Power generation system that floats on foils
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floating photovoltaic systems face challenges in achieving sufficient buoyancy and structural strength while being cost-effective and easy to assemble, especially in warm semi-arid areas where weather resistance is crucial, and require complex tensioning or thick, expensive foils.
Innovation Solution
The system employs sealed chambers in supporting or floating bodies that can be filled with air or lighter liquids, connected to a film covering a liquid reservoir, allowing for adjustable buoyancy and easy assembly using detachable connections, enabling larger and heavier modules with 'dry' access for maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If thick and strong foils are used to achieve sufficient buoyancy and structural strength, then the mechanical strength and buoyancy are improved, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting body is divided into multiple sealed chambers instead of using a single thick foil structure. Each chamber contributes to the overall buoyancy and structural strength, allowing the use of thinner, more cost-effective materials while maintaining the required mechanical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses thin-walled sealed chambers that provide sufficient buoyancy and structural strength without requiring thick foils. The chambers are designed with appropriate wall thickness to withstand environmental conditions while keeping material costs low.
2Stability of the object's composition
If complex tensioning systems are used to achieve sufficient buoyancy, then the buoyancy and structural stability are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting body is segmented into multiple sealed chambers that work together to provide stable buoyancy. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex tensioning systems, as each chamber independently contributes to structural stability through its sealed design and buoyant properties.
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
This design simplifies assembly, enhances buoyancy, and provides weather resistance, allowing for efficient energy generation across larger areas with reduced material costs and complexity, while enabling optimal solar radiation utilization and integration with water reservoirs for dual functions in power and water supply.
Implementation Method 1
The supporting or floating bodies have sealed chambers which can be filled with a medium/buoyancy medium. The chambers are in any case dimensioned in such a way that the supporting or floating bodies can carry the flat modules by their own buoyancy or by the buoyancy generated by the medium filled in.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
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AI summary
The invention relates to a power generation system that floats on a film and comprises one or more flat modules (2, 1, 12) for energy generation and/or energy conversion which are connected to at least one supporting body or float (3, 4, 5, 14), the supporting bodies or floats being arranged on a surface (6) of a film (7) covering a liquid reservoir (8) and being connected to said film, the supporting bodies or floats comprising one ore more sealed chambers that can be filled with a medium.