Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to apparatus for semi-submersibles, including hulls of semi-submersibles. In one implementation, a hull for a semi-submersible includes a pontoon having one or more sides, and a plurality of columns extending upwards from the pontoon and configured to support a topsides. Each one of the plurality of columns has a cross section that is in a plane perpendicular to an axial centerline of the respective one of the plurality of columns. The cross section includes a first portion being rectangular in shape and a second portion being triangular in shape and having an apex that extends inboard from the first portion.

Various embodiments are directed to interconnectable tiles configured for operation in an aquatic environment or a near-zero/zero gravity environment. The interconnectable tiles are configured to interconnect relative to one another to form interconnected surfaces, and individual interconnectable tiles provide thrust, ballast, and/or buoyancy to the overall interconnected surface so as to move the interconnected surface in a desired configuration.

A semi-submersible marine structure is described. The structure includes a hull including a pontoon, a deck disposed above the pontoon, and a plurality of columns supporting the deck from the pontoon. The structure also includes a plurality of tendons supporting the hull from a seabed. The pontoon has the shape of a circular ring, and the plurality of tendons are arranged at regular intervals along an external circumferential surface of the pontoon.

A floating structure based on the tensegrity principle is described. A planar closed loop structure (1700) has a plurality of beams (300) and a plurality of beam adapters (700). Each of the plurality of beams (300) is formed by coupling multiple n-strut twisted prism units. Each of the multiple n-strut twisted prism units includes n-sided planar polygonal surfaces on opposite sides through which the respective n-strut twisted prism unit is coupled to another n-strut twisted prism unit or a beam adapter. Each of the plurality of beam adapters (700) is an m-strut twisted prism unit having planar polygonal side faces for coupling to an n-sided planar polygonal surface of a beam (300).

Example implementations include a system and method of using plastic from bodies of water and creating a floating platform by collecting plastic from a body of water, cleaning the collected plastic, melting and compacting the plastic, molding a plurality of hexagonal blocks from the compacted plastic, stacking the plurality of hexagonal blocks, wherein a system of springs and an energy storage device is provided between each of the plurality of hexagonal blocks, and coating the stacked blocks with a non-toxic material. Through the use of various onboard functionalities, energy may be generated to regulate temperature and provide electricity, oxygen may be supplied, and water may be purified.

Example implementations include a system and method of using plastic from bodies of water and creating a floating platform by collecting plastic from a body of water, cleaning the collected plastic, melting and compacting the plastic, molding a plurality of hexagonal blocks from the compacted plastic, stacking the plurality of hexagonal blocks, wherein a system of springs and an energy storage device is provided between each of the plurality of hexagonal blocks, and coating the stacked blocks with a non-toxic material. Through the use of various onboard functionalities, energy may be generated to regulate temperature and provide electricity, oxygen may be supplied, and water may be purified.

The instant invention relates to a buoy for the installation of underwater equipment, preferably used in equipment associated with petroleum underwater exploration, comprising an outer body, which has a top lid and a bottom lid, passage pipes, which extends internally along the entire length of the buoy, being provided also of a plurality of thrust elements arranged internally, which consist of gas microbubbles with quartz spherical body, vinyl material of closed cells and resin.

A floating structure based on the 700 tensegrity principle is described. A planar closed loop structure (1700) has a plurality of beams (300) and a plurality of beam adapters (700). Each of the plurality of beams (300) is formed by coupling multiple n-strut twisted prism units. Each of the multiple n-strut twisted prism units includes n-sided planar polygonal surfaces on opposite sides through which the respective n-strut twisted prism unit is coupled to another n-strut twisted prism unit or a beam adapter. Each of the plurality of beam adapters (700) is an m-strut twisted prism unit having planar polygonal side faces for coupling to an n-sided planar polygonal surface of a beam (300).

The disclosure relates to a floating wind turbine platform, comprising: a substantially triangular hull configurable to support a wind turbine tower; the hull comprising a first, second and third column, the first, second and third columns being connected by a first, second and third pontoon member, as well as by a first, second and third connector.

Renewable Energy (RE) sources are already one of the cheapest sources of energy available today but are variable and infirm, and the open ocean offers many opportunities to generate energy by using various disparate sources and methods on a floating station. These energy stations converting renewable energy including solar, ocean currents, wind, waves and batteries and hydrogen to store energy and provide sufficient stable power and energy as required and available most of the hours. The invention claimed here is a system to capture energy from a combination of wind, solar and ocean currents, along with batteries for storage and later use and hydrogen creation, storage and use for generation. In addition, apparatus is described that provide mechanical stability and resilience in deep open seas and reliably survive storms and hurricanes. Also described is a method for overcoming intermittency of ensuring continuous and stable energy export from the station, and finally methods to continually operate RE station in the open seas even during storms and hurricanes and survive the high winds and waves.