NO343976B1

NO343976B1 - Spreader for feed

Info

Publication number: NO343976B1
Application number: NO20180102A
Authority: NO
Inventors: Lars Berg-Hansen
Original assignee: Norseaqua As
Priority date: 2018-01-23
Filing date: 2018-01-23
Publication date: 2019-08-05
Also published as: NO20180102A1

Description

SPREADER FOR FEED

This invention relates to a feed spreader for distributing feed in a fish pen. The invention also relates to a fish pen comprising the feed spreader. The invention further relates to use of the feed spreader in the fish pen.

Fish farming involves containing fish in large cages, or pens. In each cage there is a large amount of fish and a challenge is to ensure the well-being of the fish. One aspect of this challenge is to supply the fish with a sufficient amount of feed such that they can grow and stay healthy. Because of the large amount of fish in each cage there is also a need for a large amount of feed. Thus, manual feeding techniques are not considered to be practical.

Another aspect is that the feed must be distributed evenly in the cage to ensure all the fish are fed. Thus, a mechanical device is usually employed. As most feed is in the form of pellets, conventional feeding systems often use a pneumatic system for distributing the feed in the cage. The feed is supplied from a feed reservoir, via a supply hose, to a distribution unit located in the cage. The feed, or pellets, are ejected from an outlet or a nozzle by high pressure air. The distribution unit often comprise a rotation mechanism, wherein the pressurized air causes a curved pipe at the end of the supply hose to rotate. The rotating pipe distributes the pellets in a circular pattern around the feeding unit.

Feeding systems are often exposed to a harsh environment, e.g. salt water, waves, wind and precipitation. Conventional systems are vulnerable to malfunction and fatigue from wear and tear. A failure may cause fish to be undernourished. It may also be time consuming to repair and re-install the feeding system.

Document AU 2015210462 discloses a feed spreader for increasing the distribution distance of feed in a fish pen. The feed spreader comprises a rotatable impeller. An outlet of a pipe is directed at the impeller such that a fluid exiting the outlet causes the impeller to rotate. The impeller is further connected to a nozzle for expelling feed. The nozzle will rotate with the impeller for distributing the feed in the fish pen.

Document US 8973528 discloses feed distributor comprising a rotatable launching disc, wherein feed supplied to the launching disc is thrown circumferentially by rotation of the launching disc.

Document CN 206324030 discloses an automatic distributor for aquatic feed wherein feed is supplied to and spread out in a pond by means of a fan

The invention has for its object to remedy or to reduce at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art, or at least provide a useful alternative to prior art.

The object is achieved through features, which are specified in the description below and in the claims that follow.

The invention is defined by the independent patent claim. The dependent claims define advantageous embodiments of the invention.

In a first aspect, the invention relates to a feed spreader for distributing feed in a fish pen, the feed spreader comprising:

- a frame;

- a supply pipe supported by the frame, the supply pipe having an outlet for ejecting, in operational use, a stream of feed from a feed reservoir;

- a feed distribution body having a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein at least a portion of the body has an increasing diameter from the first end portion towards the second end portion, the feed distribution body being placed in the stream of feed, in operational use, with the first end portion arranged towards the outlet such that the feed is distributed.

The feed spreader may operate more reliably than a conventional feeding system as it does not depend on a rotatable pipe to distribute the feed. A more reliable feed spreader may lead to better conditions for the fish to grow. Less downtime may also reduce costs connected to maintenance.

The expression “increasing diameter from the first end portion towards the second end portion” may be understood as “an increasing diameter as a function of an increasing distance from the outlet”. The feed spreader may achieve 360-degree distribution, or close to 360-degree distribution, of the feed. This may be obtained by the shape of the feed distribution body. In one embodiment, the feed distribution body may comprise a plurality of sidTes, resulting in a horizontal cross-section, in an operational position, of the body hav ing the shape of for example a square, a pentagon, a hexagon, a heptagon or any other number of sides.

The diameter of the feed distribution body may increase linearly from the first end portion towards the second end portion. In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the body may increase exponentially from the first end portion towards the second end portion. In another embodiment, the diameter of the body may increase with any slope from the first end portion towards the second end portion. In one embodiment, the substantially whole length of the body may have an increasing diameter from the first end portion towards the second end portion.

The feed distribution body is positioned in the stream of feed, in operational use, such that the feed ejected from the outlet impacts the body, resulting in the feed changing its trajectory. The expression “positioned in the stream of feed” should be understood as downstream of the outlet. However, in one embodiment, a portion of the body, for example the tip, may be positioned within the supply pipe. The expression “stream of feed” should be understood as feed moving through the supply pipe. Movement of the feed may be achieved by various means, for example by pneumatic transport. A “stream” in this context is not limited to a continuous flow. The feed may be supplied with even or uneven intervals, a volume of feed in each interval may be even or different.

With respect to the supply pipe, the term “pipe” may be understood as a conduit, for example a hose, a tube, a pipeline or similar. The pipe may be rigid or flexible.

In one embodiment, the feed distribution body may be rotationally symmetrical about a longitudinal centre axis. The longitudinal centre axis may be a substantially vertical centre axis when the distribution body is in an operational position. By having a rotationally symmetrical body the feed may be distributed evenly around the body. In one embodiment, the distribution body may be rotationally symmetrical for all rotations. In another embodiment, the distribution body may have a number of distinct orientations in which it appears the same.

In one embodiment, the second end portion of the distribution body may have a varying diameter at a given distance from an end of the body. The given distance may be anywhere between half the length of the body and the full length of the body. The varying diameter may result in a surface of the second end portion having different angles relative to the longitudinal centre axis. Thus, the feed will be ejected from the body at different angles, resulting in a larger catchment area. The catchment area should be understood as the feed coverage area in the surrounding water. If the peripheral portion has an even diameter, all the feed will be distributed with a substantially even radius around the feed spreader.

The distribution body may be arranged with projecting elements resulting in the varying diameter of the second end portion. The projecting elements may also have an increasing diameter seen from the end of the body, but with a different slope than the rest of the body. In one embodiment, the distribution body may be arranged with at least two projecting elements. In a further embodiment, the distribution body may be arranged with eight projecting elements. In yet another embodiment, the distribution body may be arranged with any number of projecting elements.

In one embodiment, the end of the body may be pointed. The end, or tip, may be pointed to avoid feed impacting the end and thus get crushed. In another embodiment, the end may be rounded.

In one embodiment, the position of the feed distribution body relative to the outlet of the supply pipe may be adjustable. Adjusting the position of the feed distribution body may alter the distribution of feed. For example, moving the body further away from the outlet, along the longitudinal centre axis, may result in the feed being distributed further away from the feed spreader, i.e. with a larger radius around the feed spreader. Vice versa, moving the body closer to the outlet may result in the feed being distributed closer to the feed spreader. Moving the body in a transverse direction, orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, may distribute more feed in one direction than another direction. For example, if moving the body in a 3 o’clock direction, more feed may be distributed towards a 9 o’clock direction. Altering the angle of the body, such that the longitudinal centre axis is tilted, may result in the feed being distributed closer to the feed spreader on one side, and further away from the feed spreader on an opposite side.

In one embodiment, adjusting the position of the body may be performed manually. In another embodiment, adjusting the position of the body may be performed automatically by a device, for example an actuator. The position of the body may be pre-set prior to feeding and held in said position throughout the feeding. In one embodiment, the position of the body may change during feeding for varying the distribution of the feed.

In one embodiment, the feed may be ejected, in operational use, from the outlet with an upwards, substantially vertical, trajectory. Ejecting the feed upwards may result in the feed being distributed evenly around the feed spreader after being deflected by the distribution body. The feed may be distributed in a substantially circular pattern around the feed spreader. A speed of the feed being ejected may be adjusted. A feed distribution radius around the feed spreader may be controlled by adjusting the speed of the feed. The speed of the feed may also be adjusted to ensure the feed is not crushed when impacting the distribution body. The speed may be controlled by adjusting a pressure of the air in the supply pipe.

The feed spreader may comprise a floatation body connected to the frame for keeping the feed spreader afloat. The feed spreader may be used in a fish cage and it is thus practical to have it floating. A floating feed spreader may ease repositioning of the spreader within the fish cage, which may improve the distribution of feed further. In one embodiment, the floatation body may have a circular shape. In another embodiment, the floatation body may have a triangular shape, a square shape, a pentagon shape or another shape with any number of sides. The frame may extend from the floatation body to a height above the floatation body such that the outlet of the supply pipe is positioned at a height above a waterline. Thus, if there are waves and/or water splashing onto the feed spreader it may not affect the distribution of the feed.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to a fish pen comprising the feed spreader, wherein the feed spreader may be positioned within the fish pen.

In a third aspect, the invention relates to use of the feed spreader for distributing feed in a fish pen.

In the following is described an example of a preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig.1 shows a perspective view of a feed spreader according to the invention;

Fig.2a shows, in a smaller scale than figure 1, a side view of the feed spreader;

Fig.2b shows, in the same scale as figure 2a, a front view of the feed spreader;

Fig.2c shows, in a larger scale than figure 2a, a detailed view E of a bracket;

Fig.3 shows, in a larger scale than figure 1, a perspective view from below of a top portion of the feed spreader;

Fig.4a shows, in a larger scale than figure 1, a portion of a vertical cross section A-A of the feed spreader in figure 2b;

Fig.4b shows, in a larger scale than figure 4a, a horizontal cross section B-B of a feed distribution body in figure 4a;

Fig.4c shows, in the same scale as figure 4b, a horizontal cross section C-C of the feed distribution body in figure 4b; and

Fig.5 shows schematically, in a smaller scale than figure 1, a cross section of a fish pen floating in water and comprising the feed spreader.

The figures are depicted in a simplified manner, and details that are not relevant to illustrate what is new with the invention may have been excluded from the figures. The different elements in the figures may necessarily not be shown in the correct scale in relation to each other. Equal reference numbers refer to equal or similar elements. In what follows, the reference numeral 1 indicates a feed spreader according to one embodiment of the invention. The feed spreader 1 comprises a frame 2, a supply pipe 3 and a feed distribution body 4.

Figure 1 shows the feed spreader 1 having a frame 2 forming a tripod. The three legs of the frame 2 are connected to a floatation body 5. The floatation body 5 is shown with six sides, forming a hexagon. The floatation body 5 is made up of tubular elements welded together to form the hexagon. A width of the floatation body 5 is such that the feed spreader 1 is stable when floating on water.

Figure 1 further shows a supply pipe 3 passing through one of the tubular elements of the floatation body 5 and bending upwards to a vertical orientation. Note that in other embodiments the pipe may be a hose, a tube or a similar conduit. In this particular embodiment the supply pipe 3 is rigid, but in another embodiment, it may be flexible. An end portion 30 of the supply pipe 3 extends through a ring-shaped plate 21, the plate 21 being connected to each of the three legs of the frame 2. The plate 21 supports the end portion 30 of the supply pipe 3 in the lateral direction. In one embodiment, the end portion 30 may be connected to the plate 21 to also support the pipe 3 in the vertical direction. The end portion 30 has an outlet 31 for ejecting feed supplied from a feed reservoir (not shown) via the supply pipe 3.

Figure 1 also shows that the feed distribution body 4 is positioned 300 (see figure 2) above the outlet 31. The distribution body 4 is shown connected to the plate 21 by means of a bracket 6. It should be noted that the distribution body 4 may be connected by other means.

Figure 2a and 2b show that a longitudinal centre axis 400 of the distribution body 4 is aligned with a centre of the outlet 31. It should be noted that the distribution body 4 may be positioned such that the longitudinal axis 400 is offset from the centre of the outlet 31. It should also be noted that the distribution body 4 may be orientated such that the longitudinal axis 400 forms an angle relative to a vertical axis (not shown).

Figure 2a further shows that there is a gap between an end 41 of the distribution body 4 and the outlet 31. The gap can be altered by adjusting the position 300 of the distribution body 4. The position 300 of the distribution body 4 can be altered by means of the bracket 6.

Figure 2c (detail E) shows the bracket 6 comprising three plates 61, 62, 63 connected displaceable relative to each other. The first plate 61 is fastened to the ring-shaped plate 21 and is provided with two slots 610 in a first direction. Four bolts 64, two bolts for each slot 610, connects the first plate 61 to the second plate 62. Slackening the bolts 64 allows for adjustment of the distribution body 4 in the first direction. The third plate 63 is provided with two slots 630 in a second direction different from the first direction. Four bolts 65 (only three shown), two bolts 65 for each slot 630, connects the third plate 63 to the second plate 62. Slackening the bolts 65 allows for adjustment of the distribution body 4 in the second direction. In this particular embodiment, the first direction is shown as horizontal and the second direction is shown as vertical.

Figure 3 shows the distribution body 4 from below. The end 41 of the body 4 is shown with a pointed tip 41 to reduce the amount of particles, such as feed, impacting the tip 41 and thus get crushed. The body 4 is connected to the third plate 63 on the bracket 6. The third plate 63 is thin to reduce the amount of particles, such as feed, impacting the plate 63. The direction of the plate 63 will form a blind zone when distributing the feed, meaning no feed will be ejected in that sector of the body 4, another reason for limiting the thickness of the plate 63.

The body 4 is shown with an increasing diameter 200, 201 (d, D, in figure 4a). The diameter 200, 201 increases with an increasing distance from the outlet 31, resulting in a curved outer surface 401. The end 41 forms the smallest diameter. A second end portion 42 of the body 4 is provided with a plurality of projecting elements 421 forming a diameter D1, see figure 4c, different from a diameter D2 of sectors 420 between the projecting elements 421. A surface 402 of the sectors 420 is curved and follows the slope of the surface 401 of the first end portion 40. The two surfaces 401, 402 forms a continuous and smooth path for the feed from the tip 41 to an upper edge 422 of the distribution body 4.

The diameter D1 of the projecting elements 421 also increases with an increasing distance from the outlet 31. This results in a curved surface 403, but with a different slope than the surface 402 of the sectors 420. The feed being ejected from the projecting elements 421 will have a different trajectory than the feed being ejected from the sectors 420. The difference in slope of the sectors 420 and the projecting elements 421 forms a better distribution of the feed in the fish cage.

The first end portion 40 is shown as rotationally symmetrical about the longitudinal centre axis 400 for all rotations about the longitudinal axis 400. The second end portion 42 is also shown as rotationally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis 400, however, the number of distinct orientations in which it appears the same, depend on the number of projecting elements 421. In this specific embodiment, the rotational symmetry is eight-fold because the body 4 is shown with eight identical projecting elements 421 with even spacing, and thus appears the same when rotated one eight of a turn about the longitudinal axis 400. The surface 403 of the projecting elements 421 forms an identical slope. It should be noted that in another embodiment the slope of the surface 403 of the various projecting elements 421 may vary. Thus, the trajectory of the feed being ejected from the projecting elements 421 may vary. In a further embodiment, the slope of the surface 403 of the projecting elements 421 may be altered. The latter may be obtained by configuring the projecting elements 421 to be adjustable, for example by hinges, such that an edge 423 of the projecting elements 421 may be orientated closer to or further away from the upper edge 422 of the distribution body 4.

Figure 4a shows a cross section A-A of a portion the feed spreader 1 in figure 2b. A stream of feed (arrows) 100 is shown to be ejected towards the distribution body 4 from the outlet 31 on the supply pipe 3. The feed stream 100 forms a substantially upwards vertical trajectory 301 when exiting the supply pipe 3. The feed may be propelled through the supply pipe 3 by means of an airstream. The airstream may be supplied from a blower (not shown). The supply pipe 3 may be connected to a feed reservoir (not shown). The feed reservoir may be located on land, on a supply vessel or a barge (not shown), close to the feed spreader 1.

When the feed 100 impacts the distribution body 4 the trajectory 301 of the feed 100 is changed. The feed 100 slides along the surface 401, 402, 403 of the distribution body 4 before it is ejected outwards, in a substantially circular pattern around the feed spreader 1.

Figure 5 shows schematically the feed spreader 1 arranged in a fish pen 50. The feed spreader 1 and the fish pen 50 are floating on water 60. The fish pen 50 is shown with a floatation collar 51 comprising two circular concentric pipes 510, 511 providing sufficient buoyancy to keep the fish pen 50 afloat. A net 52 provides an enclosure for fish (not shown) kept in the fish pen 50. The net 52 is suspended from the floatation collar 51. A walkway 53 for personnel to walk and perform work around the fish pen 50 is positioned on top of the two pipes 510, 511.

The feed spreader 1 may be moored (not shown) to the fish pen 50 to keep it stationary. The mooring (not shown) may for example comprise ropes and/or wires. In one embodiment, a length of the mooring may be adjusted to relocate the feed spreader 1 in the fish pen 50. A length of the supply pipe 3 may also be adjusted to take consideration of relocation of the feed spreader 1. Note that the fish pen 50 depicted in figure 5 is only meant as an example, the feed spreader 1 may be used in any fish pen, fish tank or fish pond.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

C l a i m s

1. A feed spreader (1) for distributing feed (100) in a fish pen (50), the feed spreader (1) comprising:

- a frame (2);

- a supply pipe (3) supported by the frame (2), the supply pipe (3) having an outlet (31) for ejecting, in operational use, a stream of feed (100) from a feed reservoir;

- a feed distribution body (4) having a first end portion (40) and a second end portion (42), c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that at least a portion (40) of the body (4) has an increasing diameter (200, 201) from the first end portion (40) towards the second end portion (42), the feed distribution body (4) being placed in the stream of feed (100), in operational use, with the first end portion (40) arranged towards the outlet (31) such that the feed (100) is distributed.

2. The feed spreader (1) according to claim 1, wherein the feed distribution body (4) has a longitudinal centre axis (400), the distribution body (4) being rotationally symmetrical about the longitudinal centre axis (400).

3. The feed spreader (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second end portion (42) of the distribution body (4) has a varying diameter (D1, D2) at a given distance from an end (41) of the body (4).

4. The feed spreader (1) according to claim 3, wherein the end (41) of the body (4) is pointed.

5. The feed spreader (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a position (300) of the feed distribution body (4) relative to the outlet (31) of the supply pipe (3) is adjustable.

6. The feed spreader (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, in operational use, the stream of feed (100) is ejected from the outlet (31) with an upwards, substantially vertical, trajectory (301).

7. The feed spreader (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a floatation body (5) connected to the frame (2) for keeping the feed spreader (1) floating on water (60).

8. A fish pen (50) comprising the feed spreader (1) according to any of the claims 1-7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the feed spreader (1) is positioned within the fish pen (50).

9. Use of the feed spreader (1) according to any of the claims 1-7 for distributing feed (100) in a fish pen (50).