Twist Resistant Independent Release Mooring System
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsNathan David Cohen, Nathan Todd Miller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mooring system comprising: a ballast platform; and a chain comprising a plurality of links that are pivotally connected to each other via parallel pivot pins such that the chain is configured to not rotate about a vertical axis that is orthogonal to axes of rotation of the pivot pins, wherein the chain has proximal and distal ends, and wherein the proximal end is attached to a top of the ballast platform and the distal end is configured to be attached to a buoyant object.
Claims20
A mooring system comprising:
- a ballast platform;
- and
- a chain comprising a plurality of links that are pivotally connected to each other via parallel pivot pins such that the chain is configured to not rotate about a vertical axis that is orthogonal to axes of rotation of the pivot pins, wherein the chain has proximal and distal ends, and wherein the proximal end is attached to a top of the ballast platform and the distal end is configured to be attached to a buoyant object.
The mooring system of claim 19, wherein the buoyant object is an ocean vessel, and wherein the ballast platform is configured to hold a stable orientation in a sub-surface position in a body of water.
A mooring system comprising
- a buoyant object;
- a chain comprising a plurality of links, wherein each link is pivotally connected to adjoining links by parallel pivot pins so as to inhibit any twisting of the chain between distal and proximal ends of the chain, and wherein the distal end is connected to the buoyant object;
- a ballast cage configured to hold ballast weights, wherein the ballast cage is connected to the proximal end;
- and
- an acoustic release transponder connected between the ballast cage and the ballast weights such that no torsion loads are transferred from the chain to the acoustic release transponder when the ballast cage is resting on a floor of a body of water.
A mooring system comprising:
- a ballast cage configured to hold ballast weights;
- an acoustic release transponder connected to the ballast cage and configured to release the ballast weights out of a bottom of the ballast cage upon receipt of a given acoustic signal;
- and
- a chain comprising a plurality of links that are pivotally connected to each other via parallel pivot pins such that the chain is configured to not rotate about a vertical axis that is orthogonal to an axis of rotation of the pivot pins, wherein the chain has proximal and distal ends, and wherein the proximal end is attached to a top of the ballast cage and the distal end is configured to be attached to a buoyant object.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.