US3674062A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Offshore loading and unloading of tankers
Assignee: Bechtel International Corp
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Filing: 1970-09-11
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Granted: 1972-07-04
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Expires: 1990-09-11
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides an improved ship mooring device for ships and other vessels whereby fluids may be loaded or unloaded while the ship is moored offshore. In accordance with this invention, a monolithic anchor structure is secured to the sea bottom at a suitable location. Mounted upon the anchor is a swivel structure which is movable through 360* . Attached to the swivel structure is a tubular swing arm which, in accordance with this invention, has a neutral or nearly neutral buoyancy. The arm, however, is held by drag weight and buoyant hose in a generally horizontal position and, by means of the swivel, can swing over the sea bottom in a substantially horizontal plane through 360* . Attached to the end of the tubular swing arm is a flexible hose, one end of which is secured to the end of the swing arm and the other end is adapted to be connected to a suitable connection on the vessel so that a fluid may be transferred through the hose, the tubular swing line, the swivel and a submarine line extending to a shore location. When not in use, the hose is supported by encasing buoys so that the hose assumes an S configuration in a vertical plane. A second buoy is attached to the free end of the hose so that it may be readily picked up by the vessel.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick S Ellers
- 👤 Sam W Small
- 👤 Luis B Serpas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:41
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B22/00; B63B22/02; B63B22/021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
Apparatus for loading and unloading a vessel at an offshore site, comprising a fixed anchor secured on the floor of a body of water, swivel means on said anchor at the bottom of the body of water for rotation about a vertical axis through approximately 360* relative thereto, an elongate, relatively rigid, substantially straight tubular swing arm connected at one end to said swivel means at the bottom of the body of water for rotation therewith adjacent the floor of said body of water, said swing arm also pivotally connected at said one end thereof to said swivel means for pivotal movement relative to said swivel means in a substantially vertical plane, said swing arm extending a substantial distance generally horizontally over the floor of the body of water to its extreme other end and having a neutral or nearly neutral buoyancy, a hollow flexible conduit connected at one end to the extreme other end of said swing arm, means on the other end of said flexible conduit for securing said conduit to a connection on said vessel, said flexible conduit extending from said swing arm generally vertically to said vessel when said flexible conduit is secured to said connection on said vessel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
Apparatus for loading and unloading a vessel at an offshore site, comprising a fixed anchor secured on the floor of a body of water, swivel means on said anchor at the bottom of the body of water for rotation about a vertical axis through approximately 360* relative thereto, an elongate, relatively rigid, substantially straight tubular swing arm connected at one end to said swivel means at the bottom of the body of water for rotation therewith adjacent the floor of said body of water, said swing arm also pivotally connected at said one end thereof to said swivel means for pivotal movement relative to said swivel means in a substantially vertical plane, said swing arm extending a substantial distance generally horizontally over the floor of the body of water to its extreme other end and having a neutral or nearly neutral buoyancy, a hollow flexible conduit connected at one end to the extreme other end of said swing arm, means on the other end of said flexible conduit for securing said conduit to a connection on said vessel, said flexible conduit extending from said swing arm generally vertically to said vessel when said flexible conduit is secured to said connection on said vessel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus for loading and unloading a vessel at an offshore site as in claim 1, wherein a drag weight is attached to said swing arm at the other end thereof to maintain said swing arm in a generally horizontal position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
95 words
Apparatus for loading and unloading a vessel at an offshore site as in claim 2, wherein said one end of said swing arm is connected to said swivel means on said anchor by means of a yoke connection on said swing arm for enabling said pivotal movement of said swing arm in a generally vertical plane, said swing arm comprising a central, fluid conveying conduit, at least one pipe extending parallel to and adjacent said fluid conveying conduit and filled with a buoyant material, and a casing surrounding said fluid conveying conduit and said pipe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
143 words
Apparatus for loading and unloading a vessel at an offshore site as in claim 3, wherein said flexible conduit comprises a flexible hose connected at one end thereof to said other end of said swing arm adjacent the floor of the body of water and connected at its other end to buoy means on the surface of said body of water, said hose comprising a first hose portion connected to the other end of the swing arm and having a positive buoyancy, and a second hose portion extending from said first hose portion to said buoy means on the surface of said body of water and having a negative buoyancy, the length of said flexible hose and the buoyancy of said first and second portions thereof being such that when not in use, the hose assumes the shape of a submerged S-shaped loop.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus for loading and unloading a vessel at an offshore site as in claim 4, wherein the space surrounding said pipe and fluid conveying conduit in said casing is filled with a buoyant foam material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus for loading and unloading a vessel at an offshore site as in claim 5, wherein a flexible anchor line extends from the swivel means to the surface of said body of water, said anchor line being connected to a mooring buoy at the surface of the body of water for mooring a vessel thereto.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-04 | 1976-01-03 | 1976-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-04 | 1980-01-03 | 1980-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-04 | 1984-01-03 | 1984-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |