Abstract: A fluid swivel including a stationary inner housing assembly and a rotatable outer housing operatively connected to the inner housing assembly. The outer housing includes an annular passage with upper and lower surfaces. Upper and lower seals are positioned between the inner housing assembly and the outer housing in seal recesses. A passage in the inner housing assembly provides fluid of pressure to the annular passage. The fluid exerts a first force axially inward on outer housing outer surfaces, and a larger second force axially outward on the annular passage's upper and lower surfaces. The second force is greater than the first force so upper and lower ring portions deflect outward such that the elastic axial deflections of the inner housing assembly match the axial deflections of the outer housing, thereby causing the axial clearances between the components at the upper and lower seals to remain almost the same.

Abstract: A high pressure swivel is disclosed which includes swivel modules each having a stationary inner structure and a rotatable outer structure that can rotate about the inner structure. The inner structure of each module has the same number of vertical passages as the others. The inner structure of each module has a circumferential flange on the top and on a bottom lip so that each swivel unit can be secured to another swivel in its top or bottom with clamps around the flanges. The inner structures are rotatably positioned with respect to each other when assembled so that a vertical passage from a stationary base manifold to an outlet on the rotatable outer structure is formed. Various combinations of standard swivel modules can be assembled to accommodate specific swivel stack requirements for flow capacity and separate or comingled flow paths.

Abstract: An arrangement for connecting a turret within a vessel opening such that the vessel is capable of rotation about a longitudinal axis of the turret. The arrangement including an inner ring assembly coupled to the turret and an outer ring assembly coupled to the vessel in concentric alignment with the inner ring assembly. A support row assembly connected between the inner and outer ring assemblies allows rotation of the outer ring assembly with respect to the inner ring assembly and axially transfers the weight of the turret to the vessel. A radial row assembly is coaxially disposed about the longitudinal axis between the inner and outer ring assemblies. A centralizer is disposed between the inner and outer ring assemblies. During normal operation the radial row assembly transfers any radial load from the vessel to the turret and the centralizer has a radial clearance with the outer ring assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for mating a wind turbine off-shore to a spar buoy without the use of a crane barge. The system may include a spar buoy, wherein the spar buoy is secured to a foundation, and a wind turbine to be installed on the spar buoy. The system may also include a first truss affixed to the top of the spar buoy and a second truss affixed to the bottom of the wind turbine. The first truss may comprise either stabbings or receptacles configured for mating to the second truss and the second truss may comprise either receptacles or stabbings configured for mating to the first truss.

Abstract: A disconnectable rigid mooring system for attaching a ship to a tower structure includes a yoke releasably connected to a yoke head. The yoke head is pivotally attached to the tower structure and the yoke is arranged and designed to attach to the ship. The yoke and the yoke head each have a mating connector portion arranged and designed to connect the yoke to the yoke head. When the connector portions are engaged and locked, the yoke is securely attached to the yoke head, allowing a rigid interconnection between the ship and the tower structure. During normal operations and in normal sea states, the yoke remains connected to the yoke head pivotally attached to the tower structure. In the event of predicted abnormally high sea states, the yoke may be disconnected from the yoke head by the ship and be secured to the ship and removed prior to the abnormally high sea state event.

Abstract: A disconnectable rigid mooring system for attaching a ship to a tower structure includes a yoke releasably connected to a yoke head. The yoke head is pivotally attached to the tower structure and the yoke is arranged and designed to attach to the ship. The yoke and the yoke head each have a mating connector portion arranged and designed to connect the yoke to the yoke head. When the connector portions are engaged and locked, the yoke is securely attached to the yoke head, allowing a rigid interconnection between the ship and the tower structure. During normal operations and in normal sea states, the yoke remains connected to the yoke head pivotally attached to the tower structure. In the event of predicted abnormally high sea states, the yoke may be disconnected from the yoke head by the ship and be secured to the ship and removed prior to the abnormally high sea state event.

Abstract: A fluid swivel that includes a stationary annular structure defining upper and lower annular seal recesses, and a rotatable outer housing operatively connected to the stationary annular structure, the outer housing defining an annular passage that has upper and lower surfaces. Upper and lower seals are positioned between the stationary annular structure and the rotatable outer housing and disposed in the upper and lower seal recesses. An inner housing bore is disposed in the stationary annular structure and arranged to provide fluid of pressure P to the annular passage, the fluid exerting a first force (Fv1) longitudinally inwardly on the outer surface of the outer housing, and a second force (Fv2) longitudinally outwardly on the upper and lower surfaces of the annular passage, the second force (Fv2) having a greater magnitude than the first force (Fv1) so the outer housing deflects outwardly, pushing the upper and lower seals into the upper and lower seal recesses.

Abstract: A single point mooring includes a yoke-shaped articulated arm assembly, which is affixed to the seabed by a fixed foundation or mooring base assembly, and a mooring support structure, which is retrofitted to a vessel. The articulated arm is connected to the base by a triaxial articulation joint for accommodating yaw, pitch and roll. To moor the vessel, the arm is connected to the mooring support structure with weighted pendants on port and starboard sides. The pendants are suspended at an adjustable elevation with respect to the mooring support structure, thus allowing the mooring system to be used at varying water depths. A combined connection bracket hosts both pendant linkages and umbilicals or hoses for speeding the process of connecting and disconnecting a vessel from the mooring system. A removable anchor, such as a suction pile, fixes the mooring system to the seabed, allows the system to be easily redeployed to another location.

Abstract: A high pressure swivel is disclosed which includes swivel modules each having a stationary inner structure and a rotatable outer structure that can rotate about the inner structure. The inner structure of each module has the same number of vertical passages as the others. The inner structure of each module has a circumferential flange on the top and on a bottom lip so that each swivel unit can be secured to another swivel in its top or bottom with clamps around the flanges. The inner structures are rotatably positioned with respect to each other when assembled so that a vertical passage from a stationary base manifold to an outlet on the rotatable outer structure is formed. Various combinations of standard swivel modules can be assembled to accommodate specific swivel stack requirements for flow capacity and separate or commingled flow paths.

Abstract: A fluid swivel including a stationary inner housing assembly and a rotatable outer housing operatively connected to the inner housing assembly. The outer housing includes an annular passage with upper and lower surfaces. Upper and lower seals are positioned between the inner housing assembly and the outer housing in seal recesses. A passage in the inner housing assembly provides fluid of pressure to the annular passage. The fluid exerts a first force axially inward on outer housing outer surfaces, and a larger second force axially outward on the annular passage's upper and lower surfaces. The second force is greater than the first force so upper and lower ring portions deflect outward such that the elastic axial deflections of the inner housing assembly match the axial deflections of the outer housing, thereby causing the axial clearances between the components at the upper and lower seals to remain almost the same.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for mating a wind turbine off-shore to a spar buoy without the use of a crane barge. The system may include a spar buoy, wherein the spar buoy is secured to a foundation, and a wind turbine to be installed on the spar buoy. The system may also include a first truss affixed to the top of the spar buoy and a second truss affixed to the bottom of the wind turbine. The first truss may comprise either stabbings or receptacles configured for mating to the second truss and the second truss may comprise either receptacles or stabbings configured for mating to the first truss.

Abstract: A chain support, hinged on two perpendicular axes to allow chain movement in two perpendicular planes is disclosed. The apparatus provides an improved arrangement to allow chain to be pulled at an angle above the chain support while maintaining straight pull across a stopper mechanism.

Abstract: A fluid swivel (10A) that includes a stationary annular structure (16A, 17A) defining upper and lower annular seal slots (61, 62), and a rotatable outer housing (20A) operatively connected to the stationary annular structure (16A, 17A), the outer housing defining a radial groove (30) that has upper and lower surfaces. Upper and lower seals (40, 41) are positioned between the stationary annular structure (16a, 17a) and the rotatable outer housing (20a) and disposed in the upper and lower seal slots (61, 62).

Abstract: A chain support, hinged on two perpendicular axes to allow chain movement in two perpendicular planes is disclosed. The apparatus provides an improved arrangement to allow chain to be pulled at an angle above the chain support while maintaining straight pull across a stopper mechanism.

Abstract: A turret/vessel bearing arrangement and method for replacing bearings in situ without removing other bearings. The bearings are capable of being separated. A removable axial spacer secures the vessel and the turret into engagement with the upper and lower thrust bearings. Removal of the spacer allows increased separation between vessel and turret flanges that sandwich the thrust bearings. The mid radial bearing assembly includes one or more radially arranged bearing pads that allow for limited axial displacement of the turret with respect to the vessel during thrust bearing replacement while still bearing radial loads and allowing rotation. The addition of a temporary thrust bearing allows the vessel to weathervane about the turret while thrust bearing are replaced in situ.

Abstract: An arrangement for measuring tension in mooring chains 38 connected to a floating structure 6. The arrangement includes a chain stopper 12 having a first portion 16 and a second portion 18. The first portion 16 has a first load bearing surface 42 and the second portion 18 has a second load bearing surface 50. The arrangement further includes at least one pin 14 arranged and designed for measuring shear loads and laterally traversing the chain stopper 12 between the first and second load bearing surfaces 50, 42, whereby, upon application of a load to the chainstopper assembly 12, the at least one pin 14 is positioned in the load path.

Abstract: A single point mooring includes a yoke-shaped articulated arm assembly, which is affixed to the seabed by a fixed foundation or mooring base assembly, and a mooring support structure, which is retrofitted to a vessel. The articulated arm is connected to the base by a triaxial articulation joint for accommodating yaw, pitch and roll. To moor the vessel, the arm is connected to the mooring support structure with weighted pendants on port and starboard sides. The pendants are suspended at an adjustable elevation with respect to the mooring support structure, thus allowing the mooring system to be used at varying water depths. A combined connection bracket hosts both pendant linkages and umbilicals or hoses for speeding the process of connecting and disconnecting a vessel from the mooring system. A removable anchor, such as a suction pile, fixes the mooring system to the seabed, allows the system to be easily redeployed to another location.

Abstract: A radial bearing arrangement (2) including a turret (14) carried by a vessel (10), the turret (14) having an outer annular rail (38) secured about its outer circumference. The radial bearing arrangement (2) also includes a plurality of rollers (104) attached to the vessel (10) via bearing assemblies (74). The bearing assemblies (74) are arranged and designed to urge the rollers (104) into contact with the annular rail (38), and to limit radial movement of the vessel (10) relative to the turret (14). A plurality of bearing pads (114) are attached to the vessel (10) and positioned circumferentially between the bearing assemblies (74). The bearing pads (114) are arranged and designed to contact the rail (38) under peak loading to limit radial movement of the vessel (10) relative to the turret (14).

Abstract: An LNG terminal is disclosed which includes an offshore mooring turret, an LNG storage vessel operatively coupled to the mooring turret, the LNG storage vessel including at least one LNG storage tank for the storage of liquid natural gas and a regasification vessel operatively coupled to the LNG storage vessel. A method of operating an offshore LNG terminal is also disclosed which includes obtaining liquefied natural gas from at least one LNG storage tank on an LNG storage vessel that is operatively coupled to a mooring turret, regasifying the liquefied natural gas from the LNG storage vessel using a regasification vessel operatively coupled to the LNG storage vessel, and supplying the regasified gas to at least one subsea pipeline via the mooring turret.

Abstract: A mooring system comprising a submerged buoy releasably connected to a vessel adjacent its keel by a structural connector. The structural connector consists of a cylindrical sleeve coaxially movable with respect to a cylindrical housing by circumferential actuators. The lower ends of the connector sleeve and connector housing capture a number of collet segments circumpositioned therebetween that radially pivot in and out as the connector sleeve is moved axially within the connector housing. The lower ends of the collet segments extend downward to a connector hub on the buoy and releasably engage a groove therein, dogging the bearing hub against the vessel. A combined bearing assembly that supports both axial and radial loading revolvably connects the buoy to a moored chain table.