Chain release apparatuses and methods

摘要

An apparatuses and methods to release a chain. Apparatuses and methods include an electronic, mechanical, or electro-mechanical actuator system used to rotate a hooking arm. The actuator system includes an extendable piston. In some embodiments, the actuator system is hydraulic. In other embodiments, the actuator system is pneumatic.

主权项

1. A chain release apparatus for acting on a mooring chain, comprising:
a body forming a longitudinal passage having a first longitudinal end; an actuator system having a cylinder and an extendable piston having a distal end, wherein said actuator system is removable associated with said body and disposed within said longitudinal passage; said distal end of said extendable piston being closer to said first longitudinal end when said actuator system is actuated than when said actuator system is unactuated; a rectangular hooking arm associated with the distal end of said extendable piston; said rectangular hooking arm having a hooking end; a hooking arm pin, said hooking arm pin pivotally supporting said rectangular hooking arm at a pivot point; said rectangular hooking arm disposed and configured to rotate about the pivot point such that said hooking end of said rectangular hooking arm is in a first position when said cylinder is under a first amount of pressure, a second position when said cylinder is under a second amount of pressure, and a third position when said cylinder is under a third amount of pressure; wherein said hooking end of said rectangular hooking arm is closer to said first longitudinal end of said body when said rectangular hooking arm is in said first position than when said rectangular hooking arm is in said second position, and wherein said hooking end of said rectangular hooking arm is closer to said first longitudinal end of said body when said rectangular hooking arm is in said third position than when said rectangular hooking arm is in said first position; a cross-sectionally rectangular-shaped load pin removable associated with said body; said removable association of said cross-sectionally rectangular-shaped load pin and said body prohibiting movement of said cross-sectionally rectangular-shaped load pin toward said first longitudinal end of said longitudinal passage when a load-pin tension force from an external load is applied to said cross-sectionally rectangular-shaped load pin; wherein the direction of the load-pin tension force is longitudinal, and wherein said longitudinal direction is from said cross-sectionally rectangular-shaped load pin toward said first longitudinal end of said body; wherein said body comprises a first wall, a second wall opposing said first wall, and said longitudinal passage between said first wall and said second wall; wherein said longitudinal passage is so dimensioned as to accommodate longitudinal movement of at least two consecutive chain links of an extended portion of a first mooring chain longitudinally disposed between said first wall and said second wall; and a pair of opposingly disposed load-pin apertures defined by a first opposingly disposed load-pin aperture on said first wall and a second opposingly disposed load-pin aperture on said second wall; a cross-sectionally D-shaped secondary pin attached to said body, said cross-sectionally D-shaped secondary pin configured to secure at least one chain link of a second mooring chain longitudinally disposed between said first wall and said second wall; wherein said cross-sectionally rectangular-shaped load pin is secured to said body by a first pair of bolts orthogonally-positioned through said cross-sectionally rectangular-shaped load pin and diametrically-positioned on opposing sides of said first wall and said second wall; wherein said cross-sectionally D-shaped secondary pin is secured to said body by a second pair of bolts orthogonally-positioned through said cross-sectionally D-shaped secondary pin and diametrically-positioned on opposing sides of said first wall and said second wall; wherein a narrowest portion of said longitudinal passage from said first longitudinal end to the longitudinal position of said hooking end of said rectangular hooking arm when said rectangular hooking arm is in said third position is wider than the outer width of the chain links of the first mooring chain, wherein when said rectangular hooking arm is in said first position or said second position, each of said at least two consecutive chain links of an extended portion of said first mooring chain are configured to move longitudinally along the same axis.