A tidal energy biofouling scraping system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tidal energy fouling scraping system, which comprises: at least one first guide mechanism, which is installed on the steel structure of the net cage, and the first guide mechanism is vertically arranged; at least one first scraping mechanism, which is slidably connected to the first guide mechanism, and the sliding direction of the first scraping mechanism is vertical. When the first scraping mechanism slides relative to the first guide mechanism, the first scraping mechanism scrapes the net of the net cage; at least one first buoyancy mechanism, each first buoyancy mechanism corresponds to at least one first scraping mechanism, and the first buoyancy mechanism includes a first float and a traction rope, one end of the traction rope is connected to the first float, and the other end of the traction rope is connected to the first scraping mechanism. The present invention can use tidal energy to scrape the net, remove fouling organisms attached to the net, and make the net relatively clean, which is conducive to the floating of the net cage and the growth of farmed fish.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of cages, in particular to a tidal energy fouling biological scraping system. Background Art

[0002] With the development of marine aquaculture technology, marine aquaculture devices such as marine aquaculture cages, which float on the sea surface or are suspended in seawater, have emerged. Cages are submerged in seawater for extended periods, and over time, numerous marine organisms, such as mesothelial polyps, twig-shaped algae, and reticulated barnacles, attach to the nets. This increases the weight of the cages, affects water exchange inside and outside the cages, and reduces oxygen levels inside the cages. These marine organisms, which significantly impact aquaculture operations, are generally referred to as fouling organisms. In actual production, nets must be regularly cleaned of fouling organisms. Currently, the most common method involves divers using cleaning tools or instruments, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Furthermore, with the advancement of aquaculture technology, cages are becoming increasingly larger. Manual cleaning of fouling organisms from nets is undoubtedly labor-intensive and time-consuming, requiring divers to work underwater for extended periods, which poses significant safety risks. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a tidal energy fouling scraping system, which can use tidal energy to scrape and clean the nets, remove the fouling organisms attached to the nets, make the nets relatively clean, and facilitate the floating of the cages and the growth of farmed fish.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention discloses a tidal energy biofouling scraping system, which comprises:

[0005] At least one first guide mechanism is installed on the steel structure of the cage, and the first guide mechanism is vertically arranged;

[0006] At least one first scraping and cleaning mechanism, wherein the first scraping and cleaning mechanism is slidably connected to the first guide mechanism, and the sliding direction of the first scraping and cleaning mechanism is a vertical direction, and when the first scraping and cleaning mechanism slides relative to the first guide mechanism, the first scraping and cleaning mechanism scrapes the net of the net box;

[0007] At least one first buoyancy mechanism, each of the first buoyancy mechanisms corresponds to at least one first scraping and washing mechanism, the first buoyancy mechanism includes a first float and a traction rope, one end of the traction rope is connected to the first float, and the other end of the traction rope is connected to the first scraping and washing mechanism.

[0008] Preferably, the first guiding mechanism corresponds to the first scraping mechanism one by one, and all the first scraping mechanisms can form an annular structure that is compatible with the internal space of the cage; all the first scraping mechanisms are independent of each other, or all the first scraping mechanisms are divided into at least one group, and the first scraping mechanisms in the same group are connected as one; each of the first scraping mechanisms corresponds to a first buoyancy mechanism, or all the first scraping mechanisms are divided into at least one group, and the first scraping mechanisms in the same group are connected to the same first buoyancy mechanism.

[0009] Preferably, it also includes a second buoyancy mechanism, at least one second guide mechanism and at least a second scraping and washing mechanism; a controllable buoyancy device is provided at the bottom of the net cage; the first guide mechanism is installed on the steel structure inside the net cage, the second guide mechanism is installed on the steel structure outside the net cage, and the second guide mechanism is vertically arranged; the second buoyancy mechanism is slidably connected to the second guide mechanism, and the sliding direction of the second buoyancy mechanism is vertical; the second scraping and washing mechanism is installed on the second buoyancy mechanism, and when the second buoyancy mechanism slides relative to the second guide mechanism, the second scraping and washing mechanism scrapes the net of the net cage.

[0010] Preferably, a limiting ring or a limiting tube for limiting the traction rope is provided on the top of the net box, and the traction rope passes through the limiting ring or the limiting tube and is connected to the first scraping mechanism.

[0011] Preferably, the first guide mechanism includes two channel steels, the notches of the two channel steels are arranged opposite to each other, the first scraping mechanism is placed between the two channel steels, and both ends of the first scraping mechanism are provided with rollers that slide in conjunction with the notches of the channel steels.

[0012] Preferably, the first scraping mechanism and the second scraping mechanism both include a mounting bracket and at least one brush, the brushes are arranged on the mounting bracket and spaced apart in the vertical direction; the brushes include at least one row of first bristles and at least one row of second bristles, the length of the second bristles is smaller than the length of the first bristles, and the stiffness of the second bristles is greater than the stiffness of the first bristles.

[0013] Preferably, at least one row of first bristles is provided between two adjacent second bristles; the length of the first bristles is 5 to 20 cm, and the difference in length between the first bristles and the second bristles is 1 to 10 cm; the first bristles are made of plastic, and the diameter of the first bristles is not less than 1.5 mm; the second bristles are made of stainless steel, and the diameter of the second bristles is not less than 0.3 mm.

[0014] Preferably, the second buoyancy mechanism includes a plurality of second floats, which form a circle outside the cage, and two adjacent second floats are connected to each other; the second guide mechanism includes a plurality of guide rails, and the second buoyancy mechanism is provided with grooves that slide with the guide rails at positions opposite to the guide rails; a second scraping mechanism is provided between two adjacent grooves.

[0015] Preferably, both the top and the bottom of the cage are provided with limiting edges for limiting the second buoyancy mechanism.

[0016] Preferably, the second floating body is a solid structure; a blind hole is provided on the bottom surface of the second floating body, and the opening direction of the blind hole is vertically downward.

[0017] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0018] 1. The present invention can ensure that the moving trajectory of the first scraping and washing mechanism is constant by setting a first guide mechanism, and ensure that the first scraping and washing mechanism can scrape and wash the net reliably. Under normal circumstances, the net cage is placed on the seabed and the float floats on the sea surface. When the tide occurs, the distance between the float and the net cage changes, and the first scraping and washing mechanism is connected to the float through a traction rope. Therefore, when the tide is high, the first scraping and washing mechanism can be lifted relative to the net cage, and when the tide is low, the first scraping and washing mechanism can be lowered relative to the net cage. The relative movement of the first scraping and washing mechanism and the net cage can realize the scraping and cleaning of the net and remove the fouling organisms attached to the net. The present invention uses tidal energy to scrape and wash the net, which is more energy-saving. Moreover, because tides occur every day, the frequency of cleaning of the net is high, and stubborn cleaning stains are not easily formed on the net. The net can maintain a relatively clean state for a long time, ensuring that the weight of the net cage is relatively constant and ensuring the healthy production of fish cultured in the net cage.

[0019] 2. Submerged net cages typically rise to the surface periodically. During the period between the top and bottom of the cage surfacing, the second buoyancy mechanism descends relative to the cage. As the cage sinks, the second buoyancy mechanism ascends relative to the cage. A second scraping mechanism is incorporated into the second buoyancy mechanism to scrape and clean the exterior of the net, further enhancing the cleaning effect and ensuring net cleanliness. The first and second buoyancy mechanisms are located on the inside and outside of the cage, respectively, without interfering with each other. This ensures stable system operation and improves fault tolerance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of the first scraping and washing mechanism and the second scraping and washing mechanism in the net box of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the first scraping and cleaning mechanism and the net box of the present invention (at low tide).

[0022] Figure 3Schematic diagram of the first scraping and cleaning mechanism and the net box of the present invention (at high tide).

[0023] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the connection of the first mounting bracket of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the first brush of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Cross-sectional view along the A axis.

[0026] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the second scraping and washing mechanism, the second buoyancy mechanism and the net cage of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of the second scraping and washing mechanism and the second buoyancy mechanism of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the second scraping and cleaning mechanism and the cage of the present invention (when the cage is placed on the seabed).

[0029] Figure 10 Schematic diagram of the second scraping and cleaning mechanism and the net cage of the present invention (when the net cage rises in water).

[0030] Figure 11 Schematic diagram of the second scraping and cleaning mechanism and the net cage of the present invention (when the net cage emerges from the sea surface).

[0031] Figure 12 Schematic diagram of the second scraping and cleaning mechanism and the net cage of the present invention (when the net cage floats to the highest point).

[0032] Note: For ease of viewing, Figures 2-4 Only part of the first scraping and cleaning mechanism is shown.

[0033] Description of main components symbols:

[0034] Net cage 10, net 11, limiting pipe 12, buoyancy device 13, steel structure 14, limiting edge 15;

[0035] Channel steel 21;

[0036] A first scraping and cleaning mechanism 30, a roller 31, a first mounting bracket 32, a first brush 33, first bristles 34, and second bristles 35;

[0037] A first floating body 41, a traction rope 42;

[0038] Guide rail 51;

[0039] Second buoyancy mechanism 60, second float 61, groove 62, blind hole 63;

[0040] A second scraping and cleaning mechanism 70 , a second mounting bracket 71 , and a second brush 72 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0042] like Figures 1 to 12 As shown, the present invention discloses a tidal energy biofouling scraping system, which is applied to a bottom-sinking cage 10. In this case, an octagonal prism cage 10 is used as an example for illustration. The bottom of the cage 10 is provided with a controllable buoyancy device 13. By changing the buoyancy of the buoyancy device 13, the cage 10 can be sunk and floated. The buoyancy device 13 is a prior art feature of all existing bottom-sinking cages 10 and will not be described in detail. The scraping system of the present invention includes at least one first guide mechanism, at least one first scraping mechanism 30, at least one first buoyancy mechanism, at least one second guide mechanism, at least one second scraping mechanism 70, and a second buoyancy mechanism 60.

[0043] The first scraping mechanisms 30 and the first guide mechanism are positioned within the mesh cage 10. All of the first scraping mechanisms 30 form a ring-shaped structure that fits within the interior of the mesh cage 10, ensuring comprehensive scraping and cleaning of the net 11. In this embodiment, eight sets of first scraping mechanisms 30 are provided, corresponding to the nets 11 on the eight sides of the octagonal mesh cage 10. In a preferred embodiment, all of the first scraping mechanisms 30 are independent of each other, and each first scraping mechanism 30 corresponds to a set of first buoyancy mechanisms. This arrangement ensures that if any first scraping mechanism 30 becomes stuck, it will not interfere with the operation of other first scraping mechanisms 30, preventing the entire scraping system from malfunctioning. As another preferred embodiment, all the first scraping and washing mechanisms 30 are divided into no less than two groups. The number of first scraping and washing mechanisms 30 in each group can be the same or different. The first scraping and washing mechanisms 30 in the same group are connected as a whole to achieve synchronous action. Correspondingly, the first scraping and washing mechanisms 30 in the same group can share a set of first buoyancy mechanisms, or each first scraping and washing mechanism 30 can correspond to a first buoyancy mechanism. The advantage of such a setting is that the first scraping and washing mechanisms 30 in the same group can be linked to each other, which can avoid the problem of jamming to a certain extent and the problem of the entire scraping and washing system going on strike. Of course, all the first scraping and washing mechanisms 30 can also be connected as a whole, and multiple first buoyancy mechanisms can be configured at the same time. The matching schemes can be varied and will not be listed here one by one.

[0044] The first guide mechanism is used to guide the first scraping mechanism 30, ensuring its movement trajectory remains constant. To ensure effective guidance, the first guide mechanism is provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the first scraping mechanism 30. In this case, the first guide mechanism includes two channel steels 21, which are spaced apart and have opposing notches. The channel steels 21 are bolted or welded to the steel structure 14 of the cage 10, and the channel steels 21 are arranged vertically. The first scraping mechanism 30 is placed between the two channel steels 21, and rollers 31 are provided at both ends of the first scraping mechanism 30 (first mounting bracket 32) to slide with the notches of the channel steels 21 to ensure smooth movement of the first scraping mechanism 30. This coordination between the first guide mechanism and the first scraping mechanism 30 ensures that the sliding direction of the first scraping mechanism 30 is vertical, and is less likely to cause the channel steels 21 to become stuck due to the attachment of shellfish.

[0045] When the first scraping mechanism 30 slides relative to the first guide mechanism, it scrapes and brushes the net 11 of the net box 10. Specifically, the first scraping mechanism 30 includes a first mounting bracket 32 ​​and at least one first brush 33. The first brushes 33 are mounted on the first mounting bracket 32 ​​and spaced apart vertically. The provision of multiple first brushes 33 ensures effective scrubbing and coverage, ensuring that a large portion of the net 11 on the vertical surface where the first scraping mechanism 30 is located is scrubbed. To ensure effective scrubbing, the first brush 33 is designed as follows: Specifically, the first brush 33 includes at least one row of first bristles 34 and at least one row of second bristles 35. At least one row of first bristles 34 is provided between two adjacent second bristles 35. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second bristles 35 are required to be shorter than the first bristles 34 and have greater rigidity than the first bristles 34. This arrangement ensures mutual support between the first and second bristles 35, extending the service life of the first brush 33. The length of the first bristles 34 ranges from 5 to 20 cm, with the difference in length between the first and second bristles 34, 35 being 1 to 10 cm. Preferably, the first bristles 34 are made of plastic (such as PP) with a diameter of no less than 1.5 mm; the second bristles 35 are made of stainless steel with a diameter of no less than 0.3 mm. The plastic first bristles 34 are relatively soft, making them better at scraping away less adherent marine organisms or dirt, while the stainless steel second bristles 35 can remove more adherent marine organisms.

[0046] The first buoyancy mechanism includes a first float 41 and a traction rope 42. The first float 41 floats on the water surface. One end of the traction rope 42 is connected to the first float 41, and the other end of the traction rope 42 is connected to the first scraping and washing mechanism 30 (first mounting bracket 32). A limiting ring or limiting tube 12 is provided on the top of the net box 10 to limit the traction rope 42. The traction rope 42 passes through the limiting ring or limiting tube 12 and is connected to the first scraping and washing mechanism 30. By setting the limiting ring or limiting tube 12, it can be ensured that the pulling force of the first buoyancy mechanism to pull the first scraping and washing mechanism 30 is in the vertical direction, which is conducive to the sliding of the first scraping and washing mechanism 30.

[0047] In this case, it is required that when the sea surface is at low tide, the first brush 33 at the lower end of the first scraping and cleaning mechanism 30 touches the bottom, and when the sea surface is at high tide, the first brush 33 at the upper end of the first scraping and cleaning mechanism 30 touches the top. With this setting, the number and spacing of the first brushes 33 and the length of the traction rope 42 can be easily calculated.

[0048] The second scraping mechanism 70, the second guide mechanism, and the second buoyancy mechanism 60 are positioned outside the cage 10. The second buoyancy mechanism 60 comprises a plurality of second floats 61 arranged in a circle around the cage 10, with adjacent second floats 61 interconnected. The second guide mechanism comprises a plurality of guide rails 51, which are vertically positioned and bolted or welded to the steel structure 14 of the cage 10. The guide rails 51 are evenly spaced around the cage 10. The second floats 61, opposite the guide rails 51, are provided with grooves 62 that slidably engage with the notches in the guide rails 51. Because the second floats 61 are arranged in a circle and connected, the second floats 61 do not disengage along the circumference of the cage 10. The engagement of the grooves 62 and the guide rails 51 ensures that the second buoyancy mechanism 60 slides vertically relative to the cage 10. Furthermore, this ensures a relatively constant spacing between the second buoyancy mechanism 60 and the cage 10, facilitating the deployment of the second scraping mechanism 70. Preferably, a second scraping mechanism 70 is provided between each pair of adjacent grooves 62. Eight sets of the second scraping mechanism 70 are provided, corresponding to the mesh 11 on the eight sides of the octagonal prism cage 10. To prevent the second buoyancy mechanism 60 from escaping, stop edges are provided at the top and bottom of the cage 10 to limit the position of the second buoyancy mechanism 60. The provision of the stop edges ensures that the second float 61 maintains a uniform height when placed below the water surface, preventing the second scraping mechanism 70 from deforming or becoming disconnected.

[0049] The second scraping mechanism 70 is mounted on the second buoyancy mechanism 60. The second scraping mechanism 70 includes a second mounting bracket 71 and at least one second brush 72. The second brush 72 is fixed to the second mounting bracket 71 and is aligned with the first brush 33. The second mounting bracket 71 is fixedly connected to a portion of the second buoyancy body 61. By providing the first scraping mechanism 30 and the second scraping mechanism 70 without interfering with each other, both the inside and outside surfaces of the net 11 can be scraped and brushed.

[0050] Due to reasons such as feeding and fishing, the bottom-sinking net cage 10 will also float to the surface periodically. The second scraping and cleaning mechanism 70 works when the net cage 10 floats to the surface and sinks from the water surface. When the net cage 10 is placed on the bottom of the water, the second float 61 is under the action of buoyancy, and the second buoyancy mechanism 60 and the second scraping and cleaning mechanism 70 will always be placed at the top position of the net cage 10. When the net cage 10 floats to the water surface (the second buoyancy mechanism 60 floats to the surface at this time), under the dead weight of the second buoyancy mechanism 60 and the second scraping and cleaning mechanism 70, as the net cage 10 floats, the net cage 10 moves relative to the second scraping and cleaning mechanism 70, and the second scraping and cleaning mechanism 70 scrapes and brushes the net 11 of the net cage 10. When the net box 10 sinks, the net box 10 moves relative to the second scraping mechanism 70, and the second scraping mechanism 70 scrapes the net 11 of the net box 10 until the second buoyancy mechanism 60 abuts the limit edge 15 on the top of the net box 10. The second scraping mechanism 70 and the net box 10 no longer move relative to each other, and the work of the second scraping mechanism 70 is completed.

[0051] To ensure the effectiveness of the second scraping mechanism 70, the second float 61 is preferably solid and may be counterweighted. Furthermore, a blind hole 63 may be provided on the bottom surface of the second float 61, with the opening of the blind hole 63 facing vertically downward. The provision of the blind hole 63 allows the second float 61 to form a Magdeburg hemisphere effect with the water surface when the cage 10 floats, further stabilizing the second float 61 on the water surface.

[0052] The above description is only a preferred specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily thought of by any technician familiar with this technical field within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention should be covered by the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tidal energy biofouling scraping system, characterized in that: include: At least one first guide mechanism is installed on the steel structure of the cage, and the first guide mechanism is vertically arranged; At least one first scraping and cleaning mechanism, wherein the first scraping and cleaning mechanism is slidably connected to the first guide mechanism, and the sliding direction of the first scraping and cleaning mechanism is a vertical direction, and when the first scraping and cleaning mechanism slides relative to the first guide mechanism, the first scraping and cleaning mechanism scrapes the net of the net box; At least one first buoyancy mechanism, each of the first buoyancy mechanisms corresponds to at least one first scraping and washing mechanism, the first buoyancy mechanism comprising a first float and a traction rope, one end of the traction rope being connected to the first float, and the other end of the traction rope being connected to the first scraping and washing mechanism; The first guide mechanism corresponds to the first scraping mechanism one by one, and all the first scraping mechanisms can form a ring structure that is compatible with the internal space of the cage; all the first scraping mechanisms are independent of each other, or all the first scraping mechanisms are divided into at least one group, and the first scraping mechanisms in the same group are connected as a whole; each first scraping mechanism corresponds to a first buoyancy mechanism, or all the first scraping mechanisms are divided into at least one group, and the first scraping mechanisms in the same group are connected to the same first buoyancy mechanism; The net cage further comprises a second buoyancy mechanism, at least one second guide mechanism, and at least a second scraping and cleaning mechanism; a controllable buoyancy device is provided at the bottom of the net cage; the first guide mechanism is mounted on a steel structure inside the net cage, the second guide mechanism is mounted on a steel structure outside the net cage, and the second guide mechanism is vertically arranged; the second buoyancy mechanism is slidably connected to the second guide mechanism, and the sliding direction of the second buoyancy mechanism is vertical; the second scraping and cleaning mechanism is mounted on the second buoyancy mechanism, and when the second buoyancy mechanism slides relative to the second guide mechanism, the second scraping and cleaning mechanism scrapes the net of the net cage; The first scraping and scrubbing mechanism and the second scraping and scrubbing mechanism each include a mounting bracket and at least one brush, the brush being mounted on the mounting bracket and spaced apart in a vertical direction; the brush including at least one row of first bristles and at least one row of second bristles, the length of the second bristles being shorter than the length of the first bristles, and the stiffness of the second bristles being greater than the stiffness of the first bristles; The second buoyancy mechanism includes a plurality of second floats, which form a circle outside the net box, and two adjacent second floats are connected to each other; the second guide mechanism includes a plurality of guide rails, and the second buoyancy mechanism is provided with grooves that slide with the guide rails at positions opposite to the guide rails; a second scraping mechanism is provided between two adjacent grooves.

2. The tidal energy biofouling scraping system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A limiting ring or a limiting tube for limiting the traction rope is provided on the top of the net box. The traction rope passes through the limiting ring or the limiting tube and is connected to the first scraping and washing mechanism.

3. The tidal energy biofouling scraping system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first guide mechanism includes two channel steels, the notches of the two channel steels are arranged opposite to each other, the first scraping mechanism is placed between the two channel steels, and both ends of the first scraping mechanism are provided with rollers that slide in conjunction with the notches of the channel steels.

4. The tidal energy biofouling scraping system according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least one row of first bristles is provided between two adjacent second bristles; the length of the first bristles is 5 to 20 cm, and the difference in length between the first bristles and the second bristles is 1 to 10 cm; the first bristles are made of plastic, and the diameter of the first bristles is not less than 1.5 mm; the second bristles are made of stainless steel, and the diameter of the second bristles is not less than 0.3 mm.

5. The tidal energy biofouling scraping system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top and bottom of the net box are both provided with limiting stop edges for limiting the second buoyancy mechanism.

6. The tidal energy biofouling scraping system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second floating body is a solid structure; a blind hole is provided on the bottom surface of the second floating body, and the opening direction of the blind hole is vertically downward.

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