Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved flexible loading system which provides fluid communication between a subsea pipeline and a surface vessel including a hose extending from the subsea pipeline to a first buoyancy tank, a second hose extending from the first buoyancy tank to a central buoyancy tank, a second buoyancy tank, means connecting said second buoyancy tank to the sea floor and to the central buoyancy tank whereby the forces exerted on said central buoyant tank by said second hose and said connecting means are balanced to cause said central buoyancy tank to maintain a preselected position, a riser section extending upwardly from said central buoyancy tank and means on the upper termination for engagement by a vessel on the surface to raise said upper termination onto the vessel to complete the communication for moving fluids between the subsea pipeline and the vessel.

Abstract: A permanent single-point mooring arrangement for a floating unit comprises a buoy anchored to the seabed with anchor points and catenary shaped anchor lines, which are connected to a central shaft located in the buoy around which the buoy--and the floating unit moored to the buoy--can rotate in a horizontal plane, a yoke for attaching the floating unit to the buoy being such that the floating unit may also move in a vertical plane so as to accommodate the relative motion between the buoy and the floating unit caused by wave action and loading conditions of the floating unit, the attachment for the floating unit being formed of a rigid connecting yoke which is attached at one end to the buoy and at the other to the floating unit and the attachment also comprising flexible joints associated with the rigid yoke, two radial and one axial flexible joint permitting a horizontal hinge motion between the buoy and the yoke at one side and between the yoke and the floating unit at the other, and is characterized in tha

Abstract: A single-point mooring buoy comprises a column which is hingedly connected to an anchor and upstands from the anchor and has a frequency less than six seconds. At the upper end of the column is pivotally connected to a fully submerged buoyant body which has a frequency or period of movement greater than 16 seconds. In this way, the loads on the various portions of the mooring buoy are held as low as possible and the buoy undergoes little movement in spite of wave action even in the presence of waves of high energy.

Abstract: A fluid transfer buoy is disclosed for transfer of fluids between a pipeline on the sea floor and a moored vessel through a swivel fluid transfer connection. The buoy includes a frame structure which houses a central fluid transfer line terminating in a central fluid swivel connection, and a surrounding buoyancy chamber which is bearing mounted to freely rotate about a central shaft of the frame. The rotatable nature of the buoyancy chamber results in no relative movement between the swiveling portion of the fluid transfer line and the deck of the buoy, enabling the entirety of the structure to be surrounded by a protective fender and further making the use of polygonal buoy shapes more feasible. The bearing is protected from sea water intrusion from above and below, and is accessible from the buoy deck to facilitate on site bearing maintenance.

Abstract: A single-point mooring buoy comprising a buoyance member which is fashioned as an open basket having at its circumference equidistant, substantially vertical columns with buoyancy capacity, said columns being united at their upper side by a spider, in the center of which is mounted a swivel coupling, the stationary part of which is connected through an upper hinge to an upper end of a rigid vertical post or rod carrying the whole assembly is disclosed. The upper hinge is just above the waterline to enhance the stability and the maneuverability of the buoy and to facilitate ease of maintenance, inspection and dismanteling of the buoy. There is further disclosed a second hinge connecting a lower end of the post to a sea anchorage. A riser is preferably mounted on the stationary post and is in fluid communication with a pipeline extending from the rotary buoy, which will follow any rotational movement of a ship being moored to the buoy.

Abstract: An intermediate conduit extends between and interconnects adjacent pivotally connected ends of a pair of conduits. The intermediate conduit is disposed in at least one turn about the pivotal interconnection, and the distance between the ends of the intermediate conduit is substantially greater than its length. A damping device such as a dashpot interconnects the intermediate conduit and one of the pair of conduits and acts in a direction parallel to the axis of the turns of the intermediate conduit.

Abstract: A floating structure useful as a mooring device for vessels, comprises an anchor having a rigid arm pivotally interconnected therewith and upstanding therefrom. The rigid arm at its upper end has a pivot about a horizontal axis and also a pivot 360.degree. about a vertical axis by which a float is interconnected to the rigid arm for vertical and horizontal swinging movement relative to the rigid arm. The float may directly overlie the rigid arm, in which case a further rigid arm extends laterally from the float to the vessel or to a further float which in turn is connected to the vessel. Alternatively, the float may be laterally offset from the rigid arm and connected thereto on one side by its own rigid arm and on the other side to the vessel by a further arm rigid with the float and pivotally connected to the vessel.