Patent ID: 6708639
Filing Date: 2004-03-23
Classification: B63B

Abstract:
A vessel which includes a large turret that is positioned in a moonpool in the middle portion of a vessel hull where the turret is anchored to a sea floor and includes couplings wherein the vessel is supported in rotation about a primarily vertical axis of said turret wherein, said coupling including an axial bearing arrangement characterized by,a rail positioned in a horizontal plane which is perpendicular to said vertical axis, a plurality of bogie housings, each carrying a bogie wheel, with each bogie wheel arranged to roll on said rail, a first set of rocker beams pivotably connected to said bogie housings, a second set of rocker beams pivotably mounted to support members, suspension members connected between said first set of rocker beams and said second set of rocker beams, wherein said rail is alternatively carried by said vessel or by said turret and said support members are respectively alternatively connected by said turret or to said vessel.