The present invention is a fairlead for guiding and securing an anchor chain between an offshore structure and an anchor. The fairlead comprises a fairlead frame, a pivoting latch, and an actuator. The fairlead frame is pivotally mounted to the offshore structure and supports an axle for a chain she
The present invention is a fairlead for guiding and securing an anchor chain between an offshore structure and an anchor. The fairlead comprises a fairlead frame, a pivoting latch, and an actuator. The fairlead frame is pivotally mounted to the offshore structure and supports an axle for a chain sheave. The pivoting latch is mounted to pivot on the axle and comprises a tension link with a chain latch and a counterweight for urging the chain latch into engagement with the chain. The pivoting latch is configured to engage the chain only when the chain is traveling in the payout direction. The actuator controls the action of the counterweight.
대표청구항▼
I claim: 1. A method for guiding and securing an anchor chain extending from a fairlead mounted on an offshore structure to an anchor, the method comprising: providing a sheave rotatably mounted on a sheave axle supported by a fairlead frame pivotably coupled to the offshore structure; providing a
I claim: 1. A method for guiding and securing an anchor chain extending from a fairlead mounted on an offshore structure to an anchor, the method comprising: providing a sheave rotatably mounted on a sheave axle supported by a fairlead frame pivotably coupled to the offshore structure; providing a chain latch supported on the sheave axle, said chain latch having on one end a latch head for engaging the anchor chain and another end connected to pivot on the sheave axle; in-hauling the anchor chain about the sheave so the anchor chain wraps on a portion of the circumference of the sheave and the tension force in the anchor chain below the sheave and connected to the anchor is applied through the sheave to the sheave axle; and pivoting the chain latch about the sheave axle to cause the latch head to engage the anchor chain, whereby the tension force in the anchor chain below the sheave and connected to the anchor is applied through the chain latch to the sheave axle. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of pivoting the chain latch to engage the anchor chain further comprises biasing the chain latch to ride against the anchor chain. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising paying out the anchor chain when the chain latch is biased to ride against the anchor chain until the latch head engages the anchor chain and the chain latch carries the tension force in the anchor chain. 4. A fairlead for guiding and securing a chain used for mooring an offshore structure, the fairlead comprising: a fairlead frame pivotally mounted to the offshore structure; a first structure coupled to the fairlead frame and adapted to cause the chain, when the chain is being paid out or in-hauled, to bend about a radius having a center point, whereby a force vector of the chain is applied to the radius; and a second structure connected to freely pivot at the center point, said pivot motion about the center point causing a latch head of the second structure to engage the chain and hold the chain, releasing the chain from bending about the radius and transmitting the line of action of the chain below the first structure through the second structure to the center point, wherein the second structure pivots to become substantially aligned with the chain immediately below the first structure. 5. The fairlead of claim 4, further comprising an apparatus adapted to bias the second structure to ride against the chain for engaging it. 6. The fairlead of claim 5, wherein the bias causes the latch head of the second structure to catch the chain when the chain is being paid out. 7. The fairlead of claim 4, wherein the second structure comprises a tension link pivotable about the center point. 8. The fairlead of claim 7, further comprising means for selectively pivoting the second means to bring the latch head into engagement with the chain when the chain is being paid out. 9. A fairlead for guiding and securing a chain used for mooring an offshore structure, the fairlead comprising: a fairlead frame pivotally mounted to the offshore structure; first means for causing the chain, when the chain is being paid out or in-hauled, to bend about a radius having a center point, wherein said first means is coupled to the fairlead frame; and second means for holding the chain, to release it from the first means and for transmitting through the second means to the center point the tension force in the chain below the first means, wherein the second means pivots on the center point to ride against the chain and to cause a latch head of the second means to engage the chain immediately below the first means so that the second means carries the tension force from the chain to the center point. 10. The fairlead of claim 9, further comprising means for selectively biasing the second means against the chain. 11. The fairlead of claim 10, wherein the means for selectively biasing cause the latch head to engage the chain when the chain is being paid out. 12. The fairlead of claim 9, wherein the first means is a wildcat mounted for rotation on an axle supported by the fairlead frame, the axle being centered on the center point. 13. The fairlead of claim 12, wherein the second means is pivotally mounted on the axle. 14. A method for guiding and securing an anchor chain at a fairlead mounted to an offshore structure, said anchor chain leading to an anchor, the method comprising: providing a sheave rotatably mounted on a sheave axle supported by a fairlead frame pivotably coupled to the offshore structure; providing a chain latch supported for pivoting on the sheave axle; in-hauling the anchor chain about the sheave so the anchor chain wraps on a portion of the circumference of the sheave and tension force in the anchor chain below the sheave and connected to the anchor is applied through the sheave to the sheave axle; and pivoting the chain latch about the sheave axle to engage the anchor chain with a chain latch head by biasing the chain latch pivotally against the anchor chain, whereby the tension force in the anchor chain below the sheave and connected to the anchor is applied through the chain latch to the sheave axle. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising paying out the anchor chain when the chain latch is biased against the anchor chain until the chain latch engages and carries the tension force in the anchor chain. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of pivoting the chain latch to engage the anchor chain with a chain latch head further comprises keeping the tension force in the anchor chain below the sheave and connected to the anchor applied to the sheave axle upon transferring the tension force from the sheave to the chain latch. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the chain tension force is transferred into the sheave axle by placing a portion of the chain latch in tension. 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of pivoting the chain latch to engage the anchor chain comprises selectively catching the chain with the chain latch head when the chain is being paid out.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (8)
Sandoy Harry S. (Kolbjornsvik NOX), Chain stopper.
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