Buoyancy body for supporting a floatable structure in a floating manner, floatable structure, and modularly designed platform

Abstract

The invention relates to a buoyancy body (1) for supporting a floatable structure (50) in a floating manner, wherein the buoyancy body (1) is substantially designed in the shape of a cylinder or a regular prism and has a cover surface (4) substantially perpendicularly to an axis of symmetry (3) of the buoyancy body, said cover surface being equipped with depressions (21) in order to receive a node point (6) of a substantially flat framework-like base structure (2) in a form-fitting manner. Fixing elements (9) fix the base structure (2) in the direction of the axis of symmetry (3) so that the buoyancy body (1) can be secured in all 6 (six) degrees of freedom at a node point (6). By clamping an additional base structure (2) on the base surface of the buoyancy body (1) to the first base structure, a floatable module (60) can be produced which can be used as a basic component for flat and tower-type structures.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Buoyancy body for the floating support of a floating structure, floating structure and modular platform

[0003] The invention relates to a buoyancy body for the floating support of a buoyant structure, a buoyant structure comprising such a buoyancy body, and a modular platform constructed from one or more buoyant structures.

[0004] Land scarcity is a pressing problem in many regions of the world, primarily due to high population densities in urban centers or geographical constraints such as mountainous or swampy regions or islands. Energy generation from renewable energy sources, such as wind turbines or photovoltaic modules, requires large areas that are often not readily available on land.

[0005] One solution could be to shift the generation of energy from renewable sources from land to water. Floating platforms, which are widely known in the state of the art, are suitable for supporting such energy generation plants. These structures are often complex in construction and therefore must be fully assembled on land before being transported to their deployment site on a body of water. This leads to significant limitations in the size and design of such platforms.

[0006] Especially for still bodies of water, where the water surface is typically rarely disturbed by significant waves or water movements, there are a variety of solutions for assembling platforms on the water surface. However, if sensitive components, such as photovoltaic modules, are arranged on the platforms, increased demands are placed on the rigidity and load-bearing capacity of a floating structure in order to support the sensitive components safely and without damage above the water surface. The solutions chosen in the state of the art only inadequately meet these requirements.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a buoyant structure which enables reliable and torsion-free floating support of sensitive components on a water surface and at the same time can be manufactured cost-effectively and constructed in a modular manner.

[0008] The object is achieved by a buoyancy body according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments are specified in the dependent subclaims. The object is further achieved by a buoyant structure according to claim 12 with multiple buoyancy bodies. Preferred embodiments are specified in the dependent subclaims. The object of the invention is further achieved by buoyant structures according to claims 18 and 19, as well as by a platform constructed from such buoyant structures according to claim 21. Preferred embodiments of the buoyant structures are specified in the dependent claims.

[0009] According to the invention, a buoyancy body is provided for the floating support of a buoyant structure, wherein the buoyancy body is essentially in the shape of a cylinder or regular prism. Accordingly, the buoyancy body has a base surface and a top surface oriented essentially perpendicular to an axis of symmetry of the buoyancy body. A lateral surface of the buoyancy body, which encloses the axis of symmetry, is arranged between the base surface and the top surface. Recesses are formed in the top surface in order to be able to positively accommodate a node point of a substantially flat, lattice-like base structure perpendicular to an axis of symmetry of the buoyancy body. Fixing elements are provided for fixing the lattice-like base structure in the direction of the axis of symmetry so that the buoyancy body can be firmly attached to the node point in all six degrees of freedom.

[0010] The lattice-like base structure is thus fixed by insertion into the recesses of the inventive buoyancy body in the plane perpendicular to the symmetry axis of the buoyancy body (and parallel to the top surface), thus providing three degrees of freedom. These fixed degrees of freedom include a translational movement perpendicular to the symmetry axis of the buoyancy body and a rotation about the symmetry axis of the buoyancy body. The fixing means also fix the position of the base structure in the direction of the symmetry axis, preventing both a translational movement in the direction of the symmetry axis and a rotation in one of the two remaining directions of rotation.

[0011] A truss-like basic structure according to the invention can, for example, be implemented as an essentially two-dimensional frame whose supports are connected to one another in the form of T-junctions, cross-junctions, or corner-junctions. Therefore, the recesses in the cover surface can preferably be rotationally symmetrical to the axis of symmetry, in particular in the form of a cross or a star, in order to be able to positively accommodate the nodes of a basic structure according to the invention. The inventive concept encompasses the provision of more recesses in the cover surface than supports branching off from a node of a basic structure. Thus, the orientation of a buoyancy body can be freely selected and adapted to the components that are additionally to be connected to the buoyancy body.

[0012] To brace a truss-like base structure and thus increase its stability and torsional rigidity, diagonal connectors can be tensioned obliquely or diagonally between the nodes of the base structure.

[0013] According to the invention, openings for the passage of diagonal connectors can be formed on the top surface of the buoyancy body, which openings are preferably rotationally symmetrical, in particular in the shape of a cross or a star. These openings can be arranged at an offset angle relative to the recesses with respect to the axis of symmetry of the buoyancy body, thus providing space for the diagonal connectors running obliquely / diagonally between the nodes of the base structure. Of course, the diagonal connectors can also run in the recesses of the top surface of the buoyancy body according to the invention if this is necessary for bracing the base structure.

[0014] A buoyancy body according to the invention can have projections perpendicular to the symmetry axis of the buoyancy body, which form an undercut for securing the fixing elements in the direction of the symmetry axis. Thus, after a base structure has been inserted into the recesses of the cover surface of a buoyancy body according to the invention, fixing elements can be inserted behind the projections in a direction perpendicular to the symmetry axis of the buoyancy body. Due to the undercut formed by the projections, for example, on the lateral surface of the buoyancy body according to the invention, the fixing elements can be supported on the projections in the direction of the symmetry axis in order to exert a hold-down force on the base structure and ultimately fix it in the recesses in all six degrees of freedom.

[0015] In a further preferred embodiment, the buoyancy body can have locking means for securing the fixing elements in a direction perpendicular to the axis of symmetry. This allows the position of the fixing elements to be fixed once they have been moved behind the projections of the buoyancy bodies according to the invention. However, the inventive concept also encompasses the possibility of securing the position of the fixing means relative to the buoyancy body in another way, for example by means of a material, force-locking, or positive connection. For example, the fixing means could be riveted, screwed, or pinned to the buoyancy body in the position holding down the base structure. Gluing or welding the fixing elements to the buoyancy bodies can also represent a useful way of securing the position of the fixing elements.As already mentioned at the beginning, the buoyancy body according to the invention has a base surface which is aligned substantially parallel to the cover surface and which is also aligned substantially perpendicular to the axis of symmetry. The base surface of the buoyancy body can have recesses which are symmetrical to the depressions and / or openings contained in the cover surface with respect to a central plane aligned perpendicular to the axis of symmetry. The central plane is, for example, spaced as far from the cover surface as it is from the base surface. According to the invention, it is thus possible to positively accommodate a lattice-like base structure both by means of the depressions in the cover surface and by means of the depressions in the base surface of a buoyancy body according to the invention. The floating bodies according to the invention can thus be arranged in a sandwich-like manner between base structures. Preferably, a base structure orThe supports of which are arranged in the depressions and / or recesses of a buoyancy body according to the invention have a greater height in the direction of the symmetry axis of the buoyancy bodies than the depth of the depressions and / or recesses of the buoyancy bodies. Thus, two buoyancy bodies arranged one above the other in the direction of their symmetry axes can be fixed in a plane perpendicular to the symmetry axis by the base structure located between them.

[0016] Alternatively or in addition to the connection mechanism described above between stacked buoyancy bodies, a portion of the base surface of the buoyancy bodies can be designed to complement their top surface, so that two buoyancy bodies can be arranged one above the other in a rotationally secure manner around the axis of symmetry, even if no frame-like base structure is arranged between the buoyancy bodies. Similar to the principle used in interlocking bricks or stackable chairs, the top surface of a lower buoyancy body, with protrusions defined by the recesses and openings, engages areas of the base surface of a buoyancy body arranged above it, which are designed to complement the protrusions.The humps of the cover surface of the buoyancy bodies according to the invention can have a slight oversize compared to the complementarily formed recesses of the base surface, so that buoyancy bodies of the same construction, after assembly, form a positive or non-positive connection with one another in the direction of their axis of symmetry.

[0017] Additionally, the base surfaces of the buoyancy body can have recesses and extensions that are designed and arranged such that these recesses and extensions of two buoyancy bodies interlock when two buoyancy bodies with facing base surfaces are assembled. In such an arrangement of the buoyancy bodies, the cover surfaces of the two buoyancy bodies face away from each other, and each cover surface can accommodate a node point of a support frame. The recesses can be formed by extensions that protrude from the cover surface, so that, for example, pins that can be pushed through holes in the extensions transversely to the symmetry axis of the buoyancy bodies hold a node point of a support frame down against the cover surface, thus securing the support frame in all six degrees of freedom.By means of this embodiment, two buoyancy bodies assembled in opposite directions can be sandwiched between two support frames or clamped if the two buoyancy bodies are lashed together, for example, using tensioning devices.

[0018] According to the invention, it is further possible for connecting means to be arranged on the side surfaces of the buoyancy bodies for parallel connection of two or more buoyancy bodies. For example, a positive and a negative connecting means complementary to the positive connecting means can be formed on each of the side surfaces in a direction perpendicular and / or parallel to the axis of symmetry.

[0019] However, the inventive concept also encompasses the arrangement of only one type of connecting means on the side surfaces of a buoyancy body according to the invention. In this case, the buoyancy bodies according to the invention or their connecting means can be connected to one another, for example, by means of an adapter element, and fixed to one another firmly or elastically.

[0020] The connecting means or adapter elements for connecting the connecting means can be designed to be elastic. Thus, the loads acting on individual buoyancy bodies or on the base structures that have fallen from the buoyancy bodies are not rigidly transferred to the connecting means of adjacent buoyancy bodies, but can be dampened by the elasticity of the inventive connection between two buoyancy bodies.

[0021] A buoyancy body according to the invention can be manufactured, for example, by a rotational molding or blow molding process. Possible materials for a buoyancy body according to the invention include plastic, metal, and / or concrete, as a hollow body, solid body, or multi-component body.

[0022] As already indicated above, a buoyant structure can be supported above a water surface using several buoyancy bodies according to the invention. For this purpose, the buoyancy bodies are arranged at nodes of a substantially planar, lattice-like base structure. The buoyancy bodies according to the invention used for this purpose are essentially in the shape of a cylinder or regular prism, whose axis of symmetry is essentially vertical during the intended use of the structure. During the intended use, the base surface and the top surface of the buoyancy body according to the invention are thus essentially parallel to the water surface.

[0023] According to the invention, the nodes of the base structure can be braced together by means of tension connectors that run in the cutouts of the buoyancy bodies. The tension connectors can run in particular in a diagonal direction, i.e. from one node to a diagonally opposite node. The diagonal bracing by means of the tension connectors increases the torsional rigidity of the base structure. This reduces the load to which sensitive components supported by the base structure are exposed, and damage that could be caused to the sensitive components, such as photovoltaic panels, by deformation of the base structure is reduced. In one embodiment, transverse and / or longitudinal struts are attached to the base structure, which can define a frame, for example, and the connection points of these struts to the base structure orwhose intersection points form nodes at which buoyancy bodies are arranged. Regardless of the specific design of the nodes, i.e., regardless of whether they comprise two, three, four, or a plurality of transverse and / or longitudinal struts and / or supports of the base structure, the nodes can be positively received in the recesses of the buoyancy bodies according to the invention. The rotational orientation around the axis of symmetry of the buoyancy bodies of the buoyancy bodies is irrelevant, since the buoyancy bodies are preferably designed to be rotationally symmetrical with respect to the axis of symmetry.

[0024] According to the invention, additional buoyancy bodies can be arranged on the base structure between the nodes, i.e., on the transverse and / or longitudinal struts and / or supports of the base structure. These additional buoyancy bodies can be used to increase the buoyancy of a structure according to the invention if, for example, heavy loads such as accumulators or projecting mechanical support structures are to be supported by a buoyant structure according to the invention.

[0025] In one embodiment of the invention, in a buoyant structure, a substantially flat, truss-like base structure can be arranged on both the top surfaces and the base surfaces of the buoyancy bodies. The base structures can fix the buoyancy bodies arranged between them in a sandwich-like manner in the direction of the symmetry axis of the buoyancy bodies by means of fixing elements running diagonally between the respective base structures. In this case, the inventive concept encompasses the fact that the fixing elements, which run diagonally in this case, are designed as tension connectors that run between nodes of the upper base structure and nodes of the lower base structure.The two base structures, together with the floating bodies, form a prism structure whose base and top surfaces are defined by the base structures, whose side edges are formed by buoyancy bodies according to the invention, and whose side surfaces contain diagonally extending fixing elements that connect the supports of the upper base structure to those of the lower base structure. To further increase the stability of a prism structure formed in this way, the inventive concept encompasses the tensioning of fixing elements or tension connectors in the spatial diagonal of the prism structure between opposite nodes of two base structure planes.

[0026] The base structures can be braced together at the intersection points of the diagonally running fixing elements to reduce the internal forces and moments acting in the supports of the base structures. Additionally or alternatively, one or more support struts can be arranged between the diagonally running fixing elements and one of the base structures. In this way, lightweight, inherently very rigid, buoyant cuboid structures can be formed, which can serve, for example, as the base bodies for larger planar or three-dimensional structures.

[0027] According to the invention, two-story or multi-story buoyant tower structures can be formed in this way, wherein buoyant bodies of a further buoyant structure are arranged on the buoyant bodies of a first buoyant structure in the direction of the symmetry axis. The base structure of the respective lower structure is accordingly received by the depressions in the top surface of the buoyant bodies of the lower structure and by complementary recesses in the base surface of the buoyant bodies of the structure arranged above. The structure formed in this way is received between base structures arranged one above the other, wherein the base structures are positioned and fixed to one another by the buoyant bodies in a plane perpendicular to the symmetry axis.At the same time, diagonal bracing of multiple levels of base structures ensures that the base structures remain stable in contact with the buoyancy bodies along the axis of symmetry, thus maintaining positioning and fixation in directions perpendicular to the buoyancy bodies' axis of symmetry. According to the invention, modules can be created by stacking buoyancy bodies and structures connected to the buoyancy bodies. These modules can be used to provide cantilevered support structures for supporting, for example, renewable energy generation plants, roadways, bridges, docks, or similar floating structures.

[0028] For example, to form a buoyant, modular surface structure, one or a plurality of adjacent buoyant structures can be used, which can additionally be supplemented by one or a plurality of tower structures described above. Of course, both variants—i.e., modular surface structures or tower structures according to the invention—can also be created independently. To form such extended structures, horizontally adjacent buoyant bodies are connected to one another via connecting means on their side surfaces, which can, for example, be designed to complement each other.

[0029] When forming a surface structure according to the invention, the buoyant structures and / or tower structures can be arranged at least partially in a checkerboard pattern and / or horizontally overlapping. This makes it possible to fully adapt the surface structures to the intended applications, for example by providing "free fields" in which, for example, ships can dock against the surface structure according to the invention or aquaculture can be operated. Likewise, it may be intended, for example, to increase the stability of a modular surface structure according to the invention, to arrange modules of floating bodies and base structures horizontally overlapping one above the other, similar to the construction of a wall, in order to increase the stability of the structure.

[0030] Such buoyant structures or tower structures can be used in a modular manner to construct a platform that can be used, for example, for floating support of superstructures, supports for solar systems and / or wind turbines. The inventive securing of the platform's components creates a particularly stable structure that is particularly resistant to the critical load case of torsion. Sensitive superstructures or supports can therefore be reliably and safely supported above the water surface using the platform according to the invention, without any risk of damage to the components arranged on the platform.

[0031] In the following, the objects of the invention are explained in further detail, including graphically, using preferred embodiments. However, these embodiments do not limit the inventive concept. They show:

[0032] Figure 1 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of a buoyancy body according to the invention;

[0033] Figure 2 is an isometric view of the base of a first embodiment of a buoyancy body according to the invention;

[0034] Figure 3 shows several buoyancy bodies according to the invention connected to one another;

[0035] Figure 4 is an isometric view of a first buoyant structure according to the invention;

[0036] Figure 5 shows a detailed view of a buoyancy body according to the invention as a component of a second buoyant structure according to the invention;

[0037] Figure 5A is an isometric view of a second embodiment of a buoyancy body according to the invention;

[0038] Figure 6 is an isometric view of the embodiment of a buoyant structure according to the invention shown in Figure 5;

[0039] Figure 7 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a buoyant structure according to the invention;

[0040] Figure 8 is an isometric view of a buoyant tower structure according to the invention; Figure 9 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of a modular surface structure according to the invention;

[0041] Figure 10 is an isometric view of a further embodiment of a modular surface structure according to the invention;

[0042] Figure 11 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of a platform according to the invention;

[0043] Figure 12 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a platform according to the invention;

[0044] Figure 13 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a platform according to the invention;

[0045] Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a buoyancy body 1. The buoyancy body 1 is in the shape of a regular prism with a substantially square base and has a top surface 4 and a base surface 5. Side surfaces 7 extend between the top surface 4 and the base surface 5 in the direction of an axis of symmetry 3, which connects the centers of the top surface 4 and the base surface 5. A regular prism is characterized in that the side surfaces 7 extend at a right angle to the base and top surfaces 5 and 4 of the prism, respectively. The buoyancy body 1 is therefore substantially rotationally symmetrical about the axis of symmetry 3.

[0046] In the top surface 4 of the buoyancy body 1, recesses 21 are formed, which in the illustrated embodiment form a cross. Preferably, one recess 21 extends perpendicularly from each of the side surfaces 7 toward the center of the top surface 4 or toward the axis of symmetry 3 of the buoyancy body 1. As will be shown later, the recesses 21 are suitable for accommodating nodes 6 of a base structure 2. In the illustration in Figure 1, a node 6 is shown spaced from the buoyancy body 1 in the direction of the axis of symmetry 3.

[0047] The top surface 4 of the buoyancy body 1 further has cutouts 22, which are offset from the recesses 21 by a rotation about the axis of symmetry 3 of the buoyancy body 1. The cutouts 22 preferably extend diagonally from the corners of the square or rectangular top surface 4 of the buoyancy body 1 toward the axis of symmetry 3. The cutouts 22 allow the tensioning of diagonal connectors 25 (not shown in Figure 1), which can be tensioned, for example, diagonally between the supports 12 of a base structure 2 in order to stiffen it.

[0048] According to the invention, a base structure 2, more precisely a node 6 of a base structure 2, can be inserted into the recesses 21 of a buoyancy body 1 and positively received by the recesses 21. As a result, the node 6 is fixed relative to the buoyancy body 1 in all directions perpendicular to the symmetry axis 3 of the buoyancy body 1.

[0049] By means of fixing elements 9, the base structure 2 can be fastened to the buoyancy body 1 in the direction of the axis of symmetry 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the fixing elements 9 are designed as locking hooks that can be pushed onto the supports of the base structure 2 in a direction perpendicular to the axis of symmetry 3. The fixing elements 9 can, for example, have lugs that extend laterally from an arcuate central part, which can encompass a support of the base structure 2, and interact with projections 8 on the side surfaces 7 of the buoyancy bodies 1. These projections 8 form an undercut in the direction of the axis of symmetry 3, such that the fixing elements 9 can be suspended / tensioned under the projections 8 perpendicular to the axis of symmetry 3, such that they are no longer movable in the direction of the axis of symmetry 3 in the intended end position.The base structure 2 is thus fixed in its position relative to the buoyancy body 1 in the direction of the axis of symmetry 3. In a preferred embodiment, the projections 8 can have locking means 19, by means of which the fixing elements 9 are fixed in a direction perpendicular to the axis of symmetry 3 as soon as they are in their final position and are engaged with the projections 8.

[0050] According to the invention, it is thus possible, by a combination of the recesses 21 and the fixing elements 9, to produce a complete static connection in all six degrees of freedom between the buoyancy bodies 1 according to the invention and the node points 6 of a base structure 2, which does not allow any relative movement between the buoyancy bodies 1 and the base structure 2.

[0051] The buoyancy bodies 1 according to the invention can further comprise connecting means 30, which can extend, for example, from the side surfaces 7 of the buoyancy bodies 1 in a direction perpendicular to the axis of symmetry 3. However, the connecting means 30 can also be aligned in the longitudinal direction of the axis of symmetry 3 according to the invention. As shown in Figure 1, the connecting means 30 can be designed, for example, as complementary grooves and tongues, or positive and negative connecting elements, wherein each side surface 7 can, for example, have a groove and a tongue complementary to the groove. However, the invention also encompasses providing similar connecting means 30 on the side surfaces 7 of the buoyancy bodies 1 according to the invention, which can then be connected to one another, for example by means of adapter elements 32.

[0052] Figure 2 shows a buoyancy body 1 according to the invention from a different perspective, namely an isometric view of the base surface 5. The base surface 5 has recesses 23 that are at least partially symmetrical to the depressions 21 of the cover surface 4. The plane of symmetry is a plane perpendicular to the axis of symmetry 3, which, for example, is equidistant from the cover surface 4 and the base surface 5. As shown in the following figures, this enables a base structure 2 to be positively received by both the cover surface 4 and the base surface 5 of the buoyancy body 1 according to the invention.

[0053] Furthermore, the base surface 5 of the illustrated buoyancy body 1 according to the invention is at least partially complementary to the cover surface 4, so that identical buoyancy bodies 1 according to the invention can be stacked one above the other in the longitudinal direction of the axis of symmetry 3. Through the interaction of the base surfaces 5 with the partially complementary cover surfaces 4, the buoyancy bodies 1 arranged one above the other are fixed relative to one another in directions perpendicular to the axis of symmetry 3 of the buoyancy bodies 1. Buoyancy bodies 1 stacked one above the other or one behind the other in this way can be fixed to one another in the longitudinal direction of the axis of symmetry 3, for example, by means of fixing elements 9, so that they are firmly connected to one another in all spatial directions.

[0054] Figure 3 illustrates the principle of the lateral or parallel connection of several buoyancy bodies 1 according to the invention by means of the connecting means 30. As already indicated previously, the connecting means 30 can be designed to be complementary on the respective side surfaces 7, so that a protruding connecting means 30 can interact with a recess on a side surface 7 of an adjacent buoyancy body 1. According to the invention, any number of buoyancy bodies 1 can thus be connected to one another in a plane that is perpendicular to their axis of symmetry 3. For example, the buoyancy of a structure 50, surface structure 150, or platform 300 supported by the buoyancy bodies 1 (see, for example, Figures 12 & 13) can be adapted to the weight of components arranged thereon. The connecting means 30 are preferably designed such that buoyancy bodies 1 can be arranged next to one another without any gaps.

[0055] In an embodiment not shown, the connecting means 30 further have, for example, an angle that allows the individual buoyancy bodies 1 to be combined to form extended structures, since additional buoyancy bodies 1 can thus be connected in a diagonal direction to the existing structure without interfering with the connecting means 30 of other buoyancy bodies 1. Depending on the location of use of the buoyancy bodies according to the invention, the connecting means 30 or the adapter elements 32 can be rigid or elastic. An elastic connection of buoyancy bodies 1 can lead to a reduction in the stresses transmitted between interconnected buoyancy bodies 1 according to the invention, because a composite of buoyancy bodies 1 can then deform according to the loads acting on it.

[0056] Figure 4 shows a buoyant structure 50 having a framework-like base structure 2. The base structure 2 has a frame 10 formed from supports 12, which is designed in the shape of a rectangle and is configured by a plurality of transverse or longitudinal struts 11 such that, for example, photovoltaic modules can be arranged on the structure 50. The buoyant structure 50 can serve, for example, as a basic module for constructing a modular surface structure 150. Both the connection points of the supports 12 of the frame 10 and the locations at which the transverse or longitudinal struts 11 are attached to the frame 10 are referred to according to the invention as nodes 6. Buoyancy bodies 1 according to the invention can be arranged at these nodes 6 such that the supports 12 of the base structure 2 are received in a form-fitting manner by recesses 21 in the cover surface 4.Especially for bodies of water with little, low, or moderate waves, such as ponds, lakes, or lagoons, support for a base structure 2 can be provided in a simple, modular manner. Depending on the distribution of the weight and the components to be held above the water surface by the structure 50, load-dependent buoyancy bodies can also be arranged directly on the frame 10 or the transverse or longitudinal struts 11 according to the invention. In order to completely fix buoyancy bodies 1 arranged in this way, the buoyancy bodies 1 can be fixed to the base structure 2 by fixing means 9 or connected to further buoyancy bodies 1 according to the invention by connecting means 30.From the embodiment shown in Figure 4 it is also clear that the transverse or longitudinal struts 11 do not necessarily have to run in the plane spanned by the supports 12 of the frame 10, but can also extend above or below this plane in order to enable, for example, the erection of photovoltaic modules arranged on the base structure 2 at an angle.

[0057] Figures 5, 5A, and 6 show two further embodiments of a buoyant structure 50 according to the invention in the form of a modular structure 60. Figure 5 is a detailed view showing a special connection point in the form of a corner of the further embodiment for a buoyant module 60 according to the invention. Figure 6 is an isometric view showing the basic structure of a module 60, which is suitable for constructing larger structures, which will be given further by way of example. Of course, a module 60 can also be used on its own, for example, for supporting photovoltaic systems or as a bathing or relaxation island for diving, as a floating dock for mooring boats, and for many other applications.

[0058] According to the embodiment of the buoyancy body shown in Figure 5, a first base structure 2 with a frame 10, constructed from supports 12 and braced with diagonal connectors 15, is arranged in the recesses 21 extending in the top surface 4 of the buoyancy body 1 according to the invention. A further base structure 2 with a frame 10, constructed from supports 12 and braced with diagonal connectors 15, extends parallel to the first base structure 2 and is positively received by recesses 23 in the base surface 5 of the buoyancy body 1 according to the invention. It can be clearly seen that the base structure 2 protrudes beyond the recesses 21 in the direction of the axis of symmetry 3 of the buoyancy body 1.It would thus be possible to arrange a further buoyancy body 1 according to the invention in the direction of the axis of symmetry 3 above the illustrated buoyancy body 1, with its recesses 23 arranged in the base surface 5 engaging the nodes 6 of the base structure. The position of an upper buoyancy body 1 would thus be fixed relative to the lower buoyancy body 1 in the direction perpendicular to the axis of symmetry 3. The same applies to the arrangement of a further buoyancy body 1 in the direction of the axis of symmetry 3 below the illustrated buoyancy body 1.

[0059] Figure 5A shows an isometric view of a second embodiment of a buoyancy body 1 according to the invention, wherein two buoyancy bodies 1 according to the invention are arranged such that they are assembled in an interlocking manner with base surfaces 5 facing one another. In the exemplary embodiment in Figure 5A, the cover surfaces 4 of the two buoyancy bodies with the recesses 21 formed therein point away from one another, so that here too, two frames 10, similar to that shown in Figure 5, can sandwich and fix the two buoyancy bodies 1. Diagonal connectors 15 can also be used here as fixing elements 9. In addition, frames 10 can be fixed to the buoyancy bodies 1 via the through-holes 16 formed in the projections 8.Preferably, the buoyancy bodies 1 according to Figure 5A have recesses 27 and extensions 28 in the base surfaces, which are designed such that two buoyancy bodies assembled with base surfaces 5 facing each other engage with each other in a rotationally secure manner, wherein a recess 27 of one buoyancy body 1 receives the extension 28 of the other buoyancy body 1.

[0060] Preferably, the base surface 5 of the buoyancy bodies 1 shown in Figure 5A is designed such that the buoyancy bodies 1 can also be stacked in the same direction / same orientation, ie the base surfaces also have recesses 23 which can accommodate the projections 8 in the cover surfaces 4 such that the cover surface 4 of one buoyancy body 1 comes into contact with the base surface 5 of the other buoyancy body 1 and the two buoyancy bodies 1 are connected to one another in a rotationally secure manner.

[0061] In the exemplary embodiments of Figures 5, 5A, and 6, diagonal connectors 25 are also used as fixing elements 9, which fix the upper and lower base structures 2 in the direction of the axis of symmetry 3 to the buoyancy body 1 according to the invention, and are tensioned diagonally between the upper base structure 2 and the lower base structure 2, i.e., in planes transverse to the planes spanned by the frames 10. The diagonal connectors 25 preferably also run in the depressions 21 of the cover surface 4 or in recesses 23 symmetrical thereto in the base surface 5, and are preferably connected to the supports 12 of the base structure.

[0062] From Figure 6 it can be seen that the buoyant module 60 according to the invention, in the version with the buoyancy body 1 of the first embodiment according to Figure 1, has four buoyancy bodies 1 and with the buoyancy body 1 of Figure 5A it would have eight buoyancy bodies 1, each of which would be formed as a cuboid. When viewed together, Figures 5, 5A and 6 show that the two embodiments of the buoyancy body 1 shown there can be used alternatively and the person skilled in the art will find further alternative shapes for buoyancy bodies that fulfill the spirit of the invention to provide a modular buoyant structure with structurally simple components, wherein the buoyancy bodies can be used in as many different ways as possible to create both smaller and larger buoyant structures.

[0063] Diagonal connectors 15 and diagonal connectors 25 are tensioned in all surface and spatial diagonals of the module 60 according to the invention shown in Figure 6, which provide stability and torsional rigidity to the module 60. To allow the diagonal connectors 15 and diagonal connectors 25 to be tensioned in both the surface and spatial diagonals, the depressions 21, the clearances 22, and the recesses 23 have a gradient in the top surface 4 and the base surface 5 of the buoyancy body 1, respectively, to provide sufficient space for the diagonal connectors 15 and / or the diagonal connectors 25 to pass through. In the present example of the module 60, the diagonal connectors 15 and the oblique connectors 25 serve simultaneously to stabilize the module 60 and also as fixing elements 9 in order to hold the buoyancy body 1 in place in a sandwich-like manner between the two base structures 2 on the base or cover surface 4, 5 of the buoyancy body 1.

[0064] Figure 7 shows an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of a buoyant module 60 according to the invention. Support struts 17 are arranged between the upper base structure 2 and the lower base structure 2. These struts can transmit forces between the base structures 2 and thus reduce the occurring shear forces and moments. In contrast to the previously explained embodiment, the diagonal connectors 25 in the side surfaces of the cuboid are not tensioned between the nodes 6 connected to the buoyancy bodies 1, but between a node 6 on a buoyancy body 1 and a diagonally opposite node 6 formed by the meeting of the support struts 17 and the upper and lower base structures 2. A module 60 according to the invention stiffened in this way has an even higher load-bearing capacity and torsional rigidity than the previously described module 60.Figure 8 shows a buoyant tower structure 200, which consists, for example, of three buoyant structures 50 arranged one above the other in the direction of the symmetry axes 3 of the buoyant bodies 1. As already indicated above, the buoyant structures 50 are secured against relative displacement in directions perpendicular to the symmetry axis by both depressions 21 in the top surface 4 of a lower buoyant body 1 and recesses 23 in the base surface 5 of an upper buoyant body 1 being positively connected to the base structures 2 arranged between the buoyant bodies 1. In order to connect the structures 50 or their buoyant bodies 1 in the direction of the symmetry axis 3, for example, fixing elements 9 can be attached between the connecting means 30 of buoyant bodies 1 arranged one above the other, or diagonal connectors 25 can be stretched over several floors / levels of a buoyant tower structure 200 according to the invention.Furthermore, base structures 2 of different buoyant structures can be connected to one another in the vertical planes, i.e. perpendicular to the base structure planes, by diagonal connectors 15 in such a way that the buoyancy bodies 1 are sandwiched between the base structures 2.

[0065] According to the invention, in principle, buoyant structures of any height can be modularly assembled, which, when used as intended, extend vertically upwards from a water surface. In a preferred embodiment, the lowest storey of a tower structure according to the invention is designed as a buoyant module 60, i.e., a base structure 2 is received on the base surfaces 5 of the lowest layer of buoyant bodies 1, which base structure 2 is connected by diagonal connectors 15 to an overlying - not necessarily adjacent - base structure 2 of a buoyant structure 50, preferably in such a way that the buoyant bodies 1 of the lowest layer / storey are firmly clamped between two base structures 2 in the direction of the axis of symmetry 3.

[0066] Figure 9 shows a further principle for connecting buoyant modules 60. According to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 9, buoyant modules 60 can be modularly assembled to form a flat, extended surface structure 150, which, when used as intended, extends parallel to a water surface. The buoyancy bodies 1 of the buoyant modules 60 can be connected to one another by means of the connecting means 30 or corresponding adapter elements 32, thus creating a surface structure 150 that can be expanded as desired. Preferably, the connecting means 30 or the adapter elements 32 are elastically designed so that external loads applied to the surface structure 150 can be dampened and cushioned by the elastic material properties of the connection between the buoyancy bodies.Furthermore, a surface structure 150 composed in this way can also be used in light sea conditions and / or under wind load, which is caused, for example, by strong winds on still waters, without the deformations caused in the surface structure 150 leading to deformations in the modules 60 themselves, which in turn could lead to damage to the devices supported on the surface structure 50, such as photovoltaic modules, since these deformations in the surface structure 150 can be absorbed by the connecting or adapter elements 30, 32. An elastic design of the buoyancy bodies 1 themselves is also conceivable, which allows slight twisting, for example, around the axis of symmetry 3, while the modules 60 remain inherently rigid.

[0067] As can be seen from Figure 10, buoyant structures 50 according to the invention, modules 60 and modular surface structures 150 and buoyant tower structures 200 constructed therefrom can be combined with one another as desired to construct buoyant structures, support structures or platforms 300 similar to a modular system. Due to the modular expandability, it is possible, on the one hand, to optimally adapt the modular surface structures 150 and buoyant tower structures 200 constructed in this way to the respective location and intended use. On the other hand, the modular surface structures 150 and buoyant tower structures 200 according to the invention can be subsequently expanded with additional modular structures, i.e., buoyant structures 50 or modules 60, if the corresponding need arises.Merely as an illustrative example, the surface structure 150 shown in Figure 10 comprises four tower structures 200, each of which has three structures / modules 50 arranged one above the other. Connected to these four tower structures 200 are three tower structures 200, each of which has two structures / modules 50 arranged one above the other. A single-story, buoyant module 60 is connected to the tower structures. The base of the tower structures 200 is formed by modules 60, which have been vertically extended with buoyant structures 50.

[0068] Figures 11 to 13 show possible embodiments of a platform 300 according to the invention, which can be used, for example, for the mounting of photovoltaic modules, the floating support of components for energy generation, storage or distribution or for other purposes, such as bridge construction.

[0069] The platform 300 shown in Figure 11, which has a buoyant structure 50, can serve as a basic assembly for a modularly expandable floating photovoltaic system. With the transverse or longitudinal struts 11 attached to the frame 10 of the base structure 2, which have different heights above the water surface, the photovoltaic modules arranged on the base structure 2 can be aligned at an angle to the horizontal. Depending on the position of the sun, this can increase the yield of the photovoltaic modules. The provided transverse or longitudinal struts 11 increase the torsional rigidity of the structure 50 according to the invention, thereby protecting the sensitive photovoltaic modules from excessive loads.In order to further increase the torsional rigidity of the structure according to the invention, a second base structure 2 could be arranged in recesses 23 of the base surface 5 of the buoyancy bodies 1 and clamped to the upper base structure 2 by means of fixing elements 9, which leads to a module 60 according to the invention if additionally diagonal connectors 25 are clamped in the surface and / or spatial diagonals of such a buoyant structure 50 in order to further increase the stability of the structure 50.

[0070] The platform 300 shown in Figure 12 serves to provide floating support for a container in which, for example, material can be stored or batteries for energy storage can be accommodated. The base structure 2 supporting the container is completely covered with panels, creating a walkable or drivable floating island. Due to the high weight of the components to be supported, the frame 10 of the base structure 2 is completely supported by buoyancy bodies 1, which are arranged parallel to one another by means of their connecting means 30 in order to increase the buoyancy of the platform 300 according to the invention.

[0071] Figure 13 shows a platform 300 that can be used, for example, as a bridge. Because platforms 300 according to the invention are modularly expandable and buoyancy bodies arranged one above the other in the direction of the symmetry axis 3 can also be offset from one another if the base structure 2 of a buoyant structure 50 is designed accordingly, a designer of a platform 300 according to the invention has considerable design freedom, in which overhanging surfaces can also be realized. To form such an overhanging surface structure, the base structure 2 can protrude beyond the buoyancy bodies 1, in whose cover surface 4 it is received, and can support buoyancy bodies 1 arranged above in the projecting area by engaging in their recesses 23.By fixing the buoyancy bodies 1 to the base structure 2 and fixing the buoyancy bodies 1 to each other, such an overhang-forming surface structure 150 or platform 300 is also stable.

[0072] The buoyancy body 1 according to the invention as a basic building block, as well as a buoyant structure 50 according to the invention or a buoyant module 60 incorporating such buoyancy bodies 1 according to the invention, thus provide a cost-effective and versatile option for constructing modularly expandable surface structures 150, tower structures 200, and platforms 300 that are torsionally rigid and stable against the loads encountered in open waters. Sensitive components such as photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, accumulators, electrolysis devices, power-to-gas plants, or fuel cells can thus be safely and reliably supported above a water surface. List of reference symbols:

[0073] 1 buoyancy body

[0074] 2 Basic structure

[0075] 3 axis of symmetry

[0076] 4 Cover area

[0077] 5 Floor space

[0078] 6 Junction

[0079] 7 side surfaces

[0080] 8 projections

[0081] 9 fixing elements

[0082] 10 frames

[0083] 11 Cross or longitudinal bracing

[0084] 12 carriers

[0085] 15 diagonal connectors

[0086] 16 through holes

[0087] 17 support struts

[0088] 19 rest stops

[0089] 21 recesses

[0090] 22 frankings

[0091] 23 recesses

[0092] 25 diagonal connectors

[0093] 27 recesses

[0094] 28 extensions

[0095] 30 lanyards

[0096] 32 adapter elements

[0097] 50 Floating structure

[0098] 60 Floating Module

[0099] 150 Modular surface structure

[0100] 200 Floating tower structure

[0101] 300 platform

Claims

Claims 1. Buoyancy body (1) for the floating support of a buoyant structure, wherein the buoyancy body (1) is essentially in the form of a cylinder or regular prism, with a cover surface (4) essentially perpendicular to an axis of symmetry (3) of the buoyancy body, in which depressions (21) are formed in order to positively receive a node point (6) of a substantially flat, lattice-like base structure (2), wherein fixing elements (9) are provided for fixing the base structure (2) in the direction of the axis of symmetry (3) so that the buoyancy body (1) can be fixed at a node point (6) in all 6 (six) degrees of freedom. 2, buoyancy body (1) according to claim 1, wherein the recesses (21) are rotationally symmetrical to the axis of symmetry (3), in particular in the form of a cross or in the form of a star.

3. Buoyancy body (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein on the cover surface (4) of the buoyancy body (1) there are formed clearances (22) for the passage of oblique connectors (25).

4. Buoyancy body (1) according to claim 3, wherein the clearances (22) are rotationally symmetrical, in particular in the form of a cross or in the form of a star, and are arranged rotated by an offset angle with respect to the axis of symmetry (3) of the buoyancy body (1) relative to the depressions (21).

5. Buoyancy body (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the buoyancy body (1) has projections (8) perpendicular to the axis of symmetry (3) of the buoyancy body (1), which projections form an undercut for securing the fixing elements (9) in the direction of the axis of symmetry (3).

6. Buoyancy body (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the buoyancy body (1) has locking means (19) for fixing the fixing elements (9) in a direction perpendicular to the axis of symmetry (3).

7. Buoyancy body (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base surface (5) of the buoyancy body (1) has recesses (23) which are symmetrical to the cover surface (4) with respect to a central plane oriented perpendicular to the axis of symmetry (3).

8. Buoyancy body (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a part of the base surface (5) is designed to be complementary to the cover surface (4), so that two buoyancy bodies (1) can be arranged one above the other in a rotationally secure manner in the direction of the axis of symmetry.

9. Buoyancy body (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the base surface (5) of the buoyancy body (1) has recesses (27) and extensions (28) which are designed and arranged such that they engage with one another when two buoyancy bodies with base surfaces (5) facing one another are put together.

10. Buoyancy body (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein for the parallel connection of two or more buoyancy bodies (1) on side surfaces (7) of the buoyancy bodies (1) connecting means (30) are formed in a direction perpendicular and / or parallel to the axis of symmetry (3), which connecting means are in particular each formed as a positive and a negative complementary connecting means (30).

11. Buoyancy body (1) according to claim 10, wherein the connecting means (30) or adapter elements (32) for connecting the connecting means (30) are designed to be elastic.

12. Buoyancy body (1) according to one of the preceding claims, which is produced by a rotational molding or blow molding process from plastic, metal and / or concrete as a hollow body, solid body or multi-component body.

13. Floatable structure (50) with a plurality of buoyancy bodies (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, which are arranged at nodes (6) of a substantially planar, truss-like base structure (2), wherein the buoyancy bodies (1) are substantially in the form of a cylinder or regular prism, the axis of symmetry (3) of which is oriented substantially vertically during the intended use of the structure.

14. Floatable structure (50) according to claim 13, the nodes (6) of which are braced together, in particular in a diagonal direction, by means of oblique connectors (25) which run in the clearances (22) of the buoyancy bodies (1).

15. Floatable structure (50) according to one of claims 13 or 14, in which transverse and / or longitudinal struts (11) are attached to the base structure (2), the connection points of which to the base structure or the crossing points of which form node points (6) at which buoyancy bodies (1) are arranged.

16. Floatable structure (50) according to one of claims 13 to 15, wherein further buoyancy bodies (1) are arranged on the base structure (2) between the nodes (6).

17. Floatable module (60) according to one of claims 13 to 16, in which a substantially flat, lattice-like base structure (2) is arranged both on the cover surfaces and on the base surfaces of the buoyancy bodies (1), wherein the base structures (2) fix the buoyancy bodies (1) in a sandwich-like manner in the direction of the axis of symmetry (3) by means of fixing elements (9) running diagonally between the respective base structures (2).

18. Floatable module (60) according to claim 17, wherein the base structures (2) are braced together at the intersection points (6) of the diagonally extending fixing elements (9) and / or one or more support struts (17) are arranged between the diagonally extending fixing elements (9) and one of the base structures (2).

19. A two-story or multi-story buoyant tower structure (200), wherein buoyant bodies (1) of a further buoyant structure (50) according to one of claims 13 to 16 are arranged on the buoyant bodies (1) of a first buoyant structure (50) according to one of claims 13 to 16 in the direction of the symmetry axis, so that the base structure (2) of the respective lower structure (50) is received by the depressions (21) in the top surface of the buoyant bodies (1) of the lower structure (50) and by complementary recesses (23) in the base surface of the buoyant bodies (1) of the structure (50) arranged above.

20. Tower structure according to claim 19, wherein the base structure (2) of the respective upper buoyant structure (50) is connected to the base structure (2) of the lower buoyant structure (50) by diagonal connectors (15).

21. Tower structure according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the lowermost level is designed as a buoyant module (60) according to one of claims 17 or 18.

22. Floatable modular surface structure (150) with one or a plurality of buoyant structures (50) arranged next to one another according to one of claims 13 to 16 and / or with one or a plurality of buoyant modules (60) according to one of claims 17 or 18 and / or with one or a plurality of tower structures (200) according to one of claims 19 to 21, which are connected to one another via the complementary connecting means (30) of horizontally adjacent buoyant bodies (1).

23. Surface structure (150) according to claim 22, wherein the buoyant structures (50) and / or the buoyant modules (60) and / or the tower structures (200) are arranged at least partially in a checkerboard pattern and / or horizontally overlapping.

24. Platform (300) of modular construction from one or more buoyant structures (50) according to one of claims 13 to 16 and / or buoyant modules (60) according to one of claims 17 or 18 and / or one or more tower structures according to claims 19 to 21 or one or more surface structures (150) according to one of claims 22 or 23 for the floating support of superstructures, elevations for solar systems and / or wind turbines.

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