Float system

Abstract

The present invention provides a float system that is capable of making it easier to efficiently utilize underwater space below a floating island. According to the present invention, a float system is provided that includes at least one floating island that floats on a body of water, wherein the body of water includes an empty region where the floating island is not floating, the float system being configured such that the empty region can be moved by moving the floating island.

Description

Float system

[0001] The present invention relates to a float system.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a float system for solar panels used on water.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-011006

[0004] In the float system of Patent Document 1, the float is moored at a predetermined position on the water by connecting an anchor provided on the water bottom and the float with a mooring member. A float system having such a configuration is not intended to actively move the float, and once the float system is arranged, it is difficult to efficiently utilize the underwater space below the float system.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a float system that makes it easy to efficiently utilize the underwater space below a float island.

[0006] The present invention provides the following inventions: [1] A float system comprising at least one float island floating on a body of water, wherein the body of water comprises an empty area on which the float island is not floating, and the empty area is configured to be movable by moving the float island. [2] The float system according to [1], wherein the float system comprises a plurality of float islands that are movable independently of each other. [3] The float system according to [1] or [2], wherein at least one of the at least one float island is a power-generating float island capable of generating solar power. [4] The float system according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the body of water comprises a plurality of virtual compartments, at least one of the plurality of virtual compartments is the empty area, and the float island is floated in each of the remaining plurality of virtual compartments, and the virtual compartment that becomes the empty area is configured to be changeable by moving the float island. A float system according to [5] [4], wherein the number of virtual compartments is four or more, and the number of float islands is three or more. A float system according to any one of [6] [1] to [5], wherein the water area is an artificial water area in which water is stored in an artificially constructed reservoir. A float system according to any one of [7] [1] to [6], wherein the water area is a fish and shellfish farm. A float system according to any one of [8] [1] to [7], wherein there is no bottom connecting member that connects the float islands to the bottom of the water area. A float system according to any one of [9] [1] to [8], wherein the water area and the float islands are each square or rectangular.

[0007] In the float system of the present invention, the floating island is configured to move, thereby making it possible to move through the empty area provided in the water body. This makes it easier to access the underwater space below the floating island and to utilize this underwater space efficiently.

[0008] This is a plan view showing the float system 10 of the first embodiment of the present invention. The dotted lines in Figures 1 and 3 are virtual boundary lines indicating the boundaries of adjacent virtual sections 3. This is a perspective view of the float island 1 in Figure 1. This is a plan view showing the float system 10 of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The various features shown in the embodiments below can be combined with each other. Furthermore, each feature can constitute an invention independently. In addition, any element not specified in the claims in the embodiments below is an optional element and can be omitted. Any number of zeros (for example, one or two) may be added to the end of the numerical values ​​disclosed in the following description. For example, one or two zeros may be added after "1.4" to make it "1.40" or "1.400".

[0010] 1. First Embodiment As shown in Figure 1, the float system 10 of the first embodiment of the present invention comprises at least one float island 1 floating on a body of water W. The body of water W comprises an empty area W1 on which no float island 1 is floating. The float system 10 is configured to be able to move the empty area W1 by moving the float island 1. The configurations will be described in detail below.

[0011] <Water Area W> Water area W is the area on which the float island 1 can float. Water area W may be a natural body of water where water is stored in a naturally formed depression, or it may be an artificial body of water where water is stored in an artificially constructed reservoir. Artificial bodies of water tend to have a smaller area than natural bodies of water, so from the viewpoint of the need to efficiently utilize the underwater space of water area W, the significance of applying the present invention is particularly pronounced when water area W is an artificial body of water. Furthermore, since the artificial body of water can be shaped to suit the purpose of moving the empty area W1 by moving the float island 1, from this viewpoint as well, it is preferable that water area W is an artificial body of water. Water area W is preferably a square or a rectangle. In this case, by making the float island 1 a square or a rectangle, it is easier to move the float island 1 and the empty area W1 regularly, and it is easier to increase the efficiency of utilizing the underwater space of water area W.

[0012] The area of ​​the water body W is, for example, 100 to 250,000 m². ２ And, 500 to 100,000 m ２ Preferably, 5,000 to 50,000 m ２ This is even more preferable. Specifically, this area could be, for example, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, 15000, 20000, 25000, 30000, 40000, 50000, 100000, or 250000 m². ２ The values ​​may be within a range between any two of the values ​​exemplified here, or greater than or equal to either of them. The average depth of the water body W is, for example, 0.5 to 10 m, and preferably 1 to 5 m. Specifically, this average depth may be, for example, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 m, and may be within a range between any two of the values ​​exemplified here.

[0013] If the body of water W is a square or rectangle, the length of one side is, for example, 10 to 500 m, preferably 30 to 400 m, and more preferably 50 to 250 m. Specifically, this length is, for example, 10, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500 m, and may be in the range between any two of the values ​​exemplified here. If the body of water W is a rectangle, the length ratio defined by (long side ÷ short side) is, for example, greater than 1.0 and less than or equal to 5.0, and preferably between 1.1 and 2.0. In this case, it becomes easier to move the floating island 1 in two dimensions. Specifically, this length ratio is, for example, 1.1, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, and may be in the range between any two of the values ​​exemplified here or less than or equal to any two of them (but greater than 1.0).

[0014] The body of water W is preferably a farm for aquaculture, such as shrimp or fish. In this case, it is easier to perform the necessary farming tasks (feeding, cleaning, harvesting, etc.) in the empty area W1, and by moving the floating island 1 to move the empty area W1, the above tasks can be easily performed throughout the entire body of water W. From the standpoint of workability, the body of water W used as a farm is preferably a regular shape such as a square or rectangle, and is preferably an artificial body of water that is easy to make into a regular shape.

[0015] It is preferable that the reservoir tank constituting the artificial water area be equipped with a device to adjust the water volume. In this case, fluctuations in the water level of the reservoir tank can be suppressed. When mooring the floating island 1 using a mooring rope, the mooring rope needs to have an extra length to account for water level fluctuations, and the floating island 1 can move in the plane by the amount of that extra length. By suppressing water level fluctuations, the required extra length can be shortened, and the range in which the floating island 1 can move in the plane can be narrowed. It is preferable that the reservoir tank be a rectangular parallelepiped. In this case, even if the water level fluctuates, the area of ​​the water area W does not change, which has the advantage of making it easier to effectively utilize the water area W and to set the length of the mooring rope.

[0016] <Float Island 1> Float Island 1 is a structure that can float in a body of water W. Float Island 1 can move away from the land L surrounding the body of water W. As shown in Figure 2, Float Island 1 is preferably constructed by connecting a plurality of floats 2. The plurality of floats 2 are connected directly or via joints 5. Floats 2 can have any structure that can float in a body of water W, and it is preferable that they have a structure that has a hollow part inside which a gas (air, etc.) is contained. Floats 2 are manufactured, for example, by blow molding in which a molten cylindrical parison is sandwiched between a plurality of segmented molds and inflated. Various thermoplastic resins can be used as the molding material, but polyolefin resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene can be suitably used. Floats 2 preferably have a rectangular shape.

[0017] It is preferable that there is no seabed connecting member connecting the floating island 1 to the bottom of the water area W. Although seabed connecting members are widely used to prevent the floating island 1 from moving unintentionally in plane, in this embodiment, where the empty area W1 is moved by moving the floating island 1, it is preferable to make it easier to move the floating island 1 by not providing a seabed connecting member.

[0018] From the standpoint of making it easier to move the float island 1, it is preferable not to restrain the float island 1 at all. In other words, it is preferable not to provide mooring ropes that would hinder the movement of the float island 1. On the other hand, if no mooring ropes are provided, a problem arises in which a part of the float island 1 may flip up from its edge and overturn when lift is generated on the float island 1 by the wind, making it prone to choke-up accidents. From the standpoint of preventing the occurrence of this problem, it is preferable to connect the float island 1 to the land L with mooring ropes. It is preferable that these mooring ropes be easy to adjust in length and / or attach and detach so as not to hinder the movement of the float island 1. It is also preferable to provide a guide mechanism that defines the direction of movement of the float island 1. The guide mechanism can be any configuration that can define the direction of movement of the float island 1, and can be constructed using, for example, rails or wires. Furthermore, when a guide mechanism is provided and the float island 1 is connected to the land L with mooring ropes, the position of the float island 1 can be adjusted by adjusting the length of the mooring ropes.

[0019] The float system 10 preferably comprises a plurality of float islands 1 that can move independently of each other. In this case, the size of each float island 1 is smaller than when there is one large float island 1, making it easier to move the float islands 1. The plurality of float islands 1 preferably have the same external shape, but they may be different. The plurality of float islands 1 may be connected to each other using detachable connecting members when not moving them independently. This improves the stability of the entire system even in environments with strong waves and wind. Such connections are particularly suitable for aquaculture where the time intervals between human work are long, because in this case, the frequency of needing to attach and detach the connecting members is reduced.

[0020] When work is not required in the empty area W1, a float island 1 may also be placed in the empty area W1. Preferably, this float island 1 has the same area as the other float islands 1. Furthermore, it is preferable that this float island 1 is simpler and / or lighter than the other float islands 1 so that it can be easily removed when work is required in the empty area W1. This float island 1 can be made of, for example, an outer frame, a buoy, or a simple raft. Placing a float island 1 in the empty area W1 suppresses the application of external forces generated by wind and waves to the other float islands 1. From this viewpoint, it is even more preferable to detachably connect the float island 1 in the empty area W1 to the other float islands 1.

[0021] Preferably, at least one of the at least one float island 1 included in the float system 10 is a power generation float island 1A capable of generating solar power. In this case, the electricity generated on the power generation float island 1A can be used. When the water area W is used for purposes that include electrical equipment, it is desirable that the electricity generated on the power generation float island 1A can be self-consumed. For example, in aquaculture farms, electrical equipment such as pumps are usually in operation at all times for the purpose of maintaining water quality and promoting growth, so some or all of the electricity generated on the power generation float island 1A can be self-consumed by the electrical equipment. In this case, a storage battery may be provided to take into account the instability of sunlight. Furthermore, in aquaculture farms and the like, if float islands 1 are placed throughout the entire water area W, work efficiency will decrease, but in this embodiment, a movable empty area W1 is provided, so it is possible to generate electricity while suppressing a decrease in work efficiency.

[0022] When multiple float islands 1 are provided in the float system 10, all of the float islands 1 may be designated as power-generating float islands 1A, or only some of the float islands 1 may be designated as power-generating float islands 1A. One or more solar panels 4 are mounted on the power-generating float islands 1A. A power conditioner (not shown) that converts the DC power output from the solar panels 4 into AC power may also be mounted. It is preferable that the power output from the solar panels 4 or power conditioner is sent to land L via power lines. If the float islands 1 are able to move freely within the water area W, there is a risk that the power lines will not be long enough or that the power lines will become entangled. Therefore, it is practical from both a safety and design perspective to provide the above-mentioned mooring ropes and guide mechanisms to restrict the direction and range in which the float islands 1 can move.

[0023] The ratio of the total area of ​​all the float islands 1 to the area of ​​the water body W is, for example, 50 to 95%, preferably 60 to 90%, and more preferably 65 to 85%. If this ratio is small, the area where solar panels 4 can be installed will be reduced accordingly. On the other hand, if this ratio is too large, the proportion of the empty area W1 will become too small, which may make it difficult to move the float islands 1 or to perform work in the empty area W1. Specifically, this ratio may be, for example, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, or 95%, and may also be in the range between any two of the values ​​exemplified here.

[0024] In order to move the float island 1 regularly, it is preferable to create multiple virtual sections 3 in the water area W, designate at least one of the multiple virtual sections 3 as an empty area W1, and float the float island 1 in each of the remaining virtual sections 3. With this configuration, the virtual section 3 that becomes the empty area W1 can be changed by moving the float island 1. Preferably, a reference virtual section 3 is assigned to each float island 1, and each float island 1 can move to a virtual section 3 adjacent to the reference virtual section 3, but cannot move to any other virtual section 3. By limiting the range in which the float island 1 can move in this way, it becomes easier to design mooring ropes and power lines.

[0025] If the body of water W is a fish and shellfish farm, it is preferable to provide a partition that restricts the movement of the farmed fish and shellfish to another virtual section 3, so that the fish and shellfish do not move together with the float island 1. The partition can be made of netting or the like. This prevents the fish and shellfish from hiding below the float island 1 and becoming difficult to harvest. To avoid obstructing the movement of the float island 1, it is preferable that the partition be able to be opened and closed and attached and detached when the float island D moves, or that it be installed at a position deeper than the draft of the float island 1.

[0026] The multiple virtual sections 3 are preferably identical in shape, but may be different. The value of (area of ​​each float island 1 / area of ​​each virtual section 3) is, for example, 0.50 to 1.00, and preferably 0.60 to 0.90. If this value is small, the area on which solar panels 4 can be mounted tends to be smaller. If this value is too large, it tends to be difficult to move the float island 1. Specifically, this value is, for example, 0.50, 0.55, 0.60, 0.65, 0.70, 0.75, 0.80, 0.85, 0.90, 0.95, 1.00, and may be in the range between any two of the values ​​exemplified here.

[0027] The number of virtual sections 3 is preferably four or more, and the number of float islands 1 is preferably three or more. The number of virtual sections 3 is, for example, 4 to 10, specifically, for example, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and may be within the range of any two of the numbers exemplified here, or more than or equal to any two of them. The number of float islands 1 is, for example, 3 to 9, specifically, for example, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and may be within the range of any two of the numbers exemplified here, or more than or equal to any two of them.

[0028] The number of virtual partitions 3 that become the free area W1 is, for example, 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 5, and more preferably 1 to 3. Specifically, this number may be, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and may be within the range of any two of the numbers exemplified here, or greater than or less than any of them.

[0029] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, four virtual sections 3 (more specifically, the first to fourth virtual sections 31 to 34) are provided in the water area W, and float islands 1 are floating in the first to third virtual sections 31, 32, and 33, respectively. The fourth virtual section 34 is an empty area W1 where no float island 1 is floating. By moving the float island 1 floating in the second or third virtual section 32 or 33 to the fourth virtual section 34, the second or third virtual section 32 or 33 can be made into an empty area W1. Also, while the second or third virtual sections 32 or 33 are empty areas W1, the first virtual section 31 can be made into an empty area W1 by moving the float island 1 floating in the first virtual section 31 to the empty area W1. In this way, the position of the empty area W1 can be changed by moving the float island 1, so that the underwater space below the float island 1 can be utilized efficiently.

[0030] It is preferable that the float island 1 assigned to the first virtual section 31 is movable to the second or third virtual sections 32 and 33, but not movable to the fourth virtual section 34. It is preferable that the float island 1 assigned to the second virtual section 32 is movable to the first or fourth virtual sections 31 and 34, but not movable to the third virtual section 33. It is preferable that the float island 1 assigned to the third virtual section 33 is movable to the first or fourth virtual sections 31 and 34, but not movable to the second virtual section 32. By limiting the range in which the float island 1 assigned to each virtual section 3 can move in this way, it becomes easier to design mooring ropes and power lines.

[0031] 2. The second embodiment of the present invention will be described using Figure 3 of the second embodiment. This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, and the contents described in the first embodiment are applicable to this embodiment as long as they do not contradict the spirit of the first embodiment. The differences will be described below.

[0032] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, eight virtual sections 3 (more specifically, the first to eighth virtual sections 31 to 38) are provided in the water area W, and float islands 1 are floated in the second to seventh virtual sections 32 to 37, respectively. The first and eighth virtual sections 31 and 38 become empty areas W1 where no float islands 1 are floated. In this case, the empty area W1 can be moved by moving a float island 1 floating in a virtual section adjacent to the first or eighth virtual section 31 or 38 to the first or eighth virtual section 31 or 38. Furthermore, the empty area W1 can be moved further by moving a float island 1 floating in another virtual section into the empty area W1. In this embodiment, since multiple empty areas W1 are provided, there is an advantage in that it is easier to respond when work is required in multiple virtual sections. Also, since there are more virtual sections and float islands 1 than in the first embodiment, the degree of freedom in moving the float islands 1 is increased.

[0033] 1: Float Island, 1A: Power Generation Float Island, 2: Float, 3: Virtual Section, 4: Solar Panel, 5: Joint, 10: Float System, 31: First Virtual Section, 32: Second Virtual Section, 33: Third Virtual Section, 34: Fourth Virtual Section, 35: Fifth Virtual Section, 36: Sixth Virtual Section, 37: Seventh Virtual Section, 38: Eighth Virtual Section, L: Land, W: Water Area, W1: Empty Area

Claims

1. A float system comprising at least one floating island on a body of water, wherein the body of water includes an empty area where the floating island is not floating, and the floating system is configured such that the empty area can be moved by moving the floating island.

2. A float system according to claim 1, wherein the float system comprises a plurality of float islands that are movable independently of each other.

3. A float system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one of the float islands is a power generation float island capable of generating solar power.

4. A float system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the water body comprises a plurality of virtual compartments, at least one of the plurality of virtual compartments becomes the empty area, a float island is floated in each of the remaining plurality of virtual compartments, and the system is configured such that the virtual compartment that becomes the empty area can be changed by moving the float island.

5. A float system according to claim 4, wherein the number of virtual compartments is four or more, and the number of float islands is three or more.

6. A float system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the water body is an artificial water body in which water is stored in an artificially constructed reservoir.

7. A float system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the water area is a fish and shellfish farm.

8. A float system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a seabed connecting member is not provided for connecting the float island to the bottom of the water body.

9. A float system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the water area and the float island are each square or rectangular.

Images