WO2014167368A2 - Unsinkable-stable unaffected from waves floating truss platforms - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention refers to semi-submerged or fully-submerged at controlled depths floating truss structures comprising a multitude of cylindrical or other shape truss members (C, T, Fv, Fh, Fa), most of which have independent buoyancy and are interconnected through fixed or articulated systems-joints (N1-N1a), that facilitate fast and easy assembly-disassembly of members without disturbing near-by members or the truss system. All floating structures of existing state of the art have two common disadvantages, they are rocked from waves and can sink fast when there is some rupture-damage and large volume water-tight compartments that provide critical part of buoyancy are flooded. The floating structures of this invention are practically unsinkable and unaffected from waves, due to the very large number of truss members with independent buoyancy and the very small forces at random directions created from waves on the small volume members, which cancel each other out. The invention enables design-construction of semi-submerged or fully-submerged floating structures, for conventional or special applications, either for waterborne transport or for floating installations of any kind, which will be completely free from these two disadvantages.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Unsinkable-Stable Unaffected from Waves Floating Truss Platforms

This invention refers to semi-submerged or fully-submerged at controlled depths floating truss structures for support of any installations for various applications including wave energy absorbers-breakwater systems, which are formed from modular or unified trusses of various forms, comprising pyramid and/or triangular and/or orthogonal basic elements, and are made up from a multitude of cylindrical or other shape truss members (C, T, Fv, Fh, Fa), most of which have their own Individual adjustable or fixed independent buoyancy and are interconnected through fixed (B) or articulated (A) systems-joints (N1-N1a), either of which facilitates fast and easy assembly-disassembly of individual members without disturbing near-by members or the truss system.

Floating structures for various uses are being designed and constructed always. All surface waterborne transport or other use vessels are semi-submerged floating structures and all submarine kind of vessels, with adjustable or not buoyancy, are fully submerged floating structures. In all cases the design is based on the basic Archimedes principle and the marine engineering/naval architecture art, while prime form for surface vessels is the "Hull" type in various hydrodynamic shapes and for fully submerged vessels is the torpedo-submarine type. Some types of semi-submerged structures comprise a small number of 4-6 vertical large volume columns and horizontal underwater "sole" form compartments for interconnecting the vertical "legs", the "Column-Stabilized Semi-Submersibles" with main use extraction of hydrocarbons like the 4-leg Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig, while recently there is intense effort for design-construction of special structures of this general form with small number of "legs" from one to 7-8 for use as support for floating Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWT) in deep waters (Spar Buoy, Tripod Barge, Tension Leg Platform-TLP, etc), as well as some other types for support of tidal and underwater current and wave converters-generators (Triton platform, Bluetec, Magallanes platform etc). For controlling wave effects on these structures intense flotation methods-Taut Lines Platform technology (TLP) is normally used depending on the application, but this technology has distinct endurance limits related to the wave level-amplitude.

In existing state of the art related to wave energy absorbers-breakwater systems, other than the conventional jetty-pier type which forms an impregnable "wall" with rocks and concrete blocks to the seabed to break and reflect the waves, there are some floating structures that practically work on the same principle of a heavy and large volume "body" in the way of waves, but their application is only possible in relatively low energy-amplitude waves, normally along with TLP technology.

All the above semi or fully submerged structures, from usual navigation vessels to special structures are unified welded large volume structures or assemblies of such structures, with large volume water-tight compartments and have two common negative characteristics-disadvantages, they are rocked from waves or in the case of TLP technology have distinct endurance limits to wave intensity, and there is always possibility to sink for unforeseen reasons that create rupture to the skin and water inflow to unified water tight compartments of significant volume, which provide respectively significant and critical part of the overall buoyancy.

For conventional navigation vessels, wave effects are practically impossible to control, unless the vessel's inertia is large enough for the waves, while a lot of effort is exerted with modern naval architecture methods, like smaller volume water tight compartments embodied to the outer skin, in order to reduce sinking possibilities, without success under special unforeseen circumstances, as proven in many known past-old and contemporary very sad events, of various supposedly unsinkable floaters going down.

For the semi-submerged structures with few vertical columns-legs, other than with intense flotation methods, wave effects are mitigated with variable ballast in the legs-columns, but also in this case there are always distinct endurance limits to wave intensity. The high possibilities for sinking of these floaters under unforeseen circumstances-accidents have been shown by many tragic events and they exist due to one main cause. For example the converted to floating hotel Oil Rig

Alexander Kielland sank within 20 minutes in March 1980 [1] and took 123 people down with it, when one of its 5 "legs" broke off the main body due to material aging and bad welding, while recently Deepwater Horizon lost two of its 4 "legs" from the fire and sank with the known devastating damages in the gulf of Mexico. In other words, in both these cases (and many others lesser known) the main cause of the sinking is that if just one of the few "legs" of the structure is destroyed-loses its buoyancy, the structure loses its balance and sinks.

[1] "Investigation of the Alexander L. Kielland Failure-Metallurgical and Fracture Analysis" Offshore Technology Conference, 3-6 May 1982, Houston, Texas

The most recent development in the existing state of the art is indicated in the GR patent application to OBI number 20110100514-02/09/2011 , but while there is some similarity in the basic idea, there are significant differences in relation to the critical targets-issues of the present invention concerning "unsinkable", "unaffected from waves" and "with or without adjustable" individual buoyancy.

The conclusion is that with existing state of the art wave effects are difficult and up to impossible to control-mitigate, due to the large volume of floating structures and the related large buoyancy change effects created by waves depending on the overall inertia of the structure, while possibilities of sinking are always present due to the usually large volume water tight compartments that can be flooded if their shell is ruptured, whether they are semi or fully submerged floating structures. Also, in all cases of damage to water tight compartments, coping with the issue- repair of the damage, can only be done by regulation or fact in some controlled harbor or shipyard environment, and certainly not on site.

Prime target of this invention is to enable design-construction of semi-submerged or fully-submerged floating structures, for any conventional or special applications, either in stationary operation for supporting any kind of installations or in motion for the shipping sector, which will be completely free from these two ruling negative characteristics-disadvantages of being affected from waves and being subject to real-existing possibilities of sinking due to unforeseen circumstances, as well as to secure some other important characteristics-advantages related to existing state of the art, and most important the capability for servicing or repairing any incidental damages immediately, at the operating location at sea, by replacing the damaged members/components.

The basic concept for achieving these targets is to induce a drastic change in the techniques used for designing-constructing the submerged part of any floating structure that provides the overall buoyancy, by utilizing large numbers of relatively small size-volume sections-parts that have their own independent buoyancy and are interconnected in some form of truss-space frame through fixed or articulated jointing systems, either of which facilitates fast-easy assembly-disassembly of individual members without disturbing near-by members or the truss system, even inside the water, and have cylindrical or other hydrodynamic shapes (C, T, Fv, Fh, Fa) and suitable orientation in the truss system for the purpose of minimising the drag-resistance created from water depending on the application of each floating structure, like when the structure is moving in the water or it is stationary at some location where the water is also stationary (excluding waves) or the water is constantly moving like in tides, underwater currents, rivers. The main differences of this invention with the similar aforementioned basic idea are that in application no. 20110100514-02/09/2011 to OBI the truss members are only "watertight" and "mainly tubes" i.e. shell type or hollow body (not solid body) that can lose their buoyancy and sink if their shell is ruptured and flooded, while there is no capability-provision for members with adjustable individual buoyancy or for restriction of the full volume-form of members extending above water to just a little above Still Water level (SWL) to enable absolute minimal possibilities of wave effects, as provided and claimed by the present invention.

Depending on each application, some members can be hollow watertight with adjustable individual buoyancy through adjustable ballast. In this case it is surely possible that the hollow member can lose buoyancy when it shouldn't and perhaps create unwanted effects to the floating structure, like if the ballast adjusting system malfunctions or the shell is ruptured. In any case though, there can never be any danger of sinking even if all members with adjustable buoyancy lose it completely, because adjustable buoyancy is used either for maximum buoyancy without any ballast in order to minimize the structure's draft, or with maximum ballast to reach maximum draft under the FULL operating load as specified with the members extending just a little above SWL with their full volume-form, as indicated above. In all other cases that adjustable buoyancy is not required, all members are made in a way that absolutely excludes loss of buoyancy in unforeseen circumstances (unless a significant change-loss of volume is sustained by the member through extreme catastrophic events), with the following indicative methods: The shell type hollow members are "staffed" inside with light-weight material that does not allow for the space inside the member to be flooded when any rupture occurs to the shell. The mechanical strength of the member is secured from suitable materials for the shell. Another option is construction of the member as a unified complete body with the required mechanical strength, from solid material which has lower specific weight than water. Alternatively, the eventual higher mechanical strength of the member that may be needed can be provided by an additional strength element like rod or tube or of other form of suitable strength depending on each application, which is encased from the solid material with lower specific weight than water that forms the final shape and volume of the member.

All above alternative forms of members can be produced with existing state of the art materials and methods, or with any future options, with basic criteria the lowest cost, highest endurance-longest lifetime in the water-sea and best functioning.

With the above form of semi-submerged truss structure, waves cannot have any effect on the constantly submerged parts of members, those that are always below the lowest water-wave level, because there cannot be any buoyancy changes on them, while they may sustain only thrust forces from the moving up-down water. Buoyancy changes from the waves happen only to the parts of members that protrude firstly from the lowest wave level and secondly from the SWL, which are vertical or at some angle to the SWL, but these forces on each member surface- part occur randomly at random directions and cancel each other out over the total structure area and there can never be time or large enough forces to influence the total structure inertia to create wave effects, pitch and roll.

Sinking possibilities of this floating structure are practically nil, not only because of the inherent characteristic of members with lower specific weight than water to be unsinkable (members with adjustable buoyancy are not considered unsinkable but that has no practical influence for the overall structure), but also because with proper design of the semi or fully submerged part using large number of members and sections with independent individual buoyancy, it would be necessary for large number of members, near half of the total, to lose their buoyancy at the same time for the structure to be in danger of sinking, and this is practically impossible to happen, either by chance or on purpose.

Additionally, in special cases for semi-submerged truss structures, there can be a back-up "last resort safety-survival buoyancy" provided by the superstructure mounted on the top of the truss, that can have the form of usual "hull" or many individual floaters, or the usual truss members forming the upper truss surface, which during normal operation is always above water at suitable height to avoid any significant influence from waves, even in extreme conditions, e.g. with higher than expected waves or even tsunami. In the case of navigation-shipping vessels, the special semi-submerged truss structure, can be built under the conventional "hull" type superstructure which will act as the back-up "last resort safety-survival buoyancy" system. The third important characteristic-advantage provided by this invention related to existing state of the art, is that in case of damages to the truss from unforeseen events, the repair can be done as soon as conditions allow it at the operating site at sea, with easy and fast replacement of the damaged members/components. Any usual servicing of parts can also be done this way when necessary. The desirable maximum-minimum draft related to expected maximum-minimum load of the floating structure is primarily considered for the design of the semi- submerged part, and the difference between the two limits defines the size-volume of the vertical or at some angle member parts that protrude out of the water. If it is necessary to reduce the draft difference to the minimum possible, some members can be of the adjustable buoyancy type as indicated above, while the main and largest part of buoyancy can be created from the constantly fully submerged parts- members that can have larger volume than those that protrude above water. This technique is especially useful for applications in navigation vessels, floating piers- breakwater structures, Wind Turbines and Wave Energy Converters (WEC) support floating structures, etc. Members that protrude above water must cover with their full size-volume body the SWL by a safety margin, under the condition of maximum draft under maximum allowed load, including maximum ballast if this system is in the design. For completing the truss structure up to the necessary height above the SWL and especially above the maximum expected wave height for each particular design, the members that protrude above the SWL can extend to the necessary length only with their strength element part (S) without buoyancy and not with their full size-volume body. With this technique waves can only have insignificant effects on the structure even at their maximum intensity-height, since the strength elements (S) that extend into the waves above the SWL have very small width-volume and buoyance change and thrust effects are also insignificant.

In special cases depending on the geometry of the truss, some members or parts of members are only structural mechanical strength elements without buoyancy (D), with prime purpose to secure the geometry and the proper functioning of the articulated or fixed jointing systems, or any other special structural purpose. Also, design of identical or different form modular sections for formation of a complete semi or fully submerged truss structure, could be very useful for the production process, the easier waterborne transport of the modules, and their interconnection and embodiment to the overall structure at the operating site, as well as for various special needs of any extremely large floating truss structure related to different operating-environmental conditions at different locations of the overall structure and incidental different-special formation of the truss system at select locations. Interconnection of members with articulated or fixed joints can be done with various systems-methods, either with each system alone in one structure or with combination of various systems in one truss. In all cases the basic characteristics that any system facilitates, namely fast, easy, secure assembly-disassembly of individual members without disturbing near-by members or the truss system even inside the water, and that each member has its own independent buoyancy, with the exception of structural members without buoyancy, are always covered.

The following indicative interconnection systems-joints are presented with the help of the related drawings that accompany each application. With joint N1 , combined with assistant joint N1a (for completing orthogonal interconnection-truss element) it is possible to interconnect pyramid and orthogonal basic truss elements, either alone or in various combinations. With joint N1 alone it is possible to interconnect either pyramid only or orthogonal only truss systems. At all jointing positions it is possible to establish articulated or fixed interconnection by using one pin-axle (A) for articulated or two pins-bolts (B) for fixed interconnection (Fig. 1 and 2)

An indicative design for semi or fully submerged floating platform that will operate permanently or for long time at the same location is a truss with pyramid elements formed from cylindrical members (C) of suitable size. Buoyancy and load capability can be increased by adding vertical cylindrical members (CV) from the apex to the center of the square pyramid base (or to the opposite-reversed pyramid apex, if a second pyramid truss level* exists in the system-not shown), that create additional orthogonal-parallelogram truss elements. Depending on the required load-weight of the installation and the desired draft, the truss structure can nave one or more levels, with member length and side triangle at each level* adjusted to the needs of each application and easiness of assembly, and can expand to any area. In any case, the members that protrude above the SWL follow the aforesaid technique of extending to the necessary length, only with their strength element part (S) and not with their full size-shape (Fig. 3-4-5).

Suitable multiple catenary or tensioned anchoring can be used to stabilize the floating UNFLOP system to its operating location if it is possible due to depth, otherwise in very deep waters GPS Dynamic Positioning system can be used. For small size-area UNFLOP systems with low INERTIA related to the expected wave level, Intense Flotation methods-Taut Lines (TLP) may need to be considered.

Fig. 1 shows joint N1 which along with assistant joint N1a, shown in Fig. 2, can be used for construction of floating platform with cylindrical members interconnected in pyramid (C) and orthogonal (CV) basic truss elements as shown in Fig. 3, which is suitable for supporting any kind of installations that will operate permanently or for long time at the same location. All members that protrude above the SWL extend to the top-apex only with their strength element part (S) without buoyancy and all the members of the top surface of the truss that are always above water are only structural mechanical strength elements without buoyancy (D).

Fig. 4 shows joint N1 with cylindrical members (C) interconnected in pyramid only basic truss elements to create floating platform with the same basic characteristics as the one shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 shows joints N1 and/or N1a with cylindrical members (C-CV) interconnected in orthogonal only basic truss elements to create floating platform with the same basic characteristics as the ones shown in Fig. 3 and 4. The floating truss platforms illustrated in Fig. 3-4-5 can also be fully submerged with suitable adjustment of the buoyancy of members and/or suitable multiple catenary or tensioned anchoring. The main purpose is to be used for supporting hydro generators for underwater currents at the required depth up to the seabed, either in autonomous operation or in cooperation-interconnection with a "mother" semi-submerged platform at the surface above that supports other renewable energy converters.

For autonomous operation the fully submerged platform has the necessary overall buoyancy under its full load and is secured to float at the desired depth from the seabed with multiple catenary and intense flotation anchoring to the seabed. With similar anchoring method it can cooperate with a semi-submerged platform on the surface. Alternatively, it can have positive or neutral or negative buoyancy while it is secured at the desired depth with multiple connections to the surface "mother" platform, in conjunction to its own suitable multiple anchoring to the seabed. Also, the fully submerged platform can be used at the desirable depth for any other kind of applications with similar needs, like aquaculture, underwater dwellings-research labs, etc. In any case, the option of adjustable buoyancy can be used for refloating the platform to the surface when needed.

The above semi-submerged unsinkable and unaffected from waves platform for support of any installations, can have unlimited applications in many sectors like tourism, navigation, harboring-breakwater, waterborne-airborne transport (shipping -floating airports), accommodation-urban development-Housing, superior quality poly-aquaculture in open waters, etc.

Two most important special applications are for supporting wind turbines, wave, undersea currents-tidal energy converters and solar photo voltaic systems in open seas-oceans and lakes, and as a breakwater structure for protection of coast lines and harboring-piers, in eventual conjunction with the above renewable energy systems at suitable locations.

CFD-numerical modelling performed till now show that some breakwater function is inherent to the pyramid truss platform. This function can be enhanced by adding Grids (G1 , G2..) with micro-fins (mF) on the floating platform one after the other at repeated stages in the way of wave propagation that break-up the cohesiveness of the waves causing dispersion of the water in small quantities and the wave energy is dissolved passing through all Grid stages. The basic concept of this mechanism is gradual dissipation of wave energy through many repeated dispersions of water in small quantities in many directions from alternate Grids of different dispersion capabilities or from groups of Grids. With this mechanism, the forces exerted from waves when they strike onto a fixed structure like conventional breakwater-pier, or at the side of a ship, or at a floating massive breakwater of existing state of the art, are applied and dispersed gradually by the micro-fins. This technic cannot have any restrictions related to wave intensity-amplitude and period, and in comparison to conventional breakwater-pier, does not destroy the seabed and the related ecosystem, while it is expected to be a much more cost effective option. The most effective forms of Grids in relation to the specific characteristics of waves in each case can be established through R&D and experimenting with various models.

One indicative form of Grid comprise a basic mesh with square apertures, which support on their sides the arrays and alternate lines of micro-fins (mF) of "V" shape that create the dispersion of small masses of water is random directions. The mF can be fixed or free to rotate on their aperture side. The degree of wave energy dispersion for each Grid is defined from the size of the squares and their mF. The Grid of the first stage G1 that receives the maximum wave energy has the larger mesh squares and mF and the last stage Grid the smaller.

Indicative forms of G1 and G2 and mF that can rotate are shown in Fig. 6-7-8 Fig. 9 illustrates the pyramid only platform of Fig. 4 equipped with G1 and G2 between two consecutive pyramid lines at some angle and above SWL where waves are expected to rise. Alternatively, a number of Grids G1-G2-G3-G4.... with different wave energy dissipation capabilities could form a unified module placed at suitable distances between them, or can be in small modules of 2-3 placed in stages on the platform.

Additionally, breakwater function can be combined with Wave Energy Converters (WEC), which will absorb the wave energy by converting it to electricity, as well as with underwater current and tidal energy converters if available at that site. For this kind of operation(s) the floating platform can have multiple catenary or tensioned anchoring at the seabed, while also can be used as pier and any other application.

Also the parts of the platform that contain the Grids can be embodied on any fixed structure based on any combination of seabed or coastal ground, or a floating truss platform, to function as breakwater system.

In the case of the platform being used in motion for shipping-waterborne transport, the truss members of the semi-submerged part of the structure will have suitable hydrodynamic shapes and orientation in the truss to facilitate the motion inside the water with maximum stability and the minimum possible drag-reaction from water.

Indicative shape for the members that move horizontally in-line to the direction of motion is a Torpedo (T) and those that move vertical to the direction of motion in horizontal position (Fh) or in vertical position (Fv) or at some angle to SWL (Fa) have a hydrodynamic fin shape (hydrofoil). The basic form of this truss structure has orthogonal-parallelogram basic elements, and depending on the method of interconnection and/or navigation needs, it may be necessary to use also hydrofoil members in diagonal position (Fa) and forming pyramid or triangle basic elements, to secure the geometry and/or the navigation stability of the truss structure.

The main superstructure above water can have the form of "hull" and is supported from vertical hydrofoil members (Fv) with their own buoyancy, at suitable height from the SWL to minimize the wave effects when the "vessel" is navigating under heavy wave conditions. In any case, also here the members that protrude above the SWL can extend to the necessary length for supporting the superstructure only with their strength element part (S) without buoyancy and not with their full size- volume body. Additionally, it is possible from the original design or conversion of existing "hulls", that the vertical S parts can be withdrawn simultaneously into the "hull", in other words to lower or raise the "hull" from SWL, as it may be necessary or useful for navigating in high waves or in calm waters, or for harbouring. Also, some truss members could be of the hollow water-tight type, with adjustable buoyancy/ballast, to control the draft in relation to the payload and for harbouring. Any necessary number of Fv can be used as rudders with suitable servo-drive mechanisms. Respectively, some of the underwater hydrofoils Fh can be used through suitable sensors and servo-computerized mechanisms for stabilization of motion even related to wind pressure on the superstructure. Additionally, the Fa hydrofoils can also be used for stabilization of motion and especially counteracting on the tilt caused by turning or by side wind thrust on the superstructure-"hull". Depending on the width/height of the superstructure-"hull", the semi-submerged truss system that provides overall buoyancy can be wider than the "hull" for better stability in relation to the centres of gravity and buoyancy of the overall structure. Another design option is that the width can be variable-adjustable, from some minimum width similar to the top "hull", to the necessary maximum, by moving simultaneously outwards all the end side members (Fv, Fh, Fa, T) on both sides up to the desired width, through suitable mechanisms. Minimum width will be used when coming-in or going-out from harbouring at low speeds, and maximum after going-out from harbouring and start navigating in open seas at high speeds.

The above technology-concept suggested by this invention for navigation means provides the following advantages in relation to the existing state-of-the-art:

1) Almost complete absence of wave effects-influence, which means capability for much safer navigation in much worse sea conditions, without any disturbance- dangers for passengers and load, i.e. ALL weather navigation

2) Significant reduction-near elimination of sinking possibilities from collisions, heavy wave conditions, etc, along with "last resort safety-survival buoyancy"

3) Significant reduction of water resistance-drag and waves to the motion, which means significant reduction of "energy" consumption for the same speed or higher speed for the same consumption. 4) Capability for servicing or repairing incidental damages immediately, at the operating location at sea, by replacing the damaged members/components.

The indicative shapes of T-Fv-Fh-Fa are illustrated in Fig. 10-11-12 and the complete semi-submerged truss structure for shipping-waterborne transport is illustrated in Fig. 13

All the above parts for the truss structures of this invention can be produced with automated reliable industrial methods from any kind of materials metals-plastics- composites, even natural wood, which could eventually cover the needs for each application

Claims

1. Unsinkable-stable unaffected from waves, semi-submerged, or fully-submerged at controlled depths, floating truss platforms, characterised in that they consist of modular or unified trusses of various forms (pyramid, orthogonal etc), comprising multitudes of truss members of various shapes (C-Fv-T-Fh-Fa) most of which have independent, adjustable or not, individual buoyancy and are interconnected through various systems-joints (N1-N1a) for articulated (A) or fixed (B) interconnections, which facilitate fast and easy assembly-disassembly of individual members, even inside the water, without disturbing near-by members or the truss system, and in that the members of semi-submerged trusses that protrude at some angle from the water, can extend only marginally above Still Water Level (SWL) with their full size- volume body at the position of maximum draft of the structure under maximum allowed load, and for completing the truss structure up to the necessary height above SWL, and mainly above the maximum expected wave height-amplitude, they can extend only with their strength element part (S) without buoyancy and not with their full size-volume body, and in that some truss members or parts of them are only structural mechanical strength elements (D) without individual buoyancy.

2. Unsinkable-stable unaffected from waves, semi-submerged, or fully-submerged at controlled depths, floating truss platforms as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that some of the truss members are hollow water-tight with empty space inside and have adjustable individual buoyancy through an adjustable ballast system, which changes-adjusts buoyancy by varying the ballast inside the empty space.

3. Unsinkable-stable unaffected from waves, semi-submerged, or fully-submerged at controlled depths, floating truss platforms as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that some of the truss members are hollow water-tight with empty space inside, which is filled-staffed with light-weight foamy material that does not allow water to come inside the space, if and when the outside shell is ruptured-damaged.

4. Unsinkable-stable unaffected from waves, semi-submerged, or fully-submerged at controlled depths, floating truss platforms as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that truss members are made from materials that have lower specific weight than water and have the form of a unified solid mass of suitable mechanical strength for any respective application, or alternatively, for securing the necessary mechanical strength, they comprise additional internal solid or tube or rod or any other type strength element (S), made from material of suitable strength not necessarily lighter than water, which is embodied and encased from the material with lower specific weight than water that forms the final shape and volume of the member.

5. Unsinkable-stable unaffected from waves, semi-submerged, or fully-submerged at controlled depths, floating truss platforms as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that the truss members have mainly cylindrical shape (C, CV) and form pyramid and/or triangle and/or orthogonal basic truss elements, and in that these platforms are intended to support any kind of installations that will operate permanently of for long time periods at the same location.

6. Unsinkable-stable unaffected from waves, semi-submerged, or fully-submerged at controlled depths, floating truss platforms as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that the truss members have hydrodynamic shapes (Fv-T-Fh-Fa) and suitable-in line orientation to the water flow, for maximum stability and minimum possible drag- reaction from water when the floating structure is moving inside the water, or when the floating structure is operating at a fixed location where the water is moving, like in river, underwater current or tidal current.

7. Unsinkable-stable unaffected from waves, semi-submerged, or fully-submerged at controlled depths, floating truss platforms as claimed in claims 5-6, characterised in that the semi-submerged ones can operate as a breakwater system and/or as a system for converting wave energy and/or underwater or tidal currents energy to electric or to any other form of energy, by adding Grids, like mesh with apertures (G1-G2-G3....) with micro-fins (mF) fixed or free to rotate on their aperture side, which have different degrees-capabilities of wave energy dispersion using different sizes of apertures/micro-fins, and are placed one after the other at repeated stages in the way of wave propagation with first the Grid with largest micro-fins, in order to break-up the cohesiveness of waves causing dispersion of water in small volumes, so that wave energy is dissolved as needed after passing through all Grid stages, while in parallel with the Grids and in front of them in the way of wave propagation, can be installed-supported arrays of wave energy converters to electric or other form of energy, and in addition or independently, converters of underwater or tidal currents energy to electric or to any other form of energy can also be installed- supported under the semi-submerged platform or on an assisting fully submerged truss platform when the current is deep, not near the surface.

8. Unsinkable-stable unaffected from waves, semi-submerged, or fully-submerged at controlled depths, floating truss platforms as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the sections of the truss structure with the Grids (G1-G2-G3....), and / or the system for converting wave energy to electric or to any other form of energy, and / or the system for converting underwater or tidal currents energy to electric or to any other form of energy, can be embodied and can operate respectively on any fixed structure based either on the seabed or on coastal grounds or on a coastal ground from one position and floating truss platforms from other.

9. Unsinkable-stable unaffected from waves, semi-submerged, or fully-submerged at controlled depths, floating truss platforms as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that they can move in the water with own propulsion means and comprise-support a superstructure in some form of vessel with "hull" that has its own independent buoyancy capability to be utilized as "a last resort survival buoyancy" for the overall floating system in case of extended damages to the truss, and which is supported by vertical truss members-hydrodynamic fins (Fv) with own buoyancy at suitable height from SWL to minimize the wave effects, which with appropriate automated mechanisms can be all together withdrawn simultaneously into the "hull" only with their strength element part (S), and some of them can also operate as rudders, while the permanently submerged truss members-hydrodynamic fins in horizontal position (Fh) or some of them, can respectively operate for stabilization of motion during navigation and counteraction-elimination of eventual forces tending to create pitch and roll even related to wind pressure on the superstructure, and the truss members-hydrodynamic fins in some angle position to the SWL (Fa) or some of them, can respectively operate for the stabilization of motion and especially for counteracting on the tilt when the floating system is turning at high speed and /or when it sustains high thrust from side winds on the superstructure, and in that they can be wider than the superstructure for better stability, or in that the width can be variable-adjustable, from some minimum similar to the superstructure-"hull" width, to the necessary maximum for best stability, by moving simultaneously outwards through appropriate mechanisms, all the end side members (Fv, Fh, Fa, T) on both sides up to the desired width.