Assembled chain type artificial reef

Abstract

The application discloses an assemblable chain type artificial fish reef, which comprises a plurality of fish rooms, the fish rooms are connected with each other through connecting rods and simple ball hinges to form a chain type structure, the fish room is in a symmetrical double-fan-shaped column structure, ball heads of the simple ball hinges are respectively installed on two end faces of the fish room, ball seats of the simple ball hinges are respectively installed on two ends of the connecting rod, the ball heads can rotate in the ball seats to stretch and fold the fish rooms, the fish rooms are connected with each other to form a chain type overall structure, the fish rooms can be nested and stacked on the bottom of a sea area with a complex structure to form a stable juvenile fish breeding field and a shelter for cephalopods, the juvenile fish breeding field and the shelter can provide a breeding environment for the juvenile fish to feed, stay and avoid enemies, improve the survival rate of the juvenile fish of reef-loving fish, and provide a habitat for cephalopods such as short octopus to avoid enemies.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of artificial reef technology, and more specifically to an assemblable chain-type artificial reef. Background Technology

[0002] Artificial reef construction is a crucial infrastructure element in marine ranching. After deployment, artificial reefs alter the seabed structure of the target area, obstructing incoming currents and creating specific flow fields such as upwellings and back eddies around the reef. They also provide shelter for reef-loving fish, stimulating water exchange and nutrient disturbance between upper and lower layers, providing fish with ample dissolved oxygen and food organisms. Ultimately, this creates a stable breeding ground in the target area, increasing fish abundance and diversity.

[0003] Therefore, in the early stages of marine ranching construction, the deployment of artificial reefs should be based on the ecological conservation of the sea area. It is necessary to consider whether the individual reefs can provide suitable attachment substrates for attached organisms, whether a certain layout of individual reefs can provide effective flow field effects, shielding effects and ecological benefits, and whether the reef system in the entire target sea area can improve and enhance the suitability of the habitat. These are all topics that we need to study in the future.

[0004] The construction of artificial reefs is limited by environmental factors such as the hydrodynamic characteristics and seabed sediment characteristics of the local sea area, as well as human factors such as transportation capacity and economic benefits. Therefore, the construction of artificial reefs should consider the maximum ecological effect under economic constraints. However, in the construction of most existing artificial reefs, the selected reefs generally cannot take into account construction costs, transportation costs, and ecological effects. At the same time, the functionality of the sea area for reef-loving fish has not been considered during the construction process. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the problems of existing technologies, this invention provides an assemblable chain-type artificial reef, equipped with fish chambers, connecting rods, and simple ball hinges. The fish chambers are the main structure providing artificial shelter for juvenile reef-loving fish or cephalopods. Adjacent fish chambers are connected to each other by connecting rods, and the connection points are connected by simple ball hinges, allowing adjacent fish chambers to extend, fold, and rotate freely. Through the interconnection of multiple fish chambers, a chain-like overall structure is formed. This structure can be nested and stacked on the bottom of sea areas with complex structures to form a stable breeding ground for juvenile fish and a shelter for cephalopods. It provides a juvenile environment for feeding, resting, and avoiding predators, improving the survival rate of juvenile reef-loving fish and providing habitat for cephalopods such as octopuses to avoid predators.

[0006] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0007] In a first aspect of the invention, an assemblable chain-type artificial reef is provided, comprising multiple fish chambers connected to each other via connecting rods and simple ball joints to form a chain structure; the fish chambers are symmetrical double-fan-shaped columnar structures, with ball heads of simple ball joints installed on both ends of each fish chamber, and ball seats of simple ball joints installed on both ends of the connecting rods; the ball heads are rotatable within the ball seats to extend and fold the multiple fish chambers.

[0008] In some embodiments of the present invention, the side of the fish chamber is divided into a symmetrical inner arch and an outer arch, and a central partition is provided inside the fish chamber, which divides the fish chamber into two fish compartments.

[0009] In some embodiments of the present invention, an opening is provided on the inner arch surface for fish to enter and exit, and ear plates inclined inward are provided on both sides of the opening, the length of the ear plates being the same as the length of the fish chamber; two ear plate grooves are provided on the outer arch surface, and the structure of the ear plate grooves matching the structure of the ear plates.

[0010] In some embodiments of the present invention, the connecting rod includes a buffer sleeve and a buffer rod, wherein a limit spring and a buffer spring are provided inside the buffer sleeve, and one end of the buffer rod extends into the buffer sleeve, and the buffer rod can perform piston movement inside the buffer sleeve.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present invention, a limiting support plate is provided at the end of the buffer rod that extends into the buffer sleeve, and the limiting spring is sleeved on the buffer rod and limited and supported by the limiting support plate. The buffer spring is located between the limiting support plate and the bottom of the buffer sleeve.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present invention, the ball seat includes a ball seat cover, a ball seat base, and a ball seat latch. The ball seat cover is combined with the ball seat base by an arrow structure, and a ball seat retaining spring is installed at the ball seat latch for fixation.

[0013] In some embodiments of the present invention, the arrow structure includes an arrow-shaped protrusion disposed on the ball seat cover and an arrow-shaped groove disposed on the ball seat base, the arrow-shaped protrusion and the arrow-shaped groove being able to engage, and the ball seat latch being disposed at symmetrical positions on both sides of the arrow-shaped groove.

[0014] In some embodiments of the present invention, the ball seat has a 90° unidirectional slot from the top to the side wall, which constrains the ball head within a 90° range of motion in the slot direction, allowing the fish chambers to rotate relative to each other by 180°.

[0015] In some embodiments of the present invention, threaded holes are provided on both ends of the fish chamber, and the ball head is fixedly connected to the threaded rod. The ball head can be detachably installed on the fish chamber by the cooperation of the threaded rod and the threaded hole.

[0016] In some embodiments of the present invention, multiple chain-type artificial reefs are stacked and nested at the bottom of the target sea area to form a set of unit reefs. After deployment, the unit reefs can present a final form with a certain stacking height, nested fish chambers, and interconnected chains.

[0017] One or more technical solutions of the present invention have the following beneficial effects:

[0018] (1) This invention addresses the problem that current artificial reefs lack juvenile function and have large volume but low space utilization. It provides more space for juvenile fish and cephalopods to forage, stay, and avoid predators within the same volume. At the same time, it can form a complex structure of interconnected stacking and nesting through a chain structure in complex geological environments. Its overall structure is more stable than that of a general single reef.

[0019] (2) The main structure of the artificial reef of this invention is a symmetrical fan-shaped column, that is, the opening face is in the shape of a bracket. After the artificial reef is deployed, it is supported by four columns and the entire fish chamber is lifted off the ground, which can prevent mud and sand from entering the fish chamber and increase the shelter of the fish chamber.

[0020] (3) The fish chamber of the present invention has a pair of ear plates on both sides of the opening. The ear plates are tilted outward at a certain angle towards the center of symmetry, which can increase the shielding of the fish chamber and increase the defense against juvenile fish and cephalopod predators. At the same time, there is a set of ear plate slots on both sides of the fish chamber fan without opening, which can increase the water exchange between the inside and outside of the fish chamber. In addition, during transportation, the ear plates on the bracket surface can be locked with the ear plate slots on the fan surface to facilitate transportation.

[0021] (4) The simple ball joint of the present invention provides a movement mode of extension and folding for the chain reef, and the connecting rod provides a movement mode of axial rotation for the chain reef, so that the whole reef can complete a deformation process similar to chain movement; the connecting rod has a spring buffer structure that can provide buffer for the collision extension of the connection point, i.e., the simple ball joint, when the reef is deployed, reducing the risk of chain breakage.

[0022] (5) The present invention adopts a combined structure. The bottom of the ball head support rod adopts a threaded structure, and the ball seat adopts a separate slot structure. The components are mass-produced on land and transported to the release site before being assembled into an overall chain structure. At the same time, the ear plate and ear plate slot of the fish chamber can improve the transportation stability. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a front view of the extended assembly of the chain-type artificial reef in Example 1 of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the extended structure of the assemblable chain artificial reef in Example 1 of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3This is a folded front view schematic diagram of the assemblable chain artificial reef in Example 1 of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a front view schematic diagram of the fish chamber in Example 1 of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the fish chamber and the ball head in Example 1 of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the connecting rod in Example 1 of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the connecting rod structure in Example 1 of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the ball seat structure in Example 1 of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the fish chamber ear plate and ear plate groove combination in Example 1 of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the chain structure of the multi-fish chamber combination in Example 1 of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of juvenile Hexagrammos ozaki and cephalopods in the fish room in Example 1 of the present invention.

[0034] In the diagram: 1. Fish chamber; 2. Connecting rod; 3. Simple ball joint; 4. Central partition; 5. Fish chamber opening; 6. Ear plate; 7. Ear plate groove; 8. Ball head; 9. Ball seat; 10. Buffer sleeve; 11. Buffer rod; 12. Limiting spring; 13. Buffer spring; 14. Ball seat cover; 15. Ball seat base; 16. Ball seat bayonet. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0036] Example 1

[0037] Most artificial reefs currently used adopt simple, regular structures, including square, frame, cylindrical, and hemispherical artificial reefs. On the one hand, this is to reduce the economic costs of production and transportation. On the other hand, in the ecological research of artificial reefs, these types of reefs have been shown to have certain ecological benefits. They can increase the complexity of the seabed structure in the target sea area and produce flow field effects, shielding effects, and ecological effects.

[0038] However, with the development of marine ranching, research has revealed that the construction of artificial reefs is strictly constrained by natural environmental factors. These include problems such as slippage, overturning, and capsizing due to water flow impacts, siltation and subsidence, and increased predation rates for juvenile fish. Meanwhile, in recent years, experts have proposed new requirements for the design of artificial reefs based on the entire life cycle of fish in marine ranching. These requirements include increasing the functionality of artificial reefs while considering cost-effectiveness, providing different habitats based on artificial reefs and other artificial structures for different growth stages of coastal reef-dwelling economic fish.

[0039] Based on this, in a typical embodiment of the present invention, an assemblable chain-type artificial reef is proposed, such as... Figure 1-11 As shown, it includes multiple fish chambers 1, which are interconnected by connecting rods 2 and simple ball joints 3 to form a chain structure; each fish chamber 1 has a symmetrical double-fan-shaped column structure, and ball heads 8 of simple ball joints are respectively installed on the two end faces of each fish chamber 1. Ball seats 9 of simple ball joints are respectively installed on the two ends of the connecting rod. The ball heads 8 can rotate within the ball seats 9 to extend and fold the multiple fish chambers.

[0040] The aforementioned assemblable chain artificial reef has a main structure consisting of fish chambers 1 forming an integral chain structure. Adjacent fish chambers 1 are connected by connecting rods 2 through a simple ball joint 3 structure, enabling the integral chain structure to perform chain-like movements of extension and bending. Through the nesting and stacking of multiple chain artificial reefs, the reef body forms a stable unit reef structure in sea areas with complex geological structures, creating a stable breeding ground for juvenile fish. This provides a juvenile environment for feeding, resting, and avoiding predators, improving the survival rate of reef-loving fish juveniles and providing habitat for cephalopods such as short-necked octopuses to avoid predators.

[0041] Specifically, such as Figure 1-3 As shown, the assemblable chain-type artificial reef includes fish chambers 1, connecting rods 2, and simple ball joints 3. Fish chambers 1 are the main structure of the chain-type artificial reef. Connecting rods 2 serve as the connecting structure and also provide cushioning and axial rotational movement. Simple ball joints 3 serve as the connecting structure and also provide limiting and extension / folding movements. Fish chambers 1 are connected by connecting rods 2, with the connection point being a simple ball joint 3. Multiple fish chambers are connected through this method, ultimately forming an overall reef structure capable of performing a chain-like movement pattern.

[0042] Fish chamber 1 has a symmetrical double-fan-shaped column structure. Its top and bottom surfaces are symmetrical fan-shaped and connected to a pair of spherical heads. The sides of fish chamber 1 are divided into symmetrical inner arch surfaces and outer arch surfaces. Fish chamber openings 5 ​​are provided on the inner arch surface for fish to enter and exit. At the same time, the arch structure can raise the fish chamber to reduce the intrusion of mud and sand.

[0043] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the fish chamber 1 is equipped with a central partition 4, which divides the interior into two compartments to accommodate the territorial characteristics of predatory fish such as the rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii). Symmetrical, inwardly inclined ear plates 6 are located on both sides of the opening of the fish chamber 1, increasing its concealment and enhancing its defense against predators. The ear plates 6, with a length equal to the length of the fish chamber, further enhance the concealment and defense against predators.

[0044] Combination Figure 9 As shown, two ear plate grooves 7 are provided on the outer arch surface to increase the water exchange between the fish chamber 1 and the fish chamber opening 5 which is perpendicular to the opening direction. The structure of the ear plate groove 7 matches the structure of the ear plate 6, so that the fish chambers can be joined and fixed in the manner of inner arch surface to outer arch surface, which is convenient for transportation.

[0045] Both ends of the fish chamber 1 are provided with threaded holes. The ball head 8 of the simple ball joint 3 is fixedly connected to the threaded rod. The ball head can be detachably installed on the fish chamber 1 by the cooperation of the threaded rod and the threaded hole. The top of the ball head is three-quarters spherical. The lower part of the three-quarters spherical structure is bent inward with an arc and connected to the threaded rod to ensure stability. The threaded structure at the bottom of the threaded rod can be separated from the fish chamber 1 for transportation.

[0046] like Figure 6 As shown, the connecting rod 2 includes a buffer sleeve 10 and a buffer rod 11. The buffer sleeve 10 is a hollow cylinder with a circular opening on its top surface. One end of the buffer rod 11 extends into the buffer sleeve and performs piston-like motion within it. The buffer rod 11 is a cylindrical rod with a radius slightly smaller than the opening on the top surface of the buffer sleeve 10 to reduce friction. The buffer rod 11 is divided into inner and outer parts located in the buffer sleeve 10. Circular limiting support plates are provided at the ends of both the inner and outer parts of the buffer rod 11.

[0047] Combination Figure 1-3 and Figure 6 The bottom of the buffer sleeve 10 and the outer buffer plate of the buffer rod 11 are both connected to the ball seat base 15 of the ball seat 9. In the case of concrete pouring, they can be poured simultaneously, or they can be welded to the steel workpiece. The opening orientation of the pair of ball seat bases 15 on the connecting rod 2 is not specified, provided that the buffer rod 11 can rotate along the axis within the buffer sleeve 10.

[0048] like Figure 7As shown, a limiting spring 12 and a buffer spring 13 are provided inside the buffer sleeve 10. The limiting spring 12 is sleeved on the buffer rod 11 and is limited and supported by a circular limiting support plate. The inner diameter of the limiting spring 12 is larger than the diameter of the circular opening at the end of the buffer sleeve 10, so that the limiting spring 12 can avoid the circular opening at the end of the buffer sleeve 10. The buffer spring 13 is located between the limiting support plate and the bottom of the buffer sleeve 10. The buffer spring 13 is connected to the bottom of the buffer sleeve 10. In order to ensure that the same working length can be achieved under the same free length, the wire diameter of the limiting spring 12 is half that of the buffer spring 13, but the number of turns is twice that. At the same time, the inner diameter of the limiting spring 12 is large enough to ensure that the radius of the buffer rod 11 is large enough without contacting the limiting spring 12.

[0049] The limiting spring 12 provides cushioning for the connecting rod during the stretching process and controls the termination length to reduce the risk of breakage. The buffer spring 13 provides cushioning for the connecting rod during the impact process to reduce the risk of collision and breakage between the connecting structures.

[0050] like Figure 8 As shown, the ball seat includes a ball seat cover 14, a ball seat base 15, and a ball seat bayonet 16. The separate assembly method facilitates the connection between the fish chamber 1 and the connecting rod 2. The ball seat 9 has a 90° one-way slot from the top to the side wall, which constrains the ball head 8 within the 90° range of movement in the slot direction, so that the fish chambers 1 can perform a 180° relative rotational movement.

[0051] Furthermore, the ball seat cover 14 is combined with the ball seat base 15 via an arrow-shaped structure, and a ball seat retaining spring is installed at the ball seat latch for fixation. The arrow-shaped structure includes an arrow-shaped protrusion on the ball seat cover and an arrow-shaped groove on the ball seat base. The arrow-shaped protrusion and the arrow-shaped groove can engage. The ball seat latch 16 is located symmetrically on both sides of the arrow groove. During connection, a retaining spring is used for fixation, and concrete adhesive is used to reinforce the joint, ensuring structural stability while reducing the risk of slippage.

[0052] In this embodiment, as Figure 1-3 As shown, a set of dimensional parameters for the fish chamber 1, connecting rod 2, and simple ball joint 3 are given as an example. Taking the height of the columnar structure of the fish chamber 1 as L, the major axis of the symmetrical fan-shaped surface of the fish chamber 1 is 0.75L, and the arc of the inner and outer arches of the fish chamber 1 is 60°. The diameter of the ball head 8 is 0.25L, the inner diameter of the ball seat 9 is 0.275L, and the outer diameter is 0.375L. The length of the buffer sleeve 10 is 0.625L, and the length of the buffer rod 11 is equal to the difference between the length of the buffer sleeve 10 and the compressed length of the buffer spring 13, so that when the buffer spring 13 reaches its compression threshold, the outer buffer plate of the buffer rod 11 just reaches the top of the buffer sleeve 10.

[0053] It should be noted that, referring to Figure 10 In the overall structure of the assembleable chain artificial reef, the number of fish chambers 1 can be between 6 and 10. Too few combinations will prevent the chain reefs in the final unit reef from achieving the effect of interlocking and nesting. Too many combinations will increase the difficulty of transportation and deployment, as well as the risk of chain breakage during deployment.

[0054] Before deploying this modular chain artificial reef, the fish chamber 1, connecting rod 2, and simple ball joint 3 can be mass-produced on land as separate components. During transportation, the fish chamber 1 can be assembled as follows: Figure 9 The components are assembled in a way that reduces the transport volume of the components, and then assembled at the delivery site.

[0055] In addition, during the deployment process, the chain reefs can be transported to the work vessel in an S-shaped fold, and then deployed at the target location from multiple angles using hinges, so that the unit reef formed by combining multiple chain reefs can present a final form with a certain height of stacking, nesting between fish chambers, and interconnection between chains.

[0056] Compared to conventional modular reefs, this modular artificial reef possesses greater adaptability in sea areas with complex seabed structures and can form a stable overall structure, thereby creating a stable artificial habitat, such as... Figure 11 As shown, this provides more habitat and shelter for juvenile reef-dwelling fish and cephalopods, improving their survival rate and restoring fishery resources in the target sea area.

[0057] While the specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, this is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications or variations that can be made by those skilled in the art without creative effort based on the technical solutions of the present invention are still within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An assemblable chain-type artificial reef, characterized in that, It includes multiple fish chambers, which are interconnected by connecting rods and simple ball joints to form a chain structure; each fish chamber has a symmetrical double-fan-shaped column structure, with ball heads of simple ball joints installed on both ends of each fish chamber, and ball seats of simple ball joints installed on both ends of the connecting rods; the ball heads can rotate within the ball seats to extend and fold the multiple fish chambers. The side of the fish chamber is divided into a symmetrical inner arch and an outer arch. The interior of the fish chamber is equipped with a central partition, which divides the interior of the fish chamber into two fish compartments. An opening is provided on the inner arch surface for fish to enter and exit, and ear plates that slope inward are provided on both sides of the opening. The length of the ear plates is the same as the length of the fish chamber. Two ear plate grooves are provided on the outer arch surface, and the structure of the ear plate grooves matches the structure of the ear plates. The connecting rod includes a buffer sleeve and a buffer rod. The buffer sleeve is provided with a limit spring and a buffer spring. One end of the buffer rod extends into the buffer sleeve and can perform piston movement within the buffer sleeve. The ball seat has a 90° one-way slot from the top to the side wall, which constrains the ball head within a 90° range of movement in the slot direction, allowing the fish chambers to rotate relative to each other by 180°. A limiting support plate is provided at the end of the buffer rod that extends into the buffer sleeve. The limiting spring is sleeved on the buffer rod and is limited and supported by the limiting support plate. The buffer spring is located between the limiting support plate and the bottom of the buffer sleeve. The ball seat includes a ball seat cover, a ball seat base, and a ball seat latch. The ball seat cover is combined with the ball seat base through an arrow structure, and a ball seat retaining spring is installed at the ball seat latch for fixation. The arrow structure includes an arrow-shaped protrusion on the ball seat cover and an arrow-shaped groove on the ball seat base. The arrow-shaped protrusion and the arrow-shaped groove can engage, and the ball seat latch is located symmetrically on both sides of the arrow-shaped groove.

2. The assemblable chain artificial reef as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Threaded holes are provided on both ends of the fish chamber. The ball head is fixedly connected to the threaded rod, and the ball head can be detachably installed on the fish chamber by the cooperation of the threaded rod and the threaded hole.

3. The assemblable chain artificial reef as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple chain-like artificial reefs are stacked and nested at the bottom of the target sea area to form a set of unit reefs. After deployment, the unit reefs can present a final form with a certain stacking height, nested fish chambers, and interconnected chains.

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