An automated mussel harvesting vessel

Abstract

An automatic mussel harvesting ship, comprising a ship body and a seed unloading unit, a hoisting unit, a traction unit and a guide unit arranged on the ship body, the hoisting unit is used to place the main rope on the traction unit by hoisting, the traction unit realizes the traction of the main rope, and the guide unit realizes the guiding effect during the traction, and the ship body is also provided with a cleaning and scattering device and a transfer device; the main rope is directly tractioned by the traction unit, without the need for manual dismounting of the culture rope in the early stage, less manual participation, higher automation, the upper surface of the main cylinder of the seed unloading unit is provided with a shunt groove and a three-leaf switching baffle, so that the main cylinder has a shunt function, and in the process of high-speed traction of the main rope, multiple culture ropes realize seed unloading at different seed unloading holes, without interference, and the overall seed unloading efficiency is further improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automated mussel harvesting technology, specifically to an automated mussel harvesting vessel. Background Technology

[0002] Mussels, also known as "sea rainbows," "shell vegetables," or "dried mussels," are bivalve mollusks that live by attaching themselves to their shells. Their meat is delicious, nutritious, and rich in protein. Mussels have high economic value and also have certain medicinal and edible value.

[0003] Mussels are generally cultured in nearshore areas using artificial facilities. Among the various cultivation methods, raft culture, primarily using suspended culture, is widely adopted. The structure of a raft mussel culture facility mainly consists of a main rope, floats connected to the main rope, and culture ropes attached to the main rope. During mussel processing, the first step is unloading, which involves separating the culture ropes from the main rope, then peeling the mussels off the ropes, followed by washing, breaking them up, and other further processing.

[0004] Examples such as the automatic mussel traction and unloading machine disclosed in CN118830523A, and the mussel breaking and cleaning device and mechanized mussel harvesting vessel disclosed in CN118787019A can be used as references.

[0005] The current mechanized mussel harvesting operation still requires manual labor to detach the aquaculture ropes attached to the mussels from the main ropes, followed by automated cleaning and dismantling of the ropes. The detachment of the aquaculture ropes requires a large amount of labor, and the operation vessels have not yet achieved a high degree of automation, resulting in the overall efficiency of the operation vessels still needing to be further improved. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the shortcomings mentioned above, this invention provides an automated mussel harvesting vessel.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an automated mussel harvesting vessel, comprising a hull and a seed unloading unit, a lifting unit, a traction unit, and a guiding unit arranged on the hull. The lifting unit is used to place the main rope onto the traction unit by lifting. The traction unit realizes the traction of the main rope, and the guiding unit realizes the guiding function during the traction process.

[0008] The unloading unit includes a main cylinder mounted on the hull. The main cylinder has an inlet end and an outlet end arranged opposite to each other. At its inlet end, the main cylinder has a separation port that can separate the float on the main rope from the aquaculture rope. The separation port is V-shaped. The upper surface of the main cylinder is machined with an aquaculture rope guide groove. At its outlet end, the main cylinder has an unloading baffle. The unloading baffle is machined with an unloading hole for peeling mussels off the aquaculture rope. The aquaculture rope guide groove is connected to the separation port and the unloading hole. The upper surface of the main cylinder is also machined with multiple diversion grooves. The front end of the diversion groove is connected to the aquaculture rope guide groove, and a rotatable three-bladed switching baffle is arranged at the connection position. When the aquaculture rope passes through the three-bladed switching baffle, the position of the three-bladed switching baffle can be switched. The rear end of the diversion groove is connected to the unloading hole.

[0009] The hull is also equipped with a washing and dispersing device and a transfer device. The washing and dispersing device is connected to the discharge end of the main cylinder. The transfer device is mounted on the hull along the width of the hull and is connected to the discharge end of the washing and dispersing device to transport the washed and dispersed mussels out in a timely manner.

[0010] Furthermore, the traction unit includes multiple traction frames mounted on the hull and traction rollers mounted on the traction frames, with a traction power source connected to the traction rollers located at the end along the traction direction.

[0011] Furthermore, the guiding unit includes multiple guide plates, which are used to guide the float and aquaculture rope during the traction process, and to prevent interference between the float, aquaculture rope and other components.

[0012] Furthermore, the three-blade switching baffle is made of ferromagnetic material, and the main cylinder is equipped with a magnet at the three-blade switching baffle to achieve stable switching of the position of the three-blade switching baffle.

[0013] Furthermore, the main cylinder has a square cross-section and is mounted on the bow of the hull. The main cylinder includes a horizontal section and an inclined section that connects to the horizontal section and is inclined downwards.

[0014] The advantages of this invention over the prior art are as follows:

[0015] 1. The traction unit directly pulls the main rope, eliminating the need for manual removal of the aquaculture rope beforehand, thus reducing human intervention and increasing the degree of automation;

[0016] 2. The upper surface of the main cylinder of the unloading unit is equipped with a diversion groove and a three-bladed switching baffle, which enables the main cylinder to have a diversion function. During the process of the main rope being pulled at high speed, multiple breeding ropes are unloaded at different unloading holes without interfering with each other, and the overall unloading efficiency is further improved. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a 3D view of an automated mussel harvesting vessel (the washing and dispersing device and the transfer device are hidden).

[0018] Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of the unloading unit involved;

[0019] Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of the unloading unit involved;

[0020] Figure 4 A three-dimensional view of the unloading unit involved;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection of the buoys and aquaculture ropes to the main rope (arrows indicate the traction direction).

[0022] Figure 6 This is a 3D view of an automated mussel harvesting vessel.

[0023] In the diagram: 1. Hull; 2. Unloading unit; 21. Main cylinder; 211. Separation port; 212. Aquaculture rope guide trough; 213. Three-leaf switching baffle; 214. Diversion trough; 215. Unloading baffle; 2151. Unloading hole; 3. Lifting unit; 4. Traction unit; 41. Traction frame; 42. Traction roller; 5. Cleaning and dispersing device; 6. Transfer device; 10. Main rope; 20. Float; 30. Aquaculture rope; 40. Mussel. Detailed Implementation

[0024] like Figures 1-6As shown in the figure, an automated mussel harvesting vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a hull 1 and a mussel unloading unit 2, a lifting unit 3, a traction unit 4, and a guiding unit arranged on the hull 1. The lifting unit 3 is used to place the main rope 10 onto the traction unit 4 by lifting. The traction unit 4 realizes the traction of the main rope 10, and the guiding unit realizes the guiding function during the traction process. The mussel unloading unit 2 includes a main cylinder 21 mounted on the hull 1. The main cylinder 21 has a feed end and a discharge end arranged opposite to each other. The main cylinder 21 has a separation port 211 at its feed end that can separate the float 20 on the main rope 10 from the culture rope 30. The separation port 211 is V-shaped. The upper surface of the main cylinder 21 is processed with a culture rope guide groove 212. The main cylinder 21 has a mussel unloading baffle 215 at its discharge end. The mussel unloading baffle 215 is processed with a function for holding the culture rope The mussel 40 on the hull 30 has a seed discharge hole 2151, and the culture rope guide 212 is connected to the separation port 211 and the seed discharge hole 2151. The upper surface of the main cylinder 21 is also processed with multiple diversion channels 214. The front end of the diversion channel 214 is connected to the culture rope guide 212 and a rotatable three-bladed switching baffle 213 is arranged at the connection position. When the culture rope 30 passes through the three-bladed switching baffle 213, the position of the three-bladed switching baffle 213 can be switched. The rear end of the diversion channel 214 is connected to the seed discharge hole 2151. The hull 1 is also equipped with a cleaning and dispersing device 5 and a transfer device 6. The cleaning and dispersing device 5 is connected to the discharge end of the main cylinder 21. The transfer device 6 is mounted on the hull 1 along the width of the hull and is connected to the discharge end of the cleaning and dispersing device 5 to transport the cleaned and dispersed mussels out in a timely manner.

[0025] More specifically, the traction unit 4 includes multiple traction frames 41 mounted on the hull 1 and traction rollers 42 mounted on the traction frames 41. A traction power source is connected to the traction roller 42 located at the end along the traction direction. The guiding unit includes multiple guide plates (not shown in the figure). The guide plates are used to guide the floats 20 and the aquaculture ropes 30 during the traction process to avoid interference between the floats 20 and the aquaculture ropes 30 and other components. The three-bladed switching baffle 213 is made of ferromagnetic material. A magnet is arranged at the three-bladed switching baffle 213 on the main cylinder 21 to achieve stable switching of the position of the three-bladed switching baffle 213. The main cylinder 21 has a square cross-section and is mounted at the bow of the hull 1. The main cylinder 21 includes a horizontal section and an inclined section that is connected to the horizontal section and inclined downwards.

[0026] The traction unit directly pulls the main rope, eliminating the need for manual removal of the breeding ropes beforehand. This reduces human intervention and increases automation. The upper surface of the main cylinder of the unloading unit is equipped with a diversion groove and a three-bladed switching baffle, giving the main cylinder a diversion function. During the high-speed traction of the main rope, multiple breeding ropes are unloaded at different unloading holes without interfering with each other, further improving the overall unloading efficiency.

[0027] In practical use, the invention will be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings for ease of understanding;

[0028] During operation, the hull 1 is moored in the mussel farming area. The lifting unit 3 first lifts the main rope 10 onto the traction roller 42 of the traction frame 41. The surface of the traction roller 42 is V-shaped to prevent the main rope 10 from dislodging. The traction roller 42 at the end is connected to a traction power source. The traction power source is a high-torque servo hydraulic motor, which moves the main rope 10 from the bow to the stern.

[0029] Buoy 20 and aquaculture rope 30 are connected to the main rope 10 at equal intervals. As the main rope 10 moves from bow to stern, buoy 20 and aquaculture rope 30 move along with the main rope 10. A groove is formed on one side of the traction roller 42 to better transmit the force to buoy 20 and aquaculture rope 30 (see...). Figure 6 Meanwhile, the guide plate guides the buoy 20, limiting its possibility of reaching the port side of the hull 1. Combined with the slotting effect, this ensures that the buoy 20 and the aquaculture rope 30 are always located on the starboard side of the hull 1. At the separation port 211, the buoy 20 is separated to the outside of the main cylinder 21 and guided by the guide unit (the guide unit includes multiple guide plates, not shown in the figure). The aquaculture rope 30 with the mussels 40 attached enters the aquaculture rope guide groove 212 through the separation port 211. In this scheme, the three-bladed switching stop... There are three plates 213, thus forming four diversion channels 214 directly connected to the unloading baffle 215 at the discharge end of the main cylinder 21. The culture rope 30 reaching the discharge end of the main cylinder 21 will enter one of the diversion channels 214 in sequence. Then, the unloading hole 2151 of the unloading baffle 215 will be activated, allowing the culture rope 30 to pass through the unloading hole 2151, and the mussels 40 on the culture rope 30 will be peeled off. The peeled mussels 40 will fall at the discharge hole of the bottom plate at the discharge end of the main cylinder 21 due to their own weight. Figure 4 (The bottom plate discharge hole is shown).

[0030] See afterward. Figure 6 The detached mussels 40 fall into the cleaning and dispersing device 5 for high-pressure water washing and dispersing. After cleaning and dispersing, the mussels 40 are transported to the transfer device 6 by the auger blades in the cleaning and dispersing device 5. The transfer device 6 is an adjustable conveyor belt assembly, which promptly transports the processed mussels 40 to another ship.

[0031] Similarly, see Figure 6 The staff can unload the culture rope 30 after the mussels 40 have been separated from the main rope 10 near the traction power source, so that it can be used for hanging seedling culture in the next feeding cycle; that is, only one staff member is needed to unload the culture rope 30 in time. This mussel automated harvesting vessel has achieved a high degree of automation.

[0032] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automated mussel harvesting vessel, characterized in that: It includes a hull (1) and a seed unloading unit (2), a lifting unit (3), a traction unit (4) and a guiding unit arranged on the hull (1). The lifting unit (3) is used to place the main rope (10) on the traction unit (4) by lifting. The traction unit (4) realizes the traction of the main rope (10). The guiding unit realizes the guiding role in the traction process. The unloading unit (2) includes a main cylinder (21) mounted on the hull (1). The main cylinder (21) has an inlet end and an outlet end arranged opposite to each other. The main cylinder (21) has a separation port (211) at its inlet end that separates the float (20) on the main rope (10) from the aquaculture rope (30). The separation port (211) is V-shaped. The upper surface of the main cylinder (21) is processed with an aquaculture rope guide groove (212). The main cylinder (21) has an unloading baffle (215) at its outlet end. The unloading baffle (215) is processed with a tool for peeling the mussels (40) from the aquaculture rope (30). The seedling discharge hole (2151) is separated from the main cylinder (21). The breeding rope guide groove (212) is connected to the separation port (211) and the seedling discharge hole (2151). The upper surface of the main cylinder (21) is also processed with multiple diversion grooves (214). The front end of the diversion groove (214) is connected to the breeding rope guide groove (212) and a rotatable three-leaf switching baffle (213) is arranged at the connection position. When the breeding rope (30) passes through the three-leaf switching baffle (213), the position of the three-leaf switching baffle (213) can be switched. The rear end of the diversion groove (214) is connected to the seedling discharge hole (2151). The hull (1) is also equipped with a cleaning and dispersing device (5) and a transfer device (6). The cleaning and dispersing device (5) is connected to the discharge end of the main cylinder (21). The transfer device (6) is mounted on the hull (1) along the width of the ship. The transfer device (6) is connected to the discharge end of the cleaning and dispersing device (5) so as to transport the cleaned and dispersed mussels out in a timely manner.

2. The automated mussel harvesting vessel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The traction unit (4) includes multiple traction frames (41) mounted on the hull (1) and traction rollers (42) mounted on the traction frames (41). A traction power source is connected to the traction rollers (42) located at the end along the traction direction.

3. The automated mussel harvesting vessel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guiding unit includes multiple guide plates, which are used to guide the float (20) and the aquaculture rope (30) during the traction process, and to avoid interference between the float (20), the aquaculture rope (30) and other components.

4. The automated mussel harvesting vessel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The three-blade switching baffle (213) is made of ferromagnetic material. The main cylinder (21) is equipped with a magnet at the three-blade switching baffle (213) to achieve stable switching of the position of the three-blade switching baffle (213).

5. The automated mussel harvesting vessel according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main cylinder (21) has a square cross-section and is mounted on the bow of the hull (1). The main cylinder (21) includes a horizontal section and an inclined section that is connected to the horizontal section and inclined downward.

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