Mounting system and method

Abstract

A mounting system comprises a base and a mounting structure for mounting to the base, wherein one of the base and the mounting structure comprises a bearing comprising a resiliently deformable member and having a bearing surface, the other of the base and the mounting structure comprises a further bearing surface for engagement with the bearing surface of the bearing, and the bearing is configured so that shear stress of the deformable member when the mounting structure is mounted to the base biases the bearing surface towards the further bearing surface.

1 . A mounting system comprising a base and a mounting structure for mounting to the base, wherein:
 one of the base and the mounting structure comprises a bearing comprising a resiliently deformable member and having a bearing surface;   the other of the base and the mounting structure comprises a further bearing surface for engagement with the bearing surface of the bearing; and   the bearing is configured so that shear stress of the deformable member when the mounting structure is mounted to the base biases the bearing surface towards the further bearing surface.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein one of the base and the mounting structure comprises a plurality of the bearings each comprising a resiliently deformable member and having a bearing surface; and
 the other of the base and the mounting structure comprises a plurality of the further bearing surfaces, each further bearing surface being arranged for engagement with the bearing surface of a respective one of the bearings.   
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , configured so that reduction in compression of at least one of the bearings causes a release in shear stress, thereby to move the mounting structure and/or at least one of the bearings towards the base. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein lateral movement of the mounting structure in alternating directions causes alternating bearing surfaces to move relative to corresponding further bearing surfaces thereby to move the mounting structure and/or the bearings towards the base. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 4 , wherein in operation the lateral movement is caused by action of waves, tides, currents or wind on the mounting structure or on a further structure attached to the mounting structure. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the mounting structure has an engagement axis, the base has an engagement axis and the mounting structure is mounted to the base by moving the base and the mounting structure into contact with the engagement axis of the base and the engagement axis of the mounting structure substantially aligned. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein, for the or each bearing, the bearing surface is inclined with respect to the engagement axis of one of the base or mounting structure, and the further bearing surface is inclined with respect to the engagement axis of the other of the base or mounting structure. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein, for the or each bearing and further bearing surface, the angle between the bearing surface and the engagement axis of one of the mounting structure and the base is less than the inverse tangent of the coefficient of friction between the bearing surface and the further bearing surface. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of a), b) or c):
 a) the base and the mounting structure are configured so that the bearing surface and the further bearing surface are arranged to be in sliding engagement with one another when the mounting structure is mounted to the base;   b) for the or each bearing, one side of the resiliently deformable member of the bearing is attached to a body of one of the base and the mounting structure, and the bearing surface comprises a substantially non-deformable material attached to the other side of the resiliently deformable material;   c) for the or each bearing and bearing surface, the bearing surface and/or the further bearing surface comprises non-elastomer material.   
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the resiliently deformable member comprises an elastomer. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the resiliently deformable member comprises a laminated structure. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one non-elastomer layer comprises a substantially rigid layer. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one resiliently deformable member has substantially different elasticity in different directions. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein one of the base and the mounting structure comprises a male portion and the other of the base and the mounting structure comprises a female portion, and the base and the mounting structure are configured so that the male portion mates with the female portion when the mounting structure is mounted to the base. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein at least one of a), b), c) or d):
 a) one of the male portion and the female portion comprises the bearing or each of the bearings and the other of the male portion and the female portion comprises the further bearing surface or at least one of the further bearing surfaces;   b) the bearing or bearings are formed and arranged so that when the male portion is inserted into the female portion, the resiliently deformable member is, or resilient deformable members are, deformed and held in shearing tension in an axial direction of the mounting structure;   c) the bearing surfaces, or the further bearing surfaces, are disposed circumferentially around the male portion and slope radially inwards in the direction of insertion of the male portion;   d) the bearings are disposed circumferentially around the female portion and project radially inwards therefrom; or the bearings are disposed circumferentially around the male portion and project radially outwards therefrom.   
     
     
         19 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 1 , configured to apply shear force to the or each deformable member when the base and the mounting structure are not engaged together. 
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 22 , comprising at least one of a ring beam and a tension member for applying the shear force. 
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a release for releasing the mounting structure from the base. 
     
     
         25 . The system according to  claim 24 , wherein the release comprises at least one of:
 a mechanism that applies force to one of the base and the mounting structure;   a mechanism that changes the friction between the at least one bearing surfaces and the at least one further bearing surface;   a mechanism that alters the compressive load between the bearing surfaces and the further bearing surfaces; or   a mechanism that alters the angle of inclination of at the at least one bearing surface and/or the at least one further bearing surface(s).   
     
     
         26 . The system according to  claim 25 , wherein the release comprises at least one of:
 a plurality of jacks;   a fluid supply for providing fluid to the interface between the at least one bearing surface and the at least one further bearing surface.   
     
     
         27 . A bearing for attachment to a base or a mounting structure, the bearing comprising a resiliently deformable member and a bearing surface for engagement with a further bearing surface, wherein the bearing is configured so that shear stress of the resiliently deformable member biases the bearing surface in an engagement direction. 
     
     
         28 . The bearing according to  claim 27 , wherein one side of the resiliently deformable member of the bearing is for attachment to a body of one of the base and the mounting structure, and the bearing surface comprises a substantially non-deformable material attached to the other side of the resiliently deformable material. 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . The bearing according to  claim 27 , wherein the resiliently deformable member comprises an elastomer. 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . The bearing according to  claim 27 , wherein the resiliently deformable member comprises a laminated structure. 
     
     
         34 . The bearing according to  claim 27 , wherein the resiliently deformable member has substantially different elasticity in different directions. 
     
     
         35 . The base or mounting structure comprising at least one bearing according to  claim 27 . 
     
     
         36 . The base or mounting structure according to  claim 35 , having an engagement axis that is substantially aligned with an engagement axis of a further mounting structure or base when the base or mounting structure is mounted to the further mounting structure or base. 
     
     
         37 . The base or mounting structure according to  claim 36 , wherein, for the or each bearing, the bearing surface is inclined with respect to the engagement axis. 
     
     
         38 . The base or mounting structure according to  claim 37 , wherein, for the or each bearing, the angle between the bearing surface and the engagement axis of one of the mounting structure and the base is less than the inverse tangent of a coefficient of friction between the bearing surface and a further bearing surface with which the bearing surface engages in operation. 
     
     
         39 . The base or mounting structure according to  claim 35 , comprising a male portion or a female portion that comprises the bearing or each of the bearings. 
     
     
         40 . The base or mounting structure according to  claim 39 , wherein at least one of a) or b):
 a) the male portion or female portion is a male portion, and the bearing surfaces are disposed circumferentially around the male portion and slope radially inwards;   b) the bearings are disposed circumferentially around the female portion and project radially inwards therefrom; or the bearings are disposed circumferentially around the male portion and project radially outwards therefrom.   
     
     
         41 - 42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . A method of mounting a mounting structure to a base, wherein:—
 one of the base and the mounting structure comprises a bearing comprising a resiliently deformable member and having a bearing surface; 
 the other of the base and the mounting structure comprises a further bearing surface for engagement with the bearing surface of the bearing; and 
 the method comprises bringing the base into contact with the mounting structure such that shear stress of the deformable member biases the bearing surface towards the further bearing surface. 
 
     
     
         44 . The method according to  claim 43 , wherein the base is installed on the bed of a body of water. 
     
     
         45 . The method according to  claim 43 , comprising at least one of a), b) or c:
 a) mounting an energy conversion device, for example a wave energy conversion device, to the mounting structure;   b) allowing a reduction in compression of at least one of the bearings causing a release in shear stress, thereby to move the mounting structure and/or at least one of the bearings towards the base;   c) providing for lateral movement of the mounting structure in alternating directions causing alternating bearing surfaces to move relative to corresponding further bearing surfaces thereby to move the mounting structure and/or the bearings towards the base.   
     
     
         46 - 47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . The method according to  claim 45 , wherein the lateral movement is caused by action of waves, tides, currents or wind on the mounting structure or on a further structure attached to the mounting structure. 
     
     
         49 . The method according to  claim 43 , wherein the mounting structure has an engagement axis, the base has an engagement axis and the method comprises moving the base and the mounting structure into contact with the engagement axis of the base and the engagement axis of the mounting structure substantially aligned. 
     
     
         50 . The method according to  claim 43 , further comprising applying shear force to the or each deformable member prior to bringing the base into contact with the mounting structure. 
     
     
         51 . The method according to  claim 43 , further comprising releasing the mounting structure from the base by at least one of:
 applying force to one of the base and the mounting structure;   changing the friction between the at least one bearing surfaces and the at least one further bearing surface, for example by lubricating the at least one bearing surface and/or the at least one further bearing surface;   altering the compressive load between the at least one bearing surface and the at least one further bearing surfaces; or   altering the angle of inclination of at the at least one bearing surface and/or the at least one further bearing surface.   
     
     
         52 . The method according to  claim 51  wherein the releasing comprises operating a plurality of jacks to apply force to the base or mounting structure, or providing fluid to the interface between the at least one bearing surface and the at least one further bearing surface. 
     
     
         53 - 54 . (canceled)