Floating PV device for fixing a photovoltaic (PV) module

Abstract

A floating PV fixing device for fixing a plurality of floating photovoltaic (PV) modules (2) for generating electric power is provided. The floating PV fixing device includes a main buoyancy assembly (3) that provides an enclosure for the plurality of PV modules and means for fixing the plurality of PV modules, a plurality of vertical lines (4) and a plurality of horizontal lines (5), each end of the lines being fixed to a predetermined fixing point (50) on the main buoyancy assembly (3) and tensioned to form a grid (10) within the main buoyancy assembly (3), a plurality of fixing units (6) for locking intersections between the vertical lines (4) and the horizontal lines (5) of the grid (10), the plurality of fixing units (6) also functioning as means for fixing the plurality of PV modules (2), and a plurality of mooring lines (7) and a plurality of anchors (8), one end of each mooring line being connected to a predetermined fixing point and the other end of the mooring line (7) being connected to an anchor (8) on the seabed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to floating and mooring facilities for fixing a photovoltaic module that generates photovoltaic energy in a predetermined area.

Background Art

[0002] Floating photovoltaic facilities are preferably located in sea areas with the most sunshine hours annually and in remote areas far from known shipping lanes. However, these areas are typically warm sea waters near the equator. The sea areas at or near the equator are also considered hotspots where tropical cyclones such as hurricanes and typhoons frequently occur. Therefore, it is essential that such facilities be constructed firmly to withstand the powerful forces of nature.

[0003] International Publication No. 2021 / 035259 describes a system for a floating grid that functions as a support structure for floating solar panels. The system does not disclose anything about whether it can withstand severe ocean conditions and protect the structural integrity of the solar panels from such conditions.

[0004] International Publication No. 2017 / 023536 is prior art that discloses a similar floating support grid for photovoltaic panels, which is made from a combination of polymer tubes and metal frames. The tubes provide buoyancy to the structure, and the solar panels are attached to rigid metal rods, which are in turn attached to the tubes. The frame-like structure is moored via mooring lines attached to two or more of the corners of the frame.

[0005] In the prior art, a rather rigid structure is created where all forces need to be absorbed by the frame. Both the tubes and the metal bars need to withstand relative movement, otherwise it will be transmitted to the panel. If a part of the structure is damaged, a significantly large load will be imposed on the panel and the structure near the damaged area. As a result, the prior art does not describe a sufficiently robust technical solution that can withstand severe ocean conditions.

[0006] Another prior art that discloses a floating grid system describes in International Publication No. WO 2007 / 081221 a floating grid system for mooring mobile ocean units such as a drilling rig and an FPSO, which are arranged in a predetermined working area. However, such a solution is mainly carried out for mooring and accommodating large ships. The grid is arranged as a "pseudo-seabed" at a certain distance below the water surface. The above-mentioned large ships can withstand severe ocean conditions by themselves, and the above-mentioned floating grid system is arranged significantly below the water surface affected by waves. This does not provide protection against large waves and storms other than mooring.

Summary of the Invention

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for fixing a photovoltaic module within a floating grid enclosure that can withstand severe ocean conditions.

[0008] An object of the present invention is also to provide a floating PV fixing device for fixing a plurality of floating photovoltaic (PV) modules that generate electric power, the fixing device comprising a main buoyancy assembly that provides an enclosure for the plurality of PV modules and means for fixing the plurality of PV modules, a plurality of flexible vertical lines and a plurality of flexible horizontal lines, each end of the lines being fixed to a predetermined fixing point on the main buoyancy assembly and tensioned to form a grid within the assembly, a plurality of fixing units for locking intersections between the vertical lines and the horizontal lines of the grid, the plurality of fixing units also functioning as means for fixing the plurality of PV modules, and a plurality of mooring lines and a plurality of anchors, one end of each mooring line being connected to the main buoyancy assembly and the other end of the mooring line being connected to an anchor on the seabed.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main buoyancy assembly comprises first, second, third, and fourth elongated buoyancy elements that form a rectangular frame.

[0010] In a more preferred embodiment, the elongated buoyancy elements are interconnected via flexible vertical and horizontal lines without being directly fixed to each other.

[0011] According to a further embodiment, each of the elongated buoyancy elements has a predetermined number of predetermined fixing points.

[0012] In an alternative embodiment, the first, second, third, and fourth elongated buoyancy elements are formed as one piece.

[0013] In a further alternative embodiment, the main buoyancy assembly forms a buoyant circular frame.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, each fixing unit includes a first internal coupler unit, a second coupler unit, a base having a threaded portion for holding the first and second coupler units, and a lid screwed onto the base for locking the fixing unit.

[0015] In a further embodiment, the plurality of mooring lines includes mooring ropes, and each mooring rope is fixed to at least two or three or more predetermined fixing points and an anchor.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Figures 1 - 3 show the floating photovoltaic (PV) fixing device 1 or, hereinafter, the floating mooring grid 1 intended to function as a robust and stable anchor area at a given position for a plurality of floating PV modules 2. The floating mooring grid 1 comprises a main buoyancy assembly 3 including elongated first, second, third, and fourth buoyancy elements 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d forming a rectangular buoyancy frame surrounding a plurality of floating photovoltaic modules 2. In an embodiment, in the above device, the elongated buoyancy elements 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d can be tubes made of a polymer material or metal. In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 - 3, the elongated buoyancy elements are not directly connected to each other at the corners of the frame but are arranged while maintaining a short distance from each other. Thus, the tubes constituting the buoyancy elements can move somewhat freely relative to each other.

[0018] The floating mooring grid 1 further comprises a plurality of flexible vertical lines 4 and a plurality of flexible horizontal lines 5. The first end of each vertical line 4 is fixed to the first elongated buoyancy element 3a, and the second end on the opposite side of each vertical line 4 is fixed to the third elongated buoyancy element 3c. The first end of each of the horizontal lines 5 is fixed to the second elongated buoyancy element 3b, and the second end on the opposite side of each of the horizontal lines 5 is fixed to the fourth elongated buoyancy element 3d. The plurality of vertical lines 4 and the plurality of horizontal lines 5 are provided in a tensioned state to maintain the shape and structural integrity of the floating mooring grid 1 as described below. The lines are preferably fixed at equal intervals along the tubes. The flexible lines are preferably made of ropes such as synthetic fiber ropes, for example, nylon, polypropylene, polyester, Kevlar, HMPE, or other materials known to have long durability in a marine environment.

[0019] As will be described in detail below, the tubes 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d are moored to apply tension to the flexible lines 4, 5, whereby the flexible lines 4, 5 are taut between the tubes.

[0020] Figure 4 shows a preferred embodiment in which the plurality of vertical lines 4 and horizontal lines 5 are coupled to predetermined fixed points 50 on the elongated buoyancy elements 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d to provide tension to the plurality of vertical lines 4 and horizontal lines 5. As shown in Figure 4, the connection of the lines can be made by wrapping the line around the tube one or more times and attaching the end of the line to a portion extending between the tubes. The fixed point 50 may simply be a uniform surface of the tube, but may also include a groove around the tube, or a ridge between which the line is disposed.

[0021] As shown in Figure 10, at each intersection 10' between the vertical line 4 and the horizontal line 5, the vertical line 4 and the horizontal line 5 are locked to each other by a fixing unit 6. The fixing unit 6 resists the vertical and horizontal movement of the vertical line 4 and the horizontal line 5. The combination of the plurality of vertical lines 4 and horizontal lines 5 and the fixing unit 6 forms a plurality of rectangular enclosures or spaces 40 (see Figure 3) within the main buoyancy assembly 3, and actually forms the grid 10 of the floating mooring grid 1. Each rectangular enclosure 40 includes two portions of the vertical line 4, two portions of the horizontal line 5, and four fixing units 6. Each rectangular enclosure 40 is intended to accommodate a floating photovoltaic module 2, and the floating photovoltaic module 2 can be moored or fixed to four adjacent fixing units 6 of the rectangular enclosure 40 by at least connecting lines 2a, preferably four connecting lines 2a.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 9, an embodiment of the fixing unit 6 includes the following components: a first internal coupler unit 6a, a second coupler unit 6b, a base 6c having a threaded portion for holding the first and second coupler units 6a, 6b, and a lid 6d screwed into the base 6c for fixing itself and the above components 6a, 6b, 6c at the intersection 10' of the vertical line 4 and the horizontal line 5. The first and second coupler units 6a, 6b and the base 6c are configured to provide a fit at the intersection 10' of the vertical line 4 and the horizontal line 5.

[0023] The above components 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d of the fixing unit 6 can be made of buoyant material, which can prove useful during installation or maintenance at the open water site. The fixing unit 6 is intended to provide a simple and direct means for fixing the intersection 10' of the above vertical line 4 and horizontal line 5.

[0024] The fixing unit 6 is designed to limit longitudinal movement at those intersections of the lines, but the fixing unit may be designed to allow longitudinal movement when the tension in the lines exceeds a predetermined value. The predetermined value is lower than the breaking strength of the lines. By doing so, the structure can withstand greater forces without being destroyed.

[0025] When the structure receives a force that slides the line relative to the fixing unit, the unit can be disengaged later, the rope can be moved to the correct position, and the fixing unit can be reinstalled in the correct position.

[0026] Embodiments of the mooring configuration are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, where each mooring line 7 is fixed to the floating mooring grid 1 at a predetermined fixed point 50, and the fixed point 50 may be the same location or a different location from the fixed points of the flexible lines 4, 5. The opposite end of the mooring line 7 is connected to an anchor 8 disposed on the seabed as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 5, an alternative embodiment of the mooring configuration includes a mooring rope 7a, which is connected to at least two or more predetermined fixed points 50 and an anchor 8. The mooring rope 7a can also include additional buoyancy elements 30, as shown in FIG. 6, to provide additional buoyancy to the floating mooring grid 1 and the mooring line 7 or the mooring rope 7a.

[0028] The mooring tension from the mooring line 7 is selected to provide the tension of the flexible lines 4 and 5 within a predetermined range. The tension can be adjusted by adjusting the length of the mooring line 7 or repositioning the anchor 8.

[0029] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the main buoyancy assembly 3 can be a buoyant circular frame 3f, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The circular frame 3f can be made of a single tube or a plurality of composite tubes made of a polymer material or metal. The plurality of vertical lines 4 and horizontal lines 5 are also tied to predetermined fixed points 50 on the circular frame 3f to provide tension to the plurality of vertical lines 4 and horizontal lines 5.

[0030] In the embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 8, when the flexible lines 4, 5 are attached to the circular frame 3f, pre-tensioning of the lines 4, 5 can be performed. The mooring line 7 can affect the tension of the lines 4, 5 by deforming the circular frame 3f. In that case, for example, while the tension of the lines 4, 5 extending in the longitudinal direction can increase, the tension of the lines 4, 5 extending intersecting the vertical lines 4, 5 can decrease. Therefore, it is conceivable to have means for transmitting the mooring tension from the mooring lines 7, 7a to each flexible line 4, 5. This may be by providing a direct connection part 50a between the mooring lines 7, 7a and the flexible lines 4, 5. For example, by providing a mechanism 50a on the circular frame 3f that enables the flexible lines 4, 5 and the mooring lines 7, 7a to move in a direction intersecting the circular frame 3f. This can be a pulley 50a through which a continuous line can extend, or a connecting piece 50a to which the mooring line and the flexible line are attached, and which can enable movement relative to the circular frame.

[0031] Another alternative is to provide joints 300, such as one or more telescopic joints 300 that enable the increase or decrease of the circumference of the circular frame 3f, as shown in FIGS. 8, 11, and 12, on the circular frame 3f.

[0032] The elongated buoyancy elements 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d can also have at least one or more telescopic joints 300 that enable the increase or decrease of their respective lengths in order to achieve a preferable tension in the mooring lines 7, 7a and the flexible lines 4, 5.

Claims

1. A floating photovoltaic (PV) fixing device (1) for fixing a plurality of floating photovoltaic (PV) modules (2) that generate electricity, wherein the floating photovoltaic (PV) fixing device (1) comprises: A main buoyancy assembly (3) that provides an enclosure for the plurality of PV modules (2) and means for fixing the plurality of PV modules (2); A plurality of flexible vertical lines (4) and a plurality of flexible horizontal lines (5), Each end of the plurality of flexible lines (4, 5) is fixed to a predetermined fixing point (50) on the main buoyancy assembly (3), forming a grid (10) within the main buoyancy assembly (3), and the grid (10) forms a plurality of spaces (40) for accommodating at least one floating photovoltaic module (2), the plurality of flexible vertical lines (4) and the plurality of flexible horizontal lines (5); A plurality of fixing units (6) for locking intersections (10') between the flexible vertical lines (4) and the flexible horizontal lines (5) of the grid (10), The plurality of fixing units (6) also function as means for fixing the floating photovoltaic module (2), the plurality of fixing units (6); A plurality of mooring lines (7) and a plurality of anchors (8), One end of the mooring line (7) is connected to the main buoyancy assembly (3), and the other end of the mooring line (7) is connected to an anchor (8) on the seabed, the plurality of mooring lines (7) and the plurality of anchors (8) A floating photovoltaic (PV) fixing device (1) comprising.

2. The floating photovoltaic (PV) fixing device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the main buoyancy assembly (3) further comprises first, second, third, and fourth elongated buoyancy elements (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) that form a rectangular frame.

3. The floating photovoltaic (PV) fixing device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the elongated buoyancy elements (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) are connected via the flexible vertical lines (4, 5) without being directly fixed to each other.

4. The floating photovoltaic (PV) fixing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the elongated buoyancy elements (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) has a predetermined number of predetermined fixing points (50).

5. The floating photovoltaic (PV) fixing device (1) according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the first, second, third and fourth elongated buoyancy elements (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) are formed as one part.

6. The floating photovoltaic (PV) fixing device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the main buoyancy assembly (3) forms a buoyant circular frame (3f).

7. The floating photovoltaic (PV) fixing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the fixing unit (6) further comprises a first internal coupler unit (6a), a second coupler unit (6b), a base (6c) having a threaded portion for holding the first internal coupler unit (6a) and the second coupler unit (6b), and a lid (6d) screwed onto the base (6c) for locking the fixing unit (6).

8. The floating photovoltaic (PV) fixing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the PV module (2) is fixed to the fixing unit (6) by at least one connecting line (2a).

9. The plurality of mooring lines (7) further includes a mooring rope (7a), The floating photovoltaic (PV) fixing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the mooring rope (7a) is fixed to at least two or three or more predetermined fixing points (50) and an anchor (8).

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