DISCONNECTABLE TOWER YOKE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USING SAME

摘要

A disconnectable rigid mooring system for attaching a ship to a tower structure includes a yoke releasably connected to a yoke head. The yoke head is pivotally attached to the tower structure and the yoke is arranged and designed to attach to the ship. The yoke and the yoke head each have a mating connector portion arranged and designed to connect the yoke to the yoke head. When the connector portions are engaged and locked, the yoke is securely attached to the yoke head, allowing a rigid interconnection between the ship and the tower structure. During normal operations and in normal sea states, the yoke remains connected to the yoke head pivotally attached to the tower structure. In the event of predicted abnormally high sea states, the yoke may be disconnected from the yoke head by the ship and be secured to the ship and removed prior to the abnormally high sea state event. The yoke and yoke head are provided with alignment guides and mechanisms which permit the yoke and yoke head to be properly aligned during the connect and disconnect procedures.

主权项

1. A disconnectable tower yoke assembly, the tower yoke assembly for connecting a floating vessel to a tower structure in a body of water, comprising:
a yoke head having a first portion connected to the tower structure, a second portion connected to the first portion, and a head connector portion; a yoke having a yoke coupler arranged and designed to connect to and disconnect from the yoke head, the yoke including a ballast tank distal of the yoke coupler, and the yoke coupler including a coupler connector portion, wherein the head connector portion and coupler connector portion are arranged and designed to matingly engage one another; one of the head and coupler connector portions in communication with at least one actuator, the at least one actuator arranged and designed to secure the head and coupler connector portions in mating engagement and arranged and designed to allow the head and coupler connector portions to disengage from one another.