Patent · US Expired

Combination mooring system

US4532879A · kind A · utility

13Cited by
7References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 4, 1984
Grant dateAug 6, 1985
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 4, 2004

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB63B2021/001
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An improved mooring system for mooring a floating vessel to an offshore structure is disclosed. The mooring system includes a first mooring arm connected to the vessel which is in sliding engagement with a second mooring arm connected to the structure. The first mooring arm is initially at a mean position relative to the second mooring arm in the absence of loading forces induced by wind, waves, ice, or an ocean current acting on the vessel. As a loading force urges the vessel away from the structure to displace the first mooring arm from the mean position, a hydraulic pressure cylinder is compressed to furnish a restoring force which counteracts the loading force. As the loading force subsides, the hydraulic pressure cylinder urges the first mooring arm toward the mean position. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a stop is attached to the first mooring arm to limit the excursion of the first mooring arm from the mean position. In other embodiments of the invention, a block and tackle combination can be used to vary the size and the stroke of the hydraulic pressure cylinder required to accommodate a particular loading force.

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