Supporting foundation for a hydrokinetic turbine, and related underwater device and installation method

Abstract

The invention relates to a supporting foundation ( 20 ) including a base ( 50 ), a marine current turbine carrier ( 54 ) supported by the base ( 50 ), and at least three legs ( 52 ) for bearing on the floor of the body of water ( 14 ), connected together by means of the base ( 50 ). Each bearing leg ( 52 ) comprises a hollow casing ( 70 ), and a rigid member ( 72 ) for adjusting the vertical position of the hollow casing ( 70 ) relative to the floor ( 12 ) of the body of water. The rigid adjustment member ( 72 ) is immobilized so as to vertically project under the casing ( 70 ). Each bearing leg ( 52 ) further includes a member ( 74 ) for engaging with the floor of the body of water ( 14 ) and rigidly connected to the lower end of the rigid adjustment member ( 72 ).

1 . A supporting foundation for a hydrokinetic turbine, intended to be laid on the floor of a body of water, the supporting foundation comprising:
 a base;   a hydrokinetic turbine carrier supported by the base,   at least three legs for bearing on the floor of the body of water, connected together by means of the base, each bearing leg including a hollow casing,   characterized in that each bearing leg further comprises:   a rigid member for adjusting the vertical position of the casing relatively to the floor of the body of water, the rigid adjustment member being immobilized so as to protrude vertically under the casing;   a member for engaging with the floor of the body of water, rigidly connected to the lower end of the rigid adjustment member.   
     
     
         2 . The supporting foundation according to  claim 1 , wherein at least two of the adjustment members have different heights, taken between the casing and the engaging member. 
     
     
         3 . The supporting foundation according to  claim 1 , wherein each adjustment member comprises an element which may be deployed towards the floor of the body of water relatively to the casing before installing the supporting foundation on the floor of the body of water. 
     
     
         4 . The supporting foundation according to  claim 3 , wherein each adjustment member comprises a fixed element relatively to the casing, the deployable element being moveably mounted relatively to the fixed  element before installing the supporting foundation on the floor of the body of water, the fixed element and the deployable element being in particular formed by telescopic tubes. 
     
     
         5 . The supporting foundation according to  claim 1 , wherein each casing comprises at least one bottom wall and a side wall delimiting an interior space able to be filled with gas for ensuring floatability specific to the supporting foundation on the body of water. 
     
     
         6 . The supporting foundation according to  claim 5 , wherein the casing comprises an upper wall obturating upwards the inner space the casing including at least one tapping for injecting and/or purging fluid in the inner space. 
     
     
         7 . The supporting foundation according to  claim 5 , wherein the inner space permanently opens out upwards above the side wall. 
     
     
         8 . The supporting foundation according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the engaging members delimits a cavity opening downwards, intended to be inserted into the floor of the body of water. 
     
     
         9 . The supporting foundation according to  claim 8 , wherein the cavity is delimited by a hollow receptacle opening downwards and having an upper obturation wall towards the top of the cavity. 
     
     
         10 . The supporting foundation according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the engaging members comprises a totally solid, in particular convex, lower surface for opposing penetration of the  engaging member into the floor of the body of water. 
     
     
         11 . An underwater device for generating electric power, comprising:
 a supporting foundation according to  claim 1 ,   a hydrokinetic turbine mounted on the hydrokinetic turbine support.   
     
     
         12 . A method for setting into place a supporting foundation according to  claim 1 , comprising the following steps:
 transporting the supporting foundation at least partly above the surface of the body of water as far as point located facing a laying region for the supporting foundation on the floor of the body of water;   totally immersing the supporting foundation in the body of water;   positioning the legs of the supporting foundation bearing upon the laying region, each engaging member being placed in contact with the floor of the body of water.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , comprising a step for adjusting the protruding height of each rigid adjustment member under the casing, and then a step for immobilizing each rigid adjustment member relatively to the casing. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the step for adjusting the height of each protruding rigid adjustment member under the casing is carried out before total immersion of the supporting foundation in the body of water. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the transport step is achieved by maintaining the supporting  foundation partly immersed in the body of water under the effect of its own floatability.