US 12,473,053 B2
Disconnectable yoke mooring systems and processes for using same
Arun S. Duggal, Houston, TX (US); Stephen P. Lindblade, Waller, TX (US); Miles Hobdy, Richmond, TX (US); and Hao Yu, Katy, TX (US)
Assigned to SOFEC, INC, Houston, TX (US)
Filed by SOFEC, INC., Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Oct. 7, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/962,087.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/253,710, filed on Oct. 8, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0110646 A1, Apr. 13, 2023
Int. Cl. B63B 21/20 (2006.01); B63B 21/00 (2006.01)
CPC B63B 21/20 (2013.01) [B63B 2021/002 (2013.01); B63B 2021/004 (2013.01); B63B 2021/206 (2013.01)] 26 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A process for connecting a vessel floating on a surface of a body of water to a yoke mooring system, comprising:
positioning the vessel near the yoke mooring system, wherein the yoke mooring system comprises:
a base structure disposed on a seabed,
a turntable connected to the base structure such that the turntable is rotatable with respect to the base structure about a vertical axis,
a yoke having a first end connected to the turntable in a manner permitting the yoke to at least partially rotate about a longitudinal axis of the yoke and to at least partially rotate about a second axis that is substantially orthogonal or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the yoke,
a first link arm and a second link arm each having a first end connected to a second end of the yoke,
a first releasable connector and a second releasable connector each comprising a first component disposed on a second end of the first link arm and a second end of the second link arm, respectively, and a second component disposed on the vessel, and
a first lifting device and a second lifting device disposed on the vessel;
connecting the first lifting device to the second end of the first link arm or the first component of the first releasable connector via a first lifting line;
connecting the second lifting device to the second end of the second link arm or the first component of the second releasable connector via a second lifting line;
hauling in the first lifting line with the first lifting device until the first component of the first releasable connector is in an engagement position with respect to the second component of the first releasable connector;
hauling in the second lifting line with the second lifting device until the first component of the second releasable connector is in an engagement position with respect to the second component of the second releasable connector;
connecting the first component of the first releasable connector to the second component of the first releasable connector, and
connecting the first component of the second releasable connector to the second component of the second releasable connector.