Dynamic positioning connection

Abstract

A method of providing for the dynamic positioning of a vessel comprising providing a dynamically positioned service boat, linking the service boat to the vessel by a rigid link with a first connection between the link and the vessel, a second connection between the link and the service boat, the combination of connections having 3 degrees of rotational freedom, said supply boat having one degree of axial freedom relative to said vessel, and using the power of the service boat to dynamically position said vessel in a desired location.

1 . A method of providing for the dynamic positioning of a vessel comprising 
 providing a dynamically positioned service boat,    providing a link,    providing a first connection between said link and said vessel,    providing a second connection between said link and said service boat,    providing three degrees of rotational freedom by the combination of said first connection and said second connection,    providing one degree of axial freedom between said service boat and said vessel by the combination of said first connection and said second connection, and using the power of said service boat to position said vessel in a desired location.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising said combination of said first connection and said second connection providing a second degree of axial freedom.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing flotation material for said link such that said link is positively buoyant.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing sideways thrust on said service boat to provide a lateral force on said link and thereby a lateral force on said vessel.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising the combination of said lateral forces and axial forces from said service boat onto said link allows said link to exert forces on said vessel in any horizontal direction.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising said first connection being a stab engaging a funnel.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  further providing a cylinder to position said stab prior to entering said funnel.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising that said first connection being magnetically attached to said vessel.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising said second connection having a portion permanently affixed to said service boat and a portion removeably attached to said permanently affixed portion on said service boat.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising said removeably attached portion being a funnel.  
   
   
       11 . A method of providing for the dynamic positioning of a vessel comprising 
 providing a dynamically positioned service boat,    providing a rigid link,    providing a first connection between said link and said vessel, said first connection    providing 3 degrees of rotational freedom and one degree of axial freedom,    providing a second connection between said link and said service boat, said second connection providing 3 degrees of rotational freedom and 2 degrees of axial freedom, and using the power of said service boat to position said vessel in a desired location.    
   
   
       12 . A method of providing for the dynamic positioning of a vessel comprising 
 providing a dynamically positioned service boat,    providing a link capable of pushing or pulling,    providing a first connection between said link and said vessel, said first connection providing 3 degrees of rotational freedom,    providing a second connection between said link and said service boat, said second connection providing three degrees of rotational freedom,    providing one degree of axial freedom between said vessel and said service boat,    and using the power of said service boat to position said vessel in a desired location.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising said second connection provides a third degree of angular freedom  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising providing a second degree of axial freedom between said vessel and said service boat.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising providing sideways thrust on said service boat to provide a lateral force on said link and thereby a lateral force on said vessel.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the combination of said lateral forces and axial forces from said service boat onto said link allows said link to exert forces on said vessel in any horizontal direction.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising said first connection being a stab engaging a funnel.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  further providing a cylinder to position said stab prior to entering said funnel.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising that said first connection being magnetically attached to said vessel.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising said second connection having a portion permanently affixed to said service boat and a portion removeably attached to said permanently affixed portion on said service boat.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising said removeably attached portion being a funnel.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising providing flotation material for said link such that said link is positively buoyant.