Device for controlling the movement of one of the ends of an articulated fluid loading arm from a storage position to a target pipe (35) and from this target pipe (35) to the storage position, said arm comprising a fluid transfer line equipped at this end with a coupling system (26), the latter being adapted to be coupled to the target pipe (35) for the transfer of the fluid, which device comprises actuators (27-29) for controlling the movement of the arm in space from the storage position until the coupling system (26) is positioned in front of the target pipe (35) for its coupling to the latter, and from the target pipe (35) to the storage position. This device includes calculation means (41) adapted for: monitoring in real time the movement of the coupling system (26); generating, in real time, from the last determined position of the coupling system (26) a trajectory of movement of the coupling system (26) in the direction of the target pipe (35) or the storage position, based on a dynamic jerk-limited motion law; calculating command instructions to be given to each of the actuators (27-29) in order to control the movement of the coupling system (26) based on this motion law.

A loading arm device, serving in particular for loading fluids, including a main arm supported by a base station. An external arm is pivotally connected with the main arm. Further, the rear part of the main arm is connected with a counter-weight arm. A coupling element guarantees that at different swivel positions, the counter-weight arm is arranged parallel to the external arm. Further, switching elements are provided to trigger a switching operation at a maximum scissors angle between the main arm and the external arm. One of the switching elements is fixedly connected with the counter-weight arm or the external arm, and the other switching element is rotatably connected with the main arm.

Bow loading system to be installed on a forecastle deck of a first ship and comprising at least one fluid conveying pipe (118) having a valve coupler (112) at the first end of each pipe, which is intended to be connected to a complementary valve of a fluid conveying pipe of a support structure installed on a second ship; a fixed structure (120) to be fixed on the deck and forming an ascending ramp (122); a movable structure (140) movably mounted on the ramp (122) of the fixed structure and to which is linked each fluid conveying pipe (118) for moving the valve coupler (112) of each pipe from a retracted position to an extended position, in which the complementary valve can be connected to the valve coupler, and means (150) for moving the movable structure (140) from the retracted position to the extended position.

An emergency release system includes a first shut-off valve unit which is land-based; and a second shut-off valve unit which is provided for a marine vessel and separably connected to the first shut-off valve unit, and the first shut-off valve unit is provided with a reservoir container which receives liquid air generated in the first shut-off valve unit and dropped, in a state in which the second shut-off valve unit is separated from the first shut-off valve unit, and the system includes a container support mechanism which is capable of retaining the reservoir container at a retracted position in a state in which the first and second shut-off valve units are connected to each other, the container support mechanism being configured to automatically shift the reservoir container to a reserving position, in a state in which the first and second shut-off valve units are separated from each other.

An emergency release system includes a first shut-off valve unit which is land-based; and a second shut-off valve unit which is provided for a marine vessel and separably connected to the first shut-off valve unit, and the first shut-off valve unit is provided with a reservoir container which receives liquid air generated in the first shut-off valve unit and dropped, in a state in which the second shut-off valve unit is separated from the first shut-off valve unit, and the system includes a container support mechanism which is capable of retaining the reservoir container at a retracted position in a state in which the first and second shut-off valve units are connected to each other, the container support mechanism being configured to automatically shift the reservoir container to a reserving position, in a state in which the first and second shut-off valve units are separated from each other.

Bow loading system to be installed on a forecastle deck of a first ship and comprising at least one fluid conveying pipe (118) having a valve coupler (112) at the first end of each pipe, which is intended to be connected to a complementary valve of a fluid conveying pipe of a support structure installed on a second ship; a fixed structure (120) to be fixed on the deck and forming an ascending ramp (122); a movable structure (140) movably mounted on the ramp (122) of the fixed structure and to which is linked each fluid conveying pipe (118) for moving the valve coupler (112) of each pipe from a retracted position to an extended position, in which the complementary valve can be connected to the valve coupler; and means (150) for moving the movable structure (140) from the retracted position to the extended position.

A system for transferring liquid natural gas from a ship to a facility, the transfer system comprising: a hoisting device which is designed to be secured on the deck of the ship; a mobile chassis, which is supported by the hoisting device; a first on-board pipe, for transferring liquid natural gas from the ship to the facility, said first on-board pipe being supported by the mobile chassis; and a second on-board pipe for the transport of inert gas, said second on-board pipe being supported by the mobile chassis comprising a first connection element which is associated with the second duct, and being connected to the first on-board pipe between the valve and the second connection element of the first on-board pipe.

A system for transferring liquid natural gas from a ship to a facility, the transfer system comprising: a hoisting device which is designed to be secured on the deck of the ship; a mobile chassis, which is supported by the hoisting device; a first on-board pipe, for transferring liquid natural gas from the ship to the facility, said first on-board pipe being supported by the mobile chassis; and a second on-board pipe for the transport of inert gas, said second on-board pipe being supported by the mobile chassis comprising a first connection element which is associated with the second duct, and being connected to the first on-board pipe between the valve and the second connection element of the first on-board pipe.

Fluid transfer systems and processes for using same. In some embodiments, the system can include a mooring structure, a fluid swivel disposed on the mooring structure, and first and second subsea conduits configured to provide fluid communication between first and second pipelines and first and second flow paths defined by the swivel, respectively. The system can also include first and second surface conduits that can provide fluid communication between a vessel storage tank and the first and second flow paths defined by the swivel, respectively. The system can also include a crossover conduit configured to provide fluid communication between (i) the first and second surface conduits, (ii) the first and second subsea conduits, or (iii) the first subsea conduit and an optional third pipeline. The system can transfer a fluid having a boiling point that is less than an ambient temperature at atmospheric pressure to or from the storage tank.

Fluid transfer systems and processes for using same. In some embodiments, the system can include a mooring structure, a fluid swivel disposed on the mooring structure, and first and second subsea conduits configured to provide fluid communication between first and second pipelines and first and second flow paths defined by the swivel, respectively. The system can also include first and second surface conduits that can provide fluid communication between a vessel storage tank and the first and second flow paths defined by the swivel, respectively. The system can also include a crossover conduit configured to provide fluid communication between (i) the first and second surface conduits, (ii) the first and second subsea conduits, or (iii) the first subsea conduit and an optional third pipeline. The system can transfer a fluid having a boiling point that is less than an ambient temperature at atmospheric pressure to or from the storage tank.