simple.
The essential features of this design are the bearing arrangement and the coupling mechanism. A lower bearing which only takes horizontal forces, is fitted in the area where the horizontal component of the anchor mooring forces are acting. Thereby it is almost only axial forces which shall be transferred further to the upper bearing, where also the coupling mechanism is fitted.
However, the point of attack for the horizontal component of the anchor mooring line force will vary slightly if there are several mooring lines. When the horizontal component of the mooring line force deviates from the center of the lower bearing, there will be a moment. This moment is transferred as a bending moment in the structure, and it is resisted by a small horizontal force in the upper bearing.
The upper bearing is shaped like a spherical axial bearing. Thereby it can absorb large axial forces and moderate radial forces, at the same time as it will align itself in the direction of the center of the lower bearing. Such flexible alignment is important on floating structures, where deformation between the various parts of the hull easily occurs.
The upper bearing is made with relative small diameter, an
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patent: 3279404 (1966-10-01), Richardson
patent: 3335690 (1967-08-01), Busking
patent: 3605668 (1971-09-01), Morgan
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patent: 4604961 (1986-08-01), Ortloff et al.
patent: 4650431 (1987-03-01), Kentosh
patent: 4660494 (1987-04-01), Dore et al.
patent: 4741716 (1988-03-01), Hasebe et al.
patent: 4955310 (1990-09-01), Pollack
Basinger Sherman
Pusnes A/S
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