Adjustable buoyancy device, system and floating solar panel installation

Abstract

A buoyancy device for a solar cell device floating on water surface includes: a main body for providing buoyancy; a first cable adapted to engage with the main body and also adapted to connect to a component; and a winch device adapted to pull the first cable. A buoyancy system includes the buoyancy device and an anchoring component adapted to be anchored to the bottom of the water, the anchoring component also configured to connect to the first cable of the buoyancy device. A floating solar panel device includes the buoyancy system and a floating solar panel array.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a buoyancy device for a solar cell device floating on water, a buoyancy system for a solar cell device floating on water, and a floating solar panel device. Background Technology

[0002] EP4353577A2 discloses an anchoring system for a floating platform that utilizes anchoring cables (200) attached to the seabed (5) to eliminate the pitch and roll motion of the floating platform. These anchoring cables are supported by multiple pulleys or rotating fixing devices (2, 3) of the floating platform (100) and are all engaged in a common counterweight (1) suspended on the floating platform (100). Each anchoring cable (200) includes a direct auxiliary rope (200d) and a cross auxiliary rope (200c), which keep the counterweight (1) in a position corresponding to the central axis (300) of the floating platform (100) at all times. EP4353577A2 also describes a novel method for installing a floating platform at its destination without the assistance of a special vessel. This system is particularly designed to reduce the effects of wave motion.

[0003] US2024092460A1 discloses a floating offshore platform for supporting a renewable energy system. The platform has a base submerged below the surface of a water body, a top, at least one mooring line for securing the platform to the seabed, and a tensioning device for applying tension to at least one of the mooring lines. The platform also includes a floating configuration in which it is positioned to float on the surface of the water body. The platform has a deployed configuration in which the base is submerged underwater and the top remains above the water surface. In use, the tensioning device is configured to apply tension to at least one mooring line secured between the platform and the seabed, allowing the floating offshore platform to switch between the floating and deployed configurations.

[0004] EP3430259A1 discloses a floating wind turbine comprising a hull (1), a wind turbine (2) mounted on top of the hull (1), and a counterweight (3) suspended below the hull (1) by a counterweight suspension device (18). Furthermore, an installation method is described. The counterweight (3) comprises one or more counterweight pontoons (17). When the internal volume of the pontoons (17) is filled with air, the total buoyancy of the counterweight (3) is close to or greater than its weight. Therefore, it is able to float in a towing / maintenance position with or without vertical support from the hull (1) or other vessels. During towing, the hull essentially functions as a barge, thus relying primarily on a large waterline area and shallow draft for stability. When the pontoons (17) are partially or completely filled with water, the counterweight (3) sinks to an installation position at a height determined by the counterweight suspension device (18). At this position, the counterweight acts as a keel, thereby stabilizing the base. The counterweight suspension device (18) can transmit force and torque to the hull (1) individually or collectively, thereby enabling the counterweight (3) to stabilize the hull (1) when the counterweight (3) is in its installation position.

[0005] However, a device is needed to stabilize floating systems anchored to the seabed at varying depths or as a mooring tensioning device. Utility Model Content

[0006] This utility model relates to a buoyancy device for a solar cell device floating on water. The buoyancy device includes a main body for providing buoyancy. The buoyancy device also includes a first cable adapted to engage with the main body. The first cable is further adapted to connect to a component. The buoyancy device includes a winch device adapted to pull the first cable.

[0007] The main body of the buoyancy device may have a through hole, and the first cable may be configured to pass through the through hole. Alternatively, the main body may have two through holes, and the first cable may be configured to pass through both through holes.

[0008] The winch assembly can be adapted to be mounted on the outside of the main body. Alternatively, the winch assembly can be adapted to be mounted on the inside of the main body. The winch assembly can also be adapted to be detachably connected to the main body. The winch assembly can also be remotely controlled. The winch assembly can be one of a winch, crane, anchor winch, winch, pulley system, pulley block, and tensioner.

[0009] The component can be an anchoring component fixed to the seabed. Alternatively, the component can be a floating solar panel device.

[0010] The buoyancy device may also include a second cable adapted to be connected to a floating solar panel device.

[0011] This invention also relates to a buoyancy system for a solar cell device floating on water. The buoyancy system includes a buoyancy device. The buoyancy system also includes an anchoring member adapted to be anchored to the seabed. The anchoring member is further configured to be connected to a first cable of the buoyancy device.

[0012] This invention also relates to a floating solar panel device. The floating solar panel device includes at least one buoyancy system. The floating solar panel device also includes a floating solar panel array configured to be connected to the at least one buoyancy system.

[0013] This invention enables the stable installation of buoyancy devices and / or floating systems (such as floating solar panel power plants) in waters with significant depth variations. This will make installation easier and more cost-effective. For example, in hydroelectric dams, water depth can vary considerably, by approximately 50 meters. Hydroelectric dams are good candidates for floating power plants because they are much calmer than the open ocean, where floating power plants are typically affected by waves and violent movements. Therefore, by optimizing the installation of floating solar panel power plants in waters with varying depths, the application potential of the water surface of hydroelectric dams around the world, which also have readily available power infrastructure, can be explored.

[0014] Furthermore, this invention can be used as a tensioning device during installation and maintenance, where pre-tensioning mooring arrangements are advantageous. In some cases, the winch component of this invention can be a removable part that is installed only when needed. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Examples of the present invention are disclosed with reference to the following figures, wherein:

[0016] Figure 1 An exemplary buoyancy device for a solar cell device that floats on the surface of water is shown;

[0017] Figure 2 A cross-sectional image of an exemplary buoyancy device with through holes for use in solar cell devices that float on water is shown.

[0018] Figure 3a An exemplary buoyancy system for a solar cell device that floats on the water surface at a first water level is shown;

[0019] Figure 3b An exemplary buoyancy system for a solar cell device that floats on the water surface at a second water level is shown;

[0020] Figure 4 An exemplary floating solar panel device is shown;

[0021] Figure 5a A side view of an exemplary floating solar panel device is shown, which floats on the water surface at a first water level; and

[0022] Figure 5b A side view of an exemplary floating solar panel device is shown, which is floating on the water at a second water level. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Exemplary embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. These examples are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0024] Figure 1 A buoyancy device 10 for a solar cell device floating on water surface 15 is shown. The buoyancy device 10 includes a body 11 for providing buoyancy. The buoyancy device 10 also includes a first cable 12 adapted to engage with the body 11. The first cable is also adapted to connect to a component. The cable 12 can be a rope or a chain.

[0025] See further Figure 1 The buoyancy device 10 also includes a winch device 13 adapted to pull the first cable 12. The winch device can control the cable tension as the water depth changes. The winch device can be one of a winch, crane, anchor winch, winch, pulley system, pulley block, or tensioner.

[0026] Figure 1 The buoyancy device 10 also includes a second cable 14. The second cable is adapted to be connected to the floating solar panel device. This connection can be achieved through the connection point 33 of the floating solar panel device.

[0027] exist Figure 2 The image shows a buoyancy device 10, in which the main body 11 has a through hole 21. A first cable 12 is configured to pass through the through hole 21.

[0028] Alternatively, the body may have two through holes, and the first cable 12 may be configured to pass through these two through holes.

[0029] See further Figure 1 and Figure 2 The winch device can be fitted onto the outside of the main body.

[0030] The winch system can also be remotely controlled. By measuring the cable tension, the cable tension can be adjusted according to changes in water depth. The adjustment itself can be automated.

[0031] Alternatively, the winch assembly can be fitted inside the main body. This protects the winch assembly.

[0032] The winch assembly can also be adapted to be detachably attached to the main body. The winch assembly can be permanently installed, but in some cases it can also be temporarily installed to adjust the anchoring cable. This provides the possibility of using the same winch assembly on multiple buoyancy devices.

[0033] exist Figure 3a and 3b In this context, the component is an anchoring component 31 anchored to the seabed 32. Alternatively, the component could be a floating solar panel device.

[0034] The term "bottom" usually refers to the bottom of a body of water, such as the seabed, riverbed, or lakebed.

[0035] Figure 3a and Figure 3b A buoyancy system for a solar cell device floating on the water surface 15 is shown. The system includes a buoyancy device 10 for the solar cell device floating on the water surface 15 and an anchoring member 31 adapted to be anchored to the water bottom 32. The anchoring member 31 is also configured to be connected to a first cable 12 connected to the buoyancy device 10.

[0036] Figure 3a and Figure 3b The buoyancy system at the first and second water levels is shown respectively. The water level is essentially the distance between the bottom 32 and the surface 15. In some cases, the water level may change dynamically. The adjustability of the winch device 12 provides the possibility of tensioning the buoyancy device at different water levels and further tensioning the buoyancy system by extension. Therefore, the buoyancy system provides the possibility of adjusting the tension between the components and the floating solar panel equipment.

[0037] Figure 4 A floating solar panel device 40 is shown. The floating solar device 40 includes at least one buoyancy system 30 and a floating solar panel array 41. The solar panel array is configured to be connected to at least one buoyancy system. The buoyancy system 30 is connected to each side of the floating solar panel array 41 via connection points 33.

[0038] exist Figure 5a and Figure 5b A cross-sectional view of the floating solar panel device 40 is shown. Similar to... Figure 3a and Figure 3b buoyancy system Figure 5a and Figure 5b Floating solar panel devices 40 at a first water level and a second water level are shown respectively. As mentioned above, the water level is essentially the distance between the bottom 32 and the surface 15.

[0039] The adjustability of the buoyancy device and thus the tension provided by the buoyancy system can be translated into the adjustability of the floating solar panel device. The floating solar panel device 40 can be stabilized at a certain water level by tensioning the first and / or second cables, or it can be dynamically adjusted if the water level changes.

[0040] The possibility of remotely adjusting tension based on water level changes can be applied to all buoyancy devices in floating solar panel equipment. This means that when the water level is about to change, the floating solar panel equipment 40 can be adjusted remotely and / or automatically. This adjustment can be based on tidal cycles or water level changes at hydroelectric dams.

[0041] Having described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other embodiments incorporating these concepts can be employed. The above-described and other non-limiting examples are merely exemplary, and the true scope of the present invention will be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A buoyancy device for a solar cell device that floats on water, comprising: The main body is used to provide buoyancy; A first cable is adapted to engage with the body, and the first cable is also adapted to connect to a component; as well as A winch device adapted to pull the first cable.

2. The buoyancy device according to claim 1, wherein, The body has a through hole, and the first cable is configured to pass through the through hole.

3. The buoyancy device according to claim 1, wherein, The main body has two through holes, and the first cable is configured to pass through the two through holes.

4. The buoyancy device according to claim 1, wherein, The winch device is adapted to be mounted on the outside of the main body.

5. The buoyancy device according to claim 1, wherein, The winch device is adapted to be installed inside the main body.

6. The buoyancy device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The winch assembly is also adapted to be detachably connected to the main body.

7. The buoyancy device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The component is an anchoring component that is anchored to the bottom of the water.

8. The buoyancy device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The component is a floating solar panel device.

9. The buoyancy device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The buoyancy device also includes a second cable adapted to be connected to a floating solar panel device.

10. The buoyancy device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The winch device is remotely controlled.

11. The buoyancy device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The winch device is one of the following: winch, crane, anchor winch, winch, pulley system, pulley block, and tensioner.

12. A buoyancy system for a solar cell device that floats on water, comprising: The buoyancy device according to any one of claims 1 to 11; as well as An anchoring member adapted to be anchored to the bottom of the water, the anchoring member also being configured to be connected to a first cable of the buoyancy device.

13. Floating solar panel equipment, including: At least one buoyancy system according to claim 12; as well as A floating solar panel array configured to be connected to the at least one buoyancy system.

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