Float system

Abstract

To provide a float system capable of suppressing an occurrence of collision between a float and its outside wall when the float is moored on water through a mooring member.SOLUTION: In a floating system provided with a float aggregation and a mooring member, the float aggregation is configured to float on water, and the mooring member is configured to moor the float aggregation on water by connecting the float aggregation to the water bottom and land, so that the slack amount varies according to variation in water level.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In a photovoltaic power generation device that converts sunlight into electric power, a solar panel (also referred to as a solar cell panel or a solar cell module) is used as a photoelectric conversion device. Solar panels are mainly installed on the roofs, walls, and ground of buildings. In recent years, they have also been installed on bodies of water such as ponds and lakes that are becoming idle.

[0003] When installing a solar panel on water, a float for floating the solar panel on the water is used, and the solar panel is installed on the float (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] Moreover, not limited to photovoltaic power generation, when installing a float on water, it will be moored at a predetermined position on the water through some mooring member (see, for example, Patent Document 2). One end of a mooring member such as an anchor rope is fixed to the float. The other end of the mooring member is connected to an anchor sunk to the bottom of the water. Thereby, the float is moored at a predetermined position on the water.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, when the above-mentioned mooring method is used in dams or similar structures where the depth from the water surface to the bottom is large (for example, several tens of meters) and the water level fluctuates significantly, there is a problem that when the water level drops, the mooring members loosen, and the amount of horizontal movement (degrees of freedom) of the float on the water increases. As a result, the float may collide with the outer wall (i.e., run aground), potentially causing damage such as holes being made in the float.

[0007] This invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and provides a float system that can suppress the occurrence of collisions between the float and its outer wall when the float is moored on the water via a mooring member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention provides the following: (1) A float system comprising a float assembly and a mooring member, wherein the float assembly is configured to float on the water, and the mooring member connects the float assembly to the seabed and land to moor the float assembly on the water, and is configured such that the amount of slack changes in accordance with fluctuations in the water level. (2) A float system according to (1), wherein the mooring member comprises a first mooring member that minimizes slack when the water level is at the full water level, and a second mooring member that minimizes slack when the water level is at the minimum water level. (3) A float system according to (1) or (2), wherein the mooring member has a first mooring member, and the first mooring member is connected between a first fixing part provided on the seabed and a second fixing part provided on land via a transit part provided on the float assembly. (4) A float system according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the mooring member has a second mooring member, and the second mooring member is connected between a first fixing part provided on the seabed and a second fixing part provided on the float assembly via a transit part provided on the float assembly and a transit part provided on land.

[0009] With the above configuration, when a float assembly is moored by a mooring member in a dam or the like where the depth from the water surface is large and the water level fluctuates greatly, the amount of slack in the mooring member changes in accordance with the water level fluctuations. This suppresses the horizontal movement of the float assembly connected to the seabed and land, and reduces the occurrence of collisions between the floats and the outer wall. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of float assembly 1. [Figure 2] This is a plan view of the float system 10. [Figure 3] Figure 3A is a schematic diagram showing from the horizontal direction the configuration in which the float assembly 1 is moored using the first mooring member 5A when the dam water level is at full water level, Figure 3B is a schematic diagram showing from the horizontal direction the configuration in which the float assembly 1 is moored using the first mooring member 5A when the dam water level is high, and Figure 3C is a schematic diagram showing from the horizontal direction the configuration in which the float assembly 1 is moored using the first mooring member 5A when the dam water level is low. [Figure 4] Figure 4A is a schematic diagram showing from the horizontal direction the configuration in which the float assembly 1 is moored using the second mooring member 5B when the water level of the dam is high, Figure 4B is a schematic diagram showing from the horizontal direction the configuration in which the float assembly 1 is moored using the second mooring member 5B when the water level of the dam is low, and Figure 4C is a schematic diagram showing from the horizontal direction the configuration in which the float assembly 1 is moored using the second mooring member 5B when the water level of the dam is at its lowest level. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] 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.

[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a float assembly 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the float assembly 1 is used by floating it on a body of water L, such as a dam, which is deep above the water surface and experiences large fluctuations in water level, and is constructed by connecting multiple floats 2. In the following description, East (E), West (W), South (S), and North (N) follow the definitions shown in Figure 1.

[0013] Multiple floats 2 are connected either directly or via joints 3. More specifically, two floats 2 adjacent in the north-south direction are directly connected, while two floats 2 adjacent in the east-west direction are connected via joints 3.

[0014] Each float 2 is manufactured, for example, by blow molding, in which a molten cylindrical parison is sandwiched between multiple segmented molds and inflated. Various thermoplastic resins can be used as the molding material, but polyolefin resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene can be suitably used.

[0015] Float 2 has an overall rectangular shape and a hollow structure that contains gas (air, etc.). Joint 3 is similarly formed by blow molding and has a hollow structure.

[0016] Float 2 is equipped with cargo such as solar panels 4, cables, a power conditioner, and a junction box (cargo other than solar panels 4 is not shown). Most floats 2 are equipped with solar panels 4, enabling power generation using the solar panels 4.

[0017] The solar panel 4 is mounted in an inclined state with its light-receiving surface facing south so as to increase the power generation efficiency. The power generated by the solar panel 4 is transmitted through a cable. The DC power from a plurality of solar panels 4 is collected in a junction box through a cable, and the DC power from the junction box is converted into AC power by a power conditioner. The junction box and the power conditioner may be installed on land instead of on the float 2.

[0018] Normally, no load such as a solar panel 4 is mounted on the float 2 facing the outer periphery 1a of the float assembly 1 surrounding the float assembly, and it is used as a passage. Hereinafter, such a float 2 is referred to as an "outer peripheral float", and the remaining floats 2 are referred to as "inner floats".

[0019] The outer peripheral float 2A is installed along the outer periphery 1a of the float assembly so as to surround the inner floats. The float assembly 1 is connected to the bottom G and the land via first mooring members 5A and second mooring members 5B (see FIGS. 2 to 4) such as mooring wires and anchor ropes and moored at a predetermined position on the water surface L. As a result, the float 2 is prevented from rising and the float assembly 1 is prevented from being washed away.

[0020] Next, with reference to Figures 2 to 4, a specific configuration for mooring the float assembly 1 to a predetermined position on the water L via the first mooring member 5A and the second mooring member 5B will be described. Figure 2 is a plan view of the float system 10. Figure 3A is a schematic diagram showing from the horizontal direction the configuration for mooring the float assembly 1 using the first mooring member 5A when the dam water level is at full water level. Figure 3B is a schematic diagram showing from the horizontal direction the configuration for mooring the float assembly 1 using the first mooring member 5A when the dam water level is high. Figure 3C is a schematic diagram showing from the horizontal direction the configuration for mooring the float assembly 1 using the first mooring member 5A when the dam water level is low. Figure 4A is a schematic diagram showing from the horizontal direction the configuration for mooring the float assembly 1 using the second mooring member 5B when the dam water level is high. Figure 4B is a schematic diagram showing, from a horizontal perspective, the configuration in which the float assembly 1 is moored using the second mooring member 5B when the dam water level is low. Figure 4C is a schematic diagram showing, from a horizontal perspective, the configuration in which the float assembly 1 is moored using the second mooring member 5B when the dam water level is at its lowest level. Note that in Figures 2 to 4, the float assembly 1 is shown in a simplified form.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, on the south side of the float assembly 1, there are two land-based fixing sections 6A for fixing one end of each of the two first mooring members 5A, and land-based passing sections 6B for passing each of the two second mooring members 5B.

[0022] Furthermore, four seabed anchoring parts 7, such as anchors or heavy sinkers, are provided on the south side of the float assembly 1, embedded in the seabed G. The seabed anchoring parts 7 are positioned such that, for example, the distance from the water surface is 80-100% of the average water depth (distance from the water surface to the seabed G) around the outer circumference of the float assembly 1. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the seabed anchoring parts 7 are provided near the intersection of the seabed G and the inclined surface, but the positions where the seabed anchoring parts 7 are provided are not limited to these.

[0023] Furthermore, the southern end of the float assembly 1 is provided with four float access points 8A through which two first mooring members 5A and two second mooring members 5B pass, and two float fixing points 8B that fix the other ends of the two second mooring members 5B. As can be seen from a plan view of the periphery of the float assembly 1, the land fixing point 6A (land access point 6B), the seabed fixing point 7, and the float access points 8A (float fixing points 8B) are provided in this order, moving from the land toward the center of the water surface.

[0024] The first mooring member 5A is connected to the bottom fixing part 7 (first fixing part) provided on the seabed G and the land fixing part 6A (second fixing part) provided on land via a float via part 8A provided on the float assembly 1 (see also Figure 3). One end of the first mooring member 5A is fixed to the bottom fixing part 7 by fastening to an engagement part of the bottom fixing part 7, for example, and the other end of the first mooring member 5A is fixed to the land fixing part 6A by fastening to an engagement part of the land fixing part 6A, for example. The float via part 8A has, for example, a ring-shaped insertion part through which the first mooring member 5A can be inserted from the bottom fixing part 7 toward the land fixing part 6A in order to pass the first mooring member 5A through.

[0025] The second mooring member 5B is connected between the seabed fixing part 7 (first fixing part) provided on the seabed G and the float fixing part 8B (second fixing part) provided on the float assembly 1, via a float via part 8A provided on the float assembly 1 and a land via part 6B (via part) provided on land (see also Figure 4). One end of the second mooring member 5B is fixed to the seabed fixing part 7 by fastening it to, for example, the engaging part of the seabed fixing part 7. The other end of the second mooring member 5B is fixed to the float fixing part 8B by fastening it to, for example, the engaging part of the float fixing part 8B. The float via part 8A has, for example, a ring-shaped insertion part through which the second mooring member 5B can be inserted from the seabed fixing part 7 toward the land via part 6B in order to allow the second mooring member 5B to pass through. The land-based section 6B has, for example, a ring-shaped insertion section through which the second mooring member 5B can be inserted from the float-based section 8A toward the float-fixing section 8B, in order to allow the second mooring member 5B to pass through.

[0026] On the north side of the float assembly 1, there are two land-based fixing sections 6A for fixing one end of each of the two first mooring members 5A, and two land-based passing sections 6B for passing each of the two second mooring members 5B.

[0027] Furthermore, four seabed fixing parts 7, such as anchors or heavy sinkers, are provided on the north side of the float assembly 1, embedded in the seabed G.

[0028] Furthermore, the northern end of the float assembly 1 is provided with four float passages 8A through which two first mooring members 5A and two second mooring members 5B pass, respectively, and two float fixing parts 8B that fix the other ends of the two second mooring members 5B, respectively.

[0029] The first mooring member 5A is connected to the bottom fixing part 7 (first fixing part) provided on the seabed G and the land fixing part 6A (second fixing part) provided on land via a float via part 8A provided on the float assembly 1 (see also Figure 3). One end of the first mooring member 5A is fixed to the bottom fixing part 7 by fastening it to, for example, the engaging part of the bottom fixing part 7. The other end of the first mooring member 5A is fixed to the land fixing part 6A by fastening it to, for example, the engaging part of the land fixing part 6A. The float via part 8A has, for example, a ring-shaped insertion part through which the first mooring member 5A can be inserted from the bottom fixing part 7 toward the land fixing part 6A in order to pass the first mooring member 5A through.

[0030] The second mooring member 5B is connected between the seabed fixing part 7 (first fixing part) provided on the seabed G and the float fixing part 8B (second fixing part) provided on the float assembly 1, via a float via part 8A provided on the float assembly 1 and a land via part 6B (via part) provided on land (see also Figure 4). One end of the second mooring member 5B is fixed to the seabed fixing part 7 by fastening it to, for example, the engaging part of the seabed fixing part 7. The other end of the second mooring member 5B is fixed to the float fixing part 8B by fastening it to, for example, the engaging part of the float fixing part 8B. The float via part 8A has, for example, a ring-shaped insertion part through which the second mooring member 5B can be inserted from the seabed fixing part 7 toward the land via part 6B in order to allow the second mooring member 5B to pass through. The land-based section 6B has, for example, a ring-shaped insertion section through which the second mooring member 5B can be inserted from the float-based section 8A toward the float-fixing section 8B, in order to allow the second mooring member 5B to pass through.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3A, when the dam's water level is at full capacity, the first mooring member 5A is in a state of tension where the amount of slack is minimized between the land-based fixed section 6A and the float-via section 8A. As a result, the amount of horizontal movement (degrees of freedom) of the float assembly 1 on the water L is reduced. On the other hand, as exaggeratedly shown in Figure 3B, when the dam's water level is high, the first mooring member 5A is in a slack state where the amount of slack is greater between the land-based fixed section 6A and the float-via section 8A compared to when the amount of slack is minimized (shown by the dotted line). As a result, the amount of horizontal movement (degrees of freedom) of the float assembly 1 on the water L (in the direction of the arrow in Figure 3) is increased. Furthermore, as exaggeratedly shown in Figure 3C, when the water level of the dam is low, the first mooring member 5A experiences greater slack between the land-based fixed part 6A and the float-via-part 8A compared to the case where the amount of slack between the land-based fixed part 6A and the float-via-part 8A is minimal (shown by the dotted line). In this case, the amount of horizontal movement (degrees of freedom) of the float assembly 1 on the water surface L (in the direction of the arrow in Figure 3) becomes larger, the float assembly 1 approaches the inclined surface, and the distance between the float assembly 1 and the inclined surface in the horizontal direction (in the direction of the arrow in Figure 3) may become shorter. In other words, the first mooring member 5A is configured such that when the water level drops, the amount of slack increases compared to when the water level of the dam is at full capacity. Furthermore, if the length of the first mooring member 5A between the land-based fixing section 6A and the float-through section 8A is A, the length of the first mooring member 5A between the seabed fixing section 7 and the float-through section 8A is B, and the length between the land-based fixing section 6A and the seabed fixing section 7 is C, then A 2 +B 2 ≥C 2 It is preferable that the following relationship is satisfied. Furthermore, it is preferable that the relationship (A+B) / C≧1.5 is satisfied, and it is even preferable that the relationship (A+B) / C≧2.0 is satisfied. This is because as (A+B) / C increases, the movement trajectory of the float passage section 8A in the water depth direction becomes closer to a circle (perfect circle), and even as the water level drops, the amount of horizontal movement (degrees of freedom) of the float passage section 8A and, by extension, the float assembly 1 in the horizontal direction (direction of the arrow in Figure 3) decreases.

[0032] As exaggerated in Figure 4A, when the water level of the dam is high, the second mooring member 5B is in a slack state where the amount of slack between the float passage 8A and the float fixing part 8B is greater than when the amount of slack between the float passage 8A and the float fixing part 8B is minimal (shown by the dotted line). As a result, the amount of horizontal movement (degrees of freedom) of the float assembly 1 on the water surface L (in the direction of the arrow in Figure 4) is greater. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 4B, when the water level of the dam is low, the second mooring member 5B is in a slack state where the amount of slack between the float passage 8A and the float fixing part 8B is smaller than when the water level of the dam is high (Figure 4A). As a result, the amount of horizontal movement (degrees of freedom) of the float assembly 1 on the water surface L is smaller than when the water level of the dam is high (Figure 4A). Furthermore, as exaggeratedly shown in Figure 4C, the second mooring member 5B is under tension, with minimal slack between the float passage 8A and the float fixing part 8B, when the dam's water level is at its lowest level. In other words, the second mooring member 5B is configured such that as the water level rises, the amount of slack increases compared to when the dam's water level is at its lowest level. Although not shown, when the dam's water level is 0 (i.e., when the float assembly 1 is installed on the seabed G), the amount of slack between the float passage 8A and the float fixing part 8B of the second mooring member 5B is even smaller compared to when the dam's water level is at its lowest level (Figure 4C).

[0033] As described above, the float system 10 according to this embodiment comprises a float assembly 1 configured to float on the water surface L and a mooring member. The mooring member connects the float assembly 1 to the seabed G and land to moor the float assembly 1 on the water surface L, and is configured such that the amount of slack changes in accordance with fluctuations in the water level. Specifically, the mooring member has a first mooring member 5A whose amount of slack is minimized when the water level is at full water level, and a second mooring member 5B whose amount of slack is minimized when the water level is at minimum water level.

[0034] With this configuration, when the float assembly 1 is moored by a mooring member in a dam or the like where the depth from the water surface to the bottom G is large and the water level fluctuates greatly, when the water level is high, the horizontal movement of the float assembly 1 is suppressed by the first mooring member 5A, which reduces the amount of slack in that case, and when the water level is low, the horizontal movement of the float assembly 1 is suppressed by the second mooring member 5B, which also reduces the amount of slack in that case. As a result, even if the water level fluctuates greatly (rises or falls), the effect of suppressing the horizontal movement of the float assembly 1 by the first mooring member 5A or the second mooring member 5B will always be at work, and the occurrence of collisions between the float assembly 1 and the outer wall of the float assembly 1 can be suppressed.

[0035] In the above embodiment, the number of first mooring members 5A used to moor the float assembly 1 to the water surface L is not limited to four, but one to three, or five or more first mooring members 5A may be used. Also, the number of second mooring members 5B used to moor the float assembly 1 to the water surface L is not limited to four, but one to three, or five or more first mooring members 5A may be used.

[0036] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes an example in which the float assembly 1 is moored to the water surface L using the first mooring member 5A and the second mooring member 5B on the north and south sides of the float assembly 1, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the float assembly 1 may be moored to the water surface L using the first mooring member 5A and the second mooring member 5B on the east and west sides of the float assembly 1.

[0037] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, it is preferable that the number of first mooring members 5A is greater than the number of second mooring members 5B. This is because the first mooring members 5A are easier to install than the second mooring members 5B. Also, although the water level of the dam fluctuates, generally, the period during which the water level of the dam is maintained at a high position (the period during which the amount of slack in the first mooring members 5A between the land-based fixed section 6A and the float-through section 8A is small) is longer than the period during which the water level of the dam is maintained at a low position (the period during which the amount of slack in the second mooring members 5B between the float-through section 8A and the float-based fixed section 8B is small). When the water level of the dam is high, the float assembly 1 is more strongly affected by the wind than when the water level of the dam is low, and the lift force acting on the float assembly 1 becomes larger. It is preferable that the number of mooring members (first mooring member 5A, second mooring member B) provided on the north side (more susceptible to wind) around the float assembly 1 is greater than the number of mooring members (first mooring member 5A, second mooring member B) provided on the south side (less susceptible to wind) around the float assembly 1. In other words, it is preferable that the proportion of all mooring members (first mooring member 5A, second mooring member B) provided on the north side around the float assembly 1 is greater than the proportion of mooring members (first mooring member 5A, second mooring member B) provided on the south side around the float assembly 1. The ratio (number of first mooring members 5A / number of second mooring members B) is preferably 1 or more, with an upper limit of 10, and more preferably 1.5 or more. The number of first mooring members 5A and the number of second mooring members 5B may be adjusted according to installation conditions such as water depth and fluctuations in the dam's water level.

[0038] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was described in which the land-based section 6B has a shape that allows the second mooring member 5B to be inserted in order to allow it to pass through the second mooring member 5B, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the land-based section 6B may have a pulley to which the second mooring member 5B can be attached in order to allow it to pass through the second mooring member 5B.

[0039] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was described in which the float passage portion 8A has a shape that allows the first mooring member 5A and the second mooring member 5B to be inserted in order to allow them to pass through, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the float passage portion 8A may have a pulley to which the first mooring member 5A and the second mooring member 5B can be attached in order to allow them to pass through.

[0040] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the mooring member for connecting the float assembly 1 to the seabed G and land and mooring the float assembly 1 to the water surface L may include a first mooring member connected between a fixing part provided on the seabed G and a fixing part provided on the float assembly 1, which minimizes the amount of slack when the water level is at full water level, and a second mooring member connected between a fixing part provided on land and a fixing part provided on the float assembly 1, which minimizes the amount of slack when the water level is at minimum water level.

[0041] The above embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Such embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1: Float aggregate 2: Float 3: Joint 4: Solar panels 5A: First mooring member 5B: Second mooring member 6A: Land-based fixing section 6B: Land route 7: Bottom fixing part 8A: Float via section 8B: Float fixing part 10: Float System G: Underwater L: Water

Claims

1. A float system comprising a float assembly and a mooring member, The aforementioned float assembly is configured to float on the water, The mooring member is configured to connect the float assembly to the seabed and land, thereby mooring the float assembly on the water, and to allow the amount of slack to change in accordance with fluctuations in the water level. The aforementioned mooring member is A first mooring member that minimizes slack when the water level is at full water level, It has a second mooring member that minimizes slack when the water level is at the lowest water level, The float system is such that the first mooring member is connected to the float assembly via a transit portion provided between the first fixing portion provided on the seabed and the second fixing portion provided on land.

2. A float system comprising a float assembly and a mooring member, The aforementioned float assembly is configured to float on the water, The mooring member is configured to connect the float assembly to the seabed and land, thereby mooring the float assembly on the water, and to allow the amount of slack to change in accordance with fluctuations in the water level. The aforementioned mooring member is A first mooring member that minimizes slack when the water level is at full water level, It has a second mooring member that minimizes slack when the water level is at the lowest water level, The float system is such that the second mooring member is connected between the first fixing part provided on the seabed and the second fixing part provided on the float assembly via a transit part provided on the float assembly and a transit part provided on land.

3. A float system according to claim 1, The float system is such that the second mooring member is connected between the first fixing part provided on the seabed and the second fixing part provided on the float assembly via a transit part provided on the float assembly and a transit part provided on land.

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