摘要 |
A tidal stream or ocean current turbine is connected to a submerged buoy that is tethered to the seabed to create a virtual seabed level that is higher than the actual seabed. The buoy is constrained by tensioned tethers or catenary mooring lines such that it is approximately geofixed at a prescribed depth of immersion and orientation. The turbine device is attached to the submerged buoy by a connector strut that allows the device to swivel about the geofixed location. The strut to buoy connection incorporates a bearing system that allows the strut freedom of rotation in the horizontal and vertical planes about the geofixed buoy. The reserve of buoyancy in the submerged buoy acts to resist the vertical component of the mooring force such that the drag force on the turbine device cannot lead the device to submerge excessively or cause the downstream tension tether mooring lines to go slack.
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