Integrated offshore renewable energy floating platform
Systems and methods are presented for deploying and using a floating platform using articulated spar legs used as a type of hull, each of the spar legs attached to the floating platform by an articulated connection. Each of the articulated spar legs being moveable from a horizontal to a vertical position, horizontal for transport and vertical for deployment of the floating platform. The articulated spar legs serve to support the floating position of the floating platform. The articulated spar legs are moved from horizontal to vertical position by controlling ballast imposed upon or within spar legs. Each of the articulated spar legs are moveable from a vertical to a horizontal position with a ballast changing method. Systems and methods are presented for extracting natural renewable energy from the environment surrounding the floating platform with energy capture devices modularly affixed to the platform and energy capture devices incorporated into the articulated spar legs.
1. A method for deploying an Articulated-Spar-Leg used as a type of hull from a horizontal to a vertical position, the Articulated-Spar-Leg being attached via an articulating or rotating joint to a deck structure and used as a leg assembly for supporting a floating platform, the method comprising the steps of:
moving a portion of a ballast within the Articulated-Spar-Leg from the lower half of the horizontal Articulated-Spar-Leg to a section of the Articulated-Spar-Leg farthest from the articulated joint, the Articulated-Spar-Leg being secured by a first mechanical means from movement until release is required;
releasing the Articulated-Spar-Leg from the horizontal position, and;
flooding an additional portion of the Articulated-Spar-Leg configured as a variable ballast tank resulting in the rotation of the Articulated-Spar-Leg to a vertical position.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of allowing open access of seawater to a first upper portion of the Articulated-Spar-Leg in the vertical position, the Articulated-Spar-Leg further comprising an oscillating water column wave energy capture device in an upper most portion of the Articulated-Spar-Leg, with the bottom portion of the oscillating water column wave energy capture device open to the sea, below a mean water line of the Articulated-Spar-Leg when in the vertical position.
3. The method of claim 1 comprising a method for reducing the draft of a floating platform having an articulated spar leg by locating a freely rotating joint on an extremity of the deck structure of the platform and with a center of rotation below the deck structure so that rotation of the Articulated-Spar-Leg to a fully horizontal plane is possible.