WO2011045459A1

WO2011045459A1 - Mollusk culture structure

Info

Publication number: WO2011045459A1
Application number: PCT/ES2010/070657
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrés QUINTÁ CORTIÑAS
Original assignee: Española De Plataformas Marinas, S. L.
Priority date: 2009-10-15
Filing date: 2010-10-13
Publication date: 2011-04-21
Also published as: ES2357933A1; ES2357933B1; AR078633A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a mollusk culture structure built with frames (1) formed by longitudinal members (2) and cross members (3) and girders (4) for the culture ropes. The frames (1) are interconnected by a stack of tyres (6) retained between containment members (16) secured to adjustment reinforcements (12) provided at the ends of two longitudinal members (2) to be connected. The longitudinal members (2) include first (7) and second (8) tubular elements joined by short tubes (9) that communicates same.

Description

STRUCTURE FOR MOLLUSK BREEDING

[1] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[2] The invention relates to a structure for shellfish farming, especially for the cultivation of lameli-gill mollusks, in shallow waters and even in the open sea.

[3] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[4] Mollusc farming at the mouth of the estuaries, in shallow waters of large lakes, or in the open sea where the swell can be considerable, requires cultivation structures that resist the onslaught of the sea and the strength of underwater currents in the storms, or the efforts caused in its towed to the place of use, or the sum of both.

[5] In addition, in the known designs of shellfish structures, the breeding ropes that hang from the structures undergo sudden movements causing the detachment of part of the crop.

[6] The rigidity in the design of these structures, together with the heavy loads they support, prevents their correct adaptation to the marine environment and, given that a better adaptation to the environment is required in the facilities and devices for shellfish farming than in the designed for fish farming, it is necessary to design structures for these specific crops by providing elongated hollow members or with at least their hollow ends interconnected by intermediate modules of a flexible nature, as disclosed in document E52145727.

[7] Document WO8703170, although not intended for shellfish farming, discloses a floating device for the breeding of fish and the like that incorporates at least one breeding bag carried by a cage equipped with floating bodies, the cage consisting of a shell three-dimensional composed of several bars arranged in polygons, the bars being elastically interconnected and interconnecting braces provided between at least some of the joints.

[8] Document EP0358421 discloses the use of a flexible coupling to join the frames in a fence structure for fish farming, the coupling includes first and second mounting means for incorporation into respective adjacent frames in the structure and a flexible body between said first and second mounting means. The rotational and translational movement between adjacent frames is determined by the flexible body material and by two mechanical stops. The coupling includes a mechanical connection between the mounting means in the event that the flexible body fails.

[9] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide a structure for the raising of mollusks, navigable or submersible, that can be assembled or disassembled at their place of use in order to allow their use as an expandable or reducible structure depending on the needs of the grower.

Another object of the invention is to improve its stability and its navigability, increasing the surface or submerged adaptability of the structure to calm currents or to the angry raging of the waters, which results in the achievement of greater productivity in the crop by decreasing or eliminate the landslides caused by the movement of the waters.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

These objectives are met as a structure for shellfish culture is provided that includes frames formed by parallel stringers held together by reinforcing crossbars and, on the stringers, cross beams from which the culture ropes hang, the racks being related to each other. by flexible modules provided between the ends of the stringers; the stringers and crossbars formed by rigid modular elements of hollow section and at least the ends of the stringers with their ends of hollow section; the flexible modules being constituted by superimposed tire wheels that interconnect the ends of two successive stringers in the structure. The structure allows, as said, its extension or reduction and the interconnection of the racks in a simple and economical way.

To ensure the articulated, efficient, simple and economical interconnection between the frames in the structure, the end of each stringer to be connected incorporates an adaptation reinforcement to which a first containment member is attached, capable of covering a peripheral region of the overlap. of pneumatic wheels, while the diametrically opposite peripheral region is encompassed by another first containment member fixed to the adaptation frame of a second immediate stringer in the frame to be joined to prolong the structure, consequently, the superposition of wheels of pneumatic connecting the ends of two successive stringers in the structure is laterally and tangentially contained between said first one and another containment members, once through its central holes a couple of longitudinally facing second containment members have been inserted and are mounting the braces on them for the subsequent connection of l I tie you to the first containment members in each stringer, thus ensuring the interconnection between stringers and enabling a better and more complete articulation in the interconnections than in the background considered.

The rigid braces together with said first and second containment members constitute the means for retaining the stringers to the tire wheels, which make bit in use they are superimposed inserted in the opposite pair and vertically contained with the help of the second means of containment provided in each stringer to be joined. Being that the variation of the separation between the pair facing the second containment members in one and the other side member together with the flexibility of the tire wheel overlay used consents in the adaptability of the structure to the movement of the waters when absorbing the stresses mechanics that it originates.

[16] In accordance with the invention and in order to ensure a better navigability, both on the surface, and submerged in the cases in which it is required, each stringer in the structure is formed by a first and a second tubular elements, where appropriate compartmentalized to vary its flotation filling or emptying its internal volume for example with water or air, provided parallel to each other and joined by short tubes that communicate its interior. Given the prediction of the use of the structure only on the surface, the second tubular element is usually permanently ballasted to favor its performance as a keel of the structure. The anterior ends of the first tubular elements of the stringers provided forward in the structure are closed by hollow hydrodynamic plugs, while the anterior and posterior ends of the second tubular elements provide closed ends for hollow warheads, favoring surface seaworthiness or submerged of the structure.

[17] According to a simplified embodiment, the shellfish structure is presented in accordance with a trimaran distribution in a single frame, that is, three stringers joined together by reinforcement beams and, on the beams, the beams are - carriers of the cultivation ropes. The hollow stringers, or compartmentalized for ballasting in the case that a submersible structure is desired, promote the buoyancy necessary for the structure and its definition, pointed forward, determines its navigability and structural stability. Thus, this structure allows another frame with the same distribution to be added to its stern, so that the stringers of the first frame defining the initial structure are extended in corresponding stringers of the second frame with the interposition of the tire wheels, which in an example of realization, allow the passage through its central holes of a couple of second longitudinally facing containment members and by mounting the braces in them for later, for example on the sea surface, the braces are also connected to the first containment members in each stringer , resulting in tangential wheels to the first and second containment members, thus ensuring the interconnection between the stringers and allowing a better and more complete articulation in the interconnections than in the background considered.

[18] With the purpose of collaborating in the maintenance of the load, facilitating flexion and avoiding the deformation or breakage of the transverse beams from which the crop ropes hang due to overweight caused by population growth, the stringers and in particular the first tubular elements of the stringers include stirrups in which the beams are fixed .

[19] Buoys aligned to the bow and stern in the structure, which house the elements for their government, collaborate in supporting the structure.

[20] According to what has been said, the structure for shellfish farming can be used on the surface as well as being able to act submerged to achieve greater productivity, given that the landslides caused by the strong surface currents are reduced and, in their submerged use , allows its location in the area rich in nutrients offered by the waters in which it will be used.

[21] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[22] Hereinafter the invention will be further described in relation to the accompanying drawings, which show a preferred non-limiting embodiment example:

[23] Figure 1 shows a side elevation view of the shellfish structure.

[24] Figure 2 shows a plan view of the shellfish structure.

[25] Figure 3 shows a front elevational view of the structure for the breeding of

mollusks

[26] Figure 4, shows, in perspective and on a larger scale, a part of the shellfish structure showing the parts involved in the interconnection of two successive stringers.

[27] Figure 5 shows, in detail on a larger scale, a part of the shellfish structure illustrating the transverse connection of a reinforcing beam to a crossbar.

[28] DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[29] In accordance with the invention and as best seen in Figures 1 to 3, a structure for mollusc farming is provided constructed with frames (1) formed by stringers (2) held parallel by reinforcing crossbars (3) and on the stringers (2) transverse beams (4) from which the crop ropes hang (not shown), the racks are observed (1) interconnected by flexible modules (5) integrated by a tire wheel overlay ( 6) provided between the ends of the stringers (2); the stringers (2) and the reinforcing cross members (3) are formed by rigid modular elements of hollow section and at least the ends of the stringers (2) have their hollow section ends, the modular elements communicated with each other and the variable being variable flotation of the self-supporting structure depending on the air or ballast contained inside.

[30] As Figure 1 illustrates, each stringer (2) comprises a first (7) and a second (8) tubular elements, provided longitudinally parallel and joined by shorts tubes (9) arranged transverse that communicate them. The front ends of the first tubular elements (7) of the stringers (2) provided forward in the structure are closed by hollow hydrodynamic plugs (10), the second tubular elements (8) have their ends closed by hollow warheads (11) .

[31] In the embodiment shown, as seen in Figure 4, the flexible modules (5) consist of an overlay of tire wheels (6) that interconnect the proximal ends of two successive stringers (2) in the structure. Preferably, in the factory, adaptive trusses (12) for first containment members (16) of the tire wheel overlay (6) are mounted on the hollow ends of the stringers (2) to be interconnected, in the example the trusses of adaptation (12) constructed with reinforcement plates (13) adapted and welded longitudinally in the inner end portions of the stringers (2) following opposite generating paths; closing the mouths of the end portions of the stringers (2) and transversely fixed to said reinforcement plates (13) a disc (14) is incorporated, in the example with holes circumferentially provided in the vicinity of its periphery for the passage of screws (15) which also pass through corresponding holes provided in the disc (17) that forms the basis of the first containment member (16) of the tire wheel overlay (6). The disc (17) of the first containment member (16) is presented oppositely prolonged to its union screwed with a damping structure, in the example constructed with a plurality of ribs (18) around a tubular neck (19) to the which is connected, by supporting ribs (20), the containment plate (21) of the tire wheel overlay (6). The containment plate (21) in the example is concave with its lateral edges (22) turned outwardly from the concavity for better adaptation to the peripheral region of the tire wheels (6) which covers when an effort occurs of compression on these.

[32] According to the preferred embodiment, the first containment member (16), previously assembled at the factory in the adaptation frame (13) at the end of a first crossbar (2) to be interconnected and also prepared the tire wheels (6) with the pair of respective second containment members (25), by incorporating nuts (24) of the ends of the rigid braces (23) into the holes of each of the plates (26) facing each other, they pass through the central holes of the tire wheels (5) and configure the respective second containment members (25). Subsequently, at the place of use, for example the sea surface, the free ends of the rigid braces connected to each of the plates (26) are also connected, by means of nuts (24), in the holes of the containment plates (21) that configure the first containment members (16), resulting in the tire wheels (6) tangential to the first (16) and second containment members (25), and are retained between the ends of the successive stringers (2) that relate by diametrically opposite peripheral regions, as illustrated in Figure 4, thus ensuring the interconnection between the stringers (2) and enabling better and more complete articulation in the interconnections than in the background considered.

[33] As shown in Figure 4, the second containment members (25) are formed with a plate (26), in the example with a concave plate (26), with a smaller amplitude than the containment plate (21) for its best adaptation to the inner periphery of the central hole of the tire wheels (6), containment plate (21) that is also concave but with its lateral edges (27) turned inwards into the concavity.

[34] As best illustrated in Figure 5 and pretending to avoid deformation or breakage of the cross beams (4), from which hang the cropping ropes not represented although if the hooks (28) of which they hang, by the overweight due to population growth, the stringers (2) or the first tubular elements (7) that define them include stirrups (29), arranged aligned on the stringers (2) of each frame (1), in which they are fixed cross beams (4).

[35] As Figures 1 to 3 illustrate and as best seen in Figure 3, buoys (31) provided for the shell are observed forward and aft in the structure for shellfish farming and connected to it by tubes (30) shelter of the necessary elements for your government.

[36] The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown, but a plurality of variations are possible within the scope of the claims.

Claims

Structure for shellfish farming, which includes frames (1) formed by parallel stringers (2) held together by reinforcing crossbars (3) and, on the stringers (2), transverse beams (4) from which hang the ropes of cultivation, the frames (1) related to each other by flexible modules (5) provided between the ends of the stringers (2), the stringers (2) and the reinforcement cross members (3) formed by rigid modular elements of hollow section and at the minus the ends of the stringers (2) with their hollow section ends, characterized in that said flexible modules (5) comprise an overlap of tire wheels (6) that interconnect the ends of two successive stringers (2) in the structure.

Structure for shellfish farming, according to claim 1, characterized in that the ends of the stringers (2) to be interconnected in the structure through said tire wheels (6) incorporate, on an adaptation frame (12), a first containment member (16) for said tire wheel overlay (6), said first containment member (16) in each stringer (2) connected by rigid braces (23) and nuts (24) to a corresponding and independent second member of containment (25) with the interposition of the superposition of tire wheels (6) threaded by their central holes on the pair facing said second containment members (25), ensuring articulated interconnection between the stringers (2).

Structure for shellfish farming, according to previous claims, characterized in that each stringer (2) comprises a first (7) and a second (8) tubular elements, provided parallel and transversely joined by short tubes (9) that communicate them.

Structure for shellfish farming, according to previous claims, characterized in that at least the anterior ends of the first tubular elements (7) of the stringers (2) provided forward in the structure are closed by hollow hydrodynamic plugs (10).

Structure of mollusc farming according to previous claims, characterized in that said second tubular elements (8) have their ends closed by hollow warheads (11).

Structure for shellfish farming, according to previous claims, characterized in that the stringers (2) and said first tubular elements (7) in the stringers have stirrups (29) in which the beams are fixed transversal (4).

Structure for shellfish farming, according to previous claims, characterized in that it comprises signaling buoys (31) aligned to the bow and stern in the structure, which collaborate in its support and incorporate the governance elements thereof.