Installing submerged support structures

Abstract

A method of installing a support structure required to be installed in a sea or river bed, involving so constructing the support structure that is capable of being temporarily self standing on the sea or river bed prior to and throughout the carrying out of operations required permanently to anchor the support structure to the sea or river bed.

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method of installing a support structure required to be installed in a sea or river bed, involving so constructing the support structure that is capable of being temporarily self-standing on the sea or river bed prior to and throughout the carrying out of operations required permanently to anchor the support structure to the sea or river bed. 
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in  claim 16 , in which the structure is in the form of an elongate column for supporting a submergible water driven turbine and/or a wind driven turbine. 
     
     
         18 . A method as claimed in  claim 16 , and including the step of anchoring the structure to the sea or river bed by means of piles or similar anchoring means. 
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in  claim 18 , and wherein the support structure incorporates a plurality of anchoring positions for cooperation with support structure support foot units, and wherein each said foot unit is adapted to receive and locate a support structure anchoring pile or like means which is driven/sunk into the sea or river bed by means supported from the support structure for enabling the handling and sinking of the piles or like means. 
     
     
         20 . A method as claimed in  claim 19 , and wherein each said foot unit is positionally adjustable relative the sea or river bed in such manner that the support structure can be set to a required level and orientation relative to the sea or river bed. 
     
     
         21 . A method as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the support structure is designed so that it can be lowered to the sea or river bed, leveled by the adjustment means to allow for any lack of flatness of the sea or river bed by adjusting the position of each individual bed engaging foot, prior to the sinking of the associated pile. 
     
     
         22 . A method as claimed in  claim 20 , and including the step of grouting with cementicious material each individual pile in the position into which it has been inserted into the sea or river bed. 
     
     
         23 . A method as claimed in  claim 19 , and including the provision of a temporary structure provided at the top of the support structure, and wherein the operations are required to sink the piles. 
     
     
         24 . A method as claimed in  claim 16 , and including the step of adding additional weight to the structure in the event that the support structure, during the installation period, is moved by currents, waves or wind so as to maintain sufficient frictional contact with the sea or river bed during the installation process. 
     
     
         25 . A method as claimed in  claim 24 , and including the step of removing, after the anchoring piles have been installed, any additional weight together with any equipment involved in installation of the support structure such that the support structure can no longer displace relative to the sea or river bed. 
     
     
         26 . A support structure capable of being installed in a sea or river bed, wherein the structure is arranged to be sufficiently heavy as to be temporarily self-standing on the sea or river bed by being heavy enough to be held in position by friction with the seabed, and wherein said structure incorporates a plurality of anchoring positions for cooperation with positionally adjustable sea or river bed engaging support feet units with each said unit being adapted to receive and locate a support structure anchoring pile which is driven/sunk into the sea or river bed by means supported from the support structure for enabling the handling and sinking of the piles. 
     
     
         27 . A support structure as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the structure is in the form of an elongate column or supporting a submergible turbine. 
     
     
         28 . A support structure as claimed in  claim 26 , and further including a temporary additional structure at the top of the support structure, and characterised in that facilities are provided at the temporary structure for carrying out any operations required to sink the piles. 
     
     
         29 . A support structure as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the temporary structure is arranged to be able to carry additional weight whereby in the event that the support structure, during the installation thereof, is at the risk of being moved by currents, waves or wind so as to maintain sufficient friction with the sea or river bed during the installation process, appropriate additional weight can be added to the temporary structure to maintain acceptable friction of the support structure with the sea or river bed. 
     
     
         30 . A support structure as  claim 26 , and further including temporary footings that can be adjusted for height and alignment to permit the structure to be leveled before fixing to the sea or river bed, the force for so doing being provided by hydraulic jacks, screw jacks or any other such component.