Mooring line chaser having interchangeable throat inserts

Abstract

A mooring line chaser, commonly known as a J-chaser, has a main body with a shank section and a throat section. Interchangeable throat inserts may be mounted in the throat section by bolts or other means. The interchangeable throat inserts may have contours which engage a mooring chain so as to permit movement of the interchangeable throat insert, and consequently the mooring line chaser, in a single direction along the chain, in both directions along the chain, or in neither direction along the chain.

Description

[0001] Mooring Line Chaser Having Interchangeable Throat Inserts

[0002] Jason Pasternak, Chris Snelling, Russell J. David, and Harry Rebouche, Inventors Delmar Systems, LLC, Applicant

[0003] Cross reference to related applications

[0004] This United States non-provisional patent application claims priority to and benefit of United States provisional patent application SN 63 / 636188, filed April 19, 2024, for all purposes. That provisional patent application is incorporated herein by reference, to the extent not inconsistent with this application.

[0005] Background - Field of the Invention

[0006] Various apparatus and methods have been used to “chase” mooring lines used to connect floating structures to anchors, including such lines comprising chain and cable. Such apparatus are frequently referred to as “chasers” or “J-chasers,” and comprise a generally J-shaped structure, which is run on a chain or cable. The J-chaser generally comprises a shank portion and a throat portion.

[0007] The J-chaser engages a mooring line by receiving same within the throat area, and the J- chaser can then be pulled along the mooring line (for example, by an anchor handling vessel, from which the J-chaser is run on a cable) to a desired point, for example an anchor in the seabed.

[0008] Summary of the Invention

[0009] The mooring line chaser comprising the principles of the present invention comprises a generally J-shaped main body, comprising a shank portion adapted to connect to a deployment line (typically by an eye formed in the end of the shank portion), and a throat portion adapted to receive one of a plurality of interchangeable throat inserts.

[0010] The mooring line chaser is typically deployed from a service vessel, so that the mooring chain or other mooring line is positioned within the throat portion of the mooring line chaser. The mooring line chaser can then be pulled down the mooring line to, for example, an anchor, to pull the anchor from the sea floor.

[0011] In one embodiment, the interchangeable throat insert has an inner contour shaped so as to prevent movement of the mooring line chaser relative to the chain, in either direction along said chain. In such embodiment, the mooring line chaser is effectively at a fixed position on the chain, and may be placed at a desired position on the chain to pick up or deploy a section of chain.

[0012] In another embodiment, the interchangeable throat insert has an inner contour shaped so as to prevent movement of said mooring line chaser relative to said chain in one direction along the chain, while permitting movement of the mooring line chaser relative to the chain in the other direction along the chain. By way of example, a mooring line chaser comprising an interchangeable throat insert of this type may be used to deploy or recover a line from / to the deck of a vessel. When deploying a line, the heavier side of the line (generating a greater tension in that direction) is the direction of the interchangeable throat insert that would be locked to prevent the line running through the hook. When recovering a line with the same configuration of interchangeable throat insert, a "chaser stopper” is placed on the line to stop the mooring line chaser at the chaser stopper, which is a given point on the line, and the “single locking” prevents it from moving away from the stopper, essentially double locking the mooring line chaser for recovery of the line. In another embodiment, the interchangeable throat insert has an inner contour shaped so as engage a mooring chain or cable, while permitting movement of the mooring line chaser relative to the chain in both directions along said chain or cable. Effectively, the mooring line chaser can simply slide along the chain or cable in either direction.

[0013] In another embodiment, the interchangeable throat insert has an inner contour comprising a cutting surface adapted to sever mooring chain or cable.

[0014] In another embodiment, the main body is shaped so as to prevent contact between the interchangeable throat insert and a surface on which the mooring line chaser is resting (e.g., the deck of a vessel), when the mooring line chaser is resting on the surface. Typically, the main body comprises an extended rear portion or ridge and flared front portion shape which prevents this contact.

[0015] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] Figs. 1 and 2 are general environmental drawings, showing exemplary use of the mooring line chaser and associated structures, vessels, and equipment.

[0017] Figs. 3 - 8 are various views of the main body of the mooring line chaser.

[0018] Figs. 9 - 14 are various views of an embodiment of the interchangeable throat insert.

[0019] Fig. 15 is an exploded view of the main body and interchangeable throat insert, with assembly lines.

[0020] Figs. 15A - 15C are views of an interchangeable throat insert, illustrating certain aspects of exemplary contours of same.

[0021] Figs. 16 - 20 are views of the mooring line chaser, with sections of mooring line, namely chain, being positioned therein.

[0022] Figs. 21 - 34 are various views of the mooring line chaser, with an embodiment of the interchangeable throat insert in place and a section of mooring line, namely chain, engaged with the interchangeable throat insert.

[0023] Figs. 35 - 53 are various views of other embodiments of the interchangeable throat insert.

[0024] Figs. 54 - 58 are views of another embodiment of the main body of the mooring line chaser.

[0025] Description of the Presently Preferred Embodiment(s)

[0026] While various mooring line chasers can embody the principles of the present invention, with reference to the drawings some of the presently preferred embodiments can be described.

[0027] Figs. 1 and 2 show exemplary deployments of a mooring line chaser embodying the principles of the present invention. As seen in Fig. 1, a floating structure 200 is connected by a mooring line 210 to an anchor (not shown) on or in the waterbottom. Mooring line 210 may be cable (steel, synthetic, or a combination), chain, or a combination of cable and chain.

[0028] As seen in Fig. 2, mooring line chaser 10 is typically attached to a deployment line 310 and deployed from a service vessel 300. As is known in the industry, mooring line 210 is positioned within the throat area of mooring line chaser 10, as can be better seen in later figures.

[0029] Figures 3 - 8 show various views of mooring line chaser 10, without the interchangeable throat insert in place. Generally, mooring line chaser 10 comprises a main body 11 and an interchangeable throat insert 18. Main body 11 comprises a shank section 12 and a throat section 14. In a current embodiment, mooring line chaser 10 is preferably of unitary construction, is of high strength metals, and formed by forging or other means known in the relevant art. Shank section 12 may terminate in an eye 13 to permit attachment to a deployment line.

[0030] Throat section 14 comprises a shape adapted to receive an interchangeable throat insert, for example wall 16, which may comprise mounting holes or the like.

[0031] Figs. 9 - 14 show one embodiment of interchangeable throat insert 18. Interchangeable throat insert 18 comprises a slot 20 which fits over wall 16 in throat section 14. Bolts can then be inserted through mating holes 17 and 21 in wall 16 and interchangeable throat insert 18, and the insert fastened securely in place in throat section 14 (see Fig. 15). Interchangeable throat insert 18 comprises an inner contour 22 which engages a mooring line 210, typically chain, in a desired manner, as described herein. In this embodiment, inner contour 22 is a “double locking” contour, which fixes mooring line chaser 10 in place on a chain, permitting no movement of mooring line chaser 10 along the chain.

[0032] Fig. 15 is an exploded view of mooring line chaser 10, namely main body 11 , and interchangeable throat insert 18, with assembly lines showing where interchangeable throat insert 18 would fit within throat section 14 and over wall 16. As noted above, bolts 24 and nuts 26 are inserted through mating holes 17 and 21 in those two elements to securely fix interchangeable throat insert 18 in place.

[0033] Figs. 15A - 15C show an embodiment of an interchangeable throat insert contour, explained in more detail below.

[0034] Figs. 16 - 20 show mooring line chaser 10, with a section of mooring line 210, namely a chain, being moved into engagement with interchangeable throat insert 18.

[0035] Figs. 21 - 27 show various views of a mooring line 210, namely a chain, in a first position, engaged with interchangeable throat insert 18.

[0036] Figs. 28 - 34 show various views of a mooring line 210, namely a chain, in a second position, engaged with interchangeable throat insert 18.

[0037] In a number of the following figures, various embodiments of the interchangeable throat insert are shown, having contours which engage a chain in various manners to yield a desired engagement of the chain with the interchangeable throat insert, for example single locking, double locking, or no locking (i.e., sliding). While various contours could achieve such engagement, Figs. 15A - 15C show an embodiment of a basic contour which illustrate how the desired engagement may be achieved, which may result from various contours.

[0038] Referring to Fig. 15 A, an interchangeable throat insert 18 may comprise a contour shape, in profile, forming an inclined section 18 A, over which a chain 210 may move in the direction noted as “A.” Interchangeable throat insert 18 further comprises a groove or slot 18B, into which a link of chain 210, annotated as link 210A, may drop into, as seen in Fig. 15B; such link of chain would be substantially vertically oriented, as seen in Fig. 15A - 15C. Due to face 18C, which may be substantially at right angles to the direction of movement (or attempted movement) of chain 210, a horizontally oriented (as seen in Fig. 15A - 15C) link of chain, annotated as link 21 OB, would not be able to pass through slot 18B, in the direction noted as “B.” It can be understood, then, that the contour shape shown in Fig. 15A - 15C would allow passage of chain 210 in the direction noted as “A,” while preventing passage of chain 210 in the direction noted as “B.” This would yield the single locking insert described herein. It is understood that other arrangements of the contour of interchangeable throat insert 18 may be used to yield a single locking insert. It is to be further understood that changing the contour of interchangeable throat insert 18 wherein section 18A (as well as face 18C) is substantially at right angles to the direction of movement (or attempted movement) of chain 210, would yield a “double locking” insert. It is understood that other arrangements of the contour of interchangeable throat insert 18 may be used to yield a double locking insert. Fig. 15C is a top view of the contour shown in Figs. 15A and 15B, with chain 210 in place in slot 18B. It is understood that the interchangeable throat insert 18 may comprise other contour shapes which present a face substantially at right angle to a chain link, whether vertically or horizontally oriented, and thereby prevent passage of a chain link in either or both directions.

[0039] In Figs. 16 - 34, the interchangeable throat insert comprises an inner contour 22, as denoted in Figs. 9 through 14, in which the insert is a “double locking” insert, namely once engaged with the chain the mooring line chaser 10 cannot move along the chain in either direction.

[0040] Figs. 35 - 41 show a “single locking” interchangeable throat insert 18, comprising a different inner contour 22; in this embodiment, mooring line chaser 10 can move along the chain in one direction, but locks and cannot move along the chain in the opposite direction.

[0041] Figs. 42 - 47 show a non-locking interchangeable throat insert 18, comprising a different inner contour 22. This embodiment comprises a smooth, arched surface 30 into which mooring line 210, which may be a chain or cable, fits. It can be understood that this embodiment permits movement of mooring line chaser 10 in either direction along mooring line 210, whether chain or cable.

[0042] Figs. 48 - 53 show an embodiment of interchangeable throat insert 18 comprising a different inner contour 22, comprising a cutting surface 32. Cutting surface 32 may be straight edged, as shown, have a saw tooth configuration, or have some form of abrasive cutting surface.

[0043] Figs. 54 - 58 are views of an embodiment of main body 11 in which the shape of main body 11 provides additional protection to interchangeable throat insert 18, particularly when mooring line chaser 10 is on its side on a surface. In Figs 54 - 58, shank section 12 comprises a back side comprising an extended ridge 12A, along with a front side comprising flared sections 12B (readily seen in Fig. 55), yielding a flared profile, which serve to protect interchangeable throat insert 18, when mooring line chaser 10 is positioned substantially on its side on a surface, e.g. the deck of a vessel. It is understood that extended ridge 12A and flared sections 12B serve to elevate interchangeable throat insert 18 off of a surface, thereby protecting interchangeable throat insert 18.

[0044] Conclusion

[0045] While the preceding description contains many specificities, it is to be understood that same are presented only to describe some of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and not by way of limitation. Changes can be made to various aspects of the invention, without departing from the scope thereof.

[0046] Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be determined not by the illustrative examples set forth above, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

I claim:

1. A mooring line chaser, comprising: a generally J-shaped member forming a main body, comprising: a shank portion adapted to connect to a deployment line; and a throat portion adapted to receive one of a plurality of interchangeable throat inserts.

2. The mooring line chaser of claim 1, wherein: said plurality of interchangeable throat inserts comprises a throat insert having an inner contour which engages a mooring chain so as to prevent movement of said mooring line chaser relative to said chain, in either direction along said chain, whereby said mooring line chaser may be deployed to pick up on said chain.

3. The mooring line chaser of claim 1 , wherein: said plurality of interchangeable throat inserts comprises a throat insert having an inner contour which engages a mooring chain so as to prevent movement of said mooring line chaser relative to said chain in one direction along said chain, while permitting movement of said mooring line chaser relative to said chain in the other direction along said chain.

4. The mooring line chaser of claim 3, whereby in deployment of said chain said mooring line chaser prevents the heavier side of the chain from movement through said mooring line chaser, and in recovery of said chain said mooring line chaser may chase said chain to a chaser stopper or the like installed in the mooring line assembly.

5. The mooring line chaser of claim 1 , wherein: said plurality of interchangeable throat inserts comprises a throat insert having an inner contour which engages a mooring chain, while permitting movement of said mooring line chaserrelative to said chain in both directions along said chain.

6. The mooring line chaser of claim 1, wherein: said plurality of interchangeable throat inserts comprises a throat insert having an inner contour which comprises a cutting surface adapted to sever mooring chain, synthetic or wire rope, umbilicals, or cable.

7. The mooring line chaser of claim 1, wherein: said main body comprises a front side and a back side, and wherein said back side of said main body comprises an extended ridge, and said front side comprises a flared profile, and wherein said extended ridge and said flared profile extend a sufficient distance that when said main body lies on a surface, said interchangeable throat insert does not contact said surface.

8. The mooring line chaser of claim 1, wherein said interchangeable throat insert comprises a profile shape comprising an inclined section, a face which is substantially at right angles to the axis of a chain engaging said interchangeable throat insert, and a slot into which a link of said chain drops, wherein said chain can move in one direction relative to said interchangeable throat insert, and said chain is prevented from moving in an opposite direction by a link of said chain bearing against said face.

9. The mooring line chaser of claim 8, wherein said interchangeable throat insert comprises two faces substantially at right angles to said axis of said chain, wherein said chain is prevented from movement relative to said interchangeable throat insert.

10. The mooring line chaser of claim 1, wherein said interchangeable throat insert is removably fixed in said throat portion by bolts.

11. The mooring line chaser of claim 1, wherein said main body is of forged construction.

12. A mooring line chaser, comprising: a generally J-shaped member forming a main body, said main body comprising: a shank portion adapted to connect to a deployment line; and a throat portion adapted to receive one of a plurality of interchangeable throat inserts, wherein said main body comprises a front side and a back side, and said back side comprises an extended ridge, said front side comprises a flared profile, and wherein said extended ridge and said flared profile extend a sufficient distance that when said main body lies on a surface, said interchangeable throat insert does not contact said surface; wherein said interchangeable throat insert comprises a profile shape comprising an inclined section, a face which is substantially at right angles to the axis of a chain engaging said interchangeable throat insert, and a slot into which a link of said chain drops, wherein said chain can move in one direction relative to said interchangeable throat insert, and said chain is prevented from moving in an opposite direction by a link of said chain bearing against said face, thereby preventing movement of said mooring line chaser relative to said chain in one direction along said chain, while permitting movement of said mooring line chaser relative to said chain in the other direction along said chain.

13. The mooring line chaser of claim 12, wherein said interchangeable throat insert comprises two faces substantially at right angles to said axis of said chain, wherein said chain is prevented from movement relative to said interchangeable throat insert and said mooring line chaser is prevented from movement in either direction along said chain.

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