Patent ID: 8960299
Filing Date: 2015-02-24
Classification: B63B,E21B,F16L

Abstract:
1. A method for disconnecting a transfer device for transferring fluid between the bottom of an expanse of water and the surface, wherein the transfer device used in performance of the method includes: at least one fluid transport pipe including a lower section, an intermediate section, an upper section, and a quick disconnect member inserted between the intermediate section and either the lower section or the upper section; a superstructure supporting the lower section, the superstructure comprising an anchoring device for anchoring the superstructure in the bottom of the expanse of water; a floating barge rotatably mounted to rotate on the superstructure around an axis of rotation, the barge supporting the upper section of the pipe, the intermediate section comprising at least one flexible hose section wound around the axis of rotation, the transfer device comprises at least one intermediate structure for at least partial support of the wound flexible hose section, the intermediate structure being mounted between the superstructure and the barge, between a driven configuration driven in joint rotation with the barge around the axis of rotation relative to the superstructure and a retained configuration retained in rotation around the axis of rotation by the superstructure, the method including connecting the intermediate section to either the lower section or the upper section via the quick disconnect member, and disconnecting the quick disconnect member during the connection step, placing the intermediate structure in either the driven configuration or the retained configuration, the disconnection step comprising passing the intermediate structure towards the other of the driven configuration and the retained configuration.