# US 7,611,307 B2 · Apparatus for controlling underwater based equipment > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,611,307 B2 - Document ID: US7611307B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/789,401 - Filed: 2007-04-23 - Published: 2008-03-06 - Granted: 2009-11-03 - Earliest claimed: 2002-09-05 - Assignees: Robert Gordon University - Inventors: Alan Owen; Ian Gordon Bryden - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7611307B2 ## CPC - F03B 17/06: using liquid flow {with predominantly kinetic energy conversion}, e.g. of swinging-flap type {, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head" (F03B13/264 takes precedence)} - E02B 9/08: Tide or wave power plants (water-pressure machines, tide or wave motors F03B) - F05B 2240/97: on a submerged structure - Y02E 10/20: Hydro energy - Y02E 10/30: Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient - F03B: MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS (positive-displacement engines for liquid F03C; machines for liquids and gases F01; positive-displacement machines for liquids F04, rotary fluid gearing of the hydrokinetic type F16H41/00) - E02B: HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING (ship-lifting E02C; dredging E02F) - F05B: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract The apparatus may include a space frame on which is mounted at least one hydrofoil for generating positive or negative lift. The frame is attachable to underwater equipment such as a turbine. The hydrofoils are adapted to produce negative lift when a flow of liquid passes over them and so in use cause the apparatus and attached equipment to sink to the seabed. The flow of water over the hydrofoils continue to produce negative life and so maintain the apparatus on the seabed. In certain embodiments, the hydrofoils can typically be set to a passive configuration in which they flip over when the current flow changes direction. Furthermore, the hydrofoils are selectively rotatable to provide an angle of attack such that they may be adapted to provide positive lift when it is necessary to remove the apparatus from the water. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An underwater securing apparatus for maintaining the underwater securing apparatus and an underwater device in position on a seabed or riverbed whilst the underwater device is in operation, the underwater securing apparatus comprising: an attachment arrangement configured to attach an underwater device to the underwater securing apparatus; and at least one member for generating negative lift such that, in use, fluid flow past the at least one member provides a downforce to push the underwater securing apparatus toward the seabed or riverbed to thereby maintain the underwater securing apparatus in position on a seabed or riverbed. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one member is adapted to create a negative lift due to fluid flow in a first direction and is adapted to create a negative lift due to fluid flow in a second, different, direction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first and second directions are generally opposite to each other. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one member is adapted to provide negative lift regardless of the direction of the flow of fluid thereby. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one member comprises a main plane, which, in use, is generally parallel to the seabed or riverbed, and a central axis. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the at least one member has rotational symmetry around its central axis. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the at least one member comprises a central aperture through its main plane. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one member comprises at least one hydrofoil. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the at least one member comprises a multifaceted hydrofoil consisting of an assembly of smaller hydrofoils. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one member is disc-shaped. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a support frame. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least one member is rigidly connected to the support frame. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apparatus is mounted on a number of feet equipped with slippage prevention means. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one member is free to rotate through a pre-determined angle. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one member comprises at least one hydrofoil capable of passive rotation about an axis such that each hydrofoil maintains alignment with a periodically reciprocating rectilinear flow. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one member is moveable between a first configuration in which it is capable of generating positive lift and a second configuration in which it is capable of generating negative lift. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one member has a variable actuating means to vary the positive or negative lift generated by the member. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) An assembly comprising the underwater securing apparatus according to claim 1 and a turbine attached to the underwater securing apparatus, the turbine being adapted to, in use, extract energy from a fluid flowing past the assembly. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one ground engaging surface, which, in use, supports the underwater securing apparatus on the seabed or riverbed. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a rigid support assembly which is operative to bear the underwater device when the underwater securing apparatus is on the seabed or riverbed. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment arrangement is adapted to attach the underwater device in close proximity to the center of gravity of the underwater securing apparatus. ### Claim 22 A method of maintaining an underwater securing apparatus and an underwater device in position on a seabed or riverbed whilst the underwater device is in operation, the method comprising: attaching the underwater device to the underwater securing apparatus by an attachment arrangement, the underwater securing apparatus comprising at least one member for generating negative lift; disposing the underwater securing apparatus on a seabed or riverbed; and maintaining the underwater securing apparatus in position on the seabed or riverbed by operation of the at least one member providing a downforce to push the underwater securing apparatus toward the seabed or riverbed.