Power generating equipment

1. Power generating equipment comprising:

a support structure adapted to be disposed on the bed of a body of water;

a buoyant power generating apparatus having a centre of buoyancy;

a winching device releasably engageable with the power generating apparatus, and operable to pay out and to retract a flexible winch tether; and

a flexible winch tether having first and second portions releasably connectable to one another, the first portion being connectable at one end thereof to the support structure and at a second end thereof to the second portion, and the second portion being attached at one end thereof to the winching device, and being connectable at a second end thereof to the first portion, wherein the winching device is operable to retract the flexible winch tether following attachment of the winch tether to the support structure, and to pay out the winch tether following release of the winching device from the power generating apparatus, thereby allowing the winching device to separate from the power generating apparatus.

2. Equipment as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the support structure and the power generating apparatus are provided with cooperating alignment parts which define a mating axis, and which are adapted to guide the power generating apparatus into engagement with the support structure, such that, when the equipment is in use, retraction of the tether by the winch device causes the power generating apparatus to be drawn downwardly through the body of water into engagement with the support structure, the centre of buoyancy of the power generating apparatus being substantially in line with the mating axis prior to such engagement, and wherein the support structure and the power generating apparatus include means for clamping the power generating apparatus into engagement with the support structure.

3. Equipment as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the means for clamping include electrical, hydraulic and fibre optic connectors between the power generating apparatus and the support structure.

4. Equipment as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the winching device and power generating apparatus include complementary alignment features for aligning the winching device with respect to the power generating apparatus.

5. Equipment as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the winching device includes an alignment unit operable to align the winching device with respect to the power generating apparatus.

6. Equipment as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the winching device and power generating apparatus include complementary latching components for releasably attaching the winching device to the power generating apparatus.

7. Equipment as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first and second portions of the tether are connectable and disconnectable using a remotely operated vehicle.

8. Equipment as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the winching device is buoyant.

9. A method of deploying a submersible buoyant power generating apparatus onto a submerged support structure disposed on a bed of a body of water, the power generating apparatus carrying a winching device which is releasably engaged with the power generating apparatus, and which is operable to pay out and to retract a flexible winch tether, the flexible winch tether having first and second portions releasably connectable to one another, the first portion being connectable at one end thereof to the support structure and connected at a second end thereof to the second portion, and the second portion being attached at one end thereof to the winching device, and being connected at a second end thereof to the first portion, the method comprising:

attaching a free end of the first portion of the winch tether to the support structure;

operating the winching device to retract the tether, such that the power generating apparatus and winching device are drawn downwardly through the body of water into engagement with the support structure;

clamping the power generating apparatus into engagement with the support structure, using clamping means provided on the support structure and the power generating apparatus;

disconnecting the winching device from the power generating apparatus;

paying out the tether from the winching device, such that the winching device rises towards the surface of the body of water;

disconnecting the first portion of the tether from the second portion of the tether; and

retracting the tether in to the winching device.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the power generating apparatus has a centre of buoyancy, and the support structure has a mating axis, the centre of buoyancy of the power generating apparatus being substantially in line with the mating axis prior to engagement thereof.

11. A method of retrieving a buoyant power generating apparatus mounted on a support structure located on a bed of a body of water, the power generating apparatus including a first portion of a winch tether which is attached to the support structure, the method comprising:

attaching a second portion of a winch tether to the first portion of the winch tether;

retracting the second portion of the winch tether using a winching device, thereby causing the winching device to move to the power generating apparatus;

locating the winching device on the power generating apparatus, and latching the winching device to the power generating apparatus;

allowing the power generating apparatus and the winching device to float towards the surface of the body of water; and

detaching the first portion of the winch tether from the support structure.