Technical area

The present invention relates to a system, for positioning and stabilizing floating objects, in accordance with the claims.

Technical background

In several different contexts, there is a need to be able to position and stabilize objects floating on a body of water. The positioning and stabilization of the object takes place in relation to the water surface of the water accumulation and to the solid ground or the like that surrounds the water accumulation. Said positioning usually takes place by means of elongate flexible connecting means which are connected between the floating object and a fixed point on the bottom or alternatively to a fixed point next to the water accumulation. For example, said need exists in solar power plants with solar cell units floating on the water surface in a dam or the like.

When positioning liquid objects on the surface of a body of water or the like, there are several different problems. For example, there are problems with keeping the floating object positioned relative to the water surface and the surrounding solid ground. Problems with holding said position are caused, for example, by differences in the water level in the water collection.

There are problems connecting a floating object with a rope, or similar, to an anchor point. It is preferably the angle between the object and the anchor point that causes problems.

Especially in connection with anchorage points that are higher than the water surface, there is a risk that the anchorage, for example in a wind, partially lifts parts of the object from the water surface.

Another problem is that dams and the like usually use a waterproof material layer or membrane, such as rubber liners or the like, on the bottom which prevents leakage of water out of the dam. Existing devices for positioning floating objects use weights, weights or connecting tow lines and the like. Said weights usually have a shape which means that when they end up on the bottom, they risk damaging the material layer whereby water can leak out of the pond. There is therefore a need for weights that have a shape and function that significantly reduces the risk of damage to the material layer (membrane). Another problem with existing constructions such as shackles is that they risk being opened, whereby the weight, weight, anchor, or similar risks end up on the bottom entailing the above- mentioned risk of waterproof layers in the bottom being damaged.

A more specific problem exists with weights having a cylindrical shape when the connecting elongate member is passed through a longitudinal through hole in the weight. The problem is that the weight risks rotating and thereby twisting the elongate connecting member. With the present weight, the said risk is substantially eliminated.

Brief description of the figures.

In the following detailed description, references and references to the following figures will occur. Note that the figures are schematic and certain parts of the system may be omitted which are obvious to a person skilled in the art in the technical field of which the system is included.

Figure 1 schematically shows a system where the weight is used.

Figures 2A to 2C show the weight in more detail.

Figures 3A and 3B show alternative embodiments of the system.

Figure 4 shows the centre axes' mutual distance in more detail.

Figures 5A and 5B show an alternative embodiment of the weight.

Figure 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of the weight

Detailed description of the invention

With reference to the figures, a system 1 in accordance with the present invention will be described in more detail. The system 1 is intended to be used for positioning at least one floating body 2 on a body of water 3. The floating body 2 can be constituted by a body which is part of a solar power plant or the like. Although a variant of the floating body 2 has been specified, this can consist of another type of floating body 2. The body of water 3 refers to all types of water bodies, both natural and artificial, such as pond, lake, or sea. Preferably the body of water 3 consists of a dam or the like.

The system 1 comprises at least one elongate flexible connecting member 4 which is connected to the floating object 2 and to at least one fixed object 5, anchoring point or the like. The flexible elongate connecting member 4 may be a line, rope, or other suitable flexible elongate connecting member 4 for the purpose. The connection of the elongate flexible connecting member 4 to the floating body 2 takes place on prior art, so this technique is not described in more detail in this application. For example, the elongate flexible connecting member 4 can be connected to brackets or the like in the floating body 2 and in the fixed object 5, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the connection of the elongate flexible connecting member to the fixed object takes place via at least one anchoring member, alternatively an anchoring device, which comprises at least one elastic force-damping unit 6. An exemplary embodiment of the elastic force-damping unit 6 is shown with reference to figure 6. The elastic force-damping unit 6 may consist of an elastic and force-damping unit 6 sold under the Seaflex brand. Preferably, the Seaflex is of a progressively elastic forcedamping type. Non-progressive materials are not suitable for use in said progressively elastic and force-absorbing unit 6.

The system 1 comprises at least one weight 7, weight, sink or the like, which is connected to the elongate flexible connecting member 4. The specificity of the present weight 7 is that at low water level in the water collection 3 it substantially reduces the risk of it damaging a waterproof, or substantially waterproof material layer, which is located at the bottom of the water body such as the pond.

Referring to Figures 2A to 2C, a variant of a weight 7, weight or the like in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the weight 7 comprises at least one body 8. The shape of the body 8 may vary within the scope of the inventive concept. In the exemplary embodiment, the body 8 is constituted by a cylindrical body 9. The cylindrical body 9 comprises a first end 10 and a second end 11 and a through hole 12 or the like. The mantle surface of the cylindrical body is preferably circular, this does not exclude that the mantle surface has a different shape on its cross section, such as, for example, elliptical.

The length of the cylindrical body 9, between the first end 10 and the second end 11, can vary within the inventive concept. The through hole 12 of the cylindrical body 9 extends from the first end 10 and second end 11 of the cylindrical body 9. in a second opening 14.

When using the weight 7, the elongate flexible connecting member 4 is connected to the weight 7 by passing it through the first opening 13 through the through hole 12 and out through the second opening 14 or by inserting the elongate flexible connecting member 4 through the second opening 14. through the through hole 12 and out through the first opening 13.

The elongate flexible connecting member 4 is preferably fixed to the weight 7 with at least one fixation device 15 in one of the ends 9 or 10 of the weight 7. In the exemplary embodiment, the locking member 16 is operated with a first screwed joint 17 and a second screwed joint 17. In an alternative embodiment, the flexible elongate connecting member 4 can be connected with a first fixation device 15 to one end of the weight 7 and with at least one second fixation device, not shown in figures, to the other end of the weight. In the exemplary embodiment, the locking means 16 is operated with a first screwed connection 17 and a second screwed connection 17.

In alternative embodiments, the elongate flexible connecting member 4 may be connected with a first fixation device 15 to one end of the weight 7 and with at least a second fixation device, not shown in figures, to the other end of the weight 7. In an alternative embodiment, the fixation device 15 may be another known type of fixation device or locking device suitable for the purpose.

In the preferred embodiment, the center axis 18 of the through hole 12 is located at a distance from the center axis 19 of the weight, cylindrical body 19. The distance between the center axis 18 of the through hole 12 and the center axis 19 of the cylindrical body may vary within the inventive concept. Referring to Figure 4, the distance D, between the center axis 18 of the through hole 12 and the center axis 19 of the cylindrical body 9 is shown in more detail. In the preferred embodiment, the distance D is at least the radius of the through hole 12. Said distance between the center axis 18 and the center axis 19 means that the weight 7 of the gravity will automatically position itself. This means that the risk of the weight being rotated one turn or more and that the risk of the elongate flexible connecting member thereby twisting is reduced.

The present cylindrical body 8 preferably consists of a cement-containing material which can preferably be made of concrete. The concrete is completely or partially enclosed by at least one casing 20, which may be of polymeric material or of another material suitable for the purpose. The housing 20 can for instance consist of a PE pipe, HDP pipe or of another pipe and / or material suitable for the purpose. The housing 20 forms a mold for the cementitious material in connection with the manufacture of the weight. The concrete material comprises a ballast which has a density which lies between a normal density and the density of ballast (in concrete) with a relatively higher density than normal ballast (in concrete). Higher density aggregates may, for example, be aggregates comprising iron ore or the like. For example, ballast sold by LKAB under the brand name Magnadens with a density in the range of 4.7 to 5.1 kg / dm3 can be used. By using a ballast that has a higher density than ordinary stone material, the weight gains a greater weight per dm3 than is the case with traditional ballast.

Referring to Figure 3A, an alternative system 1 is shown in which the weight 7 is used. In this embodiment of the system, the elongate flexible connecting member 4 is connected at its one end to a floating object 2 and its other end is connected to a solid object 5, anchoring point or the like on the bottom of the water collection 3. The embodiment can be without at least one progressively elastic and force-damping unit 6, alternatively with at least one progressive elastic and force-damping unit 6.

Referring to Figure 3B, an additional alternative system 1 is shown in which the weight 7 is used.

In this embodiment of the system, the elongate flexible connecting member 4 is connected at its one end to a movable floating object 2 and its other end is connected to a fixed object 5, anchoring point or the like on land. In the embodiment, not least a progressively elastic and force-absorbing unit 6 is used.

Referring to Figures 5A and 5B, an alternative embodiment of the weight 7 is shown. In the alternative embodiment of the weight 7, the through hole 12 is located in a tube 21, hose or the like. The pipe 21 may consist of a PE pipe or other pipe or hose of material suitable for the purpose. In the exemplary embodiment, the tube 21, hose or the like, extends a distance from both the first end 10 and the second end 11. The length of the stretch may vary within the inventive concept.

Figure 5 A shows a fixing device 15, locking device or the like, with which the elongate member 4 is fixed to the tube 21. The exemplary fixing device 15 comprises at least a first locking member 16 and at least a second locking member 16. The locking members 16 are operated connected to being with at least one screw connection 17 or similar. By tightening the screw connection, or screw connections, an elongate flexible connecting member 4, such as a line, rope, or the like, is clamped in the pipe 21, the hose or the like. In alternative embodiments of the weight 7, it comprises at least one lifting loop, not shown in the figures, or the like which is intended to be used when moving the weight.

With reference to Figure 6, an exemplary embodiment of the elastic and force-absorbing unit 6 is shown, such as, for example, that marketed by the company Seaflex AB.

The elastic force-absorbing unit 6 comprises at least one first bracket 21 and at least one second bracket 22. Between the first bracket 21 and the second bracket 22, two or more elongate elastic members 23, elastic elements or the like, are connected. The elastic forcedamping unit 6 further comprises at least one length-limiting device 24 or the like connected between the first bracket 21 and the second bracket 22. The length-limiting device 24 regulates the maximum length change of the elastic members 23. At one end it comprises the elastic and the force-damping unit 6 at least one first connection part 25 which is connected to the first bracket 21. The first connection part 25 is connected to at least one first connection member 4. At its one end, the elastic and force-damping unit 6 comprises at least a second connection part 26 which is connected to the first bracket 22. The second connection part 25 is connected to at least one first connection member 4.

In the detailed description of the present system, details may be omitted which will be apparent to one skilled in the art within the scope of the system. Such obvious details are included to the extent required to obtain a proper functioning of the present system.

Although certain preferred embodiments of the system have been described in more detail, variations and modifications of the system may be apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. All such modifications and variations are considered to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Advantages of the invention

With the present invention several advantages are achieved. The most important is that at least one of the problems described in the background is eliminated or reduced. Mention is made that the following is achieved with the present construction.