Load monitoring arrangement for chain support
AssigneeSofec, Inc.
InventorsQuoc Anh Dang, David Seaman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An arrangement for measuring tension in mooring chains 38 connected to a floating structure 6. The arrangement includes a chain stopper 12 having a first portion 16 and a second portion 18. The first portion 16 has a first load bearing surface 42 and the second portion 18 has a second load bearing surface 50. The arrangement further includes at least one pin 14 arranged and designed for measuring shear loads and laterally traversing the chain stopper 12 between the first and second load bearing surfaces 50, 42, whereby, upon application of a load to the chainstopper assembly 12, the at least one pin 14 is positioned in the load path.
Claims20
An arrangement for measuring tension in mooring chains (38) connected to a floating structure (6), comprising:
- a chain stopper (12) having a first portion (16) and a second portion (18), said first portion (16) having a first load bearing surface (42) and said second portion (18) having a second load bearing surface (50);
- and
- at least one pin (14) having at least one strain gage (62) for measuring loads, said pin laterally traversing said chain stopper (12) between said first and second load bearing surfaces (50, 42);
- whereby, upon application of a load to said chain stopper (12), said at least one pin (14) is positioned in the load path,
- wherein said at least one pin (14) has a center portion (58) and two side portions (60), and further comprising at least one strain gage (62) positioned at said center portion (58),
- wherein said second load bearing surface (50) contacts said at least one pin (14) only at said center portion (58), and said first load bearing surface contacts said at least one pin (14) only at said side portion (60),
- and wherein said second portion (18) includes a slot (64) in the outer surface thereof, the arrangement further comprising:
- at least one anti-lift key (46) attached to said first portion (16) and engaged with said slot (64) of said second portion;
- wherein said slot (64) and said anti-lift key (46) are arranged and dimensioned to restrain upward movement, while allowing downward movement of said second portion (18) relative to said first portion (16) and to prevent rotation of said second portion (18) with respect to said first portion (16).
An arrangement for measuring anchor chain load, comprising:
- a base support (16) having a base support load surface (42);
- an inner body (18) having an inner body load surface (50) and configured to be inserted longitudinally within said base support (16), said base support having transverse openings (56) in its sides;
- and
- at least one load-measuring pin (14) placed between said base support load surface (42) and said inner body load surface (50),
- wherein said inner body (18) includes a slot (64) in the outer surface thereof, the arrangement further comprising:
- at least one anti-lift key (46) attached to said base support and engaged with said slot (64) of said inner body (18);
- wherein said slot (64) is configured to restrain upward movement, while allowing downward movement of said inner body (18) relative to said base support (16);
- and wherein said slot (64) is configured to prevent rotation of said inner body (18) relative to said base support (16).
A load measuring arrangement, comprising:
- a base support (16) having a base support load surface (42);
- an inner body (18) having an inner body load surface (50), said inner body including a slot (64) in said outer surface thereof;
- at least one pin (14) configured to measure load and placed between said base support load surface (42) and said inner body load surface (50);
- and
- at least one anti-lift key (46) attached to said base support (16) and engaged with said slot (64) of said inner body (18);
- wherein said slot (64) is configured to restrain upward movement, while allowing downward movement of said inner body (18) relative to said base support (16);
- wherein said slot (64) is configured to prevent rotation of said inner body (18) relative to said base support (16).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.