Floating Platform Buoyancy Control for Anti-Tilting Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floating solar energy platforms are insufficiently secured against tilting due to swell and wind, leading to reduced efficiency in solar power generation.
Innovation Solution
A swimming platform with at least three separate, gas-tight, pressure-resistant buoyancy bodies made of flexible material, each enclosing a closed cavity, and a compressed air generating device to maintain stability by counteracting tilting forces through differential air pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a single large buoyancy body or simple partition structure is used, then the platform can be constructed simply and lightweight, but it is insufficiently secured against tipping due to waves and wind
Solution Approach 1:
The buoyancy system is divided into multiple separate buoyancy bodies (at least three) instead of using a single large buoyancy body. Each buoyancy body is equipped with its own closed cavity filled with compressed air. This segmentation allows independent pressure control of each buoyancy body, enabling differential pressure adjustment to counteract tilting forces from waves and wind, thereby improving stability without requiring a complex rigid structural framework
Solution Approach 2:
The platform employs dynamic pressure adjustment of the compressed air in the closed cavities of the buoyancy bodies. Compressed air generating devices can independently adjust the pressure in each cavity to counteract external disturbances such as waves and wind. This dynamic adjustment allows the platform to actively respond to changing environmental conditions, maintaining stability rather than relying on static structural design
2Ease of manufacture
If the platform is designed to be lightweight with simple construction, then it is easier to manufacture and deploy, but it cannot effectively counteract the effects of waves and wind
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses compressed air (pneumatics) to provide the buoyancy and stability control mechanism. Closed cavities within each buoyancy body are filled with compressed air, and the pressure can be independently adjusted using compressed air generating devices. This pneumatic system replaces the need for heavy rigid structural elements, allowing lightweight construction while providing effective counteraction to waves and wind through pressure differential control
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter of the compressed air in the closed cavities to control the buoyancy and stability of the platform. By independently adjusting the pressure in each buoyancy body's cavity, the system can dynamically respond to external forces from waves and wind, maintaining reliability without requiring complex structural design
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 platform achieves enhanced stability against waves and wind, allowing for efficient solar power generation by preventing strong tilting and enabling targeted alignment of solar collectors with the sun's position.
Implementation Method 1
at least three separate buoyancy bodies which are fixedly attached to the underside of the cover element and open towards the bottom and are made of a gas-tight, pressure- and corrosion-resistant, flexible material, which, upon contact with a liquid surface, each enclose a closed cavity therewith
Implementation Method 2
at least one compressed air generating device for generating an overpressure in the individual cavities... the lifting action associated with tipping on one side would increase the volume of the cavity of the buoyancy bodies on that side. However, due to the gas-tightness, the air pressure in this cavity decreases, thus counteracting the lifting action
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a floating platform, comprising the following: a covering element (1); at least three buoyant bodies (2) which are separated from each other, are fixedly mounted to the lower face of the covering element (1), are open toward the bottom and are made of a gas-tight, pressure- and corrosion-resistant flexible material, said buoyant bodies enclosing a closed hollow space (4) when coming into contact with a liquid surface (3); and at least one compressed-air generating device (5) for generating an overpressure in the individual hollow spaces (4).