WO2013084979A1 - Floating structure coupling system and retaining system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A floating structure coupling system and a retaining system using this coupling system are provided which are able to suppress movement of floating structures towards and away from each other on the vertical axis of the floating structures without generating excessive stress in the coupling system. The systems comprise two floating structures (10) spaced apart from each other, a first horizontal link (20) disposed substantially horizontally on the water surface and connected horizontally by pins at both ends to each of the two floating structures, and a second horizontal link (30) spaced apart in the vertical direction but parallel to the first horizontal link (20) and connected horizontally by pins at both ends to each of the two floating structures. A parallelogram-shaped link (40) is formed by the two floating structures, the first horizontal link and the second horizontal link which keeps the vertical axes of the two floating structures parallel to each other even when the two floating structures rise and fall relative in a relative sense and even when the two floating structures become tilted.

Description

Floating structure connection system and mooring system using the same

The present invention relates to a floating structure connection system for connecting floating structures such as a swinging ship or an offshore structure, and a mooring system using the floating structure connection system.

Generally, drag anchors and catenary chains are used as mooring systems for mooring floating structures at low cost. Such mooring lines usually have a length of about 3 to 10 times the water depth, and in order to prevent the floating structure from moving around, it is necessary to arrange a plurality of mooring lines radially. is there. In addition, it is designed in consideration of not causing a catastrophe even if one is cut. For this reason, at least three are used, but considering the behavior when one breaks, four or more are desirable. However, in the case of a small floating structure, it is wasteful and costly to install four mooring lines one by one, and this method cannot increase the installation density. Efficiency is poor when trying to recover wind energy, tidal energy, wave branch energy, etc. on the water surface. Therefore, it is conceivable to connect a plurality of floating bodies to each other with a horizontal hoop and fix them all to a seabed anchor with a mooring line, which has been proposed when installing a plurality of offshore wind power generation units. .

However, in general, one set of mooring lines that fix one floating structure is arranged radially when viewed from the sky, and the horizontal component of the tension of each mooring line is balanced, and the vertical downward component of each mooring line is The mooring lines are almost uniform, and the mooring lines are pulled downward, for example, at the four corners of the floating body with the same force, so that the floating body is balanced. Therefore, one or two of the mooring lines of each floating body can be easily replaced with horizontal lanyards that connect the floating bodies, since two floating bodies with four radial mooring lines are installed in the neighborhood. As a result, even if the horizontal force is balanced, the downward tension applied to each floating structure will be unbalanced. There is a problem in that the remaining portion is inclined to sink, resulting in an unstable state.

Therefore, it is conceivable to connect a plurality of floating structures with a rigid body instead of a blue rope to form an integral structure, which has been proposed as a grid type or collective type offshore wind power generation system. For example, in Patent Document 1, a floating body and a plurality of outer peripheral floating bodies arranged around the floating body are floated on the ocean in a state where they are connected to each other by members having rigidity. A basic structure of an offshore wind power generation apparatus is disclosed which includes a floating body apparatus on which wind power generation equipment is mounted and a plurality of anchors as mooring lines connected to the lower part of the floating body in the center. . In Patent Document 1, eight anchors are radially arranged at equal intervals below the floating body at the center.

JP 2010-216273 A

However, the long and slender structures that connect the floating structures in such a way can easily withstand enormous shearing force due to the uneven distribution of buoyancy, and the upward and downward warping moments called sag and hog. There is a problem that it is difficult unless it is a slender ratio that can exist as a ship in common sense. Especially in wind power systems, the distance between wind turbines is often several hundred meters, which is almost the same as the wavelength and half wavelength of the general design maximum wave. Therefore, it is difficult to design everything as a thin integrated structure. On the other hand, when flexibly connected by a mooring line or the like, there is a concern that adjacent windmills may collide with each other due to shaking.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described situation, and does not cause excessive stress in the connection system, and the floating structure connection that can suppress the proximity or separation between the vertical axes of the floating structure is possible. It is an object to provide a system and a mooring system using the system.

A floating structure connection system for connecting two floating structures in the vicinity of a water surface, the two floating structures being spaced apart from each other, and disposed substantially horizontally on a water surface, both ends of the two floating structures A first horizontal link that is horizontally pin-joined to the structure, and a first horizontal link that is vertically spaced from the first horizontal link, and both ends are horizontally pin-joined to the two floating structures. A second horizontal link, and even if the two floating structures move relatively up and down, or when the two floating structures are inclined, the vertical axes of the two floating structures are A parallelogram link is configured by the two floating structures, the first horizontal link, and the second horizontal link so as to be kept parallel to each other.

According to this, since each of the floating structures can be moved up and down relatively by the parallelogram link, even when exposed to a wave having a wavelength similar to the distance between the floating structures, the connection system can be used. It can be connected without causing excessive stress. In addition, the parallelogram links can be inclined if each of the floating structures is in the same direction. It is possible to prevent the inclination of approaching and the inclination of moving away from each other.

Further, at least one of the first horizontal link and the second horizontal link has a spring mechanism that is elastically deformed when a compressive force or tensile force of a predetermined value or more is applied, and the compressive force of the predetermined value or higher. Alternatively, when a tensile force is applied, the vertical axes of the two floating body structures are not parallel to each other due to elastic deformation of the spring mechanism, and when the compressive force or the tensile force is smaller than the predetermined value, It is preferable that the vertical axes of the two floating structures are maintained in parallel with each other by a parallelogram link.

According to this, at least one of the first horizontal link and the second horizontal link has a spring mechanism that elastically deforms when a compressive force or a tensile force greater than or equal to a predetermined value is applied. When the above compressive force or tensile force is applied, the vertical axes of the two floating structures become non-parallel to each other due to elastic deformation of the spring mechanism, and the compressive force or tensile force is smaller than the predetermined value. In this case, the vertical axes of the two floating structures are kept parallel to each other by the parallelogram links. Therefore, when the tops of the floating structure approach or move away due to a strong external force, the spring mechanism is deformed to some extent to cause excessive stress on the first horizontal link or the second horizontal link. If the external force is weakened, the vertical axis of the floating structure can return to parallel.

The spring mechanism includes a torsion bar spring, and the torsion bar spring is twisted in opposite directions when both vertical axes of the two floating structures are in a non-parallel state. In the case where the vertical axes of the two floating structures are kept parallel to each other, it is preferable that the two floating structures are connected to each other so that both ends rotate in the same phase.

According to this, when the vertical axes of the two floating structures are not parallel to each other, the torsion bar springs are twisted in opposite directions, and the vertical axes of the two floating structures are parallel to each other. When the state is maintained, both ends rotate in the same phase, so that a horizontal link that substantially elastically deforms with resistance can be realized. For example, the tilting motion of each floating structure is converted into rotational motion through the push and pull of each provided horn and connected to both ends of the same torsion bar, and the vertical axes of the floating structure at both ends are If the torsion bars are simply rotated when they are tilted in parallel with each other, and the vertical axes of the floating structure at both ends are tilted in opposite directions, both ends of the torsion bar are twisted. Can be realized.

Further, the spring mechanism is configured by an arcuate member made of an elastic material, and the arcuate members are close to or separated from each other when the vertical axes of the two floating structures are not parallel to each other. It is preferable that the two floating structures are connected to each other so that the two floating structures are curved so that they move in parallel when the vertical axes of the two floating structures are kept parallel to each other.

According to this, since the spring mechanism is configured by an arcuate member made of an elastic material, both ends of the arcuate member are close to or separated from each other when the vertical axes of the two floating structures are not parallel to each other. If the vertical axes of the two floating structures are kept parallel to each other, the horizontal link that expands and contracts substantially with resistance by the parallel movement of the arcuate member. Can be realized. Further, the structure can be simplified as compared with the case where the spring mechanism is configured by a torsion bar spring. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced and the assembly work can be facilitated.

Further, it is preferable that the first horizontal link is made of a bridge structure, and the spring mechanism is provided on the second horizontal link.

According to this, for example, when the floating structure is a wind power utilization system, a platform for maintenance of wind turbine blades, a floating bridge for landing of a boat on which maintenance personnel ride, and further installation of a wind turbine Therefore, the 1st horizontal link which consists of a bridge-type structure can be used as a carrying barge for carrying in. In addition, since the spring mechanism is provided in the second horizontal link, even when the vertical axes of the two floating structures are in a non-parallel state, the second horizontal link is deformed to absorb the load. The first horizontal link made of the mold structure is stabilized.

Moreover, it is preferable that the above-described floating structure includes at least one of a wind power utilization system, a tidal power utilization system, and a wave power utilization system.

According to this, a plurality of wind power, tidal power, or wave power utilization systems can be stably connected by the floating structure connection system.

The floating structure connection system further includes a plurality of mooring lines for connecting the anchor installed on the seabed and the floating structure, and the plurality of mooring lines are the floating structure connection system in plan view. It is preferable to have a configuration that is rotationally symmetric with respect to the centroid and is arranged radially outward from each floating body structure.

According to this, since the plurality of mooring lines are arranged in a rotationally symmetrical manner with respect to the centroid of the floating structure connection system in a plan view and substantially radially outward from each floating structure. The floating structure connection system can be moored in a balanced manner. Further, even if an imbalance occurs in the loads acting on the two floating structures, the floating structures can be tilted in parallel by the parallelogram links, or the loads can be absorbed by the spring mechanism.

The mooring system according to the present invention is a mooring system for mooring a floating structure connecting system group formed by connecting a plurality of floating structure connecting systems described above using a plurality of mooring lines connected to an anchor on the seabed, The plurality of mooring lines are connected to the floating structure arranged in the outer peripheral portion of the floating structure connection system group, and are arranged substantially radially in plan view.

According to this, the plurality of mooring lines are connected to the floating structure arranged in the outer peripheral portion of the floating structure connection system group, and are arranged substantially radially in plan view. The whole floating structure connection system group is held in position by using a plurality of mooring lines as anchors.
For example, in the case of a floating structure group consisting of two floating structures, the mooring line extending to the right seabed is taken from the right end of the right floating body, and the mooring line extending to the left seabed is taken from the left end of the left floating structure. Is good. At this time, when each floating structure is viewed, in the left floating structure, the force that the mooring line pulls to the left and the force that the connection system pulls to the right are balanced. In the right floating structure, the force that the mooring line pulls to the right and the force that the connection system pulls to the left are balanced. Further, in the vertical direction, the left floating structure is pulled downward, so that a falling moment is exerted to tilt the top of the head to the left. Moreover, since the right end is pulled downward in the right floating body structure, a falling moment acts to tilt the top of the head to the right. At this time, the first horizontal link and the second horizontal link of the floating structure connection system described above act to cancel the falling moments of the left and right floating structures and keep them parallel to each other, so that stability can be maintained. it can.

As described above, according to the floating structure connection system of the present invention, each floating structure can move up and down relatively in parallel with each other by the parallelogram link, so that excessive stress is applied to the connection system. Is not generated, and the proximity or separation between the vertical axes of the floating structure can be suppressed. As a result, the installation density of a plurality of floating structures can be increased and moored with inexpensive drag anchors and catenary chains.

In addition, the parallelogram links can incline the floating structures as long as they are in the same direction. Therefore, even in shallow water where the wave height is amplified and the wave height is high with respect to the water depth, It is possible to prevent excessive stress from being applied to the connecting portion and the floating structure by appropriately escaping fluctuations in physical strength and mooring force.

Further, according to the floating structure connection system of the present invention, when the floating structure is a wind power utilization system, as a floating platform for a landing of a boat on which a maintenance staff or a maintenance person rides, a maintenance platform for wind turbine blades is used. In addition, the first horizontal link made of a bridge-type structure can be used as a carrying barge for carrying in a windmill.

Furthermore, according to the mooring system of the present invention, the floating bodies are connected so that the floating structures do not tilt even if the downward components of the tension due to the mooring lines are unbalanced. In such a case, there is an effect that the adjacent windmills are not inclined so as to approach each other, and the windmills can be prevented from contacting each other.

It is a side view of the floating structure connection system which concerns on this embodiment. (A) is a side view of the floating structure, (b) is a plan view of the floating structure, and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in (a). (A) is a side view of a parallelogram link, (b) is a side view of a first horizontal link, and (c) is a side view of a second horizontal link. It is a top view of the parallelogram link shown by notching a part of the first horizontal link. It is the perspective view of the 2nd horizontal link which attached | subjected and showed the operation | movement of each part of the 2nd horizontal link when a floating structure inclines in parallel with the arrow. It is the perspective view of the 2nd horizontal link which attached | subjected and showed the operation | movement of each part of the 2nd horizontal link at the time of inclining so that the top parts of a floating structure may mutually distance. It is sectional drawing of the extendable link which concerns on a 1st modification. (A) is a side view of the parallelogram link of the floating structure connection system according to the second modification, (b) is a side view of the first horizontal link, and (c) is an arcuate member constituting the second horizontal link. FIG. It is a top view of the mooring system using a floating structure connection system, (a) shows a straight-chain type, (b) shows a cross-link type, and (c) shows a triangular type.

The floating structure connection system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 by taking as an example a case where two wind power utilization systems, which are the minimum units, are connected. In the description, directions are based on the left / right / up / down / front / rear directions shown in the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the floating structure connection system 1 includes two floating structures 10 that are spaced apart from each other, and a first horizontal link 20 and a second horizontal link that connect the two floating structures 10 to each other. A link 30 and a plurality of mooring lines 50 for mooring the two floating structures 10 are provided. These two floating structures 10, the first horizontal link 20, and the second horizontal link 30 constitute a parallelogram link 40.

In the floating structure connection system 1, for example, a tipping moment M is applied to the left and right floating structures 10 by the mooring lines 50. The parallelogram link 40 functions so as to allow these two falling moments to escape or cancel each other suitably.

As shown in FIG. 2, the floating structure 10 includes a floating body 110, a Darrieus type windmill 120 as a wind power utilization system, and a Savonius type water turbine 130 as a tidal power utilization system.

The floating body 110 is a device having buoyancy, and has a hollow structure like a hull, for example. The floating body 110 pivotally supports the rotation shafts of a Darius type wind turbine 120 and a Savonius type turbine 130 which will be described later. In addition, the floating body 110 includes a power generation device (not shown) that generates power by the rotation of the rotating shaft. The floating body 110 is moored to the anchor 70 on the seabed by a mooring line 50 attached to the outside of the floating body 110 (the side opposite to the first horizontal link 20 and the second horizontal link 30). The floating body 110 is pulled outward and downward by the mooring line 50.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the Darrieus type windmill 120 includes an upper support 121 serving as a rotating shaft and three blades 122 provided around the upper support 121 at equal intervals. ing. The upper end 122a and the lower end 122b of the blade 122 are respectively supported by an upper bracket 123 provided at the upper end of the upper support 121 and a lower bracket 124 provided at the lower end of the upper support 121 so as to be vertically rotatable. Yes. The intermediate part 122c of the blade 122 is configured in a hinge structure. The lower bracket 124 is configured to be slidable with respect to the upper support 121. The blade 122 is configured to be able to change its turning radius r by bending the intermediate portion 122c of the blade 122 by sliding the lower bracket 124 up and down.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2C, the Savonius type water wheel 130 also functions as a ballast for placing the center of gravity of the floating structure 10 in the water, and the upper end of the Savonius type water wheel 130 serves as a lower support 131. It is supported by. The Savonius type water turbine 130 includes blades 132 and 132 having a shape obtained by reversing a cylindrical body in the axial direction. The two blades 132 and 132 are coupled to each other along the dividing surface. The Savonius-type water turbine 130 rotates when a tidal current passes through a space 132 a surrounded by the blades 132 and 132. The Savonius-type water turbine 130 according to the present embodiment has a structure in which such blades 132 and 132 are stacked in two stages in the vertical direction and are arranged 90 degrees out of phase with each other.

The upper column 121, which is the rotation axis of the Darrieus-type windmill 120, and the lower column 131, which is the rotation axis of the Savonius-type water turbine 130, are connected by, for example, a gear system (not shown) that combines a speed increasing mechanism and a ratchet mechanism. . The speed increasing mechanism can be composed of, for example, a planetary gear mechanism. With this speed increasing mechanism, the Darrieus type windmill 120 can be started up by the Savonius type turbine 130 having high startability. In addition, after the Darrieus-type windmill 120 is started up, the rotation of the Darius-type windmill 120 and the rotation of the Savonius-type turbine 130 are separated by a ratchet mechanism, thereby preventing the Savonius-type turbine 130 from being a load on the Darius-type windmill 120. be able to.

The mooring line 50 is a member that connects the floating body structure 10 (more specifically, the floating body 110) and the anchor 70, and includes, for example, a chain. The anchor 70 is constituted by a rod such as a stockless anchor or a stock anchor installed on the seabed. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the four mooring lines 50 are rotationally symmetric with respect to the centroid of the floating structure connection system 1 in plan view, and two from each floating structure 10. They are arranged radially outwardly. The mooring line 50 has a sufficient length with respect to the water depth (for example, about 3 to 10 times the water depth), and is a so-called catenary curve. As a result, even if the floating structure 10 moves up and down due to waves, a horizontal tensile force acts on the anchor 70.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first horizontal link 20 is a bridge-type structure disposed substantially horizontally on the water surface. The first horizontal link 20 has a floor plate-like deck portion 210 and a truss portion 220 that reinforces the deck portion 210.

The deck section 210 has a function as a worker's passage and a material storage area. Both end portions of the deck portion 210 are pin-bonded around the horizontal axis on the upper side of the two floating structures 10. Thereby, the 1st horizontal link 20 becomes rotatable with respect to the floating structure 10 in the up-down direction.

The truss portion 220 includes a lower beam 221 arranged in parallel and spaced below the deck portion 210, and a plurality of chord members 222 installed obliquely or vertically between the deck portion 210 and the lower beam 221. It is composed of

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 (mainly FIG. 5), the second horizontal link 30 is spaced downward with respect to the first horizontal link 20 (more specifically, with respect to the deck unit 210). It is the connecting device arranged in parallel. The second horizontal link 30 includes a pair of main rods 310, 310, a torsion bar (torsion bar spring) 320 disposed between the pair of main rods 310, 310, and between the main rod 310 and the torsion bar 320. And a pair of link mechanisms 330 and 330 interposed therebetween. The pair of main rods 310, 310, the torsion bar 320, and the pair of link mechanisms 330, 330 constitute a spring mechanism.

The pair of main rods 310 are rod-like members that push and pull a horn 322 of a torsion bar 320 described later as the floating structure 10 tilts. One end side of each main rod 310 is pin-connected to the lower end side of the floating body 110 around the horizontal axis. The other end side of each main rod 310 is joined to the link mechanism 330 by a vertical pin. Each main rod 310 is disposed so as to be closer to the deck portion 210 as it approaches the torsion bar 320. 5 and 6, the main rod 310 is drawn with a simple straight line for convenience of explanation.

The torsion bar 320 includes a torsion bar main body 321 extending in a direction connecting the two floating structures 10 and 10, and a pair of horns 322 and 322 protruding from both ends of the torsion bar main body 321. Yes. The torsion bar main body 321 is a rod-like member having a circular cross section, for example, and is made of an elastic material such as metal. The torsion bar main body 321 has such a rigidity that it undergoes significant elastic deformation when a torsional load of a predetermined value or more is applied. As shown in FIG. 5, the torsion bar main body 321 is arranged on the same straight line as the pair of main rods 310 and 310 in a plan view. The pair of horns 322 are metal plate-like members installed so as to protrude in the radial direction with respect to the torsion bar main body 321. Each horn 322 protrudes in the same direction (downward in FIG. 5) with respect to the torsion bar main body 321. Each horn 322 is rigidly coupled to both ends of the torsion bar main body 321 by welding or the like.

The pair of link mechanisms 330 and 330 are devices that convert the axial movement of the main rod 310 into the circumferential movement of the torsion bar 320. The pair of link mechanisms 330 and 330 are formed in a substantially U shape in plan view. The pair of link mechanisms 330 and 330 are arranged symmetrically (rotationally symmetric) with respect to the torsion bar 320 in plan view. Each link mechanism 330 has a torsional rigidity higher than that of the torsion bar 320. Each link mechanism 330 includes a shaft portion 331, a bracket 332, a pair of horns 333 a and 333 b, and a pair of push-pull rods 334 and 334.

The shaft portion 331 is a rod-shaped member that serves as a rotation shaft of the link mechanism 330 and is formed shorter than the torsion bar main body 321. The shaft portion 331 is installed with the rotation axis directed in a direction orthogonal to the main rod 310 in a side view (see FIG. 3C). Further, the shaft portion 331 is arranged so as to be separated from the main rod 310 in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the main rod 310 in plan view (see FIG. 4). The shaft portion 331 is rotatably supported by the first horizontal link 20 via the bracket 332.

The bracket 332 is a member that rotatably supports the shaft portion 331. The bracket 332 includes a tubular portion 332a and a plate-like portion 332b that supports the tubular portion 332a. The cylindrical portion 332a is a cylindrical hollow member, and externally holds the shaft portion 331 so as to be rotatable. The plate-like portion 332 b is a plate-like member having a trapezoidal shape in a side view that connects the tubular portion 332 a and the deck portion 210. The upper end portion of the plate-like portion 332b is fixed to the lower surface of the deck portion 210 by, for example, welding.

The pair of horns 333a and 333b are protruded from the upper and lower ends of the shaft portion 331 in the radial direction with a phase of 90 °. The upper horn 333 a extends in a direction orthogonal to the main rod 310. The upper horn 333a connects the upper end portion of the shaft portion 331 and the tip end portion of the main rod 310 substantially horizontally. The base end portion of the upper horn 333 a is rigidly joined to the upper end portion of the shaft portion 331. The tip of the upper horn 333a is pin-connected to the main rod 310 around the vertical axis. The lower horn 333b extends in parallel with the main rod 310 from the lower end portion of the shaft portion 331 toward the torsion bar 320 side. The base end portion of the lower horn 333 b is rigidly joined to the lower end portion of the shaft portion 331. A push-pull rod 334 described later is interposed between the lower horn 333 b and the horn 322 of the torsion bar 320.

The pair of push-pull rods 334 and 334 are rod-shaped members that connect the tip of the lower horn 333 b and the tip of the horn 322 of the torsion bar 320. The pair of push-pull rods 334 and 334 have a function of rotating or twisting the torsion bar main body 321 by pushing and pulling the horn 322 of the torsion bar 320 in the circumferential direction of the torsion bar main body 321. The push-pull rod 334 is pin-joined around the vertical axis with respect to the tip of the lower horn 333b, and is pin-joined around the horizontal axis with respect to the horn 322 of the torsion bar 320. 5 and 6, the push-pull rod 334 is drawn with a simple straight line for convenience of explanation.

The floating structure connection system 1 according to the present embodiment is basically configured as described above. Next, the operation of the floating structure connection system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 (mainly FIG. 5). Details will be described with reference to FIG.

In the floating structure connection system 1, the two floating structures 10, the first horizontal link 20, and the second horizontal link 30 constitute a parallelogram link 40, so the two floating structures 10 are , Kept parallel to each other. Therefore, the two floating body structures 10 can move up and down relatively or tilt in the same direction. Thereby, it is possible to avoid tilting in the same direction to escape the wind, or tilting such that the Darrieus type windmills 120 are close to each other.

For example, when two floating body structures 10 are tilted so that the top of the floating body structure 10 moves toward the left side in FIG. 1, the floating body has a connection point between the floating body 110 and the first horizontal link 20 as a fulcrum. Both of the lower sides of 110 are displaced to the right. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the left main rod 310 is pressed to the right, and the right main rod 310 is pulled to the right.

Then, the left link mechanism 330 is rotated counterclockwise in a plan view by being pressed by the left main rod 310, and pulls the left push-pull rod 334. The left side of the torsion bar 320 is pulled by the left push-pull rod 334 and rotates so that the left horn 322 faces the front side.

On the other hand, when the right link mechanism 330 is pulled by the right main rod 310, it rotates clockwise in a plan view and presses the right push-pull rod 334. The right side of the torsion bar 320 is pressed by the right push-pull rod 334 and rotates so that the right horn 322 faces the front side.

Thereby, since the right side and the left side of the torsion bar 320 simply rotate in the same phase, excessive stress is not generated in the torsion bar 320. Further, since the left main rod 310 also moves to the left by the amount that the right main rod 310 has moved to the left, the overall length of the second horizontal link 30 hardly changes. Therefore, the parallelogram link 40 is maintained.

For example, in order to avoid interference of wind effects between windmills, the distance between windmills is required to be several times the diameter of the windmill. For this reason, the distance between the floating structures 10 is often several hundred meters, which is almost the same as the wavelength of the design maximum wind wave. In such a case, if the windmills are rigidly connected to each other, excessive stress is applied, but in the floating structure connection system 1 according to the present embodiment, for example, the left floating structure 10 rides on the top of a large wave, When the right floating structure 10 falls to the bottom of a large wave, the left floating body 110 pulls the left push-pull rod 334 while the right floating body 110 pushes the right push-pull rod 334. In such a case, the torsion bar 320 simply rotates and does not exert a resistance force, so that it can operate smoothly as the parallelogram link 40.

Next, when a relatively large load is applied and the tops of the two floating structures 10 are deformed so as to move away from each other, the connection point between the floating body 110 and the first horizontal link 20 is used as a fulcrum. It deforms so that the lower sides of each other are close to each other. At this time, since the upper sides of the floating bodies 110 are connected by the first horizontal links 20 that are not stretchable, the distance between them does not change. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the pair of main rods 310 are pressed in a direction approaching the torsion bar 320.

Then, the left link mechanism 330 is rotated counterclockwise in a plan view by being pressed by the left main rod 310, and pulls the left push-pull rod 334. The left side of the torsion bar 320 is pulled by the left push-pull rod 334 and rotates so that the left horn 322 faces the front side.

On the other hand, when the right link mechanism 330 is pressed by the right main rod 310, it rotates counterclockwise in plan view and pulls the right push-pull rod 334. The right side of the torsion bar 320 is pulled by the right push-pull rod 334 and rotates so that the right horn 322 faces the rear side.

Thereby, since the right side and the left side of the torsion bar 320 rotate in opposite phases, the torsion bar 320 is twisted and elastically deformed, and energy for tilting the floating structure 10 so that the tops of the floating structure 10 move away from each other is obtained. Will be absorbed. When the torsion bar 320 is twisted in the opposite phase, the total length of the second horizontal link 30 is slightly shortened, but when the tilting energy is weakened, the twist of the torsion bar 320 is released, and the second horizontal link 30 Full length is restored. Thereby, the parallelogram link 40 is restored and the two floating structures 10 can be tilted in the same direction.
Even when the floating structure 10 is tilted so that the tops of the floating structure 10 come close to each other, the same action and effect can be obtained only by reversing the torsional direction of the torsion bar 320 and the like.

Since the first horizontal link 20 is a bridge-type structure, facilities such as bollards, fenders, etc. for berthing and mooring of workers for maintenance, inspection and repair, Equipment such as an antenna for communication with GPS and a cable connection for transmitting power to land can be installed. Further, the blade 132 can be lifted and lowered on the first horizontal link 20 and used as a work place when performing inspection, repair, replacement, and the like.

As described above, the floating structure connection system 1 according to the present embodiment has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It is possible.

For example, in the present embodiment, the Darrieus-type windmill 120 and the Savonius-type water turbine 130 are installed in the floating structure 10, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other types of vertical-axis windmills and vertical-axis turbines are used. A horizontal axis windmill or a horizontal axis turbine may be installed. In addition, only one of the water wheel and the windmill may be installed in the floating structure 10, or a wave power utilization system such as a wave power generator may be installed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the second horizontal link 30 is configured to be extendable and contractible by the torsion bar 320 and the link mechanism 330. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is replaced with the torsion bar 320 and the link mechanism 330. In addition, the extendable / retractable link 400 shown in FIG. 7, the arcuate member 600 shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the extendable link according to the first modification.
As shown in FIG. 7, the extendable link 400 includes a cylinder 410, a rod 420, and a pair of coil springs 430a and 430b disposed in the cylinder 410.

The left end of the cylinder 410 is pin-joined around the horizontal axis to the left main rod 310 (see FIG. 4). A rod 420 is inserted into the right end portion of the cylinder 410. The right end of the rod 420 is pin-joined around the horizontal axis to the right main rod 310 (see FIG. 4). A flange 420 a having a diameter larger than that of the rod 420 is provided at the left end portion of the rod 420. A first coil spring 430a is installed in the cylinder 410 between the left end of the cylinder 410 and the flange 420a, and between the right end of the cylinder 410 and the flange 420a, a second coil spring 430a is installed. Coil spring 430b is installed.

According to such a configuration, when the left and right main rods 310 move in a direction in which the left and right main rods 310 are pressed against each other or in a pulling direction, the extendable link 400 expands and contracts to absorb tilting energy. Moreover, when tilting energy becomes weak, the inclination of the floating structure 10 can be returned.
Further, by applying a preload to the coil springs 430a and 430b, when a compressive force or a tensile force greater than a predetermined value is applied, the expandable link 400 starts elastic deformation, and until then, it moves in parallel. Can be configured.
Further, by filling the cylinder 410 with a viscous fluid such as oil and providing an orifice (not shown) in the flange 420a, the expandable link 400 can also function as a damping damper.

8A is a side view of the parallelogram link of the floating structure connection system according to the second modification, FIG. 8B is a side view of the first horizontal link, and FIG. 8C constitutes the second horizontal link. FIG. 6 is a side view of an arcuate member.
As shown in FIG. 8, the floating structure connection system 1 </ b> A according to the second modified example is that the second horizontal link 60 is configured by an arcuate member 600. Is different. The arcuate member 600 is configured in an upwardly convex bow shape using an elastic material having a certain degree of rigidity, such as high-tensile steel.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8C, the arcuate member 600 includes a horizontal portion 610 and a pair of inclined portions 620 and 620 provided at both ends of the horizontal portion 610. The horizontal portion 600 is a rod-like long member extending in the left-right direction, and is disposed substantially parallel to the first horizontal link 20 at a position spaced downward from the first horizontal link 20. The pair of inclined portions 620 and 620 are inclined so as to be positioned on the lower side as the distance from the horizontal portion 610 increases. The tip end portion 620a of each inclined portion 620 is pin-joined around the horizontal axis on the lower side of the floating structure 10, and is rotatable in the vertical direction.
As shown in FIG. 8B, the first horizontal link 20 has the same structure as that of the above-described embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

In the floating structure connection system 1A according to the second modified example, since the second horizontal link 60 is configured by the bow-shaped member 600 made of an elastic material, a load of a predetermined value or more acts on the floating structure 10 and 2 When the two floating structures 10 are not parallel to each other, the distal end portions 630a of the arcuate member 600 are curved (elastically deformed) so as to approach or separate from each other and absorb the load. On the other hand, when the load acting on the floating structure 10 becomes smaller than a predetermined value, the arcuate member 600 is restored, the two floating structures 10 are kept parallel to each other, and the arcuate member 600 moves in parallel. Oscillate as follows. Thereby, the horizontal link provided with the spring mechanism which expands and contracts substantially with resistance can be realized.

Next, a mooring system using the floating structure connection system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9 (a), the first floating structure connection system group 2A is configured by connecting five floating structures 10 with four parallelogram links 40 into a so-called linear type. And mooring lines 50 are installed radially outside the floating structure 10 at both ends. The two mooring lines 50 are also connected to the central floating structure 10 in a direction perpendicular to the parallelogram link 40, but the two mooring lines 50 of the central floating structure 10 may be omitted. .

As shown in FIG. 9B, the second floating structure connection system group 2B includes four floating structures 10 arranged around the central floating structure 10, and the central floating structure 10 and the surrounding The floating structure 10 is connected by four parallelogram links 40 to form a so-called cross link type. The four surrounding floating structures 10 are arranged so as to form a square apex in plan view. And two (total 8) mooring lines 50 are connected from the surrounding four floating structures 10 to the outside.

As shown in FIG. 9C, the third floating structure connection system group 2C arranges the three floating structures 10 so as to form vertices of equilateral triangles in plan view, and each floating structure 10 Are connected by parallelogram links 40 to form a triangular shape. And two (total 6) mooring lines 50 are connected from the surrounding three floating structures 10 to the outside.

These floating structure connection system groups 2A, 2B, 2C are configured to be rotated with respect to the respective planar centers (centroids). The floating structure connection system groups 2A, 2B and 2C are anchored on the seabed 70 by mooring lines 50 arranged radially outward from the floating structure 10 arranged on the outer periphery thereof (FIG. 2 (a)). Position). With such a configuration, the mooring line 50 balances the force that pulls the floating structure 10 with the force that the parallelogram link 40 pulls the floating structure 10 in the opposite direction, so that stability can be maintained.

In addition, said floating body structure connection system group 2A, 2B, 2C is an example, It expands further using such a component, and more floating body structures 10 may be connected.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Floating structure connection system 10 Floating structure 110 Floating body 120 Darrieus type windmill 121 Upper support 122 Blade 122a Upper end 122b Lower end 122c Intermediate part 123 Upper bracket 124 Lower bracket 130 Savonius type turbine 131 Lower support 132 Blade 132a Space 20 First Horizontal link 210 Deck part 220 Truss part 221 Lower beam 222 String material 30 Second horizontal link 310 Main rod 320 Torsion bar 321 Torsion bar body 322 Horn 330 Link mechanism 331 Shaft part 332 Bracket 332a Cylindrical part 332b Plate-like part 333a Horn 333b Horn 334 Push-pull rod 40 Parallelogram link 400 Extendable link 410 Cylinder 420 Rod 420a Flange 50 Mooring line 70 Anchor 2A floating structure coupled system group 2B floating construction the coupling system group 2C floating structure coupling system group

Claims (8)

A floating structure connection system for connecting a plurality of floating structures near the water surface,
At least two of the floating structures that are spaced apart from each other;
A first horizontal link disposed substantially horizontally on the water surface and having both ends respectively connected to the two floating structures by horizontal pins;
A second horizontal link that is arranged in parallel with being spaced apart in the vertical direction with respect to the first horizontal link, and both ends of which are horizontally pin-joined to the two floating structures,
Even if the two floating structures move up and down relatively or when the two floating structures tilt, the vertical axes of the two floating structures are kept parallel to each other. A floating structure connecting system, wherein a parallelogram link is formed by one floating structure, the first horizontal link, and the second horizontal link. At least one of the first horizontal link and the second horizontal link has a spring mechanism that elastically deforms when a compressive force or tensile force of a predetermined value or more is applied,
When a compressive force or tensile force greater than or equal to the predetermined value is applied, the vertical axes of the two floating structures become non-parallel to each other due to elastic deformation of the spring mechanism,
When the compressive force or tensile force is smaller than the predetermined value, the parallelogram links keep the vertical axes of the two floating structures in parallel with each other.
The floating structure connection system according to claim 1, wherein: The spring mechanism includes a torsion bar spring,
The torsion bar springs are twisted in opposite directions when the vertical axes of the two floating structures are not parallel to each other, and the vertical axes of the two floating structures are kept parallel to each other. 3. The floating structure connection system according to claim 2, wherein both ends are connected to the two floating structures so that both ends rotate in the same phase. The spring mechanism is composed of an arcuate member made of an elastic material,
When the vertical axes of the two floating structures are not parallel to each other, the arcuate member is curved so that both end portions are close to or away from each other, and the vertical axes of the two floating structures are parallel to each other 3. The floating structure connection system according to claim 2, wherein the floating structure connection system is connected to the two floating structures so as to move in parallel with each other. 3. The first horizontal link is a bridge-type structure,
The floating structure connection system according to claim 3, wherein the spring mechanism is provided in the second horizontal link. The floating structure connection system according to claim 5, wherein the floating structure includes at least one of a wind power utilization system, a tidal power utilization system, and a wave power utilization system. A plurality of mooring lines connecting the anchor installed on the seabed and the floating structure;
The plurality of mooring lines are rotationally symmetric with respect to the centroid of the floating structure connection system in a plan view, and are arranged substantially radially outward from each floating structure. The floating structure connection system according to claim 6. Using a plurality of mooring lines connecting a floating structure connection system group formed by connecting a plurality of floating structure connection systems according to any one of claims 1 to 6 to anchors on the seabed A mooring system,
The mooring lines are connected to the floating structure arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the floating structure connection system group, and are arranged substantially radially in a plan view. .

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