EQUIPMENT FOR PRODUCING A FLOATING PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION

Abstract

An item of equipment for producing a floating photovoltaic installation, of modular design, which includes float modules constituted, in whole or in part, of plastic casings, confining an air volume, having a neck with an opening, blocked by a stopper, structural modules, support elements, and possibly, connecting modules. The structural modules and/or the connecting modules include lugs intended to face one another for the assembly of the modules, and wherein the float modules are configured such that the assembly of the lugs facing one another is obtained, in whole or in part, by inserting the neck through the lugs, the stopper not present, then locking the assembly by the placing of the stopper blocking the opening of the neck.

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. An equipment for producing a floating photovoltaic installation, of modular design, comprising: float modules, and structural modules, support elements, intended to bear on the structural modules to maintain photovoltaic panels, possibly, connecting modules, said structural modules and said float modules being configured to be assembled in order to produce a floating network of panel support devices, the structural modules being supported by the float modules, the structure ensuring the transmission of forces of the floating network of panel support devices resulting from the assembly of structural modules , directly together, and/or by way of connecting modules, wherein: the float modules are constituted, in whole or in part, of plastic casings, confining an air volume, having a neck with an opening, blocked by a stopper, the structural modules and/or the connecting modules comprise lugs intended to face one another for the assembly of structural modules together, directly or by way of connecting modules, and the float modules are configured such that the assembly of the lugs facing one another is obtained, in whole or in part, by inserting the neck through the lugs, the stopper not present, then locking the assembly by the placing of the stopper blocking the opening of the neck and wherein once the stopper is locked, the lugs are maintained between two abutments formed by a shoulder at the base of the neck and a shoulder of the stopper.

22. The equipment according to claim 21, wherein the lugs are intended to be substantially horizontal when the installation rests on a horizontal surface, the axis of the neck thus substantially vertically.

23. The equipment according to claim 21, wherein the plastic casing of each float module is likely to be obtained by blown injection or also blown extrusion.

24. The equipment according to claim 21, wherein once the stopper is locked, the gap between the two items of equipment formed between the stopper and the neck ensures a clearance between the lugs passed through by the neck, along the direction of the axis of the neck.

25. The equipment according to claim 24, wherein a circular flexible seal is born between the lugs passed through by the neck in order to fill the clearance.

26. The equipment according to claim 21, wherein the stopper is a stopper screwed on the neck.

27. The equipment according to claim 21, wherein the stopper is a stopper configured to be externally mounted to the neck.

28. The equipment according to claim 21, wherein the stopper is a stopper configured to be internally mounted to the neck.

29. The equipment according to claim 21, wherein the wall of the plastic casing of the float module is of average thickness less than 2 mm, even less than 1 mm, all of the plastic casing, or also on the portion of the plastic casing except for the neck.

30. The equipment according to claim 21, wherein the wall thickness of the neck is greater than the average wall thickness over the remainder of the plastic casing.

31. The equipment according to claim 21, wherein the stopper has a reinforcing portion extending to the level of the lugs, of thickness greater than the wall thickness of the neck.

32. The equipment according to claim 21, wherein the reinforcing portion of the stopper penetrates the neck, and has a peripheral surface bearing on the inner wall of said neck, at least at the level of the lugs.

33. The equipment according to claim 21, having a reinforcing sleeve, passed through by the neck, separate from the stopper inserted between the lugs and the neck, possibly between the stopper and the lugs, said reinforcing sleeve being configured so as to support the shearing forces of the lugs without transmitting these forces to the neck.

34. The equipment according to claim 21, wherein the lugs passed through by the neck having complementary male/female conformations, configured to be intertwined during the assembly, in order to ensure the transmission of the shearing forces of the lugs directly together.

35. The equipment according to claim 21, wherein the stopper, and/or also a reinforcing sleeve passed through by the neck, separate from the stopper inserted between the lugs and the neck, possibly between the stopper and the lugs, said reinforcing sleeve being configured so as to support the shearing forces of the lugs without transmitting these forces to the neck, are made of plastic reinforced with fibres, such as for example, polyamide reinforced with glass fibres, or also polypropylene reinforced with glass fibres, or also the reinforcing sleeve is made of metal.

36. A floating photovoltaic installation resulting from an assembly of the equipment according to claim 21, and wherein: said structural modules and said float modules are assembled in order to produce a floating network of photovoltaic panel support devices, the structural modules being supported by the float modules, the structure ensuring the transmission of the forces of the floating network of the photovoltaic panel support devices resulting from the assembly of structural modules, directly together, and/or by way of connecting modules, the assembly of the lugs facing one another is obtained, in whole or in part, by inserting the neck through the lugs, the stopper ensuring the locking of the assembly, the lugs being maintained between two abutments formed by said shoulder at the base of the neck and said shoulder of the stopper.

37. The installation according to claim 36, wherein the structure of the network results from the assembly of structural modules by way of connecting modules, ensuring the transmission of the forces of the floating network of the panel support devices, and wherein the connecting modules form a maintenance path between two rows of photovoltaic panel support devices.

38. The installation according to claim 37, wherein the connecting modules forming a maintenance path are configured to brace the panel support floating devices belonging to one same row, by creating interspaces between the devices, the photovoltaic panels supported by the panel support floating devices being provided full, the full portions of the photovoltaic panels extending above said interspaces.

39. The installation according to claim 36, wherein the connecting modules are floating, in whole or in part.

40. A method for manufacturing equipment according to claim 21 or also an a floating photovoltaic installation resulting from an assembly of said equipment, wherein: said structural modules and said float modules are assembled in order to produce a floating network of photovoltaic panel support devices, the structural modules being supported by the float modules, the structure ensuring the transmission of the forces of the floating network of the photovoltaic panel support devices resulting from the assembly of structural modules, directly together, and/or by way of connecting modules, the assembly of the lugs facing one another is obtained, in whole or in part, by inserting the neck through the lugs, the stopper ensuring the locking of the assembly, the lugs being maintained between two abutments formed by said shoulder at the base of the neck and said shoulder of the stopper, wherein the float modules are manufactured by blown injection or also by blown extrusion.

Description

[0070] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, accompanied by appended drawings, among which:

[0071] FIG. 1a is a perspective view of an installation resulting from the assembly of modules of an item of equipment according to the invention according to a first embodiment for which the structure ensuring the transmission of the forces of the network of panel support devices results from the assembly of structural modules by way of connecting modules,

[0072] FIG. 1b is a bottom view of the installation such as illustrated in FIG. 1,

[0073] FIGS. 2 to 5 represent various embodiments of the assembly of the lugs which is advantageously obtained thanks to the neck and to the stopper of the float module,

[0074] FIGS. 6a and 6b are top and bottom views of an installation according to a second embodiment for which the structure ensuring the transmission of the forces of the network of the panel support devices results from the assembly of structural modules, directly together,

[0075] FIG. 7 is a top view of an installation according to a third embodiment for which the structure ensuring the transmission of the forces of the floating network of panel support devices results from the assembly of structural modules, some directly together, and others by way of connecting modules, the connecting modules being floating.

[0076] Also, the invention relates to an item of equipment for producing a floating photovoltaic installation, of modular design, comprising: [0077] float modules 1, and [0078] structural modules 2, [0079] support elements 3, intended to be born on the structural modules to maintain photovoltaic panels P, [0080] possibly, connecting modules 4.

[0081] Said structural modules 2 and said float modules 1 are configured to be assembled in order to produce a floating network of panel support devices 7, the structural modules 2 being supported by the float modules.

[0082] The structure of the network ensuring the transmission of the forces of the network of panel support devices 7 results from the assembly of structural modules 2, directly together (see FIGS. 6a and 6b), or also by way of connecting modules 4 (see FIGS. 1a and 1b). According to another embodiment (see FIG. 7), the structure of the network results from the assembly of structural modules 2, some directly together, and other by way of connecting modules 4.

[0083] The float modules 1, the structural modules 2, even the support elements 3 and, if necessary, the connecting modules 4 are preferably plastic elements which can be easily obtained and at a lower cost by moulding techniques, and in particular: [0084] the float modules can be plastic parts obtained typically by blown injection, or also blown extrusion, [0085] the structural modules can be constituted, each of a plastic part obtained by moulded injection, or the assembly of several plastic parts obtained by moulded injection, or also pultrusion, [0086] the connecting modules 4 can be moulded, in particular by blown extrusion and be floating.

[0087] Moreover, and according to the invention: [0088] the float modules 1 are each constituted, in whole or in part, of plastic casings each confining an air volume, having a neck 11 with an opening, blocked by a stopper 12a; 12b; 12c, 12d, [0089] the structural modules 2 and/or the connecting modules 4 comprise lugs 52, 54 intended to face one another for the assembly of structural modules 2 together, directly or indirectly by way of connecting modules 4.

[0090] The lugs 52 are produced, for example, of one single support with the plastic part(s) constituting the structural module 2. According to an alternative, the lugs can be perforated after moulding (or pultrusion) to the body of the structure.

[0091] Notably, and according to the invention, the float modules 1 are configured such that the assembly of the lugs 52, 52; 52, 54 facing one another is obtained by inserting the neck 11 of the plastic casing 10 through the lugs 52, 54 to be assembled (the stopper thus not present, in particular removed), then locking the assembly by the placing of the stopper 12a; 12b; 12c, 12d blocking the opening of the neck 11.

[0092] Thus, and according to the invention, the float module 1 not only supports a first function to ensure the floating of panel support floating devices 7 of the installation, but also advantageously combines a locking key function for the assembly of the lugs 52, 52; 52, 54 together.

[0093] During one same assembly, it is noted that not only the coupling of the lugs 52, 52 belonging to the structural modules 2 is obtained (FIGS. 6a and 6b or FIG. 7), or also the coupling of the lugs 52, 54 belonging respectively to the structural module 2 and to said connecting module 4 (FIGS. 1a and 1b), but also advantageously the fixing of the float module 1 to the structural module 2 of the support device 7.

[0094] According to another embodiment (not illustrated), the neck 11 of the float module can also make it possible to connect a lug 52 of the structural module 2, and a ring belonging to a means configured for the anchoring of the floating network of photovoltaic panel support devices. In such a case, the lug 52 and the ring are passed through by the neck and locked together by the stopper.

[0095] There can be two, even three, or also four lugs assembled by one same float, i.e. passed through by the neck 11. It is noted that the lugs 52, 54 are intended to be substantially horizontal when the installation rests on a horizontal surface, the axis of the neck 11 of the float modules thus being substantially vertical.

[0096] The plastic casing can be presented in the form of a hollow body, for example mainly cylindrical, having the neck 11.

[0097] Advantageously, the plastic casing 10 of each float module 1 is likely to be obtained by blown injection or also by blown extrusion.

[0098] Once the stopper is locked, the lugs 52; 54 are maintained between two abutments formed, in particular by a shoulder 13 at the base of the neck 11 and a shoulder 14 of the stopper 12a; 12b; 12c; 12d. The shoulder 13 at the base of the neck 11 can be obtained during the moulding of the float module 1.

[0099] Once the stopper is locked 12a; 12b; 12c; 12d, the gap between the two shoulders 13, 14 formed between the stopper and the neck can possibly ensure the presence of a clearance between the lugs 52; 54 passed through by the neck 11, along the direction of the axis of the neck 11. Such a clearance facilitates the mounting, in that the stopper can be systematically abutted on the neck, during the fixing thereof, for example by screwing.

[0100] Possibly, a circular flexible seal can bear between the lugs passed through by the neck in order to fill the clearance.

[0101] The lugs are preferably flexible so as to enable that the structure of the network is deformed with the swell.

[0102] According to an embodiment, the stopper 12a; 12b, 12c, 12d can be a stopper screwed on the neck: according to this embodiment, the stopper and the neck respectively have screw threads, mutually engaging by screwing.

[0103] It is understood that other fixing methods can be considered to secure the stopper to the neck, such as:

[0104] Gluing

[0105] Clipping

[0106] Welding

[0107] Pinning

[0108] Force-mounting.

[0109] According to a possibility illustrated in the examples of FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the stopper 12a, 12c, 12d can be a stopper configured to be externally mounted to the neck 11. Alternatively, and according to another possibility illustrated in FIG. 3, the stopper 12b is a stopper configured to be internally mounted to the neck 11.

[0110] The lugs 52, 54 passed through by the neck 11 ensure the transmission of the forces of the network of panel support devices: advantageously different arrangements can be provided in order to ensure the resistance of the assembly to the shearing forces transmitted by the network of support devices.

[0111] The plastic casing forming each float module 1 can be of average, relatively thin thickness, in particular less than 3 mm, preferably less than 2 mm, even less than 1 mm, in that it does not transmit the forces of the network of devices, except for the neck, according to an embodiment.

[0112] Thus, the wall of the plastic casing of the float module 1 is, according to an embodiment, of average thickness less than 2 mm, all of the plastic casing, or also on the portion of the plastic casing except for the neck 11.

[0113] According to a first possibility illustrated in FIG. 2, the wall thickness ep of the neck 11 can be reinforced: the wall thickness ep of the neck is thus greater than the average wall thickness over the remainder of the plastic casing and in order to resist the shearing forces of the lugs. It will be noted that this reinforcement is local, at the level of the neck 11 only of the float module: the wall thickness can remain thin (less than or equal to 3 mm, even less than 2 mm, even less than 1 mm) over the remainder of the plastic casing with a float function. The thickness ep at the level of the neck 11 can be greater than 3 mm, even greater than 4 mm or 5 mm.

[0114] According to a possibility illustrated in FIG. 3, the stopper 12b can also have a reinforcing portion extending to the level of the lugs, of thickness ep2 greater than the wall thickness ep3 of the neck, and likely to support at least in part, the shearing forces exerted by the lugs 52, 54 on the neck 11.

[0115] For example, in FIG. 3, the reinforcing portion of the stopper 12b penetrates the neck 11, and has a peripheral surface bearing on the inner wall of said neck 11, at least at the level of the lugs 52, 54. According to this example, the wall thickness of the plastic casing 10 can remain thin (less than 3 mm, even less than 2 mm), even at the level of the neck. The thickness ep2 of the reinforcing portion of the stopper can be greater than 3 mm, even greater than 4 mm, while the neck wall thickness ep3 is less than or equal to 3 mm.

[0116] According to another possibility which can be used by itself, or in combination with the preceding solutions, a reinforcing sleeve 15 (separate from the stopper 12c ) is passed through by the neck 11. This sleeve 15 is advantageously inserted between the lugs 52, 54 and the neck 11, possibly between the stopper 12c and the lugs 52, 54. This reinforcing sleeve 13 is intended to support the shearing forces transmitted by the lugs 52, 54, by avoiding the transfer thereof to the neck 11.

[0117] Also, according to another possibility illustrated in FIG. 5, the lugs 52, 54 passed through by the neck 11 can have complementary male/female conformations 8, 9, configured to be intertwined during the assembly of the lugs in order to ensure the transmission of shearing forces of the lugs 52, 54 directly together, i.e. without transmitting these forces to the neck 11, even to the stopper 12d. These conformations 8, 9, when intertwined forbid a relative sliding between the lugs 52, 54. The locking of the stopper 12d on the neck 11 advantageously prevents the lugs 52, 54 from being deviated from one another by a sufficient amplitude to clear the conformations 8, 9: thus, the conformations 8, 9 are maintained mutually engaged. Once the stopper is removed, the lugs 52, 54 can be removed from the neck 11, and deviated from one another by a sufficient amplitude to clear the conformations 8, 9 and makes it possible for the separation of the lugs 52, 54.

[0118] According to an embodiment, the stopper 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, and/or also the reinforcing sleeve 15 of the equipment can be made of plastic reinforced with fibres, such as, for example polyamide reinforced with glass fibres, or also polypropylene reinforced with glass fibres. The reinforcing sleeve 15 can also be a metal sleeve. The float module 1 can be made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET).

[0119] According to an embodiment illustrated in the figures as a non-limiting example, said structural module 2 is a cross 20 of which the two branches are each terminated by lugs 52 at the ends thereof. The cross can be constituted by a plastic element moulded with one single support, or also the grouping and the assembly of two V-shaped plastic elements.

[0120] According to an embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1b, the panel support device 7 thus comprises four float modules 1 respectively integral with the four ends of the cross. A support element 3 is integral with the upper surface to ensure the maintenance of the photovoltaic panel P. This support element 3 can also make it possible to incline the photovoltaic panel P with respect to the horizontal main plane of the structural module 2, for example of an angle of between 5 and 30, even more.

[0121] According to this embodiment, the panel support devices 7 are assembled indirectly together by way of connecting modules 4. This connecting module can be a plastic element, for example substantially rectangular which comprises lugs 54 at the four corners thereof.

[0122] According to the embodiment illustrated, the connecting modules 4 form a maintenance path A between two rows R1, R2 of photovoltaic panel support devices 7. According to this embodiment, two of the lugs 54 of said connecting module 4a located on one same side can be assembled to the two lugs 52 of the structural module 2 of one same panel support device 7 belonging to the row R1, the two lugs 54 located on the other side being assembled to the two consecutive lugs 52 of a structural module 2 of a panel support device belonging to the row R2.

[0123] The consecutive connecting module 4 belonging to the same maintenance path A can be used to brace two consecutive support devices 7 belonging to one same row R1 or R2, by creating an interspace together. Thus, it is noted that the photovoltaic panels P can be full of the devices 7, the full portions of the panels extending above the interspaces between devices 7.

[0124] Thus, it is noted that the connecting module 4b consecutive to that referenced 4a is used for this bracing: it has, on the side of the row R1, two lugs 54 assembled respectively to two consecutive support devices 7 of the row R1, and two lugs 54 assembled respectively to two consecutive support devices 7 of the row R2.

[0125] The embodiment of FIGS. 6a and 6b are distinguished from that of FIG. 1a and 1b in that the structural modules 2 are assembled directly together, the lugs belonging to two structural modules 2 of two support devices 7 respectively facing one another. The assembly thereof is obtained by inserting the neck 11, then fixing the stopper on the neck in order to lock the lugs.

[0126] The embodiment of FIG. 7 is distinguished from the two preceding embodiments in that some of the lugs of the structural modules are connected to lugs belonging to floating connecting modules, for example in the form of a blown-extruded plastic casing. Such connecting modules belonging to an excess floating are used, when these elements are used as a maintenance path. The lugs facing one another belonging to the connecting module and to the structural module are assembled by fixing members such as pins or a screw/nut system, passing through the lugs.

NOMENCLATURE

[0127] 1. Float modules, [0128] 10. Plastic casing, [0129] 11. Neck, [0130] 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d. Stoppers, [0131] 2. Structural modules, [0132] 20. Cross, [0133] 3. Support elements, [0134] 4. Connecting modules, [0135] 4a, 4b. Consecutive connecting modules (see FIG. 1b) [0136] 52, 54. Lugs (assembly) belonging to the structural modules and to the connecting module, [0137] 7. Panel support floating devices, [0138] 8,9. Male/female conformations ensuring the direct transmission of forces between the lugs, [0139] 13, 14. Shoulders formed at the base of the neck and on the stopper, [0140] 15. Reinforcing sleeve, [0141] P. Photovoltaic panels, [0142] 100. Installation.