Wind and wave reduction device for an offshore solar photovoltaic module and wind and wave reduction system including the same

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Solution Overview

Problem

Offshore solar photovoltaic devices are susceptible to damage from strong winds and waves, leading to high maintenance costs and reduced power generation efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A wind and wave reduction device comprising a base unit with base seats, base pipes, support frames, and step plates, and a protective unit with lateral frames and blocking plates, designed to reduce wind and wave impacts by creating an enclosed inner field and using air disturbing holes to minimize airflow and impede wave progression.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the offshore solar photovoltaic device is positioned away from the land to receive maximum sunlight, then the power generation efficiency is improved, but the device is exposed to strong winds and waves causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation efficiencyVSAvoiddevice stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wind and wave reduction device serves as an intermediary structure between the harsh offshore environment and the solar photovoltaic modules. It includes base seats with through holes, base pipes, support frames, and blocking plates with air disturbing holes that form a protective barrier, reducing wind and wave impacts while allowing the modules to remain in the optimal offshore location for sunlight exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective unit creates a semi-enclosed space using lateral frames and blocking plates with air disturbing holes, forming a flexible protective barrier that reduces wind and wave forces while maintaining structural adaptability to offshore conditions, protecting the modules without completely enclosing them

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Power

If the offshore solar photovoltaic device is made larger to generate greater power, then the power output is improved, but the susceptibility to wind and wave damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower outputVSAvoidwind and wave damage

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wind and wave reduction device acts as a protective intermediary that shields larger solar photovoltaic modules from harsh environmental forces. The base unit with multiple base seats and pipes, combined with the protective unit featuring blocking plates with air disturbing holes, creates a buffer zone that reduces wind and wave impacts on the enlarged device structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the offshore solar photovoltaic device is damaged by strong winds and waves, then maintenance cost increases and power generation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generationVSAvoidmaintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The wind and wave reduction device provides beforehand cushioning by pre-establishing a protective barrier against environmental damage. The base seats with through holes, base pipes, support frames, and blocking plates with air disturbing holes are installed in advance to cushion the solar photovoltaic modules from wind and wave forces, preventing damage before it occurs and reducing subsequent maintenance needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 device effectively shields offshore solar photovoltaic modules from strong winds and waves, enhancing stability and power generation by reducing damage and maintenance costs.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one blocking plate is fixed to the lateral frame and has a plurality of air disturbing holes penetrating therethrough in the second direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow disturbance: Turbulence

Implementation Method 2

Each of the plurality of base pipes extends through a respective one of the plurality of through holes of each of the plurality of base seats

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWave impedance: Drag

Data Source

PatentUS20250233542A1Wind and wave reduction device for an offshore solar photovoltaic module and wind and wave reduction system including the same

Publication Date: 2025.07.17 SUN RISE E & T

AI summary

A wind and wave reduction device includes base seats and base pipes. Each base seat has two lateral ends and through holes disposed between the lateral ends. Each base pipe extends through a respective one of the through holes of each of the base seats. Step plates are disposed on support frames, and each of the support frames is positioned between two adjacent ones of the base pipes. A lateral frame is connected transversely to one of the lateral ends of each of the base seats. A blocking plate is fixed to the lateral frame and has air disturbing holes.