Buoyant structure

摘要

A buoyant structure having a hull, a main deck, an upper frustoconical portion, a lower frustoconical side section, a lower ellipsoidal section and a matching ellipsoidal keel with a tunnel formed within the hull for containing water to an operational depth creating a passageway to locations exterior of the hull and dimensioned to receive a watercraft. The tunnel having a plurality of tunnel sides, a tunnel floor formed between the tunnel sides and a plurality of dynamic movable tendering mechanisms connected to each tunnel side. The dynamic movable tendering mechanisms connected proximate to the operational depth for contacting with at least one side of a watercraft, enabling the tunnel to receive a watercraft securely for loading and unloading while the buoyant structure is at an operational depth on a body of water.

主权项

1. A buoyant structure comprising:
a. a hull having a main deck, an upper frustoconical portion, a lower frustoconical side section, a lower ellipsoidal section and an ellipsoidal keel; b. a tunnel formed within the hull, the tunnel containing water to an operational depth when the buoyant structure floats at the operational depth in a body of water, the tunnel being free of water when the buoyant structure floats at a transit depth in the body of water, the tunnel comprising:
(i) a tunnel opening in the upper frustoconical portion, the tunnel opening creating a passageway to locations exterior of the hull, the tunnel opening dimensioned to receive a watercraft;(ii) a plurality of tunnel sides; and(iii) a tunnel floor formed between the tunnel sides creating an operational depth in the tunnel; c. a main deck secured to the hull and covering the tunnel; and d. a plurality of dynamic movable tendering mechanisms connected to the tunnel sides, the dynamic movable tendering mechanisms connected proximate to the operational depth for contacting with at least one side of the watercraft, enabling the tunnel to receive the watercraft securely for loading and unloading while the buoyant structure is at the operational depth.