# US 10,480,828 B2 · Floating module for modular solar panel platforms

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- Number: US 10,480,828 B2
- Document ID: US10480828B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/324,613
- Filed: 2017-09-01
- Published: 2019-07-18
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2016-09-26
- Assignees: Solarisfloat, Lda
- Applicants: Solarisfloat, Lda
- Inventors: Nuno Correia; Carla Gomes; Ricardo Pinto; Luis Pina; Nuno Moita; Jorge Teixeira Da Silva
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480828B2

## CPC

- F24S 20/70: Waterborne solar heat collector modules (for working fluids forming pools or ponds F24S10/10)
- B63B 35/38: Rigidly-interconnected pontoons
- F24S 25/11: using shaped bodies, e.g. concrete elements, foamed elements or moulded box-like elements
- F24S 25/65: for coupling adjacent supporting elements, e.g. for connecting profiles together
- B63B 2035/4453: {for converting solar energy into electric energy}
- Y02E 10/47: Mountings or tracking
- Y02E 10/50: Photovoltaic [PV] energy
- F24S: SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS (for producing mechanical power from solar energy F03G6/00)
- B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06)
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

A floating module for modular solar panel platforms having two separate components mounted, a structural component that is a rigid component and a buoyancy component that is a flexible component allowing for a more compact and simple solution all-around. The floating module allows for a technologically more advanced floating component, easier to produce, transport and deploy than most currently available solutions.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A floating module for modular solar panel platforms comprising a rigid component and at least one flexible component with encapsulated air or gas, wherein the at least one flexible component is confined inside the rigid component in a space defined by a top surface surrounded by a lateral cover, said lateral cover having structural reinforcements formed by a horizontal base rib and lateral vertical ribs,
wherein the top surface comprises:
an interior surface formed by a matrix of ribs, designed to withstand the loads and weights applied to the top surface;
an exterior surface comprising a mounting area for assembly of a solar panel structure and a mounting area for assembly said solar panel structure by means of a through-support;
a central passage hole to increase the structural resistance of the rigid component and to correct position of the at least one flexible component inside of the rigid component;
at least one valve access cavity to allow the access to the interior of the respective flexible component, and
wherein the at least one flexible component and the rigid component is assembled via a valve mounted in the flexible component and the valve access cavity installed in the rigid component; said valve being housed in the valve access cavity and the position of the flexible component inside the rigid component being achieved with the application of a valve brake.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The floating module according to claim 1, wherein the rigid component is of a thermoplastic material.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The floating module according to claim 1, wherein the rigid component comprises two connection ports.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The floating module according to claim 1, wherein the flexible component comprises at least one membrane of a thermoplastic material.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The floating module according to claim 1, wherein the flexible component comprises a valve.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The floating module according to claim 1, wherein the assembly of the solar panel structure and its through support in each respective mounting area is of a screw and nut type.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

Floating platform comprising at least three floating modules according to claim 1.