Sailing ships for fish farming in the open sea or ocean

Abstract

The present invention relates to a quadrimaran-type sailing vessel (1) for fish farming in the open sea or ocean, the sailing vessel comprising at least one basic structure (2), at least one containment net (5), at least one wheelhouse and living quarters (3), at least one sailing system (4), and at least one storage silo (6), which are modular and / or removable. According to the present invention, the at least one basic structure (2) comprises at least two main hulls (7) that are parallel, spaced apart from each other and connected or fastened to each other using at least one arm (8), and at least two secondary hulls (9) adjacent to each of the at least two main hulls (7), with smaller perimeters than those of the at least two main hulls (7), and arranged at a distance from the at least two main hulls and parallel to each outer side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Field of the Invention) The present invention belongs to the field of aquaculture and relates to a sailing ship for fish farming in the open sea or ocean formed by a quadrimaran-type ship that can be moved from one geographical location to another, maintained in an operating state throughout the entire aquaculture cycle, or remain in a steady state at a predetermined location for the required time. Preferably, the present invention corresponds to a quadrimaran-type ship that is preferably configured with a rigid and robust structure that can be autonomously mobilized using a sail system.

Background Art

[0002] (Background of the Invention) Fish farming systems in the aquaculture industry are well-known and basically consist of a floating structure, namely, a fish net fence suspended from the floating structure towards the bottom of the water area, and a mooring system that enables maintaining the shape of the aquaculture module and keeping it within its installation location.

[0003] Regardless of whether it is square, rectangular, rounded, or of another shape, the fish farming system is capable of forming or providing a water surface area in which the fish to be farmed are confined. Generally, a farming system with a determined size is formed that defines the size of the outer perimeter of the cage structure and has a configuration that enables maintaining its resistance and not collapsing due to the action of waves, ocean currents, and adverse weather conditions. The mooring system is very important for maintaining the shape of the module.

[0004] Coastal edges, associated with areas protected from swells and currents, have traditionally been preferred for stationing structures in such activities. However, in recent years, the aquaculture industry has focused its efforts on constructing cage structures with shapes, structures, and more durable and robust mooring systems that allow for the formation of aquaculture centers in more exposed areas, i.e., offshore areas.

[0005] Conventional aquaculture is generally carried out in protected areas with shallow waters where pollution is not easily resolved, water quality is poor, and clean conditions are generally problematic in aquaculture. Positioning aquaculture farms close to the coast and the use of certain areas or geographical areas have environmental consequences, among other problems, particularly the risk of pollution caused by the activity itself, resulting from the transmission or contamination by external factors such as microalgae, increased water temperature, disease, and oxygen depletion.

[0006] Today, the industry is working on developing aquaculture in more exposed areas, i.e., in the open ocean, to avoid pollution and sanitation problems, typically with protected aquaculture areas. However, open ocean aquaculture cages are not mobile; they also require mooring to keep them in place over time and maintain their shape, they are sensitive to weather, require very robust structural mooring configurations, have logistical problems related to daily feeding and maintenance, and lead to high repeatability and maintenance costs. Deep-sea aquaculture centers are located far from the coast, making management and maintenance inconvenient. Aquaculture centers must have a high capacity for self-sufficiency and a high level of mechanization, which also means they must have a high capacity to withstand wind and waves to avoid extreme marine conditions.

[0007] The global need for food, particularly protein production, continues to increase, and therefore, it is necessary to have better space to satisfy both current and future demand. There is a need for new aquaculture or fattening areas that will allow for a reduction in pressure on coastal areas.

[0008] Therefore, the task of repositioning production activities in the open ocean is not without its challenges, as it must inevitably extend to exposed ocean areas, high-energy areas, offshore areas, or the open ocean. Consequently, it becomes necessary to have aquaculture centers that can either face or escape complex conditions, particularly in terms of adverse weather conditions.

[0009] Document US2022 / 0061278 A1 (Patent Document 1) by Ruiz Nayem, published on March 3, 2022, describes an offshore mobile aquaculture or cultivation center or production center for the development of aquatic species for breeding, management and production, comprising: a) a central structure similar to the hull of a ship, with a hydrodynamic bow for cutting through deflecting waves; b) an integrated outer perimeter stabilizing support for stabilization, floating, and navigation and / or production maneuvering; c) structural aquaculture areas of varying volumes; d) metal and / or high-strength structural nets for species containment; e) a system for winding up or floating the metal and / or high-strength nets; and f) an internal power unit for autonomous navigation.

[0010] Creating mobile aquaculture farms would, in part, allow for the replacement of the lost quantities of deep-sea fish caused by overfishing, and thus play a role in replacing the effects they have on the trophic chain of the ocean ecosystem. The ocean, that is, the open ocean, has countless advantages due to the untouched, unpolluted nature of its waters, good oxygenation, and very little disease proliferation, much more stable conditions, and much more predictable changes. The disadvantage is the fact that it is an unshielded, completely open geographical location where weather is more severe and waves and winds of a larger scale develop, which requires very good calculations of the stresses on the structures to be used.

[0011] The Ocean Aquaculture Center also needs to be of a significant scale to achieve adequate profitability, and therefore requires the design and construction of a very robust structure that can dissipate the stresses it will be exposed to, and that be calculated very well using a well-researched design.

[0012] Accordingly, the applicant has designed a quadrimaran-type, self-propelled vessel for open-sea fish farming, which features a design that allows for a balance of large buoyancies between its parallel hulls, which are not far from each other, to achieve good stability and a very robust structure. To achieve these effects, a vessel with an oval-type tubular hull has been designed, which provides excellent robustness for the amount of material used, i.e., an ideal shape has been achieved that finds maximum durability for the material used and ease of construction, enabling the acquisition of the maximum size in square meters and thus a significant area for net placement. In addition, an optimal arm shape design, such as tubular structure and oval shape in the direction of maximum stress, has also been achieved.

[0013] While vessels are designed, calculated, and structured to withstand any weather conditions occurring in the open ocean, without the preconception that the concept of aquaculture or confinement and fattening of aquatic species in exposed areas has been previously addressed using other structures or systems, the solution proposed in this invention allows for its relocation to an ideal, optimal area, i.e., to move away from adverse weather conditions such as large swells, storms, hurricanes, typhoons, or other risks associated with wind, ocean currents, or marine pollution, enabling the confined species to develop naturally and their relocation or mobility to develop their breeding in an area where the aquaculture farm is kept within an area with ideal conditions such as temperature, oxygenation, etc., and also allows for its mobility over long distances, i.e., to direct it to a breeding area with higher efficiency, and subsequently, it also allows it to dock or approach directly to a slaughtering area, consumption, or distribution center. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0014] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0061278 [Overview of the project] [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] (Summary of the invention) The object of the present invention is to provide a vessel for fish farming in the open sea or ocean, having a rigid and robust structure, whose design, shape, and structural configuration enable it to withstand and effectively overcome the adverse weather conditions that occur in these aquaculture areas, and which is mobile in a self-propelled manner and can be autonomous and self-supporting.

[0016] The present invention relates to a sailing vessel (1) for fish farming in the open sea or ocean, formed by a quadrimaran-type vessel, the sailing vessel basically comprises at least one basic structure (2) and at least one containment net (5) for forming a farming area, the sailing vessel further comprises at least one command bridge and living quarters (3) which may be modular and / or removable, at least one sail system (4) which may be modular and / or removable, and at least one storage silo (6) which may be modular and / or removable, the at least one basic structure (2) is joined or connected together in parallel and spaced apart by at least one arm (8), Each vessel comprises two main hulls (7), and adjacent to each of the at least two main hulls (7), and further joined or connected to the at least two main hulls (7) through at least one secondary arm (10), and having smaller dimensions on their outer circumference than the at least two main hulls (7), arranged parallel to each outer side, and spaced apart from the at least two main hulls (7), wherein the at least two secondary hulls (9) are arranged in pairs on each side, i.e., at least one upper hull (11) and at least one lower hull (12), arranged parallel to each other in a vertically overlapping manner and joined together spaced apart by at least one vertical support (13) of the joint. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] To aid in a deeper understanding of the characteristics of the present invention, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of the description, illustrating the invention using illustrative and non-limiting characteristics, in accordance with preferred embodiments of its practical implementation.

[0018] [Figure 1] Figure 1 corresponds to an upper lateral perspective view of a sailing vessel for fish farming in the open sea or ocean, formed by a quadrimaran-type self-propelled autonomous vessel according to the present invention.

[0019] [Figure 2]Figure 2 corresponds to an upper perspective view of a sailing ship for fish farming in the open sea or ocean, formed by a quadrimaran-type self-propelled autonomous ship according to the present invention, shown without a fish net fence.

[0020] [Figure 3] Figure 3 corresponds to an upper side perspective view of the basic structure of a sailing ship for fish farming in the open sea or ocean, formed by a quadrimaran-type self-propelled autonomous ship according to the present invention.

[0021] [Figure 4] Figure 4 corresponds to a front view of the basic structure of a sailing ship for fish farming in the open sea or ocean, formed by a quadrimaran-type self-propelled autonomous ship according to the present invention.

[0022] [Figure 5] Figure 5 corresponds to a side view of the basic structure of a sailing ship for fish farming in the open sea or ocean, formed by a quadrimaran-type self-propelled autonomous ship according to the present invention.

[0023] [Figure 6] Figure 6 corresponds to an upper front perspective view of the basic structure of a sailing ship for fish farming in the open sea or ocean, formed by a quadrimaran-type self-propelled autonomous ship according to the present invention, with a fish net fence.

[0024] [Figure 7] Figure 7 corresponds to a front view of the basic structure of a sailing ship for fish farming in the open sea or ocean, formed by a quadrimaran-type self-propelled autonomous ship according to the present invention, with a fish net fence.

[0025] [Figure 8] Figure 8 corresponds to an upper perspective view of a sailing ship for fish farming in the open sea or ocean, formed by a quadrimaran-type self-propelled autonomous ship according to the present invention, shown without a fish net fence.

[0026] [Figure 9] Figure 9 corresponds to a front perspective view of a sailing vessel for fish farming in the open sea or ocean, formed by the quadrimaran-type self-propelled autonomous vessel of the present invention, without the fish netting fence.

[0027] [Figure 10] Figure 10 corresponds to an upper side perspective view showing details of a storage silo for a sailing vessel for fish farming in the open sea or ocean, formed by the quadrimaran-type self-propelled autonomous vessel of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0028] (Preferred embodiment of the invention) The present invention basically corresponds to a sailing vessel (1) for fish farming in the open sea or ocean, typically formed by a quadrimaran-type vessel as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, comprising at least one basic structure (2), at least one command bridge and living quarters (3) which may be modular and / or removable, at least one sail system (4) which may be modular and / or removable, at least one containment net (5) for forming a farming area, and at least one storage silo (6) which may be modular and / or removable.

[0029] As can be seen in more detail in Figures 3-5, 8, and 9, at least one basic structure (2) comprises at least two main hulls (7) formed from parallel and spaced apart, oval, circular, and / or elliptical tubes, the at least two main hulls (7) having a size or diameter that allows an internal arrangement of systems, equipment, and / or devices to constitute a harvest and / or slaughter line for farmed species, and are joined or connected together by at least one tubular arm (8) that is oval, circular, and / or elliptical, to determine the maximum area or width, and thus achieve or obtain the maximum square meter with maximum resistance, in addition, the at least two main hulls may comprise a keel (A) in part of their lower division or in their entire longitudinal direction, and a closed transition division (B) in their opposite upper division. Adjacent to each of the two robust and elongated main hulls (7), the basic structure (2) further comprises at least two secondary hulls (9) on their outer circumference, which are smaller in dimensions to the two main hulls (7), the two secondary hulls (9) being arranged parallel to each other outward, spaced apart from the two main hulls, and configured as oval, circular, and / or elliptical tubular shapes, and joined or connected to the two main hulls through at least one secondary arm (10) which is oval, circular, and / or elliptical tubular. The two secondary hulls (9) are arranged in pairs on each side, namely at least one upper hull (11) and at least one lower hull (12), which are fixed, removable, and / or pivotable, overlapping and parallel, and spaced apart, and joined by at least one vertical support (13) of the joint.

[0030] At least the upper hull (11) corresponds to a floating type hull, submerged to about half its diameter, and at least the lower hull (12) corresponds to a submerged type hull, which functions as a keel, as it can be ballast-stabilized. This configuration achieves a significant beam, but without excessive buoyancy, so that there is no excessive floating stress and associated damage to the structure. In addition to playing a role in providing excellent stability, these two smaller hulls, joined vertically between them, act as a longitudinal keel, providing outstanding stability in navigation for maintaining the ship's direction.

[0031] As can be seen in Figures 1, 6, and 7, the basic structure (2) thus forms a mesh-like open structure at the stern, bow, starboard, and port sides, and within its lower and upper portions, on which mesh (5) such as fish netting, sea lion netting, and / or bird netting is arranged and joined together to form a closed aquaculture area, which allows for the containment of the species to be farmed.

[0032] In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 9, the basic structure (2) further comprises at least one tension-type rope or reinforcing cable (14) spliced ​​between at least the main hulls (7), at least the secondary hulls (9), at least one arm (8) and / or at least one secondary arm (10), or in combinations of connections and arrangements between elements of at least one basic structure. In addition, more specifically, as may be seen in Figure 10, damping elements (20) are spliced ​​into the basic structure, specifically spliced ​​into the sides of at least two secondary hulls (9).

[0033] As illustrated in detail in Figure 10, at least one removable silo (6) comprises a body (15) having at least one ventilation window (16) and at least one supply hose (17) connected to the silo body, the hose being connected to a vessel which would dock to one side of a quadrimaran-type, self-propelled autonomous vessel (1) for open-sea fish farming for feed supply.

[0034] The configuration of at least one removable silo (6) allows it to be mounted or unmounted from the basic structure (2) in different arrangements of spaces between the mesh spaces formed from the configuration of the at least one basic structure (2), preferably between at least two parallel main hulls (7) and at least one coupling arm (8) which will be arranged within those spaces.

[0035] As can be clearly seen in Figure 1, 8-10, at least one sail system (4) comprises, among other things, at least one propulsion sail (18) which may be a main sail type (gaff) that receives all the wind force and thus propels the vessel, and at least one directional or steering sail (19), each of the sails (18, 19) comprising a mast and at least one deployable sail.

[0036] In addition, for the purpose of obtaining additional energy required for habitation, navigation and steering systems, whether fixed, modular, or removable, as well as feeding, harvesting, and slaughtering systems or equipment, and any such elements that require energy, which would become part of the vessel, would be obtained, among other things, through renewable energy sources such as wind systems, tides, waves, and / or solar power, or a combination thereof, thus providing a self-propelled, autonomous, and self-sustaining vessel.

[0037] Offered through at least two main hulls (7) and at least two secondary hulls (9), the quadrimaran-type hull shape allows for a large surface area of ​​cultivation per square meter while maintaining a high degree of robustness, stability, and excellent conditions or behavior in its pitch, roll, and heave movements. Achieved by its size in both length and width, its unbiased balance of the floating of different parts or elements of the structure, and the similarity of four keels along its entire length, these key conditions confer an excellent ability to maintain a stable process with very little variation, which in addition also confers the possibility of sailing in both longitudinal directions simply by changing the direction of the sail system, which is achieved by having neither a bow nor a stern, as these are symmetrical and all their infrastructure for navigation assistance.

[0038] The fact that the structure of a sailing vessel for fish farming in the open sea or ocean, formed by a quadrimaran-type vessel, is, among other equipment, removable and / or modular and not joined to navigational artifacts, comprises a silo, living and command spaces, a harvesting system, and a slaughtering system, allows its design and structure to be used solely as a towable cage, and thus allows only the basic structure (2) to be used for the arrangement or support of containment nets, in order to provide a farming module that can be towed by one or more vessels.

[0039] The versatile condition possessed by the sailing vessel of the present invention is achieved by the modularity and / or disposability of its basic constituent elements, in order to enable the provision of a sailing vessel, self-supporting, autonomous, and / or viable or towable ocean or open-sea aquaculture cage for farming fish or other ocean or open-sea aquatic species, in which a basic structure (2) will be assembled or manufactured, in which a basic structure (2) will be assembled or manufactured, in which other basic modular and / or disposable elements may or may not be added thereto, such as silos, sailing systems, command and living modules, harvesting systems, slaughtering systems, renewable energy production systems, etc., as required in an aquaculture center, among other systems, equipment and devices.

[0040] While the form of sailing vessels for fish farming in the open sea or ocean, formed by quadrimaran-type vessels as described herein, constitutes a preferred inclusion of the present invention, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to its precise form, and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A sailing vessel (1) for fish farming in the open sea or ocean, formed by a quadrimaran-type vessel, the sailing vessel enables the provision of a self-propelled floating structure with a large area and volume for fish farming in the open sea, which can operate and move safely in rough ocean conditions, the sailing vessel comprising at least one basic structure (2) and at least one containment net (5) for forming a farming area, the sailing vessel further comprising at least one command bridge and living quarters (3) which may be modular and / or removable, Characterized by comprising at least one sail system (4) which may be of the type and / or removable, and at least one storage silo (6), wherein the basic structure (2) comprises at least two main hulls (7), the basic structure further comprises at least two secondary hulls (9), the at least two secondary hulls having smaller dimensions than the at least two main hulls (7) in their outer circumference, arranged in a parallel configuration to each outer side, spaced apart from the at least two main hulls (7), and at least The two secondary hulls are characterized in that they are joined to at least two main hulls via at least one secondary arm (10), the basic structure (2) is a mesh and / or the at least one containment net (5), the at least two secondary hulls (9) are arranged in pairs across each side, the at least two secondary hulls are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart, and joined by at least one vertical connecting support (13), the at least one floating upper hull (11) and the at least one immersed A sailing vessel for fish farming in the open sea or ocean, comprising a ballast-stabilized lower hull (12), further comprising at least one sailing system (4), an arm (8) connecting the main hull (7) and the secondary arm (10) connecting the secondary hull (9) to the main hull, having a continuous structure in the left-right direction, and the at least one steering bridge and living quarters (3), the at least one storage silo (6), and the at least one sailing system (4) being modular and / or removable.

2. A sailing vessel for fish farming in the open sea or open ocean, according to claim 1, characterized in that at least the upper hull (11) corresponds to a floating hull, the floating hull being submerged to about half of its diameter, and at least the lower hull (12) corresponds to a hull that is submerged and functions as a keel so as to be ballast-stabilized.

3. A sailing vessel for fish farming in the open sea or ocean, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the basic structure (2) further comprises at least one tension-type rope or reinforcing cable (14) spliced ​​between at least the main hulls (7), between at least the secondary hulls (9), between at least one arm (8) and / or the at least one secondary arm (10), or in combinations of connections and arrangements between the elements of the at least one basic structure.

4. A sailing vessel for fish farming in the open sea or ocean, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the sailing vessel further comprises damping elements (20) which are joined to the basic structure, specifically to the sides of at least two secondary hulls (9).

5. A sailing vessel for fish farming in the open sea or ocean, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the at least one removable silo (6) comprises a body (15) having at least one ventilation window (16) and at least one supply hose (17) connected to the silo body.

6. A sailing vessel for fish farming in the open sea or ocean, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one sail system (4) comprises, in particular, at least one propulsion sail (18) and at least one directional or steering sail (19), which may be a main sail type (gaff) that receives all of the wind force and thus provides propulsion to the vessel, and each of the sails (18, 19) comprises a mast and at least one deployable sail.

7. A sailing vessel for fish farming in the open sea or ocean, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least two main hulls (7) are formed from parallel and spaced-apart oval, circular, and / or elliptical tubes that can be partially ballast-stabilized.

8. A sailing vessel for fish farming in the open sea or ocean, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the at least two secondary hulls (9) are smaller in dimensions than the at least two main hulls (7) in their outer circumference and are configured in an oval, circular, and / or elliptical tubular shape.

9. A sailing vessel for fish farming in the open sea or ocean, according to the preceding claim, further characterized in that it comprises a feeding, harvesting, and slaughtering system or equipment, whether fixed, modular, or removable, as well as equipment or systems for the production of renewable energy, such as wind power systems, tides, waves, and / or solar power, or a set thereof, which are fixed, modular, and / or removable.

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