Remote Mooring Tether Connection Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for deploying and connecting mooring lines to offshore production vessels are inefficient and logistically challenging, requiring on-site presence of the vessel and relying on skilled ROV piloting or expensive, complex connectors.

Innovation Solution

A tether connection apparatus that allows remote interconnection of mooring tether free ends using a pull-in mechanism and a releasable connector mounting system, compatible with standard connectors, and an alignment channel for precise alignment, enabling remote operation without divers or specialized connectors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional ROV manipulator and vessel crane are used for connection, then connection can be made, but the operation is slow and requires particularly skilled ROV piloting

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveROV piloting skill requirementVSAvoidconnection speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a purpose-made mooring line connector as an intermediary device that simplifies the connection process. This connector enables direct mechanical coupling between mooring lines without requiring complex ROV manipulator operations, thereby reducing skill requirements and improving connection speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the complex mechanical coordination system (ROV manipulator + vessel crane) with a simpler mechanical connector system that can be operated more easily and quickly, substituting the need for skilled piloting with a more foolproof mechanical interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If purpose made mooring line connectors are used, then connection can be made, but the cost and complexity of the mooring line system increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection capabilityVSAvoidmooring line system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the connector only as complex as necessary for its specific function of joining mooring lines, rather than making the entire mooring line system complex. The complexity is localized to a small, dedicated component rather than distributed throughout the system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The connector is designed to be pre-installed on one of the mooring line ends before deployment, allowing the connection operation to be simplified to a single attachment action rather than requiring complex on-site assembly of multiple components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8176866B2Methods of and apparatus for mooring and for connecting lines to articles on the seabed

Publication Date: 2012.05.15 SUBSEA 7 NORWAY AS

AI summary

The invention provides a tether connection apparatus for remotely interconnecting respective free ends of two portions of a mooring tether, such as that used to moor a floating production vessel to the seabed. The apparatus includes a frame, a winch mounted on the frame and operable to pull-in to the apparatus the free end of one of the portions of the mooring tether, subsequent to deployment of the apparatus. The apparatus also includes a connector mount on the frame for releasably mounting a connector. The connector is designed to interconnect the respective free ends of two portions of the mooring tether, once the winch has pulled into the apparatus the free end of a first of the portions of mooring tether. The mount is operable to release the connector subsequent to interconnection.