Floating Photovoltaic Array Cable Pivoting for Water-Level Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floating photovoltaic systems face challenges such as high costs, susceptibility to failure, and inability to adapt to varying aquatic environments like lakes with changing water levels, due to complex and expensive actuator systems and fixed orientations.
Innovation Solution
A network of floating photovoltaic elements connected by cables of variable length, allowing each element to pivot around a horizontal axis, adapting to changes in water level and sun orientation without requiring specific actuators for each element, and capable of resting on the bottom when the lake is empty.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If actuators are used on each photovoltaic cell to orient panels relative to buoys, then panel orientation is improved, but cost and susceptibility to failure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the actuator components from each individual photovoltaic cell, extracting the complex orientation mechanism from the modular units. Instead, orientation is achieved through the movement and positioning of the buoy structures themselves, which carry multiple cells. This eliminates the failure points associated with numerous individual actuators while maintaining the ability to orient panels toward the sun.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple photovoltaic cells onto single buoy structures, creating modular assemblies where several cells share common support and orientation mechanisms. This merging reduces the total number of actuators needed while maintaining flexibility in panel orientation, as the buoy carrying multiple cells can be oriented as a unified structure.
2Device complexity
If fixed inclination photovoltaic cells are used in floating installations, then structure simplicity is improved, but adaptability to varying water levels and sun orientation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic orientation capability in floating photovoltaic structures by allowing the buoys carrying photovoltaic cells to rotate and pivot on the water surface. This dynamic positioning enables the panels to track the sun's movement across the sky and adapt to changing water levels, transforming a previously static system into one that can actively respond to environmental conditions without complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The buoy structures serve multiple functions: they provide flotation, support multiple photovoltaic cells, enable orientation adjustments through their movement on water, and adapt to varying water levels. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain simplicity while achieving adaptability, as the same structural elements perform both support and orientation control roles.
3Measurement precision
If complex cable systems are used to orient reflectors simultaneously towards the sun, then orientation precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical cable systems used for orienting reflectors with a simpler floating buoy mechanism. Instead of using cables to mechanically pull and position each panel, the system utilizes the natural buoyancy and mobility of floating structures on water to achieve orientation. The photovoltaic cells are mounted on buoys that can freely rotate and pivot, eliminating the need for complex cable tensioning and adjustment mechanisms while maintaining orientation precision through passive tracking of sun movement.
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 solution reduces costs by minimizing the use of actuators, enhances durability, and allows the system to adapt to varying water levels and environmental conditions, ensuring efficient energy harvesting while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
Each floating photovoltaic element comprises a buoy and a photovoltaic surface fixed to the buoy
Implementation Method 2
a photovoltaic surface (2) fixed to the buoy (4)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The array has a cable (6) for connecting a floating photovoltaic element (1) to another floating photovoltaic element, where each element has a photovoltaic surface (2) fixed on a buoy (4). One of the photovoltaic surfaces is pivoted around a horizontal axis parallel to the cable. The cable is arranged so as to adjust a pivot angle of the surface by modifying tension of the cable. Floating of the element is assured mainly by the buoy and to a lesser extent by the cable. The buoy is connected to the surface through a fixing system (8), so that the buoy remains fixed when the surface is pivoted. An independent claim is also included for a method for positioning an array of floating photovoltaic elements.