WO2005080124A2

WO2005080124A2 - A pontoon

Info

Publication number: WO2005080124A2
Application number: PCT/GB2005/000527
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brian Ellis
Original assignee: Brian Ellis
Priority date: 2004-02-14
Filing date: 2005-02-14
Publication date: 2005-09-01
Also published as: GB0403288D0; GB0620444D0; WO2005080124A3; GB2440923A

Abstract

A pontoon comprises means for mooring the pontoon at an electrical vessel recharging site, a roofed enclosure containing one or more rechargeable batteries, one or more solar panels disposed on the roof of the enclosure operatively connected to the batteries for recharging them, and one or more electrical connectors suitable for transmitting power to a vessel for charging its battery, characterised in that multiple solar panels are employed to, act as tiles in at least one common plane angled to maximize the solar energy captured by the panels.

Description

A PONTOON

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to pontoons.

Closest Prior Art known to the Applicant

The applicant's own prior patent application GB2340318 is the closest prior art known to the applicant. In this prior art document, there is disclosed a pontoon with a battery bank for recharging on-board batteries of electrically powered boats. The bank of batteries is charged by a combination of renewable energy sources, one being a wind powered generator located at the top of a mast extending from a housing located on the pontoon whilst the other is a solar panel unit located at different circumferential positions of the essentially circular housing. One of the objectives of this prior art pontoon, as well as, the present invention is to encourage the use of electric boats which will reduce pollution, improve marine life and the marine environment as the majority of pollution in this area is caused by fuel spillage which often results from the combination of poor filling facilities and inexperienced boat operators. Further benefits include noise reduction, reduced air pollution and lower likelihood of the occurrence of either explosion or fire on the vessel compared to conventional fuelled vessels.. Another objective of the present invention is to allow it to operate in a location where no other form of power is readily available such as in remote water points.

At least the following drawbacks of this prior art pontoon can be identified:

• The top of the housing comprises no solar panels in order to be able to accommodate a mast for the wind generator;

• In order to function at all and not to be located in a dangerous position, the prior art wind generator is located at the top of the mast which is detrimental for the stability of the pontoon, its inherent mechanical strength and is also detrimental from an environmental visual point of view;

• The housing is of generally circular shape with the solar panels arranged at regular intervals around the circumference of the housing which results in each panel being oriented differently resulting in an overall inefficient operation of the solar panel array.

Summary of the Invention

In its broadest aspect, the invention provides a pontoon comprising means for mooring the pontoon at an electrical vessel recharging site, a roofed enclosure containing one or more rechargeable batteries, one or more solar panels disposed on the roof of the enclosure operatively connected to the batteries for re-charging them and one or more electrical connectors suitable for transmitting power to a vessel for charging its battery, characterised in that multiple solar panels are employed to act as tiles in at least one common plane angled to maximise the solar energy captured by the panels.

This configuration is particularly advantageous because a highly efficient solar energy capture may be achieved whilst simultaneously allowing the pontoon to comply with stringent environmental requirements. It also allows the pontoon's construction to withstand harsher environmental conditions due to its enhanced structural strength when compared to the prior art structure described above. In a subsidiary aspect according to the invention's broadest aspect, the enclosure's roof comprises no wind generator extending beyond the height of the enclosure. This is particularly advantageous because it allows the housing to be of a construction which needn't have to carry the highly stressed wind generator mast as in the prior art which will result in an enclosure which is sufficiently strong to withstand similar environmental conditions without requiring the same level of structural strength.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the roof comprises at least one multiple solar panel plane oriented to capture solar energy primarily from an X direction and at least a second such plane tilted to capture solar energy from primarily a Y direction.

One of the benefits of this construction is the ability of the solar panel arrangement to capture a relatively high level of solar energy without requiring the entire structure to be rotated as the sun's position changes throughout the day. This benefit is particularly pertinent to this invention because pontoons are generally of a relatively high weight and therefore incorporating means for rotating such structures would generally not be practical.

In a further subsidiary aspect, each plane is equipped with means to modify its orientation. This will allow a large combination of plane angles to be achieved so as to maximise the solar energy captured at a given time.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the roof comprises an overhang region equipped with solar panels. This additional feature is particularly advantageous because it further maximises the level of solar energy which may be captured by the multiple solar panels whilst at the same time allowing operators to have a shelter below the overhang.

In a further subsidiary aspect, means are provided to allow the overhang region to be retracted. This configuration is particularly advantageous because when retracted the overhang region will not form a wind resistant barrier which in high winds may have caused damage to the enclosure's roof. In a further subsidiary aspect, the enclosure comprises a separate compartment for storing articles useful for the operation or maintenance of the pontoon but substantially no living accommodation. This allows the pontoon to be primarily used for powering electrical vessels. The energy requirements in this structure are not split between power hungry living accommodation appliances and the primary need of re-charging a moored electrical vessel.

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pontoon in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a pontoon in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a pontoon in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 shows examples of tiles in accordance with the invention.

Detailed description of the Figures

Figure 1 shows a pontoon generally referenced 1.

Throughout this specification, the term 'pontoon' is to be inteφreted broadly to include within its scope all floating or part floating structures, mobile structures located at water points and powered or passive vessels.

Pontoon 1 incorporates a floating deck 2 of generally rectangular shape. Above deck 2 there is mounted an enclosure generally referenced 3. Enclosure 3 incorporates a roof 4 upon which an array of solar panels such as that referenced 5 are placed in a common plane tilted at an angle to maximise the solar energy captured by the panels. Solar panels, such as that referenced 5, are individual solar capturing units of known kind located immediately adjacent one with another or even overlapping one another so as to prevent water seeping into the enclosure. Generally, the individual solar capturing units 5 are attached to, or form part of, or effectively replace the roof tiles which collectively form the roof 4.

Connectors (not illustrated in the figure) well known to the person skilled in the art establish a link between each individual solar panel with a bank of batteries located beneath the roof. The bank of batteries will also be known to the person skilled in the art and therefore need not be described in detail for the puφoses of this description. It is envisaged that the enclosure may be split into two compartments 6 and 7. Compartment 6 may contain the bank of batteries and other sensitive electronic equipment necessary for the operation of such a pontoon. Compartment 7 may be separated from compartment 6 by a wall 8 and accessed by a door 9. Compartment 7 may include articles useful in the operation of a pontoon which would be entirely safe for an operator to handle. These articles may, for example, be a lifeboat, first aid kit etc. Compartment 7 may also include a camp bed so that compartment 7 may be used on occasion as a shelter. Although compartment 7 may indeed incoφorate a camp bed it would preferably not include any living accommodation.

Within the context of this specification 'living accommodation' is designed to cover accommodations which have sanitary appliances such as toilets and showers or cooking facilities but is not designed to include temporary accommodation which may require for example a simple camp bed.

Pontoon 1 incoφorates at least one metre point 10 having a connector 11 for the attachment of a cable through which batteries, on board a boat or other vessel, may be charged. A slot 12 is also incoφorated above connector 11 which is adapted to enable payment by charge card. Corner buffers 13 and mooring fitments 14 are provided to allow vessels to be safely moored to the pontoon.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention. In Figure 2 there is illustrated a pontoon generally referenced 15, an enclosure 16, a deck 17 and a roof 18. Roof 18 incoφorates a first multi-solar panel plane 19 oriented at approximately 37° from the horizontal in order to primarily capture solar energy from an X direction and at least a second plane 20 tilted at a further 37° from the first plane for primarily capturing solar energy from a Y direction.

The orientation of each plane is shown in a particular position in Figure 2, however, each plane, instead of being fixed in that position, may be adapted to be individually tiltable so that the operator may maximise the roofs ability to capture solar energy. A portion 21 of plane 19 overhangs the enclosure 16 and incoφorates itself multiple solar panels to maximise the level of solar energy captured by the roof. Since these pontoons are often destined for operation in regions where, wind velocities can at times be destructive to the enclosure, the invention envisages that the overhang region 21 may be retracted. This may be achieved by providing plane 19 with a hinge 22 allowing an operator to fold back overhang region 21 so as to diminish any wind resistance which may be destructive to the enclosure. Means may also be provided to automatically retract region 21 underneath the fixed region of plane 19. A wind sensor may be employed to assess when such retraction is required. The enclosure may be equipped with means to automatically trigger such retraction if a pre-determined level of wind is indeed detected.

Mooring means 23, connectors such as that referenced 24 may also be provided on the deck. It is also envisaged to employ a part submerged ladder such as that referenced 25. A door 26 may also be provided to allow access to the inside of the enclosure where the rechargeable pontoon batteries may be located.

Figure 3 shows a further pontoon 27 with a roof 28 and a floating deck 29. The enclosure may in this embodiment be formed by a number of masts such as that referenced 30 and the deck 29 which may house the bank of batteries (not illustrated in the figure for clarity). The masts may be used to house electrical connectors from the solar panels to the bank of batteries. The masts may also incoi orate connectors for charging moored vessels. This would provide a compact structure with a shade area beneath the roof.

The invention also envisages that a backup facility is provided on board the pontoon. The backup may preferably be provided by a fuel cell. It is also envisaged that the pontoon be equipped with means to inform designated head quarters of the condition of the batteries onboard the pontoon. These means would be preferably set to broadcast to the operator of various pontoons only when low power situations are assessed in the batteries.

The invention also envisages that these solar panels replace any need of conventional roof tiles by being shaped to function as a tile incoφorating photo voltaic cells embedded into a support structure so sized and shaped to be placed on roofs as tiles.

As per conventional tiles, these solar panel tiles provide a watertight barrier to a roof structure when overlapping, interleaving or interlocking successive tiles to mitigate the known egress problems associated with fitting raised or so-called "bolt-on" solar panels to existing roof structures covered in conventional tiles.

Examples of such solar panel tiles are shown in Figure 4. In particular, example (iv) shows a photo voltaic cell 31 forming the entire surface area of the tile 32 and having live and neutral tails 33, 34 embedded throughout the tile 32. Inter tile connectivity is provided via the portion of these tails 33, 34 not embedded within the body of the tile 32 thus allowing mating of adjacent tiles (as shown for example, in (iii)) to form a row of interlinked tiles. These tiles 32 may be fitted together to form a roof area whatever the shape and size requirement and in doing so a grid structure is formed (see (ii)) and in this manner the roof area charges as a whole rather than as individual tiles as the live and neutral terminals 35, 36 of a regulator 37, fitted beneath the roof surface, are connected to a first tile in the roof and the live and neutral tails in each end tile in each row is in turn connected to like live and neutral tails in the surrounding rows via a common connection 38a, 38b.

In situ these tiles resemble slate or the like and are more aesthetic than conventional "bolt- on" solar panel structures having applications on listed properties and properties within conservation areas.

Claims

1. A pontoon comprising means for mooring the pontoon at an electrical vessel recharging site, a roofed enclosure containing one or more rechargeable batteries, one or more solar panels disposed on the roof of the enclosure operatively connected to the batteries for recharging them, and one or more electrical connectors suitable for transmitting power to a vessel for charging its battery, characterised in that multiple solar panels are employed to act as tiles in at least one common plane angled to maximize the solar energy captured by the panels.

2. A pontoon according to claim 1, wherein the enclosure's roof comprises no wind generator extending beyond the height of the enclosure.

3. A pontoon according to any preceding claim, wherein the roof comprises at least one multiple solar panel plane oriented to capture solar energy primarily from an X direction and at least a second such plane tilted to capture solar energy from primarily a Y direction.

4. A pontoon according to Claim 3, wherein each plane is equipped with means to modify its orientation.

5. A pontoon according to any preceding claim, wherein the roof comprises an overhang region equipped with solar panels.

6. A pontoon according to claim 5, wherein means are provided to allow the overhang region to be retracted.

7. A pontoon according to any preceding claim, wherein the enclosure comprises a separate compartment for storing articles useful for the operation or maintenance of the pontoon but substantially no living accommodation.

8. A pontoon substantially as hereinbefore described and/or illustrated in any appropriate combination of the accompanying text and/or figures.