A floating module, a multi-module floating system, and their installation and usage methods

Abstract

This invention discloses a floating body module, a multi-module floating body system, and their installation and usage methods. The floating body module includes a single module, which comprises a frame, upright pontoons, and struts. The frame is horizontally arranged. There are at least three upright pontoons arranged in a polygonal pattern. The struts are connected at both ends to the top surface of the upright pontoons and the bottom surface of the frame, respectively, forming an inverted triangular truss for resisting lateral forces. Each floating body module includes a single module and a nonlinear damping connector, with at least two single modules. A nonlinear damping connector connects adjacent single modules. The multi-module floating body system also includes a single module and a nonlinear damping connector, with at least two single modules. A nonlinear damping connector connects adjacent single modules. This invention solves the technical problems of excessive motion response and significant wave force interference between modules in traditional floating structures under wave action. By optimizing the structure, layout, and connection method of the floating body single modules, wave forces are reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of marine engineering floating structure technology, and particularly relates to a floating body module, a multi-module floating body system, and their installation and usage methods. Background Technology

[0002] Existing modular floating bodies employ a box-type floating body layout, leading to superposition of wave scattering and a peak RAO (response sea amplitude) increase of up to 52%. Their rigid connectors have limitations such as inability to dissipate energy and a tendency to cause multi-module resonance failure. This results in technical challenges for traditional floating structures, including excessive motion response under wave action and significant wave force interference between modules. RAO (response sea amplitude operator) is an engineering statistical concept in the field of ship or floating body design, used to calculate the behavior of a ship operating at sea. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a floating body module, a multi-module floating body system, and its installation and use method, to solve the technical problems of excessive motion response and significant wave force interference between modules in traditional floating structures under wave action, and to reduce wave force by optimizing the floating body layout and connection method.

[0004] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a floating body module, comprising a single module, the single module comprising:

[0005] The frame, arranged horizontally;

[0006] Upright pontoons, at least three in number, arranged in a polygonal pattern;

[0007] The struts are connected at both ends to the top surface of the upright pontoon and the bottom surface of the frame, respectively, forming an inverted triangular truss for resisting lateral forces.

[0008] Secondly, the present invention provides a multi-module floating body system, comprising:

[0009] As described in the first aspect, the single module is configured to have at least two modules;

[0010] A nonlinear damping connector is provided between two adjacent single modules.

[0011] Preferably, the distance between the center points of two adjacent vertical pontoons is as shown in equation (1):

[0012]

[0013] Where S is the distance between the center points of two adjacent vertical buoys, and λ is the horizontal characteristic dimension of the vertical buoy.

[0014] Preferably, four vertical pontoons are provided and arranged in a rectangular pattern; each vertical pontoon is a vertical cylinder with a diameter of 1-2m and a height of 3-4m; the distance between the center points of two adjacent vertical pontoons is 4-8m.

[0015] Preferably, the nonlinear damping connector includes:

[0016] Universal hinges are used to achieve pitch and roll degree of freedom coupling between adjacent frames;

[0017] The hydraulic energy drainer is coaxially mounted with the universal hinge.

[0018] Preferably, the damping coefficient of the hydraulic energy dissipator is given by equation (2):

[0019] C d ∈[800, 1500] kN·s / m(2)

[0020] Among them, C d is the damping coefficient of the hydraulic energy consumer.

[0021] Preferably, the hydraulic energy consumer consumes energy as shown in equation (3) when the relative speed is 0.5 m / s:

[0022] Energy consumption ≥ wave input power × 35% (3).

[0023] Preferably, the bottom of the vertical pontoon is provided with a vortex-induced vibration suppression structure, which includes a spiral guide fin disposed on the outer wall of the vertical pontoon, and the guide angle α of the spiral guide fin is set to 15-30°.

[0024] Thirdly, the present invention provides an installation method for the multi-module floating body system described in the first aspect, comprising the following steps:

[0025] Step S11: Place the frame above the vertical pontoon, and connect the frame and the vertical pontoon through the support rod to form the single module;

[0026] Step S12: Connect at least two of the single modules through the nonlinear damping connector to form the multi-module floating system.

[0027] Fourthly, the present invention provides a method for using the multi-module floating body system described in the first aspect, comprising the following steps:

[0028] Step S13: Install photovoltaic modules and cables on the frame to form a floating photovoltaic power generation device at sea;

[0029] Alternatively, a wave energy generation device can be installed on the multi-module floating body system.

[0030] The floating body module, multi-module floating body system, and their installation and usage methods provided by this invention have the following beneficial effects:

[0031] The floating body module, multi-module floating body system, and their installation and usage methods of the present invention can solve the technical problems of excessive motion response and significant wave force interference between modules in traditional floating structures under wave action. By optimizing the structure, layout, and connection method of the floating body module, wave force can be reduced.

[0032] Furthermore, a distributed vertical pontoon layout, combined with a large-spacing wave interference suppression structure and the energy dissipation effect of nonlinear damping connectors, can achieve the dual control objectives of motion response and fatigue damage. This has been validated in a pool at the National Key Laboratory of Coastal and Marine Engineering, demonstrating its potential for large-scale engineering applications. A distributed vertical pontoon design with a spacing S≥1.5λ can reduce wave force interference below the critical value, improving wave adaptability. Nonlinear damping connectors with hydraulic energy dissipators can reduce dynamic load by 35%, extending fatigue life to 20 years and improving service life. A vortex-induced vibration suppression structure can effectively eliminate vortices and suppress vortex vibration. A hollow truss frame structure can reduce steel consumption by 40% and maintenance costs by 30%, improving economic efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 This is a front view of a floating module provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 2 This is a top view of a floating module provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 3 This is a front view of a multi-module floating body system provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 4 This is a top view of a multi-module floating body system provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a nonlinear damping connector for a multi-module floating body system provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 6 This is a top view of a multi-module floating body system provided in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 7 This is a front view of the vertical float of a floating module provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 8 yes Figure 5 AA cross-section view.

[0041] Figure 9 This is a flowchart of an installation method for a multi-module floating body system provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 10 This is a flowchart of a method for using a multi-module floating body system provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure reference numerals:

[0044] 100. Single module; 110. Frame; 120. Vertical pontoon; 130. Strut; 200. Nonlinear damping connector; 210. Universal hinge; 220. Hydraulic energy dissipator; 121. Helical guide fin; 300. Seabed. Detailed Implementation

[0045] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0046] Example 1

[0047] Please refer to the reference. Figure 1 and Figure 2 This embodiment provides a floating module, including a single module 100. The single module 100 includes a frame 110, an upright pontoon 120, and a strut 130. The frame 110 is arranged horizontally. There are at least three upright pontoons 120, which are distributed in a polygonal pattern. The two ends of the strut 130 are connected to the top surface of the upright pontoon 120 and the bottom surface of the frame 110, respectively, forming an inverted triangular truss for resisting lateral forces.

[0048] Traditional floating modules typically have pontoons with a horizontal structure, resulting in a large contact area between the pontoons and the water surface, a small spacing between the pontoons, and a shallow draft. Consequently, when waves come in, the pontoons experience significant interference due to wave forces, affecting the stability of the pontoons and the overall floating module. Furthermore, it affects the stability of subsequent multi-module floating systems.

[0049] In this embodiment, the floating module adopts a vertical buoy 120. The contact line and surface area between the vertical buoy 120 and the water surface are reduced, which helps to increase the spacing between the vertical buoys 120 and increase the draft of the vertical buoys 120. This reduces the interference caused by wave forces when waves come, improving the stability of the vertical buoys 120 and the overall floating module. It also helps to improve the stability of the multi-module floating system formed by combining multiple floating modules.

[0050] The frame 110 can be a steel structure frame. The upright pontoons 120 are set as separate upright cylindrical structures. The struts 130 are made of steel pipes.

[0051] For example, three upright buoys 120 are arranged in an equilateral triangle. Alternatively, four upright buoys 120 are arranged in a rectangular or square configuration.

[0052] Example 2

[0053] Please refer to the reference. Figures 3 to 5 This embodiment provides a multi-module floating body system, including the single module 100 described in Embodiment 1 and the nonlinear damping connector 200. The single module 100 is configured to be at least two; the nonlinear damping connector 200 connects two adjacent single modules 100.

[0054] Traditional floating body modules are rigidly connected or hinged. Rigid connections impose large constraints, leading to excessive internal forces in the connectors between the modules; hinges result in large relative displacements between the modules. In contrast, the multi-module floating body system of this embodiment connects individual modules 100 via nonlinear damping connectors 200. The energy absorption effect of the nonlinear damping connectors 200 prevents stress concentration at the connection points of adjacent floating body modules and avoids excessive relative displacements between them.

[0055] The frames 110 of two adjacent single modules 100 are connected by a nonlinear damping connector 200.

[0056] like Figures 3 to 5 As shown, specifically, the nonlinear damping connector 200 includes a universal hinge 210 and a hydraulic energy dissipator 220. The universal hinge 210 is used to achieve pitch and roll degree of freedom coupling between adjacent frames 110; the hydraulic energy dissipator 220 is coaxially mounted with the universal hinge 210.

[0057] The hydraulic energy dissipator 220 has a universal hinge 210 at each end. These two universal hinges 210 are connected to the frames 110 of two adjacent single modules 100, forming a multi-module floating system. The hydraulic energy dissipator 220 can be a hydraulic cylinder.

[0058] The hydraulic energy absorber 220 absorbs energy, effectively preventing stress concentration at the connection points of individual modules 100. The universal hinge 210 facilitates the coupling of pitch and roll degrees of freedom between adjacent frames 110. The combined effect of the universal hinge 210 and the hydraulic energy absorber 220 helps prevent excessive stress concentration at the connection points between adjacent individual modules 100, improving the stability and toughness of the connection points, making them more adaptable to wave forces, and preventing breakage or damage.

[0059] Please refer to the reference. Figure 7 and Figure 8 Specifically, the bottom of the vertical float 120 is provided with a vortex-induced vibration suppression structure, which includes a spiral guide fin 121 disposed on the outer wall of the vertical float 120, and the guide angle α of the spiral guide fin 121 is set to 15 to 30°.

[0060] The vortex-induced vibration suppression structure can play a role in devortex removal and achieve vortex vibration suppression.

[0061] Among them, the outer wall of the vertical float 120 is equipped with spiral guide fins 121, which reduces the Strouhal number St from 0.22 to 0.15, and the vortex shedding frequency is far away from the natural frequency of the multi-module float, which is conducive to vortex vibration suppression; the steel frame 110 can adopt a hollow truss, which reduces the self-weight by 40% and is conducive to structural lightweighting.

[0062] like Figure 3 As shown, specifically, the distance between the center points of two adjacent vertical pontoons 120 is given by equation (1):

[0063]

[0064] Where S is the distance between the center points of two adjacent upright pontoons 120, and λ is the horizontal characteristic dimension of the upright pontoon 120. Horizontal characteristic dimension: for a cylinder, it refers to its diameter; for a rectangle, it refers to its side length; here, it refers to the diameter of the cylindrical upright pontoon 120.

[0065] Figure 3 In the middle, S1, S2, ..., S f These represent the distance between the center points of the two upright pontoons 120 of the first single module 100, the distance between the center points of the two upright pontoons 120 of the second single module 100, ..., and the distance between the center points of the two upright pontoons 120 of the f-th single module 100.

[0066] Specifically, the vertical pontoon 120 is set as a vertical cylinder, with a diameter of 1 to 2 m and a height of 3 to 4 m; the distance between the center points of two adjacent vertical pontoons 120 is set to 4 to 8 m.

[0067] Among them, the large-spacing anti-wave interference structure of the vertical floats 120 was tested in the water tank 300 and it was found that when the spacing S of the vertical floats 120 is ≥1.5λ, the wave diffraction phase difference between the single modules 100 increases and the wave force transmission coefficient drops to below 0.3. However, when the spacing S of the vertical floats 120 is 0.5λ, the wave force transmission coefficient is 0.82.

[0068] When the natural frequency of a multi-module floating body system avoids the dominant wave frequency, such as the dominant wave frequency of the Bohai Sea which is 5-8s, the peak value of the sway RAO drops from 1.8 to 0.86.

[0069] Specifically, the damping coefficient of the hydraulic energy dissipator 220 is given by equation (2):

[0070] C d ∈[800, 1500] kN·s / m(2)

[0071] Among them, C d is the damping coefficient of the hydraulic energy dissipator 220.

[0072] Specifically, the hydraulic energy consumer 220 consumes energy as shown in equation (3) when the relative speed is 0.5 m / s:

[0073] Energy consumption ≥ wave input power × 35% (3).

[0074] Among them, the universal hinge 210 can be made of chromium-molybdenum alloy steel with a yield strength ≥690MPa and a tolerance of ±15° rotation.

[0075] The hydraulic energy dissipator 220 dissipates energy through viscous fluid shear, and its force-displacement curve is expressed by equation (4):

[0076] F d =C d ·v 1.5 (4)

[0077] Among them, F d ν is the force exerted by the nonlinear damping connector 200, and v is the relative velocity between the two single modules 100 at both ends of the nonlinear damping connector 200.

[0078] like Figure 6 As shown, multiple single modules 100 can be arranged in a matrix, with rows in the X direction (horizontal) and columns in the Y direction (vertical). For example, multiple single modules 100 can be arranged into a matrix of five rows and ten columns, with ten single modules 100 in each row, arranged sequentially along the X direction. The single modules 100 in the first row can be ordered as #1 to #10, the single modules 100 in the second row can be ordered as #11 to #20, the single modules 100 in the third row can be ordered as #21 to #30, the single modules 100 in the fourth row can be ordered as #31 to #40, and the single modules 100 in the fifth row can be ordered as #41 to #50.

[0079] Example 3

[0080] Please refer to the reference. Figures 1 to 9 This embodiment provides an installation method for the multi-module floating body system described in Embodiment 3, including the following steps:

[0081] Step S11: Place the frame 110 above the vertical pontoon 120, and connect the frame 110 and the vertical pontoon 120 through the support rod 130 to form a single module 100.

[0082] Step S12: Connect at least two single modules 100 through nonlinear damping connectors 200 to form a multi-module floating system.

[0083] Example 4

[0084] Please refer to the reference. Figures 1 to 10 This embodiment provides a method for using the multi-module floating body system described in Embodiment 3, including the following steps:

[0085] Step S13: Install photovoltaic modules and cables on frame 110 to form a floating photovoltaic power generation device at sea;

[0086] Alternatively, wave energy generation devices can be installed on multi-module floating systems.

[0087] Step S13 is performed after steps S11 and S12.

[0088] For example, in the Bohai photovoltaic array application, the dimensions of a single module 100 are 6×6m, the diameter of the upright float 120 is 1.8m, the height is 3.5m, and the spacing between adjacent upright floats 120 is 6m. The damping coefficient of the nonlinear damping connector 200 is Cd = 1200kN·s / m, and the maximum stroke is ±1.0m. In waves with Hs = 4m, the sway amplitude of the multi-module float is reduced by 52%, and the fatigue life of the nonlinear damping connector 200 is >20 years.

[0089] Wherein, Hs is the significant wave height, which refers to the average value of the largest 1 / 3 of the wave heights in a given wave train, arranged from largest to smallest; it is also called the significant wave height or the average wave height of the 1 / 3 largest wave.

[0090] For example, in deep-sea aquaculture platform applications, the diameter of the vertical pontoon 120 is 2m, the spacing between adjacent vertical pontoons 120 is 8m, and the frame 110 is made of corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy. The nonlinear damping connector 200 is equipped with a displacement limit stop to prevent overload under extreme sea conditions. The displacement limit stop can be attached to the end of the hydraulic energy dissipator 220 to limit the stroke of the hydraulic energy dissipator 220 from exceeding its maximum range, thereby preventing overload under extreme operating conditions.

[0091] The experimental data comparison table between the large-spacing vertical pontoons and the traditional dense vertical pontoons in this embodiment is shown in Table 1 below:

[0092] Table 1

[0093]

[0094] The above embodiments are merely illustrative examples and are not intended to limit the implementation. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all possible implementations. However, obvious variations or modifications derived therefrom are still within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0095] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in the present invention can be combined with each other.

[0096] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to has a specific orientation, or is constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0097] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

Claims

1. A multi-module floating body system, characterized in that, Includes a floating body module, the floating body module comprising a single module, the single module comprising: The frame, arranged horizontally; Upright pontoons, at least three in number, arranged in a polygonal pattern; The struts are connected at both ends to the top surface of the vertical pontoon and the bottom surface of the frame, respectively, forming an inverted triangular truss for resisting lateral forces. The frame is a steel structure frame, the upright pontoons are set as separate upright cylindrical shapes, and the struts are set as steel pipes; the steel structure frame adopts a hollow truss. The multi-module floating body system includes: The single module is configured to be at least two; multiple single modules are arranged in a matrix with rows in the X direction and columns in the Y direction; A nonlinear damping connector is provided between the frames of two adjacent single modules. The nonlinear damping connector includes: Universal hinges are used to achieve pitch and roll degree of freedom coupling between adjacent frames; A hydraulic energy drainer is coaxially mounted with the universal hinge. The hydraulic energy consumer is connected to a universal hinge at each end, and these two universal hinges are respectively connected to the frames of two adjacent single modules to form a multi-module floating body system; the hydraulic energy consumer adopts a hydraulic cylinder; The damping coefficient of the hydraulic energy consumer is given by equation (2): （2）； in, The damping coefficient of the hydraulic energy dissipator; The energy consumed by the hydraulic energy consumer at a relative speed of 0.5 m / s is given by equation (3): Energy consumption ≥ wave input power 35% (3); The distance between the center points of two adjacent vertical pontoons is given by equation (1): （1）； Where S is the distance between the center points of two adjacent vertical pontoons, and λ is the horizontal characteristic dimension of the vertical pontoon; The bottom of the vertical pontoon is provided with a vortex-induced vibration suppression structure, which includes a spiral guide fin on the outer wall of the vertical pontoon, and the guide angle α of the spiral guide fin is set to 15~30°. The vertical pontoon is configured as a vertical cylinder, with a diameter of 1-2m and a height of 3-4m; the distance between the center points of two adjacent vertical pontoons is 4-8m. The nonlinear damping connector is provided with a displacement limiting block, which is attached to the end of the hydraulic energy consumer.

2. The multi-module floating body system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upright pontoons are configured as four in a rectangular arrangement.

3. The installation method of the multi-module floating body system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step S11: Place the frame above the vertical pontoon, and connect the frame and the vertical pontoon through the support rod to form the single module; Step S12: Connect at least two of the single modules through the nonlinear damping connector to form the multi-module floating system.

4. The method of using the multi-module floating body system according to claim 3, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step S13: Install photovoltaic modules and cables on the frame to form a floating photovoltaic power generation device at sea; Alternatively, a wave energy generation device can be installed on the multi-module floating body system.

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