Key information

Title
A buoy device
Application number
20160999
Case type
National
Status
16.09.2019 Opphevet etter innsigelse
Filed
14.06.2016
Priority
10.05.2016 NO 20160788
Effective date
14.06.2016
Publicly available
13.11.2017
Applicant
Can Systems AS (NO)
Owner
Can Systems AS (NO)
Inventor
Eirik Storvoll (NO) et al.
Agent
ZACCO NORWAY AS (NO)
Granted
19.02.2018
Patent number
341927

Abstract and drawing

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.
A buoy device (1) comprises a first part (20) håving a first support structure (21, 23, 24a,b) and a second part (30) håving buoyancy means and a second support structure (31, 37). The first and second support structures are connectable to form a rotatable connection between the first part and the second part. The buoyancy means comprises one or more buoyancy elements (34) releasably arranged on the second part (30). The buoy device may be a turret buoy, a CALM turret buoy, or a CALM turntable buoy.

Publications

B1A1
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Documents

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Date
 Date Doc. No. Process Case number In/Out Journal description To/from
29.10.2020 06-01 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 INN Avgjørelse KFIR
29.10.2020 05-01 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 INN E-post fra KFIR
03.02.2020 04-07 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 UT D7a waybackmachine HiBuoy2
03.02.2020 04-06 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 UT D7b waybackmachine HiBuoy3
03.02.2020 04-05 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 UT D7c waybackmachine HiBuoy4
03.02.2020 04-04 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 UT Hovedbrev
03.02.2020 04-03 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 UT D8 waybackmachine APL STL1
03.02.2020 04-02 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 UT Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)
03.02.2020 04-01 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 UT OP05: Oversendelse Klagenemnda for industrielle rettigheter
29.01.2020 03-06 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 INN D7b waybackmachine HiBuoy3
29.01.2020 03-05 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 INN D7c waybackmachine HiBuoy4
29.01.2020 03-04 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 INN D7a waybackmachine HiBuoy2
29.01.2020 03-03 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 INN Hovedbrev
29.01.2020 03-02 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 INN D8 waybackmachine APL STL1
29.01.2020 03-01 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)
09.12.2019 02-17 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 UT Hovedbrev
09.12.2019 02-16 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 UT Vedlegg 4
09.12.2019 02-15 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 UT Vedlegg 1
09.12.2019 02-14 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 UT Vedlegg 3
09.12.2019 02-13 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 UT Vedlegg 2
09.12.2019 02-12 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 UT Vedlegg 6
09.12.2019 02-11 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 UT Vedlegg 9
09.12.2019 02-10 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 UT Vedlegg 5
09.12.2019 02-09 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 UT Vedlegg 8
09.12.2019 02-08 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 UT Vedlegg 7
09.12.2019 02-07 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 UT Vedlegg 13
09.12.2019 02-06 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 UT Vedlegg 14a
09.12.2019 02-05 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 UT Vedlegg 12
09.12.2019 02-04 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 UT Vedlegg 10
09.12.2019 02-03 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 UT Vedlegg 11
09.12.2019 02-02 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 UT Vedlegg 14b
09.12.2019 02-01 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 UT OP05: Oversendelse Klagenemnda for industrielle rettigheter
15.11.2019 01-17 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 INN Vedlegg 6
15.11.2019 01-16 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 INN Vedlegg 5
15.11.2019 01-15 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 INN Vedlegg 8
15.11.2019 01-14 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 INN Vedlegg 7
15.11.2019 01-13 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 INN Vedlegg 2
15.11.2019 01-12 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 INN Vedlegg 1
15.11.2019 01-11 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 INN Vedlegg 4
15.11.2019 01-10 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 INN Vedlegg 3
15.11.2019 01-09 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 INN Vedlegg 14a
15.11.2019 01-08 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 INN Vedlegg 13
15.11.2019 01-07 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 INN Hovedbrev
15.11.2019 01-06 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 INN Vedlegg 14b
15.11.2019 01-05 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 INN Vedlegg 10
15.11.2019 01-04 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 INN Vedlegg 9
15.11.2019 01-03 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 INN Vedlegg 12
15.11.2019 01-02 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 INN Vedlegg 11
15.11.2019 01-01 Klage til Klagenemda (KFIR) 2019/00474 INN Nytt overprøvningskrav (OP) KFIR
20.09.2019 25-01 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Epost sendt til innsigeren med revidert subsidiært kravsett
20.09.2019 24-02 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT IAIN07P- Avgjørelse - innsigelse_1177298
20.09.2019 24-01 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT OP09: Oversendelse med avgjørelse TANDBERG INNOVATION AS
 20.09.2019 23-02 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT IAIN07P- Avgjørelse - innsigelse_1177298
20.09.2019 23-01 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT OP09: Oversendelse med avgjørelse ZACCO NORWAY AS
 01.08.2019 22-01 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Opp til avgjørelse ZACCO NORWAY AS
01.08.2019 21-04 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Krav merket
01.08.2019 21-03 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Krav ren
01.08.2019 21-02 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Hovedbrev
01.08.2019 21-01 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Opp til avgjørelse TANDBERG INNOVATION AS
 01.08.2019 20-01 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Epost sendt til innsigeren
01.08.2019 19-01 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Epost sendt til innsigeren
31.07.2019 18-06 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Krav merket
31.07.2019 18-05 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Krav ren
31.07.2019 18-04 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Hovedbrev
31.07.2019 18-03 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Hovedbrev
31.07.2019 18-02 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Generelt brev
31.07.2019 18-01 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Generelt brev TANDBERG INNOVATION AS
 07.06.2019 17-01 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Generelt brev ZACCO NORWAY AS
 21.05.2019 16-02 Innsigelse 2018/00184 INN Hovedbrev
21.05.2019 16-01 Innsigelse 2018/00184 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)
05.03.2019 15-04 Innsigelse 2018/00184 INN Krav merket ZACCO NORWAY AS
05.03.2019 15-03 Innsigelse 2018/00184 INN Krav ren ZACCO NORWAY AS
05.03.2019 15-02 Innsigelse 2018/00184 INN Hovedbrev ZACCO NORWAY AS
05.03.2019 15-01 Innsigelse 2018/00184 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) ZACCO NORWAY AS
 14.12.2018 14-02 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT _D1c HiBuoy Offtake System-Triton ppt-fil konvertert til pdf da ppt ikke kan åpnes i SANT
14.12.2018 14-01 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Oversendelse ZACCO NORWAY AS
 14.12.2018 13-02 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT D1g apres-navium-jan-2018
14.12.2018 13-01 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Oversendelse ZACCO NORWAY AS
 14.12.2018 12-02 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Oversendelse
14.12.2018 12-01 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Oversendelse TANDBERG INNOVATION AS
 14.12.2018 11-08 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT D1b La Ceiba Quotation 25-1645
14.12.2018 11-07 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT D1d HiBuoyPoster (2)
14.12.2018 11-06 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT D1e Kopi av Hibuoy mailing list
14.12.2018 11-05 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT D1e HiBuoy Info letter
14.12.2018 11-04 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT D1h Letter Iran Oil Show
14.12.2018 11-03 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Hovedbrev
14.12.2018 11-02 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)
14.12.2018 11-01 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Oversendelse ZACCO NORWAY AS
 07.12.2018 10-01 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Oversendelse TANDBERG INNOVATION AS
 03.12.2018 09-09 Innsigelse 2018/00184 INN D1e HiBuoy Info letter TANDBERG INNOVATION AS
 03.12.2018 09-08 Innsigelse 2018/00184 INN D1e Kopi av Hibuoy mailing list TANDBERG INNOVATION AS
 03.12.2018 09-07 Innsigelse 2018/00184 INN D1b La Ceiba Quotation 25-1645 TANDBERG INNOVATION AS
 03.12.2018 09-06 Innsigelse 2018/00184 INN D1d HiBuoyPoster (2) TANDBERG INNOVATION AS
 03.12.2018 09-05 Innsigelse 2018/00184 INN D1g apres-navium-jan-2018 TANDBERG INNOVATION AS
 03.12.2018 09-04 Innsigelse 2018/00184 INN _D1c HiBuoy Offtake System-Triton ppt-fil konvertert til pdf da ppt ikke kan åpnes i SANT TANDBERG INNOVATION AS
 03.12.2018 09-03 Innsigelse 2018/00184 INN Hovedbrev TANDBERG INNOVATION AS
 03.12.2018 09-02 Innsigelse 2018/00184 INN D1h Letter Iran Oil Show TANDBERG INNOVATION AS
 03.12.2018 09-01 Innsigelse 2018/00184 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) TANDBERG INNOVATION AS
 03.12.2018 08-02 Innsigelse 2018/00184 INN D1a wartsila-o-marine-encyclopedia Page 296 TANDBERG INNOVATION AS
 03.12.2018 08-01 Innsigelse 2018/00184 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) TANDBERG INNOVATION AS
 03.09.2018 07-01 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Oversendelse ZACCO NORWAY AS
 03.09.2018 06-04 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Krav ren
03.09.2018 06-03 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Krav merket
03.09.2018 06-02 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Hovedbrev
03.09.2018 06-01 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Oversendelse TANDBERG INNOVATION AS
 08.08.2018 05-04 Innsigelse 2018/00184 INN Krav merket
08.08.2018 05-03 Innsigelse 2018/00184 INN Krav ren
08.08.2018 05-02 Innsigelse 2018/00184 INN Hovedbrev
08.08.2018 05-01 Innsigelse 2018/00184 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)
08.06.2018 04-02 Innsigelse 2018/00184 INN Fullmakt
08.06.2018 04-01 Innsigelse 2018/00184 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn)
24.05.2018 03-01 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Bekreftelse TANDBERG INNOVATION AS
 24.05.2018 02-09 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT D2 Support-and-Mooring-Buoys-min
24.05.2018 02-08 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT D1 HiBuoy Brochure
24.05.2018 02-07 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT D3 EP0079631A1
24.05.2018 02-06 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT D5 WO9322190A1
24.05.2018 02-05 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT D4 GB2350342A
24.05.2018 02-04 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT D6 Assessment Veritas
24.05.2018 02-03 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Hovedbrev
24.05.2018 02-02 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Nytt overprøvningskrav (OP)
24.05.2018 02-01 Innsigelse 2018/00184 UT Oversendelse ZACCO NORWAY AS
 16.05.2018 01-08 Innsigelse 2018/00184 INN D4 GB2350342A
16.05.2018 01-07 Innsigelse 2018/00184 INN D3 EP0079631A1
16.05.2018 01-06 Innsigelse 2018/00184 INN D2 Support-and-Mooring-Buoys-min
16.05.2018 01-05 Innsigelse 2018/00184 INN D5 WO9322190A1
16.05.2018 01-04 Innsigelse 2018/00184 INN D1 HiBuoy Brochure
16.05.2018 01-03 Innsigelse 2018/00184 INN Hovedbrev
16.05.2018 01-02 Innsigelse 2018/00184 INN D6 Assessment Veritas
16.05.2018 01-01 Innsigelse 2018/00184 INN Nytt overprøvningskrav (OP)
02.05.2018 11-01 Saksbehandling 20160999 UT PT Batch Varsel om betaling av første årsavgift (3317)
22.02.2018 10-01 Saksbehandling 20160999 UT PT Registreringsbrev Nasjonal Patent (15)
22.11.2017 09-01 Saksbehandling 20160999 UT Intention to grant Zacco Norway AS
 28.09.2017 08-04 Saksbehandling 20160999 INN Beskrivelse merket Zacco Norway AS
 28.09.2017 08-03 Saksbehandling 20160999 INN Beskrivelse ren Zacco Norway AS
 28.09.2017 08-02 Saksbehandling 20160999 INN Hovedbrev Zacco Norway AS
 28.09.2017 08-01 Saksbehandling 20160999 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) Zacco Norway AS
 29.08.2017 07-01 Saksbehandling 20160999 UT Realitet patent Zacco Norway AS
 23.06.2017 06-02 Saksbehandling 20160999 INN Patenttegninger Zacco Norway AS
 23.06.2017 06-01 Saksbehandling 20160999 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) Zacco Norway AS
 29.05.2017 05-04 Saksbehandling 20160999 INN Hovedbrev Zacco Norway AS
 29.05.2017 05-03 Saksbehandling 20160999 INN Krav ren Zacco Norway AS
 29.05.2017 05-02 Saksbehandling 20160999 INN Krav merket Zacco Norway AS
 29.05.2017 05-01 Saksbehandling 20160999 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) Zacco Norway AS
 10.01.2017 04-02 Saksbehandling 20160999 UT PT report 04:54:18
10.01.2017 04-01 Saksbehandling 20160999 UT Realitet patent Zacco Norway AS
 04.07.2016 03-02 Saksbehandling 20160999 INN Fullmakt og erklæring Zacco Norway AS
 04.07.2016 03-01 Saksbehandling 20160999 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) Zacco Norway AS
 17.06.2016 02-01 Saksbehandling 20160999 UT Formalia 1 Zacco Norway AS
 14.06.2016 01-03 Saksbehandling 20160999 INN Beskrivelse
14.06.2016 01-02 Saksbehandling 20160999 INN Figurer
14.06.2016 01-01 Saksbehandling 20160999 INN Søknadsskjema Patent

Description, claims and drawings

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content. Description
A buoy deviceField of the inventionThe invention concerns a buoy device as set out by the preamble of claim 1, and methods of assembling the buoy device, as set out by the preambles of claims 13 and 14.Background of the inventionIn the production of hydrocarbons from offshore wells in deep seas, so-called Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) ships, or similar concepts, are widely used. Ships of this type often rely on disconnectable turret buoy systems, both for mooring and as a means for connecting to the hydrocarbon risers. In general terms, the known turret buoy systems comprise a turret and a buoyant body, where the buoyant body is configured for connection to a receptacle in the vessel (e.g. the FPSO), and the turret is rotatably arranged inside the buoyant body via bearings (slewing bearings or sliding bearings). The turret has connectors for mooring lines and support hang-off structures for risers. Other variants, employing basically the same principle, are known within the industry.Thus, when the buoyant body is connected to the vessel and the turret is moored to the seabed, the vessel is allowed to weathervane due to the rotational connection between the buoyant body and the turret. The weathervaning capability is often advantageous, as it significantly expands the operational envelope for the vessel.Another favourable feature of the turret buoy mooring systems is the ability to quickly disconnect (and re-connect) the turret buoy and the vessel. The buoyant body is provided with buoyancy chambers and provides support to the turret (including the risers and mooring lines) when the turret buoy is disconnected. The buoyancy chambers are dimensioned to match the weight of the risers and mooring lines to ensure buoyancy equilibrium at a required submerged depth.The prior art includes WO 93/22190, which describes a buoy for use in loading or unloading of a flowable medium, especially oil, comprising an outer buoyancy member arranged to be introduced and secured in a submerged downwardly open receiving space in a floating vessel, and a central member which is rotatably mounted in the outer member and is intended for anchoring to the sea bed and arranged for passage of medium between a transfer line which, in operation, is coupled to the lower end of the central member and a tube system on the vessel. The central member is provided with a lower extension body having an outer peripheral portion abutting on and essentially corresponding to the outer periphery of the adjacent end of the outer buoyancy member, and having a lower portion which is downwardly tapering from the outer peripheral portion. A number of fastening means for fastening of the upper ends of anchoring lines for anchoring of the buoy are fastened at intervals along the periphery of the outer peripheral portion of the extension body, and the extension body comprises at least one buoyancy chamber for buoyancy or ballast material.The prior art also includes WO 2009/031971, which describes a mooring system for a vessel and a method of mooring a vessel. The mooring system comprises a turret structure; a swivel unit mounted on the turret structure; a bearing assembly for rotatably mounting the turret structure at deck level of the vessel such that the turret structure extends into a moonpool of the vessel and such that the swivel unit is disposed above deck level; a plurality of conduits for fluid communication disposed in the turret structure; a buoy structure, with internal buoyancy compartments, retrievable into the moonpool of the vessel and connectable to the turret structure; a locking assembly for mechanically locking the buoy structure to the turret structure. The turret structure is rotatable as one to align the conduits to corresponding riser valve structures on the buoy structure prior to mechanically locking the buoy structure to the turret structure.Another buoy device employing basically the same principles as the above mentioned turret buoy, is the Catenary Anchor Leg Mooring (CALM) buoy. The CALM buoy is a floating hull with a rotating head to which vessels can moor. The CALM buoy falls under the category of a Single Point Mooring (SPM) typically with a turntable or turret positioned above the geostationary hull mounted on a bearing (e.g. slewing bearing or sliding bearing). Flexible large bore rubber hoses are used to connect the subsea pipeline to the hull. Similar floating hoses are employed when connecting the buoy to a tanker prior to transferring liquid hydrocarbons. Central to the main bearing is a product swivel which allows fluid to transfer between the geostationary hull and rotating turntable while the moored vessel weathervanes.The prior art includes WO 2014/180687 A1, which shows a mooring system comprising an external turret (to which a production vessel is moored) from which a buoyant body may be connected and disconnected.The prior art also includes WO 2011/042535 A1, which discloses a CALM buoy having a floating body anchored to the sea bed via two or more anchor lines. The floating body comprises a lower part to be situated below water level and an upper part to be situated above water level. A turntable is rotatably attached to the floating body upper part via a bearing, the turntable comprising mooring points and fluid transfer means. The floating body is a circular hull, having internal buoyancy chambers.The prior art also includes GB 2350 342 A, which describes a catenary anchor leg mooring (CALM) buoy of modular construction, comprising an open framework and several replaceable buoyancy modules. The buoyancy modules are mounted to the framework. The CALM buoy also comprises mooring means and fluid application means which are rotatably mounted to the framework via a two-armed turntable. The framework may comprise elongate frame members.The prior art also includes EP 0079 631 A1, which describes a single-point mooring system for transferring fluids. The system comprises a central element provided with anchor cable connecting means and with a rotatable line coupling and a rotatable element rotatably connected to the central element. The rotatable element is provided with a substantially annular buoyancy unit, with means for mooring a ship and with a fluid line connected to the rotatable line coupling. The buoyancy unit comprises a series fenders that serve as floats, either flexible floats or hollow steel floats.Although the turret buoy and the CALM buoy to some extent have different technical features and are used for different purposes, they rely on the common principle that one part is moored to the seabed (i.e. more or less geostationary) and another part is connectable to a ship, and the two parts are rotatably connected. For example, in the turret buoy and the CALM turret buoy described above, the geostationary part is the turret and the buoyant body is connected to the ship. By contrast, in a CALM buoy having a turntable, the buoyant body is moored to the seabed, while the turntable is connected to the ship.Known buoy devices of the kind described above are large, heavy, structures, with heights on the order of 10 to 15 metres and maximum diameters up to 15 metres. As the buoys must be designed with a certain degree of contingency, i.e. in the event one or more of the buoyancy chambers are compromised (e.g. as a result of collision or dropped objects), the known buoys normally have several buoyancy chambers, separated by internal bulkheads. This adds weight and fabrication time. Typical dry weights range between 100 and 1500 Tonnes. Time, equipment, and manpower (and hence cost) required to construct, transport and install known buoy devices are therefore considerable. It is an object of the invention to present a buoy which alleviates at least some of the disadvantages with the prior art.Summary of the inventionThe invention is set forth and characterized in the main claim, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention.It is thus provided a buoy device comprising a first part having a first support structure; a second part having buoyancy means and a second support structure; and the first and second support structures are connectable via rotation and support means to form a rotatable connection between the first part and the second part; characterized in that - the buoyancy means comprises a plurality of buoyancy elements;- the second support structure comprises a base member configured to support the buoyancy elements; and- the buoyancy elements comprise locking means for releasably locking the buoyancy elements to each other and/or to the second part.In one embodiment, the second support structure comprises a central column, and the buoyancy elements are arranged around the central column. The respective buoyancy element’s inner side has in one embodiment a curved surface, corresponding to and complementary with the cylindrical surface of the central column.The respective buoyancy element may comprise a stiff outer shell, enclosing one or more internal buoyancy tanks. The respective buoyancy element may comprise a buoyant material covered by an outer casing. The buoyant material may comprise polyurethane foam. The outer casing may for example comprise a fibreglass (e.g. GRP) shell, or a shell of another light-weight material.In a first embodiment, the first part comprises mooring connectors, configured for connection to anchor chains or lines, by means of which the first part may be moored to a seabed; and the second, buoyant, part comprises connection means whereby the second part may be releasably connected to a vessel, such as a ship. The buoy device may in this embodiment be a turret buoy and the first part a turret. In one embodiment, the second, buoyant, part comprises an upper deck structure and ship interface devices. It is also provided a method of assembling the buoy device according to the first embodiment of the invention, characterized by the steps of:a) placing the first part on a support structure, for example a vessel deck;b) lifting the second part above the first part and joining the first and second support structures to form a rotatable connection between the first part and the second part;c) placing at least one buoyancy element on the second part; andd) securing the buoyancy elements to the second part.In a second embodiment, the second, buoyant, part may comprise mooring connectors, configured for connection to anchor chains or lines, by means of which the second part may be moored to a seabed; and the first part may comprise connection means whereby the first part may be releasably connected to a vessel, such as a ship. The buoy device may in this embodiment be a Catenary Anchor Leg Mooring (CALM) buoy and the first part a turntable.It is also provided a method of assembling the buoy device according to the second embodiment of the invention, characterized by the steps of:a) placing the second part on a support structure, for example a vessel deck; b) placing at least one buoyancy element on the second part;c) securing the buoyancy element to the second part; and d) lifting the first part above the second part and lowering the first part onto second part support and rotation means.The invented buoy device is considerably lighter that the known buoys, and provides several advantages over the prior art:● It is not necessary to design with a contingency for damaged buoyancy chambers. The foam-filled buoyancy module does not lose its buoyancy even if its outer shell is punctured. If, however, a buoyancy module is damaged, it can be replaced by another buoyancy module stored. Spare buoyancy modules may be stored on board the vessel, or may be shipped in as and when required.● Buoy fabrication is faster and less costly. The buoyancy modules may be prefabricated in various shapes, quantities, and with the desired buoyancy characteristics. Extensive welding of buoyancy chambers; internal bulkheads, etc. is avoided. Leak testing is not required, and the total fabrication time is significantly reduced.● Lifting weights during assembly is significantly reduced, particularly when lifting the buoy is to be lifted onto the turret, because the buoyancy elements can be assembled when the buoy (i.e. column) and turret have been interconnected. Final assembly (i.e. installing the buoyancy elements) can be performed anywhere, e.g. on the mobilization site.● Flexibility: buoyancy can be controlled and adjusted on site, by removing one or more buoyancy elements, or by installing buoyancy elements with lesser buoyancy.● Fender members may be incorporated into the buoyancy elements.● Requires fewer anodes (due to less steel used).Brief description of the drawingsThese and other characteristics of the invention will become clear from the following description of preferential forms of embodiment, given as non-restrictive examples, with reference to the attached schematic drawings, wherein:figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invented turret buoy, in an assembled state; figure 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in figure 1, but where two buoyancy elements have been detached from the turret buoy;figure 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in figures 1 and 2, but where two buoyancy elements have been removed and a portions of the turret column and the buoy column have been cut away in order to display the risers being arranged inside the turret;figures 4 and 5 are exploded views of the embodiment illustrated in figures 1-3; figure 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in figures 1-5, but where all buoyancy elements have been removed;figure 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention, in the form of a turntable buoy;figure 8 is an off-center sectional drawing of the embodiment illustrated in figure 7; andfigure 9 is an exploded view of the embodiment illustrated in figure 7.Detailed description of a preferential embodimentThe following description may use terms such as “horizontal”, “vertical”, “lateral”, “back and forth”, “up and down”, ”upper”, “lower”, “upwards”, “downwards”, “inner”, “outer”, “forward”, “rear”, etc. These terms generally refer to the views and orientations as shown in the drawings and that are associated with a normal use of the invention. The terms are used for the reader’s convenience only and shall not be limiting.Referring initially to figure 4 and figure 5, the invented buoy device comprises in one embodiment a turret buoy 1 having a turret 20 and a buoyant body 30. The turret 20 comprises a base portion 21, having a plurality of mooring connectors 22 to which mooring lines or chains (not shown) may be attached. The figure shows a base portion having four groups of mooring connectors 22 arranged at regular intervals around the base portion perimeter, each group consisting of five mooring connectors. It should be understood that more or fewer mooring connectors and configurations may be used. The base portion 21 may also comprise internal ballast tanks (not shown). Extending upwards from the base portion 21 is a turret column 23 having an inner core 26. The annulus 25 between the inner core and the column inner wall is configured for accommodating and supporting risers (not shown in figure 4) in a manner which is well known in the art.The buoyant body 30 comprises a base member 37, and a central column 31 extending upwards from the base member. The turret column 23 and central column 31 are dimensioned and configured such that the turret column 23 can be rotatably accommodated inside the central column 31, as illustrated in figure 6. Upper and lower bearings 24a,b are arranged on the turret column 23 and configured for rotatingly supporting the turret column 23 in the central column 31, and forming a rotatable (e.g. slewing or sliding) connection in which the turret 20 and buoyancy member 30 are allowed to rotate independently of one another. Such bearings are well known in the art. Required interlocking means are not illustrated, as such means are well known in the art and not part of the invention per se. Swivel connection between risers and other piping are also not illustrated, as such swivel connections are well known in the art.The turret base portion 21, turret column 23, base member 37 and central column 31 may be manufactured from materials that are capable of withstanding the considerable forces involved in mooring a vessel, such as an FPSO ship. Suitable materials in that respect would be high-strength steel.Arranged around the central column 31 is a plurality of buoyancy elements 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the buoyant body 30 holds six buoyancy elements 34, but it should be understood that the fewer or more buoyancy elements may be used.The buoyancy elements 34 may be made of a buoyant material, such as polyurethane foam, and covered by a fibreglass (e.g. GRP) shell. A particular advantage of this variant is that buoyancy is not compromised even if the shell is punctured. Leak testing, which is necessary with the prior art, is not required, and the total fabrication time is significantly reduced, compared to the prior art. However, the buoyancy elements 34 may also be made of a stiff outer shell, enclosing one or more internal buoyancy tanks. The individual buoyancy elements 34 may be prefabricated, and transported and installed on the mobilization site. It will be understood that the buoyancy elements may have other shapes than those illustrated.Figure 1 shows an assembled turret buoy, ready for installation in a vessel and connection to mooring lines. Reference numbers 32 and 33 indicate hull interface (i.e. contact) portions, where the buoyancy member 30 is connected to the vessel hull opening. In this configuration, the turret buoy 1 may be pulled into, and locked into, a corresponding recess in the vessel hull (not shown), in a manner which is well known in the art.In figure 2, two buoyancy elements 34a,b have been detached from the turret buoy 1. In figure 3, two buoyancy elements have been removed and portions of the turret column 23 and the central column 31 has been cut away in order to illustrate how the risers 2 are arranged inside the turret 20. The risers 2 (only parts of which are shown in figure 3) are extended through, and suspended by, the turret 20 and connected to a swivel (not shown) in a manner which is well known in the art, and will therefore not be discussed here.In the illustrated embodiment, each buoyancy element 34 is installed on the buoyant body 30 by placing the buoyancy elements side by side around the central column 31, the lower ends resting on the base member 37 and the inner sides bearing against the central column 31. As can be seen in the encircled area A in figure 2, the buoyancy element’s inner side has a curved surface, corresponding to and complementary with the cylindrical surface of the central column 31. In the illustrated embodiment, the central column comprises a first retaining rim 35, arranged in the region of the top of the central column 31, and the base member 37 comprises a second retaining rim 36, arranged in the region of the base member perimeter. When installing a buoyancy element 34, therefore, the upper part may be inserted behind the first retaining rim 35 and lifted upwards such that the lower part of the buoyancy element may be moved across and behind the lower retaining rim 36, whereupon the buoyancy element is lowered into abutment with the base member. In the illustrated embodiment, each buoyancy element 34 is furnished with grooves 38 in which a suitable strap may be placed. By extending the strap around the buoyant body, all of the buoyancy elements may be strapped tightly to the central column 31. One example of a suitable strap is a Roblon® Clamp Strap, manufactured and sold by Roblon A/S. It should be understood that other fastening means and support means, as well as installation methods, are conceivable within the ambit of the invention. For example, each buoyancy element may be connected to its adjacent buoyancy element by means of individual clasps or turnbuckles.The invented turret buoy may thus be fabricated in separate parts, and assembled by: a) placing the turret 20 on a support structure, for example a vessel deck (not shown);b) lifting the assembled central column 31 and base member 37 (i.e. the buoyant body without any buoyancy elements) above the turret column 23, and lowering the assembled central column 31 and base member 37 such that the turret column 23 is inserted into the central column 31 (see figure 6);c) placing the required plurality of buoyancy elements 34 on the buoyant body 30 as described above (see figure 2); andd) securing the buoyancy elements 34 to the buoyant body 30 (see figure 1).A typical turret buoy according to the present invention, may have an overall height of 10 to 15 metres, a maximum diameter of about 15 metres and a total dry weight of 100 to 1000 tonnes or more; providing a net buoyancy in the range 100 to 1500 tonnes. The invention shall, however, not be limited to these dimensions.Although not illustrated explicitly, it should be understood that the invented turret buoy easily may be modified into at CALM turret buoy. For example, the buoyant body 30, which in figure 1 is shown to have a frusto-conical shape, may be given a more cylindrical shape and/or be provided with an upper deck structure and the ship interface devices normally associated with such CALM turret buoys.Although the invention has been described above with reference to a turret buoy in which the turret is moored to the seabed (i.e. the “geostationary part”) and the buoyant body is connected to the vessel – either as a turret buoy or as a CALM buoy, it should be understood that the invention is equally applicable to buoy systems in which the buoyant body is moored to the seabed. One example of such systems is the CALM buoy having a turntable, an embodiment of which will be described in the following with reference to figures 7-9.In the illustrated embodiment, the CALM turntable buoy 50 basically comprises a buoyant body 70 which is supporting a turntable 60.The turntable 60 comprises a platform 61, hand rails 62 and a boat landing area 63 for providing access for personnel. On the opposite side from the boat landing area, a ship connection interface 64 is provided, via which a ship (e.g. an oil tanker) may be moored to the turntable via mooring lines (not shown), in a manner which per se is known in the art.The buoyant body 70 comprises a base member 77, which is provided with mooring connectors 72, by means of which the base member may be connected to seabed anchors (not shown) via mooring lines in a manner which per se is known in the art. In the illustrated embodiment, the base member is a circular and disk-shaped, but the invention shall not be limited to such shape. Extending from the base member 77 is a central column 71, which in turn is connected to and supports a turntable support member 73. A turntable interface column 75 extends from the turntable support member 73 and is structurally an extension on the central column 71. A bearing 3 (see figure 9) is arranged around the turntable interface column 75. Risers 2 extend (from the seabed, not shown) through the central column 71 and are connected to fluid lines 66 via a swivel 67 (see figure 8), in a manner which per se in known in the art. The fluid lines 66 terminate in a fluid line connection interface 66, to which loading hoses (not shown) may be connected.The turntable 60, base member 77, central column 71, turntable support member 73 and turntable interface columns 75 may be manufactured from materials that are capable of withstanding the considerable forces involved in mooring a vessel. Suitable materials in that respect would be high-strength steel.Arranged around the central column 71 is a plurality of buoyancy elements 74. In the illustrated embodiment, the buoyant body 70 holds six buoyancy elements 74, but it should be understood that the fewer or more buoyancy elements may be used. The buoyancy elements 74 may be made of a buoyant material, such as polyurethane foam, and covered by a fibreglass (e.g. GRP) shell. A particular advantage of this variant is that buoyancy is not compromised even if the shell is punctured. Leak testing, which is necessary with the prior art, is not required, and the total fabrication time is significantly reduced, compared to the prior art. However, the buoyancy elements 74 may also be made of a stiff outer shell, enclosing one or more internal buoyancy tanks. The individual buoyancy elements 74 may be prefabricated, and transported and installed on the mobilization site. It will be understood that the buoyancy elements may have other shapes than those illustrated.In the illustrated embodiment, each buoyancy element 74 is installed on the buoyant body 70 by placing the buoyancy elements side by side around the central column 71, the lower ends resting on the base member 77 and the inner sides bearing against the central column 71. As can be seen in figure 9, the buoyancy element’s inner side has a curved surface, corresponding to and complementary with the cylindrical surface of the central column. In the illustrated embodiment, each buoyancy element 74 is furnished with recessed and tangentially oriented holes 78, by means of which adjacent buoyancy elements 74 may be interconnected (via bolts, or similar; not shown). Other fastening means, serving to fasten the buoyant bodies to the central column 71, may be used. The invented turntable buoy may thus be fabricated in separate parts, and assembled by:a) placing the buoyant body 70 on a support structure, for example a vessel deck (not shown);b) placing the required plurality of buoyancy elements 74 on the buoyant body’s base member 77;c) securing the buoyancy elements 74 to the buoyant body 70; andd) lifting the turntable 60 above the buoyant body 70 and lowering the turntable onto the turntable support member 73 and turntable interface column 75.
Claims
Claims1. A buoy device (1; 50), comprising a first part (20; 60) having a first support structure (21, 23, 24a,b; 61, 63, 64); a second part (30; 70) having buoyancy means and a second support structure (31, 37; 71, 77); and the first and second support structures are connectable via rotation and support means (24a,b; 3, 73, 75) to form a rotatable connection between the first part and the second part; characterized in that- the buoyancy means comprises a plurality of buoyancy elements (34; 74);- the second support structure comprises a base member (37; 77) configured to support the buoyancy elements; and- the buoyancy elements comprise locking means (35, 36, 38; 78) for releasably locking the buoyancy elements (34; 74) to each other and/or to the second part (30; 70).2. The buoy device of claim 1, wherein the second support structure comprises a central column (31; 71), and the buoyancy elements are arranged around the central column (31; 71).3. The buoy device of claim 2, wherein the respective buoyancy element’s inner side has a curved surface, corresponding to and complementary with the cylindrical surface of the central column (31; 71).4. The buoy device of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the respective buoyancy element (34; 74) comprises a stiff outer shell, enclosing one or more internal buoyancy tanks.5. The buoy device of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the respective buoyancy element (34; 74) comprises a buoyant material covered by an outer casing.6. The buoy device of claim 5, wherein the buoyant material comprises polyurethane foam.7. The buoy device of claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the outer casing comprises a fibreglass (e.g. GRP) shell.8. The buoy device of any one of claims 1-7, wherein- the first part (20) comprises mooring connectors (22), configured for connection to anchor chains or lines, by means of which the first (20) part may be moored to a seabed; and- the second, buoyant, part (30) comprises connection means (32, 33) whereby the second part may be releasably connected to a vessel, such as a ship.9. The buoy device of claim 8, wherein the buoy device (1) is a turret buoy and the first part is a turret (20).10. The buoy device of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the second, buoyant, part (30) comprises an upper deck structure and ship interface devices.11. The buoy device of any one of claims 1-7, wherein- the second, buoyant, part (70) comprises mooring connectors (72), configured for connection to anchor chains or lines, by means of which the second part (70) may be moored to a seabed; and- the first part (60) comprises connection means (64) whereby the first part may be releasably connected to a vessel, such as a ship.12. The buoy device of claim 11, wherein the buoy device is a Catenary Anchor Leg Mooring (CALM) buoy and the first part (60) is a turntable.13. A method of assembling the buoy device as set out by any one of the claims 1-10; characterized by the steps of:a) placing the first part (20) on a support structure, for example a vessel deck; b) lifting the second part (30) above the first part (20) and joining the first and second support structures to form a rotatable connection between the first part and the second part;c) placing at least one buoyancy element (34) on the second part; andd) securing the buoyancy elements (34) to the second part.14. A method of assembling the buoy device as set out by any one of the claims 1-7 and 11-12; characterized by the steps of:a) placing the second part (70) on a support structure, for example a vessel deck; b) placing at least one buoyancy element (74) on the second part;c) securing the buoyancy element (74) to the second part (70); andd) lifting the first part (60) above the second part (70) and lowering the first part onto second part support and rotation means (73, 75).Patentkrav1. En bøyeanordning (1; 50), omfattende en første del (20; 60) med en første bærestruktur (21, 23, 24a,b; 61, 63, 64); en andre del (30; 70) med oppdriftsmidler og en andre bærestruktur (31, 37; 71, 77); og de første og andre bærestrukturene er sammenkoplbare via rotasjons- og bæremidler (24a,b; 3, 73, 75) for å danne en roterbar kopling mellom den første delen og den andre delen; karakterisert ved at- oppdriftsmidlene omfatter et flertall oppdriftselementer (34; 74);- den andre bærestrukturen omfatter et fundamentelement (37; 77) konfigurert til å understøtte oppdriftselementene; og- oppdriftselementene omfatter låsemidler (35, 36, 38; 78) for frigjørbart å låse oppdriftselementene (34; 74) til hverandre og/eller til den andre delen (30; 70).2. Bøyeanordningen som angitt i krav 1, der den andre bærestrukturen omfatter en sentral søyle (31; 71), og oppdriftselementene er anordnet rundt den sentrale søylen (31; 71).3. Bøyeanordningen som angitt i krav 2, der det respektive oppdriftselementets indre side har en krummet overflate, tilsvarende til og komplementær med den sentrale søylens (31; 71) sylinderformede overflate.4. Bøyeanordningen som angitt i et hvilket som helst av kravene 1-3, der det respektive oppdriftselementet (34; 74) omfatter et ytre skall som omslutter én eller flere innvendige oppdriftstanker.5. Bøyeanordningen som angitt i et hvilket som helst av kravene 1-3, der det respektive oppdriftselementet (34; 74) omfatter et oppdriftsmateriale dekket av en ytre omhylning.6. Bøyeanordningen som angitt i krav 5, der oppdriftsmaterialet omfatter polyuretanskum.7. Bøyeanordningen som angitt i krav 5 eller krav 6, der den ytre omhylningen omfatter et skall av fiberglass (f.eks. GRP).8. Bøyeanordningen som angitt i et hvilket som helst av kravene 1-7, der- den første delen (20) omfatter fortøyningskonnektorer (22), konfigurert for tilkopling til ankerkjettinger eller liner, ved hjelp av hvilke den første delen (20) kan forankres til en havbunn; og- den andre delen (30), med oppdrift, omfatter tilkoplingsmidler (32, 33) hvorved den andre delen frigjørbart kan koples til et fartøy, så som et skip.9. Bøyeanordningen som angitt i krav 8, der bøyeanordningen (1) er en turret-bøye ("turret buoy") og den første delen er en turret (20).10. Bøyeanordningen som angitt i krav 8 eller krav 9, der den andre delen (30), med oppdrift, omfatter en øvre dekksstruktur og innretninger for interface med skip.11. Bøyeanordningen som angitt i et hvilket som helst av kravene 1-7, der- den andre delen (70), med oppdrift, omfatter forankringskonnektorer (72), konfigurert for tilkopling til ankerkjettinger eller liner, ved hjelp av hvilke den andre delen (70) kan forankres til en havbunn; og- den første delen 60) omfatter tilkoplingsmidler (64) hvorved den første delen frigjørbart kan koples til et fartøy, så som et skip.12. Bøyeanordningen som angitt i krav 11, der bøyeanordningen er en CALM-bøye ("Catenary Anchor Leg Mooring") og den første delen (60) er en dreieskive ("turntable").13. En fremgangsmåte for sammenstilling av bøyeanordningen som angitt i et hvilket som helst av kravene 1-10; karakterisert ved trinnene å:a) plassere den første delen (20) på en bærestruktur, for eksempel et fartøydekk; b) løfte den andre delen (30) over den første delen (20) og sammenkople de første og andre bærestrukturene for å danne en roterbar forbindelse mellom den første delen og den andre delen;c) plassere i det minste ett oppdriftselement (34) på den andre delen; og d) feste oppdriftselementet (34) til den andre delen.14. En fremgangsmåte for sammenstilling av bøyeanordningen som angitt i et hvilket som helst av kravene 1-7 og 11-12; karakterisert ved trinnene å:a) plassere den andre delen (70) på en bærestruktur, for eksempel et fartøydekk; b) plassere i det minste ett oppdriftselement (74) på den andre delen;c) feste oppdriftselementet (74) til den andre delen (70); ogd) løfte den første delen (60) over den andre delen (70) og senke den første delen på den andre delens rotasjons- og bæremidler (73, 75).
Drawings

Priority

10.05.2016 NO 20160788

Patent classes

IPC classesB63B 22/02B63B 21/50CPC classesB63B 2022/028B63B 22/026B63B 21/507

Citations

EP 00/79631 A1 (A1)GB 2350342 A (A)EP 1506920 A1 (A1)GB 2050955 A (A)

Applicants, owners and inventors

Owners
Can Systems AS
Brinken 1 4843 ARENDAL NO (ARENDAL Municipality, Agder county)Org. number: 914812313Inventors
Eirik Storvoll
Vindholmheia 54 4842 ARENDAL NO (ARENDAL Municipality, Agder county)
Arild Bech
Brinken 1 4843 ARENDAL NO (ARENDAL Municipality, Agder county)

Agent

ZACCO NORWAY AS
ZACCO NORWAY AS

Org. number: 982702887

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Open in The Brønnøysund Register Centre
Postboks 488 0213 OSLO NO (OSLO Municipality, Oslo county)
Org. number: 982702887
Reference: P61600855NO01

Status history

Payment history

Oppositions and appeals

Appeal to Board of AppealsReceived: 15.11.2019 NIPO's case No.: 2019/00474Board of appeal casenumber: 19/00150 Current status: Avgjort. Fastholdt Patentstyrets avgjørelse
RequestorZACCO NORWAY AS
ZACCO NORWAY AS

Org. number: 982702887

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Open in The Brønnøysund Register Centre
 Postboks 488 0213 OSLO NO
InnsigelseReceived: 16.05.2018 NIPO's case No.: 2018/00184Current status: Avgjort. Høyere instans har opphevet patentet/registreringen
OpponentAPL Technology Vikaveien 85 4816 KOLBJØRNSVIK NO
Opponent's agentZACCO NORWAY AS Postboks 488 0213 OSLO NO (OSLO Municipality, Oslo county)
Org. number: 982702887Reference: Carl Petter Nielsen

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