CA1269845A - Suction harvester for aquatic plants and animals - Google Patents
Suction harvester for aquatic plants and animalsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1269845A CA1269845A CA000518745A CA518745A CA1269845A CA 1269845 A CA1269845 A CA 1269845A CA 000518745 A CA000518745 A CA 000518745A CA 518745 A CA518745 A CA 518745A CA 1269845 A CA1269845 A CA 1269845A
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- Prior art keywords
- nozzle
- vessel
- pump
- aquatic plants
- water
- Prior art date
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
"SUCTION HARVESTER FOR AQUATIC PLANTS AND ANIMALS"
A suction harvester for aquatic plants and animals comprising a variable rate centrifugal pump capable of handling solids mounted on a vessel (1) and connected to a manoeuvrable nozzle (14). The operator can control the placement of the nozzle (14) and degree of suction applied by the pump to selectively harvest weed or algal mats etc.
from the bed of the water body.
A location or manoeuvring system for the vessel (1) in shallow water is also described, comprising spiked wheels (46) driven by independent motors (40) on the end of adjustable arms, (41), the spikes engaging the bed of the water body for accurate location and propulsion with minimum disturbance.
"SUCTION HARVESTER FOR AQUATIC PLANTS AND ANIMALS"
A suction harvester for aquatic plants and animals comprising a variable rate centrifugal pump capable of handling solids mounted on a vessel (1) and connected to a manoeuvrable nozzle (14). The operator can control the placement of the nozzle (14) and degree of suction applied by the pump to selectively harvest weed or algal mats etc.
from the bed of the water body.
A location or manoeuvring system for the vessel (1) in shallow water is also described, comprising spiked wheels (46) driven by independent motors (40) on the end of adjustable arms, (41), the spikes engaging the bed of the water body for accurate location and propulsion with minimum disturbance.
Description
6~
"SUCTION HARVESTER FOR A~UATIC PLANTS AND ANIMALS"
T HNICAL FIELD
This invention relate6 to a 6uction harvezter for aquatic plants and animal~ and ha6 been devi~ed particularly ~hough not solely for the control of nui~ance aquatic plant or animal zpecie~.
BACKGROUND ART
In the past various types of aquatic harve6ters or weed cutter~ have been provided, operating on a princi~le whereby aquatic plants are mechanically cu~ at the end o~
a moving conveyor belt which then carries the plants on board the harvester. Such harvesters have the disadvantage that ~he harvesting i~ not selective in that all material above the height of the cutting blades iz ~5 removed. Such machinery is also of considerable weight, requiring a comparatively deep draught ves~el in order to accommodate the machinery in a ve~sel of manoeuvrable proportion~. This is a dizadvantage with an aquatic harve~er which iB frequently reguired to operate in sh~llow water aa aqu~tic plant~ ar~ mozt prevelant in shallow water due to light penetration.
Some known aquatic harvQ~terz are ~upported by wheel~
or trac~ which run on the sea bed (or lake bedO etc.) to support the harvester, rather than being supported by a float veszel. Such land bas~d machinery has the di~advantage tha~ i~ can often GaUse ecological damage to the zea bed due to the di~turbance caused by the wheelz or tracks.
It ifi a further feature of known type~ of floa~ing harve~ters that they are norm~lly powered by devices ~uch a~ paddle wheels which are inefficient in their u~e of energy, and more importantly, provide no refarence to the bottom Or the water body. Drif~ due to wind and current6 ma~e~ pre~ize harvefiting of an area difficul~. if no~
impo~sibl~, ~hQeled or track~d harve6ti~g machinery provide~ good ground r~ferenca but cau6ez con~iderable di~turbance to ~he subztra~e and da~ag~ ~o t~e ecology of ~2~9~
the aquatic environment.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a ~uction harve~ter for aquatic plants and harve6ter6 which will obviate or minimise the foregoing disadvantage~ in a ~imple yet effective manner, or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.
DISC~OSU~E OF INVENTION
~ ccordingly, in one a~peot the invention consis~s in a method o~ harvesting aquatic plants and animals comprising the steps of:
(1~ providing a vessel incorporating a manoeuvrable nozzle protruding therefrom connected to a pump arranged to ~uck water through the nozzle;
"SUCTION HARVESTER FOR A~UATIC PLANTS AND ANIMALS"
T HNICAL FIELD
This invention relate6 to a 6uction harvezter for aquatic plants and animal~ and ha6 been devi~ed particularly ~hough not solely for the control of nui~ance aquatic plant or animal zpecie~.
BACKGROUND ART
In the past various types of aquatic harve6ters or weed cutter~ have been provided, operating on a princi~le whereby aquatic plants are mechanically cu~ at the end o~
a moving conveyor belt which then carries the plants on board the harvester. Such harvesters have the disadvantage that ~he harvesting i~ not selective in that all material above the height of the cutting blades iz ~5 removed. Such machinery is also of considerable weight, requiring a comparatively deep draught ves~el in order to accommodate the machinery in a ve~sel of manoeuvrable proportion~. This is a dizadvantage with an aquatic harve~er which iB frequently reguired to operate in sh~llow water aa aqu~tic plant~ ar~ mozt prevelant in shallow water due to light penetration.
Some known aquatic harvQ~terz are ~upported by wheel~
or trac~ which run on the sea bed (or lake bedO etc.) to support the harvester, rather than being supported by a float veszel. Such land bas~d machinery has the di~advantage tha~ i~ can often GaUse ecological damage to the zea bed due to the di~turbance caused by the wheelz or tracks.
It ifi a further feature of known type~ of floa~ing harve~ters that they are norm~lly powered by devices ~uch a~ paddle wheels which are inefficient in their u~e of energy, and more importantly, provide no refarence to the bottom Or the water body. Drif~ due to wind and current6 ma~e~ pre~ize harvefiting of an area difficul~. if no~
impo~sibl~, ~hQeled or track~d harve6ti~g machinery provide~ good ground r~ferenca but cau6ez con~iderable di~turbance to ~he subztra~e and da~ag~ ~o t~e ecology of ~2~9~
the aquatic environment.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a ~uction harve~ter for aquatic plants and harve6ter6 which will obviate or minimise the foregoing disadvantage~ in a ~imple yet effective manner, or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.
DISC~OSU~E OF INVENTION
~ ccordingly, in one a~peot the invention consis~s in a method o~ harvesting aquatic plants and animals comprising the steps of:
(1~ providing a vessel incorporating a manoeuvrable nozzle protruding therefrom connected to a pump arranged to ~uck water through the nozzle;
(2) manoeuvring the ve~sel and~or ~he nozzle to locate the nozzle in a po~ition adjacent aquatic plant6 or animals desired to be harvested;
(3) operating the pump to ~uck water and entrained aquatic plants or animal~ ~hrough the nozzle; and
(4) di~charying the water and entrained aquatic plant~ or animals from ~he pump to a desired di~charge location.
Preferably the pump compri~es a variable rate pump and the method includes selecting the ~low rate of water through the pump to control the degree Oe ~uction applied to the nozzle.
P~eferably the nozzle i6 manoeuvred through a controlled ~weep pa~tern relati~e to the ves~el during operation of the pum~.
Preferably the ve6~1 i8 manoeuvred in shallow water by controlled rotatlon of a plural~ty of wheels with radially extending spike~, the wheelfi having substantially horizontal axe~ and being mounted to the ve~sel ~uch ~at the wheels may be rai6ed or lowered to engage the ends of the lowermost 6pikes with the bed of the body of w~ter in which the vessel is floating.
In a further as~ct ~he invent~on con~st~ in a harvester ~or aqu~tic plant~ and animal~ compri~ing a -" ~2~845 suport vessel. a manoeuvrable nozzle protruding from the ve~sel, and a pump arranged to ~uck water and entrained aquatic plants or animal~ through the nozzle and discharge them to a de~ired discharge location.
Preferably the nozzle ~orms the outer end of a nozzle ar~ extending radially outwardly from a substantially vertical pivot mounted on the vessel, and wherein actuation means are provided arranged to rotationally oscillate the nozzle arm about the pivot causing the no7,zle to sweep back and forth through a predetermined arc.
Preferably the height o~ the nozzle arm is adjustable relative to the vessel.
Preferably the pump has a variable flow rate controlled by an operator of the harvester.
Preferably the pump is provided with an auxiliary priming pump arranged to ~upply water under pressure into the suction chamber of the main pump, the priming pump being operable on demand by an operator to back flu6h the nozzle and clear any blockage therein, Preferably the vessel i~ provided with a plurality of wheels controllably rotatable by drive means about ~ub~tan~ially horizontal axes, each wheel having a plurality of radially extending spikes and being mounted to the vessel such that the wheel~ may be raised~or lowered to engage the end6 of the lowermost spikes with the bed of the body of water in wbich the vessel i~
floating, Preferably each whsel is mounted on the end of an arm attached to the ves~el by way of a ~ubstantially horizontal pivo~ each ~heel being able to be rai6ed or lowered by pivoting the arm r21ative to the ~essel.
BRI~F DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Notwithstdnding any othsr ~orms that may fall within it~ ~cope~ one pre~erred form of the invention will ~ow be de~cribed. by way of exa~ple only, wi~h referenc~ to ~he accompanying drawing~, in which:~
Fig. 1 is ~ diagra~matic ~ide view of a ~uction " ~2~j~38~5 ~arvester according to the invention:
Fig. 2 i~ a diagrammatic plan view of the harvester ~hown in Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic frontal view of the harvester shown in Fig. l;
Fig. 4 i~ a side view to an enlarged scale of the nozzle actuation and control mechanism of the harve6ter ~hown in Fig. l; and Fig. ~ is a plan view of the nozzle o~cillation actuation mechanism shown in Fig. 4.
MOD~S POR CARRYING OUT TH~ INVENTI~N
In the preerred ~orm of the invention a suction harvester for aqua~ic plant~ and/or animals i~ con~tructed a~ follows.
~5 The harvester co1npri~e~ a ves~el of any conveniant configuration bu~ pre~erably in the form of a barge formed ~rom t~o ~ealed pontoons ~1) located either side of and secured to a central open-top barge t2) which is preferably of shorter length than the pontoons (1), leaving a~ area o~ open wat~r between the pontoons at ~he f~ont of the ves~el. The central barge (2) is used ~o ~upport and locate an engine (3) (preferably a di~sel engine) coupled to hydraulic pumps (4) and (5). Also within the central barge (2) there is loca~ed a ' cerltrifugal pump (6) driven by way of a coupling (7) fro~
a hydraulic motor (8) connected to and driven by the hydraulic pump (4) by way of hydraulic lines (9).
The hydraulic motor (8~ i~ pref~rably a v~riable ~peed hydraulic motor con~rolled by ~uitable hydraulic valvinq (not ~hown) under the control of an op~rator from hi~ po~ition in a control cabi~ ~10). The control cabin i6 preferably located at the front end o~ the vessQl ~o that the operator has a good view of the ~uction nozzle (as described below~.
The centri~ugal pump (6) i~ pre~erably a high volumQ
c~ntri~ugal pu~p capable of han~ling ~olid m~t~rials and ifi ~ypi~ally o~ the inducsd vortex type. Whe~ operati~g 8~
- s with certain aquatic material~ it may b~ necessary to employ a ma~cerating impeller in the pump to cut entrained material to a ~ize which will not bind th~ pump.
The inlet (ll) to the pump (6) i~ connected by way of a flexible hose (12) to a hollow nozzle arm (13) which terminates at it~ forward end in a nozzle (14) protruding ~orwardly ~rom ~he ves~el. The outlet (15j from the pump (6) is also coupled to a flexible hose (~6) for discharge o~ material $ro~ ~he pump to a de~ired di~charge location.
A gland pump (17) is provided, driven by the motor ~3), and arranged to pump water from an inlet immersed in a ~trainer (not ~hown) at the rear of the vessel to ~he bearing of the ~ain pump (6).
The main pump (6) is primed by an auxiliary centrifugal priming pump (18~ driven by a hydraulic motor (19) ~upplied with hydraulic ~luid under pres~ure ~rom the hydraulic pump (5) which i~ driven by the motor (~) and also u~ed to provide hydrualic fluid under pre~sure to various hydraulic ram~ on the harve~ter a~ will be described further below. The auxiliary priming pump (18) draw~ water ~rom an i~let immer~ed beneath ~he ~e~sel and ~upplie~ that wa~er under pre~ure through a conduit (20) by way o~ a non-return val~e (21) into the inlet chamber of the main pump (6). In this way the auxiliary priming pump may be u~ed to fill the inlet to the main pump (6) with water to prime the main pump prior to operation.
Reservoi~6 o~ hydraulic Eluid and oP fuel for the motor (3) may be conveniently located in tank6 t22) and (23) located in the pontoons (1). The nozzle arm (13~ i~
located and manoeuvred by an a~paratu~ which w;ll now ~e de~ribed with particular r~ference to FigE. 4 and 5.
The nozzle arm (13) i~ supported by a ver~ical 6ha~t (29) which is typically welded to the nozzle arm at point (25). A6 an optional faature the nozzle arm which i~
~hown horizon~ally mounted in the attached drawi~gg, ~ay be ~ecured ~o ~he vertical ~ha~t ~24~ by way of a horizontal ~i~ot, enabling the nozzle arm to be tiltQd ~ 9~s downwardly ~o a predetermined inclination.
The vertical ~haft (24~ i~ located within a tube (25) and axially ~upported within the tube by way of a collar (26) 50 that the shaft protrude~ from the top and bottom of the tube (25). The tube (25) is in turn located by a platform (27) and ~upport bracing (28).
The platform ~27) i~ in turn located by rollers (28) engaged with ver~ical columns (29) extending upwardly from a platform (30) located on the pontoon~ (1). The height of the platfor~ (27) may be adjusted relative to the ~upport platform (30) by moving the rollers (28) up and down within channels in the column~ (29) under the control of a double acting hydraulic ram (31) secured at its lower end (32) to the platform (30) and havin~ it~ upper end (33) connected to support struts (34) which in turn engage with and support the platform (27) and the vertical tube (25). In thi6 manner the en~ire platform (27), the tube (25), ~haft (2~) and nozzl~ arm (13) may be moved vert;cally by op~ration of the hydraulic ram (31) supplied with hydraulic pre~sur~ from the pump (5) controlled by a valve opsrated by an operator in the cabin ~10).
The nozzle arm (13) i~ caused to rotationally o~cillate about the pivot formed by the ~er~ical ~haft (24) by way of an actu~ting mechanism comprising'radial arm~ (35) (Fig. S~ extending outwardly from the ~haft (2~) and connected at their outer end~ to yoke6 (36) corlnected in turn o~ the actuating rods (37) of hydraulic rams (38~, anchored at their oppo~ite end6 to a 6upport bracket (39) on the plat~orm (27~. The hydraulic rams (38) are operated by hydraulic fluid 6upplied ~rom the pump ~5) through a pre~ure opQr~tsd hydraulic pllot Va1V~D
activated au~omat~cally at the end of each ~weep of She nozzl~ arm (13), reversing the ~low of hydraulic oil through the rams (38) and consequently She dirsction of 06cillation of ~he nozzle arm ~13). The ~weep 6peed i~
controllabl~ by a valve in the operator'~ ca~;n ~10~ and the length o~ the 6~ee~ i~ aajustable by altering the di~tance along the radial arm~ ~34) and (35~ at which the yoke~ (36) are located.
In this manner the nozzle arm (13~ may be cau~ed to oscillate about the pivot of the shaft (24) through a predetermined arc at a speed controlled by the operator, while the height of the nozzle ~rm and hence of the nozzle (14) may al60 be cont~olled by the operator by way of hydraulic ram t31).
The vessel may be propelled in deep water by any ~uitable propulsion means such as an outboard motor or a drive leg powered directed or indirectly by the motor (3), or al~ernatively may be towed to a de~ired 6hallow water location for o~eration. Once in the ~hallow water location the vessel is po~itioned and manoeuvred by way of wheels (90) having horizontal axe~ and mounted on the snds of arm~ (41) pivo~ally mounted to the ~ide~ of the pontoons (1) by way of horizontal pivot pin~ (g2) and rotatable thereabout by hydraulic rams ~43) operable be~ween trunions (44) on the arms (~1) and support lug~
(45) attached to the pontoon. Opera~ion of th~ hydraulic rams (43) cause~ the arm~ (41~ to rotate and hence rai6e or lower the wheel~ (40) relative to the ve~sel, In the preferred for~. o~ the invention two ~uch se~ of wheels and arm~ are provided located on eith0r side of ~he ve~6el and protruding ~orwa~dly therefrom a6 ~hown in Pig~, 1 and .
Each wheel (40) i~ provided with radially extending 6pikes (46) which can engage with the 6ea bed ~or th~ bed of any other water body in ~hich the water i~ floating) upon lo~ering of the arm to a de~ired depth. Each wheel i6 provided with a hydraul~c drive motor (47~ able to rotate the whe~l when powered by hydraulic fluid fiupplied under pres6ure from the pum~ 55) by way of ~ontrol valve~
in the operator'~ cabin ~10), By operating tho~e control valva~ the operator can indep~ndently rotate each of ~he drive ~o~or~ (47) at a d~ir~d ~peed and hence cause each ~piked wheel to ~ove forwardly or backw~rdly propelling or manoeuvring the ve~sel to a de~ired location. The two drive moto~6 (47) May of course be operated independently, e.g. one forward and one in rever~e, ~o cau~e the ve~sel to turn in a de~ired manner.
~here required for further location of the vessel a further pair o~ arm6 (48) may also be provided at the rear of the ves~el pivotally mounted to ~he pontoons by way of pivot~ (4~A) controlled by hydraulic ram6 (50) in a similar manner to the arms (41), pivot~ (42) and hydraulic rams (43), re~pectively. The arms (48) are al~o provided with ~p;ked wheel~ (49) which are free to free-wbeel on the ends of the arms (48~ and are not provided with hydraulic drive motor~.
In u~e the harvester i~ po~i~ioned in a location where it i~ de~ired to harve~t aquatic plan~ or animals whereupon the vessel may be manoeuvred into a de~ired location and held in that location by engaging the 6piked wheel~ (4V) and (49) with the ~ea bed and manipulating the hydraulic motor~ (47) accordingly. The pump (6) may then be driven at a desired speed by ~he hydraulic motor (8) causing water to be ~ucked into the pump ~rom the nozzle (14) and di~charged through the outlet ho~e (16). The nozzle (14) is vertically po~itioned by the operator by way of the hydraulic ram (31) ~o as ~o 1ocate th~ nozzle at the de~ired depth and the nozzle i~ then o~cillated over a predetermined swee~ path by operation o~ the hydraulic rams (38). The oeerator in ~he cabin ~lO) may control the ~weep rate of the nozzle, and the deyree of suction applied by the pump (6) ~o a~ to achieve the de~ired harvesting e~fect which may vary depending on the loca~ion an~ th~ plant or anim~l which it is desired ~o harvest. The dire~t 6uctivn principle allow~ the force applied to the m~teri~l ~o be harv~ted to be altered by adju~ting pu~p ~peed and the operat;ng depth of the nozzle in the wat~r column. In thi~ way a r~ng~ of harva6ting ~unction~ i~ made pos~ible. ~or ~xample, management plans m~y require t~e total cleari~g of an are~ ~or recreational ~ 6~
g purpo~e6, or the removal o~ floating algal mat6 ~
~i~ually enhance an area, or the removal of entangled algi and dead plant material fro~ a ~eagrass bed to improve light penetration. The ab;lity of thi~ harve~ter to re~ove material ~electively ha~ important implication~, particularly in ecologically sen~itive area6, Becau~e the machinery u~ed in ehe harvester according to the invention i~ comparatively light in weigh~, it i6 po~ible to mount the harve6ter in a shallow draught barge formed from the pontoon~ (1) and (2) so as to be operable in ~hallow water. As light penetra~ion is a major factor in limitin~ the depth of water in which aquatic plant6 will grow, the ability of the harvester to opera~e in very shallow waters is important. With the bouyancy provided by the two pontoon~ and the smaller central barge (2), the ~uction harve6ter of the type shown in the drawings draw~ approxima~ely 175 mm fully laden and it~ moving nozzle (14) i~ capable of harvesting in les~ than 300 mm of water without entraining ~ignificant amount~ of air from ~he fiurfacs. The operatin~ depth could be further reduced by providing a ~heild over the nozzle (14~ ~o inhibit vortex action. The 6hallow draught capability of the harve~ter according to the invention ~ignificantly increase~ ~he area of a shallow water bod~ over ~hich the harve~ter can operate and ~o reduce~ the need ~or, and the ecological damage cau6ed by, land based machinery u~ed in an aquatic environment.
It iz a further feature of the harvester accerding ~o the invention that the water and aquatic material i~
pa6~ed through the main pump (6) and discharged ~hrough the flexible ho~e ~16~ which can deliver to any desir~d location. Such locationE could typically be:
(a) to a ~e6h separator basket ~ituated on the harva~ter;
tb) tc a me~h 6eparator ba5ket on a transporter pontoon:
(c) dire~tly o~r ~he ~ide of the vessel should s di~ruption of al~al beds be the prime objecti~e; or (d) to a buoyed delivery hose to pump material~ to the shore.
It i~ a further ~eature of the harvester according to the invention that the propulsion and ~anoeuvring sy~tem provided by the spiked wheel~ t40~ and (99) provides good ground re~erence and so make~ accurate harve~ting po~sible. Little energy is required to propel the vessel by this method and disturbance to the substrate and ecology i~ kept to a minimum. It is also po~ible to control the location of the vezsel accura~ely against drift due to wind and currents.
It is a further feature of the invention tha~ the auxiliary priming pump (18) may be u~ed during operation to clear any blockage that may occur in the nozzle (14).
Should ~uch a blockæge occur the operator can si~ply stop the pump (6) by operating the control ~alve ~o the hydraulic motor (8~, and then activate the priming pump (18) by way of hydraulic motor (l9) cau~ing exce~ priming water to back flow ~hrough the nozzle (14) and force any blockage from the nozzle end.
Preferably the pump compri~es a variable rate pump and the method includes selecting the ~low rate of water through the pump to control the degree Oe ~uction applied to the nozzle.
P~eferably the nozzle i6 manoeuvred through a controlled ~weep pa~tern relati~e to the ves~el during operation of the pum~.
Preferably the ve6~1 i8 manoeuvred in shallow water by controlled rotatlon of a plural~ty of wheels with radially extending spike~, the wheelfi having substantially horizontal axe~ and being mounted to the ve~sel ~uch ~at the wheels may be rai6ed or lowered to engage the ends of the lowermost 6pikes with the bed of the body of w~ter in which the vessel is floating.
In a further as~ct ~he invent~on con~st~ in a harvester ~or aqu~tic plant~ and animal~ compri~ing a -" ~2~845 suport vessel. a manoeuvrable nozzle protruding from the ve~sel, and a pump arranged to ~uck water and entrained aquatic plants or animal~ through the nozzle and discharge them to a de~ired discharge location.
Preferably the nozzle ~orms the outer end of a nozzle ar~ extending radially outwardly from a substantially vertical pivot mounted on the vessel, and wherein actuation means are provided arranged to rotationally oscillate the nozzle arm about the pivot causing the no7,zle to sweep back and forth through a predetermined arc.
Preferably the height o~ the nozzle arm is adjustable relative to the vessel.
Preferably the pump has a variable flow rate controlled by an operator of the harvester.
Preferably the pump is provided with an auxiliary priming pump arranged to ~upply water under pressure into the suction chamber of the main pump, the priming pump being operable on demand by an operator to back flu6h the nozzle and clear any blockage therein, Preferably the vessel i~ provided with a plurality of wheels controllably rotatable by drive means about ~ub~tan~ially horizontal axes, each wheel having a plurality of radially extending spikes and being mounted to the vessel such that the wheel~ may be raised~or lowered to engage the end6 of the lowermost spikes with the bed of the body of water in wbich the vessel i~
floating, Preferably each whsel is mounted on the end of an arm attached to the ves~el by way of a ~ubstantially horizontal pivo~ each ~heel being able to be rai6ed or lowered by pivoting the arm r21ative to the ~essel.
BRI~F DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Notwithstdnding any othsr ~orms that may fall within it~ ~cope~ one pre~erred form of the invention will ~ow be de~cribed. by way of exa~ple only, wi~h referenc~ to ~he accompanying drawing~, in which:~
Fig. 1 is ~ diagra~matic ~ide view of a ~uction " ~2~j~38~5 ~arvester according to the invention:
Fig. 2 i~ a diagrammatic plan view of the harvester ~hown in Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic frontal view of the harvester shown in Fig. l;
Fig. 4 i~ a side view to an enlarged scale of the nozzle actuation and control mechanism of the harve6ter ~hown in Fig. l; and Fig. ~ is a plan view of the nozzle o~cillation actuation mechanism shown in Fig. 4.
MOD~S POR CARRYING OUT TH~ INVENTI~N
In the preerred ~orm of the invention a suction harvester for aqua~ic plant~ and/or animals i~ con~tructed a~ follows.
~5 The harvester co1npri~e~ a ves~el of any conveniant configuration bu~ pre~erably in the form of a barge formed ~rom t~o ~ealed pontoons ~1) located either side of and secured to a central open-top barge t2) which is preferably of shorter length than the pontoons (1), leaving a~ area o~ open wat~r between the pontoons at ~he f~ont of the ves~el. The central barge (2) is used ~o ~upport and locate an engine (3) (preferably a di~sel engine) coupled to hydraulic pumps (4) and (5). Also within the central barge (2) there is loca~ed a ' cerltrifugal pump (6) driven by way of a coupling (7) fro~
a hydraulic motor (8) connected to and driven by the hydraulic pump (4) by way of hydraulic lines (9).
The hydraulic motor (8~ i~ pref~rably a v~riable ~peed hydraulic motor con~rolled by ~uitable hydraulic valvinq (not ~hown) under the control of an op~rator from hi~ po~ition in a control cabi~ ~10). The control cabin i6 preferably located at the front end o~ the vessQl ~o that the operator has a good view of the ~uction nozzle (as described below~.
The centri~ugal pump (6) i~ pre~erably a high volumQ
c~ntri~ugal pu~p capable of han~ling ~olid m~t~rials and ifi ~ypi~ally o~ the inducsd vortex type. Whe~ operati~g 8~
- s with certain aquatic material~ it may b~ necessary to employ a ma~cerating impeller in the pump to cut entrained material to a ~ize which will not bind th~ pump.
The inlet (ll) to the pump (6) i~ connected by way of a flexible hose (12) to a hollow nozzle arm (13) which terminates at it~ forward end in a nozzle (14) protruding ~orwardly ~rom ~he ves~el. The outlet (15j from the pump (6) is also coupled to a flexible hose (~6) for discharge o~ material $ro~ ~he pump to a de~ired di~charge location.
A gland pump (17) is provided, driven by the motor ~3), and arranged to pump water from an inlet immersed in a ~trainer (not ~hown) at the rear of the vessel to ~he bearing of the ~ain pump (6).
The main pump (6) is primed by an auxiliary centrifugal priming pump (18~ driven by a hydraulic motor (19) ~upplied with hydraulic ~luid under pres~ure ~rom the hydraulic pump (5) which i~ driven by the motor (~) and also u~ed to provide hydrualic fluid under pre~sure to various hydraulic ram~ on the harve~ter a~ will be described further below. The auxiliary priming pump (18) draw~ water ~rom an i~let immer~ed beneath ~he ~e~sel and ~upplie~ that wa~er under pre~ure through a conduit (20) by way o~ a non-return val~e (21) into the inlet chamber of the main pump (6). In this way the auxiliary priming pump may be u~ed to fill the inlet to the main pump (6) with water to prime the main pump prior to operation.
Reservoi~6 o~ hydraulic Eluid and oP fuel for the motor (3) may be conveniently located in tank6 t22) and (23) located in the pontoons (1). The nozzle arm (13~ i~
located and manoeuvred by an a~paratu~ which w;ll now ~e de~ribed with particular r~ference to FigE. 4 and 5.
The nozzle arm (13) i~ supported by a ver~ical 6ha~t (29) which is typically welded to the nozzle arm at point (25). A6 an optional faature the nozzle arm which i~
~hown horizon~ally mounted in the attached drawi~gg, ~ay be ~ecured ~o ~he vertical ~ha~t ~24~ by way of a horizontal ~i~ot, enabling the nozzle arm to be tiltQd ~ 9~s downwardly ~o a predetermined inclination.
The vertical ~haft (24~ i~ located within a tube (25) and axially ~upported within the tube by way of a collar (26) 50 that the shaft protrude~ from the top and bottom of the tube (25). The tube (25) is in turn located by a platform (27) and ~upport bracing (28).
The platform ~27) i~ in turn located by rollers (28) engaged with ver~ical columns (29) extending upwardly from a platform (30) located on the pontoon~ (1). The height of the platfor~ (27) may be adjusted relative to the ~upport platform (30) by moving the rollers (28) up and down within channels in the column~ (29) under the control of a double acting hydraulic ram (31) secured at its lower end (32) to the platform (30) and havin~ it~ upper end (33) connected to support struts (34) which in turn engage with and support the platform (27) and the vertical tube (25). In thi6 manner the en~ire platform (27), the tube (25), ~haft (2~) and nozzl~ arm (13) may be moved vert;cally by op~ration of the hydraulic ram (31) supplied with hydraulic pre~sur~ from the pump (5) controlled by a valve opsrated by an operator in the cabin ~10).
The nozzle arm (13) i~ caused to rotationally o~cillate about the pivot formed by the ~er~ical ~haft (24) by way of an actu~ting mechanism comprising'radial arm~ (35) (Fig. S~ extending outwardly from the ~haft (2~) and connected at their outer end~ to yoke6 (36) corlnected in turn o~ the actuating rods (37) of hydraulic rams (38~, anchored at their oppo~ite end6 to a 6upport bracket (39) on the plat~orm (27~. The hydraulic rams (38) are operated by hydraulic fluid 6upplied ~rom the pump ~5) through a pre~ure opQr~tsd hydraulic pllot Va1V~D
activated au~omat~cally at the end of each ~weep of She nozzl~ arm (13), reversing the ~low of hydraulic oil through the rams (38) and consequently She dirsction of 06cillation of ~he nozzle arm ~13). The ~weep 6peed i~
controllabl~ by a valve in the operator'~ ca~;n ~10~ and the length o~ the 6~ee~ i~ aajustable by altering the di~tance along the radial arm~ ~34) and (35~ at which the yoke~ (36) are located.
In this manner the nozzle arm (13~ may be cau~ed to oscillate about the pivot of the shaft (24) through a predetermined arc at a speed controlled by the operator, while the height of the nozzle ~rm and hence of the nozzle (14) may al60 be cont~olled by the operator by way of hydraulic ram t31).
The vessel may be propelled in deep water by any ~uitable propulsion means such as an outboard motor or a drive leg powered directed or indirectly by the motor (3), or al~ernatively may be towed to a de~ired 6hallow water location for o~eration. Once in the ~hallow water location the vessel is po~itioned and manoeuvred by way of wheels (90) having horizontal axe~ and mounted on the snds of arm~ (41) pivo~ally mounted to the ~ide~ of the pontoons (1) by way of horizontal pivot pin~ (g2) and rotatable thereabout by hydraulic rams ~43) operable be~ween trunions (44) on the arms (~1) and support lug~
(45) attached to the pontoon. Opera~ion of th~ hydraulic rams (43) cause~ the arm~ (41~ to rotate and hence rai6e or lower the wheel~ (40) relative to the ve~sel, In the preferred for~. o~ the invention two ~uch se~ of wheels and arm~ are provided located on eith0r side of ~he ve~6el and protruding ~orwa~dly therefrom a6 ~hown in Pig~, 1 and .
Each wheel (40) i~ provided with radially extending 6pikes (46) which can engage with the 6ea bed ~or th~ bed of any other water body in ~hich the water i~ floating) upon lo~ering of the arm to a de~ired depth. Each wheel i6 provided with a hydraul~c drive motor (47~ able to rotate the whe~l when powered by hydraulic fluid fiupplied under pres6ure from the pum~ 55) by way of ~ontrol valve~
in the operator'~ cabin ~10), By operating tho~e control valva~ the operator can indep~ndently rotate each of ~he drive ~o~or~ (47) at a d~ir~d ~peed and hence cause each ~piked wheel to ~ove forwardly or backw~rdly propelling or manoeuvring the ve~sel to a de~ired location. The two drive moto~6 (47) May of course be operated independently, e.g. one forward and one in rever~e, ~o cau~e the ve~sel to turn in a de~ired manner.
~here required for further location of the vessel a further pair o~ arm6 (48) may also be provided at the rear of the ves~el pivotally mounted to ~he pontoons by way of pivot~ (4~A) controlled by hydraulic ram6 (50) in a similar manner to the arms (41), pivot~ (42) and hydraulic rams (43), re~pectively. The arms (48) are al~o provided with ~p;ked wheel~ (49) which are free to free-wbeel on the ends of the arms (48~ and are not provided with hydraulic drive motor~.
In u~e the harvester i~ po~i~ioned in a location where it i~ de~ired to harve~t aquatic plan~ or animals whereupon the vessel may be manoeuvred into a de~ired location and held in that location by engaging the 6piked wheel~ (4V) and (49) with the ~ea bed and manipulating the hydraulic motor~ (47) accordingly. The pump (6) may then be driven at a desired speed by ~he hydraulic motor (8) causing water to be ~ucked into the pump ~rom the nozzle (14) and di~charged through the outlet ho~e (16). The nozzle (14) is vertically po~itioned by the operator by way of the hydraulic ram (31) ~o as ~o 1ocate th~ nozzle at the de~ired depth and the nozzle i~ then o~cillated over a predetermined swee~ path by operation o~ the hydraulic rams (38). The oeerator in ~he cabin ~lO) may control the ~weep rate of the nozzle, and the deyree of suction applied by the pump (6) ~o a~ to achieve the de~ired harvesting e~fect which may vary depending on the loca~ion an~ th~ plant or anim~l which it is desired ~o harvest. The dire~t 6uctivn principle allow~ the force applied to the m~teri~l ~o be harv~ted to be altered by adju~ting pu~p ~peed and the operat;ng depth of the nozzle in the wat~r column. In thi~ way a r~ng~ of harva6ting ~unction~ i~ made pos~ible. ~or ~xample, management plans m~y require t~e total cleari~g of an are~ ~or recreational ~ 6~
g purpo~e6, or the removal o~ floating algal mat6 ~
~i~ually enhance an area, or the removal of entangled algi and dead plant material fro~ a ~eagrass bed to improve light penetration. The ab;lity of thi~ harve~ter to re~ove material ~electively ha~ important implication~, particularly in ecologically sen~itive area6, Becau~e the machinery u~ed in ehe harvester according to the invention i~ comparatively light in weigh~, it i6 po~ible to mount the harve6ter in a shallow draught barge formed from the pontoon~ (1) and (2) so as to be operable in ~hallow water. As light penetra~ion is a major factor in limitin~ the depth of water in which aquatic plant6 will grow, the ability of the harvester to opera~e in very shallow waters is important. With the bouyancy provided by the two pontoon~ and the smaller central barge (2), the ~uction harve6ter of the type shown in the drawings draw~ approxima~ely 175 mm fully laden and it~ moving nozzle (14) i~ capable of harvesting in les~ than 300 mm of water without entraining ~ignificant amount~ of air from ~he fiurfacs. The operatin~ depth could be further reduced by providing a ~heild over the nozzle (14~ ~o inhibit vortex action. The 6hallow draught capability of the harve~ter according to the invention ~ignificantly increase~ ~he area of a shallow water bod~ over ~hich the harve~ter can operate and ~o reduce~ the need ~or, and the ecological damage cau6ed by, land based machinery u~ed in an aquatic environment.
It iz a further feature of the harvester accerding ~o the invention that the water and aquatic material i~
pa6~ed through the main pump (6) and discharged ~hrough the flexible ho~e ~16~ which can deliver to any desir~d location. Such locationE could typically be:
(a) to a ~e6h separator basket ~ituated on the harva~ter;
tb) tc a me~h 6eparator ba5ket on a transporter pontoon:
(c) dire~tly o~r ~he ~ide of the vessel should s di~ruption of al~al beds be the prime objecti~e; or (d) to a buoyed delivery hose to pump material~ to the shore.
It i~ a further ~eature of the harvester according to the invention that the propulsion and ~anoeuvring sy~tem provided by the spiked wheel~ t40~ and (99) provides good ground re~erence and so make~ accurate harve~ting po~sible. Little energy is required to propel the vessel by this method and disturbance to the substrate and ecology i~ kept to a minimum. It is also po~ible to control the location of the vezsel accura~ely against drift due to wind and currents.
It is a further feature of the invention tha~ the auxiliary priming pump (18) may be u~ed during operation to clear any blockage that may occur in the nozzle (14).
Should ~uch a blockæge occur the operator can si~ply stop the pump (6) by operating the control ~alve ~o the hydraulic motor (8~, and then activate the priming pump (18) by way of hydraulic motor (l9) cau~ing exce~ priming water to back flow ~hrough the nozzle (14) and force any blockage from the nozzle end.
Claims (9)
1. A method of harvesting aquatic plants comprising the steps of:
(1) providing a vessel incorporating a manoeuvrable nozzle protruding therefrom connected to a pump arranged to suck water through the nozzle;
(2) manoeuvring the nozzle relative to the vessel by sweeping the nozzle from side to side in a controlled sweep pattern adjacent aquatic plants;
(3) operating the pump to suck water and entrained aquatic plants through the nozzle; and (4) discharging the water and entrained aquatic plants from the pump to a desired discharge location.
(1) providing a vessel incorporating a manoeuvrable nozzle protruding therefrom connected to a pump arranged to suck water through the nozzle;
(2) manoeuvring the nozzle relative to the vessel by sweeping the nozzle from side to side in a controlled sweep pattern adjacent aquatic plants;
(3) operating the pump to suck water and entrained aquatic plants through the nozzle; and (4) discharging the water and entrained aquatic plants from the pump to a desired discharge location.
2. A method of harvesting aquatic plants as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pump comprises a variable rate pump and the method includes selecting the flow rate of water through the pump to control the degree of suction applied to the nozzle.
3. A method of harvesting aquatic plants comprising the steps of:
(1) providing a vessel incorporating a manoeuvrable nozzle protruding therefrom connected to a pump arranged to suck water through the nozzle;
(2) manoeuvring the nozzle relative to the vessel by sweeping the nozzle from side to side in a controlled sweep pattern adjacent aquatic plants;
(3) operating the pump to suck water and entrained aquatic plants through the nozzle;
(4) discharging the water and entrained aquatic plants from the pump to a desired discharge location; and (5) manoeuvering the vessel in shallow water by controlled rotation of a plurality of wheels with radially extending spikes, the wheels having substantially horizontal axes and being mounted to the vessel such that the wheels may be raised or lowered to engage the ends of the lowermost spikes with the bed of the body of water in which the vessel is floating.
(1) providing a vessel incorporating a manoeuvrable nozzle protruding therefrom connected to a pump arranged to suck water through the nozzle;
(2) manoeuvring the nozzle relative to the vessel by sweeping the nozzle from side to side in a controlled sweep pattern adjacent aquatic plants;
(3) operating the pump to suck water and entrained aquatic plants through the nozzle;
(4) discharging the water and entrained aquatic plants from the pump to a desired discharge location; and (5) manoeuvering the vessel in shallow water by controlled rotation of a plurality of wheels with radially extending spikes, the wheels having substantially horizontal axes and being mounted to the vessel such that the wheels may be raised or lowered to engage the ends of the lowermost spikes with the bed of the body of water in which the vessel is floating.
4. A harvester for aquatic plants comprising a support vessel, a manoeuvrable nozzle protruding from the vessel and arranged to sweep from side to side relative to the vessel, and a pump arranged to suck water and entrained aquatic plants through the nozzle and discharge them to a desired discharge location.
5. A harvester as claimed in claim 5, wherein the nozzle forms the outer end of a nozzle arm extending radially outwardly from a substantially vertical pivot mounted on the vessel, and wherein actuation means are provided arranged to rotationally oscillate the nozzle arm about the pivot causing the nozzle to sweep back and forth through a predetermined arc.
6. A harvester as claimed in claim 5, wherein the height of the nozzle arm is adjustable relative to the vessel.
7. A harvester as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the pump has a variable flow rate controllable by an operator.
8. A harvester for aquatic plants comprising a support vessel, a manoeuvrable nozzle protruding from the vessel and arranged to sweep from side to side relative to the vessel, and a pump arranged to suck water and entrained aquatic plants through the nozzle and discharge them to a desired discharge location wherein the vessel is provided with a plurality of wheels controllably rotatable by drive means about substantially horizontal axes, each wheel having a plurality of radially extending spikes and being mounted to the vessel such that the wheels may be raised or lowered to engage the ends of the lowermost spikes with the bed of the body of water in which the vessel is floating.
9. A harvester as claimed in claim 8, wherein each wheel is mounted on the end of an arm attached to the vessel by way of a substantially horizontal pivot and wherein the wheel is able to be raised or lowered by pivoting the arm relative to the vessel.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000518745A CA1269845A (en) | 1986-09-22 | 1986-09-22 | Suction harvester for aquatic plants and animals |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000518745A CA1269845A (en) | 1986-09-22 | 1986-09-22 | Suction harvester for aquatic plants and animals |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1269845A true CA1269845A (en) | 1990-06-05 |
Family
ID=4133986
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000518745A Expired CA1269845A (en) | 1986-09-22 | 1986-09-22 | Suction harvester for aquatic plants and animals |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1269845A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN104663120A (en) * | 2015-03-27 | 2015-06-03 | 中国水产科学研究院黑龙江水产研究所 | Device and method for collecting field periphytic algae in open water stage |
| CN114980728A (en) * | 2019-12-02 | 2022-08-30 | 飞拓公司 | System and method for aquatic plant harvesting |
-
1986
- 1986-09-22 CA CA000518745A patent/CA1269845A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN104663120A (en) * | 2015-03-27 | 2015-06-03 | 中国水产科学研究院黑龙江水产研究所 | Device and method for collecting field periphytic algae in open water stage |
| CN114980728A (en) * | 2019-12-02 | 2022-08-30 | 飞拓公司 | System and method for aquatic plant harvesting |
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