Patent ID: 6241425
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: B63B

Abstract:
A buoyancy assembly suitable for supporting, either alone or in combination with one or more further buoyancy assemblies, a load deck or other marine body, said assembly comprising:i) a first portion adapted to be connected to the marine body, said portion incorporating a piston;ii) a second portion adapted to envelope the piston and thus create a variable volume chamber, said first and second portions being movable with respect to each other;iii) sealing means adapted to form a fluid tight seal between said piston and said second portion;iv) a constant pressure source adapted to maintain a constant pressure within said variable volume chamber; andv) tether means adapted to tether said second portion to the sea bed; wherein said buoyancy assembly is adapted such that displacement of the marine body from its hydrostatic equilibrium position results in the generation of a restoring force, upwards or downwards, tending to restore equilibrium.