Floating Module Hexagonal Cells Perimeter Wing Evaporation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floating modules for reducing water evaporation in large bodies of water face challenges such as complex assembly, high weight, incomplete surface coverage, and susceptibility to wind, which complicates handling and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A floating module composed of two sealed, independent polygonal cells with a perimeter wing, allowing for ballasting and self-flipping to maintain optimal position, enabling easy installation, resistance to wind, and complete surface coverage without the need for extensive civil works.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If floating modules use a large amount of material to ensure sufficient rigidity, then structural strength is improved, but weight increases causing handling problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin film polyethylene sheets (10-50 micrometers thick) as the primary structural material. These thin films provide sufficient structural integrity and rigidity through their continuous coverage and sealing mechanisms, while dramatically reducing the weight compared to traditional rigid materials. The flexibility of the thin film allows it to conform to the water surface while maintaining structural function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention incorporates air chambers sealed within the floating module structure. These air chambers provide buoyancy and structural support, allowing the module to maintain rigidity and resist deformation from wind and water forces without requiring heavy solid materials. The pneumatic support system enables the thin film structure to achieve the necessary structural strength with minimal weight.
2Weight of moving object
If floating modules are manufactured lightweight to favour buoyancy, then buoyancy is improved, but wind susceptibility increases causing handling problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates ballast chambers filled with water or other ballast materials to counterbalance the lightweight structure. These ballast compartments provide downward force that stabilizes the module against wind lift and prevents it from being easily displaced by wind forces, while the overall structure remains lightweight due to the use of thin film materials and air chambers.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating module is designed with adjustable and removable components, including the ballast system and perimeter walls. This dynamic configuration allows the module to adapt to varying wind conditions - ballast can be adjusted or added during high wind periods, and components can be reconfigured or removed when conditions improve, optimizing performance across different environmental conditions.
3Strength
If floating modules use complex assembly procedures, then structural integrity is improved, but ease of installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The floating module is divided into distinct, pre-fabricated segments including side walls, bottom sheets, air chambers, and ballast compartments. Each segment can be manufactured independently using simple processes like heat sealing of polyethylene sheets, then assembled on-site by connecting these segments. This segmentation maintains structural integrity through standardized connection points while dramatically simplifying assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates multiple structural functions into unified components. For example, the side walls simultaneously serve as structural supports, sealing barriers, and attachment points for the perimeter wing. The bottom sheet integrates the air chamber sealing and ballast compartment boundaries. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate assembly steps while maintaining comprehensive structural integrity.
4Ease of manufacture
If floating modules leave gaps between modules, then ease of assembly is improved, but surface coverage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extends the coverage area by adding the perimeter wing structure that projects beyond the main module boundaries in the horizontal dimension. This wing creates an overlapping zone with adjacent modules, ensuring complete surface coverage when modules are arranged in a grid pattern. The wing's extension in the lateral dimension compensates for any gaps between module edges.
Solution Approach 2:
The perimeter wing is pre-attached to the main module body during manufacturing, creating a ready-to-install configuration that ensures proper alignment and complete coverage from the outset. This preliminary attachment of the coverage-extending structure eliminates the need for complex field adjustments to achieve full surface coverage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The module effectively reduces water evaporation by covering 100% of the water surface, withstands wind and sunlight, and facilitates navigation and maintenance, while being lightweight and easy to transport and install, with the ability to adapt to varying water geometries and levels.
Implementation Method 1
The floating module comprises a plurality of independent longitudinal cells arranged in parallel... maintains its buoyancy characteristics
Implementation Method 2
configured for the ballasting of said cells by means of a liquid housed therein... withstands wind and sunlight
Implementation Method 3
systems for the reduction of water losses due to the evaporation of these... cover the surface of the water body and prevent these actions from sunlight and wind, reducing evaporation losses
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A floating module (1) for the reduction of losses by evaporation in aqueous-based liquids which is characterized by two (2) hexagonal, watertight, hollow cells and configured to accommodate an internal ballast; and a perimeter wing (4) arranged on the horizontal axis of the floating module (1).