WO2014016508A1

WO2014016508A1 - Anchoring of floating solar power plants

Info

Publication number: WO2014016508A1
Application number: PCT/FR2013/051771
Authority: WO
Inventors: Emmanuel Fontaine; Gérard PAPON; Manuel VELOSO; Bertrand COLIN
Original assignee: IFP Energies Nouvelles; Ciel Et Terre International
Priority date: 2012-07-24
Filing date: 2013-07-23
Publication date: 2014-01-30
Also published as: FR2993855A1; FR2993855B1

Abstract

Floating installation (1) on an expanse of water comprising: - floats (2) joined to one another by connecting means in such a way as to form a layer (3) of floats, - a system for anchoring said layer of floats comprising anchor lines. According to the invention, said anchoring system comprises: - a structure, extending substantially along a plane, fixed to said layer of floats, said structure comprising tubular beams (4, 5) joined together in such a way as to form a matrix (6) with a plurality of cells (7), said matrix (6) being coupled to said layer (3) of floats and arranged in such a way as to partition the floats (2) of said layer of floats into a plurality of sub-assemblies (S1 to S9) of floats, respectively housed in said cells (7) of the matrix, and to absorb the forces from each sub-assembly (S1 to S9) of floats. - said anchor lines (8) fixed in different positions on said matrix (6) and ensuring the anchoring of the matrix (6) assembly and layer of floats to the bottom of the expanse of water.

Description

ANCHORING OF FLOATING SOLAR POWER PLANTS

The invention relates to a floating installation comprising a plurality of floats assembled together so as to form a layer of floats.

In the field of floating structures document FR 2.699.495 A1 discloses a structure resulting from the assembly of floating blocks. These blocks, consisting of hollow synthetic elements are assembled to form a surface for the movement of people or equipment.

The blocks are assembled together by means of ears on the edges of the blocks and connecting keys connecting the ears. When the blocks are contiguous to each other, each key is inserted into a housing created between the blocks, crossing the ears.

According to this prior art FR 2.699.495 A1 the anchoring is carried out only on the sides of the structure, by means of anchor bars which are fixed on its edges.

It is also known from FR 2.960207 A1 to anchor such a floating structure by means of anchoring points inside and below the floating structure. For this purpose this document FR 2.960207 A1 teaches connecting keys each having a bore, in the lower part, for the passage of a rope on which is attached a shackle. This shackle makes it possible to fix at the key an anchor line, itself secured to a dead body or an anchor.

Such floating structures are subject to the influence of wind, current and wave, exerting on each float of the structure of the forces that will be transmitted via the links to the other floats of the structure, and to the points of anchorage.

According to the findings of the inventors, the way in which efforts are concentrated in such structures is difficult to control, which can, especially for large structures, lead to unacceptable efforts at the level of the links between floats, particularly at the level of the attachment lugs, which can degrade the links.

Because of the uncertainties of positioning dead bodies or anchors on the bottom, such a design also requires a maintenance adjustment of the anchor lines which must be regularly tightened.

In the absence of maintenance of the anchor lines, the total effort can be concentrated on only a few anchor lines, the other lines being relaxed, the total effort thus accumulating on the few corresponding anchor points. This phenomenon can degrade the stability of the floating structure and accentuate the efforts on the links between floats.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a floating installation resulting from the assembly of floats and whose anchoring system makes it possible to limit the concentration of the forces between the floats.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such an installation whose anchoring system can anchor a very large number of floats and on a water surface as small as possible.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such an installation whose anchoring system is tolerant vis-à-vis the relief of the bottom.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such an installation that does not require maintenance adjustment of the anchoring system, and in particular the adjustment of the length of the anchor lines.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such an installation capable of withstanding extreme conditions such as flood or storm.

Other aims and advantages will appear during the description which is given for information only and which is not intended to limit it.

Also the invention relates to a floating installation 1 on a body of water, comprising: floats assembled together by connecting means and so as to form a sheet of floats,

a system for anchoring said float layer comprising anchor lines,

According to the invention, said anchoring system comprises:

a structure, extending substantially in a plane, fixed to said sheet of floats, said structure comprising tubular beams so as to form a matrix defining a plurality of cells, said matrix being coupled to said float layer so as to partition the floats of said layer of floats into several subsets of floats, respectively received in the cells of the matrix, and to take up the efforts of each subset of floats.

- Said anchoring lines being fixed in different positions on said matrix and ensuring the anchoring of the entire matrix and float sheet at the bottom of the body of water.

The matrix of the anchoring system makes it possible to partition the floats of the sheet into several subsets of floats of smaller sizes, and thus to control (limit) the efforts at the links between floats. The forces between the floats of a subset are thus transmitted to the matrix of the rigid structure, and not to the floats of the neighboring subsets.

The whole of the efforts on the floats, consequence notably of the winds, the currents or the swell, accumulates on the matrix and is transmitted to the anchoring lines fixed at several points on the rigid matrix.

Such a design advantageously allows to anchor a sheet of large floats and high number of floats, for example several thousand floats.

In the case where the total effort of the anchorage is concentrated in a few of the anchor lines only, the matrix makes it possible to distribute the forces transmitted by these anchor lines on the surface of the float sheet, and not only locally at the anchoring points of these lines.

According to one embodiment, the tubular beams of the matrix form a grid.

Preferably the anchoring system is self-adaptive, not requiring adjustment of the length of the anchor lines, allowing in particular to anchor the floating installation on irregular funds.

For this purpose the anchor lines are respectively anchored to the bottom by means of dead bodies, independent of each other, each dead body being dimensioned so as to be displaced in the case of excessive traction on the line. associated anchorage.

According to a particular embodiment, each subset of floats is fixed to the tubular beams by means of floats positioned astride said tubular beams and fixed to said tubular beams.

For this purpose, the floats straddling the tubular beams may each have an underside having a groove complementary to the section of the tubular beams, said groove forming a housing receiving one of said tubular beams of the matrix.

According to one embodiment, the attachment of the float to said matrix may comprise, in addition to the groove complementary to the section of the tubular beams a flexible link entwined on the peripheral float and the associated tubular beam so as to maintain said tubular beam housed in said groove .

According to optional features of the invention taken alone or in combination;

junction elements, such as braces, join together the tubular beams at intersections of the matrix;

the anchoring lines are fixed at the intersections of the matrix, between the tubular beams, and in particular to the joining elements; - The connecting means between said floats comprise ears of said floats and connecting elements passing through said ears;

said connecting means are flexible links so as to allow a relative movement between floats;

- the matrix is floating;

the flotation of the matrix is obtained by the tubular beams which enclose a volume of air;

the charge of the matrix is taken up by means of dedicated floats, distinct from the floats of said sheet.

According to one embodiment, said installation is a floating solar power plant and has solar panels, all or part of the floats of said web of floats supporting said solar panels. The float sheet may thus comprise a row of floats capable of constituting a maintenance corridor, arranged between two successive rows of floats supporting the solar panels.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description accompanied by the appended drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic view of an installation according to the invention according to a first embodiment, said matrix, rectangular cells, forming a grid.

- Figure 2 is a schematic view of an installation according to the invention according to a second embodiment, said matrix being triangular cells.

- Figure 3 is a schematic view of an installation according to the invention according to a third embodiment, said matrix being hexagonal cells, the beams forming a honeycomb pattern.

FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of an intersection between the tubular beams of a matrix forming a grid, according to a third embodiment of the invention

FIG. 5 is a view from above of a cell of a matrix forming a grid according to the third embodiment of the invention. - Figure 6 is a detailed view of the installation of Figure 4, illustrating more particularly the attachment of the subsets to the matrix by means of floats positioned astride the tubular beams of the matrix.

- Figure 7 is a bottom view of the installation of Figure 4.

- Figure 8 is a top view of an installation according to Figure 4, further having dedicated floats for the recovery of the load of the matrix.

Also the invention relates to a floating installation 1 on a body of water, comprising:

floats 2 assembled together by connecting means so as to form a sheet 3 of floats,

a system for anchoring said ply 3 of floats comprising anchoring lines 8 such as for example chains or cables.

Floats 2 may be synthetic elements (i.e. plastic), for example, polyhedral shapes, each consisting of a sealed envelope capable of enclosing a volume of air.

Optionally the sealed envelope may have an opening closed by a plug, for example screwed. This opening may allow partial filling of the interior volume of the envelope to change the buoyancy conditions.

These floats can be manufactured by rotational molding techniques, or else by extrusion blow molding.

The connecting means may comprise lugs 12 of said floats and connecting elements 13, such as pins passing through said lugs. The ears are protruding from the sealed envelope, preferably in one piece with said sealed envelope, obtained in particular during the molding of said float.

The assembly of the floats is then obtained by juxtaposing the floats 2 and so as to match the ears 12 of the floats to join, then inserting each of the connecting elements 13 through the ears 12 in correspondence.

According to the invention, said anchoring system comprises:

a structure, extending substantially in a plane, fixed parallel to said sheet of floats,

- Said anchoring lines 8, in particular independent, fixed in different positions on said rigid matrix and ensuring the anchoring of the rigid matrix assembly and float sheet at the bottom of the body of water.

Said structure has tubular beams 4.5 directed in at least two directions of the plane, and assembled together, in particular at their ends, so as to form a matrix 6 with several cells 7.

For this purpose junction elements 1 1 can join together the tubular beams 4.5 at the intersections of the tubular beams of the matrix 6. These junction elements 1 1 may be braces (four branches), or stars to three branches, each branch of said element being fixed to the end of a tubular beam.

According to the invention the matrix 6 is coupled to said ply 3 of floats so as to partition the floats of said float layer into several subsets of floats and to resume the efforts of each subset of floats.

The matrix 6 thus makes it possible to isolate the subsets of floats from each other, the forces applied to the floats of a subassembly transmitting to the matrix 6, and not to the floats of the neighboring subsets of the floating installation. .

Each subset S1 to S9 of floats has a reduced number of floats compared to the total number of floats of the sheet, thereby decreasing the risk of concentration of efforts at the links between floats.

The floats 2 of each subassembly are interconnected by links and more particularly by the ears 12 and the elements of link 13 previously described and are arranged juxtaposed with each other in two directions of the water plane, perpendicular to each other. For example, each subset may have a number of floats of between 9 and 1 000 floats, or even between 50 and 500 floats.

The whole of the efforts on the floats, consequence notably of the winds, the currents or the waves, accumulates on the matrix 6 and are transmitted to the anchoring lines 8 fixed at several points on the matrix 6.

Conversely, and even in the case where the total force of the anchoring is concentrated in some of the anchor lines 8 only, the matrix 6 makes it possible to distribute the forces transmitted by these anchor lines on the surface of the anchor. the float ply 3, to each of the subsets S1 to S9, and not only to the anchoring points of the ply associated with said lines.

Preferably the connecting means between the floats 2 are flexible connections so as to allow a relative movement between floats, once the floats assembled together, thus allowing a deformation of the float sheet, at least at the level of said subassembly S1 to S9.

For this purpose the connecting means may comprise one or more elastomeric pads 14 sandwiched between the lugs 12 in correspondence, and said connecting element 13. The elastomeric pads 14 allow by their elasticity a relative movement between the ears, and thus a angle between two floats connected by the ears.

The anchoring lines 8 can be fixed at the intersections of the matrix 6, between the tubular beams 4,5, and in particular to said connecting elements 11. All or part of the connecting elements 1 1 may have for this purpose a catching loop 15 for an anchor line.

According to the embodiment illustrated in a nonlimiting example in FIG. 1, the tubular beams 4,5 of the matrix 6 form a grid of rectangular cells, in particular squares. Tubular beams thus comprise first tubular beams 4 and second tubular beams 5, respectively directed in two perpendicular directions. The rectangular cells of the matrix 6 respectively define the subsets of floats S1 to S9.

Other designs of the matrix are conceivable as illustrated by the nonlimiting examples of FIGS. 2 and 3. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates a matrix 6 with triangular-shaped cells defining the subsets of floats S1 'to S4. In another example, the matrix of FIG. 3 is in the form of a honeycomb with hexagonal cells.

In general, the cells formed by the beams of the matrix are polyhedra. The cells of the matrix may be of identical size or not.

Advantageously, the anchoring system can be self-adapting. For this purpose the anchoring lines 8 can be respectively anchored to the bottom by means of dead bodies 9, independent of each other, each dead body 9 being dimensioned so as to be displaced in the case of traction too much. important on the associated anchor line 8.

Also, and in the case of excessive traction on an anchor line, the forces transmitted by the floats accumulate on the die 6.

The matrix assembly 6 / sheet 3 of floats is thus dimensioned to allow, in the case of heavy loads to lift and move one or a few dead bodies 9, and until the blocking of the floating structure by the tensioning of other anchor lines 8.

This design allows the installation:

to withstand extreme conditions, as encountered, for example, during storms or floods, by limiting the maximum force on each anchor line 8 and allowing the installation to move in a limited manner, anchoring the installation on irregularly shaped bottoms, one or a few of the dead bodies that can be lifted from the bottom, suspended from the matrix 6 / float layer 3, and without risk of buckling tubular beams 4,5 of the matrix 6.

Each subset of floats S1 to S9 can be attached to the tubular beams 4, 5 of the rigid matrix, around the periphery of said subset of floats.

Preferably, each cell 7 of the matrix defines one of said subsets S1 to S9 of floats. All or part of the peripheral floats of the subassembly is then secured to the beams defining the cell, and in particular to the four beams defining the cell 7 of rectangular shape, in the case of a grid.

According to another embodiment not illustrated, one of said subsets of floats can extend over several consecutive cells of the matrix. All or part of the peripheral floats of the subassembly is then secured to the peripheral beams of the corresponding zone, and in particular to the peripheral beams defining the plurality of cells.

According to one embodiment each subset of floats is attached to the tubular beams 4,5, namely in particular first tubular beams 4 and second tubular beams 5, by means of floats positioned astride said tubular beams 4 and / or And attached to said tubular beams.

These floats 2 straddling the tubular beams 4,5 are arranged at the periphery of the floats of the subsets S1 to S9.

For this purpose all or part of the peripheral floats straddling the tubular beams may each have an underside having a groove 21 complementary to the section of the tubular beams, said groove 21 forming a housing receiving the interlocking play one of said 4.5 tubular beams of the rigid matrix.

Optionally, the attachment of the horse float comprises, besides the groove 21 complementary to the section of the tubular beams 4 and / or 5, a flexible link 10 entangled on the float 20 and the tubular beam associated so as to maintain said tubular beam housed in said groove 21. The flexible link 10 may be a strap, in particular equipped with a loop for its tensioning. Any other attachment may be considered to maintain the tubular beam 4 or 5 in the groove 21.

The tubular beams 4,5 may be corrosion resistant metal beams.

Optionally, according to one embodiment, the charge of the matrix is taken up by all or part of the floats 2 of the sheet 3.

However, and preferably, the charge of the structure forming the matrix 6 will not be taken up by the floats 2 of the web 3. The matrix may thus be provided floating.

According to one embodiment, the flotation of the matrix 6 is obtained by the tubular beams 4,5 which contain a volume of air. For example the tubular beams 4,5 can be sealed by closing their ends, thus forming sealed boxes. According to another example, flotation means (i.e. a synthetic foam) can be introduced into the volume of the tubular beams to obtain their flotation.

According to yet another embodiment, the charge of the matrix 6 is taken over by dedicated floats 62, distinct from the floats 2 of said sheet 3, outside said tubular beams 4 and 5. These dedicated floats may, for example, be of polyhedral forms, each consisting of a sealed envelope capable of enclosing a volume of air.

These floats 62 may be manufactured by rotational molding techniques, or else by extrusion blow molding.

These dedicated floats 62 can be positioned in abutment under the tubular beams 4,5 of the matrix 6. According to the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 7, all or some of the dedicated floats 62 may have on their upper surface a groove 63 complementary to the section of the tubular beams 4,5, said groove 63 forming a housing receiving by interlocking one said tubular beams of the matrix 6.

For example, this dedicated float 62 with groove 63 may be mechanically coupled to one of said saddle floats 20 and in such a way as to sandwich the tubular beam 4 or 5 between the two floats 20,62. For this purpose the grooves 21, 63 each represent about half of the section of the tubular beam 4 or 5 to be sandwiched.

The attachment (not shown) between the dedicated float 63 and the horse float 20, superimposed, can be achieved in different ways, for example by means of link (s), bolts system or other.

According to one embodiment the installation may have solar panels such as photovoltaic panels, all or part of the floats of said float sheet supporting said solar panels. The floats 2 can thus be constituted by the waterproof envelopes of the panel support devices described by the company CIEL ET TERRE in the international application PCT / EP2012 / 056425 which is introduced by reference.

According to one embodiment, the float layer comprises a row of floats capable of constituting a maintenance corridor arranged between two successive rows of floats supporting the solar panels.

Naturally other embodiments of the invention could have been envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims below. NOMENCLATURE

1. Floating installation,

2. Floats,

3. Tablecloth of floats,

4. Tubular beams (first tubular beams),

5. Tubular beam (second tubular beams),

6. Matrix,

7. Cells (Matrix),

8. Anchoring lines,

9. Dead bodies,

10. Flexible links,

1 1. Junction elements (intersections),

12. Ears,

13. Liaison elements,

14. Elastomer pads.

15. Fastening loop (function elements).

20. Horse floats,

21. Gorges (horse floats),

60. Gridlines

62. Dedicated floats (matrix 6),

63. Gorges (floats 62),

S1 to S9. Subsets of floats (Figure 1), S1 'to S4'. Subsets of floats (Figure 2), S1 "to S4". Subset of floats (Figure 3),

Claims

1. Floating installation (1) on a body of water, comprising:

floats (2) assembled together by connecting means so as to form a sheet (3) of floats,

a system for anchoring said float layer comprising anchor lines

characterized in that said anchoring system comprises:

a structure, extending substantially in a plane, fixed to said sheet of floats, said structure comprising tubular beams (4, 5) assembled together to form a matrix (6) with several cells (7), said matrix (6) being coupled to said float layer (3) and arranged to partition the floats (2) of said float layer into several subsets (S1 to S9) of floats respectively received in said cells (7 ) of the matrix, and to resume the efforts of each subset (S1 to S9) of floats.

- Said anchor lines (8) fixed in different positions on said matrix (6) and ensuring the anchoring of the matrix assembly (6) and float sheet at the bottom of the body of water.

2. Installation according to claim 1, wherein the tubular beams (4,5) of the matrix (6) form a grid (60).

3. Installation according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said anchoring system is self-adaptive, the anchoring lines (8) being respectively anchored to the bottom via dead bodies (9), independent of each other. other, each dead body (9) being dimensioned so as to be displaced in the case of excessive traction on the associated anchor line (8).

4. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 3 wherein each subset (S1 to S9) of floats is fixed to the tubular beams (4,5) of the matrix on the periphery of said subset (S1 to S9) of floats.

5. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each subset of floats (S1 to S9) is fixed to the tubular beams by means of floats (20) positioned astride said tubular beams (4, 5) and attached to said tubular beams.

6. Installation according to claim 5 wherein the floats (20) straddling the tubular beams (4,5) each have an underside having a groove (21) complementary to the section of the tubular beams (4,5), said groove (21) forming a housing receiving by interlocking one of said tubular beams of the matrix (6).

7. Installation according to claim 6, wherein the fixing of the float to said matrix comprises, besides the groove (21) complementary to the section of the tubular beams (4,5), a flexible link (10) entwined on the horse float (20) and the associated beam (4; 5) so as to maintain said tubular beam housed in said groove (21).

8. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein junction elements (1 1) join together the tubular beams (4,5) at the intersections of the tubular beams of the matrix (6).

9. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the anchor lines (8) are fixed to the matrix at the intersections of the tubular beams (4,5) of the matrix, and in particular to the elements of junction (1 1).

10. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the connecting means comprise ears (12) of said floats and connecting elements (13) passing through said ears.

1 1. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said connecting means between floats comprise flexible links (12,13) so as to allow a relative movement between floats, and thus a deformation of the float sheet at least to level of said subsets (S1 to S9) of floats.

12. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 1 1, comprising solar panels and wherein all or part of the floats of said float sheet support said solar panels.

13. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the matrix (6) is floating.

14. Installation according to claim 13 wherein the flotation of the matrix (6) is obtained by the tubular beams (4,5) which contain a volume of air.

15. Installation according to claim 13, wherein the charge of the matrix (6) is taken up by means of dedicated floats (62), external, separate floats (2) of said web (3).