Mooring Buoy Bearing Assembly Quick-Release Retainer
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for repairing or replacing the bearing assembly of a mooring buoy are complex and costly due to the need for transferring the mooring assembly to a different location, resulting in significant production downtime.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that includes a bearing retainer configured to retain and releasably attach to the bearing assembly, allowing for its removal from the buoy, with a locking mechanism to secure the turret to the buoyant body, enabling the bearing assembly to be lifted and transported for repair or replacement while maintaining operational alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the bearing assembly is removed by transferring the mooring assembly to another location, then the bearing assembly can be repaired or replaced, but production downtime increases and repair costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the bearing assembly into separable components with standardized interfaces. The bearing assembly is segmented into a bearing unit, retaining ring, and seal assembly that can be independently removed and replaced without moving the entire mooring assembly, enabling on-site repair and reducing downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing assembly is designed to be extractable from the mooring assembly through a quick-release mechanism. The retaining ring can be rapidly removed to extract the bearing unit from the buoy body, allowing repair or replacement at the installation location without transferring the entire assembly.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the bearing assembly is designed with a fixed retention structure, then the mooring assembly is structurally stable, but repair or replacement requires transferring the entire assembly to another location
Solution Approach 1:
The retention structure transitions from a fixed permanent connection to a dynamic quick-release system. The retaining ring incorporates movable locking elements that can be rapidly actuated to release the bearing assembly, providing both structural stability during operation and ease of replacement when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining ring serves as an intermediary component between the bearing assembly and the buoy body. It provides stable retention during operation while incorporating quick-release features that allow rapid removal, mediating between the conflicting requirements of stability and replaceability.
3Ease of repair
If a quick-release retention mechanism is implemented, then bearing assembly replacement is simplified, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The quick-release complexity is localized to the retaining ring and its locking mechanism, while the rest of the bearing assembly and mooring structure remains simple. The complex features are confined to a small portion of the system, making maintenance manageable without overwhelming the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the entire bearing assembly permanently fixed and requiring complex external equipment for removal, the invention inverts the approach by incorporating simple quick-release features directly into the retention mechanism, allowing easy removal with minimal equipment.
Data Source
AI summary
A buoy (100) includes a turret (20) coupled to a buoyant body (10) using a bearing assembly (40); a deckhouse (50) disposed on the buoyant body (10); and a bearing retainer (60) configured to retain the bearing assembly (40) and to releasably attach to the turret. The buoy (100) may also include a locking mechanism having an inner opening (23) in the turret, an outer opening (13) in the buoyant body (10), and a locking member (80) configured for insertion through the inner and outer openings (13, 23). In one embodiment, the inner opening (23) is out of alignment with the outer opening (13) during operation of the buoy (100). The buoy may further include a detachable cover (55) on the deckhouse (50), wherein the cover is configured to attach to the bearing retainer.