Arrangement for a self-propelled watercraft supported by articulated clusters of spar buoys for the purpose of providing a mobile, wave motion-isolated, floating platform

#The present invention relates to a mobile wave motion-isolated waterborne device including platforms of any size, operably connected to articulated clusters of spar buoys through swivel footings. The spar buoys may be optionally self-propelling, include a steering mechanism, and/or moveable between vertical and horizontal positions.

#Many types of marine platforms are covered in patent literature. Buoys, and in particular, spar buoys, have been used in many ways either as free floating markers or to support small and large loads. See e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,425,710 B1 and 6,719,495 B2.

#Free floating and mobile marine platforms employing spar buoys for support may be used in the conduct of numerous kinds operations at sea. Buoys with the described deep water thruster arrangement for self propulsion, the arrangement of swinging ballast for the purpose of transitioning the buoy from horizontal to vertical orientation and back again, as well as the clustering spar buoys under an articulated footing to support a mobile platform, are not seen in any prior disclosure.

#Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts through the several views of the drawings. The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various exemplary embodiments.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment illustrating a wave isolated upper platform, an upper level of articulation, and one or more swivel footings supported by a plurality of articulating clustered spar buoys with each spar buoy including a ballast and an optional damping fin assembly;

#FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the spar buoy of FIG. 1 better illustrating a tubular shell having a first end with a pivotable attachment and a second end operably connected to a ballast;

#The present invention relates to mobile wave isolated waterborne platform devices of any size that may be useful for the conduct of operations requiring a low motion environment, (minimal pitch and roll) while at sea, or upon any body of water large enough to develop significant waves. While any vessel or marine platform may be anchored, including this invention, the self-propelled embodiment of this invention provides greater flexibility of operations for the purpose of navigation or station keeping while retaining the option of using anchors.

#Referring to FIGS. 1-9, a first embodiment of the device 100 includes a wave isolated upper platform 1, an upper level of articulation 2, and three or more swivel footings 3, with each swivel footing supported by a plurality of articulating clusters (50) of spar buoys 4.

#Each spar buoy 4 is an elongated tubular shell 5 having a first end 6, which may also be referred to as a top in a vertical position, and a second end 7, which may also be referred to as the base. The top of each spar buoy 4 is closed with a cap 8 having a pivot 9, together which may be referred to herein as a pivot cap 10. The base of each spar buoy 4 is operably connected to a ballast 11. Tubular shell 5 may be made of any suitable rigid material capable of resisting water intrusion. Spar buoy 4 may be small or large, depending on the application and the size of the associated platform. Large spar buoys could be constructed economically from marine grade, reinforced concrete.