A composite artificial reef

Abstract

This invention discloses a composite artificial reef, characterized in that: the artificial reef is composed of a bottom reef, a middle reef, and a top reef, and a support leg mechanism is provided below the bottom reef. The bottom reef includes an upper bottom reef 1, which is a hollow regular n-fold truncated pyramid shape, formed by sequentially splicing n first side plates 2. The first side plates 2 have multiple small permeable holes 3 arranged in an array, and a large permeable hole 4 is also provided at the center of the first side plates 2. The bottom end of the upper bottom reef 1 is connected to a lower bottom reef 5, which is a hollow hemisphere, and also has multiple small permeable holes 3 arranged in an array.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of marine ecological restoration, and in particular to a composite artificial reef. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, marine ecosystems face problems such as the degradation of natural coral reefs and the decline in marine biodiversity. Artificial reefs, as a common tool for marine ecological restoration, can provide habitats for fish, shellfish, and algae. However, existing artificial reefs often fail to fully optimize water filtration, habitat support, and ecological balance, and their design does not adequately consider the growth needs of various marine species, effective water exchange, and the stability of the reef structure.

[0003] Existing artificial reefs have several problems in practical applications:

[0004] ① Low water filtration efficiency: Traditional artificial reefs are mostly constructed using smooth concrete blocks or waste materials, lacking attachment sites for filter-feeding marine organisms, resulting in limited improvement in water quality. Without sufficient filter-feeding organisms such as shellfish, plankton in the seawater will overproduce, leading to problems such as eutrophication and hypoxia. When water exchange is impeded, stagnant zones easily form inside the reef, and the lack of oxygen further inhibits the ecological function of the artificial reef.

[0005] ② Insufficient fish habitat: Many existing artificial reefs have simple structures, insufficient internal cavities and surface roughness, making it difficult to provide hiding and spawning grounds for fish of various sizes. The lack of habitat restricts the number and diversity of fish, and juvenile fish lack places to hide from predators, which is detrimental to fish reproduction and resource enhancement.

[0006] ③ Poor structural stability: Some artificial reef designs are not stable enough in strong currents and waves, and may shift, topple, or disintegrate over time. For example, artificial reefs constructed from discarded tires have been washed away in tropical storms, with the drifting tires damaging surrounding corals. Once the reef shifts or is damaged, it not only reduces its ecological function but may also cause secondary pollution and additional maintenance costs.

[0007] ④ Limited Ecological Functions: Traditional artificial reefs suffer from insufficient ecological functions, primarily due to a lack of effective synergy with the surrounding ecosystem and a relatively singular function. Most traditional reefs lack mechanisms for effectively transporting nutrients such as fish waste to algae growth areas, leading to nutrient deficiencies and limited algal growth. Furthermore, their structural design fails to effectively guide water flow, promote water exchange and nutrient cycling, restricting algal nutrient absorption and the flow of matter and energy within the ecosystem. In addition, traditional reefs do not adequately consider providing suitable attachment substrates and lighting conditions for algae, hindering algal attachment and photosynthesis, resulting in weak ecosystem stability and self-regulation capabilities, making it difficult to cope with environmental changes.

[0008] The aforementioned problems diminish the positive impact of artificial reefs on the marine ecosystem, making it difficult to fully realize their initial goals of improving water quality, providing habitats, and ensuring long-term stability. Therefore, an improved technological solution is needed to address technical issues such as insufficient water exchange and purification, limited habitat space, inadequate material utilization, and structural instability, thereby generating a more positive impact on the marine environment. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The present invention addresses the aforementioned shortcomings of existing technologies by proposing a multi-layered ecological structure that is simple in structure, ingenious in design, and rationally laid out. This structure can effectively improve water purification and habitat creation capabilities, while also enhancing the stability of the reef itself.

[0010] The technical solution of this invention is: a composite artificial reef, characterized in that: the artificial reef consists of a bottom reef, a middle reef, and a top reef, and a support leg mechanism is also provided below the bottom reef.

[0011] The bottom reef includes an upper bottom reef 1, which is a hollow, regular n-sided frustum shape, formed by sequentially splicing together n first side plates 2. Each first side plate 2 has multiple small permeable holes 3 arranged in an array, and a large permeable hole 4 is also located at the center of each first side plate 2. The bottom end of the upper bottom reef 1 is connected to a lower bottom reef 5, which is a hollow hemisphere and also has multiple small permeable holes 3 arranged in an array. A guide pipe 6 is installed in the cavity of the bottom reef. The bottom opening of the guide pipe 6 communicates with the large permeable hole 4 located at the center of the lower bottom reef 5, while the top opening of the guide pipe 6 is lower than the upper edge of the upper bottom reef 1. Multiple first spiral guide vanes 7 are installed on the outer wall of the guide pipe 6.

[0012] The central reef is a hollow, regular n-prism, formed by sequentially splicing together n second side plates 8. The bottom edges of the n second side plates 8 correspond one-to-one with and are fixedly connected to the top edges of the n first side plates 2. Four square through holes 9 are arranged in an array on the second side plates 8. Multiple randomly distributed hiding places are placed in the cavity of the central reef.

[0013] The top reef is a regular n-prism frame structure, composed of multiple supporting beams 10. A hanging ring 11 is located at the center of the top of the top reef. The bottom surface of the top reef is a regular n-sided polygon, and n seedling ropes 12 are connected to the hanging ring 11. The bottom ends of the n seedling ropes 12 are respectively connected to the n vertices of the bottom surface of the top reef. Algal spores are attached to the seedling ropes 12.

[0014] The outer walls of the middle and top reefs are provided with n second spiral guide vanes 13 evenly distributed in the circumferential direction.

[0015] The support leg mechanism includes n support legs 14, the top of each support leg 14 being fixedly connected to the bottom end face of the upper bottom reef 1, and an anti-settlement plate 15 being provided in the middle of each support leg 14.

[0016] n is a natural number greater than or equal to 3.

[0017] The large permeable hole 4 allows shellfish to pass through and enter the inner cavity of the bottom reef.

[0018] The square through-hole 9 allows marine fish to pass through.

[0019] Both the first side plate 2 and the lower bottom reef 5 are made of a rough and porous substrate.

[0020] The central axis of the small permeable hole 3 and the large permeable hole 4 on the first side plate 2 forms an angle of 30° with the horizontal plane, and the tilt direction is upward.

[0021] The substrate used for the first side plate 2 and the lower bottom reef 5 is eco-friendly concrete mixed with crushed seashells.

[0022] The top of the top reef is connected to a rope 16, the top end of which is fixedly connected to a float 17. The float 17 is equipped with inclined solar panels 18. Below the solar panels 18, the float 17 is also equipped with a battery 19 and a control module 20.

[0023] The inner side of the top reef is provided with a plurality of lighting lamps 21 evenly distributed in the circumferential direction. Each lighting lamp 21 includes a lamp post 22, and a plurality of lamp beads 23 are arranged at equal intervals on the lamp post 22.

[0024] A waterproof speaker 24 is installed inside the cavity of the central reef.

[0025] The LED beads 23 and the waterproof speaker 24 are both connected to the control module 20 via wires, and they are controlled uniformly by the control system in the control module 20. The control module 20 is also equipped with a wireless data transmission module that is also controlled by the control system.

[0026] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0027] This type of composite artificial reef has a simple structure, ingenious design, and reasonable layout. Compared with traditional artificial reefs, it has the following advantages:

[0028] ① Significantly Improved Water Purification and Exchange Efficiency: The large attachment area and rough surface of the bottom reef create a favorable habitat for shellfish, effectively attracting filter-feeding mollusks to gather there. Combined with the spiral guide plates inside the bottom reef and on the outside of the device, the water quality around the reef is effectively improved. Shellfish attached to the bottom reef (such as oysters and mussels) continuously filter suspended particles and plankton from the seawater, increasing water transparency and oxygen content. This is equivalent to installing a highly efficient biological filtration system in the reef area, significantly reducing the risk of harmful algal blooms and eutrophication. Simultaneously, the hollow spiral guide plate design inside the reef enhances water exchange between the upper and lower layers, promoting the effective upward transport of filtered water and nutrients. In other words, it can process and refresh a larger volume of water per unit time, with water purification efficiency, nutrient utilization rate, and water exchange rate several times higher than traditional artificial reefs, contributing to a clean and oxygen-rich local marine environment.

[0029] ② Promotes symbiosis among diverse marine organisms, resulting in significant ecological benefits: This type of artificial reef, through its layered structure, simultaneously meets the survival needs of multiple marine species, achieving a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship between shellfish, algae, and fish on a single reef. Shellfish and algae proliferate on the reef, providing food and habitat substrates for other organisms, while fish forage and seek refuge here. Together, these three form a stable food web and energy cycle system. In contrast, traditional artificial reefs often focus only on fish aggregation, neglecting the needs of primary producers and filter feeders, resulting in limited ecological benefits. This design significantly enhances biodiversity: it is expected that each composite reef can accommodate hundreds of shellfish and various macroalgae, further attracting numerous invertebrates and fish, with each reef unit forming a "mini-ecosystem." This multi-species symbiosis not only increases fishery resources per unit area but also enhances the system's self-sustaining capacity and resilience to disturbances—maintaining the continuity and stability of ecological functions even in the face of seasonal environmental changes.

[0030] ③ Enhanced reef stability and extended service life: The spiral guide vanes on the outside of this device effectively reduce the impact and drag of ocean currents on the reef, ensuring its stability even in strong waves and currents. The bottom support base inserts into the seabed, and the anti-sinking disc increases the contact area with the seabed, further improving its resistance to capsizing and sinking. Compared to traditional, simple-shaped artificial reefs that are easily eroded and displaced, this design significantly reduces the probability of damage to the reef under harsh sea conditions. In practical applications, stable artificial reefs can often remain intact on the seabed for decades and continue to provide ecological functions. Due to its stable structure and the reinforcement effect of biological attachment (shellfish attachment further enhances structural integrity), this invention is expected to have a significantly longer service life than ordinary artificial reefs, allowing for long-term service without frequent replacement. The direct benefit of this is reduced maintenance costs: management departments do not need to frequently adjust or rebuild the reef, saving manpower and material resources. At the same time, the long-term stable provision of ecological services by the reef will result in more substantial accumulated environmental benefits and fishery revenues. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the main body of the artificial reef in an embodiment of the present invention (direction one).

[0033] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the main body of the artificial reef in an embodiment of the present invention (direction two).

[0034] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the main body of the artificial reef in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the guide tube and the first spiral guide vane in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 6 This is a structural schematic diagram of the lighting body part in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 7 This is a structural schematic diagram of the waterproof speaker section in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0038] Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Figures 1 to 7 As shown: A composite artificial reef, consisting of a bottom reef, a middle reef, and a top reef, with a support leg mechanism installed below the bottom reef.

[0039] The bottom reef includes an upper bottom reef 1, which is a hollow, regular n-sided frustum shape, formed by sequentially splicing together n first side plates 2. Each first side plate 2 has multiple small permeable holes 3 arranged in an array, and a large permeable hole 4 is also located at the center of each first side plate 2. The bottom end of the upper bottom reef 1 is connected to a lower bottom reef 5, which is a hollow hemisphere and also has multiple small permeable holes 3 arranged in an array. A guide pipe 6 is installed in the cavity of the bottom reef. The bottom opening of the guide pipe 6 communicates with the large permeable hole 4 located at the center of the lower bottom reef 5, while the top opening of the guide pipe 6 is lower than the upper edge of the upper bottom reef 1. Multiple first spiral guide vanes 7 are installed on the outer wall of the guide pipe 6.

[0040] The central reef is a hollow, regular n-prism, formed by sequentially splicing together n second side plates 8. The bottom edges of the n second side plates 8 correspond one-to-one with and are fixedly connected to the top edges of the n first side plates 2. Four square through holes 9 are arranged in an array on the second side plates 8. Multiple randomly distributed hiding places are placed in the cavity of the central reef.

[0041] The top reef is a regular n-prism frame structure, composed of multiple supporting beams 10. A hanging ring 11 is located at the center of the top of the top reef. The bottom surface of the top reef is a regular n-sided polygon, and n seedling ropes 12 are connected to the hanging ring 11. The bottom ends of the n seedling ropes 12 are respectively connected to the n vertices of the bottom surface of the top reef. Algal spores are attached to the seedling ropes 12.

[0042] The outer walls of the middle and top reefs are provided with n second spiral guide vanes 13 evenly distributed in the circumferential direction.

[0043] The support leg mechanism includes n support legs 14, the top of each support leg 14 being fixedly connected to the bottom end face of the upper bottom reef 1, and an anti-settlement plate 15 being provided in the middle of each support leg 14.

[0044] n is a natural number greater than or equal to 3.

[0045] The large permeable hole 4 allows shellfish to pass through and enter the inner cavity of the bottom reef.

[0046] The square through-hole 9 allows marine fish to pass through.

[0047] Both the first side plate 2 and the lower bottom reef 5 are made of a rough and porous substrate.

[0048] The central axis of the small permeable hole 3 and the large permeable hole 4 on the first side plate 2 forms an angle of 30° with the horizontal plane, and the tilt direction is upward.

[0049] The substrate used for the first side plate 2 and the lower bottom reef 5 is eco-friendly concrete mixed with crushed seashells.

[0050] The top of the top reef is connected to a rope 16, the top end of which is fixedly connected to a float 17. The float 17 is equipped with inclined solar panels 18. Below the solar panels 18, the float 17 is also equipped with a battery 19 and a control module 20.

[0051] The inner side of the top reef is provided with a plurality of lighting lamps 21 evenly distributed in the circumferential direction. Each lighting lamp 21 includes a lamp post 22, and a plurality of lamp beads 23 are arranged at equal intervals on the lamp post 22.

[0052] A waterproof speaker 24 is installed inside the cavity of the central reef.

[0053] The LED beads 23 and the waterproof speaker 24 are both connected to the control module 20 via wires, and they are controlled uniformly by the control system in the control module 20. The control module 20 is also equipped with a wireless data transmission module that is also controlled by the control system.

[0054] The working process of the composite artificial reef in this embodiment of the invention is as follows: The composite artificial reef is set in a designated sea area, and the lower half of all the legs 14 are inserted into the seabed mud and sand. The anti-sinking plate 15 is in contact with the seabed. Since the anti-sinking plate 15 has a relatively large area, it can support the device on the soft mud and sand and prevent the device from sinking.

[0055] Because the bottom reef is made of a rough and porous substrate (such as eco-concrete mixed with broken shells), its surface is rough and has many bumps and depressions, which is suitable for marine organisms such as shellfish to attach and move around. At the same time, the small water-permeable holes 3 opened on the surface of the first side plate 2 and the lower bottom reef 5 allow seawater to enter the inner cavity of the bottom reef, thereby creating an upwelling. Meanwhile, shellfish can also enter the inner cavity of the bottom reef through the large water-permeable holes 4 to avoid being preyed upon by marine organisms. Since the small water-permeable holes 3 on the first side plate 2 are distributed at an upward angle, they can play a guiding role. They work together with the guide pipe 6 and the first spiral guide plate 7 on the outer wall of the guide pipe 6 to create an upward flow of water (upwelling) inside the bottom reef. The upwelling can push food residue, organic matter and nutrients from the seabed to the middle and top reefs.

[0056] The central reef is shaped like a regular n-prism, with large square through-holes 9 on its second side plate 8. Marine fish can swim freely in the central reef area through these square through-holes 9. Multiple hiding places are randomly placed in the inner cavity of the central reef. These hiding places can be hollow bricks, rod-shaped objects, transparent hollow spheres, etc. They can form multiple messy and random hiding spaces in the inner cavity of the central reef. Fish attracted by the food residue and organic matter rising from below can feed and avoid predators in the inner cavity of the central reef.

[0057] Algal spores are pre-attached to the seedling rope 12, and they will grow on the seedling rope 12. Although algae will inevitably attach and produce when this type of reef is placed in the sea for a long time, this method of constructing algal seedling rope can ensure the certainty of algal growth and accelerate the algal growth process, thereby quickly constructing an ecological environment in which shells, fish and algae coexist.

[0058] The second spiral guide vane 13, located on the outer side of the middle and top reefs, can change the direction of the horizontal ocean current, making it vertical, in order to create upwelling and attract marine life to gather, thus building a complex ecological environment. It can also reduce the horizontal impact of the water flow on the reef itself, reduce the impact and drag of the ocean current on the reef, thereby preventing the reef from moving on the seabed and extending its service life.

[0059] In use, the operator can send signals to the wireless data transmission module in the control module 20 via a wireless network to control the operation of the LED beads 23 and the waterproof speaker 24. The LED beads 23 provide supplemental lighting for the algae attached to the seedling rope 12, promoting algae growth; the speaker 24 plays pre-recorded sound waves of different frequencies. The water vibrations caused by these sound waves can effectively attract fish to gather at the reef, improving the fish-gathering effect.

[0060] Under sunlight, the solar panel 18 converts solar energy into electrical energy, which is then rectified and regulated into direct current and input into the battery 19 for storage. The battery 19 provides power to the LED 23 and the waterproof speaker 24.

Claims

1. A composite artificial reef, characterized in that: The artificial reef consists of a bottom reef, a middle reef, and a top reef, with a support leg mechanism installed below the bottom reef. The bottom reef includes an upper bottom reef (1), which is a hollow regular n-fold shape. It is formed by sequentially splicing n first side plates (2). Multiple small permeable holes (3) are arranged in an array on the first side plates (2). At the same time, a large permeable hole (4) is also arranged at the center of the first side plates (2). The bottom end of the upper bottom reef (1) is connected to a lower bottom reef (5). The lower bottom reef (5) is a hollow hemisphere. Multiple small permeable holes (3) are also arranged in an array on the lower bottom reef (5). A guide pipe (6) is provided in the cavity of the bottom reef. The bottom opening of the guide pipe (6) is connected to the large permeable hole (4) at the center of the lower bottom reef (5). The top opening of the guide pipe (6) is lower than the upper edge of the upper bottom reef (1). Multiple first spiral guide plates (7) are provided on the outer wall of the guide pipe (6). The central reef is a hollow regular n-prism, formed by sequentially splicing together n second side plates (8). The bottom edges of the n second side plates (8) correspond one-to-one with and are fixedly connected to the top edges of the n first side plates (2). Four square through holes (9) are arranged in an array on the second side plates (8). Multiple randomly distributed hiding places are set in the cavity of the central reef. The top reef is a regular n-prism frame structure, which is composed of multiple supporting beams (10). A hanging ring (11) is set at the center of the top of the top reef. The bottom surface of the top reef is a regular n-sided polygon. n seedling ropes (12) are connected to the hanging ring (11). The bottom ends of the n seedling ropes (12) are respectively connected to the n vertices of the bottom surface of the top reef. Algal spores are attached to the seedling ropes (12). The outer walls of the middle reef and the top reef are provided with n second spiral guide vanes (13) evenly distributed in the circumferential direction. The outrigger mechanism includes n outriggers (14), the top of the outriggers (14) is fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the upper bottom reef (1), and an anti-settlement plate (15) is also provided in the middle of the outriggers (14). n is a natural number greater than or equal to 3. The large permeable hole (4) allows shellfish to pass through and enter the inner cavity of the bottom reef. The square through-hole (9) allows marine fish to pass through. The first side plate (2) and the lower bottom reef (5) are both made of a rough and porous substrate.

2. The composite artificial reef according to claim 1, characterized in that: The central axis of the small permeable hole (3) and the large permeable hole (4) on the first side plate (2) forms an angle of 30° with the horizontal plane, and the tilt direction is upward.

3. The composite artificial reef according to claim 1, characterized in that: The substrate used for the first side plate (2) and the lower bottom reef (5) is eco-friendly concrete mixed with crushed seashells.

4. The composite artificial reef according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top of the top reef is connected to a rope (16), the top of the rope (16) is fixedly connected to a float (17), the float (17) is provided with inclined solar panels (18), and the float (17) below the solar panels (18) is also provided with a battery (19) and a control module (20). The inner side of the top reef is provided with a plurality of lighting lamps (21) evenly distributed in the circumferential direction. The lighting lamps (21) include lamp posts (22) and a plurality of lamp beads (23) are arranged at equal intervals on the lamp posts (22). A waterproof speaker (24) is installed in the inner cavity of the central reef. The LED beads (23) and the waterproof speaker (24) are connected to the control module (20) via wires, and they are controlled by the control system in the control module (20). The control module (20) is also equipped with a wireless data transmission module that is also controlled by the control system.

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