NO346382B1 - A line lock, a handling system and a method for locking a mooring line using the line lock - Google Patents

Description

Title

A line lock, a handing system and a method for locking a mooring line using the line lock

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a line lock for handling and slackening mooring lines in aquaculture farms, and a method for locking a mooring line using a line lock.

Background and prior art

In marine aquaculture operation fish are raised in multiple net cases or cages grid systems, the net cases or cages are aggregated in modules traditionally arranged in a square-shaped grid system held on the sea bed with an array of mooring lines. Marine farms typically comprise a mooring system, floating collars and an anchoring system, that are used to restrict the motion of the entire farm, enabling it to keep stationary and in a pre-determined grid configuration.

A mooring system is a system of mooring lines, for example polyester rope, chain, wire rope and bottom attachments, for keeping the floating components of the marine in a desired position. A mooring system is typically composed of a mooring grid, bridle lines for connecting the floating collar to the mooring grid, and main mooring lines for connecting the mooring grid to the anchoring system. The anchoring system is used to connect the mooring system to the sea bed to keep the marine farm in place, and the floating collars are typically attached to the mooring system using bridle lines to provide buoyancy and provide attachment for the one or more fish cages or net cases. The mooring lines are under kept under tension to restrict the motion of the entire farm.

During operation of the marine farm, mooring lines need to be handle for example for maintenance or inspection purposes, or to adjust the configuration of the multiple fish cage grid system. During such operations there is a need for temporarily handling and slackening a mooring line to allow work to be carried out on a part of the mooring line that is not under tension.

Different solutions have been suggested for temporarily locking lines under strong or very strong load. From prior art, reference should be made to NO341272B1, GB2549488A, and US9321617B2.

NO341272B1 discloses a device for spooling and holding a line. The device comprises a rotatable base onto which is mounted two upwardly extending shafts.

Each shaft comprises a plurality of line discs one on top of the other. The device further comprises means for switching the line discs from rotating freely on the shafts to be rotationally locked on the shafts. In NO341272B1, the shafts may be forced downward, i.e. toward the base, for rotationally locking the discs.

GB2549488A discloses a heave compensation device arranged on a marine vessel within a lift rope route arrangement of a typical crane or winch. The device comprises a main chassis that supports a drive system and a rotating structure that includes at least two sheaves. In GB2549488A the rope is wound in the groove of the sheave.

US9321617B2 discloses a device for tensioning of a rope. The device comprises a rotatable support (base) onto which two sheaves are mounted. In US9321617B2, the rope is wound in the groove of the sheaves.

From the prior art, one should also refer to:

WO2010142667A1 relates to a locking device for temporarily locking of a rope, the locking device comprising two rods at a distance greater than the diameter of the rope, the rods being arranged about an origin of a turntable so that a rope being arranged between the rods is turned about the rods as the turntable is rotated, wherein each rod form an acute angle with the plane of the turntable.

NO340098B1 relates to a device and method for the safe handling of moorings suitable for a floating or submersible vessel or vessel in the sea or the sea. NO340098B1 further relates to a device and method for forming and/or operating and/or handling and/or adjusting a hose or length of a rope, such as e.g. an anchor or mooring rope.

WO2012128637A1 relates to a device for tensioning of a rope, the device comprising two or more sheaves, each sheave being operated by a motor, where a rope to be tensioned may be arranged so that it sequentially rests against the contact surface of the sheaves of the device. The sheaves are arranged in pairs on a rotatable support, where the axes of rotation of the sheaves and the turntable are substantially parallel. The sheaves have a first position in which the rope may pass unhindered between the sheaves of the pair, and be rotated by said support to second position in which the rope has been wound to a substantial contact angle about the sheaves.

Although the above mentioned prior art are reliable devices, there is a need for a line lock allowing a stronger and more reliable locking of lines. It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an improved line lock that makes it possible to obtain a stronger and more reliable locking of a line than what is obtainable by the presently known devices.

Summary of the invention

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the main claims, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention.

In a first aspect, the invention relates to a line lock for tightening and slackening mooring lines in aquaculture farms, the line may be a rope, wire or other types of lines. The line lock comprises a rotational support, preferably the rotational support having a dome like shape, configured to be rotationally fixed to a static base with a rotational axis A1, a locking device, and a rotational drive configured to rotate the rotational support relative to the static base.

The locking device comprises two spaced apart locking device members each comprising: a fixing member connected at one end to the rotational support and oriented parallel to the rotational axis A1, and a clamping head movably connected to the fixing member, and preferably at the opposite end of the fixing member, such that the distance between the clamping head and the rotational support may be varied. The fixing member is preferably an elongated member, alternatively the fixing member may be a sheave or similar.

The clamping head further comprises a shoulder radially extending from a center axis A2 of the fixing member, the center axis A2 being preferably parallel to the rotational axis A1, and the distance between the shoulder and the rotational support being at least a maximum line diameter DL of the mooring line to be handled.

The space between the two fixing members of the locking devices perpendicular to the rotational axis A1 is at least the maximum line diameter DL.

The line lock further comprises an actuator, for example a hydraulic actuator, configured to set the position of the clamping head of each fixing member in at least a clamped position or an unclamped position. In the clamped/unlocked position, the shoulder exerts a pressure above a threshold pressure PT onto the mooring line, when the mooring line is arranged between the shoulder and the rotational support. In the unclamped/unlocked position, the shoulder exerts a pressure below the threshold pressure PT onto the mooring line, when arranged between the shoulder and the rotational support.

In a preferred example embodiment of the line lock, the rotational drive is configured to rotate the rotational support by at least 90 degrees, and preferably 180 degrees, in a first direction to coil the mooring line around at least a part of the fixing members. Additionally, the rotational drive may be configured to rotate the rotational support by at least 90 degrees, and preferably 180 degrees, in a second direction opposite the first direction to uncoil the mooring line from around at least the part the fixing members.

In a preferred example embodiment of the line lock, the actuator is configured to simultaneously set the position of the two clamping heads in either the clamped position or the unclamped position.

In a preferred example embodiment of the line lock, an upper surface S0 of the rotational support comprises a flat surface part S1 parallel to a horizontal plane of the rotational support onto which the locking device is arranged.

In a preferred example embodiment of the line lock, the rotational support and the static base are both disks arranged on top of each other, and wherein the static base is mountable onto at least one of a stationary surface, for example a deck of a waterborne vessel, and an auxiliary device, for example a crane.

In a preferred example embodiment of the line lock, the line lock further comprises a pedestal having a first pedestal end onto which the static base is mounted, and a second pedestal end opposite the first pedestal end mountable onto at least of a stationary surface and an auxiliary device. Preferably, the rotational axis A1 is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the pedestal.

In a preferred example embodiment of the line lock, the second pedestal end of the pedestal is movably connected to an elongated static base by means of a sliding mechanism, wherein the sliding mechanism is configured to slide the second pedestal end along the longitudinal direction of the elongated static base, or to hold the second pedestal end thereby locking the pedestal from sliding.

In a preferred example embodiment of the line lock, the sliding mechanism comprises a set of tracks arranged on a first side of the elongated static base along the longitudinal direction of the elongated static base, wherein the set of tracks is coupled with sliding mechanism connectors arranged on the second pedestal end of the pedestal.

In a preferred example embodiment of the line lock, the elongated static base has a second side opposite the first side, wherein the second side is mountable onto at least one of a stationary surface and an auxiliary device.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to a handling system for tightening and slackening mooring lines in aquaculture farms, comprising the line lock as described above, a crane comprising a crane arm mounted at one end on a crane base, wherein the static base of the line lock is mounted on the opposite end of the crane arm.

In a preferred example embodiment, the crane base of the crane is mountable onto a deck of a waterborne vessel or integrated into a superstructure of the waterborne vessel.

In a third aspect, the invention relates to a method for locking a mooring line using a line lock as described above. The method comprised the steps of:

A. arranging an attachment part of the mooring line within the locking device such that the mooring line is positioned between the two fixing members of the two spaced apart locking device members and between the clamping head and the rotational support of at least one of the two spaced apart locking device members in the plane parallel to the rotational axis A1,

B. setting the rotational drive to rotate the rotational support, preferably by at least 90 degrees or 180 degrees, in a first direction to coil the mooring line around at least a part of the fixing members of the locking device members,

C. setting the rotational drive, for example by use of an internal locking mechanism within or at the rotational drive, to prevent further rotation of the rotational support,

D. setting the locking device members to a clamped position, such that the mooring line is locked between the shoulders of the locking device members and the rotational support,

E. slacking a first part of the mooring line extending between one end of the mooring line and the attachment part - due to the locking of the mooring line at the attachment part, a second part of the mooring line extending to the other end remains under tension,

F. performing work as desired on the first part that is slacked,

G. setting the rotational drive to rotate the rotational support, preferably by at least 90 degrees or 180 degrees, in a second direction opposite the first direction to uncoil the mooring line from around at least the part of the fixing members,

H. setting the actuator to adjust the locking device members in the unclamped position, such that the mooring line is unlocked between the shoulders of the locking device members and the rotational support surface,

It should be noted that step G and H may be interchanged.

I. removing the mooring line from the space between the locking device members.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates schematically a line lock according to a first example embodiment of the invention: where Fig. 1A shows a top view of some of the main elements comprised in the line lock, i.e. a rotational support and fixing members, and additionally a mooring line coiled around the fixing members; where Fig. 1B shows a side view of the line lock in an unlocked/unclamped position; and where Fig. 1C shows a side view of the line lock in a locked/clamped position thereby locking the coiled mooring line.

Fig. 2 illustrates schematically a line lock according to a second example embodiment of the invention: where Fig. 2A shows a side view of the line lock of Fig. 1B, i.e. in an unlocked/unclamped position, further comprising a static base, where the rotational support is rotationally fixed to the static base; where Fig. 2B shows a side view of the line lock of Fig. 2A in a locked/clamped position; and where Fig. 2C shows a top view of the line lock for Fig. 2B.

Fig. 3 illustrates schematically a side view of a line lock according to a third example embodiment of the invention, i.e. showing the line lock of Fig. 2 additionally comprising a pedestal and where the static base is fixed onto the pedestal.

Fig. 4 illustrates schematically a side view of a line lock according to a fourth example embodiment of the invention, i.e. showing the line lock of Fig. 3 additionally comprising an elongated static base and where the pedestal is movably coupled to the elongated static base.

Fig. 5 illustrates schematically a side view of a waterborne vessel, where the line lock according to the second example embodiment (Fig. 2) is mounted onto a crane arranged on the deck of the vessel, and where the line lock according to the third and fourth example embodiment (Fig. 3 and 4) are mounted onto the deck of the vessel.

Fig. 6 illustrates schematically a side view of a waterborne vessel, where the line lock according to the second example embodiment (Fig. 2) is mounted onto a crane of the waterborne vessel, where the line lock is in an unlocked/unclamped position, where an attachment part of the mooring line is arranged within a locking device of the line lock, and where the mooring line is under tension along its whole length.

Fig. 7 illustrates schematically a side view of a waterborne vessel of Fig. 6, where the line lock according to the second example embodiment (Fig. 2) of the invention is mounted onto a crane of the waterborne vessel, where the line lock is in an locked/clamped position, where an attachment part of the mooring line is locked within a locking device of the line lock, and where the mooring line is under tension on one side of the attachment part and slacked/loose on the opposite side of the attachment.

Detailed description of the invention

In the following, specific example embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the example embodiments and illustrations contained herein. It is specifically intended that the invention includes modified forms of the embodiments, including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements of different embodiments. It should be appreciated that in the development of any actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer’s specific goals, such as compliance with system and/or business-related constraints. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication and manufacture for the skilled person having the benefit of this disclosure.

As shown in Fig. 1-7, the invention relates to a line lock 1 for temporally locking a line 10. The line lock 1 is intended to be used for example to anchor, lock, slack and tighten the line 10. The line 10 may be for example a rope, a wire, pulleys and the like. In particular, the line 10 may be, as mentioned above, a mooring line 10 in a mooring grid system of an aquaculture marine farm. Such a mooring line 10 will be used as an example for describing the invention with reference to the drawings.

As best illustrated in Figs. 2B and 7, the line lock 1 of the invention makes it possible to temporally lock the mooring line 10 at an attachment part 10C of the mooring line 10. By the term ‘attachment part 10C’ it is meant a section or portion of the mooring line 10 that can be inserted between and coiled around at least a part of two locking devices 40A,40B of the line lock 1, and further locked by the locking devices 40A,40B when the latter is set to a locked position.

Due to the locking of the mooring line 10 at the attachment part 10C, a first part 10A of the mooring line 10 extending between one end of the mooring line 10 and the attachment part 10C can be slacked, as shown in Fig. 7. While a second part 10B of the mooring line 10 extending from the attachment part 10C to the other end of the mooring line 10 can remain under tension. This advantageously makes it possible to perform work/maintenance on the slacked part of the mooring line 10. This is particularly advantageous when work/maintenance operations need to be performed in a marine aquaculture farm, since preserving tension in a part of one mooring line 10 allows for preserving the integrity of the mooring grid system, while work can be carried out on the part of the mooring line 10 that is slacked.

Fig. 1A-C best illustrates the first example embodiment of the line lock 1 in accordance with the invention. The features comprised in the first example embodiment are common to all example embodiments of the invention.

Common to all example embodiments, the line lock 1 comprises a rotational support 20 rotationally fixed to a static base 70 (not shown in Fig. 1B and 1C) with a rotational axis A1 as illustrated in Fig. 1B. The rotational support 20 preferably has a dome or disk like shape as shown in Fig. 1-7, however other type of shapes may be used.

Further common to all example embodiments, the line lock 1 comprises a rotary actuator (not shown on Fig. 1-7) to rotate the rotational support 20 relative to the static base 70. The rotary actuator may be for example a hydraulic rotary actuator, using a rack and pinion, or other type of rotary actuator. The rotary actuator is preferably arranged within the static base 70, other arrangements are however possible. In the first example embodiment, the rotary actuator may be arranged in a still surface 70, for example a still surface 70 of a waterborne vessel 200. The still surface 70 may be the surface of already existing equipment onboard the vessel, or a still surface of the vessel itself.

The rotational support 20 may comprise a plurality of holes 21. As best illustrated in Figs. 1-4, the plurality of holes 21 may be arranged at the circumferential edge of an upper surface S0 of the rotational support 20. As illustrated on the figures, the holes 21 may extend through the rotational support 20. The plurality of holes 21 may be configured to receive for example bolts (not shown) for fixing the rotational support 20 to for example an output table (no shown on the figures) of the rotary actuator.

Further common to all embodiments, the line lock 1 comprises a locking device 40 comprising two spaced apart locking device members 40A,40B each comprising a fixing member 50 (as best illustrated in Fig. 1A) and a clamping head 43 as shown in Fig. 1B and 1C. Each fixing member 50 is connected at one end to the rotational support 20 and is oriented parallel to the rotational axis A1.

Fig. 1A shows some of the elements of the line lock 1, and in particular a detail view of the two fixing members 50 which are otherwise substantially hidden when the line lock 1 is illustrated with the clamping heads 43, and with the mooring line 10 inserted between the two fixing members of the locking device 40.

As shown on Fig. 1A, each fixing member 50may have a fixing member base 41 and a fixing member body 42. The fixing member body 42 is the part of the fixing members that extends from the rotational support 20 upper surface S0 and oriented parallel to the rotational axis A1. The fixing member may further comprise a fixing member base 41 arranged at the end of the fixing member connected to the rotational support 20 upper surface S0. The fixing member base 41 may advantageously reinforce the connection between the fixing member and the rotational support, making the connection more resistant to strong forces.

Preferably, the two fixing members 50 are connected to a centre part S1 of the upper surface S0 of the rotational support 20, preferably next to but away from the rotational axis A1. The centre part S1 of the rotational support 20 is preferably a flat surface S1, as shown in Figs. 1A-C, having a horizontal plan that is perpendicular to the rotational axis A1 and parallel to the horizontal plan of the rotational support 20.

Further common to all example embodiments, each clamping head 43 is movably connected at the end of the fixing member 50 distal from the rotational support 20 upper surface S0,S1 , such that the distance between the clamping head 43 and the rotational support 20 may be varied. The clamping head 43 comprises a shoulder 44 radially extending from a center axis A2 of the fixing member 50 as best illustrated in Fig. 1B. Preferably, the center axis A2 is parallel to the rotational axis A1. The distance between the shoulder 44 and the rotational support 20 being at least a maximum line diameter DL of the mooring line 10 to be handled.

Further common to all example embodiments, the space between the two fixing members 50 of the locking device 40 perpendicular to the rotational axis A1 is at least the maximum line diameter DL.

Yet further common to all example embodiments, the line lock 1 comprises an actuator 60 configured to set the position of each of the two clamping heads 43 in either a clamped or locked position as shown in Figs. 1B and 2A, and an unclamped/unlocked position as shown in Figs. 1C and 2B.

In a clamped position, the shoulder 44 exerts a pressure above a threshold pressure PT onto the mooring line 10, when the mooring line 10 is arranged between the shoulder 44 and the rotational support 20.

In an unclamped position in which the shoulder 44 exerts a pressure below the threshold pressure PT onto the mooring line 10, when arranged between the shoulder 44 and the rotational support 20.

Figs. 2A-C show the line lock 1 according to a second example embodiment of the invention.

The line lock 1 of the second example embodiment comprises all features of the first example embodiment as described above. Additionally, in the second example embodiment, the static base 70 may be a second disk as illustrated in Fig. 2. Thus, in the second example embodiment, the rotational support 20 and the static base 70 are two disks arranged on top of each other, the rotational support 20 being rotationally fixed to the static base 70.

The static base 70 in the second example embodiments is configured such that it can be fastened to, for example, a still surface or an auxiliary device such as a crane 100 as shown in Fig. 5, 6 and 7.

Fig. 3 shows the line lock 1 according to a third example embodiment of the invention.

The line lock 1 of the third example embodiment comprises all features of the line lock 1 according to the second example embodiment and additionally comprises a pedestal 80.

As shown on Fig. 3 the pedestal 80 has preferably a rectangular shape and a height H1. The height H1 may be adapted for different use line lock 1, i.e. it may be reduced or increase depending on how/where the line lock 1 is to be used.

In the third example embodiment, the static base 70 is fixed onto the pedestal 80, preferably onto a first pedestal end 81 of the pedestal 80 and preferably such that the rotational axis A1 of the rotational support 20 is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the pedestal 80. On the opposite side of the first pedestal end 81, a second pedestal end 82 is configured to be fixed onto a still surface, for example the deck of a vessel as illustrated in Fig. 5, 6 and 7, or an auxiliary device.

Preferably the footprint of the pedestal 80 is at least the same as the footprint of the rotational support 20 or larger.

Fig. 4 shows the line lock 1 according to a fourth example embodiment of the invention.

The line lock 1 of the fourth example embodiment comprises all features of the line lock 1 according to the third example embodiment and additionally comprises an elongated static base 90.

The elongated static base 90 has preferably a rectangular shape with a height H2, a length L2 and a width W2. In the fourth embodiment, the second pedestal end 82 is movably coupled to an upper side 91 of the elongated static base 90. The second pedestal end 82 is movably coupled to the upper side 91, such that the pedestal 80 with the rotational support 20 and locking device 40 may slide in a longitudinal direction (shown by the arrow on Fig. 4) of the elongated static base 90. Preferably the second pedestal end 82 is movably coupled to the upper side 91 by means of a sliding mechanism comprising for example a set of tracks 93 arranged on the upper side 91 of the elongated static base 90 and a set of sliding mechanism connectors 83 arranged on the second pedestal end 82. Alternatively, a rolling mechanism or other mechanisms may be used.

Preferably, the length L2 of the elongated static base 90 exceeds the length of the pedestal 80.

Fig. 5 illustrates a possible arrangement of the line lock 1 of the second, third and fourth example embodiments on a waterborne vessel 200.

In Fig. 5 the line lock 1 of the second example embodiment is shown arranged onto a crane 100 having a crane arm 110 and a base 130 arranged on a deck 210 of the vessel 200. More specifically, the line lock 1 is arranged onto a crane arm end 120 of a crane arm 110. Further in Fig. 5, the line lock of the third and fourth example embodiments are shown arranged onto the deck 210 of the vessel.

The method for operating the line lock 1 will now be described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7, and with reference to the line lock 1 according to the second example embodiment arranged onto a crane 100. The method is nevertheless applicable to all other example embodiments.

Fig. 6 and 7 illustrate the line lock 1 according to the second example embodiment arranged at a crane arm end 120 and is similar to the arrangement already described and shown in Fig. 5. The vessel 200 illustrated in Fig. 6 and 7 is an example of a service vessel used to perform operations on aquaculture marine farms that have a typical mooring grid system (not shown).

In Figs. 6 and 7, the mooring lines 10 are shown attached at one end to a rope ring 11 of the mooring grid system, while the other opposite ends can be attached for example to a floating collar (not shown) or an anchor (not shown) of the marine farm. In normal use, the rope ring 11 is arranged below the sea surface and is typically attached to a floater (not shown) floating at the sea surface. Prior performing work on the mooring lines 10, the rope ring 11 may be lifted from the seawater and arranged on an edge of the vessel 200, as shown on Fig. 6 and 7, to allow work/maintenance to be performed onto the mooring lines 10 from the vessel 200.

When the rope ring 11 is arranged on the vessel 200, the mooring lines 10 are all under tension as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. To allow work/maintenance to be performed and at the same time preserve the integrity of the mooring grid system, a first part 10A of the mooring line 10 need to be slacked so that work can be carried onto it, while a second part 10B remains under tension for preserving the mooring grid system.

This is achieved by using the line lock 1 to temporally lock and hold a part or portion, i.e. an attachment part 10C, of the mooring line 10. As best illustrated in Fig. 7, the attachment part 10C is preferably a portion of the mooring line 10 that is distal from the mooring line 10 ends connected at one end to the rope ring 11 and connected at the other end to for example a floating collar.

For temporally locking the mooring line 10 in the line lock 1, the attachment part 10C of the mooring line is arranged within the locking device 40, as illustrated in Fig. 7. More specifically, the mooring line 10 is positioned between the two fixing members 50 of the two spaced apart locking device members 40A,40B in the plane perpendicular to the rotational axis A1 and between the clamping head 43 and the rotational support 20 of at least one of the two spaced apart locking device members 40A,40B in the plane parallel to the rotational axis A2.

The mooring line is thereafter coiled around at least a part of the fixing members 50, as best illustrated in Figs 1B and 2A. This is achieved by rotating the rotational support 20, for example by activating the rotational drive, in a first direction to coil the mooring line 10 around at least a part of the fixing members 50 of the locking device members 40A,40B. The rotational support 20 is rotated preferably by at least 90 degrees, and further preferably by 180 degrees. Thereafter, the rotational support 20 is locked from rotation thereby keeping the mooring line 10 coiled around at least a part of the fixing member 50.

The actuator 60 is then activated to adjust the locking device members 40A,40B, and more specifically the camping heads 43, in the clamped/locked position, such that the mooring line 10, and more specifically the attachment part 10C, becomes locked between the shoulders 44 of the locking device members 40A,40B and the rotational support 20, as best illustrated in Figs 1C and 2B.

Due to the locking of the mooring line 10 at the attachment part 10C, the first part 10A of the mooring line 10 extending between the attachment part 10C and the rope ring 11 can be slacked as shown in Fig. 7, while the other part 10B of the mooring line 10 extending to the other end remains under tension. The slacking may involve pulling the crane arm end 120 towards the vessel 200. Work can thus be safely performed as desired on the first part 10A that is slacked, for example by detaching the end of the first part 10A connected to rope ring 11 and fastening said free end of the first part 10A to a predetermined new mooring point.

When the desired work/maintenance is completed on the mooring line 10, the line lock 1 may be unlocked/unclamped and removed from the mooring line 10. These steps may involve moving the crane arm in its initial position for keeping higher control of tension of the line.

The steps include activating the actuator 60 to adjust the locking device members 40A,40B in the unclamped/position, such that the attachment part 10C of the mooring line 10 becomes unclamped/unlocked from between the shoulders 44 of the locking device members 40A,40B and the rotational support 20, as best illustrated in Figs 1C and 2B.

The mooring line 10 may then be uncoiled from the line lock 1. This may be achieved by activating the rotational drive to rotate the rotational support 20 by at least 90 degrees, and preferably by 180 degrees, in a second direction opposite the first direction as mentioned above to uncoil the mooring line 10 from around the fixing members 42 of the locking device members 40A,40B.

Thereafter, the mooring line 10 may thus be removed from the space between the locking device 40.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which, for clarity, have been described above in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which, for brevity, have been described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

List of reference numerals / letters:

1 Line lock

10 Mooring Line/rope/wire

10A First part of the mooring line

10B Second part of the mooring line

10C Attachment part

11 Rope ring

20 Rotational support

21 Hole for bolt

40 Locking device

40A Locking device member A

40B Locking device member B

41 Base of fixing member

42 Body of fixing member

43 Clamping head

44 Shoulder of the clamping head (43)

50 Fixing member

60 Actuator

70 Static base

80 Pedestal

81 First pedestal end

82 Second pedestal end

83 Sliding mechanism connectors

90 Elongated static base

91 First side / upper side / top surface of the elongated static base (90) 92 Second side / bottom surface of the elongated static base (90) 93 Set of tracks

100 Crane

110 Crane arm

120 Crane arm end

130 Crane base

200 Vessel

210 Deck

A1 Rotational axis of the rotational support (20)

A2 Center axis of the clamping member (43)

DL Maximum line diameter of the mooring line (10)

H1 Height of the pedestal (80)

H2 Height of the elongated static base (90)

L2 Length of elongated static base (90)

W2 Width of elongated static base (90)

PT Threshold pressure

SS Lower surface of the shoulder (50)

S0 Upper surface of the support (20)

S1 Flat surface part of the upper surface (S0)

Claims (12)

1. A line lock (1) for tightening and slackening mooring lines (10) in aquaculture farms comprising:

- a rotational support (20) configured to be rotationally fixed to a static base (70) with a rotational axis (A1),

- a locking device (40) and

- a rotational drive configured to rotate the rotational support (20) relative to the static base (70),

characterized in that

the locking device (40) comprises two spaced apart locking device members (40A,40B), each comprising:

- a fixing member (50) connected at one end to the rotational support (20), wherein the fixing member (50) comprises a fixing member body (42) that is extending from an upper surface (S0) of the rotational support (20) and oriented parallel to the rotational axis (A1),

- a clamping head (43) movably connected to the fixing member (50) such that the distance between the clamping head (43) and the rotational support (20) may be varied, wherein the clamping head (43) further comprises a shoulder (44) radially extending from a center axis (A2) of the fixing member (50),

wherein the space between the two fixing members (41,42) of the locking device (40) perpendicular to the rotational axis A1 is at least the maximum line diameter (DL),

wherein the line lock (1) further comprises

- an actuator (60) configured to adjust the position of the clamping head (43) in at least

o a clamped position in which the shoulder (44) exerts a pressure above onto the mooring line (10) such that the mooring line (10) is locked between the shoulder (44) and the rotational support (20), when the mooring line (10) is arranged between the shoulder (44) and the rotational support (20), and

o an unclamped position in which the shoulder (44) exerts no pressure onto the mooring line (10) such that the mooring line (10) is unlocked between the shoulders (44) and the rotational support (20), when the mooring line (10) is arranged between the shoulder (44) and the rotational support (20);

wherein the distance between the shoulder (44) and the rotational support (20) is at least a maximum line diameter (DL) of the mooring line (10) to be handled, when the clamping head is in the unclamped position.

2. The line lock (1) according to claim 1, wherein the rotational drive is configured to rotate the rotational support (20) by at least 90 degrees in a first direction to coil the mooring line (10) around at least a part of the fixing members (50), and to rotate by at least 90 degrees in a second direction opposite the first direction to uncoil the mooring line (10) from around at least the part of the fixing members (50) during operation.

3. The line lock (1) according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the actuator (60) is configured to simultaneously set the position of the two clamping heads (43) in either the clamped or unclamped position.

4. The line lock (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an upper surface (S0) of the rotational support (20) comprises a flat surface part (S1) having a horizontal plan that is perpendicular to the rotational axis (A1 and parallel to the horizontal plan of the rotational support (20).

5. The line lock (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotational support (20) and the static base (70) are both disks arranged on top of each other, and wherein the static base (70) is mountable onto at least one of a stationary surface and an auxiliary device.

6. The line lock (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the line lock (1) further comprises a pedestal (80) having a first pedestal end (81) onto which the static base (70) is mounted, and a second pedestal end (82) opposite the first pedestal end (81) mountable onto at least one of a stationary surface and an auxiliary device.

7. The line lock (1) according to claim 6, wherein the second pedestal end (82) of the pedestal (80) is movably connected to an elongated static base (90) by means of a sliding mechanism, wherein the sliding mechanism is configured to slide the second pedestal end (82) along the longitudinal direction of the elongated static base (90), or to hold the second pedestal end (82), thereby locking the pedestal (80) from sliding.

8. The line lock (1) according to claim 7, wherein the sliding mechanism comprises a set of tracks (93) arranged on a first side (91) of the elongated static base (90) along the longitudinal direction, wherein the set of tracks (93) is coupled with sliding mechanism connectors (83) arranged on the second pedestal end (82).

9. The line lock (1) according to claim 8, wherein the elongated static base (90) has a second side (92) opposite the first side (91), wherein the second side (92) is mountable onto at least one of a stationary surface and an auxiliary device.

10. A handling system for tightening and slackening mooring lines (10) in aquaculture farms, comprising:

- the line lock (1) in accordance with claims 1-9,

- a crane (100) comprising a crane arm (110) mounted at one end on a crane base (130),

- wherein the static base (70) of the line lock (1) is mounted on the opposite end (120) of the crane arm (110).

11. A handling system according to claim 10, wherein the crane base (130) of the crane (100) is mountable onto a deck (210) of a waterborne vessel (200) or integrated into a superstructure of the waterborne vessel (200).

12. A method for locking a mooring line (10) using a line lock (1) according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

A. arranging an attachment part (10C) of the mooring line (10) within the locking device (40) such that the mooring line (10) is positioned between the two fixing members (50) of the two spaced apart locking device members (40A,40B) and between the clamping head (43) and the rotational support (20) of at least one of the two spaced apart locking device members (40A,40B) in the plane parallel to the rotational axis A1,

B. setting the rotational drive to rotate the rotational support (20) in a first direction to coil the mooring line (10) around a part of the fixing members (50) of the locking device members (40A,40B),

C. setting the rotational drive to prevent further rotation of the rotational support (20),

D. setting the locking device members (40A,40B) to a clamped position such that the mooring line (10) is locked between the shoulders (44) and the rotational support (20),

E. slacking a first part (10A) of the mooring line (10) extending between one end of the mooring line (10) and the attachment part (10C),

F. performing work as desired on the first part (10A) that is slacked,

G. setting the rotational drive to rotate the rotational support (20) in a second direction opposite the first direction to uncoil the mooring line (10) from around at least the part of fixing members (50) of the locking device (40A,40B),

H. setting the actuator (60) to adjust the locking device members (40A,40B) in the unclamped position, such that the mooring line (10) is unlocked between the shoulders (44) of the locking device members (40A,40B) and the rotational support (20), and

I. removing the mooring line (10) from the space between the locking device members (40A,40B).