Flexible channel for fog catchers

Abstract

The invention relates to an adjustable channel system for collecting water droplets captured by a fog collector; in which it is possible for the shape of the system to be adapted and its longitudinal tension to be adjusted according to the behaviour of the fog collector in the field, in order to optimise the water collection rate in environments subject to strong winds; said fog collector comprising a woven mesh panel for trapping water from the fog, which is mounted vertically and tensioned between two support columns spaced apart from one another in accordance with the size of the mesh and defining therebetween a longitudinal axis (y) of the fog collector; the adjustable channel system comprises: a) a flexible channel made of impermeable textile material, for collecting water droplets falling from the mesh, comprising two longitudinal flexible laminar bodies that diverge from one another from a common lower edge, forming therebetween a longitudinal container cavity with an upper opening of adjustable width; (b) an adjustable securing component comprising transverse supports that can be fixed to the support columns, oriented horizontally and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (y) of the fog collector, and vertical supports that can be fixed to the support columns, perpendicular to the transverse supports, as well as a set of movable fastenings that can move axially on the transverse and vertical supports; (c) a set of tension cables that are threaded through the channel and are equipped with a flat connector at each end, by means of which two upper tension cables are coupled to the transverse supports such that they can move on same, while a lower tension cable is coupled to the vertical supports such that it can move along the height of same, such that the width of the upper channel opening can be adjusted by moving said cables.

Description

[0001] FLEXIBLE CHANNEL FOR FOG TRAPING

[0002] DESCRIPTIVE MEMORANDUM

[0003] The present invention falls within the field of environmental engineering and the use of natural resources and relates to technologies intended for capturing moisture from the environment to generate water resources; specifically, the present invention relates to an adjustable channel system for collecting water droplets captured by a fog collector, also known as a “fog catcher”.

[0004] DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF THE ART

[0005] Fog harvesting is a useful technique for obtaining fresh water in arid regions and areas with fog and wind. A variety of fog harvesting systems are designed to capture water from the air. Most of these systems consist of mesh fabrics mounted on posts or frame-like structures. Their operating principle is based on the wetting of the mesh by the passage of fog driven by the wind. Small droplets adhere to the filaments of the fabric, which acts as a separator in the fog flow. These droplets coalesce to form larger droplets until gravity overcomes the adhesive force, at which point they are carried along the fabric filaments in the direction of gravity. Typically, a channel is placed along the bottom of the mesh to collect the captured water, and this channel is connected to a storage container.

[0006] This type of technology is usually very useful in regions with water scarcity and few economic resources to provide pipe installations that carry water from a source to remote places, especially when its use is intended for domestic and small-scale agricultural purposes.

[0007] The use of fog collectors is affected by several factors, such as the size of the installations, since the amount of water captured depends largely on the size of the collecting surface exposed to the direct passage of fog flows, so the installations have large dimensions, with mesh panels that can easily reach 4 to 5 meters long by 3 meters high.

[0008] This large size translates, among other things, into logistical difficulties in installation. While some regions may have optimal climatic conditions for fog collectors, such as arid areas near a coastline with moisture-laden winds, these areas are often isolated or at high altitudes. Therefore, easy access for transporting collector components to the final installation site is sometimes a limiting factor. Experience with fog collectors has shown that, while they are a good solution for communities with limited economic resources and water scarcity, the initial momentum often wanes over time because the water collection rate decreases due to design flaws and poor system maintenance. Consequently, projects are frequently abandoned because they do not perform as expected.

[0009] It has been observed that one of the main factors in this low collection of water droplets is related to the lack of joint work, which occurs over time, between the mesh and the lower gutter that receives the drops that fall from the mesh.

[0010] Most gutters cannot be adjusted to accommodate the changes the mesh undergoes over time, resulting in a large portion of the captured water falling outside the gutter and being lost. The tension in the mesh changes dynamically over time; the pre-tension during installation must be added to the tension generated by wind loads. Due to the dimensions, height above ground, and material (open weave mesh vs. closed membrane), the behavior and deformations that occur over time are not precisely predictable. It should also be considered that wind load and direction are not consistent throughout the year for a given location.

[0011] Another observed issue is that the theoretical design of fog collectors and their gutters is not precisely applicable during installation. The environmental conditions where they are installed—typically on hills with strong winds, but not all locations are the same, with varying slopes and soil quality—mean that the assembled supporting structure will differ from the design. Consequently, the gutters are not always properly adjusted to accommodate these variations. Not all mesh panels are tensioned at the same level, and since wind conditions vary from site to site, the displacement of the lower part of the mesh varies from project to project, location to location, and even within the same project and location over time.

[0012] Existing fog catchers comprise rigid collection channels, usually made from existing pipes or tubes, or they comprise specially designed channels, but all are of a rigid structure, of a predetermined width.

[0013] A typical example of a fog collector in the prior art is the type described in patent document CN204418276U by Yang, Liu, published in 2015. It comprises a supporting structure with two pillars, between which a tensioned mesh is placed. Between the pillars, but at the lower edge of the mesh, is a rigid channel of fixed width, into which the lower edge of the mesh is inserted to collect the falling water droplets. The main problem with these solutions is that over time the mesh loses its initial tension, resulting in deformations and curvatures that form pockets. However, since the channel is a rigid piece of fixed width, it cannot adapt to the changes in the mesh, which curves outside the channel's width, causing the droplets to fall outside and be lost. Furthermore, a rigid channel is difficult to transport to the hard-to-reach locations where fog collectors are typically installed.

[0014] The prior art addresses the problem that arises when the mesh bends due to wind, consequently shifting the plane of the water droplets backward and causing them to fall outside the lower channel and be lost. One existing solution can be seen in patent document DE102010003953A1 by Stegmaier, T., published in 2011. This document proposes that, in order to extract water even when the lower section of the mesh is deformed, the collection channel is much wider than in previous designs. This solution increases the area where the droplets can be received at the bottom of the deformed mesh.

[0015] The disadvantages of this solution lie in its larger size, which increases its cost, and the fact that the gutter must be transported already manufactured to its destination, which is cumbersome for remote and elevated locations where a fog collector is typically installed. Furthermore, its rigidity prevents adjustment of its geometry and position over time. Another drawback is that its wider opening makes the collected water more susceptible to contamination from dust, leaves, and insects, and also increases the likelihood that the collected droplets will evaporate, be blown out of the gutter, or be consumed by local wildlife.

[0016] Other existing solutions take the approach of anticipating the curved deformation that the mesh tends to adopt and propose a segmented support structure made up of smaller sections to minimize wind deformation. An example of this can be seen in patent document ES2935688T3 by Kneer A, published in 2023. It comprises several rigid modules with a curved structure that can be stacked on top of each other to increase the capture area. Each module consists of side pillars, a curved upper crossbar, and a curved lower crossbar. To secure the mesh, the structure includes a series of vertical profiles extending parallel to the pillars, onto which the mesh is attached to form smaller segments. The collection channel is the same curved lower crossbar.

[0017] In this solution, while the mesh deformation is effectively controlled, which is why the water droplets are likely to fall into the lower gutter, the problem is that, on the one hand, it is very expensive due to the large number of special curved pieces with internal channels; on the other hand, this large quantity of pieces and profiles must ultimately be transported to remote and often difficult-to-access locations. Such a costly system is impractical for providing solutions to communities with limited economic resources.

[0018] Yet another type of solution is described in patent WO2016062877A1 by Trautwein, P., published in 2016. This solution also aims to stabilize the mesh, preventing it from clumping or warping due to wind. It achieves this by using two collecting layers: a fine-mesh inner mesh and, parallel to it, a rigid, open-weave inner mesh that stiffens the collecting mesh, preventing it from warping. The channel is a rigid channel located at the bottom edge of the mesh, attached below to a rigid crossbar that forms part of the fog collector frame. The channel's upper portion connects directly to the mesh itself, not to the side pillars. Both the connection points and the means by which the mesh is mounted to the main frame are elastic.

[0019] The disadvantages of this solution, as with the previous one, are its high cost, primarily due to the special type of rigid, open-weave plate that supports the woven mesh. Furthermore, the channel's rigidity makes it difficult to move to the fog collector's installation location.

[0020] As can be seen, there is no low-cost solution available, with few parts, that facilitates its installation by not needing to perform the optimal maximum stretching of the mesh on site through the joining elements with the support structure; therefore, the present invention overcomes the problems of the prior art, meeting the requirements of an economical solution, provides a mesh plane with a low margin of deformation that causes bagging of the mesh, thus improving the collection rate, and at the same time, the invention allows it to be transported in a folded or rolled form without losing its design characteristics.

[0021] Solutions aimed at preventing mesh deformation, by sectioning the fabric to stabilize it, include additional rigid gutters or gutters integrated into the structure itself. In fog collectors using larger, undivided mesh panels or those without a rigid perimeter frame—and therefore more susceptible to wind deformation—wider gutters are used to ensure that the droplets fall within them. All these solutions, besides being expensive, are rigid, offer no gutter adjustment, and their size makes them difficult to transport to installation sites, which are often hard to access.

[0022] As can be seen, existing solutions propose rigid gutters that cannot be adjusted over time to accommodate the mounting misalignments and deformations that commonly occur in the collection nets, as well as changes in wind direction and pressure throughout the year. There is a clear need for a low-cost gutter system that is easy to transport and, most importantly, allows for adjustments to its mounting to adapt to the changes the collection net undergoes.

[0023] GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The present invention relates to an adjustable channel system for receiving water droplets captured by a fog collector, which allows adjusting the channel according to the actual behavior of the fog collector in the field, to improve the droplet collection rate in environments subjected to strong winds.

[0025] One of the objectives of the invention is to provide an adjustable channel system that facilitates its transport in a rolled or folded state so that its size is smaller than the size it acquires when installed in the fog collector.

[0026] Another objective of the invention is to provide an adjustable channel system that allows its geometry to be adjusted, with a greater or lesser opening of the channel.

[0027] Another objective of the invention is to provide a low-cost channel system with low manufacturing complexity.

[0028] Another objective of the invention is to provide an adjustable channel system that allows adjusting the longitudinal tension of the channel with respect to the columns where the fog collector mesh is mounted, and also allows positioning the channel transversely with respect to the mesh, to improve the droplet collection rate and prevent them from falling outside the channel.

[0029] Yet another objective of the invention is to provide an adjustable channel system that facilitates its assembly and allows it to be adjusted over time to correct the deformations and misalignments caused by the wind.

[0030] Thus, the present invention relates to an adjustable channel system for collecting water droplets captured by a fog collector, which allows adapting its geometry, adjusting its longitudinal tension and regulating its transverse position according to the behavior of said fog collector, in order to optimize the water collection rate in environments subjected to strong winds.

[0031] The fog collector where the present invention can be applied can be of the type formed by a woven mesh already known in the art, normally a knitted fabric, in the form of a net, two-dimensional or three-dimensional, made of fibers or filaments, preferably of polymeric material, suitable for retaining the water of the fog; said mesh is mounted vertically and tensioned between two support columns spaced apart according to the size of the mesh, between which the longitudinal axis (y) of the fog collector is defined.

[0032] The present adjustable channel system comprises three main components: a collection channel with an upper opening to receive the water droplets falling from the mesh; an adjustable clamping component to regulate the position of the channel with respect to the longitudinal axis (y) and adjust the width of its upper opening; and a set of adjustable longitudinal tension cables, two upper and one lower, to mount and tension the channel between the two support columns.

[0033] The gutter is a flexible channel, which can be made of a waterproof material to contain water droplets, while remaining flexible enough to allow for controlled deformation. Preferably, the material is a textile laminated with a flexible, though non-stretchable, polymer. This flexibility facilitates its transport to the installation site, as it can be rolled or folded to reduce its volume.

[0034] The channel consists of two longitudinal, flexible, laminar bodies, arranged divergently from each other from a common lower edge where a longitudinal lower pocket is located, configured to allow the passage of one of the tension cables. The divergent arrangement of the laminar bodies creates a longitudinal containment cavity within the channel, suitable for receiving and containing the water droplets falling from the mist collector mesh.

[0035] Each laminar body has a longitudinal upper edge comprising a respective longitudinal upper pocket, which are configured to allow the passage of said tension cables. Both diverging laminar bodies form said longitudinal cavity of the channel, which includes the upper opening of adjustable width.

[0036] This upper opening is defined between the upper pockets, and this opening's width is adjustable at will, determined by a greater or lesser distance between said upper pockets of the laminar bodies.

[0037] This adjustable width allows the channel's geometry to be changed, enabling the upper opening to be fixed in a wider or narrower position depending on the behavior of the fog collector mesh in its actual installation context. In moderate winds, the mesh will not experience significant deflection, meaning it won't deform much, and therefore the upper opening doesn't need to be too wide to ensure the droplets fall inside. Conversely, if the mesh deforms significantly, the channel opening can be adjusted on-site to accommodate the greater deflection and prevent droplets from falling outside the channel.

[0038] The carcass can be constructed from two separate sheet-like bodies joined along their lower edge, plus the external longitudinal pocket at the bottom. These can be joined by sewing or fusion welding, although preferably by both techniques or any other that allows for a firm bond between the pieces. Alternatively, the two sheet-like bodies forming the carcass can be made from a single, larger piece folded lengthwise along its center line, creating the divergent arrangement between them, to which the aforementioned lower longitudinal pocket is attached externally.

[0039] In one embodiment of the carcass, the laminar bodies are identical, forming a symmetrical carcass. In an alternative embodiment, the laminar bodies differ, primarily in height, resulting in an asymmetrical carcass. The upper pockets are preferably formed by folding the upper edge of each laminar body and sewing a longitudinal seam at a certain distance from the fold.

[0040] When the channel is installed, the two laminar bodies correspond to a front laminar body and a rear laminar body, where the upper pocket of the front laminar body corresponds to a front upper pocket, and the upper pocket of the rear laminar body corresponds to a rear upper pocket. The channel also comprises opposite lateral ends, one of which is higher than the other to create a slope on the lower edge and facilitate the flow of water droplets towards the higher end. At this higher end, a lower drainage opening passes through the lower edge, and a flexible conduit extends from this opening to carry the collected water to a storage tank.

[0041] The higher end of the flexible gutter includes a small, triangular or trapezoidal, sheet-like end cap that prevents water droplets from falling from the gutter at this sloping end. The reason it's such a small cap, no more than a couple of centimeters high, is that while it prevents drops from falling at this point of the slope, its low height also allows any leaves or debris to be easily removed, preventing water from pooling.

[0042] In another aspect of the invention, the lower pocket comprises a length less than the length of the lower edge of the channel and is located centrally on said lower edge, generating lower clearances at each end of the channel, which facilitate the manipulation of the longitudinal tensioners and their adjustment mechanisms, so that said mechanisms are not inside the pocket and can thus be easily accessed.

[0043] With regard to the aforementioned adjustable fastening component, it comprises transverse supports, vertical supports, and a set of axially displaceable fixings on said supports. The transverse supports are fixable on the horizontally oriented support columns, which are also perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mist collector; that is, these transverse supports are also perpendicular to an imaginary vertical plane in which the woven mesh is located between the two support columns. These transverse supports project from the front face of each support column, defining a front section of each transverse support, and from the rear face of each support column, defining a rear section of each transverse support. They are intended for securing and adjusting the position of the aforementioned upper tension cables with respect to the longitudinal axis.The aforementioned vertical supports are also arranged on both columns. They consist of a single vertical support located on the inner face of one column, and two vertical supports in pairs, one on the front and the other on the rear face of the opposite column. These supports are intended for securing and adjusting the height of the lower tension cable. The transverse and vertical supports comprise an elongated solid body with a continuous cross-section, having a front and a rear end between which an outer surface of the elongated solid body extends. In a preferred embodiment, the transverse supports are formed from a solid, cylindrical bar made of a bending-resistant material, such as steel.

[0044] Furthermore, this set of fixings consists of a pair of fixings that can be attached to the transverse supports and the vertical supports, which can be moved axially along each front and rear section of said transverse supports, or at the top of the vertical supports; each pair of fixings can be fixed at a specific point on the transverse supports and prevent them from moving axially, so they can be positioned at will by bringing them closer to or further away from the support column where the transverse support to which they belong is attached.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the outer surface of the transverse and vertical supports comprises a continuous thread; while, complementarily, the movable fixing assembly comprises two nuts with threaded inner surfaces that engage with the thread of the supports. These threads can be rotated in either direction to advance or retract them axially along the threaded surface of the transverse supports.

[0046] Anyone with ordinary knowledge of this technique will be able to deduce that the mechanism by which this axial displacement effect of one component around another elongated component can be produced can adopt various embodiments, in addition to the coupling by threaded surfaces just described; such as, for example, a ratchet coupling where the outer surface of the supports comprises ratchet indentations aligned along their entire length; while the set of movable fasteners can comprise two ratchet clamps for each front section, two ratchet clamps for each rear section of both transverse supports and two for each vertical support; where the displacement of the clamps occurs as the opposing indentations engage with each other.

[0047] In another alternative embodiment, the outer surface of each support may comprise longitudinally aligned perforations; while the set of movable fixings may comprise at least two diametrically perforated rings for each front section, two perforated rings for each rear section of both transverse supports, and two for each vertical support, into which a pin is inserted. Said pin passes through the perforation in the ring and a perforation in the transverse support aligned with the ring, the pin being engaged and thus blocking the displacement of the ring.

[0048] In yet another possible embodiment, the outer surface of each transverse support is smooth; meanwhile, the set of movable fixings may comprise at least two pressure clamps for each front section, two pressure clamps for each rear section, of both transverse supports, and two pressure clamps for each vertical support.

[0049] Furthermore, the longitudinal tension cables intended to mount the channel between both columns of the fog collector comprise two upper tension cables, one inserted into each of the upper pockets of the channel and adjustable to both transverse supports; and also comprise a lower tension cable, insertable through the lower pocket of the channel, and which is adjustable to said vertical supports.

[0050] The tension cables are flexible cables, preferably made of braided steel. In the case of the lower tension cable, one end includes an adjustable tensioning device that allows for adjusting the tension and length of the cable. This end of the lower cable coincides with the end of the flexible channel that has the lowest height. Meanwhile, the opposite end of the lower tension cable includes a voltage breaker, which may consist of a plate bifurcated into two arms at an angle to each other, with a portion of the tension cable also attached to each arm.

[0051] This strain relief valve is located at the end of the lower tension cable that coincides with the highest point of the flexible channel, where the lower drain opening is situated. A flexible conduit connects to this opening and extends to a storage tank for the collected water. The strain relief valve's bifurcated design prevents the lower tension cable from intersecting with the conduit; the angled arms are positioned on either side of the conduit.

[0052] Each of the upper tension cables comprises opposite ends, where at least one end may carry an adjustable tensioning device that allows adjustment of the length and longitudinal tension of the cables; for example, in a preferred embodiment, this adjustable tensioning device may be a cable turnbuckle of the type known in the art, having a frame with threaded eyelets at each end. Both ends of the upper tension cables may also include connectors of the shackle and carabiner type to facilitate their assembly.

[0053] The ends of each of the upper cables, as well as the single end and the bifurcated end of the lower tension cable, comprise a flat connector having a through-hole larger than the cross-section of the transverse and vertical supports, so that these flat connectors can be inserted into the supports and moved axially with ease. Each of these flat connectors of the upper tension cables is located between the two movable fixings on each front and rear section of both transverse supports.Thus, each opposite end of the upper front tensioner attaches, via its flat connectors, to each of the front sections of both transverse supports; while each opposite end of the upper rear tensioner attaches, via its flat connectors, to each of the rear sections of both transverse supports. The flat connectors at the ends of the lower tension cable attach to the vertical supports.

[0054] This arrangement of the flat connectors between the fixings of a pair of fixings allows the upper tension cables to be attached to these transverse supports in an adjustable manner along the front or rear sections of the transverse supports as the pair of fixings is moved along the supports. This allows the upper cables to be moved parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fog collector, and since the upper cables pass through the upper pockets of the channel, their movement allows, on the one hand, adjustment of the channel's geometry by bringing the upper pockets closer together or further apart, and thus adjusting the width of the channel's upper opening.For its part, the arrangement of the flat connectors of the lower tension cable between the pairs of fixings of the vertical supports, allows said lower cable to be displaced vertically to allow the channel to be raised or lowered in demand of the adjustments of the upper tension cables.

[0055] As can be deduced, the transverse and vertical adjustment also allows an asymmetric configuration of the system, with the use of an alternative to the channel initially configured asymmetrically.When a fog collector is placed in a location with strong winds, it is expected that a woven mesh mounted with tension cables will bend backwards due to the wind, describing a relatively wide bending arc. This causes the captured water droplets to fall within a dimensionally wider area towards the rear of the fog collector's longitudinal axis. Therefore, by changing the channel's geometry, it is possible to increase the channel opening towards the rear. With this asymmetry, the channel only widens towards the necessary side, which is the side where the mesh deforms. This ensures that the droplets falling from the widest point of the mesh's deformation curve effectively fall into the channel, thus ensuring a higher collection rate.

[0056] This allows the gutter to effectively adapt to the behavior of the mesh in its actual context, ensuring greater collection of falling raindrops. Since the couplings between the upper tension cables and the transverse supports, as well as the lower tension cable to the vertical supports, are adjustable, the gutter can be constantly adjusted over time to accommodate changing conditions. Normally, all the tensions initially set in the tensioners and the collecting mesh itself loosen with use in strong winds. Therefore, it is advantageous to be able to constantly adjust these tensions and adapt the gutter's position to the deformations that the mesh undergoes.

[0057] DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0058] To achieve the objectives, the invention can be implemented in different ways; therefore, the figures presented here are illustrative only and do not limit the scope of the invention, which may have multiple embodiments as long as they are based on a common inventive concept. Thus, a detailed description of the invention will be provided in conjunction with the figures that form an integral part of this presentation, where:

[0059] Figure 1 shows a top isometric view of a mist collector where the channel system of the present invention is coupled.

[0060] Figure 2 shows a top isometric view of the channel system of the present invention, without the fog collector mesh.

[0061] Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the channel that is part of the present system. Figure 4 shows a side elevation diagram of the channel, according to an embodiment where the laminar bodies that form the channel are of equal height and diverge symmetrically.

[0062] Figure 5 shows a side elevation diagram of the channel, according to another embodiment where the laminar bodies that form the channel have different heights from each other and diverge asymmetrically.

[0063] Figure 6 shows a top plan view of the channel system of the present invention. Figure 7 shows a partial isometric view of a portion of the clamping component mounted on the first of the support columns.

[0064] Figure 8 shows a partial isometric view of a portion of the clamping component mounted on the second of the support columns.

[0065] Figure 9 shows a top plan view of the channel system of the present invention, without the channel.

[0066] Figure 10 shows a partial lower isometric view of the coupling of the tension cables at the first of the support columns.

[0067] Figure 11 shows a partial lower isometric view of the coupling of the tension cables on the second of the support columns.

[0068] Figure 12 shows a partial isometric view of the coupling between a flat connector and a cross support. Figure 13 shows a partial isometric view of the coupling of flat connectors on the cross supports and on the vertical supports.

[0069] Figures 14a and 14b show front-view sketches of a previous art solution.

[0070] Figures 15a and 15b show front and plan views, respectively, of the present adjustable channel system in an initial assembly state.

[0071] Figures 16a and 16b show front and plan views, respectively, of the present adjustable channel system in an optional configuration state with the channel in a symmetrical position with the upper opening enlarged.

[0072] Figures 17a and 17b show front and plan views, respectively, of the present adjustable channel system in an optional configuration with the channel in an asymmetrical position. It should be understood that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a simplified representation of various features illustrating the basic principles of the invention. Specific design features, including, for example, the dimensions, orientations, locations, and specific shapes of the various illustrated components, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and operating environment.

[0073] In the various figures of the drawings, the same numbers designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “interior,” “exterior,” “top,” “bottom,” and similar terms are used hereafter, it should be understood that these terms refer only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person observing the drawings, and are used solely to facilitate the description of the invention.

[0074] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0075] The invention will now be described in greater detail, with reference to the accompanying figures, which illustrate at least one embodiment of the invention. These embodiments are provided by way of explanation; however, the implementation of the invention is not limited to these embodiments alone. Those with ordinary knowledge of the art will appreciate, upon reading this specification and viewing the accompanying drawings, that various modifications and variations of the invention can be made while maintaining the same inventive concept.

[0076] Considering the content of FIG. 1, the present invention relates to an adjustable channel system (1) for collecting water droplets captured by a fog collector (A). This channel system (1) allows its geometry to be adapted, its longitudinal tension adjusted, and its transverse position regulated according to the behavior of the fog collector (A) in the field, in order to optimize the water collection rate in environments subjected to strong winds. The fog collector (A) is of the type already known in the prior art, comprising a woven mesh (B) for retaining water from the fog, mounted and tensioned between two support columns (Cl, C2) spaced according to the size of the mesh (B). A longitudinal axis (y) of the fog collector (A) is defined between the two support columns (Cl, C2), with respect to which the mesh (B) is arranged in the same longitudinal direction, but in a vertical orientation.(For clarity purposes, the figure shows a fog collector with a single mesh module (B) and omits fog collector mounting components such as stabilizing cables, anchor stakes, water conduits and a storage tank for the collected water.)

[0077] In general, as best illustrated in FIG. 2, the adjustable channel system (1) comprises three main components: a flexible channel (10) having an adjustable upper opening (150); a set of adjustable longitudinal tension cables (30), two upper (31, 32) and one lower (33), arranged to tension and mount the channel (10) between the two support columns (Cl, C2); and an adjustable clamping component (20) that allows the amplitude of the upper opening (150) of the channel (10) to be adjusted by adjusting both the position of the upper tensioners on a transverse axis (x) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (y), and also the position of the lower tensioner (33) on a vertical axis (z) perpendicular to the (x) and (y) axes.

[0078] With reference to FIG.3, the channel (10) is made of flexible and waterproof textile material and consists of a longitudinally arranged front laminar body (110) and a longitudinally arranged rear laminar body (120), joined together by a common lower edge (130); these laminar bodies (110, 120) can be positioned divergently from each other starting from the lower edge (130) and between them a longitudinal containing cavity (140) is generated with the upper opening (150) of adjustable width.The channel (10) comprises a lower longitudinal pocket (131) arranged outside the common lower edge (130); meanwhile, the front laminar body (110) comprises an upper longitudinal edge (111), opposite the common lower edge (130), where a front upper pocket (112) is arranged; for its part, the rear laminar body (120) comprises an upper longitudinal edge (121), opposite the common lower edge (130), where a rear upper pocket (122) is arranged.

[0079] The channel (10) has a smaller side end (161), opposite a larger side end (162) comprising a small, sheet-like side cap (163), arranged adjacent to the common lower edge (130); and also adjacent to said small side cap (166), the lower edge (130) comprises a drainage opening (164) that connects axially to a flexible evacuation conduit (165), integral to the channel (10). It can also be observed in the same FIG. 3 that the lower longitudinal pocket (131) comprises a length shorter than the length of the lower edge (130) and is located centrally on said lower edge (130), generating lower clearances (166) at each end of the channel (10).

[0080] As shown in FIG. 4, the front laminar body (110) of the channel (10) comprises a height (al) defined by the distance between its lower edge (130) and its upper edge (111); meanwhile, the rear laminar body (120) comprises a height (a2) defined by the distance between its lower edge (130) and its upper edge (121). These heights (al) and (a2) increase simultaneously and progressively from the smaller lateral end (161) of the channel (10) towards the larger lateral end (162) of the channel (10) to generate an inclination of the lower edge (130) (FIG. 3).

[0081] In one embodiment of the invention, schematically shown in FIG. 4, the height (al) of the front laminar body (110) and the height (a2) of the rear laminar body (120) are equal to each other and diverge symmetrically from each other from the lower edge (130) and with respect to the longitudinal axis (y). In another embodiment of the invention, schematically shown in FIG. 5, the height (al) of the front laminar body (110) and the height (a2) of the rear laminar body (120) are different from each other and diverge asymmetrically from each other from the lower edge (130) and with respect to the longitudinal axis (y).

[0082] With regard to FIG.6, the other main component of the adjustable channel system (1), referred to as the adjustable fastening component (20), comprises transverse supports (21) parallel to each other, fixable on each of the support columns (Cl, C2), which are arranged horizontally and in the direction of the transverse axis (x) which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (y) of the mist collector; it also comprises lower vertical supports (22), fixable on each of the support columns (Cl, C2), arranged vertically, oriented perpendicular to the transverse supports (21); and it comprises a set of axially displaceable fixings (23) on the transverse supports (21) and on the vertical supports (22).

[0083] As can be seen more clearly in FIG. 7 in conjunction with FIG. 8, the transverse supports (21) protrude from the front face (Cf) of each support column (Cl, C2), defining a front section (211) of the transverse supports (21); at the same time, they protrude from the rear face (Cp) of both support columns (Cl, C2), defining a rear section (212) of each transverse support (21). Meanwhile, the vertical supports (22) correspond to a single vertical support (221) located on the inner face (Ci) of a first support column (Cl) and two vertical supports in pairs (222), one located on the front face (Cf) and the other on the rear face (Cp) of the second support column (C2).The transverse supports (21) and the vertical supports (22) are formed by an elongated solid body of continuous regular cross-section (sf), with a regular outer surface (26); in a preferred embodiment of the invention, said cross-section (s) is circular and the outer surface (26) of the transverse supports (21) and the vertical supports (22) comprises a continuous thread (29).

[0084] Returning to FIG. 7, the set of movable fixings (23) consists of at least one pair of movable fixings (23) for each front section (211) and for each rear section (212) of the transverse support (21) located on the first support column (Cl); furthermore, it also includes a pair of movable fixings (23) on the individual vertical support (221) located on the first support column (Cl). Returning now to FIG. 8, the set of movable fixings (23) consists of at least one pair of movable fixings (23) for each front section (211) and for each rear section (212) of the transverse support (21) located on the second support column (C2), and includes a pair of movable fixings (23) on each of the paired vertical supports (222) located on the second support column (C2).In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pair of movable fixings (23) correspond to two nuts with threaded inner surface that can be coupled and slid into the continuous thread (29) of the outer surface (26) of each transverse support (21) and each vertical support (22).

[0085] With regard to the set of tensioning cadles (30), as can be seen in the example embodiment of FIG.9, it comprises a front upper tensioning cadle (31) consisting of a first end (311) and a second end (312), which is disposed inside and along the front upper pocket (112) of the front laminar body (110) that forms the channel (10); it comprises a rear upper tensioning cadle (32) consisting of a first end (321) and an opposite second end (322) and which is disposed inside and along the rear upper dove (122) of the rear laminar body (120) of the channel (10); and it comprises a lower tensioning cadle (33) consisting of a first end (331) and an opposite second end (332) and which is disposed inside and along the lower dove (131) of the common lower edge (130).

[0086] With reference to FIG. 10, the first end (311) of the front upper tension cable (31) and the first end (321) of the rear upper tension cable (32) each comprise an adjustable tensioning device (34) followed by a flat connector (35), through which the front upper tension cable (31) is coupled to the front section (211) of the cross support (21) arranged on the first support column (Cl); and the rear upper tension cable (32) is coupled to the rear section (212) of the same cross support (21) arranged on the first support column (Cl). The first end (331) of the lower tension cable (33) also comprises an adjustable tensioning device (34) followed by a flat connector (35), through which the lower tension cable (33) is coupled to the individual vertical support (221) also located on the first support column (Cl).

[0087] In turn, as illustrated in FIG.11, the second end (312) of the front upper tension cable (31) and the second end (322) of the rear upper tension cable (32) each comprise a flat connector (35), through which the front upper tension cable (31) is coupled to the front section (211) of the cross support (21) arranged on the second support column (C2); and the rear upper tension cable (32) is coupled to the rear section (212) of the same cross support (21) arranged on the second support column (C2).

[0088] The second end (332) of the lower tension cable (33) comprises a voltage breaker (36) formed by two diverging arms (361) at an angle to each other, to which two sub-portions (333) of the lower tension cable (33) are connected, each with a distal end (334) comprising a flat connector (35). Through these connectors, the lower tension cable (33) is coupled to each of the two vertical supports (222) arranged on the second support column (C2). This voltage breaker (36) serves to bifurcate the lower tension cable (33) so that it does not intersect the drainage duct (165) that emerges downwards from the lower edge (130) of the channel (10). Thus, the diverging arms (361) of the breaker (36) are positioned one on each side of the aforementioned drainage duct (165).

[0089] Now, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, these flat connectors (35) are provided with a through-hole (351) that is larger than the cross-section (st) of the transverse supports (21) and the vertical supports (22) (not illustrated), so that they can fit and slide into them. These flat connectors (35) are specifically located between the two fixings (23) that form a pair of fixings (230). In a preferred embodiment, the through-hole (351) is circular.

[0090] As can be seen in FIG.13, as the pair of fixings (23) is displaced on the transverse supports (21), the flat connectors (35) are displaced along with them and, therefore, the position of the upper tension cables (31, 32) parallel to the longitudinal axis (y) and perpendicular to the transverse axis (x) is adjusted; in the same way, as the pair of fixings (23) is displaced on the vertical supports (22), the flat connectors (35) are displaced along with them and, therefore, the lower tension cable (33) is moved up or down in the direction of the axis (z).

[0091] The displacement of the upper tension cables (31, 32) with respect to the longitudinal axis (y), plus the displacement of the lower tension cable (33) along the vertical supports (22), allows the width of the upper opening (150) of the channel (10) to be configured. These displacements, permitted by system (1), correspond to moving the upper tension cables (31, 32) closer to or further from the aforementioned longitudinal axis (y) by displacing them along the (x) axis, as well as raising or lowering the height of the lower tension cable (33) along the (z) axis, which is perpendicular to the (x) and (y) axes, thus providing a range of motion for the upper tension cables (31, 32). In the case of a channel (10) with a symmetrical configuration, both upper tension cables (31, 32) are positioned at the same distance from the longitudinal axis (y).In the case of a channel (10) with an asymmetric configuration, the upper tension cables (31, 32) are arranged at different distances from the longitudinal axis (y).

[0092] Furthermore, the adjustable tensioning devices (34) present in the upper tension cables (31, 32) and in the lower tension cable (33), allow adjusting the longitudinal tension of said cables, making it possible to increase the tension to tend to stiffen the channel (10).

[0093] In a typical scenario of the previous art, as exemplified in the scheme of FIG.14a and FIG.14b, the collecting channels, which are rigid and have a narrow upper mouth subject to the width of the column, are not able to receive the drops of water that fall from a mesh (B) subjected to strong winds, where its deflection (f) exceeds the width of the channel with respect to the longitudinal axis (y), and as a consequence, a large part of the drops (G) captured by the mesh (B) end up falling outside the channel, being lost.

[0094] With the present invention, according to the schemes of FIG.15a and FIG.15b, the initial assembly of the channel (10) allows its upper opening (150) to be wider than the width of the support columns (Cl, C2), allowing the upper tension cables (31,32) to be placed close to said columns and equidistant from the longitudinal axis (y) of the fog catcher.

[0095] In operation, if the mesh (B) bends more than anticipated during the design phase due to wind (V), the present invention allows for adjustments to the assembly while on-site and over time. An example of such adjustments is simply to slightly enlarge the size of the upper opening (150) of the channel (10), as illustrated in the diagrams of FIG.11a and FIG.11b, by axially and symmetrically moving the upper cables (31) and (32) away from the y-axis, displacing them in both the front (211) and rear (212) sections of the transverse supports (21). Simultaneously, the lower tension cable (33) is moved upwards along the vertical supports (22) towards the transverse supports (21).Thus, despite the curvature that the mesh (B) may have caused by the wind, the water drops (G) that fall from the periphery of the curve of the mesh (B) can be effectively received in the channel (10), thanks to the greater amplitude given to its upper opening (150).

[0096] Another type of configuration allowed by the channel system of the present invention, as exemplified in the diagrams of FIG.17a and FIG.17b, involves having an asymmetric channel (10) so as not to have to excessively widen the upper opening (150) towards both sides of the support columns (Cl, C2); thus it is possible to position the upper tension cables (31, 32) at different distances with respect to the longitudinal axis (y) to regulate the amplitude of the upper opening (150), while the lower tension cable (33) moves upwards along the vertical supports (22) in an upward direction towards the transverse supports (21) to the point necessary to give range of movement to the upper tension cables.

[0097] The fact that the current channel system allows for adjusting the length and tension of the three tension cables, regulating the distance and position of the two upper tension cables, and adjusting the distance of the lower tension cable from the upper tension cables, provides versatility by offering greater possibilities for combinations of tension, transverse and vertical position. This allows the channel to be adjusted to the actual behavior of the mesh on the ground, not only in the initial period after installation, but also, since all its couplings are adjustable, allows for adjustments over time as the initial materials and joints weaken due to wind and use. This has the benefit of maintaining a good collection rate of the fog collector over time.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An adjustable channel system (1) for collecting water droplets captured by a fog collector (A); which allows its geometry to be adapted, its longitudinal tension adjusted, and its transverse position regulated according to the behavior of the fog collector (A) in the field, in order to optimize the water collection rate in environments subjected to strong winds; said fog collector (A) comprising a woven mesh (B) for retaining fog water, mounted vertically and tensioned between two support columns (C1, C2) spaced according to the mesh size, between which a longitudinal axis (y) of the fog collector (A) is defined; the system (1) CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: a) a flexible channel (10) for collecting water droplets falling from the mesh (B), comprising a warped front laminar body (110) and a warped rear laminar body (120), joined together by a common lower edge (130); said laminar bodies (110, 120) are positionable divergently from each other from the lower edge (130) to generate a longitudinal containing cavity (140) with an upper opening (150) of adjustable width; b) an adjustable clamping component (20) for adjusting the position of the channel (10) and the width of its upper opening (150), comprising transverse supports (21), fixable on each of the horizontally oriented support columns (Cl, C2) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (y); some lower vertical supports (22), fixable on each of the support columns (Cl, C2) oriented perpendicular to the transverse supports (21);and a set of axially displaceable fixings (23) on the transverse supports (21) and on the vertical supports (22); c) a set of adjustable longitudinal tension cables (30), arranged to tension and mount the channel (10) between both support columns (Cl, C2), comprising a front upper tension cable (31) and a rear upper tension cable (32), both oriented perpendicular to the transverse supports (21) and coupled to them in an axially displaceable manner by means of a flat connector (35) provided with a through hole (351); and comprising a lower tension cable (33) oriented perpendicular to the vertical supports (22) and coupled to them in an axially displaceable manner by means of a flat connector (35) provided with a through hole (351). Adjustable channel system (1), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that said laminar bodies (110, 120) diverge symmetrically from each other from the lower edge (130) with respect to the longitudinal axis (y) of the fog collector.

3. Adjustable channel system (1), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that said laminar bodies (110, 120) diverge asymmetrically from each other from the lower edge (130) with respect to the longitudinal axis (y) of the fog collector.

4. Adjustable channel system (1), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the front laminar body (110) comprises a longitudinal upper edge (111) provided with a front longitudinal pocket (112) within which the front upper tension cable (31) is disposed; and the rear laminar body (120) comprises a longitudinal upper edge (121) provided with a rear longitudinal pocket (122) within which the rear upper tension cable (32) is disposed; and the common lower edge (130) comprises a longitudinal lower pocket (131) within which the lower tension cable (33) is disposed.

5. Adjustable channel system (1), according to claim 4, CHARACTERIZED in that the front laminar body (110) comprises a height (al) defined by the distance between the lower edge (130) and its upper edge (111), and the rear laminar body (120) comprises a height (a2) defined by the distance between the lower edge (130) and its upper edge (121), and wherein said heights (al) and (a2) increase simultaneously and progressively from a smaller lateral end (161) of the channel (10) towards a larger lateral end (162) of the channel (10), to generate inclination of the lower edge (130).

6. Adjustable channel system (1), according to claim 5, CHARACTERIZED in that the height (al) of the front laminar body (110) and the height (a2) of the rear laminar body (120) are equal to each other.

7. Adjustable channel system (1), according to claim 5, CHARACTERIZED in that the height (al) of the front laminar body (110) and the height (a2) of the rear laminar body (120) are different from each other.

8. Adjustable channel system (1), according to claim 5, CHARACTERIZED in that the larger side end (162) comprises a small laminar side cap (163), arranged adjacent to the common lower edge (130) of the channel (10), and adjacent to said small side cap (163) the lower edge (130) comprises a drainage opening (164) that connects to a flexible evacuation conduit (165) integral to the channel (10).

9. Adjustable channel system (1), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the transverse supports (21) protrude from the front face (Cf) and from the rear face (Cp) of each support column (Cl, C2), defining a front section (211) of the transverse supports (21) and a rear section (212) of the transverse supports (21), respectively.

10. Adjustable channel system (1), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the vertical supports (22) correspond to an individual vertical support (221) located on the inner face (Ci) of a first support column (Cl), and two vertical supports in pair (222) located one on the front face (Cf) and the other on the rear face (Cp) of the second support column (C2).

11. Adjustable channel system (1), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the transverse supports (21) and the vertical supports (22) comprise an elongated solid body of continuous regular cross-section (sf), with a regular outer surface (26) comprising a continuous thread (29).

12. Adjustable channel system (1), according to claims 1, 9 and 10, CHARACTERIZED in that the set of movable fixings (23) comprises at least one pair of movable fixings (23) for each front section (211) of the transverse supports (21), one pair of movable fixings (23) for each rear section (212) of the transverse supports (21); and one pair of movable fixings (23) on each of the paired vertical supports (222).

13. Adjustable channel system (1), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that said movable fixings (23) correspond to nuts with a threaded inner surface.

14. Adjustable channel system (1), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the front upper tension cable (31) comprises a first end (311) and a second end (312) provided with a flat connector (35) through which it is coupled to each of the front sections (211) of each of the transverse supports (21); the rear upper tension cable (32) comprises a first end (321) and a second end (322) provided with a flat connector (35) through which it is coupled to each of the rear sections (212) of each of the transverse supports (21).

15. Adjustable channel system (1), according to claim 15, CHARACTERIZED in that at least one of the ends (311, 312) of the front upper tension cable (31) and one of the ends (321, 322) of the rear upper tension cable (32) comprises an adjustable tensioning device (34) before the respective flat connector (35).

16. Adjustable channel system (1), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the lower tension cable (33) comprises a first end (331) consisting of an adjustable tensioning device (34) plus a flat connector (35); and a second end (332), opposite the first end (331), comprising a voltage breaker (36) formed by two arms (361) diverging at an angle to each other, to which two sub-portions (333) of lower cable (33) are connected, each with a distal end (334) comprising a flat connector (35).

17. Adjustable channel system (1), according to claims 10 and 17, CHARACTERIZED in that the first end (331) of the lower tension cable (33) is coupled, by means of a flat connector (35) to the individual vertical support (221); and the distal ends (334) of the sub portions (333) of the lower cable (33) are coupled, by means of a flat connector (35), to a corresponding paired vertical support (222).

18. Adjustable channel system (1), according to claims 1 and 11, CHARACTERIZED in that the through-hole (351) of each flat connector (35) has a larger size than the cross-section (sf) of the transverse supports (21) and the cross-section of the vertical supports (22).

19. Adjustable channel system (1), according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that said flat connectors (35) are arranged between the two movable fixings (23) that form a pair of movable fixings.

0. Adjustable channel system (1), according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that said channel (10) is made of flexible and waterproof textile material.

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