Floating modular station mooring system and floating modular station

Abstract

The invention relates to a mooring system (1) for floating modules of a modular floating station on a body of water, the mooring system (1) comprising: - a plurality of main lines (2) essentially parallel to each other; - a plurality of sets of anchor lines (4a, 4b), each set of anchor lines (4a, 4b) being associated with a main line in order to keep said main line submerged at a non-zero depth H of the body of water; - a plurality of sets of secondary lines (3a, 3b) intended to secure the floating modules to the main lines (2). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Mooring system for a floating modular station and floating modular station FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of energy production, and in particular to the field of solar energy production. In particular, the invention relates to a mooring system for floating modules of a floating modular station, and in particular a floating modular solar station.

[0002] The mooring system according to the present invention is in particular designed to provide sufficient stability to the modular floating station when the body of water on which it floats becomes agitated, but also to allow the passage of floating boats for maintenance purposes.

[0003] The invention also relates to a floating modular installation equipped with the mooring system according to the present invention. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Document WO 2022 / 242858 A1 describes a method for manufacturing and assembling a floating installation on a body of water. In particular, the floating installation comprises rows of floats arranged in pairs of rows supporting photovoltaic panels. Also in this document, and particularly in relation to Figure 10 thereof, the floating installation includes a mooring system provided with cables 510 and cables 520 intended to ensure the stability of the floating installation.

[0005] However, the mooring system proposed in document WO 2022 / 242858 Al is not satisfactory.

[0006] Indeed, cables 510 and 520, illustrated in Figure 10 of document WO 2022 / 242858 A1, are located on, or near the surface of, the body of water on which the floating installation is floating. More specifically, cables 510 and 520 form a perimeter delimiting the floating installation and thus make access, for example by boat, to the navigation areas between the pairs of rows.

[0007] Moreover, the mesh of the mooring system remains of limited density and does not provide sufficient stability to the floating installation with regard to water movements that may occur in the event of bad weather or wind.

[0008] US documents 2017 / 0033732A1, US 2018 / 001975 A1, and WO 2014 / 136107 A1 also propose mooring systems which suffer from the same limitations and are, consequently, not satisfactory.

[0009] Thus, one object of the present invention is to propose a mooring system for a floating modular station giving said floating modular station sufficient stability with regard to water movements that may occur in the event of bad weather or wind.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is also to propose a mooring system allowing free access, for example by means of a floating craft, to the navigation spaces provided between the pairs of rows.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a floating installation equipped with a mooring system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The objectives are, at least in part, achieved by a mooring system for floating modules of a modular floating station on a body of water, the mooring system comprising:

[0013] - a plurality of main lines essentially parallel to each other;

[0014] - a plurality of anchor line sets, each anchor line set being associated with a main line in order to keep said main line submerged at a non-zero depth H of the body of water;

[0015] - a plurality of sets of secondary lines intended to secure the modules floating to the main lines.

[0016] According to one embodiment, each anchor line comprises a first end by which it is connected to the main line to which it is associated and a second end by which it is anchored to the bottom of the body of water.

[0017] According to one embodiment, said anchoring system comprises a plurality of blocks, for example of concrete, each block being linked to the second end of an anchor line and resting on the bottom of the body of water.

[0018] According to one embodiment, said mooring system comprises a plurality of anchors, each anchor being linked to the second end of an anchor line and is configured to anchor said anchor line to the bottom of the body of water.

[0019] According to one embodiment, each anchor line set comprises end anchor lines and at least one intermediate anchor line, each end anchor line is linked to one end of the main line, while the at least one intermediate anchor line is linked to the main line at a distance from either of the two ends of said main line.

[0020] The invention also relates to a floating modular installation which includes:

[0021] - the mooring system according to the present invention;

[0022] - a plurality of rows of floats arranged in an essentially perpendicular to the main lines, each row of floats being linked to each of the main lines via a secondary line.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the lengths of the secondary lines linking a row of floats are adjusted to maintain essentially equivalent buoyancy from one float to another in the row of floats considered.

[0024] According to one embodiment, each main line comprises two end sections and a central section, the secondary lines linking a row of floats to an end section being longer than the secondary lines linking said row of floats to the central section.

[0025] According to one embodiment, each row of floats comprises a plurality of floats joined together, advantageously two by two.

[0026] According to one embodiment, each float comprises a hollow metal cylinder in which flotation means are arranged, advantageously each flotation means comprises an inflatable structure.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the rows of floats are arranged in pairs of rows, the pairs of rows being arranged to leave a navigation channel between two pairs of adjacent rows.

[0028] According to one embodiment, each pair of rows supports solar panels. Brief description of the drawings

[0029] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description that follows, with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0030] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an example system mooring by a top view and in accordance with the principles set forth in the present invention;

[0031] [Fig.2] Fig.2 is a schematic representation of a main line associated to its set of secondary lines and anchor lines, [Fig.2] represents in particular the arrangement of the main line in relation to the bottom and the surface of the body of water;

[0032] [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] is a schematic representation of a floating modular installation equipped with the mooring system according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] The proposed mooring system is intended to stabilize a modular installation of floating modules, suitable for various bodies of water such as lakes, coastal basins, sheltered bays, or shallow areas near the coast.

[0034] This structure is designed to support both fixed loads, such as solar panels, and allow safe passage of boats, while adapting to the movements and variations of the aquatic environment.

[0035] In [Fig.1], an example of a mooring system 1 according to the present invention can be seen.

[0036] In [Fig. 2], a partial view of the mooring system of [Fig. 1] and its arrangement in relation to a body of water can be seen. In particular, [Fig. 2] partially illustrates the mooring system in relation to the bottom F and the surface S of the body of water E.

[0037] The mooring system 1 comprises a set of main lines 2 submerged at a depth H ([Fig. 2]) relative to the surface S, which can be adjusted according to the specific requirements of the installation. In a marine environment, the submersion depth of the main lines 2 can be adjusted between 0.75 meters and 5 meters, advantageously between 1 meter and 3 meters. It is understood that the depth H is measured

[0038] The main lines 2 are advantageously essentially parallel to each other.

[0039] These main lines 2, designed to withstand harsh underwater conditions, can be made of galvanized steel cables, which offer excellent tensile strength and increased durability in a marine environment. Alternatively, the main lines can comprise chains.

[0040] A lighter and more flexible alternative consists of high-density polymer lines, such as polyethylene (HDPE) or reinforced polypropylene. These materials are chosen for their corrosion resistance, durability, and ability to withstand the dynamic forces of water.

[0041] To keep these main lines 2 in a submerged position, sets of anchor lines 4a, 4b may be considered. Each set of anchor lines 4a, 4b is connected to a main line 2 and extends down to the bottom F of the body of water.

[0042] An anchor line 4a, 4b type can be made of materials such as polypropylene or nylon, capable of withstanding high tensile loads and variations in tension due to the movements of the floating modules.

[0043] Each anchor line 4a, 4b has two ends: a first end attached to the main line 2, for example, by means of stainless steel shackles, reinforced to withstand seawater and temperature variations, or of swivels that limit the effects of twisting due to currents and the movements of the floats described later in this statement. The second end of the anchor line is securely anchored to the seabed.

[0044] This type of anchoring is ensured by blocks, for example dense concrete blocks 5 ([Fig.2]), weighing for example between 500 kg and 1000 kg depending on the dimensions and the load to be stabilized, which rest directly on the bottom F. These concrete blocks 5 are ideal for rocky or stable bottoms.

[0045] In softer soils, such as sandy bottoms, galvanized metal screw anchors or anchor piles, for example 1 to 2 meters in length, can be used to ensure firm and durable anchoring.

[0046] It was observed by the inventors that each main line had a bend, towards the bottom F, on two end sections la, 1b while a central section le, intercalated between the two end sections la, 1b was at a relatively constant depth.

[0047] Thus, the anchor lines 4a, 4b are organized into two main types to ensure the longitudinal stability of the structure. The end anchor lines 4a are attached to the ends of the main lines 2, ensuring a solid fixing at the critical points of each main line 2. These anchor lines can be reinforced to withstand maximum stresses.

[0048] Between these end points, intermediate anchor lines 4b are positioned, for example regularly, to maintain a uniform immersion of the main line 2 over its entire length, thus reducing the effects of bending or twisting.

[0049] In a standard configuration, for example, an intermediate anchor line could be provided every 10 to 20 meters for main lines 2 of 50 meters in length.

[0050] Figure 3 illustrates a floating modular installation 10. The latter comprises a plurality of floating modules 11 formed by rows of floats 12 arranged essentially perpendicular to the main lines, each row of floats being linked to each of the main lines by means of a secondary line 3a, 3b.

[0051] These secondary lines 3a, 3b, often made of high-density polyethylene, can be designed to be floating, in order to maintain a flexible but constant connection between the modules and the main lines 2.

[0052] The lengths of these secondary lines 3a, 3b can be adjusted to balance the waterline height of the modules, and in particular to compensate for the deflection of the main lines at the end section. Thus, in a row of floating modules, the secondary lines 3a, 3b at the ends could measure 1.2 meters, while the central secondary lines would be shorter, at approximately 1 meter.

[0053] This makes it possible to maintain uniform flotation stability despite the variable loads that may be applied to the ends of each row.

[0054] The floating modules themselves are generally hollow metal cylinders 11, such as stainless steel or aluminium treated for marine environments.

[0055] Inside each cylinder are flotation devices, for example inflatable chambers made of waterproof material or polyurethane foam, providing a stable load-bearing capacity ensuring the safety of the structure even in the event of partial damage to a module.

[0056] These floats are arranged in rows perpendicular to the main lines 2 and are joined together to create a continuous structure. A typical configuration includes rows of floats arranged in pairs 13, leaving between them navigation channels 14, for example approximately 1 to 3 meters wide, allowing the passage of small boats and thus facilitating the inspection and maintenance of the installation.

[0057] This modular installation can be optimized to accommodate 15 solar panels. The pairs of rows of floats provide a stable base for solar panel supports, anchored directly to the floats. This arrangement allows for the efficient use of the water surface to generate renewable energy, with each panel optimally oriented to maximize solar exposure according to the structure's geographical location.

[0058] This modular mooring system 1 is therefore adaptable to different types of bodies of water, from small lakes to larger coastal areas, and gives the installation increased resistance, deployment flexibility, and easy access for maintenance and inspection operations.

[0059] The mooring system according to the present invention makes it possible to avoid the use of temporary anchors and makes it possible to secure the floating modular installation at all times, also during the installation phase.

[0060] The mooring system according to the present invention also limits the need for divers to intervene once the mooring system is in place on the body of water. Indeed, all the ends of the secondary lines are accessible from a boat, for example, via temporary buoys and / or connection points on the floats.

[0061] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and alternative embodiments can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

Demands

1. Mooring system (1) for floating modules of a modular floating station on a body of water, the mooring system (1) comprising: - a plurality of main lines (2) essentially parallel to each other; - a plurality of sets of anchor lines (4a, 4b), each set of anchor lines (4a, 4b) being associated with a main line in order to keep said main line submerged at a non-zero depth H of the body of water; - a plurality of sets of secondary lines (3a, 3b) intended to secure the floating modules to the main lines (2).

2. Mooring system (1) according to claim 1, wherein each anchor line (4a, 4b) comprises a first end by which it is connected to the main line to which it is associated and a second end by which it is anchored to the bottom of the body of water.

3. Mooring system (1) according to claim 2, wherein said anchoring system comprises a plurality of blocks, for example concrete blocks, each block being linked to the second end of an anchor line (4a, 4b) and resting on the bottom of the body of water.

4. Mooring system (1) according to claim 2, wherein said mooring system (1) comprises a plurality of anchors, each anchor being linked to the second end of an anchor line (4a, 4b) and is configured to anchor said anchor line (4a, 4b) to the bottom of the body of water.

5. Mooring system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each set of mooring lines (4a, 4b) comprises end mooring lines (4a) and at least one intermediate mooring line (4a, 4b), each end mooring line (4a) is connected to one end of the main line, while the at least one intermediate mooring line (4b) is connected to the main line at a distance from either of the two ends of said main line.

6. A modular floating installation (10) comprising: - the mooring system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5; - a plurality of floating modules formed by rows of floats arranged essentially perpendicular to the main lines (2), each row of floats being linked to each of the main lines (2) via a secondary line (3a, 3b).

7. Installation according to claim 6, wherein the lengths of the secondary lines (3a, 3b) linking a row of floats are adjusted to maintain essentially equivalent buoyancy from one float to another in the row of floats considered.

8. Installation according to claim 7, wherein each main line comprises two end sections (la, 1b) and a central section (le), the secondary lines (3a, 3b) linking a row of floats to an end section (la, 1b) being longer than the secondary lines (3a, 3b) linking said row of floats to the central section (le).

9. An installation according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein each row of floats comprises a plurality of floats joined together, advantageously two by two.

10. Installation according to claim 9, wherein each float comprises a hollow metal cylinder in which flotation means are arranged, advantageously each flotation means comprises an inflatable structure.

11. An installation according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the rows of floats are arranged in pairs of rows (13), the pairs of rows (13) being arranged to leave a navigation channel between two pairs of adjacent rows (13).

12. Installation according to claim 11, wherein each pair of rows supports solar panels.

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