Floating structure and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

The floating structure (1) for supporting solar panels comprises a frame (2) extending in a main plane and a plurality of elongated buoyant members (5) each having a longitudinal direction extending transversely of the main plane. Each of the buoyant members (5) has an upper part (5a) fixed to the frame (2) above the lower side (4) of the frame (2), and a lower part (5b) protruding from the lower side (4) of the frame (2). The upper part (5a) and the lower part (5b) are separate elements fixed to each other.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a floating structure for supporting solar panels. [Background technology]

[0002] Such a floating structure is known from US Pat. No. 5,649,499. The known floating structure is part of a number of interconnected platforms intended to be deployed offshore. Each of the platforms has a number of buoyant members supporting the platform. The platforms have a substantially triangular plan shape. Adjacent triangular platforms are pivotally connected to each other. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2022 / 135730 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved floating structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This object is achieved by a floating structure according to the invention, which comprises a frame extending in a main plane and a plurality of elongate buoyant members each having a longitudinal direction extending transversely of the main plane, each of the buoyant members having an upper part fixed to the frame above the underside of the frame and a lower part protruding from the underside of the frame, the upper and lower parts being separate elements fixed to each other.

[0006] An advantage of the floating structure according to the invention is that it offers the opportunity to transport long buoyant members in separate smaller parts to a site where they are assembled, for example the upper and lower parts may be sized to fit into standard shipping containers.

[0007] An additional advantage is that it provides the opportunity to apply lower parts with different dimensions and / or shapes, for example the upper part and frame may have standardized dimensions and / or shapes, but the lower part may vary from one floating structure to another.

[0008] It should be noted that the floating structure may also be suitable for supporting alternative superstructures, for example wind turbines.

[0009] The lower portion may be releasably secured to the upper portion, for example by bolting.

[0010] The upper and lower portions may be provided with cooperating flanges through which the upper and lower portions are attached to one another. When the flanges are located outside the buoyant member, they may function as spray rails when the flanges are above water level under operating conditions, or as heave plates when the flanges are below water level under operating conditions.

[0011] Where the upper and lower portions are fixed together, stiffening elements, such as circumferential stiffening plates, may be provided on the inside or outside of the buoyant member.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the upper portion has a peripheral wall including a lower end portion having a larger cross-sectional area than the upper end portion, and the peripheral wall extends in a direction from its upper end portion to its lower end portion such that two of the same upper portions as separate elements partially fit together, so that multiple identical upper portions can be partially nested within each other during transportation to the destination before assembling the floating structure, thereby saving on transportation volume. The peripheral wall of the upper portion may be conical or frustoconical, or may have a pyramidal shape, etc.

[0013] Similarly, a lower portion may have a peripheral wall including a lower end portion having a smaller cross-sectional area than its upper end portion, the peripheral wall expanding in a direction from its lower end portion to its upper end portion such that two of the same lower portions as separate elements partially fit together. The peripheral wall of a lower portion may be conical or frustoconical, or may have a pyramidal shape, etc.

[0014] The length of the lower portion may be different from, and preferably longer than, the length of the upper portion as measured in the longitudinal direction of the buoyant member.

[0015] The buoyant member may have a circular cross section, thereby minimizing tensile loads under operating conditions, although the buoyant member may also have a polygonal cross section, an elliptical cross section, etc.

[0016] The frame may have a generally polygonal shape in a major plane including a plurality of corners.

[0017] The buoyant members may be placed at the corners to maximize stability and optimize the hydrodynamic performance of the floating structure.

[0018] The floating structure may have a coupling member for coupling to another floating structure, the coupling member being mounted at the corner when the buoyant member is arranged at the corner. This is advantageous because the buoyant member provides a relatively high rigidity to the corner of the frame. The coupling member may form a protrusion directed outward from the floating structure, for example in the form of a tripod.

[0019] The frame may have a triangular shape.

[0020] Preferably, the frame has a three-dimensional truss structure with interconnected beams, and the upper portions of the buoyancy members are integral with the three-dimensional truss structure, forming the upright beams of the truss structure and thus providing a robust structure. Furthermore, the buoyancy members have two functions: they improve the robustness of the floating structure and provide buoyancy, which means efficient use of materials. When the frame is positioned above water level under operating conditions, the upper portions of the buoyancy members function as stiffeners. When the frame is positioned below water level or partially below water level under operating conditions, the upper portions of the buoyancy members function not only as stiffeners but also as buoyancy. The upper portions also provide a volume that can be used to accommodate other equipment, such as equipment that should preferably be retained in the enclosure. Similarly, the lower portions also provide a volume that can be used to accommodate other equipment or ballast, for example.

[0021] The interconnected beams of the frame may be releasably fastened to one another, meaning that the floating structure has a modular construction that offers the opportunity to transport all the separate elements to the site where they are assembled to form the floating structure. Nevertheless, the beams may also be welded to one another, for example.

[0022] The upper portion may have a lower connector and an upper connector for connection to respective beams of the truss structure, the lower connector and the upper connector being spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the buoyant member.

[0023] If the upper portion has a peripheral wall extending from the upper end portion to its lower end portion, the lower connector may be located outside the lower end portion, and the upper connector may be located axially above the upper portion. The upper connector and / or the lower connector may be protrusions, which may be welded to the upper portion. Preferably, the protrusions are only on the outside of the lower end portion of the upper portion, but away from the lower end portion, there are substantially no protrusions on the outside of the peripheral wall. Thus, nesting of the upper portion remains possible.

[0024] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a floating structure as described above, wherein the upper and lower parts are supplied as separate elements, the upper part is placed in an upright orientation on supports and fixed to a frame, thus forming an intermediate structure, which is then lifted and the lower and upper parts are fixed to each other.

[0025] In a particular method where the frame has a three-dimensional truss structure, the upper and lower parts and the beams are supplied as separate pieces, the upper part is placed in an upright orientation on supports, the beams and upper part are secured to each other, thus forming an intermediate structure, after which the intermediate structure is lifted and the lower part and upper part are secured to each other.

[0026] Before lifting the intermediate structure, further components such as solar panels may be mounted on the intermediate structure.

[0027] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to highly schematic drawings showing embodiments of the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a floating structure according to the present invention; [Figure 2] This is a diagram similar to FIG. 1, but with a portion enlarged. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing two interconnected identical floating structures. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a series of parts of the floating structure shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing an intermediate configuration of the floating structure. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing the final configuration of the floating structure. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing an alternative embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Figure 1 shows one embodiment of a floating structure 1 according to the present invention. The floating structure 1 supports solar panels (not shown) and is intended to be deployed offshore. The floating structure 1 comprises a frame 2 having a three-dimensional truss structure with interconnected beams. The frame 2 extends in a main plane and has an upper side 3 and a lower side 4. In the embodiment as shown in Figure 1, the frame 2 has an equilateral triangular shape in the main plane and includes three corners, although alternative embodiments (not shown) may have a different polygonal shape including multiple corners.

[0030] The floating structure 1 comprises three elongated buoyant members 5 arranged at respective corners of the frame 2. Figure 2 shows one of the buoyant members 5 in more detail. Each of the buoyant members 5 has a centerline CL in its longitudinal direction extending perpendicular to the main plane. The buoyant members 5 have a circular cross section.

[0031] Each of the buoyant members 5 comprises an upper part 5a arranged on the frame 2 above its lower side 4, and a lower part 5b protruding from the lower side 4 of the frame 2. The length of the lower part 5b is greater than the length of the upper part 5a, as measured along the center line CL. Figure 2 shows that the upper part 5a forms an upright beam of the truss structure of the frame 2, which means that the upper part 5a is integral with the frame 2.

[0032] The upper and lower portions 5a, 5b are separate elements secured to one another. Both the upper and lower portions 5a, 5b of the buoyancy member 5 are conical so that two of the same upper portions 5a partially fit together and two of the same lower portions 5b partially fit together before being secured to one another. This provides an opportunity to transport the upper and lower portions 5a, 5b in an efficient manner to a site where they are assembled to form the complete buoyancy member 5. FIG. 4 shows a series of partially nested upper portions 5a. Referring to FIG. 2, the upper portion 5a has a peripheral wall including a lower end portion 6 having a larger cross-sectional area than its upper end portion 7, and the lower portion 5b has a peripheral wall including a lower end portion 8 having a smaller cross-sectional area than its upper end portion 9.

[0033] The lower end portion 6 of the upper portion 5a and the upper end portion 9 of the lower portion 5b are provided with cooperating flanges 10 through which the upper and lower portions 5a, 5b are bolted together. The upper side of the upper portion 5a and the lower side of the lower portion 5b are closed by upper closure 11 and lower closure 12, respectively.

[0034] 2 and 4, an outwardly protruding lower connector 13 is provided on the outside of the lower end portion 6 of the upper portion 5a and is welded to the upper portion 5a. The beams of the frame 2 are connected to the lower connector 13. An upper closure 11 of the upper portion 5a, i.e., the axial upper end of the upper portion 5a, is provided with an upper connector 14. Applying an outwardly protruding upper connector to the outside of the upper end portion 7 of the upper portion 5a is undesirable because it makes it more difficult to nest a series of upper portions 5a.

[0035] FIG. 3 shows two substantially identical interconnected floating structures 1. Both floating structures 1 are provided with pairs of connecting members in the form of pairs of tripods 15 at their corners, which are adapted to allow the floating structures 1 to pivot relative to each other without contacting each other under operating conditions on water. To avoid collisions of the lower parts 5b, the distance between the frames 2 is relatively large. This provides an opportunity to position solar panels beyond the outer edge of the upper side 3 of each frame 2, since the relative displacement at the height level of the frames 2 is lower than the relative displacement of the lower end portion 8 of the lower parts 5b. It should be noted that in practice, three or more similar floating structures 1 may be pivotally connected to each other. The tripods 15 are attached to the upper parts 5a of the buoyant members 5, thus forming part of the three-dimensional truss structure of the frames 2. Providing the tripods 15 at the corners is advantageous, since the upper parts 5a provide relatively high rigidity to the corners of the frames 2.

[0036] 5 and 6 show successive steps of a method for assembling the floating structure 1 as shown in FIG. 1. Three of the upper parts 5a are supplied as separate parts and placed in an upright orientation on the floor or building platform of the site where the floating structure 1 is to be assembled. The beams forming the three-dimensional truss structure are also supplied as separate parts and are fixed to each other and to the upper parts 5a, for example by bolting. Furthermore, tripods 15 are fixed to the corners of the frame 2. This results in the intermediate configuration 1' as shown in FIG. 5. In a next step, the intermediate configuration 1' is lifted, for example by a crane (not shown), after which the lower parts 5b of the buoyant members 5 are fixed to their respective upper parts 5a. Before lifting the intermediate configuration 1', it is also possible to mount solar panels and / or further components on the upper side 3 of the frame 2.

[0037] Under operating conditions, the upper portion 5a of the buoyant member 5 may be located above the water level and may be submerged or partially submerged.

[0038] From the above, it is clear that the modular design of the buoyant members 5 and frame 2 facilitates transportation, especially when the upper and lower parts 5a, 5b are shaped so that they can nest within one another. In addition, the modular construction facilitates assembly of the floating structure 1 at any desired location.

[0039] Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment of a floating structure 1 having an upper portion 5a and a lower portion 5b that are different from the upper portion 5a and lower portion 5b of the embodiment as shown in Figures 1 to 6. The upper portion 5a of the embodiment as shown in Figure 7 has a shape that forms a suitable support for a tripod 15. The periphery of the lower end of each upper portion 5a is partly arcuate and partly polygonal. The upper end portion of each lower portion 5b has a cross section that is also partly arcuate and partly polygonal to fit the lower end of the upper portion 5a. The upper end portion may be a separate transition portion fixed to the remainder of the lower portion 5b.

[0040] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings and described hereinabove, but it may be varied in different ways within the scope of the claims and their technical equivalents.

[0041] [Additional note 1] A floating structure (1) for supporting solar panels, a frame (2) extending in a main plane; a plurality of elongate buoyant members (5) having respective longitudinal directions extending transversely of said major plane; Equipped with Each of the buoyant members (5) has an upper part (5a) fixed to the frame (2) above the lower side (4) of the frame (2) and a lower part (5b) protruding from the lower side (4) of the frame (2); A floating structure, wherein the upper part (5a) and the lower part (5b) are separate elements fixed to each other. [Additional note 2] The floating structure according to appended claim 1, wherein the lower part (5b) is releasably fixed to the upper part (5a). [Additional note 3] The upper portion (5a) has a peripheral wall including a lower end portion (6) having a cross-sectional area larger than an upper end portion (7) of the upper portion; The floating structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the peripheral wall extends in a direction from the upper end portion (7) of the peripheral wall to the lower end portion (6) of the peripheral wall so that two of the same upper portions (5a) as separate elements partially fit together. [Additional note 4] The lower portion (5b) has a peripheral wall including a lower end portion (8) having a cross-sectional area smaller than that of an upper end portion (9) of the lower portion; 4. The floating structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the peripheral wall extends in a direction from the lower end portion (8) of the peripheral wall to the upper end portion (9) of the peripheral wall so that two of the same lower portions (5b) as separate elements partially fit together. [Additional note 5] 5. The floating structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the length of the lower portion (5b) is different from, and preferably longer than, the length of the upper portion (5a) when measured in the longitudinal direction of the buoyant member (5). [Additional note 6] 6. The floating structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the buoyant member (5) has a circular cross section. [Additional note 7] 7. The floating structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the frame (2) has a substantially polygonal shape in the main plane including a plurality of corners. [Additional note 8] 8. The floating structure according to claim 7, wherein the frame (2) has a triangular shape. [Additional note 9] The floating structure according to any one of appended items 1 to 8, wherein the buoyant members (5) are arranged at the corners. [Additional Note 10] The frame (2) has a three-dimensional truss structure with interconnected beams, 10. The floating structure according to any one of appended items 1 to 9, wherein the upper portion (5a) of the buoyant member (5) forms an upright beam of the truss structure. [Additional Note 11] The floating structure according to claim 10, wherein the interconnected beams of the frame (2) are releasably fixed to each other. [Additional Note 12] The floating structure according to appended item 10 or 11, wherein the upper part (5a) has a lower connector (13) and an upper connector (14) for connection to each beam of the truss structure, and the lower and upper connectors (13, 14) are arranged apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the buoyant member (5). [Additional Note 13] A method for manufacturing a floating structure according to any one of appended claims 1 to 12, A manufacturing method in which the upper (5a) and lower (5b) parts are supplied as separate elements, the upper (5a) is placed in an upright orientation on a support and fixed to the frame (2), thus forming an intermediate structure (1'), after which the intermediate structure (1') is lifted up and the lower (5b) and upper (5a) parts are fixed to each other. [Additional Note 14] A method for manufacturing a floating structure according to any one of appended claims 10 to 12, A manufacturing method in which the upper (5a) and lower (5b) parts and the beam are supplied as separate parts, the upper (5a) is placed in an upright orientation on a support, the beam and the upper (5a) are fixed to each other, thus forming an intermediate structure (1'), after which the intermediate structure (1') is lifted up and the lower (5b) and upper (5a) parts are fixed to each other. [Additional Note 15] 15. The manufacturing method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein a further component, such as a solar panel, is mounted on the intermediate structure (1') before lifting it up. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1 floating structure, 1' intermediate structure, 2 frame, 3 upper side, 4 lower side, 5 buoyancy member, 5a upper part, 5b lower part, 6, 8 lower end part, 7, 9 upper end part, 10 cooperating flange, 11 upper closure, 12 lower closure, 13 lower connector, 14 upper connector, 15 tripod

Claims

1. A floating structure (1) for supporting solar panels, a frame (2) extending in a main plane; a plurality of elongate buoyant members (5) having respective longitudinal directions extending transversely of said major plane; Equipped with Each of the buoyant members (5) has an upper part (5a) fixed to the frame (2) above the lower side (4) of the frame (2) and a lower part (5b) protruding from the lower side (4) of the frame (2); A floating structure, wherein the upper part (5a) and the lower part (5b) are separate elements fixed to each other.

2. 2. The floating structure according to claim 1, wherein the lower part (5b) is releasably fixed to the upper part (5a).

3. The upper portion (5a) has a peripheral wall including a lower end portion (6) having a cross-sectional area greater than an upper end portion (7) of the upper portion; 2. The floating structure according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral wall extends in a direction from an upper end portion (7) of the peripheral wall to a lower end portion (6) of the peripheral wall so that two of the same upper portions (5a) as separate elements partially fit together.

4. The lower portion (5b) has a peripheral wall including a lower end portion (8) having a cross-sectional area smaller than an upper end portion (9) of the lower portion; 2. The floating structure according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral wall extends in a direction from a lower end portion (8) of the peripheral wall to an upper end portion (9) of the peripheral wall so that two of the same lower portions (5b) as separate elements partially fit together.

5. 2. The floating structure according to claim 1, wherein the length of the lower portion (5b) is different from the length of the upper portion (5a) when measured in the longitudinal direction of the buoyant member (5).

6. 2. The floating structure according to claim 1, wherein the buoyant member (5) has a circular cross section.

7. 2. The floating structure according to claim 1, wherein the frame (2) has a generally polygonal shape in the main plane including a plurality of corners.

8. 8. The floating structure according to claim 7, wherein the frame (2) has a triangular shape.

9. The floating structure according to claim 7, wherein the buoyant members (5) are arranged at the corners.

10. The frame (2) has a three-dimensional truss structure with interconnected beams, 2. The floating structure according to claim 1, wherein the upper portion (5a) of the buoyant member (5) forms an upright beam of the truss structure.

11. 11. The floating structure according to claim 10, wherein the interconnected beams of the frame (2) are releasably fixed to each other.

12. 11. The floating structure according to claim 10, wherein the upper part (5a) has a lower connector (13) and an upper connector (14) to be connected to each beam of the truss structure, and the lower and upper connectors (13, 14) are arranged apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the buoyant member (5).

13. A method for manufacturing a floating structure according to claim 1, A manufacturing method in which the upper (5a) and lower (5b) parts are supplied as separate elements, the upper (5a) is placed in an upright orientation on a support and fixed to the frame (2), thus forming an intermediate structure (1'), after which the intermediate structure (1') is lifted up and the lower (5b) and upper (5a) parts are fixed to each other.

14. The method for manufacturing a floating structure according to claim 10, A manufacturing method in which the upper (5a) and lower (5b) parts and the beam are supplied as separate parts, the upper (5a) is placed in an upright orientation on a support, the beam and the upper (5a) are fixed to each other, thus forming an intermediate structure (1'), after which the intermediate structure (1') is lifted up and the lower (5b) and upper (5a) parts are fixed to each other.

15. 15. The manufacturing method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein further components, such as solar panels, are mounted to the intermediate arrangement (1') before lifting it up.

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