Aquaculture mesh cage depth adjusting device

Abstract

The utility model relates to an aquaculture mesh cage depth adjusting device, and belongs to the technical field of aquaculture. The device comprises a cable take-up and pay-off mechanism arranged on a ship body, and a hoist rope connecting the cable take-up and pay-off mechanism and a culture net cage, wherein the cable take-up and pay-off mechanism controls the depth position of the culture net cage in seawater by tightening or loosening the hoist rope. The utility model provides a depth adjusting device for an aquaculture mesh cage, and aims to meet the requirements of cultured organisms in different seasons and environmental conditions by accurately controlling the depth of the aquaculture mesh cage in the sea, so that the culture efficiency and the product quality are improved. Specifically, by tightening or loosening the hoist rope, the aquaculture mesh cage can be adjusted to be located in water bodies of different depths, and then the growth environment of cultured organisms is adjusted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a depth adjustment device for aquaculture net cages, belonging to the field of aquaculture technology. Background Technology

[0002] my country's eastern coastal areas have extensive aquaculture areas, where net cages are primarily used for aquaculture. During the aquaculture process, different marine environmental conditions, such as water currents, salinity, seawater temperature, and wind force, have a crucial impact on the growth and survival of aquatic organisms. Many aquatic organisms have suitable temperature ranges, and adjusting the position of the net cages allows the cultured organisms to be placed in a suitable water temperature environment. In summer, when the surface seawater temperature is high, sinking the net cages to a certain depth allows the cultured organisms to avoid the hot surface water. In winter, when the surface seawater temperature drops, raising the net cages slightly closer to the surface allows them to utilize the warmer surface water, which is beneficial for the growth and survival of the organisms. When the wind is strong, sinking the net cages to a relatively calm depth reduces the impact of waves on the net cages, protecting their integrity and the safety of the cultured organisms. Furthermore, surface fluctuations cause frequent swaying of the net cages, which could lead to collisions and injuries among the cultured organisms; suspending the net cages at an appropriate depth reduces this risk. In the prior art, Chinese utility model patent application number 201820660817.5 discloses an adjustable buoyancy non-metallic fish trap device for deep-sea aquaculture. The entire fish trap device consists of several regular pentagonal components, regular hexagonal components, and an internal rope-tethered spherical fishing net. End caps are fitted onto a certain number of triangular unit vents to adjust the buoyancy of the non-metallic fish trap device, allowing it to float on the water surface or hover at a certain depth underwater, thus preventing damage to farmed organisms from typhoons and high sea states. While this device adjusts the buoyancy of the non-metallic fish trap device to make it float on the water surface or hover at a certain depth underwater, it lacks an automated adjustment mechanism, cannot adjust in real time according to environmental changes, and cannot precisely control the specific depth in seawater. Utility Model Content

[0003] To address the problems existing in the prior art, this utility model proposes a depth adjustment device for aquaculture net cages. The aim is to precisely control the depth of the aquaculture net cage in the sea to adapt to the needs of farmed organisms under different seasons and environmental conditions, thereby improving aquaculture efficiency and quality. Specifically, by tightening or loosening the towing rope, the aquaculture net cage can be adjusted to different depths in the water, thus regulating the growth environment of the farmed organisms.

[0004] The technical solution adopted in this utility model is a depth adjustment device for aquaculture net cages, including a cable winding and unwinding mechanism installed on the hull, and a traction rope connecting the cable winding and unwinding mechanism and the aquaculture net cage. The cable winding and unwinding mechanism controls the depth position of the aquaculture net cage in seawater by tightening or loosening the traction rope.

[0005] Furthermore, the cable winding and unwinding mechanism includes a drive assembly and a traction winding and unwinding assembly fixed on the mounting bracket. The drive assembly controls the start and stop of the traction winding and unwinding assembly, and the traction winding and unwinding assembly is used to wind or release the traction rope.

[0006] Furthermore, the traction and retraction assembly includes a gear steering box, a coupling, a rotating shaft, a first bearing housing, and a drum. The gear steering box is connected to the coupling, and the rotating shaft passes through the first bearing housing and is connected to the coupling and the drum at both ends, respectively.

[0007] Furthermore, the traction and deployment assembly is also equipped with a rope clamp for controlling the neat winding of the traction rope.

[0008] Furthermore, the rope tensioner includes a connecting frame, a copper sleeve, a fixed plate, a lead screw, a turntable, a T-nut, a guide shaft, a spring, a fixed frame, and a pressure roller. The copper sleeve is mounted on the connecting frame, the guide shaft passes through the copper sleeve and is fixed at both ends to the fixed frame and the fixed plate, respectively, the spring is sleeved on the guide shaft and located between the connecting frame and the fixed frame, the T-nut is fixed on the fixed plate, the T-nut is sleeved on the lead screw, the two ends of the lead screw are connected to the turntable and the connecting frame, and the pressure roller is movably connected to the fixed frame. The distance between the pressure roller and the drum is controlled by rotating the turntable.

[0009] Furthermore, the drive assembly includes a motor, a fixed bracket, and a clutch. The motor is mounted on the fixed bracket, the motor is connected to the clutch, and the clutch is connected to the gear steering box.

[0010] Furthermore, the cable winding and unwinding mechanism also includes a cable length control component, which includes an encoder, a friction wheel, a PLC controller, a temperature sensor, a salinity sensor, and a tension spring. The connecting plate is fixed on the connecting frame, the encoder support plate is connected to the connecting plate by a fixing pin, the encoder is mounted on the encoder support plate, the encoder is equipped with a friction wheel, and both the encoder support plate and the fixing frame are equipped with connecting columns. The two ends of the tension spring are hooked onto the connecting columns, the friction wheel and the pressure wheel are tightly attached to each other, and the PLC controller is connected to the encoder, temperature sensor, salinity sensor, and drive component.

[0011] Furthermore, the drive assembly includes a handwheel, a connecting shaft, a second bearing housing, and a clutch, with the connecting shaft passing through the second bearing housing and its two ends connected to the handwheel and the clutch, respectively.

[0012] Furthermore, the traction rope includes a main rope and an adjusting rope. The main rope is equipped with several fixed pulleys, and the aquaculture net cage is equipped with a movable pulley. One end of the adjusting rope is connected to the main rope, and the other end of the adjusting rope passes around the movable pulley and the fixed pulley and is connected to the traction and release assembly.

[0013] Furthermore, the main rope is connected to a peg, and the other end of the peg is connected to a wooden peg fixed to the seabed.

[0014] Furthermore, the mounting bracket is installed on the hull side of the ship via a flipping assembly. The flipping assembly includes a bearing housing with bearings, a shaft, and a support plate. The bearing housing with bearings passes through both ends of the shaft, and the support plate is connected to the shaft and the hull side at both ends. The bearing housing with bearings is installed on the bottom surface of the mounting bracket near the turntable.

[0015] This utility model discloses a depth adjustment device for aquaculture net cages. Its advantages are that, compared with existing technologies, the drive mechanism of this utility model drives the traction and deployment components to adjust the depth of the aquaculture net cage in the water, adapting to the needs of aquaculture organisms under different seasons and environmental conditions, thus improving aquaculture efficiency. The design of the PLC controller, temperature and salinity sensors, and encoder precisely controls the length of the traction ropes. The rope length control component can dynamically adjust the position of the net cage according to changes in water temperature and salinity, adapting to different seasons and environmental conditions, improving the survival rate and growth rate of aquaculture organisms, and contributing to improved aquaculture results. A rope tensioner ensures that the net cage does not tangle during deployment. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the application of this utility model to a marine main view.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a side view diagram illustrating the application of this utility model at sea;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the mounting bracket of this utility model installed on the hull;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a top view of the mounting bracket of this utility model installed on the hull.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a top view of the cable winding and unwinding mechanism of this utility model.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the cable winding and unwinding mechanism of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 7 for Figure 6 Mid-side view structural schematic diagram;

[0024] Figure 8 for Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the central main view structure;

[0025] Figure 9 for Figure 3 Enlarged schematic diagram of a portion of the tension spring;

[0026] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram showing the separation of the pressure roller and the drum in this utility model.

[0027] The diagram shows: 1. Hull; 2. Aquaculture cage; 3. Main rope; 4. Adjusting rope; 5. Fixed pulley; 6. Movable pulley; 7. Peg rope; 8. Wooden peg; 9. Screw hole; 10. Mounting bracket; 11. Gear steering box; 12. Coupling; 13. Rotating shaft; 14. First bearing seat; 15. Drum; 16. Encoder; 17. Friction wheel; 18. Tension spring; 19. Connecting plate; 20. Encoder support plate; 21. Fixing pin; 2. Connecting column; 23. Fixing bracket; 24. Connecting bracket; 25. Copper sleeve; 26. Fixing plate; 27. Lead screw; 28. Turntable; 29. ​​T-nut; 30. Guide shaft; 31. Spring; 32. Pressure roller; 33. Motor; 34. Fixing bracket; 35. Clutch; 36. Handwheel; 37. Connecting shaft; 38. Second bearing seat; 39. Bearing seat with bearing; 40. Shaft; 41. Support plate; 42. Connecting rod. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit this utility model or its application or use. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0029] To further understand the content of this utility model, the technical solution will be further described below in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0030] Example 1: As Figures 1-9 As shown, this embodiment provides a depth adjustment device for aquaculture net cages, including a cable winding and unwinding mechanism mounted on the hull 1, and a traction rope connecting the cable winding and unwinding mechanism and the aquaculture net cage 2. The cable winding and unwinding mechanism controls the depth position of the aquaculture net cage 2 in seawater by tightening or loosening the traction rope. The cable winding and unwinding mechanism includes a drive assembly and a traction winding and unwinding assembly fixed on the mounting bracket 10. The drive assembly controls the start and stop of the traction winding and unwinding assembly, and the traction winding and unwinding assembly is used to wind or release the traction rope.

[0031] As a specific implementation of this embodiment, the traction and retraction assembly includes a gear steering box 11, a coupling 12, a rotating shaft 13, a first bearing seat 14, and a drum 15. The gear steering box 11 is connected to the coupling 12, and the rotating shaft 13 passes through the first bearing seat 14 and is connected to the coupling 12 and the drum 15 at both ends respectively.

[0032] As a specific implementation of this embodiment, the drive assembly includes a motor 33, a fixed bracket 34, and a clutch 35. The motor 33 is mounted on the fixed bracket 34 and connected to the clutch 35. The clutch 35 is connected to the gear steering box 11. The motor 33 drives the gear steering box 11 to run through the clutch 35. The gear steering box 11 drives the drum 15 to rotate forward or backward through the coupling 12 and the rotating shaft 13. One end of the traction rope is tied to the drum 15. The traction rope is wound or released as needed to adjust the position of the aquaculture net cage 2 in the seawater.

[0033] To precisely control the length of the traction rope, the cable winding and unwinding mechanism also includes a rope length control component, which includes an encoder 16, a friction wheel 17, a PLC controller, a temperature sensor, a salinity sensor, and a tension spring 18. The connecting plate 19 is fixed on the connecting frame 24, and the encoder support plate 20 is connected to the connecting plate 19 through a fixing pin 21. The encoder 16 is mounted on the encoder support plate 20, and the encoder 16 is equipped with a friction wheel 17. Both the encoder support plate 20 and the fixing frame 23 are equipped with connecting posts 22. The two ends of the tension spring 18 are hooked onto the connecting posts 22 respectively. The friction wheel 17 is tightly attached to the pressure wheel 32. The PLC controller is connected to the encoder 16, the temperature sensor, the salinity sensor, and the motor 33 respectively. Based on the environmental data of the underwater aquaculture organisms fed back by the temperature sensor and the salinity sensor, the PLC controller controls the length of the traction rope to be tightened or lowered through the motor 33 and the encoder 16.

[0034] The traction rope includes a main rope 3 and an adjusting rope 4. The main rope 3 is equipped with two fixed pulleys 5, and the aquaculture cage 2 is equipped with a movable pulley 6. One end of the adjusting rope 4 is connected to the main rope 3. According to design requirements, multiple aquaculture cages 2 are grouped together. The other end of the adjusting rope 4 passes sequentially around each movable pulley 6 and fixed pulley 5 within the group and is connected to the drum 15 of the traction and release assembly. In this embodiment, every three adjacent aquaculture cages 2 form a group, and each group of aquaculture cages 2 is connected together by a connecting rod 42. Each group of aquaculture cages 2 uses the same adjusting rope 4 to ensure that each group of aquaculture cages 2 rises and falls synchronously, avoiding the problem of asynchronous rising and falling of individual aquaculture cages 2. The main rope 3 is connected to a peg 7, and the other end of the peg 7 is connected to a wooden peg 8 fixed to the seabed, thereby preventing the aquaculture cages 2 from moving due to the impact of rapid currents and increasing the safety protection of the aquaculture organisms.

[0035] Example 2: Figures 1-10As shown, based on Embodiment 1, the traction and deployment assembly in this embodiment is further provided with a rope clamp for controlling the neat winding of the traction rope.

[0036] In a specific embodiment of this invention, the rope clamping device includes a connecting frame 24, a copper sleeve 25, a fixing plate 26, a lead screw 27, a turntable 28, a T-nut 29, a guide shaft 30, a spring 31, a fixing frame 23, and a pressure roller 32. The copper sleeve 25 is mounted on the connecting frame 24. The guide shaft 30 passes through the copper sleeve 25 and is fixed at both ends to the fixing frame 23 and the fixing plate 26, respectively. The spring 31 is sleeved on the guide shaft 30 and located between the connecting frame 24 and the fixing frame 23. The T-nut 29 is fixed to the fixing plate 26 and sleeved on the lead screw 27. 7. The two ends are connected to the turntable 28 and the connecting frame 24 respectively. The pressure roller 32 is movably connected to the fixed frame 23, meaning that the pressure roller 32 can rotate under the action of force. The distance between the pressure roller 32 and the drum 15 is controlled by rotating the turntable 28. When winding is required, the adjusting rope 4 fixed to the drum 15 is untied, and the operator rotates the turntable 28 clockwise. At this time, the pressure roller 32 will contact the drum 15 under the elastic force of the spring 31, and the pressure roller 32 will press down on the drum 15. The function of the pressure roller 32 is to make the adjusting rope 4 neatly arranged on the drum 15 during the winding and unwinding process. The pressure roller 32 will rotate with the drum 15, so the linear velocity of the pressure roller 32 is the same as the linear velocity of the adjusting rope 4 wound on the drum 15. Since the friction wheel 17 is fixed to the encoder 16, and the encoder 16 is fixed to the encoder support plate 20, the encoder support plate 20, through the tension of the tension spring 18, keeps the friction wheel 17 and the pressure wheel 32 tightly together. Therefore, the linear velocity of the friction wheel 17 is consistent with the linear velocity of the pressure wheel 32. The signal fed back by the encoder 16 can be used to calculate the length of the adjustment rope 4 through the PLC controller, thereby determining the depth of the aquaculture cage 2 in the sea. The PLC controller adjusts the appropriate aquaculture depth based on the temperature sensor or salinity sensor. After the depth is adjusted, the adjustment rope 4 is fixed to the drum 15 and the turntable 28 is rotated in reverse. The fixing frame 23 is slowly lifted, separating the pressure wheel 32 and the drum 15. Then, the drum 15 is removed from the rotating shaft 13 and fixed to the main rope 3.

[0037] Example 3: As Figures 1-9 As shown, unlike Embodiment 1, the drive assembly includes a handwheel 36, a connecting shaft 37, a second bearing seat 38, and a clutch 35. The connecting shaft 37 passes through the second bearing seat 38 and is connected to the handwheel 36 and the clutch 35 at both ends, respectively. The clutch 35 is connected to the gear steering box 11. By manually rotating the handwheel 36, the operator controls the rotation of the drum 15 through the gear steering box 11, thereby achieving the winding or release of the traction rope.

[0038] Example 4: Figures 1-10As shown, based on any one of embodiments 1 to 3, the mounting bracket 10 is mounted on the side of the hull 1 via a flipping assembly, meaning the mounting bracket 10 is rotatably connected to the hull 1. The flipping assembly includes a bearing seat 39 with bearings, a shaft 40, and a support plate 41. Both ends of the shaft 40 pass through the bearing seat 39 with bearings, and both ends of the support plate 41 are connected to the shaft 37 and the side of the hull, respectively. The bearing seat 39 with bearings is mounted on the bottom surface of the mounting bracket 10 near the turntable 28. When the aquaculture depth needs to be adjusted, the operator manually flips the mounting bracket 10, causing it to rotate around the shaft 40, thus extending the mounting bracket 10 out of the hull 1. When not in use, the mounting bracket 10 is rotated back into the hull 1, facilitating docking and transportation of the vessel. To ensure the stability of the mounting bracket 10, a screw hole 9 is provided on the mounting bracket 10 and a reserved hole is provided on the hull 1. When the mounting bracket 10 is rotated out of the hull 1, the bolt passes through the screw hole 9 and the reserved hole, so that the mounting bracket 10 is temporarily fixed on the hull 1. When not in use, the bolt is unscrewed and the mounting bracket 10 is rotated back into the hull 1.

[0039] In practical applications, the drive assembly controls the winding or releasing of the traction rope connected to the aquaculture cage 2 via the traction and retraction assembly, causing the aquaculture cage 2 to move up and down in the water. This allows for precise adjustment of the aquaculture environment, thereby improving aquaculture results. The drive assembly can operate automatically or manually, flexibly adapting to different needs.

[0040] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and are not intended to limit it. Although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.

Claims

1. An aquaculture net cage depth adjustment device, characterized in that, The system includes a cable reeling mechanism mounted on the hull (1), a traction rope connecting the cable reeling mechanism and the aquaculture net cage (2), wherein the cable reeling mechanism controls the depth position of the aquaculture net cage (2) in seawater by tightening or loosening the traction rope; the drive assembly includes a motor (33), a fixed bracket (34), and a clutch (35), wherein the motor (33) is mounted on the fixed bracket (34), the motor (33) is connected to the clutch (35), and the clutch (35) is connected to the gear steering box (11); the cable reeling mechanism includes a rope length control assembly, which includes an encoder (16), a friction wheel (17), and a PLC controller. Temperature sensor, salinity sensor and tension spring (18); connecting plate (19) is fixed on connecting frame (24), encoding support plate (20) is connected to connecting plate (19) by fixing pin (21), encoder (16) is installed on encoding support plate (20), friction wheel (17) is installed on encoder (16), connecting column (22) is installed on both encoding support plate (20) and fixing frame (23), tension spring (18) is hooked on connecting column (22) at both ends, friction wheel (17) is tightly attached to pressure wheel (32), PLC controller is connected to encoder (16), temperature sensor, salinity sensor and drive assembly respectively.

2. A depth adjustment device for an aquaculture net pen according to claim 1, wherein, The cable winding and unwinding mechanism includes a drive assembly and a traction winding and unwinding assembly fixed on the mounting bracket (10). The drive assembly controls the start and stop of the traction winding and unwinding assembly, which is used to wind or release the traction rope.

3. A depth adjustment device for an aquaculture net pen according to claim 2, characterised in that, The traction and retraction assembly includes a gear steering box (11), a coupling (12), a rotating shaft (13), a first bearing seat (14), and a drum (15). The gear steering box (11) is connected to the coupling (12), and the rotating shaft (13) passes through the first bearing seat (14) and is connected to the coupling (12) and the drum (15) at both ends respectively.

4. A depth adjustment device for an aquaculture net pen according to claim 3, wherein The traction and deployment assembly also includes a rope clamp for controlling the neat winding of the traction rope.

5. A depth adjustment device for an aquaculture net pen according to claim 4, characterised in that, The rope tensioner includes a connecting frame (24), a copper sleeve (25), a fixing plate (26), a lead screw (27), a turntable (28), a T-nut (29), a guide shaft (30), a spring (31), a fixing frame (23), and a pressure roller (32). The copper sleeve (25) is installed on the connecting frame (24). The guide shaft (30) passes through the copper sleeve (25) and is fixed at both ends to the fixing frame (23) and the fixing plate (26), respectively. The spring (31) is sleeved on the guide shaft (30) and is located between the connecting frame (24) and the fixing frame (23). The T-nut (29) is fixed on the fixing plate (26) and sleeved on the lead screw (27). The two ends of the lead screw (27) are connected to the turntable (28) and the connecting frame (24), respectively. The pressure roller (32) is movably connected to the fixing frame (23). The distance between the pressure roller (32) and the drum (15) is controlled by rotating the turntable (28).

6. A depth adjustment device for an aquaculture net pen according to claim 5, wherein, The drive assembly includes a handwheel (36), a connecting shaft (37), a second bearing housing (38), and a clutch (35). The connecting shaft (37) passes through the second bearing housing (38) and is connected to the handwheel (36) and the clutch (35) at both ends, respectively.

7. A depth adjustment device for an aquaculture net pen according to claim 1, wherein, The traction rope includes a main rope (3) and an adjusting rope (4). The main rope (3) is equipped with several fixed pulleys (5), and the aquaculture cage (2) is equipped with a movable pulley (6). One end of the adjusting rope (4) is connected to the main rope (3), and the other end of the adjusting rope (4) passes around the movable pulley (6) and the fixed pulley (5) and is connected to the traction and release assembly.

8. A depth adjustment device for an aquaculture net pen according to claim 1, wherein, The mounting bracket (10) is mounted on the side of the hull (1) by a flipping assembly. The flipping assembly includes a bearing seat (39) with bearings, a shaft (40), and a support plate (41). The two ends of the shaft (40) pass through the bearing seat (39) with bearings. The two ends of the support plate (41) are connected to the shaft (37) and the side of the hull, respectively. The bearing seat (39) with bearings is mounted on the bottom surface of the mounting bracket (10) on the side near the turntable (28).

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