Mooring support structures, systems for mooring vessels, and processes for using same
AssigneeSofec, Inc.
InventorsYonghui Liu, Stephen Lindblade
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Mooring support structures, systems for mooring vessels, and processes for using same. In some embodiments, a system for mooring a vessel can include a mooring support structure than can include a post connected at a first end to a turntable disposed on a base structure. The post can extend out from the turntable and a yoke head connector can be connected to a second end of the post. A distal end of the yoke head connector can provide a disconnection location such that when a yoke head is disconnected from the yoke head connector, the yoke head can fall by gravity from the yoke head connector without contacting the mooring support structure.
Claims23
A mooring system, comprising:
- a mooring support structure comprising:
- a base structure;
- a turntable disposed on the base structure, wherein the turntable is configured to at least partially rotate about the base structure;
- a post extending from and connected at a first end to the turntable and a second end extending out from the turntable, wherein the post comprises a yoke head connector disposed on a second end thereof;
- and
- a vessel support structure disposed on a vessel floating on a surface of a body of water;
- at least one extension arm suspended from the vessel support structure;
- a ballast tank connected to the at least one extension arm, the ballast tank configured to move back and forth below the vessel support structure;
- a yoke extending from and connected at a first end to the ballast tank, wherein the yoke comprises a yoke head disposed on a second end thereof, wherein the yoke head is disconnectedly engaged with the yoke head connector, wherein a length of the post is configured to provide a connection location between the yoke head and the yoke head connector such that when the yoke head is disconnected from the yoke head connector, the yoke head falls from the yoke head connector toward the surface of the body of water without contacting the mooring support structure;
- and
- a first elongated support connected at a first end to the vessel support structure and connected at a second end to the yoke, wherein the elongated support is configured to support the yoke when the yoke head is disconnected from the yoke head connector.
A process for disconnecting a vessel floating on a surface of a body of water moored to a mooring support structure, comprising:
- disconnecting a yoke head from a yoke head connector, wherein:
- the mooring support structure comprises:
- a base structure,
- a turntable disposed on the base structure, wherein the turntable at least partially rotates about the base structure, and
- a post extending from and connected at a first end to the turntable and a second end extending out from the turntable, wherein the post comprises the yoke head connector disposed on a second end thereof,
- the vessel comprises:
- a vessel support structure disposed on the vessel,
- at least one extension arm suspended from the vessel support structure,
- a ballast tank connected to the at least one extension arm, the ballast tank configured to move back and forth below the vessel support structure,
- a yoke extending from and connected at a first end to the ballast tank,
- wherein the yoke comprises the yoke head disposed on a second end thereof, and
- a first elongated support connected at a first end to the vessel support structure and connected at a second end to the yoke;
- and
- a length of the post provides a connection location between the yoke head and the yoke head connector such that when the yoke head is disconnected from the yoke head connector, the yoke head falls from the yoke head connector toward the surface of the body of water without contacting the mooring support structure;
- and
- maneuvering the vessel away from the mooring support structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.