ARTICULATED FLOATING STRUCTURE

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.

Claims

1. A floating structure comprising a plurality of interconnected frames and a plurality of buoyant members supporting the structure, wherein at least some of the frames are substantially triangular in planform.

2. The floating structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein all of the frames are substantially triangular in planform.

3. The floating structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least two adjacent ones of said frames are substantially triangular in planform and the adjacent frames that are substantially triangular in planform are movably connected.

4. The floating structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein the adjacent frames that are substantially triangular in planform are pivotably connected.

5. The floating structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the triangular frames that are substantially triangular in planform have substantially the same shape.

6. The floating structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the triangular frames that are substantially triangular in planform have substantially the same dimensions.

7. The floating structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the frames that are substantially triangular in planform has dimensions which are a multiple of the dimensions of another one of the frames that are substantially triangular in planform.

8. The floating structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein each said frame that is substantially triangular in planform has a base, an apex and two sides connecting opposite ends of the base with the apex, at least two adjacent ones of said frames are substantially triangular in planform and adjacent ones of said frames that are substantially triangular in planform are connected along their respective sides such that the base of a first frame is closest to the apex of a second frame and the base of the second frame is closest to the apex of the first frame.

9. The floating structure as claimed in claim 5, wherein each said frame that is substantially triangular in planform has a base, an apex and two sides connecting opposite ends of the base with the apex, at least two adjacent ones of said frames are substantially triangular in planform and adjacent ones of said frames that are substantially triangular in planform are connected along their respective bases.

10. The floating structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frames that are substantially triangular in planform comprise at least one triangles including a right angle.

11. The floating structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frames that are substantially triangular in planform comprise at least one isosceles triangles.

12. The floating structure as claimed in claim 10, wherein the frames that are substantially triangular in planform comprise at least one equilateral triangles.

13. The floating structure as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least one isosceles triangle has an apex angle of between about 20-120.

14. The floating structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least some of the frames that are substantially triangular in planform have at least one corner which is chamfered or rounded.

15. The floating structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least some of the frames that are substantially triangular in planform have a substantially open load-bearing structure, wherein all three sides of the triangle comprise beams connected at or near their ends.

16. The floating structure as claimed in claim 15, wherein the beams of the sides of the triangle support an internal grid or a platform.

17. The floating structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said frame that is substantially triangular in planform is supported by at least one said buoyant member.

18. The floating structure as claimed in claim 17, wherein the at least one buoyant member supporting each said frame is connected to the respective frame that is substantially triangular in planform that it supports by at least one post.

19. The floating structure as claimed in claim 17, wherein each said frame that are substantially triangular in planform is supported by at least three said buoyant members.

20. The floating structure as claimed in claim 19, wherein each said buoyant member is connected to a respective frame that is substantially triangular in planform near a corner of the frame.

21. The floating structure as claimed in claim 19, wherein at least two adjacent ones of said frames are substantially triangular in planform, each said frame that is substantially triangular in planform has a base, an apex and two sides connecting opposite ends of the base with the apex, at least two adjacent ones of said frames are substantially triangular in planform, adjacent ones of said frames that are substantially triangular in planform are connected along their respective sides such that the base of a first frame is closest to the apex of a second frame and the base of the second frame is closest to the apex of the first frame and each said buoyant member is connected to a respective frame that is substantially triangular in planform at a position along one said side or the base which is offset with respect to a position of another said buoyant member along a side or base of an adjacent frame that is substantially triangular in planform to which the first side or base is connected.

22. The floating structure as claimed in claim 1, further comprising anchoring means for maintaining the floating structure substantially at a fixed location in a body of water.

23. The floating structure as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an installation supported by the floating structure.

24. The floating structure as claimed in claim 23, wherein at least some of the frames that are substantially triangular in planform have a substantially open load-bearing structure, wherein all three sides of the triangle comprise beams connected at or near their ends, the beams of the sides of the triangle support an internal grid or a platform and the installation is arranged on the internal grid or the platform of a respective triangular frame.

25. The floating structure as claimed in claim 23, wherein the installation comprises a plurality of PV panels.

26. The floating structure as claimed in claim 23, wherein at least one said buoyant member is connected to the respective frame that is substantially triangular in planform that it supports by at least one post, the number of the buoyant members and a volume of the buoyant members, as well as a length of the at least one post are selected as a function of a weight of a respective frame and its installation, such that the frame is supported at a distance above a still waterline of a body of water in which the floating structure is used.

27. A triangular frame, intended for use in the floating structure as claimed in claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0038] The invention will now be elucidated by way of a number of exemplary embodiments, with reference being made to the annexed drawings, in which:

[0039] FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of a first embodiment of a floating structure made up of four interconnected triangular frames in accordance with the invention;

[0040] FIG. 2 is a perspective top view of a second embodiment of the floating structure in accordance with the invention, made up of triangular frames having a different planform than those of the first embodiment;

[0041] FIG. 3 is a view corresponding with that of FIG. 1, but showing each triangular frame of the floating structure supporting an array of PV panels;

[0042] FIG. 4 is a perspective bottom view of the floating structure supporting PV panels as shown in FIG. 3;

[0043] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the first embodiment of the floating structure according to arrow V in FIG. 1;

[0044] FIG. 6 is a side view of the first embodiment of the floating structure supporting PV panels according to arrow VI in FIG. 3, showing an exemplary still waterline around the buoyant members;

[0045] FIG. 7 is a top view of the first embodiment of the floating structure;

[0046] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the first embodiment of the floating structure;

[0047] FIG. 9 is a top view of the second embodiment of the floating structure;

[0048] FIG. 10 is a top view of a triangular frame in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention, illustrating both different buoyant members and a different positioning of the buoyant members;

[0049] FIG. 11 is a view corresponding with that of FIG. 3, but showing a single frame in accordance with the third embodiment;

[0050] FIG. 12 is a view corresponding with that of FIG. 11, but without the array of PV panels;

[0051] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an example of a pivot connection between adjacent triangular frames in which an edge of one of the frames has been removed for improved clarity;

[0052] FIG. 14 is a general diagram of a triangle illustrating various angles and dimensions; and

[0053] FIG. 15A-C are schematic planforms of various types of triangular frames having the arrangement of the buoyant members of the third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] A floating structure 1 (FIG. 1) comprises a plurality of triangular frames 2, in this embodiment four frames 2A-2D, which are mutually connected along their adjacent edges. Each frame 2 is supported by one or morein this embodiment threebuoyant members 3. In the illustrated embodiment each buoyant member 3 is connected to the triangular frame 2 by a single post 6. The three buoyant members 3 are shown to be connected to the respective frame 2 near a corner 7 of the frame 2, i.e. near one of the three angles of the triangle forming the frame 2.

[0055] Adjacent triangular frames 2 are connected such as to be movable with respect to one another, so that the floating structure 1 has some degree of flexibility. In the illustrated embodiment, adjacent triangular frames 2 are pivotably connected. To that end the frames 2 may be provided with pivotable connecting elements 19, in this case two connecting elements 19 near the corners 7. 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 aligned holes for receiving a pin 10 (FIG. 12). The pivotable connections between the frames 2 lead to the formation of an articulated floating structure 1, in which the triangular frames 2 can follow movement of waves when the structure 1 is floating on a body of water.

[0056] In the illustrated embodiment the four triangular frames 2A-2D all have the same shape and dimensions. In fact, the frames 2 are shown to be formed by equilateral triangles of which the base 11 (FIG. 14) has the same length as each of the two sides 12 which connect the base 11 to the apex 13. In such an equilateral triangle the three angles are identical so that each corner can be considered the apex 13.

[0057] In another embodiment (FIG. 2) the frames 2 are formed by isosceles triangles, in which the base 11 (FIG. 13) has a different length than the sides 12 and the apex 13 has an angle that is different from the angles of the two lower vertices 21. In this embodiment the apex 13 has an angle of 90, so that the base 11 is some 40 percent longer than the sides 12, thus forming a blunt triangle.

[0058] In both embodiments the three outer triangular frames 2A, 2C and 2D are arranged mutually parallel and have their apexes 13 all at the same side, while the central triangular frame 2B is arranged in opposite direction. The left and right triangular frames 2A, 2C are connected to the central triangular frame 2C along their respective sides 12, while the foremost triangular frame 2D is connected to the central triangular frame 2C along their respective bases 11.

[0059] In this arrangement, the four triangular frames 2A-2D together form a floating structure 1 which is triangular in itself, and has the same triangular shape in planform as the constituting triangular frames 2. The edges of the triangular floating structure 1 are twice as long as those of the individual triangular frames 2. The floating structure 1 could comprise more or less than four triangular frames 2. The floating structure 1 could further comprise triangular frames having different dimensions or different shapes. For instance, the structure 1 could include a central triangular frame having the same dimensions as a combination of four triangular frames as shown in the drawings, which could be surrounded by combinations of four smaller triangular frames of the type shown in the drawings. For practical purposes, the length of the edges of the triangular frames 2 can be selected with a view to ease of transportation, and could be a multiple of 6 m (20 feet), which is a standard container size.

[0060] Alternatively, the arrangement of FIG. 1 could be extended e.g. by placing two triangular frames having the same orientation as central frame 2C on both sides of the foremost triangular frame 2D, thus leading to an hourglass shape, and then adding two isosceles triangles having an apex of 120 at the sides to form a rectangular or square floating structure 1.

[0061] A square floating structure 1 could also be formed by mirroring the arrangement of FIG. 2.

[0062] In addition to the triangular frames 2, the floating structure 1 could also include frames having a different planform. For instance, one or more square frames could be arranged between the triangular frames 2C and 2D to form an arrow-shaped floating structure. Additionally or alternatively, relatively narrow rectangular frames could be arranged at the outside of the floating structure, either for increasing buoyancy or to support e.g. walkways for maintenance staff.

[0063] In the illustrated embodiments, each triangular frame 2 has an open load-bearing structure comprising three beams 14, which are connected at their ends. In order to allow an installation to be mounted on the floating structure 1, an internal grid 15 may be arranged between the load-bearing beams 14. In the illustrated embodiments the internal grid 15 includes four longitudinal girders 16 and a transverse girder 17. As illustrated here, the internal grid 14 not only serves to support an installation, but also forms a connection between the buoyant members 3 and the load-bearing frame 2, since the posts 6 are shown to be connected to the outer longitudinal girders 16 and to the transverse girder 17 (FIG. 4).

[0064] Although the beams 14 and girders 16, 17 are shown here as having closed rectangular cross-sectional profiles, it is conceivable for these members to have different cross-sectional profiles. The beams and/or the girders could have a round or oval cross-section, or could have another polygonal cross-section, e.g. triangular. Alternatively, the beams and/or the girders could have an open cross-section, and could e.g. be C-shaped, H-shaped, I-shaped or L-shaped. It is also conceivable for the beams and/or the girders to be formed by trusses or by a spaceframe.

[0065] In the illustrated embodiment the floating structure 1 supports a solar power generating installation. The installation comprises a plurality of arrays of PV panels (FIG. 3). In this embodiment each triangular frame 2 carries a substantially triangular array 4 of PV panels. The PV panels are shown to be arranged in rows 5, the length of which decreases from the base 11 towards the apex 13 of the triangle. In this embodiment, adjacent rows 5 are arranged in the shape of a rooftop, and walkways 18 are shown to be arranged between each pair of rows 5.

[0066] Although in the illustrated embodiment the entire surface area of each triangular frame 2 is covered by the array 4 of PV panels, it is also conceivable to reserve a part of the surface area for other parts of the installation, like e.g. control electronics, a transformer or batteries for storage. The floating structure 1 could be made up of triangular frames 2 carrying PV panels and one or more triangular frames 2 carrying other parts of the installation.

[0067] Instead of a solar power generating installation, the floating structure 1 could carry a different type of installation, e.g. a desalination plant, a hydrogen production plant or some other installation that requires a large amount of space but involves only limited or no human intervention. In such cases, the triangular frames 2 could be provided with a platform, rather than an internal grid.

[0068] In the illustrated embodiment the buoyant members 3 have the shape of an oblate ellipsoid, i.e. a body of revolution about a vertical axis on the basis of an ellipse having a major axis which is horizontal and a minor axis which is vertical. Such an ellipsoid-shaped buoyant member, which is described in detail in the applicant's co-pending application entitled: Floating structure having ellipsoid buoyant members, has been found to have a very low wave drag, so that loads on each triangular frame 2 will be relatively low and its structure may be light. However, in situations where wave drag is less of an issue, more basic shapes of buoyant members could be considered, as illustrated by the rectangular buoyant members 23 shown in FIGS. 10-12.

[0069] Loads on the triangular frames 2 are further reduced by keeping the frames 2 free of the water during normal use. Moreover, in this way the installation carried by the floating structure, in this case the array 4 of PV panels, is also protected from adverse effects due to the impact of waves. As shown in FIG. 6, the buoyant members 3 are almost fully 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 buoyant members 3 and their volume, as well as the length of the posts 6 as a function of the weight of each respective triangular frame 2 and the array 4 of PV panels which it supports. The height h above the waterline WL is selected in accordance with the intended use. For inland waters, like lakes or even rivers, where wave heights will be limited, a free height of 1-2 m may be sufficient, whereas for offshore applications much higher structures, possibly with the frames 2 up to 25 m above the still waterline WL may be needed.

[0070] The buoyant members 3 are shown to be fully submerged in this embodiment. However, it is also possible to give each buoyant member 3 a greater volume, so that it provides the required buoyancy even when it is only partially submerged. In that case the potential reserve buoyancy that may be generated when the buoyant member 3 is submerged to a greater extent than necessary for carrying the frame 2 may be used to increase dynamic stability of the floating structure 1. This reserve buoyancy will counter a downward movement of part of the triangular frame 2 when one side of the frame 2 is lifted by an approaching wave.

[0071] Although the frames 2 have thus far been shown to be purely triangular, small deviations from this shape can be used without departing from the inventive concept. For practical purposes the corners 7 of each triangular frame 2 may be chamfered or rounded, e.g. in order to provide sufficient strength or to avoid dangerously sharp angles. This is shown in the embodiment of FIG. 10.

[0072] This embodiment also includes an alternative arrangement of the three buoyant members 3, in which the buoyant members 3 are not arranged symmetrically with respect to a center line of the triangular frame 2, as is the case in the previous embodiments. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-9 the buoyant members 3 of adjacent triangular frames 2 are located directly opposite one another in a direction transverse to the connected edge. Therefore these buoyant members could theoretically collide in case of pivoting movement of the frames 2 due to waves. In the embodiment of FIGS. 10-12 each buoyant member 3A-C is connected to the frame 2through transverse girder 17 or a diagonal girder 20at a position along an edge which is offset with respect to a position of a buoyant member 3A-C along an edge of an adjacent triangular frame 2. If a triangular frame 2 is arranged to the right of the frame 2 shown in FIG. 10, with its apex pointing in the opposite direction, its first buoyant member 3A would not be directly opposite the first buoyant member 3A of the shown frame 2, but instead would be located in the vicinity of, but not directly opposite to the third buoyant member 3C. Similarly, if another frame 2 would be arranged to the left of the frame 2, again with its apex pointing in the opposite direction, its second buoyant member 3B would be offset from the second buoyant member 3B of the shown frame 2. The same applies if a further triangular frame would be arranged below the frame 2 of FIG. 10, again with its apex pointing in the opposite direction.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 15, this alternative positioning of the buoyant members 3 can be used in any embodiment of the triangular frame 2. FIG. 15A shows a frame 2 in the shape of an equilateral triangle, in which the angle of the apex 13 and the angles R of the two other vertices 21 are all the same, as are the lengths of the two sides 12 and the base 11. FIG. 15B illustrates the second embodiment of the frame 2 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, in which the buoyant members 3 are arranged offset from the apex 13 and other vertices 21 of the isosceles triangle. And finally, FIG. 15C shows another possible shape of the frame 2; a right-angle triangle having three different sides 11, 12A and 12B and three different angles , and , respectively. The embodiments of FIGS. 15B and 15C lend themselves to being combined into a rectangular floating structure 1 fairly easily. Alternatively, a lozenge-shaped floating structure 1 could be made by connecting triangular frames as shown in FIG. 15C along their sides 11 and 12A bordering the right angle vertex 21A.

[0074] Although not shown in the drawings, the floating structure 1 is further provided with anchoring means for maintaining the floating structure 1 substantially at a fixed location in a body of water. The anchoring means may e.g. include so-called spud poles, 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 could include one or more anchors fixed in the bottom, to which the floating structure 1 could be connected by chains or other flexible elements, so that the structure could change its orientation, e.g. to keep the PV panels in an optimum position relative to the sun. When used on relatively smaller inland waters, the floating structure could also be anchored to the shore.

[0075] Although the invention has been illustrated by a number of exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent that many modifications could be made within the scope of the claims.

[0076] For instance, the number of buoyant members supporting a triangular frame could be more or less than three. When using less than three buoyant members, each buoyant member must be inherently stable, e.g. in the way of a float used for fishing. It is also conceivable, e.g. when one of the frames 2 has to carry a very heavy load like the weight of an electrical transformer or the forces exerted by the anchoring means, to provide that frame 2 with (a) buoyant member(s) 3 extending under the entire surface area of the triangular frame 2, more or less transforming that frame 2 into a barge.

[0077] Also the number of triangular frames 2 which together constitute the floating structure could 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.

[0078] Any suitable material can be used in the construction of the triangular frames 2, the buoyant members 3 and the posts 6. Such materials include aluminum, steel, concrete or fiber reinforced plastics.

[0079] The scope of the invention is defined solely by the following claims.