A floating structure is used for transport and installation of a floating tensioned leg platform (TLP) with a number of legs. The floating structure comprises controllable ballast tanks and engagement means for engaging the legs of the TLP and maintaining the same at a required draft during transport and installation. Further, the floating structure comprises a number of floating structure parts intended to be positioned horizontally adjacent each of the legs of the TLP, which floating structure parts are provided with the engagement means for engaging counter engagement means provided on said legs of the TLP in such a way that, in an operative position of the floating structure in which said floating structure parts are positioned horizontally alongside the legs of the TLP, the engagement means are capable of loading the counter engagement means with a downward force opposite an upward buoyancy force of the TLP.
A mooring assembly comprises a mooring base, a yoke, a ballast box and a pendulum which suspends from a vessel. The yoke has a mooring base connection part which is pivotally mounted to the base and a pendulum connection part which is spaced apart from the base connection part and pivotally mounted to the pendulum. The ballast box is mounted to one of the pendulum and the yoke such that it creates a restoring force when the vessel moves away from a neutral position relative to the base. The mooring assembly is provided with a de-coupling device for de-coupling at least the yoke and the ballast box together from the vessel. The ballast box is provided with a compartment for containing a liquid and the mooring assembly is provided with a fluid transport system for removing a liquid and introducing a gas into the compartment or vice versa.
A floating assembly for generating solar power, comprising at least one floating element and with one or more solar panels resting on top of each element and with mooring lines extending between each element and a fixed mooring arrangement. The mooring arrangement comprises at least one assembly of two buoys which are intended to be anchored by means of anchor lines. At least one string line is provided extending between the two buoys. The at least one string line is located below the water surface and the mooring lines of each element extend between said element and the at least one string line.
A floating assembly for generating solar power comprising a floating gas-filled flexible element, with an upper wall part, a lower wall part and a surrounding wall part connecting corresponding outer edges of the upper and lower wall parts. One or more solar panels rest on top of the upper wall part and mooring lines extend between the flexible element and one or more fixed mooring points. The flexible element, at its surrounding wall part, is provided with a skirt which extends substantially downwards from the surrounding wall part and is adapted for preventing wind from entering below the flexible element.
An assembly for trans ferring a medium to a vessel comprises a support member to which the vessel is to be connected by means of secondary mooring members, such as a hawser comprising one or more mooring lines or mooring cables. The support member comprises a reel mounted thereon for a rotation around a vertical rotation axis, which reel is intended for winding thereon or unwinding therefrom a medium line intended for trans ferring the medium to the vessel, wherein a swivel is provided for connecting the medium line with a medium pathway on the support member.
B63B 27/34 - Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers for transfer at sea between ships or between ships and off-shore structures using pipe-lines
B63B 27/24 - Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers of pipe-lines
B63B 27/00 - Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers
B63B 22/02 - Buoys specially adapted for mooring a vessel
6.
System for transferring crude oil from an onshore location to a vessel
A system for transferring crude oil from an onshore location to an offshore vessel comprises a crude oil supply assembly for transferring the crude oil from an onshore oil supply to the vessel, and a vapor return assembly for transferring vapor from the vessel to a vapor processing facility. The vapor return assembly is provided with a fan configured to promote a flow of vapor through the vapor return assembly from the vessel towards the vapor processing facility. The system further is provided with a member for energizing the fan.
An assembly of vessel and turret is provided. The vessel comprises a moonpool and the turret is mounted in said moonpool for a rotation around a turret axis relative to the vessel. The turret comprises a chain table to which mooring lines are connected and through which risers are conveyed, and a turret table vertically spaced above the chain table and connected therewith by a connecting structure. The connecting structure comprises at least three vertically extending columns positioned such at angular intervals that radially outer sides of the columns are located in the vicinity of an outer circumference of the turret. The risers are conveyed through the chain table in such a way that riser sections above the chain table extend towards the turret table within an internal space of the columns.
A system for transferring crude oil from an onshore location to an offshore vessel comprises a buoy, a floating vapor hose supported by the buoy and configured to be connected to the vessel for discharging vapor; a subsea pipe-line end manifold (PLEM); a subsea vapor hose extending between the PLEM and the buoy, and connected via the buoy internal piping to the floating vapor hose; a subsea vapor line extending between a vapor processing facility and the PLEM and connected to the subsea vapor hose; wherein the system further comprises a drain for the removal of condensed vapor from at least one of the floating vapor hose, subsea vapor hose and subsea vapor pipeline.
B67D 9/00 - Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids when loading or unloading ships
B63B 27/34 - Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers for transfer at sea between ships or between ships and off-shore structures using pipe-lines
B63B 35/00 - Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
A mooring assembly for a vessel includes a turret with a lower receptacle cone receiving a buoy, mooring lines attached to the buoy, and risers. The buoy includes a plurality of pivot legs positioned on a lower part of the buoy, wherein the legs are pivotably connected to the buoy through a horizontally extending pivot axis to pivot in a radial plane with respect to the buoy between a first position with the buoy in the cone of the turret, in which the legs extend mainly vertically downwards and engage an inner surface of the cone, and a second position with the buoy outside of the cone, in which the legs extend mainly horizontally outwards. The lines are attached to the legs and each leg has such a length that in the first position its end is located at a level below the lowermost end of the cone.
Subsea pipe-in-pipe (PIP) system (1) for the thermally controlled transport of fluids, comprising an inner pipe (5) for conveying said fluid and an outer pipe (6) surrounding the inner pipe and separated therefrom by a thermally insulating space (7) positioned between the inner pipe and outer pipe. Over at least a length section of the length of the PIP system the outer pipe is absent, wherein the inner pipe at said length section is surrounded by a closed stationary compartment (1) from which seawater is evacuated in at least such an amount that the section of the inner pipe is not in contact with the seawater, wherein the outer pipe in a sealed and movable manner is connected to a wall part of the compartment through which the PIP system extends, and wherein the inner pipe within said closed compartment defines one expansion loop (12).
F16L 51/04 - Expansion-compensation arrangements for pipe-lines making use of bends, e.g. lyre-shaped
F16L 59/21 - Arrangements specially adapted to local requirements at flanges, junctions, valves, or the like adapted for expansion-compensation devices
A mooring assembly for a vessel is provided of the type comprising a turret (4) which is provided with a lower receptacle cone (8) receiving a buoy (9) in a disconnectable manner, mooring lines (5) attached to the buoy, and risers (6) connecting to and extending through the buoy. The buoy is provided with a plurality of pivot legs (14) regularly positioned on a lower part of the buoy, wherein the pivot legs each at a first leg end are pivotably connected to the buoy through a horizontally extending pivot axis in such a manner that the pivot legs can pivot in a radial plane with respect to the buoy between a first position, when the buoy is received in the receptacle cone of the turret, in which the pivot legs extend mainly vertically downwards and engage an inner surface of the receptacle cone, and a second position, when the buoy is positioned outside of the receptacle cone of the turret, in which the pivot legs extend mainly horizontally outwards from the buoy. The mooring lines are attached to a respective opposite second leg end of the pivot legs and each pivot leg has such a length that in the first position its second end is located at a level below the lowermost end of the receptacle cone.
A turret assembly for a vessel comprises a moonpool defined in the vessel and a turret structure rotatably mounted in said moonpool. The turret structure comprises a turret table which by means of a main bearing is rotatably mounted in said moonpool and a hollow turret shaft defined by a surrounding shaft wall, which turret shaft has an upper shaft end connected to the turret table, a substantially cylindrical shaft part that extends downwardly from the turret table and a lower shaft end provided with means intended for cooperation with a lower bearing. The shaft wall of the upper shaft end comprises a widened part surrounding the cylindrical shaft part and defines a circumferential crest, wherein the shaft wall of the upper shaft end, starting from said circumferential crest, extends downwardly towards a position where the upper shaft end is connected to the turret table.
A method for transferring fluids between a first vessel and a second vessel, comprises establishing a direct mooring connection between the first and second vessels using a mooring line, positioning and maintaining a third vessel closer to the second vessel than to the first vessel, providing a first fluid transfer hose and connecting it with a first end to a fluid outlet on the first vessel and with a second end to an intermediate fluid inlet at the third vessel, providing a second fluid transfer hose and connecting it with a first end to an intermediate fluid outlet at the third vessel and with a second end to a fluid inlet on the second vessel and establishing a fluid communication between the intermediate fluid inlet and intermediate fluid outlet.
B63B 27/34 - Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers for transfer at sea between ships or between ships and off-shore structures using pipe-lines
B63B 27/25 - Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers of pipe-lines for fluidised bulk material
A63B 22/02 - Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with movable endless bands
B63B 22/02 - Buoys specially adapted for mooring a vessel
B63B 27/24 - Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers of pipe-lines
A turret assembly for a vessel comprises a moonpool defined in the vessel and a turret structure rotatably mounted in said moonpool. The turret structure comprises a turret table which by means of a main bearing is rotatably mounted in said moonpool and a hollow turret shaft defined by a surrounding shaft wall, which turret shaft has an upper shaft end connected to the turret table, a substantially cylindrical shaft part that extends downwardly from the turret table and a lower shaft end provided with means intended for cooperation with a lower bearing. The shaft wall of the upper shaft end comprises a widened part surrounding the cylindrical shaft part and defines a circumferential crest, wherein the shaft wall of the upper shaft end, starting from said circumferential crest, extends downwardly towards a position where the upper shaft end is connected to the turret table.
A mooring assembly for a vessel comprises a moonpool having a casing, a turret mounted in a moonpool for a rotation by upper and lower bearing assemblies. The lower bearing assembly comprises a stiff inner bearing ring attached to a lower part of the turret, an outer bearing ring attached to a casing of the moonpool and a number of circumferentially spaced bearing blocks positioned between the inner and outer bearing rings. A mounting assembly maintains a substantially fixed position of the bearing blocks relative to the outer bearing ring but allows the bearing blocks to assume a position where the load transfer between the bearing blocks and outer bearing ring occurs with a minimum of stress concentrations within the outer bearing ring and wherein the larger part of the load transfer occurs directly between the bearing blocks and outer bearing ring without being directed through the mounting assembly.
A method for transferring fluids between a first vessel (1) and a second vessel (2), comprises a step of establishing a direct mooring connection between the first (1) and second (2) vessels using a mooring line (8), a step of positioning and maintaining a third vessel (3) closer to the second vessel (2) than to the first vessel (1), a step of providing a first fluid transfer hose (9) and connecting it with a first end (10) to a fluid outlet (11) on the first vessel (1) and with a second end (12) to an intermediate fluid inlet (13) at the third vessel (3), a step of providing a second fluid transfer hose (14) and connecting it with a first end (15) to an intermediate fluid outlet (16) at the third vessel (3) and with a second end (16) to a fluid inlet (17) on the second vessel (2) and a step of establishing a fluid communication between the intermediate fluid inlet (13) and intermediate fluid outlet (16).
B63B 27/34 - Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers for transfer at sea between ships or between ships and off-shore structures using pipe-lines
A mooring assembly for a vessel comprises a moonpool having a casing, a turret positioned in said moonpool and mounted therein for a rotation by means of an upper bearing assembly and a lower bearing assembly and mooring lines attached to a lower part of the turret. The lower bearing assembly comprises a stiff inner bearing ring attached to said lower part of the turret, an outer bearing ring attached to the casing of the moonpool and a number of circumferentially spaced bearing blocks positioned between the inner and outer bearing rings. Mounting means are provided for maintaining a substantially fixed position of the bearing blocks relative to the outer bearing ring. The mounting means are devised for allowing the bearing blocks to carry out a settling movement relative to the outer bearing ring for assuming a position in which the load transfer between the bearing blocks and outer bearing ring occurs with a minimum of stress concentrations within the outer bearing ring and wherein the larger part of the load transfer occurs directly between the bearing blocks and outer bearing ring without being directed through the mounting means.
An assembly of chain stopper (1) and chain (2) is provided, comprising a housing (3), a vertically extending chain channel (4) defined in the housing (3) in which a chain (2) is received and guided and two chain lockers (5a, 5b) positioned at opposite sides of the chain channel (4), wherein each chain locker (5a, 5b) is pivotably mounted on a chain locker pivot axis (6) for a rotation between an inwardly rotated position for engaging the chain (2) and preventing a downward shift of the chain (2) in the chain channel (4), and an outwardly rotated position allowing un upward shift of the chain (2) in the chain channel (4) and wherein each chain locker (5a, 5b) is biased towards its inwardly rotated position. Each chain locker pivot axis (6) as a result of forces transmitted by the chain (2) on the respective chain locker (5a, 5b) is displaceable from its original position to a stable second position in which the respective chain locker (5a, 5b), in its inwardly rotated position, is not able to engage the chain (2) in a manner for preventing a downward shift of the chain (2) in the chain channel (4) and wherein the chain locker pivot axis (6) is restrainable in its original position.
An assembly of two concentric parts and a bearing between the parts is provided with an inner bearing ring, an outer bearing ring, axial rollers and radial rollers. A first bearing ring is attached to a first concentric part in a manner for maximally limiting a radial distortion thereof and a second concentric part is connected to the second bearing ring at an engagement location. The second concentric part has a load support member which is connected to the second bearing ring such that the vertical load introduced into the second bearing ring by the load support member extends through the axial rollers without causing a moment around the axial rollers, and wherein the second concentric part indirectly or directly engages the second bearing ring in such a manner that only radial loads and substantially no axial loads are introduced at the at least one engagement position.
F16C 19/38 - Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing rollers essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows, e.g. needle bearings for both radial and axial load with two or more rows of rollers
F16C 35/00 - Rigid support of bearing unitsHousings, e.g. caps, covers
F16C 35/07 - Fixing them on the shaft or housing with interposition of an element
F16C 35/073 - Fixing them on the shaft or housing with interposition of an element between shaft and inner race ring
F16C 35/077 - Fixing them on the shaft or housing with interposition of an element between housing and outer race ring
F16C 17/10 - Sliding-contact bearings for exclusively rotary movement for both radial and axial load
F16C 19/18 - Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing balls essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows for both radial and axial load with two or more rows of balls
An apparatus is provided for generating power from sea currents, comprising a structure having a buoyancy provided by buoyancy members (1, 8), support members (20) supporting water turbines (19) and mooring means (4) for mooring the structure to a fixed point. The buoyancy members (1, 8) comprise an elongate main floating body (1) and at least one elongate auxiliary floating body (8), wherein the auxiliary floating body (8) is positioned above the main floating body (1) in a vertical plane extending through the main floating body (1). The main floating body (1) and auxiliary floating body (8) are interconnected by at least one vertically extending strut (9, 10).
An apparatus is provided for generating power from sea currents, with a floating body (1), a lower structure comprising a support structure (3) extending downwardly from said floating body (1) and at least one water turbine (4) supported by said support structure (3), and mooring lines (7, 8) of which a first end is attached to the apparatus and of which a second end is attached to a fixed point. The first end of each mooring line at a bifurcation point (9, 10) is vertically bifurcated in an upper mooring line part (7', 8') and a lower mooring line part (7", 8") positioned substantially vertically above one another, of which the upper mooring line part is attached to the bow or stern of the floating body (1) by means of a mooring connector (11, 12), wherein the lower mooring line part is connected to the lower structure at a level below the level of the mooring connector.
An assembly for transferring fluids between a vessel and a turret structure mounted in said vessel for a rotation around a substantially vertical turret axis is provided. Said turret structure comprises a swivel having at least one fluid outlet which is connected with one end of a fluid piping of which the second end is connected to the vessel. The assembly further comprises a flexible bridge member connecting a part of the turret structure with the vessel. The rotation of said part of the turret structure around the turret axis is substantially locked to the rotation of the vessel while a relative displacement between said part of the turret structure and the vessel or the structure fixed to the vessel is allowed. Said bridge member supports the fluid piping to substantially take away the loads from the fluid piping on the said swivel and its outlets.
In a mooring assembly for a vessel, comprising a moonpool defined in the vessel, a turret is rotatably mounted within the moonpool with an upper main bearing for transmitting horizontal and vertical loads between the vessel and turret and with a lower secondary bearing for substantially transmitting horizontal loads between the vessel and the turret. Mooring lines are attached to the lower region of the turret that comprises a number of circumferentially spaced torsion box like torsion members each extending substantially vertically. The torsion members resist bending in a circumferential direction that is greater than in a radial direction. The lower secondary bearing is defined by outwardly facing bearing members attached to said torsion members and an inwardly facing bearing ring attached to the moonpool. In a situation in which a torsion member is not loaded horizontally by a respective mooring line its bearing member does not engage the ring.
A floating object provided with a permanent mooring system for securing said floating object to at least one anchor on a seabed, wherein said mooring system comprises at least one mooring line (9)and at least one guidance member(12) arranged to guide the mooring line from the exterior of said floating object to the interior of said floating object such that the upper end of said mooring line can be secured to said floating object at a location (14)other than the exterior contact location between said mooring line and said floating object; said mooring line comprising: a relatively long main mooring line section (9b)of a material having a relatively low axial stiffness; and a relatively short upper mooring line section (9a)of synthetic material having a relatively high axial stiffness; wherein in use the lower end of said main mooring line section is secured to said anchor, the upper end of said main mooring line section is secured to the lower end of said upper mooring line section, said upper mooring line section extends though said guidance member and the upper end of said upper mooring line section is secured to said floating object.
A mooring assembly for a vessel (1), comprising a moonpool (2) defined in the vessel, a turret ( 3 ) rotatably mounted within the moonpool by means of an upper main bearing (4) and by means of a lower secondary bearing (5), and mooring lines (6) attached to the lower region of the turret, the turret at its lower region comprises a number of circumferentially spaced torsion box like torsion members (7) each extending substantially vertically between an upper end attached to the turret and a lower free end. Said torsion members have a resistance against bending that in a circumferential direction is greater than in a radial direction. The mooring lines are attached to said torsion members near said lower free ends and the lower secondary bearing is defined by outwardly facing bearing members (8) attached to said torsion members and an inwardly facing bearing ring (9) attached to the moonpool. In a situation in which a torsion member is not loaded horizontally by a respective mooring line its bearing member does not engage the bearing ring.
A disconnectable mooring system for a vessel is presented, comprising a moonpool in the vessel, a turret structure mounted for a rotation in said moonpool and a buoy member having a plurality of passages each adapted to receive a riser. The turret structure has a lower end comprising a buoy receptacle for detachably receiving the buoy member, wherein the mooring system further comprises a plurality of mooring lines for transmitting mooring forces and each have a lower end and an upper end connected to the seabed and the buoy member, respectively. The mooring lines each comprise a first section which in a disconnectable manner is connected to the turret structure and a second section connected to the first section at a coupling point and connected to the buoy member. Also methods for disconnecting and reconnecting such a mooring system are presented.
A computer-implemented method and a generator for generating thruster settings for an over-actuated thrust allocation system are described. Said thruster settings are configured to control thrusters of at least one craft such that the craft is kept on a desired position or track. The method comprises; receiving a total desired thrust, preferably the total desired force and the total desired moment, associated with said desired position or track; calculating said thruster settings by executing a program including minimizing a cost function associated with said thrusters on the basis of said total desired thrust and one or more non-linear thruster constraints associated with the physical or operational limits of said thrusters; wherein said cost function and said one or more non-linear thruster constraints are modelled as a second order cone program comprising a linear cost function and one or more second-order convex cone constraints.
G05D 1/02 - Control of position or course in two dimensions
B63H 25/42 - Steering or dynamic anchoring by propulsive elementsSteering or dynamic anchoring by propellers used therefor onlySteering or dynamic anchoring by rudders carrying propellers
28.
METHOD FOR DISCONNECTING A BUOY FROM A VESSEL AND DEVICE FOR USE THEREWITH
A method is provided for disconnecting a buoy from a turret in an arrangement with a vessel of the type comprising a turret mounted rotatably in the vessel and a buoy supporting risers which is lockable to and disconnectable from the turret. The arrangement further comprises mooring lines connecting the buoy with mooring points on the seabed and loading the buoy with mooring forces. Starting before disconnecting the buoy from the turret the mooring lines are manipulated such that at least during the moment of disconnecting the buoy from the turret the mooring forces are lowered or even substantially eliminated. A hold and release device comprises a housing with at least two distanced mooring line gripper means constructed such that an excess length of mooring line may be positioned therebetween and wherein at least one qripper means is adapted to be brought in a state disengaging the mooring line.
An assembly for generating energy from sea currents is described, comprising a main floating body to be oriented across the direction of the sea current, rotor means depending from said main floating body, at least one stabilising member extending substantially sideways from the main floating body and mooring lines for anchoring the assembly. Each stabilising member is attached to the main floating body at a position substantially corresponding with the position of attachment of a mooring line. Further an assembly for generating energy from sea currents is described, comprising a main floating body to be oriented in parallel to the direction of the sea current, at least two outrigger means extending substantialIy sideways in opposite directions from the main floating body, rotor means depending from said outrigger means and mooring lines for anchoring the assembly. Said mooring lines are attached to the main floating body at or near the opposite frontal ends thereof.
A disconnectable mooring assembly for a vessel comprises a mooring buoy and a swivel positioned above the mooring buoy. The mooring buoy is provided with a central member for being anchored to the seabed and comprises a number of passages each adapted for receiving a riser. The mooring buoy further comprises an outer member surrounding the central member and capable of a rotation relative thereto. Said outer member is adapted to be housed in and locked to a corresponding receiving opening of the vessel. The swivel is located above the mooring buoy in such a manner that an interspace is defined between the mooring buoy and the swivel.
A method is provided for operating a system for the liquefaction of gas of the type comprising a main heat exchange vessel, a bundle for the gas to be liquefied extending through said MCHE and a refrigerant compression circuit of which a first end leads evaporated refrigerant from the vessel towards a compressor and a second end supplies the compressed and cooled refrigerant from the compressor towards the MCHE, For avoiding problems during heat up or during start up of the heat exchanger the pressure within the liquefaction system is controlled by regulating the amount of evaporated refrigerant in the liquefaction circuit.
F25J 1/02 - Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. of helium or hydrogen
F25J 1/00 - Processes or apparatus for liquefying or solidifying gases or gaseous mixtures
A fluid transfer assembly for transferring a fluid between an onshore or offshore installation and a tanker, includes a floating device provided with positioning means for maintaining a predetermined position, a first fluid transfer line for releasably connecting said onshore or offshore installation to said floating device, and a second fluid transfer line for releasably connecting said floating device to the tanker. The floating device is provided with a connecting device for establishing a fluid connection between the first and second fluid transfer lines, which connecting device and floating device are separate parts that can be joined and separated by cooperating couplers provided on the connecting device and floating device, respectively, without compromising the original function of the floating device.
Assembly of turret and disconnectable buoy, in which the turret at its lower end and the buoy at its upper end are provided with mating coupling provisions. The coupling provisions comprise an annular projection protruding from one of the turret and buoy towards the other of the turret and buoy and a correspondingly shaped annular recess on the other of the turret and buoy for receiving the annular projection. The annular projection has a base which is wider than a top thereof, whereas the annular recess has a top which is wider than a base thereof.
System for mooring a substantially cylindrical floating production, storage and offloading unit (FPSO), comprising a substantially cylindrical mooring element having un upper side for engaging the lower side of the FPSO, further comprising mooring lines for connection to the seabed, and operating means for realising an engagement between the mooring element and the FPSO, wherein the mooring element has such a specific weight that, when disconnected from the FPSO, it floats at a certain depth below the sea level.
A mooring chain connector assembly for a floating device), such as for example a FPSO vessel or a floating offshore structure, is described, the connector assembly comprising a chain connector having a first pivot axis and a coupler for coupling a mooring chain to the chain connector. The assembly further comprises a channel assembly attached to the floating device. The channel assembly have an upper end and a lower end, wherein mooring chain locking device is provided at the upper end of the channel assembly. The channel assembly extends in the floating device from its bottom side to a higher level in the floating device which can be located above sea surface. A bearing location for the first pivot axis of the chain connector is provided at the lower end of the channel assembly. The chain connector is movable in the channel assembly and a hoist is provided to move the chain connector between a first position, in which the first pivot axis is located in the bearing location of the channel assembly and a second position above the channel assembly, in which the coupler of the chain connector is accessible.
A mooring assembly for a vessel comprises a receiving vessel part, a geostationary part received rotatably in said receiving vessel part and a main bearing assembly connecting the geostationary part to the receiving vessel part. The main bearing assembly comprises at least two separate bearings which are manipulable such that the one or the other or both bearings are in an operative position, thus allowing the non-operative bearing to be replaced, overhauled, repaired and alike in situ.
A disconnectable mooring assembly for a vessel (1) comprises a mooring buoy (11) and a swivel positioned above the mooring buoy. The mooring buoy is provided with a central member (2) for being anchored to the seabed and comprises a number of passages each adapted for receiving a riser (4). The mooring buoy further comprises an outer member (5) surrounding the central member and capable of a rotation relative thereto. Said outer member is adapted to be housed in and locked to a corresponding receiving opening of the vessel. The swivel is located above the mooring buoy in such a manner that an interspace is defined between the mooring buoy and the swivel.
A disconnetable mooring system is provided, comprising a vessel with an outrigger supporting a riser assembly in a disconnectable manner, which riser assembly is provided with a riser top body which by means of disconnectable latching means is attached to the outrigger. The riser top body additionally is connected to the outrigger by means of a braking device for temporarily controlling the downward speed of the riser top body after disconnecting a mechanism. The braking device comprises a first end permanently connected to one of the riser top body and outrigger, and a second end releasably connected to the other of the riser top body and outrigger.
Fluid transfer assembly for transferring a fluid between an onshore or offshore installation (1) and a tanker (2), comprising: - a floating device (3) provided with positioning means for maintaining a predetermined position; - a first fluid transfer line (4) for releasably connecting said onshore or offshore installation to said floating device, and - a second fluid transfer (10) line for releasably connecting said floating device to the tanker (2), wherein the floatin device (3) is provided with a connecting device (12) for establishing a fluid connection between the first and second fluid transfer lines, which connecting device and floating device are separate parts that can be joined and separated by cooperating coupling means provided on the connecting device and floating device, respectively, without compomising the original function of the floating device.
Assembly of turret (2) and disconnectable buoy (3), in which the turret at its lower end and the buoy at its upper end are provided with mating coupling provisions. The coupling provisions comprise an annular projection (4) protruding from one of the turret and buoy towards the other of the turret and buoy and a correspondingly shaped annular recess (5) on the other of the turret and buoy for receiving the annular projection. The annular projection has a base (6) which is wider than a top (7) thereof, whereas the annular recess has a top (8) which is wider than a base (9) thereof.
A disconnectable turret mooring system for a vessel is provided, comprising a turret positioned in a moonpool of the vessel and having an upper part cooperating with a first upper bearing assembly positioned between the turret and the vessel, and a lower disconnectable buoy part cooperating with a second lower bearing assembly positioned between the turret and the vessel, wherein the lower bearing assembly comprises a number of discrete circumferentially spaced bearing members which are attached to and extend radially inwards from the vessel for engaging the lower disconnectable buoy part of the turret, and which bearing members are displaceable radially between an inner operative position for engaging the lower disconnectable buoy part and an outer inoperative position for disengaging the lower disconnectable buoy part.
System for mooring a substantially cylindrical floating production, storage and offloading unit (FPSO) (2), comprising a substantially cylindrical mooring element (1) having un upper side for engaging the lower side of the FPSO, further comprising mooring lines (4) for connection to the seabed, and operating means for realising an engagement between the mooring element (1) and the FPSO (2), wherein the mooring element (1) has such a specific weight that, when disconnected from the FPSO, it floats at a certain depth below the sea level.
Vessel with mooring system, comprising a turret anchored to the seabed and a turret casing being part of the vessel, wherein the turret and turret casing are interconnected by a connecting element comprising a bearing arrangement and wherein the connecting element has a first end connected to the turret casing and an opposite second end connected to the turret. The connecting element is positioned in such a manner that it experiences tensile forces. When the turret downwardly loads the turret casing the first end of the connecting element is positioned at a higher level then the second end thereof. When the turret upwardly loads the turret casing the first end of the connecting element is positioned at a lower level then the second end thereof.
Vessel (1) with mooring system, comprising a turret (3) anchored to the seabed and a turret casing (5) being part of the vessel, wherein the turret and turret casing are interconnected by a connecting element (6) comprising a bearing arrangement (7) and wherein the connecting element has a first end con nected to the turret casing and an opposite second end con nected to the turret. The connecting element is positioned in such a manner that it experiences tensile forces. When the turret downwardly loads the turret casing the first end of the connecting element is positioned at a higher level then the second end thereof. When the turret upwardly loads the turret casing the first end of the connecting element is positioned at a lower level then the second end thereof.
A disconnetable mooring system is provided, comprising a vessel (1) with an outrigger (3) supporting a riser assembly (4) in a disconnectable manner, .which riser assembly is provided with a riser top body (8) which by means of disconnectable latching means (9) is attached to the outrigger. The riser top body additionally is connected to the outrigger by means of a braking device (15) for temporarily controlling the downward speed of the riser top body after disconnecting the latching means, which braking device comprises a first end permanently connected to one of the riser top body and outrigger, and a second end releasably connected to the other of the riser top body and outrigger.
A mooring system for a floating structure, comprising a mooring structure, such as a buoy, a further floating structure or a fixed tower. The mooring structure has a turntable rotatable around a vertical axis, and a connection structure adapted to provide a connection between the floating structure and the mooring structure. The connection structure comprises a rigid arm assembly and pendulum members, wherein the rigid arm assembly and pendulum members at one end are hingedly interconnected and at their other ends are adapted to be connected to the floating structure and the mooring structure respectively. The damping system comprises at least one liquid tank containing a liquid and being located in the mooring system at a distance from the vertical axis. The liquid tank has such dimensions that at a swinging motion of the pendulum members the liquid is adapted to move in the liquid tank to provide damping forces counteracting the swinging motion of the pendulum members.
A disconnectable mooring system for a vessel comprises a mooring buoy member (2) and a turret structure (3), mounted in a moonpool (4) of the vessel (1). The mooring buoy has a plurality of passages (6) each adapted to receive a riser (7). The turret structure has a receptacle for receiving the buoy member and locking means for locking the buoy member in the receptacle. The turret structure (3) accommodates a plurality of conduits to be connected to risers installed in passages of the buoy member and the turret structure is rotatably supported in the moonpool (4) of the vessel (1) by means of at least a bearing assembly (16) mounted above sea level. The turntable (21) is supported on the bearing assembly (16) in a manner allowing rotation with respect to the turret structure (3) to align the conduits with the risers (7) when the buoy member (2) is received and locked in the receptacle of the turret structure (3).
A disconnectable mooring system for a vessel comprises a mooring buoy member and a turret structure mounted in a moonpool of the vessel. The mooring buoy member is anchored to the seabed and has a plurality of passages each adapted to receive a riser. The turret structure has a receptacle for receiving the buoy member and a locking device for locking the buoy member in the receptacle. The turret structure accommodates a plurality of conduits to be connected to risers installed in passages of the buoy member and the turret structure is rotatably supported in the moonpool of the vessel by at least a bearing assembly mounted above sea level. The buoy member is provided with a conical outer casing and the receptacle of the turret structure has a cone shape corresponding to the conical outer casing of the buoy member. The turret structure comprises a turntable carrying the conduits to be connected to the risers. The turntable is supported on the bearing assembly in a manner allowing rotation with respect to the turret structure to align the conduits with the risers when the buoy member is received and locked in the receptacle of the turret structure. Additionally or alternatively, each conduit may comprise a lower part movable with respect to the turret structure to align the lower part with the corresponding riser.
A system for mooring a vessel (16) at an offshore site comprises at least one floating mooring element (9) with two opposite mooring bodies for receiving therebetween and engaging the hull (16) of the vessel. Each mooring element is movable between an upper position for engaging the hull of the vessel and a lower position in which at least one of its mooring bodies is lowered below the upper position for disengaging the hull of the vessel. Further means (10) are provided for maintaining a substantially stationary position of the mooring element relative to the seabed. Preferably the system comprises at least two mooring elements spaced in the longitudinal direction of the vessel .
Tanker loading assembly, comprising a first on-board hose arrangement (6) with first coupling means (5) and a second submerged buoyant hose arrangement (8) provided with second coupling means (8) for cooperation with the first coupling means (5) for obtaining a fluid-tight connection between the first and second hose arrangements. The first coupling means (5) is positioned in an internal vertical passage (2) of the tanker, wherein lifting means (12,18) are provided for engaging the second coupling means (7) and lifting it towards the position for engaging the first coupling means (5).
A disconnetable mooring system is provided, comprising a vessel (1) with an outrigger (3) supporting a riser assembly (4) in a disconnectable manner, which riser assembly is provided with a riser top body (8) which by means of disconnectable latching means (9) is attached to the outrigger. The riser top body additionally is connected to the outrigger by means of a braking device (15) for temporarily controlling the downward speed of the riser top body after disconnecting the latching means, which braking device comprises a first end permanently connected to one of the riser top body and outrigger, and a second end releasably connected to the other of the riser top body and outrigger.
A mooring assembly for a vessel comprises a receiving vessel part, a geostationary part received rotatably in said receiving vessel part and a main bearing assembly connecting the geostationary part to the receiving vessel part. The main bearing assembly comprises at least two separate bearings which are manipulable such that the one or the other or both bearings are in an operative position, thus allowing the non-operative bearing to be replaced, overhauled, repaired and alike in situ.
Assembly of turret and disconnectable buoy, in which the turret at its lower end and the buoy at its upper end are provided with mating coupling provisions. The coupling provisions comprise an annular projection protruding from one of the turret and buoy towards the other of the turret and buoy and a correspondingly shaped annular recess on the other of the turret and buoy for receiving the annular projection. The annular projection has a base which is wider than a top thereof, whereas the annular recess has a top which is wider than a base thereof.
A disconnectable mooring assembly for a vessel (1) comprises a mooring buoy (11) and a swivel positioned above the mooring buoy. The mooring buoy is provided with a central member (2) for being anchored to the seabed and comprises a number of passages each adapted for receiving a riser (4). The mooring buoy further comprises an outer member (5) surrounding the central member and capable of a rotation relative thereto. Said outer member is adapted to be housed in and locked to a corresponding receiving opening of the vessel. The swivel is located above the mooring buoy in such a manner that an interspace is defined between the mooring buoy and the swivel.
A disconnectable mooring system for a vessel is presented, comprising a moonpool in the vessel, a turret structure mounted for a rotation in said moonpool and a buoy member having a plurality of passages each adapted to receive a riser. The turret structure has a lower end comprising a buoy receptacle for detachably receiving the buoy member, wherein the mooring system further comprises a plurality of mooring lines for transmitting mooring forces and each have a lower end and an upper end connected to the seabed and the buoy member, respectively. The mooring lines each comprise a first section which in a disconnectable manner is connected to the turret structure and a second section connected to the first section at a coupling point and connected to the buoy member. The length of the second section between said coupling point and its connection to the buoy member is chosen such that when the buoy member is received in the buoy receptacle with the first section connected to the turret structure and in a state for transmitting mooring forces, said second section is in a slack state not loaded by said mooring forces. Also methods for disconnecting and reconnecting such a mooring system are presented.
A disconnectable mooring system for a vessel comprises a mooring buoy member and a turret structure mounted in a moonpool of the vessel. The mooring buoy member is anchored to the seabed and has a plurality of passages each adapted to receive a riser. The turret structure has a receptacle for receiving the buoy member and locking means for locking the buoy member in the receptacle. The turret structure accommodates a plurality of conduits to be connected to risers installed in passages of the buoy member and the turret structure is rotatably supported in the moonpool of the vessel by means of at least a bearing assembly mounted above sea level. The buoy member is provided with a conical outer casing and the receptacle of the turret structure has a cone shape corresponding to the conical outer casing of the buoy member. The turret structure comprises a turntable carrying the conduits to be connected to the risers. The turntable is supported on the bearing assembly in a manner allowing rotation with respect to the turret structure to align the conduits with the risers when the buoy member is received and locked in the receptacle of the turret structure. Additionally or alternatively, each conduit may comprise a lower part movable with respect to the turret structure to align the lower part with the corresponding riser.
A disconnectable turret mooring system for a vessel is provided, comprising a tur-ret positioned in a moonpool of the vessel and having an upper part cooperating with a first up-per bearing assembly positioned between the turret and the vessel, and a lower disconnectable buoy part cooperating with a second lower bearing assembly positioned between the turret and the vessel, wherein the lower bearing assembly comprises a number of discrete circumferen-tially spaced bearing members which are attached to and extend radially inwards from the ves-sel for engaging the lower disconnectable buoy part of the turret, and which bearing members are displaceable radially between an inner operative position for engaging the lower discon-nectable buoy part and an outer inoperative position for disengaging the lower disconnectable buoy part.
A mooring chain connector assembly (4) for a floating device (1), such as for example a FPSO vessel or a floating offshore structure, is described, the connector assembly comprising a chain connector (5) having a first pivot axis (14) and a coupling means (25) for coupling a mooring chain (3) to the chain connector. The assembly (4) further comprises a channel means (6) attached to the floating device (1). The channel means have an upper end and a lower end, wherein mooring chain locking means (11) are provided at the upper end of the channel means. The channel means (6) extends in the floating device from its bottom side to a higher level in the floating device which can be located above sea surface. A bearing location (18) for the first pivot axis (14) of the chain connector is provided at the lower end of the channel means. The chain connector (5) is movable in the channel means (6) and means (27,28) are provided to move the chain connector between a first position, in which the first pivot axis (14) is located in the bearing location (18) of the channel means and a second position above the channel means, in which the coupling means (25) of the chain connector is accessible.
System for mooring a substantially cylindrical floating production, storage and offloading unit (FPSO), comprising a substantially cylindrical mooring element having un upper side for engaging the lower side of the FPSO, further comprising mooring lines for connection to the seabed, and operating means for realising an engagement between the mooring element and the FPSO, wherein the mooring element has such a specific weight that, when disconnected from the FPSO, it floats at a certain depth below the sea level.
A system for controlling a speed of each of N variable speed motors with a drive voltage is disclosed, where N is an integer equal to or greater than 1. The system includes (N+1) generators and a switching arrangement configured to directly couple, in a one-to-one relation, the N variable speed motors to the (N+1) generators so that any one of the N variable speed motors is capable of operating in at least a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode the any one of the N variable speed motors is driven with the drive voltage generated by a first generator of at least two of the (N+1) generators, and in the second mode the any one of the N variable speed motors is driven with the drive voltage generated by a second generator of the at least two of the (N+1) generators.
A method is provided for disconnecting a buoy from a turret in an arrangement with a vessel of the type comprising a turret mounted rotatably in the vessel and a buoy supporting risers which is lockable to and disconnectable from the turret. The arrangement further comprises mooring lines connecting the buoy with mooring points on the seabed and loading the buoy with mooring forces. Starting before disconnecting the buoy from the turret the mooring lines are manipulated such that at least during the moment of disconnecting the buoy from the turret the mooring forces are lowered or even substantially eliminated. A hold and release device comprises a housing with at least two distanced mooring line gripper means constructed such that an excess length of mooring line may be positioned therebetween and wherein at least one qripper means is adapted to be brought in a state disengaging the mooring line.
A mooring assembly for a vessel (1), comprising a moonpool (2) defined in the vessel, a turret ( 3 ) rotatably mounted within the moonpool by means of an upper main bearing (4) and by means of a lower secondary bearing (5), and mooring lines (6) attached to the lower region of the turret, the turret at its lower region comprises a number of circumferentially spaced torsion box like torsion members (7) each extending substantially vertically between an upper end attached to the turret and a lower free end. Said torsion members have a resistance against bending that in a circumferential direction is greater than in a radial direction. The mooring lines are attached to said torsion members near said lower free ends and the lower secondary bearing is defined by outwardly facing bearing members (8) attached to said torsion members and an inwardly facing bearing ring (9) attached to the moonpool. In a situation in which a torsion member is not loaded horizontally by a respective mooring line its bearing member does not engage the bearing ring.
An assembly for transferring fluids between a vessel and a turret structure mounted in said vessel for a rotation around a substantially vertical turret axis is provided. Said turret structure comprises a swivel having at least one fluid outlet which is connected with one end of a fluid piping of which the second end is connected to the vessel. The assembly further comprises a flexible bridge member connecting a part of the turret structure with the vessel. The rotation of said part of the turret structure around the turret axis is substantially locked to the rotation of the vessel while a relative displacement between said part of the turret structure and the vessel or the structure fixed to the vessel is allowed. Said bridge member supports the fluid piping to substantially take away the loads from the fluid piping on the said swivel and its outlets
B63B 27/24 - Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers of pipe-lines
B63B 27/34 - Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers for transfer at sea between ships or between ships and off-shore structures using pipe-lines
B63B 35/44 - Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
B67D 9/02 - Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids when loading or unloading ships using articulated pipes
E21B 43/01 - Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells specially adapted for obtaining from underwater installations
64.
ASSEMBLY OF TWO CONCENTRIC PARTS AND A BEARING BETWEEN SAID PARTS
An assembly of two concentric parts and a bearing between the parts is provided with an inner bearing ring, an outer bearing ring, axial rollers and radial rollers. A first bearing ring is attached to a first concentric part in a manner for maximally limiting a radial distortion thereof and a second concentric part is connected to the second bearing ring at an engagement location. The second concentric part has a load support member which is connected to the second bearing ring such that the vertical load introduced into the second bearing ring by the load support member extends through the axial rollers without causing a moment around the axial rollers, and wherein the second concentric part indirectly or directly engages the second bearing ring in such a manner that only radial loads and substantially no axial loads are introduced at the at least one engagement position.
B63B 35/00 - Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
F16C 19/38 - Bearings with rolling contact, for exclusively rotary movement with bearing rollers essentially of the same size in one or more circular rows, e.g. needle bearings for both radial and axial load with two or more rows of rollers
A mooring assembly for a vessel comprises a moonpool having a casing, a turret positioned in said moonpool and mounted therein for a rotation by means of an upper bearing assembly and a lower bearing assembly and mooring lines attached to a lower part of the turret. The lower bearing assembly comprises a stiff inner bearing ring attached to said lower part of the turret, an outer bearing ring attached to the casing of the moonpool and a number of circumferentially spaced bearing blocks positioned between the inner and outer bearing rings. Mounting means are provided for maintaining a substantially fixed position of the bearing blocks relative to the outer bearing ring. The mounting means are devised for allowing the bearing blocks to carry out a settling movement relative to the outer bearing ring for assuming a position in which the load transfer between the bearing blocks and outer bearing ring occurs with a minimum of stress concentrations within the outer bearing ring and wherein the larger part of the load transfer occurs directly between the bearing blocks and outer bearing ring without being directed through the mounting means.
A turret assembly for a vessel comprises a moonpool defined in the vessel and a turret structure rotatably mounted in said moonpool. The turret structure comprises a turret table which by means of a main bearing is rotatably mounted in said moonpool and a hollow turret shaft defined by a surrounding shaft wall, which turret shaft has an upper shaft end connected to the turret table, a substantially cylindrical shaft part that extends downwardly from the turret table and a lower shaft end provided with means intended for cooperation with a lower bearing. The shaft wall of the upper shaft end comprises a widened part surrounding the cylindrical shaft part and defines a circumferential crest, wherein the shaft wall of the upper shaft end, starting from said circumferential crest, extends downwardly towards a position where the upper shaft end is connected to the turret table.
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