Vessel having quick disconnect means, and disconnect means for use in such a vessel
US6070548A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 22, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jun 6, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 22, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63B22/023
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vessel comprising at least one anchor line (15). Disconnect elements are attached to the anchor line for releasing the vessel from the sea bed. A first part of the disconnect element (16) is directly attached to the vessel and a second part is attached to the anchor line (17). Upon detaching the anchor lines from the vessel, no cables will protrude from underneath the vessel after disconnecting. Thereby the risk of interference of the anchor lines with the vessel itself, with other vessels or with objects on the seabed in shallow waters is avoided. Furthermore, the disconnect elements can be directly controlled from the vessel. Inspection and maintenance can be easily performed. Preferably, the vessel comprises two or more anchor lines, each anchor line having a disconnect element which can be independently operated. Thereby a staged release of the anchor lines is possible which may be adapted to weather conditions or approaching objects such as icebergs.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.