KR20180006940A - Frame for marine energy harvester - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a platform assembly comprising a marine energy harvester, such as a tidal turbine and a frame. The frame includes a buoyant fluid material and has a chamber for serving as a buoyancy device and is adapted to be converted into a ballast device during installation of the platform assembly. The chamber serves the dual purpose of providing buoyancy during deployment to the installation site and providing a ballast that acts on the platform assembly following the installation of the platform assembly at the installation site. The chamber is movable relative to the base of the frame and has guide posts adapted to guide movement of the chamber relative to the base. The guide posts may optionally be removed from the frame after converting the chamber into a ballast device.

Description

Frame for marine energy harvester

The present invention relates to a buoyancy frame and a buoyancy frame for such buoyancy in a method for the transportation, installation and disassembly of marine energy harvesters, such as tidal turbines and wave energy converters. Frame. ≪ / RTI >

The harnessing of energy in moving fluids using tidal turbines, wave energy converters, etc. is a well known concept. One embodiment of the tidal turbine takes the form of a nacelle comprising generator components to which a propeller-style rotating blade assembly is connected, and the nacelle is connected to a support triangular base. The rotation of the blades drives the generator. Alternatively, the base may have a single foot.

The nacelle and base are typically modular and are transported from the discrete state to the installation site where the base is seated and positioned in position before the nacelle is lowered onto the base for connection of the two components And ballasted or anchored. The tidal turbines are individually installed and due to the size of the tidal turbines, only a small number of tidal turbines can be carried by the shipping vessel at a time, making installation expensive and time consuming.

U.S. Patent Application No. US 2014/0137789 is useful for understanding the present invention.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester, the frame comprising a buoyant fluid material and adapted to act as a buoyancy device, At least one frame member adapted for attachment of the chamber, the chamber adapted to be converted into a ballast device during installation of the platform assembly.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester, the frame including a buoyant fluid material and adapted to act as a buoyancy device, Wherein the chamber is adapted to be converted to a ballast device during installation of the platform assembly; The frame includes at least one guide post engaging the chamber and the chamber is movable relative to the frame along a path defined by the at least one guide post as the buoyancy of the chamber changes.

The present invention also provides a frame for supporting a marine energy harvester, the frame comprising a buoyant fluid material and adapted for attachment of at least one chamber adapted to serve as a buoyancy device, Member, and the chamber is adapted to be converted to a ballast device during installation of the frame.

The marine energy harvester is optionally a tidal turbine, but other embodiments may include a wave energy converter. Marine Energy Harvester is an optional coastal marine energy harvester that converts algae stream motion into electrical energy. The marine energy harvester is optionally deployed in a submarine environment, while other examples may be deployed in rivers or other aquatic environments.

The chamber optionally serves the dual purpose of providing buoyancy during deployment to the installation site and providing a ballast that acts on the platform assembly following installation of the platform assembly at the installation site.

Optionally, the chamber is dimensioned to provide sufficient ballast for the platform assembly when flooded after installation, and optionally no additional balusting operations are required. Optionally, the chamber may include sufficient ballast material (optionally ballast material) having a suitably high specific gravity to provide sufficient ballast for the platform assembly without relying on other ballasts to be added to the platform assembly The size can be increased to accommodate in the chamber. Optionally, the chamber may be increased in size to accommodate additional ballast material selectively added to the frame members prior to load-out and, optionally, to the compartments of the buoyancy chambers. Alternatively, the flowable ballast may be a liquid having a specific gravity greater than the seawater at the time of deployment (which, optionally, may be set to a solid material after deployment). In certain instances, separate ballast (grout, cement, iron ore, etc.) may be added to the chamber and / or frame member, which may be selectively flowable and / or may be configurable after flow. Optionally, this separate ballast may be added prior to load-out. Optionally, this separate ballast may be added to the chamber after installation of the platform assembly.

Optionally, the frame comprises a base disposed between at least two frame members. Optionally, the base comprises at least two base members, wherein at least two base members are optionally arranged vertically between at least two frame members and optionally extend between at least two frame members. Optionally, the base members may optionally include fixtures such as lugs, sockets, threads or padeyes for connecting a structure for supporting the power converter, such as a tidal turbine nacelle, to the base members. Respectively. Optionally, the fixtures are spaced apart on the base members. Alternatively, the support structure for the power converter may be integrally formed with the frame.

Optionally, each frame member includes at least one guide post that can be selectively releasably secured to the platform assembly. The guide posts may be attached to, for example, a frame member. Optionally, the guide posts are permanently attached to the frame member, for example by welding. Optionally, the guide posts pass through a chamber, e.g., a pipe or lined aperture through the chamber, thereby securing the chamber to the frame member while maintaining buoyancy.

Optionally, the pipe through the chamber and the guide posts may have alignment devices to assist in the alignment and assembly of the pipes and posts; In one example, the pipe can be inclined at one end. In one example, the pipe flared into a bellmouth shape at one or both ends of the pipe. Optionally, the bellmouth of the pipe adjacent to the frame member engages the guide post to accommodate misalignment between the guide post and the pipe after the chamber is disposed on the guide post. Optionally, the pipe receiving the guide post and the guide post is engaged at opposite ends of the pipe. Other alignment mechanisms may be used. Optionally, the alignment devices do not protrude beyond the outer surface of the chamber in the assembled platform assembly, but this is an option. The guide posts may optionally be removed from the frame, while optionally the chamber is connected to or continuous with the frame.

Optionally, the guide post is received within the bore of the frame member. Optionally, the bore is lined with a liner and the guide post is supported by the liner along at least a portion of the length of the aperture and optionally along the entire length of the frame member through the frame member. The liner may include a tubular pipe welded bore through a frame member that serves to support the guide post across the diameter of the frame member. Optionally, the guide post is releasably secured to the frame member by, for example, a guide pin, optionally with more than one guide pin, by a latching device, which laminates the aperture through the frame member and the guide post, Through the pipe. Optionally, the guide post may be releasably secured to the frame by a hydraulic latch. Optionally, the frame member and the guide posts may incorporate alignment devices to assist in alignment and assembly of the frame members and posts.

Optionally, a restraint device in the form of a cap is fixed to the guide post at the end of the guide post, which is selectively spaced from the frame member to define the movement of the buoyancy device relative to the guide post. Optionally, the cap may have an inclined surface with a larger diameter end having a larger diameter than the lined aperture, e.g., conical, extending radially away from the post at an oblique angle, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > bellmouth < / RTI > of the lapped aperture. In another example, the cap may have a flat surface, such as a plate that extends radially beyond the diameter of the lined aperture and optionally radially relative to the post, so engagement between the two may limit relative movement. Optionally, the pipe may have a flange that engages the plate. Alternatively, the restraint device may be disposed on the top of the guide post and only when the chamber is in an elevated position at or near the top of the guide posts, i. E. When the chamber is acting as a buoyancy device and is filled with buoyant fluid And the chamber. The inclined surface of the confinement device interfaces between the guide post and the lined aperture in the chamber, which is sufficient to allow satisfactory tracking of the chamber under the guide post when the chamber is moving into the ballast position Gaps can be advantageously incorporated which can advantageously have the effect of reducing or preventing relative movement between the posts and the chamber when the restraint device is fully engaged.

Optionally, the constraining device is located in the chamber. Optionally, the restraint device is located at the top of the guide post, or alternatively at the bottom. Optionally, the restraint device is located at the top of the chamber, or alternatively at the bottom. Optionally, the constraining device is located outside the chamber.

Optionally, when the platform assembly floats, the chamber moves freely along the path defined by the guide posts, optionally as the buoyancy of the chamber changes. Optionally, the chamber comprises: a first transport configuration wherein the chamber serves as a buoyancy device and includes a first position at an end of the guide post disposed away from the frame member; And is movable to a second installation configuration that includes a second position adjacent or continuous with the frame member. Optionally, the chamber may occupy any position between the first position and the second position during movement of the chamber or frame. Optionally, the chamber comprises a buoyancy chamber. Optionally, the buoyancy chamber is partially filled with fluids of varying density to increase or decrease the buoyancy of the chamber and hence the platform assembly. Optionally, the buoyancy chamber is completely filled with fluids that may be of variable density.

Optionally, the chamber comprises more than one compartment. Alternatively, in different compartments, variable density fluids may optionally be included in an odd number of compartments, e.g., three, five, or more. Optionally, the chamber has a larger central compartment with a larger volume, the smaller compartments having a smaller volume than the central compartment on either side. Alternatively, the compartments are equally sized. Optionally, each compartment has its own flood and vent valves. Optionally, only a portion of the compartments have flood and vent valves, for example, if the compartment is permanently ballasted, no valves are required.

Alternatively, the compartments disposed on either side of the main compartment may be configured to include a ballast, e.g., seawater, or alternatively an iron ore slurry, grout, cement, agglomerate, or the like. Optionally, each of the outermost compartments is filled with ballast before the load-out. Optionally, the compartments of the chamber are symmetrically balanced about the center of the chamber. Optionally, the central compartment or compartments are at least partially filled with air. Alternatively or additionally, the ballast may optionally be loaded into an inner compartment spaced from the outermost end of the chamber and closer to the guide posts, optionally coinciding with the guide posts so that the guide posts pass through the compartments . Optionally, the ballast of the chamber is arranged symmetrically about the center of the chamber.

Integrating the compartments in the chamber controls the maximum weight of the chamber when the central compartment is fully ballasted. Because the density of the media is known, the descent of the chamber can be predicted and controlled by the flooding rate of one or more of the zones. Control of compartmentalization and maximum underwater weight has advantages for contingency and interventional operations. For example, sizing the main compartment of the chamber such that when the compartment is fully flooded, the underwater mass of the chamber is in a manageable amount (e.g., up to about 20 t), the chamber is caught in the guide post, winch to facilitate lower and / or more predictable interventional operations in case of accidental intervention by the winch from the installation vessel to lower the tank below the support. Optionally, partitioning of the chamber into segments of known size, each with its own valve (s), means that the winch required to perform the intervention task may be smaller and simpler. In certain instances with sections, valves can be opened that can flood different compartments sequentially up to the entire volume up to a limited volume of ballast with a lower dependence on the ROV support. For example, the valves may be flooded without necessarily requiring ROV control or even ROV compliance. This eliminates or mitigates the ROV requirement to shut off the float valves in the non-compartmented chamber when the chamber begins to move. The compartmenting also has the advantage that venting of the chambers during disassembly and the residual ballast after venting are predictable.

Optionally, the chamber may be latched to the frame in a ballast configuration after installation.

Optionally, movement of the chamber relative to the frame during installation may optionally be associated with guide posts and may be controlled by a control device controlling the movement of the chamber relative to the frame to decelerate the chamber as the chamber approaches the frame (E.g., limited) to at least a portion of the path between the first position and the second position.

Optionally, the control device is configured to control the movement of the chamber, such as a gas spring, a hydraulic piston arrangement, a coil spring, or any other mechanism capable of reducing the impact between the chamber and the frame upon contact, Other elastic devices may be included. Optionally, the control device may incorporate a telescopic section, e.g., a telescopic material section of the guide post. Optionally, the telescopic material section can retract or retract with respect to a force applied by a spring, which can be selectively energized by compression, for example during shrinkage of the elastic material section. Optionally, the control device may comprise a hydraulic actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder and a piston arrangement, which may be selectively located in the guide post and capable of driving or controlling a change in configuration between the extended configuration of the speed reducer device and the retracted configuration have. The control device may enable soft landing by controlling the landing of the chamber on the frame. The installation ship winch may then serve as a backup and in some instances need not be used as a primary control for the movement of the chamber relative to the frame. The mechanism enabling the controlled movement of the chamber may optionally be controlled by a remotely operated vehicle (ROV).

Optionally, the control device may include a mechanical or hydraulic component associated with a guide post having a physical connection to the buoyancy tank such that the buoyancy tank experiences a controlled lowering to its ballast position when there is a negative buoyancy. have.

Optionally, the control device may be remote from the guide posts and the hydraulic / mechanical soft landing system may be integrated into one or more of the chamber cradles.

Optionally, the buoyancy device is converted to a ballast for the platform assembly by partially or optionally partially filling the buoyancy chamber with a fluid of greater or equal density than the surrounding seawater.

Optionally, each frame member includes at least one cradle for the chamber when the device is filled with dense fluid to convert the chamber from a buoyancy device to a ballast device for the platform assembly. Optionally, each cradle includes a support, optionally an arcuate support, for retaining the chamber when converted to ballast, which may help resist the rolling movement. Optionally, the cradle includes a structural web (optionally in the form of a tubular duct shaped to match the arcuate surfaces of the frame member and the support) disposed below the support, which reinforces the cradle and, under the force of the ballast, Lt; / RTI > Optionally, the web and the support are optionally supported by a support stub extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame member and selectively operative to support the chamber on the cradle.

Optionally, the buoyancy device is lowered to the ballast position by increasing the weight of the device when it is wholly or partially filled with a fluid of greater or equal density than the surrounding seawater. Optionally, the buoyancy device is mechanically lowered to the ballast position. Optionally, the buoyancy device is generally lowered from the installation vessel, optionally using winches after ballasting. Optionally, the buoyancy device is triggered to be lowered or lowered using hydraulic means. Optionally, the buoyancy device is lowered by remotely actuating such hydraulic means by, for example, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV).

Optionally, when the chamber comprises a plurality of compartments, the central compartment of the chamber is dimensioned such that the chamber optionally has a gross weight in water of approximately 20 t when the central chamber is selectively flooded with seawater ballast. Optionally, in this example, there is no requirement to monitor or perform the flooding of the chamber by ROV. Optionally, the descent of the chambers optionally under the at least one guide post can be monitored by at least one monitoring device, such as an acoustic transceiver. Optionally, depth readings are transmitted from the acoustic transceiver and remotely monitored.

Optionally, the acoustic transceiver forms part of an acoustic telemetry system. Optionally, the coded acoustic signal is transmitted from the installation vessel and received by the acoustic transceiver. Optionally, the signal is transmitted from the ROV. Optionally, the acoustic telemetry system includes an electronic control pod connected to a solenoid actuated hydraulic valve pack. Optionally, when the coded acoustic signal is received by the acoustic transceiver, the transceiver transmits an electrical signal to the electronic control pod. Optionally, hydraulic power is supplied by a bank of charged accumulators selectively connected in the hydraulic circuits. Optionally, the hydraulic circuits control the actuation of the flood and vent valves on the chamber compartments.

Alternatively, other parameters may be monitored by readings from the acoustic transceiver, e.g., pitch, roll, or azimuth heading. Alternatively, these readings are monitored during a towing operation. Optionally, they are monitored during installation of the platform assembly. Optionally, the readings are transmitted using at least one direct control umbilical. Optionally, the direct control umbilical is connected directly to the electronic control pod. Optionally, the direct control umbilical is installed on the platform assembly prior to load-out and, optionally, routed to the tugs. Optionally, the direct control umbilical is pre-installed on at least one chamber and, optionally, is connected to the control pod. Optionally, the umbrella is released and retrieved by the installation vessel.

Optionally, the compartmentalized chamber may be used simultaneously with the winch system. Optionally, the winch controls the initial fall of the chamber. Optionally, the winch causes the chamber to lower on the control device.

Optionally, the telescopic material cylinder assembly can be connected to the buoyancy device, which can selectively maintain a state connected to the upper stretchable material section of the post during the movement of the chamber relative to the frame. Optionally, this connection can optionally be disconnected after installation, to enable retrieval of the guide posts.

Optionally, the guide posts may be removably attached to the frame member and removed from the frame member after the chamber is filled with ballast fluid and, optionally, when it is re-positioned and transformed as a ballast device adjacent the frame. Optionally, the guide posts are secured to the frame by latch mechanisms and can be released by mechanical release of the latch mechanisms. Optionally, the latch mechanisms are activated and non-activated by mechanical or hydraulic devices. Optionally, the latch mechanisms may include hydraulic devices and are released by hydraulic means. Optionally, the latch mechanisms that secure the guide posts on the frame can be released by the ROV and selectively removed from the frame by ROV or by the installation vessel. Optionally, the guide posts continue to maintain a state attached to the frame member, after the chamber is filled with ballast fluid and, optionally, when it is re-positioned and transformed as a ballast device adjacent the frame. Optionally, the guide posts are non-removably attached to the frame member.

Optionally, the tidal turbine or other marine energy harvester may be attached to discrete locations on the umbilicals that may be spaced on the umbilicals along the length of the umbilicals, for example during lifting, Or at least one (optionally independent and / or temporary) buoyancy devices of greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold. Optionally, the power umbilical is connected at one end to a marine energy harvester, such as a tide turbine nacelle, with the opposite end of the umbilical being disconnected. Optionally, the opposite end of the power umbilical is connected to the power distribution manifold after installation of the platform assembly. In certain instances, the power umbilical can be connected in series between the deployed sequential marine energy harvesters. In other instances, the free ends of the power umbilicals may be connected to the power manifold of the field. The free end of the umbilical can be stored during deployment, on the frame, or adjacent to the frame. When the power umbilicals are connected in series between successive platform assemblies, the power umbilicals can optionally be connected between the opposing (opposite) sides of the frames so that the marine energy converters in the sequential platform assemblies are in line with each other And are spaced apart in a staggered arrangement with respect to each other to ensure a maximum clearance between the tow line and the umbilical during towing operations. Optionally, a bend restrictor may be provided at any frame of the platform assembly, in the vicinity thereof, or remotely therefrom, in order to maintain the power umbilical to a desired configuration and avoid damage to the umbilical. Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > powerumbilical < / RTI >

Optionally, the platform assemblies can be installed in a staggered arrangement on the seabed, which can help to reduce turbulence for sequential later devices and thereby maximize the output of sequential offshore energy converters. Optionally, when sequential platform assemblies are landed on the seabed, one of the towing lines (e.g., trailing tugboats) that manage the towing array may apply an anchored offset lateral force to the installed turbine, And can land-out the second turbine at a direction offset.

Optionally, the frame includes at least one anchor point for securing the tow line from the lead boat to the platform assembly for deployment.

The present invention also provides a method of transporting and deploying a marine energy harvester to a site of installation, the method comprising: connecting a marine energy harvester to a frame to form a platform assembly; Float the platform in water by flooding the platform assembly and providing at least one buoyancy device attached to at least one frame member of the frame; Towing the platform assembly to an installation site; Lowering the platform assembly to its installation location on the ocean floor; And ballasting the platform assembly using the dense fluid of the buoyancy device.

Optionally, the frame may have a buoyant fluid, such as a secondary buoyancy chamber that can be filled with air. The secondary chamber optionally forms a portion of the frame, e.g., a horizontal or vertical member on the frame, such as a nacelle support. The secondary buoyancy chamber advantageously does not move relative to the frame. The secondary chamber may have at least one (and optionally more than one) valve or other flow controller to allow adjustment of the buoyant fluid volume in the secondary chamber. Buoyancy can be controlled in the secondary chamber to trim or adjust the total buoyancy of the platform assembly, e.g., at the time of towing, and can be controlled in the secondary chamber, particularly when the buoyancy requirements may be different, It is useful in different states. Additional buoyancy of the platform member during initial surface towing operations can lift the nacelle of the marine energy converter out of the water and provide a shallower draft for a platform assembly suitable for shallow water towers. Optionally, the secondary member is flooded to control buoyancy of the platform assembly. Optionally, the secondary member is filled with fluid with buoyancy during operations, which are surface examples.

Optionally, lowering the platform assembly to the seabed includes reducing buoyancy in the buoyancy chambers that are secondary or optionally third or more acting on the frame. Optionally, lowering the platform assembly includes increasing the density of the fluid in the secondary buoyancy chamber.

Optionally, the frame may include a vibration controller, such as a strake or a fairing, which acts as a vortex-induced vibration controller. The VIV struts or pairs may be integrated on the frame member.

Optionally, during the load-out from the pier and prior to launch, the chamber (s) are supported on the cradles on the frame members. The guide posts are secured to the frame at their bases and have their upper ends, optionally constraining devices that are fitted and fixed over the chambers. The guide posts pass through the lined apertures of the chambers and are releasably latched by the frame members. Prior to flooding, the marine energy harvester is selectively attached to the frame. During flooding, two or more cranes, optionally with at least one crane, optionally one on each side of the frame, are connected to the frame by at least one winch line to lower the frame . Optionally, as the platform assembly is lowered into the water, the chambers begin to move away from the frame members along a path defined by the guide posts and maintain buoyancy as the platform assembly is lowered into the water. The platform assembly is advantageously lowered to a level posture by the crane or cranes, the movement of the chambers on the guide posts and the lowering speed of the frame are controllable by varying the speed of the crane winches. The weight is gradually transferred from the cranes to the chambers until the winch line is loosened and at this point the buoyant chambers are located at the top of the guide posts held in place by the restraint devices in the form of caps , A frame supported by the buoyant chambers in the water is used to maintain the platform assembly in place. The guide posts themselves are selectively latched to the frame members. Alignment devices stabilize the relative movement of various parts (e.g., chambers and guide posts) and improve the stability of the marine energy harvester supported by the frame.

Optionally, during delivery when the chamber is lifted, the bellmouth of the lined apertures through the chambers may be moved to a conical restraining device (or other) on the guide post to increase the stability of the buoyant chambers relative to the rest of the platform assembly Alignment system).

Optionally, the load-out of the frame with / without the marine energy harvester can be performed from the dry dock facility, and the frames float out when the dry dock is flooded. Optionally, the ballast chambers in the structural members of the frame may be filled with ballast, such as agglomerates, cement, grout, or the like, prior to load-out. Optionally, as the frames enter the water and the water level rises around the frame, the chambers float the guide posts.

Optionally, the at least two platform assemblies are linked together by at least one tow line (optionally more than one tow line) and are towed to the installation site at one time. Optionally, several, such as three, four, or five, platform assemblies are linked together by a single tow line between each sequential pair and are towed to the installation site in a daisy-chain. Optionally, the platform assembly or assemblies are towed along the sea surface and submerged in place at the installation site. Optionally, the platform assemblies or assemblies are towed underwater on the seabed and optionally under a wave affected zone, the towing being selectively carried out by a single vessel, and optionally by a ship, It is done by ring towed ships. Optionally, ballast devices, such as clumpweights (e.g., chains), are attached to or at each of the tow lines between the platform assemblies. Alternatively, the clump weights may be provided to a tow line between the towing vessels and the platform assemblies to form an in-water tow configuration optionally having at least one non-linear tow line (e.g., v-shape) between sequential platform assemblies Or to each of them. Optionally, one or more of the tow lines to which the clump weights are attached employ a v-shaped configuration in an underwater tow configuration and have the lowest point at the clump weight attachment point. Optionally, this arrangement assists in the stability of the towed array of platform assemblies. Optionally, such an arrangement may act as a motion damper to reduce impacts to be delivered to the platform assemblies in other manners, and may minimize the tow line movement and the overall towing force. The arrangement also increases compliance between the platform assemblies in the towed array, since different assemblies of the array can move more freely relative to one another while being towed. The towed arrangement in the water also reduces fatigue on the components of the tow lines and platform assemblies. Optionally, the platform assemblies are continuously towed. Continuous towing of the platform assemblies in an underwater configuration is particularly advantageous when connected by non-linear tow lines, e. G. V-shaped tow lines, having ballast devices between successive platform assemblies, Because the assemblies tend to vibrate in water in a tuning manner, optionally in opposite directions, for example. For example, when one platform assembly rises through a water column with respect to the surface and seabed, successive adjacent assemblies tend to descend selectively. This opposite movement of successive adjacent assemblies tends to equalize the loads on the tow lines, increase compliance, and additionally, reduce fatigue in the system. It also tends to limit the amplitude of the movements of the assemblies, so as to resist the continuous descent or rise of any particular assembly or group of assemblies, which can lead to the possibility of collusion with floating debris on the surface And the risk of falling to the undersea (where there is a potential for collision with submarine formations) and drag.

Optionally, the buoyancy devices are latched in the guide posts by the latch device during towing and, optionally, while lowering the frame to the underwater substrate to prevent movement of the tanks over and below the axes of the posts. Optionally, the latch may be deactivated after landing of the frame on the substrate in water and before movement of the buoyancy devices. The restraint device at the top of the posts that allows sliding movements of the tanks beneath the posts but inhibits the disconnection of the tanks from the posts optionally retains the tanks on the posts in the event of inactivity of the latches. Optionally, the buoyancy devices are latched to the upper portion of the guide posts.

Optionally, when the platform assembly is at the installation site, the chamber (s) are at least partially filled with a fluid having a density greater than seawater. Optionally, this partial filling with a fluid of a density above seawater may have been performed prior to towing. Alternatively, the fluid of density above sea water may be an iron ore slurry or the like. Optionally, the fluid of density above sea water may be a grout, cement, aggregate, or the like. Optionally, both the ballast compartments and the chambers in the frame-based structural members may be at least partially filled with a dense fluid, such as iron ore slurry, grout, cement, agglomerates, etc., prior to towing.

The addition of the ballast prior to the load-out and, optionally, the increased size of the buoyancy chambers provides the advantage that the required height of the chambers to achieve stability of the platform assembly during towing, particularly during underwater towing, is reduced . In this example, this may then be the case where the guide posts are not removed but can be left in position after installation.

Optionally, the filling of the chamber (s) with the higher density fluid is optionally controlled from the ROV or remotely from the installation vessel. Optionally, the fluid may alternatively be seawater passively accepted from the local environment around the platform assembly on the sea bed, or the fluid may be more dense than seawater and may be, for example, drilling and, optionally, And may be actively pumped from a remote storage that may optionally be mounted. Optionally, an ROV is utilized to open the flood and vent valves on the chamber (s). Optionally, the chamber (s) are only partially filled with increased density fluid to maintain some buoyancy. Optionally, when the chamber (s) is partially filled with fluid, the ROV closes the flood and vent valves.

Partial flooding of the chambers (generally by manual acceptance of seawater at this stage) reduces buoyancy in the chambers, and the platform assembly becomes negative buoyancy as a whole, and in a selectively controlled manner, Sink to the substrate in water. Optionally, the platform assembly can be supported during the descent to the substrate in the water at the installation site, optionally by a winch, which may be on the installation vessel. Optionally, the rate of descent can be controlled by adjusting the buoyancy in the tanks. Then, while the platform assembly is wholly negative buoyancy, the chambers themselves are still positively buoyant. Thus, on a substrate in the water, for example on the underside, the chambers are optionally still partially filled with buoyant fluid and have a positive buoyancy on their own, and are therefore still spaced from the frame And the upper ends of the guide posts, in engagement with the restraint devices on the upper ends of the guide posts. Partial buoyancy in the chambers can optionally be used to stabilize the assembly and limit its descending rate (or its weight) while lowering to the substrate in water.

Instead of filling the buoyancy chambers with seawater or a denser fluid, in some instances, the buoyancy chambers may have at least some buoyancy, and the change in buoyancy may optionally be adjusted by accepting seawater into the secondary chamber, Can be achieved by reducing the buoyancy of the car buoyancy chamber. Optionally, the secondary chamber is stationary on the frame. Optionally, the secondary chamber is positioned symmetrically on the frame. Optionally, the secondary chamber may be flooded with a single valve actuation. Optionally, the secondary chamber may be flooded with more than one valve actuation. Alternatively, different compartments or chambers may be flooded at different times. Optionally, the secondary chamber is flooded to make the platform assembly negative buoyancy. Optionally, the secondary chamber can include a frame member that can be internally reinforced to retain pressure. Optionally, the secondary chamber may be connected to the frame member. Optionally, the flooding operation may be performed by remote acoustic actuation.

Optionally, during the installation procedure, the ROV may dock with a platform assembly, optionally a docking plate located on the frame of the platform assembly. Optionally, the ROV thrust may be used to control the heading of the platform assembly during landing operations. Optionally, the ROV docking plate may include a docking point for the ROV for control of landing operations and, optionally, at least one of the structural members of the frame, such as flooding and vents on a ballast / buoyancy chamber disposed within the central structural member or members It acts as a docking point for ROV for operations.

Once the platform assembly is in place on the underwater substrate, the chambers are then optionally converted from buoyancy devices to ballast devices by displacement of the buoyant fluid by denser fluids acting as ballast. First, the chambers are lowered to their ballast arrangements as follows: optionally, at least one winch is deployed over the side of the installation vessel (or alternatively the A-frame) and at least one winch line is rigidly So that the chamber can be supported and controlled while the chamber is lowered into the frame. Optionally, the control device decelerates the chambers and provides soft landing on the frame. Optionally, a motion compensator device, such as a crane master device, may be provided in each winch line to reduce the effects of vessel heave when lowering the chamber towards the frame. Alternatively, at least one winch (with a bridle rigging arrangement that supports both ends of the chamber with the rods being centered between the chamber ends) may be more effective for lowering the chamber toward the frame Is provided for each chamber for control. Optionally, the ROV is used to connect the winch line to the chamber. Optionally, the winch line is connected to the pre-installed rigging on the chamber, and the line first becomes loose. Optionally, the ROV optionally reopens the flood and vent valves of the chamber (s) to continue flooding by the seawater accepted from the surrounding environment, optionally alternatively, it may provide a denser fluid from a local or remote reservoir Lt; / RTI > Optionally, the position of the chamber is optionally monitored by the ROV, and when the chamber becomes negative buoyancy and begins to move the guide posts down, the slack is lost on the winch. Optionally, the winchline tension is used to evaluate the underwater weight of the chamber while maintaining the position of the chamber relative to the frame member.

Optionally, once the chamber is negative buoyancy and sinkable under its own weight, the winch line is paid out and the chamber selectively moves the guide posts down toward the frame member. Optionally, each chamber is simultaneously flooded. Optionally, each chamber is individually lowered by the winch. Optionally, more than one (e.g., each) chamber is simultaneously lowered. Optionally, this movement is controlled by the payout rate of the winchline.

Optionally, once the winch load has reached a predetermined value, e.g., a predetermined value in the range of 5t-20t, the ROV closes the flood and vent valves such that the chamber density is not further increased, Helps to avoid. Optionally, the winch line is then unwound to lower the chamber below the guide posts until the chamber is received by the cradle on the frame member. Optionally, the winch is then disconnected and the ROV reopens the flood and vent valves to completely flood the chamber with the denser fluid. Optionally, once the chamber is completely filled, its use is fully converted into a ballast for the platform assembly and then operates as a ballast device.

Optionally, the second chamber is then flooded and lowered in exactly the same way as the first chamber. Optionally, the second chamber is first flooded simultaneously with the first chamber to ensure stability of the platform assembly. Optionally, the ROV closes the flood and vent valves in the second chamber when it is still positive buoyancy and is located at the top of the guide post.

Alternatively, in scenarios in which the winch is not used, the chambers are first lowered to their ballast configurations as follows: ROV actuates flood and vent valves on selected chambers, optionally on selected chambers in the chamber, To float freely. Optionally, the chamber reaches negative buoyancy and descends into the guide posts. Optionally, the control devices operate to decelerate the chamber, and then the chamber is optionally received by the cradles on the frame member without surface intervention. The separated chambers optionally have separate floud valves on each compartment, allowing each compartment to flood by sequentially opening each valve.

Once the platform assembly is in place in the substrate of the water, the chambers are converted from the buoyancy devices to the ballast devices by the displacement of the buoyant fluid as the denser fluid acts as the ballast. This may be seawater in some instances, but in some instances the fluid used for the final ballasting is more dense than the fluid of the surrounding environment and displaces the seawater from the chambers in a favorable manner. The denser fluid may be pumped, actively or passively flowed, and optionally through a conduit connecting the reservoir for the dense fluid and the flood valve on the chamber, and the reservoir may optionally be located on a mounting vessel have. Optionally, the chambers are at least partially filled with fluids having different states, e.g., gravels or slurries, including solid solids in liquid phase acting as a fluid that is generally flowable, but solids mixed with liquids. An example is iron ore gravel where the iron ore gravel can be flowed into the chambers to ballast them during load-out or during installation prior to deployment of the platform assembly into the water, to flow the liquid phase out of the chambers, By leaving at least some of the solid particulate material in place, it can be partially deballasted upon disassembly.

Optionally, one or more chambers are ballasted by pumping with a borehole. Optionally, one or more chambers are ballasted with cement. Optionally, one or more of the chambers may be ballasted by a fluid that maintains a fluid state during the operating lives of the tidal turbine, and may be pumped out of one or more chambers during disassembly of the platform assembly.

Optionally, when the chambers are balled and supported by the cradles on the frame member, the guide pins and guide posts that secure the guide posts themselves are removed and removed from the frame member and optionally retrieved by the installation vessel. Optionally, the chamber is connected to the frame member after removal of the guide posts. Optionally, the chamber is connected to the frame member by mechanical connection, optionally by hydraulic connection. Optionally, the chamber is connected to the frame member by a fin. Optionally, the connection is lockable.

Optionally, the installation vessel recovers clump weights and tow lines between the platform assemblies after installation.

Optionally, the frame is supported on a substrate in water by, for example, mudmats disposed on the underside of the frame. Optionally, the frame is landed directly on the underwater substrate.

In another example, some of the frames, optionally with tidal turbines connected, and optionally with power umbilicals, are loaded with a submersible or barge. The frames are then optionally transported to an assembly site, optionally near the installation site. Optionally, the frames are offloaded at the configured platform assembly and assembly locations. Optionally, the assembled platform assemblies are then towed by towers to an installation site for installation. This assembly method is expected to be useful, for example, where the fabrication site of the frames is too far from the installation site during the duration of the actual instance.

The present invention further provides a method for dismantling a frame for supporting a marine energy harvester installed in an underwater installation site, the frame including at least one chamber comprising a buoyant material and adapted to act as a buoyancy device , This method is:

Increasing the buoyancy of the platform assembly by reducing the density of the fluid contained in the at least one chamber and raising the platform assembly over its underwater installation location,

And towing the frame to a disassembly location.

Optionally, the method includes selectively recovering the power converter in a nacelle form, and optionally selectively withdrawing the umbilical from the frame by the disassembled vessel prior to withdrawal of the frame. Optionally, the method comprises constructing clump weights between the tow lines and optionally the previously described frames in relation to ballast devices, such as installation. Optionally, the method includes mechanically connecting the chamber (s) to the frame, optionally after removal of the guide posts, optionally after installation, prior to the step of towing the frame to a disassembly location. Alternatively, the frames are in the water and are connected in series during the towing step.

Optionally, to disassemble, the installation procedure can be reversed completely and the entire assembly including the power converter (e.g., nacelle) and umbilicals can be towed to the disassembly location. Optionally, the guide posts can be reinstalled and the buoyancy chambers can be raised above the frame, but in some instances, when the buoyancy chambers are adjacent to the frame and are converted to ballast chambers during the installation procedure, And can be selectively maintained in its fixed continuous configuration during disassembly. Alternatively, the chambers may be secured to the frame during the disassembly process.

Optionally, the modular sections of the platform assembly, such as turbine nacelle and power umbilical, are detached from the frame and are recovered by the disassembled vessel before the platform re-floats.

Optionally, the disassembly vessel installs tow lines and clump weights between the platform assemblies (without nacelle and power umbilicals), which are optionally connected by ROV.

Optionally, the ROV floated in water from the disassembled vessels may connect the fluid lines to the chambers and then open the valves to pump out a portion of the ballast fluid contained in the chambers and transfer the air or other fluids less dense than water To replace the volume of fluid removed. Optionally, when a portion of the fluid is removed, the chambers are once again converted into buoyancy devices. Optionally, when a portion of the fluid is removed, the ROV closes the valves. Optionally, the ROV monitors the pumping operation and when the frame is reliably buoyant and floats up from the seabed in a controlled manner, the pumping operation is stopped and the ROV closes the valves. Optionally, this operation is repeated for 2, 3, 4 or 5 platform assemblies. Optionally, the buoyancy is controlled such that the frame floats above the seabed but optionally floats below the zone affected by the wave.

Optionally, the frame optionally includes releasable ballast weights for use in the disassembly process. Optionally, release of the ballast weights during disassembly complements incomplete venting in the chamber (s) and optionally ballast / buoyancy compartments within the frame.

Optionally, the at least one vessel may then successively tow the frames in water or in a surface configuration, in the same manner as described in the installation of the platform assemblies, optionally with lines of the V-shaped tow as described above.

In one example, during disassembly, the power converter (e.g., nacelle) and umbilicals may be removed by a disassembled vessel, and the ballast chambers may be mechanically coupled to the frame to enable collecting the frames and chambers together. The guide posts may optionally be removed after installation and may be retrieved to one of the installation steps. Likewise, the mechanical connection between the ballast chambers and the frame can be completed upon installation.

Optionally, a number of retrieved frames are traversed inversely to a daisy-chain connected in series to the subdivision. Optionally, a modular section of the platform assembly, e.g., turbine nacelle, is detached from the frame prior to collection and parts of the platform assembly are separately recovered.

While examples of the invention will be described with reference to a tidal turbine device, examples are suitable for use with other types of marine energy harvesters, such as wave energy converters.

The various aspects of the invention may be embodied either alone or in combination with one or more other aspects, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Various aspects of the invention may alternatively be provided in combination with one or more of the optional features of other aspects of the invention. Also, optional features described in connection with one example may optionally be combined with other features in different examples of the present invention, or alone.

Various examples and aspects of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the overall description, including the figures illustrating numerous exemplary configurations and aspects and implementations. The present invention is also capable of other and different examples and embodiments, and some of its details can be modified in various ways, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. In addition, the terms and phrases used herein are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the scope. Language, such as " comprising, "" including," " having, "" including," or " accompanying, " and variations thereof include the claimed subject matter, equivalents, And is intended to be broad, and is not intended to exclude other additions, components, integers, or steps. Likewise, the term "comprising " is considered synonymous with the terms" comprises "or" containing "for applicable legal purposes.

The discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles, etc., is included in the specification only for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. This does not suggest or represent that some or all of these items form part of the prior art base or are common knowledge common in the art relating to the present invention.

In the present disclosure, wheneverever the phrase " comprising "comprising a group of elements, elements or elements is preceded, a group of elements, elements, or elements is referred to as a " The terms "consisting essentially of", "consisting", "selected from the group of consisting of", "including", or "including" And is also considered to have the phrase "is."

All numerical values in this disclosure are understood to be modified by "about ". It is understood that all elements of singular forms, or any other components described herein, include the plural forms, and vice versa. Quot; top ", " front ", "back "," top ", "bottom ", etc., and related terms Should be interpreted by a skilled reader in the context of the described examples and should not be construed as limiting the invention to the literal interpretation of the term, but instead be understood by those skilled in the art.

Figure 1 shows a schematic front view of a frame with guide posts, chambers (not shown).
Figure 2 shows a schematic plan view of the frame of Figure 1;
Figure 3 shows a schematic side view of the frame of Figure 1;
Figure 4 shows a schematic front view of a frame with chambers having a configuration with a first buoyancy therein.
Figure 5 shows a schematic plan view of a frame with chambers positioned and optionally releasable ballast weights.
Figure 6 shows a schematic side view of Figure 4 and an optional acoustic transceiver assembly.
Figure 7 shows a schematic front view of a frame with a configuration in which the chambers have a negative buoyancy in the middle as the chambers move towards the base of the guide posts.
Figure 8 shows a schematic side view of Figure 7;
Figure 9 shows a schematic front view of the chambers of the ballast position, where the guide posts are in place.
Figure 10 shows a schematic side view of Figure 9;
Figure 11 shows a schematic front view of a frame with chambers of ballast position in which the guide posts are removed and integrated winged bellows are in the pipe through the bore in the chamber.
Figure 12 shows an example of the schematic side view of Figure 11 and the optional features of the buoyancy / ballast compartments in the chamber.
Figure 13 shows a schematic front view of a platform assembly comprising a frame, chambers and a tidal turbine.
Figure 14 shows a schematic front view of an alternative embodiment of a frame for retractably shrinking the guide posts.
Figure 15 shows a schematic side view of Figure 14;
16 shows a cross section of a mud mat and cradle assembly.
17 shows a perspective view of a frame relating to an example of a tractive turbine support structure connected to a frame with an indication of the span of the turbine blades when fitted, the frame being partly submerged by the chambers holding the buoyancy, .
Figure 18 shows an example of surface tracing of several platform assemblies with lead and trail tow lines.
Figure 19 shows examples of underwater towing of several platform assemblies by clump weights attached to tow lines and by power umbillions between platform assemblies.
Figure 20 shows a schematic front view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention having an internal interface between guide posts and chambers.
Figure 21 shows a schematic plan view of the apparatus of Figure 20 and is an alternative example of ballast / buoyancy chambers forming part of the frame base members.
Figure 22 shows a schematic side view of Figure 21;
Figures 23A-C illustrate alternative interfaces between guide posts and chambers.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a first schematic example of a frame 1 for transporting, installing and dismounting tidal turbines is shown without chambers acting as buoyancy devices. The four guide posts 5 are positioned so that two are connected to the respective frame members 10. The guide posts pass through the bore 12 in the frame member 10 and are secured respectively by guide pins 6 or by some other attachment mechanism, such as a latch device, a Bayer net mechanism, or the like. The frames shown in these figures are of course exemplary and in normal use the guide posts will be connected to the frame and will pass through the chambers acting as buoyancy devices. Each frame member 10 includes a plurality of cradles 11, for example, three cradles, for example, in the case of chambers, when they are seated at the lowermost portion of the guide posts 5. The frame 1 is selectively supported on the seabed by the mud mats 21 located at each end of the frame members 10. The cross section of the mud mat 21 and the cradle 11 is shown in Figure 16, and the cradle is supported by the structural web 11w on the support stub 11s. The frame base 20 is disposed between the frame members 10 together with a plurality of base members. For example, three base members extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the frame members 10. Two of the base members have bores 73 or other fasteners for receiving and retaining the triangular support structure for the tidal turbine nacelle. Optionally, the support structure for the nacelle is welded to the base members. Optionally, the frame base 20 may have different styles of support structures, e.g., different arrangements of bores to accommodate a single stem or other attachment means. Fixtures, such as the arrangement and type of bores 73, may be varied in different examples.

The components of the platform assembly may incorporate or include a vortex-induced vibration controller, such as a VIV strut or pairing. VIV struts or pairs may be integrated on the frame 1, e.g., on the frame member 10, or on the peripheral components of the components of the base 20, particularly the base 20.

Each of the guide posts 5 comprises a conical restraining device 7 arranged at the upper ends thereof for interfacing with the chambers when they move through changes in the buoyancy or movement of the frame 1 or platform assembly once the tidal turbines are connected ). The constraining devices 7 optionally provide a conical inclined surface that engages a portion of the chamber, as described below. When the platform assembly is towing to the installation site, the effects of drag on each chamber also lead to the interfacing of the chambers with the guide posts 5, which act to keep the chambers on the platform assembly and resist separation.

Figure 2 shows the optional inclusion of a static secondary buoyancy device 20s positioned in one of the frame base members 20 centrally and symmetrically over the gravity center of the frame. The secondary buoyancy device is not represented in the remainder of the drawings, as it may not be featured in all embodiments of the invention. The secondary buoyancy device 20s may be included in one of the frame base members 20, or it may form the frame base member itself.

The reader will appreciate that, although various descriptions of the present disclosure, such as top, bottom, front, back, and sides, are referred to in the context of the orientation of the examples described in the Figures, these features are not intended to be limiting, And the like.

4-6 show chambers acting as buoyancy devices in the form of cylindrical tanks 40 in their first buoyant configuration. Each frame member 10 has a tank 40 disposed thereon to maintain balance of the frame 1 and the platform assembly when the tidal turbine is connected. The tanks 40 have bores 45 through which the guide posts 5 pass. The bore 45 terminates in a sloped or inclined interface at at least one end, and is lined with a pipe along its length. Optionally, the interface extends past the bore 45 and can optionally be welded to the end of the pipe, for example, through a bore 45 in the form of a flared bell mouth. In this example, the interface is incorporated within the bore 45 and does not extend beyond the outer surface of the tank 40. These pipes and interfaces respond to the guide posts 5 to allow slight misalignment during movement of the tanks 40. [ Pipes and corresponding interfaces through the bores 45 also assist in restraining the tanks 40 when the platform assembly is towing.

Figure 5 shows the optional inclusion of removable ballast weights 25 positioned on both sides of the frame, centered and symmetrically. Removable ballast weights 25 are not represented in the remainder of the drawings because they may not be featured in all embodiments of the invention. The releasable ballast weights 25 may be used in the disassembly process. Release of ballast weights 25 during disassembly can compensate for incomplete venting of tanks 40, and optionally ballast / buoyancy compartments within frame 1.

FIG. 6 shows an optional inclusion of at least one acoustic tellerry system 43 attached to the top of the tank 40. The acoustic telemetry system 43 is not represented in the remaining figures, as it may not be featured in all embodiments of the invention. Acoustic telemetry system 43 may include an acoustic transceiver, an electronic control pod connected to a solenoid actuated hydraulic valve pack, and a bank of charged accumulators coupled to the hydraulic circuits. The descent of the tanks 40 under the guide posts 5 can be monitored by the acoustic transceiver 43 and the depth readings are transmitted from the transceiver 43 and monitored remotely.

The coded acoustic signal is transmitted from the installation ship or ROV and received by the acoustic transceiver. Optionally, when the coded acoustic signal is received by the acoustic transceiver, the transceiver transmits an electrical signal to the electronic control pod. Hydraulic power is supplied by the banks of charged accumulators and is consumed by the hydraulic circuits to control the actuation of the flood and vent valves on the tanks 40. [

Alternatively, when the tanks 40 are in buoyant configuration, they are connected to the top of the guide post 5 by a latching device, and this is not necessary and, in some cases, Without requirement, buoyant tanks can be held in place during towing, even though they can be forced against the restraint devices at the top of the guide posts by buoyant force alone. Optionally, the tanks 40 are connected to the guide posts by hydraulic actuated latches. Alternatively, the tanks 40 are connected to a temporary mechanical connection, such as a pin. Optionally, the connection is released by, for example, ROV prior to flooding of the tanks 40 during installation.

In this configuration, the tank 40 is at least partially filled with a fluid, such as air, that is less dense than seawater. When the frame is outside the water, the tanks 40 are supported by the cradles 11 on the frame member 10 at the bottom of the guide posts 5.

The platform assembly is deployed by first lowering the frame 1, for example, from the dock. Optionally, to lower the frame, two (or more) cranes are used, one on each side of the frame. The frame 1 is connected to the cranes by winch lines which release and support the frame as it is lowered so that when the chambers are moved along the guide path corresponding to the axes of the guide posts from the frame, Maintain the balance of the frame. The support structure for the tidal turbine or other marine energy harvester is selectively connected to the frame 1 during frame making or while in the bucket or after it is stabilized in water. Finally, the nacelle is lowered onto the support structure to complete the platform assembly, although this can also be done at the shop floor. Optionally, the entire frame, support structure and tidal turbine assembly are buoyant. Power umbilicals are optionally connected to the nacelle, either on the bucket, or once the turbine has been assembled in water. Optionally, the load-out of the frame with / without the tidal turbine assembly can be performed from the dry dock facility, and the frames float when the dry dock is flooded.

Once the platform assembly (platform assembly) 50 is completed (Figure 17), the tow line 91 is connected to the frame. Alternatively, the tow line 91 may be connected to each frame member 10 or frame base 20, or tank 40, to maintain balance. Optionally, the tow line can be connected to a marine energy harvester on each platform assembly. The tow line stretches between the platform assembly and the lead tug, optionally, the installation vessel. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, some of the platform assemblies 50 may be connected to tow lines 91 to create a daisy-chain of assemblies 50 towed behind lead tug 90 Can be connected together. Optionally, the trail towline may be included at the end of the towed configuration. This allows the installation of several tidal turbines in a single tow, reducing the number of round trips that the towers must perform between the quay and the installation site.

Continuous platform assemblies are towed above or below the surface for the installation site. If the total buoyancy of each platform assembly is not negative buoyancy and is sufficient to prevent sinking the assembly, the platform assemblies may be towed to a location where the tanks 40 are partially flooded. Buoyancy during towing may be sufficient to maintain tanks 40 on the surface, but this is not necessary and may, in some cases, be optional under a zone affected by wave (but, optionally, It is advantageous to tow successive assemblies in the water. Optionally, the towing is on the surface of the shallow water, and when reaching deeper water, the clump weights 91c (e.g., chain) may be used as towing lines 91 (Figure 19) to allow platform assemblies to be in the water, Lt; / RTI > Alternatively, in underwater towing, the clumped weights lead to "V-shape " with platform towers and tow lines between the tow lines and platform assemblies. The function of this "V-shape" is to minimize the transfer of towed ship motions to platform assemblies during towing and introducing compliance on tow lines. Thus, the tanks 40 themselves are buoyant and maintain buoyancy of the entire platform assembly until the point of installation is reached. When in water, the buoyant tanks 40 - the rest of the assembly underneath the tanks 40 - will generally be positioned at the top of the guide posts 5. The successive platform assemblies may be at the same or different depths. The depths of the platform assemblies can be selectively varied during towing, depending on the tow line configuration and, optionally, successive sequential assemblies adopt different depths simultaneously. Further, the successive platform assemblies are selectively towed out of line with respect to each other in succession, so that the platform assemblies are landed at unaligned installation locations, which allows fluid passing through marine energy converters on the frames It is advantageous because it can be improved by. Optionally, the platform assemblies can be installed in a seam bottom staggered arrangement, which can help to reduce the turbulence to later devices according to the sequence and thus maximize the output of marine energy converters according to the sequence. Optionally, when sequential platform assemblies are landed on the seabed, one of the tug trains (e.g., trailing tug trains) that manages the towed array applies an anchored offset lateral force to the installed turbine, and a second turbine Can be landed-out.

When reaching the installation site, the tow lines are unrolled to bring the platform assemblies closer to the seabed, and the tanks 40 are at least as far as the seawater to make the platform assembly negative buoyancy and to position it on the seabed in a controlled manner. Partially flooded. Optionally, instead of flooding the tanks 40 which may selectively retain the same buoyancy without loss of buoyant fluid, a buoyant fluid, such as one comprising air, Or more of the secondary buoyancy chambers 20s can be flooded to the seawater at the installation site while the tanks 40 hold at least some (or all) of their buoyancy fluid. The secondary buoyancy chamber (s) may optionally include a portion of the structural member of the frame that may be selectively symmetrically arranged on the frame, and may be secured to a position on the frame. The installation vessel selectively arranges the ROV to perform valve operations for flooding operation.

Optionally, the platform assembly may be allowed to sink free from the towing depth to the undersea under the control of buoyancy in tanks 40 and without any win control, but in some instances the platform assembly may withstand all of the loads or portions of the rods Can be lowered from the installation vessel to the seabed by the winch. It is advantageous that at least a portion of the load is sustained by the buoyancy in the tanks 40 to reduce the load on the winch.

When the platform assembly is correctly positioned on the seabed, the winch line is deployed on the side of the installation ship and connected to one tank 40 to become loose. Alternatively, the two winch lines may be connected to the same tank. When in place on the substrate in the water, the tanks 40 are normally positioned at the top of the guide posts 5, since they still retain some residual buoyancy.

When the tanks 40 are still partially buoyant and the winch lines are connected between the installation vessel and the tanks 40, and the platform assembly is in place of the undersea, the tanks 40 are opened when the ROV opens the valves Flooded with seawater (optionally completely). Optionally, the tanks are flooded to the stages. The one-tank 40 is partially flooded so that it holds some buoyancy, at which point the ROV closes the valves to retain its partial buoyancy in the first tank. Immediately before the flooding stage, the tank 40 is optionally still buoyant and is positioned at the top of the guide post. In this stage of the process, the winch line is selectively attached to the rigging on the tanks 40, optionally prior to the beginning of flooding of the tanks, It can be connected after flooding. Optionally, rigging is pre-installed at the wharf. Optionally, the tank 40 has connection points molded or fixed therein for the winch line. The ROV can also be used to connect the winch line to the tank 40.

When the tank 40 begins to move the guide post downward after the tank 40 is in the negative buoyancy state, the winch line becomes loose during flooding. The winch line movement is detected by the winch control and then until the winch line is taken up and the winch line sustains the load on the tank 40, Is recovered. Optionally, a motion damper is connected in the winch line to reduce the effects of vessel heave during tank down operation. The ROV is optionally used to open the flood and vent valves of the tank 40 to permit entry of seawater into the tank 40. The winchline tension is used to gauge the filled volume while maintaining the position of the tank 40 relative to the frame member 10 at the tops of the guide posts 5 or near the tops of the guide posts 5 (gauge) can be used. Once the winch load has reached a threshold that can vary in different examples, but in this case, if it is in the range of 5t to 20t, e.g. 5t to 10t and optionally 10t, ROV will close the valves to stop the flooding operation As a result, the load on the winch is then kept relatively constant. The winch then descends the tank 40 into its cradle supports 11 in a controlled manner. The load carried by the winch is reduced because of residual buoyancy in the partially filled tank 40 (although the tank is still negative buoyancy at this point). The amount of buoyancy is controlled by closing the flooding valves at the required time. Figures 7 and 8 show tanks 40 disposed at the midpoint of the guide posts 5. The tanks 40 are partially filled with dense fluid and at this stage there is a negative buoyancy and moving the guide posts 5 downward.

Once the tank 40 has been lowered in contact with the cradle supports 11 on the frame, the ROV can open up the flood and vent valves on the tank 40 to fully flood the tank with seawater. have. The same operation is then repeated to lower the second tank 40 into its cradle supports.

Figures 9-14 illustrate tanks 40 of a second configuration after being fully flooded with seawater. Here, tanks 40 lie on the cradles 11 and act as a ballast for the platform assembly in place on the undersea. The installation vessel then selectively pumps dense ballast fluid into the tanks 40 to increase the ballast at the tanks 40. In the ballasting process, the winch line is disconnected, and the ROV selectively connects the fluid lines to the tanks 40, and the valve 40 is closed to pump the denser fluid into the fluid lines to complete the ballasting operation. Lt; / RTI > The balancing step and the flooding step may be omitted, respectively. For example, tanks 40 may be simply flooded without being filled with denser ballasting fluid seawater, or may be filled with denser ballasting fluid without being flooded with seawater. However, if the tanks 40 are more controllable and the tanks are only ballasted with the dense fluid after the tanks have contacted the frame, then the two steps It is useful in combination.

Tanks 40 are now being converted to serve as ballast devices instead of buoyancy devices.

To convert the use of tanks 40 from the buoyancy devices to the ballast devices when the assembly is in place at the installation site and stably positioned on the substrate in the water, the dense ballast fluid may be seawater, Cement, or other fluid that is less dense than water (e.g., more dense than water). Alternatively, the fluid may be of the type that retains the fluid throughout the operating lifetimes of the tidal turbine, in order for the fluid to be pumped back out of the tanks for disassembly of the turbine and to return the tanks 40 with their buoyancy. have. Optionally, the fluid may be a suspension of fine particles comprising dense solids and liquid. Alternatively, the dense solids can be retained in the tanks after disassembly, while the fluid can be pumped out.

Alternatively, the tanks 40 may have more than one compartment 40c, 40e, 40m included in the tank for ballasting and buoyancy. Figure 12 shows an optional inclusion of the sections 40c, 40e, 40m. In the illustrated example, five compartments 40c, 40e, 40m, which are contained in the tank 40, then a central compartment 40m, and four compartments 40m arranged symmetrically on either side of the central compartment 40m And the remaining sections 40c and 40e exist. The segments 40c, 40e, 40m are not shown in the remainder of the drawings, as the segments may not be featured in all embodiments of the present invention.

Optionally, the central section 40m has a larger volume than the other sections 40c, 40e. Alternatively, the compartments 40c, 40e, 40m are equally sized. Alternatively, each compartment 40c, 40e, 40m has its own flood and vent valves. Optionally, only some of the compartments 40c, 40e, 40m have flood and vent valves, for example, if the compartment is permanently ballasted, the compartment does not require valves.

Alternatively, the compartments 40c, 40e disposed on either side of the main compartment are configured to include ballast, e.g., seawater or alternatively iron ore slurry, grout, cement, agglomerates, and the like. Optionally, each outermost segment 40c is filled with ballast before the load-out. Optionally, chambers 40c and 40e of the chamber are balanced symmetrically about the center of chamber 40m. Optionally, the central compartment 40m (or compartments) is at least partially filled with air.

Alternatively, guide pins (not shown) may be used to secure the guide posts 5 when the tanks 40 serving as ballast devices are supported by the cradles 11 on the frame member 10 and filled with dense ballast fluid 6 and the guide posts 5 themselves can be removed from the frame member 10 and restored by the installation vessel. 11 and 12 illustrate the removal of the guide posts 5 from the frame member 10 and tanks 40. The tanks 40 now function as ballast devices for the platform assembly. Disconnection of the guide posts 5 is selectively carried out by ROV via mechanical or hydraulic means. Optionally, once the guide posts 5 have been removed, the ROV enables a mechanical connection to connect the tank 40 to the frame member 10. Optionally, the connection is a hydraulic latch. Optionally, the connection is in the form of a pin.

Figure 13 shows an example of a platform assembly 50 having a tidal turbine 70 in place. The nacelle 71 is connected to the support structure 72, in this case a tripod. In turn, the support structure 72 is connected to the frame base 20. The tanks 40 are in the ballast position and are supported on the cradles 11 on the frame members 10.

Figs. 14 and 15 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a frame 101 having guide posts 105 that retract and retract. Optionally, these guide posts 105 provide soft landing to the tanks approaching the cradles 111. Optionally, such soft landing does not require any operator intervention. Optionally, the guide posts 105 may be hydraulically retracted. When the tank 40 is buoyant the tank engages the restraint devices 107 at the top of each of the posts 105 to float at the top of the posts and allow the tank 40 to be buoyant during flooding or ballasting steps The tank moves closer to the frame members 110 to reside in the cradles 111 and the guide post sections 105 are moved inwardly of each other and inside the bore of the tank 40 It collapses together with a new material formula. Alternatively, the tank 40 may be latched to the top of the posts 107. The collapse of the telescoping sections of the guide posts 105 is accomplished by a hydraulic piston in the interior of the guide posts acting as an elastic spring device that decelerates the tank 40 as the tank approaches the cradles 111, . Optionally, deceleration is only required at the last stage of the movement to prevent damage from high impacts between the tank 40 and the cradles 111. Other types of deceleration devices may be used. Optionally, the control device may be integrated into the cradles 111. [

Once the tidal turbine has reached the end of its operating life, the turbine must be dismantled by removal from the installation site and recovery back to ground. Optionally, the decommissioning process may be substantially the opposite of the installation process.

For the disassembly process, the disassembly vessel can retrieve any power converter (e.g., nacelle) on the frame and any power umbilicals as a separate step of the disassembly process. Then, optionally, the disassembled vessel connects two or more frames together in a tandem arrangement, interconnecting tow lines and clump weights, as previously described, while the frames are still static at the seabed . Optionally, the guide posts 5 may be reinserted into the tanks 40 serving as the current ballast and secured by the guide pins 6 and, in some cases, May be raised above the frame 20 in the step of towing the frame to a disassembly location, but in some instances, the guide posts 5 are not needed in the disassembly process, In a non-movable manner.

The ROV can be deployed from the disassembled vessel to open the valves of the tanks 40 and optionally connect them to the fluid lines. The disassembled vessel pumps out a portion of the fluid contained in the tank 40 and replaces the volume of the removed fluid with air or other fluid that is more buoyant than seawater. This can be done by pumping air into the tanks 40 or by displacement of the dense ballast fluid from the tanks by separate pumping steps for each fluid. Alternatively, once a portion of the ballast fluid is removed and the tank 40 recovers at least a portion of its buoyancy, the tank 40 is once again converted to a buoyancy device. At the appropriate point, when the desired amount of buoyancy is recovered by the tank 40, the ROV selectively closes the valves. The buoyancy of the tank 40 is controlled at this stage until the frame is lifted from the seabed in a controlled manner, e.g., constrained by clump weights and tow lines. It is often desirable that the frame be a negative buoyancy as a whole when rising to the surface because this is more controllable, for example under the control of a winch from the installation vessel. Thus, the tanks 40 are not completely filled with buoyant fluid at this stage, but instead their buoyancy is similar to the installation, but their buoyancy is increased to the extent that the tanks can be towed into the bucket with an inverted process do.

Optionally, the winch line is attached to the frame via either a connection to a pre-installed rigging on the tank, or a connection point formed or attached to the tank. Alternatively, the winch line may be attached to the point on the frame 1. Optionally, the ROV assists the attachment of the winch line to the frame 1. After connection to the frame 1, the winch line is withdrawn until all looseness has taken up.

Once the winch is connected to the frame, the ROV opens the valves again. The disassembled vessel commences pumping out more fluid and replacing the removed volume with air until the tanks 40 reach the desired level of buoyancy for elevation at the seabed. During the pumping process, the winch line is continuously withdrawn to eliminate looseness and maintain support and balance. Optionally, the winch line has a motion compensator. In most instances, the guide posts are not reinstalled on the frame for disassembly, and the tanks 40 remain immovably fixed to the frame during the disassembly process.

The frame 1 is then selectively lifted toward the surface by a winch on the installation ship that lifts only a portion of the rods as the tanks increase the buoyancy of the entire frame 1, Lt; / RTI > capacity. In some instances, the frame 1 may be re-floated under the force of buoyancy provided solely by the tanks 40 without the use of a crane. In either case, the force applied to the frame 1 during the lift is controlled such that the lift speed is maintained within the desired parameters. The frame 1 can float to the surface and the surface can be towed to a disassembly location or floated towards the surface but can be held below the surface by clump weights or the like and can be deeply towed .

In another example, instead of being lifted by the winch during disassembly, the tanks 40 are filled with sufficient buoyancy to float the frame 1 without any external lifting forces from the surface, The rate is controlled by adjusting the buoyancy in the tanks 40 and by the tow lines 91 and clump weights 91c installed between the frames. Alternatively, the tanks 40 are fixed on the frames 1 by mechanical connection, which can be formed during installation and can be identified before disassembly.

The desired depth of the frame 1 may be on the surface or partially or wholly in the water (e.g., where at least a portion of the frame 1, e.g., the base, is affected by the wave affected zone ), At least one (optionally two or more) of the tow lines 91 are selectively repositioned in the frame base 20 or on the frame members 10, (40). Optionally, more than one tow line can be attached to maintain the stability of the frame 1 when towed. Independent chambers 92b are selectively attached to the power umbilical 92 connected to the tidal turbine for buoyancy during towing. Optionally, some frames are connected together in series with at least one line of tow, and are towed to a return position in a daisy-chain behind the leadboat.

Optionally, the turbine structure is maintained on the frame 1 during re-levitation of the platform assembly. Optionally, the platform assembly is towed to a withdrawal or disassembly position. At the retracted position, for example at the quay, any separable modular sections of the platform assembly, e.g. turbine nacelle, are selectively disconnected from the frame 1 so that each part of the platform assembly is withdrawn. However, in some instances, the components of the power converter, support, and frame may be recovered separately from the installation site.

In one example described with reference to the drawings, the frame 1 may optionally be lifted into the water of the dock using at least one crane, optionally more than one crane. The tidal turbine nacelle 70 and power umbilical 92 are then optionally lifted into the frame with the positive buoyancy of the entire assembly. Alternatively, a dry dock facility can be used to load-out at least one frame 1, optionally a plurality of frames, e.g. at least 2, 3, 4 or more. The tidal turbine nacelle 70 and the power umbilical 92 optionally are lifted onto the roof frame 1 after the frame is loaded-out. Optionally, the platform assembly 50, including the frame 1, the tidal turbine nacelle 70 and the power umbilical 92, is configured in a dry dock position prior to the load-out.

The platform assembly 50 is buoyant by at least one buoyancy tank 40, optionally at least two buoyancy tanks. Optionally, the frame base 20, 220 includes at least one static buoyancy member 20s, 220s (see Figures 2 and 21) And is configured with at least one valve to allow the static buoyancy member to flood to assist in bringing the platform assembly into negative buoyancy during installation. Static buoyancy members typically do not accommodate ballast fluid, but can be used to fine tune the size of the buoyancy to trim the frame for landing or towing during installation. Alternatively, more than one static buoyancy member may be integrated on the frame, e.g., in one of the uprights extending from the plane of the base 20, 220. This can be partially flooded for towing operations, e.g., surface towing operations. Thus, in this example, the tanks 40, 240 do not flood before landing the frame at the seabed, but alternatively, the tanks 40, 240 have full buoyancy or at least partial buoyancy. Optionally, the static buoyant member flooded to sink the frame to the seabed is disposed symmetrically to the center of gravity of the frame. Floating a single static buoyancy member and sinking to the seabed during the installation phase is advantageously advantageous because the buoyant force acting thereon is selectively selectively more controllable and alternatively more symmetrically disposed on the frame, 201) can be more stable during descent into the seabed. The static buoyancy member may be balanced on the frame and may have a weight floated sufficiently to cause the assembly to take to the seabed. Alternatively, the buoyant force of the static member may be less than the tanks 40, 240, e.g., less than about 20-30 t, and when the buoyancy tanks 40, 240 are full of buoyant fluid, Lt; / RTI > For that reason, flooding the static buoyancy member but maintaining the buoyancy of the tanks 40, 240 simply taps the balance of the entire frame by an amount small enough to make the entire frame buoyant only slightly negative .

Thus, the flooding of the static buoyancy members 20s, 220s is selectively used to land and position the frame on the seabed while the buoyancy tanks 40, 240 can be used as floats with dense fluids, It is used after landing to stabilize the assembly when switched.

In shallow water, the platform assemblies 50 are successively towed, optionally in a surface towed configuration. In deep water, the tow lines 91 are selectively reconfigured by the addition of luff weights 91c to the tow lines. The addition of the clump weights 91c calm the platform assemblies and then, optionally, are towed in succession to the underwater configuration for the installation site. Optionally, the depth of the platform assemblies under tow can be varied by varying the tow line configuration and towing speed.

If the platform assemblies 50 have been towed to the installation site, the lead and trail tow lines 91 are selectively loosened until the clump weights 91c land on the seabed. Optionally, then, at least one static buoyancy member in the frame base is flooded to make the entire platform assembly negative buoyancy. At least one buoyancy tank 40 is first partially flooded during installation, so that the tank 40 maintains buoyancy in the upper portion of the guide posts 5. Optionally, at least two buoyancy tanks are flooded simultaneously. Optionally, during simultaneous flooding, the control device is utilized to reduce the tanks and provide soft landing on the frame.

Optionally, the installation vessel includes a winch that can be selectively connected to at least one buoyancy tank (40) during flooding of the tank. The winch line optionally maintains the position of the tank until flooding is stopped to limit the load on the winch and the winch line can be released to lower the buoyancy tank onto the cradles 11 in a controlled manner. This method may optionally be repeated for more than one buoyancy tank.

The remaining platform assemblies 50 of the towing are selectively installed with respect to the first platform assembly and laterally with respect to each other. The trail tug selectively applies lateral force to the tow line to react to the first installed platform assembly.

The buoyancy tanks 40 on each platform assembly 50 are optionally ballasted with a dense fluid or solid slurry to complete the installation. Alternatively, flooding buoyancy tanks 40 with seawater may be sufficient to complete the ballasting operation. Optionally, then, the tow lines 91 and clump weights 91c are recovered. Optionally, power assemble knives 92 are configured.

During disassembly, the disassembled ship selectively recovers the tidal turbine nacelle 70 and the power umbilical. The vessel then optionally constitutes tow lines 91 and clump weights 91c between the frames 1. The vessel optionally pumps out the ballast from the ballast tanks until the frame returns to positive buoyancy. Optionally, if this process is repeated for all frames to be traversed, the frames are returned to the disassembly location.

FIGS. 20-22 illustrate another example of the invention that is essentially the same as described above, and corresponding reference numerals are incremented by 200. In this example, the frame 201 includes static buoyancy members 220s within the center forearm-aft structural member of the frame base 220. In this example, the frame members 210 land directly on the substrate in water.

23A-23C illustrate three possible examples of the interface between the constraining device 7 of the guide post 5 and the bore 45 of the tank 40. Fig. 23A shows a restraining device 7a in the form of a flared bellmouth outside the bore 45a of the tank 40a and the guide post 5a passes through the bore. 23B shows the restraining device 7b that interfaces with the obliquely laid surface in the bore 45b of the tank 40b, toward the top of the bore 45b. 23C shows another example of the interface between the restraining device 7c that interfaces with the obliquely laid surface of the bore 45c located near the center axis of the tank 40c or the central axis. Any of these examples of interfaces may be used with any of the examples of platform assemblies described herein.

Claims (43)

A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester,
Wherein the frame comprises a buoyant fluid material and comprises at least one frame member for attachment of at least one chamber adapted to serve as a buoyancy device, Adapted to convert to a ballast device,
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the frame includes at least one guide post engaging the chamber.
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the chamber is movable relative to the frame along a path defined by the at least one guide post as the buoyancy of the chamber changes,
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. The method according to claim 2 or 3,
The guide post being removably connected to the frame and being removable from the frame when the chamber includes a ballast without removing the chamber from the frame,
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. 5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The guide post passing through a lined orifice in the chamber,
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the lined orifice in the chamber includes sufficient clearance between the guide post and the chamber to allow satisfactory tracking of the chamber beneath the guide post as the chamber moves into the ballast position.
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. 7. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 6,
The guide post extending vertically from the frame and having at least one canted surface engaging a surface on the chamber to control alignment between the chamber and the guide post,
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. 8. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 7,
Wherein the frame member includes at least one bore for receiving the guide post.
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. 9. The method of claim 8,
The bore supporting the guide post across the diameter of the frame member,
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. 10. The method according to claim 8 or 9,
Wherein the guide post is fixed to the frame member using at least one guide pin,
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. 11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10,
The guide post is fixed to the frame member using a latch mechanism.
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11,
Wherein the guide post is permanently fixed to the frame member,
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. 13. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 12,
And a restraint device adapted to be secured to the guide post for restraining the chamber on the frame.
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. 14. The method of claim 13,
The confinement device having a conically sloping surface engaging an inclined surface on the chamber to resist separation of the chamber from the chamber,
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. 15. The method of claim 14,
Wherein the inclined surface of the constraining device interfaces between the guide post and the lined orifice of the chamber,
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. 16. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 15,
Wherein the chamber is movable relative to the frame along a path defined by an axis of the at least one guide post as the buoyancy of the chamber changes,
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. 17. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 16,
Wherein the frame comprises a base disposed between at least two frame members,
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. 18. The method of claim 17,
The base comprising at least two base members disposed perpendicular to at least two of the frame members and extending between at least two of the frame members,
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. 19. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 18,
Wherein the marine energy harvester comprises a support structure, wherein the frame is provided with fixtures for connecting the support structure of the marine energy harvester to the base members, the fixtures being spaced on the base members,
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. 20. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 19,
Wherein the frame includes at least one anchor point for securing a tow line to the platform assembly for towing the platform assembly through water during deployment,
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. 21. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 20,
The chamber includes a buoyant fluid and acts as a buoyancy device during deployment of the platform assembly to a site of installation and is capable of fully or partially filling the chamber with ballast fluid having a higher density than the buoyant fluid Thereby reducing the buoyancy of the chamber at the installation site,
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. 22. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 21,
The chamber being converted to the ballast by fully or partially filling the chamber with a fluid of a density greater than the surrounding seawater,
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. 23. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 22,
Said chamber being converted into said ballast by fully or partially filling said chamber with a solid material in a fluid slurry,
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. 24. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 23,
Wherein the at least one frame member comprises at least one cradle adapted to support the chamber on the frame when the chamber includes ballast.
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. 25. The method of claim 24,
Wherein the or each cradle includes a support in the form of an arcuate support member connected to the frame member for retaining the chamber on the frame member when converted to a ballast device.
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. 26. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 25,
Wherein the chamber is lowered from the buoyancy device position to the ballast device position by the buoyancy reduction of the chamber when all or part of the fluid is filled with a density of the surrounding seawater or higher,
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. 27. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 26,
Wherein the chamber is mechanically lowered to a ballast position,
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. 28. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 27,
At least one guide post is removably attached to the frame member,
Wherein the at least one guide post is removed from the frame member after the chamber is filled with ballast and is lowered to a ballast device position subsequent to a path defined by the at least one guide post,
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. 29. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 28,
And a control device adapted to control movement of the chamber relative to the frame member.
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. 30. The method of claim 29,
Wherein the control device is associated with at least one guide post,
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. 31. The method of claim 30,
Wherein the control device is associated with at least one cradle,
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. 32. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 31,
Wherein the marine energy harvester is connected to at least one power umbilical using an independent temporary buoyancy devices attached to the umbilical to raise the umbilical during at least one stage of towing,
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. 33. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 32,
The frame comprising at least one secondary buoyancy chamber configured to contain buoyant fluid and configured to be flooded with fluid having a higher density,
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. 34. The method of claim 33,
Said secondary buoyancy chamber being symmetrically arranged on said frame,
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester,
The frame comprising at least one frame member for attachment of at least one chamber adapted to act as a buoyancy device and comprising a buoyant fluid material, the chamber being adapted to be converted into a ballast device during installation of the platform assembly Adapted,
The frame including at least one guide post engaging the chamber,
Wherein the chamber is movable relative to the frame along a path defined by the at least one guide post as the buoyancy of the chamber changes,
A platform assembly comprising a frame connected to a marine energy harvester and a marine energy harvester. CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. A method of transporting and deploying a marine energy harvester at a location on a substrate in water,
Connecting the marine energy harvester to a frame to provide a platform assembly, the frame having buoyant material and having at least one chamber adapted to serve as a buoyancy device;
Flowing a buoyant fluid into the chamber;
Supporting the platform assembly in water by buoyant fluid in the chamber by launching the platform assembly;
Towing the platform assembly to an installation site;
Conveying the platform assembly to the installation site; And
And ballasting the platform assembly against the substrate in water by increasing the density of the fluid in the chamber.
A method of transporting and deploying a marine energy harvester at a location on a substrate in water. 37. The method of claim 36,
Said frame further having at least one guide post engaging said chamber,
The method comprising moving the chamber along a path to the frame as the buoyancy of the chamber changes,
A method of transporting and deploying a marine energy harvester at a location on a substrate in water. 37. The method of claim 36 or 37,
Wherein the platform assembly is connected to at least one other platform assembly by at least one tow line to allow more than one platform assembly to be towed to the installation location.
A method of transporting and deploying a marine energy harvester at a location on a substrate in water. 39. The method according to any one of claims 36 to 38,
The platform assembly is configured such that power umbilicals are towed in a pre-
A method of transporting and deploying a marine energy harvester at a location on a substrate in water. 40. The method according to any one of claims 36 to 39,
Wherein the frame comprises at least one secondary buoyancy chamber comprising a buoyant fluid,
The method comprising increasing the fluid density in the secondary buoyancy chamber to lower the platform assembly down to the seabed.
A method of transporting and deploying a marine energy harvester at a location on a substrate in water. A method for decommissioning a marine energy harvester frame installed at an underwater installation site,
The frame having buoyant material and having at least one chamber adapted to serve as a buoyancy device,
Increasing the buoyancy of the frame by reducing the density of the fluid contained in the chamber and raising the frame over the installation site in the water; And
And towing the frame to a disassembly location.
A method of dismantling a frame for a marine energy harvester installed in an underwater installation site. 42. The method according to any one of claims 36 to 41,
Wherein the chamber is movable from a first transfer configuration including a first position at an end of the guide post disposed away from the frame member to a second installation configuration including a second position adjacent the frame member,
A method of dismantling a frame for a marine energy harvester installed in an underwater installation site. As a frame for supporting a marine energy harvester,
Wherein the frame comprises at least one frame member adapted for attachment of at least one chamber adapted to act as a buoyancy device and comprising a buoyant fluid material, the chamber being adapted to convert into a ballast device during installation of the frame Adapted to,
Frame for supporting marine energy harvesters.

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