A ROTATING CONNECTOR FOR OPERATIVE CONNECTION BETWEEN A BUOY AND A FLOATING VESSEL FOR THE PRODUCTION OF HYDROCARBONS

A rotating connector or coupling device for interconnection between at least one fluid passage (9) through a submerged buoy (1, 2) and a pipe system on a floating vessel for the production of hydrocarbons, comprising a pair of cooperating, fluid-transferring swivel members in the form of a female member (3) and a male member (4) which may be introduced axially into or withdrawn from each other, the female member (4) being permanently fixed to the buoy (1, 2), and an electrohydraulic swivel (30) which is arranged on the top of the male swivel member (4) and comprises partly a slip-ring arrangement (37, 45) for the transfer of high electric power and electrical/optical control signals, and partly a number of hydraulic courses for the transfer of hydraulic signals. The female and male swivel members (3, 4) include cup-like housing members (60, 61) which are insertable into each other and which, at their lower ends, have coupling discs (62, 63) with cooperating connector parts (81, 82; 83, 84) forming part of respective underwater couplers (72, 73), the housing members (60, 61) being arranged to be filled with water, for submerged operation of the underwater couplers (72, 73).