BEARING SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR A TURRET IN MOORING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ITS INSTALLATION

摘要

A bearing support structure is disclosed for a turret (10A) mounted forrotation within a well (50A) of a moored vessel. The bearing support structurehas a turret bearing assembly (900A) which may tilt about a tilting axis(783A) relative to a lower bearing support structure (764A) mounted on thevessel. The turret bearing assembly (760A) has a retainer ring (794A) below aperipheral slot (782A) in a turret ring (102A); a segmented key (596A) fits inslot (782A). The retainer ring (794A) is supported on an annular abutment(780A) on turret ring (102A). A filler material (781A) is provided in anannular space or clearance between turret ring (102A) and retainer ring (794A)to tighten the joint therebetween. A construction method is also disclosed forfirst placing a mooring turret in the well of the vessel and later installinga bearing assembly between the vessel and the turret by lowering it over thetop of the turret.