Abstract A coupling between a floating conduit and a mooring buoy that carries a pipe end with a clamp for receiving and holding the mouth of the floating conduit, comprises a cardan joint on the pipe end of the mooring buoy. The cardan joint has a cardan ring that supports a buoyant crosshead for vertical swinging movement about a horizontal axis. The crosshead has a remote control operating mechanism so that when the floating conduit is brought close to the pipe end for coupling thereto, the crosshead can be swung downward against its buoyancy to permit horizontal movement of the floating conduit. Then when the floating conduit is in position, the crosshead can be permitted to float up to cradle the floating conduit; and clamps on the crosshead can then be secured to the floating conduit.
Coupling for a floating conduit with a mooring-buoy, said mooring-buoy comprising a pipe end with a clamp coupling for receiving and holding the mouth of the floating conduit, characterized in, that in the proximity of the clamp coupling a cardan joint has been secured to the pipe end fastened to the mooring-buoy, the cardan ring of said joint being rotatably connected with said pipe end via hinges with vertical shafts, a crosshead coupled to said ring about horizontal shafts and having means to provide floating capacity and being rotatable about said horizontal shafts, said crosshead being provided with a remotecontrol clamping mechanism, said clamping mechanism being capable of grasping the floating conduit and releasing the same respectively, and means for swinging the crosshead downwards.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
Coupling for a floating conduit with a mooring-buoy, said mooring-buoy comprising a pipe end with a clamp coupling for receiving and holding the mouth of the floating conduit, characterized in, that in the proximity of the clamp coupling a cardan joint has been secured to the pipe end fastened to the mooring-buoy, the cardan ring of said joint being rotatably connected with said pipe end via hinges with vertical shafts, a crosshead coupled to said ring about horizontal shafts and having means to provide floating capacity and being rotatable about said horizontal shafts, said crosshead being provided with a remotecontrol clamping mechanism, said clamping mechanism being capable of grasping the floating conduit and releasing the same respectively, and means for swinging the crosshead downwards.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
Coupling in accordance with claim 1, characterized in, that the means for swinging the crosshead comprises a pulling element, said element being guided over a roller or disc on the cardan ring and being arranged below the horizontal joint of the crosshead.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
Coupling in accordance with claim 1, characterized in, that the remote-control clamping mechanism consists of two circular arms, said arms being hinged to the crosshead on either side of a saddle for the floating conduit and via an arm being coupled to a jack operated by pressure medium.