Snap-fit floating photovoltaic module support system

Abstract

This invention provides a floating photovoltaic module support system with interlocking connections, comprising multiple parallel maintenance channels connected by support devices for supporting photovoltaic modules. Each maintenance channel includes multiple interconnected maintenance units, with adjacent maintenance units and support devices detachably interlocking. This support system, through detachable interlocking connections between maintenance units and between maintenance units and support devices, achieves high rigidity at the interlocking points, ensuring stable connections and thus improving the overall stability of the support system. When personnel perform maintenance and repairs on the maintenance channels, the system is less prone to shaking, resulting in greater ease of maintenance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of photovoltaic power generation technology, and more specifically to an interlocking floating photovoltaic module support system. Background Technology

[0002] Floating photovoltaic (PV) power stations utilize idle water surfaces to support buoys for PV modules, enabling power generation on the water's surface. Compared to land-based PV power stations, floating PV power stations, with modules positioned atop floating buoys, offer advantages such as not occupying land and generating high power output. While making efficient use of idle water resources to increase power generation, they also reduce water evaporation and provide aesthetic benefits.

[0003] Floating photovoltaic (PV) power stations operate in humid environments, making their supporting structural components susceptible to corrosion. In windy and turbulent conditions, these components must ensure the stability of the PV array. With the push for grid parity in PV, a key challenge for the sustainable development of floating PV power stations is how to reduce the cost of their supporting structural components while guaranteeing stable operation for 25 years.

[0004] In situations with limited water area, to achieve a larger overall capacity for floating photovoltaic power plants, the size of individual floating photovoltaic arrays needs to be designed to be larger under the same environmental conditions. This also increases the wind, wave, and current loads on the photovoltaic arrays, thus necessitating ensuring their stability. Chinese invention patent application CN113734368A discloses a bracket-type bridging support system for floating photovoltaic systems. In this system, the horizontal maintenance channels, the vertical connection channels, and the connections between the horizontal and vertical maintenance channels are all directly connected by ear plates. The ear plates have high flexibility, resulting in high overall system flexibility and reduced stability. When workers perform maintenance and repairs on the maintenance channels, the support system is prone to swaying, affecting the work efficiency of maintenance personnel and reducing maintenance convenience. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing a floating photovoltaic module support system with interlocking connections. This support system achieves high rigidity and stable connection at the interlocking points by using detachable interlocking connections between operation and maintenance units and between operation and maintenance units and support devices. This improves the stability of the entire support system, making it less prone to shaking when workers perform operation and maintenance and repairs in the operation and maintenance channel, thus enhancing the convenience of operation and maintenance.

[0006] This invention provides an interlocking floating photovoltaic module support system, comprising multiple parallel maintenance channels connected by a support device for supporting photovoltaic modules. Each maintenance channel includes multiple maintenance units connected together, with adjacent maintenance units detachably interlocked, and the maintenance units and the support device detachably interlocked.

[0007] The maintenance channel is composed of multiple maintenance units spliced ​​together. The maintenance units are detachably interlocked with each other, and the maintenance units and support devices are detachably interlocked with each other. The connections between the various components of the support system are stable, which improves the overall stability of the support system, facilitates the passage of maintenance personnel, and provides good maintenance convenience.

[0008] Furthermore, the maintenance unit has a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface at both ends, and a third engagement surface and a fourth engagement surface at both sides. Adjacent maintenance units are connected by engagement through the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface to increase the engagement area. The support device has a fifth engagement surface and a sixth engagement surface at both ends. The maintenance unit and the support device are connected by engagement through the third engagement surface and the sixth engagement surface, or by engagement through the fourth engagement surface and the fifth engagement surface.

[0009] By increasing the interlocking area between maintenance units and between maintenance units and support devices, the rigidity of the connection points between adjacent maintenance units and between maintenance units and support devices is improved, thus ensuring the stability of the support system.

[0010] Furthermore, multiple rows of support devices are provided between adjacent maintenance channels, and the multiple rows of support devices are connected by a fifth engagement surface and a sixth engagement surface.

[0011] The operation and maintenance units are detachably connected, and the operation and maintenance units and support devices are detachably connected. Multiple rows of support devices can be set between parallel adjacent operation and maintenance channels as needed. The support devices are connected by the fifth and sixth interlocking surfaces, which provides good stability.

[0012] Furthermore, the maintenance unit has a first step extending downward from the top and a second step extending upward from the bottom. The first step and the second step are respectively located at both ends of the maintenance unit. The first interlocking surface and the second interlocking surface respectively include the step surface of the first step and the step surface of the second step. Adjacent maintenance units are interlocked with each other through the first step and the second step and are detachably connected by fasteners.

[0013] By creating a first step and a second step, adjacent maintenance units can interlock with each other, and the interlocking points are secured by fasteners to achieve a stable connection between adjacent maintenance units.

[0014] Furthermore, the maintenance unit has a third step extending downwards from the top and a fourth step extending upwards from the bottom. The third and fourth steps are respectively located on both sides of the maintenance unit, and the third and fourth engagement surfaces respectively include the step surfaces of the third and fourth steps.

[0015] By opening the third and fourth steps, the end of the support device is connected to the third or fourth step, ensuring the stability of the engagement between the support device and the maintenance unit.

[0016] Furthermore, the support device has a fifth step formed from the top downwards and a sixth step formed from the bottom upwards. The fifth and sixth steps are respectively located at both ends of the support device. The fifth and sixth engagement surfaces respectively include the step surfaces of the fifth and sixth steps. The support device and the maintenance unit engage with each other through the third and sixth steps or through the fourth and fifth steps, and are detachably connected by fasteners.

[0017] By opening the third, fourth, fifth and sixth steps, the operation and maintenance unit and the support device, as well as adjacent support devices, can interlock with each other. The interlocking points are secured by fasteners to achieve a stable connection between the operation and maintenance unit and the support device, as well as between adjacent support devices.

[0018] Furthermore, mounting holes are provided on the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth steps. The maintenance unit has a first groove extending upward from the bottom, which is located directly below the mounting hole on the third step. The maintenance unit has a second groove extending downward from the top, which is located directly above the mounting hole on the fourth step. The maintenance unit and the support device are detachably connected by fasteners passing through the mounting holes.

[0019] By creating the first and second grooves, the required length of the fastener can be reduced, and the weight of the maintenance unit and support device can also be reduced.

[0020] Furthermore, the support device includes a plate-shaped float, the fifth and sixth steps are arranged at both ends of the float, the thickness of the float is less than half the thickness of the maintenance unit, and the third and fourth steps are arranged near the lower part of the maintenance unit.

[0021] The thickness of the float is less than half the thickness of the maintenance unit. On the one hand, this reduces the load on the float, thus reducing the buoyancy required for the entire support system. On the other hand, the maintenance unit has the need for maintenance personnel to pass through, which results in a larger load. The thicker float in the channel provides more buoyancy and better stability.

[0022] Furthermore, the support device includes a first crossbar and a second crossbar perpendicular to the float and arranged on both sides of the float. The first crossbar and the second crossbar are respectively located near both ends of the float. A first support rod is detachably connected to the first crossbar, and a second support rod is detachably connected to the second crossbar. The first support rod and the second support rod are both perpendicular to the first crossbar and the second crossbar, and the first support rod and the second support rod have different lengths.

[0023] Both the first and second supports are detachable, and different lengths of the first and second supports can be set according to the actual working conditions to meet the working requirements of the photovoltaic modules.

[0024] Furthermore, multiple weight-reduction grooves are provided on both sides of the operation and maintenance unit.

[0025] By setting multiple grooves, the load on the maintenance channel can be further reduced, and the buoyancy required for the entire support system can be reduced.

[0026] Compared to existing technologies, this invention improves the stability of the entire support system by using detachable interlocking connections between maintenance units and between maintenance units and support devices. This results in higher rigidity at the interlocking points and more stable connections. When staff perform maintenance and repairs in the maintenance channel, the support system is less prone to shaking, making maintenance more convenient. Furthermore, compared to existing technologies, this support system only optimizes the structure, reduces the use of materials, does not add auxiliary materials, and has good expandability. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 This is a top view of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a side view of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the operation and maintenance channel and support device of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the operation and maintenance unit and the support device of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 6 This is a top view of the operation and maintenance unit of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 7 This is an isometric view of the operation and maintenance unit of this invention;

[0034] Figure 8 This is an enlarged view of the fourth step of the operation and maintenance unit of this invention;

[0035] Figure 9 This is an isometric view of the operation and maintenance unit of the present invention from another perspective;

[0036] Figure 10 This is an enlarged view of the third step of the operation and maintenance unit of this invention;

[0037] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the support device of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 12 This is a top view of the float, the first crossbar, and the second crossbar of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first support rod of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second support rod of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection relationship between the adapter plate and the first support rod of the present invention.

[0042] Reference numerals: 1. Maintenance channel; 2. Photovoltaic module; 3. Maintenance unit; 4. Support device; 5. First mating surface; 6. Second mating surface; 7. Third mating surface; 8. Fourth mating surface; 9. Fifth mating surface; 10. Sixth mating surface; 11. First step; 12. Second step; 13. Third step; 14. Fourth step; 15. Fifth step; 16. Sixth step; 17. First groove; 18. Second groove; 19. Float; 20. First crossbar; 21. Second crossbar; 22. First support rod; 23. Second support rod; 24. Weight reduction groove; 25. Sinking platform; 26. Fixed circular hole; 27. First cylinder; 28. First square column; 29. ​​First support plate; 30. Second cylinder; 31. Second square column; 32. Second support plate; 33. Adapter plate. Detailed Implementation

[0043] To make the technical problems, technical solutions, and beneficial effects to be solved by this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0044] Example 1: As Figures 1 to 5As shown, the support system includes multiple maintenance channels 1 and multiple support devices 4. The maintenance channels 1 are elongated and arranged parallel to each other. Support devices 4 are positioned between adjacent maintenance channels 1, and photovoltaic modules 2 are mounted on the support devices 4. Two rows of support devices 4 are arranged between adjacent maintenance channels 1, with the arrangement direction of the support devices 4 parallel to the maintenance channel 1. Each maintenance channel 1 includes multiple maintenance units 3, which are elongated and whose ends are detachably interlocked with the ends of adjacent maintenance units 3. The support devices 4 are detachably interlocked with the maintenance units 3, and the two rows of support devices 4 are also detachably interlocked with each other.

[0045] like Figures 6 to 8 As shown, the maintenance unit 3 has a first step 11 formed from the top downwards, and a second step 12 formed from the bottom upwards. The first step 11 and the second step 12 are respectively located at both ends of the maintenance unit 3. The height of the first step 11 and the second step 12 is half of the height of the maintenance unit 3. The step surface of the first step 11 is the first engagement surface 5, and the step surface of the second step 12 is the second engagement surface 6. Both ends of the first step 11 and the second step 12 are provided with ear plates. When adjacent maintenance units 3 are connected end to end, the first step 11 and the second step 12 engage, and the first engagement surface 5 and the second engagement surface 6 are in close contact. The two maintenance units 3 are connected and fixed by bolts passing through the ear plates.

[0046] The maintenance unit 3 has a third step 13 formed from the top downwards and a fourth step 14 formed from the bottom upwards. The third step 13 and the fourth step 14 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the maintenance unit 3. The third engagement surface 7 and the fourth engagement surface 8 respectively include the step surfaces of the third step 13 and the fourth step 14. The third step 13 and the fourth step 14 are both close to the bottom of the maintenance unit 3. The step surface of the third step 13 is the third engagement surface 7, and the step surface of the fourth step 14 is the fourth engagement surface 8. Mounting holes are provided near both ends of the third step 13 and the fourth step 14. The maintenance unit 3 has a first groove 17 formed from the bottom upwards, which is located directly below the mounting hole of the third step 13. The maintenance unit 3 has a second groove 18 formed from the top downwards, which is located directly above the mounting hole of the fourth step 14.

[0047] Multiple weight-reducing grooves 24 are also provided on both sides of the maintenance unit 3 to reduce the buoyancy required for the entire support system.

[0048] like Figure 9As shown, the support device 4 includes a long strip-shaped float 19. The thickness of the float 19 is less than half the thickness of the maintenance unit 3. On the one hand, this reduces the load on the float 19 and reduces the buoyancy required for the entire support system. On the other hand, the maintenance unit 3 has the need for maintenance personnel to pass through, and the load is relatively large. The thicker float 19 in the passage provides more buoyancy and better stability. The support device 4 forms a fifth step 15 from the top downwards and a sixth step 16 from the bottom upwards. The fifth step 15 and the sixth step 16 are respectively located at both ends of the float 19. The step surface of the fifth step 15 is the fifth engagement surface 9, and the step surface of the sixth step 16 is the sixth engagement surface 10. The ends of the fifth step 15 and the sixth step 16 are provided with ear plates with mounting holes. When the support device 4 is connected to the maintenance unit 3, the sixth step 16 and the third step 13 engage with each other, and the sixth engagement surface 10 and the third engagement surface 7 are in close contact. Alternatively, the fifth step 15 and the fourth step 14 engage with each other, and the fifth engagement surface 9 and the fourth engagement surface 8 are in close contact. Then, they are connected by fasteners passing through the mounting holes. The fasteners are located in the first groove 17 or the second groove 18. In this embodiment, the fasteners are all bolts. Since the first groove 17 and the second groove 18 are provided, the bolts do not need to penetrate the entire maintenance unit 3, reducing the required length of the fasteners.

[0049] The support device 4 also includes two first crossbars 20, two second crossbars 21, two first support rods 22, and two second support rods 23. The two first crossbars 20 are symmetrically and horizontally connected to both sides of the float 19, and the two second crossbars 21 are symmetrically and horizontally connected to both sides of the float 19. The first crossbars 20 and the second crossbars 21 are respectively close to the two ends of the float 19. The first support rods 22 are detachably connected to the first crossbars 20, and the second support rods 23 are detachably connected to the second crossbars 21. The first support rods 22 are perpendicular to the first crossbars 20, and the second support rods 23 are perpendicular to the second crossbars 21. The length of the second support rods 23 is greater than the length of the first support rods 22, so that the photovoltaic module 2 is fixed to the first support rods 22 and the second support rods 23 at a certain tilt angle.

[0050] like Figure 10 As shown, a square-shaped recess 25 is provided near the end of the first crossbar 20, and a fixing hole 26 is provided in the center of the recess 25. Figure 11 , 12As shown, the first support rod 22 includes a first cylinder 27, a first square column 28, and a first support plate 29. The top of the first square column 28 is located at the top. The second support rod 23 includes a second cylinder 30, a second square column 31, and a second support plate 32. The first cylinder 27 and the second cylinder 30 are fitted with a fixing hole 26. The first square column 28 and the second square column 31 are fitted with a recessed platform 25. The outer circumference of the first cylinder 27 and the second cylinder 30 is provided with threads. During installation, after inserting the first cylinder 27 or the second cylinder 30 into the fixing hole 26, the first square column 28 or the second square column 31 is inserted into the recessed platform 25. The nut is screwed into the end of the first cylinder 27 or the second cylinder 30 to fix the first support rod 22 or the second support rod 23.

[0051] like Figure 13 As shown, a transition plate 33 is provided on the first support plate 29 and the second support plate 32. The transition plate 33 is L-shaped and includes a part that connects to the first support plate 29 and a part that connects to the photovoltaic module 2. The included angle between the two parts is greater than 90°. The tilt angle of the photovoltaic module 2 can be adjusted by replacing the transition plate 33.

[0052] Example 2: Compared with Example 1, the only difference in Example 2 is that the first step 11, the second step 12, the third step 13, the fourth step 14, the fifth step 15, and the sixth step 16 are all multi-level steps.

[0053] Example 3: Compared with Example 1, Example 3 differs only in the arrangement of the first engagement surface 5, the second engagement surface 6, the third engagement surface 7, the fourth engagement surface 8, the fifth engagement surface 9, and the sixth engagement surface 10. Instead of the first step 11, the second step 12, the third step 13, the fourth step 14, the fifth step 15, and the sixth step 16, multiple parallel slots are opened inward on one end face of the maintenance unit 3, and multiple insert plates that mate with the slots are arranged outward on the other end face of the maintenance unit 3. Similarly, slots and insert plates are arranged on both sides of the maintenance unit 3, and slots and insert plates are arranged at both ends of the float 19. The slots and insert plates are provided with mounting holes, and adjacent maintenance units 3 and maintenance units 3 and support devices 4 are connected by bolts passing through the mounting holes.

[0054] Example 4: Compared with Example 1, the only difference in Example 4 is that only one row of support devices 4 is set between two adjacent maintenance channels 1.

[0055] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and should all be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A floating photovoltaic module support system with interlocking connection, characterized in that: It includes multiple parallel operation and maintenance channels (1), which are connected by a support device (4). The support device (4) is used to support photovoltaic modules (2). Each operation and maintenance channel (1) includes multiple operation and maintenance units (3) connected together. Adjacent operation and maintenance units (3) are detachably interlocked. The operation and maintenance units (3) and the support device (4) are detachably interlocked. The operation and maintenance unit (3) is provided with a first engagement surface (5) and a second engagement surface (6) at both ends. The operation and maintenance unit (3) is provided with a third engagement surface (7) and a fourth engagement surface (8) on both sides. Adjacent operation and maintenance units (3) are connected by the first engagement surface (5) and the second engagement surface (6) to increase the engagement area. The support device (4) is provided with a fifth engagement surface (9) and a sixth engagement surface (10) at both ends. The operation and maintenance unit (3) and the support device (4) are connected by the third engagement surface (7) and the sixth engagement surface (10), or by the fourth engagement surface (8) and the fifth engagement surface (9). Multiple rows of support devices (4) are provided between adjacent maintenance channels (1), and the multiple rows of support devices (4) are connected by a fifth engagement surface (9) and a sixth engagement surface (10). The maintenance unit (3) is formed by opening a first step (11) from the top downwards and opening a second step (12) from the bottom upwards. The first step (11) and the second step (12) are respectively located at both ends of the maintenance unit (3). The first interlocking surface (5) and the second interlocking surface (6) respectively include the step surface of the first step (11) and the second step (12). Adjacent maintenance units (3) are interlocked with each other through the first step (11) and the second step (12) and are detachably connected by fasteners. The operation and maintenance unit (3) is opened from the top downward to form a third step (13), and the operation and maintenance unit (3) is opened from the bottom upward to form a fourth step (14). The third step (13) and the fourth step (14) are respectively arranged on both sides of the operation and maintenance unit (3). The third engagement surface (7) and the fourth engagement surface (8) respectively include the step surface of the third step (13) and the fourth step (14). The support device (4) forms a fifth step (15) from the top downwards and a sixth step (16) from the bottom upwards. The fifth step (15) and the sixth step (16) are respectively located at both ends of the support device (4). The fifth engagement surface (9) and the sixth engagement surface (10) respectively include the step surfaces of the fifth step (15) and the sixth step (16). The support device (4) and the maintenance unit (3) are engaged with each other through the third step (13) and the sixth step (16) or through the fourth step (14) and the fifth step (15), and are detachably connected by fasteners.

2. The interlocking floating photovoltaic module support system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Mounting holes are provided on the third step (13), fourth step (14), fifth step (15) and sixth step (16). The maintenance unit (3) has a first groove (17) from the bottom to the top, which is located directly below the mounting hole of the third step (13). The maintenance unit (3) has a second groove (18) from the top to the bottom, which is located directly above the mounting hole of the fourth step (14). The maintenance unit (3) and the support device (4) are detachably connected by a fastener passing through the mounting hole.

3. The interlocking floating photovoltaic module support system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support device (4) includes a plate-shaped float (19), the fifth step (15) and the sixth step (16) are arranged at both ends of the float (19), the thickness of the float (19) is less than half the thickness of the maintenance unit (3), and the third step (13) and the fourth step (14) are arranged near the lower part of the maintenance unit (3).

4. The interlocking floating photovoltaic module support system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The support device (4) includes a first crossbar (20) and a second crossbar (21) perpendicular to the float (19) and arranged on both sides of the float (19). The first crossbar (20) and the second crossbar (21) are respectively located near the two ends of the float (19). A first support rod (22) is detachably connected to the first crossbar (20), and a second support rod (23) is detachably connected to the second crossbar (21). The first support rod (22) and the second support rod (23) are both perpendicular to the first crossbar (20) and the second crossbar (21). The lengths of the first support rod (22) and the second support rod (23) are different.

5. The interlocking floating photovoltaic module support system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The operation and maintenance unit (3) has multiple weight reduction slots (24) on both sides.

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