Waterborne Platform Integrating Wind, Solar, and Wave Energy Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack integrated solutions for harnessing multiple forms of energy, such as wind, solar, and wave energy, on a single waterborne platform, and traditional farming techniques are insufficient to meet increasing population demands for food production, particularly in urban areas.
Innovation Solution
A waterborne platform equipped with multiple energy capture devices, including wind turbines, solar panels, and wave energy converters, along with advanced air directors and anchoring systems, to efficiently generate energy from various sources, and an indoor agricultural facility utilizing hydroponics, LED lighting, and carbon dioxide capture to increase yield and productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional farming techniques are used, then land area required is large, but agricultural yield per acre is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional land-based farming to three-dimensional vertical farming by stacking multiple growing levels vertically. This allows agricultural production to occur in multiple layers within the same footprint, dramatically increasing yield per acre while reducing the total land area required for food production.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs nested structures where multiple growing levels are stacked vertically within each other, similar to nested dolls. Each level contains growing chambers, lighting systems, and hydroponic channels that are integrated within the vertical structure, maximizing space utilization and production density.
2Area of moving object
If solar panels are installed flat on the platform, then installation is simple, but exposed surface area is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The solar panels are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration around the perimeter of the floating platform, utilizing vertical and angled surfaces rather than only flat horizontal surfaces. This multi-dimensional arrangement captures solar energy from various angles throughout the day, significantly increasing the total exposed surface area and energy capture potential.
Solution Approach 2:
The solar panel system is divided into multiple segments positioned at different orientations and locations around the platform perimeter. Each segment is independently mounted on angled surfaces, allowing optimized sun exposure from multiple directions while maintaining modular installation and maintenance capabilities.
3Power
If multiple energy capture devices are combined on a waterborne platform, then energy generation capacity increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple energy capture devices including wind turbines, solar panels, and wave energy converters into a single floating platform structure. These diverse energy generation systems are merged into one unified platform that can harness wind, solar, and wave energy simultaneously, dramatically increasing total energy generation capacity while sharing common infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating platform is designed as a multi-functional universal structure that performs multiple functions: it supports wind turbines for wind energy generation, solar panels for solar energy capture, wave energy converters for ocean energy harvesting, and potentially agricultural or residential uses. This universal platform design consolidates multiple systems into one integrated solution.
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 can generate up to twice the capacity of solar production per square foot and increase agricultural yield by up to 1500 people per acre, providing sustainable and efficient energy and food production, while repurposing urban buildings and reducing fossil fuel consumption.
Implementation Method 1
solar panels extending beyond a perimeter of a float... combined with angled solar panels so as to increase the exposed surface area
Implementation Method 2
harness wind energy through at least one wind turbine... wind turbines which have air directors to assist in increasing the efficiency
Implementation Method 3
these air foils may have openings facilitating a venturi effect to pull air therefrom with air pulled up and/or through the air foils to drive internal generator(s)
Implementation Method 4
wave energy converters toward the circumference of a waterborne platform to create energy as the platform oscillates due to wave action
Implementation Method 5
indoor agricultural facility having at least some features selected from hydroponically grown food on multiple levels per floor
Implementation Method 6
LED lighting to reduce power consumption and heat output, variable spectrum lighting to increase yield
Data Source
AI summary
Renewable energy systems can be deployed on water or with agricultural systems including solar energy panels and wind turbines of various types. Vertically oriented wind turbines may be combined with systems to maintain them vertical, air directors which may also have venturi effect turbines, or not. Wave energy may be captured from roll or pitch energy capture devices or even piston operated anchored systems for various embodiments. Agricultural facilities may combine various technologies to dramatically increase crop yield.