Docking apparatus for a floating structure

摘要

The lower part of the mooring device extends to the sea bed (5) and the upper part is connected to a linkage (17,18) which can move radially relative to the well and turret. Each linkage has a key (17) fitting into a radial notch (16) in the edge of a horizontal table (14) forming the bottom of the turret, so the key can move radially relative to the turret and the shaft The lower part of the vessel shaft has a stage fixed coaxially against its internal surface, with upper surface covered with an anti-friction coating. Each key is mounted without play between two lateral radial surfaces of the notch and with a certain radial play relative to a rear surface, so the key can move in the radial direction between the rear surface and the internal wall of the shaft. The lateral radial surfaces are covered with an anti-friction coating. The key is pivoted about the turret by a strap with horizontally articulated links to the turret and the key. Each strap connected to a key is made of a number of rigid connecting rods parallel to each other and articulated at the ends about a horizontal axis. Each connecting rod has two parallel arms. A guiding tube for a mooring chain is connected to the key and to the lower end of each connecting rod. Each guiding tube has an end support with an opening through it for the chain and means of holding the chain which moves between allowing free movement through the support and holding it. The device has three mooring lines and three keys each fitted into a notch in the table, arranged at 120 degree intervals around the axis of the turret. Each mooring line has four parallel chains connected to one key.