Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
  • B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
  • B63B35/34—Pontoons
• • 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

• the present invention relates to a pontoon for use in a floating structure such as a fish farm, a feeding installation, floating jetties or the like, together with a system for interconnection of such pontoons.
• Various types of pontoons are known for use as buoyancy means, e.g. in a floating structure such as a fish cage in a fish farm or the like.
• the common feature of such pontoons is that they must have a specific degree of buoyancy, which has to be maintained under virtually all conditions, even though they are exposed to mechanical damage or wear, due, for example, to long-term use in the water.
• These pontoons moreover, should have the mechanical strength to enable them to form part of a buoyancy means in a floating structure where the pontoon must be sufficiently robust to bear the required load, and withstand natural forces and the forces from the mechanical structure.
• pontoons may, for example, be interconnected, thus producing a floating framework for fish cages, or the pontoons are linked to form landing stages or gangways.
• interlinked pontoons may also be employed for mooring of boats or dividing into berths, etc. There will be a multitude of areas of application for this system, and one type of pontoon and system for connecting several such pontoons may well be suitable for several different areas of application.
• a known type of pontoon is composed of bodies of synthetic material produced by rotational moulding. This is particularly favourable since it is an inexpensive method of production which permits the formation of the desired shape in addition to producing a product which is extremely durable.
• One problem with pontoons of this kind made of synthetic material and produced by rotational moulding, however, is that their structural strength may be inadequate for a number of applications, in addition to which their strength may be deficient when they are connected with other elements. At the connecting point there will be relatively strong mechanical forces influencing the pontoon and unless the connection to the pontoon is robust, these forces will be capable of destroying the structure of the pontoon.
• a further object is to exploit the obvious advantages of synthetic material pontoons in general and the advantages of rotational moulding of synthetic material, particularly the economic aspect of rotational moulding of synthetic material, while at the same time overcoming the constructional challenges and problems associated with synthetic material pontoons.
• Rotational moulding also offers the opportunity of producing non-slip walkways, thus making a positive contribution to the working environment. It is also a challenge to produce pontoons that withstand mechanical wear and maintain almost their entire buoyancy even in the event of mechanical damage and penetration of dampness.
• a pontoon for use in a floating structure, which pontoon has an inner void volume adapted to the buoyancy required by the pontoon, and which pontoon is designed for connection with adjacent pontoons in a floating structure on one or more sides of the pontoon.
• the pontoon is characterised in that it is provided with an internal stiffening and reinforcing structure with connecting means for connection with an adjacent pontoon or a connecting element, which pontoon with inner stiffening structure is preferably produced by rotational moulding. Rotational moulding is specially preferred since it is an inexpensive, reliable and simple method of producing pontoons.
• the void volume of the pontoon is filled with a light displacement material such as plastic balls, foam or the like, but preferably EPS foam. This ensures that the pontoon retains most of its buoyancy even though it is exposed to mechanical damage or penetration of moisture.
• a light displacement material such as plastic balls, foam or the like, but preferably EPS foam.
• the stiffening and reinforcing structure connects the connecting means on opposite sides of a pontoon.
• This structure should be rigid and strong and is preferably produced in a reinforcing material such as Kevlar, carbon or various metal alloys, preferably steel.
• the stiffening and reinforcing structure is further connected with through-going openings and nuts welded on to the bottom. This is preferred since it adapts the pontoon particularly well for interconnection in accordance with the system according to the present invention as indicated below.
• This technical solution is also adapted to the interconnection of several pontoons of the type described above, according to the present invention.
• the system is particularly adapted to pontoons with an internal stiffening and load- bearing construction.
• the system for interconnecting pontoons according to the present invention is not only adapted to the pontoons indicated above and may of course also be employed together with other types and designs of pontoons.
• pontoons of various designs can be linked together in such a manner that the pontoon arrangement achieved is resistant to wear resulting from wave stresses.
• the pontoons can be assembled in different configurations, providing different designs of a final floating structure.
• Such an arrangement will be highly flexible with regard to the area of application in which it is to function.
• the shape of the pontoon arrangement can thus be specially adapted to suit the desired purpose, for example fish farming and feeding installations.
• An object of the system according to the present invention is to be able to interconnect several pontoons in a suitable fashion in such a manner that the total floating structure can withstand natural forces such as wave motion without damage to the pontoons or the interconnected units and without the individual parts being exposed to destructive mechanical wear from the motion induced by the natural forces or the mechanically induced forces.
• the connection according to the present invention should also be easy to produce, easy to inspect and easy to replace in its entirety or in parts if damage should occur. From previously known technical solutions for interconnecting pontoons, etc., we refer inter alia to US patent 2,277,885 and US patent 2,893,722 which describe screw connections for end joints or the like of elements that have to be connected.
• connection is described with an internal through-going sleeve for preventing transfer of vibrations, where the sleeve itself is composed of an elastic material.
• the connection according to this solution will also have a degree of tolerance with regard to angular difference, e.g. between pontoons influenced by waves.
• a system is provided for interconnecting pontoons in a floating structure, especially for pontoons according to the present invention as indicated above.
• the system is characterised in that the pontoons are connected via flexible elements,
• the flexible element is provided with through-going openings
• the flexible element is mounted on the connecting means on a pontoon
• an additional connecting means is mounted over the flexible element, which additional connecting means is provided with through-going openings corresponding to the through-going openings in the flexible element and the connecting means,
• a bolt connection is formed between the connecting means and through the openings in the flexible element.
• discs are welded on to one side of the connecting means on the top of the connection, which discs have a diameter that is smaller than the through-going openings in the flexible element. This permits both the upper and lower connecting means to abut against the flexible element, providing a strong, flexible and durable connection.
• figure 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of a fish farm provided with pontoons and a system for interconnection according to the present invention.
• Figures 2 and 3 are a plan view in greater detail of pontoons according to the present invention connected in various configurations, as parts of the whole indicated in fig. 1.
• Figures 4a, b, c are a perspective view and plan view of a pontoon for connection of four other pontoons according to the present invention.
• Figures 5a, b, c are a perspective view and plan view of a stiffening structure for use internally in a pontoon as illustrated in figures 4a-c.
• Figures 6a, b, c are a transparent perspective view and plan view of a pontoon as illustrated in figures 4a-c with a stiffening structure as illustrated in figures 5a-c.
• Figures 7a and b illustrate two pontoons exposed to wave motion.
• Figures 8a and b are a plan view of a stiffening structure for a pontoon according to the present invention.
• Figures 9a and b are a plan view of a flexible connecting element for use in the system according to the present invention.
• Figures 1 Oa and b are a plan view of a part of the connection between a pontoon according to the present invention and the connecting element as illustrated in figs. 9a and b.
• Figures 1 1a and b are a plan view and a more detailed view of an additional part of the connection between a pontoon according to the present invention and the connecting element as illustrated in figs. 9a and b.
• Figure 12 is a sectional view of an assembly of a pontoon with a system for connecting the pontoon and a connecting element as illustrated in figs. 9a and b, 10a and b and 1 1a and b.
• Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating an embodiment of a fish farm provided with pontoons 1 and 2 and a system for interconnection according to the present invention.
• the fish farm consists of fifteen corner pontoons 1 connecting pontoons in four directions.
• the fish farm further consists of twelve lengths of connecting pontoons 2 between the corner pontoons 1. This gives a fish farm with eight openings for installing cages or as a structure between the outer edge of cages or the like. Similar configurations may of course also be provided in connection with floating jetties or the like and the figure illustrates the flexibility of the pontoons and the system for interconnection according to the present invention.
• Figures 2 and 3 are a plan view illustrating in greater detail pontoons 1 and 2 according to the present invention connected in various configurations as parts of the whole which is indicated in fig. 1.
• the pontoons 1 and 2 are connected with connecting elements 3 according to the present invention.
• Figure 2 illustrates a + configuration where a central pontoon 1 is connected along its four sides with additional pontoons 2 by the connecting elements 3.
• each of the pontoons 2 is further connected with additional pontoons 2.
• an L configuration is illustrated where two of the four sides of the pontoon 1 are connected with the pontoons 2. This may, for example, be an outer corner of a fish farm as illustrated in figure 1.
• Figures 4a, b, c are a perspective view and plan view respectively illustrating a pontoon 1 for connection with four other pontoons according to the present invention.
• Countersinks 4 are illustrated along each of the pontoon's 1 straight outer edges for mounting a connecting structure.
• FIGs 5a, b, c are a perspective view and plan view respectively illustrating a stiffening structure for use internally in a pontoon as illustrated in figures 4a-c.
• the structure is specially designed for installation in a pontoon according to the present invention, preferably produced by rotational moulding.
• the stiffening structure connects the respective opposite sides of the pontoon via the connecting means 5 and is designed with an attachment for a connecting element between adjacent pontoons.
• the attachment is illustrated as a flat steel plate 6 with a through-going hole 7 for bolt connection.
• the stiffening structure is preferably provided in a reinforcing material such as steel which is rigid and can absorb those forces that the pontoon otherwise cannot absorb and which thereby solves the problems and challenges outlined in the introduction above.
• Figures 6a, b, c are a transparent perspective view and a plan view respectively illustrating a pontoon 1 as illustrated in figures 4a-c with a stiffening structure 5 as illustrated in figures 5a-c with attachments 6, 7.
• Figure 6b further illustrates how the countersink 4 permits the connection to be recessed, thus providing a flat surface and contributing in turn to a good working environment.
• FIGS 7a and b illustrate two pontoons 15 exposed to wave motion.
• the pontoons are provided with rails 20.
• the figure illustrates the challenges and problems that have to be solved by the system for interconnection of pontoons according to the present invention.
• Special focus should be placed on the fact that the pontoons have to be designed with a bevelled angle in order to prevent the pontoons from being crushed or damaged during wave motion.
• FIGs 8a and b are plan views illustrating a stiffening structure for a pontoon 2 according to the present invention like the stiffening structure illustrated in figures 5a-c.
• connecting structural elements 5 for example of steel or another reinforcing material
• connecting elements 6 with through- going openings 7 at each end for connection with a connecting element 3 which holds two pontoons together.
• Figures 9a and b are also plan views illustrating a flexible connecting element 3 for use in the system according to the present invention.
• the flexible element is made of a flexible material such as rubber or fabric.
• the element 3 is also provided with through-going openings 9 for bolt connection with the pontoons. It is an advantage if the length of the flexible element 3 is substantially equal to the width of the pontoon or at least the attachment in the pontoon, since this provides good lateral stability and resistance to mechanical damage and wear.
• Figures 9a, b, 10a, b, 1 la, b and 12 further illustrate an exemplified but preferred embodiment of the connection between two pontoons as indicated in the system for interconnection of pontoons according to the present invention. It should be noted, however, that this only represents one possibility amongst many and it is possible for a person skilled in the art to produce many concrete variants within the scope of the protection as initiated in the following patent claims.
• Figures 10a and b are a plan view illustrating a part 6 of the connection between a pontoon according to the present invention and the connecting element illustrated in figs. 9a and b.
• This part 6 is preferably mounted on the bottom of the connection in accordance with the system according to the invention as later indicated in figure 12.
• the connecting part 6 has a number of through-going openings 7 and a nut is welded on to one side of the element 6 at each of the through-going openings. Alternatively, it will be possible to provide the through-going openings with threads.
• Figures 1 1a and b are plan view and a more detailed view of the "second" additional part of the connection between a pontoon according to the present invention and the connecting element as illustrated in figs. 9a and b.
• This second part 1 1 is provided with a number of through-going openings corresponding to the number and position of the openings 7 on the first part of the connection.
• Discs 10 are also welded on to one side of the element 1 1.
• a bevelled portion 14 or a "nose” is also created along the long side of the element 1 1.
• Figure 12 is a sectional view of an assembly of a pontoon and a connecting element as illustrated in figs. 9a and b. It is apparent here that the element 6, which is a part of the inner stiffening structure, is mounted on the bottom of the connection, i.e. on the bottom of the elastic connecting element 3. The element 3 is further mounted on top of the element 6. When the element 6 is then mounted over the element 3, the welded-on disc 10 has a smaller diameter than the through-going opening 9 in the flexible element and the disc remains located down in this opening. The element 1 1 thus comes into abutment against the element 3 and this element 3 is clamped into a connection between the elements 6 and 1 1. The connection is secured by bolts 12 which are passed through from the top and enter the welded-on nuts 8 on the bottom of the element 6. In addition, a disc 13 is provided between the head of the bolt 12 and the welded-on disc 10.

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• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Environmental Sciences (AREA)
• Marine Sciences & Fisheries (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Zoology (AREA)
• Animal Husbandry (AREA)
• Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Bridges Or Land Bridges (AREA)
• Artificial Fish Reefs (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

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Family Applications (1)

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Cited By (2)

Citations (6)

• 2002
  • 2002-05-24 NO NO20022474A patent/NO316738B1/no not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2003
  • 2003-05-23 AU AU2003241231A patent/AU2003241231A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-05-23 WO PCT/NO2003/000171 patent/WO2003099649A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation

Patent Citations (6)

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