Float system

Abstract

This float system makes it easier to efficiently utilize the underwater space below the floating island. [Solution] According to the present invention, a float system is provided comprising at least one float island floating on a body of water, wherein the body of water includes an empty area where the float island is not floating, and the empty area is configured to be movable by moving the float island.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a float system. [Background Art]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a float system for solar panels used on water. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-011006 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] In the float system of Patent Document 1, the float is moored at a predetermined position on the water by connecting an anchor provided on the water bottom and the float with a mooring member. A float system having such a configuration is not designed for actively moving the float, and once the float system is arranged, it is difficult to efficiently utilize the underwater space below the float system.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a float system that makes it easy to efficiently utilize the underwater space below a float island. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0006] According to the present invention, the following invention is provided. [1] A float system comprising at least one float island floated on a water area, wherein the water area includes an empty area where no float island is floated, and the float system is configured such that the empty area can be moved by moving the float island. A float system according to [2][1], wherein the float system comprises a plurality of float islands that are movable independently of each other. A float system according to [3] [1] or [2], wherein at least one of the at least one of the float islands is a solar power generation float island. A float system according to any one of [4][1] to [3], wherein the water body comprises a plurality of virtual compartments, at least one of the plurality of virtual compartments becomes the empty area, and the float island is floated in each of the remaining plurality of virtual compartments, and the virtual compartment that becomes the empty area can be changed by moving the float island. A float system according to [5][4], wherein the number of virtual compartments is four or more, and the number of float islands is three or more. A float system according to any one of [6][1] to [5], wherein the water body is an artificial water body in which water is stored in an artificially constructed reservoir. A float system according to any one of [7][1] to [6], wherein the water area is a fish and shellfish farm. A float system according to any one of [8][1] to [7], wherein a seabed connecting member is not provided to connect the float island to the bottom of the water body. A float system according to any one of [9][1] to [8], wherein the water area and the float island are each square or rectangular. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] In the float system of the present invention, the floating island is configured to move, thereby making it possible to move through the empty area provided in the water body. This makes it easier to access the underwater space below the floating island and to utilize this underwater space efficiently. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a plan view showing a float system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The dotted lines in Figures 1 and 3 are virtual boundary lines indicating the boundaries of adjacent virtual sections 3. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of Float Island 1 in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a plan view showing a float system 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The various features shown in the embodiments below can be combined with each other. Furthermore, each feature constitutes an independent invention. In addition, elements not specified in the claims in the embodiments below are optional and can be omitted. Any number of zeros (for example, one or two) may be added to the end of the numerical values ​​disclosed in the following description. For example, one or two zeros may be added after "1.4" to make it "1.40" or "1.400".

[0010] 1. First Embodiment As shown in Figure 1, the float system 10 of the first embodiment of the present invention comprises at least one float island 1 floating on a body of water W. The body of water W comprises an empty area W1 on which no float island 1 is floating. The float system 10 is configured to be able to move the empty area W1 by moving the float island 1. Each configuration will be described in detail below.

[0011] <Water area W> The body of water W is an area on which the float island 1 can float. The body of water W may be a natural body of water where water is stored in a naturally formed depression, or it may be an artificial body of water where water is stored in an artificially constructed reservoir. Artificial bodies of water tend to have a smaller area than natural bodies of water, so from the perspective of the need to efficiently utilize the underwater space of the body of water W, the significance of applying the present invention is particularly pronounced when the body of water W is an artificial body of water. Furthermore, since the artificial body of water can be shaped to suit the purpose of moving the empty area W1 by moving the float island 1, from this perspective as well, it is preferable that the body of water W is an artificial body of water. The body of water W is preferably a square or a rectangle. In this case, by making the float island 1 a square or a rectangle, it is easier to move the float island 1 and the empty area W1 regularly, and it is easier to increase the efficiency of utilizing the underwater space of the body of water W.

[0012] The area of ​​the body of water W is, for example, 100 to 250,000 m². 2 And, 500-100,000m 2 Preferably, 5000~50000cm 2 This is even more preferable. Specifically, this area may be, for example, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, 15000, 20000, 25000, 30000, 40000, 50000, 100000, or 250000 m². 2 The values ​​may be within a range between any two of the values ​​exemplified here, or greater than or equal to either of them. The average depth of the water body W is, for example, 0.5 to 10 m, preferably 1 to 5 m. Specifically, this average depth may be, for example, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 m, and may be within a range between any two of the values ​​exemplified here.

[0013] When the water area W is square or rectangular, the length of one side is, for example, 10 to 500 m, preferably 30 to 400 m, more preferably 50 to 250 m. Specifically, this length is, for example, 10, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, or 500 m, and may be a range between any two of the numerical values exemplified herein. When the water area W is rectangular, the length ratio defined by (long side ÷ short side) is, for example, more than 1.0 and 5.0 or less, preferably 1.1 to 2.0. In this case, it becomes easier to move the floating island 1 two-dimensionally. Specifically, this length ratio is, for example, 1.1, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, or 5.0, and may be a range between any two of the numerical values exemplified herein or a value equal to or less than any of them (provided that it is more than 1.0).

[0014] The water area W is preferably a farm for seafood such as shrimp and fish. In this case, operations necessary for aquaculture (feeding, cleaning, harvesting, etc.) can be easily performed in the vacant area W1, and by moving the floating island 1 to move the vacant area W1, there is an advantage that the above operations can be easily performed throughout the entire water area W. From the viewpoint of workability, the water area W used as the aquaculture farm preferably has a regular shape such as a square or a rectangle, and is preferably an artificial water area that can be easily formed into a regular shape.

[0015] The water storage tank constituting the artificial water area is preferably provided with a facility for adjusting the water volume. In this case, fluctuations in the water level of the water storage tank can be suppressed. When the floating island 1 is moored using a mooring rope, the mooring rope needs to be provided with an extra length in consideration of water level fluctuations. Due to this extra length, the floating island 1 can move in-plane. By suppressing water level fluctuations, the required extra length is shortened, and the in-plane movable range of the floating island 1 can be narrowed. The water storage tank is preferably a rectangular parallelepiped. In this case, the area of the water area W does not change even if the water level fluctuates, so there are advantages that the water area W can be easily used effectively, and the length of the mooring rope can be easily set.

[0016] <Floating Island 1> The floating island 1 is a structure that can be floated on a water area W. The floating island 1 can move away from the land L surrounding the water area W. As shown in Figure 2, the floating island 1 is preferably configured by connecting a plurality of floats 2. The plurality of floats 2 are connected directly or via joints 5. The float 2 only needs to have any structure that can be floated on the water area W, and a structure having a hollow portion for accommodating gas (such as air) inside is preferable. The float 2 is manufactured, for example, by blow molding in which a molten cylindrical parison is sandwiched between a plurality of split molds and expanded. Various thermoplastic resins can be used as the molding material, and for example, polyolefin resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene can be suitably used. The float 2 preferably has a rectangular (oblong) outer shape.

[0017] It is preferable that no water bottom connecting member for connecting the floating island 1 and the bottom of the water area W is provided. The water bottom connecting member is widely used to suppress unintended in-plane movement of the floating island 1. However, in the application of moving the vacant area W1 by moving the floating island 1 as in the present embodiment, it is preferable to facilitate movement of the floating island 1 by not providing the water bottom connecting member.

[0018] From the standpoint of making it easier to move the float island 1, it is preferable not to restrain the float island 1 at all. In other words, it is preferable not to provide mooring ropes that would hinder the movement of the float island 1. On the other hand, if no mooring ropes are provided, a problem arises in which a part of the float island 1 may flip up from its edge and overturn when lift is generated on the float island 1 by the wind, making it prone to choke-up accidents. From the standpoint of preventing the occurrence of this problem, it is preferable to connect the float island 1 to the land L with mooring ropes. It is preferable that these mooring ropes are easy to adjust in length and / or attach and detach so as not to hinder the movement of the float island 1. It is also preferable to provide a guide mechanism that defines the direction of movement of the float island 1. The guide mechanism can be any configuration that can define the direction of movement of the float island 1, and can be constructed using, for example, rails or wires. Furthermore, when a guide mechanism is provided and the float island 1 is connected to the land L with mooring ropes, the position of the float island 1 can be adjusted by adjusting the length of the mooring ropes.

[0019] The float system 10 preferably comprises a plurality of float islands 1 that can move independently of each other. In this case, the size of each float island 1 is smaller than when there is one large float island 1, making it easier to move the float islands 1. The plurality of float islands 1 preferably have the same external shape, but they may be different. The plurality of float islands 1 may be connected to each other using detachable connecting members when not moving them independently. This improves the stability of the entire system even in environments with strong waves and wind. Such connections are particularly suitable for aquaculture where the time intervals between human work are long, because in this case, the frequency of needing to attach and detach the connecting members is reduced.

[0020] When work is not required in the empty area W1, a float island 1 may also be placed in the empty area W1. Preferably, this float island 1 has the same area as the other float islands 1. Furthermore, it is preferable that this float island 1 is simpler and / or lighter than the other float islands 1 so that it can be easily removed when work is required in the empty area W1. This float island 1 can be made of, for example, an outer frame, a buoy, or a simple raft. Placing a float island 1 in the empty area W1 suppresses the application of external forces generated by wind and waves to the other float islands 1. From this viewpoint, it is even more preferable to detachably connect the float island 1 in the empty area W1 to the other float islands 1.

[0021] Preferably, at least one of the at least one float island 1 included in the float system 10 is a power generation float island 1A capable of generating solar power. In this case, the electricity generated on the power generation float island 1A can be used. When the water area W is used for purposes that include electrical equipment, it is desirable that the electricity generated on the power generation float island 1A can be self-consumed. For example, in aquaculture farms, electrical equipment such as pumps are usually in operation at all times for the purpose of maintaining water quality and promoting growth, so some or all of the electricity generated on the power generation float island 1A can be self-consumed by the electrical equipment. In this case, a battery may be provided to take into account the instability of sunlight. Furthermore, in aquaculture farms and the like, if float islands 1 are placed throughout the entire water area W, work efficiency will decrease, but in this embodiment, a movable empty area W1 is provided, so it is possible to generate electricity while suppressing a decrease in work efficiency.

[0022] When multiple float islands 1 are provided in the float system 10, all of the float islands 1 may be designated as power-generating float islands 1A, or only some of the float islands 1 may be designated as power-generating float islands 1A. One or more solar panels 4 are mounted on the power-generating float islands 1A. A power conditioner (not shown) that converts the DC power output from the solar panels 4 into AC power may also be mounted. It is preferable that the power output from the solar panels 4 or power conditioner is sent to land L via power lines. If the float islands 1 are able to move freely within the water area W, there is a risk that the power lines will not be long enough or that the power lines will become entangled. Therefore, it is practical from both a safety and design perspective to restrict the direction and range in which the float islands 1 can move by providing the mooring ropes and guide mechanisms described above.

[0023] The ratio of the total area of ​​all float islands 1 to the area of ​​the water body W is, for example, 50-95%, preferably 60-90%, and more preferably 65-85%. If this ratio is small, the area where solar panels 4 can be installed will be reduced accordingly. On the other hand, if this ratio is too large, the proportion of the empty area W1 will become too small, which may make it difficult to move the float islands 1 or to perform work in the empty area W1. Specifically, this ratio may be, for example, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, or 95%, and may also be in the range between any two of the values ​​exemplified here.

[0024] To move the float island 1 regularly, it is preferable to create multiple virtual sections 3 in the water area W, designate at least one of the multiple virtual sections 3 as an empty area W1, and float the float island 1 in each of the remaining virtual sections 3. With this configuration, the virtual section 3 that becomes the empty area W1 can be changed by moving the float island 1. Preferably, a reference virtual section 3 is assigned to each float island 1, and each float island 1 can move to a virtual section 3 adjacent to the reference virtual section 3, but cannot move to any other virtual section 3. By limiting the range in which the float island 1 can move in this way, it becomes easier to design mooring ropes and power lines.

[0025] If the body of water W is a fish and shellfish farm, it is preferable to provide a partition to restrict the movement of the farmed fish and shellfish to another virtual section 3, so that the fish and shellfish do not move together with the floating island 1. The partition can be made of netting or the like. This prevents the fish and shellfish from hiding beneath the floating island 1, making harvesting difficult.

[0026] The multiple virtual sections 3 are preferably identical in shape, but may be different. The value of (area of ​​each float island 1 / area of ​​each virtual section 3) is, for example, 0.50 to 1.00, and preferably 0.60 to 0.90. If this value is small, the area on which solar panels 4 can be installed tends to be smaller. If this value is too large, it tends to be difficult to move the float island 1. Specifically, this value is, for example, 0.50, 0.55, 0.60, 0.65, 0.70, 0.75, 0.80, 0.85, 0.90, 0.95, 1.00, and may be in the range between any two of the values ​​exemplified here.

[0027] The number of virtual sections 3 is preferably four or more, and the number of float islands 1 is preferably three or more. The number of virtual sections 3 is, for example, 4 to 10, specifically, for example, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and may be within the range of any two of the numbers exemplified here, or more than or equal to either of them. The number of float islands 1 is, for example, 3 to 9, specifically, for example, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and may be within the range of any two of the numbers exemplified here, or less than or equal to either of them.

[0028] The number of virtual partitions 3 that constitute the free area W1 is, for example, 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 5, and more preferably 1 to 3. Specifically, this number may be, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and may be within the range of any two of the numbers exemplified here, or greater than or less than any of them.

[0029] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, four virtual sections 3 (more specifically, the first to fourth virtual sections 31 to 34) are provided in the water area W, and a float island 1 is floating in each of the first to third virtual sections 31, 32, and 33. The fourth virtual section 34 is an empty area W1 where no float island 1 is floating. By moving the float island 1 floating in the second or third virtual section 32 or 33 to the fourth virtual section 34, the second or third virtual section 32 or 33 can be made into an empty area W1. Also, while the second or third virtual section 32 or 33 are empty areas W1, the first virtual section 31 can be made into an empty area W1 by moving the float island 1 floating in the first virtual section 31 to the empty area W1. In this way, the position of the empty area W1 can be changed by moving the float island 1, so that the underwater space below the float island 1 can be utilized efficiently.

[0030] It is preferable that the float island 1 assigned to the first virtual section 31 is movable to the second or third virtual sections 32 and 33, but not movable to the fourth virtual section 34. It is preferable that the float island 1 assigned to the second virtual section 32 is movable to the first or fourth virtual sections 31 and 34, but not movable to the third virtual section 33. It is preferable that the float island 1 assigned to the third virtual section 33 is movable to the first or fourth virtual sections 31 and 34, but not movable to the second virtual section 32. By limiting the range in which the float island 1 assigned to each virtual section 3 can move in this way, it becomes easier to design mooring ropes and power lines.

[0031] 2. Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the present invention will be described using Figure 3. This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, and the contents described in the first embodiment are applicable to this embodiment as long as they do not contradict its spirit. The differences will be described below.

[0032] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, eight virtual sections 3 (more specifically, the first to eighth virtual sections 31 to 38) are provided in the water area W, and float islands 1 are floating in the second to seventh virtual sections 32 to 37, respectively. The first and eighth virtual sections 31 and 38 become empty areas W1 where no float islands 1 are floating. In this case, the empty area W1 can be moved by moving a float island 1 floating in a virtual section adjacent to the first or eighth virtual section 31 or 38 to the first or eighth virtual section 31 or 38. Furthermore, the empty area W1 can be moved even further by moving a float island 1 floating in another virtual section into the empty area W1. In this embodiment, since multiple empty areas W1 are provided, there is an advantage in that it is easier to respond when work is required in multiple virtual sections. Also, since there are more virtual sections and float islands 1 than in the first embodiment, the degree of freedom in moving the float islands 1 is increased. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0033] 1: Float Island 1A: Power generation floating island 2: Float 3: Virtual partition 4: Solar panels 5: Joint 10: Float System 31: First Virtual Partition 32: Second Virtual Partition 33: Third Virtual Section 34: Fourth Virtual Section 35: Fifth Virtual Section 36: Virtual Section 6 37: Virtual Section 7 38: Virtual Section 8 L:Land W :Water area W1: Free space

Claims

1. A float system comprising at least one floating island in a body of water, The aforementioned body of water includes an empty area where the floating island is not located, A float system configured to allow movement of the empty area by moving the aforementioned float island.

2. A float system according to claim 1, The float system comprises a plurality of float islands that are movable independently of each other.

3. A float system according to claim 1, A float system in which at least one of the float islands is a solar power generation float island.

4. A float system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The aforementioned body of water comprises multiple virtual sections, At least one of the aforementioned plurality of virtual partitions becomes the free area, In each of the remaining of the aforementioned multiple virtual sections, the aforementioned floating islands are placed. A float system configured to change the virtual area that becomes the empty space by moving the aforementioned float island.

5. A float system according to claim 4, The number of virtual partitions is four or more. The float system has three or more of the aforementioned floating islands.

6. A float system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The aforementioned body of water is an artificial body of water, a float system, in which water is stored in an artificially constructed reservoir.

7. A float system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The aforementioned body of water is a floating system used as a fish and shellfish farm.

8. A float system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A float system in which no seabed connecting member is provided to connect the float island and the bottom of the water body.

9. A float system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A floating system in which the water body and the floating island are each square or rectangular.

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