TW202239663A - Articulated floating structure - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a floating structure, comprising a plurality of interconnected frames and a plurality of buoyant members supporting the structure, wherein the frames are substantially triangular in planform. Adjacent triangular frames may be movably connected, in particular pivotably connected. The triangular frames may comprise right-angle triangles, isosceles triangles or equilateral triangles. The floating structure may support an installation, like e.g. a solar farm. The invention also relates to a triangular frame for use in such a floating structure.

Description

Articulated floating structure

The present invention relates to floating structures, in particular, floating structures consisting of a frame supported by buoyant elements. More particularly, the present invention relates to floating structures that provide a platform for an installation such as an array of PV panels, a desalination plant or an energy storage unit or for some other type of use. Floating structures can be used both nearshore (eg, on a river or lake) and offshore.

In many parts of the world, land is becoming increasingly scarce as cities expand, and increasing populations require more land to be reserved for agriculture. Consequently, there is a trend that facilities occupying a larger surface area (eg solar farms) are increasingly built on large floating structures or artificial islands. These floating structures can be positioned near cities that will use energy harvested from solar farms. Many of the largest cities in the world are located near a body of water, such as an ocean or a lake.

As illustrated by the literature discussed below, conventional floating structures typically include a relatively large rigid frame supported by independently buoyant members or composed of hollow elements that provide inherent buoyancy. With some exceptions, the frame of a conventional floating structure is generally rectangular. Conventional floating structures have a relatively high wave resistance, resulting in relatively high loads on their frames, which must therefore be strong and relatively heavy. Furthermore, although rectangular frames can accommodate movement caused by frontal waves, they are not suitable for accommodating torsional wave movement. A floating structure consisting of several rectangular frames requires relatively complex couplings and a relatively wide spacing to accommodate torsional wave movement.

The prior art document WO 2017/118998 A1 discloses a rectangular floating solar platform comprising a horizontal grid consisting of one or more horizontal support members connected to each other in a matrix pattern and one or more horizontal grids fixedly mounted on the horizontal grid. The vertical support members form a unified floating structure. A horizontal planar modular deck is fixedly mounted on the unified floating structure and supports one or more solar panel arrays. This floating structure is too stiff to follow the waves, resulting in high wave loads on the structure and/or large air gap requirements between the wave surface and the solar panel array.

Prior art document WO 2017/023536 A1 discloses a floating solar array made of a closed loop of flexible high-density polyethylene pipes with elbows, T-shaped fittings and couplings forming a pontoon. An anti-lift membrane fills with water and mitigates wind. The array may have a stable side edge down from the border of the array, especially when it is used offshore in the ocean. This document shows not only rectangular pontoons but also hexagonal and octagonal pontoons.

The prior art document KR 101997077 B1 discloses a floating solar power generation module, which includes: a closed circular or elliptical support frame provided outside a structure; a support net with a lattice The shape provides a rope; an array of solar panels on a support grid; and a main float coupled to one side of the support frame.

In view of the above, there is a need for improved floating structures.

According to the present invention, there is provided a floating structure comprising a plurality of interconnected frames and a plurality of buoyancy members supporting the structure, and wherein at least some of the frames are substantially triangular in plan.

By interconnecting a plurality of frames, which can be relatively small, rather than using a single relatively large frame, floating structures can be built relatively easily and quickly by assembling such frames. Furthermore, the plurality of smaller frames is easier to store, transport and dispose of than a single large frame. For example, frames can be shipped in standard 40 foot containers if their edges are designed to not exceed 12 m.

And by using triangular frames instead of the commonly used rectangular frames, loads on the structure can be absorbed and/or transmitted in a more efficient manner. Triangular frames are particularly suitable for absorbing and/or transmitting shear loads in the plane of the triangle and have a relatively high strength-to-weight ratio.

And finally, by using separate buoyancy components, rather than providing buoyancy to the frame, a clear functional division is established which allows the frame to optimize its load-bearing function. This arrangement also allows the frame to be kept away from the water, thus reducing the wave resistance of the floating structure and keeping the upper surface of the floating structure dry and free from water loads. Furthermore, this configuration results in less movement of the frame compared to a partially submerged frame or pontoons, which is beneficial when using floating structures to support a facility.

Although the floating structure may contain frames having a different plan, for example, an array of rectangular frames at one edge or a center of the structure, in one embodiment all frames are substantially triangular in plan. In this way, the floating structure as a whole is optimally adapted to accommodate in-plane shear loads.

In a further embodiment, adjacent triangular frames are movably connected. By providing a movable connection between adjacent frames, they can accommodate movements due to torsional waves more efficiently, so that the load on the floating structure is reduced. By "movably connected" it is meant that a frame has one or more of six possible degrees of freedom relative to an adjacent frame.

In yet another embodiment, adjacent triangular frames are pivotally connected. A pivotable connection allows the frame to more or less conform to waves on the body of water on which the structure floats, thus reducing the load on the structure even further.

In one embodiment, adjacent triangular frames are connected along their equal sides. Two or more connecting elements may be arranged on the side of the frame to be connected to an adjacent frame having a corresponding number of connecting elements on its side. The number of connecting elements arranged on each side and their positions can be determined by the loads acting on and transmitted between adjacent frames.

In order to maximize the useful surface area of the floating structures, in one embodiment, the triangular frames may have substantially the same shape. In this way, they can be mounted relatively close together.

In an embodiment where the triangular frames have substantially the same dimensions, a uniform floating structure can be achieved.

In an alternative embodiment of the floating structure, at least one of the triangular frames may have a size that is a multiple of the size of the other of the triangular frames. In this way, the floating structure can consist of a combination of one of larger and smaller triangles.

In one embodiment, each triangular frame can have a base, an apex, and two sides connecting opposite ends of the base to the apex, and adjacent triangular frames can be connected along their respective edges such that a The bottom edge of the first frame is closest to the apex of a second frame, and the bottom edge of the second frame is closest to the apex of the first frame. In this way, an array of alternating triangles can be formed such that a series of bases at opposite sides can form a substantially continuous edge.

Additionally or alternatively, in one embodiment, each triangular frame may have a base, an apex, and two sides connecting opposite ends of the base to the apex, and adjacent triangular frames may be positioned along their respective Bottom connection. In this way, two interconnected triangular frames can form a rhombus.

By combining these two types of connections between adjacent triangular frames, each triangular frame (except the frames defining the edges of the structure) can be connected to adjacent frames on all sides so that a substantially continuous floating structure can be formed .

In one embodiment, the triangular frame may comprise a right triangle. These triangular frames can be easily combined to form a rectangular floating structure.

In another embodiment, the triangular frame may comprise isosceles triangles. In this way, a uniform floating structure can be formed.

With an embodiment in which the triangular frame comprises regular triangles, the uniformity of the floating structure can be further increased.

In order to obtain an efficient load-bearing structure for each frame, in one embodiment, the isosceles triangle may have a vertex angle between about 20° and 120°, specifically a vertex angle of 60°.

In one embodiment of the floating structure, at least some of the triangular frames may have at least one chamfered or rounded corner. For practical purposes, such as to provide sufficient strength or to avoid dangerously sharp angles, slight deviations from a purely triangular shape are acceptable without losing the essential advantages of the shape.

In one embodiment of the floating structure, at least some of the triangular frames may have a substantially open load-bearing structure, the three sides of the triangles including beams connected at or near their ends. By concentrating the loads acting on the frame in the beams forming the edges of the triangle, a well-defined and efficient load distribution can be achieved.

To allow a facility to be mounted on a floating structure, in one embodiment, the beams forming the sides of the triangle may support an internal grid or a platform.

In one embodiment, each triangular frame is supported by at least one buoyant member. In this way, the frame is self-supporting and does not rely on being connected to other frames for equal buoyancy.

In one embodiment, at least one buoyancy member may be connected to a respective triangular frame by at least one post. In this way, a distance is maintained between the floating structure and the surface of the body of water in which it floats.

To ensure the stability of the individual frames, in one embodiment of the floating structure, each triangular frame can be supported by at least three buoyancy elements.

In a further embodiment, each buoyancy member may be connected to a respective triangular frame near a corner of the frame. In this way, the stability of the floating structure is increased even further.

In one embodiment, when adjacent triangular frames are connected along their equal sides or bases, each buoyancy element may be connected to a respective triangular frame at a location along the side or base relative to the A position of a buoyant member is offset along a side or base of an adjacent triangular frame to which the first side or base is connected. In this way, there is no risk of collision of buoyant elements of adjacent triangular frames during movement of the frames on waves of a body of water on which the structure floats.

In one embodiment, the floating structure may further include anchoring means for substantially maintaining the floating structure at a fixed position in a body of water.

In a further embodiment, the floating structure may further include a facility supported by the floating structure.

In yet another embodiment, when the beams forming the sides of the triangle support an internal grid or a platform, the facility may be deployed on the internal grid or platform of a respective triangular frame.

In one embodiment, a facility may include a plurality of PV panels. Alternatively, the facility may comprise, for example, a seawater desalination plant, or an energy storage unit, such as an array of batteries. Other possible uses of floating structures are to generate wind energy through one or more turbines, or to generate wave energy. In addition to one or more floating structures dedicated to energy production, a further floating structure can support energy intensive activities, such as a hydrogen generation unit, a hydrogen to fuel conversion device or a data center. Floating structures may also be used in urbanization (ie, housing and/or recreation), agriculture or aquaculture. And finally, the floating structure can be used as an offshore mooring or satellite port where vessels can load or unload cargo or supplies, in particular fluid cargo that can be brought ashore via pipelines.

In yet another embodiment, the number of buoyancy elements and their equivalent volumes and the length of at least one column can be selected according to the weight of a respective frame and its installation such that the frame is supported in a body of water in which the floating structure is used. A distance above a still waterline. In this way, the frame can remain free of waves on the body of water on which the structure floats.

The invention further provides a triangular frame obviously intended for use in a floating structure as described above.

A floating structure 1 (FIG. 1) comprises a plurality of triangular frames 2, in this embodiment four frames 2A to 2D, which are interconnected along their adjacent edges. Each frame 2 is supported by one or more (in this embodiment three) buoyant members 3 . In the embodiment shown, each buoyancy element 3 is connected to the triangular frame 2 by a single post 6 . Three buoyancy members 3 are shown connected to a respective frame 2 near a corner 7 of frame 2 , ie near one of the three corners of the triangle forming frame 2 .

Adjacent triangular frames 2 are connected so as to be movable relative to each other, so that the floating structure 1 has a certain degree of flexibility. In the illustrated embodiment, adjacent triangular frames 2 are pivotally connected. For this purpose, the frame 2 can be provided with pivotable connection elements 19 , in which case two connection elements 19 are arranged on the sides of the frame 2 near its corners 7 . The number of connecting elements 19 and their positions along the respective sides of each triangular frame 2 may be determined by the loads acting on and transmitted between the frames 2, wherein higher loads may require more than two per side. a connecting element. These connecting elements 19 may comprise a single lug 8 on one of the triangular frames 2 and a pair of lugs 9 on the other frame 2, wherein the lugs 8, 9 may have an alignment for receiving a pin 10 hole (Figure 12). The pivotable connection between the frames 2 results in the creation of an articulated floating structure 1 in which the triangular frames 2 follow the movement of the waves when the structure 1 floats on a body of water.

In the illustrated embodiment, the four triangular frames 2A to 2D are all of the same shape and size. In fact, the frame 2 is shown to be formed by regular triangles, the bases 11 of which ( FIG. 14 ) have the same length as each of the two sides 12 connecting the base 11 to the apex 13 . In this equilateral triangle, the three angles are identical, so that each corner can be regarded as a vertex 13 .

In another embodiment (FIG. 2), the frame 2 is formed by an isosceles triangle, wherein the base 11 (FIG. 13) has a length different from that of the side 12, and the apex 13 has an angle different from the two lower vertices 21. angle α of β. In this embodiment, apex 13 has an angle of 90° such that base 11 is approximately 40% longer than side 12, thus forming an obtuse triangle.

In both embodiments, the three outer triangular frames 2A, 2C and 2D are arranged parallel to each other with their vertices 13 on the same side, while the central triangular frame 2B is arranged in the opposite direction. The left and right triangular frames 2A, 2C are connected to the central triangular frame 2C along their respective sides 12 and the frontmost triangular frame 2D is connected to the central triangular frame 2C along their respective bases 11 .

In this configuration, the four triangular frames 2A to 2D together form a continuous floating structure 1 which is itself triangular and has in plan the same triangular shape as the constituting triangular frames 2 . The edges of the triangular floating structures 1 are twice as long as the edges of the individual triangular frames 2 . The floating structure 1 may comprise more or less than four triangular frames 2 . The floating structure 1 may further include triangular frames with different sizes or different shapes. For example, structure 1 may comprise a central triangular frame having the same dimensions as a combination of four triangular frames as shown in the drawing, which may be surrounded by a combination of four smaller triangular frames of the type shown in the drawing. For practical purposes, the length of the edges of the triangular frame 2 can be selected for ease of transportation and can be a multiple of 6 m (20 feet), which is the size of a standard container. In principle, each triangular frame 2 (except the frame defining one edge of the structure) is connected to adjacent triangular frames 2 on all sides so as to form an essentially continuously floating structure.

Alternatively, the configuration of FIG. 1 can be extended, for example, by placing two triangular frames having the same orientation as the central frame 2C on the two sides of the frontmost triangular frame 2D, thus resulting in an "hourglass" shape, and Two isosceles triangles with one apex of 120° are then added at the equal sides to form a rectangular or square floating structure 1 .

A square floating structure 1 can also be formed by mirroring the configuration of FIG. 2 .

Besides the triangular frame 2, the floating structure 1 can also comprise frames with a different planar shape. For example, one or more square frames can be arranged between the triangular frames 2C and 2D to form an arrowhead floating structure. Additionally or alternatively, a relatively narrow rectangular frame may be configured outside the floating structure to increase buoyancy or to support a walkway for maintenance personnel, for example.

In the illustrated embodiment, each triangular frame 2 has an open load-bearing structure comprising three beams 14 connected at their ends. In the embodiment shown, the beam 2 carries connection elements 19 which allow a frame 2 to be pivotably connected to an adjacent frame 2 . In order to allow a facility to be mounted on the floating structure 1 , an internal grid 15 may be arranged between the load beams 14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the inner grid 15 comprises four longitudinal girders 16 and one transverse girder 17 . As shown here, the internal grid 15 is not only used to support a facility, but also forms a connection between the buoyancy member 3 and the load-bearing frame 2, since the columns 6 are shown connected to the outer longitudinal girders 16 and transverse girders 17 ( Figure 4).

Although the beam 14 and girders 16, 17 are shown here as having a closed rectangular cross-sectional profile, it is contemplated that these components have different cross-sectional profiles. The beams and/or girders may have a circular or elliptical cross-section, or may have another polygonal cross-section, eg triangular. Alternatively, the beams and/or girders may have an open cross-section and may be, for example, C-shaped, H-shaped, I-shaped or L-shaped. It is also conceivable that the beams and/or girders are formed by frames or a space frame.

In the illustrated embodiment, the floating structure 1 supports a solar power generation facility. The facility includes a plurality of PV panel arrays (Figure 3). In this embodiment, each triangular frame 2 carries an array of substantially triangular PV panels. The PV panels are shown arranged in rows 5 whose length decreases from the base 11 of the triangle towards the apex 13 . In this embodiment, adjacent rows 5 are arranged in the shape of a roof, and walkways 18 are shown arranged between each pair of rows 5 .

Although in the illustrated embodiment the entire surface area of each triangular frame 2 is covered by the PV panel array 4, it is also conceivable to reserve part of the surface area for other parts of the installation, such as control electronics, a transformer or for Stored batteries. The floating structure 1 may consist of one or more triangular frames 2 carrying PV panels and other parts of the carrying facility.

Instead of a solar power plant, the floating structure 1 can host a different type of facility, such as a seawater desalination plant, a hydrogen generation plant or some other facility that requires a lot of space but involves only limited or no human intervention. In such cases, the triangular frame 2 may be provided with a platform instead of an internal grid.

In the illustrated embodiment, the buoyant element 3 has the shape of an oblate ellipsoid, ie a body of revolution about a vertical axis based on an ellipse having a major horizontal axis and a minor vertical axis. Such an elliptical buoyant member (which is described in detail in the applicant's co-pending application titled "Floating structure having ellipsoid buoyant members") has been found to have a very low wave resistance such that on each triangular frame 2 The load will be relatively low and its structure can be light. However, in situations where wave resistance is not an issue, more basic shapes of buoyancy members can be considered, as illustrated by the rectangular buoyancy member 23 shown in FIGS. 10-12 .

The load on the triangular frame 2 is further reduced by keeping the frame 2 free of water during normal use. Again, in this way, the installation carried by the floating structure (in this case, the PV panel array 4 ) is also protected from adverse effects due to wave effects. As shown in Figure 6, the buoyancy member 3 is almost completely submerged below the still waterline WL, while the frame 2 is supported at a height h above the still waterline. This is achieved by careful selection of the number of buoyancy elements 3 and their volume and the length of the columns 6 according to the weight of the respective triangular frame 2 and the array of PV panels 4 it supports. The height h above the waterline WL is chosen according to the intended use. For inland waters where wave heights will be limited (such as lakes or even rivers), a free height of between 1 m and 2 m may be sufficient, while for offshore applications it may be desirable to have possibly more Very high structure with frame 2 up to 25 m.

In this embodiment the buoyancy member 3 is shown fully submerged. However, it is also possible to give each buoyancy member 3 a larger volume so that it provides the required buoyancy even when it is only partially submerged. In this case, the potential retained buoyancy that can arise when the buoyancy member 3 is submerged to a greater extent than is required for the carrying frame 2 can be used to increase the dynamic stability of the floating structure 1 . This retained buoyancy will counteract the downward movement of one of the parts of the frame 2 when one side of the triangular frame 2 is lifted by an approaching wave.

Although the frame 2 has so far been shown as purely triangular, small deviations from this shape may be used without departing from the inventive concept. For practical purposes, the corners 7 of each triangular frame 2 may be chamfered or rounded, for example to provide sufficient strength or to avoid dangerously sharp corners. This is shown in the embodiment of FIG. 10 .

This embodiment also includes an alternative arrangement of three buoyant elements 3, wherein the buoyant elements 3 are not arranged symmetrically with respect to a center line of the triangular frame 2, as was the case in the previous embodiments. In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 9, the buoyancy elements 3 of adjacent triangular frames 2 are positioned directly opposite each other in a direction transverse to the connecting edges. Thus, in case of a pivotal movement of the frame 2 due to waves, these buoyant members could theoretically collide. In the embodiment of FIGS. 10 to 12 , each buoyancy member 3A to 3C is connected to the frame 2 via a transverse girder 17 or a pair of corner girders 20 at a position along an edge that is relative to a buoyancy member 3A to 3C. A position of 3C is offset along an edge of an adjacent triangular frame 2 . If a triangular frame 2 were deployed to the right of the frame 2 shown in Figure 10 with its vertices pointing in the opposite direction, its first buoyancy member 3A would not be directly opposite the first buoyancy member 3A of the frame 2 shown, but instead Will be positioned adjacent to but not directly opposite the third buoyancy member 3C. Similarly, if another frame 2 were to be deployed to the left of the frame 2, again with its apex pointing in the opposite direction, its second buoyancy member 3B would be offset from the second buoyancy member 3B of the frame 2 shown. The same applies if a further triangular frame is to be arranged below frame 2 of Fig. 10, again with its vertices pointing in opposite directions.

As shown in FIG. 15 , this alternative positioning of the buoyancy members 3 can be used in any embodiment of the triangular frame 2 . Figure 15A shows a frame 2 in the shape of an equilateral triangle in which the angle α of the vertex 13 and the angle β of the two other vertices 21 are the same, and the lengths of the two sides 12 and the base 11 are also the same. Figure 15B shows a second embodiment of the frame 2 as shown in Figures 2 and 9, wherein the buoyancy elements 3 are arranged offset from the vertex 13 and the other vertex 21 of the isosceles triangle. And finally, Fig. 15C shows another possible shape of the frame 2; a right triangle with three different sides 11, 12A and 12B and three different angles α, β and γ, respectively. The embodiment of FIG. 15B and FIG. 15C is suitable to be combined into a rectangular floating structure 1 quite easily. Alternatively, a diamond-shaped floating structure 1 can be made by connecting the triangular frames along their sides 11 and 12A bordering the right-angled apex 21A as shown in Fig. 15C.

Although not shown in the drawings, the floating structure 1 is further provided with anchoring means for substantially maintaining the floating structure 1 at a fixed position in a body of water. The anchoring means may for example comprise so-called spuds, which are driven into the bottom of the body of water and along which the structure 1 can float up and down without changing its orientation. Alternatively, the anchoring means may comprise one or more anchors fixed in the bottom to which the floating structure 1 may be connected by chains or other flexible elements so that the structure can change its orientation (e.g. ) to keep the PV panel in one of the optimal positions relative to the sun. When used on relatively small inland waters, the floating structure may also be anchored to the shore.

While the invention has been illustrated by means of a few illustrative embodiments, it will be understood that many modifications may be made within the purview of the invention claimed.

For example, the number of buoyancy elements supporting a triangular frame can be more or less than three. When using less than three buoyancy elements, each buoyancy element must be inherently stable, for example in the manner of a float used for fishing. It is also conceivable to provide one of the frames 2 extending under the entire surface area of the triangular frame 2, e.g. when one of the frames 2 has to carry a very heavy load (such as the weight of a power transformer or the force exerted by anchor members). The buoyancy element(s) 3 transform the frame 2 more or less into a barge.

Also, the number of triangular frames 2 that together constitute the floating structure can be more or less than four. In principle, there is no upper limit to the number of triangular frames 2 that can be connected together.

Any suitable material may be used in the construction of the triangular frame 2, buoyancy members 3 and columns 6. Such materials include aluminum, steel, concrete or fiber reinforced plastics.

The scope of the present invention is only defined by the scope of the following invention claims.

1: floating structure 2: Triangular frame 2A: Triangular frame 2B: Triangular frame 2C: Triangular frame 2D: Triangular frame 3: Buoyancy components 3A: Buoyancy components 3B: Buoyancy components 3C: Buoyancy components 4:PV panel array 5: column 6: column 7: Corner 8: Lugs 9: Lugs 10: pin 11: bottom edge 12: side 12A: side 12B: side 13: Vertex 14: Beam 15: Internal Grid 16: Longitudinal girder 17: Horizontal beam 18: Aisle 19: Connecting components 20: Diagonal girder 21: Vertex WL: still waterline

The invention will now be elucidated by several exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

1 is a perspective top view of a first embodiment of a floating structure made of four interconnected triangular frames according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective top view of a second embodiment of a floating structure according to the invention, made of a triangular frame having a planar shape different from that of the first embodiment;

Figure 3 is a view corresponding to that of Figure 1, but showing triangular frames supporting a floating structure of an array of PV panels;

Figure 4 is a perspective bottom view of a floating structure supporting a PV panel as shown in Figure 3;

Fig. 5 is a rear view of the first embodiment of the floating structure according to the arrow V in Fig. 1;

6 is a side view of a first embodiment of a floating structure supporting a PV panel according to arrow VI in FIG. 3 showing an exemplary still waterline around buoyancy members;

Fig. 7 is a top view of the first embodiment of the floating structure;

Fig. 8 is a bottom view of the first embodiment of the floating structure;

Fig. 9 is a top view of the second embodiment of the floating structure;

Figure 10 is a top view of a triangular frame according to a third embodiment of the present invention, which depicts both different buoyancy elements and different positioning of one of the buoyancy elements;

Figure 11 is a view corresponding to that of Figure 3, but showing a single frame according to a third embodiment;

Figure 12 is a view corresponding to that of Figure 11, but without the PV panel array;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of an example of a pivotal connection between adjacent triangular frames with an edge of one of the frames removed for improved clarity;

Figure 14 is a general view of a triangle showing various angles and dimensions; and

15A to 15C are schematic plan views of various types of triangular frames having the configuration of the buoyancy member of the third embodiment.

1: floating structure

2A: Triangular frame

2B: Triangular frame

2C: Triangular frame

2D: Triangular frame

3: Buoyancy components

6: column

7: Corner

14: Beam

15: Internal Grid

16: Longitudinal girder

17: Horizontal beam

Claims (29)

A floating structure comprising a plurality of interconnected frames and a plurality of buoyancy members supporting the structure, and wherein at least some of the frames are substantially triangular in plan. The floating structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein all the frames are substantially triangular in plan. The floating structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein adjacent triangular frames are movably connected. The floating structure according to claim 3, wherein adjacent triangular frames are pivotably connected. The floating structure as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein adjacent triangular frames are connected along their equal sides. The floating structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the triangular frames have substantially the same shape. The floating structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the triangular frames are of substantially the same size. The floating structure of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one of the triangular frames has a size that is a multiple of the size of the other of the triangular frames. The floating structure of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein each triangular frame has a base, an apex, and two sides connecting the opposite end of the base and the apex, and wherein adjacent triangular frames are along connected with their respective edges such that the bottom edge of a first frame is closest to the apex of a second frame, and the bottom edge of the second frame is closest to the apex of the first frame. The floating structure of any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein each triangular frame has a base, an apex, and two sides connecting the opposite end of the base and the apex, and wherein adjacent triangular frames are along Connect with their respective bases. The floating structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the triangular frames comprise right triangles. The floating structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the triangular frames comprise isosceles triangles. The floating structure according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the triangular frames include regular triangles. The floating structure according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the isosceles triangle has an apex angle between about 20° and 120°, in particular, an apex angle of 60°. A floating structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of the triangular frames have at least one chamfered or rounded corner. The floating structure of any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of the triangular frames have a substantially open load-bearing structure, the three sides of the triangles including beams connected at or near their ends. The floating structure of claim 16, wherein the beams forming the sides of the triangle support an internal grid or a platform. A floating structure as claimed in claim 16 when appended to claim 5, wherein the beams on each side of the triangular frame carry at least two connecting elements. A floating structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each triangular frame is supported by at least one buoyancy member. The floating structure of claim 19, wherein the at least one buoyancy member is connected to the respective triangular frame by at least one column. The floating structure as claimed in claim 19 or 20, wherein each triangular frame is supported by at least three buoyant members. The floating structure of claim 21, wherein each buoyancy member is connected to a respective triangular frame near a corner of the frame. A floating structure as claimed in claim 21 or 22 when appended to claim 9 or 10, wherein each buoyancy member is connected to a respective triangular frame at a position along one side or base relative to a buoyancy member A position is offset along a side or base of an adjacent triangular frame to which the first side or base is connected. A floating structure according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising anchoring means for substantially maintaining the floating structure at a fixed position in a body of water. The floating structure of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a facility supported by the floating structure. The floating structure of claim 25 when appended to claim 16, wherein the facility is arranged on the inner grid or the platform of a respective triangular frame. The floating structure of claim 25 or 26, wherein the facility comprises a plurality of PV panels. The floating structure according to any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein the number of buoyancy members and their volume and the length of the at least one column are selected according to the weight of a respective frame and its facilities, so that the frame is supported at a distance above the still waterline of a body of water in which the floating structure is used. A triangular frame apparently intended for use in a floating structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

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