A bottom culture automatic operation production line of a shipboard shellfish mechanized facility and a culture workship

Abstract

This utility model discloses an automated operation production line and aquaculture vessel for mechanized shellfish bottom culture, belonging to the technical field of aquaculture equipment. The automated operation production line includes a loading module, a harvesting module, a cage washing module, a seed loading module, a tilting module, a disembarking module, and a traction device. These modules are connected sequentially end-to-end. The cage washing and seed loading modules are both tilted to vertically transport bottom culture cages. The automated operation production line is installed on the aquaculture vessel, which is equipped with two live water tanks for adult shellfish and seedlings. This application enables highly efficient mechanized operation of shellfish aquaculture management in marine areas, integrating advanced automation and Internet of Things technologies. It enables automated continuous operation of the entire aquaculture process, including harvesting, cage washing, seed loading, and deployment, significantly reducing the labor intensity of manual operations.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of aquaculture equipment, and in particular to an automated production line for bottom culture of shellfish on a ship and an aquaculture vessel. Background Technology

[0002] Scallop and oyster farming primarily employs traditional raft-cage culture, where processes such as seed loading, separation, harvesting, and cage cleaning rely heavily on manual labor. This method is labor-intensive, inefficient, and highly susceptible to weather and sea conditions, making it unsustainable. While scallops and oysters are well-suited for bottom-seeding culture, which results in faster growth and less attachment, current methods directly scatter seedlings onto the seabed. Due to ocean currents and predators, survival and recapture rates are low, and bottom-trawl harvesting is prohibited, making diver harvesting extremely expensive. Mechanized bottom-seeding facilities are the best solution, but the current lack of systematically designed facilities and vessels makes it difficult to meet the mechanized operation requirements of bottom-seeding systems. Although some scattered and independent shellfish farming equipment exists, integrated production lines are lacking, requiring manual transitions between stages, leading to low efficiency and hindering large-scale, mechanized farming operations. This results in low economic returns and efficiency for bottom-seeding shellfish farming. With the development of modern information technology and the requirements of fisheries modernization, precision, automation and intelligent aquaculture have become the leading trend in the industry. Realizing automated management and control of the entire aquaculture process to improve fisheries productivity and resource utilization has become an inevitable requirement for the industry's development.

[0003] Based on the pain points and technical bottlenecks of the traditional shellfish farming model, there is an urgent need to develop a "shipborne mechanized shellfish bottom culture automated operation production line and aquaculture vessel". By integrating automation technology with shipborne systems, this will solve problems such as high dependence on manual labor, environmental constraints, and insufficient precision control, realize the mechanization and intelligentization of the entire shellfish farming process, and promote the efficient and stable development of the scallop and other shellfish farming industries. Utility Model Content

[0004] This application aims to address the bottlenecks in existing or related technologies by providing a shipborne mechanized shellfish bottom culture automated operation production line and aquaculture vessel. It integrates advanced automation technology to achieve efficient mechanized operation, realizing full automation and mechanization of bottom culture cage seeding from seedling placement to harvesting. This significantly reduces the labor intensity of manual operations, improves aquaculture efficiency, reduces dependence on the aquaculture environment, and ensures precise control at every stage. It has significant practical implications and broad application prospects for the sustainable development of shellfish aquaculture.

[0005] The technical solution of this utility model to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows:

[0006] An automated production line for bottom culture of shellfish in a ship-borne mechanized facility includes a loading module, a harvesting module, a cage washing module, a seed loading module, a flipping module, a disembarking module, and a traction device. The loading module, harvesting module, cage washing module, seed loading module, flipping module, and disembarking module are connected end to end in sequence. The loading module includes an input conveyor belt, and the disembarking module includes an output conveyor belt. Both conveyor belts transport bottom culture cages horizontally. The loading module includes a crane or a robotic arm. The cage washing module and the seed loading module transport bottom culture cages vertically through the traction device. The harvesting module flips the horizontally oriented bottom culture cages to a vertical orientation, and the flipping module flips the vertically oriented bottom culture cages to a horizontal orientation.

[0007] Furthermore, the harvesting module includes a flipping mechanism and a cleaning mechanism. The cleaning mechanism includes a cleaning device and a cleaning conveyor belt, which is located directly below the flipping mechanism.

[0008] Furthermore, the harvesting module includes a cage opening and closing mechanism 1, which opens the lower door of the bottom rearing cage; the flipping module includes a cage opening and closing mechanism 2, which closes the lower door of the bottom rearing cage and opens the upper door, facilitating seedling loading.

[0009] Furthermore, the washing cage module includes a position sensor and a high-pressure cleaning nozzle.

[0010] Furthermore, the seedling loading module includes a quantitative seedling divider, a seedling loading conveyor belt, and a cage opening and closing mechanism. The seedling loading conveyor belt is equipped with three feeding hoppers. When the three feeding hoppers reach the top of the bottom culture cage, they can evenly distribute the shellfish seedlings into each layer of the bottom culture cage. Then, the upper door of the bottom culture cage is closed by the cage opening and closing mechanism.

[0011] Furthermore, the traction device, input conveyor belt, and output conveyor belt are all driven by electricity or hydraulic power.

[0012] A type of aquaculture vessel, equipped with the aforementioned onboard mechanized shellfish farming facility and automated bottom culture production line.

[0013] Furthermore, the hull is equipped with a live water tank for mature shellfish and seedlings, and the live water tank is equipped with a water pumping device and an oxygenation device.

[0014] Furthermore, the hull is equipped with a central control room, and the automated bottom culture production line of the shipborne shellfish mechanized facility is equipped with sensor components. The central control room and the sensor components are interconnected, and the sensor components include several photoelectric sensors or proximity sensors.

[0015] In summary, compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the above technical solution are:

[0016] 1. This application provides an automated production line and aquaculture vessel for bottom culture of shellfish using a ship-borne mechanized facility. It integrates advanced automation and Internet of Things technologies, enabling fully automated control and efficient mechanized operation of the entire process of bottom culture of shellfish, including seed loading, automatic harvesting, cage washing, cleaning and grading. This significantly reduces the labor intensity of manual operation, improves aquaculture efficiency, reduces dependence on the aquaculture environment, and ensures precise control of each link, which has important practical significance and application prospects.

[0017] 2. This application has a high degree of automation. Through the coordinated work of the software control system in the central control room and the sensor components of key components, it realizes the full-process automated control from loading onto the ship to disembarking and entering the water, which significantly improves the aquaculture efficiency. The automated control not only reduces human intervention, but also improves the accuracy and consistency of operation.

[0018] 3. This application has low labor intensity, reduces manual operation, lowers labor intensity, and improves work efficiency. Especially in the shipborne environment, the automated production line can effectively cope with poor working conditions and reduce the burden on staff.

[0019] 4. This application features precise control, which achieves precise operation of shellfish farming cages through the collaborative design of real-time monitoring by sensor components and intelligent regulation in the central control room. It ensures the controllability of each link from both the aspects of operational precision and farming conditions, improves farming efficiency, and reduces losses caused by improper operation.

[0020] 5. This application is highly adaptable, flexible, and easy to promote and apply. Automated production lines can also be adjusted and optimized according to actual conditions to meet the needs of different users. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the automated production line in the embodiment of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a side view of the automated production line in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a top view of the automated production line in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the loading module, harvesting module, and cage washing module in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the seed loading module, the flipping module, and the unloading module in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0026] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the three-part loading hopper in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0028] 1. Loading module; 11. Input conveyor belt; 2. Harvesting module; 21. Tilting mechanism one; 22. Washing mechanism; 221. Washing conveyor belt; 23. Cage opening and closing mechanism one; 3. Cage washing module; 31. Rotary brush washing device; 4. Seedling loading module; 41. Seedling loading conveyor belt; 42. Quantitative seedling separation device; 43. Three-part loading hopper; 5. Tilting module; 51. Tilting mechanism two; 6. Unloading module; 61. Output conveyor belt; 7. Traction device. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The principles and features of this utility model are described below with reference to all the accompanying drawings. The examples given are only for explaining this utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model.

[0030] This utility model discloses an automated production line for bottom culture of shellfish using a shipborne mechanized facility and a culture vessel.

[0031] Reference Figures 1 to 6 As shown, an automated production line for bottom culture of shellfish using a ship-borne mechanized facility includes a loading module 1, a harvesting module 2, a cage washing module 3, a seed loading module 4, a turning module 5, a disembarking module 6, and a traction device 7. Primarily used for shellfish aquaculture, this automated production line achieves integrated automated control from traction of culture cages onto the ship, harvesting, cleaning and grading, cage washing, seed loading, to placement in the water. Through the coordinated work of the loading module 1, harvesting module 2, cage washing module 3, seed loading module 4, turning module 5, disembarking module 6, and traction device 7, aquaculture efficiency is significantly improved, labor intensity is reduced, and precise control at each stage is ensured. It is highly adaptable, integrates advanced automation and IoT technologies, and can achieve fully automated control and efficient mechanized operation of seed placement, automatic harvesting, cage washing, and cleaning and grading in bottom culture of shellfish. Simultaneously, it reduces dependence on the aquaculture environment and ensures precise control at each stage, possessing significant practical significance and application prospects.

[0032] The traction device 7, input conveyor belt 11, and output conveyor belt 61 are all electrically or hydraulically driven. These components are used for transporting and positioning the bottom-rearing cages, ensuring smooth movement of the cages in each operational stage. They provide stable power to ensure the stable movement of the cages. The traction device 7, input conveyor belt 11, and output conveyor belt 61 employ high-performance motors and transmission systems, enabling stable operation under various load conditions.

[0033] The loading module 1, harvesting module 2, cage washing module 3, seedling loading module 4, turning module 5, and unloading module 6 are connected end to end in sequence. The loading module 1 includes an input conveyor belt 11, and the unloading module 6 includes an output conveyor belt 61. Both the loading module 1 and the unloading module 6 horizontally transport the bottom-rearing cages through the input conveyor belt 11 and the output conveyor belt 61. The loading module 1 includes a crane or a robotic arm. The robotic arm is designed to be adjustable in angle and height to adapt to the operation of bottom-rearing cages at different depths and positions.

[0034] Harvesting module 2 flips the horizontal bottom-culture cages to a vertical position, while flipping module 5 flips the vertical bottom-culture cages to a horizontal position. Harvesting module 2 includes a cage-opening mechanism 23, a flipping mechanism 21, and a cleaning mechanism 22. The cleaning mechanism 22 includes a cleaning device and a cleaning conveyor belt 221, which is located directly below the flipping mechanism 21. The grading device has multiple screens of different sizes to grade shellfish of different sizes.

[0035] The flipping module 5 includes a second switching cage mechanism and a second flipping mechanism 51, which realize the opening or closing of the side door of the bottom rearing cage through the first switching cage mechanism 23 and the second switching cage mechanism.

[0036] Both the cage washing module 3 and the seedling loading module 4 vertically transport the bottom-raising cages via the traction device 7. The cage washing module 3 includes a position sensor and a high-pressure cleaning nozzle 31. The water pressure of the high-pressure cleaning nozzle is adjustable to meet different cleaning intensities.

[0037] The seedling loading module 4 includes a quantitative seedling divider 42, a seedling loading conveyor belt 41, and a cage opening and closing mechanism 3. The seedling loading conveyor belt 41 is equipped with three feeding hoppers 43. When the three feeding hoppers 43 reach the top of the bottom culture cage, they can evenly distribute the shellfish seedlings into each layer of the bottom culture cage. Then, the upper door of the bottom culture cage is closed through the cage opening and closing mechanism 3.

[0038] The implementation principle of the automated bottom culture production line for shipborne shellfish mechanized facilities according to this utility model embodiment is as follows:

[0039] First, the bottom-culture cages are released from the seabed fixing device and float freely on the water surface. Then, a robotic arm or crane can be used to accurately grab the connecting rope of the bottom-culture cages and lift them onto the input conveyor belt 11. Finally, the harvesting module flips the cages over to harvest them.

[0040] Then, the bottom culture cage containing the adult oysters is poured out into the cage washing module. When it reaches the expected position, the position sensor is triggered, and the high-pressure cleaning nozzle 31 is activated to clean the cage, removing the attached substances and impurities on the cage and ensuring the cleanliness of the cage.

[0041] Simultaneously clean and grade the harvested shellfish, classifying them according to size and quality. Water rinsing and screening devices can be used to improve grading efficiency.

[0042] Shellfish seedlings are distributed into three-stage feeding hoppers 43 located on the feeding conveyor belt using a quantitative seedling divider. The conveyor belt drives the three-stage feeding hoppers 43 to rise above the bottom culture cage, simultaneously distributing the seedlings into the three layers of the bottom culture cage, ensuring that the seedlings are evenly distributed in the bottom culture cage.

[0043] Finally, the upper door of the bottom-culture cage is closed by the cage-closing mechanism. After the cage is closed, the bottom-culture cage string is pulled into the water and deployed through the flipping module and the output conveyor belt.

[0044] A type of aquaculture vessel carries and uses the aforementioned shipborne mechanized shellfish bottom culture automated operation production line.

[0045] The vessel is equipped with live water tanks for adult shellfish and larvae, used to store harvested shellfish or larvae and maintain their freshness. The live water tanks are equipped with water circulation and aeration devices to ensure good water quality. The live water tanks also have lifting devices for loading or unloading adult shellfish or larvae.

[0046] The vessel is equipped with a central control room for controlling the automated operation of the entire production line. The central control room includes functions for equipment scheduling, issuing operating commands, and status monitoring. The control room centrally controls all equipment on board, and operators can monitor and operate the entire aquaculture process from within the control room. The control room should be equipped with advanced automated control systems and monitoring equipment to ensure safe and reliable operation.

[0047] The automated bottom-culture production line of the shipborne mechanized shellfish facility is equipped with sensor components. The control room is interconnected with the sensor components, which include several photoelectric sensors or proximity sensors. The sensor components are used to monitor the shellfish farming environment and the position and status of the farming cages.

[0048] Sensor components monitor the operation of shellfish farming cages in real time, ensuring precise control at every stage. High-precision sensors accurately detect the movement and position information of the bottom-culture cages, providing reliable data support for the control system.

[0049] The control room connects and manages all aspects of the process, including towing the aquaculture cages onto the boat, harvesting, washing the cages, loading the seedlings, closing the doors, and towing them off the boat for deployment in the water. It employs advanced algorithms and control strategies to ensure efficient operation and seamless connection of each stage.

[0050] Through the coordinated operation of the software control system and key component sensor assembly in the control room, the entire process of the aquaculture cages from being towed onto the boat to being unloaded and deployed in the water has been automated. The high degree of automation has significantly improved aquaculture efficiency, not only reducing human intervention but also improving the accuracy and consistency of operation.

[0051] This application has the following advantages:

[0052] First, it reduces labor intensity, decreases reliance on manual labor, and improves work efficiency. Especially in a shipboard environment, automated production lines can effectively cope with poor working conditions and reduce the burden on workers.

[0053] Secondly, the sensor components monitor the shellfish farming environment and cage operations in real time, ensuring precise control at every stage and improving farming quality. Precise control not only guarantees the accuracy of each operation step but also reduces losses caused by improper operation.

[0054] Third, it is highly adaptable, flexible, and easy to promote and apply. Automated production lines can be adjusted and optimized according to actual conditions to meet the needs of different users.

[0055] The implementation principle of an aquaculture vessel according to this utility model embodiment is as follows:

[0056] Reference Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the aquaculture vessel can perform the following stages of operation:

[0057] During the loading stage: The bottom-culture cages are fed onto the ship via a robotic arm or crane through the input conveyor belt 11. Once the sensor components detect their position, the traction device 7 is activated to transport the bottom-culture cages to the harvesting module 2. The input conveyor belt 11 is designed to accommodate the tilting and swaying of the ship, ensuring a smooth and reliable loading process for the bottom-culture cages.

[0058] Harvesting Stage: The harvesting module 2 in the control room performs the harvesting operation, flipping the bottom culture cage to a vertical position, opening the lower door of the bottom culture cage, and shaking out and collecting the adult clams. The flipping mechanism 21 adopts a multi-degree-of-freedom design, which can flexibly complete the flipping action at various angles, ensuring the efficiency and safety of the harvesting process.

[0059] Cage washing stage: After harvesting, the bottom-rearing cages are sent to the cage washing module 3 by the traction device 7. The position sensor is triggered, and the high-pressure cleaning nozzle is activated to automatically clean the bottom-rearing cages to ensure cleanliness and hygiene.

[0060] Seedling loading stage: After cleaning, the bottom culture cages are sent to the seedling loading module 4 by the traction device 7. The elevator loads the seedlings from the seedling live water tank into the feeding funnel of the quantitative seedling divider 42. After the seedlings are quantitatively loaded, they are loaded into the three-stage loading hopper 43 on the seedling loading conveyor belt 41. When the three-stage loading hopper 43 is driven by the conveyor belt to the top of the bottom culture cage, the new seedlings are loaded into the three-layer space of the bottom culture cage. The seedling loading module 4 is equipped with an automatic quantitative seedling division system and a cage opening and closing mechanism 3, which can automatically supply seedlings and open and close the bottom culture cage doors as needed, ensuring the continuity and efficiency of the seedling loading process.

[0061] Closing Stage: After the seedlings are loaded, the bottom door of the bottom culture cage is automatically closed by the opening and closing mechanism to ensure the safety of the cage. Multiple checks are performed during the closing process to ensure the cage door is completely closed and to prevent shellfish escape. Then, the bottom culture cage is flipped to a horizontal position by the flipping module 5.

[0062] During the unloading and water entry deployment phase: The bottom culture cages are transported to the stern of the vessel via the output conveyor belt 61. Once the sensor components detect their positioning, the output conveyor belt 61 is activated to send the bottom culture cages into the water. During the unloading and water entry process, the output conveyor belt 61 dynamically adjusts according to the movement of the vessel to ensure the bottom culture cages enter the water smoothly.

[0063] After harvesting, the mature scallops are washed and graded by a cleaning system. The finished scallops are then temporarily stored in a live-water tank via an elevator to maintain their freshness. Once harvesting is complete, the aquaculture vessels return to port, where the scallops are unloaded and transported to designated locations for sale or processing.

[0064] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the principles and rules of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An automated production line for bottom culture of shellfish in a shipborne mechanized facility, characterized in that: The system includes a loading module (1), a harvesting module (2), a cage washing module (3), a seedling loading module (4), a flipping module (5), a disembarking module (6), and a traction device (7). The loading module (1), harvesting module (2), cage washing module (3), seedling loading module (4), flipping module (5), and disembarking module (6) are connected end to end in sequence. The loading module (1) includes an input conveyor belt (11), and the disembarking module (6) includes an output conveyor belt (61). Both the loading module (1) and the disembarking module (6) transport bottom-culture cages horizontally through the input conveyor belt (11) and the output conveyor belt (61). The loading module (1) includes a crane or a robotic arm. The harvesting module (2) flips the horizontal bottom-culture cages to a vertical position. The cage washing module (3) and the seedling loading module (4) both transport bottom-culture cages vertically after passing through the harvesting module (2). The flipping module (5) flips the vertical bottom-culture cages to a horizontal position.

2. The automated production line for bottom culture of shipborne shellfish in a mechanized facility according to claim 1, characterized in that: The harvesting module (2) includes a flipping mechanism (21) and a cleaning mechanism (22). The cleaning mechanism (22) includes a cleaning device and a cleaning conveyor belt (221). The cleaning conveyor belt (221) is located directly below the flipping mechanism (21).

3. The automated production line for bottom culture of shipborne shellfish in a mechanized facility according to claim 1, characterized in that: The harvesting module (2) includes a cage opening and closing mechanism 1 (23), and the flipping module (5) includes a cage opening and closing mechanism 2. The lower door of the bottom culture cage is opened by the cage opening and closing mechanism 2 is used to close the lower door of the bottom culture cage and open the upper door, which is convenient for loading seedlings.

4. The automated production line for bottom culture of shipborne shellfish in a mechanized facility according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cage cleaning module (3) includes a position sensor and a high-pressure cleaning nozzle.

5. The automated production line for bottom culture of shipborne shellfish in a mechanized facility according to claim 1, characterized in that: The seedling loading module (4) includes a quantitative seedling divider (42), a seedling loading conveyor belt (41), and a cage opening and closing mechanism. The seedling loading conveyor belt (41) is equipped with three feeding hoppers (43). When the three feeding hoppers (43) reach the top of the bottom culture cage, they can evenly distribute the shellfish seedlings into each layer of the bottom culture cage. Then, the upper door of the bottom culture cage is closed through the cage opening and closing mechanism.

6. The automated production line for bottom culture of shipborne shellfish in a mechanized facility according to claim 1, characterized in that: The traction device (7), input conveyor belt (11), and output conveyor belt (61) are all driven by electric or hydraulic means.

7. An aquaculture vessel, characterized in that, Install the automated production line for bottom culture of shipborne shellfish mechanized facilities as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

Images