Patent · US Expired

Mooring and cargo transfer system for difficult handling cargo

US3969781A · kind A · utility

14Cited by
7References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 27, 1973
Grant dateJul 20, 1976
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 27, 1993

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB63B22/021
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A mooring and cargo handling system for difficult-to-handle cargo such as liquified natural gas (LNG), is provided, which includes a swivel unit mounted on a mooring station and having rotatably connected sections respectfully coupled to a shore installation and to a ship that is moored to the mooring station. The swivel unit sections are connected by a rotary bearing and rotary outer seal, and the unit has a wall forming an auxiliary chamber extending along the bearing and seal, so that evaporating LNG must pass through the auxiliary chamber before it can escape through the bearing and outer seal. A gas pipe connects the auxiliary chamber to the ship or the shore installation where the evaporated gas can be flared or reliquified.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.