A weight distribution and stiffening system is provided for modular floating platforms by creating internal channels that allow for the incorporation of stiffening members within the modular floating platform assembly. Float modules with horizontal recessed areas that are aligned with adjacent float modules to create open channels within the body of a modular floating platform.

A floating platform for high-power wind turbines, comprising a concrete substructure, said concrete substructure forming the base of the platform, which remains semi-submerged in the operating position, and consisting of a square lower slab on which a series of beams and five hollow reinforced concrete cylinders are constructed, distributed at the corners and the center of said lower slab; a metal superstructure supported on the concrete substructure and forming the base for connection with the wind turbine tower, said tower being coupled at the center thereof; and metal covers covering each of the cylinders, on which the metal superstructure is supported and to which vertical pillars are secured, linked together by beams, which join at the central pillar by an element whereon the base of the wind turbine tower is secured.

A floatable concrete block structure is manufactured by fabricating individual concrete blocks on land, and then assembling and coupling the individual concrete blocks underwater or on a water surface. An assembly buoyancy chamber is formed inside by the first concrete block and the second concrete block, the inflow of water into the assembly buoyancy chamber is prevented by a first watertight packing, and so on, and the first concrete block and the second concrete block are coupled to each other by concrete columns.

A floatable concrete block structure is manufactured by fabricating individual concrete blocks on land, and then assembling and coupling the individual concrete blocks underwater or on a water surface. An assembly buoyancy chamber is formed inside by the first concrete block and the second concrete block, the inflow of water into the assembly buoyancy chamber is prevented by a first watertight packing, and so on, and the first concrete block and the second concrete block are coupled to each other by concrete columns.

There is disclosed a packer and/or gripper element (10), beneficially for use offshore and/or underwater, the packer and/or gripper (10) comprising an inflatable element or cushion (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d), wherein a periphery of the/each inflatable element or cushion (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) comprises at least one corner, the at least one corner comprising a concave portion (30a, 30b, 30c, 30d). The disclosed packer and/or gripper element (10) comprises a plurality of inflatable elements (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d), each inflatable element (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) being communicably coupled to an adjacent inflatable element (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) by a port (155a, 155b) disposed between the inflatable elements (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d).

There is disclosed a packer and/or gripper element (10), beneficially for use offshore and/or underwater, the packer and/or gripper (10) comprising an inflatable element or cushion (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d), wherein a periphery of the/each inflatable element or cushion (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) comprises at least one corner, the at least one corner comprising a concave portion (30a, 30b, 30c, 30d). The disclosed packer and/or gripper element (10) comprises a plurality of inflatable elements (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d), each inflatable element (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) being communicably coupled to an adjacent inflatable element (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) by a port (155a, 155b) disposed between the inflatable elements (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d).

This invention provides a floating platform with canted columns, and a new method of mooring line makeup and installation method that can be used for the canted columns. In one embodiment, the platform includes 3 columns having upper ends projecting above water surface. The columns are canted or inclined inward from the corner of hull toward the top of column. The 3 columns converge at the top of column such that each column will lean against the other 2 columns. Each column connects to the other 2 columns. Horizontally disposed pontoons interconnect adjacent columns at the lower ends. The columns and pontoons form a closed structure hull to support a foundation structure directly above the top of column.

This invention provides a floating platform with canted columns, and a new method of mooring line makeup and installation method that can be used for the canted columns. In one embodiment, the platform includes 3 columns having upper ends projecting above water surface. The columns are canted or inclined inward from the corner of hull toward the top of column. The 3 columns converge at the top of column such that each column will lean against the other 2 columns. Each column connects to the other 2 columns. Horizontally disposed pontoons interconnect adjacent columns at the lower ends. The columns and pontoons form a closed structure hull to support a foundation structure directly above the top of column.

A wind turbine for deployment offshore. The wind turbine including: a tower-float assembly having a tower (3) for supporting a nacelle (13a) and a rotor (13b), and a float (5) arranged to maintain at least part of the tower above a surface of a body of water; a keel assembly (7) including at least one keel module (25) and at least one rod (9) connecting the keel module to the tower-float assembly, wherein the at least one rod is arranged to move relative to the tower-float assembly to deploy the keel module, and the keel module is movable relative to the tower-float assembly, in response to movement of the at least one rod, between a non-deployed position proximal the tower-float assembly and a deployed position which is distal from the tower-float assembly in a downwardly direction, thereby increasing an effective length of the wind turbine; and the at least one rod is arranged to transfer bending moments to the tower-float assembly.

Provided is a floating foundation for supporting a wind power generation system including a stabilized power cable. In one embodiment, the floating foundation includes a column extending upwardly and couplable at a top end thereof to a base of the wind turbine, at least one power cable for exporting power generated from the wind turbine to another floating foundation or to an offshore/onshore station, and a plurality of buoyancy modules disposed along the at least one power cable. Power cables between a plurality of floating foundations and/or power station may be supported by buoyant modules such that the power cable is located in an optimal submergence range of the water body in which the floating foundations are deployed.