WO2011087371A1

WO2011087371A1 - Device for cleaning floating aquaculture collars

Info

Publication number: WO2011087371A1
Application number: PCT/NO2011/000002
Authority: WO
Inventors: Idar Indset; Trond Sivertsen; Terje Olsen; Guttorm Enoksen
Original assignee: Surnadal Sjøservice As
Priority date: 2010-01-15
Filing date: 2011-01-05
Publication date: 2011-07-21
Also published as: CL2012001953A1; NO20100063A1; GB201212465D0; GB2489170A; GB2489170B; CA2787000A1; NO332467B1

Abstract

Device to be attached to a vessel, preferably a boat, for cleaning of floating collars (2) on net cages, optionally having a bottom ring (3). The device comprises at least one wheel pair (4a, 4b; 5a, 5b) attached to a supporting device (6; 7), and at least one upwardly nozzle (14) arranged before or after the wheel pair. The floating collar (2) to be cleaned is bearing against the top side of the wheel path and is guided over said one or more nozzles.

Description

DEVICE FOR CLEANING FLOATING AQUACULTURE COLLARS

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

Background

According to regulations concerning operation of aquaculture farms (the aquaculture farming regulation), Art. 11; hygiene precautions to avoid contamination, required cleaning of installations and production units shall be performed regularly to ensure that personnel, working clothes, equipment, devices, spent packaging etc. do not spread infection. Used seines, devices, equipment etc. shall be cleaned and disinfected by approved disinfectant before being moved to another aquaculture farm. As a consequence, also the floating collars must be cleaned in addition to the seines in traditional net cages. The term "floating collar" is in the present patent application meant to identify the part of a net cage which is totally or partly located above water or in the surface, i.e. the floating collars, the walkway, hand rail etc.

Today the floating collar is cleaned manually. Usually the floating collar including the bottom ring is lifted by a crane and then cleaned by flushing from below. Other operators lift parts of the floating collar onto the deck or railing and perform the cleaning there. These processes are very poor working operations in view of health, environment and safety (HMS), irrespective of weather conditions.

In addition, this is work which requires the use of rainwear, gloves, helmet and glasses. Boats and crew becomes thus very dirty, and an increasing number of operators refuse to perform this operation, both because of safety and the inappropriate working process.

The boats which are used for this are traditional service boats which usually are less than 15 meters and where the crane capacity often is limited. However, the collars or rings employed are becoming increasingly larger. Today mostly 120 meter and 157 meter devices are in use, and soon even larger are going to be used.

Leroy Midnor has developed a system for cleaning floating collars located on a raft. This is the best solution in use today with regards to HMS. However, moving between locations and not at least cleaning (disinfection) of the raft itself is demanding.

Object

An object of the present invention is to provide a device for cleaning of floating collars and optionally bottom rings, where the floating collar is to be washed with a minimum of number of lifts and without the need for assistance of specialized vessels. Moreover, an object is that personnel operating the device shall have good working tasks with regards to HMS, and that the device itself also shall be cleanable and movable between different locations in a simple manner.

Another object is that the present invention is able to clean floating collars while substantially being located in the sea, and that the device is kept in rest while the floating collar is moved.

Invention

The objects are achieved by a device in accordance with the characterizing section of claim 1. Further beneficial features are stated in the independent claims.

A device in accordance with the present invention is designed to be attached to a vessel, preferably a boat, to clean floating collars on net cages, optionally with a bottom ring. Required power, water etc. can be supplied from the vessel. The device comprises at least one pair of wheels attached to a supporting device, and moreover an upwardly directed nozzle arranged before or after the wheel pair, whereby the floating collar to be cleaned bears against the surface of the wheel pair and is guided above the nozzle or nozzles. By "before or after the wheel pair" it is, in this application, meant in the direction of transportation for the floating collar being cleaned in the device. Upon cleaning, the floating collar is lifted onto the wheel pair or pairs and the device is arranged in such a manner that the floating collar will rotate while the vessel which the device is attached to, is kept in rest.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the supporting device comprises two frames, where one wheel in each pair is attached to one frame, said frames being mutually attached. The frames can be fixed or adjustably attached to each other so that the width of the device can be adjusted in accordance with the size of the floating collar to be cleaned.

In order to move the floating collar through the device, at least one wheel constitutes a driving wheel which moves the floating collar forwards and over the nozzle or nozzles. It is also possible to provide driving operation on two or more of the wheels to make the device more stable both during rough sea and also at heavy fouling. In a particularly preferred embodiment the speed of the wheels can be controlled manually so that strongly fouled areas are flushed for a longer period of time than less fouled areas.

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

In a preferred embodiment of the device, the upwardly directed nozzle is movable, preferably in the lateral direction of the device, and in a particularly preferred embodiment, a rotatable arm exhibiting a nozzle in each end is used. The arm with the nozzles (in the following designated as the nozzle arm) shall rotate substantially horizontally so that the floating collar being moved above is flushed from below.

Floating collars are often attached to bottom rings, and in a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bottom ring is also cleaned by flushing. The floating collar with the bottom ring suspended just below is lifted onto the wheel pair(s) so that the bottom ring becomes suspended between the wheels in a wheel pair. In order to clean the floating collar itself, this embodiment employs two movable nozzles located one on each side of the middle, whereby the nozzles are attached to their respective adjacent ends of the supporting device. In the cases where two wheel pairs are used, the nozzles are located between the wheel pairs. Below the wheels or nozzles for flushing of the floating collar, at least one, preferably two, additional nozzles are mounted to clean the bottom ring. The bottom ring is to be cleaned on all sides, and it is therefore an advantage that these nozzles are movable and mounted opposite facing each other. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the nozzles cleaning the floating collar are moved horizontally whereas the nozzles cleaning the bottom ring are moved vertically.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, all nozzles are mounted in an end of an arm, whereby the arm is supported in the center. By adjusting the angle of the nozzle and controlling the pressure in the supply hose, the rotating speed of the arm can be controlled. In embodiments where the bottom ring also should be cleaned, two horizontally rotating nozzle arms are used to clean the floating collar, one at each side of the center between the wheel pair(s), and two vertically rotating nozzle arms are used to clean the bottom ring. The nozzle arms which clean the bottom ring are located below the horizontally rotating nozzle arms, but it is unimportant whether they are located straight below the horizontally rotating nozzle arms, under the wheels, or another place in the device, along the path of the bottom ring. To ensure that the whole floating collar/bottom ring is being cleaned, it is an advantage that the horizontal nozzle arms are longer than the diameter of one floating collar and that the vertical nozzle arms are longer than the diameter of the bottom ring.

When the device is being used, the floating collar is moved forwards by the drive wheel(s), but some lateral displacement will always occur, and this will be amplified by waves and rough sea. Moreover, floating collars have different sizes, and for that reason the device is provided with means to narrow the width. This can be done in numerous ways, which will be obvious for a person skilled in the art.

When a floating collar with a bottom ring is to be cleaned, the bottom ring is lifted until it is suspended just below the floating collar, and since it is suspended in a chain only, it can be moved horizontally. In order to minimize this movement, a pulley formed wheel is preferably located at the inlet of the device, whereby the bottom ring will run over said wheel. Further, to protect the nozzles, numerous shields are located around them so that the bottom ring is prevented from colliding with them and cause damage. However, there are numerous solutions to this, which will obvoius to a person skilled in the art.

Example

In the following, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is described, wherein the embodiment is designed to clean and/or disinfect floating collars in fishing net cages. The embodiment is illustrated in attached drawings, where

Figure 1 illustrates the device attached to the stern of a boat,

Figure 2 illustrates the device from above, and

Figure 3 illustrates a vertical section of the device, taken along the line l-l of Figure 1.

The device is designed to be attached to a boat 1 as shown in Figure 1, whereby the left side of the device shown in Figure 2, shall face the boat. Driving force, water and water pressure etc. is to be supplied from the boat. This can be done in numerous ways which will be obvious to a person skilled in the art, and is therefore not included in the drawing.

The illustrated device is designed to clean the underside of traditional floating collars 2 with bottom pipe 3 suspended below, by flushing them, but can of course also be used for cleaning of floating collars without bottom pipes. The part of the floating collar being cleaned is located in the device, whereas the remaining part of the floating collar is located in the sea, as illustrated in Figure 1. The device is designed in a manner that makes the floating collar 2 rotate while the boat 1 including the device is substantially not moving.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the device is shown in detail in Figures 2 and 3, and is designed with two wheel pairs 4a, 4b; 5a, 5b, attached to a supporting device comprising two frames 6, 7, where one wheel in each pair (4a and 5a; 4b and 5b) is attached to a common frame 6; 7, and the frames 6, 7 are attached to each other. The attachment between the frames is adjustable in a way that the width of the device can be adjusted in accordance with the size of the floating collar to be cleaned. Each wheel pair comprises one wheel 4a, 5a on a frame 6 located adjacent to the boat and one wheel 4b, 5b on a frame 7 located away from the boat (hereinafter designated the external wheels). In the illustrated embodiments, both wheels 4a, 5a located adjacent to the boat are driven (hereinafter designated as the drive wheels), but also one or both of the external wheels 4b, 5b can be driven. When a floating collar 2 is to be cleaned, the collar is lifted into the device so that one floating ring 8 is lying on top of the drive wheels 4a, 5a, and the other 8 remains lying upon the external wheels 4b, 5b. The floating collar is shown dotted in Figure 2 and 3.

In order to limit lateral movement of the floating collar in the device, the illustrated

embodiment is designed with two caster wheels 10 arranged above the external wheels 4b, 5b, attached to the same frame 7, and the plane of rotation of the caster wheels 10 is perpendicular to the plane of the rotation of the external wheels. The caster wheel 10 will then limit horizontal movement of the floating collar 2 outwards. Moreover, the device is, between each drive wheel 4a, 5a and the frame 6 where they are attached, designed with a paddle wheel 11 comprising a bottom plate having radial paddles. The paddle wheels 11 are supported for rotation, and the mooring device 12 on the floating collar 2 will offend these and limit lateral movement inwards. The paddle wheels 11 can also be provided with drive, and then the movement of the floating collar 2 will also be strengthened.

Floating collars 2 have different widths, and for that reason the caster wheels 10 can be moved horizontally together with the external wheels 4b, 5b, so that the floating collar 2 cannot move horizontally in the device. This horizontal movement can be achieved in numerous manners, which will be within the scope of a person skilled in the art. However, in the illustrated embodiment the frame 7 where the external wheels and the caster wheels are attached, and the frame 6 where the drive wheels 4a, 5a are attached, are adjustably fastened to each other, to that the distance between the wheels 4a, 4b; 5a, 5b in a wheel pair is controlled in accordance with the width of the floating collar 2 to be cleaned.

Two nozzle arms 13 are located between the wheel pairs, where the arms are supported in the middle, and provided with a nozzle 14 in each end. The nozzles 14 are inclined to obtain rotation as a result of inclination and water pressure. The nozzle arms 13 are located behind a shield 15 to prevent them from being damaged by any chain extending down to a bottom ring. The shields 15 will also contribute to centering of an optional bottom ring 3.

In the cases where a bottom ring 3 is attached to the floating collar 2, the bottom ring 3 must be guided between the shields 15 around the nozzle arms 13 when the floating collar 2 is lifted in and out of the device. However, in an operating situation the shields 15 are so close that the diameter of a bottom ring 3 cannot pass there between. In the illustrated embodiment, a shield 15 with corresponding horizontal nozzle arm 13 is hinged (hinge shown by 16), so that they pivotout of position while the floating collar is lifted in or out of the device. When the floating collar 2 and the bottom ring 3 are in place, the shield 15 and the nozzle arm 13 are pivoted back in place, and only the chain 17 from the floating collar 2 to the bottom ring 3 can pass between the shields 15. Floating collar 2 with bottom ring 3 are outlined in the device in Figure 3. The bottom ring 3 is cleaned by two vertically rotating nozzle arms 18 having a nozzle 19 in each end, the nozzle arms 18 being arranged below the horizontal nozzle arms 13 behind respective shields 20. In the illustrated embodiment the shields 15 for the horizontal nozzle arms 13 and the shields 20 for the vertical nozzle arms 18 are attached to each other and constitute a common structure. Also for the vertically rotating nozzle arms 18, the nozzles 19 are inclined so that the rotation of the arms is controlled by pressure and inclination.

To limit the pendulum movement of the bottom ring 3, at least one of the ends of the device is provided with a castor formed wheel 21, where the bottom ring 3 bears against this when it is moved into the device.

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

Claims

1. A device to be attached to a vessel, preferably a boat, for cleaning of floating collars (2) on net cages, optionally having a bottom ring (3), characterized in that it comprises at least one wheel pair (4a, 4b; 5a, 5b) attached to a supporting device (6; 7), and at least one upwardly directed nozzle (14) arranged before or after the wheel pair, said floating collar (2) to be cleaned is bearing against the top side of the wheel pair and is guided over said one or more nozzles.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the supporting device comprises two frames, where one wheel in each pair is attached to one frame, and where the frames (6, 7) are attached to each other.

3. A device in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one wheel (4a; 5a) is a drive wheel.

4. A device in accordance with any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the device comprises two wheel pairs (4a, 4b; 5a, 5b) and that the nozzle(s) (14) is/are arranged between the wheel pairs.

5. A device in accordance with any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the nozzle (14) is movable.

6. A device in accordance with claim 5, characterized in that the movable nozzle (14) is a rotatable arm (13) having a nozzle (14) in each end.

7. A device in accordance with claim 5 or 6, characterized in that it comprises two rotatable nozzle arms (13), whereby the arms are arranged adjacent to each other in the width between the wheel pairs.

8. A device in accordance with any one of claims 1-7, for cleaning of a floating collar having a bottom ring (3), characterized in that it comprises at least one, preferably two nozzles (19) for flushing of the bottom ring (3), whereby said nozzle (19) is located below the nozzle for cleaning the floating collar (14).

9. A device in accordance with claim 8, characterized in that the additional nozzle (19) is movable.

10. A device in accordance with claim 9, characterized in that the additional nozzle (19) is a rotatable arm (18) having a nozzle in each end (19).

11. A device in accordance with claim 9 or 10, characterized in that it comprises two rotatable nozzle arms (18), said arms being arranged opposite each other, with the nozzles (19) facing each other.

12. A device in accordance with any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that it comprises means (10, 11) for limiting horizontal movement of the floating collar in the device.

13. A device in accordance with claim 12, characterized in that the means comprise a caster wheel (10) arranged above and in the outer periphery of a wheel pair, whereby the direction of rotation of the caster wheel is perpendicular to the direction of rotation of the wheel pair.

14. A device in accordance with claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the means comprise a paddle wheel (11) arranged to enter into engagement with mooring attachments (12) on the floating collar (2), said paddle wheel (11) being arranged between a wheel (4a; 5a) and accompanying frame (6) of the device.

15. A device in accordance with claim 14, characterized in that the paddle wheel (11) is driven, so that it assists in moving the floating collar over the wheel pair and nozzle.