OA19332A - Connectors for modular support platforms - Google Patents
Connectors for modular support platforms Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- OA19332A OA19332A OA1201900062 OA19332A OA 19332 A OA19332 A OA 19332A OA 1201900062 OA1201900062 OA 1201900062 OA 19332 A OA19332 A OA 19332A
- Authority
- OA
- OAPI
- Prior art keywords
- support
- connector element
- éléments
- connectors
- element type
- Prior art date
Links
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000002787 reinforcement Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004416 thermosoftening plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 abstract description 4
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 206010047654 Vitreous floaters Diseases 0.000 description 3
- 230000035882 stress Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000005188 flotation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001737 promoting Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005457 optimization Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009877 rendering Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003381 stabilizer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004642 transportation engineering Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005493 welding type Methods 0.000 description 1
Abstract
The present application discloses a set of connectors for modular support platforms. Said connectors (5, 6) are used to aggregate at least two support elements, forming a support platform which can be rearranged by adding new support elements and connectors, according to the need. In a preferred embodiment, the set of connectors (5, 6) now developed is used to form a modular support platform for a solar panel power plant, allowing its installation in, but not exclusively, water surfaces
Description
The présent application discloses a set of connectors for modular support platforms.
Background art
Currently solar power plants are installed onshore or on preexisting support structures. These Systems are rarely installed 10 offshore in locations such as lagoons, lakes, ponds, dams, rivers and others. This is mainly due to the instability of the base, and due to the undulation that results from wind, boat passage, and water level changes which are ail characteristic of these locations.
The document US 2016/0087573 describes a floating structure which consists of a central convergence box which serves as the center and base point, where two or more buoys are connected to create a cross structure, ultimately connected to a circular 20 frame which acts as a stabilizer element for the entire structure. The system described uses a plurality of éléments, rendering the integrity of the structure dépendent on the final circular frame, such that if this component is damaged the whole structure becomes structurally instable.
The document MX2016007874 describes a floating structure which connects floatation devices directly to each other, using a complex System to connect such floaters. These floaters are solid, making their transportation very difficult from an 30 économie and practical viewpoint. The system uses connectors which are part of the floater and use a complex connection system relying on connector pins. This complex connection system is impossible to replace without disassembling the entire structure if there is any damage to a component.
The document FR2980562 describes a structure which receives solar panels directly by means of a slot system; each panel is mounted on a structure composed by at least 4 éléments, which act as a frame and simultaneously as the floating element of the structure, thus creating a rigid structure and transmitting any loads and stress directly to the panel. The connectors for the system rely on a pin system for connection between floating éléments, focusing the loads on this component. It is obvious that, from a structural point of view, the solar panels are highly solicited, which can lead to prématuré damage.
Summary
The présent application describes a set of connectors comprising:
— A connector element type 1 comprising four connection ports and a latéral reinforcement in between each two connection ports, wherein:
— Each connection port is formed by a hole in the surface of the connector element, configured to position and fix a support element by means of a connection mechanism;
— The latéral reinforcement comprises two connection holes in the proximity of each connection port it is linking, for fixation of the support element by means of a connection mechanism; and — A connector element type 2 made of the same material as connector element type 1 comprising a reticulate surface and two connection ports, wherein each port is formed by a hole in the surface of the connector element, configured to position and fix a support element by means of a connection mechanism.
In one embodiment, the connecter element type 1 and 2 are of a thermoplastic material.
In another embodiment, the connecter element type 1 has a cross shape.
In another embodiment, the connecter element type 2 has a rectangular shape.
In another embodiment, the connection mechanism is of a screw and nut type.
It is also described a modular support platform comprising four support éléments maximum, wherein said support éléments are connected by the connector element type 1 of claim 1.
In one embodiment, the modular support platform comprises at least two support platforms connected by the connector element type 2 of claim 1.
In another embodiment, the modular support platform comprises at least one additional support element wherein said support element is connected to the support platform by means of the connector element type 2 of claim 1.
In another embodiment, the modular support platform comprises two support éléments, wherein said support éléments are connected by the connector element type 2 of claim 1.
General description
The présent application discloses a set of connectons for modular support platforms. Said connectors are used to aggregate at least two support éléments, forming a support platform which can be rearranged by adding new support éléments and connectors, according to the need.
Therefore, in order to form a support platform, able to cope with dynamic loads and stresses caused by its natural and/or artificial motion, two types of connector éléments were developed: connector element type 1 and connector element type 2. In fact, by using two structurally different connectors for the purpose of forming a support platform, the support éléments can be connected according to a predefined logic, which favours the modularity of the support platform itself according to a spécifie implémentation scénario.
The support éléments can be connected to each other, in the following way: the connector element type 1 is used to connect four support éléments maximum, forming a support platform; connector element type 2, in its preferred form, is used to connect two support platforms, but can be used to join only two support éléments, forming a smaller support platform.
The connector element type 1 can take a plurality of shapes as long as it is adapted to connect four support éléments maximum, by means of a connection mechanism. In its preferred form, said connector element has a cross shape, as a resuit of a careful évaluation, being engineered to best comply and accommodate the dynamic loads of the payload attached, and calculated for the best relation between minimal material usage and strongest mechanical résistance. Due to its purpose and function a thermoplastic material was chosen for its mechanical properties, in order to ensure that ail the support éléments connected to him are at the same level. In order to ensure this purpose, the connector element has a latéral reinforcement in between two connection ports where a support element is attached.
Each connection port is formed by a hole in the surface of the connector element, design to perfectly fit and position the support element attached to it. The fixation of the support element is ensured by means of a connection mechanism applied either in the connection port or in the latéral reinforcements of the connector element. In fact, the latéral reinforcement comprises two connection holes associated to the two connection ports that it is linking, promoting the fixation of the respective support éléments.
On the other hand, connector element type 2 is made of the same material as connector element type 1, but designed to be more flexible in order to absorb dynamic loads and stress, assuring these are not transmitted to the support platform formed by connector éléments type 1. The connector can take a plurality of shapes however, the design of the connector engineered by this solution, of a rectangular shape, is the one which présents the best mechanical properties for the présent application. Due to its flexibility, this connector is configured to connect two support platforms or two support éléments, by means of a connection mechanism. For that purpose, it has two holes in its surface representing its two connection ports. The use of the refered holes promotes the perfect fit and positioning of the support éléments which are attached to it. This connector element has a reticulate surface favoring its mechanical properties, and serving as a secondary effect for adding roughness and an anti-slip surface.
The combined use of these two types of connectors, allows the possibility to form modular platform structures that are able to cope with the dynamic loads originated from the surrounding environment, assuring that they are not transmitted to the payload attached to the support platform and therefore eliminating the need of a bulky and rigid structure for attaching the payload to the support platforms.
The connection mechanism used to connect support éléments either to connector éléments type 1 or connector éléments type 2 can be of a non-permanent type connection, since a permanent connection, like a welding type, would derogate its modular function. For this reason, the connection mechanism used in both connector is of a screw and nut type.
Brief description of drawings
For easier understanding of this application, figures are attached in the annex that represent example forms of implémentation, which nevertheless are not intended to limit the technique disclosed herein.
Figure 1: Schematic représentation of connector éléments 1 and 2, where the reference numbers represent:
- Connector element type 1;
- Connector element type 2.
Figure 2 : Schematic représentation of a modular platform, where the reference numbers represent:
- Modular support platform;
- Support platform;
- Connector element type 1;
- Connector element type 2.
Figure 3: Schematic représentation of a modular platform, where the reference numbers represent:
- Modular support platform;
- Support platform;
- Solar module;
- Connector element 2;
- Support platform for solar module.
Figure 4: Schematic représentation of a floating structure, where the reference numbers represent:
- Support platform
- Support element;
- Connector element 1.
Figure 5: Schematic showing several examples of combinations of modular support platforms (1).
Figures 6a and 6b: Schematic showing several examples of configurations of modular support platforms (1) optimized for the location.
Description of embodiments
For easier understanding of this application, figures are attached in the annex that represent example forms of implémentation which, nevertheless, are not intended to limit the technique disclosed herein.
In a particular embodiment, the set of connectons now developed is used to form a modular support platform for a solar panel power plants, allowing its installation in, but not exclusively, water surfaces. In this embodiment, and considering the scénario where the solar panel power plant is installed in a water surface, the support element is of a floating type.
With the set of connectons now developed is possible to optimize the number and disposition of the flotation éléments in order to maximize the number of solar panels in each location. In this context, a modular floating support platform (1) for solar modules can be formed by connecting at least two floating support platforms (7), having each one four floating support éléments (4) wherein a solar module (3) is installed. In this configuration, the floating support éléments (4) are connected amongst themselves by two different connector éléments, connector element type 1 (5) and connector element type 2 (6), promoting an infinité number of combinations, hence the modular characteristic of this system which allows for optimization depending on the location attributes. In fact, the disposition of the floating platform is defined after studying the deployment site, always within a disposition based on an array of structures, as suggested by figures 4 and 5.
The connector element type 1 (5) is used to connect four floatation support éléments (4) maximum, forming a floating support platform (2), whilst the connector element 2 (6) is applied when the connection between only two flotation support éléments (4) or between two floating support platforms (2) is 10 required.
Claims (9)
1. A set of connectors comprising:
— A connector element type 1 comprising four connection ports and a latéral reinforcement in between each two connection ports, wherein:
— Each connection port is formed by a hole in the surface of the connector element, configured to position and fix a support element by means of a connection mechanism;
— The latéral reinforcement comprises two connection holes in the proximity of each connection port it is linking, for fixation of the support element by means of a connection mechanism; and — A connector element type 2 made of the same material as connector element type 1 comprising a reticulate surface and two connection ports, wherein each port is formed by a hole in the surface of the connector element, configured to position and fix a support element by means of a connection mechanism.
2. A set of connectors according to claim 1, wherein the connector element type 1 and 2 are of a thermoplastic material.
3. A set of connectors according to claim 1 and 2, wherein the connector element type 1 has a cross shape.
4. A set of connectors according to claim 1, wherein the connector element type 2 has a rectangular shape.
5.
A set of connectors according to claim 1, wherein the connection mechanism is of a screw and nut type.
6. A modular support platform comprising four support éléments maximum, wherein said support éléments are connected by the connector element type 1 of claim 1.
7. A modular support platform according to claim 6, comprising at least two support platforms connected by the connector element type 2 of claim 1.
8. A modular support platform according to claim 6, comprising at least one additional support element wherein said support element is connected to the support platform by means of the connector element type 2 of claim 1.
9. A modular support platform, comprising two support éléments, wherein said support éléments are connected by the connector element type 2 of claim 1.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PT109625 | 2016-09-20 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| OA19332A true OA19332A (en) | 2020-06-29 |
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