WO1998032330A1 - Structure flottante demontable et enclos d'aquaculture incorporant cette structure - Google Patents

Structure flottante demontable et enclos d'aquaculture incorporant cette structure Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1998032330A1
WO1998032330A1 PCT/AU1998/000039 AU9800039W WO9832330A1 WO 1998032330 A1 WO1998032330 A1 WO 1998032330A1 AU 9800039 W AU9800039 W AU 9800039W WO 9832330 A1 WO9832330 A1 WO 9832330A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
pontoons
adjacent
pontoon
lugs
aquaculture
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU1998/000039
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Sciona Dodwell Browne
James Vernon Griffiths
Mark Joseph Pivac
Michael John Von Bertouch
Original Assignee
Aquaculture Technologies International Pty. Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Aquaculture Technologies International Pty. Ltd. filed Critical Aquaculture Technologies International Pty. Ltd.
Priority to AU56485/98A priority Critical patent/AU5648598A/en
Publication of WO1998032330A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998032330A1/fr

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K61/00—Culture of aquatic animals
    • A01K61/60—Floating cultivation devices, e.g. rafts or floating fish-farms
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A40/00—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
    • Y02A40/80—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in fisheries management
    • Y02A40/81—Aquaculture, e.g. of fish

Definitions

  • a demountable floating structure including a plurality of elongate pontoons and a plurality of connection means associated with said pontoons for detachably connecting adjacent ends of adjacent pontoons together.
  • each connection means includes a connection element and at least one detachable mechanical fastener for detachably connecting the connection element to the end of an adjacent pontoon.
  • each connection element is formed separately of the pontoons .
  • each connection element is provided with first and second connectors for detachably connecting to different ones of the ends of adjacent pontoons.
  • first and second connectors are arranged to allow relative movement between the connection element and the end of a pontoon connected thereto.
  • first and second connectors comprise first and second pairs of lugs respectively, the lugs in each pair spaced apart to receive the end of an adjacent pontoon, and wherein a mechanical fastener passes through the lugs of that pair and the end of a pontoon received between those lugs, and is secured to those lugs.
  • connection means further includes a plurality of tapered bushes, each bush partly disposable in one of the lugs and partly disposable in a tapered hole formed in a side of the end of each pontoon received between that one lug and the other lug which forms a pair with the one lug, and wherein the one mechanical fastener passes through the bushes disposed in a pair of lugs and retains the bushes therein.
  • a structure according to claim 2 further including, coupling means for allowing coupling of adjacent similar structures.
  • the coupling means is configured to allow at least one degree of freedom of movement between adjacent coupled structures .
  • the degrees of freedom include a pivoting motion in opposite directions about a substantially horizontal axis extending between the adjacent coupled structures ; and, a tilting and/or vertical motion in a vertical plane containing said substantially horizontal axis.
  • the coupling means includes a third pair of spaced apart lugs and a tongue, each lug of the third pair adapted to receive and have secured thereto a mechanical fastener, and the tongue provided with an upright slot, wherein the tongue of the coupling means of one structure is located between the lugs of the third pair of lugs of an adjacent structure and the mechanical fastener is passed through the slot and secured to the lugs of the third pair of lugs, the horizontal axis being coincident with the length of - 22 - the mechanical fastener and the vertical plane containing the slot.
  • a structure according to claim 1 further including one or more enclosures supported by the pontoons, said enclosures defining one or more confinement regions for sustaining and/or growing marine animals so that, in use, the floating structure acts as an aquaculture pen.
  • a structure according to claim 14 wherein the enclosure is in the form of a net which is supported about the periphery of the pontoons .
  • the pen further includes means for supporting the net from a level above the surface of water in which the pen floats when disposed in a body of that water.
  • the means for supporting the net includes a plurality of upright posts, respective posts detachably connected to either each pontoon or each connection means; and, a cross member extending between adjacent upright posts from which an upper peripheral edge of the net can be supported.
  • each cross member can be adjusted to allow adjustment of the height of the net above the water surface.
  • the cross member comprises a rigid rail supported at each end by adjacent upright posts.
  • cross member may be in the form of a rope or tether supported at each of the upright posts.
  • a structure according to claim 14 wherein, the enclosure is in the form of one or more racks for holding molluscs.
  • a structure according to claim 1 wherein a platform or deck detachably coupled to a side of the pontoons above the level of water in which the structure floats when disposed in a body of that water.
  • each pontoon is formed with an integral substantially planar or slightly curved upper surface so as to form a walkway around the structure.
  • connection element is formed integrally at each end of each pontoon.
  • An aquaculture pen for the confinement of marine animals including: a plurality of elongate pontoons arranged end to end with adjacent ends of adjacent pontoons being detachably connected together in a planar manner by connection means; and one or more enclosures supported by the connected pontoons defining one or more confinement regions for sustaining and/or growing their in marine animals.
  • the present invention is for a demountable floating structure and an aquaculture pen incorporating the demountable floating structure.
  • floating structures for various applications such as floating platforms for off-shore drilling rigs; pontoon bridges; and aquaculture or fish pens.
  • floating platforms for off-shore drilling rigs; pontoon bridges; and aquaculture or fish pens.
  • floating structures are made from metallic pipes, beams and girders which are welded together.
  • Buoyancy is often provided by use of tubular structural elements which are sealed to form air chambers.
  • tubular elements can be filled with buoyant material such as polystyrene foam.
  • Such structures are permanent in the respect that they cannot be easily disassembled or otherwise modified. Further, as these structures are rigid they suffer from cyclic wave action and may fatigue.
  • the tube In order for the tube to have sufficient mechanical strength and buoyancy it must have a predetermined minimum diameter. This minimum diameter in turn limits the diameter of the ring which can be formed from the tube. Unfortunately, one cannot simply reduce the diameter of the tube itself to form a smaller diameter ring as a minimum diameter tube is required in order to provide sufficient buoyancy and mechanical strength.
  • tube ring type aquaculture/fish pens do not conveniently lend themselves to nesting or interconnection with other like aquaculture/fish pens.
  • Fish pens made from plastics tube can of course be made in shapes other than rings by simply cutting the tubes and welding them together. These pens also suffer from not being demountable nor easily connectable to adjacent like pens .
  • the present invention was developed with a view to - 3 - providing a demountable floating structure and an aquaculture pen incorporating the same which are particularly easy to assemble without the need of specialised technicians or tradespeople and can be easily disassembled as required.
  • a demountable floating structure including a plurality of elongate pontoons and a plurality of connection means associated with said pontoons for detachably connecting adjacent ends of adjacent pontoons together .
  • each connection means includes a connection element and at least one detachable mechanical fastener for detachably connecting the connection element to the end of an adjacent pontoon.
  • each connection element is provided with first and second connectors for detachably connecting to different ones of the ends of adjacent pontoons.
  • each connection element is formed separately of the pontoons.
  • respective connection elements can be formed integrally at one or each end of the pontoons .
  • first and second connectors are arranged to allow relative movement between the connection element and the end of a pontoon connected thereto.
  • first and second connectors comprise first and second pairs of lugs respectively, the lugs in each pair spaced apart to receive the end of an adjacent pontoon, and wherein a mechanical fastener passes through the lugs of that pair and the end of a pontoon received between those lugs, and is secured to those lugs.
  • connection means further includes a plurality of tapered bushes, each bush partly disposable in one of the lugs and partly disposable in a tapered hole formed in a side of the end of each pontoon received between that one lug and the other lug which forms a pair with the one lug, and wherein the one mechanical fastener passes through the bushes disposed in a pair of lugs and retains the bushes therein.
  • said structure further includes coupling means for allowing coupling of adjacent similar structures.
  • the coupling means is configured to allow at least one degree of freedom of movement between adjacent coupled structures.
  • the at least one degree of freedom comprise a pivoting motion in opposite directions about a substantially horizontal axis extending between the adjacent coupled structures; and, a tilting and/or vertical motion in a vertical plane containing said substantially horizontal axis.
  • the coupling means includes a third pair of spaced apart lugs and a tongue, each lug of the third pair adapted to receive and have secured thereto a mechanical fastener, and the tongue provided with an upright slot, wherein the tongue of the coupling means of one structure is located between the lugs of the third pair of lugs of an adjacent structure and the mechanical fastener is passed through the slot and secured to the lugs of the third pair of lugs, the horizontal axis being coincident with the length of the mechanical fastener and the vertical plane containing the slot.
  • the coupling means is provided on each connection element. - 5 -
  • the coupling means is provided directly on each pontoon.
  • one connection element is integral formed at each end of each pontoon.
  • the demountable floating structure further includes a platform or deck detachably coupled to a side of the pontoons above the level of water in which the structure floats when disposed in a body of that water.
  • the floating structure further includes one or more enclosures supported by the pontoons, said enclosures defining one or more confinement regions for sustaining and/or growing marine animals so that, in use, the floating structure acts as an aquaculture pen.
  • each pontoon is formed with a substantially planar or slightly curved upper surface which can act as a walkway around the structure.
  • an aquaculture pen for the confinement of marine animals, the pen including: a plurality of elongate pontoons arranged end to end with adjacent ends of adjacent pontoons being detachably connected together in a planar manner by connection means; and one or more enclosures supported by the connected pontoons defining one or more confinement regions for sustaining and/or growing their in marine animals.
  • the enclosure is in the form of a net which is supported about the periphery of the pontoons .
  • the enclosure is in the form of one or more racks for holding molluscs. - 6 -
  • the pen further includes means for supporting the net from a level above the surface of water in which the pen floats when disposed in a body of that water.
  • the means for supporting the net includes a plurality of upright posts, respective posts detachably connected to either each pontoon or each connection means; and, a cross member extending between adjacent upright posts from which an upper peripheral edge of the net can be supported.
  • each cross member can be adjusted to allow adjustment of the height of the net above the water surface.
  • the cross member comprises a rigid rail supported at each end by adjacent upright posts.
  • the cross member may be in the form of a rope or tether supported at each of the upright posts .
  • Figure 1 is a upper perspective view of a demountable floating structure and a fish pen incorporating same in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a view of transverse cross section 2-2 through a pontoon used in the demountable floating structure/aquaculture pen shown in Figure 1; - 7 -
  • Figure 3 is an upper perspective view illustrating the coupling between two adjacent structures/pens ;
  • Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of a coupling element and a support post used in the structure/aquaculture pen shown in Figure 1;
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view of a hook member used to support a net on the structure/pen shown in Figure 1;
  • Figure 6 is a view of section 6-6 shown in Figure 5;
  • Figure 7 is an enlarged exploded view of the connection between pontoons and connection elements used in the structure and pen shown in Figure 1;
  • Figure 8 is a view of section 8-8 shown in Figure 3;
  • Figure 9 is a perspective view of an end of a pontoon
  • Figure 10 is a upper perspective view of a second embodiment of the demountable floating structure and aquaculture pen incorporating same;
  • Figure 11 is a close up view of an end of a pontoon used in the second embodiment shown in Figure 10;
  • Figure 12 is a close up view showing the connection between two adjacent pontoon members of the second embodiment shown in Figure 10;
  • Figure 13 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the mountable floating structure;
  • Figure 14 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the demountable floating structure
  • Figure 15 is a close up view of detail A shown in Figure 14.
  • Figure 16 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the demountable floating structure.
  • a demountable floating structure 10 includes a plurality of elongate pontoons 12 and a plurality of connection means 14 associated with each pontoon 12 for detachable connecting adjacent ends of adjacent pontoons together.
  • the elongate pontoons 12 are shown as being straight although they can be curved or bent.
  • each connection means 14 is in the form of a connection element 16 and at least one mechanical fastener 18 such as a bolt or pin for detachably connecting the connection elements 16 to the ends of adjacent pontoons 12.
  • each pontoon 12 is in the form of a substantially sealed elongate rectangular sectioned tube which is sealed.
  • the pontoon 12 can be provided with several dividing walls 20 as shown in Figure 2, to define several separate substantially sealed buoyant chambers 22.
  • Upper surface 24 of the pontoon 12 is slightly convexly curved to form shallow gutters 26 to provide for the collection and drainage of water, the water being drained at opposite ends of the pontoons 12.
  • the surface 24 forms a walkway around the structure 10.
  • a pressure relieve valve (not shown), is placed at the highest point of the curved upper surface 24. Additional relieve valves may be provided in walls 20.
  • each pontoon 12 may be formed as a single substantially sealed buoyant chamber without the separate chambers 22 and dividing walls 20. Indeed for easy of manufacture and to reduce costs it would be preferable that the pontoons 12 are formed in this way.
  • connection elements 16 are separate distinct units from the pontoons 12. Each connection element 16 has first and second connectors in the form of pairs of spaced lugs 28 and 30 (see most clearly in Figures 3 and 7) . The ends of pontoons 12 to be connected together to form the structure 10 are received between the lugs of prospective pairs 28 and 30. A mechanical fastener 18 couples the end of a pontoon 12 to one of the pairs of lugs 28 or 30.
  • Respective tapered bushes 35 are located in adjacent pairs of holes 31 and 33 (the holes 31 and 33 being positioned so that they can be brought into mutual alignment) .
  • Each bush 35 is provided with contiguous first and second lengths 37 and 39 which have tapers complementary to that of holes 33 and 31 respectively (see Figure 8) .
  • the pin/bolt 18 is passed through the holes and bushes 31, 33, 35 and a washer 39 and nut 41 used to secure the pin/bolt 18 in the lugs 28. Because of the taper in the holes 31 and 33, and the taper of bushes 35 the pin/bolt 18 locks the bushes in place thus detachably connecting the pontoon 12 to lugs 28.
  • tapered bushes 35 simplify assembly as they pull adjacent components into alignment when the bushes 35 are drawn together by the - 10 - bolt/pin 18.
  • a similar arrangement is used to detachably connect the end of an adjacent pontoon 12 to lugs 30 of the same connection element 16.
  • the bushes 35 and pin/bolts 18 allow relative pivotal motion of the element 16 and connected pontoon 12 about the length of pin/bolt 18.
  • each pontoon 12 is formed with an inverted U-shaped structure 25 having opposite legs 27A and 27B and a connecting upper cross bar 29.
  • Leg 27A is flush with one side surface 32 of the pontoon 12 but leg 27B is set inwardly of the other side surface 34 of the pontoon 12, by a distance approximately equal to the width of one of the lugs 28, 30.
  • This ensures, when structure 10 forms a closed shape as shown in Figure 1, and the sides 34 are on the inside of that shape, that the inner peripheral surface about the pontoons 12 and elements 16 are substantially continuous. This is of benefit when a net is suspended on the inside of the shape as it eliminates edges on which the net may catch.
  • Each leg 27A, 27B is provided with a through hole 31 which is tapered so as to reduce in diameter in a direction toward each other.
  • each lug 28 is provided with a through hole 33 which is tapered in the same direction as holes 31, but the degree or slope of taper is less than for holes 31.
  • the lugs 28 and 30 are angularly offset about the side of the connection element 16 by 120°. Accordingly, as shown in Figure 1, when the structure 10 is constructed using six of these elements 16 and the pontoons 12 arranged to form a closed shape, the shape will be that of a hexagon. It will be appreciated that the actual shape of the structure 10 can be varied by use of elements 16 in which the connecting lugs 28 and 30 are disposed at different angles to each other. For example, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, a structure can be formed in a square shape if the pairs of - 11 - lugs 28 and 30 are offset by 90° about the periphery of the connection elements 16.
  • Coupling means are also provided to allow two or more adjacent structures 10 to be coupled together.
  • the coupling means is in the form of a third pair of lugs 40 and a tongue 42.
  • the lugs 40 and tongue 42 are formed on a side of the connection elements 16.
  • lugs 40 are provided with holes for receiving a mechanical fastener such as bolt 44.
  • the tongue 42 is provided with an elongate slot 46 which extends in the vertical direction.
  • the tongue 42 of the connection 16 of one structure 10 is located between the lugs 40 of one connector 16 of another structure 10 and the bolt 44 is then passed through the slot 46 and secured to the lugs 44 typically by use of a nut.
  • the bolt 44 can be replaced with a tube, with washers and split pins replacing the nuts) . This is repeated at the opposite end of the adjacent pontoons of the adjacent structures 10, as shown in Figure 1.
  • this coupling between the adjacent structure 10 allows for at least one degree of freedom.
  • One degree of freedom is a pivoting motion in opposite directions between adjacent structures 10 along a substantially horizontal axis AA (shown in Figure 1) which passes through the length of the bolts 44.
  • Another degree of freedom is a tilting and/or vertical motion in a vertical plane containing the axis AA and moreover the slots 46.
  • the demountable floating structure 10 can be easily converted into an aquaculture pen by providing various types of enclosure means which are supported by the structure 10. - 12 -
  • an aquaculture pen 48 comprises the demountable floating structure 10 together with a net 50 supported thereby.
  • the net 50 extends about the inner periphery of the structure 10 and supported by support means at a level above the surface of water in which the pen 48 floats.
  • the supporting means is in the form of a rail structure 52 comprising a plurality of upright posts 54 which are detachably coupled to each connection element 16 and cross members in the form of rails 56 which are supported at each end by adjacent posts 54.
  • each post 54 is provided with a tapered lower end 58 which is received within a complimentary shaped recess 60 formed in the connection element 16.
  • the bottom of the recess 60 is provided with a horizontal wall 62 which is recessed into the element 16.
  • the end 58 is detachably connected by a mechanical fastener in the form of a bolt 64 to the wall 62.
  • a T piece 64 (see Figures 1 and 3) is attached to the upper end of each post 54 for receiving the ends of the rails 56.
  • Each T piece 64 is formed as an integral moulded piece having a plurality of short tubular lengths which fit over the top of a rail 54 and receives ends of the rails 56.
  • An upper peripheral edge 66 ( Figure 1) of the net 50 is fastened at regular intervals to the rail 56 by ties 68.
  • the ties may be in the form of short lengths of rope or off-the-shelve plastic rib lock ties.
  • the T pieces 64 can be attached to the post 54 in a manner so that their height can be varied. For example this can most easily be done by providing the post 54 with a series of holes to which the T pieces can be coupled. This provides a way for adjusting the height of the net above the water level as well as assisting in retrieving in a net.
  • hooks 70 can be provided as shown in Figures 5 and 6.
  • the hooks 70 are used to support a cord 72 which extends around the peripheral edge 66 of the net 50.
  • Each hook 70 is provided with a first arcuate portion 74 which extends about and sits on an upper part of the rail 56.
  • a clip 76 which is adapted to pass through a hole 78 formed in the top of the rail 56.
  • the clip 76 includes a barb 79 which engages an inner surface of the rail 56 to positively lock the hook 70 in place.
  • Formed continuously with the first portion 74 is a second portion
  • FIG. 10-12 A second embodiment of the floating support structure designated 10' is shown in Figures 10-12.
  • features corresponding to those of the first embodiment are indicated with the same reference numbers but with the addition of the prime symbol.
  • connection elements 16' differs from the structure 10 mainly by the formation of the connection elements 16' integrally with opposite ends of the pontoons 12 ' .
  • the connection elements 16' comprise a connection flange 82 which extends half way around each end of the pontoon 12 ' and a mating surface 84 which extends about the other half of each end of the pontoons 12 ' .
  • the relative position of the flange 82 and mating surface 84 is reversed on opposite ends of each pontoon 12 ' so that the flange 82 at the end of one pontoon 12' will overlie the mating surface 84 at an adjacent end of an adjacent pontoon 12' (see Figure 12).
  • a series of holes 88 are formed along the flange 82.
  • a series of holes 90 are formed along the mating surface 84.
  • connection elements 16' are angularly offset with respect to the central axis of the pontoons 12 ' to form an internal angle of 120° so that when six identical pontoons - 15 -
  • a further significant difference between the first embodiment 10 and the second embodiment 10' is that the lugs 40' and tongue 42' which form the coupling means for adjacent structures 10' (or corresponding aquaculture pens) are formed integrally with the pontoons 12 ' .
  • lugs 40 and the tongue 42 are formed on the connection elements 16.
  • a further difference lies in the upper wall 24' of the pontoons 12 ' being planar rather than curved as in the first embodiment.
  • Elongate ribs 94 are formed along opposite sides of the top wall 24' to act as a safety guard when walking along the tops of the pontoons 12 ' .
  • the ribs 94 are approximately one quarter the length of the pontoons 12 ' and are provided with small gaps therebetween to allow for the drainage of water.
  • the posts 54' are attachably coupled in recesses 60' of the pontoons 12' in a similar manner to that shown in the first embodiment.
  • the rails 56 of the first embodiment are replaced with a rope or tether 95 which passes through a hole 96 formed in each of the posts 54'.
  • a number of holes 96 can be provided along the length of each post 54' to allow the rope or tether 95 to be suspended from different heights.
  • the rope or tether 95 can be either of a continuous length or made from shorter sections.
  • FIG 13 shows a further embodiment 10'' of the demountable floating structure.
  • This embodiment comprises four elongate pontoons 12 ' ' which are of identical - 16 - structure to the pontoons 12 of the first embodiment and four separate connection elements 16'' which are similar, although not identical, to the connection elements 16 of the first embodiment.
  • the connection elements 16'' are formed with the lugs 28'' and 30'' offset by 90° to each other about the periphery of the connection elements 16'' so that the structure 10'' is in the form of a square.
  • the structure 10'' includes a platform or deck 98 which overlies the area defined by the pontoons 12''.
  • the deck 98 is detachably attached via plugs 100 which are inserted into the recesses 60'' formed on each of the connection elements 16''.
  • the recesses 60'' would otherwise be used for receiving post similar to posts 54 and 54'.
  • the elements 16'' include lugs 40'' and a tongue 42'' to allow for the coupling with other structures of aquaculture pens in accordance with embodiments of this invention. Accordingly the structure 10'' can be used to provide a storage area for equipment which may be employed when embodiments of the support structure/aquaculture pen are in use. Indeed, the structure 10'' can also be used to support a shed or other building.
  • FIG. 13 shows an aquaculture pen 10''' for harvesting molluscs such as oysters.
  • the structure 10''' is similar to structure 10'' as shown in Figure 12 with the exception that the deck 98 is now replaced with a grid network 102 from which oyster racks 104 can be suspended by ropes or chains or the like.
  • the pontoons 12''' and the connection elements 16''' are identical to the same items in the second embodiment 10''.
  • Post 54''' are detachably connected to respective connection elements 16''' in the same manner as described with the first embodiment.
  • a plurality of cross members 106 extend across and are detachably connected at their ends two opposite lower rails 16'''.
  • the cross members 106 are detachably - 17 - connected to the rails 56''' by use of conventional scaffolding type connectors 108.
  • FIG. 16 A fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 16.
  • This figure shows a structure 10'''' which is in effect a hybrid between the embodiment shown in Figures 1-9 and the embodiment shown in Figures 10-12.
  • the structure 10'''' is characterised by pontoons 12''''' which have an integral connection element 16'''' at one end which is of a form substantially similar to element 16 of the first embodiment 10 with the opposite end of each pontoon 12 ' ' ' ' formed with an inverted U shaped structure identical to structure 25 shown in Figures 9 and 7 to allow connection with the connection element 16'''' of an adjacent pontoon 12'''' in a manner identical to that described with reference to Figures 7.
  • each connection element 16'''' has only one pair of lugs 30'''' for connecting with the end of an adjacent pontoon 12''''. Therefore, each connection element 16'''' provides only one moveable or flexible coupling with an adjacent pontoon 12''''. In the first embodiment shown in Figures 1-9, each coupling element 16 provides two moveable or flexible couplings between adjacent pontoons. Whereas in the embodiment shown in Figures 10-12, the connection elements 16' do not provide for any flexible or moveable connection between adjacent pontoons 12' of the same structure 10'.
  • Lugs 40' ' ' ' and tongue 42 ' ' ' ' are provided on elements 16' ' ' ' to allow for coupling to an adjacent structure 10', 10'', 10' ' ' , or 10' ' ' ' .
  • the assembly of the structures is achieved by use of detachable mechanical fasteners only rather than the use of permanent connection methods and techniques such as welding and braising etc. It follows from this that the structures can be put together without the need for skilled tradespeople. Typically, the only tools that would be required to assemble the structures are a hammer, screw driver and spanner.
  • the structures 10 can be supplied in a kit form and therefore easily transported in a disassembled state and then simply assembled adjacent the body of water into which they are to be deployed.
  • the structures 10 also easily facilitate the coupling to like structures so that the capacity of the structure can be increased by coupling of fresh structures.
  • the structures coupled can be of different shapes and sizes. If it is desired to move this structure to a different body of water, it can be easily disassembled and transported to that other body.
  • the connecting elements 16 can be made to a particular shape and configuration to enable the structure 10 or aquaculture pen 48 to be made of any desired shape.
  • any type of conventional enclosure can be supported on the structure 10 to form an aquaculture pen.
  • other types of enclosures such as cages can be supported.
  • predator netting can also be provided on the outer periphery of the structure to further assist in protecting the marine life held within the aquaculture pen.
  • the 16 can be made from any marine grade material but typically would be made from a synthetic plastics material such as polyethylene.
  • the posts 54, rails 56 and T pieces 64 would typically be made from aluminium or stainless steel although other materials suited to the application can be used such as plastics including polyethylene.
  • the mechanical fasteners 18, 44 would be in the form of elongate stainless steel pins which are threaded at both ends in order to receive nuts.
  • any other type of releasable mechanical fastener can be employed.
  • the elongate pontoons 12 can be bent or curved so that the structure 10 takes a circular or elliptical form. This will of course also require modification to the configuration (ie shape only) of the connection elements 16.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Marine Sciences & Fisheries (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Animal Husbandry (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Farming Of Fish And Shellfish (AREA)

Abstract

Structure flottante démontable (10) comprenant une pluralité de flotteurs allongés (12), ainsi qu'une pluralité d'éléments d'accouplement (16) et d'éléments de fixation mécaniques (18) servant à accoupler de façon détachable l'élément d'accouplement (16) aux extrémités de flotteurs contigus (12). Ceci permet d'accoupler plusieurs flotteurs (12), de manière à créer un ensemble fermé. Une structure de rails (52) composée d'une pluralité de piliers (54) et de rails (56), est supportée sur les flotteurs (12) ou les éléments d'accouplement (16). Un filet (50) peut être suspendu depuis les rails (56) à l'intérieur de l'ensemble fermé constitué par le flotteur (12), afin de créer un enclos d'aquaculture (48). Ces éléments d'accouplement (16) sont également pourvus de pattes (40) et de languettes (42) permettant d'effectuer un accouplement avec des enclos d'aquaculture contigus semblables (48). L'accouplement entre des enclos contigus (48) présente plusieurs degrés de liberté, ce qui permet aux enclos (48) de pivoter les uns par rapport aux autres le long d'un axe horizontal et de s'incliner ou de se déplacer verticalement les uns par rapport aux autres dans un plan vertical contenant l'axe horizontal.
PCT/AU1998/000039 1997-01-24 1998-01-23 Structure flottante demontable et enclos d'aquaculture incorporant cette structure WO1998032330A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU56485/98A AU5648598A (en) 1997-01-24 1998-01-23 Demountable floating structure and an aquaculture pen incorporating same

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPO4766 1997-01-24
AUPO4766A AUPO476697A0 (en) 1997-01-24 1997-01-24 Fish pen

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Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003063583A2 (fr) * 2002-02-01 2003-08-07 Subsea Shellfish Ltd Elevage et recolte de coquillages
ES2223255A1 (es) * 2002-12-10 2005-02-16 Universidade Da Coruña Sistema de bateas poliarticuladas para el cultivo de bivalvos en mares no necesariamente protegidos..
EP1525790A2 (fr) * 2003-10-21 2005-04-27 Juan Ignacio Rodriguez Vazquez Unité flottante circulaire de cages de pisciculture
WO2006043116A1 (fr) * 2004-10-21 2006-04-27 Frano Zanki Solution technique-technologique et ecologique pour les fermes thonieres
ES2279736A1 (es) * 2007-02-07 2007-08-16 Universidad De Vigo Estructua marina reticulada desmontable.
WO2010128494A1 (fr) * 2009-05-04 2010-11-11 Budiprawira Sunadim Système en kit (assemblage et désassemblage) de parc à poissons flottant et son procédé de fabrication
WO2012079186A1 (fr) * 2010-12-16 2012-06-21 Ecosea Farming S.A. Procédé pour l'armement et le transport de radeaux-caissons rigides de forme carrée ou circulaire utilisés pour l'élevage et système de flottaison en polyéthylène servant à soutenir des structures aquatiques rigides
EP2787806A4 (fr) * 2011-12-09 2015-09-30 Akvadesign As Élément flottant et procédé de formation d'un système de flottabilité
WO2016039632A1 (fr) * 2014-09-08 2016-03-17 Akvadesign As Système de flottabilité modulaire et élément de flottation pour cage à filet
NO20160359A1 (no) * 2016-03-02 2017-09-04 Akvadesign As Kobling for fastgjøring av en innhegning til et oppdriftslegeme i en merd
NO20160360A1 (no) * 2016-03-02 2017-09-04 Akvadesign As Kobling med koblingsorgan for fastgjøring av en innhegning til et oppdriftslegeme i en merd
WO2018194461A1 (fr) * 2017-04-19 2018-10-25 Aqua Robotics As Piste pour porte-outil
CN108849668A (zh) * 2018-07-26 2018-11-23 山东中车同力钢构有限公司 一种大型全潜式可装配渔场
CN110999837A (zh) * 2019-12-18 2020-04-14 哈尔滨工程大学 一种抗风浪深海养殖网箱
AU2019202589B2 (en) * 2016-03-02 2020-07-16 Akvadesign As Coupling provided with a coupling body for securing an enclosure in a fish pen to a buoyancy body
CN114208740A (zh) * 2021-12-20 2022-03-22 安徽金诚新型网具科技有限公司 一种便于拆卸的养殖网箱及其安装方法
CN116267737A (zh) * 2023-03-22 2023-06-23 青海大学 一种降低成本的黄河上游养殖网箱附着藻类装置

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US4252081A (en) * 1979-02-16 1981-02-24 Marine Aquaculture (Scotland) Limited Fish cage and method of cleaning fish cage
FR2465412A1 (fr) * 1979-06-19 1981-03-27 Resine Armee Sa Vivier flottant
US4429659A (en) * 1981-04-10 1984-02-07 Holyoak Hugh K Apparatus and method of confining fish
BE1000046A7 (fr) * 1986-09-11 1987-12-15 Terence Nolan Ossature pour enceinte de pisciculture.
US4920921A (en) * 1988-04-01 1990-05-01 Ochs Gordon M Modular aquaculture fish pen assembly with slidable divider
WO1991003931A1 (fr) * 1989-09-20 1991-04-04 Dunlop Limited Unite de passerelle
AU2007397A (en) * 1996-11-11 1997-07-24 Nylex Rotomould Pty Ltd Frame component for a sea cage

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4252081A (en) * 1979-02-16 1981-02-24 Marine Aquaculture (Scotland) Limited Fish cage and method of cleaning fish cage
FR2465412A1 (fr) * 1979-06-19 1981-03-27 Resine Armee Sa Vivier flottant
US4429659A (en) * 1981-04-10 1984-02-07 Holyoak Hugh K Apparatus and method of confining fish
BE1000046A7 (fr) * 1986-09-11 1987-12-15 Terence Nolan Ossature pour enceinte de pisciculture.
US4920921A (en) * 1988-04-01 1990-05-01 Ochs Gordon M Modular aquaculture fish pen assembly with slidable divider
WO1991003931A1 (fr) * 1989-09-20 1991-04-04 Dunlop Limited Unite de passerelle
AU2007397A (en) * 1996-11-11 1997-07-24 Nylex Rotomould Pty Ltd Frame component for a sea cage

Cited By (30)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2003063583A2 (fr) * 2002-02-01 2003-08-07 Subsea Shellfish Ltd Elevage et recolte de coquillages
WO2003063583A3 (fr) * 2002-02-01 2003-12-31 Subsea Shellfish Ltd Elevage et recolte de coquillages
ES2223255A1 (es) * 2002-12-10 2005-02-16 Universidade Da Coruña Sistema de bateas poliarticuladas para el cultivo de bivalvos en mares no necesariamente protegidos..
EP1525790A2 (fr) * 2003-10-21 2005-04-27 Juan Ignacio Rodriguez Vazquez Unité flottante circulaire de cages de pisciculture
EP1525790A3 (fr) * 2003-10-21 2005-05-18 Juan Ignacio Rodriguez Vazquez Unité flottante circulaire de cages de pisciculture
WO2006043116A1 (fr) * 2004-10-21 2006-04-27 Frano Zanki Solution technique-technologique et ecologique pour les fermes thonieres
ES2279736A1 (es) * 2007-02-07 2007-08-16 Universidad De Vigo Estructua marina reticulada desmontable.
WO2010128494A1 (fr) * 2009-05-04 2010-11-11 Budiprawira Sunadim Système en kit (assemblage et désassemblage) de parc à poissons flottant et son procédé de fabrication
WO2012079186A1 (fr) * 2010-12-16 2012-06-21 Ecosea Farming S.A. Procédé pour l'armement et le transport de radeaux-caissons rigides de forme carrée ou circulaire utilisés pour l'élevage et système de flottaison en polyéthylène servant à soutenir des structures aquatiques rigides
EP2787806A4 (fr) * 2011-12-09 2015-09-30 Akvadesign As Élément flottant et procédé de formation d'un système de flottabilité
US9321511B2 (en) 2011-12-09 2016-04-26 Akvadesign As Floating element and method of forming a buoyancy system
WO2016039632A1 (fr) * 2014-09-08 2016-03-17 Akvadesign As Système de flottabilité modulaire et élément de flottation pour cage à filet
NO338238B1 (no) * 2014-09-08 2016-08-08 Akvadesign As Flyteelement for en merd
US10463026B2 (en) 2014-09-08 2019-11-05 Akvadesign As Modular buoyancy system and flotation element for net cage
EA033482B1 (ru) * 2014-09-08 2019-10-31 Akvadesign As Модульная система обеспечения плавучести и элемент обеспечения плавучести для сетевого садка
NO20160360A1 (no) * 2016-03-02 2017-09-04 Akvadesign As Kobling med koblingsorgan for fastgjøring av en innhegning til et oppdriftslegeme i en merd
US10827729B2 (en) 2016-03-02 2020-11-10 Akvadesign As Buoyancy system for a fish pen
US11825815B2 (en) 2016-03-02 2023-11-28 Akvadesign As Buoyancy system for a fish pen
NO341912B1 (no) * 2016-03-02 2018-02-19 Akvadesign As Kobling for fastgjøring av en innhegning til et oppdriftslegeme i en merd
NO341911B1 (no) * 2016-03-02 2018-02-19 Akvadesign As Kobling med koblingsorgan for fastgjøring av en innhegning til et oppdriftslegeme i en merd
NO20160359A1 (no) * 2016-03-02 2017-09-04 Akvadesign As Kobling for fastgjøring av en innhegning til et oppdriftslegeme i en merd
AU2019202588B2 (en) * 2016-03-02 2020-07-16 Akvadesign As Coupling for securing an enclosure in a fish pen to a buoyancy body
AU2019202589B2 (en) * 2016-03-02 2020-07-16 Akvadesign As Coupling provided with a coupling body for securing an enclosure in a fish pen to a buoyancy body
CN110678069A (zh) * 2017-04-19 2020-01-10 阿卡机器人股份有限公司 用于工具架的轨道
WO2018194461A1 (fr) * 2017-04-19 2018-10-25 Aqua Robotics As Piste pour porte-outil
CN108849668A (zh) * 2018-07-26 2018-11-23 山东中车同力钢构有限公司 一种大型全潜式可装配渔场
CN110999837A (zh) * 2019-12-18 2020-04-14 哈尔滨工程大学 一种抗风浪深海养殖网箱
CN110999837B (zh) * 2019-12-18 2021-08-20 哈尔滨工程大学 一种抗风浪深海养殖网箱
CN114208740A (zh) * 2021-12-20 2022-03-22 安徽金诚新型网具科技有限公司 一种便于拆卸的养殖网箱及其安装方法
CN116267737A (zh) * 2023-03-22 2023-06-23 青海大学 一种降低成本的黄河上游养殖网箱附着藻类装置

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