Language selection

Search

Patent 2941453 Summary

Third-party information liability

Some of the information on this Web page has been provided by external sources. The Government of Canada is not responsible for the accuracy, reliability or currency of the information supplied by external sources. Users wishing to rely upon this information should consult directly with the source of the information. Content provided by external sources is not subject to official languages, privacy and accessibility requirements.

Claims and Abstract availability

Any discrepancies in the text and image of the Claims and Abstract are due to differing posting times. Text of the Claims and Abstract are posted:

  • At the time the application is open to public inspection;
  • At the time of issue of the patent (grant).
(12) Patent: (11) CA 2941453
(54) English Title: FLOATING COVER WITH STRUCTURAL SUPPORTS
(54) French Title: REVETEMENT FLOTTANT DOTE DE SUPPORTS STRUCTURELS
Status: Granted
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • B65D 88/34 (2006.01)
  • E04H 4/10 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • MILLS, JAMES A. (Canada)
(73) Owners :
  • LAYFIELD GROUP LTD. (Canada)
(71) Applicants :
  • LAYFIELD GROUP LTD. (Canada)
(74) Agent: WOODRUFF, NATHAN V.
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued: 2017-06-20
(22) Filed Date: 2016-09-12
(41) Open to Public Inspection: 2016-11-09
Examination requested: 2016-09-12
Availability of licence: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): No

(30) Application Priority Data: None

Abstracts

English Abstract

A floating cover for a body of water has a flexible, impermeable substrate with a bottom face and a top face opposite the bottom face. The substrate is secured laterally across the surface of the body of water while being permitted to move vertically as the level of the body of water changes. A float is affixed to the bottom face of the substrate and a structure is rigidly mounted above the float. The structure extends above the top face of the substrate. The substrate is sealed between the float and the structure. The buoyant force of the float acts against the weight of the structure to maintain the substrate immediately adjacent to the float above the top surface of the body of water so as not to interfere with precipitation drainage.


French Abstract

Revêtement flottant prévu pour une masse d'eau. Linvention comporte un substrat souple et imperméable doté dune face inférieure et dune face supérieure opposée à la face inférieure. Le substrat est fixé latéralement sur la surface du plan d'eau, mais peut tout de même se déplacer verticalement lorsque le niveau de l'eau change. Un flotteur est fixé sur la face inférieure du substrat et une structure est fixée de façon rigide au-dessus du flotteur. La structure s'étend au-dessus de la face supérieure du substrat. Le substrat est scellé entre le flotteur et la structure. La force de flottement du flotteur agit contre le poids de la structure, pour maintenir le substrat immédiatement adjacent au flotteur au-dessus de la surface supérieure du plan d'eau, afin de ne pas entraver le drainage des précipitations.

Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


17
What is Claimed is:
1. An improved tensioned floating cover that supports a structure, die
floating cover
comprising:
a flexible, inelastic, impermeable substrate, the substrate having a bottom
face and a
top face opposite the bottom face, the substrate extending laterally across a
surface of a body
of water;
one or more tensioners that apply tension to a tensioned section of the
substrate and
bias the tensioned section of the substrate to an installed position on the
body of water, the
tensioners permitting the substrate to move vertically on a top surface of the
body of water as
the volume of water in the body of water changes; and
a precipitation drainage system for removing water from the top face of the
substrate;
the tensioned floating cover being characterized in that:
a plurality of floats are affixed to the bottom face of the tensioned section
of
the substrate, each float having a planar upper profile and a buoyant force in
water, wherein
each float is spaced from adjacent floats and dimensioned such that in use,
the buoyant force
maintains the upper profile of the float at a non-disruptive height above the
surface of the
body of water, the non-disruptive height being a height at which water flow to
the
precipitation drainage system is not disrupted;
one or more structures are rigidly mounted above two or more floats and
extend above the top face of the substrate in an upright orientation, the
substrate being sealed
between the float and the structure, the structure having a weight, wherein
the buoyant force
of the float acts against the weight of the structure to maintain the
substrate immediately
adjacent to the float above the surface of the body of water; and
the one or more tensioners apply sufficient force to maintain the spacing
between adjacent floats and to maintain the structures in the upright
orientation when acted
upon by a predetermined wind load.
2. The improved tensioned floating cover of claim 1, wherein the floats are
arranged in a
linear or two-dimensional array.

18
3. The improved tensioned floating cover of claim 1, wherein the substrate
is made from
a material that has a tensile strength of at least 100 lb/inch.
4. The improved tensioned floating cover of claim 1, wherein the buoyant
force
maintains the substrate immediately adjacent to the float above the top
surface by 4 inches or
less.
5. The floating cover of claim 1, wherein the float has a height of less
than 6 inches, and
a volume extending perpendicular to the height sufficient to provide the
buoyant force.
6. The floating cover of claim 1, wherein the float has a width that is at
least 10 times
greater than the height.
7. The floating cover of claim 1, wherein the float comprises a moulded
body, a hollow
body, a foam filled body, or a laminated structure.
8. The floating cover of claim 1, wherein the float comprises ballast
having a density that
is greater than or equal to water.
9. The floating cover of claim 1, wherein the float is laminated to the
bottom face of the
substrate..
10. The floating cover of claim 1, wherein the float is affixed by
enclosing the float Within
a cavity formed by a second layer of material attached to the bottom face of
the impermeable
substrate.
11. The floating cover of claim 1, wherein the structure is mounted above
the float by a
mounting. comprising an adhesive mounting, a mechanical mounting, welding, or
combination thereof.
12. The floating cover of claim 1, comprising a plurality of structures
mounted to a
plurality of floats distributed about the substrate.

19
13. The floating cover of claim 1, wherein the structure comprises a body
supported
above the substrate by a stand.
14. The floating cover of claim 13, wherein the stand comprises an
assembled frame or a
moulded frame.
15. The floating cover of claim 13, wherein the body is supported by a
plurality of stands
mounted above a plurality of floats.
16. The floating cover of claim 1, wherein the structure comprises a
support for elongate
bodies, a walkway, an access ramp, a working platform, a shelter, a solar
module, a
decorative element, a shade structure for the body of water, a thermal
collector, an aerator, a
water cooler, or a pump.
17. The floating cover of claim 1, wherein the tensioner comprises length
adjustable
elements distributed along an outer peripheral edge of the substrate.
18. The floating cover of claim 1, wherein the tensioner comprises weights
distributed
about the top face of the substrate.
19. The floating cover of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a
plurality of substrate
sections sealably attached to form the substrate.
20. The floating cover of claim 1, further comprising stabilizing supports
connected
between adjacent structures to support the structures against wind pressure.
21. The floating cover of claim 20, comprising a plurality of floats and
structures, and
wherein the stabilizing supports are connected between adjacent structures.
22. The floating cover of claim 20, comprising a plurality of floats and
structures, and
wherein the stabilizing supports are connected between adjacent floats.
23. The floating cover of claim 20, further comprising one or more anchors
affixed to the
substrate.

20
24. The floating cover of claim 23, wherein the anchors are buoyant or
neutrally buoyant
in water.
25. The floating cover of claim 1, wherein the force applied by the
tensioners permits the
substrate to shift under wind loads greater than the predetermined wind load,
and returns the
substrate to the predetermined position relative to the body of water after
the wind load is
reduced to below the predetermined wind load.
26. A floating cover for a body of water, comprising:
a flexible, inelastic, impermeable substrate having a bottom face and a top
face
opposite the bottom face, the substrate being secured laterally across the top
surface;
one or more tensioners that apply at least 0.5 lb/lineal foot of tension to
create a
tensioned section of the substrate;
a precipitation drainage system for removing water from the top face of the
substrate;
a plurality of floats having a substantially planar upper profile, the upper
profile being
affixed to the bottom face of the tensioned section of the substrate, the
float having a buoyant
force in water; and
a structure rigidly mounted above one or more floats, the structure extending
above
the top face of the substrate, being sealed between the float and the
structure and having a
weight, wherein the buoyant force of the float acts against the weight of the
structure to
maintain the substrate immediately adjacent to the float above the top surface
of the body of
water by 4 inches or less.
27. A method of mounting a structure above a floating cover, the method
comprising the
steps of:
providing a plurality of substrate sections of a flexible, inelastic,
impermeable
substrate, the substrate sections having a top face, a bottom face, and
parallel side edges
separated by a width;
affixing a plurality of floats to the bottom face of one or more substrate
sections, the
floats having a buoyant force in water, the floats being low profile and
having a substantially
planar upper profile that engages the substrate;

21
rigidly mounting structures to the floats such that the structures extend away
from the
floats and the top face of the one or more substrate sections;
attaching the plurality of substrate sections in edge to edge relation along
the parallel
side edges to form the substrate, the floats having a height relative to the
width of the at least
one section that permits adjacent substrate sections to be attached in edge to
edge relation
without interfering with the attachment between edges to form a sealed
surface;
installing the substrate on a reservoir and filling the reservoir to form a
body of water
having a surface;
applying tension to the substrate to at least that portion of the substrate to
which floats
are affixed, the applied tension being sufficient to maintain the spacing
between adjacent
floats and to maintain the structures in the upright orientation when acted
upon by a
predetermined wind load.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the floats are affixed to the one or
more substrate
sections with the one or more substrate sections inverted.
29. The method of claim 27, wherein the one or more substrate sections to
which the
floats are affixed to the one or more substrate sections offsite.
30. A method of mounting a structure above a floating cover, the method
comprising the
steps of:
providing a plurality of substrate sections of a flexible, inelastic,
impermeable
substrate, the substrate sections having a top face, a bottom face, and
parallel side edges
separated by a width;
affixing a plurality of floats to the bottom face of one or more substrate
sections, the
floats having a buoyant force in water, the floats being low profile and
having a substantially
planar upper profile that engages the substrate;
rigidly mounting structures to the floats such that the structures extend away
from the
floats and the top face of the one or more substrate sections;
attaching the plurality of substrate sections in edge to edge relation along
the parallel
side edges to form the substrate;

22
providing a precipitation drainage system for removing water from the top face
of the
substrate;
installing the substrate on a reservoir and filling the reservoir to form a
body of water
having a surface, such that the upper profile of the floats is maintained at a
non-disruptive
height above the surface of the body of water, the non-disruptive height being
a height at
which water flow to the precipitation drainage system is not disrupted;
applying tension to the substrate to at least that portion of the substrate to
which floats
are affixed, the applied tension being sufficient to maintain the spacing
between adjacent
floats, to maintain the structures in the upright orientation, and maintain
the substrate in a
predetermined position relative to the body of water when acted upon by a
predetermined
wind load, the applied tension permitting the substrate to shift under wind
loads greater than
the predetermined wind load, and returning the substrate to the predetermined
position
relative to the body of water after the wind load is reduced to below the
predetermined wind
load.
31. An improved
tensioned floating cover that supports a structure, the floating cover
compris ing:
a flexible, inelastic, impermeable substrate, the substrate having a bottom
face and a
top face opposite the bottom face, the substrate extending laterally across a
surface of a body
of water, the substrate being made from a material that has a tensile strength
of at least 100
lb/inch;
one or more tensioners that apply tension to a tensioned section of the
substrate and
bias the tensioned section of the substrate to an installed position on the
body of water, the
tensioners permitting the substrate to move vertically on a top surface of the
body of water as
the volume of water in the body of water changes; and
a precipitation drainage system for removing water from the top face of the
substrate;
the tensioned floating cover being characterized in that:
a plurality of floats are affixed to the bottom face of the tensioned section
of
the substrate in a linear or two-dimensional array, each float having a planar
upper profile, a
buoyant force in water, and a width that is at least 10 times greater than the
height, wherein
each float is spaced from adjacent floats and dimensioned such that in use,
the buoyant force

23
maintains the upper profile of the float at a non-disruptive height above the
surface of the
body of water, the non-disruptive height being a height at which water flow to
the
precipitation drainage system is not disrupted;
a plurality of structures are rigidly mounted above a plurality of floats
distributed about the substrate, the structures extending above the top face
of the substrate in
an upright orientation, the structure being mounted above the float by a
mounting comprising
an adhesive mounting, a mechanical mounting, welding, or combination thereof,
such that the
substrate is sealed between the float and the structure, the structure having
a weight, wherein
the buoyant force of the float acts against the weight of the structure to
maintain the substrate
immediately adjacent to the float above the surface of the body of water; and
the one or more tensioners apply sufficient force to maintain the spacing
between adjacent floats and to maintain the structures in the upright
orientation when acted
upon by a predetermined wind load.

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


CA 02941453 2016-09-12
FLOATING COVER WITH STRUCTURAL SUPPORTS
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This relates to floating covers, and in particular, floating
covers that support
structures on a top surface.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Floating covers are commonly used on bodies of water, such as
reservoirs,
lagoons, ponds, sloughs, etc. as a cover to prevent evaporation, prevent
contamination of the
water, to capture gas produced by the water, or to reduce odours. As used
herein, the term
"water" is used in a broad sense to cover various types of bodies of liquid
that may be covered
by a floating cover as is known in the art. This may include water or water-
based liquids,
which may vary from relatively pure sources, such as water that may be used
for a municipal
water supply, to relatively impure sources, such as effluent or grey-water
from a sewage
system.
[0003] Typical floating covers are generally held under tension to resist
lateral movement,
while permitting the cover to move vertically as the level of water changes.
In order to
address water that may accumulate due to precipitation, floating covers may
have a sump that
allows water to be drawn off the cover. United States patent no. 3,815,367
(Collins et al.) and
3,815,367 (Collins et al.), each entitled "Floating Reservoir Cover" are early
examples of
floating covers with tensioners. United States patent no. 3,991900 (Burke et
al.) entitled
"Reservoir Cover and Canalizing Means" describes a floating cover that is
tensioned by
weights, that also form a sump. Various devices and designs for floating
covers have been
used and are known in the art.
SUMMARY
[0004] There is provided an improved tensioned floating cover that
supports a structure.
The floating cover comprises a flexible, inelastic, impermeable substrate, the
substrate having
a bottom face and a top face opposite the bottom face, the substrate extending
laterally across
a surface of a body of water. The floating cover has one or more tensioners
that apply tension
to a tensioned section of the substrate and bias the tensioned section of the
substrate to an
installed position on the body of water, the tensioners permitting the
substrate to move

CA 02941453 2016-09-12
2
vertically on a top surface of the body of water as the volume of water in the
body of water
changes. The floating cover also has a precipitation drainage system for
removing water from
the top face of the substrate. The tensioned floating cover is characterized
in that there are a
plurality of floats affixed to the bottom face of the tensioned section of the
substrate, each
float having a planar upper profile and a buoyant force in water, wherein each
float is spaced
from adjacent floats and dimensioned such that in use, the buoyant force
maintains the upper
profile of the float at a non-disruptive height above the surface of the body
of water, the non-
disruptive height being a height at which water flow to the precipitation
drainage system is
not disrupted. One or more structures are rigidly mounted above two or more
floats and
extend above the top face of the substrate in an upright orientation, the
substrate being sealed
between the float and the structure, the structure having a weight, wherein
the buoyant force
of the float acts against the weight of the structure to maintain the
substrate immediately
adjacent to the float above the surface of the body of water. The one or more
tensioners apply
sufficient force to maintain the spacing between adjacent floats and to
maintain the structures
in the upright orientation when acted upon by a predetermined wind load.
[0005] According to another aspect, there is provided a floating cover
for a body of
water, comprising a flexible, inelastic, impermeable substrate having a bottom
face and a top
face opposite the bottom face, the substrate being secured laterally across
the top surface; one
or more tensioners that apply at least 0.5 lb/lineal foot of tension to create
a tensioned section
of the substrate; a precipitation drainage system for removing water from the
top face of the
substrate; a plurality of floats having a substantially planar upper profile,
the upper profile
being affixed to the bottom face of the tensioned section of the substrate,
the float having a
buoyant force in water; and a structure rigidly mounted above one or more
floats, the structure
extending above the top face of the substrate, being sealed between the float
and the structure
and having a weight, wherein the buoyant force of the float acts against the
weight of the
structure to maintain the substrate immediately adjacent to the float above
the top surface of
the body of water by 4 inches or less, or 2 inches or less.
[0006] According to an aspect, there is provided an improved tensioned
floating cover
that supports a structure, the floating cover comprising a flexible,
inelastic, impermeable

CA 02941453 2016-09-12
3
substrate, the substrate having a bottom face and a top face opposite the
bottom face, the
substrate extending laterally across a surface of a body of water, the
substrate being made
from a material that has a tensile strength of at least 100 lb/inch. There are
one or more
tensioners that apply tension to a tensioned section of the substrate and bias
the tensioned
section of the substrate to an installed position on the body of water, the
tensioners permitting
the substrate to move vertically on a top surface of the body of water as the
volume of water
in the body of water changes. There is a precipitation drainage system for
removing water
from the top face of the substrate. The tensioned floating cover is
characterized in that there
are a plurality of floats affixed to the bottom face of the tensioned section
of the substrate in a
linear or two-dimensional array, each float having a planar upper profile, a
buoyant force in
water, and a width that is at least 10 times greater than the height, wherein
each float is spaced
from adjacent floats and dimensioned such that in use, the buoyant force
maintains the upper
profile of the float at a non-disruptive height above the surface of the body
of water, the non-
disruptive height being a height at which water flow to the precipitation
drainage system is
not disrupted. A plurality of structures are rigidly mounted above a plurality
of floats
distributed about the substrate, the structures extending above the top face
of the substrate in
an upright orientation, the structure being mounted above the float by a
mounting comprising
an adhesive mounting, a mechanical mounting, welding, or combination thereof,
such that the
substrate is sealed between the float and the structure, the structure having
a weight, wherein
the buoyant force of the float acts against the weight of the structure to
maintain the substrate
immediately adjacent to the float above the surface of the body of water. The
one or more
tensioners apply sufficient force to maintain the spacing between adjacent
floats and to
maintain the structures in the upright orientation when acted upon by a
predetermined wind
load.
[0007] In other aspects, the floating covers may further comprise one or
more of the
following features, alone or in combination: the floats may be arranged in a
linear or two-
dimensional array, the substrate may be made from a material that has a
tensile strength of at
least 100 lb/inch; the buoyant force may maintain the substrate immediately
adjacent to the
float above the top surface by 4 inches or less, or 2 inches or less; the
float may have a height
of less than 6 inches, and a volume extending perpendicular to the height
sufficient to provide

CA 02941453 2016-09-12
4
the buoyant force; the float may have a width that is at least 10 times
greater than the height;
the float may comprise a moulded body, a hollow body, a foam filled body, or a
laminated
structure; the float may comprise ballast that has a density that is greater
than or equal to
water; the float may be laminated to the bottom face of the substrate; the
float may be
enclosed within a cavity formed by a second layer of material attached to the
bottom face of
the impermeable substrate; the structure may be mounted above the float by a
mounting
comprising an adhesive mounting, a mechanical mounting, welding, or
combination thereof;
there may be a plurality of structures mounted to a plurality of floats
distributed about the
substrate; the structure may comprise a body supported above the substrate by
a stand; the
stand may comprise an assembled frame or a moulded frame, and the body may be
supported
by a plurality of stands mounted above a plurality of floats; the structure
may comprise a
support for elongate bodies, a walkway, an access ramp, a working platform, a
shelter, a solar
module, a decorative element, a shade structure for the body of water, a
thermal collector, an
aerator, a water cooler, or a pump; the tensioner may comprise length
adjustable elements
distributed along an outer peripheral edge of the substrate; the tensioner may
comprise
weights distributed about the top face of the substrate; the substrate may
comprise a plurality
of substrate sections sealably attached to form the substrate; the floating
cover may further
comprise stabilizing supports connected between adjacent structures to support
the structures
against wind pressure; the floating cover may further comprise a plurality of
floats and
structures, and the stabilizing supports may be connected between adjacent
structures; there
may be a plurality of floats and structures, and the stabilizing supports may
be connected
between adjacent floats; the floating cover may further comprise one or more
anchors, which
may be buoyant or neutrally buoyant in water, affixed to the substrate, and
the stabilizing
supports may connect between the one or more anchors and the structure or
between the one
or more anchor and the float; the force applied by the tensioners may permit
the substrate to
shift under wind loads greater than the predetermined wind load, and return
the substrate to
the predetermined position relative to the body of water after the wind load
is reduced to
below the predetermined wind load.
[0008] According to another aspect, there is provided a method of mounting
a structure
above a floating cover, the method comprising the steps of: providing a
floating cover as

CA 02941453 2016-09-12
described above, having a plurality of substrate sections of a flexible,
inelastic, impermeable
substrate, the substrate sections with a top face, a bottom face, and parallel
side edges
separated by a width; affixing a plurality of floats to the bottom face of one
or more substrate
sections, the floats having a buoyant force in water, the floats being low
profile and having a
5 substantially planar upper profile that engages the substrate; rigidly
mounting structures to the
floats such that the structures extend away from the floats and the top face
of the one or more
substrate sections; attaching the plurality of substrate sections in edge to
edge relation along
the parallel side edges to form the substrate, the floats having a height
relative to the width of
the at least one section that permits adjacent substrate sections to be
attached in edge to edge
relation without interfering with the attachment between edges to form a
sealed surface;
installing the substrate on a reservoir and filling the reservoir to form a
body of water having a
surface; applying tension to the substrate to at least that portion of the
substrate to which
floats are affixed, the applied tension being sufficient to maintain the
spacing between
adjacent floats and to maintain the structures in the upright orientation when
acted upon by a
predetermined wind load.
[0009] According to an aspect, there is provided a method of mounting a
structure above
a floating cover, the method comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of
substrate
sections of a flexible, inelastic, impermeable substrate, the substrate
sections having a top
face, a bottom face, and parallel side edges separated by a width; affixing a
plurality of floats
to the bottom face of one or more substrate sections, the floats having a
buoyant force in
water, the floats being low profile and having a substantially planar upper
profile that engages
the substrate; rigidly mounting structures to the floats such that the
structures extend away
from the floats and the top face of the one or more substrate sections;
attaching the plurality of
substrate sections in edge to edge relation along the parallel side edges to
form the substrate;
installing the substrate on a reservoir and filling the reservoir to form a
body of water having a
surface, such that the upper profile of the floats is maintained at a non-
disruptive height above
the surface of the body of water, the non-disruptive height being a height at
which water flow
to the precipitation drainage system is not disrupted; and applying tension to
the substrate to
at least that portion of the substrate to which floats are affixed, the
applied tension being
sufficient to maintain the spacing between adjacent floats, to maintain the
structures in the

CA 02941453 2016-09-12
6
upright orientation, and maintain the substrate in a predetermined position
relative to the body
of water when acted upon by a predetermined wind load, the applied tension
permitting the
substrate to shift under wind loads greater than the predetermined wind load,
and returning
the substrate to the predetermined position relative to the body of water
after the wind load is
reduced to below the predetermined wind load.
[0010] According to other aspects of the method described above, the
floats may be
affixed to the one or more substrate sections with the one or more substrate
sections inverted;
and the one or more substrate sections to which the floats are affixed may be
prepared with
the floats and at least a portion of the structures offsite.
[0011] In other aspects, the features described above may be combined
together in any
reasonable combination as will be recognized by those skilled in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] These and other features will become more apparent from the
following
description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings
are for the
purpose of illustration only and are not intended to be in any way limiting,
wherein:
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a pond.
FIG. 2A is a top plan view of a pond covered by a floating cover tensioned by
weights.
FIG. 2B is a top plan view of a pond covered by a floating cover and
supporting
structures in a two dimensional array.
FIG. 3A is a top plan view of a pond covered by a floating cover tensioned by
elongate members attached to a tower.
FIG. 3B is a top plan view of a pond covered by a floating cover and
supporting
structures in a linear array.
FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a floating cover with two floats supporting
two
structures.
FIG. 5 is a side elevation view a floating cover with two floats supporting
one
structure.

CA 02941453 2016-09-12
7
FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a floating cover with a float supporting a
structure and a perimeter anchor that provides a counterbalance.
FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a floating cover with two floats supporting
two
structures and connected by a connector.
FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of a floating cover with one float supporting
a
structure directly on the cover.
FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of a floating cover with the float contained
in a
pocket of the cover.
HG. 10 is a side elevation view of a floating cover with a float supporting a
structure having a portion that extends below the cover.
FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of a floating cover having a tensioning
structure
with floats and a weighted sump area.
FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of a floating cover tensioned by an elongate
member.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a high aspect ratio float.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an anchor partially filled with ballast.
FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of a pond having a weight tensioned floating
cover.
FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of a pond having a floating cover tensioned
by an
elongate member.
FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of a section of the floating cover substrate
folded
over floats.
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a section of the floating cover, preformed
with
holes, and being unrolled over the floats.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] There will now be described a floating cover, generally identified
by reference
number 10, that is designed to support a structure 12 above a body of water
16, without
affecting the ability of floating cover 10 to operate as such.
[0014] HG. 1 shows a body of water 16, which may be a pond or other body
of water.

CA 02941453 2016-09-12
8
Referring to FIG. 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B, there is shown a floating cover 10 made
from a
substrate 14 that is used to cover body of water 16. Substrate 14 is made from
a material that
is flexible, inelastic, and impermeable. An example of a suitable material is
CSPE 45 mil,
3ply (chlorosulphonated polyethylene), which has a tensile strength of about
100 lb/inch.
Other material may be used with suitable properties as may be selected by a
person of
ordinary skill. Preferably, the linear tensile strength will be at least 100
lb/inch, or sufficient
to support the various loads, including wind loads, etc. without failing.
Substrate 14 may be
assembled from different materials for different areas, and may be stronger,
to account for
different load that may be experienced by substrate 14. While there are
various degrees of
flexibility and elasticity, substrate 14 may be considered flexible if it can
be rolled or folded
into a package for storage or transport, and may be considered inelastic if
there is a negligible
amount of stretching across its length under typical wind loads that may be
experienced by
floating cover 10.
[0015] Substrate 14 is tensioned in order to hold substrate 14 laterally on
body of water
16 and allows substrate 14 to move vertically as the volume of water in the
body of water 16
changes. Preferably, the tension is applied by a tensioner that is able to
adjust, move, or
otherwise adapt to movement, such as a length-adjustable spring member or
weight, either on
substrate 14 or along an outer perimeter 18 of substrate 14. By using
adaptable tensioners,
substrate 14 is able to adjust by taking in any slack as the level of body of
water 16 rises, or
allow more slack out as the level goes down. Various types of tensioners as
known in the art
may be used. For example, referring to FIG. 12, the tensioners are towers 15
with weights on
pulleys inside the towers (not shown), positioned around outer perimeter 18 of
substrate 14.
Alternatively, tensioners may take other designs using elongate members, such
as tensioning
springs. Referring to FIG. 11, the tensioners may be weights 19 distributed on
top surface 20
of substrate 14. As shown, weights 19 take up any slack in substrate 14 by
sinking, or
deploying slack by moving up. Preferably, weights 19 are installed in a line
with floats 24 on
the top surface 20 of substrate 14 on either side of weights 19, which keeps
substrate 14 that is
adjacent to weights 19 on top of body of water 16, rather than sinking with
weights 19.
[0016] Substrate 14 is also provided with a precipitation drainage
system, such as sump

CA 02941453 2016-09-12
9
22 as shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B or drain line 23 as shown in FIG. 3A and
3B, in order to
remove water from top face 20 of substrate 14. Generally speaking, the most
common type of
water that will be found on top of substrate 14 will be from precipitation,
although sump 22
will be capable of draining any liquid on the top of substrate 14. As shown,
sump 22 includes
a pump 26 that is in fluid communication with the depressions caused by
weights 19.
Weights 19 may be part of the tensioning system as shown in FIG. 2, or may be
at a fixed
depth, and may be solely for the purpose of creating channels that allow water
to flow to
sump pump 26, which will be in a depression that is even lower than weights
19, and allow
water to be pumped off of substrate 14, either under substrate 14 into body of
water 16 or
away from body of water 16. While one pump 26 is shown at each of the
intersections of the
channels, there may be any number of pumps 26, depending on the requirements
of the
particular floating cover 10. As an alternative to sump 22 or drain line 23,
persons of ordinary
skill may use other drainage systems as are known in the art.
[0017] The tension and drainage aspects described above are generally known
in the art
and are commonly used in floating covers installed on bodies of water. As will
be described
herein, floating cover 10 differs from prior art floating covers in its
ability to support a
structure above substrate 14 without preventing floating cover 10 from
operating as a floating
cover 10. In particular, floating cover 10 remains a sealed, impermeable
cover, and allows
water to be drained off of top face 20 of substrate 14. As described below,
floating cover 10
has an area 32 on which the structures are installed, which includes a
tensioned section of
substrate 14. The characteristics of area 32 may depend on the design of
floating cover 10 as
well as the characteristics of body of water 16, such as the angle of the
sides of body of water
16. As an example, in order to maintain a suitable spacing and position for
the structure, area
32 may be defined by weights 19, either as part of sump 22 or as used as a
tensioning device,
where weights 19 are shown in a square configuration. Other shapes may also be
used, or
there may be more than one area 32, which may be separated by weights 19.
Alternatively, if
weights are not used, area 32 may include the entire substrate 14, or at least
that area that will
remain in contact with water, and not lifted off body of water 16 as the level
of body of water
16 changes. The details of how the structures are installed on substrate 14
will be described
below.

CA 02941453 2016-09-12
[0018] Referring to FIG. 2B and 3B, floating cover 10 is provided with a
plurality of
support floats 30 that are affixed to the bottom face 34 of area 32 in spaced
relation, and
which are positioned below structures 12 in order to support them above
substrate 14.
5 Referring to FIG. 4, each float 30 has a buoyant force in water, with a
planar upper profile 36.
A suitable shape for float 30 is a rectangular prism, with a height that is
significantly less
than its width and length. In one example, the height may be less than 1/10 of
either the width
or the length, and may be 6 inches or less. However, the dimensions of float
30 will depend
on the preferences of the user and the characteristics of floating cover 10,
including the
10 weight of structure 12 and any tension that may be applied by substrate
14.
[0019] The height of float 30 when installed will depend on the buoyant
force of float 30
and the load applied from above. The height must be sufficient to support
substrate 14 at or
above the surface of body of water 16. If float 30 does not support substrate
14 at or above
body of water 16, there is a risk that substrate 14 may have low points which
can then
accumulate surface water due to precipitation, etc. Preferably, substrate 14
will be supported
at least a small amount above body of water 16 to allow for some tolerance for
error.
However, at the same time, if substrate 14 is lifted above a maximum height
above the top
surface of body of water 16, floats 30 will disrupt the flow of water toward
sump 22 by
creating creases or other contours in the inelastic substrate 14. This will
also result in water
accumulating above substrate 14. Any accumulation of water on substrate 14 is
to be avoided
as, once water starts to accumulate in an undesired location, a deposit of
dust, dirt, etc. will
begin to accumulate as the water evaporates. The dust and dirt will increase
the weight in that
area, such that more water will accumulate in that area, and continue to
increase the weight in
that area, and will ultimately result in the failure of floating cover 10,
either structurally or in
its purpose, if corrective action is not taken. In a preferred embodiment,
float 30 will extend
between 1/8and 4 inches above the surface of body of water 16, or in some
cases between 1/8
and 2 inches.
[0020] Floats 30 are spaced from each other, and are preferably in a two
dimensional array
as shown in FIG. 2B, or a one dimensional array as shown in FIG. 3B, in order
to provide a
suitable platform on which structures 12 may be mounted. Structure 12 is
mounted to floats

CA 02941453 2016-09-12
11
30 such that structure 12 extends above the top face 20 of substrate 14 in an
upright
orientation, and such that substrate 14 is sealed between float 30 and
structure 12 to ensure
substrate 14 remains sealed and impermeable across body of water 16. The
buoyant force of
float 30 acts against the weight of structure 12 to maintain substrate 14 that
is immediately
adjacent to float 16 above the surface of body of water 16. Floats 30 may take
various forms
as is known in the art, and may be a moulded body, a hollow body, a foam-
filled body, a solid
body with a low density, a laminated or composite structure, etc. Referring to
HG. 14, float
30 may be a composite structure that includes ballast 37 that is denser or of
the same density
as water, to reduce the buoyancy of float 30 in water. This may be used to
control the height
of float 30 in water, to increase the stability of float 30, or to act as an
anchor instead of or in
addition to a float, as will be described below.
[0021] Float 30 may be mounted to substrate 14 in different ways.
Referring to HG. 4,
float 30 and substrate 14 may be laminated together at attachment 38, such as
by an adhesive
or the application of heat, or may be attached at attachment 38 by using a
mechanical
attachment, such as a pin connector or other type of attachment that extends
through substrate
14, and may attach to structure 12. If mechanical attachment is designed to
extend through
substrate 14, it should be done in such a way that substrate 14 remains sealed
against water
passing through in either direction. Referring to HG. 9, float 30 may also be
installed in a
cavity 39 that is formed by a second layer of material 14a that is attached to
bottom face of
substrate 14. Second layer 14a need not be the same material as substrate 14,
and may not
have the same characteristics. For example, it may not be impermeable.
[0022] As shown, structure 12 extends above substrate 14. In doing so,
structure 12 is
mounted above float 30, either directly to float 30 or to substrate 14, by
various mounting
structures, such as by adhesive or heat welding to substrate 14 as shown in
HG. 8, or by
mechanical mounting, as shown in HG. 4. Structure 12 may take various forms,
such as a
single structure that is supported by multiple floats 30 as shown in HG. 5, or
multiple
structures, each of which is supported by one or more floats 30 as shown in
FIG. 4. Structure
12 may be a unitary body as shown in HG. 8, or, referring to HG. 4, structure
12 may include
a stand 40 that supports a body 42 above substrate 14. Stand 40 may be a frame
as shown,

CA 02941453 2016-09-12
12
which may be an assembled frame, or a moulded frame, or may be a solid or
hollow body.
The composition of structure 12 will depend on purpose of structure 12, its
size and weight,
the environmental conditions in which it will be used, etc. In the example
shown in FIG.5,
there are multiple stands 40 that support an elongate body 42 that extends
across the multiple
stands 40, such as a pipeline. In other examples, referring to FIG. 7, body 42
may be a
walkway for workers, a working platform, an access ramp, a shelter or
building, etc. that are
either mounted to one or more stands 40, or directly on substrate 14 above
floats 30. On other
examples, referring to FIG. 8, structure 12 may include a single body 42a
mounted above a
single float 30, such as solar module, a decorative element, a shade structure
for the body of
water, a thermal collector, a water cooler, a pump, etc. or may be used to
support equipment
54 below substrate 14, such as a pump or aerator. It will be understood that
each type of
structure 12 described above may be mounted to one float 30, or more than one
float 30, and
each may be mounted to a stand above float 30, or mounted directly to float
30, depending on
various factors, such as the preferences of the user, the construction of
structure 12, its size, its
weight, etc.
[0023] As noted above, the spacing between floats 30 is maintained at a
desired distance,
which is at least partly accomplished by properly tensioning substrate 14. The
tension is
designed to apply sufficient force to maintain the spacing between adjacent
floats 30 and to
maintain structures 12 in an upright orientation when acted upon by
environmental
conditions, and in particular, a predetermined wind load. The predetermined
wind load may
be the wind loads that are typical for the environment in which cover 10 is
installed based on
average conditions, or somewhat more than the typical wind loads to provide a
measure of
additional protection against exceptional winds that may be encountered.
Alternatively,
floating cover 10 may be tensioned sufficiently to withstand the maximum
possible wind
loads that may be experienced by floating cover 10. For example, in any given
year, an area
may experience wind gusts of up to 40 mph, but may experience wind gust of up
to 70 mph
on rare occasions. Floating cover 10 may be tensioned sufficiently to
withstand a 40 mph
wind gust without moving, and may be designed to allow for some movement in
exceptionally high wind conditions, or may be tensioned sufficiently to
withstand even an
exceptional wind event with wind loads that are higher than normal. In any
event, floating

CA 02941453 2016-09-12
13
cover 10 will be designed to recover from the maximum level of wind loads that
may be
applied. This may involve allowing substrate 14 to shift laterally across body
of water 16,
and to allow some tipping movement of structure 12, but allowing floating
cover 10 to return
to its original position once the exceptional wind event has ended. Of these
consequences,
lateral movement of 14 is relatively more acceptable that allowing structure
12 to move too
much, as the movement of structure 12 may result in damage to structure 12 or
substrate 14.
[0024] In order to enhance the resistance to wind loads in floating cover
10, certain
strategies may be used and additional elements installed. As noted above, two
main
considerations with respect to the reaction of floating cover 10 to wind loads
are the lateral
movement of substrate 14 in response to wind loads, and the movement of
structures 12 in
response to wind loads. Preferably, substrate 14 will be sufficiently anchored
to prevent
lateral movement, or at least limited to extreme weather events. There may be
some
advantages to allowing substrate 14 to move laterally during extreme weather
events,
including a reduction in the cost of equipment and installation. Of greater
concern is the
possible movement of structures 12 relative to substrate 14. Structures 12
must be sufficiently
supported by substrate 14 (e.g. via floats 30) such that they remain attached
even during
extreme weather events. Structures 12 must also be sufficient supported to
prevent tipping as
a result of wind loads. While it is impossible to prevent all movement in
structure 12, any
movement that is permitted must be limited to movement that will not cause
damage to
floating cover 10, e.g. either structure 12 substrate 14, or floats 30.
[0025] If the tension in substrate 14 is insufficient to accomplish the
above purposes,
floating cover 10 may be provided with various types of stabilizing supports
that support
structure 12 against wind pressure. Generally speaking, the stabilizing
supports act to lower
the centre of gravity of structure 12, increase the moment arm required to tip
structure 12,
transfer loads to an adjacent structure, etc.
[0026] In one example, the stabilizing supports may be connectors 44 that
connect
between adjacent structures 12 or floats 30. Connectors 44 may extend
diagonally from top to
bottom of adjacent structures 12 or floats 30, or may connect horizontally
between structures

CA 02941453 2016-09-12
14
12 or floats 30, either above or below substrate 14. If connectors 44 are
above substrate 14, as
shown in FIG. 7, care must be taken to avoid weighting substrate 14 in such a
way that it will
interfere with water flow across substrate 14. As structures 12 begin to tip,
one end or edge
will go up, and another will go down. As the wind load will generally be in
the same
direction across all of floating cover 10, or at least within the same
localized area, adjacent
structures 12 will tilt in the same direction, meaning adjacent edges will
move in opposite
directions. By connecting adjacent structures 12 or floats 30 with inelastic
connectors 44, the
connectors 44 will be placed under tension and will resist the tipping
movement of structures
12. Connectors 44 are preferably rigid, and may be made from a variety of
materials,
depending on the preferences of the user. As noted previously, substrate 14 is
tensioned,
which biases floats 30 into a predetermined array.
[0027] In another example, referring to FIG. 6, anchors 46 may be affixed
to substrate 14.
Anchors 46 are preferably weighted to resist substrate 14 from being lifted,
but may have a
sufficiently low overall density to be buoyant in water to prevent pulling
down on substrate
14 if not sufficiently supported in other ways. Anchors 46 are preferably
positioned beneath
substrate 14 and around the perimeter of the array of floats 30 to provide
stability to floats 30,
substrate 14, and ultimately structures 12. Anchors 46 may be attached in
various ways,
similar to the manner in which floats 30 are attached to substrate 14. The
weight and
buoyancy of anchors 46 will be selected such that they do not extend above the
surface of
body of water 12 in such a way as to interfere with the flow of water across
substrate 14. In
one example, anchors 46 may be neutrally buoyant, such that they are
sufficiently buoyant to
have a low profile in water without sinking, and such that their weight is
only apparent when
anchors 46 are lifted out of water. As they have a low profile above the water
level of body of
water 16, anchors 46 will have little impact on wind loads and water flow, but
will be useful
in supporting structures 12. Anchors 46 may be attached by connectors 44 to
adjacent
structures or floats 30, and provide similar benefits to those described
above, although
without a corresponding structure 12 above anchor 46. Alternatively, or in
addition, there
may be mechanical anchors (not shown) that attach between floats 30 or anchors
46 and the
bottom of the body of water to assist in anchoring structures 12 and substrate
14.

CA 02941453 2016-09-12
[0028] Method of Construction
[0029] An example of construction for floating cover 10 will now be
described. Referring
to FIG. 2, for bodies of water 16 with a large surface area, typical covers
are commonly
5 prepared by attaching multiple sections 50 together in edge to edge
relation. The edges of
sections 50 are generally straight and parallel to allow them to be attached
easily, which is
generally done by welding in order to seal substrate 14. The ends of sections
50 may also be
straight, or may be angled or curved to match the shape of the body of water.
10 [0030] Before completing the seams 52 between sections 50, floats
30 are attached to the
bottom of sections 50. This may be done either on site with sections 50 laid
out, in which
case floats 30 may be transported separately from sections 50 of substrate 14,
which will be
transported in a folded or rolled configuration, or may be attached partially
or fully by the
manufacturer, which will generally require substrate 14 to be folded with
floats 30 in each
15 folded section, as shown in FIG. 17. If floats 30 are attached on site,
it may be convenient to
invert sections 50 to provide access to the bottom surface of substrate 14.
Preferably, sections
50 are narrow enough to be moved manually and to provide easy access to floats
30 as they
are being installed. In another example, rather than attaching floats 30 off
site, substrate
sections 50 may be provided with holes 56 offsite, making it easier to align
and attach floats
30 as section 50 is unrolled, as shown in FIG. 18. It will be understood that
any convenient
method of attaching floats 30 to the bottom of sections 50 may be used. Once
floats 30 are
attached to sections 50, sections 50 are properly aligned and attached
together. In order to
allow seam 52 between sections 50 to be properly formed, floats 30 are
preferably provided
with a low height to prevent the material from bunching or pulling away from
seam 52, and to
ensure substrate 14 does not disrupt the flow of water to sump 22. The rest of
substrate 14,
including the installation of sump 22, tensioners 14/19, etc. may be
accomplished as is known
in the art.
[0031] Structure 12 is preferably installed above substrate 14 prior to
filling body of water
16 with water, and must be accomplished in such a manner that substrate 14
remains sealed
above body of water 16. If used, connectors 44 are also installed at a
convenient time. If
attached to floats 30, connectors are preferably installed while section 50 is
inverted, or prior

CA 02941453 2016-09-12
16
to seam 52 being completed. Once structure 12 and floats 30 are installed, and
substrate 14
properly positioned above where body of water 16 will be located, body of
water 16 may then
be filled with water. It may also be possible to install a cover over an
existing body of water
16, however this will require a different set of steps.
[0032] In this
patent document, the word "comprising" is used in its non-limiting sense to
mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically
mentioned are not
excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does not
exclude the
possibility that more than one of the elements is present, unless the context
clearly requires
that there be one and only one of the elements.
[0033] The scope
of the following claims should not be limited by the preferred
embodiments set forth in the examples above and in the drawings, but should be
given the
broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

For a clearer understanding of the status of the application/patent presented on this page, the site Disclaimer , as well as the definitions for Patent , Administrative Status , Maintenance Fee  and Payment History  should be consulted.

Administrative Status

Title Date
Forecasted Issue Date 2017-06-20
(22) Filed 2016-09-12
Examination Requested 2016-09-12
(41) Open to Public Inspection 2016-11-09
(45) Issued 2017-06-20

Abandonment History

There is no abandonment history.

Maintenance Fee

Last Payment of $210.51 was received on 2023-08-17


 Upcoming maintenance fee amounts

Description Date Amount
Next Payment if standard fee 2024-09-12 $277.00
Next Payment if small entity fee 2024-09-12 $100.00

Note : If the full payment has not been received on or before the date indicated, a further fee may be required which may be one of the following

  • the reinstatement fee;
  • the late payment fee; or
  • additional fee to reverse deemed expiry.

Patent fees are adjusted on the 1st of January every year. The amounts above are the current amounts if received by December 31 of the current year.
Please refer to the CIPO Patent Fees web page to see all current fee amounts.

Payment History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Amount Paid Paid Date
Request for Examination $800.00 2016-09-12
Application Fee $400.00 2016-09-12
Final Fee $300.00 2017-05-01
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 2 2018-09-12 $100.00 2018-07-30
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 3 2019-09-12 $100.00 2019-09-11
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 4 2020-09-14 $100.00 2020-09-01
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 5 2021-09-13 $204.00 2021-07-15
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 6 2022-09-12 $203.59 2022-08-10
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 7 2023-09-12 $210.51 2023-08-17
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
LAYFIELD GROUP LTD.
Past Owners on Record
None
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

To view selected files, please enter reCAPTCHA code :



To view images, click a link in the Document Description column. To download the documents, select one or more checkboxes in the first column and then click the "Download Selected in PDF format (Zip Archive)" or the "Download Selected as Single PDF" button.

List of published and non-published patent-specific documents on the CPD .

If you have any difficulty accessing content, you can call the Client Service Centre at 1-866-997-1936 or send them an e-mail at CIPO Client Service Centre.


Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Maintenance Fee Payment 2021-07-15 1 33
Maintenance Fee Payment 2022-08-10 1 33
Abstract 2016-09-12 1 16
Description 2016-09-12 16 740
Drawings 2016-09-12 11 142
Claims 2016-09-12 7 244
Cover Page 2016-11-15 2 50
Representative Drawing 2016-12-01 1 19
Claims 2017-01-25 7 268
Cover Page 2017-05-18 1 51
New Application 2016-09-12 5 131
Correspondence 2016-11-09 1 26
Examiner Requisition 2016-12-28 3 171
Amendment 2017-01-25 9 318
Final Fee 2017-05-01 1 33