CA1147149A - Vessel for gathering marine seaweed - Google Patents
Vessel for gathering marine seaweedInfo
- Publication number
- CA1147149A CA1147149A CA000374225A CA374225A CA1147149A CA 1147149 A CA1147149 A CA 1147149A CA 000374225 A CA000374225 A CA 000374225A CA 374225 A CA374225 A CA 374225A CA 1147149 A CA1147149 A CA 1147149A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- vessel
- branches
- helices
- net
- gathering
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D44/00—Harvesting of underwater plants, e.g. harvesting of seaweed
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Marine Sciences & Fisheries (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Farming Of Fish And Shellfish (AREA)
- Harvesting Machines For Specific Crops (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A vessel is provided herein for gathering marine seaweed or the like vegetation. The vessel includes a submersed element for cutting branches of the vegetation and means for gathering, raising and transfer-ring the branches in a rearward direction. The vessel includes a float-ing assembly comprising two side and elongated floats which hold an upper platform containing a command both and a power plant. A water tunnel is formed under the platform. Driven helices are located in the front part of the tunnel, the helices being adapted to drive the water within the tunnel in a backward direction. The driving means for the vessel include the helices in combination with blade wheels at the sides of the floats, the blade wheels having driving forces which may be controlled in independent and selective directions. The cutting element is located behind the first helices and at an adjustable level below the level of the helices. A
branch-gathering net is disposed behind the cutting element, the net having its bottom formed by an inclined plane which assends in a rearward direction, the net being open and communicating with a cage for receiving the branches.
The net and the tunnel thus form the means for gathering, raising and transferring the branches in a backward direction. This vessel is chara-cterized by its high effectiveness and by a higher yield of the power needed for its operation, with respect to the gathering means per se, with respect to the means used in the conditioning of the crop material, and with respect to the operation of the driving means.
A vessel is provided herein for gathering marine seaweed or the like vegetation. The vessel includes a submersed element for cutting branches of the vegetation and means for gathering, raising and transfer-ring the branches in a rearward direction. The vessel includes a float-ing assembly comprising two side and elongated floats which hold an upper platform containing a command both and a power plant. A water tunnel is formed under the platform. Driven helices are located in the front part of the tunnel, the helices being adapted to drive the water within the tunnel in a backward direction. The driving means for the vessel include the helices in combination with blade wheels at the sides of the floats, the blade wheels having driving forces which may be controlled in independent and selective directions. The cutting element is located behind the first helices and at an adjustable level below the level of the helices. A
branch-gathering net is disposed behind the cutting element, the net having its bottom formed by an inclined plane which assends in a rearward direction, the net being open and communicating with a cage for receiving the branches.
The net and the tunnel thus form the means for gathering, raising and transferring the branches in a backward direction. This vessel is chara-cterized by its high effectiveness and by a higher yield of the power needed for its operation, with respect to the gathering means per se, with respect to the means used in the conditioning of the crop material, and with respect to the operation of the driving means.
Description
7~
The present invention relates to a vessel for gathering seaweed and the like.
The present invention proposes -to provide a vessel of the above-mentioned type which provides basic improvements in regard to -the maintenance, repair and replacement requirements. Besides, it is desired to provide a novel vessel which needs less labour for its operation. In addition, the present invention proposes to provide a vessel which is characteri~ed by its high effectiveness and by a high yield of the power needed for its operation, in the gathering means, in the means used in the conditioning of the drop, and in the means for the operation of the driving means.
Several types of vessels Eor gathering seaweed or the like are known, particularly those used for collecting "macrocystis" and other types which could be subjected to mechanical cutting. Such vessels con-sist invariably of conventional floating and motor driven uni-ts which may be driven by means of helices, blade wheels or helix-turbines, etc., and include in their front face an element for cutting seaweed comprised by toothed knives similar to those used in grass cutting machines, which are generally selectively located on different immersion levels, but to ].imited depths. Following such cutting element, such assemblies have means for rearwardly displacing and lifting the branches which are being cuk in order to deposit them on deck wherein they are exposed to climatic conditions, employing for this end different receiving means which vary according to the different embodiments available, but which have always the same opera-tive characteristics, which require a further handling to withdraw the sea-weed branched from the deck in order to transfer them to special containers .~ or to other vessels.
The known floating tendency of the plants thus cut enables thern to ascelld vertically ~o b~ received by a transport-1iftillg unit which moves them to the deck, such displacement means being essential for transferring the branches from the water level to the level o~ the deck or the cellar. Of course, the incorporation of mechanisms for the functioning of that transport-lifting means involves a maintenance require-ments and a higher power consumption, wi-th -the corresponding yield limita-tion.
sy a broad aspect of this invention, a vessel is provided for gathering seaweed and the like vegetation, the vessel being of the type constituted by a floating and engine driven assembly, including an immersed element for cutting branches of the vegetation and means for gathering, raising and transferring the branches in a rearward di.rection, the vessel comprising- a floating assembly comprising two side and elongated floats which hold an upper platform containing a command booth and a power plant;
a water tunnel under the platform; driven helices located in the front part of the tunnel, the helices being adapted to drive the water within the tunnel in a backward direction; driving n1eans for the vessel comprising the helices in combination with blade wheels at -the sides of the floats, -the blade wheels having driving forces which may be controlled in independent and selective directions; -the cutting element being located behind the first helices and at an adjustable level below the helices level; a branch-gathering net disposed behind the cutting element, the net having its bot-tom formed by an inclined plane which ascends in a rearward direction, the net being open and communicating with a cage for receiving the branches;
the net and the tunnel forming the means for gathering, raising and trans-ferring the branches in a backward direction.
sy one variant, the net is held by two swivellable arms, the arms being pivotable about respective pivot pins located in the inner Eaces of ~'7~
the respective two floats and on the rear part of the floats, the pins being at a level lower than that of the draught water line of the vessel.
sy a variation thereoE, the two swivellable arms are provided with a lower extension for holding the element for cutting branches.
By another variation, the element for cutting branches comprises:
two toothed knives, each having -their teeth directed towards the advance front of the vessel, one of the knives being fixed and the other one being reciprocally slidable on the first knife, the slidable knife being in turn coupled to a member for imparting the reciprocating movement.
By a further variation, the lower ends of the swivellable arms which hold the net and the cutting element are hung by means of cables or the like hanging from a hoisting mechanism whexeby the arms may be fixed at different depths and angles.
By ano-ther variant, the helices which are located inside the water tunnel are coupled to respective driving engines which are adjustably fixable at selective levels.
By a variation thereof, the engines are fixable between the draught water line of the vessel and the bottom of the floa-ts.
By another variation thereof, the engines to which the driving helices are coupled are hung from respective cables ex-tending from the platEorm up to corresponding blocks.
By another variant, the vessel includes a mesh gate corresponding to the rear opening of the net, the mesh gate being swivellable with respect to its upper edge, the mesh gate being located at a level higher than that of the draught l~ater line of the vessel, the lower edge of the mesh gate coin-ciding with the horizontal edge of the rear opening.
By yet another variant, the cage for receiving cut branches com-prises: a structure including side and bottom meshes, the structure being - 4 ~
securea to side floats, the side floats thereby maintaining the mesh semi-immersed, with the bottom meshes being substantially coplanar with the lower edge of the rear opening of the net which is adapted to collect the branches.
~y a variation thereof, the cage for receiving cu-t branches has mesh openiny gates in its front and rear Eaces.
sy another variation, each cage includes engaging means, the engaging means being releasable with respect to the vessel floating assem-bly, the engaging means being located at least on the front end, whereby the cages are capable of tandem coupling.
The vessel of broad aspects of -the present invention takes ad-vantage of a different arrangement of its driving and floating means, pro-viding a driven water tunnel, the stream of which is added to the forward stream in order rearwardly to displace the cut branches and, while they are still immersed, before they reach the water level, for transferring them without any additional transport unit, to special receiving cages removab]y located behind the vessel, such cages being semi-submersed so that the branches remain under the water level, and therefore, under better pre-serving conditions.
Thus, -the vessel of an aspect of this invention is constituted by two parallel or substantially parallel, floating shells, one beside the other, in which -there is a platform on such shells or elongated floats.
A tunnel is constituted thereby limited at the sides by the Eloats and limited in its upper part by the platform. The power plant and the command both are located on the platform. Under the platform and in the front part of the tunnel, there are one or more helices, or,the like, capable of driving the vessel. From the rear part of the same tunnel, means retaining the cutting element project downwardly in - 4 a -~7~c~
a regular form, aLong wi-th the even-tual driving motor, which will be pre-ferably a hyclraulic motor since it will ha~e to operate in a submersed condi-tion.
The means retaining the cutting element include swivelling side , <,~, , - 4 b -7~ 3 bars which simllltaneo-lsly hold a net wh:[ch directs the brcTnches rearwardly and upwardly, ilnd ~hich does not reach in its rear end to the floating level or to tihe level of the outer water. In that end, the net defines an ample rear opening through which the branches may pass without any hindrance to the semi-immersed receivîng cages which are located in ~andem behind the vessel. The passage of the branches towards the cages is improved by the tunnel stream formed by the sum of the advance displacement of the vessel and the flow produced by the helix or i~elices.
That sum of streams causes the branches naturally to ascend to the collecting net following the cutting element. Thus, the special front disposition of the helices and the tunnel contribute to a displacement without power consumption of the branches towards the receiving cages after passing through the net.
Besides, in conjunction with the rear end of the net, there is a removable gate, for example, a wire net, capable of closing the opening defined on that end, before entering the cages. That gate is provided for storing branches even without the addition of cages, or when the cages have been withdrawn for any reason. The storage will be carried out into the net and, when a cage is located behind the vessel, the branches retained therein will pass by means of the stream flow to the rear bottom of the cage mere:Ly by opening the gate.
The above-described arrangement, particularly due to the front location of the helices or the like, permits greater cut depths, being the cutting depths of four times the depth attained with the vessels known up to now, thus increasing the collecting yield. All these advantages are also attained with a reduction in the power consumption, ~since the lifting and inner transport means are eliminated.
Obviously, among the complementary elements of this vessel are resources for locating the driving helix or helices to selected levels, as 7~
well as those permitting the locatlon of the cutting elements in clifferent depths, and all means needed to drive the vessel which ~11 be preferably blade wheel driven by reverse motors located outside the elongated -floats and on the rear portion. I~ith such wheels, not only are the driving effect provided, but braking effects and commanding or steer;ng the vessel are `also prov:ided.
In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspecti-ve view of the assembly including a vessel in accordance witll an aspect of the invention, behind which there are two cages for receiving seaweed branches being cut by the vessel during its advance;
Figure 2 is a side view of the assembly of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a two blade toothed l;nife useful as a cutting element and located at selective levels under the vessel of prior figures;
Figure 4 is a schematic plan view corresponding to one example of an aspect of the present invention;
.
Figure 5 is a vertical and cross view of the vessel of an aspect this invention; and Figure 6 is a view similar to the above of one of the cages towed by the same vessel.
In all Fi.gures, the same reference numerals correspond to the same parts of elements constituting the assembly selected as a non-limitlng example of the invention.
As may be seen in Figure 1 and following Figures, the vessel of one aspect of the present invention is constituted by two elongated floats 1 and 2 which hold one substantially horizontal platform,3, on which the command booth 4 and a power plant 5 are located. The power plant may be provided with an internal combustion element coupled to a hydraullc pump capable of providing liquid under pressure i.n order to drive the above 7~4~
mentioned engllle elements. On both sides of the floats there are blade wheels 6 usable as brakingJ direction and driving means, selected accor-ding to the desire. In order to atta-in this, each of tlle wheels is coupled to its repsective engine, preferably a hydraulic motor 7, as shown in Figure 4.
` ~nder the platform 3 and in the frone of the vessel, between floats l and 2, there are a plurality of vertical and parallel plates 11, the height of wllich is equivalent to that of the floats. Such plates constitute a means for rectifying water fillets during advance, and also constitute a means for protecting the helices against eventual sand bars, stones, logs, etc., s:ince the helices 8 will be located at a depth pre-ferably smaller than that of the draft of the floats. The helices, which are replaceable by blade wheels or other similar means, e.g., turbine helices, are fixable at selective heights by means of hoisting engines or blocks, specially for raising thenn when the vessel is towed to be located on a shore,being this operation also contemplated by adding side winches 9 coupled to corresponding engine means 10.
A swivelling frame 12,pivoting in the rear part 13 of the tunnel formed between the two floats and the horiæontal platform, holds the cutting element 14 formed by two toothed knives 15 and 16 as shown in Figure 3. One of the knives is fixed in the frame, while the other is reciprocally displaceable by means of a connecting rod-crank system 17 driven by a motor l~ preferably hydraulic. The frame and cutting element assembly hangs ~rom cables 19 extending on the platform from a block, or the like, 20. In turn, the same frame holds a net 21 or appropriate metallic mesh9 which is open in its front 22 and also in,its rear part, which is of less height. This leaves an opening 23 which is wide enough in order that the seaweed branches which are cut by the knives and pushed by the stream produced by the advance and by the helices, may pass to the ~7~
rear part in which they enter the cages 24 and 25 which are separated by a mesh gate 26 which closes when the rear cage is completely full, in order that the enterIng branches further deposit in the leading cage 24.
Another gate 27 pivoting around an axle 28 and fixable, for example, by means of pins 29, is located mating with the rear opening 23 of the net 21, in the zone behind the f:Loats. That gate prevents the branches from coming out of the net when the cages are withdrawn.
Each oE the cages 24 and 25 has walls and a floor of a mesh size sufflcient for retaining the seaweed branches being cut, according to the species being gathered, and being constituted boy corresponding rigid Erames connected to the floats, which preferably will be at the sides and in two levels, 30 and 31, and with an intermediate lower and central float 32, as shown in Figure 6.
A telescopic sight 33 is located between the floats and the front part, in order to provide observation of the movement of the branches cut or other immersed elements. This is an optional accessory which does not affect in any way the novelty of aspects of this invention.
On the platform 3, openings could be included, some of them pro-vided with removable covers, as those indicated with number 34, for main-tenance and other purposes in connection with the immersed elements.
This constitution of the vessel of aspects of the invention,when such vesse:L is used for gathering seaweed or similar water crops, the composition of the movements resulting from the advance, and the helices driving force and the tendency to float of the branches, makes it possible that the branches are directed immediately towards the collecting net 21, as may be seen in Figure 2, and from the net continue thèir way to the tandem coupled trailing cages without the need of other transport means.
The present invention relates to a vessel for gathering seaweed and the like.
The present invention proposes -to provide a vessel of the above-mentioned type which provides basic improvements in regard to -the maintenance, repair and replacement requirements. Besides, it is desired to provide a novel vessel which needs less labour for its operation. In addition, the present invention proposes to provide a vessel which is characteri~ed by its high effectiveness and by a high yield of the power needed for its operation, in the gathering means, in the means used in the conditioning of the drop, and in the means for the operation of the driving means.
Several types of vessels Eor gathering seaweed or the like are known, particularly those used for collecting "macrocystis" and other types which could be subjected to mechanical cutting. Such vessels con-sist invariably of conventional floating and motor driven uni-ts which may be driven by means of helices, blade wheels or helix-turbines, etc., and include in their front face an element for cutting seaweed comprised by toothed knives similar to those used in grass cutting machines, which are generally selectively located on different immersion levels, but to ].imited depths. Following such cutting element, such assemblies have means for rearwardly displacing and lifting the branches which are being cuk in order to deposit them on deck wherein they are exposed to climatic conditions, employing for this end different receiving means which vary according to the different embodiments available, but which have always the same opera-tive characteristics, which require a further handling to withdraw the sea-weed branched from the deck in order to transfer them to special containers .~ or to other vessels.
The known floating tendency of the plants thus cut enables thern to ascelld vertically ~o b~ received by a transport-1iftillg unit which moves them to the deck, such displacement means being essential for transferring the branches from the water level to the level o~ the deck or the cellar. Of course, the incorporation of mechanisms for the functioning of that transport-lifting means involves a maintenance require-ments and a higher power consumption, wi-th -the corresponding yield limita-tion.
sy a broad aspect of this invention, a vessel is provided for gathering seaweed and the like vegetation, the vessel being of the type constituted by a floating and engine driven assembly, including an immersed element for cutting branches of the vegetation and means for gathering, raising and transferring the branches in a rearward di.rection, the vessel comprising- a floating assembly comprising two side and elongated floats which hold an upper platform containing a command booth and a power plant;
a water tunnel under the platform; driven helices located in the front part of the tunnel, the helices being adapted to drive the water within the tunnel in a backward direction; driving n1eans for the vessel comprising the helices in combination with blade wheels at -the sides of the floats, -the blade wheels having driving forces which may be controlled in independent and selective directions; -the cutting element being located behind the first helices and at an adjustable level below the helices level; a branch-gathering net disposed behind the cutting element, the net having its bot-tom formed by an inclined plane which ascends in a rearward direction, the net being open and communicating with a cage for receiving the branches;
the net and the tunnel forming the means for gathering, raising and trans-ferring the branches in a backward direction.
sy one variant, the net is held by two swivellable arms, the arms being pivotable about respective pivot pins located in the inner Eaces of ~'7~
the respective two floats and on the rear part of the floats, the pins being at a level lower than that of the draught water line of the vessel.
sy a variation thereoE, the two swivellable arms are provided with a lower extension for holding the element for cutting branches.
By another variation, the element for cutting branches comprises:
two toothed knives, each having -their teeth directed towards the advance front of the vessel, one of the knives being fixed and the other one being reciprocally slidable on the first knife, the slidable knife being in turn coupled to a member for imparting the reciprocating movement.
By a further variation, the lower ends of the swivellable arms which hold the net and the cutting element are hung by means of cables or the like hanging from a hoisting mechanism whexeby the arms may be fixed at different depths and angles.
By ano-ther variant, the helices which are located inside the water tunnel are coupled to respective driving engines which are adjustably fixable at selective levels.
By a variation thereof, the engines are fixable between the draught water line of the vessel and the bottom of the floa-ts.
By another variation thereof, the engines to which the driving helices are coupled are hung from respective cables ex-tending from the platEorm up to corresponding blocks.
By another variant, the vessel includes a mesh gate corresponding to the rear opening of the net, the mesh gate being swivellable with respect to its upper edge, the mesh gate being located at a level higher than that of the draught l~ater line of the vessel, the lower edge of the mesh gate coin-ciding with the horizontal edge of the rear opening.
By yet another variant, the cage for receiving cut branches com-prises: a structure including side and bottom meshes, the structure being - 4 ~
securea to side floats, the side floats thereby maintaining the mesh semi-immersed, with the bottom meshes being substantially coplanar with the lower edge of the rear opening of the net which is adapted to collect the branches.
~y a variation thereof, the cage for receiving cu-t branches has mesh openiny gates in its front and rear Eaces.
sy another variation, each cage includes engaging means, the engaging means being releasable with respect to the vessel floating assem-bly, the engaging means being located at least on the front end, whereby the cages are capable of tandem coupling.
The vessel of broad aspects of -the present invention takes ad-vantage of a different arrangement of its driving and floating means, pro-viding a driven water tunnel, the stream of which is added to the forward stream in order rearwardly to displace the cut branches and, while they are still immersed, before they reach the water level, for transferring them without any additional transport unit, to special receiving cages removab]y located behind the vessel, such cages being semi-submersed so that the branches remain under the water level, and therefore, under better pre-serving conditions.
Thus, -the vessel of an aspect of this invention is constituted by two parallel or substantially parallel, floating shells, one beside the other, in which -there is a platform on such shells or elongated floats.
A tunnel is constituted thereby limited at the sides by the Eloats and limited in its upper part by the platform. The power plant and the command both are located on the platform. Under the platform and in the front part of the tunnel, there are one or more helices, or,the like, capable of driving the vessel. From the rear part of the same tunnel, means retaining the cutting element project downwardly in - 4 a -~7~c~
a regular form, aLong wi-th the even-tual driving motor, which will be pre-ferably a hyclraulic motor since it will ha~e to operate in a submersed condi-tion.
The means retaining the cutting element include swivelling side , <,~, , - 4 b -7~ 3 bars which simllltaneo-lsly hold a net wh:[ch directs the brcTnches rearwardly and upwardly, ilnd ~hich does not reach in its rear end to the floating level or to tihe level of the outer water. In that end, the net defines an ample rear opening through which the branches may pass without any hindrance to the semi-immersed receivîng cages which are located in ~andem behind the vessel. The passage of the branches towards the cages is improved by the tunnel stream formed by the sum of the advance displacement of the vessel and the flow produced by the helix or i~elices.
That sum of streams causes the branches naturally to ascend to the collecting net following the cutting element. Thus, the special front disposition of the helices and the tunnel contribute to a displacement without power consumption of the branches towards the receiving cages after passing through the net.
Besides, in conjunction with the rear end of the net, there is a removable gate, for example, a wire net, capable of closing the opening defined on that end, before entering the cages. That gate is provided for storing branches even without the addition of cages, or when the cages have been withdrawn for any reason. The storage will be carried out into the net and, when a cage is located behind the vessel, the branches retained therein will pass by means of the stream flow to the rear bottom of the cage mere:Ly by opening the gate.
The above-described arrangement, particularly due to the front location of the helices or the like, permits greater cut depths, being the cutting depths of four times the depth attained with the vessels known up to now, thus increasing the collecting yield. All these advantages are also attained with a reduction in the power consumption, ~since the lifting and inner transport means are eliminated.
Obviously, among the complementary elements of this vessel are resources for locating the driving helix or helices to selected levels, as 7~
well as those permitting the locatlon of the cutting elements in clifferent depths, and all means needed to drive the vessel which ~11 be preferably blade wheel driven by reverse motors located outside the elongated -floats and on the rear portion. I~ith such wheels, not only are the driving effect provided, but braking effects and commanding or steer;ng the vessel are `also prov:ided.
In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspecti-ve view of the assembly including a vessel in accordance witll an aspect of the invention, behind which there are two cages for receiving seaweed branches being cut by the vessel during its advance;
Figure 2 is a side view of the assembly of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a two blade toothed l;nife useful as a cutting element and located at selective levels under the vessel of prior figures;
Figure 4 is a schematic plan view corresponding to one example of an aspect of the present invention;
.
Figure 5 is a vertical and cross view of the vessel of an aspect this invention; and Figure 6 is a view similar to the above of one of the cages towed by the same vessel.
In all Fi.gures, the same reference numerals correspond to the same parts of elements constituting the assembly selected as a non-limitlng example of the invention.
As may be seen in Figure 1 and following Figures, the vessel of one aspect of the present invention is constituted by two elongated floats 1 and 2 which hold one substantially horizontal platform,3, on which the command booth 4 and a power plant 5 are located. The power plant may be provided with an internal combustion element coupled to a hydraullc pump capable of providing liquid under pressure i.n order to drive the above 7~4~
mentioned engllle elements. On both sides of the floats there are blade wheels 6 usable as brakingJ direction and driving means, selected accor-ding to the desire. In order to atta-in this, each of tlle wheels is coupled to its repsective engine, preferably a hydraulic motor 7, as shown in Figure 4.
` ~nder the platform 3 and in the frone of the vessel, between floats l and 2, there are a plurality of vertical and parallel plates 11, the height of wllich is equivalent to that of the floats. Such plates constitute a means for rectifying water fillets during advance, and also constitute a means for protecting the helices against eventual sand bars, stones, logs, etc., s:ince the helices 8 will be located at a depth pre-ferably smaller than that of the draft of the floats. The helices, which are replaceable by blade wheels or other similar means, e.g., turbine helices, are fixable at selective heights by means of hoisting engines or blocks, specially for raising thenn when the vessel is towed to be located on a shore,being this operation also contemplated by adding side winches 9 coupled to corresponding engine means 10.
A swivelling frame 12,pivoting in the rear part 13 of the tunnel formed between the two floats and the horiæontal platform, holds the cutting element 14 formed by two toothed knives 15 and 16 as shown in Figure 3. One of the knives is fixed in the frame, while the other is reciprocally displaceable by means of a connecting rod-crank system 17 driven by a motor l~ preferably hydraulic. The frame and cutting element assembly hangs ~rom cables 19 extending on the platform from a block, or the like, 20. In turn, the same frame holds a net 21 or appropriate metallic mesh9 which is open in its front 22 and also in,its rear part, which is of less height. This leaves an opening 23 which is wide enough in order that the seaweed branches which are cut by the knives and pushed by the stream produced by the advance and by the helices, may pass to the ~7~
rear part in which they enter the cages 24 and 25 which are separated by a mesh gate 26 which closes when the rear cage is completely full, in order that the enterIng branches further deposit in the leading cage 24.
Another gate 27 pivoting around an axle 28 and fixable, for example, by means of pins 29, is located mating with the rear opening 23 of the net 21, in the zone behind the f:Loats. That gate prevents the branches from coming out of the net when the cages are withdrawn.
Each oE the cages 24 and 25 has walls and a floor of a mesh size sufflcient for retaining the seaweed branches being cut, according to the species being gathered, and being constituted boy corresponding rigid Erames connected to the floats, which preferably will be at the sides and in two levels, 30 and 31, and with an intermediate lower and central float 32, as shown in Figure 6.
A telescopic sight 33 is located between the floats and the front part, in order to provide observation of the movement of the branches cut or other immersed elements. This is an optional accessory which does not affect in any way the novelty of aspects of this invention.
On the platform 3, openings could be included, some of them pro-vided with removable covers, as those indicated with number 34, for main-tenance and other purposes in connection with the immersed elements.
This constitution of the vessel of aspects of the invention,when such vesse:L is used for gathering seaweed or similar water crops, the composition of the movements resulting from the advance, and the helices driving force and the tendency to float of the branches, makes it possible that the branches are directed immediately towards the collecting net 21, as may be seen in Figure 2, and from the net continue thèir way to the tandem coupled trailing cages without the need of other transport means.
Claims (12)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A vessel for gathering seaweed and the like vegetation, said vessel being of the type constituted by a floating and engine driven assembly, including an immersed element for cutting branches of said vegetation and means for gathering, raising and transferring said branches in a rearward direction, said vessel comprising: a floating assembly com-prising two side and elongated floats which hold an upper platform contain-ing a command booth and a power plant; a water tunnel under said platform;
driven helices located in the front part of said tunnel, said helices being adapted to drive the water within said tunnel in a backward direction; driving means for said vessel comprising said helices in combination with blade wheels at the sides of said floats, said blade wheels having driving forces which may be controlled in independent and selective directions; said cutting element being located behind said first helices and at an adjustable level below the level of said helices; a branch-gathering net disposed behind said cutting element, said net having its bottom formed by an inclined plane which ascends in a rearward direction, said net being open and communicating with a cage for receiving said branches; said net and said tunnel forming the means for gathering, raising and transferring the branches in a backward direction.
driven helices located in the front part of said tunnel, said helices being adapted to drive the water within said tunnel in a backward direction; driving means for said vessel comprising said helices in combination with blade wheels at the sides of said floats, said blade wheels having driving forces which may be controlled in independent and selective directions; said cutting element being located behind said first helices and at an adjustable level below the level of said helices; a branch-gathering net disposed behind said cutting element, said net having its bottom formed by an inclined plane which ascends in a rearward direction, said net being open and communicating with a cage for receiving said branches; said net and said tunnel forming the means for gathering, raising and transferring the branches in a backward direction.
2. A vessel as claimed in claim 1 wherein said net is held by two swivellable arms, said arms being pivotable about respective pivot pins lo-cated in the inner faces of the respective two floats and on the rear part of said floats, said pins being at a level lower than that of the draught water line of said vessel.
3. A vessel as claimed in claim 1 wherein said two swivelling arms are provided with a lower extension for holding said element for cut-ting branches.
4. A vessel as claimed in claim 1 wherein said element for cut-ting branches comprises: two toothed knives, each having their teeth directed towards the advance front of the vessel, one of said knives being fixed and the other one being reciprocally slidable on said first knife, the slidable knife being in turn coupled to a member for imparting said reciprocating movement.
5. A vessel as claimed in claim 3 wherein the lower ends of said swivellable arms which hold said net and said cutting element are hung by means of cables hanging from a hoisting mechanism, whereby said arms may be fixed at different depths and angles.
6. A vessel as claimed in claim 1 wherein said helices which are located inside said water tunnel are coupled to respective driving en-gines which are adjustably fixable at selective levels.
7. The vessel of claim 6 wherein said engines are fixable be-tween the draught water line of said vessel and the bottom of said floats.
8. A vessel as claimed in claim 6 wherein the engines to which said driving helices are coupled are hung from respective cables extending from said platform up to corresponding blocks,
9. A vessel as claimed in claim 1 including a mesh gate corres-ponding to rear opening of said net, said mesh gate being swivellable with respect to its upper edge, said mesh gate being located at a level higher than said draught water line of said vessel, the lower edge of said mesh gate coinciding with the horizontal edge of said rear opening.
10. A vessel as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cage for receiving said cut branches comprises: a structure including side and bottom meshes, said structure being secured to side floats, said side floats thereby main-taining said mesh semi-submersed, with said bottom meshes being substantially coplanar with the lower edge of said rear opening of said net which is adapted to collect said branches.
11. A vessel as claimed in claim 10 wherein said cage for receiv-ing said cut branches has mesh opening gates in its front and rear faces.
12. A vessel as claimed in claim 10 wherein each cage includes engaging means, said engaging means being releasable with respect to said vessel floating assembly, said engaging means being located at least on the front end, whereby said cages are capable of tandem coupling.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AR28053280A AR219028A1 (en) | 1980-04-01 | 1980-04-01 | BOAT FOR HARVESTING SEAWEED AND SIMILAR |
| AR219,024 | 1980-04-01 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1147149A true CA1147149A (en) | 1983-05-31 |
Family
ID=3474836
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000374225A Expired CA1147149A (en) | 1980-04-01 | 1981-03-30 | Vessel for gathering marine seaweed |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AR (1) | AR219028A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1147149A (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2073568B (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN116918563A (en) * | 2023-09-14 | 2023-10-24 | 福建亿达食品有限公司 | Kelp mechanized automatic harvesting device and harvesting method thereof |
Families Citing this family (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4696149A (en) * | 1985-09-27 | 1987-09-29 | Hawk James L | Aquatic weed control method and apparatus |
| US6920744B2 (en) * | 2002-09-16 | 2005-07-26 | Clarence W. Shonnard | Apparatus and method for cutting and harvesting infestations of aquatic vegetation and/or skimming algae/floating vegetation |
| FR2957750B1 (en) * | 2010-03-26 | 2012-09-28 | Pierre Rene Gabriel Foulon | EXTRACTION BODY OF ALGAE IN SUSPENSION IN WATER |
| WO2016012529A1 (en) * | 2014-07-23 | 2016-01-28 | Géco Ingénierie | Device and method for dredging a watercourse or body of water, bag for plant matter, and method for storing plant matter |
| FR3022268B1 (en) * | 2014-06-11 | 2018-09-14 | Geco Ingenierie | SOLID RETENTION DEVICE, METHODS OF MANUFACTURING AND FIXING SUCH A DEVICE |
| CN107409611A (en) * | 2017-05-12 | 2017-12-01 | 上海勘测设计研究院有限公司 | Ship borne type aquatic plant harvesting apparatus |
| CN109089537B (en) * | 2018-07-18 | 2021-05-11 | 郭毅 | Agricultural aquatic plant reaping apparatus |
| CN114182708A (en) * | 2021-12-17 | 2022-03-15 | 施庆岗 | Algae removing machine |
| GB2619554B (en) * | 2022-06-10 | 2024-10-02 | Seaweed Generation Ltd | A method and vessel for carbon sequestration |
-
1980
- 1980-04-01 AR AR28053280A patent/AR219028A1/en active
-
1981
- 1981-03-30 CA CA000374225A patent/CA1147149A/en not_active Expired
- 1981-03-31 GB GB8110086A patent/GB2073568B/en not_active Expired
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN116918563A (en) * | 2023-09-14 | 2023-10-24 | 福建亿达食品有限公司 | Kelp mechanized automatic harvesting device and harvesting method thereof |
| CN116918563B (en) * | 2023-09-14 | 2023-11-24 | 福建亿达食品有限公司 | Kelp mechanized automatic harvesting device and harvesting method thereof |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2073568B (en) | 1983-07-27 |
| AR219028A1 (en) | 1980-07-15 |
| GB2073568A (en) | 1981-10-21 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| MKEX | Expiry |