Gangway having hydraulic position locking assembly

A gangway comprising:

• a fixed platform;
• a support structure connected to the fixed platform in a manner that allows the support structure to rotate with respect to the fixed platform;
• and
• a releasable position locking assembly that inhibits rotation of said support structure in a raising direction, said releasable locking assembly including a closed-loop fluid arrangement, wherein said closed loop fluid arrangement comprises:
• a cylinder in which a piston reciprocates;
• fluid handling components including an unlock valve, said fluid handling components configured to allow transfer of fluid from a first side of said piston to a second side of said piston as said support structure is lowered into a working position, said fluid handling components not allowing transfer of said fluid from said second side of said piston back to said first side of said piston for raising of said support structure unless said unlock valve is opened;
• and
• said fluid handling components further including an accumulator for receiving excess fluid due to volume occupied by a piston rod of the piston, said accumulator having a free piston movable against a spring,
• wherein said free piston carries a stop feature to limit its axial movement against said spring.

A gangway comprising:

• a support structure having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the support structure being pivotally connected to a platform;
• a cage assembly pivotally connected to the distal end of the support structure;
• and
• a releasable position locking assembly that, when locked, inhibits rotation of said support structure in a raising direction while allowing rotation of said support structure in a lowering direction, said releasable locking assembly including:
• a cylinder in which a piston reciprocates;
• and
• fluid handling components including an unlock valve that when opened allows flow of fluid to a first side of said piston for raising of said support structure.

A gangway comprising:

• a support structure having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the support structure being pivotally connected to a platform;
• a cage assembly pivotally connected to the distal end of the support structure;
• and
• a releasable position locking assembly that inhibits rotation of said support structure in a raising direction, said releasable locking assembly including:
• a cylinder in which a piston reciprocates;
• and
• fluid handling components including an unlock valve that when opened allows flow of fluid to a first side of said piston for raising of said support structure,
• said fluid handling components further including a relief valve configured to allow transfer of fluid from a second side of said piston back to the first side of said piston when a predetermined threshold pressure is encountered and an accumulator for receiving excess fluid due to volume occupied by a piston rod of the piston, said accumulator having a free piston movable against a spring, said free piston carrying a stop feature to limit its axial movement against said spring.