TW202034619A - Floating module for modular solar panel platforms - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application describes a floating module (1) for modular solar panel platforms. For the purpose of this application, two separate components are mounted, a structural component - rigid component (2) - and a buoyancy component - flexible component (3) - allowing for a more compact and simple solution all-around. The technology used and developed for the present application allows for a technologically more advanced floating component, easier to produce, transport and deploy than most currently available solutions.

Description

Floating module for modular solar panel platform

This case discloses floating modules for modular solar panel platforms.

Currently, energy generation centers of different scales based on photovoltaic cells are installed on the ground (onshore) or on pre-existing structures. These systems are rarely installed on the water surface, especially such as lakes, lagoons, ponds, reservoirs, and rivers.

WO 2012/139998 describes the floating structure itself as a solar panel holder, which is manufactured by rotational molding or blow molding technology, thus generating a thermoplastic rigid component with encapsulated air, which can be added or removed for Control its buoyancy. The proposed system is bulky and difficult to transport and assemble.

JP 2007173710 describes a floating structure for assembling an energy generating cell, which uses two sheets of thermoplastic resin foam encapsulated by a thermoplastic material, thereby generating a floating component and imparting buoyancy to the structure.

This case describes a floating module, which includes a rigid component and at least one flexible component, with enclosed air or gas, where the flexible component is confined within the rigid component and in the space defined by the top surface surrounded by the side cover , The side cover has structural reinforcement formed by horizontal base ribs and lateral vertical ribs, and the top surface is characterized by: The inner surface, which is formed by a matrix of ribs, is designed to withstand the load and weight applied to the top surface; The outer surface, which includes an installation area for assembling the solar panel structure and an installation area for assembling individual through supports; The central passage hole increases the structural resistance of the rigid component and corrects the position of at least one flexible component in the rigid component; At least one valve accesses the cave, which allows access to the interior of the individual flexible components.

In a specific aspect of the floating module, the rigid component is made of thermoplastic material.

In another specific aspect of the floating module, the rigid component includes two connecting ports.

In another specific aspect of the floating module, the flexible component includes at least one diaphragm made of a thermoplastic material.

In another specific aspect of the floating module, the flexible component includes a valve.

In another specific aspect of the floating module, the valve of the flexible component is accommodated in the valve access cavity of the rigid component by applying a valve, and the rigid component and the flexible component are assembled.

In another specific aspect of the floating module, the assembly of the solar panel structure and the through support member in each individual installation area is a screw and nut type.

This case also discloses a floating platform, which includes at least three floating modules as described above. <General description>

The current technology is about floating modules, which allow buoyancy at the height of the surface of the floating platform formed by connecting at least two floating modules.

Floating modules are to be installed in groups with at least three floating modules, and the formed platform is suitable for supporting solar modules, which can generate energy through photovoltaic panels on an aqueous medium.

Due to the fluctuation and instability of the aqueous medium, the floating module is designed to withstand the load, which is imposed by the dynamics of the medium, as well as by the personnel and equipment required during system maintenance. For this purpose, the intricate geometry ensures that mechanical stresses and loads are absorbed by the component without causing any problems with its integrity. In addition, its geometry also allows the components of this solution to be easily stacked, resulting in a compact product that is simpler to transport.

In view of this, the floating module includes a rigid component and at least one flexible component. The flexible component is filled with air or other gas, which is confined in the space defined by the rigid component.

When the platform is deployed on an aqueous medium, the rigid component is responsible for the structural rigidity and integrity of the floating module and the floating platform assembled by the extension, which is required by the personnel who support the solar module and perform maintenance activities.

Rigid components are produced using thermoplastic processing technology (in particular, injection molding), which can produce single parts with intricate geometry, light weight, and high resistance. Rigid components have several geometric features, which represent structural strengthening and are responsible for better resistance and mechanical behavior: the foundation ribs ensure that the large cave maintains its shape and does not allow the material to be bent in a permanent deformation manner; the internal surface of the component presents The complex matrix of ribs is engineered to withstand the load and weight applied to the upper surface of the floating module, ensuring smooth and even distribution of the load to the lateral ribs. These in turn transfer the load further to the foundation ribs, so the load bearing capacity of the entire assembly depends on the combination of these features. The central passage hole allows the shaft to pass and correct the positioning of the flexible component, while also increasing the structural resistance of the structure.

The top surface of the rigid component includes at least one valve access cavity to allow access to the inside of the individual flexible component. It also includes: the installation area used to promote the contact and fixation of the solar panel structure in the rigid component, and the installation area used to individually support the solar panel structure; these two assemblies are achieved by screws and nuts.

The rigid component additionally includes two connection ports, one on each side, which facilitates the recombination of other floating modules (especially their rigid components) to form a platform.

The flexible component supplements the rigid component by giving buoyancy to its own components and extending the assembled platform. This is a flexible component made of one or more diaphragms made of flexible materials (such as thermoplastic materials), which allow air or other gases to pass through a valve that is part of the component and be enclosed in it. Give enough buoyancy to offset the force exerted by every other component required for the normal operation of the solar module and the platform.

Separating the flexible and rigid components allows for easier and simpler maintenance. The assembly between those components is performed using the valve installed in the flexible component and the valve installed in the rigid component to access the cavity. In particular, when the valve is contained in the valve access cavity, the positioning of the flexible component in the rigid component is achieved by applying a valve that maintains the valve in position, even when deflated. The arrangement of valves, valve stubs and valve access cavities also allows for stable maintenance operations of the flexible assembly, especially when it is refilled with air or gas, even during the use of the platform.

Floating modules are used with appropriate connectors to build a platform intended to support solar panel modules. The construction of the floating platform must use three floating components in order to support the solar modular structure.

In order to make it easier to understand this case, a diagram representing an exemplary form of implementation is appended, and it is not intended to limit the technology disclosed here in any way.

This case describes a floating module (1) used in a modular solar panel platform. For this application, two separate components are installed: a rigid component (2) and a flexible buoyancy component (3), allowing a more compact and simple overall solution.

The rigid component (2) has: a functional area, which when properly assembled by the connection port (5), allows the solar panel support to be fixed to the installation area of the solar panel (6); and the installation area, which penetrates the solar panel support Structure (7). Its shape, structural integrity and resistance are guaranteed by the geometric features (9, 10, 11, 12) present throughout its surface.

The valve of the flexible component (3) is installed through the valve wheel (4), which maintains the position of the valve even when the air is vented. This assembly can be performed through the valve access cavity (8); this allows the flexible component to be repaired and filled from the top of the rigid component without disassembling the two components.

In a special situation, in order to fully assemble the energy-generating floating platform, at least three floating modules (1) are assembled by connectors (15) with ports (5), and the solar panel support (13) And the shaft (14) from the solar module is received in the appropriate installation area (6, 7). This allows the deployment of solar panel platforms on the water.

1: Floating module 2: Rigid component 3: Flexible components 4: Valve wheel 5: Port 6: Installation area for panel support 7: Used to penetrate the installation area of the support 8: Valve access cave 9: base rib 10: rib matrix 11: Lateral ribs 12: Central passage hole 13: Solar panel support 14: shaft 15: Connector 16: Lid

In order to make it easier to understand this case, a diagram representing a preferred form of implementation is appended, which is not intended to limit the technology disclosed here in any way. Figure 1: Schematic representation of the floating assembly (1); Figure 2: Schematic representation of the rigid component (2); Figure 3: Schematic representation of the bottom view of the rigid component (2); Figure 4: Schematic representation of the functional assembly of the energy generation platform.

1: Floating module

2: Rigid component

3: Flexible components

4: Valve wheel

Claims (8)

A floating module, which includes a rigid component and at least one flexible component, with enclosed air or gas, wherein the flexible component is confined in the rigid component and in a space defined by a top surface surrounded by a side cover Among them, the side cover has structural reinforcement formed by horizontal base ribs and lateral vertical ribs, and the top surface is characterized by: The inner surface, which is formed by a matrix of ribs, is designed to withstand the load and weight applied to the top surface; The outer surface, which includes an installation area for assembling the solar panel structure and an installation area for assembling individual through supports; A central passage hole, which increases the structural resistance of the rigid component and corrects the position of the at least one flexible component in the rigid component; At least one valve accesses the cave, which allows access to the interior of the individual flexible component. According to the first floating module in the scope of patent application, the rigid component is made of thermoplastic material. The floating module according to the first and second items of the scope of patent application, wherein the rigid component includes two connecting ports. According to the first floating module of the scope of patent application, the flexible component includes at least one diaphragm made of thermoplastic material. The floating module according to the first and fourth items of the scope of patent application, wherein the flexible component includes a valve. The floating module according to items 1 and 5 of the scope of patent application, wherein the valve of the flexible component is accommodated in the valve access cavity of the rigid component by applying a valve, and the rigid component and the flexible component Assembly between components. According to the first floating module in the scope of patent application, the assembly of the solar panel structure and the through support in each individual installation area is a screw and nut type. A floating platform includes at least three floating modules as described in any one of items 1 to 7 in the scope of patent application.

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