ES2258935A1 - Self-supporting, floating, transportable opaque tray - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a self-supporting, floating, transportable opaque tray which consists of large surfaces that cover most of the area thereof, thereby rendering same opaque to sunlight and considerably increasing mussel growth. The inventive tray is formed by independent modules which are dynamically stable on water and which can be transported in standard vehicles. The aforementioned modules are joined using commercial elastic couplers, such that the structure can adapt to the condition of the sea, thereby preventing overpressure and breakages in adverse weather conditions. The elastic couplers can be quickly mounted and removed and, as such, can be quickly removed for maintenance and repair. The invention does not require a support structure or independent floats since the modules are self-supporting and can float in a stable manner. The culture media can be positioned on the edge of the module and in a longitudinal groove, said media being fixed in holes provided in the upper plate.

Description

Bat opaque, transportable, self-supporting and self-floating

Mastery of the technique

It has application in the exploitation sector of marine resources

Prior art

The type of structure dedicated to marine farming most widespread currently is ancestral and is outside of era, maintaining a series of characteristics that today are unnecessary and counterproductive. The current bats consist of a rigid structure supported on a series of floats. The structure is usually made of wood and consists of large beams eucalyptus massifs. The main drawback it presents is its extreme rigidity, which at one time was necessary because in its surface a booth was installed where work of sowing, collection and cleaning of the product, but you are currently Tasks are performed on the ship or on land. Excessive rigidity will create a brittle structure, which in the face of continuous movement wave of the sea breaks by fatigue, either on the beams themselves or in their unions. Also this rigidity generates high tensions in the ropes can get lost in case of temporary until the 40% of the load due to detachment.

The use of rigid modules joined by elastic couplings is well known and used for decades in swamps and other marine structures.

Explanation of the invention.

The present invention, as expressed by its own title, refers to a novel marine structure that can be Used for the cultivation of mollusks or other marine species. Such as indicated the structure consists of a series of modules formed by flat elements that as a whole pretend to be opaque to sunlight, thereby increasing the production of mussel as indicated by several international publications. Set it consists of a system of modules (A) transportable by means  conventional and dynamically stable at sea, which are assembled each other by commercial flexible couplings (B) arranged at the ends thereof.

Being modular greatly facilitates construction and maintenance:

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The modules are the same. May achieve great automation and cost reduction in manufacturing. Each structure carries a large number of equal modules.

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Economic transport from the factory. The maximum dimensions of each module will be the necessary to be able to transfer it by road in media conventional to a port near where the bat.

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The modules can be launched in port, and its assembly performed directly in the same or in the Inland of the estuary. In addition to each of the modules on the Water is dynamically stable, its assembly is facilitated.

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The possibility also appears to release the modules independently to perform tasks of repair or maintenance in port.

The set could have several provisions possible, as needed, as long as the legislation allows valid. This versatility is achieved thanks to the symmetry of the modules and repeatability of their anchors, so that it is possible assemble a set of different forms, according to needs. In the Preferred embodiment describes one of them, which is create more effective, without prejudice to other possibilities.

To fasten commercial couplings (B) Between modules there will be two supports (C) on each side of the module (A) on which said elements will be located. The Couplings (B) allow small displacements and also turns between modules, adapting the structure to the state of the sea and reducing the efforts that appear on it.

To facilitate the docking of boats On the floating structure, proceed as follows:

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Without modifying the structure of the module described, cover the support brackets of the rubber couplings so that a boat can approach and not suffer damage to the structure or the boat.

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Optionally on modules (A), protections (F) can be mounted that are fixed on the support brackets (C) of the couplings. These protections when they are covered with rubber form a safe separator

As indicated in the title each module (A) It is self-supporting, since it is built with flat surfaces that they intend to protect the crop from sunlight and not with profiles or other structural elements as is the usual way. In turn, each module is waterproof and self-floating, not requiring the use of Floats, common feature in all current equipment.

Culture media, be they cages ropes, trays, etc. (D) will be arranged vertically on their own weight, tying on holes (E) made in the contours of the upper plate and subsequently protected to reduce friction with the rope or cable. The location of these means will be in said holes located around each module self-floating and in an internal groove that allows easy access to Each of the points.

The anchoring of this floating structure to the ground marine is done in the same way as in the current one or two dead located in the bow area tied by chains.

Brief description of the content of the drawings

As an example the accompanying drawings show a preferred embodiment according to:

Drawing 1: Plan view of the marine structure with all its modules arranged according to the embodiment preferred.

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A. Self-floating module that by association configure the structure.

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B. Commercial coupling elastic that allows the union between modules.

Drawing 2: Three-dimensional view of one of the self-floating modules (A) with all its parts:

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 A. Self-floating module that by association configure the structure.

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 C. Support brackets for couplings

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 D. Culture media.

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 E. Holes for fixing The culture media.

Drawing 3: Three-dimensional view of one of the modules with side shields for docking boats.

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 A. Module self-floating

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 C. Support bracket for modules

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F. Side protection for docking ships on the structure.

Preferred Embodiment

As illustrated in the drawings, the bat that is presented in this invention is constituted by a series of modules (A) self-floating, dynamically stable on the water that they are articulated with each other to configure a structure Marine.

The association of modules can be done in different forms, according to needs, being preferred shown in drawing 1, where 28 modules of 2.5x7.5 are associated meters The layout of the modules is faced two by two and arranged all in battery. This way you define clear work units, since the collection and planting of mollusks is performs in an orderly manner and from outside the structure to inside. The worker can load and unload the production of each module in a simple, efficient and systematic way, presenting the product of each unit a very similar development.

The articulation between modules is achieved with commercial elastic couplings (B) that allow small displacements and also turns between modules, adapting the structure to the state of the sea and reducing the efforts that She appears.

The modules are built using flat plates welded, glued or folded. As for the material thereof, can be:

one.

Welded and / or folded steel plates so that the tightness of the assembly is ensured.

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In aluminum sheets.

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In composite (for example, fiberglass or carbon fiber with polyester, epoxy or other polymers).

Four.

In plastic, wood or other materials.

The inside of the modules can be filled with a low water absorption foam to ensure that it is not causes the module to sink in case of loss of tightness The upper part can be constructed in sheet metal non-slip to facilitate the work on the structure, and a relevant feature is that on it already the holes needed to hang the culture media, no need to make flanges or any type of anchor. These holes are they will be coated with special attention in fiber and / or with a rubber to reduce friction and also wear on the rope.

The modules will be equal to each other and symmetrical. The culture media will be hung by knots or hooks in two zones of each module (A), an interior hole and the entire contour of the same in the holes made on the top plate.

To protect the modules from corrosion in case if built in steel or aluminum, you can proceed to paint them with two-component paint or coat the structure with fiber, in the same way that the floats of the current bats, thus ensuring great durability of same.

Claims (7)

1. Dull, transportable, self-supporting and self-floating, built using surfaces to be opaque in its together and protect the crop from sunlight, increasing the productivity, and not as a profile structure that will allow The passage of light. 2. Opaque, transportable, self-supporting and self-floating pad, according to the preceding claim, characterized by being formed by a series of independent, equal modules, transportable by road in conventional vehicles, coupled by commercial flexible joints. 3. Opaque, transportable, self-supporting and self-floating pan, according to claims one and two, characterized in that it is possible to disengage any of the modules that constitute it independently for its drag to port and subsequent maintenance or repair. 4. Opaque, transportable, self-supporting and self-floating pad, according to claims one, two and three, characterized in that each module is defined as a self-floating unit, dynamically stable over the sea, without the need for floats, since the structure itself acts as such. 5. Opaque, transportable, self-supporting and self-floating pan, according to claims one, two, three and four, characterized in that each module is defined as a self-supporting unit without the need for a support structure. The module itself is a rigid self-floating structure and on which the culture media are hung. 6. Opaque, transportable, self-supporting and self-floating pan, according to claims one, two, three, four and five, characterized in that holes on the upper part are included where the culture media will be hung, without the need for flanges or welds of any kind. type and without protruding from the upper height. 7. Dull, transportable, self-supporting and self-floating, as described in the body of this report and claims consisting of 6 pages written on one side and three figures.