A lifting system for aquaculture cages

Abstract

This invention discloses a lifting system for aquaculture cages. The aquaculture cage includes a floating platform, an upper support frame, a lower support frame, and a net body. The upper support frame is connected to the top of the net body, and the lower support frame is connected to the bottom of the net body. The upper support frame and the floating platform are connected by a lifting system. The lifting system includes a central floating platform, multiple connecting pipes, multiple lifting ropes, and a drive device. The central floating platform is located inside the floating platform, and a through-hole is opened inside the central floating platform. Multiple connecting pipes connect the central floating platform and the floating platform. Multiple first fixing rings are provided on the inner side of the floating platform. One end of the lifting rope is connected to the upper support frame, and the other end of the lifting rope passes through the corresponding first fixing ring and through the through-hole on the central floating platform to connect with the drive device. The drive device is used to raise and lower the lifting rope. It can automatically control the upper support frame and the net body to rise or fall, with a high degree of automation and saving time and effort in operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of aquaculture equipment technology, specifically to a lifting system for aquaculture cages. Background Technology

[0002] Marine cage aquaculture has the following advantages: First, it offers vast sea areas and conserves resources. The natural sea areas are expansive, do not occupy land, and do not suffer from water shortages or conflicts between agriculture and fisheries. It offers enormous development potential, and the aquaculture process requires no auxiliary energy, making it an environmentally friendly and resource-saving marine agricultural production method. Second, it provides superior water quality and high-quality fish products. In natural sea areas, due to smooth water flow, dissolved oxygen levels in the cages can be maintained above 5 mg / L. Fish excrement and leftover feed can be quickly discharged from the cages, resulting in good water quality and fewer fish diseases. Furthermore, the fish are enclosed in a limited water volume, reducing heat loss. Combined with the aid of natural sea food and artificial feeding, it provides excellent environmental conditions for fish growth. Therefore, marine aquaculture not only results in rapid fish growth but also produces fish of near-natural sea quality.

[0003] In deep waters, waves are generally large, especially in the East my country Sea and South China Sea, which are typhoon-prone areas. The impact of waves on cage aquaculture equipment is particularly significant. To ensure the safety of farmed fish, aquaculture cages must have reliable wave resistance. Our company previously developed a flexible deep-sea aquaculture device. This equipment utilizes flexible connection structures in many places to reduce the impact and damage from waves and currents, ensuring stable and safe operation. The upper support frame and the floating platform are equipped with openable connectors and connecting ropes. When waves strike, the connectors separate the upper support frame from the floating platform, causing the inner net to sink to a certain depth for protection, preventing damage from waves and currents. The connecting ropes control the sinking distance of the inner net, preventing it from sinking indefinitely.

[0004] However, this device can only achieve automatic separation between the upper support frame and the floating platform through a connector, thereby controlling the sinking of the upper support frame and the inner net to avoid danger. After the wind and waves have passed, manual operation is required to lift the upper support frame and the inner net upward, which requires a large amount of manpower and is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the problems existing in the background art, the present invention provides a lifting system for aquaculture cages, which can automatically control the upper support frame and the net body to rise or fall, with a high degree of automation and saving time and effort in operation.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] This invention provides a lifting system for aquaculture cages. The aquaculture cage includes a floating platform, an upper support frame, a lower support frame, a net body, and anchoring components. The upper support frame is connected to the top of the net body, and the lower support frame is connected to the bottom of the net body. Anchoring components are provided on the bottom of the net body and the lower support frame. The upper support frame and the floating platform are connected by the lifting system. The lifting system includes a central floating platform, multiple connecting pipes, multiple lifting ropes, and a driving device. The central floating platform is located inside the floating platform. A through-hole is opened inside the central floating platform. Multiple connecting pipes connect the central floating platform and the floating platform. Multiple first fixing rings are provided along the circumferential direction on the inner side of the floating platform. One end of the lifting rope is connected to the upper support frame, and the other end of the lifting rope passes through the corresponding first fixing ring and through the through-hole on the central floating platform to connect with the driving device. The driving device is used to raise and lower the lifting rope.

[0008] A further improvement is that the number and installation position of the connecting pipes correspond one-to-one with the number and installation position of the lifting ropes, and the connecting pipes are provided with multiple second fixing rings, through which the lifting ropes pass in sequence.

[0009] One end of the connecting pipe is connected to the water surface floating platform located on the outer ring, and the other end is connected to the central floating platform. On the one hand, the central floating platform can be positioned, and on the other hand, the lifting ropes can be positioned and guided. Each lifting rope is connected to the converging hole on the central floating platform along the corresponding connecting pipe.

[0010] A further improvement is that the central floating platform is a ring structure formed by fixing multiple tubes.

[0011] The central floating platform provides buoyancy support for the connecting pipe and serves as the tension fulcrum for the lifting rope during the lifting process. In practical applications, the structure of the central floating platform is not limited to the aforementioned ring structure.

[0012] A further improvement is that the net body includes an outer net body and an inner net body. The top of the outer net body is connected to the floating platform on the water surface, and the bottom of the outer net body is connected to a lower support frame. The top of the inner net body is connected to an upper support frame, and the lower outer side of the inner net body is connected to the floating platform on the water surface and the lower support frame through multiple sets of lifting components.

[0013] The net consists of an outer net and an inner net. The outer net prevents attacks from large marine creatures (such as sharks) and intercepts large floating debris. In the event of damage to the inner net, it can limit the escape of fish. Furthermore, the coordination of the outer and inner nets, the upper support frame, and the lower support frame creates a flexible structure, providing ample living space for the fish while minimizing wear and tear on the flexible net and the rigid frame, thus improving the product's lifespan, practicality, and safety.

[0014] A further improvement is that the driving device includes a drive motor, a mounting platform, and a winding wheel. The drive motor is fixedly mounted on the mounting platform, and the output end of the drive motor is connected to the winding wheel. The lifting rope is wound around the outside of the winding wheel.

[0015] The mounting platform and drive motor are fixed on the seabed. The drive motor drives the winding wheel to rotate forward and backward, thereby driving the lifting rope to rise and fall, and driving the upper support frame and the upper support frame of the net to rise or fall. The degree of automation is high.

[0016] A further improvement is that the floating platform includes multiple floating platform modules and flexible connectors. The multiple floating platform modules are connected end to end to form a frame structure. Adjacent floating platform modules are connected to each other through multiple flexible connectors. Each floating platform module is connected to the central floating platform by at least one connecting pipe.

[0017] Specifically, the flexible connector is a connecting rope or a connecting chain. The connecting rope is made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene, nylon, or aramid, and the connecting chain is an anchor chain with or without a stop structure.

[0018] The flexible floating platform structure is formed by connecting rigid floating platform modules with flexible connectors. It combines the advantages of steel floating platforms and fully flexible floating platforms. The rigid floating platform modules provide a stable working platform for deep-sea aquaculture equipment. Operators can walk smoothly on the floating platform modules to carry out daily operations such as feeding, releasing fish fry and collecting fish. The flexible connectors can greatly reduce the effect of wind and waves, reduce the damage of wind, waves and currents to the floating platform structure under complex sea conditions, and make the floating platform structure more reliable and adaptable to complex marine conditions.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0020] In this invention, one end of the connecting pipe is connected to a floating platform on the outer ring of the water surface, and the other end is connected to a central floating platform. This allows for positioning of the central floating platform and positioning and guiding of the lifting rope. The central floating platform provides buoyancy support for the connecting pipe and serves as the tension fulcrum for the lifting rope during its ascent and descent. The ends of the lifting rope converge into a converging hole on the central floating platform and connect downwards to a drive device. The drive device controls the lifting rope to rise and fall, thereby controlling the rise and fall of the upper support frame and net body in the aquaculture cage. When waves occur, the drive device lowers the lifting rope, causing the upper support frame and net body in the aquaculture cage to descend, allowing the net body to sink and avoid damage from the waves. After the waves subside, the drive device raises the lifting rope, causing the upper support frame and net body in the aquaculture cage to rise again, restoring the internal aquaculture space to normal and not affecting the growth of the fish. The entire operation is highly automated and saves time and effort. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the aquaculture cage in this invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a partial structural diagram of the connection between the connecting pipe and the floating platform module in this invention;

[0024] The specific reference numerals in the attached drawings are as follows: 1. Floating platform on water surface; 2. Floating platform module; 3. Flexible connector; 4. Upper support frame; 5. Lower support frame; 6. Net body; 7. Outer net body; 8. Inner net body; 9. Anchoring component; 10. Central floating platform; 11. Connecting pipe; 12. Lifting rope; 13. Drive device; 14. Drive motor; 15. Mounting platform. Detailed Implementation

[0025] An embodiment of the present invention discloses a lifting system for aquaculture cages, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the aquaculture cage includes a floating platform 1, an upper support frame 4, a lower support frame 5, a net body 6, and anchoring components 9. The upper support frame 4 is connected to the top of the net body 6, and the lower support frame 5 is connected to the bottom of the net body 6. Anchoring components 9 are provided on the bottom of the net body 6 and the lower support frame 5. The upper support frame 4 is connected to the floating platform 1 via a lifting system. The lifting system includes a central floating platform 10, multiple connecting pipes 11, multiple lifting ropes 12, and a drive device 13. The central floating platform 10 is located inside the floating platform 1. The platform 10 has a through-hole for gathering. Multiple connecting pipes 11 connect the central floating platform 10 and the surface floating platform 1. Multiple first fixing rings are provided on the inner side of the surface floating platform 1 along the circumferential direction. One end of the lifting rope 12 is connected to the upper support frame 4, and the other end of the lifting rope 12 passes through the corresponding first fixing ring and through the gathering hole on the central floating platform 10 to connect with the drive device 13. The drive device 13 is used to raise and lower the lifting rope 12. The drive device 13 is connected to a remote controller for remote control, which can realize the operation of the drive device 13. One end of the lifting rope 12 is connected to the upper support frame 4 in the aquaculture cage, and the other end converges into the convergence hole on the central floating platform 10 and is connected downward to the drive device 13. The drive device 13 controls the lifting rope 12 to rise and fall, thereby controlling the upper support frame 4 and the net body 6 in the aquaculture cage to rise or fall. When wind and waves come, the drive device 13 controls the lifting rope 12 to fall, thereby driving the upper support frame 4 and the net body 6 in the aquaculture cage to fall. At this time, the net body 6 sinks to avoid danger and prevents the net body 6 from being damaged by wind and waves. When the wind and waves pass, the drive device 13 controls the lifting rope 12 to rise, thereby driving the upper support frame 4 and the net body 6 in the aquaculture cage to rise. At this time, the aquaculture space inside the net body 6 returns to normal and does not affect the growth of the fish inside. The whole operation process is highly automated and saves time and effort.

[0026] The number and installation position of the connecting pipes 11 correspond one-to-one with the number and installation position of the lifting ropes 12. Multiple second fixing rings are provided on the connecting pipes 11, and the lifting ropes 12 pass through the corresponding second fixing rings on the connecting pipes 11 in sequence. One end of the connecting pipe 11 is connected to the outer surface floating platform 1, and the other end is connected to the central floating platform 10. This allows for positioning of the central floating platform 10 and positioning and guiding of the lifting ropes 12. Each lifting rope 12 converges along its corresponding connecting pipe 11 into the converging hole on the central floating platform 10.

[0027] The central floating platform 10 is a ring-shaped structure formed by fixing multiple tubes. The central floating platform 10 provides buoyancy support for the connecting pipe 11 and serves as the tension fulcrum for the lifting rope 12 during lifting. In practical applications, the structure of the central floating platform 10 is not limited to the aforementioned ring-shaped structure.

[0028] The net 6 comprises an outer net 7 and an inner net 8. The top of the outer net 7 is connected to the floating platform 1 on the water surface, and the bottom of the outer net 7 is connected to a lower support frame 5. The top of the inner net 8 is connected to an upper support frame 4. The lower outer side of the inner net 8 is connected to the floating platform 1 and the lower support frame 5 via multiple sets of lifting components. Under the action of the lifting components, the bottom of the inner net 8 can be raised to collect fish, and after collecting the fish, the bottom of the inner net 8 can be lowered back into place. The net 6 consists of an outer net 7 and an inner net 8. The outer net 7 is used to prevent large marine creatures (such as sharks) from attacking the fish school and to intercept large floating objects. In the event that the inner net 8 is damaged, it can play a certain role in restricting the escape of the fish school. Furthermore, the combination of the outer net 7, the inner net 8, the upper support frame 4, and the lower support frame 5 makes the net 6 as a whole present a flexible structure, which can provide fish with a sufficiently spacious living space, while minimizing the wear and tear on the flexible net and the rigid frame, thereby improving the product's service life, practicality, and safety.

[0029] The drive unit 13 includes a drive motor 14, a mounting platform 15, and a winding reel. The drive motor 14 is fixedly mounted on the mounting platform 15, and the output end of the drive motor 14 is connected to the winding reel. The lifting rope 12 is wound around the outside of the winding reel. The mounting platform 15 and the drive motor 14 are fixed to the seabed. The drive motor 14 drives the winding reel to rotate forward and backward, thereby driving the lifting rope 12 to rise and fall, and driving the upper support frame 4 and the upper support frame 6 of the net body 6 to rise or fall, with a high degree of automation.

[0030] The floating platform 1 comprises multiple floating platform modules 2 and flexible connectors 3. The multiple floating platform modules 2 are connected end-to-end to form a frame structure. Adjacent floating platform modules 2 are connected by multiple flexible connectors 3. Each floating platform module 2 is connected to the central floating platform 10 by at least one connecting pipe 11. Specifically, the flexible connectors 3 are connecting ropes or connecting chains. The connecting ropes are made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene, nylon, or aramid, and the connecting chains are anchor chains with or without studs. The flexible platform structure, formed by connecting the rigid floating platform modules 2 with flexible connectors 3, combines the advantages of steel floating platforms and fully flexible floating platforms. The rigid floating platform modules 2 provide a stable working platform for deep-sea aquaculture equipment, allowing operators to walk smoothly on them for daily operations such as feeding, releasing fish fry, and harvesting fish. The flexible connectors 3 significantly reduce the effects of wind and waves, mitigating the damage to the floating platform structure under complex sea conditions, making the floating platform structure more reliable and adaptable to complex marine conditions.

[0031] In summary, the lifting system for aquaculture cages in this invention can automatically control the upper support frame 4 and the net body 6 in the aquaculture cage to rise or fall, with a high degree of automation and saving time and effort in operation.

[0032] The above examples illustrate the present invention only to aid in understanding it and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art can make various simple deductions, modifications, or substitutions based on the principles of this invention.

Claims

1. A lifting system for aquaculture cages, characterized in that, The aquaculture cage includes a floating platform, an upper support frame, a lower support frame, a net body, and anchoring components. The upper support frame is connected to the top of the net body, and the lower support frame is connected to the bottom of the net body. Anchoring components are provided on the bottom of the net body and the lower support frame. The upper support frame and the floating platform are connected through the lifting system. The lifting system includes a central floating platform, multiple connecting pipes, multiple lifting ropes and a drive device. The central floating platform is located inside the water surface floating platform. A through-hole is opened inside the central floating platform. Multiple connecting pipes connect the central floating platform and the water surface floating platform. Multiple first fixing rings are provided on the inner side of the water surface floating platform along the circumferential direction. The number and installation position of the connecting pipes correspond one-to-one with the number and installation position of the lifting ropes. The connecting pipes are provided with multiple second fixing rings. One end of the lifting rope is connected to the upper support frame, and the other end of the lifting rope passes through the corresponding first fixing ring, the second fixing ring on the connecting pipe, and passes through the converging hole on the central floating platform to connect with the driving device. The driving device includes a drive motor, a mounting platform, and a winding reel. The drive motor is fixedly mounted on the mounting platform, and the output end of the drive motor is connected to the winding reel. The lifting rope is wound around the outside of the winding reel. The mounting platform and the drive motor are fixed to the seabed. The driving device is used to wind up and down the lifting rope. The net body includes an outer net body and an inner net body. The top of the outer net body is connected to the floating platform on the water surface, and the bottom of the outer net body is connected to a lower support frame. The top of the inner net body is connected to an upper support frame, and the lower outer side of the inner net body is connected to the floating platform on the water surface and the lower support frame through multiple sets of lifting components.

2. The lifting system for aquaculture cages according to claim 1, characterized in that, The central floating platform is a ring structure formed by fixing multiple tubes.

3. The lifting system for aquaculture cages according to claim 1, characterized in that, The floating platform includes multiple floating platform modules and flexible connectors. The multiple floating platform modules are connected end to end to form a frame structure. Adjacent floating platform modules are connected by multiple flexible connectors. Each floating platform module is connected to the central floating platform by at least one connecting pipe.

4. The lifting system for aquaculture cages according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive unit is connected to a remote controller, and the drive unit is operated by the remote controller.

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