Offshore Fluid Transfer Boom Rigid Valve Anchorage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current offshore fluid transfer systems face challenges in efficiently and safely connecting and disconnecting piping between ships, particularly in rough seas and emergency situations, with complex configurations that complicate rapid connection and disconnection processes.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring a boom with a movable fluid conveying pipe and an outer maneuvering cable, where the anchorage point is rigidly connected to the outer valve, allowing for extended pipe positioning before connection, fast coupling by rising movement, and simplified disconnection by descending movement, with safety features to prevent water contact during emergency disconnections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex system of counterweights or cables is used to ensure spontaneous rotation of the distal part of articulated piping, then connection safety is improved, but device complexity increases and connection time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex counterweight and cable system from the articulated piping structure. Instead, it uses a simple rigid connection between the flange and connector that allows natural downward rotation under gravity, eliminating the need for additional safety mechanisms while maintaining connection safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the natural weight of the articulated piping itself to achieve spontaneous rotation downward for safe connection. The rigid connection between flange and connector ensures that gravity automatically guides the connection process without requiring external counterweights or control cables.
2Reliability
If additional cables and swivel joints are added to control piping orientation, then connection reliability is improved, but connection time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates additional control cables and complex swivel joint systems. The rigid connection between flange and connector allows the piping to naturally orient downward under its own weight, achieving reliable connection without time-consuming manual control mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If the free end of movable piping is allowed to rotate freely, then ease of operation is improved, but risk of striking the second structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the natural weight and rigid connection of the piping to automatically guide the free end downward for safe connection. This self-guiding mechanism maintains maneuverability while eliminating collision risk through gravitational control rather than restrictive mechanical stops.
4Reliability
If complex emergency disconnection systems are implemented, then safety during emergency disconnection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes complex emergency disconnection systems. The rigid connection between flange and connector allows simple, safe emergency disconnection by directly manipulating the connector, eliminating the need for additional emergency release mechanisms while maintaining safety.
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
Enables simpler, quicker, and safer fluid transfer by facilitating rapid connection and disconnection, while ensuring the free end of the movable pipe does not touch the water during emergency disconnections, improving operational efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
it is desired to avoid plunging of the free end of the movable piping into the water
Implementation Method 2
an outer maneuvering cable maneuvered from the boom being furthermore linked to the free end of the movable pipe
Data Source
AI summary
An offshore fluid transfer system comprising a boom (2100) and at least one movable fluid conveying pipe (3000) attached to the boom, said movable pipe (3000) comprising, starting from its anchorage point, a length for extension, then an outer valve (3210) for coupling to a third party loading pipe, a maneuvering cable called outer maneuvering cable (4100) maneuvered from the boom (2100) being furthermore linked to the free end of the movable pipe at a point referred to as cable anchorage point, characterized in that the anchorage point is rigidly connected to the outer valve (3210). The invention also relates to the corresponding method.