ES1143535U - Modular modular float for photovoltaic applications (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Modular float (1), which can be used in solar photovoltaic floating installations characterized by: - it is adjustable (17) thanks to its concave geometry and open at the top. - the unión of two modular plastic floats (18) serves as support for a photovoltaic solar module (19) as well as a plastic or metal top cover (24) through the specific fixings on the long (20) and short side ( 21) thus materializing a closed, watertight and walkable floating unit. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

FLEXIBLE MODULAR FLOAT FOR TAICAS PHOTOVOLTAIC APPLICATIONS

SECTOR OF THE TECHNIQUE

The present invention belongs to the field of photovoltaic installations in general and in particular to floating installations. The model develops a modular float to be used as a support for photovoltaic panels, installed on water or other liquid medium, establishing an integral system of floating solar installation, capable of being installed in any water or liquid sheet. The preferred location of installation is on rafts and reservoirs where, particularly for said water accumulation systems, the variations of the water level generate differences between the horizontal and projected surface, the system being exposed being able to adapt optimally to the geometry of the glass of water. the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventionally, photovoltaic production plants are installed well on land, for example of agricultural nature or on the roof of residential and industrial buildings. As for the former, the installations on the ground are in direct competition with other economic or environmental uses that these lands may have. Thus, and in the search for other alternatives, floating solutions are conceived.

In the field of floating installations, the state of the art collects previous documents such as US2014 / 0224165 A1, EP 2549 551 B1, WO 2010/064105 A2, ES 2178516 B1, ES 23366960 T3. In general, they consist of a flotation element of different geometries solved by means of a hollow and closed plastic part. In the upper part, one or more photovoltaic panels support a metallic or plastic auxiliary structure with different degrees of continuity with the lower float.

In contrast, the present invention proposes the manufacture of an open and nestable plastic piece, presenting great logistical advantages over the previous models. The system of nestable modular floats allows, as a preferred configuration, the placement of a photovoltaic panel on the upper part thereof, preferably on two or more pieces, as a closure cap thus forming a closed flotation element. It allows other configurations in addition to the preferred, such as F.OEPM20 / 08 / 2015F.EfectivaNº application27 / 08 / 2015the use of plastic caps or other materials arranged on the pieces, constituting a closed float, susceptible to be used in any floating application, preferably as a passable access footbridge in floating photovoltaic solar installations.

On the other hand, and in reference to photovoltaic installations on ground or flat roofs, previous documents such as W02010 / 097406 A2, EP 833 098 A1, DE 10 2008 055627 describe plastic devices in the form of a shell with different inclinations on which the panel is placed photovoltaic in the upper part. The connection to the support means requires the design of different complementary foundation systems which, by means of fixed metallic anchors, firmly join said shell structures.

In contrast, the present invention allows the plastic pieces to be placed directly on the ground or flat roof using as a prefabricated foundation any ballast that is introduced inside the plastic part or with counterweights resting on the outside thereof. Therefore, and as a main differentiating feature, the present invention isolates the foundation from direct contact with the soil with the inherent advantages that it entails for its use in contaminated soils.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The encapsible modular float for claimed photovoltaic floating applications is based on the manufacture by thermoforming of a hollow and concave plastic piece. It is characterized by having a lower flat surface and four inclined side walls that are nervous in the upper plane, to confer the support surface of the PV panel, with an inclination with respect to the horizontal variable depending on the application and / or latitude of the solar installation. Moreover, the supporting surface of the PV panel requires the adjoining or top joining of two modular floats thus forming the floating unit of this utility model. In this way, the modular float object of the present utility model represents a replicability pattern from a geometrically optimized base element; reduced plant dimensions, low weight and symmetry characteristics that give it great manufacturing, logistical and installation advantages.

In particular, and as a main difference with other floating photovoltaic configurations, the hollow conical shape of the interior compartment of the modular float allows it to be fitted with the consubstantial advantages that this entails in the process of F.OEPM20 / 08 / 2015F.EfectivaNo application27 / 08 / 2015 manufacturing, storage, transportation and installation.

The modular float or pattern of replicability of the system has a perimetral tongue and groove at the height of the union of two floats to form the floating unit. Said junction plane ensures the transmission of vertical loads offering mechanical continuity to the floating units. In addition, at the four corners there are lugs or fixing points, where elastic joints are anchored between the floating units. Finally, the same hollow modular float object of this utility model can be closed superiorly by a plastic lid to form the gangway float.

In this way, the consecutive repetition of individual floating units allows creating a floating set forming a matrix or grid of a determined number of floating units. The system of rows and columns that form the floating units is joined together by means of elastic joints with permissiveness to the horizontal, vertical movement and rotation. The set or floating matrix allows the perimeter placement of one or more alignments of gangway floats. Thus, a perimeter frame of gangway floats is formed that houses the floating set inside. The replication of said basic unit in a system of rows and columns eventually leads to the floating photovoltaic application as a whole.

The conception of the floating photovoltaic application is sufficiently flexible to design the binomial, float frame-interior floating set, with a determined number of rows and columns depending on the particular conditions of installation; geometry of the water accumulation infrastructure, acting loads and energy production conditions of the solar production plant (power of the installation, evacuation lines, connection of PV modules, access for maintenance tasks).

The floating photovoltaic application of this utility model is configured from the replication of a single floating module that thanks to the elastic joints allows the floating platform resulting not only vertical and horizontal movements, but also rotation with respect to a virtual axis formed by the sheet of water for any level of it. Thus, the floating application is specially designed to be used in rafts and reservoirs that are characterized by a concave vase with uneven bottom and coronation surfaces since there are internal slopes.

The total covering of the water surface for any filling condition of the raft or F.OEPM20 / 08 / 2015F.EfectivaNº application27 / 08 / 2015embalse, requires that the floating cover or application of the authors of this model, has permissiveness to movement horizontal to open or close and turn on itself getting the floating units to adapt to the concave profile of the raft. In turn, the floating application is rigidly attached to a fixed foundation system located on the outside of the sheet of water that resists horizontal thrusts due to climatic actions (wind and waves).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the modular plug-in float part (1). In the figure, the piece is shown in its preferred embodiment, in a parallelepiped shape with unequal sides, being able to be made in other shapes than the preferred one, such as, for example, square or hexagonal. The piece has a concave shape in its central part (2), constituting the volume of air or filling that confers buoyancy. The piece in its upper part ends in a flat plane (4), inclined with respect to the horizontal, forming the side walls (3) of the piece. The flat or horizontal area (14) is constituted by a perimetral toothed edge thereto, where a tongue and groove toothing is provided on the long sides, males (6) and females (7). On the other hand, on the short sides, males (8) and females (9). The figure shows the preferred embodiment, with a total of three teeth per side, being able to perform with greater or lesser number of them and with different geometry. In addition, some enhancements are seen in the corners of the pieces (10 and 11) that serve as anchoring points of the elastic connection elements between floats. The outer relief (10) has a hole to introduce the joining elements and anchor to the lug (11).

In the inner central part of the piece (2) there is a ventilation slot (28) and ventilation holes (27), arranged in the highest part thereof and which serve to ensure the internal ventilation of the piece by natural convection Finally, in the inclined area (4) the piece has holes (12) for anchoring the caps (24) or photovoltaic modules (19) by means of fixing elements on the long (20) and short (21) sides.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the nestable modular float piece (1). As shown, the central zone (2) forms a concave zone that gives it buoyancy. In the upper part (4) it is observed that the piece is substantially inclined with respect to the horizontal a variable angle, depending on the application and / or latitude of the installation. The upper part (4) is topped by a rib (13) raised on the inclined plane (4), F.OEPM20 / 08 / 2015F.EfectivaNº application27 / 08 / 2015a support plane of the solar caps or modules, formed in this way to avoid, once the lid or solar module is arranged, the rainwater inlet. It is also observed the horizontal plane (14), where the highlights mentioned in the description of Figure 1 arranged for anchoring the linking elements between floats are arranged. Finally, the maximum level to which the water can reach is indicated (15) guaranteeing the buoyancy of the piece.

Figure 3 shows an example of a set of floats stacked and nested together (17), minimizing and optimizing the volume occupied during the factory, transport and reception on site. On the lower float of the assembly (16) are arranged as many pieces as required, allow the place or means of transport.

Figure 4 shows a set of two joined floats (1), hereinafter floating unit (18). A floating unit has been plotted as the preferred embodiment, and others can be established other than the preferred one, including a floating unit constituted by a single piece. This floating unit (18), is the support of a single plate or solar module that is attached to both floats engageable on the upper inclined surface. As can be seen, both floats are joined by the long side tongue and grooved teeth (6 and 7), guaranteeing the transmission of vertical loads to which the floating unit may be subjected.

Figure 5 shows a floating unit (18), on which a photovoltaic solar module (19) has been arranged which acts as a cover for the float parts (1), preventing the entry of rainwater or snow the inside of it. The solar module (19) is anchored to the floating unit by conventional fixing clips (20 and 21), usually aluminum or plastic. The connection of the floating unit to the solar module is versatile and with sufficient tolerance to allow the anchoring of a wide range of standard solar panels or modules and their dimension. These in turn are fixed to the float by screws or rivets arranged in the anchor holes (12). The piece allows the fixation of fixings in the four sides of the solar module, depending on the wind and wave loads, and / or manufacturer's requirements, being the number of anchors preferred of four on the long sides (20) and one on the short sides (21).

Figure 6 shows a gangway float (23) composed of a modular float (1) and a lid (24). The cover anchored to the float constitutes, preferably, a unit capable of serving as a transit surface for assembly tasks and F.OEPM20 / 08 / 2015F.EfectivaNº application27 / 08 / 2015maintenance. Likewise, it constitutes a floating element that can be used, in applications other than preferred, for other uses, such as pontoons, access walkways in aquatic environments and floating recreational platforms.

Figure 7 shows an example of a floating type set (22) consisting of a certain number of floating units (18) with their respective photovoltaic modules

(19) arranged in two main alignments, forming a grid of rows and columns. The floating units (18) in the preferred embodiment are framed within perimeter frames serving as service paths or system gateways (25) that are made from the number of gangway floats (23) necessary to achieve the configuration desired.

In figure 8 a general plan view of the floating assembly (22) is written. The detail views on a larger scale of this figure allow to see the junctions (26) between all the elements of the system with each other, floating units (18) with photovoltaic modules (19) and gangway floats (23). Likewise, the form of preferred placement of the joints (26), arranged through the hole of the anchor ring (10) and anchored to the lugs (11) is detailed. Preferably, the joints are elastic to enable rotation in the coupling of the system to the slopes of a raft and not limit the degrees of freedom to movement in the horizontal plane. In this way, the efforts generated by the relative movement between the different units are minimized, due to the loads to which it may be subjected (wind, snow, maintenance overloads, etc.).

In figure 9 there is represented by way of example, a floating photovoltaic application (35) composed of four floating sets (22), creating a grid of corridors or walkways (25) inside of which the floating units are arranged (18). ) with photovoltaic modules (19).

Figure 10 shows the floating photovoltaic application (35) arranged on the water sheet (29) of a pond or reservoir (32) with the water level at its upper level (30). The application or floating cover is anchored to the crown perimeter (34) through the perimeter anchors using ropes. The floating application and the raft represented are by way of example, the system being versatile and modular enough to adopt any configuration and adapt to any balsa geometry.

Figure 11 shows a floating application (35) arranged on the water sheet (29) F.OEPM20 / 08 / 2015F.EffectiveNu application27 / 08 / 2015of a raft or reservoir (32) with the minimum water level (31) ). The floating application is anchored to the perimeter of coronation (34) to the perimeter anchors using ropes. The floating application and the raft represented are by way of example, the system being versatile and modular enough to adopt any configuration and adapt to any balsa geometry.

Figure 12 shows the detail of figure 11, a pond or reservoir (32) with floating application (35) and low water level (31). It can be seen that when the water level drops, the floats (36) rest on the interior slope (33) and are connected to the perimeter anchors and ends arranged on the crown (34). In the same way, an opening (37) of the floating application (35) is appreciated, thanks to which, the cover is coupled to the geometry of the raft, opening when the level drops and closes when the level rises.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The modular modular float for floating photovoltaic installations is preferably carried out with the geometry and characteristics of figure 1 and 2, rectangular in shape, open at the top and with exit angles that give it a snap-fit for storage and transport, as shown in FIG. details in figure 3.

Preferably, each plate or photovoltaic module will be supported by two modular floats, as shown in Figure 4 and 5, so as to increase the security in case of failure or entry of water into one of them, the plate acting solar as a lid to prevent the entry of rainwater into the interior of the floats. This set constitutes the floating unit.

Preferably, the necessary gangways for the assembly and maintenance of the modular system, will be carried out by means of modular floats fitted with top cover, as it is written in figure 6, in order to ensure the modularity of the assembly, as shown in the floating sets and modular floating applications represented in figures 7 and 9.

Preferably, all the constituent elements of the system object of invention: floating elements, floating units and float walkways, will be joined by elastic joints providing the whole of the permissiveness to the movement necessary to not generate F.OEPM20 / 08 / 2015F.EfectivaNº request27 / 08 / 2015Elevated efforts when subjected to external loads of wind, waves, snow, overloads of assembly and / or maintenance and in turn, allow the coupling of the floating cover to the different geometries of the aquatic location where it is housed.

Preferably, and not restrictive or limiting, the system of modular floats can be used on the water sheet of ponds or reservoirs, characterized by temporary variations in the level of the reservoir water. This preferred embodiment characterizes the system, since it is capable of being coupled to the vessel geometry thereof - supporting both the bottom surface and interior slopes - exclusive design condition of this utility model that also differentiates it from other floating technologies. This fundamental characteristic of the system is given by the modularity of the system, the elastic joints between the different elements and the possibility of generating openings in the floating application in the main alignments and edges.

Likewise, the preferred embodiment in rafts or reservoirs of irrigation, drinking water or sewage water is based on the fact that this type of infrastructures are usually linked to electromechanical equipment, such as electro submerged or surface pumps, filtering and dosing elements , own machining of the process of purification, agitators, etc., bringing the points of consumption to the generation systems, particularly photovoltaic.

Preferably, floating photovoltaic applications will cover as much water surface as possible, so as to reduce the evaporation of water, a serious problem in areas of arid or semi-arid climate such as the Mediterranean basin.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

The modular plastic float fit for photovoltaic installations can be manufactured commercially through different manufacturing processes, such as rotomolding, injection and thermoforming or thermoforming, etc. and based on different materials, polyethylene (HDPE, MDPE, LDPE), or composite materials, such as ABS, thermoplastic composites with fibers, etc. Preferably, the nestable modular float will be manufactured by the process of thermoforming or thermoforming, both by vacuum and compression and preferably with polyethylene, additive against UV rays and with long exposure to the weather.

Claims (7)

1. Modular float (1), which can be used in floating solar installations photovoltaic characterized in that: -it is nestable (17) thanks to its concave geometry and open at the top. -the union of two plastic modular floats (18) supports both a photovoltaic solar module (19) and a plastic or metallic upper cover (24) through the specific fixings on the long (20) and short (21) side, thus materializing a closed, watertight and walkable floating unit.

2.

Modular float (1) according to claim 1 in which the placement of the photovoltaic panel comprises an inclined upper plane with a central opening (4), ribbed perimeter (13) and with anchoring holes (12) of the photovoltaic module or upper cover. In the steepest part, ventilation routes are located through two circular holes (27) and a longitudinal ventilation slot (28) in the vertical of the perimeter rib (13).

3.

Modular float (1) according to claim 1 in which the joining means between adjoining floats comprise an intermediate horizontal plane with freedom to rotate vertically (14) where a tongue and groove toothed system is located on the long sides (6,7) , and short sides (8,9) and also, anchor rings (10) and lugs (11) arranged in the four corners where the articulated joint between floats (26) is connected, which allows absorbing variations in the water level and relative movements in the support of the floats both on the water or on the inner shoulders of the body of water.

Four.

Modular float (1) according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the catwalk float cover (23) consists of a laterally ribbed upper passable surface (24), uneven vertical walls cut according to the angle of inclination of the modular float (1) to together form a horizontal upper plane.

5.

Modular float (1) according to the preceding claims characterized in that it is capable of forming floating sets (22) of at least 16 floating units

(18) surrounded on the perimeter by catwalk floats (23). F.OEPM20 / 08 / 2015F.Effective Application No. 27/08/2015

6.

Modular float (1) according to claim 5 characterized in that the set of floating units can be joined to others forming a floating photovoltaic application (35) that contains an opening system or elastic joint (37) that absorbs the difference between the horizontal surface and its projection in ponds and reservoirs forming a totally modular system of elements (1,23) and joints (26) that totally covers the water surface of ponds and reservoirs regardless of their geometry, dimensions and depth of the water surface.

7.

Modular float (1) according to claim 6 characterized in that the floating photovoltaic application (35) is externally joined by ropes (38) attached to the lugs (11) of the floating units (18) to a foundation or fixed anchor system (39 ) located on the crown road or outer perimeter of the pond or reservoir.