Patent ID: 6228225
Filing Date: 2001-05-08
Classification: C10B,F16J,F23M

Abstract:
A remotely operated vessel cover exchange assembly used on a vessel, wherein the vessel includes an upper opening, a flange surrounding the upper opening and a first vessel cover releasably attached to the flange above the upper opening, the exchange assembly comprising:a frame attached to the vessel adjacent the upper opening, the frame including a base with an opening there through;a bridge for supporting the first vessel cover and a second vessel cover;a central shaft positioned through the opening, the central shaft having a distal end connected to the bridge and a thrust collar surrounding the shaft below the distal end, the thrust collar having a thrust surface;a lift assembly attached to the frame below the thrust collar for engaging the thrust surface and selectively raising and lowering the bridge relative to the flange; anda rotational assembly operatively connected to the central shaft for rotating the bridge to selectively align the first vessel cover or the second vessel cover above the flange.