NO332467B1 - Device for cleaning - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is a device for attachment to a boat, as the device can be used for washing floating devices, preferably floating collars, in the aquaculture industry.

Background

In accordance with regulations on the operation of aquaculture facilities (the aquaculture operation regulations), § 11; Infection hygiene, the necessary cleaning of installations and production units must be carried out regularly. It must be ensured that personnel, work clothes, equipment, objects, used packaging, etc., do not spread infection. Used nuts, objects, equipment etc. must be cleaned and disinfected with an approved disinfectant before being moved to another aquaculture facility. This means that not only the nuts on traditional fish cages must be washed, but also the floating collar itself. In the present patent application, "floating collar" refers to the part of a fish cage that lies wholly or partly above water or in the water crust, i.e. the floating rings, the footbridge, the railing, etc.

Today, the flotation collar is washed manually. Most people lift up the float collar and bottom ring using a crane, then stand under it and flush it clean with high-pressure guns. Others lift parts of the float collar up onto the deck or row and then flush them clean. These are very poor work processes with regard to health, environment and safety (HSE), regardless of weather conditions.

At the same time, this is work where you have to wear rain gear, gloves, a helmet and goggles. Boats and

crews therefore become very dirty, and more and more people refuse to carry out this job, both because of safety and the unfavorable work process. The boats used for this are traditional service boats which are usually under 15 metres, and where the crane capacity is often limited. However, the rings used just keep getting bigger and bigger. Today, 120 meters and 157 meters are mostly used, and even larger ones will soon be used.

Lerøy Midnor has developed a system for washing floating collars that are on a raft. This is the best solution used today with regard to HSE. However, moving between locations and not least cleaning (disinfecting) the fleet itself is demanding. A cleaning device for cleaning float collars is also described in WO 00/44509.

Purpose

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for washing float collars, possibly also bottom rings, as the float collar must be washed with a minimal number of lifts and without the need for assistance from special vessels. It is also a purpose that people who operate the device should have good work duties with regard to HSE, and also that the device itself should be easy to clean and move between different locations.

It is also a purpose that the present invention should be able to wash flotation collars while these lie mainly in the sea, and further that the device should be kept still while the flotation collar is moved.

Invention

The objects are achieved with a device in accordance with the characterizing part of patent claim 1. Further advantageous features are provided in the independent claims.

A device in accordance with the present invention is designed for attachment to a vessel, preferably a boat, to clean float collars on cages, possibly with a bottom ring. Necessary power, water etc. can be obtained from the vessel. The device comprises at least one pair of wheels attached to a carrying device, and in addition at least one upwardly directed nozzle arranged in front of or behind the pair of wheels, the float collar to be cleaned rests against the path of the wheels and is guided over the nozzle or nozzles. In this context, "in front of or behind the pair of wheels" means in the direction of transport for the floating collar when it is cleaned in the device. The flotation collar is lifted onto the pair of wheels or pairs when it is to be washed, and the device is designed in such a way that the flotation collar will rotate, while the vessel to which the device is attached will be kept stationary.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the carrying device comprises two frames, one wheel in each pair being attached to a frame, and where the frames are attached to each other. The frames can be fixed or adjustable to each other so that the width of the device can be adjusted according to the size of the float collar to be cleaned.

To drive the floating collar through the device, at least one wheel is a drive wheel that drives the floating collar forward, and over the nozzle or nozzles. Operation can also be set on two or more of the wheels to make the device more stable both in strong seas and also in strong fouling. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the speed of the wheels can be regulated manually so that heavily overgrown areas are flushed longer than less overgrown areas.

The device preferably comprises two pairs of wheels, and the distance between the first and last pair of wheels is decisive for any twisting of the floating collar, as a device with a large distance between the pairs of wheels will allow less twisting than a device with a short distance between the pairs of wheels, or only one pair of wheels. In cases where the device comprises two pairs of wheels, the nozzle is arranged between the pairs of wheels.

In a preferred embodiment of the device, the upwardly directed nozzle is movable, preferably in the width direction of the device, and in a particularly preferred embodiment, a rotatable arm with a nozzle at each end is used. The arm with the nozzles (hereinafter referred to as the nozzle arm) must rotate mainly horizontally so that the float collar which is guided above is flushed from below.

Float collars are often connected to bottom rings, and in a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bottom ring is also flushed clean. The floating collar with the bottom ring hanging just below is lifted onto the wheel pair or pairs of wheels so that the bottom ring hangs between the wheels in a wheel pair. In order to clean the float collar itself, two movable nozzles are used in this design, one on each side of the middle, the nozzles being attached to each adjacent end of the support device. In cases where two pairs of wheels are used, the nozzles are placed between the pairs of wheels. Below the wheels or nozzles for flushing the float collar, at least one, preferably two further nozzles are fitted to clean the bottom ring. The bottom ring must be cleaned on all sides, and it is therefore an advantage that these nozzles are movable, and mounted opposite facing each other. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the nozzles that clean the float collar are moved horizontally, while the nozzles that clean the bottom ring are moved vertically.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, all the nozzles are mounted at each end of an arm, the arm being stored in the centre. By adjusting the angle of the nozzles, and regulating the pressure in the supply hose, you can regulate the speed at which the arm rotates. In designs where the bottom ring is also to be cleaned, two horizontally rotating nozzle arms are used to clean the float collar, one on each side of the center between the pair of wheels or pairs of wheels, and two vertically rotating nozzle arms to clean the bottom ring. The nozzle arms that clean the bottom ring are located below the horizontally rotating nozzle arms, but whether they are located directly below the horizontally rotating nozzle arms, under the wheels, or elsewhere in the device, along the path of the bottom ring, is immaterial. To ensure that the entire float collar/bottom ring is cleaned, it is an advantage that the horizontal nozzle arms are longer than the diameter of one float ring, and that the vertical nozzle arms are longer than the diameter of the bottom ring.

When the device is used, the flotation collar will be pulled forward by the drive wheel or wheels, but some lateral displacement will always occur, and this will be reinforced by waves and sea conditions. Floating collars also have different sizes, and the device is therefore provided with means to be able to narrow the width. This can be done in a number of ways, which will be obvious to a professional.

When a float collar with a bottom ring is to be cleaned, the bottom ring is raised until it hangs just below the float collar, and as it only hangs by a chain, it can be moved horizontally. In order to minimize this movement, a pulley-shaped wheel is preferably placed at the inlet of the device, as the bottom ring will run over this wheel. In order to protect the nozzles, various screens are also placed around them, so that the bottom ring does not come into contact with them and cause damage. However, there are many solutions to this, which will be obvious to a specialist.

Example

In the following, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described, as the embodiment is designed to wash and/or disinfect float collars in fish cages. The design is shown on the attached sketched figures where,

figure 1 shows the device attached to the stern of a boat,

Figure 2 shows the device seen directly from above, and

Figure 3 shows a vertical section of the device, taken along line I-1 in Figure 1.

The device is designed to be attached to a boat 1 as shown in Figure 1, with the left side of the device shown in Figure 2 facing the boat. Propulsion, water and water pressure etc. must be collected from the boat. This can be solved in several ways, which will be obvious to a professional, and is therefore not included in the figure.

The device shown is designed to clean the underside of traditional float collars 2 with bottom tubes 3 hanging below, by flushing them, but can of course also be used to clean float collars without bottom tubes. The part of the flotation collar that is cleaned lies in the device while the rest of the flotation collar lies in the sea, as shown in figure 1. The device is designed so that the flotation collar 2 rotates, while the boat 1 with the device lies approximately at rest.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the device is shown in detail in Figures 2 and 3, and is designed with two pairs of wheels 4a, 4b; 5a, 5b, attached to a carrying device comprising two frames 6, 7, where one wheel in each pair (4a and 5a; 4b and 5b) is attached to a common frame 6; 7, and the frames 6, 7 are attached to each other. The attachment between the frames can be adjusted so that the width of the device can be adjusted according to the size of the float collar to be cleaned. Each pair of wheels comprises one wheel 4a, 5a on a frame 6 that lies next to the boat and one wheel 4b, 5b on a frame 7 that lies out from the boat (hereafter called the outer wheels). In the case shown, there is drive on both wheels 4a, 5a which are adjacent to the boat (hereafter referred to as the drive wheels), but drive can also be set on one or both of the outer wheels 4b, 5b. When a float collar 2 is to be cleaned, it is lifted up in the device, so that one float ring 8 lies on top of the drive wheels 4a, 5a, and the other 9 lies on top of the outer wheels 4b, 5b. The floating collar is shown dashed in figures 2 and 3.

In order to limit lateral movement of the float collar in the device, the embodiment shown is designed with two guide wheels 10 placed above the outer wheels 4b, 5b, attached to the same frame 7, and the plane of rotation for the guide wheels 10 is perpendicular to the plane of rotation for the outer wheels. The steering wheel 10 will thus limit horizontal movement of the floating collar 2 outwards. Between each drive wheel 4a, 5a and the frame 6 where they are attached, the device is further designed with vane wheels 11, comprising a bottom plate with radial vanes. The paddle wheels 11 are stored for rotation, and the mooring fasteners 12 on the floating collar 2 will bump against these and limit lateral inward movement. The paddle wheels 11 can also have drift, and thus the propulsion of the floating collar 2 will also be enhanced.

Floating collars 2 have different widths, and therefore the guide wheels 10 can be moved horizontally, together with the outer wheels 4b, 5b, so that the floating collar 2 cannot move horizontally in the device. This horizontal movement can be achieved in many ways, which will be obvious to a person skilled in the art. In the embodiment shown, however, the frame 7 where the outer wheels and steering wheels are attached, and the frame 6 where the drive wheels 4a, 5a are attached, are adjustably attached to each other, so that the distance between the wheels 4a, 4b; 5a, 5b in a pair of wheels is regulated in relation to the width of the floating collar 2 that is to be cleaned.

Between the pairs of wheels are placed two nozzle arms 13 which are stored in the middle, and with a nozzle 14 at each end. The nozzles 14 are inclined so that rotation is achieved as a result of the inclination and water pressure. The nozzle arms 13 are placed behind a screen 15 so that they are not damaged by any chain that goes down to a bottom ring. The screens 15 will also help to center any bottom ring 3.

In cases where a bottom ring 3 is attached to the float collar 2, the bottom ring 3 must be guided between the screens 15 around the nozzle arms 13 when the float collar 2 is lifted into and out of the device. In the operating situation, however, these screens 15 are so close that the diameter of a bottom ring 3 cannot pass between. In the embodiment shown, a screen 15 with associated horizontal nozzle arm 13 is therefore articulated (joint shown at 16), so that they can be swung out of position while the float collar is lifted into or out of the device. When the float collar 2 and the bottom ring 3 have come into place, the screen 15 and the nozzle arm 13 are swung back into place, and only the chain 17 from the float collar 2 to the bottom ring 3 can pass between the screens 15. The float collar 2 with bottom ring 3 is outlined in the device in figure 3 .

The bottom ring 3 is cleaned by two vertically rotating nozzle arms 18 with a nozzle 19 at each end, the nozzle arms 18 are located below the horizontal nozzle arms 13, behind their own screens 20.1 the case shown is the screen 15 for the horizontal nozzle arms 13 and the screen 20 for the vertical nozzle arms 18 attached to each other, and form a common structure. Also for the vertically rotating nozzle arms 18, the nozzles 19 are inclined, so that the rotation of the arms is regulated by pressure and inclination.

In order to limit that the bottom ring 3 oscillates sideways, at least one of the ends of the device is provided with a pulley-shaped wheel 21, the bottom ring 3 resting against this when it is introduced into the device.

In the example above, a preferred embodiment of the invention is described. The example is intended as an illustration and should not be interpreted as limiting the invention as described in the attached patent claims.

Claims (14)

1. Device for attachment to a vessel, preferably a boat, for cleaning float collars (2) on cages, optionally with bottom ring (3), characterized by comprising at least one pair of wheels (4a, 4b; 5a, 5b) attached to a carrying device (6; 7), and at least one upwardly directed nozzle (14) arranged in front of or behind the pair of wheels, with the float collar (2) to be cleaned resting against the upper side of the wheels' path and is guided over the nozzle or nozzles. 2. Device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the carrying device comprises two frames, one wheel in each pair being attached to a frame, and where the frames (6, 7) are attached to each other, 3. Device in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one wheel (4a; 5a) is a drive wheel. 4. Device in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises two pairs of wheels (4a, 4b; 5a, 5b) and that the nozzle(s) (14) is arranged between the pairs of wheels. 5. Device in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nozzle (14) is movable. 6. Device in accordance with claim 5, characterized in that the movable nozzle (14) is a rotatable arm (13) with a nozzle (14) at each end. 7. Device in accordance with claim 5 or 6, characterized by comprising two rotatable nozzle arms (13), the arms being arranged adjacent to each other in width between the pairs of wheels. 8. Device in accordance with one of the preceding claims, for cleaning a float collar with bottom ring (3), characterized by further comprising at least one, preferably two nozzles (19) for flushing the bottom ring (3), this nozzle ( 19) is located below the nozzle for flushing the float ring (14). 9. Device in accordance with claim 8, characterized in that the further nozzle (19) is movable. 10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the further nozzle (19) is a rotatable arm (18) with a nozzle at each end (19). 11. Device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by comprising two rotatable nozzle arms (18), the arms being arranged opposite each other with the nozzles (19) facing each other. 12. Device in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes means (10,11) for limiting horizontal movement of the float collar in the device. 13. Device in accordance with claim 12, characterized in that the means comprise a steering wheel (10) arranged above and at the outer edge of a pair of wheels, the direction of rotation of the steering wheel being perpendicular to the direction of rotation of the pair of wheels. 14. Device in accordance with claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the means further comprise a paddle wheel (11) arranged to engage with mooring fasteners (12) on the float collar (2), the paddle wheel (11) being arranged between a wheel (4a) ; 5a) and associated frame (6) of the device.