An elastic connection structure and method for offshore floating photovoltaic floats that are easy to operate and maintain.

Abstract

This invention relates to an elastic connection structure for offshore floating photovoltaic buoys that is easy to operate and maintain. It includes several buoys arranged in an array, with adjacent buoys connected by connectors, all of which are elastic bodies. Rotation limiting components are provided between adjacent buoys to limit excessive relative rotation angles. The connection between the buoys has finite stiffness, allowing for elastic deformation during relative movement, thus providing a buffering effect. Compared to a completely rigid connection, this effectively reduces wave loads on the buoys and stress on the connectors; compared to a completely flexible connection, it reduces the relative rotation angle between buoys; and the limiting components restrict excessive relative rotation angles, and can be configured as temporary rigid structures for easy daily operation and maintenance. This connection structure balances load and stability, offering advantages such as good load-bearing capacity, good stability, ease of operation and maintenance, and cost-effectiveness.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an elastic connection structure and method for a floating photovoltaic buoy that is easy to operate and maintain, and relates to the field of offshore photovoltaic power generation technology. Background Technology

[0002] People are paying increasing attention to the development and use of renewable and clean energy sources such as solar and wind power. Among them, solar photovoltaic power generation has seen rapid development in recent years due to its low construction cost and ease of installation. Because the development and utilization of onshore photovoltaic power cannot fully meet the growing energy demand, people are gradually beginning to deploy photovoltaic systems in vast waterways. Currently, most of my country's floating photovoltaic power plants are built in inland lakes and reservoirs, while the application of offshore photovoltaic power is just beginning. Offshore photovoltaic power plants are classified into fixed and floating types. Fixed photovoltaic power plants mostly use pile foundations, which have disadvantages such as higher costs and shallower applicable water depths. Floating photovoltaic power plants, on the other hand, are applicable to a wide range of water depths and have become a major research hotspot and development direction.

[0003] Most existing offshore floating photovoltaic structures follow the traditional inland multi-buoy integrated structure. The multiple floats are connected by connecting lugs and pins at the four corners, which restricts the translation and rotation of the floats, resulting in rigid connections. In analysis, the integrated multi-buoy structure is generally considered as a large rigid platform. Its large overall size means that the floats experience significant wave forces in harsh marine environments, and the forces between the connecting parts are also substantial. This places high demands on the structure's load-bearing capacity and stiffness, requiring more materials and increasing costs to ensure structural safety. Furthermore, the mooring system of this large rigid platform experiences significant forces under marine conditions, thus requiring high load-bearing capacity and increasing costs.

[0004] Patent CN 217496489U discloses a flexible connection structure for offshore floating photovoltaic buoys. This structure pre-embeds longitudinal and transverse pipes on each buoy, and connects the buoys through the pre-embedded pipes with connecting cables, thus forming a flexible connection. Compared with traditional rigid connections, this can reduce wave loads and connection stress. However, the following problems have been found in use: the prefabricated through pipes on the buoys make the manufacturing process relatively complex; although the flexible connection between the buoys using cables can reduce stress, the relative angle between the buoys is large, resulting in poor stability, which is not conducive to stable power generation of the photovoltaic system and personnel access for maintenance; the cables between the buoys use cable knots for limiting and rubber plugs for cushioning, but the cable knots are prone to wear, resulting in insufficient durability. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an elastic connection structure and method for marine floating photovoltaic floats that are easy to operate and maintain.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution of the present invention is: an elastic connection structure for marine floating photovoltaic floats that is easy to operate and maintain, comprising several floats distributed in an array, adjacent floats being connected by connectors, all of which are elastic bodies, and a rotation limiting component is provided between adjacent floats to limit the relative excessive rotation angle between adjacent floats.

[0007] Preferably, photovoltaic panels are fixedly connected to the upper surface of the float.

[0008] Preferably, each of the connecting members includes an elastic connecting plate, and springs are fixedly connected to both opposite ends of the elastic connecting plate. The other end of each spring is fixedly connected to the peripheral side of the corresponding float on the same side.

[0009] Preferably, each of the buoys has a recessed cavity on its periphery, the ends of the elastic connecting plates are inserted into the recessed cavities on the same side, the springs are located in the corresponding recessed cavities, the ends of the elastic connecting plates are fixedly provided with a first limiting protrusion, and the openings of the recesses are fixedly provided with a second limiting protrusion to prevent the first limiting protrusion from coming out, thus preventing the ends of the elastic connecting plates from leaving the recesses.

[0010] Preferably, each of the rotation limiting components includes a limiting baffle, which is fixed to the periphery of one of the floats and has a gap between it and the periphery of the adjacent float.

[0011] Preferably, a rubber pad is fixed on the outer end face of the limiting baffle, and there is a gap between the rubber pad and the peripheral side of the adjacent float.

[0012] Preferably, the number of limiting baffles in the rotation limiting assembly is several and distributed on both sides of the elastic connecting plate.

[0013] Preferably, the number of limiting baffles in the rotation limiting assembly is even, with half of the limiting baffles symmetrically fixed to the upper circumferential side of one of the floats along the elastic connecting plate, and the other half of the limiting baffles symmetrically fixed to the lower circumferential side of the adjacent floats along the elastic connecting plate. The limiting baffles between adjacent floats are in a one-to-one correspondence, and each of these one-to-one corresponding limiting baffles is fitted with a detachable pin. Each limiting baffle has a pin hole, and each pin hole has a radially extending groove on its hole wall. Each pin has a pin head fixed to its top and a locking protrusion fixed to its bottom circumferential side for the pin to pass through the groove when being inserted or removed.

[0014] Preferably, the float is rectangular in shape, the connector is located at the middle of each circumference of the float, the rotation limiting component is provided on each adjacent circumference of the float, and the limiting baffle is provided on each adjacent circumference near the corner of the square.

[0015] A working method for an easy-to-operate and maintain marine floating photovoltaic float elastic connection structure is carried out according to the following steps: (1) Under the action of marine environmental load, the relative horizontal movement between the floats causes the springs inside the float connectors to be stretched and compressed, and the floats generate a certain relative horizontal displacement; at the same time, the relative rotation between the floats also includes the bending deformation of the elastic connecting plate in the middle of the float connectors, and the floats will also generate a certain relative angular displacement; (2) Upper and lower limit baffles are provided between adjacent floats respectively. When the pin is removed, the relative angular displacement between the floats in opposite directions is restricted respectively; rubber pads are provided at the ends of the limit baffles to reduce the impact force when the floats collide on the limit baffles; when the pin is inserted, the pin passes through the upper and lower limit baffles to fix the two adjacent floats, forming a temporary rigid overall structure, which is convenient for personnel to carry out inspection and maintenance operations.

[0016] Compared with existing technologies, this invention has the following advantages: the connection between the floats has finite stiffness, allowing for elastic deformation during relative movement and providing a buffering effect. Compared to a completely rigid connection, it effectively reduces wave loads on the floats and stress on the connectors; compared to a completely flexible connection, it reduces the relative rotation angle between the floats; and it includes a limit switch to prevent excessive relative rotation angles, facilitating daily operation and maintenance. This connection structure balances load and stability, offering advantages such as good load-bearing capacity, good stability, ease of operation and maintenance, and good economy.

[0017] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection between the connecting parts and the rotation limit assembly between adjacent floats.

[0020] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the connection between adjacent floating bodies Figure 1 .

[0021] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the connection between adjacent floating bodies Figure 2 .

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the pin's construction.

[0023] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the working state of the latch. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0025] It should be noted that the following detailed descriptions are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation of this application. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains.

[0026] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to this application. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0027] like Figures 1-6 As shown, this embodiment provides an easy-to-maintain marine floating photovoltaic float elastic connection structure, including several floats 1 arranged in an array. Each float has the same size and floats on the water surface. Adjacent floats are connected by connectors 2. The connectors are all elastic bodies, and each adjacent float is provided with a rotation limiting component 3. When the floats rotate to a certain extent, they collide to limit the relative excessive rotation angle between adjacent floats.

[0028] In this embodiment of the invention, photovoltaic panels 4 are fixedly connected to the upper surface of each float. Four photovoltaic panels are arranged on a single float, and the photovoltaic modules are monocrystalline silicon double-glass photovoltaic modules. The photovoltaic modules are fixed to the float by pressure strips set on the four sides. The pressure strips are made of high-density polyethylene and, in addition to fixing the modules, can also cover junction boxes, cables, etc., to prevent them from being exposed to sunlight, reduce the risk of failure, and extend their service life.

[0029] In this embodiment of the invention, each connector includes an elastic connecting plate 5, and springs 6 are fixedly connected to both opposite ends of the elastic connecting plate. The other end of each spring is fixedly connected to the peripheral side of the corresponding float on the same side.

[0030] In this embodiment of the invention, the circumferential side of the float is provided with a recess 7, the end of the elastic connecting plate is inserted into the recess on the same side, the spring is located in the corresponding recess, the end of the elastic connecting plate is fixedly provided with a first limiting protrusion 8, and the opening of the recess is fixedly provided with a second limiting protrusion 9 to prevent the first limiting protrusion from falling outward, so as to prevent the end of the elastic connecting plate from leaving the recess.

[0031] In this embodiment of the invention, the spring is a stainless steel spring, and the stiffness of the stainless steel spring can be pre-controlled in the factory. Both ends are connected to the connecting component housing 17 and the elastic connecting plate, respectively. A row of stainless steel springs is arranged at intervals in the connecting component, which can be stretched or compressed with the relative movement between the floats, and play a buffering role for the horizontal movement between the floats. The connecting component housing is fixed on the cavity wall of the concave cavity.

[0032] In this embodiment of the invention, the elastic connecting plate has a certain stiffness, the stiffness of which can be controlled in the factory by changing the material properties. Both ends are provided with first limiting protrusions for limiting and preventing the elastic connecting plate from falling off during relative movement between the floats.

[0033] The elastic connecting plate is made of rubber sheet with a certain degree of elasticity and rigidity.

[0034] In this embodiment of the invention, each rotation limiting component includes a limiting baffle 10, which is fixed to the periphery of one of the floats and has a gap between it and the periphery of the adjacent float. The required relative rotation angle limit between the floats can be controlled by determining the length of the limiting baffle.

[0035] In this embodiment of the invention, a rubber pad 11 is fixedly provided on the outer end face of the limiting baffle, and there is a gap between the rubber pad and the peripheral side of the adjacent float.

[0036] In this embodiment of the invention, the number of limiting baffles in the rotation limiting assembly is several and they are distributed on both sides of the elastic connecting plate.

[0037] In this embodiment of the invention, the number of limiting baffles in the rotation limiting assembly is even. Half of the limiting baffles are symmetrically fixed to the upper circumferential side of one of the floats along the elastic connecting plate, and the other half are symmetrically fixed to the lower circumferential side of the adjacent floats along the elastic connecting plate. The limiting baffles between adjacent floats are in a one-to-one correspondence, and each of these one-to-one corresponding limiting baffles is fitted with a detachable pin 12. Each limiting baffle has a pin hole 13, and each pin hole has a radially extending slot 14. Each pin has a pin head 15 fixed at its top and a locking protrusion 16 fixed at its bottom circumferential side for the pin to pass through the slot when inserted or removed. When the locking protrusion of the inserted pin is misaligned with the slot in the circumferential direction, it can prevent the pin from falling out.

[0038] When it is necessary to inspect and maintain the floating photovoltaic structure, the pins can be inserted into the pin holes of the upper and lower limit baffles of the two adjacent floats to fix the float array, making it temporarily rigid and convenient for personnel to carry out inspection and maintenance.

[0039] In this embodiment of the invention, the float is rectangular in shape, the connector is located at the middle of each circumferential side of the float, the rotation limiting component is provided on each adjacent circumferential side of the float, and the limiting baffle is provided on each adjacent circumferential side near the corner of the square.

[0040] In this embodiment of the invention, the float is a rectangular, thin-walled, high-density polyethylene float with high overall strength and strong corrosion resistance. The bottom of the float is filled with high-performance concrete ballast to lower the center of gravity and improve structural stability. The specific center of gravity position can be set according to requirements by adjusting the density and distribution of the ballast. The tilt angle of the upper surface of the float can be prefabricated as needed to obtain the optimal tilt angle for the photovoltaic panels. Benefiting from the flat installation of the photovoltaic panels on the upper surface of the float, the metal support structure is eliminated, reducing the structural dimensions above the water surface, thereby effectively reducing the wind load on the structure and improving the overall safety and stability of the structure.

[0041] In this embodiment of the invention, the limiting baffle can be made of the same material as the float, such as high-density polyethylene, or other materials. The length of the limiting baffle can be calculated based on the required angle limit between the floats. Upper and lower limiting baffles are respectively provided on adjacent floats to limit the relative angle between floats in opposite directions. Rubber pads are provided at the ends of the limiting baffles to reduce the impact force of collisions between the floats.

[0042] In this embodiment of the invention, the pin material can be the same as the float, using high-density polyethylene, or other materials can be used.

[0043] A working method for an easy-to-operate and maintain marine floating photovoltaic float elastic connection structure is carried out according to the following steps: (1) Under the action of marine environmental load, the relative horizontal movement between the floats causes the springs inside the float connectors to undergo tensile and compressive deformation, resulting in a certain relative horizontal displacement between the floats; at the same time, the relative rotation between the floats also includes the bending deformation of the elastic connecting plate in the middle of the float connector, resulting in a certain relative angular displacement between the floats; by prefabricating this elastic connection form with elastic connecting plates of suitable stiffness and stainless steel springs, on the one hand, compared with a completely rigid connection, it can reduce the force on the floats and connectors caused by wave loads on the floats, and on the other hand, compared with a flexible connection, it can enhance the constraint effect of the relative movement between the floats. Furthermore, by setting limit baffles around the floats, the relative movement between the floats is further restricted, improving the overall structural stability, thereby improving the photovoltaic power generation efficiency. (2) There are upper and lower limit baffles between adjacent floats. When the pin is removed, they are used to limit the relative rotation angle between floats in opposite directions. The ends of the limit baffles are equipped with rubber pads to reduce the impact force when the floats collide on the limit baffles. When the pin is inserted, the pin passes through the upper and lower limit baffles to fix the two adjacent floats, forming a temporary rigid overall structure, which is convenient for personnel to carry out inspection and maintenance operations, and ensures the safe and efficient operation of the staff.

[0044] This invention differs from traditional rigid or flexible connections between floating bodies. The elastic connection possesses a certain stiffness, undergoes elastic deformation under load, and absorbs energy. Adjacent floating bodies are connected by connectors composed of stainless steel springs and elastic connecting plates. Compared to a rigid connection, this connector reduces the impact load generated by the relative horizontal movement of the floating bodies through the stretching and compression deformation of the springs with a certain stiffness. The deformation of the elastic connecting plates reduces the bending moment load caused by the relative rotation of the floating bodies, improving the safety of the floating body array. Compared to a flexible connection, the certain stiffness of this connector can also reduce the relative rotation angle between the floating bodies to a certain extent, improving the stability of the floating body array. Therefore, by selecting connectors with appropriate stiffness, the forces on the connecting parts between the floating bodies can be reduced, and the relative movement can be better constrained. This elastic connection balances the stress performance and stability of the floating photovoltaic platform structure, exhibiting good safety, stability, and economy, and good overall hydrodynamic performance.

[0045] Thanks to the rotation limiting components on the floats, the relative rotation angle between the floats is limited, which can prevent large relative angular displacement between the floats from affecting the overall stability and improve the stability of the overall structure. This ensures the power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic system. In addition, the structure can be transformed into a temporary rigid structure by inserting pins during later maintenance and repair, which is conducive to the safe and efficient operation of the staff.

[0046] Benefiting from the arrangement of four photovoltaic panels on a single floating body, the photovoltaic panel density is relatively high. For the same area, the floating photovoltaic power station has a large installed capacity and good economic efficiency.

[0047] Thanks to the rubber pads at the ends of the limiting baffles, the impact of collisions between floats can be effectively buffered, improving the durability of the structure.

[0048] Benefiting from the fact that the float, connectors and limiting baffles are all prefabricated in the factory, the overall integrity is strong after installation, so most of the platform construction work can be completed on land, reducing the time spent at sea, shortening the construction cycle and making installation convenient.

[0049] Therefore, this invention takes into account both structural safety and stability, has strong overall structural integrity, is convenient for construction, installation and maintenance, and is economical.

[0050] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention in any other way. Any person skilled in the art may make changes or modifications to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments. However, any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flexible connection structure for a marine floating photovoltaic buoy that is easy to operate and maintain, characterized in that: The system comprises several floats arranged in an array, with adjacent floats connected by connectors, all of which are elastic bodies. Each adjacent float is equipped with a rotation limiting component to restrict excessive relative rotation between them. A photovoltaic panel is fixedly connected to the upper surface of each float. Each connector includes an elastic connecting plate, with springs fixedly connected to opposite ends of each plate. The other end of each spring is fixedly connected to the peripheral side of the corresponding float on the same side. Each float has a recessed cavity on its peripheral side. The ends of each spring are inserted into the recesses on the same side, and each spring is located inside the corresponding recess. Each end of the elastic connecting plate is fixed with a first limiting protrusion, and each recess opening is fixed with a second limiting protrusion to prevent the first limiting protrusion from dislodging outwards, thus preventing the ends of the elastic connecting plate from leaving the recess. Each rotation limiting assembly includes a limiting baffle, which is fixed to the periphery of one of the floats and has a gap between it and the periphery of the adjacent float. A rubber strip is fixed to the limiting outer end face of each limiting baffle. The rubber pad has a gap between it and the peripheral side of the adjacent float; the rotation limiting assembly has several limiting baffles distributed on both sides of the elastic connecting plate; the rotation limiting assembly has an even number of limiting baffles, half of which are symmetrically fixed to the peripheral side of one float along the elastic connecting plate, and the other half are symmetrically fixed to the peripheral side of the adjacent float along the elastic connecting plate. The limiting baffles between adjacent floats are in a one-to-one correspondence, and these one-to-one correspondences are... Each of the limiting baffles is equipped with a detachable pin; each limiting baffle is provided with a pin hole, and each pin hole wall is provided with a radially extending groove; each pin is fixed with a pin head at the top and a locking protrusion is fixed on the bottom periphery for the pin to pass through the groove when being inserted or removed; the float is rectangular in shape, the connector is located at the middle of each periphery of the float, the rotation limiting assembly is provided on each adjacent periphery of the float, and the limiting baffle is located near the square corner of each adjacent periphery.

2. A method for operating the easy-to-maintain elastic connection structure for offshore floating photovoltaic buoys as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The following steps are performed: (1) Under the action of marine environmental load, the relative horizontal movement between the floats causes the springs inside the floats connecting parts to be stretched and compressed, resulting in a certain relative horizontal displacement between the floats; at the same time, the relative rotation between the floats also includes the bending deformation of the elastic connecting plate in the middle of the floats connecting parts, resulting in a certain relative angular displacement between the floats; (2) Upper and lower limit baffles are provided between adjacent floats respectively. When the pin is removed, the relative angular displacement between the floats in opposite directions is restricted respectively; rubber pads are provided at the ends of the limit baffles to reduce the impact force when the floats collide on the limit baffles; when the pin is inserted, the pin passes through the upper and lower limit baffles to fix the two adjacent floats, forming a temporary rigid overall structure, which is convenient for personnel to carry out inspection and maintenance operations.

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