DEVICE FOR REMOVAL OF FLOATING WASTE FOR CLEANING WATERFRONTS

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of devices for collecting floating solid and polluting materials on a watercourse or on a body of water and relates in particular to a device for collecting floating waste for the decontamination of watercourses. State of the art

[0002] To combat river pollution, there are devices such as floating barriers that allow the recovery of waste floating on the water's surface. These barriers generally include a storage area to contain the collected waste. Once full, the storage area must be emptied by regular emptying and waste disposal operations.

[0003] Such a device is for example described in document EP3643594 which allows the removal of unwanted floating objects and comprises two screens positioned as a trap which narrows from a relatively wide inlet side towards a temporary storage area. The described device allows the collection of any type of floating waste and in particular floating trunks and also floating trees such as those uprooted during floods.

[0004] The device of document FR2730509 also describes a floating barrier suitable for the grouping and retention of floating bodies in which there is a storage area and a means forming a screen suitable for concealing all or part of the storage area. This barrier is also intended to retain tree trunks.

[0005] Further, document US4511470A discloses a device for collecting floating debris.

[0006] The problem with these devices is particularly related to their effectiveness in the event of floods. Indeed, the mass of floating trunks collected by such a dam during a flood or even simply during a storm can fill the entire storage area in a short time and render the dam inoperable. In the event of violent storms, which is unfortunately less and less exceptional, these dams risk being damaged by the weight and dimensions of bulky waste such as tree trunks and in particular the storage area may be destroyed. On the other hand, in the event of an increase in flow, these devices do not provide the possibility of reducing their resistance to flow and can also be seriously damaged. Statement of the invention

[0007] Therefore, the aim of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks by providing a device for collecting floating waste provided with adjustable protection means to prevent the collection of bulky waste such as tree trunks and to adapt the impact of the device on the flow.

[0008] The subject of the invention is therefore a device for collecting floating debris carried by a current in a flow according to claim 1. Brief description of the figures

[0009] The aims, objects and characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description made with reference to the drawings in which: [ Fig. 1 ] represents a top view of the device according to the invention, [ Fig. 2 ] represents a detailed view of the front of the device according to the invention, [ Fig. 3 ] represents a detailed view of the means for adjusting the angular position of the arms of the device according to the invention, [ Fig. 4 ] represents the angles of variation of the arms of the device according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0010] As used in the following description, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" designate the parts of the device located respectively on the upstream side and the downstream side of the watercourse illustrated respectively at the top and bottom when the figure faces the reader. The arrows 17 illustrate the direction from upstream to downstream of the watercourse located between two banks and of which only the left bank 15 is shown in the figures. In the case where the device is placed on a body of water other than a watercourse, it is considered that there is also a main flow in the direction of the arrows 17. In general, the arrows 17 represent the axis and the direction of the current of the main flow.

[0011] The figure 1 illustrates the device 10 according to the invention seen from above. The device 10 comprises a central platform delimiting a central channel 13 oriented in the axis of the main flow. The central platform comprises a grating-type openwork floor 12 which delimits the emerged part of the central channel and two floating parts 14 which surround the floor on its lateral edges parallel to the axis of the main flow. According to the figure, the floating part 14 located on the left is located on the side of the bank 15 and the other floating part is located on the right, therefore on the opposite side towards the center of the watercourse. The two floating parts 14 delimit the edges of the central channel 13. The floating waste trapped by the device 10 according to the invention arrives in the central channel 13 where it travels from its inlet to its outlet. The openwork floor comprises a technical hatch 23 so that an operator can intervene in the event of obstruction of the central channel.

[0012] The device 10 comprises two upstream arms 22 located at the entrance to said central corridor mounted to pivot by means of pivot connections 62 located respectively on each of the lateral floating parts 14. A floating walkway 11 connects one of the floating parts 14 to the bank 15 in order to make the device according to the invention accessible to a person from the bank. Preferably, the walkway extends in the continuity of one of the floating parts 14, the one on the left in the figure, and transversely to it.

[0013] The device 10 also comprises two downstream arms 24 located downstream of the device at the exit of the central corridor 13 and pivotally mounted by means of pivot links 62 located respectively on each of the lateral floating parts 14.

[0014] One of the functions of the upstream arms is to guide the floating waste towards the central channel 13. The arms 22 are rigid and have a substantially vertical face forming a screen and comprising a submerged part and an aerial part so as to capture all the floating waste present in the space located between the two arms 22. The height of the two parts can vary depending on the waste to be collected and the environment. The free ends of the four upstream and downstream arms comprise a stabilizer 54 which contribute to ensuring that the device is held in position. Each arm 22 or 24 comprises a strut 32 or 34 pivotally mounted on the arm and removably connected to the central platform. Each strut 32 or 34 is connected to the platform on an adjustment support 42 or 44 according to several positions each corresponding to a different angle that each arm forms relative to the direction perpendicular to the axis of the main flow 17.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the two upstream arms 22 each comprise a converging arm 52, one end of which is pivotally mounted on the central platform on an edge of the central channel 13 and the other end is slidably mounted on the arm 22. The two converging arms contribute to the floating waste trapped between the two upstream arms 22 converging towards the central channel 13 and preventing its stagnation at the location of the pivot connections 62.

[0016] The device 10 comprises a storage receptacle 45 located at the outlet of the central corridor 13 making it possible to retain the floating waste collected by the device. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the storage receptacle 45 is located downstream of the device, between the two downstream arms 24 and consists of at least one retention net.

[0017] The device according to the invention is anchored using several anchoring devices. A first anchoring device arranged on the footbridge 11 consists of at least two tubular piles 16 fixed to the bottom of the watercourse or body of water. On each pile 16, a linear guide 21 fixed to the footbridge can slide vertically. This first anchoring device maintains the position of the device relative to the bank but allows the device to follow the variations in height of the watercourse or body of water.

[0018] Another anchoring device comprises a set of chains fixed to the corners of the central platform and consists of connecting each pivot link 62 to a chain fixed to the ground. Finally, another anchoring device consists of connecting each stabilizer 54 to a chain fixed to the ground.

[0019] The device according to the invention comprises a guardrail located at the periphery of the walkway 11 and the central platform to secure the movements of people using the device.

[0020] The device 10 comprises at least one cable 26 stretched between the two upstream arms 22. The figure 2 illustrates a detailed and three-dimensional view of the cables. Preferably, the cable 26 is fixed to the two stabilizers 54 located at the end of the upstream arms 22. The cable 26 is aerial, therefore emerged and located above the surface of the water substantially parallel to it. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device 10 comprises a second cable 28 stretched between the two upstream arms 22, located below the surface of the water, therefore submerged and parallel to the first cable 26. At least one end of the cables 26 and 28 is fixed to the stabilizer by means of a shock absorber 36.

[0021] The cable 26 has the function of preventing bulky waste, such as tree trunks, from being collected by the device. Indeed, when a bulky waste item carried by the current reaches the cable, the latter prevents it from entering the space delimited by the two arms while it allows less bulky or deformable waste such as plastic bags to pass through. The bulky waste blocked by the cable ends up being evacuated to the side thanks to the currents and the flow by sliding along the cable to the outside of the device 10. The second cable 28 has the same function as the first cable 26 and reinforces the effect of the latter. By preventing the introduction of bulky waste into the device, the cables protect the device. Indeed, a bulky waste item such as a tree or a tree trunk could obstruct the passage in the central corridor or damage the storage receptacle.Cables 26 and 28 represent the first means of protection of the storage receptacle and are located upstream of the device. As will be seen in the remainder of the description, the device also comprises a second means of protection of the storage receptacle located downstream of the device. Cables 26 and 28 also reinforce the strength and resistance of the device according to the invention.

[0022] There figure 3 illustrates an upstream adjustment support 42 to which an upstream arm 32 is connected. The following description also applies to the connection of each downstream arm to their respective downstream adjustment support. All adjustment supports are fixed to the platform on the outer edges of the side floats 14, as can be seen in the figure 1 . The upstream adjustment support 42 comprises 4 notches 43 characterized by holes in the figure but could also be characterized by slots or any other equivalent means. The end of the arm 32 comprises a hollow guide member and the pin 33 is slidably mounted in one of the notches 43 and in the guide member of the arm so as to secure the arm with the adjustment support. Thanks to the adjustment support of each arm, it is possible to adjust the angle that each arm forms with respect to the direction perpendicular to the axis of the central channel. Each notch 43 corresponds to a position of the arm and to a different angle of the latter with respect to the direction perpendicular to the axis of the central channel.The embodiment described allows an adjustment of the indexed angle of 10 degrees in 10 degrees for example, the first notch in which the arm is connected corresponding to an angle of 20 degrees, the next notch to an angle of 30 degrees and so on until the last notch corresponding in our example to an angle of 50 degrees. The number of notches is not limiting. Any other type of attachment that can connect the end of the arm to its adjustment support can be used as long as it allows the adjustment of the angle of the arm. For example, a means of fixing the end of the arm that would allow continuous adjustment of the angle of the arm could be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0023] According to the figure 4 , which illustrates an example of adjustment of the arm angles, it can be seen that the angle of each arm can be adjusted independently of the angle of the other arms. In particular, the angle of the upstream arms is adjusted differently so that the cables 26 and 28 are not perpendicular to the axis of the main flow as can be seen in the figure. Indeed, if the angle of the two upstream arms is identical as is the case of the figure 1 , the central platform being placed so that the central channel is in the axis of the main flow, the cables 26 and 28 are then perpendicular to the axis of the main flow 17.

[0024] Similarly, the angle of each downstream arm can be adjusted independently of each other. The angle that each upstream arm 22 forms with respect to a direction perpendicular to the axis of the main flow is noted angle α (alpha) in the figure and preferably varies between 20 and 90 degrees. The angle that each downstream arm 24 forms with respect to a direction perpendicular to the axis of the main flow is noted angle β (beta) in the figure and preferably varies between 20 and 60 degrees. Different variation ranges of the angles α and β could be used without departing from the scope of the invention. The angle that the cables 26 and 28 make with the direction perpendicular to the axis of the flow is preferably greater than 25 degrees to ensure rapid deflection and evacuation of the waste retained on the cables.To obtain this adjustment, it will be necessary to adjust the angle α of the upstream arm located on the side of the bank 15 so that it is different and greater than the angle α of the upstream arm located on the side opposite the bank. The angle that the cables 26 and 28 make with the direction perpendicular to the axis of the flow is noted angle γ (gamma) in the figure, it is this angle which must preferably be greater than 25 degrees.

[0025] Depending on the configuration of the location where the device is to be installed, such as geometric and hydraulic conditions, adjusting the angle of the upstream and downstream arms allows the device's impact on the flow and also its resistance to flow to be adapted. Thus, it may be advantageous to adjust the angle of the upstream arms so that the cables are more or less inclined relative to the direction perpendicular to the axis of the main flow to direct bulky waste out of the device more or less quickly. The arrangement of the arms illustrated in the figure 4 is an example of adjustment. The device according to the invention allows a large number of adjustments of the angular position of the arms according to the configuration of the location where it is to be installed. This adjustment means contributes to protecting the device and in particular the storage receptacle. The cables 26 and 28 have at one of their ends a winding device so as to be able to adjust and adapt their length according to the adjustment angle of the upstream arms 22. One of the ends of the cables 26 and 28 also has a means for adjusting the tension of each cable.

[0026] To protect the storage receptacle as much as possible, the upstream arms will be set to their maximum angle so that the angle separating them is minimal while respecting the constraint on the angle γ so that the cables 26 and 28 are not perpendicular to the axis of the main flow 17; in this position, the length of the cables 26 and 28 will be minimal to minimize the possibility of bulky waste entering the central corridor 13 and allow its rapid evacuation outside the device. On the other hand, when the upstream arms are set to their maximum angle so that the angle separating them is minimal, the force of the main flow exerted on them is minimal, which reduces the impact of the device on the flow and protects it.Preferably, the upstream arms have an adjustable length so that their length can be adjusted and adapted according to the desired adjustment position while ensuring the constraint on the angle γ. For example, the upstream arms are telescopic. To obtain an extended adjustment range of the angles of the upstream arms, the minimum length of each arm can be increased up to one third of its length.

[0027] The two downstream arms 24 protect the storage receptacle from the forces it undergoes due to the main flow, the various currents and the bulky waste which may reach it from the outside. Indeed, the device according to the invention is located in a main flow and constitutes an obstacle which modifies the current of the main flow. Upstream of the device the speed of the current is slowed down while reverse currents are formed downstream. The creation of reverse currents is symbolized by the arrows 27 on the figure 4 . The presence and intensity of the reverse currents are proportional to the slowing of the upstream current. The storage receptacle 45, located downstream of the device between the downstream arms, is protected from these reverse currents. Indeed, the speed of the reverse currents created by the presence of the device is attenuated by the presence of the arms 24. Similarly, the bulky waste that is moved aside by the cables can be carried and pushed back onto the device by these reverse currents. This waste is in this case deflected and pushed back by the downstream arms 24 and does not reach the storage receptacle. The storage receptacle is thus protected in the event of a storm where the water flow increases and the speed of the currents also increases.

[0028] In addition, adjusting the angles of the upstream and downstream arms can reduce the intensity of reverse currents that form downstream of the device. Indeed, by adjusting the upstream arms at a different angle, as in the example of the figure 4 , we attenuate the slowing effect of the upstream current by reducing the flow resistance, which also attenuates the volume of reverse currents downstream. In our example, the slowing effect upstream is attenuated because we create a preferred direction for the flow in the direction of the most open upstream arm, therefore corresponding to the smallest angle, therefore towards the right on the figure 4 .

[0029] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the storage receptacle comprises means for facilitating their extraction and emptying. In particular, each retention net comprises an inlet kept open and fixed on a rigid support frame sliding on vertical rails located at the outlet of the central channel 13, therefore downstream of the device. When it is in position to collect the waste, the inlet of the retention net comprises an emerged part and a submerged part so as to encompass the outlet of the central channel 13. On its emerged part, the support frame comprises at least one handle to facilitate its extraction and emptying.

[0030] The device according to the invention, due to its adjustable characteristics, allows it to adapt to any installation configuration and environment. The device can also be modified once installed to cope with a period of storms. Furthermore, thanks to its adjustable protection means located upstream and downstream of the device, it provides great flexibility of installation.

[0031] The stabilizers 54 can serve as a support for a colored and / or luminous beacon to locate the device in all circumstances.

Claims

1. A device (10) for removing floating debris carried by a current in a main flow, mainly comprising a central platform defining a central corridor (13) located in the axis of the main flow, two upstream arms (22) located at the entrance to said central corridor, a storage receptacle (45) into which the debris is directed and stored, and first adjustable protection means located upstream of the device for preventing bulky debris from being collected by the device, and second adjustable protection means (24) located downstream of the device, characterized in that the first means comprise at least one cable (26) stretched between the two upstream arms (22), said cable being located above and substantially parallel to the water surface and in that second adjustable protection means (24) are suitable for reducing the forces exerted on the storage receptacle.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first means located upstream of the device comprise a second cable (28) stretched between the two upstream arms (22), said second cable being located below the water surface and parallel to the first cable (26).

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said second protection means comprise two downstream arms (24) located downstream of the device at the exit of the central corridor (13).

4. The device according to one of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the upstream and downstream arms are pivotally mounted by means of pivot connections (62) and each comprise means for adjusting the angle formed by each arm relative to a direction perpendicular to the axis of the main flow so as to adapt the impact of the device on the main flow, the angle alpha corresponding to the angle of an upstream arm (22) relative to the direction perpendicular to the axis of the main flow (17) being able to vary between 20 degrees and 90 degrees and the angle beta corresponding to the angle of a downstream arm (24) relative to the direction perpendicular to the axis of the main flow (17) being able to vary between 20 degrees and 60 degrees.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the means for adjusting the angle formed by each arm (22) and (24) relative to a direction perpendicular to the axis of the main flow comprise a strut (32), respectively (34), for each arm, pivotally mounted on the arm and connected to the platform in a removable manner according to several positions on an adjustment support (42), respectively (44), so that each position corresponds to a different angle of the arm.

6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the length of the upstream arms (22) is adjustable.

7. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the storage receptacle (45) comprises at least one retention net whose entrance is fastened on a sliding frame located downstream of the device.

8. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the central platform consists of a grating-type openwork floor (12) which delimits the emerged part of the central corridor and two floating parts (14) which surround the floor on its lateral edges parallel to the axis of the main flow.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the openwork floor comprises a technical hatch (23).

10. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a floating walkway (11) connecting the central platform to the bank (15).

11. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising at least one anchoring device.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the at least one anchoring device consists of at least two tubular piles (16) fastened to the bottom of the watercourse or body of water, on each of said tubular piles of which, a linear guide (21), fastened to the walkway (11), slides vertically.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein a further anchoring device is formed by connecting each pivot connection (62) to a chain fastened to the ground.

14. The device according to claim 12 or 13, wherein a further anchoring device is obtained by connecting each stabilizer (54) to a chain fastened to the ground.

15. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the two upstream arms (22) each comprise a converging arm (52) one end of which is pivotally mounted on the central platform on an edge of the central corridor (13) and the other end is slidably mounted on the arm (22).