Loading/unloading buoy

US5628657A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Den Norske Stats Oljeselskap A.S. · NO

Inventors

• Kare Breivik · Tau, NO
• Arne Smedal · Bø, NO
• Kare Syvertsen · Tveit, NO

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 13, 1995
• Grant date: May 13, 1997
• Expiry date: Jan 13, 2015

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B63B2022/028
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A buoy for use in loading or unloading of a flowable medium, especially oil, comprising an outer buoyancy member (2) arranged to be introduced and secured in a submerged downwardly open receiving space in a floating vessel, and a central member (3) which is rotatably mounted in the outer member and is intended for anchoring to the sea bed and arranged for passage of medium between a transfer line (57) which, in operation, is coupled to the lower end of the central member (3) and a tube system on the vessel. The central member (3) is provided with a lower extension body (8) having an outer peripheral portion (9) abutting on and essentially corresponding to the outer periphery of the adjacent end (10) of the outer buoyancy member (2), and having a lower portion (11) which is downwardly tapering from the outer peripheral portion (9). A number of fastening means (12) for fastening of the upper ends of anchoring lines (13) for anchoring of the buoy (1) are fastened at intervals along the periphery of the outer peripheral portion (9) of the extension body (8), and the extension body (8) comprises at least one buoyancy chamber (56) for buoyancy or ballast material.