Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
7~
The present invention relates to a vessel for gathering seaweed
and the like.
The present invention proposes -to provide a vessel of the
above-mentioned type which provides basic improvements in regard to -the
maintenance, repair and replacement requirements. Besides, it is desired
to provide a novel vessel which needs less labour for its operation. In
addition, the present invention proposes to provide a vessel which is
characteri~ed by its high effectiveness and by a high yield of the power
needed for its operation, in the gathering means, in the means used in the
conditioning of the drop, and in the means for the operation of the driving
means.
Several types of vessels Eor gathering seaweed or the like are
known, particularly those used for collecting "macrocystis" and other
types which could be subjected to mechanical cutting. Such vessels con-
sist invariably of conventional floating and motor driven uni-ts which may
be driven by means of helices, blade wheels or helix-turbines, etc., and
include in their front face an element for cutting seaweed comprised by
toothed knives similar to those used in grass cutting machines, which are
generally selectively located on different immersion levels, but to ].imited
depths. Following such cutting element, such assemblies have means for
rearwardly displacing and lifting the branches which are being cuk in order
to deposit them on deck wherein they are exposed to climatic conditions,
employing for this end different receiving means which vary according to
the different embodiments available, but which have always the same opera-
tive characteristics, which require a further handling to withdraw the sea-
weed branched from the deck in order to transfer them to special containers
.~ or to other vessels.
The known floating tendency of the plants thus cut enables
-- 2 --
thern to ascelld vertically ~o b~ received by a transport-1iftillg
unit which moves them to the deck, such displacement means being essential
for transferring the branches from the water level to the level o~ the
deck or the cellar. Of course, the incorporation of mechanisms for the
functioning of that transport-lifting means involves a maintenance require-
ments and a higher power consumption, wi-th -the corresponding yield limita-
tion.
sy a broad aspect of this invention, a vessel is provided for
gathering seaweed and the like vegetation, the vessel being of the type
constituted by a floating and engine driven assembly, including an immersed
element for cutting branches of the vegetation and means for gathering,
raising and transferring the branches in a rearward di.rection, the vessel
comprising- a floating assembly comprising two side and elongated floats
which hold an upper platform containing a command booth and a power plant;
a water tunnel under the platform; driven helices located in the front part
of the tunnel, the helices being adapted to drive the water within the tunnel
in a backward direction; driving n1eans for the vessel comprising the helices
in combination with blade wheels at -the sides of the floats, -the blade
wheels having driving forces which may be controlled in independent and
selective directions; -the cutting element being located behind the first
helices and at an adjustable level below the helices level; a branch-
gathering net disposed behind the cutting element, the net having its bot-
tom formed by an inclined plane which ascends in a rearward direction, the
net being open and communicating with a cage for receiving the branches;
the net and the tunnel forming the means for gathering, raising and trans-
ferring the branches in a backward direction.
sy one variant, the net is held by two swivellable arms, the arms
being pivotable about respective pivot pins located in the inner Eaces of
~'7~
the respective two floats and on the rear part of the floats, the pins
being at a level lower than that of the draught water line of the vessel.
sy a variation thereoE, the two swivellable arms are provided
with a lower extension for holding the element for cutting branches.
By another variation, the element for cutting branches comprises:
two toothed knives, each having -their teeth directed towards the advance
front of the vessel, one of the knives being fixed and the other one being
reciprocally slidable on the first knife, the slidable knife being in
turn coupled to a member for imparting the reciprocating movement.
By a further variation, the lower ends of the swivellable arms
which hold the net and the cutting element are hung by means of cables or
the like hanging from a hoisting mechanism whexeby the arms may be fixed
at different depths and angles.
By ano-ther variant, the helices which are located inside the
water tunnel are coupled to respective driving engines which are adjustably
fixable at selective levels.
By a variation thereof, the engines are fixable between the
draught water line of the vessel and the bottom of the floa-ts.
By another variation thereof, the engines to which the driving helices
are coupled are hung from respective cables ex-tending from the platEorm
up to corresponding blocks.
By another variant, the vessel includes a mesh gate corresponding
to the rear opening of the net, the mesh gate being swivellable with respect
to its upper edge, the mesh gate being located at a level higher than that
of the draught l~ater line of the vessel, the lower edge of the mesh gate coin-
ciding with the horizontal edge of the rear opening.
By yet another variant, the cage for receiving cut branches com-
prises: a structure including side and bottom meshes, the structure being
- 4 ~
securea to side floats, the side floats thereby maintaining the mesh semi-
immersed, with the bottom meshes being substantially coplanar with the
lower edge of the rear opening of the net which is adapted to collect the
branches.
~y a variation thereof, the cage for receiving cu-t branches has
mesh openiny gates in its front and rear Eaces.
sy another variation, each cage includes engaging means, the
engaging means being releasable with respect to the vessel floating assem-
bly, the engaging means being located at least on the front end, whereby
the cages are capable of tandem coupling.
The vessel of broad aspects of -the present invention takes ad-
vantage of a different arrangement of its driving and floating means, pro-
viding a driven water tunnel, the stream of which is added to the forward
stream in order rearwardly to displace the cut branches and, while they are
still immersed, before they reach the water level, for transferring them
without any additional transport unit, to special receiving cages removab]y
located behind the vessel, such cages being semi-submersed so that the
branches remain under the water level, and therefore, under better pre-
serving conditions.
Thus, -the vessel of an aspect of this invention is constituted
by two parallel or substantially parallel, floating shells, one beside
the other, in which -there is a platform on such shells or elongated floats.
A tunnel is constituted thereby limited at the sides by the Eloats and
limited in its upper part by the platform. The power plant and the
command both are located on the platform. Under the platform and in the
front part of the tunnel, there are one or more helices, or,the like,
capable of driving the vessel. From the rear part of the same
tunnel, means retaining the cutting element project downwardly in
- 4 a -
~7~c~
a regular form, aLong wi-th the even-tual driving motor, which will be pre-
ferably a hyclraulic motor since it will ha~e to operate in a submersed
condi-tion.
The means retaining the cutting element include swivelling side
, <,~, ,
- 4 b -
7~ 3
bars which simllltaneo-lsly hold a net wh:[ch directs the brcTnches rearwardly
and upwardly, ilnd ~hich does not reach in its rear end to the floating
level or to tihe level of the outer water. In that end, the net defines an
ample rear opening through which the branches may pass without any
hindrance to the semi-immersed receivîng cages which are located in ~andem
behind the vessel. The passage of the branches towards the cages is
improved by the tunnel stream formed by the sum of the advance displacement
of the vessel and the flow produced by the helix or i~elices.
That sum of streams causes the branches naturally to ascend to
the collecting net following the cutting element. Thus, the special front
disposition of the helices and the tunnel contribute to a displacement
without power consumption of the branches towards the receiving cages
after passing through the net.
Besides, in conjunction with the rear end of the net, there is
a removable gate, for example, a wire net, capable of closing the opening
defined on that end, before entering the cages. That gate is provided for
storing branches even without the addition of cages, or when the cages
have been withdrawn for any reason. The storage will be carried out into
the net and, when a cage is located behind the vessel, the branches
retained therein will pass by means of the stream flow to the rear bottom
of the cage mere:Ly by opening the gate.
The above-described arrangement, particularly due to the front
location of the helices or the like, permits greater cut depths, being
the cutting depths of four times the depth attained with the vessels known
up to now, thus increasing the collecting yield. All these advantages are
also attained with a reduction in the power consumption, ~since the lifting
and inner transport means are eliminated.
Obviously, among the complementary elements of this vessel are
resources for locating the driving helix or helices to selected levels, as
7~
well as those permitting the locatlon of the cutting elements in clifferent
depths, and all means needed to drive the vessel which ~11 be preferably
blade wheel driven by reverse motors located outside the elongated -floats
and on the rear portion. I~ith such wheels, not only are the driving
effect provided, but braking effects and commanding or steer;ng the vessel
are `also prov:ided.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a perspecti-ve view of the assembly including a vessel
in accordance witll an aspect of the invention, behind which there are two
cages for receiving seaweed branches being cut by the vessel during its
advance;
Figure 2 is a side view of the assembly of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a two blade toothed l;nife useful as a cutting element
and located at selective levels under the vessel of prior figures;
Figure 4 is a schematic plan view corresponding to one example
of an aspect of the present invention;
.
Figure 5 is a vertical and cross view of the vessel of an aspect
this invention; and
Figure 6 is a view similar to the above of one of the cages
towed by the same vessel.
In all Fi.gures, the same reference numerals correspond to the
same parts of elements constituting the assembly selected as a non-limitlng
example of the invention.
As may be seen in Figure 1 and following Figures, the vessel of
one aspect of the present invention is constituted by two elongated floats
1 and 2 which hold one substantially horizontal platform,3, on which the
command booth 4 and a power plant 5 are located. The power plant may be
provided with an internal combustion element coupled to a hydraullc pump
capable of providing liquid under pressure i.n order to drive the above
7~4~
mentioned engllle elements. On both sides of the floats there are blade
wheels 6 usable as brakingJ direction and driving means, selected accor-
ding to the desire. In order to atta-in this, each of tlle wheels is
coupled to its repsective engine, preferably a hydraulic motor 7, as shown
in Figure 4.
` ~nder the platform 3 and in the frone of the vessel, between
floats l and 2, there are a plurality of vertical and parallel plates 11,
the height of wllich is equivalent to that of the floats. Such plates
constitute a means for rectifying water fillets during advance, and also
constitute a means for protecting the helices against eventual sand bars,
stones, logs, etc., s:ince the helices 8 will be located at a depth pre-
ferably smaller than that of the draft of the floats. The helices, which
are replaceable by blade wheels or other similar means, e.g., turbine
helices, are fixable at selective heights by means of hoisting engines or
blocks, specially for raising thenn when the vessel is towed to be located
on a shore,being this operation also contemplated by adding side winches 9
coupled to corresponding engine means 10.
A swivelling frame 12,pivoting in the rear part 13 of the tunnel
formed between the two floats and the horiæontal platform, holds the
cutting element 14 formed by two toothed knives 15 and 16 as shown in
Figure 3. One of the knives is fixed in the frame, while the other is
reciprocally displaceable by means of a connecting rod-crank system 17
driven by a motor l~ preferably hydraulic. The frame and cutting element
assembly hangs ~rom cables 19 extending on the platform from a block, or
the like, 20. In turn, the same frame holds a net 21 or appropriate
metallic mesh9 which is open in its front 22 and also in,its rear part,
which is of less height. This leaves an opening 23 which is wide enough
in order that the seaweed branches which are cut by the knives and pushed
by the stream produced by the advance and by the helices, may pass to the
~7~
rear part in which they enter the cages 24 and 25 which are separated by
a mesh gate 26 which closes when the rear cage is completely full, in
order that the enterIng branches further deposit in the leading cage 24.
Another gate 27 pivoting around an axle 28 and fixable, for example, by
means of pins 29, is located mating with the rear opening 23 of the net
21, in the zone behind the f:Loats. That gate prevents the branches from
coming out of the net when the cages are withdrawn.
Each oE the cages 24 and 25 has walls and a floor of a mesh size
sufflcient for retaining the seaweed branches being cut, according to the
species being gathered, and being constituted boy corresponding rigid Erames
connected to the floats, which preferably will be at the sides and in two
levels, 30 and 31, and with an intermediate lower and central float 32,
as shown in Figure 6.
A telescopic sight 33 is located between the floats and the
front part, in order to provide observation of the movement of the branches
cut or other immersed elements. This is an optional accessory which does
not affect in any way the novelty of aspects of this invention.
On the platform 3, openings could be included, some of them pro-
vided with removable covers, as those indicated with number 34, for main-
tenance and other purposes in connection with the immersed elements.
This constitution of the vessel of aspects of the invention,when such vesse:L is used for gathering seaweed or similar water crops, the
composition of the movements resulting from the advance, and the helices
driving force and the tendency to float of the branches, makes it possible
that the branches are directed immediately towards the collecting net 21,
as may be seen in Figure 2, and from the net continue thèir way to the
tandem coupled trailing cages without the need of other transport means.
