Buoyancy offshore platform deployment device and method for deploying buoyancy offshore platform

Abstract

A deployment apparatus for deploying an offshore renewable energy system installation platform to an underwater operating configuration is provided. The deployment apparatus comprises: a body portion comprising a platform engaging portion arranged to fixedly engage a corresponding portion of an offshore renewable energy system mounting platform; a mooring line tensioning member coupled to the body portion; wherein the platform engaging portion is further arranged to be disengaged from a corresponding portion of the platform; and further wherein, in use, when the platform engaging portion is engaged with a corresponding portion of the platform, the mooring line tensioning member is arranged to apply a tensioning force to at least one mooring line of the offshore renewable energy system mounting platform along a plane substantially perpendicular to the base of the platform, the body portion is arranged to move relative to the at least one mooring line from a first undeployed position to a second deployed position. The deployment device is aimed at providing a safer and more efficient way to deploy a buoyancy offshore platform into a partially underwater operational configuration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a buoyant offshore platform deployment device and a method of deploying a buoyant offshore platform. Background Art

[0002] Wave energy and offshore wind energy are both considered to be prime technology options for decarbonizing the global energy system. The economic and practical viability of these renewable energy systems depends critically on the ease and cost of installing and maintaining these systems offshore. One option for minimizing the cost of these systems is to install wave energy and wind energy systems on floating or buoyant platforms offshore.

[0003] Buoyant offshore platforms are beneficial because the foundations required for buoyant offshore platforms are generally faster and easier to install on the bed of a water body, and the foundations can be more easily laid at greater depths. Additionally, a complete buoyant offshore platform can be manufactured on land or near land and then towed to the desired location, rather than being assembled piece by piece offshore. However, current state-of-the-art buoyant offshore platforms and the methods and equipment for installing them offshore have problems. The objectives and aspects of the present disclosure seek to at least mitigate these problems of the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure relates to a deployment system designed to deploy a buoyant offshore platform to a desired operating depth in a water body, the buoyant offshore platform being for supporting a renewable energy capture and conversion system thereon.

[0005] Such a buoyant platform is generally stable when fixed in place at an underwater operating depth in a water body and is capable of resisting dynamic wave and wind forces acting on the platform because buoyancy has a counteracting property against opposing tensions in fixing means such as one or more mooring lines. The stability is generally understood to be capable of both enhancing safety in adverse weather and wave conditions and enabling optimal operation of the supported renewable energy capture and conversion system in varying wave and weather conditions. However, such safety and stability characteristics may be affected by the specific shape and shape factor of the buoyant platform, and the design of the shape and shape factor needs to be fine-tuned to optimize the safety and stability and thus optimize the energy capture and conversion performance. Therefore, any unnecessary design elements of the platform, such as on-board deployment devices or deployment device fixing means, may have an adverse effect on the optimization.

[0006] When deployed to be submerged in a water body, such a buoyancy platform is generally intended to remain relatively stationary during use in order to optimize energy capture and conversion, while also preferably minimizing the loads and accelerations on sensitive equipment and machinery. Such use in a marine environment may attract or promote corrosion and marine growth on movable parts. Thus, it may be difficult to use movable parts to move the platform from a submerged deployment position to a floating undeployed position for, e.g., maintenance, repair, or repositioning of the platform.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a deployment device for deploying an offshore renewable energy system installation platform to an underwater operating configuration, the deployment device comprising: a body portion including a platform engagement portion arranged to fixedly engage a corresponding portion of the offshore renewable energy system installation platform; a mooring line tensioning member coupled to the body portion; wherein the platform engagement portion is further arranged to disengage from the corresponding portion of the platform; and further wherein, in use, when the platform engagement portion engages the corresponding portion of the platform, the mooring line tensioning member is arranged to apply a tension force to at least one mooring line along a plane substantially perpendicular to the base of the platform, wherein, under the tension force, the body portion is arranged to move from a first undeployed position to a second deployed position relative to the at least one mooring line.

[0008] The at least one mooring line is preferably connected to the mooring line tensioning member.

[0009] Thus, the present disclosure provides a detachable deployment system which preferably allows the deployment system to be separated from and reattached to a buoyant offshore platform at will. Thus, the same deployment system can be used to deploy a series of platforms.

[0010] The present disclosure further aims to separate the design process of the buoyancy platform and the associated deployment system, thereby allowing the corresponding designs to be optimized for the respective roles and engineering constraints of the two subsystems, while also allowing platform design iterations within such a development area without extensive consideration of the platform deployment method.

[0011] Applying a vertical tension force to move the mooring line relative to the platform in a planar manner can preferably avoid winding problems common in winch designs in some embodiments, and can preferably allow staged tensioning of the line in some embodiments.

[0012] The detachable nature of the present disclosure preferably additionally reduces marine growth and corrosion that can cause problems for the deployment system remaining in place on the platform during the life of the platform.

[0013] The terms "first undeployed position" and "second deployed position" are to be understood as terms representing the spatial position of the platform or any device related to the deployment system (such as its main body part) relative to the surface of the water body in which the floating offshore platform is being deployed, the deployment system being attachable to or engageable with the platform either permanently or temporarily. In some preferred embodiments, the "first undeployed position" involves the platform floating on the surface of the water body, and in some preferred embodiments, the "second deployed position" involves the platform being partially submerged in the water body. In some preferred embodiments, in the second deployed position, at least one mooring rope of the deployment device can be disengaged from a fixed mooring rope fixed to the seabed of the water body, and this disengagement can be carried out after the fixed mooring rope is fixed to the platform. Thus, in line with the said use, it can be understood that the plane in which the tensioning force is applied by the mooring rope tensioning member is intended to be parallel to the plane of movement of the platform between the said positions.

[0014] In some preferred embodiments, the tension is arranged to move the main body part or at least one mooring rope a certain distance along the said plane, the distance being equal to the distance between the first undeployed position and the second deployed position. Thus, embodiments can be understood in which when the tensioning force is applied to at least one mooring rope by the mooring rope tensioning member, the fixing point along the main body part or along the at least one mooring rope moves in the same plane as the applied tensioning force, optionally moving a distance along the said plane equal to the distance between the first undeployed position and the second deployed position.

[0015] The at least one mooring rope is preferably a tensioning rope, one end of which is arranged to releasably engage the first end of a mooring rope of the offshore renewable energy system installation platform, the mooring rope being fixed to the seabed of the water body. Thus, the tensioning rope is preferably separated from and releasably engageable with the corresponding one or more mooring ropes of the platform. Thus, the tensioning rope is preferably part of the deployment device and can be removed from the platform together with the deployment device after its deployment, for example for deploying other platforms. Preferably, when the tensioning rope engages with the mooring rope, the mooring rope tensioning member is arranged to apply a tensioning force to the tensioning rope such that the main body part moves from the first undeployed position to the second deployed position. In some preferred embodiments, the mooring rope tensioning member and the corresponding tensioning rope are any suitable combination and can preferably be selected from the group consisting of: a chain jack and a corresponding chain; a wire rope jack and one or more corresponding wire ropes; a winch and a corresponding flexible rope.

[0016] In some preferred embodiments, the mooring line tensioning member includes a rigid actuating member, one end of which is arranged to releasably engage a first end of at least one mooring line of the offshore renewable energy system installation platform, the mooring line being fixed to the seabed of the water body. In such an embodiment, when the rigid actuating member engages the mooring line, the mooring line tensioning member is preferably arranged to move the rigid actuating member to apply a tensioning force to the mooring line with which it engages, such that the main body portion moves from a first undeployed position to a second deployed position. In some preferred embodiments, the mooring line tensioning member and the corresponding rigid actuating member are any suitable combination, which may preferably be selected from the group consisting of: a climbing jack and a corresponding climbing ladder; an indexing positioning jack and a corresponding indexing positioning member. The rigid actuating member is arranged to apply and maintain a tensioning force to at least one mooring line during the deployment of the platform from a floating configuration to a submerged or partially submerged operating configuration by the movement of the mooring line tensioning member relative to the main body portion. The movement of the actuating member is preferably in a direction substantially perpendicular to the base of the platform. In some embodiments, the movement of the actuating member may additionally include a rotational movement, for example in a helical manner. In some embodiments, the rigid actuating member may be permanently engaged with at least one mooring line of the deployment device or a tensioning line of the deployment device.

[0017] In some preferred embodiments, the tensioning member is arranged to move relative to the main body portion along the plane between a first undeployed position and a second deployed position, such that the tensioning force is applied to at least one mooring line along the plane. Thus, it can be understood that in such an embodiment, as the tensioning member moves relative to the main body portion along the plane, at a distance equal to the movement of the main body portion, the tensioning member pulls at least one mooring line along the plane. In such an embodiment, the relative movement of the main body portion and the mooring line tensioning member thus preferably causes the main body portion to move from the first undeployed position towards the second deployed position.

[0018] In some embodiments, the deployment device preferably further comprises one or more buoyancy members. The one or more buoyancy members preferably enable the deployment device to float on the surface of the water body and provide a buoyancy force that is arranged to act in a direction opposite to the direction of the applied tension force. The resistance of the buoyancy force to the tension force preferably improves the stability during the tensioning and deployment of the platform. The one or more buoyancy members preferably supplement the one or more buoyancy members of the offshore renewable energy system installation platform, thereby providing additional buoyancy and an increased water plane area, and thus providing additional stability during deployment and / or tensioning. The connection of the deployment device to the platform at the periphery of the platform preferably provides a widely distributed buoyancy point, which can facilitate resistance to excessive pitching or rolling of the platform during deployment. In some embodiments, the one or more buoyancy members can assist in retrieving the deployment device after it is disengaged from the platform.

[0019] In some embodiments, the deployment device preferably further comprises one or more branch members or fins that extend from and are positioned on the deployment device such that when the deployment device engages the platform, the branch members or fins are below the surface of the water body. The one or more branch members or fins are preferably motion stabilizers that are arranged to reduce the pitching or rolling of the deployment device and / or the platform to which it is engaged during the transportation of the deployment device (and optionally the platform) and / or during the deployment of the platform. The one or more motion stabilizers can take any suitable form and can be similar to, for example, ship stabilizers. In some embodiments, the motion stabilizer can be static and provide passive motion stabilization, and in some embodiments, it can move relative to the main body part, for example, laterally and / or rotationally relative to the main body part, to provide the motion stabilization. This movement of the one or more branch members or fins can be performed in response to dynamic wave forces acting on the deployment device and can be performed manually or automatically.

[0020] In some preferred embodiments, the main body part comprises: an elongated turret fixed to the platform engagement part, the turret comprising: an elongated turret body having a first end and a second end remote from the first end.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the platform engagement portion is shaped to engage a corresponding connector on the platform. In some such embodiments, the platform engagement portion preferably includes a plug member extending from a first end of the turret body, the plug member having a first end proximate to the turret body and a second end remote from the turret body, wherein the second end of the plug member is arranged to engage a corresponding socket on the platform, the engagement inhibiting lateral movement of the plug member relative to the socket. In some preferred embodiments, the body portion and / or the platform engagement portion includes one or more self-aligning structures arranged to guide the plug (and thus the deployment device) to proper insertion and orientation within the socket. In such embodiments, the body portion and / or the platform engagement portion may include one or more structures shaped to engage the socket and / or the platform to provide a single orientation of the deployment device relative to the platform. In a preferred embodiment, the plug member further includes a flange extending from near its first end, the flange being arranged to limit further insertion of the plug member into the socket.

[0022] In some embodiments including a turret, the turret body preferably further includes one or more landing structures positioned along its length, the landing structures being arranged to allow the turret to engage one or more marine vessels, such as for transferring an operator or maintenance personnel to and from the deployment device. In some embodiments, the one or more vessel landing structures are preferably arranged to align with and / or engage corresponding structures on the platform. Thus, alignment or engagement with corresponding structures on the platform preferably serves as a self-aligning structure for the deployment device, thereby allowing only a desired single orientation of the deployment device relative to the platform. This allowed single orientation of the deployment device relative to the platform preferably increases the speed and ease of deployment while positioning the deployment device for maximum accessibility and operability. In embodiments including a turret and one or more buoyancy members, the one or more buoyancy members may remain afloat on the surface of the water body during deployment. Such embodiments may assist in retrieving the deployment device after detachment from the platform. In other embodiments, the one or more buoyancy members may be submerged with the platform during deployment. Such embodiments may assist in the stability of the platform during deployment.

[0023] In some embodiments, the elongate turret further includes a top member arranged to engage the second end of the turret body, the top member including a platform on which a mooring line tensioning member is supported. The top member is preferably arranged to engage the second end of the turret body such that the top member is removable from the second end of the turret body. This modular arrangement can improve the ease of transportation and attachment or detachment of the turret to and from the platform. In some preferred embodiments, in the second deployment position, the platform of the top member is arranged to remain above the surface of the water body. The platform can support the mooring line tensioning member, and in embodiments where the platform remains above the surface of the water body throughout deployment, the tensioning member and any other devices supported on the platform are protected from exposure to water.

[0024] Preferably, the turret body includes a passage extending along its length between the first end and the second end, and at least a portion of at least one mooring line, tensioning line, or rigid actuation member extends along the passage. The passage is preferably centrally located and coaxial with the turret body. The central location of the passage and the central location of any mooring line extending therealong are preferably used to optimize the ease of deployment by applying a tensioning force through the tensioning member.

[0025] In some preferred embodiments, the turret body further includes at least one ballast support member arranged to support at least one removable ballast thereon. Providing a ballast support member for supporting a removable ballast preferably enables a ballast mass to be applied to the deployment device, the ballast mass providing a downward acting ballast weight to resist the buoyancy of the floating offshore renewable energy system installation platform to be deployed. The ballast mass of the removable ballast thus supports the tensioning force applied by the tensioning member to the mooring line, thereby allowing the use of a tensioning device with a lower load than would otherwise be used. The removable nature of the ballast preferably improves the ease of deployment, where the ballast can be removed before the remainder of the deployment device is disengaged from the platform when the platform is deployed to the second deployment position.

[0026] The turret body preferably further includes a ballast fluid compartment arranged to contain a volume of ballast fluid; wherein the turret body further includes a ballast fluid inlet arranged to receive the ballast fluid into the ballast fluid compartment; and a ballast fluid outlet arranged to allow the ballast fluid to flow out of the ballast fluid compartment. The ballast fluid can be any suitable ballast fluid, such as seawater, or slurry. The ballast fluid preferably has a higher density than seawater, thereby optimizing the shape factor of the ballast fluid compartment.

[0027] In some preferred embodiments, the deployment device further includes a pump that is arranged to pump ballast fluid into and / or out of a ballast fluid compartment. In some embodiments, the ballast fluid compartment may not be located on the deployment device but may be located within a suitable portion of an offshore platform. In some such embodiments, the deployment device preferably further includes a pump that is arranged to pump ballast fluid into and / or out of a cavity located within the installation platform of the offshore renewable energy system. Such embodiments preferably serve to minimize the form factor of the deployment device by eliminating the need for an on-board ballast fluid compartment. In such embodiments where the cavity located within the installation platform of the offshore renewable energy system is arranged to provide or contribute to the net buoyancy of the platform, for example, by including a buoyant fluid such as air, the deployment device may be arranged to replace at least a portion of the buoyant fluid with a quantity of the ballast fluid, whereby the ballast fluid is arranged to reduce the net buoyancy of the platform. The replacement may be effected by any suitable means, such as using the pump.

[0028] In some embodiments, the elongate turret preferably further includes: a track extending along a portion of the turret body; and wherein a mooring line tensioning member is fixed to the track and is arranged to move along the track between a first undeployed position and a second deployed position.

[0029] In some preferred embodiments, the tensioning member further includes a motor that is arranged to drive the movement of the mooring line tensioning member along the track. This movement in the plane of maneuver along the track can be used to apply a tensioning force to at least one mooring line. This can additionally or alternatively be used to apply an initial tensioning force to at least one mooring line in order to tension at least one mooring line against the seabed of the water body. Then, optionally, a tensioning force can be applied to at least one mooring line by the maneuvering movement of the tensioning member. In some embodiments, the deployment device may further include one or more ballast members, each of the one or more ballast members including a mass body. The one or more ballast members are preferably arranged to apply a gravitational force proportional to the ballast mass body to the mooring line tensioning member. This gravitational force is preferably arranged to supplement or apply a tensioning force. In embodiments including a turret, the one or more ballast members are preferably arranged to move between a first height near a second end of the turret body and a second height lower along the turret body during the application of the tensioning force. In some embodiments, the one or more ballast members may provide additional stability to the turret and / or the platform engaged therewith.

[0030] In some embodiments, the mooring line tensioning member preferably includes an elongate turret, the elongate turret including: a turret body having a first end and a second end remote from the first end; and a track extending along a portion of the turret body; wherein a first end of at least one mooring line is coupled to the turret body near the first end of the turret body. In such an embodiment, the track is preferably movably coupled to the body portion such that the turret is arranged to move along the plane.

[0031] In some embodiments including a turret, the engagement between the platform engaging portion and the platform preferably causes the turret to extend substantially perpendicular to the base of the platform when the platform engaging portion is engaged.

[0032] In some embodiments, the tensioning member preferably includes a reciprocating one-way mechanism arranged to apply the tensioning force, the reciprocating one-way mechanism including: a first hydraulic cylinder and a second hydraulic cylinder, each of the first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder being fixed to a corresponding movable one-way member, the movable one-way member having: a tensioning mode in which the one-way member is arranged to restrict the movement of one of the mooring lines to a first direction along the plane and is further arranged to move in the first direction through the corresponding hydraulic cylinder to apply a second tensioning force to the mooring line; and a release mode in which the one-way member is arranged to move along the mooring line in a second direction along the plane, the second direction being opposite to the first direction; wherein each of the one-way members is arranged to switch between the tensioning mode and the release mode in a reciprocating manner.

[0033] In some such embodiments, each of the one-way members can preferably be moved independently of the other one-way members by the corresponding first or second hydraulic cylinder. In a preferred such embodiment, at least one mooring line includes a chain, and wherein the reciprocating one-way mechanism is a chain jack.

[0034] Such embodiments can be understood, i.e., wherein the tensioning member is any suitable device, such as a power winch.

[0035] In some embodiments, the tensioning member can include active heave compensation, which preferably enables continuous operation in different sea states. In some embodiments, the tensioning member can be arranged to apply a constant tensioning force to at least one mooring line, and in some embodiments, the constant tensioning force can be arranged to be adjustable by the user or automatically adjusted, for example, according to specific sea states. The tensioning member can include any advanced controls suitable for enabling more efficient and safe operation of the deployment device when deploying the platform.

[0036] In some embodiments, at least one mooring line preferably further includes a terminal arranged to be coupled to the seabed of the water body.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, during said use, the movement of the main body portion towards the second deployment position is arranged to submerge the platform in the water body to an underwater operation configuration having an operating depth. In a preferred such embodiment, the operating depth is substantially equal to the distance between the first undeployed position and the second deployment position.

[0038] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a buoyant offshore platform for supporting a renewable energy system in a water body having a surface and a bed, the buoyant offshore platform comprising: a base portion for submerging below the surface of the water body; a top for remaining above the surface of the water body; a connector located on the base portion or the top; and a deployment device comprising: a main body portion including a platform engagement portion arranged to fixedly engage the connector; a mooring line tensioning member coupled to the main body portion; wherein the platform engagement portion is further arranged to disengage from a corresponding portion of the platform; and further wherein, in use, when the platform engagement portion engages the connector, the mooring line tensioning member is arranged to apply a tension force to at least one mooring line along a plane substantially perpendicular to the base portion, wherein under said tension force, the main body portion is arranged to move from a first undeployed position to a second deployment position relative to at least one mooring line.

[0039] In some embodiments, the buoyant offshore platform preferably further comprises: a floating configuration in which the buoyant offshore platform is positioned to substantially float on the surface of the water body; and an underwater operation configuration in which the base portion is submerged below the surface of the water body and the top remains above the surface of the water body; and wherein, during said use, the tension force applied to at least one mooring line causes the buoyant offshore platform to transition between the floating configuration when the main body portion is in the first undeployed position and the underwater operation configuration when the main body portion is in the second deployment position.

[0040] In some embodiments, the base portion preferably includes at least three vertices, at least said three vertices including corresponding said connectors; wherein the platform further includes the same number of said deployment devices as the number of connectors.

[0041] It will be appreciated that the deployment device of the platform according to the second aspect may be the deployment device according to the first aspect.

[0042] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of deploying a buoyant offshore platform for supporting a renewable energy system, the method comprising: moving the buoyant offshore platform along the surface of a body of water to a location on the body of water; attaching a deployment device to the buoyant offshore platform; securing one or more mooring lines between the deployment device and the bed of the body of water; applying a tension force to at least one mooring line using the deployment device in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane occupied by the base portion of the buoyant offshore platform such that a portion of the buoyant offshore platform is submerged in the body of water; and detaching the deployment device from the buoyant offshore platform.

[0043] In some embodiments, the method may further comprise securing at least one fixed-length mooring line between the buoyant offshore platform and the bed of the body of water.

[0044] It will be appreciated that the deployment device according to the method of the third aspect may be the deployment device according to the first aspect.

[0045] It will be appreciated that any feature described herein as being suitable for incorporation into one or more aspects or embodiments of the present disclosure is intended to be generalizable to any and all aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate other aspects of the present disclosure from the specification, claims, and drawings of the present disclosure. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and illustrative and are not limiting of the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] Specific embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0047] Figure 1 A perspective view of a platform according to the second aspect is provided, the platform including three deployment devices according to the first aspect for deploying the platform to an underwater operating configuration;

[0048] Figure 2 As provided Figure 1 A perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a deployment device according to the first aspect as depicted;

[0049] Figure 3 As provided Figure 1 And Figure 2 An exploded view of a buoyant platform and a deployment device, the buoyant platform and the deployment device floating at a desired deployment location in a body of water and prior to securing the deployment device to the platform in steps of an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the third aspect;

[0050] Figure 4 A perspective view of the platform and the deployment device in subsequent steps of an exemplary method according to the third aspect is provided, Figure 3 wherein a temporary mooring line is secured between the deployment device and the bed of the body of water;

[0051] Figure 5 Provides Figure 3 and Figure 4 A perspective view of the platform and deployment device in subsequent steps of the example method, where the tension member of the deployment device moves vertically along the track of the deployment device to apply tension to the temporary mooring rope and submerge the platform in the water body;

[0052] Figure 6 Provides Figures 3 to 5 A perspective view of the platform deployed to the underwater operating configuration at the operating depth in the water body, and the deployment device is removed;

[0053] Figure 7A Provides an exploded perspective view of another example embodiment of the deployment device according to the first aspect;

[0054] Figure 7B Provides a cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of Figure 7A engaged with the offshore renewable energy system installation platform;

[0055] Figure 7C Provides Figure 7B A perspective view of the example embodiment shown;

[0056] Figures 8A to 8G Provides a series of perspective views constituting steps in the method according to the third aspect, which is a method of deploying a buoyant offshore platform using the example deployment device depicted in Figures 7A to 7C ;

[0057] Figure 9A Provides an exploded perspective view of another example embodiment of the deployment device according to the first aspect;

[0058] Figure 9B Provides a cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of Figure 9A engaged with the offshore renewable energy system installation platform;

[0059] Figure 10A Provides an exploded perspective view of another example embodiment of the deployment device according to the first aspect;

[0060] Figure 10B Provides a cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of Figure 10A engaged with the offshore renewable energy system installation platform;

[0061] Figure 11A Provides an exploded perspective view of another example embodiment of the deployment device according to the first aspect;

[0062] Figure 11B Provides a cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of Figure 11ACross-sectional view of an example embodiment;

[0063] Figure 12A and Figure 12B provides a front cross-sectional view of another example embodiment of a deployment device according to the first aspect engaged with a marine renewable energy system installation platform of the second aspect;

[0064] Figure 12C provides Figure 12A and Figure 12B a partial close-up view of a rigid actuating member of an embodiment; and

[0065] Figure 13 illustrates example steps of a method of deploying a buoyant marine platform according to the third aspect. Detailed Description

[0066] Referring Figure 1 , a perspective view of an example embodiment of a buoyant marine platform 100 according to the second aspect is shown, the platform 100 being adapted to support one or more renewable energy systems mounted thereon. In the particular example described, the platform 100 includes a base portion formed by three elongated cylindrical lateral struts 102. Each of the three lateral struts 102 is connected to an adjacent lateral strut 102 by a connector 104 fixed to one end thereof, and the struts 102 and connectors 104 together form a triangular base portion of the buoyant platform 100 having three vertices. The platform 100 also includes elongated cylindrical diagonal struts 106 extending upwardly from each connector 104 and inclined with respect to the base portion, the diagonal struts 106 converging at their ends remote from the respective connectors 104 to form the substantially tetrahedral platform 100 in the example shown. The three diagonal struts 106 are connected together by a top 108 of the tetrahedral platform 100, the top 108 supporting a wind turbine 110. The tetrahedral shape of the particular example shown provides a preferred degree of support and stability for the wind turbine 110 supported thereon when deployed to an underwater operating configuration in a body of water. It will be appreciated that embodiments are possible in which the platform can take any suitable shape for a desired application. In particular, although the platform is depicted as supporting a wind turbine, the platform can support any suitable renewable energy system, such as a wave energy converter, or any suitable combination of renewable energy systems.

[0067] In Figure 1 the example shown, each connector 104 further includes a socket 112 located on its outer portion. Each socket 112 is shaped to receive a complementary platform connector 202 of a respective deployment device 200 according to the first aspect of the present disclosure. A more detailed description of each deployment device 200 is given below with reference to Figure 2 . In Figure 1In the particular example shown, the respective platform connectors of the three deployment devices 200 are arranged to engage corresponding sockets 112 of the platform 100 such that the deployment devices 200 are supported while inhibiting lateral movement or rotation of the deployment devices 200. The engagement is also arranged such that each deployment device 200 can be disengaged from the corresponding socket 112 when the deployment of the platform 100 to the underwater operating configuration is complete.

[0068] In the particular example shown, the lateral strut 102 of the triangular base portion of the platform 100 is hollow and includes a gas such as air or a gas / liquid mixture in order to provide buoyancy for the lateral strut 102 and thus for the platform 100. It will be appreciated that such an embodiment where the buoyancy is provided by any suitable means (such as one or more buoyancy tanks distributed over the platform). When the platform 100 is immersed in a body of water, the buoyancy of the platform 100 imparts stability to the platform 100 and thus to the renewable energy system supported thereon.

[0069] Figure 2 As shown Figure 1 A perspective view of an example embodiment of a deployment device 200 as shown and in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure is shown. In the example shown, the deployment device 200 includes a turret having an elongate cylindrical turret body 204 having a first end 206 and a second end 208. A platform connector 202 extends from the turret body 204 at the first end 206 of the turret body 204. In the embodiment shown, the platform connector 202 includes a substantially cylindrical body having a chamfered terminal remote from the turret body 204. The body of the platform connector 202 extends along the same plane at the turret body 204 and is substantially coaxial therewith. The body of the connector 202 is shaped to engage the socket 112 of the platform 100 in a complementary manner to facilitate subsequent disengagement of the connector 202 from the socket 112. In the example shown, the connector 202 is also shaped to provide a tight fit within the socket 112, maximizing the surface area of the mating surfaces between the socket 112 and the connector 202 such that lateral and pitching movement of the connector 202 within the socket 112 is inhibited. The connector 202 is shaped to engage the socket 112 in only a single rotational orientation, thus serving as a self-aligning structure to achieve the desired orientation of the device 200 relative to the platform 100. The connector 202 additionally includes a latch structure (not shown) arranged to temporarily secure the device 200 to the platform 100. It will be appreciated that such an embodiment where insertion of the connector 202 into the socket 112 is sufficient to provide the desired temporary connection of the device 200 to the platform 100 without the need for a latch structure.

[0070] A circular radial flange 210 is positioned at the interface between the connector 202 and the turret body 204. The radial flange 210 extends outwardly from the turret body 204 and is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the turret body 204. The flange 210 includes a substantially planar upper surface and a lower surface. In the example shown, during engagement of the connector 202 with the socket 112 of the platform 100, the planar lower surface of the flange 210 engages the upper surface of the wall of the socket 112. When the connector 202 is fully engaged with the socket 112, the engagement between the flange 210 and the socket 112 serves to prohibit further movement of the connector 202 into the socket 112, while also preventing pitching movement of the connector 202 and thus preventing pitching movement of the turret body 204. The planar upper surface of the flange 210 provides a surface on which deployment or maintenance personnel can work during deployment or maintenance of the platform 100.

[0071] Positioned on the turret body 204 at the second end 208 of the turret body 204 is a planar rectangular surface 212 that extends across the top of the turret body 204 and is substantially co - centered with the turret body 204. The rectangular surface 212 supports a plurality of housings, including housings for power supply devices 214, 216. It will be appreciated that such an embodiment could support any suitable device, such as one or more ballast members that may be intended to provide additional stability to the turret body or to provide or enhance the application of tension to a mooring line.

[0072] The turret further includes an elongate track 215 that extends along the length of the turret body 204. In the example shown, the elongate track 215 extends between the flange 210 of the connector 202 and the surface 212 on top of the turret body 204.

[0073] The turret further includes a tension member 218 coupled to the track 215. In the example shown, the tension member 218 includes a body that houses a motor (not shown) configured to drive the tension member 218 along the track 215 between a highest first position 220 near the second end 208 of the turret body 204 and a lowest second position 222 near the first end 206 of the turret body 204. In the example shown, the motor of the tension member 218 is connected to and receives power from the power supply 214 in order to drive the tension member in the said movement between the first position 220 and the second position 222.

[0074] The turret further includes a temporary lowering line (TLL) 217 that extends from a tension member 218 at one of its ends and is temporarily fixed at its opposite end to an anchor point on the bottom bed of the water body. The tension member 218 is arranged to apply a tension force to the TLL 217 when the tension member 218 moves upward along the track 215 from the second position 222 to the first position 220, thereby pushing the platform 100 below the surface of the water body. Two fixed-length flexible mooring lines 224 of the platform 100 are permanently fixed to anchor points on the bottom bed of the water body and extend upward therefrom. When the platform 100 is fully submerged by the movement of the tension member 218 along the track 215 as discussed, the two fixed-length permanent mooring lines 224 engage with the platform 100. Thus, the fixed length of the permanent mooring lines 224 defines the desired operating depth of the platform 100. After the fixed-length mooring lines 224 are engaged with the platform 100, the TLL 217 can be disengaged from the corresponding anchor point as part of the detachment of the deployment device 200 from the platform 100. The tension member 218 can move a short distance from the first position 220 toward the second position 222 to release the tension in the TLL 217 before the detachment.

[0075] In Figure 2 the illustrated embodiment, the turret 200 further includes a landing structure that takes the form of a guide rail 226 that projects from the turret body 204 and extends along its length between a first end 206 and a second end 208. In the example shown, the guide rail 226 is configured to be engaged by one or more offshore vessels 227 to assist operating and maintenance personnel to and from the deployment device 200.

[0076] In use, the platform 100 is transported across the surface of a water body (not shown) to a desired deployment location. The connector 202 of the turret 200 engages a corresponding socket 112 of a buoyant platform 100 floating on the surface of the water body (as Figure 3 shown), the turret body 204 and the track 215 thereon extend perpendicular to the plane occupied by the triangular base portion of the platform 100 and extend substantially vertically relative to the surface of the water body.

[0077] The end of the TLL 217 remote from the tension member 218 is fixed to the bottom bed of the water body, thereby supporting the buoyant platform 100 on the surface of the water body. Power is supplied to the motor of the tension member 218, which is thus driven along the track 215 from the second position 222 to the first position 220, thereby pulling the TLL 217 to apply tension thereto and submerge the base portion of the platform 100 below the surface of the water body, as Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown. The moving length of the tension member 218 determines the underwater depth of the base portion of the platform 100, which in the example shown is substantially equal to the distance between the first position 220 and the second position 222. In the example shown, this underwater depth is the operating depth of the platform 100 at which the platform 100 is deployed to achieve an underwater operating configuration. Once at this underwater operating depth, the platform 100 is fixed to the bottom bed of the water body by securing a fixed-length mooring line 224 between the platform and the bottom bed of the water body. Thereafter, optionally after the tension member 218 moves a short distance from the first position 220 towards the second position 222 to release the tension in the TLL 217, the TLL 217 can be separated from the bottom bed of the water body, and the connector 202 can be disengaged from the corresponding socket 112, thus providing a deployed platform as shown in Figure 6 . In the underwater operating configuration, the buoyancy of the platform 100 imparts stability to the supported renewable energy system during the operation of converting the captured energy (such as wind energy or wave energy) into useful energy (such as electrical energy).

[0078] Referring to Figure 7A , an exploded view of another exemplary embodiment 702 of a deployment device according to a first aspect is shown. In the example 702 shown, the deployment device 702 includes a turret having an elongated cylindrical turret body 704 with a first end 706 and a second end 708. A platform connector 703 extends from the turret body 704 at the first end 706 of the turret body 704. In the embodiment shown, the platform connector 703 includes a substantially cylindrical protrusion extending from the first end 706 of the turret body 704. The body of the platform connector 703 extends along the same plane at the turret body 704 and is substantially coaxial therewith. As shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 7B , the body of the connector 703 is shaped to engage the corresponding socket 705 of the offshore renewable energy system installation platform 700 in a complementary manner to facilitate subsequent disengagement of the connector 703 from the socket 705. In the example shown, the connector 703 is also shaped to provide a tight fit within the socket 705, maximizing the surface area of the mating surfaces between the socket 705 and the connector 703, thereby inhibiting lateral and pitching movement of the connector 703 within the socket 705.

[0079] At the interface between the connector 703 and the turret body 704, a circular radial flange 710 is positioned. The radial flange 710 extends outwardly from the turret body 704 and is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the turret body 704. The flange 710 includes a substantially planar lower surface. In the example shown, the planar lower surface of the flange 710 is arranged to engage the upper surface of the wall of the socket 705 during the engagement of the connector 703 with the socket 705 of the platform 700. When the connector 703 is fully engaged with the socket 705, the engagement between the flange 708 and the socket 705 serves to prohibit further movement of the connector 703 into the socket 705, while also preventing the pitching movement of the connector 703 and thus the pitching movement of the turret body 704.

[0080] The landing structure 717 extends along the turret body 704. The landing structure 717 is adapted for the device 702 to engage with an offshore vessel (not shown). The landing structure 717 includes elongated rails spaced apart from the turret body 704 by corresponding strut structures.

[0081] The deployment device 702 further includes a top member 712 having a cylindrical top member body 714. The top member body 714 has substantially the same diameter as the cylindrical turret body 704. The top member body 714 includes a landing structure 717 corresponding to the landing structure of the turret body 704 and is configured to provide its continuation. A planar rectangular platform 716 is supported at the upper end of the top member body 714. A connector 718 extends from the end of the top member body 714 remote from the planar platform 716. The connector 718 is shaped to engage the second end 708 of the turret body 704 and secure the top member 712 to the turret body 704.

[0082] The mooring line tensioning member 720 is supported on top of the platform 716. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the mooring line tensioning member 720 takes the form of a double hydraulic chain jack 720, but it will be understood that any suitable tensioning device may be used as described herein. Two flexible chains 722 are connected to the chain jack 720. The top member 712 includes a box-shaped chain compartment 724 for receiving the slack portions of the chains 722. The chain compartment 724 includes openings 725 through which the two chains 722 extend, and the two chains 722 are guided from the compartment 724 through the openings 725 to the chain jack 720 by rotating sprockets 726. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, at the terminals of the two chains 722 is a Y-shaped connector 728 that connects the two chains 722 to the first end of an extension rope 730. In the illustrated embodiment, the extension rope 730 extends from the Y-shaped connector 728 to a temporary mooring line connector 732 that is arranged to engage a permanent mooring line connector 734 in a detachable manner such that during disconnection of the device 702 from the platform 700, the temporary connector can be disengaged from the permanent connector 734. In the illustrated embodiment, the permanent connector 734 is fixed to a plurality of mooring lines 736 that extend between the connector 734 and the bottom bed of the water body, and the mooring lines 736 are anchored to the bottom bed of the water body. In the illustrated embodiment, the permanent connector 734 is arranged to be fixed to the platform 700 below the device 702. It will be understood that in such an embodiment, the connection between the temporary mooring line connector 732 and the permanent mooring line connector 734 can take the form of any suitable temporary connection, such as an eye and a hook, a snap hook, or any other suitable connection system that may be understood.

[0083] The top member body 714 and the turret body 704 include an internal elongated passage 719 that extends between the lowest end of the platform 716 and the platform connector 703, and the chains 722 and the extension rope 730 are arranged to extend along the passage.

[0084] In use, when the platform 700 is floating on the water body, the device 702 is connected to the socket 705 of the buoyant platform 700, and the chains 722 and the extension rope 730 are lowered through the socket 705 of the platform 700 and further into the water body such that the temporary connector 732 can engage the permanent connector 734 that is fixed to the anchored mooring lines 736. Then, the two chains 722 are partially retracted, either by the chain jack 720 or by any other motorized means (such as the motorized movement of the sprockets 726), until the mooring lines 736 are tensioned at their respective anchor points in the bottom bed of the water body. Then, the chain jack 720 is arranged to apply a tensioning force to the two chains 722 such that the floating platform 700 is gradually submerged in the water body towards the permanent connector 734 of the mooring lines 736 to achieve as Figure 7B the cross-sectional view ofFigure 7C the configuration shown in the perspective view. Thus, the anchored mooring lines 736 and the permanent connector 734 define the operating depth of the buoyant platform 700 at which the permanent connector 734 is fixed to the corresponding engagement area of the platform 700. In the illustrated embodiment, the platform 700 is directly below the device 702 and coaxially aligned with its longitudinal axis. At Figure 7C the operating depth shown, the platform 716 of the top member 712 and thus the machinery supported thereon remain above the surface of the water body. Then, the temporary connector 732 is disengaged from the permanent connector 734, and the device 702 is disengaged from the socket 705 and can be used to deploy other such platforms 700.

[0085] Figures 8A to 8G An example platform deployment sequence for a buoyant tetrahedral platform 700 is shown. The buoyant tetrahedral platform 700 has three bottom vertices 738 formed at the intersections of adjacent buoyant lateral struts 740 of the platform 700. The platform 700 is deployed using the embodiment 702 described with respect to Figures 7A to 7C and will use the same numbering where appropriate. The buoyant platform 700 is positioned such that each vertex is above a corresponding permanent mooring line connector 734. Each mooring line connector 734 is fixed to the first end of two mooring lines 736 that extend between the connector 734 and corresponding anchor points 738 on the bottom bed of the water body. In the particular example shown, the permanent connector 734 is shown as being buoyant, but it will be understood that any suitable means of manipulating the connector 734 to the shown position. As Figure 8A shown, each of the three vertices of the platform 700 includes a corresponding deployment device socket 705. For each socket 705, the platform connector 703 of the turret body 704 of the corresponding device 702 engages the socket 705 in the manner described. The particular means of transporting and manipulating the deployment device 702 for engagement with the socket 705 are not shown, and any suitable means of transporting and manipulating, such as using a corresponding offshore vessel having appropriate machinery thereon, will be understood. For simplicity, the devices 702 are shown as engaging simultaneously, but it will be understood that for logistical areas, the devices 702 may engage the platform 700 sequentially.

[0086] In the illustrated embodiment, after the turret body 704 engages the corresponding socket 705, the top member 712 of each device 702 engages the corresponding turret body 704 (as Figure 8B shown), and the chains 722 and the extension ropes 730 extend along the channels 719 within the turret body 704 and through the bottom of the corresponding platform vertex such that the temporary connector 732 located at the end of the extension rope 730 moves close to the corresponding permanent mooring line connector 734 (as Figure 8C shown). AsFigure 8D As shown, each temporary connector 732 is then moved into engagement with a corresponding permanent mooring line connector 734, which in the example shown is performed by a remotely operated submersible device, but any suitable manner will be appreciated.

[0087] Then, the chain jack 720 of the device 702 applies tension to the corresponding chain 722, so that the platform 700 is gradually immersed in the water body (e.g. Figure 8E Submerge the platform 700 until the permanent mooring line connectors 734 can engage with corresponding engagement areas on corresponding vertices of the platform 700 at the operating depth of the platform 700 (as shown in FIG. Figure 8F At this operating depth, the platform 716 of the top member remains above the surface of the water body (as shown). Figure 8F In the drawings, the engagement is shown as being performed by a remotely operated submersible device, but any suitable approach will be appreciated.

[0088] The temporary connector 732 is then disconnected from the corresponding permanent mooring line connector 734. The top member 712 is removed from the corresponding turret body 704, and the turret body 704 is subsequently removed from the corresponding platform socket 705, leaving the buoyant platform 700 deployed at the operating depth (eg, Figure 8G shown).

[0089] refer to Figure 9A , showing an exploded view of another example embodiment 902 of a deployment device according to the first aspect. Figure 9A and Figure 9B The illustrated embodiment 902 is similar to Figures 7A to 7C The embodiment 702 is described, and the corresponding numbering of features 700 to 740 is replaced where appropriate. Figure 9A and Figure 9B The numbers 900 to 940 in the Figure 9A and Figure 9B In this other embodiment 902, the device 902 includes a lower load tensioning device, which includes a powered winch 942 in place of the chain jack 722 and sprocket 726 mechanism of the previously described embodiment 702. Any suitable tensioning method will be appreciated, such as the tensioning methods described herein. Embodiment 902 can be used in suitable applications wherein any suitable ballast mass can be applied to the buoyant platform 900 such that the weight of the ballast mass acts downwardly on the buoyant platform 900 during the application of the tensioning force by the powered winch. Thus, the weight of the ballast mass is used to support the tensioning action of the tensioning member, which in the example embodiment shown is the powered winch 942. Therefore, a lower load tensioning member is required, which can reduce the cost and complexity of the device 902. As shown in FIG. Figure 9A as well as Figure 9BAs shown in the cross-sectional view, the tensioning member is shown as a power winch 942. In the particular example shown, the ballast mass is provided in the form of seawater pumped into a cavity (not shown) included in the lateral strut 940 of the platform 900. In the illustrated embodiment, prior to said pumping, the cavity of the lateral strut is filled with air, which provides or contributes to the net buoyancy of the platform shown. During the pumping of seawater into the cavity, the air is displaced and / or expelled from the cavity, thereby reducing the net buoyancy of the platform 900. In the particular example 902 shown, the device 902 also includes a pump (not shown) for pumping seawater into and out of the cavity of each lateral strut 940 of the platform. In use, the device 902 will engage with the platform 900 substantially as described herein with respect to the previous embodiment 702. In the example shown, the pump is arranged to pump seawater into the lateral strut 740 of the platform 900 before or after lowering the winch rope 944 and the extension rope 930 and then engaging the temporary connector 932 with the corresponding permanent mooring rope connector 934, thereby providing a ballast mass for supporting the tensioning action of the winch 942. In a preferred embodiment, the lowering of the winch rope 944 and the extension rope 930 and the subsequent engagement of the temporary connector 932 with the corresponding permanent mooring rope connector 934 are performed before pumping seawater or any suitable ballast fluid into the lateral strut 940 of the platform 900. The winch 942 applies and maintains a tension force on the winch rope 944 wound thereon throughout the addition of the ballast mass in order to keep the submerged platform under control throughout and in order to retract the extension rope 930 extending therefrom and submerge the platform 900 as described above. After the permanent mooring rope connector 934 engages with the corresponding engagement area at the apex of the platform at the operating depth, the ballast mass can then be removed, which in the example 902 shown involves pumping seawater out of the lateral strut 940 of the platform 900 by the pump, and the seawater is replaced by air, thereby increasing the net buoyancy of the platform 900. Removing the ballast mass after the platform is at the operating depth allows the full buoyancy of the buoyant platform 900 to resist the tension of the mooring rope 936 in order to provide maximum stability for the platform 900 in the water body.

[0090] Reference Figure 10A , a decomposition diagram of another exemplary embodiment 1002 of a deployment device according to a first aspect is shown. Figure 10A and Figure 10B The illustrated embodiment 1002 is similar to the embodiments 702, 902 described with respect to Figures 7A to 7C as well as Figure 9A and Figure 9B In the appropriate cases, the corresponding numbers of the features 700 to 740 and 942 and 944 are Figure 10A and Figure 10Bare replaced by the numbers 1000 to 1044. In the other embodiment 1002 shown, a ballast mass similar to that of the embodiment 902 previously described with respect to Figure 9A and Figure 9B is employed, allowing for a lower load on the tension member, which in the example shown is the power winch 1042. Any suitable tensioning means, such as those described herein, may be understood. In Figure 10A and Figure 10B the other embodiment 1002 shown, the ballast mass is applied to the device 1002 itself. In the particular example 1002 shown, the ballast mass takes the form of a plurality of weighted disks 1046 supported on corresponding support rods 1048 of a pair of support rods 1048, each support rod 1048 extending parallel to the turret body 1004. Each support rod of the pair of support rods 1048 extends from a corresponding support rod 1050 of a pair of opposing said struts 1050, the struts 1050 protruding from opposite points on the turret body 1004 and in opposite directions. Thus, when each support rod 1048 supports an equal number of weighted disks 1046, the ballast mass is balanced about the central axis of the turret body 1004. In the particular example 1002 shown, balancing the ballast mass in this way is crucial for ensuring the stability of the platform 1000 and the device 1002 throughout the deployment of the platform 1000. A thicker wall is used for the portion of the turret body 1004 near the struts 1050, which preferably provides greater support for said portion when the ballast disks are supported on the corresponding rods. In use, the device 1002 will engage with the platform 1000 substantially as described herein with respect to the previous embodiment 702. In the example shown, the weighted disks 1046 are sequentially added to the corresponding support rods 1048 before or after the temporary connector 1032 engages with the corresponding permanent mooring line connector 1034 until each support rod 1048 includes a fully complemented set of weighted disks 1046, as Figure 10A and Figure 10BAs shown. The winch 1042 applies and maintains a tension force on the winch rope 1044 wound thereon throughout the entire process of adding the ballast mass, so as to keep the submerged platform under control throughout the process, and so as to retract the extension rope 1030 extending therefrom and submerge the platform 1000 as described above. After reaching the operating depth and after the corresponding engagement area between the permanent mooring rope connector 1034 and the platform apex is engaged, the ballast mass can then be removed. In the example 1002 shown, this involves: continuously removing the weighted disks 1046 from the corresponding support rods 1048, and then disconnecting the remaining part of the device 1002 from the platform 1000 as described above; or disconnecting the ballast device 1002 from the platform 1000. As discussed, removing the ballast mass after the platform reaches the operating depth allows the full buoyancy of the buoyant platform 1000 to resist the tension of the mooring rope 1036, so as to provide maximum stability for the platform 1000 in the water body.

[0091] Reference Figure 11A , a decomposition view of another exemplary embodiment 1102 of the deployment device according to the first aspect is shown. Figure 11A and Figure 11B The embodiment 1102 shown is similar to those regarding Figures 7A to 7C as well as Figure 9A and Figure 9B described embodiments 702, 902. In appropriate cases, the corresponding numbers of features 700 to 740 and 942 and 944 will be Figure 11A and Figure 11B replaced by the numbers 1100 to 1144 in Figure 9A and Figure 9B described embodiment 902 and also similar to the ballast mass of the embodiment 1002 previously described regarding Figure 10A and Figure 10B described. This allows a lower load tension member, which is a power winch 1142 in the example shown. Any suitable tensioning method can be understood, such as the tensioning methods described herein. In Figure 11A and Figure 11BIn another illustrated embodiment 1102, a ballast mass is applied to the device 1102 itself. In the particular example 1102 shown, the turret body 1104 includes a cavity 1152 located around a central passage 1119 and isolated therefrom by a partition wall 1154. The turret body 1104 also includes a pumping port (not shown) through which a fluid ballast mass can be pumped into and out of the cavity 1150. In the particular example 1102 shown, the fluid ballast mass is a slurry, but any suitable fluid ballast mass is contemplated. A longer platform connector 1103 is provided in such a ballast embodiment, which can be used to provide greater support and stability against any pitching motion of the ballasted turret during use. In use, the device 1102 will engage the platform 1100 substantially as described herein with respect to the previous embodiment 702. In the example shown, before or after the temporary connector 1132 engages the corresponding permanent mooring line connector 1134, the fluid ballast mass is pumped (either by a pump on the device 1102 or a pump separate from the device 1002, such as on an offshore vessel transporting the fluid ballast mass) into the cavity 1152, thereby providing a ballast mass for the tensioning action to support the winch 1142. The winch 1142 applies and maintains a tension force on the winch line 1144 wound thereon throughout the addition of the ballast mass so as to keep the submerged platform under control throughout and so as to retract the extension line 1130 extending therefrom and submerge the platform 1100 as described above. At the operating depth and after the permanent mooring line connector 1134 engages the corresponding engagement area at the apex of the platform, the ballast mass can then be removed, which in the example 1102 shown involves pumping the fluid ballast mass (a slurry in the particular embodiment 1002 shown) out of the cavity 1152 using a selected particular pumping method. As described, removing the ballast mass after the platform is at the operating depth allows the full buoyancy of the buoyant platform 1100 to resist the tension of the mooring line 1136 so as to provide maximum stability to the platform 1100 in the water body.

[0092] It will be appreciated that the Figures 8A to 8G depicted and with respect to the Figures 8A to 8G described deployment sequence is suitable for use in Figures 9A to 11B depicted and with respect to the Figures 9A to 11B described embodiment to deploy the platform, which is suitably modified to take into account the features of the corresponding embodiment.

[0093] Referring to Figures 12A to 12B , a front cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a deployment device 1202 according to the first aspect connected to a platform 1200 according to the second aspect is shown. In Figure 12A and Figure 12BShown in a cross-sectional view is a vertex of platform 1200 that is formed at the intersection of lateral strut 1204 and diagonal strut 1206 as described herein, providing a complementary socket for receiving deployment device 1202. Deployment device 1202 in the illustrated embodiment includes a turret body 1208 that has an internal passage extending therealong. Device 1202 also includes a mooring line tensioning member 1210 that includes opposing power teeth (not shown), each power tooth engaging a corresponding side of a rigid actuator member 1212. The teeth of the teeth of mooring line tensioning member 1210 engage corresponding protrusions that extend along the outer surface of rigid actuator member 1212. Substantially as described herein, a temporary lowering line 1214 extends from the lower end of rigid actuator member 1212. In use, rotation of the teeth of mooring line tensioning member 1210 is used to move rigid actuator member 1212 perpendicular to the base of platform 1200 formed by its lateral strut 1204 by engaging the protrusions 1218 of rigid actuator member 1212. Movement of rigid actuator member 1212 applies a tensioning force to temporary lowering line 1214, thereby pushing platform 1200 below the surface 1218 of the body of water in which it is to be deployed. Figure 12C is shown Figure 12A and Figure 12B a close-up partial view of rigid actuator member 1212 of the illustrated embodiment. As Figure 12C more clearly shown therein, rigid actuator member 1212 includes protrusions 1218 positioned therealong that are arranged to be engaged by mooring line tensioning member 1210 when moving rigid actuator member 1212 as Figure 12A and Figure 12B shown, to apply a tensioning force to temporary lowering line 1214. Once submerged, device 1202 can be disengaged from platform 1200 in any suitable manner such as disclosed herein. Embodiment 1202 will be understood with reference to the disclosure herein, and any suitable rigid actuator member and corresponding mooring line tensioning member will be envisioned, such as any suitable indexed positioning jack and indexed positioning member or climbing jack and corresponding climbing ladder. Movement of the actuator member can include a rotational component, such as in an embodiment where the actuator member moves by a screw action.

[0094] Referring Figure 13 , example steps of an embodiment of method 300 according to a third aspect are provided in accordance with the steps depicted in Figures 3 to 6 and the steps include:

[0095] Moving a buoyant offshore platform along the surface of a body of water to a location on the body of water (302);

[0096] Attaching a deployment device to the buoyant offshore platform (304);

[0097] Fix one or more mooring lines between a deployment device and the seabed of a water body (306);

[0098] Use the deployment device to apply a tension force to at least one mooring line along a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the plane occupied by the base portion of the floating offshore platform, such that a portion of the floating offshore platform is submerged in the water body (308);

[0099] Fix at least one mooring line of fixed length between the floating offshore platform and the seabed of the water body (310); and

[0100] Separate the deployment device from the floating offshore platform (312).

[0101] It will be appreciated that the above steps may be performed in any suitable order. For example, the deployment device attached to the floating offshore platform 304 may be pre-installed before moving the platform to the location 302 on the water body.

[0102] It will be appreciated that the above-described embodiments are given by way of example only, and alternative embodiments are also considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, the tensioning member has been described as using powered movement along a track, and it will be understood that such powered movement can take the form of any suitable powered movement. It will be understood that such embodiments include any suitable application of a tensioning force in a direction perpendicular to the plane occupied by the base portion of the engagement platform (effectively moving substantially vertically). Such a force is different from a tensioning force applied in an inclined / angled direction relative to said plane, and in some cases can be considered different from a rotational force such as that applied by a winch. In some embodiments, the tensioning force is preferably provided by the movement of the tensioning member in the direction of the force. In some embodiments, the movement of the tensioning member can be driven by a motor and / or can be supported by the weight provided by one or more ballasts. In some examples, the application of the tensioning force may not require the entire tensioning member to move along the track, such as using a chain jack tensioning member used in conjunction with any suitable mooring line arrangement or the ratchet action of a similar ratchet device. In such an example, the entire tensioning member does not change position relative to the body portion, but at least one mooring line moves relative to the body portion along said plane as the body portion moves between a first undeployed position and a second deployed position. In such an embodiment, an initial movement of the chain jack along the track (such as a powered or ballast movement (using one or more ballast members)) can be used to apply an initial tensioning force to the mooring line, effectively pulling the mooring line taut on its relative fixing means on the bed of the adjacent body of water. In such an example, subsequent tension or pull can be applied to the mooring line by the chain jack, for example in a ratchet manner and without further movement of the chain jack along the track. In such an embodiment, said subsequent tension or pull can cause the platform to submerge towards the underwater operating depth. In some embodiments, the deployment device (e.g., the described turret embodiment) can provide buoyancy independent of the buoyancy provided by the platform (e.g., by one or more buoyancy members fixed to the deployment device). Such buoyancy can, for example, improve stability during deployment or transportation. Additional stability during deployment or transportation can be provided by one or more motion stabilizers located on the deployment device, such as movable fins or bifurcated members arranged to move laterally or rotationally relative to the remainder of the deployment device, for example in response to dynamic wave forces acting thereon. Some embodiments are depicted in which the tensioning member is a double chain jack. It will be understood that such embodiments include any suitable member such as a wire jack or a jack leg. As depicted in some embodiments, the tensioning member can apply tension to two tensioning ropes, but it will be understood that in other embodiments, the tensioning member in each deployment device can include a plurality of individual tensioning members and can depend on the desired application.This document describes some embodiments in which at least one mooring line of a deployment device includes a tension line (e.g., one of two chains or a winch line) and an extension line. It is understood that such embodiments are those in which at least one mooring line can be any suitable combination of ropes or a single rope.

Claims

1. A deployment device for deploying an offshore renewable energy system installation platform to an underwater operating configuration, the deployment device comprising: a main body portion including a platform engaging portion arranged to fixedly engage a corresponding portion of the offshore renewable energy system installation platform; and a mooring line tensioning member coupled to the main body portion; wherein the platform engaging portion is further arranged to disengage from the corresponding portion of the platform; and, further wherein, in use, when the platform engaging portion engages the corresponding portion of the platform, the mooring line tensioning member is arranged to apply a tension force to at least one mooring line along a plane substantially perpendicular to the base of the platform, wherein under the tension force, the main body portion is arranged to move from a first undeployed position to a second deployed position relative to the at least one mooring line.

2. The deployment device according to claim 1, wherein the mooring line tensioning member includes a tensioning rope connected thereto, one end of the tensioning rope being arranged to releasably engage a first end of the at least one mooring line, the mooring line being fixed to the bottom bed of the water body.

3. The deployment device according to claim 2, wherein when the tensioning rope engages the mooring line, the mooring line tensioning member is arranged to apply the tension force to the tensioning rope such that the main body portion moves from the first undeployed position to the second deployed position.

4. The deployment device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the mooring line tensioning member and the corresponding tensioning rope are selected from the group consisting of: - a chain jack and a corresponding chain; - a wire rope jack and one or more corresponding wire ropes; - a winch and a corresponding flexible rope.

5. The deployment device according to claim 1, wherein the mooring line tensioning member includes a rigid actuating member, one end of the rigid actuating member being arranged to releasably engage a first end of the at least one mooring line of the offshore renewable energy system installation platform, the mooring line being fixed to the bottom bed of the water body.

6. The deployment device according to claim 5, wherein when the rigid actuating member engages the mooring line, the mooring line tensioning member is arranged to move the rigid actuating member to apply the tension force to the mooring line such that the main body portion moves from the first undeployed position to the second deployed position.

7. The deployment device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the mooring line tensioning member and the corresponding rigid actuating member are selected from the group consisting of: - a climbing jack and a corresponding climbing ladder; - an indexing positioning jack and a corresponding indexing positioning member.

8. The deployment device according to any one of the preceding claims, the tension force being arranged to move the main body portion a distance along the plane equal to the distance between the first undeployed position and the second deployed position.

9. The deployment device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tensioning member is arranged to move relative to the body portion along the plane between the first undeployed position and the second deployed position such that the tension force is applied to the at least one mooring line along the plane.

10. The deployment device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body portion comprises: an elongate turret fixed to the platform engagement portion, the turret comprising: an elongate turret body having a first end and a second end remote from the first end.

11. The deployment device according to claim 10, wherein the platform engagement portion is located on the turret body near the first end of the turret body.

12. The deployment device according to claim 11, wherein the platform engagement portion is shaped to engage a corresponding connector on the platform.

13. The deployment device according to claim 12, wherein the platform engagement portion includes a plug member extending from the first end of the turret body, the plug member having a first end near the turret body and a second end remote from the turret body, wherein the second end of the plug member is arranged to engage a corresponding socket on the platform, and the engagement inhibits lateral movement of the plug member relative to the socket.

14. The deployment device according to claim 13, wherein the plug member further includes a flange extending from near its first end, the flange being arranged to limit further insertion of the plug member into the socket.

15. The deployment device according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the turret body further includes one or more landing structures located along its length, the landing structures being arranged to allow the turret to engage one or more marine vessels.

16. The deployment device according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the elongate turret further includes a top member arranged to engage the second end of the turret body, the top member including a platform on which the mooring line tensioning member is supported.

17. The deployment device according to claim 16, wherein in the second deployed position, the platform of the top member is arranged to be maintained above the surface of the water body.

18. The deployment device according to any one of claims 10 to 17, wherein the turret body includes a passage extending along its length between the first end and the second end, and wherein, at least a portion of the at least one mooring line, the tensioning line or the rigid actuation member extends along the passage.

19. The deployment device according to any one of claims 10 to 18, wherein the turret body further includes at least one ballast support member arranged to support at least one removable ballast thereon.

20. The deployment device according to any one of claims 10 to 19, wherein the turret body further comprises a ballast fluid compartment arranged to accommodate a certain volume of ballast fluid; wherein the turret body further comprises a ballast fluid inlet arranged to receive the ballast fluid into the ballast fluid compartment; and a ballast fluid outlet arranged to allow the ballast fluid to flow out of the ballast fluid compartment.

21. The deployment device according to claim 20, wherein the deployment device further comprises a pump arranged to pump the ballast fluid into and / or out of the ballast fluid compartment.

22. The deployment device according to any one of claims 10 to 21, wherein the elongate turret further comprises: a track extending along a part of the turret body; and wherein the mooring rope tensioning member is fixed to the track, and the mooring rope tensioning member is arranged to move along the track between the first undeployed position and the second deployed position.

23. The deployment device according to any one of claims 10 to 22, wherein the engagement between the platform engaging portion and the platform is such that when the platform engaging portion is engaged, the turret extends substantially perpendicular to the base of the platform.

24. The deployment device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the deployment device further comprises a pump arranged to pump ballast fluid into and / or out of a cavity located in the offshore renewable energy system installation platform.

25. The deployment device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in use, the movement of the body portion towards the second deployed position is arranged to immerse the platform in the water body to an underwater operating configuration having an operating depth.

26. A buoyant offshore platform for supporting a renewable energy system in a water body having a surface and a seabed, the buoyant offshore platform comprises: a base portion for being immersed below the surface of the water body; a top for remaining above the surface of the water body; a connector located on the base portion or the top; and a deployment device, the deployment device comprising: a body portion including a platform engaging portion arranged to fixedly engage the connector; a mooring rope tensioning member coupled to the body portion; wherein the platform engaging portion is further arranged to disengage from the corresponding portion of the platform; and further wherein, in use, when the platform engaging portion engages the connector, the mooring rope tensioning member is arranged to apply a tension force to at least one mooring rope along a plane substantially perpendicular to the base portion, and wherein under the tension force, the body portion is arranged to move from a first undeployed position to a second deployed position relative to the at least one mooring rope.

27. The platform according to claim 26, wherein the buoyant offshore platform further comprises: a floating configuration in which the buoyant offshore platform is positioned to substantially float on the surface of the water body; and An underwater operation configuration, in which the base portion is partially submerged below the surface of the water body and the top remains above the surface of the water body; And wherein, In use, the tension force applied to the at least one mooring rope causes the floating offshore platform to transition between the floating configuration when the main body portion is in the first undeployed position and the underwater operation configuration when the main body portion is in the second deployed position.

28. The platform according to claim 26 or 27, wherein the base portion includes at least three vertices, at least three of which include corresponding connectors; wherein the platform further includes a number of deployment devices equal to the number of connectors.

29. A method of deploying a floating offshore platform for supporting a renewable energy system, the method comprising: Moving the floating offshore platform along the surface of a water body to a position on the water body; Attaching a deployment device to the floating offshore platform; Securing one or more mooring ropes between the deployment device and the seabed of the water body; Using the deployment device to apply a tension force to the at least one mooring rope in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane occupied by the base portion of the floating offshore platform, such that a portion of the floating offshore platform is submerged in the water body; And Detaching the deployment device from the floating offshore platform.

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