Articulated floating structure

Abstract

The invention relates to a floating structure, comprising a plurality of interconnected frames and a plurality of buoyant members supporting the structure, wherein the frames are substantially triangular in planform. Adjacent triangular frames may be movably connected, in particular pivotably connected. The triangular frames may comprise right-angle triangles, isosceles triangles or equilateral triangles. The floating structure may support an installation, like e.g. a solar farm. The invention also relates to a triangular frame for use in such a floating structure.

1 . A floating structure comprising a plurality of interconnected frames and a plurality of buoyant members supporting the structure, wherein at least some of the frames are substantially triangular in planform. 
     
     
         2 . The floating structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein all of the frames are substantially triangular in planform. 
     
     
         3 . The floating structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least two adjacent ones of said frames are substantially triangular in planform and the adjacent frames that are substantially triangular in planform are movably connected. 
     
     
         4 . The floating structure as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the adjacent frames that are substantially triangular in planform are pivotably connected. 
     
     
         5 . The floating structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the triangular frames that are substantially triangular in planform have substantially the same shape. 
     
     
         6 . The floating structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the triangular frames that are substantially triangular in planform have substantially the same dimensions. 
     
     
         7 . The floating structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the frames that are substantially triangular in planform has dimensions which are a multiple of the dimensions of another one of the frames that are substantially triangular in planform. 
     
     
         8 . The floating structure as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein each said frame that is substantially triangular in planform has a base, an apex and two sides connecting opposite ends of the base with the apex, at least two adjacent ones of said frames are substantially triangular in planform and adjacent ones of said frames that are substantially triangular in planform are connected along their respective sides such that the base of a first frame is closest to the apex of a second frame and the base of the second frame is closest to the apex of the first frame. 
     
     
         9 . The floating structure as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein each said frame that is substantially triangular in planform has a base, an apex and two sides connecting opposite ends of the base with the apex, at least two adjacent ones of said frames are substantially triangular in planform and adjacent ones of said frames that are substantially triangular in planform are connected along their respective bases. 
     
     
         10 . The floating structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the frames that are substantially triangular in planform comprise at least one triangles including a right angle. 
     
     
         11 . The floating structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the frames that are substantially triangular in planform comprise at least one isosceles triangles. 
     
     
         12 . The floating structure as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the frames that are substantially triangular in planform comprise at least one equilateral triangles. 
     
     
         13 . The floating structure as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the at least one isosceles triangle has an apex angle of between about 20-120°. 
     
     
         14 . The floating structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the frames that are substantially triangular in planform have at least one corner which is chamfered or rounded. 
     
     
         15 . The floating structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the frames that are substantially triangular in planform have a substantially open load-bearing structure, wherein all three sides of the triangle comprise beams connected at or near their ends. 
     
     
         16 . The floating structure as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the beams of the sides of the triangle support an internal grid or a platform. 
     
     
         17 . The floating structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each said frame that is substantially triangular in planform is supported by at least one said buoyant member. 
     
     
         18 . The floating structure as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the at least one buoyant member supporting each said frame is connected to the respective frame that is substantially triangular in planform that it supports by at least one post. 
     
     
         19 . The floating structure as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein each said frame that are substantially triangular in planform is supported by at least three said buoyant members. 
     
     
         20 . The floating structure as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein each said buoyant member is connected to a respective frame that is substantially triangular in planform near a corner of the frame. 
     
     
         21 . The floating structure as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein at least two adjacent ones of said frames are substantially triangular in planform, each said frame that is substantially triangular in planform has a base, an apex and two sides connecting opposite ends of the base with the apex, at least two adjacent ones of said frames are substantially triangular in planform, adjacent ones of said frames that are substantially triangular in planform are connected along their respective sides such that the base of a first frame is closest to the apex of a second frame and the base of the second frame is closest to the apex of the first frame and each said buoyant member is connected to a respective frame that is substantially triangular in planform at a position along one said side or the base which is offset with respect to a position of another said buoyant member along a side or base of an adjacent frame that is substantially triangular in planform to which the first side or base is connected. 
     
     
         22 . The floating structure as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising anchoring means for maintaining the floating structure substantially at a fixed location in a body of water. 
     
     
         23 . The floating structure as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising an installation supported by the floating structure. 
     
     
         24 . The floating structure as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein at least some of the frames that are substantially triangular in planform have a substantially open load-bearing structure, wherein all three sides of the triangle comprise beams connected at or near their ends, the beams of the sides of the triangle support an internal grid or a platform and the installation is arranged on the internal grid or the platform of a respective triangular frame. 
     
     
         25 . The floating structure as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the installation comprises a plurality of PV panels. 
     
     
         26 . The floating structure as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein at least one said buoyant member is connected to the respective frame that is substantially triangular in planform that it supports by at least one post, the number of the buoyant members and a volume of the buoyant members, as well as a length of the at least one post are selected as a function of a weight of a respective frame and its installation, such that the frame is supported at a distance above a still waterline of a body of water in which the floating structure is used. 
     
     
         27 . A triangular frame, intended for use in the floating structure as claimed in  claim 1 .