JPH0555648B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device for mooring a floating structure on water, such as an offshore petroleum storage tank, via a mooring column.

Generally, mooring chains and mooring lines are used when mooring floating structures on the seabed to mooring pillars set up on the seabed, but as floating structures become larger, the diameter of the mooring chains, etc. becomes larger, and the number of mooring chains increases. There are problems in that this increases the difficulty of operation, and that the maintenance required in response to changes in sea conditions, changes in tank stowage, etc. becomes extremely extensive.

The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the mooring of a floating structure to a mooring column is
It is an object of the present invention to provide a mooring device that does not require a mooring chain or the like and can be carried out efficiently and reliably using simple means.

Therefore, the mooring device of the present invention has two first mooring columns installed in the sea, one each facing each other on two opposite sides of a rectangular floating structure, and one mooring column installed on the other side of the structure. The structure has a second mooring column that is erected in the sea so as to face each other, and a concave recess that is formed in the vertical direction so as to enclose the second mooring column at the end of the structure. A fender is provided between the second mooring column and the floating structure, and restrains the movement of the floating structure away from the second mooring column. Further, as an embodiment thereof, as a means for restraining the movement of the floating structure in the direction away from the second mooring column in the above device,
A stopper is provided at the open end edge of the concave recess, and a gate that can be closed by enclosing the second mooring post within the recess is removably attached to the stopper.

Hereinafter, a mooring device as an embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. A tank 1 as a rectangular box-shaped floating structure on water has a concave recess 2 formed in the vertical direction at one end thereof.

Then, a stopper 7 is placed on the open edge of the recess 2.
are arranged, and a gate 8 that closes the mooring column 3 erected on the seabed by enclosing it in the recess 2 can be removably engaged with the stopper 7 via an engaging portion 8a.

This gate 8 is always supported by the stopper at a height lower than that which can be maintained by its own buoyancy, and is engaged with the floating structure so as to follow the changes in its water intake and tidal level.

The gate 8 is constructed as a floating body with a ballast tank inside which can be filled with water, and when it is attached to the stopper 7, seawater is injected into the ballast tank to sink the gate 8, and then the above-mentioned procedure is carried out. Gate 8 while draining the ballast tank.
The gate 8 is raised so that the engaging portions 8a arranged in a row are engaged with the corresponding stoppers 7 from below.

Rubber fenders (buffering materials) 5, 6, 6' are protruded from both side surfaces and both end surfaces of the mooring column 3, respectively, and are opposed to the inner surface of the recess 2 of the tank 1 and the recess 2 of the gate 8. It is designed so that it can come into contact with each surface. Furthermore, mooring columns 4, 4 are erected on the seabed on both sides of the other end of the tank 1, and these mooring columns 4, 4 allow
Both side surfaces of the tank 1 are supported via respective rubber fenders 5'.

Since the mooring device of the present invention is configured as described above, the lateral movement of the tank 1 which oscillates in response to external force can be regulated by absorbing kinetic energy by each fender 5, 5'. can.

Further, the movement of the tank 1 in the longitudinal direction can be restricted by absorbing kinetic energy by each fender 6, 6'.

In this way, the gate 8 as a floating body restrains the tank 1 via the fender 6,
This gate 8 is engaged by the stopper 7 of the tank 1 so that it is always held down to a level lower than that which can be maintained by its own buoyancy, so it is completely protected against changes in water intake caused by cargo handling in the tank 1. It can also cope with the effects of waves.

Further, since the gate 8 is a floating body like the tank 1, the state of engagement of the gate 8 with the tank 1 is maintained without any problem even if the sea level changes due to the ebb and flow of the tide.

When pulling out the tank 1 in an emergency or for maintenance, the mooring column 3 is pulled out by opening the emergency plug installed in the gate 8 as a floating body and injecting seawater into the ballast tank inside the gate to cause it to sink. It is possible to release the tank 1 from.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the gate 8 is connected to the tank 1.
However, it is possible to reverse the vertical directions of the stopper 7 and the engaging portion 8a and engage the gate 8 with the stopper 7 from above. In this case, the tank 1 can be released from the mooring column 3 by discharging the ballast water inside the gate 8 and floating the gate 8.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the tank 1 is connected to the mooring column 3.
Although the gate 8 is used as a means for restraining the movement away from the tank, a mooring rod, chain, etc. that connects the tank 1 and the mooring column 3 or 4 may be provided instead of the gate.

As described above, according to the mooring device of the present invention, a total of two first mooring columns are provided, one on each of the two opposite sides of the rectangular floating structure, and two first mooring columns are provided on each of the opposite sides of the rectangular floating structure. Only one second mooring column is provided that is held in the concave recess on one side, and a means for restraining the movement of the floating structure in the direction away from the second mooring column is provided.
Overall, the number of mooring columns is only three, and mooring can be carried out efficiently, safely, and reliably while minimizing the reduction in internal volume of the floating structure due to the concave recess by using only one concave recess. can.
As a result, the mooring equipment can be significantly simplified, allowing maintenance-free mooring for long periods of time.

Further, when repairing the floating structure on water, there is an advantage that the restraint on the second mooring column can be released and the floating structure on water can be easily detached.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a mooring device according to an embodiment of the present invention in use, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the mooring device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1...Tank as a floating structure on water, 2...
Concave recess, 3, 4...Mooring column, 5, 5', 6,
6'... Fender, 7... Stopper, 8...
Gate, 8a...engaging portion.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. First mooring columns 4, 4 erected in the sea, one each facing two opposite sides of a rectangular floating structure 1, and the other structures 1. A single second mooring column 3 is erected in the sea so as to face only one side, and a concave shape is formed in the vertical direction at the end of the structure 1 so as to enclose the second mooring column 3. fenders 5, 5', 6 are provided on the facing surfaces of the structure 1 and each of the mooring columns 3, 4, 4, and the second mooring column 3 and the floating structure 1. A mooring device characterized in that means for restraining movement of the floating structure 1 in a direction away from the second mooring column 3 is provided between the floating structure 1 and the second mooring column 3. 2 The floating structure 1 is connected to the second mooring column 3
A stopper 7 is provided at the open edge of the concave recess 2 as a means for restraining movement away from the recess 2, and a gate 8 that can be closed by enclosing the second mooring post 3 into the recess 2 is attached to the stopper 7. 2. The mooring device according to claim 1, wherein the mooring device is detachably attached to the mooring device.