Support apparatus for underwater power generator and method for deployment

Abstract

A support apparatus for support of an underwater power generator is described. The underwater power generator has a power generating portion and the support apparatus includes: a stand adapted for supporting the power generating portion, and comprises a stabiliser including one or more stabilising footing elements adapted to mount one or more monolithic ballast masses; wherein the one or more stabilising footing elements includes a locating region adapted to cooperate with a locating region of the monolithic ballast mass so that the support apparatus in use is weighted down in a selected position on a sea bed. Ballast masses are also described, as are methods for installing the support apparatus and methods for installing power generators on the support apparatus.

1 . An underwater power generator support apparatus the underwater power generator having a power generating portion, the support apparatus comprising:
 a stand adapted for supporting the power generating portion, the stand including a stabilizer including a stabilizer including one or more stabilizing footing elements adapted to mount one or more a monolithic ballast masses;   the one or more stabilizing footing elements each including a locating region adapted to cooperate with a locating region on the monolithic ballast mass, the locating region on the one or more stabilizing footing elements including a plinth or ridge, or key extending from and along the one or more stabilizing footing elements for interengagement with a cooperating female portion on the ballast mass,   wherein the plinth or ridge or key extends radially and horizontally along the one or more stabilizing footing elements so that the ballast mass, when mounted on the stabilizing footing element, is disposed in a corresponding radial and horizontal orientation   so that the support apparatus in use is weighted down in a selected position on a sea bed.   
     
     
         2 .- 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The support apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein a side portion of the plinth or ridge or key includes slanted shoulders depending downwardly and outwardly therefrom so that the slanted shoulders in use support the location of the ballast mass having cooperating downward sloping underside portions. 
     
     
         6 . The support apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the locating region includes a stop so that the ballast mass may locate thereagainst when installed on the stabilizing footing element. 
     
     
         7 . The support apparatus in accordance with  claim 6  wherein the stop is in the form of a shoulder. 
     
     
         8 . The support apparatus in accordance with  claim 7  wherein the stop includes one or more posts extending upwardly from the stabilizing footing element. 
     
     
         9 . The support apparatus in accordance with  claim 8  wherein the posts are arranged in pairs in which two posts are provided per stabilizing footing element, generally or substantially on a common pitch circle diameter having its center disposed on a stand center. 
     
     
         10 . The support apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein a plurality of stacked monolithic ballast masses are disposed one atop another on the one or more stabilizing footing elements. 
     
     
         11 . The support apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the one or more stabilizing footing elements are disposed at a selected distance from the stand center by a plurality of spokes extending radially from the stand center. 
     
     
         12 . The support apparatus in accordance with  claim 11  wherein the one or more stabilizing footing elements are in the form of a support foot pad disposed at a distal end of a spoke from the plurality of spokes. 
     
     
         13 . The support apparatus in accordance with  claim 11  wherein three spokes from the plurality of spokes are provided and they are arranged so that they are spaced at approximately 120° from one another. 
     
     
         14 . The support apparatus in accordance with  claim 11  wherein one spoke from the plurality of spokes is longer than two other spokes from the plurality of spokes so that that the longer spoke may provide a stronger support or reaction force in a selected direction. 
     
     
         15 . The support apparatus in accordance with  claim 12  wherein the support foot pad includes grip portions for increasing frictional engagement between the sea bed and the stabilizer. 
     
     
         16 . The support apparatus in accordance with  claim 15  wherein the grip portion includes teeth or ribs in a base portion of the support foot pad in use to bite into the sea bed. 
     
     
         17 . The support apparatus in accordance with  claim 16  wherein the support foot pad includes a sole portion which has a convex disposition in use for increasing frictional engagement with the sea bed, and offering more engagement between the sea bed and the teeth or ribs. 
     
     
         18 . The support apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the stand includes a pylon portion extending upwardly from the stabilizer, the pylon being disposed in a central portion of the stand and being a hollow cylinder suitable for mounting a turbine head and rotation mechanism thereon. 
     
     
         19 . The support apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  further including an underwater power generator mounted to the apparatus. 
     
     
         20 .- 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A method of deploying an underwater power generator, the method comprising:
 lowering a support apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  from a surface of a water body to a sea bed;   lowering one or more monolithic ballast masses from the surface of the water body onto the support regions of the support apparatus;   wherein the lowering step includes the step of locating the one or more monolithic ballast masses on one or more cooperating respective locating regions of the supporting footing regions.   
     
     
         24 . The method in accordance with  claim 23  further including installing an underwater power generator onto the support apparatus.