WO2025062274A2

WO2025062274A2 - Quick-coupling connection system for the maritime industry

Info

Publication number: WO2025062274A2
Application number: PCT/IB2024/058994
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrea ARRIGHETTI
Original assignee: Remazel Engineering SpA
Current assignee: Remazel Engineering SpA
Priority date: 2023-09-19
Filing date: 2024-09-16
Publication date: 2025-03-27
Anticipated expiration: 2026-03-19
Also published as: WO2025062274A3

Abstract

A connection system (1) to connect, in the maritime industry, a mechanical transmission member (2) to a body (3) and having: a male connector (4), which can be connected to an end of the mechanical transmission member (2); and a female connector (5), which can be connected to the body (3), has a seat (6) shaped so as to receive the male connector (4), and comprises a locking device (7), which is configured to hold the male connector (4) inside the seat (6).

Description

QUICK-COUPLING CONNECTION SYSTEM FOR THE MARITIME INDUSTRY

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

This Patent Application claims priority from Italian Patent Applications No. 102023000019221 and no. 102023000019233 filed on September 19, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a connection system for the maritime industry.

The present invention is advantageously applied to a mooring system (namely to a connection system which establishes the connection of a mechanical transmission member, namely a chain or a rope, to a floating body), to which the following discussion will explicitly refer without thereby losing generality. In particular, the mooring system is suitable for permanent floating structures having large dimensions such as, for example, the floating platforms for the extraction of hydrocarbons, the floating platforms for the production of wind power, or the floating production, storage and offloading units (called “FPSO”).

Prior Art

A mooring system for permanent floating structures having large dimensions establishes the connection of a mechanical transmission member (a chain or a rope) to a floating body.

Generally, a mooring system can comprise a male connector which, for example, can be connected to an end of the mechanical transmission member and a female connector which, for example, can be connected to the floating body, has a seat shaped so as to receive the male connector, and comprises a locking device which is configured to hold the male connector inside the seat.

Some examples of known mooring systems are provided in patent applications US2012031320A1 , US2018118306A1 and US20210155323A1.

In the known mooring systems, the insertion of the male connector in the female connector is relatively long and laborious and this can sensibly slacken the operations keeping into account that they are heavy and bulky objects which have to bear tensions corresponding to hundreds of tons and which have to be put into service in weather and sea conditions that may also be particularly adverse.

Patent application US2015090171 A1 describes a device which supports the mooring chain in a mooring system for offshore structures such as platforms and vessels; in particular, a chain support is described which is hinged on two perpendicular axes so as to enable the movement of the chain on two perpendicular planes.

Patent US4560147A describes a low-profile turnbuckle for adjusting the tension between a chain plate mounted on the hull and the rod rigging in the form of a mast stay or shrouds.

Patent application FR2755200A1 describes a turnbuckle consisting of two halfbodies with connecting forks at their ends.

Description of the Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a connection system which allows establishing a rapid and resistant (namely which resists against severe weather and sea conditions) connection and is, at the same time, simple and cost-effective to produce.

According to the present invention, a connection system is provided, according to what is claimed in the appended claims.

The claims describe preferred embodiments of the present invention forming integral part of the present description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate some non-limiting example embodiments thereof, wherein:

• Figures 1 and 2 are two perspective views of a mooring system before and after, respectively, a coupling between a male connector and a female connector;

• Figure 3 is a perspective longitudinal section view of the female connector of the mooring system of Figures 1 and 2;

• Figures 4, 5 and 6 are perspective views of a locking device of the female connector of the mooring system of Figures 1 and 2;

• Figures 7 illustrate the coupling sequence between the male connector and the female connector of the mooring system of Figures 1 and 2;

• Figures 8 and 9 are two perspective views of a variation of the mooring system of Figures 1 and 2 before and after, respectively, a coupling between a male connector and a female connector;

• Figures 10 and 11 are two perspective views of another variation of the mooring system of Figures 1 and 2 before and after, respectively, a coupling between a male connector and a female connector;

• Figure 12 is a perspective view of a locking device of the female connector of the mooring system of Figures 10 and 11 ;

• Figures 13 and 14 are two perspective views of a further variation of the mooring system of Figures 1 and 2 before and after, respectively, a coupling between a male connector and a female connector;

• Figures 15 and 16 are two perspective views of a mooring system before and after, respectively, a connection to a floating body;

• Figure 17 is an exploded perspective view, with parts removed for clarity, of the mooring system of Figures 15 and 16;

• Figures 18 and 19 are two perspective views of a variation of the mooring system of Figures 15 and 16 before and after, respectively, a connection to a floating body;

• Figure 20 is an exploded perspective view, with parts removed for clarity, of the mooring system of Figures 18 and 19;

• Figures 21 and 22 are two perspective views of a mooring system before and after, respectively, a connection to a floating body;

• Figure 23 is a perspective view, with parts removed for clarity, of the mooring system of Figures 21 and 22;

• Figures 24 and 25 are two different perspective longitudinal section views, with parts removed for clarity, of the mooring system of Figures 21 and 22; and

• Figure 26 is a perspective longitudinal section view, with parts removed for clarity, of a variation of the mooring system of Figures 21 and 22;

• Figure 27 is a perspective view of another variation of the mooring system of Figures 1 and 2;

• Figure 28 is a perspective view of a further variation of the mooring system of Figures 1 and 2;

• Figures 29 and 30 are two perspective views of details of the mooring system of Figure 28 with the removal of parts for clarity; and

• Figures 31 -34 are perspective views of respective variations of the mooring system of Figures 1 and 2.

Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

In Figures 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 indicates, as a whole, a mooring system (namely, more in general, a connection system in the maritime industry) for connecting a mechanical transmission member 2 (consisting of a rope or a chain) to a floating body 3 (for example a floating platform). The mooring system 1 comprises a male connector 4 which can be connected to an end of the mechanical transmission member 2 (or, alternatively, to the floating body 3) and has a cylindrical symmetry around a longitudinal axis of its own. Furthermore, the mooring system 1 comprises a female connector 5 which can be connected to the floating body 3 (or, alternatively, to an end of the mechanical transmission member 2), has a seat 6 (better illustrated in Figure 3) shaped so as to receive the male connector 4, and comprises a locking device 7 (better illustrated in Figures 3-6) which is configured to hold the male connector 4 inside the seat 6.

According to what is illustrated in Figure 1 , the male connector 4 comprises a (at least one) sealing portion 8 having a larger diameter followed by a housing portion 9 having a smaller diameter so as to create an undercut with the sealing portion 8. The sealing portion 8 of the male connector 4 is provided with a point with an at least partially conical shape; namely the point of the sealing portion 8 has a conical shape (as is illustrated in the accompanying figures) or has the shape of a truncated cone (according to a variation not illustrated).

According to what is illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 6, the locking device 7 of the female connector 5 comprises a holding element 10 which has, at the centre, a circular through hole 1 1 having a diameter (substantially) smaller than the diameter of the sealing portion 8 of the male connector 4 and (slightly) greater than the diameter of the housing portion 9 of the male connector 4. The holding element 10 is divided into two halves which are hinged so as to rotate around respective rotation axes 12 between an open position (illustrated in Figure 7c), in which the two halves of the holding element 10 are arranged at a given distance from each other (thus opening the hole 1 1 which thus has a larger dimension) in order to allow the passage of the sealing portion 8 of the male connector 4, and a closed position (illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5 and in Figures 7a, 7b, 7d and 7e), in which the two halves of the holding element 10 are in contact with each other (thus giving the hole 11 the minimum dimension).

According to a possible embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the hole 1 1 of the holding element 10 has the shape of a truncated cone both for making the thrust exerted by the point of the sealing portion 8 of the male connector 4 more progressive (thrust which is already made progressive by the conical shape of the point of the sealing portion 8), and for facilitating the opening (separation) of the two halves of the holding element 10 when the male connector 4 is inserted.

The locking device 7 comprises a pushing mechanism 13 which pushes the two halves of the holding element 10 towards the closed position. In particular, the pushing mechanism 13 uses gravity for pushing the two halves of the holding element 10 towards the closed position, since the movement of the two halves of the holding element 10 from the closed position to the open position requires an upward movement (thus against gravity) of the centres of gravity of the two halves of the holding element 10. It is important to observe that the connection system 1 originates and is designed for working (obviously with a given margin of tolerance) in a determined range of orientations relative to the vertical and thus is not capable of working in all possible orientations relative to the vertical; therefore, the positioning of the rotation axes 12 of the two halves of the holding element 10 relative to the centre of gravity of the two halves of the holding element 10 is made keeping into account the possible orientations relative to the vertical that the connection system 1 will have in use.

According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the pushing mechanism 13 comprises, for each half of the holding element 10, at least one respective ballast 14 which increases the mass by half of the holding element 10 and thus increases the weight force which tends to rotate the half of the holding element 10 towards the closed position. Preferably, the pushing mechanism 13 comprises, for each half of the holding element 10, two ballasts 14 which are arranged on the two opposite sides of the half of the holding element 10.

According to a preferred embodiment better illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 6, each half of the holding element 10 is integral with a pin 15 which is mounted on a frame 16 of the female connector 5 in a rotary manner so as to rotate around the respective rotation axis 12 and each ballast 14 is integral with the respective pin 15. The pushing mechanism 13 comprises for each half of the holding element 10 two ballasts 14 which are integral with the respective pin 15 and are arranged at opposite ends of the pin 15.

According to what is illustrated in Figures 1 , 2 and 3, the frame 16 of the female connector 5 comprises two opposite plates 17 between which the holding element 10 is arranged (namely the holding element 10 is located inside the frame 16 of the female connector 5 comprising the two opposite plates 17). Each plate 17 has two through holes where the respective pin 15 is inserted so that the ends thereof project out of the plate 17. Each ballast 14 is arranged on the outside of the two plates 17, namely on the opposite side of a respective plate 17 relative to the holding element 10; in other words, the holding element 10 is located inside the frame 16, whereas the four ballasts 14 (two ballasts 14 for each half of the holding element 10) are arranged on the outside of the frame 16.

According to other embodiments, the frame 16 of the female connector 5 can have a different shape relative to what is illustrated in the accompanying figures.

According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, each ballast 14 has the shape of a quarter of a circle and the rotation axis 12 of each ballast 14 (substantially) constitutes the centre of a circular outer edge of the ballast 14; in this manner, the ballasts 14 can generate a high torque relative to the respective rotation axes 12 and, at the same time, can simultaneously rotate relative to one another without mutual interferences.

According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the female connector 5 comprises an input element 18 with a tubular shape which has, at first, the shape of a truncated cone and constitutes the access to the female connector 5. The input element 18 cooperates with the point with an at least partially conical shape of the sealing portion 8 of the male connector 4 so as to produce a self-centring of the male connector 4 relative to the female connector 5.

According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 , 2 and 3, the female connector 5 supports a return pulley 19 around which an auxiliary rope 20 (namely an installation rope 20) is wound, which can be used for pulling the male connector 4 into the female connector 5 during an installation step. Namely, the auxiliary rope 20 is fixed to the male connector 4 and is used during an installation step (namely a connection step of the male connector 4 to the female connector 5) for pulling the male connector 4 into the female connector 5. In particular, a plate 17 of the frame 16 of the female connector 5 has a through slit 21 , where the return pulley 19 is arranged. The return pulley 19 is hinged, for rotating idle, to a crosspiece which connects the two plates 17 of the frame 16 of the female connector 5 to each other.

According to a different embodiment not illustrated, instead of the auxiliary rope 20, an auxiliary chain 20 is used.

According to a different embodiment not illustrated, the return pulley 19 is replaced by a slide, namely by a shaped (typically curved) channel for allowing and facilitating the sliding of the auxiliary rope (or chain) 20 relative to the frame 16 of the female connector 5.

In use, the male connector 4 is pulled into the female connector 5 by the auxiliary rope 20 (as is illustrated in Figures 7a and 7b) until the point of the sealing portion 8 of the male connector 4 comes into contact with the wall of the hole 11 of the holding body 10 moving the two halves of the holding body 10 away from each other, namely moving the two halves of the holding body 10 from the closed position to the open position (as is illustrated in Figure 7c). Once the sealing portion 8 of the male connector 4, pulled by the auxiliary rope 20, goes beyond the hole 11 of the holding body 10, the two halves of the holding body 10 (no longer kept separated by the presence of the sealing portion 8) return by gravity towards the closed position closing around the housing portion 9 of the male connector 4 and thus constraining the male connector 4 inside the female connector 5 (as is illustrated in Figures 7d and 7e).

Subsequently, in order to separate the male connector 4 from the female connector 5, it is necessary to slightly move away the sealing portion 8 of the male connector 4 and thus, by pushing from the outside of the female connector 5, move the two halves of the holding body 10 (overcoming gravity) from the closed position to the open position so as to allow withdrawing the sealing portion 8 of the male connector 4 from the (open) hole

11 of the holding body 10. By way of example, in order to move the two halves of the holding body 10 (overcoming gravity) from the closed position to the open position, it is possible to use: a remotely operated submarine robot (also indicated by the acronym “ROV” - “Remotely Operated Vehicle”), a rope, the manual intervention of a diver, a buoy mounted by a diver, a hydraulic device, or an electrical device.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the male connector 4 comprises one single sealing portion 8 and one single housing portion 9 and thus the male connector 4 can be connected to the female connector 5 in one single position. In the variation illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the male connector 4 comprises a plurality of sealing portions 8 which are arranged one after the other and are separated from one another by respective housing portions 9 and thus the male connector 4 can be connected to the female connector 5 in different positions (one for each housing portion 9) having different overall lengths of the mooring system 1 . In other words, the mooring system 1 illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 allows fitting the male connector 4 in the female connector 5 with (differentiated) different lengths and thus has the possibility to adjust its overall length.

For example, mechanical transmission members (particularly when they are made by means of synthetic ropes) can have, during their operating life, elongations caused by the constant tension which require to be compensated by shortening the overall length of the mooring systems; in these situations, the mooring system 1 illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 can be used, which has the possibility to adjust its overall length.

In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 -9, the male connector 4 is inserted in the female connector 5 with an (at least partially) upward movement and thus has to be pulled for example by using the auxiliary rope 20. In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 10-14, the male connector 4 is inserted in the female connector 5 with a downward movement and thus the movement of the male connector 4 towards the female connector 5 can be obtained also only thanks to gravity (which pushes the male connector 4 downwards).

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 10-14, the female connector 5 is vertical and faces upwards so that the movement of insertion of the male connector 4 in the female connector 5 is vertical and directed downwards (and thus does not require any particular guide since it is completely aligned with gravity). In this embodiment, the female connector 5 is designed to operate with a range of more or less vertical orientations.

According to an embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 -9 and 13-14, the female connector 5 comprises a universal joint 22 which is arranged on the side opposite the seat 6 and is configured to establish the connection to the floating body 3; the universal joint 22, or simply cardan joint, allows two rotary degrees of freedom, namely allows the female connector 5 to rotate around two rotation axes perpendicular to each other relative to the floating body 3. According to the alternative embodiment illustrated in Figures 10 and 1 1 , the universal joint 22 is interposed between the male connector 4 and the mechanical transmission member 2 and the female connector 5 is stiffly connected to the floating body 3 (namely cannot perform any type of movement relative to the floating body 3)-

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 13 and 14, the female connector 5 comprises the universal joint 22 configured to establish the connection to the floating body 3 and, at the same time, a simple joint 23 (namely which allows one single rotary degree of freedom) is provided interposed between the male connector 4 and the mechanical transmission member 2 (alternatively also the joint 23 could be a universal joint).

The main use of the connection system 1 illustrated in Figures 1 -14 and described above is to establish the connection between a mechanical transmission member 2 and a floating body 3 and thus the connection system 1 is used as mooring system 1. However, the connection system 1 illustrated in Figures 1 -14 and described above can be used in the maritime industry also for other uses such as, for example, for connecting to a mechanical transmission member 2 a (an immersed) body which has to be lifted towards the surface of the sea, for connecting to a mechanical transmission member 2 a body which has to be lowered towards the bottom of the sea, or for connecting to a mechanical transmission member 2 a body in the air (namely not immersed).

The above-described (connection) mooring system 1 has numerous advantages.

Firstly, the above-described (connection) mooring system 1 allows an extremely rapid and simple connection between the male connector 4 and the female connector 5. In particular, it is sufficient to pull with a sufficient force the auxiliary rope 20 for establishing the connection between the male connector 4 and the female connector 5 also starting from an initial situation in which the male connector 4 is far (also several hundreds of metres) from the female connector 5.

Furthermore, the above-described (connection) mooring system 1 guarantees a firm and solid connection between the male connector 4 and the female connector 5 which can resist against the most severe weather and sea conditions.

Finally, the above-described (connection) mooring system 1 is easily and quickly separable: in fact, it is sufficient to remove the tension between the sealing portion 8 and the holding element 10 of the mooring system 1 in order to be able to move (with a specially provided power-assisted tool which applies a thrust such to allow overcoming gravity) the two halves of the holding element 10 from the closed position to the open position so as to be able to withdraw the male connector 4 from the female connector 5.

In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 -9, the female connector s supports the return pulley 19 around which the auxiliary rope 20 is wound which can be used for pulling the male connector 4 into the female connector 5 during an installation step; in the alternative embodiment illustrated in Figures 27-30, the female connector 5 is devoid of the return pulley 19 and thus the auxiliary rope 20 is not deviated by the return pulley 19 and is, in use, parallel to the mechanical transmission member 2.

In the alternative embodiment illustrated in Figures 28 and 29, an orientation apparatus 51 is provided configured to always impart to the male connector 4 a preferred and predetermined orientation (step) relative to the female connector 5; in particular, this preferred orientation allows easily extracting a pin which locks the auxiliary rope 20 (namely the installation rope 20) for removing (disconnecting) the auxiliary rope 20 once the connection between the male connector 4 and the female connector 5 has been completed. In other words, there can be orientations between the male connector 4 and the female connector 5 which prevent the pin which locks the auxiliary rope 20 (namely the installation rope 20) from being removed and the presence of the orientation apparatus 51 solves this problem always imposing on the male connector 4 a preferred and predetermined orientation (step) relative to the female connector 5. In particular, the orientation apparatus 51 comprises a “V”-shaped guide 52 which is integral with the female connector 5 and a pair of opposite fins 53 which radially protrude from the male connector 4 so as to couple to the guide 52; the guide 52 is shaped so as to allow the two fins 53 to be inserted inside the guide 52 in a single predetermined angular position and thus force the male connector 4 to rotate relative to itself so as to arrange the two fins 53 in the predetermined angular position. According to a preferred embodiment, the guide 52 has a “V”-shaped cleft which has a dimension that progressively reduces (namely the cleft is delimited by tilted planes) so that the access of the cleft is very wide for accommodating the two fins 53 in any position and so that the two fins 53, by entering the cleft, are forced to rotate towards the predetermined angular position due to the progressive narrowing of the dimension of the cleft.

In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 -14, the sealing portions 8 have a cylindrical shape and the housing portions 9 have a relevant axial extension (namely greater than the axial extension of the sealing portions 8 and thus the sealing portions 8 are axially shorter than the housing portions 9). In the alternative embodiment illustrated in Figures 27, 28 and 29, the sealing portions 8 have the shape of a truncated cone and are closer (thus reducing the axial extension of the housing portions 9 to the limit up to almost annulling the housing portions 9) so as to allow a greater number of different positions of the male connector 4 inside the female connector 5 (namely so as to allow a closer step between the positions).

In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 -14, the two halves of the holding element 10 move between the open position and the closed position by means of a rotation around respective rotation axes 12. In the alternative embodiment illustrated in Figures 27-30, the two halves of the holding element 10 move between the open position and the closed position not by means of a rotation (around respective rotation axes 12) but by means of a translation. Namely, the movement of the two halves of the holding element 10 between the open position and the closed position can be a rotation or a translation (possibly also a roto-translation). In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 27- 30 and better illustrated in Figure 30, the two halves of the holding element 10 are connected to the ballasts 14 (which continue to rotate around the respective rotation axes 12) by means of respective arms 54, each of which is angularly (stiffly) integral with a ballast 14, is hinged at an end to the frame 16 and has a slot 55 engaged by a pin 56 integral with a half of the holding element 10. Figures 31 and 32 illustrate two alternative embodiments wherein the female connector 5 of the (connection) mooring system 1 is laterally fixed to the floating body 3.

Figures 33 and 34 illustrate two alternative embodiments wherein around the female connector 5 of the (connection) mooring system 1 a support element 57 of annular shape (namely having the shape of a ring) is provided. In particular, the support element 57 surrounds the female connector 5 (obviously in the space not occupied by the floating body 3) and has the function of providing a support (when necessary, namely when it is not in tension) to the mechanical transmission member 2 (consisting of a rope or a chain) for preventing the mechanical transmission member 2 from assuming a bend on a too reduced bend radius which could damage it. In other words, when the mechanical transmission member 2 is not in tension it could assume, in the absence of the support element 57, a very large bend angle which could, in time, cause its damage; the presence of the support element 57, on which the mechanical transmission member 2 is supported when it is not in tension, allows guaranteeing that the mechanical transmission member 2 never assumes too large bend angles.

In the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying figures, the male connector 4 is connected to an end of the mechanical transmission member 2, whereas the female connector 5 is connected to the floating body 3; according to other embodiments not illustrated, it is possible to operate a simple inversion and thus connect the male connector 4 to the floating body 3 and connect the female connector 5 to an end of the mechanical transmission member 2.

In Figures 15 and 16, reference numeral 24 indicates, as a whole, a mooring system (namely, more in general, a connection system in the maritime industry) for connecting a mechanical transmission member 2 (consisting of a rope or a chain) to a floating body 3 (for example a floating platform).

The mooring system 24 comprises a connector 25 which can be connected to an end of the mechanical transmission member 2 and a connector 26 which can be connected to the floating body 3 and can be made integral with the connector 25 for establishing the connection. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 15 and 16, the connector 25 can be connected to an end of the mechanical transmission member 2 and the connector 26 can be connected to the floating body 3; according to a different alternative embodiment, the connector 26 can be connected to an end of the mechanical transmission member 2 and the connector 25 can be connected to the floating body 3.

The connector 25 comprises a main screw 27 having an outer thread and the other connector 26 comprises a nut screw 28 which is engaged by the main screw 27. In use and before installing the mooring system 24, the overall length of the mooring system 24 is established by screwing (for shortening the mooring system 24) or unscrewing (for lengthening the mooring system 24) the main screw 27 inside the nut screw 28.

According to what is better illustrated in Figure 17, the connector 26 comprises a “U”-shaped frame 29 comprising a base 30 which has a smooth (i.e. not threaded) through hole 31 , where the main screw 27 of the connector 25 is arranged (with a minimum clearance) and supports the nut screw 28 which is firmly fixed to the base 30 and is coaxial to the hole 31 . Furthermore, the frame 29 of the connector 26 comprises two uprights 32 which are perpendicular to the base 30 and are parallel to and facing each other; a fixing element 33 (illustrated in Figures 15 and 16) which can be connected to the floating body 3 is fixed to the two uprights 32 of the frame 29 on the side opposite the base 30.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 15 and 16, the fixing element 33 is a universal joint and thus it allows the connector 26 to rotate around two rotation axes perpendicular to each other relative to the floating body 3; in particular, the fixing element 33 comprises a pin 34 which projects, on both sides, out of the fixing element 33 and is configured to be inserted in two “U”-shaped integral seats 35 from the floating body 3.

In the variation illustrated in Figures 18, 19 and 20, the frame 29 of the connector 26 has a cylindrical shape and integrates the fixing element 33 which consists of two cylindrical appendages 36 configured to be inserted in two cylindrical integral seats 37 from the floating body 3. Namely, in the variation illustrated in Figures 18, 19 and 20, the connector 26 comprises the frame 29 with a cylindrical shape which has a smooth through hole 31 , where the main screw 27 of the connector 25 is arranged and supports the nut screw 28 which is firmly fixed to the frame 29.

According to what is illustrated in Figures 21 and 22, the mooring system 24 comprises the connector 25 which can be connected to the mechanical transmission member 2 and the connector 26 which can be connected to the floating body 3.

According to what is illustrated in Figures 23, 24 and 25, the connector 25 comprises a support body 37 with a cylindrical shape which (as is better illustrated in Figure 25) is internally hollow so as to contain, on the inside, the main screw 27 integral with the connector 26 and supports, at an end, the nut screw 28 which is fixed to the support body 37. In other words, the nut screw 28 constitutes the closing at an end of the support body 37 with a cylindrical shape. At the opposite end of the nut screw 28, the connector 26 comprises a fixing element 38 which is integral with the support body 37 and can be connected to the mechanical transmission member 2.

The connector 26 comprises a support body 39 to which an end of the main screw 27 opposite the support body 37 is fixed, namely an end of the main screw 27 which projects out of the support body 37 (and in particular projects out of the nut screw 28 arranged at an end of the support body 37).

The connector 26 comprises a fixing element 40 which is integral with the support body 39 and can be connected to the body 3; according to what is better illustrated in Figure 23, the fixing element 40 is a universal joint and thus it allows the connector 26 to rotate around two rotation axes perpendicular to each other relative to the floating body 3; in particular, the fixing element 40 comprises a pin 41 which projects, on both sides, out of the fixing element 40 and is configured to be inserted in two “U”-shaped integral seats 42 (illustrated in Figures 21 and 22) from the floating body 3.

According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 24, the connector 26 comprises an auxiliary worm screw 43 which is supported by the support body 39 in a rotary manner, is arranged perpendicularly to the main screw 27, and meshes (possibly with the interposition of a transmission member which can provide a non-unitary transmission ratio and tendentially is a reduction gear) with the main screw 27 so that by rotating the auxiliary worm screw 43, the main screw 27 is rotated accordingly. The auxiliary worm screw 43 comprises a (for example parallelepiped) head 44 which is arranged on the outside of the support body 39 and can be engaged by a tool which, for example, can be carried by a diver or by a remotely operated submarine robot (also indicated by the acronym “ROV” - “Remotely Operated Vehicle”). Preferably, the support body 39 is provided with a tubular, cylindrical case 45 which is arranged around the head 44 of the auxiliary worm screw 43.

According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 21 and 22, a cylindrical covering body 46 is provided which, at an end, is integral with the support body 39, is open at the opposite end, and contains, on the inside with a clearance, the support body 37; in other words, the covering body 46 is an offshoot of the support body 39 which covers (contains) the support body 37.

According to what is illustrated in Figures 21 , 22 and 23, the mooring system 24 comprises at least one constraining element 47 which prevents the support body 37 from rotating relative to the support body 39 and allows the support body 37 to axially slide relative to the support body 39. The function of the constraining element 47 is to determine the axial sliding of the support body 37 to the support body 39 when the main screw 27 is rotated (through the auxiliary screw 43): in fact, in the absence of the constraining element 47, by rotating the main screw 27, only a corresponding rotation of the support body 37 relative to the support body 39 would be obtained.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 21 , 22 and 23, two twin constraining elements 47 are present arranged on opposite sides of the mooring system 24.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 21 , 22 and 23, each constraining element 47 comprises two arms 48 which are hinged to each other: a first arm 48 is hinged (on the opposite side of the hinge with the second arm) to the fixing element 38, whereas the second arm 48 is hinged (on the opposite side of the hinge with the first arm) to the covering body 46 (which is integral with the support body 39). Namely, each constraining element 47 is axially deformable and has a first end integral with the support body 37 and a second end integral with the support body 39 (namely integral with the covering body 46 which is in turn integral with the support body 39).

In the variation illustrated in Figure 26, one single constraining element 47 is present (but alternatively two, three or four constraining elements 47 could be present) comprising an axial groove 49 obtained inside the covering body 46 and a tab 50 which is integral with the support body 37 and engages the axial groove 49; according to a trivial kinematic inversion, the axial groove 49 could be obtained on the outside of the support body 37 and the key which engages the axial groove 49 could be integral with the covering body 46.

The above-described (connection) mooring system 24 has numerous advantages.

Firstly, the above-described (connection) mooring system 24 allows adjusting also in a very accurate manner the overall length. In particular, the (connection) mooring system 24 illustrated in Figures 21 -26 allows adjusting its overall length not only before its installation (as for the mooring systems 24 illustrated in Figures 15-20), but allows adjusting its overall length also after its installation provided that the tensile load applied to its ends is modest (in the order of 5-10% of the maximum tensile load).

Furthermore, the above-described (connection) mooring system 24 guarantees a firm and solid connection between the male connector 4 and the female connector 5 which can resist against the most severe weather and sea conditions.

In the accompanying figures, the (connection) mooring system 1 is independent of and separated from the (connection) mooring system 24. According to other embodiments not illustrated, the (connection) mooring system 1 could be used together with the (connection) mooring system 24; for example the (connection) mooring system 1 could be connected to the floating body 3 and thus the (connection) mooring system 24 could be interposed between the (connection) mooring system 1 and the mechanical transmission member 2 or the (connection) mooring system 24 could be connected to the floating body 3 and thus the (connection) mooring system 1 could be interposed between the (connection) mooring system 24 and the mechanical transmission member 2.

The embodiments described herein can be combined with one another without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

LIST OF THE REFERENCE NUMERAL OF THE FIGURES

1 mooring system

2 mechanical transmission member

3 body

4 male connector

5 female connector

6 seat

7 locking device

8 sealing portion

9 housing portion

10 holding body

1 1 hole

12 rotation axes

13 pushing mechanism

14 ballast

15 pin

16 frame

17 plates

18 input element

19 return pulley

20 auxiliary rope

21 slit

22 universal joint

23 simple joint

24 mooring system

25 connector 26 connector

27 main screw

28 nut screw

29 frame

30 base

31 hole

32 uprights

33 fixing element

34 pin

35 seats

36 appendages

37 support body

38 fixing element

39 support body

40 fixing element

41 pin

42 seats

43 auxiliary screw

44 head

45 case

46 covering body

47 constraining element

48 arms

49 axial groove

50 tab

51 orientation apparatus

52 guide

53 fins

54 arms

55 slot

56 pin

57 support element

Claims

C L A I M S

1) A connection system (1 ) to connect, in the maritime industry, a mechanical transmission member (2) to a preferably floating body (3) and comprising: a male connector (4), which can be connected to an end of the mechanical transmission member (2) or to the body (3) and has a cylindrical symmetry; and a female connector (5), which can be connected to the body (3) or to an end of the mechanical transmission member (2), has a seat (6) shaped so as to receive the male connector (4) and comprises a locking device (7), which is configured to hold the male connector (4) inside the seat (6); the connection system (1 ) is characterized in that: the male connector (4) comprises at least one sealing portion (8) having an undercut; and the locking device (7) of the female connector (5) comprises a holding element (10), which has, at the centre, a through hole (11 ) having a smaller diameter than the diameter of the sealing portion (8) of the male connector (4) and is divided into two halves, which are movable so as to move between an open position, in which the two halves of the holding element (10) are arranged at a given distance from each other in order to allow the passage of the sealing portion (8) of the male connector (4), and a closed position, in which the two halves of the holding element (10) are in contact with each other.

2) The connection system (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the locking device (7) comprises a pushing mechanism (13), which pushes the two halves of the holding element (10) towards the closed position.

3) The connection system (1 ) according to claim 2, wherein the pushing mechanism (13) uses gravity to push the two halves of the holding element (10) towards the closed position, since the movement of the two halves of the holding element (10) from the closed position to the open position requires an upward movement of the centres of gravity of the two halves of the holding element (10).

4) The connection system (1 ) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the pushing mechanism (13) comprises, for each half of the holding element (10), at least one respective ballast (14).

5) The connection system (1 ) according to claim 4, wherein: the two halves of the holding element (10) are hinged so as to rotate around respective rotation axes (12) between the open position and the closed position; each half of the holding element (10) is integral with a pin (15), which is mounted on a frame (16) of the female connector (5) in a rotary manner so as to rotate around the respective rotation axis (12); and each ballast (14) is integral with the respective pin (15).

6) The connection system (1 ) according to claim 5, wherein: the frame (16) of the female connector (5) comprises two opposite plates (17), each having two through holes, where the respective pin (15) is inserted so that the ends thereof project out of the plate (17); the holding element (10) is arranged between the two plates (17); and each ballast (14) is arranged on the outside of the two plates (17), namely on the opposite side of a respective plate (17) relative to the holding element (10).

7) The connection system (1 ) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the pushing mechanism (13) comprises, for each half of the holding element (10), two ballasts (14), which are integral with the respective pin (15) and are arranged at opposite ends of the pin (15).

8) The connection system (1) according to one of the claims from 4 to 7, wherein each ballast (14) has the shape of a quarter of a circle.

9) The connection system (1) according to one of the claims from 1 to 8, wherein the female connector (5) supports a return pulley (19) or a slide for the sliding of an auxiliary rope or chain (20), which can be used to pull the male connector (4) into the female connector (5) during an installation step.

10) The connection system (1 ) according to claim 9, wherein: the frame (16) of the female connector (5) comprises two opposite plates (17), which support the locking device (7); and a plate (17) has a slit (21 ), where the return pulley (19) is arranged.

11) The connection system (1 ) according to one of the claims from 1 to 10, wherein the female connector (5) comprises a universal joint (22), which is arranged on the side opposite the seat (6) and is configured to establish the connection to the body (3).

12) The connection system (1 ) according to one of the claims from 1 to 11 , wherein the male connector (4) comprises a plurality of sealing portions (8), which are arranged one after the other.

13) The connection system (1 ) according to one of the claims from 1 to 12, wherein the sealing portion (8) is provided with a point with an at least partially conical shape.

14) The connection system (1 ) according to one of the claims from 1 to 13, wherein the hole (1 1 ) of the holding element (10) has the shape of a truncated cone.

15) The connection system (1 ) according to one of the claims from 1 to 14, wherein the female connector (5) comprises an input element (18) with a tubular shape, which has, at first, the shape of a truncated cone and constitutes the access to the female connector (5).

16) The connection system (1 ) according to one of the claims from 1 to 15 wherein: the male connector (4) comprises the sealing portion (8) having a larger diameter followed by a housing portion (9) having a smaller diameter so as to create the undercut of the sealing portion (8); and the through hole (1 1) of the locking device (7) of the female connector (5) has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the sealing portion (8) of the male connector (4) and a greater diameter than the diameter of the housing portion (9) of the male connector

(4).

17) The connection system (1 ) according to one of the claims from 1 to 16, wherein the sealing portion (8) of the male connector (4) has a truncated cone shape.

18) The connection system (1 ) according to one of the claims from 1 to 17 and comprising an orientation apparatus (51 ) configured to always impart to the male connector (4) a preferred and predetermined orientation relative to the female connector

(5).

19) The connection system (1 ) according to one of the claims from 1 to 18 and comprising a support element (57) of annular shape that is arranged around the female connector (5) and is configured to provide support to the mechanical transmission member (2).

20) A mooring system (24) to connect, in the maritime industry, a mechanical transmission member (2) to a preferably floating body (3) and comprising: a first connector (25), which can be connected to an end of the mechanical transmission member (2); and a second connector (26), which can be connected to the body (3) and can be made integral with the first connector (25); the mooring system (24) is characterized in that a connector (26) comprises a main screw (27) having an outer thread and the other connector (25) comprises a nut screw (28), which is engaged by the main screw (27).

21) The mooring system (24) according to claim 20, wherein the second connector (26) comprises: a “IT-shaped frame (29) comprising a base (30), which has a smooth through hole (31 ), where the main screw (27) of the first connector (25) is arranged, and supports the nut screw (28), which is firmly fixed to the base (30), and two uprights (32), which are perpendicular to the base (30) and are parallel to as well as face each other; and a fixing element (33), which can be connected to the body (3) and is fixed to the two uprights (32) of the frame (29) on the side opposite the base (30).

22) The mooring system (24) according to claim 21 , wherein the fixing element (33) comprises a universal joint (22).

23) The mooring system (24) according to claim 20, wherein the second connector

(26) comprises a frame (29) with a cylindrical shape, which has a smooth through hole (31 ), where the main screw (27) of the first connector (25) is arranged, and supports the nut screw (28), which is firmly fixed to the support body (3).

24) The mooring system (24) according to claim 23, wherein the frame (29) comprises two appendages (36) with a cylindrical shape, which are configured to engage two corresponding cylindrical seats (37) of the body (3).

25) The mooring system (24) according to claim 20, wherein the first connector (25) comprises a first support body (37) with a cylindrical shape, which is internally hollow so as to contain, on the inside, the main screw (27) of the second connector (26) and supports, at an end, the nut screw (28), which is fixed to the first support body (37).

26) The mooring system (24) according to claim 25, wherein the first connector

(25) comprises a first fixing element (38), which is integral with the first support body (37) and can be connected to the mechanical transmission member (2).

27) The mooring system (24) according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the second connector (26) comprises a second support body (39), to which an end of the main screw

(27) is fixed, which is opposite the first support body (37).

28) The mooring system (24) according to claim 27, wherein the second connector

(26) comprises a second fixing element (40), which is integral with the second support body (39) and can be connected to the body (3).

29) The mooring system (24) according to claim 28, wherein the second fixing element (40) comprises a universal joint (22).

30) The mooring system (24) according to claim 27, 28 or 29, wherein the second connector (26) comprises an auxiliary worm screw (43), which is supported by the second support body (39) in a rotary manner, is arranged perpendicularly to the main screw (27) and meshes with the main screw (27) so that, by rotating the auxiliary worm screw (43), the main screw (27) is rotated accordingly.

31) The mooring system (24) according to claim 30, wherein the auxiliary worm screw (43) comprises a head (44), which is arranged on the outside of the second support body (39) and can be engaged by a tool.

32) The mooring system (24) according to claim 31 , wherein the second support body (39) is provided with a tubular, cylindrical case (45), which is arranged around the head (44) of the auxiliary worm screw (43).

33) The mooring system (24) according to one of the claims from 27 to 32 and comprising at least one constraining element (47), which prevents the first support body (37) from rotating relative to the second support body (39) and allows the first support body (37) to axially slide relative to the second support body (39).

34) The mooring system (24) according to claim 33, wherein: a cylindrical covering body (46) is provided, which, at an end, is integral with the second support body (39), is open at the opposite end and contains, on the inside and with a clearance, the first support body (37); and the constraining element (47) comprises at least one axial groove (49) obtained inside the covering body (46) and a tab (50), which is integral with the first support body (37) and engages the axial groove (49).

35) The mooring system (24) according to claim 33, wherein the constraining element (47) is axially deformable and has a first end, which is integral with the first support body (37), and a second end, which is integral with the second support body (39).

36) The mooring system (24) according to claim 35, wherein the constraining element (47) comprises two arms (48), which are hinged to each other.

37) The mooring system (24) according to claim 35 or 36, wherein: the first connector (25) comprises a first fixing element (38), which is integral with the first support body (37) and can be connected to the mechanical transmission member (2); the constraining element (47) is hinged to the first fixing element (38); a cylindrical covering body (46) is provided, which, at an end, is integral with the second support body (39), is open at the opposite end and contains, on the inside and with a clearance, the first support body (37); and the constraining element (47) is hinged to the covering body (46).

38) A connection system (24) to connect, in the maritime industry, a mechanical transmission member (2) to a preferably floating body (3) and comprising: a first connector (25), which can be connected to an end of the mechanical transmission member (2); and a second connector (26), which can be connected to the body (3) and can be made integral with the first connector (25); the connection system (24) is characterized in that a connector (26) comprises a main screw (27) having an outer thread and the other connector (25) comprises a nut screw (28), which is engaged by the main screw (27).