Patent ID: 8197208
Filing Date: 2012-06-12
Classification: F03D,F05B,H02K,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A buoyant underwater support structure assembly constructed and adapted to be located within a body of water, comprising: a generally elongated truss structure that is able to sustain loads in tension, compression, and bending and that is constructed from one or more elongate, rigid members that are each able to sustain loads in at least tension and compression; a joint member that is attached to the truss structure at a lowermost portion thereof, the joint member being anchored directly to the floor of the body of water and being the sole means by which the floating underwater support structure assembly is secured to the floor of the body of water, the joint member being constructed and adapted to permit only angular movement about two or three axes; a buoyant member that is arranged between or around the one or more elongate, rigid members and that is connected to them, the buoyant member supplying a buoyant force greater than at least the combined weight of the floating underwater support structure assembly and a weight supported by the floating underwater support structure assembly so as to maintain the assembly in a generally upright configuration extending upwardly from the joint member; and a liquid-fillable mobile ballast member or a solid mobile ballast member; wherein the buoyant member and the truss structure are proportioned and arranged relative to one another such that the top of the buoyant member rests a predefined distance below water level.