Patent ID: 8770039

Claim:
An arrangement for measuring tension in mooring chains ( 38 ) connected to a floating structure ( 6 ), comprising: a chain stopper ( 12 ) having a first portion ( 16 ) and a second portion ( 18 ), said first portion ( 16 ) having a first load bearing surface ( 42 ) and said second portion ( 18 ) having a second load bearing surface ( 50 ); and at least one pin ( 14 ) having at least one strain gage ( 62 ) for measuring loads, said pin laterally traversing said chain stopper ( 12 ) between said first and second load bearing surfaces ( 50 , 42 ); whereby, upon application of a load to said chain stopper ( 12 ), said at least one pin ( 14 ) is positioned in the load path, wherein said at least one pin ( 14 ) has a center portion ( 58 ) and two side portions ( 60 ), and further comprising at least one strain gage ( 62 ) positioned at said center portion ( 58 ), wherein said second load bearing surface ( 50 ) contacts said at least one pin ( 14 ) only at said center portion ( 58 ), and said first load bearing surface contacts said at least one pin ( 14 ) only at said side portion ( 60 ), and wherein said second portion ( 18 ) includes a slot ( 64 ) in the outer surface thereof, the arrangement further comprising: at least one anti-lift key ( 46 ) attached to said first portion ( 16 ) and engaged with said slot ( 64 ) of said second portion; wherein said slot ( 64 ) and said anti-lift key ( 46 ) are arranged and dimensioned to restrain upward movement, while allowing downward movement of said second portion ( 18 ) relative to said first portion ( 16 ) and to prevent rotation of said second portion ( 18 ) with respect to said first portion ( 16 ).