DE102022002208A1 - Fish descent - Google Patents

Abstract

A fish descent is a water channel artificially created on hydroelectric power plants and other transverse structures of a river for fish migration from the upper water of the river to the downstream water of the river. Conventional fish ladders lack comprehensive technical and structural design to regulate the water flow. In the fish descent according to the invention, water flow-regulating sub-elements with overflow plate, water constriction and water deflector are installed, so that the water flow is regulated over the entire water descent, with a resulting reduced mortality rate and frequency of injuries to the descending fish. A fish descent according to the invention is suitable for subsequent installation on hydroelectric power plants with conventional fish descent.

Description

Technical description.

Technical area.

The invention relates to a fish descent.

State of the art.

Fish ladders for fish ladders and fish ladders are described in detail. These are artificially created water channels for fish migration to the upper water of a river (fish ascent), or fish migration to the downstream water of a river (fish descent). Fish ladders are usually located at hydroelectric power plants or other transverse structures in rivers. The passage through a fish descent replaces the passage through water turbines or a fall from a greater height, resulting in a high risk of injury or death for fish. Fish ladders can be built alone or combined as a fish ladder and fish ladder.

CN215977088 and US 4,260,286 describe stepless and continuous fish descents without regulating the water flow. DE 202010001343 U1 describes a combined fish ascent and descent with reservoirs arranged one behind the other, with storage and deflection plates firmly integrated into the reservoirs influencing the flow conditions for ascent and descent. US 3,377,805 describes a single fish descent via staggered, horizontally aligned concrete water basins. The migration from an upper pool to a subsequent lower pool is only possible for the descending fish after manually opening locks located in the sides of the pool.

Known fish descents lack comprehensive technical and structural designs for regulating the water flow in the fish descent. Fish descents with regulations for water flow are unsuitable for an injury-free transfer of fish from the upper water to the downstream water due to the arrangement and/or surface design of the regulating devices. Most fish ladders are made of concrete elements.

Task of the invention.

The invention is based on the object of creating new technical solutions for regulating the water flow in a fish descent.

The invention is based on the further object of creating an improved fish descent as an alternative to “unregulated fish descents” on transverse structures of a river.

The invention is also based on the object of reducing the probability of injury or death to fish in the fish descent.

The invention is based on the additional task of largely avoiding decomposition of the fish's descent by water and the associated water pollution with triggered building material connections by using suitable building materials.

The invention solves these tasks according to the characterized part of protection claim 1 in that at least one sub-element is a water flow-regulating sub-element, which consists of a water container, riser plate and overflow plate.

The subclaims indicate advantageous design options for the device.

The term “water flow” used above and below is a general term to describe the amount of water flowing and the speed of flow in a fish passage.

The term “regulated fish descent” used below describes a fish descent with regulation of the water flow according to the invention. The term “unregulated fish descent” used above and below refers to a fish descent without regulation of the water flow according to the invention.

The term “upper water connection” used below describes the transition from the upper water level of a transverse structure in flowing waters into a first sub-element of the fish descent according to the invention.

The regulated fish ladder disclosed herein advantageously replaces conventional, unregulated fish ladders, particularly unregulated fish ladders made of concrete and other water-unstable materials.

The fish descent device according to the invention consists of a number of successive, water-bearing and trough-shaped sub-elements with and without water flow regulation, with all sub-elements being connected to one another and at least one sub-element being a water flow-regulating sub-element. The water flow follows the arrangement of the sub-elements from the upper water to the downstream water, so that each sub-element has an area for water inlet and water outlet.

The total number of sub-elements with and without water flow regulation, the position of the successive sub-elements relative to one another, as well as the lengths and shapes of the sub-elements of a fish ladder according to the invention are specific for a construction location, taking into account water management requirements, the terrain of the construction location and, if necessary, other non-technical parameters.

All sub-elements are installed horizontally at the installation location. All sub-elements are anchored at the installation location and stabilized against deformation using side and upper stiffeners.

All or some successive sub-elements are advantageously offset in height from one another, whereby the height difference from upstream to downstream is overcome in stages. According to the invention, the sub-elements, which are offset in height from one another, stand against one another on their opposite end walls. The end wall height of the higher sub-element is shortened by the amount of the offset between the sub-elements, and the tops of the adjacent end walls of the sub-elements are flush. The adjacent end wall surfaces are permanently connected to one another. The adjacent end wall surfaces are advantageously welded together, or permanently connected to one another in another manner known to those skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the water flow-regulating sub-element located higher in the arrangement carries a spill plate fixed to the top of its end wall for guiding the flowing water into the following lower-lying sub-element of the fish descent.

The step-like alignment of sub-elements of the fish descent according to the invention is continuous or not continuous. The step-like alignment always exists when two water flow-regulating sub-elements follow one another. The step-like alignment also exists between a water flow-regulating sub-element and a subsequent sub-element without water regulation. Two consecutive sub-elements without water flow regulation do not have a step-like alignment and flowing water does not overcome any height difference due to the horizontal alignment at the installation site.

In a preferred embodiment, a water flow-regulating sub-element consists of a trough-shaped water container with a bottom wall, two side walls, two end walls, a riser plate and an overflow plate. The end walls limit the water container at the water inlet and outlet. The maximum water level in the water container is limited by the lower end wall at the water drain and the water that overflows here flows over a spill plate into the following sub-element.

In a preferred embodiment, a water flow-regulating sub-element is rectangular and straight over its entire length. In other design configurations, it is curved throughout or has straight and curved passages along its length.

In a further design embodiment, a water flow-regulating sub-element contains only one end wall. It limits the water container at the water outlet, and the water is supplied via an upstream sub-element aligned at the same height without water flow regulation.

A sub-element without water flow regulation consists of a trough-shaped water container with a bottom wall, two side walls and at most one front wall. It has no overflow plate, no riser plate and no water constriction. It is rectangular straight throughout its entire length. In other design configurations, it is curved throughout or has straight and curved passages along its length.

An overflow plate according to the invention directs flowing water from a water flow-regulating sub-element into an adjoining, lower-lying sub-element. In a preferred structural embodiment, a flashing plate is a smooth material surface fixed to the top of the end wall (water outlet) of a water flow-regulating sub-element and shaped over the entire width of the end wall, which extends beyond the end face (water inlet) of the following sub-element into the following sub-element protrudes. Due to the step-like arrangement of the successive sub-elements, the overflow plate is at the level of the water level of the upper sub-element and above the water level of the lower sub-element. A water jet guided over the overflow plate thus falls into the water container of the following sub-element.

A flashing plate has different lengths and shapes. In a preferred embodiment, an overflow plate is short and straight, whereby a water jet breaks off almost vertically and the flow speed of the water is reduced in the following sub-element. In a further preferred embodiment, an overflow plate is long and straight, which supports a water jet and increases the flow speed in the following sub-element. In a further advantageous embodiment, a flashing plate is bent downwards at an angle at its free end Regulation of the flow rate of water. In an additional advantageous embodiment, a flashing plate is bent upwards at an angle at its free end to raise the water level in the water flow-regulating sub-element and to reduce the flow speed of the water in the following sub-element. In further embodiments not shown, the overflow plate has a complete and a partially uniaxially concave curved surface.

A flash plate is permanently or non-permanently fixed. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the flashing plate and the angle at the curved free end are set and cannot be changed. In an advantageous embodiment, not shown, the length of the overflow plate and the angle at the curved free end can be adjusted manually, in technical designs known to those skilled in the art. In a further advantageous embodiment, not shown, the length of the overflow plate and the angle at the curved free end can be adjusted automatically, in semi-automatic or fully automatic technical designs known to those skilled in the art.

A non-permanently fixed overflow plate is replaced after damage or wear, or exchanged for another overflow plate with a different shape and thus properties that change the water flow. A non-permanently fixed flashing plate is advantageously attached to an end wall using a screw, plug-in, screw-plug or other connection known to those skilled in the art. Advantageously, a flashing plate is additionally fixed to the top of the adjacent end wall (inlet) of the following sub-element for better stabilization.

The structural design of the length and shape of a spill plate enables the regulation of the water flow in the fish descent according to the invention.

A water flow-regulating sub-element according to the invention carries in its water container a riser plate which is shaped over the entire width of the water container and rises from the bottom wall to the top of the end wall (drain) as a ramp for ground fish. The riser plate is permanently attached to the bottom wall and at the transition from the inside of the end wall to the top of the end wall, such that the transition between the riser plate and a flashing plate attached to the top of the end wall is seamless. The rise angle of a riser plate varies depending on the length of the sub-element. Ground fish rise from the bottom of the higher sub-element via the riser plate to the overflow plate, and in the water jet of the overflow plate, together with the non-ground fish swimming in the water container, pass through the transition to the following water container in the lower sub-element without injury.

A riser plate also enables bottom fishers to descend without injury in the fish descent according to the invention.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, a water flow-regulating sub-element for water flow regulation additionally carries one or more water constrictions in the form of sluice gate-like water resistances. Water constrictions regulate the water jet direction and water flow speed of the water on the overflow plate. Water constrictions also regulate the water level in the water flow-regulating sub-element. According to a structural design, a water constriction is a flat element above an overflow plate in an extension of an outer side wall edge and perpendicular to the overflow plate, the element being at an angle to the inner surface of the overflow plate and thus forming a resistance to the water jet on the overflow plate. Depending on the angular position of the water constriction, the water jet is directed more or less. Advantageously, a second water constriction is fixed at the same position on the opposite side wall of the water flow-regulating sub-element. Depending on the angular positions of both water constrictions, the water jet is accelerated.

In a further advantageous design embodiment, the side wall ends of curved sub-elements without water flow regulation each have a water constriction at the water outlet. The water constrictions calm the water, which accelerates unevenly on the inner and outer walls in a water arch.

A water constriction enables the regulation of the water flow in the fish descent according to the invention.

In a further constructive embodiment, in the course of the fish descent according to the invention, a water flow-regulating sub-element and a non-regulating sub-element are positioned in a horizontal alignment in a step-like manner offset from one another in height and with the end walls against one another. The adjacent end wall surfaces are advantageously welded together, or permanently connected to one another in another manner known to those skilled in the art.

A baffle is the final element of the fish descent according to the invention. It is a partial element without water flow regulation, with a slide-like shape. Descended fish slide from the baffle from a low height into the underwater.

A baffle enables injury-free descent at the end of a fish descent according to the invention.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the fish descent according to the invention, the step-like transition between the side wall (water inlet) of an upper sub-element and the side wall (water outlet) of a lower sub-element, at the level of the water jet, is completely or partially closed by a water deflector. The size and shape of the water deflector are based on the function of preventing water loss and the associated change in water flow. In an advantageous structural design, a water deflector is triangular or square, preferably rectangular. In an advantageous exemplary embodiment, the water deflector is pentagonal.

A water deflector enables the regulation of the water flow in the fish descent according to the invention.

A fish descent according to the invention usually contains several water flow-regulating sub-elements, so that the water flow is regulated over the entire course of the fish descent. Overflow plate, water restriction and water deflector are individually adjusted on each water flow-regulating sub-element. In further embodiments, adjustable overflow plates and water constrictions are installed, as shown above.

The material of the water container, water restriction, overflow plate, riser plate, baffle plate and water deflector is water-resistant. The material is preferably a metal. In a preferred embodiment, the material is stainless steel. In a further preferred embodiment, the material is a plastic-coated stainless steel. In a further design embodiment, the material is a water-resistant non-metal.

The materials used are water-resistant and environmentally friendly; they do not release any environmentally harmful compounds. The materials used are smooth and their construction allows an injury-free transfer of fish from an upper water level through the fish descent according to the invention to a lower water level.

• 1 eine Seitenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Wasserfluss-regulierenden Fischabstiegs, in Vollschnitt,
• 2 eine isometrische Ansticht eines erfindungsgemäßen Wasserfluss-regulierenden Fischabstiegs,
• 3 eine isometrische Schnittansicht eines Teilabschnitts eines erfindungsgemäßen Wasserfluss-regulierenden Fischabstiegs,
• 4 eine isometrische Schnittansicht einer Variante des Teilabschnitts eines erfindungsgemäßen Wasserfluss-regulierenden Fischabstiegs.

The fish descent according to the invention is shown and explained in more detail below using drawings, the drawings only showing exemplary embodiments. Show:

• 1 a side view of a water flow-regulating fish descent according to the invention, in full section,
• 2 an isometric tapping of a water flow-regulating fish descent according to the invention,
• 3 an isometric sectional view of a portion of a water flow-regulating fish descent according to the invention,
• 4 an isometric sectional view of a variant of the section of a water flow-regulating fish descent according to the invention.

In the 1 , 3 and 4 The essential structural features of the new fish descent are shown in simplified form.

1 shows schematically an embodiment of the water flow-regulating fish descent 1 according to the invention in a side view, in full section. The fish descent 1 according to the invention consists of three horizontally aligned and successive water flow-regulating sub-elements 2 and a guide plate 21. A water flow-regulating sub-element 2 comprises a water container 12, a riser plate 16 and a spill plate 17, which regulates the water flow through its design and the associated Effects on water flow regulated. The 3 and 4 represent two preferred embodiments of a flashover plate 17. In 3 the overflow plate 17 is short and straight, whereby a water jet 18 directed over the overflow plate 17 breaks off vertically and slows down the flow speed in a following water container 12. 4 shows a short overflow plate 17 that is angled downwards at the free end, which also leads to a slowing of the flow rate in a following water container 12. An overflow plate 17 is fixed on the end wall tops 9 of the adjacent end walls 8, as in 3 shown.

1 clarifies that the sub-elements 2 are offset in height from one another and are connected to one another on opposite end walls 8. Each sub-element 2 has a water inlet 13 and a water outlet 14 of the water container 12. The water flow follows the arrangement of the sub-elements between the upper water level A and the lower water level B, and water from the upper water level A flows through an upper water connection 5 in the water inlet 13 of the upper sub-element 2 into the water basin ratio 12 of the upper sub-element 2. The water level height 15 in the water container 12 is limited by the lower end wall 8 on the side of the water drain 14 and water flowing in flows via an overflow plate 17 as a water jet 18 into the water container 12 of the middle sub-element 2. After the maximum Water level in the water container 12 of the middle sub-element 2, water flows over an overflow plate 17 as a water jet 18 into the water container 12 of the lower sub-element 2. After the maximum water level in the water container 12 of the lower sub-element 2 is exceeded, water flows over a overflow plate 17 as a water jet 18 into the baffle 21, which ends at a small height above the lower water level B. In the embodiment shown, there is a constant flow of water from upper water to lower water, and the water flow is regulated by the shape of the overflow plates 17.

Descending fish move with the water flow and in the water jet 18 of the overflow plates 17 gradually, passing through the three water flow-regulating sub-elements 2 shown, from the upper water to the lower water. All water flow-regulating sub-elements 2 contain a riser plate 16, which guides ground fish from the bottom of a water container 12 to the water surface, so that ground fish that have risen are also guided into the underwater with the surface current and in the water jet 18 of the overflow plates 17.

3 and 4 show that the structure of a water flow-regulating sub-element 2 differs from the structure of a sub-element without water regulation 4: Sub-element 2 contains a trough-shaped water container 12 consisting of a base trough 6, two side walls 7, two end walls 8, a riser plate 16 and an overflow plate 17, as in 3 visible. Water restrictions 19 are optional (see in 3 ) and water repellent 20 (see in 4 ) installed on sub-element 2. Partial element 4 contains a trough-shaped water container 12 consisting of a base trough 6, two side walls 7 and at most one end wall 8. A riser plate 16, an overflow plate 17, or a water constriction 19 are not included, see in 3 .

In a particularly preferred embodiment in 3 In addition to the overflow plate 17, the water flow-regulating sub-elements 2 carry a water constriction 19, an element above an overflow plate 17 in an extension of an outer side wall edge, and an element standing perpendicular to the overflow plate, which is positioned at an angle to the inner surface of the overflow plate 17 and thus provides resistance to the water jet 18 on the overflow plate 17.

A water deflector 20 also regulates the water flow. 4 shows the advantageous embodiment of a pentagonal water deflector 20, fixed at the step-like transition between side wall 7 of an upper sub-element 2 and side wall 7 of a following lower sub-element 2, whereby water deflector 20 closes the material gap existing at the transition and water loss and associated changes in the water flow in the fish descent 1 according to the invention prevented.

2 shows a further embodiment of a fish ladder 1 according to the invention between upper water level A and lower water level B. In addition to a straight-shaped water flow-regulating sub-element 2, a water flow-regulating sub-element 3 with a curved passage is installed. All sub-elements are held in their foundation at the installation site via anchors 10 and secured against deformation by the internal pressure of the water flowing through with cage-shaped stiffeners 11.

The advantages of the fish descent according to the invention are the regulation of the water flow in each water flow-regulating sub-element by means of an overflow plate, water constriction, water deflector, and by height offset of sub-elements; a reduced mortality rate and injury frequency of descending fish; cost-effective retrofitting on transverse buildings with conventional descent without water flow regulation; Avoidance of pollutant pollution of rivers by using water-resistant materials.

The device according to the invention has been described above using some embodiments. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments and changes and modifications are possible within the scope of the claims and the knowledge of a person skilled in the art, in particular with regard to the material nature and design of individual elements of the fish descent, without thereby departing from the inventive concept underlying this device.

Reference symbol list.

1

Water flow regulating fish descent

2

Water flow regulating sub-element

3

Water flow regulating sub-element with straight and curved passages

4

Partial element without water flow regulation

5

Upper water connection

6

floor wall

7

Side wall

8th

Front wall

9

Top of the front wall

10

anchoring

11

stiffening

12

water container

13

Water inlet

14

Water drainage

15

Water level water container

16

Climb plate

17

Overflow plate

18

Water jet overflow plate

19

Water constriction

20

Water repellent

21

Baffle

22

Transverse structure

A

Upper water level

b

Lower water level

AWAY

Flow direction

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• CN 215977088 [0003]
• US 4260286 [0003]
• DE 202010001343 U1 [0003]
• US 3377805 [0003]

Claims (17)

Fish descent between an upper water level and a lower water level of transverse structures in flowing waters consisting of water-bearing sub-elements, characterized in that at least one sub-element is a water flow-regulating sub-element, which consists of a water container, riser plate and overflow plate. Fish descent to Claim 1 , characterized in that a water flow-regulating sub-element optionally contains a further element consisting of a water constriction and a water repellent. Fish descent to Claim 1 , characterized in that the water container is a closed trough-shaped container with a bottom wall, two side walls and two end walls for delimitation on the water inlet side and water outlet side, the end wall on the water outlet side being lower than the end wall on the water inlet side, and which is over the entire width of the water container, the riser plate running at an angle from the bottom wall to the top of the front wall on the water drain side, and which carries a flashing plate fixed to the top of the front wall, the riser plate connecting to the flashing plate on the top of the front wall. Fish descent according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a water flow-regulating sub-element is staggered in height to the following water-bearing sub-element, the water flow-regulating sub-element being higher than the following water-bearing sub-element, and both sub-elements are permanently connected to one another on adjacent end wall surfaces are, wherein the following water-bearing sub-element is a water flow-regulating sub-element or a sub-element without water regulation. Fish descent according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a flat overflow plate, aligned in the direction of a following sub-element, is fixed with a straight side to the top of an end wall, the opposite free side of the overflow plate protruding into the following water-bearing sub-element, above its water container . Fish descent according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a flashing plate has a smooth material surface. Fish descent according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length of a flashing plate can be adjusted manually or automatically. Fish descent according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the free end of a flashing plate is adjustable in an angle of attack and the angle of attack can be adjusted manually or automatically. Fish descent according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a flashing plate is permanently or not permanently fixed to the water container. Fish descent according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a water constriction is fixed in the extension of an outer side wall edge on the side wall and above a spill plate, the water constriction being perpendicular to the spill plate underneath and pointing at an angle towards the inner surface of the spill plate, and the water constriction is flat and shaped like a floodgate. Fish descent according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a water constriction has a smooth material surface. Fish descent according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the angle of attack of a water constriction is adjustable and the angle of attack can be adjusted manually or automatically. Fish descent according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a water constriction is permanently or not permanently fixed to the water container. Fish descent according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a water flow-regulating sub-element contains two opposite water constrictions. Fish descent according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a water deflector sits in the step-like transition between two water-carrying sub-elements at the level of the water jet, the water deflector being fixed to the delimiting side wall of the upper sub-element and the delimiting side wall of the lower sub-element, and wherein the water deflector is polygonal, preferably rectangular, particularly preferably pentagonal. Fish descent according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water container, water constriction, overflow plate, riser plate, water deflector and guide plate consist of a water-resistant material, preferably made of a metal, particularly preferably made of stainless steel. Fish descent according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water container, water constriction, overflow plate, riser plate, water deflector and guide plate consist of a water-resistant non-metal.

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