Mooring release system

Abstract

A mooring release system for mooring floating vessels. A connector rope has first and second ends which attach to bollards on the floating vessel. The first end of the connector rope may be attached to a bollard by suitable means, which may include attachment by a soft shackle or similar means. The second end of the connector rope may have a release element, which enables attaching the other end to another bollard by a release device, which preferably has a remotely operable retention device. The second end of the connector rope can therefore be remotely released from the bollard. The connector rope is attached to a mooring line by a mooring line connector, which preferably permits a sliding connection between the connector rope and the mooring line. The mooring line tension is therefore distributed between two bollards. In other embodiments, two or more connector ropes may be used, which enable distributing the mooring line tension between three or more bollards.

Description

[0001] Mooring Release System

[0002] Jason Pasternak and Matthew Smith, Inventors

[0003] Delmar Systems, Inc., Applicant

[0004] Cross reference to related applications

[0005] This United States non-provisional application claims priority to United States provisional patent application SN 63 / 691549, filed 09 / 06 / 2024, for all purposes. United States provisional patent application SN 63 / 691549 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background - Field of the Invention

[0006] Many floating vessels comprise on-board equipment to handle lines intended to secure the vessel during dockside mooring or to other structures, such as onboard capstans, bollards and the like. Such equipment may also be used for certain offshore mooring purposes. Floating vessels may be moored to the ocean floor with various types of anchors, with mooring lines attaching the floating vessels to the anchors.

[0007] At times, it is necessary to quickly disconnect the floating vessel from the anchors, by releasing the floating vessel from the mooring lines.

[0008] Summary of the Invention

[0009] The apparatus and method(s) embodying the principles of the present invention, in one embodiment, comprises: a tensioning apparatus and first and second spaced apart bollards mounted on a floating vessel; a tensioning rope attached to the tensioning apparatus, such that said tensioning rope may be retracted to tension same, or extended; a connector rope comprising first and second ends, the first end attached to the tensioning rope, the first end also attached the first bollard, the second end comprising a release element; a release device attached to the second bollard; and a mooring line connector for connecting the connector rope to a mooring line, wherein the connector rope runs from the first bollard, through the mooring line connector, and to the release device, where the release element releasably engages the release device, the mooring line connector permitting the connector rope to slide or otherwise move through the mooring line connector.

[0010] A tension in the mooring line is thereby held by the connector rope and divided between the first and second bollards, thereby permitting greater mooring line loads to be accommodated by the floating vessel without vessel or onboard equipment modification.

[0011] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] Fig. 1 is a simplified schematic showing an overhead view of an exemplary arrangement of the mooring release system embodying the principles of the present invention.

[0013] Fig. 2 is an overhead view of an exemplary arrangement of the mooring release system embodying the principles of the present invention, showing additional detail.

[0014] Figs. 3 and 4 show two positions of an exemplary release device.

[0015] Fig. 5 is an overhead view of another exemplary arrangement of the mooring release system embodying the principles of the present invention, showing additional detail. Description of the Presently Preferred Embodiments)

[0016] While various mooring release systems can embody the principles of the present invention, with reference to the drawing some of the presently preferred embodiments can be described.

[0017] The mooring release system

[0018] Fig. 1 is a simplified schematic showing an overhead view of an exemplary arrangement of a mooring release system embodying the principles of the present invention. Various elements of the system are annotated, and are described in more detail below.

[0019] Fig. 2 is another overhead view of one embodiment of the mooring release system, showing additional detail. It is understood that Fig. 2 is an overhead view of the various elements of the system, in place on or proximal to the deck of a floating vessel 200.

[0020] A tensioning apparatus, which may be a capstan or winch 10, comprising a tensioning rope 20, is positioned on floating vessel 200, typically as existing onboard equipment. As is known, tensioning rope 20 can be retracted so as to tension tensioning rope 20, or extended to release or lessen tension in tensioning rope 20. First and second bollards 30 and 40 are also positioned on floating vessel 200 in various arrangements, as shown. The designation of “first” and “second” bollards is for ease of description only; positions could be reversed. As described further below, additional bollards may comprise part of the system.

[0021] A connector rope 50 having first 52 and second 54 ends is attached to tensioning rope 20, for example via a shackle 60 attached to first end 52, which may be a soft shackle or similar connecting element. As can be seen in Fig. 2, connector rope 50 and shackle 60 can be pulled in by tensioning rope 20 to a position in which shackle 60 can be fixed to first bollard 30, so that first bollard 30 can bear the tension from tensioning rope 50.

[0022] Second end 54 of connector rope 50 comprises a release element 70, which may be a loop, ball stop or the like, which releasably engages release device 80, which is attached to second bollard 40. In one embodiment, release device 80 comprises a cross piece or strongback 82, which spans the space between the uprights of second bollard 40. Release device 80 further comprises a releasable retention device 84, preferably a remotely operable retention device, which may have redundant means of release, and which engages and holds release element 70 until same is released. Releasable retention device 84 may be mounted on strongback 82, or may be otherwise secured to second bollard 40. Strongback 82 may be attached to second bollard 40 by straps 86 or the like.

[0023] With reference to Figs. 3 and 4, in one embodiment, releasable retention device 84 may comprise a hook or pin 88 with an electric or hydraulic release actuator 89, preferably with a manual backup means, the hook or pin 88 engaging the release element 70. Preferably, release actuator 89 is remotely operable. By way of example, release element 70 may be a loop in second end 54 of connector rope 50, and releasable retention device 84 may comprise a hydraulically operable pin 88 which extends through the loop (release element 70). In Fig. 3, pin 88 is in a first position, through the loop (release element 70) and thereby attaching connector rope 50 to strongback 82, and second bollard 40. In Fig. 4, by operation of release actuator 89, pin 88 is retracted out of loop 70, thereby releasing second end 54 of connector rope 50.

[0024] Connector rope 50 is connected to a mooring line 90 by a mooring line connector 100. By way of example, mooring line connector 100 may include a roller 110. Connector rope 50 runs through or around roller 110, with first end 52 attached to first bollard 30 and second end 54 attached to second bollard 40. Roller 110 permits relative, sliding / rolling movement between roller 110 and connector rope 50. It is understood that mooring line connector 100 may take other forms that eliminate roller 110, for example a ring, shackle, thimble or the like, that all permit relative movement between mooring line connector 100 and connector rope 50.

[0025] It is understood that the above described embodiment results in the tension load in mooring line 90 to be shared between first and second bollards 30 and 40, thereby lessening the load on each bollard, which is one of the key attributes of the system disclosed herein.

[0026] Another embodiment of the system

[0027] Another embodiment of the mooring release system is shown in Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 5, the mooring release system may comprise one or more additional bollards 45 (so that the system comprises three or more bollards), as shown.

[0028] As may be understood from an evaluation of the tensile loads imposed on the various lines, in the illustrated embodiment having three bollards, the addition of bollard 45 results in the tension load in mooring line 90 being divided three ways, such that each of bollards 30 and 45 bear roughly one quarter of the tension load in mooring line 90, and bollard 40 bearing roughly one half of the tension load. This is particularly beneficial for vessels that have isolated sets of stronger bollards / chocks used for towing, etc.

[0029] As can be seen in Fig. 5, a second connector rope 56 is provided, comprising first and second ends 57, 58. First end 57 attaches to bollard 45. Second connector rope 56 runs through a second connector 102, and back to attach second end 58 to bollard 30, for example via a shackle (by way of example, similar to shackle 60). Second connector 102 may comprise a roller, or other similar means to permit relative movement between second connector 102 and second connector rope 56.

[0030] As can be seen, another connector rope, which may be referred to as first connector rope 51 for this embodiment, has a first end 52 attached to second connector 102, runs through mooring line connector 100, then back such that second end 54 attaches to release device 80, as in the previously described embodiment. It is understood that the scope of the invention comprises any number of bollards, generally from two bollards to three, four, or more, with additional connector ropes, connectors, etc. as appropriate. Additional bollards permit dividing the tension load in mooring line 90, via the additional connector ropes, among a greater number of bollards, lessening the load on at lease some of the bollards. This feature may be of importance in the event that the vessel has bollards with relatively low load capacity, permitting greater mooring line loads to be accommodated by the floating vessel without vessel or onboard equipment modification.

[0031] Use of the mooring release system

[0032] With reference to the figures, an exemplary use of the mooring release system can be described, by way of example in connection with the first embodiment described above.

[0033] A floating vessel 200 having tensioning apparatus 10 (which can be a winch) and first and second bollards 30 and 40 mounted thereon is brought into position to engage mooring line 90, with an upper end of mooring line 90 comprising mooring line connector 100. It is understood that such vessel positioning may be accomplished in a variety of ways. Tensioning rope 20 is extended to a desired length, connected to connector rope 50, for example by shackle 60. Connector rope 50 is engaged with mooring line connector 100, which may be accomplished by use of a remotely operated vehicle, on the deck of floating vessel 200, or by other means. As seen in the figures, connector rope 50 may run through fairlead portals 210 on floating vessel 200. A release device 80 is connected to second bollard 40.

[0034] Second end 54 of connector rope 50, comprising release element 70, is brought into position such that release element 70 can be secured by release device 80. Tensioning apparatus 10 can then pull in tensioning rope 20, and consequently connector rope 50, far enough that first end 52 can be attached to first bollard 30, for example by shackle 60 wrapped around or otherwise engaged with first bollard 30. In this position, the ends 52, 54 of connector rope 50 are connected to first and second bollards 30 and 40, which together bear the total tensile load of connector rope 50, hence mooring line 90.

[0035] When desired, release device 80 can be actuated, thereby releasing second end 54 of connector rope 50, which can run through mooring line connector 100, thereby releasing connector rope 50 from mooring line 90.

[0036] The use of the embodiment of Fig. 5 may be readily understood in view of the foregoing description.

[0037] Conclusion

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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

We claim:

1. A mooring release system for mooring floating vessels, comprising: a tensioning apparatus and first and second spaced apart bollards, adapted to be mounted on a floating vessel; said tensioning apparatus comprising a tensioning rope, said tensioning rope retractable and extendable by operation of said tensioning apparatus; a connector rope comprising first and second ends, each of said first and second ends attached to separate of said first and second bollards, said connector rope also attached to said tensioning rope; and a mooring line connector disposed on said connector rope between said first and second ends.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein: said first end of said connector rope is attached to said tensioning rope; said first end of said connector rope is attached to said first bollard, and said second end of said connector rope comprises a release element; said second bollard comprises a release device; said connector rope runs from said first bollard, through said mooring line connector, and to said release device on said second bollard, whereby said release element releasably engages said release device; said mooring line connector permits said connector rope to slide through said mooring line connector, whereby a tension in said mooring line is held by said connector rope and dividedbetween said first and second bollards.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said release device comprises a remotely releasable retention device connecting said release element to said second bollard.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said release device comprises a second or backup means of release.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein said remotely releasable retention device comprises a pin or hook attached to an electrically driven element.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein said remotely releasable retention device comprises a pin or hook attached to a hydraulically driven element.

7. The system of claim 3, wherein said remotely releasable retention device comprises a strongback engaging said second bollard, and further comprises a pin or hook attached to an electrically driven element.

8. The system of claim 3, wherein said remotely releasable retention device comprises a strongback engaging said second bollard, and further comprises a pin or hook attached to a hydraulically driven element.

9. A system for mooring floating vessels, comprising: a tensioning apparatus and three or more spaced apart bollards, adapted to be mounted on a floating vessel; a tensioning rope attached to said tensioning apparatus, such that said tensioning rope may be retracted or extended; first and second connector ropes, said second connector rope comprising first and second ends, said first end connected to one of said three or more bollards, said secondend attached to said tensioning rope and to another of said three or more bollards; said first connector rope comprising first and second ends, said first end connected to a connector engaging said second connector rope, said second end comprising a release element; a release device attached to one of said three or more bollards; a mooring line connector connecting said first connector rope to a mooring line, wherein said first connector rope runs from said first bollard, through said mooring line connector, and to said release device, whereby said release element releasably engages said release device, said mooring line connector permitting said first connector rope to slide through said mooring line connector, whereby a tension in said mooring line is held by said first and second connector ropes and divided between said three or more bollards.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said release device comprises a second or backup means of release.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein said remotely releasable retention device comprises a pin or hook attached to an electrically driven element.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein said remotely releasable retention device comprises a pin or hook attached to a hydraulically driven element.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein said remotely releasable retention device comprises a strongback engaging said second bollard, and further comprises a pin or hook attached to an electrically driven element.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein said remotely releasable retention device comprises astrongback engaging said second bollard, and further comprises a pin or hook attached to a hydraulically driven element.

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