WO2025027215A1 - Multipurpose floating support structure - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a multipurpose floating support structure comprising one or more modular pieces of low-density floating material in the form of flat latticed plates (2), each formed by a lattice of rods (3) that define a plurality of intermediate empty spaces (4), nodes (5) for connecting and reinforcing the rods being disposed at the intersections of some or all of the rods (3), wherein the rods (3) include elements for cultivating aquatic plants, thereby allowing the latticed plate or plates (2) to be used as a floating support for installing solar panels and/or for cultivating aquatic plants, and/or for people to walk on. The cultivating elements included in the rods (3) comprise baskets (6) suitable for cultivating aquatic plants previously and preferably raised in seedbeds. Some of the nodes (5) extend through the bottom of the plate (2) and are formed by filiform elements. Flexible appendages (10) emerge inside the triangles formed by the rods (3). The multipurpose floating support structure also comprises accessory floating elements consisting of either floating sheets (7) or hollow air-filled columns (8).

Description

DESCRIPTION

MULTIPURPOSE FLOATING SUPPORT STRUCTURE

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention, as expressed in the title of this specification, refers to a floating support structure for multipurpose use that provides, for the function for which it is intended, advantages and characteristics that are described in detail below.

The object of the present invention is a floating support structure whose configuration, based on modular reticular elements that define hollow spaces in most of the area they cover, in addition to allowing its use in different applications, is especially advantageous as a floating system for solar panels by preventing the natural aeration of the surface of the water on which they are incorporated from being impeded.

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The field of application of the present invention is within the industrial sector dedicated to the manufacture of floating structures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is known, the natural aeration of a lake, reservoir, or body of water occurs mainly through natural processes that promote the mixing of water and the transfer of oxygen from the atmosphere to the body of water. One of the most important natural aeration processes of stagnant water is the wind. It plays a fundamental role in the natural aeration of lakes. When blowing on the surface of the water, the wind generates movement and waves that favor the mixing of layers of water and the entry of oxygen into the lake. This oxygen is very important in the balance of the ecosystem and in the quality of the water. and in case of oxygen deficiency, it is recommended to implement artificial aeration techniques to help maintain the balance of the aquatic ecosystem.

The problem is that the area of opportunity generated by the use of these ecosystems as useful surfaces for the production of solar energy through floating solar installations of the photovoltaic type, given their greater efficiency in this medium due to the natural cooling that occurs on their surface by the evaporation of water, can also put the quality of the environment at risk given that current floating systems with solar panels can drastically reduce this direct contact with the wind, minimizing one of the most important natural contributions to water oxygenation.

Currently, floating solar panel structures typically consist of solid surface blocks with different configurations and systems that do not address this problem, but actually cause it.

Currently, the lack of aeration in bodies of water such as ponds, lagoons, swamps, reservoirs or wetlands is usually compensated, when the ecosystem is at risk, with mechanical forced aeration systems, such as turbines, compressors or oxygen diffusers. However, in the case of using this type of system in floating photovoltaic installations, these are not integrated within the floating structures, but are accessories and external and, in addition to being noisy, they consume a great deal of electrical power in most cases, so the paradox is that a good part of the energy generated is lost in the conservation of the ecosystem.

The main objective of the present invention is therefore the development of an improved floating support system for solar panels that avoids this problem. A second objective is the use of the floating structure itself for other uses, for example, to serve as a floating structure for growing plants on water, either to minimize environmental impacts or to improve water quality and oxygenation, or even as a system for treating wastewater, based on Helophyte type plants. Furthermore, and as a reference to the current state of the art, it should be noted that, at least on the part of the applicant, the existence of any other floating support structure that has technical, structural and constitutive characteristics equal to or similar to those of the one claimed here is unknown.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The multipurpose floating support structure proposed by the invention is configured as an optimal solution to the objectives previously stated which, in turn, represents an improvement on the current state of the art, with the characterizing details that make it possible and that distinguish it being conveniently included in the final claims that accompany this description.

Specifically, what the invention proposes, as previously indicated, is a floating support structure that, made up of modular reticular elements in which the hollow spaces represent the majority of the area they cover, has the advantage that it is adapted to different applications, being especially advantageous as a floating system for the installation of solar panels, since thanks to said hollow spaces it allows natural aeration of the surface of the water on which they are incorporated.

More specifically, the structure of the invention essentially comprises a plurality of pieces with a flat reticular configuration formed from a network of rods that makes them hollow over more than 90% of the surface they occupy, which are combined with various types of accessory elements to form floating assemblies that can be modulated in multiple ways, adapting to the needs of the environment and the intended use in each case.

Optionally, said assemblies may comprise areas of greater buoyancy by adding, in the form of a sandwich between two or more of said flat reticular pieces or reticular plates, floating accessories made of low-density FOAM or PE type materials or hollow columns filled with air, interconnecting the pieces vertically depending on the weight to be supported by the solar panel. Thus, in installations of light panels, it may not be necessary to include such floating accessories to promote natural ventilation, oxygen exchange and water evaporation (evaporation improves the cooling and efficiency of the panel) without losing the structural strength of the entire frame as the piece is very hollow.

Furthermore, it is important to point out that these pieces in the form of reticular plates also have the capacity to allow floating hydroponic crops to be placed in them, thanks to cavities inserted in them, in the form of a basket and/or flexible locking elements in the form of appendages or fingers, within said framework, which have been specially designed for the correct development of Helophyte type plants, or emerging macrophytes, whether in the seedling phase or in the adult phase, which, as is known, have the natural capacity to thrive in the aquatic environment thanks to their natural capacity to transfer oxygen from the air to their roots due to the difference in isostatic pressure between water and air through their hollow leaves, and in this way give greater oxygenation to the aquatic environment, partly compensating for the reduction in aeration by limiting the effect of the wind on the water.

It has been shown that in lakes where artificial islands with this type of plants have been located, the oxygenation of the environment, the quality of the water and, in general, the integration of the aquatic ecosystem in the lagoon have improved, being precursors to the improvement of aquatic fauna of both birds and fish.

Thanks to this, the floating structure object of the invention is suitable for use in the treatment of waste or eutrophic water, because this oxygen released by the aforementioned floating Helophyte plants is the generating element of an aerobic microbiota that has the natural capacity to eliminate organic contamination from the water. Likewise, this type of plants capture and absorb nitrogen and phosphorus as food, which is very important to avoid the eutrophication of water reservoirs.

Thus, the floating structure object of the invention not only allows the use of the Not only does it not only serve as a support for the installation of photovoltaic solar panels on aquatic surfaces, but it also allows these solar panels to be combined with floating green areas, thereby improving environmental integration and water quality by increasing oxygenation of the environment and eliminating eutrophicating chemicals, mitigating the environmental impacts that may occur not only due to the reduction of natural aeration of the lagoons, but also due to the visual and structural impact that a surface of solar panels can cause on aquatic fauna and the ecosystem of the lagoon or body of water.

It should be noted that, in addition to the possible vertical superposition of the reticulated sheets to combine with elements of greater buoyancy in order to support greater weights for the placement of solar panels, the structure also contemplates the formation of sets made up of two or more reticulated sheets joined together in horizontal extension to cover a greater or lesser surface, depending on the needs of each case and, in turn, to be able to integrate systems of natural aquatic plants, preferably Helophyte type plants, to improve water quality and its oxygenation.

Thus, the pieces that make up the aforementioned reticular plates have a specific design that adapts to the aquatic environment, creating three-dimensional networks capable of creating areas suitable for supporting the buoyancy of the solar panels for which they are intended, with high air permeability depending on the weight to be supported, and areas for generating floating hydroponic crops of Helophyte type plants, with the capacity to improve water quality and its oxygenation.

With this, and more specifically, the floating structure object of the invention can be used for the following applications:

- As a floating support for photovoltaic solar installations, either autonomously or combined with accessory floating elements according to requirements, either in the form of pieces of low-density FOAM or PE type materials, or in the form of hollow columns, without ruling out other possible types of floating elements. - As a floating support for plant crops on water so that integrated systems can be formed together with the previous ones to minimize the environmental impacts of the installation of solar panels and, at the same time, improve the quality of the waters where they are located, improving their oxygenation.

- As a floating support for Helophyte plant cultures for the treatment of wastewater, contaminated effluents, eutrophic waters and, in general, as an integral wastewater treatment system. These cultures floating on the structure develop a compact surface of plants and roots like a floating carpet.

Helophyte plants can be installed in the aforementioned baskets integrated into the piece when they are grown in seed trays, the size of the basket being ideal for this application, or also by installing adult plants that are held by means of the aforementioned flexible locking elements, in the form of appendages or fingers, provided between the rods that form the framework structure of the piece, and which are designed to be able to hold stems of different sizes leaving their roots free under water.

- As a floating support to prevent the evaporation of opaque sheets of water combined with intercalated sheets to cover small or large surfaces of water.

- As a floating support for making paths, roads or surfaces that allow the passage of people over water, with multiple applications that can serve the use options described in the previous points or even for aquatic recreational activities or access to boats, floating bridges, etc.

To this end, the previously described reticular plates that essentially comprise the floating support structure of the invention preferably have a configuration based on equilateral triangles whose vertices converge in nodes formed, preferably, by hexagons, some of which are which include a small basket for the placement of natural aquatic plant crops, preferably for sowing and reproducing seedlings and plants reproduced in seedbeds. Specifically, these baskets allow the cultivation of Helophyte or aquatic plants in an early phase, that is, seedlings for production in seedbed alveoli, or seedlings from cultivation trays with a free root or in a plug of light substrate.

However, in a preferred embodiment, within said triangles that form the main frame of the structure, there are flexible appendages that allow the gripping and holding of adult plants of the Helophyte type for their insertion within them, and thus being able to integrate plants in an adult state locked and pressed preferably by their leaves or stems.

Furthermore, the structure comprises joining means for forming floating frames of larger dimensions, both longitudinally and transversely, depending on the needs of each case, which preferably consist of fixed joining elements, integrated into the same reticular sheet, in an L shape, which emerge from the edges to interlock with the edge of the adjacent sheet, as well as loose elements of the clamp or clip type in a U shape to act as reinforcement and optimize said joints on the perimeters of the reticular sheet, making the whole more stable and uniform, the loose elements being able to be replaced by simple plastic or metal flanges, plastic or metal staples, or similar if necessary.

For its part, to improve the buoyancy of the structure, different implementation options are contemplated.

Thus, in one embodiment, the structure comprises the vertical joining of two or more reticular plates, taking advantage of the fact that the baskets integrated in the nodes are in perfect coincidence and alignment in a vertical position, whereby several reticular plates can be stacked, giving high buoyancy due to the piece itself, which is preferably made of polypropylene (or other plastic compounds) by intrusion, and may or may not be foamed to give more or less buoyancy, assembling the levels required (2, 3...6), according to requirement. And, in another embodiment option, the structure comprises the vertical joining of two or more reticular plates including floating accessories between them, consisting of either floating laminar pieces of low-density FOAM or PE type materials or similar, with the same perimeter shape as the reticular plate, but with free spaces in the cavities of the baskets to be integrated between two or more reticular plates, or also by means of hollow columns of plastic material.

Preferably, when hollow columns are included as floating accessories, said columns serve as a means of joining the reticular plates, for which they are fixed by means of tongue and groove couplings in the free hexagonal joints, that is, those that do not have a basket, and according to the buoyancy requirement they can be made of various types of materials. This greatly increases the permeability of the structure and allows a high degree of contact between the water and the air, facilitating the natural oxygenation of the water and the cooling of the solar panels.

On the other hand, when floating laminar pieces are included as floating accessories between two or more reticular plates, these, which can be made of various materials, are incorporated sandwiched between two or more reticular plates and, in any case, have the same shape in plan as said reticular plates. To increase or decrease their buoyancy, the thickness of said sheets can be increased depending on the requirements, so for example, if they are made of FOAM type material, a thickness of 2 cm will provide a buoyancy suitable for a heavy solar panel, and a thickness of 8-10 cm can even allow the creation of floating roads for the passage of people. Preferably, in such a case, the installation is reinforced with flanges that close between the bases of the baskets, to maintain the pressure of the sandwich and prevent it from being lifted by wind or tide.

In addition, the intercalation of these floating sheets can also be used in case a total coverage of water sheets is required in applications that are to prevent water evaporation, for example, in ponds. irrigation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description being made and in order to assist in a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive report is accompanied, as an integral part thereof, by some drawings in which the following have been represented for illustrative and non-limiting purposes:

Figure 1 shows a schematic plan view of an example of the reticular plate comprising the multipurpose floating support structure object of the invention as a main modular piece, showing the configuration and parts thereof; Figure 2 shows a schematic elevation view of the example of the reticular plate shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a schematic plan view of the horizontal union of several reticular plates, such as that shown in Figure 1, showing the arrangement thereof to extend the extension of the structure; Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the structure forming a sandwich-type assembly that includes a floating sheet as an accessory floating element; Figure 5 shows a schematic perspective view of an example of the structure forming an assembly of two reticular plates joined vertically by means of hollow columns filled with air as accessory floating elements; Figure 6 shows a schematic elevation view of another example of the structure similar to that shown in Figure 5, in this case including hollow air-filled columns and baskets for growing aquatic plants; and Figure 7 shows a schematic perspective view of an example of a U-shaped clip-type joining element for joining the reticular plates together.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the aforementioned figures, and in accordance with the numbering adopted, one can observe in them respective non-limiting embodiments of the floating support structure for multipurpose use of the invention, which comprises what is described in detail below.

Thus, as can be seen in said figures, the structure (1) of the invention essentially comprises one or more modular pieces of floating material in the form of a flat reticular plate (2), each formed from a framework of rods (3) that define a plurality of intermediate hollow spaces (4) that preferably occupy around 90% of the total area covered around the perimeter of the reticular plate (2), there being, at the intersections of some or all of the rods (3), nodes (5) for joining and reinforcing them, and where said rods (3) integrate elements for the cultivation of aquatic plants, allowing the use of said reticular plate or plates (2) as a floating support for the installation of solar panels, and/or for the cultivation of aquatic plants, and/or for the passage of people over them.

Preferably, said elements for the cultivation of aquatic plants that integrate the rods (3) consist of baskets (6) provided at some of the intersections of the rods (3) suitable for the cultivation of aquatic plants, previously and preferably cultivated in seedbeds or cultivation trays.

Preferably, said rods (3) also incorporate, as said elements for the cultivation of aquatic plants, locking elements in the form of flexible appendages (10) suitable for allowing the support of aquatic plants, preferably adult plants, by pressing them by the stem or by the leaves.

Considering Figure 1, it can be seen how, in a preferred embodiment, the The rod framework (3) of the reticular plates (2) has a configuration based on equilateral triangles whose vertices converge in the aforementioned nodes (5) which, in turn, are preferably made up of hexagons. And, preferably, the flexible appendages (10) emerge inside said triangles that form the rods (3).

For its part, looking at figure 2, it can be seen how, preferably, the baskets (6) that make up some of the nodes (5) in the form of a hexagon extend along the lower part of the reticular plate (2) and are also formed by filiform elements of the same floating material as the rest of the rods (3) that make up the reticular plate (2).

In any case, optionally, the structure (1) comprises two or more reticular plates (2) which can be joined either coplanarly by their edges forming floating assemblies of greater extension, as shown in figure 3, or stacked vertically by placing accessory floating elements (7, 8) between them to increase their buoyancy, as shown in figures 4, 5 and 6, and can be modulated in multiple ways.

Preferably, the joining means comprising the structure (1) to achieve the coplanar joining between adjacent reticular plates (2) consist of fixed joining elements (9), integrated into the reticular plate (2) itself, preferably in the form of an L, which emerge from the perimeter edges of the reticular plate (2) to lock into the perimeter edge of the adjacent reticular plate (2), for example, in a hollow space (4) adjacent to said edge.

Optionally, the structure (1) also comprises, as additional joining means, loose elements of the U-shaped clip or clamp type (11), an example of which is shown in Figure 7, to act as reinforcement and optimize the joints on the perimeters of the adjacent reticular plates (2).

For their part, the accessory floating elements (7, 8) that comprise the structure (1) to increase the buoyancy of the reticular plates (2) consist either of floating laminar pieces (7) or of hollow columns filled with air (8), preferably made of the same plastic material as the plates.

Preferably, said floating laminar pieces (7), as shown in figure 4, are incorporated, as a sandwich, interspersed between two or more reticulated sheets (2) and, preferably, have the same perimeter shape in plan as, at least, a portion of the reticular sheets (2). For example, the floating laminar pieces (7) are made of FOAM or low-density PE type material or similar and have a variable thickness, according to the needs.

And, preferably, the hollow columns filled with air (8) are incorporated, by means of a tongue and groove coupling (12), between the hexagonal nodes (5) of the upper and lower reticular plates (2) in which there is no basket (6), as said nodes (5) are located vertically in coincidence, allowing several reticular plates (2) to be stacked, as shown in figures 5 and 6. In addition, the hollow columns filled with air (8) are of the same or greater height than the baskets (6).

Finally, in a preferred embodiment, the parts that make up the reticular plates (2) are made of plastic materials such as polypropylene by intrusion, and may or may not be foamed to give more or less buoyancy to the structure.

Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the manner of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to elaborate further on its explanation so that any expert in the field understands its scope and the advantages derived from it.

Claims

1.- Multipurpose floating support structure characterized by comprising one or more modular pieces of floating material in the form of a flat reticular plate (2), each formed from a framework of rods (3) that define a plurality of intermediate hollow spaces (4), there being, at the intersections of some or all of the rods (3), nodes (5) for joining and reinforcing them and where said rods (3) integrate elements for the cultivation of aquatic plants, allowing the use of said reticular plate or plates (2) as a floating support for the installation of solar panels, and/or for the cultivation of aquatic plants, and/or for the passage of people over them. 2.- Floating support structure for multipurpose use, according to claim 1, characterized in that said elements for the cultivation of aquatic plants that integrate the rods (3) comprise baskets (6) provided at some of the intersections of the rods (3) suitable for the cultivation of aquatic plants previously and preferably raised in seedbeds or cultivation trays. 3.- Multipurpose floating support structure, according to claim 2, characterized in that the baskets (6) that make up some of the nodes (5) extend along the lower part of the plate (2) and are formed by filiform elements of the same floating material as the rest of the rods (3) that make up the reticular plate (2). 4.- Multipurpose floating support structure, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elements for the cultivation of aquatic plants that make up the rods (3) comprise locking elements in the form of flexible appendages (10) suitable for holding adult aquatic plants by pressing them by the stem or by the leaves. 5.- Multipurpose floating support structure, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hollow spaces (4) of the reticular plate or plates (2) occupy about 90% of the total area covered around the perimeter of the reticular plate (2). 6.- Multipurpose floating support structure, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the framework of rods (3) of the reticular plates (2) has a configuration based on equilateral triangles whose vertices converge in nodes (5) which, in turn, are made up of hexagons. 7.- Multipurpose floating support structure, according to claim 4, characterized in that the flexible appendages (10) emerge inside the triangles formed by the rods (3). 8.- Multipurpose floating support structure, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the structure (1) comprises two or more reticular plates (2) joined coplanarly by their edges, forming floating assemblies of greater extension. 9.- Multipurpose floating support structure, according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises joining means to achieve coplanar joining between adjacent reticular plates (2) consisting of fixed joining elements (9) in the form of an L, integrated into the piece itself so that they emerge from the perimeter edges of the reticular plate (2). 10.- Multipurpose floating support structure, according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises additional joining means consisting of loose elements of the U-shaped clamp or clip type (11) to act as reinforcement and optimize the joints on the perimeters of the adjacent reticular plates (2). 11.- Multipurpose floating support structure, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the structure (1) comprises two or more reticular plates (2) stacked vertically, interposing accessory floating elements (7, 8) between them to increase its buoyancy. 12.- Multipurpose floating support structure, according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises accessory floating elements consisting of either floating laminar pieces (7) or hollow columns filled with air (8). 13.- Multipurpose floating support structure, according to claim 12, characterized in that the floating laminar pieces (7) have a variable thickness and are incorporated, as a sandwich, interspersed between two or more reticular plates (2). 14.- Multipurpose floating support structure, according to claim 12, characterized in that the floating laminar pieces (7) have the same perimeter shape in plan as at least a portion of the reticular plates (2). 15.- Multipurpose floating support structure, according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the floating laminar pieces (7) are made of low-density FOAM or PE type material. 16.- Multipurpose floating support structure, according to claim 12, characterized in that the hollow columns filled with air (8) are incorporated, by means of a tongue and groove coupling (12), between the hexagonal nodes (5) of the upper and lower reticular plates (2) in which there is no basket (6), said nodes (5) being located vertically in coincidence. 17. - Multipurpose floating support structure, according to claim 16, characterized in that the hollow air-filled columns (8) are of the same or greater height than the baskets (6). 18.- Multipurpose floating support structure, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pieces that make up the reticular plates (2) are made of plastic material by intrusion, foamed or not.