An apparatus and method for automated cleaning and collection of algae on a cable

Abstract

The application relates to a device for automatically cleaning and collecting algae on a cable and a use method, and belongs to the field of environmental protection devices. The device comprises a main body, a motor box, a driving mechanism, a clamping mechanism, an algae tearing mechanism and a collecting device. One end of the main body is provided with the motor box, two motors with equal power and opposite rotation directions are arranged in the motor box, the two motors are connected with the driving mechanism through shafts, one end of the driving mechanism is connected with the motor, the other end of the driving mechanism is connected with the algae tearing mechanism, the collecting device is arranged on the main body and away from the motor box, the clamping mechanism is arranged on the front end of the main body and is used for clamping the cable, the front end is away from the motor box, the collecting device is arranged on the front end of the main body, and the algae tearing mechanism is located between the collecting device and the motor box. The application also provides a use method of the device. The device is held by hand to clean the attached algae on the cable, and the method is convenient and fast.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of environmental protection devices, specifically relating to an automated device and method for cleaning and collecting algae on cables. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, marine aquaculture, including laver farming and cage aquaculture, requires the use of cables to connect and secure the cages or the aquaculture racks. Laver farming, in particular, requires numerous cables for connection and fixation. These cables float on the water's surface, making them prone to entanglement or the growth of large algae, such as *Ulva prolifera*. *Ulva prolifera* is a filamentous algae that reproduces rapidly and floats on the sea surface, easily becoming entangled in the cables. After the aquaculture is completed, manually cleaning the *Ulva prolifera* from the cables is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention addresses the aforementioned technical problems by providing an automated device and method for automatically cleaning and collecting algae from cables. The device allows for convenient and quick handheld cleaning of algae from cables.

[0004] This invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0005] An automated device for cleaning and collecting algae from cables includes a main body, a motor housing, a drive mechanism, a clamping mechanism, an algae-tearing mechanism, and a collection device. The main body has a motor housing at one end, containing two motors of equal power but opposite rotation. The two motors are connected to the drive mechanism via shafts. One end of the drive mechanism is connected to the motors, and the other end is connected to the algae-tearing mechanism. The collection device is located on the main body at an end away from the motor housing. The clamping mechanism is located at the front end of the main body, used to clamp the cable. The front end is away from the motor housing. The collection device is positioned above the front end of the main body. The algae-tearing mechanism is located between the collection device and the motor housing.

[0006] Furthermore, the algae-tearing mechanism consists of two roller brushes arranged side by side with a gap between them.

[0007] Furthermore, the gap between the two roller brushes is smaller than the diameter of the cable.

[0008] Furthermore, the collection device includes a collection box, a conveying pipe, and a collection backpack. The collection box contains rotating, spirally arranged blades 7 for crushing the collected algae. The collection box is connected to the conveying pipe, the other end of which is connected to the collection backpack. The collection backpack contains a powerful vacuum pump to draw the algae separated from the separation device into the collection box, where it is crushed by the spiral blades 7 before entering the collection backpack. Preferably, the conveying pipe extends from the collection box to one end in the direction of the motor housing, and then connects to the collection backpack.

[0009] Furthermore, the two motors rotate at the same speed but in opposite directions. The drive mechanism is shaft-driven, and the two shafts rotate in opposite directions, thus causing the two roller brushes to rotate in opposite directions.

[0010] Furthermore, the clamping mechanism is a fixed pulley with a groove. A first fixed pulley is provided at the front end of the main body, and a second and a third fixed pulley are provided at the rear end of the main body. All three pulleys are located on the upper surface of the main body and are arranged in a straight line along the axis of the main body.

[0011] Furthermore, the clamping mechanism is positioned above the algae-tearing mechanism, and the cable extends from below the clamping mechanism to the algae-tearing mechanism.

[0012] Furthermore, the main body is provided with a handle for operating the device. Preferably, the handle is located above the motor housing.

[0013] Furthermore, the device also includes an algae separation mechanism disposed directly below the algae tearing mechanism, wherein the algae separation mechanism is a flat plate with comb-like teeth.

[0014] The present invention also provides a method of using the device. When cleaning algae attached to the cable, the user carries a collection bag on their shoulder, holds the handle, places the cable under the clamping device, turns on the motor, and operates forward along the direction of the cable. The algae on the cable is torn off by the algae tearing mechanism and rotated downwards. When it rotates to the bottom, the algae on the algae tearing mechanism is peeled off by the algae separation device. The strong suction machine in the collection device sucks the algae into the collection box, and the spiral blade in the collection box crushes the algae and enters the collection backpack through the delivery pipe.

[0015] The advantages of this invention compared to the prior art are: the handheld device of this invention is convenient and quick for cleaning algae attached to cables. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 A partial structural schematic diagram of the device of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the device of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the collection box of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4 The cable is covered with algae.

[0020] 1. Main body, 2. Motor box, 3. Roller brush, 4. Collection box, 5. Conveying pipe, 6. Collection backpack, 7. Blade, 8. First fixed pulley, 9. Second fixed pulley, 10. Third fixed pulley, 11. Handle, 12. Algae separation mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The technical solution of the present invention will be further explained below through embodiments, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited in any way by the embodiments.

[0022] Example 1

[0023] An automated device for cleaning and collecting algae from cables, such as Figure 1-3 As shown, the device includes a main body 1, a motor housing 2, a drive mechanism, a clamping mechanism, an algae tearing mechanism, and a collection device. A motor housing is located at one end of the main body, containing two motors of equal power but opposite rotation. The two motor housings are connected to the drive mechanism via shafts. One end of the drive mechanism is connected to the motor, and the other end is connected to the algae tearing mechanism. The collection device is located on the main body at the end away from the motor housing. The clamping mechanism is located at the front end of the main body for clamping the cable. The front end is the end furthest from the motor housing. The collection device is located above the front end of the main body, and the algae tearing mechanism is located between the collection device and the motor housing.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the algae-tearing mechanism consists of two roller brushes 3, with steel wire barbs arranged around the rollers. When the roller brushes roll, they are used to tear the algae off the cable. The roller brushes are arranged side by side with a gap between them, which allows the cable to be clamped between the two rollers.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the collection device includes a collection box 4, a conveying pipe 5, and a collection backpack 6. The collection box 4 contains rotating, spirally arranged blades 7 for crushing the collected algae. The collection box 4 is connected to the conveying pipe 5, and the other end of the conveying pipe 5 is connected to the collection backpack 6. The collection backpack 6 contains a powerful vacuum pump to draw the algae separated from the separation device into the collection box 4, where it is crushed by the spiral blades 7 before entering the collection backpack 6. Preferably, the conveying pipe 5 extends from the collection box 4 to one end in the direction of the motor housing, and then connects to the collection backpack 6.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the two motors rotate at the same speed but in opposite directions. The drive mechanism is shaft-driven, and the two shafts rotate in opposite directions, causing the two roller brushes to rotate in opposite directions. This drives the two roller brushes to rotate at the same speed but in opposite directions, which is more conducive to tearing algae off the cable.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the clamping mechanism is a fixed pulley with grooves. A first fixed pulley 8 is provided at the front end of the main body, and a second fixed pulley 9 and a third fixed pulley 10 are provided at the rear end of the main body. The three fixed pulleys are all vertically arranged on the main body and are arranged in a straight line along the axial direction of the main body, so that the cable is simultaneously clamped in the grooves of the three fixed pulleys, allowing the device to move forward along the direction of the cable.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the main body is provided with a handle 11, which is located above the motor box. In use, the handle 11 is held to operate the device.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the gap between the two roller brushes is slightly smaller than the diameter of the cable, thereby enabling the two roller brushes to tear algae off the cable.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the device further includes an algae separation mechanism 12, positioned directly below the algae-tearing mechanism. The algae separation mechanism 12 is a flat plate with comb-like teeth. After the roller brush tears algae from the cable, to prevent more algae from tangling on the roller brush, a separation mechanism is positioned below the lower roller brush. The comb-like teeth on the separation mechanism peel the algae off the roller brush. Because the separation mechanism is directly opposite the collection box 4, the strong suction in the collection box 4 draws the peeled algae into the collection box 4. The spiral blades inside the collection box 4 pulverize the algae, which then enters the collection backpack 6 through the delivery pipe 5.

[0031] Example 2

[0032] This embodiment provides a method for using the device described in Embodiment 1. After the laver harvest is completed, a large amount of algae adheres to the cables on the cultivation rack, such as... Figure 4 As shown, when cleaning the attached algae on the cable, the user carries a collection bag on their shoulder, holds handle 11, places the cable under the clamping device, turns on the motor, and operates forward along the direction of the cable. The algae on the cable is torn off by the algae tearing mechanism and rotated downwards. When it rotates to the bottom, the algae is peeled off by the algae separation device. The strong suction machine in the collection device sucks the algae into the collection box 4, and the spiral blade in the collection box 4 crushes the algae and enters the collection backpack 6 through the delivery pipe 5.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, when the clamping mechanism is a grooved fixed pulley, the cable is stuck in the groove below the fixed pulley. The cable fixed on the frame bears part of the weight of the device. The cable extends from the first fixed pulley 8 at the front of the main body into the gap between the two roller brushes, and then extends to the grooves of the two fixed pulleys at the rear of the main body. When the motor is turned on, it operates forward along the direction of the cable. The algae on the cable are torn off by the two roller brushes that rotate in opposite directions and rotate downward. When the roller brush rotates to the bottom, the algae on the roller brush is peeled off by the algae separation device. The strong suction machine in the collection device sucks the algae into the collection box 4. The spiral blade in the collection box 4 crushes the algae and enters the collection backpack 6 through the conveying pipe 5.

Claims

1. A method of using a device for automatically cleaning and collecting algae on cables, characterized in that, The device includes a main body (1), a motor housing (2), a drive mechanism, a clamping mechanism, an algae tearing mechanism, and a collection device; one end of the main body (1) is provided with a motor housing (2), and the motor housing (2) is provided with two motors of equal power and opposite rotation. The two motors are connected to the drive mechanism through a shaft. One end of the drive mechanism is connected to the motor, and the other end is connected to the algae tearing mechanism. The collection device is set on the main body (1) at the end away from the motor housing (2). The clamping mechanism is set at the front end of the main body (1) to clamp the cable. The front end is the end away from the motor housing (2). The collection device is set at the front end of the main body (1), and the algae tearing mechanism is located between the collection device and the motor housing (2). The algae tearing mechanism consists of two roller brushes (3), which are arranged side by side with a gap between them. The gap between the two roller brushes (3) is smaller than the diameter of the cable; The collection device includes a collection box (4), a conveying pipe (5), and a collection backpack (6). The collection box (4) is equipped with rotating spiral blades (7) inside, which are used to rotate and crush the collected seaweed. The collection box (4) is connected to the conveying pipe (5), and the other end of the conveying pipe (5) is connected to the collection backpack (6). The collection backpack (6) is equipped with a powerful air pump, which is used to suck the separated algae into the collection box (4), and after being crushed by the spiral blades (7), it enters the collection backpack (6). The delivery pipe (5) extends from the collection box (4) to one end in the direction of the motor box (2), and then connects to the collection backpack (6); The two motors rotate at the same speed but in opposite directions. The drive mechanism is shaft-driven, and the two shafts rotate in opposite directions, thus causing the two roller brushes to rotate in opposite directions. The clamping mechanism is a fixed pulley with a groove. A first fixed pulley (8) is provided at the front end of the main body (1), and a second fixed pulley (9) and a third fixed pulley (10) are provided at the rear end of the main body (1). All three pulleys are located on the upper surface of the main body (1) and are arranged in a straight line along the axis of the main body (1). The main body (1) is provided with a handle (11) for operating the device; The device also includes an algae separation mechanism (12), which is located directly below the algae tearing mechanism. The algae separation mechanism (12) is a flat plate with comb teeth. When cleaning the attached algae on the cable, carry the collection bag on your shoulder, hold the device in your hand, place the clamping device on the cable, turn on the motor, and operate forward along the direction of the cable. The algae on the cable is torn off by the algae tearing mechanism and rotated downward. When it rotates to the bottom, the algae on the algae tearing mechanism is peeled off by the algae separation device. The air pump in the collection device sucks the algae into the collection box (4). The spiral blade in the collection box (4) crushes the algae and enters the collection backpack (6) through the delivery pipe (5).

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