Mooring coupler

Abstract

The mooring coupling 10 has a hollow body or shell (12) and a central core (14). The hollow body or shell (12) is formed of an engineering polymer, e.g., polyamide, is typically cylindrical, and has two shell sections (16, 18). The hollow body (12) has an outer surface (20) and an inner surface (22). The outer surface (20) has a central groove section or rope passage surface (24) and two outer groove sections or rope passage surfaces (26, 28). The two outer groove sections or rope passage surfaces (26, 28) are tapered around the entire circumference of the hollow body or shell (12) such that the outer groove sections (26, 28) are not equally spaced from the central groove section (24). The central core (14) is a solid body formed of a metallic material, e.g., steel. The central core (14) is generally cylindrical and has a shape configured to correspond to the shape of the recess (30) in the hollow body or shell (12). The central core (14) has a central portion (44) and arms (46, 48) that extend from the central portion (44) to outer flanges (50, 52). The diameter of the central core (14) at the outer flanges (50, 52) and at the central portion (44) is greater than the diameter of the central core (14) at the arms (46, 48). This is to ensure that the central core (14) has the required strength in the areas of the mooring coupling (10) that support the ropes during use.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mooring coupling, for example a marine mooring coupling. [Background technology]

[0002] Mooring connectors are devices used to connect components of offshore installations, e.g. anchor chains or floating renewable energy devices, via mooring ropes.

[0003] Such mooring couplings are essential for the operation of offshore installations and therefore must be able to withstand the extremely harsh, high energy offshore environment.

[0004] The mooring ropes are held under tension against the surface of the hitch, and the hitch and the ropes passing therethrough move relative to one another due to movements caused by swells, tides, wind and other phenomena.

[0005] Mooring ropes for large vessels such as tankers, gas carriers and container ships have typically been made of steel wire. However, steel ropes are heavy, which makes them difficult and time-consuming to handle, placing extra strain on crew and increasing time at anchor. Also, as wire ropes wear, individual wires can break away and cut the hands of workers handling the ropes. Additionally, in saltwater environments, steel ropes can be susceptible to corrosion.

[0006] Thus, synthetic ropes have been offered as an alternative to steel. They are usually made of high modulus polyethylene, aramid or liquid crystal polyester fibers, all of which combine high strength with good resistance to elongation, making their performance nearly equivalent to that of steel wire ropes. They are lighter and easier to handle. They do not tend to develop sharp fibers as they wear.

[0007] Also, steel ropes are prone to sparks when dragged along the deck, which could have serious consequences if they occur on a tanker or gas carrier; this risk of sparks is eliminated with synthetic ropes. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] One problem with synthetic ropes versus steel ropes is that the synthetic ropes are relatively less resistant to abrasion. Mooring couplers are usually made of steel. While the steel surface does not pose an abrasion problem for steel wire ropes, for synthetic ropes the steel surface is rough enough to promote abrasion. Steel mooring couplers are also heavy and tend to rust, which increases the abrasiveness of the coupler as the synthetic rope passes through it.

[0009] Some mooring connectors include exposed spools made of non-metallic materials, such as polymers. Nevertheless, the steel components of these mooring connectors cause wear on the synthetic rope. One solution is to cover the outer surface of the synthetic rope with a polyurethane sheath, but chafing damage and wear on the polyurethane sheath and the underlying synthetic rope remain a challenge. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mooring coupling comprising a central core and an outer shell, the outer shell including a rope pass-through surface.

[0011] The combination of the central core and outer shell allows for the provision of a strong, yet lightweight mooring connector.

[0012] The central core may comprise a first material and the outer shell may comprise a second material, the first material being different from the second material. In this way, the material properties of the central core and the outer shell can be adapted to optimise the strength and weight of the mooring connector as well as the friction properties of the rope passage surfaces. The central core may comprise a metallic material, e.g. steel, to ensure that the mooring connector has the required strength properties.

[0013] The shell may comprise a non-metallic material, for example an engineering polymer such as polyamide, to ensure that the weight of the mooring connector is kept down, the rope passage surfaces have desirable frictional characteristics, and the mooring connector has good corrosion resistance.

[0014] The outer shell may substantially surround the central core, which further improves the corrosion resistance of the mooring coupling.

[0015] The shell may have an inner surface configured to receive the central core, thereby increasing the service life of the mooring coupling.

[0016] The hull may have an outer surface with a rope passage surface formed thereon. The hull may include a plurality of rope passage surfaces.

[0017] At least one of the rope passage surfaces may be tapered, which may increase the reliability of the mooring coupling.

[0018] The shell may include a central groove in which a first rope passage surface of the plurality of rope passage surfaces is disposed.

[0019] The outer shell may include an outer groove in which a second rope passage surface of the plurality of rope passage surfaces is disposed.

[0020] The shell may include a first shell portion and a second shell portion. The first shell portion and the second shell portion may be fastened together to secure the central core within the shell.

[0021] The mooring coupling may further include an outer casing configured to substantially surround the outer shell, thereby increasing the reliability and service life of the mooring coupling.

[0022] The outer casing may include a recess configured to allow the rope to pass therethrough.

[0023] The outer casing may include a number of recesses configured to allow one or more ropes to pass therethrough.

[0024] The outer casing may include a first casing part and a second casing part, the first casing part may include at least one recess of the plurality of recesses configured to allow a rope to pass therethrough, and the second casing part may include at least one further recess of the plurality of recesses configured to allow a rope to pass therethrough.

[0025] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mooring coupler according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the central core and outer shell of the mooring coupler of FIG. 1. [Figure 3a] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inner surface of the shell of the mooring coupler of FIG. 1. [Figure 3b] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the outer surface of the shell of the mooring coupler of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the mooring coupler of FIG. 1 with its outer casing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Referring to the Figures, there is a mooring coupling 10. The mooring coupling 10 has a hollow body or shell 12 and a central core 14.

[0028] The hollow body or shell 12 is formed from an engineering polymer, such as polyamide, is generally cylindrical, and has two shells 16, 18. The hollow body 12 has an outer surface 20 and an inner surface 22.

[0029] The outer surface 20 has a central groove portion or rope passage surface 24 and two outer groove portions or rope passage surfaces 26, 28. The two outer groove portions or rope passage surfaces 26, 28 are tapered around the entire circumference of the hollow body or shell 12 such that the outer groove portions 26, 28 are not equally spaced from the central groove portion 24, as shown in Figure 3a.

[0030] With particular reference to Figure 3a, the inner surface 22 has a recess 30 defined by an outer wall 32. The recess 30 is formed such that the outer wall 32 is thicker in those portions of the hollow body 12 that are inside the central and outer channel portions 24, 26, 28, as shown in Figure 3a. This is to ensure that the outer shell 12 has the required strength in those areas of the mooring coupling 10 that will support the ropes in use.

[0031] With particular reference to Figure 3a, the recess 30 has a central recessed region 34, an outer recessed region 36 at a first end of the recess 30, an outer recessed region 38 at a second end of the recess 30, a first intermediate recessed region 40 between the outer recessed region 36 and the central recessed region 34, and a second intermediate recessed region 42 between the outer recessed region 38 and the central recessed region 34. The diameters of the recess 30 at the outer recessed regions 36, 38 and the central recessed region 34 are greater than the diameters of the recess 30 at the intermediate recessed regions 40, 42.

[0032] 2, the central core 14 is a solid body formed of a metallic material, for example steel. The central core 14 is generally cylindrical and has a shape configured to correspond to the shape of the recess 30 in the hollow body or shell 12. The central core 14 has a central portion 44 and arms 46, 48 that extend from the central portion 44 to outer flanges 50, 52. The diameter of the central core 14 at the outer flanges 50, 52 and at the central portion 44 is greater than the diameter of the central core 14 at the arms 46, 48. This is to ensure that the central core 14 has the required strength in the areas of the mooring coupling 10 that support the ropes in use.

[0033] 4, the mooring coupling 10 also has an exterior casing or cover 54. The exterior casing or cover 54 may be formed of a metallic or non-metallic material and has a first casing portion or end cap 56 and a second casing portion or end cap 58.

[0034] The first casing section or end cap 56 has a circular outer surface 60 , an outer wall 62 , an upper flange 64 and a lower flange 66 .

[0035] The outer wall 62 includes a pair of openings or recesses or notches 68, 70 on one side and an opening or recess or notch 72 on the opposite side. The upper flange 64 includes an opening or hole 74. Similarly, the lower flange 66 includes an opening or hole 76.

[0036] Similarly, the second casing section or end cap 58 has a circular outer surface 80, an outer wall 82, an upper flange 84 and a lower flange (not shown).

[0037] The outer wall 82 includes a pair of openings or recesses or notches 88, 90 on one side and a further opening or recess or notch (not shown) on the opposite side. The upper flange 84 includes an opening or hole 94. Similarly, the lower flange (not shown) includes an opening or hole (not shown).

[0038] The exterior casing 54 also includes couplers 100,102.

[0039] The mooring coupler is assembled as follows:

[0040] The metallic central core 14 is cast from a metallic material. The two outer shells 16, 18 are formed from an engineering polymer, for example polyamide.

[0041] The central core 14 is fitted within the recess 30 of the outer shell 18 such that the outer flange 50 fits within the outer recess area 38 of the outer shell 18, the arms 46 fit within the intermediate recess area 42 of the outer shell 18, the central portion 44 fits within the central recess area 34 of the outer shell 18, the arms 48 fit within the intermediate recess area 40 of the outer shell 18, and the outer flange 52 fits within the outer recess area 36 of the outer shell 18.

[0042] Shell 16 is placed over shell 18 such that the outer wall 32 of the inner surface 22 of shell 16 abuts the outer wall 32 of the inner surface 22 of shell 18 .

[0043] Similar to that described above with respect to the outer shell 18, the central core 14 fits within the recess 30 of the outer shell 16 such that the outer flange 50 of the central core 14 fits within the outer recess area 38 of the outer shell 16, the arms 46 fit within the intermediate recess area 42 of the outer shell 16, the central portion 44 fits within the central recess area 34 of the outer shell 16, the arms 48 fit within the intermediate recess area 40 of the outer shell 16, and the outer flange 52 fits within the outer recess area 36 of the outer shell 16.

[0044] The shells 16, 18 may then be fastened together by bolting or any known fastening method.

[0045] Once the hull and core of the mooring coupling are assembled, ropes 104, 106, 108 can be installed on exterior surface 20 as shown in Figures 1 and 4. Rope 104 is placed in central groove 24 of hull 12, rope 106 is placed in outer groove 26 of hull 12, and rope 108 is placed in outer groove 28 of hull 12.

[0046] The outer casing sections or end caps 56, 58 are then placed around both ends of the mooring coupling such that the ropes 106, 108 extend through the openings 68, 70 in the first casing section 56 and through the openings 88, 90 in the second casing section 58, and the rope 104 extends through the opening 70 in the first casing section 56 and an opening (not shown) in the second casing section 58.

[0047] To secure the two casing parts 56, 58 together, a coupler 100 is passed through the openings 74, 94 in the flanges 64, 84 of the first casing part 56 and the second casing part 58. Similarly, a coupler 102 is passed through the opening 76 in the flange 66 of the first casing part 56 and a corresponding opening (not shown) in the flange (not shown) of the second casing part 58.

[0048] The rope is placed around the coupler so that the unit is held in compression while in service.

[0049] The outer casing of the coupler is formed in two sections to receive and surround the "eye" of the rope, thus holding the assembly together with the ropes facing each other.

Claims

1. 1. A marine mooring coupling for connecting a first mooring rope and a second mooring rope, the marine mooring coupling including a single central core and an outer shell; the shell includes a rope passage surface; the single central core comprises a first material and the shell comprises a second material, the first material being different from the second material; the shell includes a first rope passage surface for the first mooring rope and a second rope passage surface for the second mooring rope; the first rope passage surface and the second rope passage surface extend at least partially around the single central core; The marine mooring coupling, wherein the central core comprises a metallic material and the outer shell comprises a non-metallic material.

2. The marine mooring coupling of claim 1 , wherein the outer shell substantially surrounds the central core.

3. 3. The marine mooring coupling of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the outer shell has an inner surface adapted to receive the central core.

4. The marine mooring coupling of claim 3 , wherein said inner surface includes a recess for receiving said central core.

5. 5. The marine mooring coupling of claim 1, wherein the shell has an outer surface on which the rope passage surface is formed.

6. 6. The marine mooring coupling of claim 1 , wherein the hull includes a plurality of rope passage surfaces.

7. The marine mooring coupling of claim 6 , wherein the shell includes a central groove in which a first rope passage surface of the plurality of rope passage surfaces is disposed.

8. 8. The marine mooring coupling of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the outer shell includes an outer groove in which a second rope passage surface of the plurality of rope passage surfaces is disposed.

9. 9. The marine mooring coupling of claim 1, wherein the hull comprises a first hull portion and a second hull portion.

10. 10. The marine mooring coupling of claim 1, further comprising an outer casing configured to substantially surround the outer shell.

11. The marine mooring coupling of claim 10 , wherein the outer casing includes a recess configured to allow a rope to pass therethrough.

12. The marine mooring coupling of claim 11 , wherein the exterior casing includes a plurality of recesses configured to allow ropes to pass therethrough.

13. 13. The marine mooring coupling of any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the external casing comprises a first casing portion and a second casing portion.

14. 14. The marine mooring coupling of claim 13 when dependent on claim 12, wherein the first casing part includes at least one recess of the plurality of recesses configured to allow a rope to pass therethrough, and the second casing part includes at least one further recess of the plurality of recesses configured to allow a rope to pass therethrough.

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