Apparatus and method for intercepting, suctioning, conveying, capturing and stowing floating pollutants on the deck of an electrically powered boat for ecological interventions on coastal and lake waters.

Abstract

The subject of the present invention is a ducted apparatus for the suction of floating waste, using electrically powered hydrojets and interception, conveyance, capture and stowage devices on the deck of a boat for ecological interventions on stretches of sea water near the coast, but also on rivers and lakes and a method of use.

Description

[0001] Apparatus and method for intercepting, suctioning, conveying, capturing and stowing floating pollutants on the deck of an electrically powered boat for ecological interventions on coastal and lake waters.

[0002] Description

[0003] The object of this invention is a apparatus with a channel for suctioning floating waste, using electrically powered hydro jets and interception, conveying, capturing and stowing devices on the deck of a boat for ecological interventions on marine waters near the coast, but also on rivers and lakes and method of use.

[0004] As is known, there are sea-sweeping boats, the best known of which is the PELIKAN

[0005] ® which is equipped with two front claws or pinces that form, when closed, the keel of the boat and that open when the boat is stationed near floating waste. The two claws, when opened, with the boat at low speed and with the help of the suction flow of the ducted propeller, which acts as a normal pump, convey the floating waste that comes towards the vessel, onto a bow grid. Once filled, the grid is made to slide on vertical guides and automatically pours the contents into the storage basket.

[0006] This type of boat, while guaranteeing an excellent service in terms of waste collection when the sea is calm, does not allow for quick reaching of the place of operation, once the floating pollutant has been identified, furthermore it does not allow for easy intervention when there is significant wave motion.

[0007] It is also known that there are boats with a propeller or hydro jet propulsion system equipped with a duct that starts from the bow and from which sea water is sucked in by means of pumps and with the aim of reducing the resistance of the wave motion of the bow, and / or of obtaining a propulsive force using the water that flows from the inflow opening for example the Japanese patent JP2007-210537 .

[0008] 1 The applicant know a Chinese patent CN 206623966 which also teaches the use of a duct, for all or part of the length of the vessel, with the aim of sucking up floating pollutants and equipped with a hydro jet. This patent uses a bow that can be split into two laterally rotating claws and a central grid carpet that carries the floating residues up to a mesh basket located on the deck of the boat. Solution that was already applied on my boats many years before, but no longer used due to various inconveniences, already listed in the introduction above. The Chinese patent uses a single duct directly connected to the single hydro jet for both navigation and for suction of pollutants. This leaves many doubts about the effectiveness of the operation. Furthermore, it seems that an opening on the bow is permanently open to feed the waterjet during navigation, with all the inconveniences that this solution would entail.

[0009] The purpose of the present invention is therefore to create an apparatus and method of use for a sea-sweeping boat capable of overcoming the operational limitations of the previous technique and adding new ones.

[0010] The main purpose of the present invention is to create an apparatus for an electrically propelled boat equipped with opening doors integrated into the sides of the bow, from which marine pollutants can pass by suction and reach a collection basket that it is lifted on the deck of the boat where the floating residues can be stowed. Another object of the present invention, in accordance with the preceding objects, is to provide the sea-sweeper with water-jet propulsion systems electric, which allow navigation and reversing, and act as a rudder and aspirator of floating pollutants. Another purpose of the present invention, in accordance with the previous purposes, is to provide hydrojet thrusters at the stem of the boat in a high position with respect to the level of the water intake surface.

[0011] Another purpose of the present invention, in accordance with the previous purposes, is to provide inside the keel and centrally a flow duct for the incoming water from the hatches.

[0012] Another purpose of the present invention, in accordance with the previous one, is to provide the sea-sweeper boat with photovoltaic panels and electric accumulators, also of the fuel cell type, for powering the thrusters and electrical users.

[0013] Fig. 1 , shows a top view of the bow of the sea-sweeper boat with the bow hatches open.

[0014] Fig. 2, shows a cross-section of the boat with the apparatus which is the object of the present invention.

[0015] Fig. 3, shows in schematic form some of the functional elements inside the hull, object of the present invention: the flow duct with the grid in the front position and the valve and the shutter at the rear.

[0016] Fig. 4, shows in schematic form the aft compartment housing the hydrojet propulsion system.

[0017] Fig. 5, shows in schematic form the bow compartment where the lifting basket and an opening side hatch are present.

[0018] Fig. 6, shows schematically and graphically the electrical diagram for the component elements object of the present invention.

[0019] In accordance with the attached drawings, an opening hatch integrated laterally on the left and right sides of the bow (2) of the boat is indicated with (1 ). The hatch (1 ) of elongated rectangular curved shape, is arranged in such a way that only a small part of its surface, when open, is below the waterline. Most of its surface in height remains outside the water line to be able to act as a barrier and conveyor for the intercepted floating waste that comes towards the boat. Inside the bow and in correspondence with the entrance lights (3) of the hatches (1 ), approximately 20 cm below, there is a compartment (7) in which lies a mesh basket (4) that can be lifted onto the deck (5) by means of an electro-hydraulic / pneumatic device, where the waste storage box (6) is located.

[0020] The compartment (7) at the bow is connected to a water tank compartment (8) at the stern of boat, by means of a duct (9) preferably with a circular section and made of fiberglass.

[0021] On the first end of the duct (9), which connects it to the compartment (7) at the bow of boat, there is a protective grid (10) to retain the floating waste and allow only the flow of water to pass.

[0022] Before the water tank compartment (8) at the stern of the boat, the duct (9) is provided with a valve (11 ) controlled by electric-hydraulic / pneumatic devices. The water tank compartment (8) is characterized by the fact that on its bottom there are two opening and closing dampers (12), while above, in correspondence with each damper, the intake mouth of the water supply of a hydro jet (13) is installed. Each of the hatches (1) opens and closes with an electro-hydraulic control mechanism (17) and, in a preferred embodiment, up to an opening of approximately 60° clockwise with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vessel, with the direction of the bow being zero degrees, when the vessel is sailing forward.

[0023] The intercepted area, useful for capturing the floating pollutant, between the two hatches (1 ), is approximately 17 m2, which varies depending on the length of the hatches of the boat. The system works in this way: to reach the body of water where it must operate, the boat navigates with the electric motors, and the hatches (1 ) at the bow (2) remain closed; the stern valve (11 ) on the duct (9) is closed since there is no flow of water coming from the hatches (1 ), but the two shutters (12) positioned on the bottom of the hull are opened and in this way the two hydro jets placed in a high position in the raised compartment are fed by the water that passes through the opening of the shutters (12).

[0024] When the vessel reaches the work area, the speed of the hydrojets is reduced to zero and the vessel stops, the hatches (1 ) are opened and at the same time the stern shutters (12) are closed and the valve (11 ) positioned inside the duct (9) at the stern is opened.

[0025] At this point, the hydro jets act simultaneously as propulsion and as a suction pump, thanks to the flow of water that flows into the duct (9) and fills the water tank compartment (8) at the stern of the boat, consisting of the volumetric space delimited between the valve (11 ) and the shutters (12).

[0026] The boat, with the hatches (1 ) open, is directed at low speed, approximately 2-3 knots, towards the floating pollutants, which enter the compartment (7) at the bow of the boat, and are retained in the mesh basket (4). When this becomes full, it is automatically lifted by an electro-hydraulic device on the deck (5) of the boat where there is the stowage box (6) of about 1 .5 cubic meters of captured pollutants.

[0027] Once the solid pollutant capture operations are completed, the two hatches (1 ) are closed, the bow compartment is emptied of water by means of electric pumps and will be dry and watertight, so as to be able to navigate with the original weights and trim, in this way consumption and autonomy will not be affected. The apparatus also allows the collection of liquid pollutants, which always occurs by opening the two bow hatches and by means of a device for the treatment of oily water. The apparatus of the present invention provides a storage compartment for oily water of about 1 .5 m3, not shown in the figures, and a storage of oily residues of about 0.6 m3 after treatment carried out with a device that filters about 0.5 m3 / h of oily water. A system compliant with international regulations provides for the discharge of treated water not exceeding 15 ppm. A sensor and an automatic three- way valve will ensure any recirculation at ppm above 15.

[0028] It is noteworthy that the flow of water that allows propulsion by the hydrojets can come, on command, from the hatches (1 ) through the duct (9), or directly from the tank compartment (8) at the stem of the boat, through the opening of the two shutters (12).

[0029] It is also noteworthy that the flow coming from the duct (9) can allow the hydrojets to carry out the motor propulsion, rudder and reversing activities, also carrying out the suction activity of floating pollutants.

[0030] In fact, the arrangements described and in use on the boat allow for notable advantages.

[0031] The phase of interception and collection of the pollutants occurs at low speed (or even at a standstill); the flow of water that impacts on the tip of the bow is made to flow into the pollutant collection compartment and into the duct (9) by the hatches (1 ) opened from the front of the bow, due to the suction of the water, by the hydrojets, which is accelerated axially and guided to the exit at the stem, to obtain the thrust for the propulsion, and the control of the vessel, directing or appropriately parcelling the exit of the water jet from the nozzles of the hydro jets. The speed of the water flow in the duct is relatively accelerated and the speed of the flow at the exit is higher than the speed of the boat and is directly related to the length and width of the water duct, even considering only the friction resistance. This allows to eliminate the pressure near the stagnation point of the bow of the hull and to decrease the pressure resistance on the surface of the open hatches.

[0032] Furthermore, the immersed surface of the hatches in the open position acts on the surface flow of the water along the lateral surface of the hull and behind the hatches themselves, decreasing their speed, and it is therefore possible to avoid an increase in the friction resistance on the lateral surface of the hull.

[0033] The operation of the apparatus, according to the present invention, uses electrical energy; therefore the vessel, in a preferred embodiment, is equipped with two synchronous electric motors with permanent magnets of 130 kWh at maximum power, powered, together with the various utilities, by ultra-thin and flexible photovoltaic panels (14), on a large part of its deck surface (for approximately 50%), and by a battery pack (15) of 240 kWh, and a generator set (18) of 1x30 kWh. The photovoltaic panels (14) develop a power of approximately 2 kWh which can be used during the operation of the boat for collecting pollutants at low speed and / or for recharging the batteries (15). The battery pack (15) is also expected to be of the fuel cell type. The vessel is equipped with a battery recharging system at the electric recharging columns (16) installed in the ports.

Claims

) Apparatus for the interception, suction, conveyance, capture and stowage of floating pollutants on the deck of an electrically powered boat suitable for ecological interventions on coastal and lake waters, characterised in that it comprises: a hatch(1 ) that it is opened on command, integrated laterally on each of the left and right sides of the bow (2) of the boat; the hatch (1 ) is of an elongated rectangular curved shape, of which part of its surface in height, outside the water line, is a barrier and a conveyor for floating solid pollutants and oily liquids; a mesh basket (4) is positioned inside a compartment (7), below deck, at the bow of the boat, in correspondence with the entrance lights (3) of the hatches (1 ), 20 cm below; the mesh basket (4), can be lifted and positioned inside the box (6) on the deck (5) of the boat , with an electro- hydraulic / pneumatic device; a duct (9) provided at one end with a grid (10) to protect from floating solid waste, and at the other end of a duct (9) there is a water tank compartment (8) at the stern of the boat; and in which, in front of the tank compartment (8), the duct (9) is provided with a valve (11 ), with electric- hydraulic / pneumatic control; the bottom of the water tank compartment (8), is provided with two opening and closing shutters (12), and above the water tank compartment (8), in correspondence with each shutter, the water supply socket for each hydro jet t (13), in number of two, +s installed in a high position.2) Apparatus as per claim 1 ) characterized in that the hatches (1 ) open up to an opening of 60° clockwise with respect to the longitudinal direction of the boat, with the direction of the bow being zero degrees, when the boat is sailing forward; and in which the intercepted area, useful for capturing the floating pollutant, between the two hatches, is 17 m2.3) Apparatus as per claim 1 ) characterized in that the weater tank compartment (8) is constituted by the volumetric space that develops between the valve (11 ) and the shutters (12) at the stern of the boat.4) Apparatus as per claim 1 ) characterized in that in the duct (9) the speed of the water flow is accelerated and is directly related to the length and width of the duct (9).5) Apparatus as in claim 1 ) characterized in that the storage space for floating pollutants on board the boat is 1 .5 m3.6) Method of using an apparatus for intercepting, suctioning, conveying, capturing and stowing floating pollutants on the deck of an electrically powered boat suitable for ecological interventions on coastal and lake waters, characterized in that the apparatus consists of a hatch (1 ) that it is opened on command, of an elongated rectangular curved shape, integrated laterally on each of the left and right sides of the bow (2) of the boat; and in which the surface in height, outside the water line of the hatch (1 ), is a barrier and a conveyor for the floating solid and oily liquid pollutants; and in which the inside of the bow of the boat, in correspondence with the entrance lights (3) of the hatches (1 ), 20 cm below, there is a compartment (7), inside which lies a mesh basket (4), which it is lifted onto the deck (5) of the boat, with an electro-hydraulic / pneumatic device; and in which a duct (9) is provided at one end with a grid (10) for further protection from floating solid waste, and at the other end of the duct (9) there is a water tank compartment (8); and in which in front of the said water tank compartment (8), the duct (9) is provided with a valve (11 ), with electrichydraulic / pneumatic control; on the bottom of the water tank compartment (8) at the stern of the boat, there are two opening and closing shutters (12), and above the water tank compartment (8) two hydro jets (13) are installed; and in which the interception of floating pollutants occurs when the boat encounters floating residueswhile sailing at cruising speed, with the electric motors and the hatches (1 ) at the bow (2) closed, and the valve (11 ), on the duct (9), closed, there being no flow of water coming from the hatches (1); and in which the suction of floating pollutants occurs when each shutter (12), positioned on the bottom of the hull, is opened and the water hydro jets placed in a high position in compartments at the stern, are fed by the water passing through the opening of each shutter (12); and in which the conveyance of floating pollutants occurs when the speed of the waterjets is reduced to zero and the boat stops, the hatches (1 ) are opened and at the same time the stern shutters (12) are closed and the valve (11 ), positioned at the stern within the duct (9), is opened; and in which the water hydro jets (13) act as propulsion and suction pump and the boat is directed at low speed, at 2-3 knots, towards the floating pollutants; and in which the capture and stowage of the floating pollutants occurs when the pollutants enter the compartment (7) at the bow and are retained in the mesh basket (4), until it is full, and lifted automatically by an electro-hydraulic device on the deck (5) of the boat where there is the 1.5 m3 stowage box (6) of the captured pollutants.7) Method of intercepting, suctioning, conveying, capturing and stowing floating pollutants on the deck of an electrically powered boat suitable for ecological interventions on coastal and lake waters, as per claim 6) 5) characterised in that the flow of water that allows propulsion by the water hydro jets (13) comes, on command, from the hatches (1), through the duct (9) or directly from the water tank compartment (8), through the opening of the shutters (12), and allows the waterjets to carry out the motor propulsion, steering and reversing activities, also carrying out the suction of floating pollutants.interventions on coastal and lake waters, as per claim 5) and following, characterised in that the suction and conveying of floating pollutants is obtained with the speed of the water flow in the duct (9) which is relatively accelerated and the speed of the flow at the stern exit is higher than the speed of the vessel and is directly related to the length and width of the water duct; and in which the immersed surfaces of the open hatches (1 ) act on the surface flow of the water, along the lateral surface of the hull and behind said hatches (1), decreasing its speed and increasing the friction resistance on the lateral surface of the hull.9) Method of intercepting, suctioning, conveying, capturing and stowing floating pollutants on the deck of an electrically powered boat suitable for ecological interventions on coastal and lake waters, as per claim 5) and following, characterised in that the capture phase of the solid and liquid pollutants ends with the closing of the two hatches (1 ), and the bow compartment is emptied of water by means of electric pumps, until it becomes dry and watertight to re-establish the original weight and trim and not affect consumption and autonomy during navigation, and in which the storage of the oily liquid pollutants, after the water deprivation treatment, is 0.6 m3.

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