Abstract: An improved termination for the end of a cable or other flexible tension member, in which the fibers or other load-carrying elements (4) of the flexible tension member (2) are encapsulated in resinous material (70) to form plugs (74) with annular cavity segments (62) formed by an insert (30) comprised of a sleeve (32) having radial plates (44). Some of the tension member elements are encapsulated within a central passage (36) through the sleeve. Alternatively, non-load-carrying components (92) of the flexible tension member (2) are housed within a central passage (96) through a cylindrical sleeve (94) to prevent them from becoming encapsulated.

Abstract: An improved termination for rope (2) in which ends of rope elements (4) are encapsulated in resinous material (6) to form a fiber-and-resinous-material composite-mixture plug (8) within a tapered cavity (16) that is divided by radial plates (36) into smaller segments (46) and is partially filled with a tapered body (32) to provide a constant cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A thimble (10) for the eye (4) of a rope (2) is provided with a sleeve (40) which receives the pin (32) of a shackle (30) and a bar (42) which attaches this sleeve to the inside wall of the thimble. The load in this beam is measured and recorded by means of a mechanical strain recording device (50) in which a scribe (56) on an arm (54) marks on a recording surface (52).

Abstract: A yoke mooring system pivoted on the forecastle of a vessel, such as a shuttle tanker, is detachably coupled to a riser which is attached to a base located on the ocean floor. The yoke mooring system includes clamping arms which engage a ball with an axial passage at the upper end of the riser. Hydraulic cylinders raise and lower the yoke, and a hydraulic cylinder shifts mechanical linkages to open and close clamping arms mounted on the yoke. A socket is formed in the clamping arms to receive the ball. Cargo piping on the vessel is joined to the ball through hoses and a fluid swivel. Fluid cargo can pass upwardly through the riser, through the ball, through the fluid swivel and hoses, and then through cargo piping to storage tanks on the vessel. Bearings situated between the riser and the ball allow the ball to rotate such that, when the clamping arms are coupled to the ball, the vessel can rotate about the riser without disrupting fluid flow or damaging the riser.

Abstract: A breakaway pipeline coupling is described which comprises first and second pipe sections forming a fluid seal and designed to separate at a predetermined axial load. A plurality of piston and cylinder pressure compensating devices are arranged around the exterior of the pipe sections to hold them together until separation.Shear pins or shear studs passing between the pipeline sections will fail when the coupling is subjected to an external tensile force exceeding the predetermined maximum force. The pressure compensating devices apply a compression load on the coupling to counteract the tension load exerted by internal pressure in the pipeline. The pressure compensating devices included pistons movable axially within cylinders in response to pressure differentials, and porting or tubing for exposing one side of the piston to the internal pressure within the coupling.

Abstract: A breakaway pipe coupling comprising first and second telescoping pipe sections that are joined together by a load control mechanism designed to release in a controlled manner at a predetermined axial load.The load control mechanism, which may assume the form of a cutter ring carried by one pipe section and which bears against the exterior of the other section, or may be a plurality of external cylinders housing cutter rings attached to one pipe section which bear against rods passing through the cylinders and attached to the other pipe section. Such a load control mechanism holds the pipe sections together up to a certain predetermined tension load.A valve is disposed within the first pipe section and is joined by a crank and a rod to a second pipe section so that when the pipe sections are joined together, the valve is retained in an open position and fluid can freely flow through the coupling. When the pipe sections separate, the valve is closed to prevent fluid flow.

Abstract: A load control link for limiting maximum dynamic loads in and preventing overstressing of tension members by absorbing some of the energy which causes such loads. The load control link comprises a cylindrical housing, a metal sleeve mounted over a shaft within the housing and a cutting collar mounted at one end of the housing and around the sleeve. The inside radius of the cutting collar is slightly less than the outside radius of the sleeve, and is shaped as a cutting edge. The load control link is connected in series with a tension carrying member, with the end of the shaft which extends through the cutting sleeve connected at one end, and the opposite end of the housing connected at the other end. As the tension load on the control link increases, the shaft tends to be withdrawn from the housing causing metal to be cut from the surface of the sleeve by the cutting collar. The shaft remains stationary in the housing as long as the tension load remains lower than that required to cut metal.

Abstract: A load control link for limiting maximum dynamic loads in and preventing overstressing of tension members by absorbing some of the energy which causes such loads. The load control link comprises a cylindrical housing, a metal sleeve mounted over a shaft within the housing and a cutting collar mounted at one end of the housing and around the sleeve. The inside radius of the cutting collar is slightly less than the outside radius of the sleeve, and is shaped as a cutting edge. The load control link is connected in series with a tension carrying member, with the end of the shaft which extends through the cutting sleeve connected at one end, and the opposite end of the housing connected at the other end. As the tension load on the control link increases, the shaft tends to be withdrawn from the housing causing metal to be cut from the surface of the sleeve by the cutting collar. The shaft remains stationary in the housing as long as the tension load remains lower than that required to cut metal.

Abstract: A vessel such as a storage vessel is permanently moored, by means such as a yoke pivoted on the forecastle of the vessel, to a mooring leg, e.g. a riser or anchor chain, which is attached to a base located on the ocean floor. Mounted on the vessel is tension existing means, for example, counterweights, springs, winches, or the like, operably connected with the mooring leg for applying tension thereto such as by lifting the yoke. The top of the mooring leg is connected to the end of the yoke through a mooring swivel and a gimbaled mooring table or a universal joint. A fluid swivel may be located above the mooring table or about a load-carrying shaft connected to the mooring leg.

Abstract: An underwater articulated loading arm terminating in a hose or hoses, comprising a first or inboard arm connected to the base swivel of a single point mooring and a second or outboard arm pivotally connected to the free end of the inboard arm, a buoy supporting the arms at the pivotal joint, a buoy supporting the free end of the outboard arm, and a hose or hoses extending from the free end of the outboard arm for connection to the manifold of a tanker moored to the single point mooring. Cargo is transferred between the base swivel and the moored tanker through the inboard and outboard arms and the hoses.

Abstract: A combined catenary and single anchor leg mooring system capable of transferring cargo from vessels moored thereto includes an anchor hub suspended by a single anchor leg from a mooring buoy floating on the surface of the sea. A plurality of catenary anchor legs connect to the anchor hub and extend outward and downward to anchors secured in the sea bottom. A cargo transfer swivel assembly is mounted on the anchor hub, and is rotatable about the lower connection point of the single anchor leg. Cargo hose extends from a pipeline manifold located on the sea floor to piping in the anchor hub, and additional cargo hose extends from the swivel assembly to the sea surface and then to the moored tanker.