IP Library › Granted Patent US 6,901,977
Granted Patent B2
US 6,901,977 · App. 10/796,535 · Granted Jun 7, 2005

System for loading and unloading fluid products

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,901,977
App. No.
10/796,535
Granted
Jun 7, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

System for loading and unloading of fluid products to or from a vessel ( 1 ), where a fluid hose ( 4 ) is fastened to the bottom side of a submerged frame ( 2 ) so that the frame ( 2 ) is free to turn around a vertical axis with respect to the hose ( 4 ) in that an additional hose ( 9 ) is connected with the hose ( 4 ) at the frame and with the vessels coupling for loading and unloading, and that the frame ( 2 ) may be maneuvered with contact against the bottom of the vessel, and held in positioned during the operation.

Claims (18)

1. System for loading and unloading of fluid products to or from a vessel ( 1 ) comprising:

a fluid tubular conduit ( 4 );

a submerged frame ( 2 ), said fluid tubular conduit ( 4 ) being fastened to said submerged frame ( 2 ), said submerged frame ( 2 ) being maneuverable with contact against the bottom of said vessel ( 1 ) and fixable in position during use; and

an additional tubular conduit ( 9 ) connected to said fluid tubular conduit ( 4 ) at said submerged frame ( 2 ) for coupling to said vessel ( 1 ) for loading and unloading,

wherein said submerged frame ( 2 ) has positioning equipment ( 10 ) for maneuvering and positioning.

2. System according to claim 1 , wherein said positioning equipment ( 10 ) is adapted to position said submerged frame ( 2 ) relative to said vessel ( 1 ) and to let said submerged frame ( 2 ), together with said vessel ( 1 ), turn with wind and waves.

3. System according to claim 1 , wherein said submerged frame ( 2 ) is anchored to the sea bottom.

4. System according to claim 1 , wherein said fluid tubular conduit ( 4 ) is connected to said submerged frame ( 2 ) with a turret-coupling ( 3 ).

5. System according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one side wall ( 5 , 6 ) provided on at least one side of said submerged frame ( 2 ), said at least one side wall ( 5 , 6 ) having tanks for ballast, steering and control equipment and units for power supply.

6. System according to claim 1 , wherein said submerged frame ( 2 ) has a top side, said top side of said submerged frame ( 2 ) having equipment for contact with the bottom of said vessel ( 1 ).

7. System according to claim 6 , wherein said equipment for contact is selected from the group consisting of suction cups, magnets and cushions.

8. System according to claim 1 , wherein said submerged frame ( 2 ) is free to turn around a vertical axis with respect to said fluid tubular conduit ( 4 ).

9. System for loading and unloading of fluid products to or from a vessel ( 1 ), comprising:

a fluid tubular conduit ( 4 );

a submerged frame ( 2 ), said fluid tubular conduit ( 4 ) being fastened to said submerged frame ( 2 ), said submerged frame ( 2 ) being maneuverable with contact against the bottom of said vessel ( 1 ) and fixable in position during use;

an additional tubular conduit ( 9 ) connected to said fluid tubular conduit ( 4 ) at said submerged frame ( 2 ) for coupling to said vessel ( 1 ) for loading and unloading; and

at least one side wall ( 5 , 6 ) provided on at least one side of said submerged frame ( 2 ), said at least one side wall ( 5 , 6 ) having tanks for ballast, steering and control equipment and units for power supply.

10. System according to claim 9 , wherein said submerged frame ( 2 ) is free to turn around a vertical axis with respect to said fluid tubular conduit ( 4 ).