Bearing assembly and vessel turret assembly
AssigneeSingle Buoy Moorings Inc.
InventorsRene Perratone, Yves Tosetti
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A bearing assembly comprises one side exposed to a fluid and the other side to a dry area or compartment(s) which can be emptied. To replace part(s) of the bearing assembly a compartment is located in the compartment(s) through which a section of the bearing is guided. After a part of the bearing section has been moved backwards the compartment can be closed via a valve, then the bearing section can be removed completely from the cavity thus preventing considerable quantities of fluid from entering the compartment(s). This bearing structure can be used in a vessel turret assembly.
Claims11
Bearing assembly having at least a section of which one side is exposed to a first condition and the other side to a second condition, wherein on the other side a compartment is provided which can receive said section, wherein said section is displaceable between a first position in which it acts as a part of the bearing and a second position in which it can be exchanged, wherein said compartment is provided with valve means to isolate the compartment together with the section in its second position from said first condition.
Bearing assembly to be used below water level, comprising a harder bearing face and a softer bearing face to be positioned against each other, the softer bearing face comprising a bearing pad being adjustably arranged, to take up wear, in a support, connected to a structure, one side of the structure being exposed to the water and the other side of the structure being isolated for the water, the improvement comprising that said support is arranged in a compartment in said structure, said compartment opening to the bearing face through a valve to isolate the compartment from the water and wherein means are provided to remove the pad from the compartment if the valve is closed.
Vessel turret assembly, wherein the vessel is provided with an internal shaft extending from the deck of said vessel to the bottom of the hull, for receiving a turret structure having a bearing assembly near the upper and lower part of the shaft, the bearing assembly near the lower part comprising a pad fixed relative to the wall of said shaft to slidingly engage the turret structure, said pad being connected to a sealingly displaceable piston received in a duct connected to said shaft, wherein a valve is arranged in said duct.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.