In-line mooring connector and tensioner

摘要

A mooring system for offshore vessels uses a chain stopper within a preset mooring line. The chain stopper has means for attaching a removable hydraulic chain jack actuator which may be used to stroke the chain through the stopper assembly while both the stopper and the mooring line remain under load.

主权项

1. An in-line [subsea] mooring chain tensioner comprising:
a chassis having a first, upper end and an opposing, second, lower end; a connector on the second end of the chassis configured to engage an anchor line; a first opening in the first end of the chassis sized and configured to permit the passage of a mooring chain; a second opening in the chassis proximate the second end configured to direct a mooring chain exiting the chassis in a generally downward direction, off-axis the chassis; a first chain stopper within the chassis moveable from a first position that engages a mooring chain passing from the first opening through the second opening to a second position that permits movement of the chain through the chassis; a chain jack removably mounted within the chassis and comprising
a base plate having a generally U-shaped central opening;a pair of hydraulic cylinders attached to the base plate with one cylinder on either side of the central opening and a hydraulic actuator extending from each cylinder;a moveable plate having a U-shaped central opening connected to the hydraulic actuators and parallel to the base plate;a second chain stopper mounted on the moveable plate and moveable from a first position that engages a mooring chain passing through the U-shaped central opening to a second position that permits movement of the chain through the central opening.