Dust removing apparatus and method of operating the same

Abstract

To provide a dust collector capable of avoiding the capture of unintended fishes during the collection of dust.SOLUTION: This dust collector 10 is obtained by attaching a net frame 14 for collecting dust to the whole circumference of an endless link chain 12 and circularly moving the link chain 12 in a direction crossing the flow direction of a fluid with a sprocket wheel 16 and is characterized by installing a fish-repelling part 20 for keeping away fishes approaching the net frame 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dust removal device installed in a waterway for taking in industrial water, and a method for operating the same. [Background technology]

[0002] At industrial water users such as power plants, dust removal devices are installed in waterways for taking in cooling water or industrial water. These dust removal devices function to remove foreign objects such as jellyfish and debris that flow into intakes in the sea, rivers, ponds, etc. Power plants and other facilities that require large amounts of water intake employ a structure in which a rotating mesh screen rotates up and down to continuously entangle and capture debris, thereby removing dust without clogging the screen (for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the past, fish that approached the dust removal device were often caught in the net frame unintentionally when the device was operating at low speed, and were thrown to the surface and died. As there are several hundred dust removal devices installed nationwide, it is easy to imagine that a considerable number of fish are being caught in the devices, and there was a risk that this could be one of the factors accelerating the decline in fishery resources in recent years. Furthermore, when the fish that are discharged die and rot, they give off a foul odor, which causes a problem of deterioration of the sanitary environment around the dust removal device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-64946 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a dust removal device and an operating method thereof that can avoid unintentional capture of fish when collecting trash. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] As a first means for solving the above problems, the present invention provides a dust removal device in which a mesh frame for collecting dust is attached to the entire circumference of an endless link chain, and the link chain is moved in a direction intersecting the direction of fluid flow by a sprocket wheel, To provide a dust removal device characterized by comprising a fish repellent generating part for keeping fish away from the net frame. According to the first means, it is possible to protect marine resources by eliminating the needless killing of fish that may occur due to the unintended capture of fish while collecting trash.

[0007] As a second means for solving the above problem, the present invention provides a dust removal device which is the first means and is characterized by including a camera which photographs the net frame and a control unit which activates the fish repellent generating unit when the fish approaching the net frame is recognized from the image captured by the camera. According to the second means, it is possible to confirm how the fish repellent generating part keeps fish approaching the net frame away, thereby reliably avoiding the capture of fish.

[0008] As a third means for solving the above problem, the present invention provides a dust removal device that is the first means and is characterized by having a control unit that activates the fish repellent generation unit before the net frame starts to move around in a circular motion and stops the fish repellent generation unit after the net frame has finished moving around in a circular motion. According to the third means, fish that often approach while the dust removal device is stopped can be reliably kept away by activating the fish repellent generating unit before the net frame moves around.Furthermore, fish will not approach the net frame while the dust removal device is operating, and unintended capture of fish can be avoided.

[0009] As a fourth means for solving the above problem, the present invention provides a dust removal device which is any one of the first to third means, characterized in that the fish repellent generating unit is a generator which can select one or more of sound, sound waves, light source, and vibration, and can arbitrarily change the type or combination. According to the fourth means, fish do not become accustomed to the fish repelling means, and fish can be reliably kept away from the net frame.

[0010] As a fifth means for solving the above problems, the present invention provides a dust collector operating method in which a mesh frame for collecting dust is attached to the entire circumference of an endless link chain, and the link chain is moved by a sprocket wheel in a direction intersecting the direction of fluid flow, To provide a method for operating a dust removal device, characterized by including a step of repelling fish approaching the net frame by a fish repellent generating unit which selects one or more of voice, sound wave, light source, and vibration, and can arbitrarily change the type or combination of the selected fish repellent generating unit. According to the fifth means, it is possible to protect marine resources by eliminating the needless killing of fish that may be caused by unintentional capture during the collection of trash.

[0011] The present invention provides a sixth means for solving the above problems, which is the fifth means, comprising: a step of photographing the mesh frame with a camera; The present invention provides a method for operating a dust removal device, characterized by including a step of activating the fish repellent generating unit when the control unit recognizes a fish approaching the net frame from the image captured by the camera. According to the sixth means, it is possible to confirm that fish approaching the net frame are being repelled by the fish repellent generating part, thereby reliably avoiding the capture of fish.

[0012] As a seventh means for solving the above problem, the present invention provides a method for operating a dust removal device, which is the fifth means, and is characterized by including a step in which a control unit activates the fish repellent generation unit before the net frame starts to move around in a circular motion, and stops the fish repellent generation unit after the net frame has finished moving around in a circular motion. According to the seventh means, fish, which often approach when the dust removal device is stopped, can be reliably kept away by activating the fish repellent generating unit before the net frame moves around.Furthermore, fish will not approach the net frame while the dust removal device is operating, and unintended capture of fish can be avoided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to protect marine resources by eliminating the needless killing of fish due to unintentional capture. Furthermore, environmental degradation such as decay and foul odors caused by fish collected together with garbage can be avoided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of a dust removal device of the present invention. [Figure 2] 3 is a timing chart of the dust removal device of the present invention. [Figure 3] 3 is a control flow of the dust removal device of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a dust removal apparatus and an operating method thereof according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0016] [Dust removal device 10] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the dust remover of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the dust remover 10 of the present invention comprises an endless link chain 12 with a mesh frame 14 attached around the entire circumference to capture dust, and a sprocket wheel 16 that moves the link chain 12 in a direction that intersects with the direction of fluid flow. The dust remover 10 also includes a fish repellent generating unit 20 that repels fish that approach the mesh frame 14.

[0017] (Fish repellent generation part 20) The fish repellent generator 20 is installed in the water a predetermined distance from the net frame 14 on the upstream side of the dust removal device 10, in other words, on the side where water flows in before collecting the dust, and is a generator of sound, sound waves, light, and vibration to repel fish approaching the net frame 14. The sound generator is, for example, a speaker that generates the sound of bird wings or the sound of landing on water. The sound wave generator is, for example, a generator that generates sound waves similar to those generated by finless porpoises (dolphins). The light emitter is an LED element that can emit light in multiple colors. The vibration generator is, for example, a striker that generates the sound of metal being struck, or a vibrator that generates vibrations. The fish repellent generating unit 20 is also configured to vary the intensity or speed of the sound, sound waves, light emission, and vibration to prevent fish from getting used to them, or to randomly generate sound, sound waves, light emission, and vibration, making it possible to select one or more of sound, sound waves, light emission, and vibration (for example, sound only, sound and light emission, light emission and vibration, etc.), and to arbitrarily change the type or combination. This prevents fish from getting used to the fish repellent generating unit, and reliably keeps fish away from the net frame.

[0018] (control unit 30) The control unit 30 is a personal computer electrically connected to the drive motor 18 of the dust removal apparatus 10 and the fish repellent generation unit 20 via wired or wireless lines, and is equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, interface, hard disk drive, etc. The CPU controls various processes using the RAM according to various programs stored in the ROM. The CPU also functions as a storage means, input means, display means such as a display, and output means such as a printer, by storing various computer programs stored in the ROM. When operating the dust removal apparatus 10, the control unit 30 first activates the fish repellent generation unit 20 before the net frame 14 begins to move around. The fish repellent generation unit 20 remains activated while the dust removal apparatus 10 is operating, and when the dust removal apparatus 10 is stopped, the fish repellent generation unit 20 is stopped after the movement of the net frame 14 is stopped. This allows fish that approach the periphery of the dust remover 10, particularly the net frame 14, to be driven away while the dust remover 10 is stopped, and prevents fish from being caught during operation immediately after the net frame 14 starts to move around.

[0019] (Camera 40) The camera 40 is an underwater camera that captures images of the mesh frame 14 from the upstream side of the dust removal device 10. The camera 40 is electrically connected to the control unit 30 via a wired or wireless line. The control unit 30 converts the images acquired by the camera 40 into image data using, for example, an image analysis program. Then, it recognizes fish from the image data using deep learning, which uses a folded neural network, an artificial intelligence, as an algorithm. If the control unit 30 recognizes fish in the image, it controls the fish repellent generation unit 20 to operate.

[0020] [How to operate the dust removal device] The method of operating the dust remover of the present invention having the above-mentioned configuration will be described below. Figure 2 is a timing chart of the dust remover of the present invention. Figure 3 is a control flow of the dust remover of the present invention. (Step 1) When starting operation of the dust removal device 10, first, while the dust removal device 10 is stopped, i.e., before the net frame 14 starts to move around, the control unit 30 activates the fish repellent generation unit 20. The fish repellent generation unit 20 generates one or more of a sound, sound wave, light, and vibration to repel fish approaching the net frame 14.

[0021] (Step 2) After a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 30 sends a control signal to the drive motor 18 of the dust remover 10 to start operation, i.e., to start the circular movement of the net frame 14. The predetermined time from when the fish repellent generation unit 20 is activated until the net frame 14 is started to move circularly is the time required to repel fish that have approached the net frame 14. The fish repellent generation unit 20 continues to operate while the dust remover 10 is operating. When the dust remover 10 is operating, particularly at low speeds, there is a risk that fish may approach the net frame 14, and the dust remover 10 is operated at low speeds because it is not known when this may occur during operation depending on the state of the garbage, etc. During operation of the dust removal device 10, in order to prevent fish from becoming accustomed to the various repellents provided by the fish repellent generating unit 20, the intensity or speed of the sound, sound waves, light emission, and vibration can be varied, or the sound, sound waves, light emission, and vibration can be generated randomly, making it possible to select one or more of the sound, sound waves, light emission, and vibration, and to change the type or combination as desired. This prevents fish from becoming accustomed to the fish repellent generating unit 20, reliably keeping fish away, and avoiding unexpected capture of fish.

[0022] (Step 3) The rotation of the mesh frame 14 of the dust remover 10 is stopped. (Step 4) Finally, the fish repellent generating unit 20 is stopped. In the above-described operating method, the fish repellent generating unit 20 is constantly operating while the dust removal device 10 is in operation. In addition, in an operation method using the camera 40, the camera 40 captures an image of the net frame 14 before the dust removal device 10 starts operating. When the control unit 30 recognizes fish in the captured image, in other words, when fish are approaching the net frame 14, the fish repellent generation unit 20 is activated to repel the approaching fish from the net frame 14. After fish can no longer be recognized in the image captured by the camera 40, the control unit 30 stops the fish repellent generation unit 20 and sends a control signal to the drive motor 18 of the dust removal device 10 to start operation. Note that if no fish are approaching, the dust removal device 10 may start operating without activating the fish repellent generation unit 20. While the dust removal device 10 is operating, the control unit 30 continues to recognize fish in the images captured by the camera 40. When a fish is recognized, the fish repellent generation unit 20 is quickly activated to repel the fish. After the fish have moved away, the fish repellent generation unit 20 is stopped. This allows the dust removal device 10 to activate the fish repellent generation unit 20 only when a fish is recognized during operation.

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to protect marine resources by eliminating the needless killing of fish due to unintentional capture, and to avoid environmental degradation such as decay and foul odors caused by fish collected together with garbage. The above describes a preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, a fish finder may be used instead of the camera 40 to recognize fish. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the combinations shown in the embodiments, but can be implemented in various combinations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0024] 10 Dust removal equipment 12 link chain 14 Net frame 16 sprocket wheels 18 Drive motor 20 Fish repellent occurrence area 30 Control Unit 40 Camera

Claims

1. A dust removal device in which a mesh frame for collecting dust is attached to the entire circumference of an endless link chain, and the link chain is moved in a direction crossing the direction of fluid flow by a sprocket wheel, A dust removal device characterized by comprising a fish repellent generating unit that repels fish that approach the net frame.

2. The dust removal device according to claim 1, A dust removal device characterized by comprising a camera that photographs the net frame and a control unit that activates the fish repellent generating unit when the fish approaching the net frame is recognized from the image captured by the camera.

3. The dust removal device according to claim 1, A dust removal device characterized by comprising a control unit that activates the fish repellent generating unit before the net frame starts to move around in a circular motion and stops the fish repellent generating unit after the net frame has finished moving around in a circular motion.

4. The dust removal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The dust removal device is characterized in that the fish repellent generating unit is a generator that can select one or more of sound, sound waves, light source, and vibration, and can arbitrarily change the type or combination of the generators.

5. A dust removal device operating method in which a mesh frame for collecting dust is attached to the entire circumference of an endless link chain and the link chain is moved by a sprocket wheel in a direction crossing the direction of fluid flow, comprising: A method for operating a dust removal device, characterized by including a step of repelling fish approaching the net frame using a fish repellent generating unit that selects one or more of voice, sound waves, light source, and vibration, and whose type or combination can be changed as desired.

6. A method for operating a dust removal apparatus according to claim 5, comprising: a step of photographing the mesh frame with a camera; A method for operating a dust removal device, comprising a step of activating the fish repellent generating unit when the control unit recognizes a fish approaching the net frame from the image captured by the camera.

7. A method for operating a dust removal apparatus according to claim 5, comprising: A method for operating a dust removal device, characterized by comprising a step of activating the fish repellent generating unit by a control unit before the net frame starts to move around in a circular motion, and stopping the fish repellent generating unit after the net frame has finished moving around in a circular motion.

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