MODULAR PLATFORM FOR OFFSHORE CONSTRUCTIONS WITH A STABILIZED STRUCTURE AND THE RECOVERY OF WATER WAVE ENERGY

Abstract

The modular platform for offshore constructions, composed of more than two separate buoyancy elements partially immersed in water, which move along with the water wave movement and which, in the part above the water level, are connected to the structural elements forming a rigid horizontal spatial structure, characterized in that the buoyancy element (1) is given the shape of a cuboid or cylinder having at least one vertical hollow (2) to accommodate the structural element, i.e. piston (3), which forms the axis along which the buoyancy element (1) moves, and which is connected to the horizontal structural element (4) fitted to take external loads.

Claims

1. The modular platform for offshore constructions, composed of more than two separate buoyancy elements (1) partially immersed in water, which move along with the water wave movement and which, in the part above the water level, are connected to the structural elements forming a rigid horizontal spatial structure, characterized in that the buoyancy element (1) is given the shape of a cuboid or cylinder having at least one vertical hollow (2) to accommodate the structural element, i.e. piston (3), which forms the axis along which the buoyancy element (1) moves, and which is connected to the horizontal structural element (4) fitted to take external loads.

2. Modular platform according to claim 1, characterized in that in the bottom part of the vertical hollow (2) of the buoyancy element (1) water gets inside the hollow (2) through a one-way valve (7) in a one-way and free flow, and the top part of the vertical hollow is used to anchor the structural element, i.e. piston (2), which is an element of the floating structure.

3. Modular platform according to claim 1, characterized in that the structural element (piston) (3) is fitted with at least one hollow (5) for the transport of compressed water between the vertical chamber (2) of the buoyancy element (1) and the water receiving element i.e. water turbine (6), which is a part of the platform stabilization system and the system of producing electrical energy from the pumped water.

4. Modular platform according to claim 1, characterized in that preferably it is fitted with a water turbine device (6) which converts the energy of the water pumped from the buoyancy element to electrical energy.

5. Modular platform according to claim 1, characterized in that preferably the hollow (5) in the structural element (piston) (3) is fitted with a valve (valves) (8) which enables setting an open flow of water at specific pressure and a change of its direction.

6. Modular platform according to claim 1, characterized in that it is assembled by launching individual buoyancy elements (1) and connecting then to form a larger spatial structure.

7. Modular platform according to claim 1, characterized in that preferably the horizontal structural elements (4) are geometrically configured in the horizontal plane to form a triangle, rectangle, or hexagon.

8. Modular platform according to claim 1, characterized in that the buoyancy element (1) of a launched platform can be replaced with a new element without the need to disassemble the entire platform.

9. Modular platform according to claim 1, characterized in that the existing platform can be added extra buoyancy elements (1) to adjust the platform size to the current demand.

10. Modular platform according to claim 1, characterized in that it can be fitted with elements (9) anchoring it to the seabed, embankment members, or other floating objects.

11. Modular platform according to claim 1, characterized in that it can be equipped with a drive (10) which enables moving of the entire platform.

12. Modular platform according to claim 1, characterized in that preferably the buoyancy element has an internal layer of a high-density foam material (11), such as extruded polystyrene, and an external coat of a non-absorbing material (12), e.g. high performance concrete reinforced with fibers or textiles.

13. Modular platform according to claim 1, characterized in that the spacing between the centerlines of the buoyancy elements (1) is larger than twice their diameter or the length of their longest side.

14. Modular platform according to claim 1, characterized in that the heights and widths of the buoyancy elements (1) and their spacing in the structural nodes are selected to match the maximum heights and lengths of the waves which form on the specific basin so as to ensure even distribution of loan in the nodes between the buoyancy elements (1) floating on wave crests, where the height of the buoyancy element is larger than the theoretical maximum wave height.

Description

[0031] The object of the invention is shown on drawings, where

[0032] FIG. 1 shows the cross-section of two buoyancy elements with a fragment of the horizontal structure, and the mounted water turbine driven by water pumped from the moving buoyancy elements,

[0033] FIG. 2 shows the cross-section of the floating platform composed of buoyancy elements floating either on wave crests or troughs and bearing the weight of a residential building,

[0034] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the floating platform composed of buoyancy elements and the horizontal structure on which external elements can be mounted,

[0035] FIG. 4 presents the horizontal projection of the floating platforms formed by making rigid structural connections geometrically configured in the shape of a triangle (FIG. 4a), rectangular (FIG. 4b) and hexagon (FIG. 4c),

[0036] FIG. 5 depicts the vertical section of the floating platform with exemplary structure founded thereon, i.e. a seawater desalination facility in which the salty water is pumped from the buoyancy elements to the container in which water evaporates in the sun, whereupon the desalinated water vapor condenses and is stored in a separate container,

[0037] FIG. 6 shows the vertical view of the floating platform with an exemplary vertical axis wind turbine of the Darieus type fixed to the platform's horizontal structure.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT I

[0038] The exemplary embodiment of the modular platform to hold offshore constructions with structure stabilization mechanism and recovery of water wave energy (FIG. 1) envisages the specific structure of the buoyancy elements (1) composed of the internal core made of extruded polystyrene XPS (11) and an external coat of high performance concrete (12) connected to the horizontal structure (4) dedicated for fixing offshore construction thereon with a structural element, i.e. piston (3). Fixed to the horizontal structure (4) in the space above the water table is a water turbine (6) which receives the water pumped from the vertical hollows (2).

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT II

[0039] The exemplary embodiment of the modular platform to hold offshore constructions with structure stabilization mechanism and recovery of water wave energy (FIG. 2) envisages the specific structure of the floating platform composed of buoyancy elements (1) connected to the horizontal structure (4) and floating up and down with the water wave movement, thus causing compression of water which fills the chamber of the float (2) and transport of the water through the hollow (5) to the receiving device in the form of a water turbine (6) and then to the device which converts the energy to electrical energy. The modular platform is anchored to the seabed with a rope (9) and fitted with a drive (10) which makes it possible to move on the water basin.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT III

[0040] The exemplary embodiment of the modular platform to hold offshore constructions with structure stabilization mechanism and recovery of water wave energy (FIG. 4) envisages a specific structure of the floating platform, composed of buoyancy elements (1) connected to the horizontal structure (4) and geometrically configured in the shape of a triangle (FIG. 4a), rectangular (FIG. 4b) or hexagon. (FIG. 4c).