WO2003039946A1

WO2003039946A1 - Turret for connecting a buoy to a vessel

Info

Publication number: WO2003039946A1
Application number: PCT/NO2002/000404
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claes W. Olsen
Original assignee: Advanced Production and Loading AS
Current assignee: Advanced Production and Loading AS
Priority date: 2001-11-07
Filing date: 2002-11-06
Publication date: 2003-05-15
Anticipated expiration: 2004-05-07
Also published as: NO20015440D0

Abstract

Turret for connection of a buoy (1) to a vessel, where the buoy (2) has a shape substantially like a circular cylinder and being adapted to be connected with a vertically arranged sleeve (2) in the vessel and to be locked to the sleeve (2) by means of locking devices (3) and that the sleeve (2) is rotatably supported in bearings (4) arranged in the vessel, and that lines (5) for transfer of media etc. between the vessel and the seabed, extend centrically through the buoy (1).

Description

Turret for connecting a buoy to a vessel

5 The present application is related to a turret for connecting a buoy to a vessel.

Moored buoy are used among others offshore to transfer media from units on the seabed to vessels on the surface, such as oil and gas through lines connected with the buoys. Such lines also can transfer electricity and signals through the connecting structure to units on the seabed. 0 Buoys of the above mentioned type are designed to be stored in such a way that the buoys can rotate independently of the vessel. This is achieved by means of a support which traditionally was installed on the buoys or, in other embodiments, where buoys are connected and stored to the underside of the vessel. As components as bearings and/or locking mechanisms have been assembled on the buoys or difficult available areas under s the vessel, maintenance and repairs of such bearings were difficult and expensive, which is a substantial disadvantage.

Furthermore, many embodiments need substantial prestress between the buoy and the vessel to avoid relative rotation or to achieve a tights connection. This means substantial demands to tolerances during manufacturing. Ό The turret according to the present invention provides a solution where maintenance and repair of bearings may be performed at any time and without problems, the above mentioned disadvantages by known embodiments therefore are avoided. Furthermore also the claim for small tolerances by manufacturing of known embodiments is avoided. This is achieved with the turret according to the present invention as defined ₅ with the features stated in the claims.

The drawing discloses in the only figure a vertical section of the turret according to the present invention, for connection of a buoy to a vessel.

For connection of the buoy 1 to the vessel, the buoy 1 is guided to and upwardly in a vertically supported sleeve 2 in the vessel. Locking of the buoy 1 to the sleeve 2 is a 0 simple mechanical dependent mechanism in combination with a mechanical locking against rotation by means of locking means 3.

The sleeve 2 is supported in the vessel with bearing 4 in such a way that the sleeve 2 freely may rotate in relation to the vessel. The sleeve has a shape substantially

_* like a circular cylinder where the horizontal components of the anchoring forces are 5 transferred through the sleeve 2 via vertical surfaces 7. The vertical component is transferred by means of locking means 3 from the buoy 1 to the sleeve 2. Transfer of the load from the sleeve 2 to the vessel is performed by means of a support ring 6 of the bearing 4 as a vertical component, a horizontal component and a torque is transferred as a pair of forces. The buoy 1 and the sleeve 2 are welded structures. Necessary tolerances may be achieved by simple means as dimensions and shape is of such an order that the parts may be machined in typical mills. The buoy 1 and the sleeve 2 preferably may be assembled and connected before the sleeve 2 is installed on board the vessel.

The buoy 1 is connected with load transmitting lines 5 for transfer of desired media. The lines 5 may be connected with the lower edge of the buoy 1 or be extended through the buoy to the upper edge of the buoy. The connection structure of the lines 5 may be swivels, flexible hoses or others adapted to take up the relative rotation between the buoy 1 and the vessel.

With the means according to the present invention it is ensured that the bearings 4, which ensure free rotation between the buoy 1 and the vessel, and the locking means 3 between the buoy 1 and the sleeve 2 in a simple way and without problems, may be repaired and maintained from the internal of the vessel.

Claims

P a t e n t C l a i m s

1. Turret for connection of a buoy (1) to a vessel, characterized in that the-buoy

(2) has a shape substantially like a circular cylinder and being adapted to be connected with a vertically arranged sleeve (2) in the vessel and to be locked to the sleeve (2) by means of locking devices (3) and that the sleeve (2) is rotatably supported in bearings (4) arranged in the vessel, and that lines (5) for transfer of media etc. between the vessel and the seabed, extend centrically through the buoy (1).

2. Turret according to preceding claim, characterized in that the sleeve 2 is supported in the bearings (4) by means of a bearing ring (6).

3. Turret according to preceding claims, characterized in that the buoy (1) abuts vertical surfaces (7) on the sleeve (2) when the buoy (1) is connected with the sleeve (2).