Fish cleaning system for fusion culture net cage of offshore wind plant

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of marine fishery equipment, and discloses an offshore wind plant fusion culture net cage fish cleaning system which comprises a net cage support and a net cage in the net cage support, the net cage is provided with at least one convergence netting unit of a conical surface structure, and a collection opening is formed in the tip end of the conical surface; the inlet end of the suction pipeline system is communicated with the collection port; the driving mechanism is connected with the gathering netting unit and drives the gathering netting unit to shake; a plurality of driving elements are arranged on the inner side wall of the gathering netting unit. The dead fishes are automatically gathered to the collecting opening under the action of gravity or buoyancy through the conical surface structure, the driving mechanism shakes the netting to shake off the attached dead fishes, meanwhile, the driving element forms physical interference to expel the live fishes, and finally the dead fishes are intensively removed through the suction pipeline. The cleaning system provided by the invention realizes efficient and automatic cleaning of dead fishes, greatly improves the cleaning efficiency, reduces the false catching rate of live fishes, effectively solves the problems of net cage blockage and water quality pollution, and adapts to complex marine environment operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of marine fishery equipment technology, specifically to a system for cleaning fish in aquaculture cages integrated with offshore wind farms. Background Technology

[0002] With the integrated development of offshore wind power and aquaculture, the scale of aquaculture cages set up around wind turbine foundations is constantly expanding. However, fish deaths are unavoidable in cage aquaculture. These deaths originate from conventional factors such as stocking density and disease, as well as stress factors such as wind turbine noise and electromagnetic fields. If dead fish are not removed promptly, they will decompose and rot inside the cages, consuming dissolved oxygen, breeding harmful bacteria, deteriorating water quality, causing secondary harm to healthy fish within the cages, and polluting the surrounding marine ecosystem. Furthermore, dead fish remains can easily clog the mesh, affecting water exchange and increasing the structural burden on the cages.

[0003] Currently, cleaning dead fish in offshore wind farm cages mainly relies on manual rowing and retrieval. This method is risky, inefficient, and costly in harsh sea conditions. Some attempts at mechanical cleaning have also been hampered by severe equipment corrosion and frequent malfunctions due to the high salinity and humidity of the ocean, making it difficult to meet the needs for timely and continuous cleaning. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides a fish cleaning system for integrated aquaculture cages in offshore wind farms to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0005] This invention provides a system for cleaning fish in aquaculture cages integrated with offshore wind farms, comprising: A cage support frame, and a cage disposed inside the cage support frame; The cage includes at least one gathering netting unit, which has a conical structure and a collection port at the tip of the conical structure; A suction pipeline system, the inlet of which is connected to the collection port, is used to remove dead fish that have gathered at the collection port. A drive mechanism, connected to the converging mesh unit, is adapted to drive the converging mesh unit to vibrate; Multiple driving elements are disposed on the inner wall of the converging mesh unit.

[0006] Beneficial effects: This invention utilizes a conical-structured collecting net unit, taking advantage of the natural properties of dead fish's own gravity or buoyancy, to automatically slide them towards the collection port at the tip of the conical structure, achieving continuous collection of dead fish and avoiding the problem of large-scale scattering and rotting of dead fish within the net cage. A suction pipeline system directly connects to the collection port, forming a continuous operation of collection and suction, replacing manual rowing and retrieval, significantly improving cleaning efficiency and reducing operational risks in harsh sea conditions. A drive mechanism drives the collecting net unit to vibrate, effectively shaking off dead fish debris attached to the net, preventing mesh blockage, ensuring water exchange capacity, and reducing the load on the net cage structure. The driving elements on the inner wall of the collecting net unit oscillate under the action of vibration or water flow, creating localized physical disturbance. This not only drives live fish away from the suction area to reduce accidental injury but also accelerates the shedding of dead fish through disturbance, effectively solving the problems of delayed cleaning, low efficiency, net cage blockage, and ecological pollution.

[0007] In some embodiments, the collecting mesh unit includes a top collecting mesh and a bottom collecting mesh, each having a conical structure. The conical structures of the top and bottom collecting mesh are arranged opposite to each other in a direction away from the interior space of the mesh box. The conical structure of the top collecting mesh forms a top collection port that is connected to the inlet end of the suction pipeline system. The conical structure of the bottom collecting mesh forms a bottom collection port that is connected to the inlet end of the suction pipeline system.

[0008] Beneficial effects: The opposing double-conical structure of the top and bottom collecting nets achieves full coverage of the vertical space of the net cage: the bottom cone collects early-dead fish that sink, while the top cone collects dead fish that float after decomposition and gas production, adapting to the buoyancy changes of dead fish at different stages of degradation and preventing dead fish from lingering in the middle of the net cage; the two collection ports are connected to the suction pipeline respectively, which can be selectively activated according to the distribution density of dead fish, improving the suction coverage and targeting compared to a single collection port, and reducing suction energy consumption; the opposing cone layout maximizes the use of the net cage volume, so that dead fish, no matter which direction they are generated from, can be effectively guided to the nearest collection port, shortening the cleaning path and improving the system's cleaning response speed.

[0009] In some embodiments, the drive mechanism includes a top mesh cable and a bottom mesh cable. One end of the top mesh cable is connected to the top converging mesh and the other end extends out of the net cage. One end of the bottom mesh cable is connected to the bottom converging mesh and the other end extends out of the net cage. At least two top mesh cables and two bottom mesh cables are provided. Specifically, by pulling the top netting cable or the bottom netting cable extending outside the net cage, the converging netting unit is driven to shake and the driving element is driven to swing.

[0010] Beneficial effects: Using top and bottom netting pull lines as drive transmission components, extending to areas outside the net cage or above the water surface, eliminates the need for operators or equipment to enter the net cage or work underwater, avoiding direct and adverse corrosion of the drive mechanism by the high-salt and high-humidity environment, and solving the problem of frequent failures in mechanical cleaning equipment; the pull line structure is simple, without complex electronic components, has strong resistance to marine environments, and is more reliable; two or more pull lines can control the pulling in different directions, realizing multi-dimensional shaking of the netting, enhancing the removal effect of dead fish; the pulling action simultaneously drives the driving element to swing, forming a linkage combination of shaking and swinging, simplifying the drive structure and reducing manufacturing costs and maintenance difficulty.

[0011] In some embodiments, the drive mechanism further includes a motorized winch or a manual winch for retracting the top and bottom mesh wires.

[0012] Beneficial effects: The motorized winch device enables automated and high-frequency operation of net shaking, reducing reliance on manual labor and making it suitable for daily continuous cleaning of large-scale aquaculture cages, effectively improving operational efficiency; the manual winch, as a backup drive method, can still ensure basic system operation during power outages, equipment failures, or motorized maintenance, avoiding the risk of dead fish accumulation due to drive failure and enhancing the system's adaptability under extreme conditions; the two drive methods can complement each other, meeting the needs of efficient operation and maintenance while ensuring emergency response capabilities.

[0013] In some embodiments, a plurality of the driving elements are evenly spaced apart from each other, one end of the driving element is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the conical structure of the top collecting mesh or the conical structure of the bottom collecting mesh, and the extending direction of the driving element is inclined toward the top collecting port or the bottom collecting port.

[0014] Beneficial effects: The repellent elements are evenly distributed on the inner wall of the conical structure, forming a continuous repellent zone in three-dimensional space, avoiding accidental injury from suction caused by localized gathering of live fish; the repellent elements extend at an angle toward the collection port, and their swing path is consistent with the sliding direction of dead fish when shaking, which not only creates a directional repellent effect on live fish away from the collection port, but also provides an auxiliary guiding effect on dead fish, pushing them toward the collection port, thereby improving collection efficiency; in addition, the inclined design helps to reduce water flow resistance and reduce driving energy consumption.

[0015] In some embodiments, the repelling element is provided with an elastic element.

[0016] Beneficial effects: The elastic element in the repelling component can increase the swing amplitude and frequency when the net shakes, enhance the vibration and contact stimulation effect on fish, improve the repelling and shaking efficiency, and the elastic element itself has good reset ability to ensure that the structure is in the desired working position.

[0017] In some embodiments, the repelling element is made of a light-transmitting material and its cross-section is configured as a polygonal structure.

[0018] Beneficial effects: The repellent element is composed of a light-transmitting material and a polygonal cross-sectional structure. It can generate flashing light spots by refracting natural light in seawater, which will create optical interference for visually sensitive fish and enhance the repelling effect. In addition, the polygonal structure increases the roughness of the surface of the repellent element, which has a better scraping and separation effect on the dead fish remains with strong adhesion.

[0019] In some embodiments, the suction tubing system includes: The top suction tube has its inlet end connected to the top collection port; The bottom suction tube has its inlet end connected to the bottom collection port; Suction main tube; A control valve is provided, connected between the inlet end of the main suction pipeline, the outlet end of the top suction pipe, and the outlet end of the bottom suction pipe. The control valve is used to connect the main suction pipeline to the top suction pipe or the bottom suction pipe.

[0020] Beneficial effects: The top and bottom suction pipes are set up independently, and the connection between the two and the main suction pipeline can be switched by a control valve. According to the actual distribution of dead fish in the water layer, the corresponding pipeline can be selectively opened based on whether the dead fish are rising or sinking, avoiding energy waste and violent water disturbance caused by simultaneous suction. The independent suction pipeline design also prevents rising and sinking dead fish from mixing and clogging the pipeline. In addition, an external suction pump can be connected only through the main suction pipeline, simplifying the configuration of external equipment and reducing system complexity and operation and maintenance costs.

[0021] In some embodiments, the control valve is configured as a three-way valve.

[0022] Beneficial effects: The three-way switching function is integrated into a single valve body, reducing the number of pipeline joints and lowering the risk of leakage; its design and operation are simple and the response is convenient, making it suitable for remote or limited operation by offshore maintenance personnel, thus improving the ease of use of the system.

[0023] In some embodiments, a lifting control device is also included, wherein the cage support or cage is connected to the lifting end of the lifting control device; When cleaning dead fish through the bottom converging net, the lifting control device is adapted to control the net cage to move upward; or, when cleaning dead fish through the top converging net, the lifting control device is adapted to control the net cage to move downward.

[0024] Beneficial effects: The lifting control device can move the entire net cage vertically. When cleaning dead fish at the bottom, the net cage is raised, shortening the vertical distance between the bottom collection port and the sinking dead fish, and enhancing the effective range of the suction negative pressure, which can solve the problem of difficult bottom cleaning of deep net cages. When cleaning dead fish at the top, the net cage is lowered, allowing the floating dead fish to enter the influence range of the top collection port more quickly, which is suitable for low tide or low water level conditions. In addition, the dynamic lifting of the lifting control device can also actively adjust the net cage's surface area facing the water flow, helping to optimize water exchange efficiency and achieving a beneficial combination of cleaning function and aquaculture environment control.

[0025] In some embodiments, the cage is fixed to the central area inside the cage support by a plurality of diagonal braces.

[0026] Beneficial effects: The net cage is fixed to the central area of ​​the net cage support by diagonal braces, maintaining a uniform gap between the net cage and the support. This ensures free exchange of water around the net cage, preventing dead zones and fish stagnation caused by overly dense fixing structures, and facilitates flexible placement of suction pipes along the gaps. This design provides sufficient buffer space between the net cage and the support, allowing the top and bottom converging nets to shake freely and fully when pulled by the guy lines, without interfering with the net cage support, thus ensuring effective cleaning operations. The diagonal braces form a rigid triangular structure to evenly and stably transfer the net cage load to the support, improving the overall resistance to wind and waves and resisting the combined effects of wind turbine vibration and severe weather. At the same time, the central fixing method ensures that the center of gravity of the net cage coincides with the geometric center of the support, resulting in smooth movement when combined with the lifting control device and avoiding undesirable tilting or jamming. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the offshore wind farm integrated aquaculture cage fish cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a partial structural diagram of the offshore wind farm integrated aquaculture cage fish cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. Net cage support; 2. Net cage; 21. Top converging net; 22. Bottom converging net; 31. Top net pull line; 32. Bottom net pull line; 4. Top suction pipe; 5. Bottom suction pipe; 6. Control valve; 7. Suction main pipeline; 8. Driving element; 9. Diagonal brace; 10. Lifting control device. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] The following is combined Figure 1 and Figure 2 The following describes embodiments of the present invention.

[0032] According to embodiments of the present invention, in one aspect, a system for cleaning fish cages integrated with offshore wind farms is provided, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the cleaning system includes a cage support 1 and a cage 2 disposed inside the cage support 1; the cage 2 includes one or more gathering netting units, taking the cage 2 including one gathering netting unit as an example; the gathering netting unit is provided with a conical structure, and a collection port is provided at the tip of the conical structure.

[0033] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the cleaning system also includes a suction pipeline system, a drive mechanism, and multiple driving elements 8; the inlet end of the suction pipeline system is connected to the collection port for removing dead fish that have gathered at the collection port; the drive mechanism is connected to the gathering net unit and is adapted to drive the gathering net unit to shake; all the driving elements 8 are connected to the inner wall of the gathering net unit.

[0034] This invention utilizes a conical-structured collecting net unit, taking advantage of the natural properties of dead fish's own weight or buoyancy, to automatically slide them towards the collection port at the tip of the conical structure, achieving continuous collection of dead fish and avoiding the problem of large-scale scattering and rotting of dead fish within the net cage 2. A suction pipeline system directly connects to the collection port, forming a continuous operation of collection and suction, replacing manual rowing and retrieval, significantly improving cleaning efficiency and reducing operational risks in harsh sea conditions. A drive mechanism drives the collecting net unit to shake, effectively dislodging dead fish debris attached to the net, preventing mesh blockage, ensuring water exchange capacity, and reducing the structural load on the net cage 2. The driving element 8 on the inner wall of the collecting net unit oscillates under the action of shaking or water flow, creating localized physical disturbance. This not only drives live fish away from the suction area to reduce accidental injury but also accelerates the shedding of dead fish through disturbance, effectively solving the problems of delayed cleaning, low efficiency, net cage 2 blockage, and ecological pollution.

[0035] In specific implementation methods, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the collecting mesh unit includes a top collecting mesh 21 and a bottom collecting mesh 22. The top collecting mesh 21 and the bottom collecting mesh 22 are respectively provided with a conical structure. The conical structures of the top collecting mesh 21 and the bottom collecting mesh 22 are arranged opposite to each other in the direction away from the internal space of the mesh box 2. The conical structure of the top collecting mesh 21 forms a top collection port, which is connected to the inlet end of the suction pipeline system. The conical structure of the bottom collecting mesh 22 forms a bottom collection port, which is connected to the inlet end of the suction pipeline system.

[0036] This design uses a double-conical structure with the top collecting net 21 and the bottom collecting net 22 facing away from each other to achieve full coverage of the vertical space of the net cage 2: the bottom cone can collect early dead fish that sink, while the top cone can collect dead fish that float after decomposition and gas production, adapting to the buoyancy changes of dead fish at different stages of degradation and preventing dead fish from lingering in the middle of the net cage 2; the two collection ports are connected to the suction pipeline respectively, which can be selectively activated according to the distribution density of dead fish. Compared with a single collection port, this improves the suction coverage and targeting, and reduces suction energy consumption; the facing-away cone layout maximizes the use of the volume of the net cage 2, so that dead fish, no matter which direction they are generated from, can be effectively guided to the nearest collection port, shortening the cleaning path and improving the cleaning response speed of the system.

[0037] In specific implementation methods, such as Figure 1 As shown, the drive mechanism includes a top mesh cable 31 and a bottom mesh cable 32. One end of the top mesh cable 31 is connected to the top converging mesh 21, and the other end extends out of the mesh box 2. One end of the bottom mesh cable 32 is connected to the bottom converging mesh 22, and the other end extends out of the mesh box 2. At least two top mesh cables 31 and two bottom mesh cables 32 are provided respectively. The top netting cable 31 or bottom netting cable 32 extending out of the net cage 2 are pulled to drive the converging netting unit to shake and the driving element 8 to swing.

[0038] This solution uses the top netting pull line 31 and the bottom netting pull line 32 as drive transmission components, extending to the area outside the net cage 2 or above the water surface. This eliminates the need for operators or equipment to enter the net cage 2 or work underwater, avoiding direct and adverse corrosion of the drive mechanism by the high-salt and high-humidity environment, and solving the problem of frequent failures of mechanical cleaning equipment. The pull line structure is simple, without complex electronic components, has strong resistance to marine environment, and is more reliable. Two or more pull lines can control the pulling in different directions, realizing multi-dimensional shaking of the netting and enhancing the removal effect of dead fish. The pulling action simultaneously drives the driving element 8 to swing, forming a linkage combination of shaking and swinging. This simplifies the drive structure and reduces manufacturing costs and maintenance difficulty.

[0039] In a specific implementation, the operating ends of the top netting pull line 31 and the bottom netting pull line 32 can be concentrated in the design area above the water surface to facilitate unified operation by manual or mechanical devices.

[0040] In a specific implementation, the drive mechanism also includes a motorized winch (not shown in the figure) or a manual winch (not shown in the figure) for retracting the top netting cable 31 and the bottom netting cable 32.

[0041] The motorized winch device enables automated and high-frequency operation of net shaking, reducing reliance on manual labor and making it suitable for daily continuous cleaning of large-scale aquaculture cages, effectively improving operational efficiency. The manual winch serves as a backup drive method, ensuring basic system operation during power outages, equipment failures, or mobile maintenance, avoiding the risk of dead fish accumulation due to drive failure and enhancing the system's adaptability under extreme conditions. The two drive methods complement each other, meeting the needs of efficient operation and maintenance while ensuring emergency response capabilities.

[0042] In specific implementation methods, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, multiple driving elements 8 are evenly spaced apart from each other. One end of the driving element 8 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the conical structure of the top collecting mesh 21 or the conical structure of the bottom collecting mesh 22. The extension direction of the driving element 8 is inclined toward the top collecting port or the bottom collecting port.

[0043] In this design, the driving elements 8 are evenly distributed on the inner wall of the conical structure to form a continuous driving zone in three-dimensional space, avoiding accidental injury from suction caused by localized gathering of live fish. The driving elements 8 extend at an angle toward the collection port, and their swing path is consistent with the sliding direction of dead fish when they are shaken. This not only creates a directional driving effect on live fish away from the collection port, but also provides an auxiliary guiding effect on dead fish, pushing them toward the collection port, thereby improving collection efficiency. In addition, the inclined design helps to reduce water flow resistance and reduce driving energy consumption.

[0044] More importantly, due to the periodic impact of ocean currents and waves, even if shaking the net can cause most dead fish to gather towards the center of the cone, some dead fish may still drift in the opposite direction. In this invention, the inclined driving elements 8 form a continuous, pawl-like structure on the inner wall of the cone. The driving elements 8 on the top inner wall of the net are inclined upwards relative to the horizontal, while those on the bottom inner wall are inclined downwards relative to the horizontal. When the net shakes, the pawl structure does not hinder the dead fish from gathering towards the center; instead, it effectively prevents dead fish already close to the center from retreating to the edge of the net under the impact of ocean currents. This ensures that the vast majority of dead fish continue to gather towards the center of the cone under their own weight or buoyancy, and are eventually discharged through suction, significantly improving the thoroughness of the cleanup.

[0045] In a specific implementation, the repelling element 8 is equipped with an elastic element. By incorporating an elastic element into the repelling element 8, the swing amplitude and frequency of the net when it shakes can be increased, enhancing the vibration and contact stimulation effect on fish, improving the efficiency of repelling and shaking off fish, and the elastic element itself has good reset capability, ensuring that the structure is in the desired working position.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, the repelling element 8 is made of a light-transmitting material, and its cross-section is configured as a polygonal structure. The combination of the light-transmitting material and the polygonal cross-sectional structure of the repelling element 8 can generate flashing light spots by refracting natural light in seawater, creating optical interference for visually sensitive fish and enhancing the repelling effect; in addition, the polygonal structure also increases the surface roughness of the repelling element 8, which has a better scraping and separating effect on the firmly attached dead fish remains.

[0047] In specific implementation methods, such as Figure 1As shown, the net cage 2 is fixed to the central area inside the net cage support 1 by several diagonal braces 9. The net cage 2 is fixed to the central area of ​​the net cage support 1 by the diagonal braces 9, ensuring a uniform gap between the net cage 2 and the support. This design guarantees the free exchange of water around the net cage 2, avoiding dead zones and fish stagnation caused by overly dense fixing structures, and also facilitates the flexible placement of suction pipes along the gaps. This design provides sufficient buffer space between the net cage 2 and the support, allowing the top and bottom converging nets 21 and 22 to shake freely and fully when pulled by the tension line, without interfering with the net cage support 1, thus ensuring effective cleaning operations. The diagonal braces 9 form a rigid triangular structure to evenly and stably transfer the load of the net cage 2 to the net cage support 1, improving the overall resistance to wind and waves and resisting the combined effects of fan vibration and severe weather. Simultaneously, the central fixing method ensures that the center of gravity of the net cage 2 coincides with the geometric center of the support, resulting in smooth movement when combined with the lifting control device 10, avoiding undesirable tilting or jamming.

[0048] In specific implementation methods, such as Figure 1 As shown, the suction pipeline system includes a top suction pipe 4, a bottom suction pipe 5, a main suction pipeline 7, and a control valve 6. The inlet end of the top suction pipe 4 is connected to the top collection port, the inlet end of the bottom suction pipe 5 is connected to the bottom collection port, and the control valve 6 is connected between the inlet end of the main suction pipeline 7, the outlet end of the top suction pipe 4, and the outlet end of the bottom suction pipe 5. The control valve 6 is used to connect the main suction pipeline 7 to the top suction pipe 4 or the bottom suction pipe 5.

[0049] By independently setting up the top suction pipe 4 and the bottom suction pipe 5, and switching their connection to the main suction pipeline 7 via the control valve 6, the corresponding pipeline can be selectively opened according to the actual distribution of dead fish in the water layer and the rising or sinking of dead fish, thus avoiding energy waste and violent water disturbance caused by simultaneous suction. The independent suction pipeline design also prevents rising and sinking dead fish from mixing and clogging the pipeline. In addition, an external suction pump can be connected only through the main suction pipeline 7, simplifying the configuration of external equipment and reducing system complexity and operation and maintenance costs.

[0050] In a specific implementation, control valve 6 is configured as a three-way valve. The three-way switching function is integrated into a single valve body, reducing the number of pipe joints and lowering the risk of leakage; its design and operation are simple, and its response is convenient, making it suitable for remote or limited operation by offshore maintenance personnel, thus improving the system's ease of use.

[0051] It should be noted that, through systematic analysis of the floating patterns of dead fish in aquaculture cage 2, fish typically follow a three-stage pattern after death: sinking, then rising, and finally sinking again. In the early stage of death, the swim bladder's buoyancy regulation function fails, and the fish gradually sinks due to its tissue density being greater than that of seawater. In the middle stage of decomposition, bacterial decomposition produces gases such as ammonia and methane, which reduce the fish's density and cause it to rise. In the later stage, tissue disintegration and gas escape lead to the remains sinking again. The technical approach provided by this system, through the synergistic effect of the elastic oscillation and optical effects of the driving element 8, establishes a selective separation mechanism between live fish and dead fish at different stages, achieving efficient and comprehensive cleaning of dead fish in the sinking, rising, and suspended states.

[0052] In specific implementation methods, such as Figure 1 As shown, the cleaning system also includes a lifting control device 10, with the cage support 1 or cage 2 connected to the lifting end of the lifting control device 10; when cleaning dead fish through the bottom gathering net 22, the lifting control device 10 is adapted to control the cage 2 to move upward; or; when cleaning dead fish through the top gathering net 21, the lifting control device 10 is adapted to control the cage 2 to move downward.

[0053] In this scheme, the lifting control device 10 can move the net cage 2 vertically as a whole. When cleaning dead fish at the bottom, the net cage 2 is raised, which shortens the vertical distance between the bottom collection port and the sinking dead fish, and enhances the effective range of the suction negative pressure, thus solving the problem of difficult bottom cleaning of deep net cage 2. When cleaning dead fish at the top, the net cage 2 is lowered, so that the floating dead fish can enter the influence range of the top collection port more quickly, which is suitable for low tide or low water level conditions. In addition, the dynamic lifting of the lifting control device 10 can also actively adjust the flow-facing area of ​​the net cage 2 in the water flow, help optimize the water exchange efficiency, and achieve a beneficial combination of cleaning function and aquaculture environment control.

[0054] Specifically, during bottom cleaning, lifting net cage 2 causes the deposited dead fish to converge towards the bottom netting 22. The conical structure of the netting exerts a reaction force on the dead fish. This force can be decomposed into a component perpendicular to the cone surface, which keeps the dead fish close to the netting, preventing them from drifting upwards due to shaking and ocean currents, and a component pointing towards the center of the cone surface, which makes it easier for the dead fish to gather at the center of the cone surface. This simultaneously achieves the fixation and guidance of dead fish, improving the removal rate and efficiency. At the same time, lifting net cage 2 also allows a small number of dead fish in a suspended transition state to converge towards the bottom netting 22, compensating for the blind spots in the cleaning of suspended dead fish in the three-stage process and ensuring the comprehensiveness of the cleaning.

[0055] The cleaning system provided in this embodiment operates as follows: First, switch control valve 6 to connect the main suction pipe 7 and the top suction pipe 4. Pull the top netting cord 31 to shake the top gathering netting 21. The live fish that were originally at the top of the net cage 2 are driven to the bottom of the net cage 2 by the driving element 8. At the same time, the dead fish that are floating are already close to the top netting. Under the action of their own buoyancy, they move along the cone surface of the top gathering netting 21 towards its center. At this time, the main suction pipe 7 starts to suck, sucking out the dead fish gathered at the center of the cone surface of the top netting. During the shaking process, a small number of dead fish may change from floating to sinking or suspending due to the expulsion of gas in their bodies. During this process, the net cage 2 can be moved downward by the lifting control device 10 to improve the suction effect. Then, switch the control valve 6 to connect the main suction line 7 and the bottom suction line 5. The main suction line 7 stops suctioning, and the bottom net is shaken by the bottom net pull line 32. The live fish that were originally at the bottom of the net box 2 are driven to the top of the net box 2 by the driving element 8. At the same time, the dead fish that are sinking are already close to the bottom gathering net 22. Under their own gravity, they move along the cone surface of the bottom gathering net 22 to its center. At this time, the main suction line 7 starts to suction, so that the dead fish gathered at the center of the cone surface of the bottom gathering net 22 are sucked out. During this process, the net box 2 can be moved upward by the lifting control device 10, thereby improving the suction effect.

[0056] This invention, based on the characteristics of net cage culture, utilizes a shaking top-gathering net 21 and a bottom-gathering net 22 to prevent live fish from being cleaned, while simultaneously causing dead fish to gather towards the cone-shaped center of the net. Finally, a suction system removes the gathered dead fish. This invention achieves a high dead fish removal rate and efficiency while minimizing the accidental removal of live fish. Furthermore, it is simple to operate, allowing for manual or partially mechanical operation, avoiding the corrosion or malfunction issues of complex mechanical and electrical control mechanisms in the marine environment, and exhibits excellent stability.

[0057] Although embodiments of the invention have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and such modifications and variations all fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A system for cleaning fish cages integrated with offshore wind farms, characterized in that, include: A cage support (1), and a cage (2) disposed inside the cage support (1); The cage (2) includes at least one gathering netting unit, the gathering netting unit having a conical structure, and a collection port at the tip of the conical structure; A suction pipeline system, the inlet of which is connected to the collection port, is used to remove dead fish that have gathered at the collection port. A drive mechanism, connected to the converging mesh unit, is adapted to drive the converging mesh unit to vibrate; Multiple driving elements (8) are disposed on the inner sidewall of the converging mesh unit.

2. The offshore wind farm integrated aquaculture cage fish cleaning system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gathering mesh unit includes a top gathering mesh (21) and a bottom gathering mesh (22). The top gathering mesh (21) and the bottom gathering mesh (22) are respectively provided with the conical structure. The conical structure of the top gathering mesh (21) and the conical structure of the bottom gathering mesh (22) are arranged opposite to each other in the direction away from the internal space of the mesh box (2). The conical structure of the top gathering mesh (21) forms a top collection port, which is connected to the inlet end of the suction pipeline system. The conical structure of the bottom gathering mesh (22) forms a bottom collection port, which is connected to the inlet end of the suction pipeline system.

3. The offshore wind farm integrated aquaculture cage fish cleaning system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The driving mechanism includes a top mesh cable (31) and a bottom mesh cable (32). One end of the top mesh cable (31) is connected to the top converging mesh (21), and the other end extends out of the mesh box (2). One end of the bottom mesh cable (32) is connected to the bottom converging mesh (22), and the other end extends out of the mesh box (2). At least two top mesh cables (31) and two bottom mesh cables (32) are provided respectively. The top netting cable (31) or the bottom netting cable (32) extending outside the net box (2) is pulled to drive the converging netting unit to shake and the driving element (8) to swing.

4. The offshore wind farm integrated aquaculture cage fish cleaning system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The drive mechanism also includes a motorized winch or manual winch for retracting the top mesh cable (31) and the bottom mesh cable (32).

5. The offshore wind farm integrated aquaculture cage fish cleaning system according to claim 3, characterized in that, Multiple driving elements (8) are evenly spaced apart from each other. One end of each driving element (8) is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the conical structure of the top gathering net (21) or the conical structure of the bottom gathering net (22). The driving element (8) is inclined toward the top collection port or the bottom collection port in the extending direction.

6. The offshore wind farm integrated aquaculture cage fish cleaning system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The driving element (8) is provided with an elastic element; and / or; The driving element (8) is made of a light-transmitting material and its cross-section is set as a polygonal structure.

7. The offshore wind farm integrated aquaculture cage fish cleaning system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The suction tubing system includes: The top suction tube (4) has its inlet end connected to the top collection port; The bottom suction tube (5) has its inlet end connected to the bottom collection port; Suction main circuit (7); A control valve (6) is connected between the inlet end of the main suction pipeline (7), the outlet end of the top suction pipe (4), and the outlet end of the bottom suction pipe (5). The control valve (6) is used to connect the main suction pipeline (7) with the top suction pipe (4) or the bottom suction pipe (5).

8. The offshore wind farm integrated aquaculture cage fish cleaning system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The control valve (6) is configured as a three-way valve.

9. The offshore wind farm integrated aquaculture cage fish cleaning system according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a lifting control device (10), wherein the cage support (1) or cage (2) is connected to the lifting end of the lifting control device (10); When cleaning dead fish through the bottom gathering net (22), the lifting control device (10) is adapted to control the net cage (2) to move upward; or, when cleaning dead fish through the top gathering net (21), the lifting control device (10) is adapted to control the net cage (2) to move downward.

10. The offshore wind farm integrated aquaculture cage fish cleaning system according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The cage (2) is fixed in the central area inside the cage support (1) by several diagonal braces (9).

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