A floating observation system includes a floating platform. The floating platform includes an upper deck, upright posts, a device compartment, a ballast compartment, a radome structure and a device installation base. Top ends of the upright posts are connected to the upper deck, and bottom ends of the upright posts are connected to the device compartment. The ballast compartment is connected to the device compartment. The radome structure is borne on the upper deck. The device installation base is arranged on an outer surface of the floating platform. Various types of auxiliary devices are borne by the upper deck and the device compartment on the floating platform. Various observation devices borne by the device installation base are arranged on the outer surface of the floating platform to observe different kinds of information and to observe spaces above, on and under water, thus meeting a demand for comprehensive observation in all dimensions.

A floating observation system includes a floating platform. The floating platform includes an upper deck, upright posts, a device compartment, a ballast compartment, a radome structure and a device installation base. Top ends of the upright posts are connected to the upper deck, and bottom ends of the upright posts are connected to the device compartment. The ballast compartment is connected to the device compartment. The radome structure is borne on the upper deck. The device installation base is arranged on an outer surface of the floating platform. Various types of auxiliary devices are borne by the upper deck and the device compartment on the floating platform. Various observation devices borne by the device installation base are arranged on the outer surface of the floating platform to observe different kinds of information and to observe spaces above, on and under water, thus meeting a demand for comprehensive observation in all dimensions.

Floats including a central chamber, a peripheral chamber, and a ballast matter. The peripheral chamber is radially spaced from the central chamber proximate a radial periphery of the float in a substantially common plane with the central chamber. The ballast matter is disposed in either the central chamber or the peripheral chamber. The float is buoyant and configured to float on an external liquid surface in a substantially horizontal plane. The ballast matter operates to maintain the center of gravity of the float proximate to the geometric center of the float when the float tilts relative to the horizontal plane.

Floats including a central chamber, a peripheral chamber, and a ballast matter. The peripheral chamber is radially spaced from the central chamber proximate a radial periphery of the float in a substantially common plane with the central chamber. The ballast matter is disposed in either the central chamber or the peripheral chamber. The float is buoyant and configured to float on an external liquid surface in a substantially horizontal plane. The ballast matter operates to maintain the center of gravity of the float proximate to the geometric center of the float when the float tilts relative to the horizontal plane.

A solar power generator has: a frame securable to an underwater ground surface; a shaft supported by the frame; a casing floatable on a body of water and movably mounted to the frame via the shaft, the casing rotatable relative to the frame about a first axis defined by the shaft; a photovoltaic cell array secured to the casing; and a motor operatively connected to the casing for rotating the casing about the first axis to orient the photovoltaic cell array towards a sun in function of an azimuth of the sun.

A solar power generator has: a frame securable to an underwater ground surface; a shaft supported by the frame; a casing floatable on a body of water and movably mounted to the frame via the shaft, the casing rotatable relative to the frame about a first axis defined by the shaft; a photovoltaic cell array secured to the casing; and a motor operatively connected to the casing for rotating the casing about the first axis to orient the photovoltaic cell array towards a sun in function of an azimuth of the sun.

An anchor assembly for discerning if an anchor has securely engaged with the seabed, having a float with a length of line below no more than twice the distance from the water's surface to the seabed. The float includes a redirection element that allows the line to support a ballast weight via a descending portion of the line and an ascending portion that is secured to an anchor. The volume of the float and ballast weight are selected such that the float remains visibly buoyant when the anchor is stationary, yet becomes wholly or partially submerged when the anchor is in motion with respect to the seabed surface.

An anchor assembly for discerning if an anchor has securely engaged with the seabed, having a float with a length of line below no more than twice the distance from the water's surface to the seabed. The float includes a redirection element that allows the line to support a ballast weight via a descending portion of the line and an ascending portion that is secured to an anchor. The volume of the float and ballast weight are selected such that the float remains visibly buoyant when the anchor is stationary, yet becomes wholly or partially submerged when the anchor is in motion with respect to the seabed surface.

A method of assembling and deploying a floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) platform includes floating a buoyant floater and a hollow outer tank in a floating assembly, placing permanent ballast material in the outer tank to define a mass, and sinking the mass to a seabed. The buoyant floater is moved to a position over the mass. Transit lines are attached between a lifting device in the buoyant floater and the mass to define a FOWT platform. The mass is lifted to a point directly under the buoyant floater and the FOWT platform is towed to an installation site. Mooring lines are attached between anchors in the seabed and the buoyant floater, and the mass is lowered to a depth wherein suspension lines attached thereto are taught, the mass with the suspension lines defining a suspended mass. The transit lines are then stored or removed from the mass.

The present disclosure relates to methods, techniques, and systems for underwater vehicles, in particular buoyancy driven vehicles such as vertical profiling floats. An example vertical profiling float vehicle is constructed from two independent substantially cylindrical pressure housings that each have a concave end. The housings are coupled to one another at their concave ends, such that the concavities face one another and form a chamber. The chamber is open to the environment and houses an external displacement bladder, such that the bladder is located at or about the midplane of the vehicle. The vehicle may also include a fluid return system that is operable to precisely control the return of fluid from the displacement bladder to an internal reservoir. The vehicle in some embodiments may also include a fixed-displacement pump configured to pump fluid from the internal reservoir to the displacement bladder.