WO1990009100A1

WO1990009100A1 - Fish breeding construction

Info

Publication number: WO1990009100A1
Application number: PCT/NO1990/000020
Authority: WO
Inventors: Øystein BRÜGGER; Knut Schelderup Bjerke
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-02-16
Filing date: 1990-01-30
Publication date: 1990-08-23
Anticipated expiration: 1991-08-16
Also published as: PT93173A; DK39990A; NO166472C; NO166472B; NO890668D0; NO890668L; IS3541A7; DK39990D0; AU5047390A; IL93291A0; GR900100080A

Abstract

A fish breeding construction (1) comprising a rigid, upper frame-forming construction component and a rigid lower, frame-forming construction component, where the construction components are connected to each other by means of intermediate connection members. In the construction components there are arranged rows of fish pound bags (8), which are freely flowed through by surrounding sea. The construction components (components 2 and 3) and the connection members (members 4) are produced in the form of a monolithic frame structure of mutually communicating pipe elements (2-4) which form a part of a valve-controlled system of ballast-forming or float-forming framework portions.

Description

FISH BREEDING CONSTRUCTION

The present invention relates to a fish pound construction, especially for use in the sea regions which are exposed to heav wave movements and strong current movements, comprising a rigid upper, frame-forming construction component which is adapted to project upwardly above or upwardly to the surface of the sea an a rigid lower, frame-forming construction component which is adapted to be submerged in the sea to the bottom level of the pound, where the construction components are connected to each other by means of intermediate connection between meόibers for mutually bracing and shoring up the upper and the lower constru tion components relative to each other, vertical openings being arranged in the construction components for the reception of their respective fish pound bags, while horizontal openings are arranged between the construction components and the connection members for the free flow through of the surrounding^"sea. There is known from NO Patent Specification 158,401 a fish pound construction of the kind disclosed by way of introduction. The known solution is based on the upper and the lower construction components being moveable relative to each other and relative t certain support-forming connection members, while other, obliquely extending, tension-receiving connection members (stay tighten up the remaining members relative to each other and thereby provide a limited bracing of the construction. The tension-receiving connection members (stays) constitute vital, but at the same time strongly sensitive members of the fish pou construction and must as a matter of vital importance be frequently inspected and if necessary replaced after a relativel ^• short period as a consequence of reduced strength, produced for example by overloading and wear and tear, in combination with marine overgrowth, and the like. In addition the tension- receiving, obliquely extending connection members constitute an unnecessary blocking up of the openings laterally to the fish pound bags.

With the present invention the objective is a similar fish pound construction, but designed with simpler structure and nevertheless with substantially greater rigidity and strength.

Furthermore the aim is, a solution which is easier to handle at sea. For one thing the aim is a construction which can be adjusted simply and readily to different submerged or exposed conditions relative to the sea. In addition the objective is a more compact solution with substantially better utilisation of volume within the outer perimeter of the fish pound construction and with more freely exposed openings laterally, in order to create for one thing easier communication between the fish pound and easier cleaning of the individual fish pound.

The fish pound construction according to the invention is characterised in. that the construction components and the connection members are produced in the form of a monolithic fram structure of mutually communicating pipe elements, comprising a set of upper horizontal pipe elements and a set of lower hori¬ zontal pipe elements together with a set of intermediate vertica pipe elements, which jointly form a rigid upper horizontal frame work and a rigid lower horizontal framework together with an intermediate vertical framework, that the frameworks define together multi-edged annular frame portions arranged in rows, an that pipe elements of the frame structure form part of a valve- controlled system of ballast-forming or float-forming framework portions.

By producing the construction of pipe elements, there is provided according to the invention a constructionally simple an at the same time readily braceable fish pound construction. The fish pound construction is as a result of the relatively simple pipe elements also light in weight and provides thereby the basi for a large buoyancy force at the same time as being able to provide the basis with simple means for effective ballast charging and thereby for the adjustment of the construction into different oblique positions and into different (submerged) levels in the sea. As a consequence of the simple constructional design it will also be possible to create easier access to the various fish pound bags laterally in the construction.

Further features of the present invention will be evident from the following description having regard to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows in perspective a schematic representation of the basis constructional structure of the fish pound constructio according to the invention.

Fig. 2 shows in perspective the fish pound construction itself, with certain parts removed for the sake of simplicity.

Fig. 3 shows a horizontal section of the upper framework of the construction.

Fig. 4 shows a horizontal section of the lower framework of the construction with associated valve system.

Fig. 5 shows a horizontal section of a passage system for internal inspection of the pipe elements of the construction.

Fig. 6 shows a side representation of the construction in its normal use position in the sea.

Fig. 7 shows in a corresponding side representation to Fig. 6 the construction in an upper position in the sea.

Fig. 8 shows in part sections of the construction illustrated in detail.

In the drawings there is shown a monolithic fish pound construction 1 consisting of a lower framework of horizontal beam-forming pipe elements 2 and an upper framework of equivalen horizontal, beam-forming pipe elements 3 and an intermediate framework of vertical stay-forming pipe elements 4. The pipe elements 2-4 are made of steel pipe of circular cross-section an the pipe elements are welded together in pairs into a coherent monolithic construction.

From Fig. 1 it is evident that the pipe elements 2-4 form a system of an upper horizontal framework and a lower horizontal framework together with four transverse and four longitudinal, parallel, vertical frameworks which together define nine box- shaped hollow spaces or cells 7. As is evident from Fig. 2-8, the pipe elements 2 and 3 butt ^' impact the pipe elements 4 at opposite ends of the pipe elements 4 in intersection point-forming joint zones, without additional bracing or buttressing means, so that large, exposed openings are formed between the cells 7. In the illustrated, preferred embodi¬ ment the pipe elements 4 are extended a distance vertically below the lower framework (the pipe elements 2), for the support of the construction on a foundation in a dock or the like when there is necessarily a need for this. Above pipe elements 4 of the construction are terminated flush with the upper framework (the pipe elements 3) . The upper framework can for example be made substantially identically to the lower framework. Combined pipe elements 2-4 can if desired be made of one and the same pipe material, but in the illustrated embodiment the pipe elements 2,3 are designed with a somewhat smaller diameter than the vertical pipe elements 4. Even in the last-mentioned instance (without it being shown herein) it will be possible to weld the pipe elements 2 of the lower framework and the pipe elements 3 of the upper framework to each other in pairs in addition to the weld connection to the respective vertical pipe element 4.

The steel pipes 2-4 provide the construction the necessary strength and rigidity. To the degree the construction is submerged, the relatively light steel pipes 2-4 also give the construction the necessary bouyancy. In the operative condition the floating stability is taken care of in that the vertical pipe elements 4 break the surface of the water and give the construc¬ tion the necessary "floating surface". In addition to.the upper framework giving the construction great strength, the upper framework provides support for deck constructions having traction-strong gratings 5 or corresponding gangways and fastening for removeable guard rail units 6 together with if desired structure 9 and remaining constructions which are used in the fish pound construction.

On top of the upper horizontal framework there is fitted a gangway or driveway with associated gratings 5 and associated removeable guard rail 6.

As shown in Fig. 2 there are defined in the construction nine (three x three) cellular hollow spaces 7 which each receive their respective separate, pound-forming net bag or fish bag 8 for the reception of breeding fish. In Fig. 2 most of the fish bags are excluded for the sake of simplicity and only one individual fish bag is shown in the one cell 7.

In Fig. 6 there is illustrated the construction 1 in the normal use position with the major portion of each fish bag 8 submerged in the sea. There are shown the upper portion of the fish bags, the upper portion of the pipe elements 4 together wit the pipe elements 3 arranged above the surface of the sea. In Fig. 7 the fish bags 8 are shown submerged to a level below the lower horizontal framework, with the fish bags anchored to the lower horizontal framework, and the upper horizontal pipe elements 3 and the major portion of the vertical pipe elements 4 raised upwards above the surface of the sea. In practice and in the normal use position each fish bag is fixed above in the uppe framework and below in the lower framework by means of readily releasable fastening means not shown further. On inspection and cleaning of or repair and other maintenance of the construction the fish bags 8 can be set free from their fastenings and submerged from the position shown in Fig. 6 to the position show in Fig. 7. In this way large parts of the construction can be repaired or in another way maintained, while the breeding fish are received in respective fish bags 8 in a controlled manner. I will also be possible, in the condition of the construction 1 which is illustrated in Fig. 7, to obliquely position the construction, so that relevant local regions of the construction are raised wholly or partially upwardly above the surface of the sea, ready for inspection, maintenance or repair. As a result of large laterally directed openings being exposed between the cell 7 in the fish pound construction, it will also be possible to provide easy access to each individual fish bag and for example to move the fish bags one after the other laterally from cell to cell, in such cases where this is of interest. Alternatively fis can be moved in unhindered fashion, from one dirty bag to a clea bag in a neighbouring cell. This can be done by connecting opposed side edges of the bags at the top and connecting them below the framework. The fish can thereafter be driven from the dirty to the clean bag at the same time as the dirty bag is picked up. The lower framework functions generally as a bracing means for the construction 1 and as a stabilising means for the construction 1 in the sea, but ensures also, as a result of its special design, that the interception of wave forces is reduced. The last mentioned is achieved especially as a result of the circular cross-section of the pipe elements, which provide low water resistance and reduced forces from currents and waves against the construction.

In Fig. 2,6 and 7 there is shown a building construction 9 arranged above the most central of the nine cells 8. For example the building construction can be arranged on beams which cross the opening over the central cell 7. Such beams (not shown further) can if desired exert in addition an extra, central bracing of the fish pound construction. The building constructio can be employed for various service functions and work functions, for example in connection with the feeding of breeding fish, for crew space, and the like. Instead of the illustrated arrangement the building construction can be arranged on a separate construction at the side of the construction 1 or in a portion (not shown further) which is laterally connected to the construction 1.

In Fig. 4 there is shown an internal valve arrangement and trim arrangement for regulating the buoyancy and ballast of the construction, for adjusting the construction into various submerged levels in the sea and for possible oblique positioning of the construction in the sea. Around the most central cell 7 there are arranged four stay-forming pipe elements 4 and two mutually diametrically opposite of these four pipe elements 4 each provided with their respective bottom valve 10 (see also Fig. 8) and their respective shut off valve 11 together with their respective pair of regulating valves 12. The remaining two of the said four vertical pipe elements 4 are provided with thei respective pair of regulating valves 12. By means of the said bottom valves 10 ballast water can be admitted into two individually separate sections around the central cell 7. In other words the one valve 10 can admit ballast water into the on half of the pipe elements which surround the central cell 7, tha is to say in respectively two adjoining pipe elements 4 and intermediate pipe 2 and adjacent one pipe 2, while bailast water is separately admitted via the other valve 10 in the other half.

This two-part pipe system can be employed for subsequent parallel trimming of each of its adjacent halves of the pipe construction 1. In this connection the regulating valves 12 are opened one after the other according to a set trimming program, so that one gets discharge to the various pipe elements or more specifically to the eight mutually separate circuits 13A-13H. In practice the filling of the circuits 13A-13H can be effected in several succeeding filling steps with intermediate filling of th two innermost circuits around the most central cell 7. With the system illustrated it is possible to trim the construction in an especially controlled and easily regulatable manner. Without it being specifically illustrated in the drawings there can be employed further regulating valves 12 than those which are shown in Fig. 4.

On raising the construction again, one can empty (pump out or blow out) ballast water in an equivalent sequence by means of a pump system or another emptying system not shown further, for example by emptying via the bottom valves 10.

When the pipe elements are empty, that is to say without ballast water, the construction will float so high in the water that parts of the lower horizontal framework are lying dry. In order to get the construction submerged in an operatively ready condition ballast water is admitted into the pipe elements in t lower horizontal framework and into parts of the vertical pipe elements 4. If the horizontal pipe elements 2 of the lower framework are wholly filled with ballast water it will be unnecessary to fill all of the pipe elements 2 and one can choo a suitable number of such pipe elements 2 which are then filled up totally, while the remaining pipe elements 2 can be empty. I not, if all the pipe elements 2 are partially filled, there wil then be formed a water level inside in the lower framework. Wit respect to stability provision is made however for the lower framework to be divided up into separate sections, so that limited water movement is obtained in the framework during use the fish pound construction. The control of the different valves -can be carried out in a manner known per se, -for example by remote control from a control desk in the building 9.

In fig. 8 there are shown base support members 15 which form the bottom of the pipe elements 4 at their lower end. The base support member 15 is provided with a central concave cavity 16 in which the bottom valve 10 discharges into the pipe element 4 and outwardly towards the sea. The base support member 15 is adapted to form a support abutment against the bottom of a dock or similar foundation having an annular support abutment radially outside the cavity 16.

As shown in Fig. 3,5 and 8 there is indicated an arrangement of internal passages in the construction 1. In Fig. 3 there is • shown an upper, vertically opening manhole 14 with which access is provided to the vertical pipe elements 4 and the pipe elements 3 of the upper framework. In Fig. 5 there are shown lower pipe elements 2 and their separate closeable, internal passage openings or manholes 17 between the pipe elements 4 and the pipe elements 2. In Fig. 8 there are shown passage openings or manholes 17 laterally in the construction at the upper and lower frameworks of the construction. By means of the manholes 14 and the passage openings and the manholes 17, access can be provided internally to all sections of the individual pipe elements 2-4 of the construction.

In known floating breeding installations the fish bag is suspended in an upper framework. In order to prevent contraction (folding together) of the volume of the fish bag, as a result of heavy currents laterally through the breeding installation, weights have been employed for tightening up the fish bag and the stronger the currents, the heavier the weights one has employed. According to the present invention such weights are excluded and instead the fish bags are fixed directly to the lower framework of the fish pound construction.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Fish pound construction (1), especially for use in the sea in regions which are exposed to heavy wave movements and strong current movements, comprising a rigid upper, frame-forming construction component which is adapted to project upwardly abov or upwardly to the surface of the sea and a ridig lower, frame- forming construction component which is adapted to be submerged in the sea to the bottom level of the pound, where the construction components are connected to each other by means of intermediate connection members for mutually bracing and shoring up of the upper and the lower construction components relative t each other, vertical openings being arranged in the constructio components for the reception of their respective fish pound bags (8), while there are horizontal openings between the constructi components and the connection members for the free flow through of the surrounding sea, characterised in that the construction components and the connection members are produced in the form a monolithic frame structure of mutually communicating pipe elements (2-4) comprising a set of upper horizontal pipe elemen (3) and a set of lower horizontal pipe elements (2) together wi a set of intermediate vertical pipe elements (4), which jointly form a rigid upper horizontal framework and a rigid lower horizontal framework together with an intermediate vertical framework, that the frameworks define together multi-edged annular frame portions arranged in rows, and that pipe elements (2-4) of the frame structure form part of a valve-controlled system of ballast-forming or float-forming framework portions.

2. Fish pound construction in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the pipe elements (2-4), which define a multiple of fish bag-receiving cells (7) and which are adapted to communicate with each other, are separated from each other by way of communicable groups by means of remotely controlled valves (11,12), a first central, vertical pipe element (4) or a first central group of pipe elements (2,3,4) forming an inner circuit or a pair of inner circuits with their respective separate ballast filling system and ballast emptying system with associated filling and/or emptying valve (10), while an outer group of pipe elements (2,3,4) forms part of a number of separately segregated, outer circuits (13A-13H) which are individually adapted to be set in communication with the inner circuit or the inner pair of circuits via an associated of the remotely controlled valves (11,12).

3. Fish pound construction in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the fish pound construction (1) is provided with a row of separately closeable and openable manholes (14,17) for admission to .the inner side of the pipe elements (2-4), certain of the manholes being turned laterally outwards from an associated pipe element, while remaining manholes form divisions between impacting pipe elements.