US 12,110,082 B1
Flat-pack membrane based solar PV array floats having deployable expansion structures that inflate the floats without forced air preliminary class
Alex Mayer, Mill Valley, CA (US); James Raiford, San Francisco, CA (US); Brian Atchley, Petaluma, CA (US); Jason King, San Francisco, CA (US); Ralf Schulze, San Francisco, CA (US); Leslie Arciniega, Ann Arbor, MI (US); and Becca Suchower, Sausalito, CA (US)
Assigned to NORIA ENERGY, Sausalito, CA (US)
Filed by NORIA ENERGY, Sausalito, CA (US)
Filed on Nov. 21, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/516,275.
Int. Cl. B63B 35/44 (2006.01); B63B 7/08 (2020.01); H02S 20/00 (2014.01)
CPC B63B 35/44 (2013.01) [B63B 7/08 (2013.01); B63B 2035/4453 (2013.01); H02S 20/00 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An expandable flat-pack membrane-based float system for use with a floating solar PV array, comprising:
a float formed from a flexible membrane, wherein the float can be deformed between an uninflated flat-pack position and an inflated position;
a sealable air-entry valve on the float; and
an expansion structure connected to the float, wherein the expansion structure is deployed to support the float in the inflated position without the need for compressed air, and
wherein the float is configured to support a PV module that is mounted at a location outside of the float.