Device and method for marine tower structure

Abstract

A tower structure ( 1 ) for use in a body of water, comprising a hollow outer section ( 2 ) with a first end ( 4 ) equipped with an opening. An inner section ( 3 ) is telescopically accommodated in the cavity of the outer section ( 2 ) and is telescopically movable in the outer section ( 2 ) from a position in which essentially the whole of the inner section is accommodated in the outer section to a position in which a length of the inner section projects above the first end of the outer section. The inner section comprises a plurality of chambers ( 6, 6′ ) fluid-connected via ducts ( 10′ ) and openings ( 9 ), and where at least one chamber is fluid-connected via at least one duct ( 10 ) to a source for a ballasting fluid ( 8 ), whereby the chambers ( 6 ) can selectively be filled with ballasting fluid.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A tower structure for use in a body of water, said tower structure comprising:
 a hollow outer section having a first end defining an opening; and   an inner section telescopically accommodated in a cavity of said outer section through said opening in said first end, said inner section being telescopically movable in said outer section from a first position in which the whole of said inner section is accommodated in said outer section, to a position in which a length of said inner section projects exteriorly of said first end of said outer section, said inner section having a plurality of chambers fluidly connected via ducts and openings, and wherein at least one of said chamber is fluid-connected via at least one of said ducts to a source for a ballasting fluid, wherein said chambers are selectively fillable with said ballasting fluid.   
     
     
         8 . The tower structure according to  claim 7 , wherein said inner section is equipped with at least one outlet out of at least one of said chambers, through which said ballasting fluid can selectively be filled in a cavity at a second end of said outer section. 
     
     
         9 . The tower structure according to  claim 7 , wherein said inner section and said outer section comprise support and locking means for locking said inner and outers sections in a desired position in relation to one another. 
     
     
         10 . The tower structure according to  claim 7  further comprising a second end of said outer section is configured for connection to a substructure placed on a bottom below a body of water. 
     
     
         11 . The tower structure according to  claim 10 , wherein said substructure defining a recess in a top portion thereof, said recess being formed to receive said second end of said outer section. 
     
     
         12 . The tower structure according to  10 , wherein said substructure having a skirt adapted to penetrate the bottom of the body of water. 
     
     
         13 . The tower structure according to  claim 7  further comprising a buoyancy element connectable to said outer section. 
     
     
         14 . The tower structure according to  claim 13 , wherein said buoyancy element includes a member that is a removably connectable with a member on said outer section. 
     
     
         15 . The tower structure according to  claim 7 , wherein said inner section is supported against said outer section by a plurality of rollers. 
     
     
         16 . A tower structure system comprising:
 a hollow outer section having a defined internal cavity, a first end defining an opening, and a closed second end;   an inner section telescopically accommodated in said cavity of said outer section through said opening in said first end, said inner section being telescopically movable in said outer section from a first position in which the whole of said inner section is accommodated in said outer section, to a position in which a length of said inner section projects exteriorly of said first end of said outer section, said inner section having a plurality of chambers fluidly connected via ducts and openings, and wherein at least one of said chamber is fluid-connected via at least one of said ducts to a source for a ballasting fluid, wherein said chambers are selectively fillable with said ballasting fluid; and   a substructure placed on a bottom below a body of water, said substructure defining a recess adapted to receive and support said second end of said outer section.   
     
     
         17 . The tower structure according to  claim 16 , wherein said inner section is equipped with at least one outlet out of at least one of said chambers, through which said ballasting fluid can selectively be filled in a cavity at said second end of said outer section. 
     
     
         18 . The tower structure according to  claim 16 , wherein said inner section and said outer section comprise support and locking elements for locking said inner and outers sections in a desired position in relation to one another. 
     
     
         19 . The tower structure according to  16 , wherein said substructure having a skirt adapted to penetrate the bottom of the body of water. 
     
     
         20 . The tower structure according to  claim 16  further comprising a buoyancy element connectable to said outer section. 
     
     
         21 . The tower structure according to  claim 20 , wherein said buoyancy element includes a member that is a removably connectable with a member on said outer section. 
     
     
         22 . The tower structure according to  claim 16 , wherein said inner section is supported against said outer section by a plurality of rollers. 
     
     
         23 . The tower structure according to  claim 16  further comprising at least one anchor element having an upward open box placed on the bottom of the body of water, at least on ballast chamber, an attachment device fixed to said open box, and a skirt adapted to penetrate into the bottom of the body of water, wherein a cable is connectable to said attachment device and said outer section. 
     
     
         24 . A method for installation of a tower structure in a body of water, said method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a tower structure comprising: a hollow outer section having a first end defining an opening; and an inner section telescopically accommodated in a cavity of said outer section through said opening in said first end, said inner section having a plurality of chambers, fluid-connected via ducts, and openings, and wherein at least one of said chamber is fluid-connected via at least one of said ducts to a source for a ballasting fluid;   b) inserting said inner section into said outer section;   c) placing said inner and outer sections floating, essentially horizontally, in a body of water having a water surface;   d) filling a selection of said chambers of said inner section with said ballasting fluid via said ducts;   e) closing inlet valves for said ballasting fluid and pressurizing said chambers of said inner section using a gas;   f) towing said tower structure in the body of water to an installation site;   g) opening an inlet into and an outlet out of a lowermost part of said outer section to give said tower structure a tilt which then causes said ballasting fluid in said chamber to flow to and collect in a lowermost part of said inner section, whereby said tower structure is made to rotate in the body of water and said second end of said outer section moves towards a substructure on a bottom below the body of water;   h) raising said tower structure to a near vertical position in the body of water, said second end of said outer section being supported by said substructure on the bottom;   i) displacing, by means of gas pressure, a predetermined amount of said ballasting fluid out of said inner section and said outer section, whereby said inner section moves relative to said outer section so that a portion of said inner section extends a distance beyond said first end of said outer section above the water surface; and   j) locking said inner section and said outer section in relation to one another.   
     
     
         25 . The tower structure according to  claim 24 , wherein said tower structure is raised into said near vertical position in the body of water with the aid of an external buoyancy element.