WO2013131903A1 - Submerged bearing system for turret moored vessel - Google Patents
Submerged bearing system for turret moored vessel Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2013131903A1 WO2013131903A1 PCT/EP2013/054383 EP2013054383W WO2013131903A1 WO 2013131903 A1 WO2013131903 A1 WO 2013131903A1 EP 2013054383 W EP2013054383 W EP 2013054383W WO 2013131903 A1 WO2013131903 A1 WO 2013131903A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- turret
- moonpool
- annulus
- bearing
- submerged
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B21/00—Tying-up; Shifting, towing, or pushing equipment; Anchoring
- B63B21/50—Anchoring arrangements or methods for special vessels, e.g. for floating drilling platforms or dredgers
- B63B21/507—Anchoring arrangements or methods for special vessels, e.g. for floating drilling platforms or dredgers with mooring turrets
Definitions
- the invention relates to an offshore system which includes a vessel hull provided with a moonpool in the form of vertical cylinder through the hull which is open at deck and keel level, a cylindrical shaped turret placed within the moonpool opening and rotatable hold within the moonpool via a bearing system consisting of at least one submerged bearing that is placed in the submerged part of the annulus formed between the moonpool and the turret, and mooring lines that are connected to the lower part of the turret and to the seabed, so that the vessel can weathervane around the turret when the vessel is moored offshore.
- the invention also relates to a method to create a pressurized cavity within the space between the fixed and the rotating part of a turret mooring of an offshore system.
- US4606727 discloses a columnar super structure tanker having a stern portion, which is anchored using a buoy which has an attached hollow columnar superstructure; the structure passes through a shaft which has an extension by way of an integrated expansion along the vertical axis.
- the anchoring system includes a pressure lock region disposed within the hollow columnar superstructure of the buoy disposed within said hollow columnar superstructure, the system including access from the tanker to an integrated space adjacent to said hollow shaft.
- the columnar structure which is generally- flooded is blown out by means of compressed air and hence accessible to maintenance personnel via an air lock by means of gratings and ladders for inspection and repair work on the bearings or on the transfer lines and their connections.
- the invention relates to an offshore system which includes a vessel hull (2) provided with a moonpool (6) in the form of vertical cylinder through the hull (2) which is open at least at keel level, a cylindrical shaped turret (4) placed within the moonpool opening and rotatable hold within the moonpool (6) via a bearing system consisting of at least one submerged bearing that is placed in the submerged part of the annulus formed between the moonpool (6) and the turret (4), and mooring lines that are connected to the lower part of the turret (4) and to the seabed, so that the vessel (1) can weathervane around the turret (4) when the vessel (1) is moored offshore, characterized in that, within the annulus in the submerged moonpool (6) part both the turret (4) and moonpool (6) are provided with extensions that imbricate each other in which fluid or gas can be trapped so to create a dry area for the submerged bearing.
- a fluid flow path is created within the annulus.
- the fluid flow path is created within the annulus, such that when gas or fluid is injected via the gas or fluid injection means, which are located in the fixed part or in the rotating part of the turret structure within the annulus and create a pressurized chamber within the annulus the lower bearing is in the dry.
- the gas or fluid injected may be of any type such as nitrogen, air, oil, or other.
- gas or fluid injection means are located in the turret and/or in the moonpool to inject fluid or gas within the submerged annulus and create a pressurized chamber within the annulus such that the submerged bearing is in a dry environment.
- the bearing system comprises radial wheels.
- At least one water barrage is located between the turret and the moonpool to dampen the effect of the vessel's movements on the water that is trapped into the annulus.
- a water barrage is located close to the keel of the vessels hull.
- a water barrage is located close to the water level inside the annulus when the pressure chamber is created.
- At least one inflatable seal is provided at one extremity of the annulus.
- bilge pumps are provided at the lower most location of the annulus within the turret or within the moonpool.
- the sealing in between the upper part of the turret cylinder and the moonpool is frictionless and wear proof.
- the invention relates to a turret for an offshore system placed within the moonpool opening and rotatable within the moonpool via a bearing system consisting of at least one submerged bearing that is placed in the submerged part of the annulus formed between the moonpool and the turret, and mooring lines that are connected to the lower part of the turret and to the seabed, so that the vessel can weathervane around the turret when the vessel is moored offshore, wherein the turret is provided with extensions that imbricates each other with extensions provided to the moonpool in which gas or fluid can be trapped so to create a dry area for the submerged bearing.
- the space between the turret and the moonpool of a weathervaning offshore system that comprises a submerged bearing comprising the following steps: - apply at one gas or fluid injection location a pressure PI to start flushing the water out of the annulus by the exit close to the vessel keel;
- FIG. 1 shows a cross section of the turret assembly of a vessel according to the prior art
- FIG.2A and FIG.2B show schematics illustrating the principle applied to a turret where by means of a hydrostatic pressurized compartment, the radial wheels are maintained in a dry compartment;
- FIG.3A shows a cross section of the turret assembly of a vessel according to the present invention
- FIG.3B shows a detailed part of FIG.3A with the pressurized cavity in which the lower bearing is maintained the dry.
- FIG. 1 shows a vessel-turret assembly with an opening 3 in the hull 2 of the vessel 1 wherein a turret 4 is rotatably received.
- This turret 4 is rotatably arranged in the shaft through bearings 8 and 10.
- the turret is connected through anchor lines 5 with the sea bottom and line 21 extends to the sea bottom to an underwater oil well or the like.
- the upper bearing part 8 is consisting of axial bearings, between the hull structure 2 and the turret cylinder, or moonpool 6, that have a number of circumferentially spaced bogies running on raceways.
- this turret 4 has been illustrated schematically as a tube. It should be understood that such a turret is known per se and therefore needs no further explanation, but in reality it will have a far more complicated structure with a number of components which are not shown here.
- upper bearing 8 is in relatively dry condition
- lower bearing 10 is subjected to the influence of sea water because as to make journaling of the turret 4 as rigid as possible bearings 8 and 10 are spaced apart as much as possible which implies that frequently the lower bearing 10 is located below water level.
- the aim is to minimize the distance between the lower bearing 10 and the chain table.
- large internal turret are now designed using weathervaning system made of axial bogie bearing and radial wheel, thus, allowing to virtually remove the diameter limitation of the bearing system.
- the radial wheel design does not allow being under water for a long period of time.
- the radial wheel located in dry as shown in the embodiment of FIG.l. This has as direct consequence to have the distance between the lower and upper bearings 8 limited to the vessel depth combined with the maximum draft experienced on site.
- This distance between the lower and upper bearings 8 is mainly linked to the horizontal mooring force applied at the chain table elevation and the maximum quantity of radial wheel that can be physically fitted around the turret diameter, where the wheel race, but also to the actual working load limits of the radial wheel.
- FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B show schematics illustrating the principle applied to a turret 4 where by means of an hydrostatic pressurized compartment, the radial wheel are maintained in a dry compartment or chamber 46 (see FIG.3B).
- the need of a dynamic seal between the turret fixed and rotating part is hence not essential.
- a possible advantage according to the present invention is that it is possible, when pressurized, to flush the radial wheel with treated water to avoid corrosion.
- the fixed part has an extension 30 and the rotating part has an extension 31 such that the fixed part is imbricated within the rotational part hence, the space between the fixed and the rotating part forming an annulus having an S configuration (as clearly shown in FIG.2B).
- the inverse configuration is also possible where the rotational part is imbricated within the fixed part at the annulus location to form an S configuration.
- FIG.2B shows the water level within the annulus along the step of the method according to the present invention to create a pressurized cavity 46 (see FIG.3B) within the space between the fixed and the rotating part of a turret 4.
- a pressure PI equal to Ro.g.Hl (with Ro being the water density and g the earth gravity) is applied in the upper cavity of the S configuration to start flushing the water out of the annulus by the exit close to the vessel keel. Then, PI is increased up to the value of:
- the shape of the S configuration is such that part of the water keeps being flushed out by the exit close to the vessel keel whereas the water trapped inside the S configuration tends to move up inside the annulus to the direction of the exit close to the sea line.
- the level H4 and H3 remains static inside the annulus, creating a pressurized cavity where the radial wheel can be located.
- FIG.3A shows a cross section of the turret assembly of a vessel 1 according to the present invention
- FIG.3B shows a detailed part of FIG.3A with the pressurized cavity 46 in the annulus between the turret 4 and the vessel 1.
- a water barrage 40 is located close to the keel, the closest as possible.
- An additional water barrage 41 is located close to the water level i.e. ideally 1 meter, inside the annulus to minimise the water transit when the vessel 1 is rolling or pitching.
- this ideal distance of 1 meter is also depending on the roll and pitch of the vessel 1.
- At least one inflatable seal 43 is located at the keel entry 44 of the annulus.
- the turret 4 is locked, the seal 43 is inflated and the pressure released inside the annulus.
- Bilge pumps are used to purge the remaining water and allow for safe and dry access to the radial wheel.
- the distance LI is made maximum by design to minimize the height of the volume of water pushed above the sea water level (H2 and V2).
- the distance L2 is, by opposite, made minimum to "accelerate” the evacuation of the trapped water thanks to the equality of the volume V3 and V2.
- the system according to the invention is adapted for very large diameters turrets which generate very large forces. That means that these large forces cannot be taken up with a slide bearing only.
- the invention proposes the combination of a lower bearing system comprising radial wheels which are placed at or near the chain table, where the horizontal mooring forces are acting.
- the system according to the invention enables to have a radial wheel at a lowermost position which is always in the dry, even during operation.
- the lower bearing is not lubricated by seawater.
- the radial wheel is located so that, even under maximum roll or pitch, the wheel remains in dry condition.
- environment as used in the text should be understood to be an environment in which the sea water has been totally eliminated. Or in other words: an environment completely filled with gas such as air or with fluid - other than sea water - such as oil.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR1020147022889A KR102061687B1 (en) | 2012-03-05 | 2013-03-05 | Submerged bearing system for turret moored vessel |
BR112014018050-4A BR112014018050B1 (en) | 2012-03-05 | 2013-03-05 | OFFSHORE SYSTEM INCLUDING A SHIP HULL, PROVIDED WITH A MOONPOOL AND METHOD TO CREATE A PRESSURIZED CAVITY WITHIN THE SPACE BETWEEN THE TOWER AND MOONPOOL OF A PIVOTTING OFFSHORE SYSTEM |
EP13707859.8A EP2822848B1 (en) | 2012-03-05 | 2013-03-05 | Submerged bearing system for turret moored vessel |
AU2013229562A AU2013229562B2 (en) | 2012-03-05 | 2013-03-05 | Submerged bearing system for turret moored vessel |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP12158037.7 | 2012-03-05 | ||
EP12158037 | 2012-03-05 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2013131903A1 true WO2013131903A1 (en) | 2013-09-12 |
Family
ID=47833063
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP2013/054383 WO2013131903A1 (en) | 2012-03-05 | 2013-03-05 | Submerged bearing system for turret moored vessel |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2822848B1 (en) |
KR (1) | KR102061687B1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2013229562B2 (en) |
BR (1) | BR112014018050B1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2013131903A1 (en) |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4606727A (en) | 1983-12-07 | 1986-08-19 | Blohm & Voss Ag | Anchoring arrangement for a tanker, including a fluid transfer system |
US5279245A (en) * | 1991-11-12 | 1994-01-18 | Single Buoy Moorings Inc. | Protection device for a turret bearing |
US5381750A (en) * | 1993-12-02 | 1995-01-17 | Imodco, Inc. | Vessel turret mooring system |
US5957076A (en) * | 1997-08-15 | 1999-09-28 | Imodco, Inc. | Offshore turret upper bearing |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2928898B1 (en) * | 2008-03-21 | 2010-04-16 | Saipem Sa | FLOATING SUPPORT COMPRISING A TURRET EQUIPPED WITH A MOORING BUOY FOR DOWNLINK / DECKABLE SURFACE LINK PIPES |
-
2013
- 2013-03-05 EP EP13707859.8A patent/EP2822848B1/en active Active
- 2013-03-05 BR BR112014018050-4A patent/BR112014018050B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2013-03-05 KR KR1020147022889A patent/KR102061687B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2013-03-05 WO PCT/EP2013/054383 patent/WO2013131903A1/en active Application Filing
- 2013-03-05 AU AU2013229562A patent/AU2013229562B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4606727A (en) | 1983-12-07 | 1986-08-19 | Blohm & Voss Ag | Anchoring arrangement for a tanker, including a fluid transfer system |
US5279245A (en) * | 1991-11-12 | 1994-01-18 | Single Buoy Moorings Inc. | Protection device for a turret bearing |
US5381750A (en) * | 1993-12-02 | 1995-01-17 | Imodco, Inc. | Vessel turret mooring system |
US5957076A (en) * | 1997-08-15 | 1999-09-28 | Imodco, Inc. | Offshore turret upper bearing |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
KR20140131517A (en) | 2014-11-13 |
BR112014018050A8 (en) | 2017-07-11 |
AU2013229562A1 (en) | 2014-07-10 |
BR112014018050B1 (en) | 2022-02-08 |
AU2013229562B2 (en) | 2017-08-10 |
KR102061687B1 (en) | 2020-01-02 |
EP2822848A1 (en) | 2015-01-14 |
BR112014018050A2 (en) | 2017-06-20 |
EP2822848B1 (en) | 2017-05-03 |
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