B63B43/06

Wind and wave desalination vessel

The present invention provides a novel floating and renewable energy-powered desalination vessel, which also functions as a wind turbine generator and wave energy generator platform. With energy derived from the wind and waves, the vessel performs reverse osmosis within a vertically positioned cylindrical section extending below a buoyancy chamber. The cylindrical section contains reverse osmosis membranes located above a seawater screening and filtration system, which serve as ballast. The entire vessel and power systems are configured to have the center of mass below the center of buoyancy, forming a vertically stable floating structure with minimum pitch, roll, and wave heave in high sea states. The electric power generated is utilized internally to produce desalinated water or hydrogen from the desalinated water's electrolysis, power an onboard data center, or power delivery to a shoreside power grid. In addition to a wind turbine generator and a wave energy generator, a photovoltaic array or a marine current generator may be utilized to power these applications. Alternatively, the desalination vessel operates with the assistance of shore-based power provided by cable.

Vessel
11661158 · 2023-05-30 ·

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a vessel includes: a hull 100 provided with a propellant 140; a deck 200 spaced apart from the hull 100; and a support 300 between the hull 100 and the deck 200, the support 300 configured to support 300 the deck 200 with respect to the hull 100, wherein the hull 100 is disposed below a water surface during operation, and the deck 200 is supported by the support 300 to be disposed above the water surface during operation.

Vessel
11661158 · 2023-05-30 ·

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a vessel includes: a hull 100 provided with a propellant 140; a deck 200 spaced apart from the hull 100; and a support 300 between the hull 100 and the deck 200, the support 300 configured to support 300 the deck 200 with respect to the hull 100, wherein the hull 100 is disposed below a water surface during operation, and the deck 200 is supported by the support 300 to be disposed above the water surface during operation.

Pontoon systems and methods
11655006 · 2023-05-23 ·

Embodiments include a retrofit pontoon system including a pontoon, the pontoon having a pontoon body defining a first cavity, the pontoon body having a first aperture; a retrofit assembly, the retrofit assembly including a selectively fillable container sized to pass through the first aperture; and a pump. The pump is operably coupled with the selectively fillable container such that operation of the pump selectively fills and drains water from the selectively fillable container, wherein filling the selectively fillable container lowers the profile of the pontoon in the water and emptying the selectively fillable container raises the profile of the pontoon in the water.

Pontoon systems and methods
11655006 · 2023-05-23 ·

Embodiments include a retrofit pontoon system including a pontoon, the pontoon having a pontoon body defining a first cavity, the pontoon body having a first aperture; a retrofit assembly, the retrofit assembly including a selectively fillable container sized to pass through the first aperture; and a pump. The pump is operably coupled with the selectively fillable container such that operation of the pump selectively fills and drains water from the selectively fillable container, wherein filling the selectively fillable container lowers the profile of the pontoon in the water and emptying the selectively fillable container raises the profile of the pontoon in the water.

FLOATING WIND TURBINE SYSTEMS AND METHODS
20230141340 · 2023-05-11 ·

A method of operating a downwind floating wind turbine comprising the downwind floating wind turbine floating in a body of water assuming mean heel angle within a range, the mean heel angle defined by a mean pitch angle of a central axis Y of a tower of the downwind floating wind turbine in a direction of wind; and the downwind floating wind turbine operating with a maximum rotor misalignment from a horizontal axis that is perpendicular to gravity while assuming the mean heel angle. The tower includes a turbine with a nacelle, hub and a plurality of blades extending from the hub, the plurality of blades configured to rotate about a rotor axis R, the rotor axis R having rotor tilt angle defined by an angle of rotor axis R relative to a perpendicular axis to the central axis Y.

Apparatuses and methods for pumps, pump adapters, and pump assemblies
11649010 · 2023-05-16 · ·

A pump intake adapter for pumping shallow levels of fluid from a surface to be drained, the pump intake adapter including a connection on the pump intake adapter to convey the fluid away from the pump intake adapter; an intake surface on the pump intake adapter; and a portion of the intake surface of the pump intake adapter that in operation does not contact the surface to be drained, and creates an open conduit between the pump intake adapter and the surface to be drained through which fluid may flow, the open conduit being in fluid communication with the connection on the pump intake adapter. Other systems and methods are provided.

Apparatuses and methods for pumps, pump adapters, and pump assemblies
11649010 · 2023-05-16 · ·

A pump intake adapter for pumping shallow levels of fluid from a surface to be drained, the pump intake adapter including a connection on the pump intake adapter to convey the fluid away from the pump intake adapter; an intake surface on the pump intake adapter; and a portion of the intake surface of the pump intake adapter that in operation does not contact the surface to be drained, and creates an open conduit between the pump intake adapter and the surface to be drained through which fluid may flow, the open conduit being in fluid communication with the connection on the pump intake adapter. Other systems and methods are provided.

POSITIONING OF A KEEL OF A FLOATING STRUCTURE, ESPECIALLY FOR A WIND TURBINE
20230202624 · 2023-06-29 ·

An offshore floating structure is provided including a floater with positive buoyancy and a keel with negative buoyancy, as well as active and passive suspenders connecting nodes of the keel and the floater with each other. When the keel at the offshore site is lowered by making the active suspenders longer, the passive suspenders, which have a fixed length and are held taut, causes the keel to rotate about the vertical during lowering.

Submerged sailing vessel

Various embodiments of a submerged submersible sailing vessel are disclosed. Such a submerged sailing vessel may comprise a submersible hull assembly, a keel coupled to and extending upwards from hull assembly towards a water surface, and a wind-catching assembly coupled to and extending upwards into the air from the keel for propelling the submerged sailing vessel. The hull assembly and the keel are submerged below the water surface as the vessel is propelled by the wind-catching assembly above the water surface.