Offshore Hose Coupling Guide Flange for Reliable Tanker Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing offshore loading hose couplings face challenges in aligning and securing connection flanges without guiding means, particularly in harsh weather conditions and when the receiving connection flange on the tanker is not equipped with guiding structures.
Innovation Solution
The offshore loading hose coupling features a coupling flange with axially extending guide elements and movable pull-in and clamping units that include forward and rear engagement edges, allowing for axial pull-in and pivoting clamping movements to securely engage the connection flange, even without pre-existing guiding structures on the tanker.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If guiding structures (funnel elements, guideposts) are provided on both coupling parts, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases and adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the guiding structures from the receiving connection flange on the tanker, keeping them only on the hose coupling. This extraction simplifies the overall system while maintaining alignment functionality, as the guide elements on the hose coupling alone are sufficient to guide the connection flange during approach and connection.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having passive guiding structures on both parts that require precise matching, the patent makes the hose coupling active with movable pull-in and clamping units that dynamically adjust to guide and secure the connection flange, reversing the traditional approach of static guiding structures on both sides.
2Reliability
If guiding structures are provided on both coupling parts, then alignment reliability is improved, but adaptability worsens as the receiving connection flange must be configured according to the specific hose coupling
Solution Approach 1:
The hose coupling is designed with universal guide elements and movable pull-in/clamping units that can accommodate different receiving connection flange configurations. The guide elements can guide various flange types, and the movable clamping units adapt to different flange positions, making the hose coupling compatible with multiple tanker configurations without requiring custom guiding structures on each flange.
Solution Approach 2:
The pull-in and clamping units are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position and orientation during the connection process. This dynamic capability enables the same hose coupling to reliably connect with different receiving connection flange configurations, enhancing adaptability while maintaining alignment reliability.
3Ease of operation
If crane operation is used to position the hose coupling, then operation flexibility is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates due to difficulty in arranging the hose coupling correctly
Solution Approach 1:
The guide elements on the hose coupling act as an intermediary between the crane operation and the final connection. During crane positioning, the guide elements engage with the receiving connection flange to provide mechanical guidance, ensuring correct alignment even when the crane operator cannot precisely position the hose coupling. This intermediary guiding mechanism bridges the gap between rough crane positioning and precise final alignment.
Data Source
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Figure 6~7
AI summary
Offshore loading hose coupling (9) with a coupling end (13) and hose end (15), landing and guiding arrangement (21), and coupling flange (14). The landing and guiding arrangement has a reception space (28) that receives a curved upper flange edge of a connection flange (7). The reception space is upwardly and laterally confined by at least two landing and sliding faces (24) extending axially beyond the coupling flange in a direction away from the hose end. The landing and sliding faces (24) are distributed along a curve corresponding to a curved upper flange edge (8) of the connection flange (7). The two lowermost landing and sliding faces permit entry of the connection flange (7) into the reception space (28) along a vertical direction. A landing and sliding face (24) is arranged on respective sides of a vertical plane extending through the axial center line (26).