Floating River

Abstract

The invention relates to a floating river module (M), (M') having at least one buoy (3), (3'), (3i) for floating also the other parts (1), (2) of the module (M), (M'), which further comprise a submerged vertical wall element (2) at least partially submerged rigidly attached to the buoy (3), (3'), (3i), said vertical wall element (2) comprising a horizontal keel element (1).The invention further relates to a floating river system formed from such modules for guiding fish.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] At a very general level, the present disclosure of embodiments of the invention relates to a water system construction, more specifically to a water system construction that channels a river system with undisturbed rivers, allowing in particular migratory fish to be guided to their spawning pathways even in flooded waters. However, even more specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to a floating river module according to the preamble of the independent claims, which are directed to such a floating river module. The invention further relates to a floating river system using the floating river module to realize a floating river system made from such embodied floating river module. [Background technology]

[0002] Due to the increasing demand for energy production, but also in view of the utilization of renewable energy sources, the need for mankind to build power plants may result in direct damage to nature itself as well as to nature's beneficial sources of life.

[0003] Migratory fish (e.g., salmonids, eels, etc.) that migrate upstream to return to the rivers in which they were born to spawn encounter barriers in rivers whose riverbeds have been constructed with dams, such as those used by the electricity generation industry or other plants.

[0004] If a through channel is not constructed, passage above the power station is blocked. Even if there is a through channel, the return route downstream for migrating juvenile fish can be difficult, especially if they have to pass through the turbine tunnel. Fish can be injured and exposed to disease as a result. On the other hand, passage by fish ladders through turbine tunnels consumes water, as fish ladders consume significant water (and are therefore very costly to build), but also leaves a mark on the landscape (which is very rarely considered to add value to the river bank scenery). Furthermore, shallow pools increase the risk of fish being injured and exposed to disease when jumping.

[0005] Furthermore, salmonid fish, for example, cannot enter deep water, where it becomes difficult for the juvenile fish to return to the turbine tunnel or pass through the deep tunnel.

[0006] However, the above-mentioned problems associated with passing over dams and similar types of obstructions have been solved by using a migratory fish passage unit with associated systems to provide a migratory fish passage that is a hydro-engineered arrangement.

[0007] The conflict between the instincts of fish and the nature of fish against the demands of energy production can be solved in a very economical way, and the use of such migratory fish passage units and the systems that utilize them can protect the landscape and do not cause any substantial loss in functionality or power generation, but there are situations in which fish cannot immediately determine the route they should take. In particular, in cases where there are many branches in the river as spawning routes, or where the original riverbed has been artificially remodeled, such as by shifting the river course, if the fish stray into the wrong branch, they may get lost and end up in the turbine tunnel. In some cases, for example, young fish do not reach the downstream of the river. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The aim of the disclosure of embodiments of the present invention is to alleviate the above mentioned problems. The solution according to the present disclosure of the present invention is to provide a floating river with an assembly of floating river modules according to embodiments of the present disclosure of the present invention, which is characterized in the characterizing part of the independent claim directed to the floating river module.

[0009] It is also a synergistic objective of the present disclosure to form an embodied assemblage from such embodied floating river modules, such as a floating river system forming a floating river that guides fish swimming in its waters, and the floating river guides the fish swimming in the waters of the system and guides the fish from various waters to safe paths (e.g., over the top of the power plant pool) according to the fish's natural instincts, so that power plant operators can see the fish as they follow their safe return path towards the downstream area according to their instincts, so that not only the fish but also animals and nature workers can be satisfied, as well as other users of the river bank. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] According to the invention, a floating river module, i.e. a floating river module, is characterized by what is stated in claim 1.

[0011] The module according to the present disclosure has at least one buoy for floating the module and thus also a part of said module, which part comprises a vertical wall element at least partially submerged in water. According to this embodiment, the vertical wall element is rigidly attached to said buoy. Furthermore, said vertical wall element comprises attachment means for attaching a stabilizer, either as a horizontal keel element or as a separate but attached horizontal keel element (integral to said wall element).

[0012] According to one embodiment variant, such horizontal keel element may be attached to the vertical wall element at the edge between them, or in the alternative, the integrated vertical wall element and the horizontal keel element are integral parts (horizontal and vertical) of the same body, forming an angle. The vertical wall element is used in forming the side walls of the floating river. The horizontal keel element is used in some embodiments in forming the bottom side of the part appropriate for the floating river, where the bottom is used to enhance the guidance of fish. In such an embodiment, the angle between the vertical wall element and the horizontal keel element helps to set the horizontal keel element horizontally relative to the vertical wall element, so that there is resistance to the flow of running water that tends to pivot the vertical wall element towards a horizontal position. This is important for the floating river in terms of maintaining the form in which the guidance function of the floating river guides the fish to their natural swimming depth depending on the species being guided. According to one embodiment variant, there may be several horizontal keel elements attached to the same vertical wall element, thereby providing guiding passages for species swimming at different depths (i.e., for example, salmonids, eels).

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the horizontal keel element is embodied in the present disclosure to face towards the centre of the floating river, however, according to further variations, additional horizontal keel elements may be additionally provided to face outboard from the vertical wall elements, potentially limiting the use of nearby waters of the floating river at such a distance of the outboard horizontal keel elements at their depth.

[0014] The floating river module (i.e. floating river module) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure has two distinct buoys for floating the module and said parts of said same module. According to its variant, at least one buoy is connected to the module by a support, whereby the support is spaced apart from the other buoys and further supports the vertical wall elements to keep its average position with the help of horizontal keel elements.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the buoy may be positioned inside the floating river channel at a distance by a support, such as an inboard catamaran body. Instead of or in addition to such a position of the other buoy, the other buoy may be attached outside the floating river channel at a distance by a support similar to the above support, such as an outboard catamaran body. In this way, the position of the vertical wall element may be strengthened in various conditions to be well fixed in the vertical position, in particular by using buoys positioned inboard and outboard, but may take up more width reserved for the floating river.

[0016] The floating river modules of the floating river according to the embodiment of the present disclosure have vertical wall elements with edge structures for attachment to another similar floating river module in a successive position directly or by intermediate connecting members. The edges can be formed to fit to a subsequent floating river module directly or alternatively via a connecting member having a structure that fits to both floating river modules joined by said floating river module. By using the connecting member as a connector, this embodiment has the advantage that if the connecting formation is somehow damaged, it is not necessarily necessary to replace the whole module. Furthermore, the vertical wall elements can be symmetrical about the edges, which makes the manufacture potentially simpler and more economical.

[0017] A floating river module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure has edge structures in said horizontal keel elements for attachment to another similar module in a mirror image position by intermediate connectors between the horizontal keel elements. Alternatively, the horizontal keel elements have attachment structures integrated into their edges for direct attachment to adjacent horizontal keel elements of adjacent floating river modules in the floating river system. In a similar manner to attaching a vertical wall element to the next vertical wall element, the horizontal keel elements may have similar embodiments for attaching the horizontal keel element to the next horizontal keel element.

[0018] In one alternative, the floating river module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure has a passage for water through said vertical wall elements and / or said horizontal keel elements and a passage for water in communication with the inboard water and the outboard water on which the floating river is intended to float in use by the module and the buoys thereon.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the floating river module is a half-section module that forms the cross-sectional element of the floating river channel. However, those skilled in the art will understand from the embodiment that the mirror-image position mounting modules do not necessarily have to have the same dimensions with respect to the horizontal keel element. However, tapered special modules can be used when adjusting for the variation in width of the embodied floating river.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention the floating river module has said vertical wall elements curved towards the floating river channel.

[0021] According to one embodiment variant, the floating river module has at its upstream end and / or downstream end a mounting structure for curving the floating river, the curvature being formed by the connection of an assembly of such modules (not necessarily curved themselves). According to one embodiment variant, the floating river module may have some kind of hinge in order to curve the system formed from the embodied floating river modules. According to a further embodiment, the hinge may be lockable in a certain position by a locking means. According to one embodiment, such a locking means may be embodied by an agricultural cotter of suitable size.

[0022] According to the invention, a floating river such as a floating river system is provided consisting of a collection of floating river modules connected to each other. According to one embodiment variant, the connection is made by connecting members (i.e. connectors) so that when connected, the floating river modules form a fenced underwater channel in the water and the floating river modules float on the water surface to form a floating river as a floating river (module) system.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the buoys and / or the submersible vertical wall elements of the floating river system have quick locking parts for quick locking them together rigidly but removably for maintenance and inspection.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in the floating river system, the wall elements and the horizontal keel elements have quick locks for quick locking together. Alternatively, the wall elements and the horizontal keel elements are formed during manufacture by twisting a plate into two parts at an angle to form a horizontal part / side and a vertical part / side. In an embodiment variant, the joints may have rounded structures, in which case no sharp edges are formed. In a further variant, the integration of the wall elements and the horizontal keel elements is performed by welding, gluing and / or by screws and bolts.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the floating river system may be provided with counting means so that an operator of the system can count the fish swimming in the floating river. According to one embodiment, such counting means may have counting sensors at least in certain floating river modules. According to one variant of this embodiment, such counting means may comprise a camera or a collection of cameras configured to take pictures and / or videos for counting the fish. The pictures and / or videos may be recorded by the cameras on-site, but may also be transmitted to a special remote site for further processing via an information network to which the cameras have access via a functional connection.

[0026] According to a further embodiment variant, the counting means acting as a counter may have a sensor (i.e. a camera) for recognizing the fish in the floating river. Such a sensor may include a suitable camera or a collection of such cameras suitable for close-range photogrammetry so as to be able to recognize the size and / or type of objects. This is important in classifying fish according to their size and / or species when studying fish populations and / or their development.

[0027] Alternatively or additionally, machine vision and / or photogrammetry can be used with suitable cameras / sensors (if these means are mounted on a special floating river module in the floating river) providing data for visual analysis of objects in the floating river. In particular, close-range photogrammetry can be used for collecting photos from shorter distances than traditional aerial (or orbital) photogrammetry. According to an embodiment, photogrammetric analysis can be applied to a set of photos taken by high-speed photography with a camera in the special floating river module to improve the accuracy of estimation of the fishes being photographed / videographed. According to an embodiment, the image analysis can be performed on a computer located on-site, but according to an embodiment variant, it can be performed at a remote site, which can be anywhere within the reach of an information network, such as the Internet, for example.

[0028] According to one embodiment variant, object recognition is performed by a LIDAR system (Light Detection and Ranging, or LIDAR) that is mounted on one of the floating river modules for data acquisition in the appropriate areas. Thus, for example, an oil spill can be detected by such a special floating river module equipped with a LIDAR system.

[0029] According to a further embodiment, photogrammetry means such as cameras are connected to the transceiver of the particular floating river module, so that an external remote operator can obtain pictures and / or videos of the fish swimming in the water of the floating river using information networks such as cellular networks, IOT networks, Wi-Fi and / or the Internet in connection. According to one embodiment, the floating river system comprises a microprocessor / computer for communication from the floating river system (particular floating river module) to the remote operator, but according to one embodiment variant, further comprises two-way communication for controlling the camera and / or counting means of said floating river module.

[0030] Thus, the counting means as a counter is controllable with respect to determining the size and type of the swimming fish and thus is a smart counter which classifies the fish according to size and species estimation.

[0031] The counter can be implemented in appropriate parts by suitable hardware and software, as the skilled person will understand from the embodiment, provided that the necessary parts of the hardware are waterproof. The counter can be a simple on-site counter of the photo-electro-mechanical type as applied in one embodiment, but it is also possible to perform the effective counting remotely, at a remote site connected to the information network with the embodied floating river system, via a specific floating river module with a camera. Thus, such connected remote site can be virtually anywhere, with access via the information network used.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the floating river system has in one or several modules a radio telemetry antenna used in fish recognition by tags (e.g. PIT TAGs) worn by tagged fish. Such tagging can be used in marking specific fish to track their migration. Radio telemetry readings can be used in the modules of the floating river system. Also, the reader is adapted to provide an interrogation signal to which passing tags (attached to fish) respond, so that when read, the reader can provide the tag ID and the data contained in the tag to the floating river system, via a network connection, and also to a remote site, where the ID can be associated to a database. According to imaging data (LIDAR, photos, videos, photogrammetry) on the passing fish, the size and species can be identified by the camera and thus associated to the read PIT TAG, and the database can be updated.

[0033] According to one embodiment variant, the floating river system may have ports that are controllable under the control of the counting means (counters), whereby in one embodiment variant, photogrammetry means and / or LIDAR means associated / mounted to the counters can control the opening and closing of the ports to direct fish into separate paths or from various paths into the main channel of the floating river.

[0034] In one embodiment variation, the floating river may have a collecting branch that collects fish towards the floating river channel as the main channel. At the junction to the main floating river channel there may be a port that can direct fish into the main floating river. According to one embodiment, such a port may be one port of a collection of ports arranged to block the passage of fish of a particular species and / or size.

[0035] The term "including" is used as an open term.

[0036] Embodiments according to the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings which show illustrative embodiments of the disclosure, where the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0037] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an example of an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a floating river element implemented as well as a collection of such floating river elements forming a floating river system as side elements of the floating river. [Figure 1A] FIG. 13 shows an example of a profile of a floating river system using floating river modules in a mirror image arrangement with alternative positions of the floating river modules and buoys relative to the water level. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1 shows an example of an embodiment according to the present disclosure, in which the embodied floating river modules are connected in successive positions at embodied angles relative to each other by connection means on one side of the floating river system. [Figure 1C] FIG. 1 shows an example of attaching embodied floating river modules to each other. [Figure 1D] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a connected floating river module with a buoy, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 1E] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a mirror image arrangement of floating river modules to form a closed bottom of a floating river system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1D shows an example of a portion of a floating river such as an embodied floating river system made up of embodied floating river modules, with the bottom of the floating river remaining open in accordance with an open bottom embodiment as an alternative to the closed bottom in FIG. 1E. [Diagram 3]FIG. 1C shows an example of a portion of a floating river embodied as a floating river system composed of embodied floating river modules that combine to form a tapered channel, with the bottom of the floating river remaining open in a portion of the floating river in accordance with an open bottom embodiment as an alternative to the closed bottom in FIG. 1E, but with a closed bottom in the tapered portion of the floating river. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 shows an example of a floating river floating on a dam pool in use with collection forks to guide fish into the floating river system for further guidance through / around the dam. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 shows an example of a counting means as part of a specialized floating river module embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 shows an example of a floating river demonstration test in a flow-controlled river. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 shows an example of a floating river with a collection of collection branches. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] The above description is for purposes of illustration and not limitation. Many other implementations, configurations, processes, etc. may exist, some of which are described in more detail below. Exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] The following description and drawings sufficiently illustrate certain embodiments to enable those skilled in the art to practice them. Other embodiments may incorporate structural, logical, electrical, process, and other changes. Portions and features of some embodiments may be included in, or substituted for, portions and features of other embodiments.

[0040] In the following, the same reference numbers are used in different figures unless expressly indicated otherwise. However, objects having the same reference numbers do not necessarily have to be exactly the same in shape, size, and / or composition, as a person skilled in the art will understand from the context of the disclosure according to his or her knowledge.

[0041] FIG. 1 shows floating river modules (M) as part of a floating river system part assembly in the form of a circular arc 100 composed of floating river modules (M) of the illustrated example of one embodiment. The circular arc 100 can be used in forming one board or side of a floating river as part of a floating river system. Those skilled in the art will understand that although a concave form is shown, a similar but convex arc can be suitably formed using the same or nearly the same number of similar modules M (example of FIG. 1B) (the modules M do not necessarily have to be exactly the same in form, shape or dimensions). The number of bends in this example can be 4 to 8, depending on the structure of the riverbank and riverbed at the site of use. The other side of the floating river is not shown, since those skilled in the art can understand that from the illustrated side of the floating river, there is an opposite side that follows the shape of the illustrated part when guiding fish in the floating river.

[0042] However, in the special case of the natural structure of a natural river, the other side of the floating river may be formed by the underwater natural bank structure of the river, if applicable for suitable guidance by an embodiment such as such a half floating river formed by a floating river system on one side of a floating river module according to the embodiment of Figure 1.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the modules are shown as arc-shaped, which makes the guide fence (i.e. the vertical walls 2 and horizontal keel 1 of the modules) a more rigid structure for such a floating river module as a whole, rather than simply being straight. This also has the effect of tilting the individual modules to keep them under better control. The buoy 3 may change shape depending on the floating river in the river catchment area. The buoy 3 is shown according to one embodiment in FIG. 1, where the buoy 3 has a length approximately along the module itself. However, according to one alternative, the length of the buoy 3 may be any reasonable length of the floating river or part thereof.

[0044] In Figure 1, module M is shown as a module forming one side of a floating river. In one example embodiment, a horizontal keel 1 is shown connected to or integral with a vertical wall 2 as part of the board of the floating river.

[0045] The vertical wall 2 portions of the module M may be curved or straight in order to provide the corresponding portion of the floating river with the desired configuration for guiding fish.

[0046] The horizontal keel 1 can be used in this embodiment to form a bottom fence to reinforce the fish's movement direction and prevent them from escaping under the vertical wall 2. Thus, the fish can be transported in the desired direction of the floating river, for example as shown in FIG. 4, and / or to a collection point (see FIG. 3), such as a funnel to guide the fish downstream of a dam. According to an embodiment variant, the floating river can be made complete in the appropriate parts so that the fish can follow the structure of the floating river. The species-specific instinct of fish to swim at a certain depth can be taken into account by the position of the horizontal keel 1 on the vertical wall 2 at the water depth (h).

[0047] According to one embodiment, the modules may be attached back to back to each other at appropriate parts to form suitable configurations, for example when creating parallel branches of floating rivers or other structures at applicable appropriate parts (see FIG. 1B).

[0048] In the example of FIG. 1, the module M may further comprise connectors 5, 8, 10 that may be used in an embodiment variant to connect the corresponding side of the module M to other similar modules in the floating river system and / or in the assembly of modules M. In FIG. 1, the reference numbers 5, 8, 10 are used to refer to the connecting edges of the module M as well as the corresponding respective connectors / gaskets. According to an embodiment variant, the connectors 5, 8, 10 may be water permeable so as to form a communication passage into the water of the river. As an alternative to the water tightness of the vertical wall 2 and the horizontal keel 1, the vertical wall 2 and the horizontal keel 1 may be water permeable for an alternative floating river (module) variant, in which water is allowed to mix between the inboard and outboard water of the floating river channel, but where a fish guidance is required without the possibility of the fish escaping from under the vertical wall. According to one embodiment variant, the connectors may be provided on a portion of one or more edges of the module, while in further embodiments the passages are made narrower by the connectors such that even though some smaller fish may be able to pass through, fish of certain selected sizes cannot pass through.

[0049] Alternatively, the connectors 5, 8, 10 can be made watertight in appropriate parts as gaskets (e.g. made of rubber or other similar elastic material) to fit and tightly couple with the edges of the intended modules. According to an embodiment variant, some edges are intended to form a water communication passage between the interior of the floating river and the external external river in which the floating river is intended to float. The interior is formed by edging the channel in the embodied floating river system by defining the channel by the height h of the vertical walls 2 and / or the width of the horizontal keel 1. The height h on land corresponds to the depth h when used as floating in water.

[0050] As shown in Fig. 1, only half of the floating river is illustrated as the formation and assembly 100 of floating river modules forming the illustrated floating river system. From this embodiment, it is clear to a person skilled in the art that the other side of the floating river section can be formed from similar modules M in a paired manner (Fig. 1E) or alternatively by non-paired opposing walls forming an assembly of modules M, provided that the connections 5, 8, 10 form a channel structure for an asymmetrically formed and connected floating river system of opposing modules, in case the natural structure of the underwater part of the river is not realized in a satisfactory manner for fish guidance (i.e., for example, steep rock structures, etc.).

[0051] In the example embodiment of Figure 1, the modules are floated by buoys 3, one buoy 3 at the vertical wall 2 and another buoy 3 shown in line at a position further from the vertical wall 2 above the water surface by supports 7, or near or at the edge of the horizontal keel 1. The buoys 3 may be attached by buoy attachment means 3b (as exemplified by a ring-shaped attachment in Figure 1), but are not limited to only the attachment method shown.

[0052] As shown in Figure 1A, one skilled in the art can understand from the embodiment that the buoys 3 positions can be mounted in alternative selectable positions (alternative positions with dashed circles) with respect to the number and exact positions shown, using the supports 7 of one embodiment alternative. The designation 2xM shows two modules M positioned together in a cross-sectional view in a mirror image position connected by a connector 10 as an example of a connector used at the edge of a module to connect the edge of the module to another module. The buoy in one top position in Figure 1A can be in an arcuate position, for example, to create resistance to the wavy motion of the water and its tendency to shape the water.

[0053] Some of the alternative forms of FIG. 1A have the support 7 depicted in the cross section of FIG. 1A in a deflected direction from the water surface level w of the river (which may be the same level as inside the floating river, but is not always the same, for example due to natural wind or waves). In such an embodiment, the floating river may be used to transport some items that float at least partially above the water surface as an alternative (instead of guiding fish under the water surface). However, the deflected support 7, depicted here as connected to one buoy 3 at the top end, may also be integrated. The support 7 may be made by a lightweight and strong pipe as a hollow structure in the applicable parts, but the support 7 may also provide the floating river with a spring element (by the support 7) to absorb various stochastic fluctuations in the river or floods, etc., and to follow elastically by "bending but not breaking", especially in heavy swells. According to this, the part has sufficient rigidity to form the form of a channel, but the material also provides some elasticity and / or bending freedom to operate accordingly (as also shown in FIG. 1B).

[0054] Since some of the buoys 3 are embodied on different levels on the vertical wall 2, this may be useful in some positions of the river bend to form a slope that better suits the installation site according to the river, as embodied by the module M to realize a floating river even at the bend. As also shown in FIG. 1A, if the buoys are closer to the horizontal keel 1, a higher vertical wall 2 (i.e. extending to a depth h when underwater, but above the water level portion) may be embodied to prevent the fish from jumping over the vertical wall. Although some of the buoys 3 in FIG. 1A are depicted in an outboard position and attached to the vertical wall 2 in an underwater position, a person skilled in the art will immediately understand from the embodiment that the outboard mounted buoys may also be used at a distance from the vertical wall 2 above the water surface w.

[0055] Inset A of FIG. 1 also shows an example of an embodiment for attaching the modules M to each other at the edge of the vertical wall 2, in this example for example by chains 4 and / or by quick locks embodied by cables in pipes 6 forming the chassis of the modules M for mounting the vertical wall 2. The chassis may further have vertical supports along the vertical wall 2. The buoy 3 may be attached to the floating river module at the vertical wall edge with its end as illustrated, but alternatively or additionally it may also be connected to other parts (i.e. supports) by buoy connectors 3b. However, the connection position of the support 7 may be useful for maintenance, since its connection and other parts of the module M can be inspected in the same inspection for floating at the surface and for connection to other modules. Also, the length and / or tension of the cable allows the configuration of the assembled floating river system to be adjusted. Alternatively, the cable may be embodied with a bar that can be bent in the appropriate parts to form its configuration. Also, a combination of bar and cable can be embodied in such a configuration in the appropriate parts. Although an arcuate form is embodied in this example, the form may be S-shaped and / or circular in appropriate portions, where applicable.

[0056] Also, the collecting fork (see FIG. 4 "Col") may be embodied by a floating river system formed by floating river modules, as shown in FIG. 4, with two branches similar to the part 100 shown in FIG. 1 (the branches are attached to form a tapered surface area / water volume between the branches as a funnel toward the floating river open end). The cables, if embodied by elastic materials, may form a floating river shape that can change with the flow within a desired / adjustable response / resistance to the change in structure due to water. Parts of the floating river may be fixed to the river bottom and / or bank structure in appropriate parts by natural or artificial, purposely created / adjusted structures, as can be understood by those skilled in the art from the embodiments.

[0057] Such a cable may be embodied at the water surface as shown in the inset of Fig. 1, but may additionally and / or alternatively be embodied attached to other parts of the vertical wall 2. According to an embodiment variant, such a cable may be located on the river side of the floating river and / or inside the floating river.

[0058] According to one embodiment variant, guiding the fish may require covering (5) the edges of the vertical walls 2 of the floating river modules that follow one another in certain river flow conditions, but similarly, in some embodiments, it may also be necessary to cover the edges of the horizontal keel 1.

[0059] In Figure 1C this is embodied by the use of a cover having integral parts 5, 10 (which in one embodiment may be integral, but in alternative forms may be separate from one another). Also shown in Figure 1C is a buoy 3 and an attachment 3b. Objects of similar form and shape exist as one skilled in the art would recognize for objects of similar form and shape (3, 3b).

[0060] According to one embodiment variant, at the edge joints, one or both of the adjacent modular parts of the vertical wall 2 and the horizontal keel 1, respectively, can be provided with elastic / bending cover parts (i.e. items 5, 10, respectively), which in particular prevents fish from exiting the floating river at the joints, even if the joints are not embodied watertight in non-watertight joint embodiments.

[0061] Figure 1B shows a similar module to Figures 1 and 1A for a fish-guiding fence module part that can move along the waters of a river, but with an alternative connection mechanism by means of a plug 4c or a screw 4c attached to the pivot member pair 4a, 4b to form a hinge structure. According to an embodiment variant, the plug 4c can be attached at its lower end by, for example, a vertical locking pin (attached to a hole embodied in the end of the plug 4c, i.e. a locking pin similar to an agricultural cotter) to ensure that the plug 4c is not dropped by the waves of the river.

[0062] FIG. 1B also shows possible examples of bending, but in some examples, the bending does not destroy the floating river in the amplitude of motion of the modules relative to one another, and the exemplary bending cone angles such as 167 degrees and 171 degrees are illustrative and are not intended to limit the embodiments to only the examples and values ​​shown.

[0063] According to one embodiment, in Fig. 1D the floating river module M as an assembly 100 is shown with a buoy 3 attached to a vertical wall for stable floating and not tilting in the water current, and connected to an additional buoy 3a by a connector 7, thereby keeping the vertical wall 2 in its position to guide the fish in a controlled manner in the desired direction. According to one embodiment variant, the support 7 can be used in mounting the electronics in the appropriate parts, for example in an embodiment using optical fish recognition means as shown in more detail in Fig. 5.

[0064] A collection 100 of modules as in Fig. 1D can be used to form a collecting fork Col as in the example of Fig. 4. To observe fish in water, according to one embodiment, the counter sensor optics is positioned in a submerged position in the particular module embodied. The other parts can be mounted above the water surface and / or remotely by using supports in the appropriate parts.

[0065] FIG. 1E shows module M (eg, FIG. 1) in a mirror image configuration such that two opposing modules are shown on the front side in a closed bottom embodiment.

[0066] In FIG. 2, a part of a floating river system 200 is shown, which comprises 10 modules M on each side of a straight section of a floating river channel, in this example with an open bottom. The modules on the sides are shown in successive positions (i.e., one after the other). The channel is shown with a designation of 2×10×M. The depth can be to the river bottom or below the depth at which the guided fish mainly swim according to their natural instincts. A buoy 3 is illustrated similarly to FIG. 1. In this example, the modules M are assembled in pairs with mirror symmetry to form a floating river with a desired length and depth h so that the fish can be precisely oriented in the water. The depth h indicates the depth direction from the average local water surface level to the level where the vertical wall and the horizontal keel meet each other. Since some fish swim at particular depths, if the outlet location is located at a position such that the bottom is required to be guided to the outlet for a particular number of floating river modules along the length of the floating river, it is not necessary to bound the bottom so that such fish are unnecessarily guided except when the fish are being collected to exit the floating river.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 3, bottoms may be used in certain parts of the floating river to enhance fish induction.

[0068] In Fig. 3, a detailed embodiment of the floating river system variant 200 is shown. At the top right corner, the floating river system 200 has a tapered structure formed by a module M' specially formed to form a tapered section for guiding the fish to the funnel Fu by a guiding structure made of net, and further guides the fish to a desired location (in this case towards the funnel inlet open end and the channel continuing downstream from there in this example). Such a location can be the entrance to a dam upstream site (see Fig. 4), a siphon (see Fig. 4, Sip) or an entrance to a migratory fish passage unit variant used to form such a similar passage for the entering fish to pass through the dam, thus avoiding the turbine tunnel on the way downstream of the river.

[0069] The tapered section (2x2xM') also shows a further embodiment of a buoy 3' attached to a vertical wall. The buoy 3' can be embodied similarly to the buoy 3, but adapted to the tapered form of the floating river. The designation 2x2xM' shows that the tapered section is formed by a specially formed module M' in the example embodied in pairs by two such pairs in the figure, and is not limited to this example with detailed configuration and mirror symmetry in terms of number or tapered sections. This tapered section can be realized by a hinge structure with a specific bending angle and a connector connecting the vertical wall at the start of the tapered section.

[0070] In this example, the floating river system part 200 has in part a bottom Bo with a horizontal keel 1 and a connector 10 as embodied in Fig. 1, and the module M and the module M' are connected to form the bottom Bo to enhance the guidance into the funnel and the discharge at the end of the funnel to further define the fish path. The connection of the module M' to other modules M and / or modules M' can be embodied as shown in Fig. 1 as the skilled person will understand based on the illustrated embodiment. The horizontal keel can be embodied according to the specified tapered part with the specified connector to connect other parts of the floating river according to the arrangement.

[0071] FIG. 4 shows an example of a floating river system 200. The system 200 includes a collection fork Col in this example, which is used to guide fish from the upstream pool to the fork Col of the floating river system 200. In this example, two forks are shown, but the reference Col is attached to one of the forks, because a person skilled in the art can easily understand that the other fork has a similar structure and has the configuration of module M as the collection fork Col. As shown in FIG. 3, the floating river system 200 includes a funnel Fu on the dam side of the floating river system 200 in this example, which leads to a tube or pipe that acts as a siphon or similar waterway from the upstream pool downstream of the dam, thereby directing the water and the fish swimming in the water under or through the dam to a lower level downstream water body.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 7, in an alternative embodiment variation for collecting and directing fish into a floating river, a branch (Col, 100) of the branch embodiment can be used such that fish can be directed from the collection branch into the floating river channel 200.

[0073] According to an embodiment variant shown in Fig. 5, the fish swimming in the floating river are counted, sized and species recognized by a specific embodied module MC, a module similar to that of Fig. 1 and 1A in mechanical parts for floating and fences, but equipped with fish observation means L, Ld and / or cameras. The fish observation means can also be considered as a counter.

[0074] The right observation means L on the right hand side MC is embodied as a LIDAR, i.e. as an optical radar based on laser light emission. Alternatively or additionally, such a particular module MC may have a camera (or a collection of cameras) connected to a photogrammetry system with a photogrammetry processor Pr, for measuring and classifying fish in the floating river cross section in the module MC. The photogrammetry processor Pr may have a microprocessor and a memory of volatile and / or permanent type, by means of which the program algorithms used in the recognition providing the results, the results as well as the operating parameters and data can be stored and restored for further processing and for transmission via the connected transceiver unit 3i. However, the processor Pr does not have to be underwater or at the location of the module MC itself, although in such an embodiment a functional communication is required for data transfer. The transceiver unit in this example is connected to a buoy or to a support supporting the buoy and further to an antenna Ant for wireless communication, for communication to a remote site.

[0075] In the figure, the buoy 3i is shown diagrammatically to have a transceiver integrated or attached to the buoy, which has the usual buoy parts, but further has an antenna Ant to provide a communication connection between a remote station and the transceiver in the module to communicate fish-related data from L, Ld and / or Pr to an information network, as exemplified by the Internet (To Internet). This connection can additionally or alternatively use a combination of cellular and / or Wi-Fi in appropriate parts. Also, Internet of Things (IOT) can be used, if applicable. However, this connection can alternatively be embodied by cables in appropriate parts. On the left side of FIG. 5, the box Ld also shows such an embodied alternative LIDAR unit Ld with a permanent memory (i.e., memory card) that can be optionally replaced and / or read during maintenance to retrieve information.

[0076] Although the LIDAR units L, Ld are depicted submerged, together with the photogrammetry processor Pr and peripherals therein, it is not necessary for all specified portions of this to be submerged, and instead appropriate portions may be positioned above the water surface w.

[0077] 6 is an illustration of a demonstration of a floating river system 200 embodied as a straight floating river system section (left) and in a curved (right) embodiment. The system is floating and can be positioned in a particular location and / or configuration by river bottom weights and / or cables / bars etc. attached to land and / or suitable structures available in the river, natural and / or manmade in the appropriate sections. The configuration can be controlled by controlling the attachment and tension of the cables and / or flow conditions directed at the floating river section.

[0078] Fig. 7 shows such an embodiment variant, according to which a floating river 200 made up of floating river modules M (and / or special floating river modules M' and / or MC) comprises a collection of branch structures, the branch 100 comprising an embodied floating river system 100 made up of the floating river modules described above. The reference Col refers to a collection of fishes that are guided into the main channel of the floating river 200. Working Example

[0079] Some example embodiments are described below, where appropriate, with conditional language such as, inter alia, "can," "could," "might," or "may," which is intended to convey that, unless expressly stated otherwise or understood differently within the context of use, generally, particular implementations may include particular features, elements, and / or operations, while other implementations do not include particular features, elements, and / or operations. Example 1

[0080] The floating river module (M), (M'), (MC) embodied according to the present disclosure is manufactured with at least one buoy (3), (3'), (3i) for floating other parts (1), (2) of the module (M), (M'), (MC), such as the vertical wall element (2) and at least one horizontal keel element (1). The vertical wall element (2) has a buoy attachment such that the vertical wall element (2) is at least partially submerged during its function in water. As the vertical wall element and the horizontal keel element are floated by the buoy(s), the buoy (3), (3'), (3i) is preferably rigidly attached to the vertical wall element (2).

[0081] According to one embodiment, the vertical wall element (2) may comprise the horizontal keel element (1) as an integral part made of the same body. However, according to one embodiment variant, the horizontal keel element may be attached to the vertical wall element by welding or by a quick-lock attachment to lock it in position in the horizontal plane, since it acts as a stabilizer to maintain the vertical wall element in a vertical position. However, in rough conditions, especially in storm conditions that generate waves on the water surface, the reciprocating motion of the buoy and the wind loads may exert forces on the horizontal keel element through the vertical wall element, which may result in torques on the attachment points to the vertical wall element. According to one embodiment variant, the horizontal keel element is made replaceable to perform such maintenance even underwater, but the load of a single module may be divided between adjacent modules for floating river structures.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the floating river module (M), (M'), (MC) may have two distinct buoys (3), (3'), (3i) for floating the other horizontal (1) and vertical (2) parts of said module (M), (M'), (MC). The vertical wall element is in one embodiment attached to the buoy at the upper edge of the vertical wall element, while another buoy is attached inboard position of the formed floating river by means of supports (7), so as to facilitate a stable floating of the vertical wall element in a vertical position. According to a further variant, alternatively or additionally, the buoys (3), (3'), (3i) may be provided in outboard position in order to further stabilize the position of the vertical wall element in vertical direction in cooperation with the horizontal keel element of the embodied floating river module (M), (M'), (MC). Example 2

[0083] According to one embodiment of the floating river module (M), (M'), (MC) of the present disclosure according to Example 1, it may comprise a vertical wall element (2) with an edge structure (5) for attachment to another similar module (M), (M'), (MC) in successive positions. This attachment may be made by edge structures for direct edge-to-edge attachment between two adjacent modules or by intermediate connecting members (5) between successive adjacent modules (M), (M'), (MC). Modules (MC) and (M') are special types of modules with some modifications having further features as mentioned above, but are adapted to other modules (M) for use in a suitable manner applicable to the whole. Therefore, attachment to other modules to form a floating river system may be made accordingly for the special modules (M'), (MC) as part of such a system. Example 3

[0084] According to one embodiment of the floating river modules (M), (M'), (MC) of Example 1 and / or Example 2, the horizontal keel element (1) may comprise an edge structure (8) enabling direct edge-to-edge attachment between two adjacent modules or an intermediate connection member (8) between successive adjacent modules (M), (M'), (MC) at successive positions on the horizontal keel element.

[0085] In some parts of the floating river, the fish may need further enhanced guidance, which may be performed by the bottom, especially at the entry / exit positions (such as ports and / or funnel-like structures tapering towards the ports), so that the fish know where to go but do not go under the vertical walls (as would happen if there was an open bottom). In the floating river modules (M), (M'), (MC) in the mirror image position (i.e. opposite position), the horizontal keel element (1) is provided with an edge structure (10) for attachment to another similar module (M), (M'), (MC) in the mirror image position, respectively, or alternatively, the mirror image module (M), (M') can be attached directly to the mirror image module (M), (M') through an edge structure, or by an intermediate connection member (10) between the two mirror image modules (M), (M') also in the horizontal keel element to form the bottom (if presumed necessary for the floating river). Example 4

[0086] According to example 1, example 2 and / or example 3, the embodied modules (M), (M'), (MC) do not necessarily have to be watertight, but it is advantageous for them to be fish-tight, especially for the species that are intended to be guided.

[0087] Thus, the vertical wall elements (2) and / or the horizontal keel elements (1) may comprise structures for water passage on their faces and / or at their edges and connecting members, i.e. the vertical wall elements (2) and / or the horizontal keel (1) may be in communication with the water around which the floating river floats and with the water in the floating river channel volume that the modules (M), (M') and / or the assembly (100), (200) of the modules (M) define together with the water surface (w).

[0088] As is evident from the embodiment shown, the floating river modules (M), (M'), (MC) form half of said floating river channel cross section. Example 5

[0089] According to the aforementioned embodiment, the floating river modules (M), (M'), (MC) may have vertical wall elements (2) in a curved form in the direction of the river flow channel, in order that such an embodiment provides the floating river system with flow resistance through the modular parts, which counteracts the forces tending to pivot the vertical wall elements towards a horizontal position and towards a non-vertical position. Example 6

[0090] A floating river system (100), (200) for forming a floating river channel and its walls (100) and / or guiding structures (Col, 100), the floating river system (100), (200), (Col) comprising an assembly of floating river modules (M), (M'), (MC) of the floating river system, which may, in applicable part, be the floating river modules of any one of the preceding embodiments (including embodiments 1 to 5).

[0091] Thus, the floating river system (200) as a floating river having a main channel is formed as an underwater flow passage surrounded by vertical wall elements (2) leading to the water in which the floating river modules (M), (M'), (MC) float, and the floating river modules can be connected by quick-lock parts (4), (4a), (4b), (4c) to quick-lock with each other at the vertical wall elements (2) to form a channel wall for the floating river.

[0092] A floating river module system using floating river modules (M), (M'), (MC) having module connections in the vertical wall elements (2) to connect the floating river modules to a stepped curved form with a certain curvature in the direction of the river flow path, i.e., even straight vertical wall elements (2) can form a curved form, can form a curved form for the floating river channel wall, thereby providing resistance to swirling flow by a stepped arc form formed with such modules having straight vertical elements. However, such curvature is not limiting and depends on the water pool or passage in which the floating river is intended to float, as well as the need for guiding fish from one place to another and collecting fish in the main channel (200) of the floating river (see, for example, FIG. 7). Example 7

[0093] The floating river system according to any one of the above embodiments 1 to 6, wherein such embodied system may comprise counting means (L), (Ld), (Camera), (Pr) for counting, estimating size and / or recognizing fish in the floating river formed by the floating rivers (100), (200). Such counting means may be located in the floating river module of the system, but the counting means may be provided at branching and collection points at entry and exit positions from the floating river channel, so that fish can be detected and species-specific statistical information can be obtained from the fish swimming in the floating river.

[0094] Where applicable, the system may include, in appropriate parts, a light source for providing light for the counting means, and the light source may be used to guide / attract light-loving fish, although such light sources may be excluded from the floating river or parts thereof as they may be used to guide light-avoiding fish.

[0095] According to one embodiment variant of the illustrated system, the counting means is an optical counting means for mapping fish within the observation volume of the counting means in the system. The counting means may comprise an underwater LIDAR (L), (Ld), a camera (Camera) and / or a photogrammetry instrument (Pr). Example 8

[0096] The floating river system of any one of the above examples may comprise a floating river module having a fish identification system sensor for identifying fish passing through the floating river as an identification system that transmits a challenge and reads a response signal at a distance of the operating range of the RFID reader based on the RFID reader reading the tag of the tagged fish. According to an embodiment variant, one or more of the floating river modules of the floating river (200) (also the floating river system (100, 200)) have a radio telemetry system antenna and identify fish based on the appropriate tag when they pass the radio telemetry. According to an embodiment variant, the module has a radio telemetry reader capable of reading PIT TAG tags (Passive Integrated Transponder tags) and uses the information in such embedded tags to identify fish wearing such tags.

[0097] Such a floating river module may, for example, be located in an outlet module having a radio telemetry system antenna connected to a transceiver for reading tags attached to tagged fish, such as PIT TAGs, by transmitted radio telemetry system challenges, identifying the tags by the responses received, and thus identifying the fish wearing the tags.

[0098] Many modifications and other implementations of the disclosure described herein will be apparent having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. It is therefore to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the particular implementations disclosed, and that modifications and other implementations are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.

[0099] Those skilled in the art will again recognize that the explicitly disclosed embodiments have been constructed merely for illustrative purposes, and the scope encompasses further embodiments, combinations of embodiments, and equivalents that better suit each particular use case of the present disclosure of the present invention.

Claims

1. A floating river module (M), (M'), (MC) comprising at least one buoy (3), (3'), (3i) for floating other parts (1), (2) of said module (M), (M'), (MC), said other parts (1), (2) comprising an at least partially submerged vertical wall element (2) rigidly attached to said buoy (3), (3'), (3i), said vertical wall element (2) comprising a horizontal keel element (1).

2. Floating river modules (M), (M'), (MC) according to claim 1, characterized in that said modules (M), (M'), (MC) have two distinct buoys (3), (3'), (3i) for floating said other parts (1), (2) of said modules (M), (M'), (MC).

3. Floating river modules (M), (M') according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that in said modules (M), (M'), (MC), the vertical wall elements (2) comprise edge structures (5) for attachment to another similar module (M), (M'), (MC) in successive positions, via said edge structures a module (M), (M') is attached to the next module (M), (M'), (MC) directly or by means of an intermediate connection member (5) between two successive modules (M), (M'), (MC).

4. Floating river modules (M), (M'), (MC) according to claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that the horizontal keel elements (1) comprise edge structures (8) for attachment to another similar module (M), (M') in successive positions, via said edge structures a module (M), (M'), (MC) is attached to the next module (M), (M'), (MC) directly or by means of an intermediate connection member (8) between two successive modules (M), (M'), (MC).

5. Floating river modules (M), (M'), (MC) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the horizontal keel element (1) comprises an edge structure (10) for attachment to another similar module (M), (M'), (MC) in a mirror image position, via which the module (M), (M'), (MC) is attached either directly to the mirror image module (M), (M'), (MC) or by means of an intermediate connection member (10) between two mirror image modules (M), (M'), (MC).

6. The module (M), (M'), (MC) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a structure for water to pass through the vertical wall elements (2) and / or the horizontal keel elements (1) so as to provide communication between the water around which the floating river floats and the water in the floating river channel volume defined by the modules (M), (M'), (MC) and / or the assembly (100), (200) of the modules (M), (M'), (MC) as a floating river system together with the water surface (w), when the module is used floating.

7. Floating river modules (M), (M'), (MC) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the modules (M), (M'), (MC) are half-section elements of the floating river channel.

8. A floating river module (M), (M'), (MC) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the modules (M), (M'), (MC) have vertical wall elements (2) of a curved form in the direction of the river flow channel.

9. The floating river module (M), (M'), (MC) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the vertical wall elements (2) and the horizontal keel elements (1) have quick-locking parts for quick-locking with each other.

10. A floating river system such as a floating river system (100), (200), (Col), comprising a collection of floating river modules (M), (M'), (MC) of said floating river system, said floating river modules being modules according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. 11. A floating river system (200) according to claim 10, formed by floating river modules connected to each other to form an underwater flow path, bounded by the vertical wall elements (2) of the connected modules (M), (M'), (MC), leading to the water in which the floating river modules (M), (M'), (MC) float.

12. A system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the buoys (3), (3'), (3i) and / or the underwater vertical wall elements (2) have quick-locking portions (4), (4a), (4b), (4c) for quick-locking to other vertical wall elements (2) and / or buoys.

13. The floating river system according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the module connections in the vertical wall elements (2) are formed by floating river modules (M), (M'), (MC) connecting the modules in a curved form having a specific curvature in the direction of the river channel.

14. The system according to any one of claims 10 to 13, comprising counting means (L), (Ld), (Camera), (Pr) for counting, estimating size and / or recognising fish in the floating river formed by the floating river system (100), (200).

15. A system according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the system comprises optical counting means for mapping fish within an observation volume of the system.

16. The system according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the counting means in the system comprises an imaging means such as a LIDAR (L), (Ld), a camera (Camera) and / or a photogrammetry instrument (Pr).

17. The system (100), (200) according to any one of claims 10 to 16, comprising a floating river module having a radio telemetry system antenna connected to a transceiver for reading tags attached to tagged fish, such as PIT tags, by transmitted radio telemetry system challenges, identifying the tags by received responses and identifying the fish so fitted with the tags.

Images