Mooring Apparatus Universal Joint Socket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mooring systems for offshore structures face challenges with stress and wear due to relative movement between vessels and anchoring points, leading to Out of Plane Bending (OPB) fatigue, and require complex and costly installation and maintenance solutions.
Innovation Solution
A mooring apparatus featuring a socket and connection member with a dual-axis universal joint design, allowing for rotational movement and tensioning without a load-bearing pin, enabling efficient connection and disconnection of mooring lines under tension, and allowing for pre-cutting and installation without a tensioning device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mooring connection structures (lever arms and fairleads) are used to minimize OPB effects, then the mooring line and connection components are protected from stress and wear, but the structures become large, heavy, expensive and difficult to install, operate and maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into modular components: a socket mounted on the vessel, a separate connection member with universal joint capability, and a positioning arrangement. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies installation and maintenance compared to monolithic lever arm structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection member incorporates a universal joint mechanism that dynamically adapts to changing angles and positions as the vessel moves relative to the anchor point. This dynamic adjustment capability eliminates the need for large, rigid fairleads while continuously minimizing OPB effects through passive mechanical adaptation.
2Reliability
If traditional mooring connection structures are used, then OPB effects are minimized, but installation and maintenance require high levels of skill, divers, ROVs, and incur significant expense and risk
Solution Approach 1:
The connection member is pre-assembled with the universal joint mechanism and positioning arrangement before deployment. This preliminary preparation allows for simplified on-site installation that can be performed with reduced skill requirements and without requiring diver intervention or complex ROV operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal joint mechanism automatically self-adjusts to optimal positioning as the vessel moves, eliminating the need for skilled operators to manually adjust complex fairlead systems. The self-positioning capability reduces operational complexity and maintenance skill requirements while maintaining effective OPB minimization.
3Strength
If a load-bearing pin is used in traditional mooring connections, then the connection can handle tension loads, but the installation becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the load-bearing pin from the connection system. Instead, the socket and connection member are designed to directly bear and transfer tension loads through their integrated structures, simplifying the assembly and reducing installation complexity while maintaining full load-bearing capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces wear and maintenance costs by minimizing stress on mooring components, simplifying installation, and eliminating the need for load-bearing pins, while allowing for efficient tensioning and connection of mooring lines, thus enhancing the reliability and cost-effectiveness of mooring operations.
Implementation Method 1
The connection member may be adapted to rotate/be rotatable on the at least one seat around a/the first axis defined by a/the at least one projection
Implementation Method 2
The positioning arrangement may comprise a guide such as a sheave or a chain wheel, and optionally which a/the line extends around
Implementation Method 3
The connection member may move towards the seat under the force of gravity and/or under a force induced by a tension, such as a mooring tension in the mooring line
Implementation Method 4
a pulling force on a second portion of the line, the pulling force being in a direction away from the guide, may pull the first portion of the line towards the guide
Implementation Method 5
The connection member may comprise a joint defining a second axis about which at least a portion of the connection member may be adapted to rotate. At least a portion of the connection member may be adapted to rotate around the first axis and/or the second axis
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A mooring apparatus (10a; 10b; 10c; 10d) comprising a socket (15a; 15b; 15c; 15d), a connection member (20a; 20b; 20c; 20d), and an arrangement (25a; 25b; 25c; 25d) for positioning and/or controlling the disposition of the connection member (20a; 20b; 20c; 20d) relative to the socket (15a; 15b; 15c; 15d), the connection member (20a; 20b; 20c; 20d) being receivable and/or retainable in the socket (15a; 15b; 15c; 15d). A method of configuring a mooring apparatus (10a; 10b; 10c; 10d), wherein the method comprises providing the mooring apparatus (10a; 10b; 10c; 10d), the method further comprising connecting a first portion of a line (35) to a line engaging apparatus (30a) and positioning or extending the line (35) around the positioning arrangement (25a; 25b; 25c; 25d).