Patent Publication Number: US-6901977-B2

Title: System for loading and unloading fluid products

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/009,237, filed May 13, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,701,981, which is the U.S. National Stage of International Application No. PCT/NO00/00201, filed Jun. 9, 2000. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a system for loading and unloading fluid products from a vessel. 
   In connection with the anchoring of vessels in such a situation, it is desired to arrive at a flexible solution so that any type of tanker (ship) can be used in the operation, independent of waves or sea depths. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The mentioned object may be reached with a loading and unloading system according to the present invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic front view of a ship with a frame according to the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a corresponding view of a ship with another embodiment of the invention; and 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic side view of the frame with the attached hose ready for loading or unloading operations. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the frame  2  is equipped with a coupling device  8  for coupling to the bottom of a ship  1 . The coupling device  8  may be formed as suction cups, magnets or possibly cushion-like devices, which ensure contact of the frame  2  against the bottom of the ship by means of the buoyancy force of the frame  2 . 
   The frame  2  has a turret-coupling  3  to which a liquid hose  4  may be coupled for supply of liquid, for example, oil, from, for example, floating installations, permanent installations, submersible buoys, loading towers and the like. From the turret-coupling  3  runs a hose  9  to a coupling  7  on the ship for transport of liquid to or from the ship&#39;s tanks. 
   The frame  2  may conveniently be equipped with propellers  10  for maneuvering to placement under the ship  1 . The frame  2  is held in position by means of a dynamic positioning system (DP-system), possibly with permanent anchoring. 
   Power supply for the frame  2  takes place from a control centre, which may be the production ship, a storage ship, a production platform, or a shore station. The frame is steered to its position at the bottom of the ship  1 . As the ship&#39;s bottom cannot be equipped with devices to receive a frame  2 , the operation of fastening the frame  2  to the ship  1  will be relatively uncomplicated, in that neither orienting in relation to the ship  1  or placement in the ship&#39;s  1  longitudinal direction will be critical. Steering and control of the frame is remotely controlled from the control centre. 
     FIG. 2  shows another embodiment of the invention, where a short dock-like construction  5 , 6  similarly has its own maneuvering propellers  10  and where the power supply to the maneuvering and the steering of the construction takes place from the dock-like construction  5 , 6 . The construction  5  has preferably its own steering and control room, separate room for power supply units and separate rooms for ballast tanks and pumps. The two vertical walls of the construction  5 , 6  are at the bottom connected with a frame  2 . 
   By means of the turret-coupling  3 , the frame construction may rotate so that the tanker may turn by the wind and weather. 
   By means of the DP-system it is assured that the tanker is held in exact position during loading and unloading to another vessel or to the shore, for example, in places lacking suitable docking facilities.