Patents Assigned to FMC/Sofec Floating Systems, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6990917
    Abstract: A very large diameter turret for mooring a VLCC class FPSO vessel. A large diameter rail and wheel bearing system is disposed between a turret main deck and the hull of the vessel. The turret is designed for a flexibility to allow the turret main deck to conform to the sag or hog of the vessel so that excessive forces on the wheels of the bearing system are avoided. The turret's main deck, in a preferred embodiment, includes a center hub, an outer ring, and spokes between the hub and outer ring. A lower chain deck is preferably connected to the main deck by pillars or columns, or alternatively by riser tubes alone, or other structures that achieve the desired flexibility of the main deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: FMC/Sofec Floating Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Terry Boatman, Jerry L. McCollum, Charles L. Garnero