WO2024258533A2

WO2024258533A2 - System for mooring off-shore marine vessels

Info

Publication number: WO2024258533A2
Application number: PCT/US2024/029130
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrea Pedretti; Alexander PUZRIN
Original assignee: Energy Vault Inc
Current assignee: Energy Vault Inc
Priority date: 2023-06-14
Filing date: 2024-05-13
Publication date: 2024-12-19
Anticipated expiration: 2025-12-14
Also published as: WO2024258533A3

Abstract

A mooring system may include a plurality of mooring weights, which can include a first mooring weight and a second mooring weight spaced apart from each other, for placement on a floor surface of a body of water. A mooring system may also include a cable or chain extending between and coupling to the first mooring weight and the second mooring weight. The first mooring weight can be coupled to an offshore vessel via a second cable. Additionally, the first mooring weight can apply a vertical force on the floor surface that is equivalent to and counteracts a maximum vertical buoyancy force exerted by the offshore vessel on the second cable. The second mooring weight can solely apply a horizontal friction force on the floor surface of the body of water.

Description

SYSTEM FOR MOORING OFF-SHORE MARINE VESSELS

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

[0001] Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57.

BACKGROUND

Field

[0002] The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for mooring offshore marine vessels (e.g., boats, under-water turbines for energy generation, etc.) and more particularly to mooring systems which include multiple blocks connected to each other by a chain or cable.

Description of the Related Art

[0003] Mooring systems are arrangements of anchors, chains, ropes or other similar structures to secure a vessel or floating structure to a fixed point. The mooring system is important for ensuring vessels are stable and stationary in water, regardless of wind and/or currents. However, many systems can be costly and inefficient. For example, existing mooring systems utilize chains to couple the mooring anchor to the vessel, which are expensive and add significant cost to the mooring system, where the chain is heavy and contacts the floor surface of the body of water to provide a horizontal frictional force.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, an improved mooring system for mooring off-shore vessels (e.g., marine vessels, platforms, underwater turbines, etc.) in a body of water is provided. The mooring system includes two or more blocks connected to each other by a cable or chain. A first block applies a vertical force equal to and counter to the maximum buoyancy force applied by the off-shore vessel and does not apply a horizontal friction force on the floor surface of the body of water. A second block is coupled to the first block by a chain or cable. The second block only applies a horizontal friction force on the floor surface of the body of water and does not experience a moment from a cable that couples the off-shore vessel and the first block.

[0005] In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the mooring system can have a plurality of mooring weights. The plurality of mooring weights includes a first mooring weight and a second mooring weight horizontally spaced apart from each other and configured for placement on a floor surface of a body of water. The plurality of mooring weights have a cable or chain that extend between the mooring weights which can couple to the first mooring weight and the second mooring weight. The cable or chain can also be coupled to a side portion of the first mooring weight and extends to and couples to a side portion of the second mooring weight. The first mooring weight is configured to be coupled to an offshore vessel via a second cable. Additionally, the first mooring weight can be configured to apply a vertical force on the floor surface that is equivalent to and counteracts a maximum vertical buoyancy force exerted by the offshore vessel on the second cable. The second mooring weight is also operable to solely apply a horizontal force on the floor surface of the body of water. The horizontal force can be a drag force. The horizontal force is equivalent to a frictional force between a bottom surface of the second mooring weight and the floor surface of the body of water.

[0006] In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the plurality of mooring weights can be plurality of blocks, where the blocks include concrete or reinforced concrete. The reinforced concrete can also include rebar. The plurality of mooring weights can be the same weight and each of the plurality of blocks or weights can have a volume of 60 cubic meters. The bottom surface of the plurality of mooring weights is a planar surface. The plurality of blocks can have a length dimension of approximately 4 meters, a height dimension of approximately 3.7 meters, and a width dimension of approximately 4 meters.

[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the first mooring weight is a block, and the second mooring weight has one or more prongs, wherein the one or more prongs of second mooring weight are configured to grab and exert a drag force on the floor surface of the body of water. The plurality of mooring weights are coupled to a frame and configured to support its associated mooring weight spaced from the floor surface. Additionally, the plurality of mooring weights can be coupled to an elongated foundation and configured to support its associated mooring weight spaced from the floor surface. [0008] In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the plurality of mooring weights can include a third mooring weight. The third mooring weight can be spaced apart from the first mooring weight and second mooring weight and configured for placement on the floor surface of the body of water. Additionally, a cable or chain can extend between and couple to the third mooring weight and the second mooring weight.

[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, the mooring system can have a plurality of mooring weights. The plurality of mooring weights can include a first mooring weight, a second mooring weight, and a third mooring weight each spaced apart from each other and configured for placement on a floor surface of a body of water. A cable or chain can extend between and couple to the first mooring weight and the second mooring weight. A second cable or chain can extend between and coupling to the third mooring weight and the second mooring weight. The first mooring weight can be configured to be coupled to an offshore vessel via a third cable. The first mooring weight can also apply a vertical force on the floor surface that is equivalent to and counteracts a maximum vertical buoyancy force exerted by the offshore vessel on the third cable. The second mooring weight can be configured to solely apply a first horizontal force on the floor surface of the body of water. The third mooring weight can be configured to solely apply a second horizontal force on the floor surface of the body of water.

[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, each of the plurality of mooring weights can have a different weight. Additionally, the first mooring weight can have a different weight than the second mooring weight and the third mooring weight. The plurality of mooring weights can also be a same weight. Each of the plurality of mooring weights can be coupled to a frame configured to support its associated mooring weight spaced from the floor surface. The frame can be configured to prevent the plurality of mooring weights from sinking into the floor surface. Each of the plurality of mooring weights can also be coupled to an elongated foundation configured to support its associated mooring weight spaced from the floor surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, and in which: [0012] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a mooring system operatively coupled to an offshore vessel.

[0013] Figure 2 is another schematic perspective view of a mooring system operatively coupled to an offshore vessel.

[0014] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a mooring weight connected to a steel frame.

[0015] Figure 4 is another perspective view of a mooring weight connected to a skirted foundation.

[0016] Figure 5 is another schematic perspective view of a mooring weight.

[0017] Figure 6A is a schematic view of a mooring system operatively coupled to an offshore vessel.

[0018] Figure 6B is a schematic view of multiple positions of a mooring system operatively coupled to an offshore vessel.

[0019] Figure 7 is a schematic force diagram of a mooring weight.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Disclosed herein is a mooring system that can be operatively coupled to an off-shore marine vessel (e.g., ship, platform, etc.), which can keep the vessel stationary in a large body of water (e.g., lake, ocean). The mooring system can have multiple weights (e.g., mooring weights, anchors, mooring blocks) which apply a force to the floor of the body of water. One of the mooring weights can counteract the vertical (buoyant) forces from the offshore vessel. Additional mooring weights (e.g., one or more mooring weights, plurality of mooring weights, blocks) can apply a horizontal force (e.g., friction force, drag force) to the floor surface of the body of water. The horizontal force can be equivalent to the frictional force between the floor surface and the additional mooring weights. Additional details of the offshore marine vessel can be found in U.S. Application No. 18/433018, filed February 2, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a mooring system 100 including an offshore vessel (e.g., boat, pontoon, underwater turbine for generating electricity) in a body of water. The mooring system 100 further includes the vessel 102 and a mooring weight 110 (e.g., square block, rectangular block) interconnected by a cable 106. In the illustrated example, the vessel 102 is an underwater turbine. In other examples, the vessel 102 can be a ship or a platform on a surface of the body of water (c.g., lake, ocean). The mooring weight 110 can have a planar (c.g., flat) bottom surface that contacts the floor surface 116 of the body of water. The vessel 102 is buoyant and exerts a buoyant force FB to the top of the cable 106. In some implementations, the cable 106 can be a plurality of cables. The cable 106 can be one or more lightweight cables or ribbons (e.g., made of steel) and can be lower in weight than a typical chain used in mooring systems. Additionally, the body of water may have a current C which can exert a force on the vessel 102 leading to a resultant drag force FD exerted by the vessel 102 on the cable 106. The combined drag force FD and buoyant force FB leads to a resultant tensile force 104 at the top of the cable 106. The resultant tensile force 104 at the top of the cable 106 can cause a opposite tensile force 108 at the bottom of the cable 106. The bottom of the cable 106 is connected to the mooring weight 110 (e.g., to an upper surface of the mooring weight 110). The mooring weight 110 can be placed or located on or near the floor surface 116 of the body of water. The mooring weight 110 can exert a vertical force 114 (e.g., gravitational force) in a direction towards the floor surface 116. The vertical force 114 can be equivalent to the weight of the mooring weight 110 in the body of water.

[0022] With continued referenced to FIG. 1, the mooring system 100 has an additional mooring weight 120 (e.g., second mooring weight) which is coupled to the mooring weight 110. The second mooring weight 120 is placed on a floor surface 116 of a body of water spaced apart from the mooring weight 110. In some implementations, the second mooring weight 120 can be made of concrete or another similar material (e.g., steel, metal, composite, reinforced concrete, rebar, etc.). Additionally, the second mooring weight 120 can in some examples be a square or rectangular block. In some implementations, the mooring weight 110 and/or the second mooring weight 120 may be made of reinforced concrete which can also include rebar. In one implementation, the mooring weight 110 and/or the second mooring weight 120 can be made from local soil and/or remunerated waste material (e.g., coal combustion residuals such as bottom ash, fiberglass from decommissioned wind turbine blades, waste tailings from mining processes) or other recycled material.

[0023] In one implementation, at least a portion of the mooring weight 110 and/or the second mooring weight 120 can be made of high-performance concrete (e.g., having a compression strength of 10-60 megapascal (MPa), such as 25-40 MPa). In one example, at least a portion of the mooring weight 110 and/or the second mooring weight 120 can be made of low-grade concrete (e.g., having a compression strength lower than 10 MPa, such as 3-8 MPa). In one example, one or both of the top and bottom portions of the mooring weight 110 and/or the second mooring weight 120 can be made of high performance concrete (e.g., having a compression strength of 10-60 MPa, such as 25-40 MPa) and a middle portion of the mooring weight 110 can be made of low grade concrete (e.g., having a compression strength lower than 10 MPa, such as 3-8 MPa), In examples where the entire mooring weight 110 and/or second mooring weight 120 is load-bearing, the compressive strength required of the block walls is reduced.

[0024] The second mooring weight 120 and the mooring weight 110 are interconnected by a cable or chain 126. The cable or chain 126 can extend generally horizontally between the second mooring weight 120 and the mooring weight 110 (e.g., the first mooring weight). In one implementation, the cable or chain 126 can extend between lower portions of the second mooring weight 120 and the mooring weight 110 (e.g., extend between anchor locations in the lower fourth, lower third, lower half of the height of the second mooring weight 120 and the mooring weight 110). In some implementations, the distance between the second mooring weight 120 and the mooring weight 110 is fixed (e.g., they are interconnected by a rod instead of a cable or chain). In other implementations, the distance between the second mooring weight 120 and the mooring weight 110 can vary (e.g., they are interconnected by the cable or chain 126, which are not rigid).

[0025] The mooring weight 110 can apply a vertical force 114 towards the floor surface 116 that is equal to or greater than the buoyant force FB exerted by the vessel 102 on the cable 106. The mooring weight 110 can have a weight in water equal to or greater than the maximum buoyancy force FB exerted by the offshore vessel 102 on the cable 106. Advantageously, having the mooring weight 110 weigh as much as the maximum buoyancy force FB permits the mooring weight 110 to counteract the vertical force exerted on the cable 106 by the vessel 102 due to the buoyant force FB of the vessel 102. Additionally, the mooring weight 110 may be minimally in contact (e.g., lightly touching, exerting essentially zero normal force) with the floor surface 116 and optionally does not apply a horizontal force 112 (e.g., a horizontal frictional force) to the floor surface. Therefore, the horizontal force 112 would be zero. In some implementations, the horizontal force 112 is a frictional force between a bottom surface of the mooring weight 110 and the floor surface 116.

[0026] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the drag force FD exerted by the vessel 102 can be transferred by the cable 106 to the mooring weight 110 and to the second mooring weight 120 (e.g., via the cable or chain 126). The horizontal force 122 from second mooring weight 120 (e.g., exerted by the second mooring weight 120 on the floor surface 116) can be equal to or greater than the drag force FD and counteract the drag force FD exerted by the vessel 102. Advantageously, the horizontal force 122 from the second mooring weight 120 can be the sole horizontal force applied to the cable 106 in an opposite direction of the drag force FD. The horizontal force 122 from the second mooring weight 120 can advantageously inhibit (e.g., prevent) the vessel 102 from freely traveling through or along the body of water.

[0027] The second mooring weight 120 can exert a vertical force 124 on the floor surface 116. In some implementations, the horizontal force 122 is a frictional force between a bottom surface of the second mooring weight 120 and the floor surface 116. The frictional force is based on the weight in water of the second mooring weight 120 (e.g., the vertical force 124 as exerted on the floor surface 116) and the coefficient of friction between the floor surface 116 (e.g., sand, clay, rock, etc.) and the bottom surface of the second mooring weight 120. The second mooring weight 120 can have a planar (e.g., flat) bottom surface that contacts the floor surface 116 of the body of water. Advantageously, by counteracting the buoyant force FB from the vessel 102 with the mooring weight 110, the second mooring weight 120 only experiences horizontal loading due the drag force FD from the vessel 102. Therefore, the second mooring weight 120 will not experience a moment (See FIG. 7) due to the buoyant force FB exerted on the cable 106. Inhibiting (e.g., preventing) a moment on the second mooring weight 120 advantageously increases the amount of horizontal force 122 the second mooring weight 120 can exert on the floor surface 116 (e.g., approaches a maximum possible frictional force between the second mooring weight 120 and the floor surface 116).

[0028] Use of the mooring weight 110 and the second mooring weight 120 has various advantages over the use of a single mooring weight in the mooring system 100. First, this allows the mooring weight 110 and the second mooring weight 120 to each have a lower weight than a weight a single mooring weight (e.g., just mooring weight 110) would have, inhibiting (e.g., preventing) failure (e.g., sinking) of the floor surface 116 when the mooring weight(s) 1 10, 120 are placed on it. Second, the mooring weight 110 and the second mooring weight 120 require less material (c.g., less concrete) than a single mooring weight (c.g., just mooring weight 110) to apply a same horizontal frictional force on the floor surface 116 which reduces the cost of manufacture of the mooring system 100. This is at least because the mooring system 100 more efficiently applies a horizonal friction force (e.g., horizontal force 122) with the mooring weight 110 and the second mooring weight 120 when compared to a single mooring weight that has a higher weight (e.g., since horizontal friction force does not vary linearly with increased vertical weight where the floor surface 116’ is sand).

[0029] In some implementations, the horizontal force 122 is a drag force applied by the second mooring weight 120 (See FIGS. 3-4). For example, though not shown, the second mooring weight 120 can include prongs (e.g., can be a reaper anchor), where the prongs can grip or grab the floor surface 116 and exert a horizontal force 122 or drag force on the floor surface 116 to inhibit (e.g., prevent) the vessel 102 from freely moving. In some implementations, the mooring weight 110 and the second mooring weight 120 can be the same weight and/or volume. In some implementations, the mooring weight 110 and the second mooring weight 120 can have different weights and/or volumes.

[0030] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a mooring system 100’ operatively coupled to an offshore vessel 102’ . Some of the features of the mooring system 100’ are similar to the features of the mooring system 100 in FIG. 1. Thus, reference numerals used to designate the various components of the mooring system 100’ are identical to those used for identifying the corresponding components of the mooring system 100 in FIG. 1, except that an “ ‘ ” has been added to the end of the numerical identifier. Therefore, the structure and description for the various features of the mooring system 100 and how it’s operated and controlled in FIG. 1 are understood to also apply to the corresponding features of the system 100’ in FIG. 2, except as described below.

[0031] The mooring system 100’ differs from the mooring system 100 in that an additional mooring weight 130’ (e.g., third mooring weight) is coupled to the mooring weight 120’ via a cable or chain 136’ in the same manner that the second mooring weight 120’ is coupled to the mooring weight 110’ by cable or chain 126’. The vessel 102’ exerts a buoyant force FB on the cable 106’ . The current C from the body of water can cause the vessel 102’ to exert a drag force FD to the cable 106’. The resultant force of the buoyant force FB and the drag force FD on top of the cable 106’ causes a resultant tensile force 104’. The bottom of the cable 106’ is connected to the first mooring weight 110’ (c.g., to an upper surface of the mooring weight 110’). The resultant tensile force 104’ at the top of the cable 106’ can cause an opposite tensile force 108’ at the bottom of the cable 106’. The first mooring weight 110’ is located on the floor surface 116’ of the body of water. The first mooring weight 110’ can exert a vertical force 114’ to the floor surface 116’. Advantageously, the first mooring weight 110’ can weigh the same as the buoyant force FB of the vessel 102’ or exert a vertical force 114’ in an opposite direction of the buoyant force FB that is equal to or greater to the maximum buoyant force FB. Therefore, the first mooring weight 110’ takes up or counteracts the vertical load applied to the cable 106’ by the vessel 102’. Additionally, the first mooring weight 110’ can be in minimal contact with the floor surface 116’ and not exert a horizontal force on the floor surface 116’ (e.g., the first mooring weight 110’ may lightly touch the floor surface 116’ or exert a nearly zero normal force on the floor surface 116’).

[0032] With continued reference to FIG. 2, the first mooring weight 110’ can be interconnected with a second mooring weight 120’ via a cable or chain 126’. The cable or chain 126’ can extend between and couple to a side of the first mooring weight 110’ and a side of the second mooring weight 120’ . The second mooring weight 120’ can exert a vertical force 124’ on the floor surface 116’. Additionally, the second mooring weight 120’ can exert a horizontal force 122’ to the floor surface 116’ (e.g., a horizontal frictional force). Advantageously, the since the first mooring weight 110’ counteracts the maximum buoyancy force FB exerted by the vessel 102’, the second mooring weight 120’ can only apply a horizontal force to the cable 106’.

[0033] The second mooring weight 120’ can be interconnected with a third mooring weight 130’ via a cable or a chain 136’ (e.g., in the same manner that the mooring weight 110’ is interconnected to the second mooring weight 120’ by the cable or chain 126’). The cable or chain 136’ can extend between and couple to a side of the second mooring weight 120’ and the third mooring weight 130’ . The third mooring weight 130’ can have a planar (e.g., flat) bottom surface that contacts the floor surface 116’ of the body of water. The third mooring weight 130’ can exert a vertical force 134’ on the floor surface 116’. Additionally, the third mooring weight 130’ can exert a horizontal force 132’ (e.g., a horizontal frictional force) to the floor surface 116’. Advantageously, the third mooring weight 130’ can only apply a horizontal force 132’ to the cable 106’. The combination of the horizontal force 132’ from the third mooring weight 130’ (c.g., exerted by the third mooring weight 130’ on the floor surface 116’) and horizontal force 122’ from the second mooring weight 120’ (e.g., exerted by the second mooring weight 120’ on the floor surface 116’) can advantageously inhibit (e.g., prevent) the vessel 102’ from freely traveling through the body of water. The horizontal force 122’ and horizontal force 132’ can be equal to or greater than and counteract the drag force FD exerted by the vessel 102’. In some implementations, the third mooring weight 130’ is identical to the second mooring weight 120’ and can be the same weight and/or volume. Therefore, the third mooring weight 130’ and the second mooring weight 120’ can exert a similar and/or identical vertical forces and horizontal forces to the floor surface 116’. In other implementations, the second mooring weight 120’ and the third mooring weight 130’ can have different weights and/or volumes. Additionally, in other implementations, the first mooring weight 110’, the second mooring weight 120’, and the third mooring weight 130’ can all be different weights or volumes.

[0034] Use of the mooring weight 110’, the second mooring weight 120’ and the third mooring weight 130’ has various advantages over use of the mooring weight 110’ and the second mooring weight 120’. First, this allows the mooring weight 110’ and the second mooring weight 120’ and the third mooring weight 130’ to each have a lower weight than a weight the mooring weight 110’ (or mooring weight 110) and second mooring weight 120’ (or mooring weight 110) would have, combined, further inhibiting (e.g., preventing) failure (e.g., sinking) of the floor surface 116’ when the mooring weight(s) 110’, 120’, 130’ are placed on it. Second, the mooring weight 110’, the second mooring weight 120’ and the third mooring weight 130’ together would require less material (e.g., less concrete) than the mooring weight 110’ (or mooring weight 110) and the second mooring weight 120’ (or second mooring weight 120) in order to apply the same horizontal frictional force, and therefore reduces the cost of manufacture of the mooring system 100’. This is at least in part because the mooring system 100’ more efficiently applies a horizonal friction force on the floor surface 116’ with the second mooring weight 120’ and the third mooring weight 130’ than with just the second mooring weight 120’ (or second mooring weight 120).

[0035] The horizontal force 132’ can be a frictional force based on vertical force 134’ of the third mooring weight 130’ applied to the floor surface 116’ and the coefficient of friction between the floor surface 1 16’ (e.g., sand clay, etc.) and the bottom surface of the third mooring weight 130’. The vertical force 134’ can be the weight in water of the third mooring weight 130’. Advantageously, by counteracting the buoyant force FB from the vessel 102’ with the mooring weight 110’, the second mooring weight 120’ and the third mooring weight 130’ only experience horizontal loading due to the drag force FD from the vessel 102’. Therefore, the second mooring weight 120’ and the third mooring weight 130’ will not experience a moment (See FIG. 7) due to the buoyant force FB from vessel 102’ exerted on the cable 106’. Inhibiting (e.g., preventing) a moment on the third mooring weight 130’ advantageously increases the amount of horizontal force 132’ the third mooring weight 130’ can exert on the floor surface 116’ (e.g., approach a maximum possible frictional force between the third mooring weight 130’ and the floor surface 116’).

[0036] In some implementations, the horizontal forces (e.g., 122’, 132’) are drag forces applied by the second mooring weight 120’ or third mooring weight 130’ (See FIGS. 3- 4). For example, the third mooring weight 130’ can include prongs (e.g., can be a reaper anchor), where the prongs can grip or grab the floor surface 116’ and exert a horizontal force 132’ or drag force on the floor surface 116’ to inhibit (e.g., prevent) the vessel 102’ from freely moving.

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the mooring weight 110 connected to a frame 156 (e.g., a T-shaped frame). The frame 156 can be made of steel or other suitable materials (e.g., other metals or metal alloys). The frame 156 can help distribute loads during transportation, installation, and operation of the frame 156. The frame 156 can have a right side 156 A and a left side 156B spaced from each other by a distance greater than a transverse distance of the mooring weight 110 so that the mooring weight 110 can be disposed between and adjacent to the right side 156 A and the left side 156B. The right side 156 A and the left side 156B can extend linearly. The frame 156 can have one or more flanges 157. The right side 156A can have a right flange 157A and the left side 156B can have a left flange 157B which form a recessed seat for the mooring weight 110 to sit (e.g., support the mooring weight 110). An upper portion or upper surface 142 of the mooring weight 110 can extend beyond the top of the left side 156B and the top of the right side 156A. In one implementation, the right bottom edge 161 A of the right side 156 A and the left bottom edge 16 IB of the left side 146B can be beveled. The frame 156 can be located or disposed on a bottom perimeter 160 of the mooring weight 110. Additionally, the frame 156 can elevate the mooring weight 110 above the floor surface 116 of the body of water. Therefore, substance or debris or underwater lifeforms on the floor surface 116 (e.g., sand, clay, etc.) can easily travel, pass and/or sit underneath the mooring weight 110. Advantageously, the frame 156 can penetrate the soil of the floor surface 116 to ensure shearing on the soil interface of the floor surface 116. Shearing on the soil interface of the floor surface 116 can prevent the mooring weight 110 from sinking into the floor surface 116. Furthermore, placing the mooring weight 110 on the frame 156 can reduce the structural integrity requirements (e.g., strength, density, etc.) of the mooring weight 110.

[0038] With continued reference to FIG. 3, the right side 156A of the frame 156 can have one or more coupling rings 155A, 155B. The coupling rings 155A, 155B can couple to the cable 106. Thought not shown, the left side 156B of the frame 156 can have one or more coupling rings. The coupling rings 155A, 155B can indirectly couple the cable 106 to the mooring weight 110 without requiring coupling the cable 106 directly to the mooring weight 110. The coupling rings 155A, 155B can also couple the rings to other blocks (e.g., second mooring weight 120, third mooring weight 130’) via the chain 126 or chain 136’, where the second mooring weight 120 (or second mooring weight 120’) and third mooring weight 130’ can also be disposed on a similar frame 156.

[0039] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the mooring weight 110 connected to a skirted foundation 158. The skirted foundation 158 can have a right side 158 A and a left side 158B which couple to the right side 146 A of the mooring weight 110 and the left side 146B of the mooring weight 110 respectively. The skirted foundation 158 can be located on a bottom perimeter 160 of the mooring weight 110. The skirted foundation 158 can help distribute loads during transportation, installation, and operation of the mooring weight 110. The skirted foundation 158 can have a right side 158A and a left side 158B spaced from each other by a distance greater than a transverse distance of the mooring weight 110 so that the mooring weight can be disposed between the right side 158A and left side 158B. The right side 158A and left side 158B can extend linearly and can have an elongated length. Therefore, substance or debris or underwater lifeforms on the floor surface 116 (e.g., sand, clay, etc.) can easily travel, pass and/or sit underneath the mooring weight 110. The skirted foundation 158 can have one or more flanges 159. The right side 158A can have a right flange 159A and the left side 158B can have a left flange 159B which together form a recessed seat for the mooring weight 110 to sit. A portion of the mooring weight 110 can extend beyond the right side 158A and left side 158B. Additionally, the right bottom edge 163A and the left bottom edge 163B can be beveled.

[0040] With continued reference to FIG. 4, the right side 158 A of the skirted foundation 158 can have one or more coupling rings 155A, 155B. The couplings rings 155A, 155B, can couple to the cable 106. Thought not shown, the right side 158A of the skirted foundation 158 can also have one or more coupling rings. The coupling rings 155A, 155B can indirectly couple the cable 106 to the mooring weight 110 without requiring coupling the cable 106 directly to the mooring weight 110. The coupling rings 155A, 155B can also couple the rings to other blocks or weights (e.g., second mooring weight 120, third mooring weight 130’) via the chain 126 or chain 136’. Furthermore, placing the mooring weight 110 on the skirted foundation 158 can reduce the structural integrity requirements (e.g., strength, density, etc.) of the mooring weight 110. The skirted foundation 158 can increase the load capacity (e.g., horizontal forces) the mooring weight 110 can withstand. Advantageously, the use of the skirted foundation 158 can reduce the number of the mooring weights or blocks in the mooring system 100. The skirted foundation 158 can enable the mooring weight 110 to exert a horizontal force on dense sands (e.g., sands where the mooring weight 110 will not penetrate without suction). Though FIGS. 3-4 are shown and described in connection with the mooring weight 110, one of skill in the art will recognize that the mooring weight 110’ and second mooring weight 120’ of mooring system 100’ can have similar, if not identical features. Further, one of skill in the art will recognize that first mooring weight 110’, the second mooring weight 120’, and the third mooring weight 130’ can have similar, if not identical features to the mooring weight shown and described in FIGS. 3-4. For example, the second mooring weight 120 and third mooring weight 130’ can also be disposed on a similar skirted foundation 158 and a similar frame 156

[0041] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the mooring weight 110. The mooring weight 110 can have a length dimension L, a height dimension D, and a width dimension B. The volume of the mooring weight 110 can be approximately 60 cubic meters. In some implementations, the length dimension L can be approximately 4 meters, the height dimension D can be approximately 3.7 meters, and the width dimension B can be approximately 4 meters. Altematively, in some implementations, the height dimension D can be 2.5 meters. The volume of the mooring weight when height dimension is 2.5 meters can be approximately 40 cubic meters. Though FIG. 5 is shown and described in connection with the mooring weight 110, one of skill in the art will recognize that the mooring weight 110’ and second mooring weight 120’ of mooring system 100’ can have similar, if not identical features. Further, one of skill in the art will recognize that the second mooring weight 120, the first mooring weight 110’, the second mooring weight 120’, and the third mooring weight 130’ can have similar, if not identical features to the mooring weight shown and described in FIG. 5.

[0042] FIGS. 6A-6B shows a perspective view of the mooring system 100 coupled to vessel 102. Before the cable 106 applies a force 108 to the mooring weight 110, the cable is in maximum position 106C. The cable 106 can then apply a force 108 (see FIG. 1) to the mooring weight 110 once the vessel 102 attempts to extend the cable 106 past maximum position 106C. The cable 106 can be in a minimum position 106A, a zero position 106B, and a maximum position 106C. The cable 106 extends from a relaxed position (e.g., the minimum position 106A where the cable 106 has slack) as the position of the vessel 102 changes. The position of the vessel 102 can change due to a current moving the vessel 102 or the vessel 102 motoring to a new position in the body of water.

[0043] FIG. 7 shows the loads applied to the mooring weight 110. The features of mooring weight 110 can be similar to the features of mooring weight 110’ or second mooring weight 120’. The mooring weight 110 can experience one or more moments about a load reference point. The mooring weight 110 can also experience and exert a horizontal force and experience or exert a vertical force on the floor surface 116 of the body of water. Advantageously, the embodiments disclosed herein reduce the moment applied to the second mooring weight 120’ (or first mooring weight 110’ and/or second mooring weight 120’ and/or third mooring weight 130’) which can increase the amount of horizontal force 122 that the second mooring weight 120 can exert on the mooring system 100. Therefore, the mooring weight 110 and second mooring weight 120 can have a smaller size or weight and still exert high horizontal forces on the floor surface 116. This can improve manufacturing, shipping, and materials costs. Additional Embodiments

[0044] In embodiments of the present invention, a mooring system may be in accordance with any of the following clauses:

Clause 1. A mooring system, comprising: a plurality of mooring weights, wherein the plurality of mooring weights includes a first mooring weight and a second mooring weight spaced apart from each other and configured for placement on a floor surface of a body of water; and a cable or chain extending between and coupling to the first mooring weight and the second mooring weight; wherein the first mooring weight is configured to be coupled to an offshore vessel via a second cable, the first mooring weight configured to apply a vertical force on the floor surface that is equivalent to and counteracts a maximum vertical buoyancy force exerted by the offshore vessel on the second cable; and wherein the second mooring weight is configured to solely apply a horizontal force on the floor surface of the body of water.

Clause 2. The mooring system of clause 1, wherein the plurality of mooring weights are a plurality of blocks.

Clause 3. The mooring system of clause 2, wherein the plurality of blocks comprise concrete.

Clause 4. The mooring system of clause 1, wherein the plurality of mooring weights have a same weight.

Clause 5. The mooring system of clause 2, wherein each of the plurality of blocks have a volume of 60 cubic meters.

Clause 6. The mooring system of clause 1, wherein the plurality of mooring weights comprise reinforced concrete.

Clause 7. The mooring system of clause 6, wherein the reinforced concrete includes rebar.

Clause 8. The mooring system of clauses 1, wherein a bottom surface of the plurality of mooring weights is a planar surface.

Clause 9. The mooring system of clause 2, wherein the plurality of blocks have a length dimension of approximately 4 meters, a height dimension of approximately 3.7 meters, and a width dimension of approximately 4 meters.

Clause 10. The mooring system of clause 1, wherein the plurality of mooring weights includes a third mooring weight spaced apart from the first mooring weight and second mooring weight and configured for placement on the floor surface of the body of water, a cable or chain extending between and coupling to the third mooring weight and the second mooring weight.

Clause 11. The mooring system of clause 1, wherein the first mooring weight is a block and the second mooring weight has one or more prongs, wherein the one or more prongs of second mooring weight is configured to grab and exert a drag force on the floor surface of the body of water.

Clause 12. The mooring system of clause 1, wherein the second cable is configured to be coupled to a top portion of the first mooring weight.

Clause 13. The mooring system of clause 1, wherein the cable or chain is coupled to a side portion of the first mooring weight and extends to and couples to a side portion of the second mooring weight.

Clause 14. The mooring system of clause 1, wherein each of the plurality of mooring weights is coupled to a frame configured to support its associated mooring weight spaced from the floor surface.

Clause 15. The mooring system of clause 1, wherein each of the plurality of mooring weights is coupled to an elongated foundation configured to support its associated mooring weight spaced from the floor surface.

Clause 16. The mooring system of clause 1, wherein the horizontal force is equivalent to a frictional force between a bottom surface of the second mooring weight and the floor surface of the body of water.

Clause 17. The mooring system of clause 16, wherein the horizontal force is a drag force.

Clause 18. A mooring system, comprising: a plurality of mooring weights, wherein the plurality of mooring weights include a first mooring weight, a second mooring weight, and a third mooring weight each spaced apart from each other and configured for placement on a floor surface of a body of water; a cable or chain extending between and coupling to the first mooring weight and the second mooring weight; a second cable or chain extending between and coupling to the third mooring weight and the second mooring weight; wherein the first mooring weight is configured to be coupled to an offshore vessel via a third cable, the first mooring weight configured to apply a vertical force on the floor surface that is equivalent to and counteracts a maximum vertical buoyancy force exerted by the offshore vessel on the third cable; wherein the second mooring weight is configured to solely apply a first horizontal force on the floor surface of the body of water; and wherein the third mooring weight is configured to solely apply a second horizontal force on the floor surface of the body of water.

Clause 19. The mooring system of clause 18, wherein each of the plurality of mooring weights have a different weight.

Clause 20. The mooring system of clause 18, wherein the first mooring weight has a different weight than the second mooring weight and the third mooring weight.

Clause 21. The mooring system of clause 18, wherein each plurality of mooring weights have a same weight.

Clause 22. The mooring system of clause 18, wherein each of the plurality of mooring weights is coupled to a frame configured to support its associated mooring weight spaced from the floor surface.

Clause 23. The mooring system of clause 22, wherein the frame is configured to prevent the plurality of mooring weights from sinking into the floor surface.

Clause 24. The mooring system of clause 18, wherein each of the plurality of mooring weights is coupled to an elongated foundation configured to support its associated mooring weight spaced from the floor surface.

[0045] While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the systems and methods described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present inventions is defined only by reference to the appended claims.

[0046] Features, materials, characteristics, or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment, or example are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described in this section or elsewhere in this specification unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The protection is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The protection extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

[0047] Furthermore, certain features that are described in this disclosure in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimed combination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and the combination may be claimed as a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

[0048] Moreover, while operations may be depicted in the drawings or described in the specification in a particular order, such operations need not be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Other operations that are not depicted or described can be incorporated in the example methods and processes. For example, one or more additional operations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or between any of the described operations. Further, the operations may be rearranged or reordered in other implementations. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in some embodiments, the actual steps taken in the processes illustrated and/or disclosed may differ from those shown in the figures. Depending on the embodiment, certain of the steps described above may be removed, others may be added. Furthermore, the features and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed above may be combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all of which fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Also, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products. [0049] For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features arc described herein. Not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the ail will recognize that the disclosure may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or a group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

[0050] Conditional language, such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

[0051] Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may be either X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require the presence of at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.

[0052] Language of degree used herein, such as the terms “approximately,” “about,” “generally,” and “substantially” as used herein represent a value, amount, or characteristic close to the stated value, amount, or characteristic that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”, “generally,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of the stated amount. As another example, in certain embodiments, the terms “generally parallel” and “substantially parallel” refer to a value, amount, or characteristic that departs from exactly parallel by less than or equal to 15 degrees, 10 degrees, 5 degrees, 3 degrees, 1 degree, or 0.1 degree.

[0053] The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited by the specific disclosures of preferred embodiments in this section or elsewhere in this specification, and may be defined by claims as presented in this section or elsewhere in this specification or as presented in the future. The language of the claims is to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to the examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive.

[0054] Of course, the foregoing description is that of certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention, to which various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Moreover, the devices described herein need not feature all of the objects, advantages, features and aspects discussed above. Thus, for example, those of skill in the art will recognize that the invention can be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or a group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. In addition, while a number of variations of the invention have been shown and described in detail, other modifications and methods of use, which are within the scope of this invention, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is contemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of these specific features and aspects of embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the discussed devices.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A mooring system, comprising: a plurality of mooring weights, wherein the plurality of mooring weights includes a first mooring weight and a second mooring weight spaced apart from each other and configured for placement on a floor surface of a body of water; and a cable or chain extending between and coupling to the first mooring weight and the second mooring weight; wherein the first mooring weight is configured to be coupled to an offshore vessel via a second cable, the first mooring weight configured to apply a vertical force on the floor surface that is equivalent to and counteracts a maximum vertical buoyancy force exerted by the offshore vessel on the second cable; and wherein the second mooring weight is configured to solely apply a horizontal force on the floor surface of the body of water.

2. The mooring system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of mooring weights are a plurality of blocks.

3. The mooring system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of blocks comprise concrete.

4. The mooring system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of mooring weights have a same weight.

5. The mooring system of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of blocks have a volume of 60 cubic meters.

6. The mooring system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of mooring weights comprise reinforced concrete.

7. The mooring system of claim 6, wherein the reinforced concrete includes rebar.

8. The mooring system of claims 1, wherein a bottom surface of the plurality of mooring weights is a planar surface.

9. The mooring system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of blocks have a length dimension of approximately 4 meters, a height dimension of approximately 3.7 meters, and a width dimension of approximately 4 meters.

10. The mooring system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of mooring weights includes a third mooring weight spaced apart from the first mooring weight and second mooring weight and configured for placement on the floor surface of the body of water, a cable or chain extending between and coupling to the third mooring weight and the second mooring weight.

11. The mooring system of claim 1, wherein the first mooring weight is a block and the second mooring weight has one or more prongs, wherein the one or more prongs of second mooring weight is configured to grab and exert a drag force on the floor surface of the body of water.

12. The mooring system of claim 1, wherein the second cable is configured to be coupled to a top portion of the first mooring weight.

13. The mooring system of claim 1, wherein the cable or chain is coupled to a side portion of the first mooring weight and extends to and couples to a side portion of the second mooring weight.

14. The mooring system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of mooring weights is coupled to a frame configured to support its associated mooring weight spaced from the floor surface.

15. The mooring system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of mooring weights is coupled to an elongated foundation configured to support its associated mooring weight spaced from the floor surface.

16. The mooring system of claim 1, wherein the horizontal force is equivalent to a frictional force between a bottom surface of the second mooring weight and the floor surface of the body of water.

17. The mooring system of claim 16, wherein the horizontal force is a drag force.

18. A mooring system, comprising: a plurality of mooring weights, wherein the plurality of mooring weights include a first mooring weight, a second mooring weight, and a third mooring weight each spaced apart from each other and configured for placement on a floor surface of a body of water; a cable or chain extending between and coupling to the first mooring weight and the second mooring weight; a second cable or chain extending between and coupling to the third mooring weight and the second mooring weight; wherein the first mooring weight is configured to he coupled to an offshore vessel via a third cable, the first mooring weight configured to apply a vertical force on the floor surface that is equivalent to and counteracts a maximum vertical buoyancy force exerted by the offshore vessel on the third cable; wherein the second mooring weight is configured to solely apply a first horizontal force on the floor surface of the body of water; and wherein the third mooring weight is configured to solely apply a second horizontal force on the floor surface of the body of water.

19. The mooring system of claim 18, wherein each of the plurality of mooring weights have a different weight.

20. The mooring system of claim 18, wherein the first mooring weight has a different weight than the second mooring weight and the third mooring weight.

21. The mooring system of claim 18, wherein each plurality of mooring weights have a same weight.

22. The mooring system of claim 18, wherein each of the plurality of mooring weights is coupled to a frame configured to support its associated mooring weight spaced from the floor surface.

23. The mooring system of claim 22, wherein the frame is configured to prevent the plurality of mooring weights from sinking into the floor surface.

24. The mooring system of claim 18, wherein each of the plurality of mooring weights is coupled to an elongated foundation configured to support its associated mooring weight spaced from the floor surface.