Foundation structure
AssigneeAlstom Hydro France
InventorsRichard Allton, Philippe Gilson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A foundation structure for locating an object mounted on the foundation structure on a sea bed or a river bed comprises an integral buoyancy device having variable buoyancy and a rigid control surface. The integral buoyancy device is movable relative to the foundation structure to vary the position of the rigid control surface and to control the position of the centre of buoyancy relative to the position of the centre of gravity. This stabilizes the foundation structure during submergence and surfacing. A method for controlling the deployment and retrieval of the foundation structure is also described.
Claims32
A foundation structure for locating an object mounted on the foundation structure on a sea bed or a river bed, the foundation structure comprising a foundation element and an integral buoyancy device having variable buoyancy and a rigid control surface, the integral buoyancy device being movable relative to the foundation element to vary the position of the rigid control surface and control the position of the centre of buoyancy relative to the position of the centre of gravity.
A method for controlling the deployment and retrieval of a foundation structure having an object mounted thereon for location on a sea bed or river bed, the foundation structure comprising a foundation element and an integral movable buoyancy device having variable buoyancy and a rigid control surface, the method comprising varying the position of the integral movable buoyancy device relative to the foundation element to vary the position of the rigid control surface and control the position of the centre of buoyancy relative to the position of the centre of gravity.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.