Bearing, turning and locking system for use on a turret moored vessel
US5762017A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 26, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jun 9, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 26, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63B21/507
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A turret moored vessel with an improved bearing, turning and locking system includes a floating hull, a turret supported by the hull and rotatable relative to the hull and bearing assemblies forming an interface between the hull and turret. The bearing assemblies each include multiple passive blocks, preferably in the form of members (e.g. passive, spring loaded cylinders), that are attached at their lower end to the hull and at their upper end to a frame that supports horizonal and vertical crane wheels. Each cylinder is inwardly inclined along a radial line to form a first angle. There can be first and second pairs of cylinders in each bearing assembly, all four cylinders forming a plane or an annular plane. The first and second pairs of cylinders can be inclined toward each other. The first inward tilt provides stability against horizontal forces. The opposing cylinder tilts provided stability against rotational forces. A motor gear drive powers a pinion that engages a bull gear on the turret to rotate the turret.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.