37results about "Buoyancy means" patented technology

A floating body for an offshore wind turbine includes: one first column; two second columns; two lower hulls connecting the first column to each of the second columns; and a beam member connecting the two lower hulls. The beam member is disposed within a height range between an upper surface and a lower surface of each lower hull.

The present application relates to a wind turbine foundation, a wind turbine generator system and a control method. The wind turbine foundation is capable of being arranged in seawater and configured to support a tower, wherein the wind turbine foundation includes: floating bodies, wherein a number of the floating bodies is n, the floating bodies are arranged at intervals from each other, and lines connecting centers of the floating bodies form a polygon as a whole, where n≥3; connecting bodies, wherein a corresponding one of the connecting bodies is connected between every two adjacent floating bodies; wherein each of the floating bodies has a static chamber and a dynamic chamber that are independently arranged, a first medium is enclosed within the static chamber, each of the floating bodies is provided with a first opening connected to the dynamic chamber and a first control valve, and the first control valve controls opening and closing of the first opening to adjust a volume of the seawater entering the dynamic chamber. According to the wind turbine foundation, wind turbine generator system and control method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the wind turbine foundation has a fast response speed and a good stability effect.

A wave-activated buoyancy regulator for structures positioned in a body of water, wherein a wave-activated pump is used to provide neutral, negative and positive buoyancy in response to prevailing ambient wave conditions, through the variation of the ratio of a first fluid to a second fluid within a ballast tank.

Water buoys sense water characteristics and wirelessly transfer the water characteristics for delivery to a computer system. The computer system receives the water characteristics wirelessly transferred by the water buoys. The computer system receives a location and a user water condition preference transferred by a user communication device. The computer system processes the water characteristics, the location, and the user water condition preference, and in response, generates and transfers water condition information for the location for delivery to the user communication device.

The invention describes a barge for assembly of a floating support structure (1) comprising a lower buoyancy section (2) with a lower buoyancy volume VL and a working deck (3) comprising support elements (4) for receiving parts of the floating support structure to be assembled. The barge further comprises a ballasting system (7) for lowering and elevating the barge (1). The barge is characterized by a divisional section (6) holding the lower buoyancy section (2) and the working deck (3) in a vertical distance from each other and having a divisional buoyancy volume VD considerably smaller than lower buoyancy volume VL, such that the ballasting system, by pumping a quantity of water equal to VD in or out, is able to move the barge (1) between a lower position with a bottom side of the working deck (3) in the waterline, and an upper position with the top side of the lower buoyancy section (2) in the waterline.

A lightweight, efficient, autonomous sub-surface water data profiler (10) that can be easily programmed and deployed to collect sample data at a variety of water depths is disclosed. The profiler is a unique, simple-to-use, low-cost design with a low-cost depth control system that allows several dive / surface trips, an Android graphical interface for Bluetooth programming and a deployable antenna for retrieval after completing its mission. The collected data is achieved using an open-source Android interface and Bluetooth programming using Android and longer-range radio communications with a deployable antenna. The profiler is usable by anyone with a deep pond, lake, ocean or even a pool that they would like to monitor.

A semi-submersible floating structure providing a rotatable or extendable solar panel array giving quadruple the solar collecting area compared to the supporting structure. The solar panels are deployed and retracted by either electric motors, or with the aid of ballast tanks which are filled and emptied in sequence. The panels can be retracted when severe offshore weather conditions are encountered. A hydrogen generation plant based on an electrolysis system is also provided with a compression offtake or power generated is directly stored in battery energy storage system.

The present disclosure provides a cleaning device and a cleaning device system. The cleaning device includes a cleaning device body. The cleaning device body includes a filtering mechanism, a drive mechanism, an adjustment assembly, a moving assembly, and a propulsion assembly. The filtering mechanism is at least partially disposed inside the cleaning device body. The drive mechanism is configured to generate a suction force to drive liquid to flow through the at least one filtering mechanism. The adjustment assembly is configured to adjust an action force applied to the cleaning device in a first direction or a second direction, so that the cleaning device is switched between a first motion state and a third motion state. The moving assembly is disposed at the bottom of the cleaning device body and configured to drive the cleaning device to move on a to-be-cleaned surface. The propulsion assembly is configured to drive the cleaning device to move away from the to-be-cleaned surface. The cleaning device can be switched between the first motion state and the third motion state to perform underwater cleaning and water surface cleaning to meet different use requirements.

Described herein are examples of buoyancy supplements. A buoyancy supplement may include a system including a front flotation portion including a front deck having a front surface, a rear flotation portion including a rear deck having a rear surface. One or both front and rear surfaces having an accessory attachment point, a through-hole substantially parallel to the front or rear surface, a mounting apparatus, a tie-down anchor, and a first and second runner each having a first end configured to attach to the front flotation portion and a second end configured to attach to the rear flotation portion. The front flotation portion and the rear flotation portion may be configured to attach to a float tube.

The present application relates to a floating-type wind turbine floating body, a wind turbine generator system and a control method. The floating-type wind turbine floating body includes: a main column, configured to support a tower; a plurality of first connecting bodies, wherein the plurality of first connecting bodies are arranged at intervals in a circumferential direction of the main column and are connected to the main column respectively; a plurality of auxiliary columns, wherein the plurality of auxiliary columns are distributed at intervals in the circumferential direction, and one end of each of the first connecting bodies facing away from the main column is connected to a corresponding auxiliary column of the auxiliary columns; wherein each of the auxiliary columns has a first static chamber and a first dynamic chamber that are independently arranged, a first medium is enclosed within the first static chamber, each of the auxiliary columns is provided with a first opening connected to the first dynamic chamber and a first control valve, and the first control valve controls opening and closing of the first opening to adjust a volume of the seawater entering the first dynamic chamber. According to the floating-type wind turbine floating body, wind turbine generator system and control method provided in the embodiments of the present application, the floating-type wind turbine floating body has a fast response speed and a good stability effect.

A water buoy data system stabilizes an offshore vessel. Water buoys sense wind characteristics and water characteristics at a location of the vessel. The water buoys wirelessly transfer data messages that indicate the wind characteristics and water characteristics at the location of the vessel for delivery to a computer system. The computer system receives the data messages wirelessly transferred by the water buoys that indicate the wind characteristics and the water characteristics at the location of the vessel. The computer system determines wave forces based on the wind characteristics and the water characteristics at the location of the vessel. The computer system indicates the wave forces to control vessel engine thrusters to counter the wave forces and stabilize the vessel.

A marine boom system includes at least one HDPE marine boom with an axial passage for mounting on a chain and a chain stop. The boom includes a shell defining a cavity with watertight caps having central apertures on the ends. An axial passageway pipe is disposed longitudinally along a center axis, and extends through the apertures and beyond the ends of the shell. A floatation billet is disposed within the shell. A chain is disposed in the axial passageway pipe and extends beyond the ends of the axial passageway pipe. The stop including at least one assembly piece may be fastened to the chain and disposed within an end of the pipe. The assembly piece includes a semi-cylindrical main body with passageway formed therein and has a protrusion about one passageway and a recess about another. A flange and a link saddle extend from the main body.

In a water buoy, a power system generates electrical energy from water kinetics and transfers the electrical energy to a sensor array, processing circuitry, and communication interface. In the water buoy, the sensor array detects buoy locations, water velocities, water velocity directions, and wind speeds. In the water buoy, the processing circuitry aggregates the detected buoy locations, the detected water velocities, the detected water velocity directions, and the detected wind speeds into data messages. In the water buoy, the communication interface wirelessly transfers the data messages for delivery to a computer system.

This invention discloses a floating wind turbine foundation, a floating wind turbine, a typhoon-resistant method, and a wind power generation method. The floating wind turbine foundation includes a tower foundation; multiple pontoons surrounding the tower foundation; and a telescopic extension mechanism, with each pontoon corresponding to one telescopic extension mechanism. The telescopic extension mechanism includes hydraulic jacks and folding hinges. The two ends of the hydraulic jacks are hinged to the tower foundation and the pontoons, respectively. The folding hinges include multiple hinged folding arms, with both ends hinged to the tower foundation and the pontoons. The floating wind turbine foundation provided by this invention can improve the connection stability between the pontoons and the tower foundation through the folding hinges, and achieve the expansion and contraction of the pontoons through the extension and contraction of the hydraulic jacks. Compared with traditional floating foundations, it meets typhoon-resistant requirements while reducing the redundancy of the floating wind turbine foundation and lowering the manufacturing cost of the wind turbine unit.

The present invention provides an apparatus, method and system for utilizing commercial cargo containers. The present invention utilizes containers made autonomous by coupling a container with a detachable propulsion system, having a motor and navigation and steering controls, permitting the rapid, controlled, efficient and safe delivery of cargo containers individually by water. Ballast units, deployment systems and control via remote units are also disclosed. The containers, utilizing their inherent buoyancy, can move autonomously according to a preplanned or remote controlled route to a specific location.

This disclosure relates to an unmoored floating wind turbine system comprising a connecting structure that bears one or more wind turbines, and at least three hulls or topological concentrations of buoyancy-force, wherein the connecting structure is configured to transmit moments and forces between the at least three hulls and the one or more wind turbines, and at least two lifting surfaces, such as foils and / or keels and / or fins and / or hulls, wherein the at least two lifting surfaces have separately controllable orientations relative to the structure for controlling a course direction of the unmoored floating wind turbine system and for controlling a heading of the connecting structure independently from the course direction.

The invention relates to a modular barge (1) comprising at least three hollow floating modules (2) with sealing walls, mechanical connection means (4) between the modules (2) and a working deck (3). Advantageously, the module (2) can be of the type which can be filled with ballast, comprising at least one ballast hole (5) which allows water to flow between the interior of the module (2) and the body of water on which the barge (1) floats; at least one interconnection vent (6) connecting the interiors of two adjacent modules (2); and at least one adjusting hole (7) allowing air to be introduced into or extracted from the interior of the module (2). The barge further comprises means (8) for regulating the air pressure within the module (2), allowing the water level (9) within the module (2) to be regulated (and thus the draft of the barge (1)) as a result of an increase or decrease in the air pressure within the module (2).

The present invention relates to a ship capable of natural circulation of seawater by allowing ballast water to flow in depending on the loading state of liquid cargo. In one embodiment of the present invention, a ship capable of natural circulation of seawater is provided, which includes a cargo hold in which liquid cargo is loaded, ballast water storage tanks arranged in a multi-layer structure around the cargo hold and storing ballast water, a sea chest having a seawater inlet and formed in the hull to allow seawater to flow in, and a seawater inflow control device installed in the cargo hold and the ballast water storage tank, which controls the opening and closing of the seawater inlet depending on the loading state of the liquid cargo, and allows or blocks the flow of seawater into the ballast water storage tank by opening and closing the seawater inlet.

An apparatus and a method for cleaning the hull of a vessel include a washing unit having a plurality of washing modules of the hull, suitable for washing the hull in a submerged configuration. Each washing module is equipped with mobile connectors for the mobile mechanical connection of one washing module to an adjacent washing module, to allow a reciprocal movement between the adjacent washing modules during washing and / or movement. Each washing module has washers of the hull suitable for scraping dirt from the hull. Each washing module is equipped with drivers to allow the positioning and movement of the washing module with respect to the hull and / or with respect to other washing modules during the cleaning of the hull.

The invention relates to a semi-submersible floater (12) defining an operating state and a non-operating state, and comprising at least two outer columns (24), a central column (22) for receiving a payload, and, for each outer column (24), an arm in the form of a pontoon (30) connecting said outer column to the central column and defining an arm axis (A) oriented from the central column (22) towards said outer column (24). Each arm (30) is formed from a first portion (42) and a second portion (44) which extend successively along the corresponding arm axis (A), each one over at least 10% of the total area (E) of said arm (30), along said arm axis. In the operating state of the floater (12), the second portion (44) of each arm (30) is at least partially filled with a ballast material (66), and the first portion (42) does not contain any ballast material.

The present invention concerns a method for controlling the trim of a transport ship without seawater ballast (1), having a width l considered along a transverse axis (y′y) of the ship (1), said ship (1) having an unladen weight Pv between 20% and 60% inclusive of its total weight PT, allowing for a given maximum load weight capacity PTC, in accordance with the formula:PT=Pv+PTC at least one first and one second closed liquid tank (3′ or 3″) not communicating with the sea, the total weight PRT of which when entirely filled with a liquid of specific gravity equal to 1 represents between 2% and 8%, preferably between 3% and 6%, of said unladen weight PV, said tanks (3′, 3″) being in communication via at least one line to transfer liquid from one to the other and being at a distance d from one another, considering the respective geometric center of each of said tanks (3″, 3″), at least equal to ½ when the tanks (3′, 3″) are positioned facing one another essentially along the transverse axis (y′y): d≥½.

Floating offshore support structure for a wind turbine and a method of its operation using adjustable-ballast reservoirs A semisubmersible offshore support structure (3) for a wind turbine (2) carries an adjustable-ballast reservoir (13) above sea level fillable with water (16) for providing extra load on a part of the support structure. By adjusting the water (16) volume in the adjustable-ballast reservoirs (13), the wind turbine (2) can be maintained in vertical orientation despite wind pressure. A drain (24) is provided for draining water from the reservoir (13) into the sea by gravity only for emptying the reservoir (13) passively in case of power failure.

A gravity-based structure (GBS) includes central and protruding parts having a common base slab. For the central part, outer and inner walls and a top slab are cast in concrete so that the GBS forms a rectangular prism. As casting of individual outer wall sections is completed, a reinforcement cage is assembled, formwork is installed, and protruding part outer and inner walls are cast, the outer walls being formed along the base slab perimeter with a height lower than the central part outer wall height. As separate protruding part wall sections are cast, a reinforcing cage is assembled, formwork is installed for a protruding part top slab, and then cast. Post-tensioning of central part base and top slabs and central and protruding part outer and inner walls is done as central and protruding part top slab casting is completed and the concrete is cured, increasing buoyancy and reducing submersion.

A variable buoyancy platform including a support frame having a plurality of bottom pontoons fixedly mounted to a bottom side thereof. Each bottom pontoon includes at least an opening disposed in a bottom portion thereof and at least a bottom pontoon air conduit port disposed in a top portion thereof. A plurality of top pontoons are fixedly mounted to a top side of the support frame. Each top pontoon includes at least an opening disposed in a bottom portion thereof and at least a top pontoon air conduit port disposed in a top portion thereof. A bottom air supply conduit system is connected to the at least a bottom pontoon air conduit port of each bottom pontoon. The bottom air supply conduit system includes at least an air supply valve for controlling air flow therethrough and a connector adapted for being connected to a pressurized air supply. At least a top pontoon air valve is connected to the at least a top pontoon air conduit port of each top pontoon. The at least a top pontoon air valve enables controlling ambient air flow therethrough.

The present application relates to a kind of floating wind turbine floating body, wind turbine generator unit and control method, floating wind turbine floating body includes main column, for supporting tower;First connector, multiple first connectors are spaced apart and are connected with main column in the circumference of main column;Auxiliary column, the number of auxiliary column is multiple and is spaced apart in circumference, and each first connector is connected with auxiliary column at the end away from main column;Wherein, auxiliary column has independently arranged first static chamber and first dynamic chamber, first medium is enclosed in first static chamber, first opening and first control valve are arranged on auxiliary column and communicated with first dynamic chamber, first control valve controls the opening and closing of first opening, to adjust the volume of seawater in first dynamic chamber.The floating wind turbine floating body, wind turbine generator unit and control method provided in the present application embodiment, the response speed of floating wind turbine floating body is fast and good stable effect.

Wave-activated buoyancy regulator suitable for use in a variable buoyancy structure 200,300,400,500 positioned in a body of water 1110 the wave-activated buoyancy regulator comprising at least one bal

The invention relates to a modular barge (1) comprising at least three hollow, watertight-walled floating modules (2), mechanical connection means (4) between the modules (2) and a working deck (3). Advantageously, the modules (2) may be of the ballastable type, comprising at least one ballast hole (5) that enables the flow of water between the interior of the modules (2) and the mass of water in which the barge (1) floats, at least one interconnecting air hole (6) that connects the interiors of two adjacent modules (2) and at least one regulating hole (7) that enables air to be introduced or extracted from the interior of the modules (2). Furthermore, the barge comprises means for regulating the air pressure (8) contained inside the modules (2), enabling the water level (9) inside the modules (2) to be regulated (and therefore the draught of the barge (1)) as a result of an increase or decrease of the air pressure inside the modules (2).

A vehicle (2) for deploying a cable (4) into a trench (8) in the sea bed (10) is disclosed. The vehicle (2) comprises a body (12) adapted to move relative to the trench (8) in the sea bed (10), and a bellmouth (18) for engaging the cable (4) and mounted to the body, wherein the bellmouth (18) is adapted to define an open channel (20) in a direction facing the trench (8) for engaging the cable (4).

The application discloses a kind of underwater vehicle test mechanism and method of adjustable attitude angle and buoyancy size. Including underwater vehicle, pontoon, connecting bracket and several buoyancy materials, underwater vehicle and pontoon are detachably connected together by connecting bracket, several buoyancy materials are placed in pontoon, the position and quantity of buoyancy material can be adjusted according to the position of the floating center of vehicle, to facilitate the study of the navigation performance of underwater vehicle under different pitch angles, the quantity of buoyancy material can be adjusted according to the size of the required buoyancy of vehicle, to meet the demand of underwater vehicle on draught. By rotating the underwater vehicle in the hoop, the roll angle of the vehicle is changed, so that the resistance, mechanism functionality test and other tests of the vehicle for a certain specific attitude can be carried out.

The present invention relates to a device for preventing loss of and / or retrieving (1) at least one object (100) in water. The device includes a box body (2) defining an internal volume and comprising a first and second portions (3, 4) and configured to operate between a closing configuration in which the first and second portions (3, 4) define the internal volume and an opening configuration in which the first and second portions (3, 4) are spaced apart. The device also comprises: − a constraining element (8) capable of constraining an object to be recovered, − at least one flotation organ (9) configured to operate in at least: • a rest configuration, in which it is housed in the housing, and • an operational configuration, in which it is deployed and is configured to float in the water so as to act as a reference for the recovery of the object, the flotation organ (9) being configured to determine the transition of the box body from the closing configuration to the open configuration, − a trigger element (10) housed within the box body, associated with the flotation organ and configured to trigger, preferably after contact with water, the transition of the flotation organ from the rest configuration to the operational configuration, − a retrieval element (6) configured to operate in at least: • a rest configuration in which it presents a gathered condition • an operational configuration in which it presents a relaxed condition. The retrieval element is connected to both the first portion (3) and the second portion (4) of the box body (2) so as to allow recovery of both.