A method for installing a water-submersible platform is disclosed. The method includes lowering the platform in water from a vessel positioned above the platform while spuds connecting the vessel to the platform stabilize the platform during lowering. An assembly of the vessel and platform, and a vessel that is used to connect to the platform is also disclosed.

A method of constructing and assembling a floating wind turbine platform includes constructing pre-stressed concrete sections of a floating wind turbine platform base, assembling the floating wind turbine platform base sections to form the base at a first location in a floating wind turbine platform assembly area, and moving the base to a second location in the floating wind turbine platform assembly area. Pre-stressed concrete sections of floating wind turbine platform columns are constructed, and the column sections are assembled to form a center column and a plurality of outer columns on the base to define a hull at the second location in the floating wind turbine platform assembly area. The hull is then moved to a third location in the floating wind turbine platform assembly area. Secondary structures are mounted on and within the hull, and the hull is moved to a fourth location in the floating wind turbine platform assembly area. A wind turbine tower is constructed on the center column, and a wind turbine is mounted on the wind turbine tower, thus defining the floating wind turbine platform. The floating wind turbine platform is then moved to a launch platform in a fifth location and launched into a body of water.

A method and system for installing a site-deployable wind turbine offshore. The wind turbine can be substantially assembled onshore and includes a floating structure and a tower that is extendable at the installation site. A pivoting system can be configured to couple the wind turbine and turbine blades to the extendable tower in an onsite deployable configuration. After the wind turbine is delivered to an offshore location, the wind turbine is deployed and the extendable base and pivoting system can be made to deploy the wind turbine and turbine blades into functional positions such that the wind turbine can begin generating electricity.

Articulated mechanical connectors and processes for using same. The connector can include a first connector part and a second connector part. The first connector part can include a gimbal table, first and second trunnions disposed on the gimbal table, a first arm, and a stopper assembly. The second connector part can include a second arm. The second arm can include one or more shoulders disposed between a first end and a second end of the second arm. The second arm can be configured to be at least partially disposed within an aperture defined by the first arm such that one of the one or more shoulders can engage with the stopper assembly.

Techniques are disclosed herein for minimizing movement of an offshore wind turbine. Using the technologies described, a wind turbine may be mounted on a marine platform that is constructed and deployed to reduce environmental loads (e.g., wind, waves, . . . ) on the platform in both shallow and deep water. In some configurations, a fully restrained platform (FRP) is configured to support a wind turbine. According to some examples, moorings are attached to the FRP and/or the structure of the wind turbine structure to reduce movement in six degrees of freedom.

The present application provides a method for placing a gravity anchor and a floating body. The method includes: fixing a gravity anchor on a floating body when the floating body is located in a dock; sinking the gravity anchor from the floating body to water bottom when the floating body is at a target position. Through the present application, the placement difficulty and cost of the gravity anchor are reduced.

Method for construction of a wind turbine generator on a slip formed concrete on a construction/deployment dry dock barge and delivery of WTG and foundation to the installation site as a complete unit. A split hull hydraulic dump scow facilitates the slip form construction and deployment of the slip-formed gravity anchor(s). The barge is sunk as a dry dock to a draft that permits the WTG/WTG foundation to be floated off. The free floating WTG foundation is ballasted with sea water to its operating draft. The tension legs from the gravity anchors are attached to the WTG foundation. The sea water is then removed from the WTG foundation. The gravity anchor(s) is constructed from slip formed concrete on a split hull hydraulic dump scow and deployed to the installation site, with tension legs attached for deployment and attachment to the WTG platform.

The invention allows setting up floating platforms comprising an elongated central body (1) from the lower portion of which legs (2) come out intended to fix the platform to anchoring elements arranged in the sea bed (5). The vessel comprises: a) a longitudinal through groove (4) up to the vessel bottom, and leaving part of the vessel bow (5) open; and b) a plurality of slots (6, 7) placed at the bottom of the vessel, wherein the groove (4) and the slots (6, 7) are configured both in dimension and in shape in such a way that they fit in at least some of the legs (2), so that the legs (2) can be inserted, at least partially, in the slots (6, 7) to attach the platform to the vessel.

An apparatus for supporting an additional structure near a surface of a body of water, and a system which includes the apparatus and further includes the structure attached to the apparatus. The apparatus and the system are each configured to assume a rest position and orientation when the apparatus or system is floating at the surface and when the body of water is substantially still, where the rest orientation defines a vertical direction extending from the surface to a keel at a lowermost position of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a support member, which, in use, is attached to the additional structure; and buoyant units. Each buoyant unit is attached to the support member at or near the keel and extends from the keel in a longitudinal direction of the buoyant unit, which longitudinal direction defines an angle of approximately 35-65 with respect to the vertical direction.

A hybrid winch system is disclosed, including but not limited to an electric winch; an electric generator for providing generator power to the electric winch; a battery for providing stored power to the electric winch; an anchor cable wound around a roller drum for the electric winch; an anchor attached to a distal end of the anchor cable; and a controller for applying the generator power and the stored power to the electric winch. A method for controlling the hybrid winch is also disclosed.