An improved floating offshore structure

Abstract

A mooring connection including: a linkage comprising a plurality of articulated parts, adjacent articulated parts of said linkage in pin joint engagement and arranged to pivot at the pin joint about a first axis; wherein at least one pin joint within the linkage arranged to pivot about a second axis, said second axis orthogonal to the first axis.

1 . A mooring connection including:
 a linkage comprising a plurality of articulated parts, adjacent articulated parts of said linkage in pin joint engagement and arranged to pivot at the pin joint about a first axis;   wherein at least one pin joint within the linkage arranged to pivot about a second axis, said second axis orthogonal to the first axis.   
     
     
         2 . The mooring connection according to  claim 1 , wherein one of said linkage parts is a Y-link comprising a bifurcated double flange at a first end and a single flange at an opposed end, each end forming a pin joint arranged to pivot about orthogonal axes to each other. 
     
     
         3 . The mooring connection according to  claim 1 , wherein one of said linkage parts is an H-link comprising a bifurcated double flange at each opposed end, each end forming a pin joint arranged to pivot about orthogonal axes to each other. 
     
     
         4 . The mooring connection according to  claim 1 , wherein one of said linkage parts is an adaptor plate, comprising a pair of parallel plates, and having opposed ends of the adaptor plate forming a pin joint. 
     
     
         5 . The mooring connection according to  claim 1 , wherein the mooring connection is connected at a first end to a tension leg platform, said tension leg platform including composite tendons. 
     
     
         6 . A gravity anchor for an offshore structure, said gravity anchor comprising;
 a base for contacting a seabed;   interference members arranged to project from the base and arranged to embed into the seabed.   
     
     
         7 . The gravity anchor according to  claim 6 , wherein said interference members include skirts. 
     
     
         8 . The gravity anchor according to  claim 6 , wherein said adjacent skirts are separated by a slit, said slit arranged to permit soil from the seabed to move/flow between said skirts. 
     
     
         9 . The gravity anchor according to  claim 6 , wherein said interference members include projections, said projections including any one or a combination of tubular/square/rectangular piles, rods, tubes or reinforcement bars. 
     
     
         10 . The gravity anchor according to  claim 9 , wherein each projection is in sliding engagement with a core of the gravity anchor. 
     
     
         11 . The gravity anchor according to  claim 9 , wherein each projection is mounted to the core using shear grip, the shear grip arranged to resist axial loads applied to the projection up to a rated load, whereupon said shear grip is arranged to release the projection. 
     
     
         12 . A sub-structure for an offshore structure, the sub-structure comprising:
 an inlet and an outlet, both positioned above water level;   said inlet and outlet in fluid communication through an air flow path;   said air flow path having at least a portion below the water level;   wherein the air flow path is in heat transfer communication with the water, and arranged to transfer heat from said air flow to said water.   
     
     
         13 . The sub-structure according to  claim 12 , wherein the air flow path includes heat exchange devices along the portion below the water level, said heat exchange devices arranged to increase heat transfer from the water to the air flow path. 
     
     
         14 . The sub-structure according to  claim 12 , wherein the inlet includes wind directional devices arranged to guide wind into the air flow path. 
     
     
         15 . The sub-structure according to  claim 12 , further including fans arranged to draw air into the inlet and drive said air flow through the air flow path. 
     
     
         16 . The mooring connection according to  claim 2 , wherein one of said linage parts is an H-link comprising a bifurcated double flange at each opposed end, each end forming a pin joint arranged to pivot about orthogonal axes to each other.