Buoys – rafts – and aquatic devices – Buoy – For mooring a vessel
Patent
1993-05-13
1994-10-18
Swinehart, Edwin L.
Buoys, rafts, and aquatic devices
Buoy
For mooring a vessel
114230, B63B 2150
Patent
active
053563212
ABSTRACT:
An improved detachable mooring system (1) is disclosed of the kind including a rotatable turret (10) mounted on the vessel (5) and a buoyant spider buoy (20), secured by chains (22)to the sea floor, which may be selectively connected by means of a hydraulic connector (209) to the bottom of the turret (10). One improvement relates to providing a roller bearing (598) between an upper part of the turret and an interior ring (56) of a well (50) of the vessel (50) at a level higher than sea water can reach under fully loaded conditions of the vessel. Such improvement provides an elastomeric pad (584) between the bearing (598) and a support ring (56) to reduce moment loads and to compensate for manufacturing tolerances of interface surfaces of the bearing (580, 586) and the support ring (56). Alternatively one or more spring stacks (791, 793) may be used rather than an elastomeric pad. A further improvement provides support structure (102, 596, 590) which allows the bearing (598)to be removed for inspection, repair or replacement without removal of the turret (10). Another improvement relates to providing a passage through the hydraulic connector (30) and providing a chain locker (23')in the buoyant mooring element. The chain locker includes a restricted passage at its top end. A plug within the chain locker is connected at its top center to the chain. Such plug is pulled to the top of the chain locker when the chain is pulled so as to snub the top of the mooring element to the bottom of the turret. Another improvement relates to providing a female profile on the top of the mooring buoy and a cooperating male profile on the bottom of the turret to aid in the snubbing of the mooring buoy to the turret.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 4321720 (1982-03-01), Havre
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O'Nion, et al, Innovative Disconnectable Mooring System for Floating Production System of HZ-21-1 Oil Field at Huiyhon, South China Sea, May 7-10, 1990; presented at the 22nd Annual Offshore Technology Conference; OTC published paper 6251.
Offshore Engineer-pp. 30-31 entitled SMB Goes Underwater for Earlier Reconnection.
Boatman L. Terry
Etheridge Charles O.
Sofec, Inc.
Swinehart Edwin L.
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