Improved mooring connector

Abstract

There is disclosed a mooring, marine, subsea, underwater or offshore connector ( 5 ) comprising: a first portion ( 10 ); a second portion ( 15 ); and an arrangement ( 20 ) for releasably locking the first portion ( 10 ) and the second portion ( 15 ), wherein the releasable lock arrangement ( 20 ) comprises at least one movable lock member ( 25 ) which is biased towards a first position. The/each lock member ( 25 ) is movable against the action of a biasing arrangement ( 20 ) by insertion of the first portion ( 10 ) into the second portion ( 15 ) and/or by removal of the first portion ( 10 ) from the second portion ( 15 ). The connector ( 5 ) comprises an arrangement for rotating the first portion ( 10 ) relative to the second portion ( 15 ) when the first portion ( 10 ) is inserted into and/or withdrawn from the second portion ( 15 ). Embodiments provide at least one opposing or facing pair of movable lock members ( 25, 25 b ); and at least one pair of biasing members ( 60 a, 60 b ); a first end of the/each biasing member ( 60 a, 60 b ) being connected to a first movable lock member ( 25 a ), and a second end of the/each biasing member ( 60, 60 b ) being connected to a second movable lock member ( 25 b ).

1 . A mooring, marine, subsea, underwater or offshore connector comprising:
 a first portion;   a second portion; and   an arrangement for releasably locking the first portion and the second portion, wherein   the releasable lock arrangement comprises at least one movable lock or stopper member which is biased towards a first position.   
     
     
         2 . A connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first portion comprises a male portion; and/or   the second portion comprises a female portion; and/or   the first portion is receivable within the second portion.   
     
     
         3 . A connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second portion has a through-bore, the through-bore having first portion entry and exit ends;   the/each at least one movable lock member is provided on the second portion, such as at or adjacent a/the exit end of the through-bore, and optionally   the/each at least one movable lock member is connected, such as movably and/or hingeably connected, to the second portion.   
     
     
         4 . A connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein when in the first position the at least one movable lock member overlaps (with) a/the through-bore of the second portion when viewed along an axis of the through-bore, and/or
 the at least one movable lock member is resiliently movable from the first position to a second position and to a third position by insertion of the first portion into the second portion; and/or   the or each lock/stopper member is resiliently movable from the third position to the second position and to the first position by withdrawal of the first portion from the second portion; and/or   the first position and the third position are the same; and/or   the first position is a radially proximal position, the second position is a radially distal position, and the third position is a radially proximal position relative to an axis of a/the through-bore of the second portion; and/or   the or each lock/stopper member is movable against the action of a biasing arrangement by insertion of the first portion into the second portion and/or by removal of the first portion from the second portion; and/or   the releasable lock arrangement is adapted to take or transmit tension between a line, such as a mooring line, and a structure through the connector.   
     
     
         5 .- 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the connector comprises an arrangement for rotating the first portion relative to the second portion when the first portion is inserted into and/or withdrawn from the second portion; wherein optionally   the rotation arrangement comprises at least one or one cam follower, pin or protrusion on one of the first portion or the second portion and a guide or cam track on the other of the second portion or the first portion.   
     
     
         8 . A connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein there is provided:
 at least one opposing or facing pair of movable lock members; and/or   at least one pair of biasing members or spring members, and/or   a first end of the/each biasing member is connected to a first movable lock member, and a second end of the/each biasing member is connected to a second movable lock member, and/or   a first end of the first movable lock member is connected to a first end of a (first) biasing member, and/or   a first end of the second movable lock member is connected to a second end of the (first) biasing member.   
     
     
         9 . A connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first portion has at least one recess or notch adapted to receive the/one of the movable lock member(s), such as in a lock(ed) position, such as a/the third position, and optionally   the first portion has at least one opposing pair of recesses or notches adapted to lock or engage with a/the pair of opposing or facing movable lock members, such as when in a/the respective third positions.   
     
     
         10 . A connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first portion provides a mooring line connection arrangement; and/or   the first portion has a first end adapted for insertion into the second portion; and/or   the first portion has a second end adapted for connection to a mooring line; and/or   the first portion has an arrangement for allowing movement of the first portion relative to a mooring line, the movement allowing arrangement being provided at or adjacent an end/the second end of the first portion and/or being adapt to allow relative movement in two perpendicular axes; and/or   the connector comprises a mooring line or leg connector for use with a mooring line or leg extending up from a floor of a body of water, such as a sea floor, to connect a floating structure to be moored to the floor of the body of water; and/or   connection and disconnection of the connector or the line is done by pulling in and/or out (on) the first portion, which optionally comprises an elongate body.   
     
     
         11 .- 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one movable lock member comprises at least part of a latch mechanism for connecting or fixing the line to the structure to be moored and/or
 there is provided an arrangement for releasably connecting the first and second portions, wherein optionally   the at least one movable member comprises at least part of the releasable connection arrangement, and optionally further wherein   the releasable connection arrangement comprises at least part of a/the through-passage in the second portion.   
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first portion comprises means for connecting or connection to one or more lines, such as mooring lines, allowing rotational movement around or about at least one transverse axis of the first portion with respect to the line; and/or wherein optionally   the second portion comprises means for connecting or connection to a (subsea) structure allowing rotational movement around or about a transverse axis of the second portion with respect to the (subsea) structure; and/or wherein optionally   the transverse axis of the first portion is substantially perpendicular to the transverse axis of the second portion.   
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 a/the arrangement for connecting the first portion to a line comprises one or more first bearing means, wherein optionally   the one or more first bearing means comprises a clevis arrangement and/or   a/the arrangement for connecting the second portion to a structure comprises one or more second bearing means, wherein optionally   the one or more second bearing means comprises one or more protrusions or trunnions, wherein optionally further   the one or more protrusions or trunnions provide the transverse axis of the second portion.   
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 a/the transverse axis of the second portion is substantially horizontal; and/or   a/the transverse axis of the first portion is substantially orthogonal or perpendicular to the transverse axis of the second portion, in use, when the first and second portions are connected; and/or   a/the through-passage of the second portion is capable of receiving a work-line or wire.   
     
     
         20 . A connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises the first portion, the second portion, and a/the arrangement for connecting the first and second portions, wherein the arrangement for connecting comprises at least part of a/the through-passage in the second portion, the through-passage being capable of receiving a work-line or wire, the first portion comprising an arrangement for releasably connecting to the work-line or wire, the line connecting arrangement comprising first and second line connection means, the first line connection means being configured for releasably engaging with the second line connection means, and the engagement between the first and second line connection means being caused by tension created between the work line or wire and the first portion of the connector. 
     
     
         21 . A connector as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a/the first portion comprising a male part, a/the second portion comprising a female part, and a/the arrangement or means for connecting the first and second portions, wherein
 the arrangement for connecting comprises at least part of a/the through-passage in the second portion,   the first portion comprises means for connecting the first portion to one or more (mooring) line(s), the means for connecting the first portion to one or more line(s) being configured to allow rotational movement of the first portion with respect to one or more line(s) about a transverse axis (B, C) of the first portion,   the second portion comprises a/the arrangement or means for connecting the second portion to a structure, such as an underwater structure or submersible or semi-submersible structure, wherein   the arrangement or means for connecting the second portion to a structure are configured to allow rotational movement of the second portion with respect to an structure about a transverse axis (D) of the second portion, the means for connecting the second portion to a structure comprising bearing means which provide rotational movement about the transverse axis of the second portion with respect to the structure, and wherein   the transverse axis of the first portion is substantially perpendicular to the transverse axis of the second portion when the first and second portions are connected.   
     
     
         22 . A connector as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a/the first portion comprising a male part, a second portion comprising a female part, and a/the arrangement or means for connecting the first and second portions, wherein
 the means for connecting comprises at least part of a/the through-passage in the second portion,   the first portion comprises means for connecting the first portion to one or more (mooring) line(s), the means for connecting the first portion to one or more line(s) being configured to allow rotational movement of the first portion with respect to one or more line(s) about a transverse axis (B, C) of the first portion,   the second portion comprises means for connecting the second portion to an underwater structure, wherein   the means for connecting the second portion to an underwater structure are configured to allow rotational movement of the second portion with respect to an underwater structure about a transverse axis (D) of the second portion, the means for connecting the second portion to an underwater structure comprising bearing means comprising a pair of protrusions or trunnions provided on the transverse axis of the second portion on opposite sides of the through-passage, and wherein   the transverse axis of the first portion is substantially perpendicular to the transverse axis of the second portion when the first and second portions are connected.   
     
     
         23 . A marine, floating, buoyant, subsea, underwater or offshore structure, apparatus, equipment or vessel when moored by one or more lines, wherein at least one of the lines is connected to the structure, or marine, floating, buoyant, subsea, underwater or offshore structure, apparatus, equipment or vessel, by a connector according to  claim 1 , and optionally wherein
 the structure, apparatus, equipment or vessel comprises:   a submerged turret loading, a submerged turret production buoy, a (floating/production) platform or SPAR, or (offshore) renewable energy generator or wind turbine.   
     
     
         24 .- 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one movable lock member is movable from a/the first position to a/the second position by insertion of the first portion into the second portion; and/or   the at least one movable member is movable from a/the second position to a/the third position be further insertion of the first portion into the second portion; and/or   the at least one movable lock member is movable from a/the third position to a/the second position by yet further insertion of the first portion into the second portion; and/or   the at least one movable member is movable from a/the second position to a/the first position by removal of the first member from the second member.   
     
     
         27 . A connector as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one movable lock member is movable from a/the first position to a/the second position by insertion of the first portion into the second portion; and/or   the at least one movable member is movable from a/the second position to a/the third position be further insertion of the first portion into the second portion; and/or   the at least one movable lock member is movable from a/the third position to a/the second position by a release member, the release member optionally being moved/controlled by a release line, e.g., by pulling/tensioning the release line; and/or   the at least one movable member is movable from the a/second position to a/the first position by a/the at least one biasing member and/or a/the release member, e.g., by releasing/de-tensioning the release line thereby allowing the at least one biasing member to act on the at least one movable lock member; and/or   the first portion is removable from the second portion by yet further insertion of the first portion into the second portion followed by removal of the first portion from the second portion.   
     
     
         28 . A mooring, marine, subsea, underwater or offshore connector comprising:
 at least one movable lock member;   a first portion; and   a second portion,   the at least one movable lock member being movable from a first (closed)/a closed position to a second (opened)/an opened position by insertion of the first portion into the second portion, such as into a through-bore of the second portion,   the at least one movable member being movable from the second (opened)/an opened position to a third (closed)/a closed position be further insertion of the first member into the second member, wherein further   the at least one movable lock member is movable from the third (closed)/a closed position to the second (opened)/an opened position by a release member, the release member being moved/controlled by a release line, such as by pulling/tensioning the release line, and   the at least one movable lock member is movable from the second (opened)/an opened position to the first (closed)/a closed position by at least one biasing member and/or the release member, such as by releasing/de-tensioning the release line thereby allowing the at least one biasing member to act on the at least one movable lock member.   
     
     
         29 . A connector as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the first portion is removable from the second portion by yet further insertion of the first portion into the second portion followed by removal of the first portion from the second portion.