Patent ID: 6053787
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: B63B,F16L

Abstract:
A rotating connector for interconnection between a plurality of risers suspended from a submerged buoy and a pipe system on a floating vessel for the production of hydrocarbons, comprising:a swivel unit consisting of a pair of concentric swivel members in the form of a male member and a female member, the male and female member defining a plurality of mutually sealed annuluses, each annulus communicating with a respective fluid path extending between a corresponding one of the risers and the pipe system on the vessel, wherein the female member is arranged to be non-rotatably secured to the vessel;a plurality of pipe courses extending within the male member, an upper end of each pipe course being connected to a respective annulus and a lower end of each pipe course communicating with the corresponding riser, wherein the pipe courses are constituted by axially extending first pipes, a lower end of each of first pipe comprising first means for releasable interconnection with the respective fluid path leading to the respective risers; anda thick-walled top plate adapted to be fastened to a top of the buoy, wherein the fluid paths extend through the top plate, lower ends of the fluid paths comprising second means for releasable interconnection with upper ends of second pipes leading to the risers.