SUBMERSIBLE TANKER MOORING SYSTEM
United States Patent 3664388
A submerged buoy anchored to the sea bottom at depths below surface hazards. A vertically extendable mooring-transfer apparatus defining an accumulator volume, and providing manifold means fitting it as a mooring attachment for tankers and other types of ships, and for connecting to the receiving or delivery pipelines of such ships. Submerged pipelines connecting the extendable apparatus to shore or other supply or receiving points. Means for receiving-delivering oil through said pipes and apparatus and between said ships and shore or other points, and for pressuring said accumulator volume to extend said apparatus to operating position above, at, or near the surface.
US Patent References:
Underwater fuel storage system
Benckert - August 1945 - 2383840
Underwater wellhead
Leonard et al. - April 1968 - 3378067
Storage tank fixed on the ocean bottom and method of installation
Manning - August 1968 - 3396544
SUBMERGIBLE VEHICLE FOR EMERGENCY OFFSHORE GAS LEAKAGE
Paull et al. - December 1970 - 3548605
Underwater fuel storage system
Benckert - August 1945 - 2383840
Underwater wellhead
Leonard et al. - April 1968 - 3378067
Storage tank fixed on the ocean bottom and method of installation
Manning - August 1968 - 3396544
SUBMERGIBLE VEHICLE FOR EMERGENCY OFFSHORE GAS LEAKAGE
Paull et al. - December 1970 - 3548605
Application Number:
05/053443
Publication Date:
05/23/1972
Filing Date:
07/09/1970
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Seatrain Lines, Inc. (New York, NY)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
441/4, 137/236.100, 114/230.130, 405/221, 441/21
International Classes:
B63B27/34; B63B27/00
Field of Search:
9/8P 61/.5,46,46.5 114/.5T,16B,16C,230 137/236,236OS 141/387,388,250,284 166/.5,.6 220/85S
Primary Examiner:
Earls, Edward J.
Claims:
I claim
1. A submersible tanker mooring and oil transfer system comprising:
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said submerged buoy comprises:
3. The apparatus of claim 2, and
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said boom is mounted on
5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said tank includes
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said accumulator means comprises
7. The apparatus of claim 6, and
8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said bell is elevated in said well by oil pressure build-up therewithin, and wherein said bell is sealed in said elevating by means comprising
9. The apparatus of claim 8, and
10. The apparatus of claim 6, and
11. The apparatus of claim 10, and
12. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said tank is adapted to be flooded, and
13. The apparatus of claim 1, and
14. In an apparatus providing a retractable monomoor and fluid transfer system for ships and operable in arctic and congested waters and under hazardous surface and environmental conditions and circumstances:
15. A submersible tanker mooring and fluid transfer system comprising:
1. A submersible tanker mooring and oil transfer system comprising:
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said submerged buoy comprises:
3. The apparatus of claim 2, and
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said boom is mounted on
5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said tank includes
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said accumulator means comprises
7. The apparatus of claim 6, and
8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said bell is elevated in said well by oil pressure build-up therewithin, and wherein said bell is sealed in said elevating by means comprising
9. The apparatus of claim 8, and
10. The apparatus of claim 6, and
11. The apparatus of claim 10, and
12. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said tank is adapted to be flooded, and
13. The apparatus of claim 1, and
14. In an apparatus providing a retractable monomoor and fluid transfer system for ships and operable in arctic and congested waters and under hazardous surface and environmental conditions and circumstances:
15. A submersible tanker mooring and fluid transfer system comprising:
Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to deep water mooring systems, providing a fixed buoy rigidly supported on, or a free buoy anchored to, the sea bottom, the buoy adapted for mooring or tying thereto of ships, and also for connection to oil or other receiving or delivery pipelines of such ships.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
The mooring systems such as here concerned have heretofor comprised, for the most part, single point mooring buoys, of rigidly supported or freely floating, anchored construction. These prior mooring devices are designed for normal or hazard-free surface conditions, and are neither suited to nor adaptable to the arctic or congested waters, or in other locations or situations where are found the hazardous environmental or surface conditions with which this invention is concerned, and under which the apparatus hereof is capable of safely operating.
A major unsolved problem, then, in the movement of oil from the arctic or congested waters is the difficulty of developing an effective method for the berthing of tankers in safe depths of water and the development of an oil transfer system which can safely operate without interference from surface hazards.
Under this invention the problem is solved by providing a retractable mooring and pipe connecting system for mooring and coupling ships floating in water to supply or delivery pipelines. Thus, for tankers in arctic use, the invention provides a submerged platform hydraulically extendable to the surface after the tanker has broken the ice.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides novelly a retractible or adjustable height apparatus for mooring of and pipe connection to water buoyant ships. The mooring system incorporates a fluid or oil accumulator apparatus, capable of pressure adjustment between retracted position, in which the apparatus is positioned below and clear of ice, ships or other surface hazards, and extended or operative position in which the apparatus is surfaced for connection to ship mooring lines, and pipe lines. The apparatus is capable of swinging with the moored ship, and of various forms and arrangements of mooring and pipe connection.
The deep water mooring system of the invention includes also means for pressuring the oil or fluid within and for the vertical positioning of the accumulator apparatus, by means of connecting and circulating the fluid between the apparatus and storage tanks or other means located on the shore or other receiving and supply points.
The accumulator apparatus comprises, then, a retractable cylinder or other device which, when extended, may project above the water level to be used as a single point moor and/or to connect with various types of wells or receptacles on or attached to ships.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings:
FIG. 1 is an assembly view of the invention deep water mooring system;
FIGS. 2 and 3 show the mooring system with the accumulator apparatus thereof in retracted and extended positions;
FIG. 4 shows a modification of the mooring system fitting that with a mooring boom; and
FIG. 5 shows the hose coupling of the system for fluid transfer with a well-type structure whether internal or external to a tanker or the like.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The submerged or partially buried, submarine monomoor buoy hereof comprises an accumulator tank 10, partially imbedded or buried in the sea bottom and rigidly anchored to the ocean floor as by guys 11 and suitable anchoring masses or devices 12. Under the invention, the monomoor buoy is, in an area of ice I, FIG. 1, or of other surface congestion or hazards, located at that distance from shore at which it may be in a depth of water in excess of any potential ice ridges, ship draft or other surface hazard.
The accumulator tank 10 may be sufficiently flooded to render it nonbuoyant, and is provided with a bottom opening drain line 13 by which its contained volume may be drawn off, as by pumping means 14, to atmosphere, or to a disposal unit 15.
Accumulator tank 10 is interiorly or centrally formed with an annular wall or cylinder 16, within which the tank is closed at the bottom and open at the top, as shown, FIG. 1.
The invention monomoor system or structure further comprises an hydraulically extendable element, herein the cylinder or bell 17, vertically disposed within the cylinder 16, and having a retracted position of resting or sitting on the bottom of the tank 10. The bell 17 is permanently connected to the shore or other receiving or supply point by two large submarine pipes, herein the submerged inlet and outlet pipes 18, 19, which, in one invention application, may be run through a pumping station 20 to storage tanks 21, 22 situated on the shore.
Inlet line 18 is shown as terminating within the bell 17 at a delivery or stand pipe 23 extending upwardly from the bottom of the tank 10 to form a baffle or flow separation, as shown by the arrows, FIG. 1, between the oil supply through pipe 23 and the oil return through pipe 19 opening through the bottom of tank 10 within bell 17.
Under the invention, the bell or other upper-end-closed cylinder device 17 is adapted to be extended or elevated from the retracted or non-operating position, FIGS. 1 and 2, to the surface or operating position, FIGS. 3 - 5, wherein it serves as a single point moor, and/or to connect with various types of wells or receptacles on or attached to ships. For such purpose, the cylinder or other device 17 may have a hemispherical end, or may comprise a multiple ended cruciform or a triangular form, or it may be topped by a buoyancy device; and in any of which forms it may be elevated above the water surface.
In whatever dimension and cross sectional configuration, the device 17 is nonbuoyant, and maintained completely by internal pressure to overcome gravity, friction and water displacement, in its elevating.
In whatever upper-end embodiment, the bell or the like 17 will be understood to comprise a manifold for making pipe connections as well as for securing ship mooring lines.
In the FIGS. 1 - 3 embodiment, the manifold means comprises a ring or other suitable device 24 for anchoring or securing a mooring line L from a tanker T. Diagrammed at 25 is a desired or preferred form of means for removably coupling flexible hose H, or other rigid or flexible hose, whereby oil or the like may be received or delivered through the pipe H, extendable cylinder 17, and buried supply and return pipes 18, 19, as between the tanker T and the tanks 21, 22 or other receiving or supply points.
In the operation of the FIGS. 1 - 3 system, tanker T locates the submerged monomoor, by sonar or other available means, eliminates surface hazards, in the arctic by breaking the ice I, and positions itself at a safe distance from the surfacing location of the apparatus. The oil in supply and return lines 18, 19 is then circulated, by actuating suitable pumping means 26, and with valves 27, 28 closed and connecting line valve 29 open, to sufficiently warm the oil in the buoy 17. Valves 27, 29 are now reversed or opened and closed respectively, and the pumping by pump 26 continued. In this, more particularly, the return pipe 19 is gradually closed to increase the pressure of the oil in the buoy accumulator, which forces the large diameter retractable cylinder 17 upwards.
When the pressure build-up within the bell 17 has climbed or risen to exceed the downward pull of gravity, and to overcome also any frictional resistance to its vertical extending, the buoy undergoes a controlled, gradual rise to the surface, as shown, FIG. 3. In its vertical extending the bell or buoy cylinder 17 is sealed relative to tank sleeve or well 16 by the labyrinth 30 surrounding the bell bottom and sealing the oil therebelow, and a fixed, tank-mounted gland 31 walling off the sea water thereabove. Upon fluid sufficiently accumulating between the labyrinth and gland 30, 31, as from the open bottom of the bell 17, that may be leaked off to the tank 10 by its opening of the spring closed orifices or check valves 32 or the like venting means, there being less than sea pressure in the accumulator tank 10 by its drain to atmosphere.
It will be appreciated that the pumping may proceed as described from the tank 21, or concurrently or alternately or successively from tank 22, and upon appropriate actuation of the pumps 26, 33, and positioning of the valves 27 - 29. By whatever arrangement there is had the pumping through one, and gradual closing of the other, of the supply and return lines 18, 19, the increase in the pressure of the oil in the accumulator buoy 17 will be to force that to the surface, and more particularly to an upwardly extended position, at which it may be stopped or halted, by guy means or other suitable limit stop devices, and in which more particularly the manifold means 24, 25 are suitably or safely above the level of the water surface.
The invention operation having proceeded as described, i.e., the ship having eliminated surface hazards such as ice, and stationed itself free of the operating position of the apparatus, the buoy 17 will be surfaced as described, and with its manifold means 24, 25 projected above the mean water level, whereupon connection is made as conventionally to the mooring lines L of the ship, and to the flexible pipes H thereof. The ship then starts delivering or receiving oil, with the delivery pumps 26, 33 maintaining the desired or constant delivery pressure, and adjusting to variations. In this, it will be appreciated, the invention system achieves variable flow rates, and submersions of of the top of the monomoor buoy, as desired, by very simple control, and without any manning requirements on the buoy.
Again with respect to the fluid flowing, the initial circulating through the pipes 18, 19 will be at a pressure, say 150 p.s.i., leaving a pressure in the bell 17 not sufficient to raise it. In the ensuing delivery to the tanker, the return line 19 may, of course, be operated as a second filling line, so as to keep the bell up while the tanker is taking on fuel.
For the indicated transfer of oil as between the shore tanks 21, 22 and like tanks or receptacles aboard the tanker T, the pumping will be continued,then, under a pressure calculated to maintain the buoy 17 at the desired extension or elevation. It will be appreciated that, depending upon weather, ice flow, traffic, or environmental and operating conditions, the retractible-extensible buoy apparatus can be maintained in the described surface-condition, or retracted to whatever operating height is desired or required under the conditions obtaining in any given operating situation. In other words, to assure most effective mooring tension under tide or other current conditions, it may be advisable to retract or submerse the hydraulically extendable buoy apparatus from the dash line to or towards the solid line position of FIG. 1, by suitably varying or reducing the accumulator fluid or oil pressure.
For delivery of oil from a tanker T to shore tanks 21, 22 or other receiving point, it will be appreciated that, by suitable control and reverse actuation of the described pumping means, the oil pumped from the tanker into the buoy can then be drawn off as desired, and with continuing control of the pressure to maintain the buoy in the desired operating altitude, or height.
In FIG. 4 are shown certain of the many additional or adaptive features or forms in which the submersible buoy system may be embodied, within the scope of the invention, to meet the particular requirements of a given installation or operating condition. Thus a voided or otherwise buoyant chamber apparatus schematically shown at 34 may be attached in any wise to the top of the cylinder 17, to provide a buoyancy balancing the gravity of the cylinder, and so as to reduce the elevating pressure to that required to overcome friction. Also with the buoyancy assist, the buoy 17 diameter may be made smaller, according to the extensible apparatus greater flexibility in operation. Additionally, a pivotal boom as shown at 35 may be provided, and more particularly mounted on an accumulator-supported, rotating ring 36, and fitted with a swinging arm 37 fixed to, and so as automatically to raise and lower the boom with the extension-retraction of, the telescoping buoy. The boom 35 will be seen to provide a mooring line fastening at a distance from the buoy, and also, by its described bottom anchoring, to relieve the buoy of the bending strain by the vessel's pull on the mooring line.
From the foregoing it will be seen the invention apparatus has the added advantage of being rotatable, eliminating thereby certain of the problems experienced with prior mooring systems, when the direction of surface conditions or winds change, with the consequent change in the position of the moored ship.
In FIG. 5 I show a further adaptation of the apparatus, in which the buoy manifold is fitted with a ball and socket or other universal jointing of the cylinder 17 with a pipe extension 38 fitted with a buoyant ring 39 as well as the valving 25, whereby the same may be fluid coupled through the pipe or flexible hose P to a well-type structure or receptacle internal or external to the tanker T, and having a bottom opening or entrance formation 40, into which the pipe extension 38 may be guided by the buoyant ring 39, upon the pressuring or elevating of the buoy to the FIG. 5 position. Upon completion of the tanker filling or discharging with the FIG. 5 apparatus, it will be seen that upon retraction of the buoy cylinder to the dotted line position, the pipe extension may also be positioned safely below the surface hazards by swinging horizontally from the buoy cylinder, as also shown in dotted line.
Under the invention there may additionally be employed, with the illustrated and other forms of the invention apparatus, various arrangements of retaining cables or ties, such as providing transverse rigidity to the mooring device in extended position, and also providing, if desired, a device for limiting the elevating or extension of the buoy, all as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.
Within the invention also the topside of the apparatus may be varied, or equipped with various configurations and devices and pipe connections in the form of single or multiple end outlets with manifold valves and rigid or flexible pipe couplings.
This invention relates to deep water mooring systems, providing a fixed buoy rigidly supported on, or a free buoy anchored to, the sea bottom, the buoy adapted for mooring or tying thereto of ships, and also for connection to oil or other receiving or delivery pipelines of such ships.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
The mooring systems such as here concerned have heretofor comprised, for the most part, single point mooring buoys, of rigidly supported or freely floating, anchored construction. These prior mooring devices are designed for normal or hazard-free surface conditions, and are neither suited to nor adaptable to the arctic or congested waters, or in other locations or situations where are found the hazardous environmental or surface conditions with which this invention is concerned, and under which the apparatus hereof is capable of safely operating.
A major unsolved problem, then, in the movement of oil from the arctic or congested waters is the difficulty of developing an effective method for the berthing of tankers in safe depths of water and the development of an oil transfer system which can safely operate without interference from surface hazards.
Under this invention the problem is solved by providing a retractable mooring and pipe connecting system for mooring and coupling ships floating in water to supply or delivery pipelines. Thus, for tankers in arctic use, the invention provides a submerged platform hydraulically extendable to the surface after the tanker has broken the ice.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides novelly a retractible or adjustable height apparatus for mooring of and pipe connection to water buoyant ships. The mooring system incorporates a fluid or oil accumulator apparatus, capable of pressure adjustment between retracted position, in which the apparatus is positioned below and clear of ice, ships or other surface hazards, and extended or operative position in which the apparatus is surfaced for connection to ship mooring lines, and pipe lines. The apparatus is capable of swinging with the moored ship, and of various forms and arrangements of mooring and pipe connection.
The deep water mooring system of the invention includes also means for pressuring the oil or fluid within and for the vertical positioning of the accumulator apparatus, by means of connecting and circulating the fluid between the apparatus and storage tanks or other means located on the shore or other receiving and supply points.
The accumulator apparatus comprises, then, a retractable cylinder or other device which, when extended, may project above the water level to be used as a single point moor and/or to connect with various types of wells or receptacles on or attached to ships.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings:
FIG. 1 is an assembly view of the invention deep water mooring system;
FIGS. 2 and 3 show the mooring system with the accumulator apparatus thereof in retracted and extended positions;
FIG. 4 shows a modification of the mooring system fitting that with a mooring boom; and
FIG. 5 shows the hose coupling of the system for fluid transfer with a well-type structure whether internal or external to a tanker or the like.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The submerged or partially buried, submarine monomoor buoy hereof comprises an accumulator tank 10, partially imbedded or buried in the sea bottom and rigidly anchored to the ocean floor as by guys 11 and suitable anchoring masses or devices 12. Under the invention, the monomoor buoy is, in an area of ice I, FIG. 1, or of other surface congestion or hazards, located at that distance from shore at which it may be in a depth of water in excess of any potential ice ridges, ship draft or other surface hazard.
The accumulator tank 10 may be sufficiently flooded to render it nonbuoyant, and is provided with a bottom opening drain line 13 by which its contained volume may be drawn off, as by pumping means 14, to atmosphere, or to a disposal unit 15.
Accumulator tank 10 is interiorly or centrally formed with an annular wall or cylinder 16, within which the tank is closed at the bottom and open at the top, as shown, FIG. 1.
The invention monomoor system or structure further comprises an hydraulically extendable element, herein the cylinder or bell 17, vertically disposed within the cylinder 16, and having a retracted position of resting or sitting on the bottom of the tank 10. The bell 17 is permanently connected to the shore or other receiving or supply point by two large submarine pipes, herein the submerged inlet and outlet pipes 18, 19, which, in one invention application, may be run through a pumping station 20 to storage tanks 21, 22 situated on the shore.
Inlet line 18 is shown as terminating within the bell 17 at a delivery or stand pipe 23 extending upwardly from the bottom of the tank 10 to form a baffle or flow separation, as shown by the arrows, FIG. 1, between the oil supply through pipe 23 and the oil return through pipe 19 opening through the bottom of tank 10 within bell 17.
Under the invention, the bell or other upper-end-closed cylinder device 17 is adapted to be extended or elevated from the retracted or non-operating position, FIGS. 1 and 2, to the surface or operating position, FIGS. 3 - 5, wherein it serves as a single point moor, and/or to connect with various types of wells or receptacles on or attached to ships. For such purpose, the cylinder or other device 17 may have a hemispherical end, or may comprise a multiple ended cruciform or a triangular form, or it may be topped by a buoyancy device; and in any of which forms it may be elevated above the water surface.
In whatever dimension and cross sectional configuration, the device 17 is nonbuoyant, and maintained completely by internal pressure to overcome gravity, friction and water displacement, in its elevating.
In whatever upper-end embodiment, the bell or the like 17 will be understood to comprise a manifold for making pipe connections as well as for securing ship mooring lines.
In the FIGS. 1 - 3 embodiment, the manifold means comprises a ring or other suitable device 24 for anchoring or securing a mooring line L from a tanker T. Diagrammed at 25 is a desired or preferred form of means for removably coupling flexible hose H, or other rigid or flexible hose, whereby oil or the like may be received or delivered through the pipe H, extendable cylinder 17, and buried supply and return pipes 18, 19, as between the tanker T and the tanks 21, 22 or other receiving or supply points.
In the operation of the FIGS. 1 - 3 system, tanker T locates the submerged monomoor, by sonar or other available means, eliminates surface hazards, in the arctic by breaking the ice I, and positions itself at a safe distance from the surfacing location of the apparatus. The oil in supply and return lines 18, 19 is then circulated, by actuating suitable pumping means 26, and with valves 27, 28 closed and connecting line valve 29 open, to sufficiently warm the oil in the buoy 17. Valves 27, 29 are now reversed or opened and closed respectively, and the pumping by pump 26 continued. In this, more particularly, the return pipe 19 is gradually closed to increase the pressure of the oil in the buoy accumulator, which forces the large diameter retractable cylinder 17 upwards.
When the pressure build-up within the bell 17 has climbed or risen to exceed the downward pull of gravity, and to overcome also any frictional resistance to its vertical extending, the buoy undergoes a controlled, gradual rise to the surface, as shown, FIG. 3. In its vertical extending the bell or buoy cylinder 17 is sealed relative to tank sleeve or well 16 by the labyrinth 30 surrounding the bell bottom and sealing the oil therebelow, and a fixed, tank-mounted gland 31 walling off the sea water thereabove. Upon fluid sufficiently accumulating between the labyrinth and gland 30, 31, as from the open bottom of the bell 17, that may be leaked off to the tank 10 by its opening of the spring closed orifices or check valves 32 or the like venting means, there being less than sea pressure in the accumulator tank 10 by its drain to atmosphere.
It will be appreciated that the pumping may proceed as described from the tank 21, or concurrently or alternately or successively from tank 22, and upon appropriate actuation of the pumps 26, 33, and positioning of the valves 27 - 29. By whatever arrangement there is had the pumping through one, and gradual closing of the other, of the supply and return lines 18, 19, the increase in the pressure of the oil in the accumulator buoy 17 will be to force that to the surface, and more particularly to an upwardly extended position, at which it may be stopped or halted, by guy means or other suitable limit stop devices, and in which more particularly the manifold means 24, 25 are suitably or safely above the level of the water surface.
The invention operation having proceeded as described, i.e., the ship having eliminated surface hazards such as ice, and stationed itself free of the operating position of the apparatus, the buoy 17 will be surfaced as described, and with its manifold means 24, 25 projected above the mean water level, whereupon connection is made as conventionally to the mooring lines L of the ship, and to the flexible pipes H thereof. The ship then starts delivering or receiving oil, with the delivery pumps 26, 33 maintaining the desired or constant delivery pressure, and adjusting to variations. In this, it will be appreciated, the invention system achieves variable flow rates, and submersions of of the top of the monomoor buoy, as desired, by very simple control, and without any manning requirements on the buoy.
Again with respect to the fluid flowing, the initial circulating through the pipes 18, 19 will be at a pressure, say 150 p.s.i., leaving a pressure in the bell 17 not sufficient to raise it. In the ensuing delivery to the tanker, the return line 19 may, of course, be operated as a second filling line, so as to keep the bell up while the tanker is taking on fuel.
For the indicated transfer of oil as between the shore tanks 21, 22 and like tanks or receptacles aboard the tanker T, the pumping will be continued,then, under a pressure calculated to maintain the buoy 17 at the desired extension or elevation. It will be appreciated that, depending upon weather, ice flow, traffic, or environmental and operating conditions, the retractible-extensible buoy apparatus can be maintained in the described surface-condition, or retracted to whatever operating height is desired or required under the conditions obtaining in any given operating situation. In other words, to assure most effective mooring tension under tide or other current conditions, it may be advisable to retract or submerse the hydraulically extendable buoy apparatus from the dash line to or towards the solid line position of FIG. 1, by suitably varying or reducing the accumulator fluid or oil pressure.
For delivery of oil from a tanker T to shore tanks 21, 22 or other receiving point, it will be appreciated that, by suitable control and reverse actuation of the described pumping means, the oil pumped from the tanker into the buoy can then be drawn off as desired, and with continuing control of the pressure to maintain the buoy in the desired operating altitude, or height.
In FIG. 4 are shown certain of the many additional or adaptive features or forms in which the submersible buoy system may be embodied, within the scope of the invention, to meet the particular requirements of a given installation or operating condition. Thus a voided or otherwise buoyant chamber apparatus schematically shown at 34 may be attached in any wise to the top of the cylinder 17, to provide a buoyancy balancing the gravity of the cylinder, and so as to reduce the elevating pressure to that required to overcome friction. Also with the buoyancy assist, the buoy 17 diameter may be made smaller, according to the extensible apparatus greater flexibility in operation. Additionally, a pivotal boom as shown at 35 may be provided, and more particularly mounted on an accumulator-supported, rotating ring 36, and fitted with a swinging arm 37 fixed to, and so as automatically to raise and lower the boom with the extension-retraction of, the telescoping buoy. The boom 35 will be seen to provide a mooring line fastening at a distance from the buoy, and also, by its described bottom anchoring, to relieve the buoy of the bending strain by the vessel's pull on the mooring line.
From the foregoing it will be seen the invention apparatus has the added advantage of being rotatable, eliminating thereby certain of the problems experienced with prior mooring systems, when the direction of surface conditions or winds change, with the consequent change in the position of the moored ship.
In FIG. 5 I show a further adaptation of the apparatus, in which the buoy manifold is fitted with a ball and socket or other universal jointing of the cylinder 17 with a pipe extension 38 fitted with a buoyant ring 39 as well as the valving 25, whereby the same may be fluid coupled through the pipe or flexible hose P to a well-type structure or receptacle internal or external to the tanker T, and having a bottom opening or entrance formation 40, into which the pipe extension 38 may be guided by the buoyant ring 39, upon the pressuring or elevating of the buoy to the FIG. 5 position. Upon completion of the tanker filling or discharging with the FIG. 5 apparatus, it will be seen that upon retraction of the buoy cylinder to the dotted line position, the pipe extension may also be positioned safely below the surface hazards by swinging horizontally from the buoy cylinder, as also shown in dotted line.
Under the invention there may additionally be employed, with the illustrated and other forms of the invention apparatus, various arrangements of retaining cables or ties, such as providing transverse rigidity to the mooring device in extended position, and also providing, if desired, a device for limiting the elevating or extension of the buoy, all as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.
Within the invention also the topside of the apparatus may be varied, or equipped with various configurations and devices and pipe connections in the form of single or multiple end outlets with manifold valves and rigid or flexible pipe couplings.