Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
APPARATUS FOR TRANSPORTING POLLUTION FROM
A BODY OF WATER
Technical Field
100011 This invention relates generally to harvesting floatable
material (e.g., in the form of seaweed and algae; or in the form of a
floating, chemical/radioactive absorbent material such as wood
chips, mesh polypropylene, straw, vermiculite, zeolite, composite
titanate nanofibres). Particularly, in one instance, the system of the
invention is used for harvesting beached seaweed and detached
seaweed floating in the surf and, in another instance, for harvesting
spent pollutant absorbent material floating on a body of water or on
the beach after having been used to aid the cleanup of a chemical
spill on that body of water or beach. In another instance, for
harvesting titanate nanofibre material that has been used to absorb
radiation, heavy metals, and isotopes from a nuclear disaster.
Furthermore, an efficient disposal method of incinerating the
chemical spill within the apparatus is disclosed, or, in the instance
of seaweed, the organic matter is processed within the apparatus for
preservation.
Background Art
100021 Eutrophication is the unnatural nutrient enrichment of our
oceans, rivers, and lakes, causing a linear increase in algae and
seaweed growth. This measurable scientific phenomenon is
occurring globally through sewer, aquaculture, and farm run-off
pollution, and as a result there is a large accumulation of seaweed
on beaches, in particular after storm activity that tears the seaweed
from the ocean floor. The amounts are sometimes staggering,
leading to mass rotting and often the generation of hydrogen
sulphide gas, which has been known to kill both humans and
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animals, as well as the direct release of methane into the atmosphere
through anaerobic decomposition, where methane is commonly
known to have 72 times the Global Warming Potential (GWP) over
20 years than carbon dioxide. Furthermore, although some of the
seaweed provides beneficial decomposing matter as food for insects
and worms that feed other species, the amounts of seaweed often far
outweighs the benefit of the ecosystem, as it amounts to incredible
masses of rotting vegetation similar to a massive landfill. There
appears to be a direct correlation between the global jellyfish
epidemic and eutrophication. Eutrophication is also for certain
leading to the starvation and destruction of coral reef systems that
are overwhelmed and suffocated by algae. In fresh water
environments, eutrophication is starving fish of oxygen and
ultimately destroying their natural habitat by overwhelming the
habitat with biomass.
[0003] While overgrown or invasive, aquatic plants can be a
nuisance as well as a hazard to the environment, those plants at the
same time can present commercial opportunity. For example Irish
Moss, also known as Chondnis crispus, Mastocarpus stellatus, or
Mazaella japonica, is a type of storm-cast seaweed often found on
beaches in certain areas. Alginates from Laminaria and Macrocystis
also present commercial opportunity. The large amounts of seaweed
can be a nuisance when it washes up on shore and begins to decay,
causing a stench, releasing methane and hydrogen sulfide gases, and
leaving the beach looking filthy. However, some seaweeds are high
in carrageenan and alginates, which have significant commercial
value in the food and cosmetic industry. It would therefore be
beneficial to harvest this seaweed for its commercial value, while at
the same time providing an effective removal service for the washed
up seaweed on the beach.
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[0004] Conventional methods of harvesting beached seaweed and
other aquatic plants cast on or near shores of bodies of water include
use of equipment such as all terrain vehicles and trailers on the
shore. however, conventional methods do not address the difficulty
of harvesting seaweed from shores where land access is unavailable.
Furthermore, in sensitive beach environments, they can disturb the
ground, causing the sea grass to die and the beach to erode, as well
as promoting the destruction of clams and fish eggs by the use of
tracked vehicles to access such beach areas.
[0005] Other methods of harvesting beached seaweed include
accessing a shore with a large barge or landing craft. However, the
waters near many shores have shallow areas where access would not
be possible during low tide, as the barge would contact the ground
and possibly damage clam beds and other sea life or ecology.
[0006] Another situation in which floatable material may need to be
removed from the surface of a body of water or the beach is when
floatable fibrous material are introduced to the surface of the water
or beach, to aid in the clean up of a chemical such as petroleum.
Many different apparatus that suction oil are known in the prior art.
All of them have a limitation of rate and speed of pick up. Petroleum
spills cause more damage to the environment the longer the oil spill
is present. A situation in which non-organics may be used near a
body of water is to aid in the clean up after a nuclear disaster
near/within water, such as the use of titanate nanofibres or zeolite
material to absorb radiation and radioactive isotopes.
[0007] Therefore, there remains a need for an efficient and
environmentally sound system for harvesting seaweed from the
shore and intertidal zone of a body of water and a need for a system
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for collecting floating fibrous material used in absorbing chemicals
or radioactive isotopes spilled on a given body of water.
Summary of the Embodiments
100081 In brief, a floatable material (e.g., seaweed; fibrous material
used in oil-spill clean up or a nuclear disaster) harvester is disclosed,
including a vacuum source, a transport hose, and a floatable-
material receiver. In one embodiment, the transport hose has at least
one air inductor/intake along its length, which allows air to enter the
transport hose to accelerate its contents, by negative pressure air
induction. The air inductor may have a valve controlled by an air
meter. In another embodiment, a plurality of air inductors is shown.
In some embodiments, a plurality of valves is shown. In another
embodiment, a transport hose has at least one floatable-material
thruster along its length, comprised of at least one nozzle, which
provides pressurized fluid (e.g., air or water) in the direction of the
flow of the harvested floatable material by positive pressure
induction. In some embodiments, a plurality of floatable-material
thrusters is shown. In some embodiments, the directed flow of fluid
may also produce a strong Venturi effect, which draws product in
through the floatable-material input of the thruster. A method is
disclosed whereby the floatable-material harvester is used to harvest
a chemically absorbent material (e.g., wood chips, straw, perlite,
vermiculite, polypropylene mesh, zeolite) that has absorbed
chemicals (e.g., oil or solvent) spilled in water. In another example,
the apparatus is used to remove chemicals from a beach by use of
sorbent material that is picked up by a vehicle configured to pick up
floatable material. In some embodiments, the absorbent material
may be floatable titanate nanofibres material and radioactive heavy
metals/chemicals may be absorbed by this material. Zeolite and in
particular some synthetic zeolites, are also suitable for absorbing
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radioactive material or isotopes. For the purpose of describing this
invention, chemicals and radioactive material/isotopes may be
referred to simply as pollutants.
[0009] Zeolite is any of a large group of minerals consisting of
hydrated aluminosilicates of sodium, potassium, calcium, and
barium. They can be readily dehydrated and rehydrated, and are
used as cation exchangers and molecular sieves.
[0010] Disclosed is a floatable-material harvester, including a
vacuum source having an input, a transport hose having an input at
one end and an output connected to the vacuum source input, and
having at least one air inductor/intake, and a floatable-material
receiver, connected to the input of the transport hose. Also disclosed
is a process, for when the floatable material is specifically seaweed,
for treating and preserving the seaweed by washing, sterilizing,
refrigerating, and oxygenating the seaweed.
[0011] In a related embodiment and improvement to the vacuum
system, the at least one air inductor is replaced with at least one
floatable-material thruster, which is a device designed to provide
pressurized fluid in the direction of the flow of seaweed or other
floatable material (whether natural or synthetic) to be collected,
through at least one nozzle pointed in the relative direction of flow
of the floatable material. The fluid, namely air or water, in some
embodiments is provided by a pump connected to a high pressure
hose that runs at least partially parallel to the transport hose and
connects to the at least one floatable-material thruster. In some
embodiments, at least one pump is connected to the at least one
floatable-material thruster.
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[0012] In a related embodiment, the floatable-material harvester
further includes a trommel washer connected to the collection area.
The trommel washer has a refrigeration unit to lower the
temperature of the wash water to lower the temperature of the
seaweed for preservation. In another embodiment, refrigeration is
provided by circulating refrigerated air through the seaweed as it
enters the storage container. In another embodiment, refrigeration is
provided inside the storage container. The trommel washer also has
an ozonator or other sterilizer such as bromine or chlorine, where
ozone both sterilizes and oxygenates the seaweed. An ozonator is
preferred because it does not require the storage of chemicals and
ozone may be generated by means of passing air over an Ultraviolet-
C light or by using a corona discharge apparatus. In another
embodiment, the seaweed is passed by a UV-C (i.e., an Ultraviolet-
C) light to sterilize the seaweed. In another embodiment, radiation
is used to sterilize the seaweed. In another embodiment, the
transport hose has at least one flotation device to promote the
buoyancy thereof.
[0013] In an additional embodiment, at least one air inductor has at
= least one air control valve regulating the flow of air through the at
least one air inductor. An air inductor is an air intake that allows a
controlled amount of air to enter the transport hose by negative
pressure. In some embodiments, a plurality of air inductors is
shown. In still another embodiment, the floatable-material harvester
includes a microprocessor coupled to the at least one air control
valve and configured to control the at least one air control valve. The
at least one air inductor may further include an airflow meter, in
another embodiment. A plurality of air inductors may assist material
in traveling a greater distance than a single air inductor.
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[0014] In yet another embodiment, the least one air inductor
includes a snorkel to help ensure that air and not water is intaken by
placing the level of the air intake a distance above the normal water
level, while being high enough of a distance to minimize take on
water from waves. Another embodiment of the floatable-material
harvester includes an airtight hose section filled with air, through
which the transport hose passes, with the airtight hose section
interior being connected to the interior of the transport hose by the
at least one air inductor.
[0015] In another embodiment, the at least one air inductor is
replaced with or possibly supplemented by at least one floatable-
material thruster connected to a pump. A floatable-material thruster
is a device designed to inject high pressure fluid into the transport
hose from a fluid input and through at least one nozzle. In some
embodiments, the floatable-material thruster operates in the same
manner as a conventional air conveyor, comprised of a fluid input
that connects to an outer plenum that is pressurized with fluid,
connected to a ring of nozzles that injects the fluid into the direction
of the flow of the floatable material through the inner passage. Air
conveyors also may have a slightly smaller passage diameter than
the connecting hose, causing a Venturi effect to occur on the inlet
and thrust on the outlet of the floatable-material thruster. In some
embodiments, the floatable-material thruster is provided fluid
through at least one flow control valve. In other embodiments, the
flow control valve is controlled by a microprocessor. In some
embodiments, at least one flow meter is connected in series with the
at least one flow control valve and controls the at least one flow
valve. In some embodiments, at least one pressure sensor provides
pressure information from inside the transport hose to a
microprocessor, which for the purposes of the present disclosure
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could, by way of example only, be part of a personal computer or a
computer network or may be a stand-alone programmable logic
circuit (PLC). In some embodiments, the microprocessor also
receives information from the at least one flow meter. In another
embodiment, the pressure sensor controls at least one of the flow
valve, pressure regulator, and the speed or thrust of the pumps by an
analog electrical connection. In another embodiment, the at least one
pressure sensor is located on the high pressure hose and/or the high
pressure tank. In another embodiment, an air inductor may operate
in the opposite flow direction to function as a gas escape
mechanism, where it is positioned in such a manner as to relieve gas
pressure produced in the transport hose by the floatable-material
thruster. A filter screen may be placed over the air output, as to
prevent the solid contents of the transport hose from plugging the
gas escape mechanism.
100161 In yet other embodiments, the microprocessor uses the
information from the at least one pressure sensor and the at least one
flow meter to control the at least one flow valve and the speed of the
high pressure pump. In another embodiment, the microprocessor
also controls the speed of the vacuum source or of a centrifugal or
other type of water pump. The water pump and vacuum source each
may have its speed and/or power controlled, for example, by the rpm
(i.e., revolutions per minute) of an engine, by pulsation, or by
otherwise providing continuous flow or bursts of energy by
combustion, electrical, or waste steam from an incinerator
connected to the apparatus.
[0017] According to another embodiment, the floatable-material
receiver further includes a hopper having an outlet coupled to the
input of the transport hose. In an additional embodiment, the hopper
also includes an agitator, which vibrates to assist in the flow of
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floatable material. In another embodiment of a feeder mechanism,
the floatable-material receiver includes a paddle wheel placed
within the floatable-material receiver so as to stir its contents into
the transport hose. In still another embodiment, the floatable-
material receiver includes a nozzle placed within the floatable-
material receiver, so as to propel the floatable-material receiver's
contents with a water jet into the transport hose. The nozzle is
connected to a water pump that receives water from a water source
and drives the water into the nozzle to produce the water jet. The
water jet may propel the floatable material into a funneling element
and into the transport hose, or the water jet may propel the floatable
material directly into the transport hose. In some embodiments, a
water jet or nozzle is submerged into the floatable material within
the beach or surf, propels the material onto a mechanic device that
picks up floatable material, such as a conveyor belt. In another
embodiment, the nozzle simply propels material in the surf or on the
beach into the floatable-material receiver. In another embodiment,
the nozzle is fluidly connected to an air compressor and instead
provides an air jet.
100181 Another embodiment of the floatable-material harvester
includes a flotation device supporting the floatable-material receiver
in order to keep the floatable-material receiver approximately near
the level of the water in which it is operating. In a related
embodiment, the flotation device further includes buoyancy control
to allow the floatable-material receiver to be lowered into the water.
In another embodiment, the flotation device additionally includes a
propulsion system. In yet another embodiment, the flotation device
has a rudder. The flotation device further includes an anchoring
system, in another embodiment. In a related embodiment, the
anchoring system is automated.
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100191 A method is also included for harvesting beached and/or
near-shore floatable material. The method involves dispersing
sorbent material designed or suitable for absorbing petroleum or
other chemicals and radiation/radioactive material while repelling
water. The method may involve dispersing said material with an
apparatus comprised of a storage area, feeder mechanism, floatable
material receiver, and a transport hose comprised of at least on
floatable material thruster. The method involves providing a
floatable-material harvester as described above, activating the
vacuum source or high pressure pump, supplying floatable material
to the floatable-material receiver, and emptying harvested floatable
material from the collection area. In the case of petroleum, the
method further includes incinerating at least some of the collected
floatable-material within the harvesting apparatus. The method then
includes using the waste heat from the incinerator to provide power
for the harvest apparatus. That power may be provided by way of
steam to turbine and/or impeller. The same method includes using
an air inductor along the length of the transport tube and a vacuum
source, that both may replace or supplement the floatable-material
thruster and high pressure pump.
100201 In some embodiments, collected seaweed is metered into and
through a mesh belt dryer, which is a well known apparatus for
drying seaweed. This dryer provides air flow through a layer of
seaweed that is several inches deep on a conveyor belt. The seaweed
is often stirrated or flipped over as it moves down the conveyor belt
to cause even distribution of air and drying. In some embodiments,
instead of drying, the mesh belt dryer has an air intake that is fitted
with a refrigeration unit, so that cold air is circulated through the
seaweed, lowering its temperature to around 2 degrees Celsius as it
moves down the conveyor belt. In some embodiments, an apparatus
CA 2846047 2018-09-28
that cools the seaweed by cold air is used instead of the refrigeration
unit in the seaweed washer. In some embodiments, a rotary dryer is
used in place of a mesh belt dryer or any device suited for circulating
cold air around solid material. The exhaust and intake of the mesh
belt dryer may be directly connected by a circulation fan, so that the
evaporator coils or other cooling mechanism of the refrigeration unit
are in the path of the airflow. Cooling the seaweed from ambient
temperature has the effect of dramatically lowering its rate of
decomposition.
[00211 In other embodiments, the collected seaweed is processed
through a seaweed washer. In some embodiments, the seaweed
washer is comprised of a refrigeration unit to lower the temperature
of the wash water, which in turn lowers the temperature of the
seaweed. In other embodiments, the wash water is injected with a
sterilizing agent such as ozone, bromine, or chlorine. In another
embodiment, the seaweed is sterilized by ultraviolet-C (e.g. UV-C)
or electromagnetic radiation suitable for killing, e.g., bacteria,
nematodes, protozoans, and fungi, thereby suitably sterilizing the
seaweed. Sterilizing the seaweed also aids in slowing the rate of
decomposition.
[0022] Other aspects, embodiments and features of the invention
will become apparent from the following detailed description of the
invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying
figures. The accompanying figures are for schematic purposes and
are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the figures, each identical
or substantially similar component that is illustrated in various
figures is represented by a single numeral or notation at its initial
drawing depiction. For purposes of clarity, not every component is
labeled in every figure. Nor is every component of each embodiment
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of the invention shown where illustration is not necessary to allow
those of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0023] The preceding summary, as well as the following detailed
description of the invention, will be better understood when read in
conjunction with the attached drawings. For the purpose of
illustrating the invention, presently preferred embodiments arc
shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the
invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and
instrumentalities shown.
[0024] FIG. IA is a schematic diagram of an overhead view of an
embodiment of a mechanized floatable-material harvester;
[0025] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of a side view of an
embodiment of the transport hose and a rear facing direct view of an
embodiment of an amphibious vehicle;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an overhead view of an
embodiment of a floatable-material harvester;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an overhead view of an
embodiment of a floatable-material receiver;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a side view of an
embodiment of a floatable-material receiver;
100291 FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an overhead view of an
embodiment of a floatable-material receiver;
[0030] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a side view of an
embodiment of a floatable-material receiver;
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[0031] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an overhead or top view of
an embodiment of a floatable-material receiver;
[0032] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a side view of an
embodiment of a floatable-material receiver;
100331 FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a side view of an
embodiment of a floatable-material receiver;
[0034] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an overhead view of an
embodiment of a floatable-material receiver;
[0035] FIG. 11A is a schematic diagram of a direct view of an
embodiment of a gas escape mechanism;
[0036] FIG. 11B is a schematic diagram of an overhead view of an
embodiment of a gas escape mechanism;
[0037] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of an overhead view of an
embodiment of a floatable-material receiver;
100381 FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a side view of an
embodiment of a floatable-material receiver;
[0039] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of an overhead view of an
embodiment of a floatable-material receiver;
[0040] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a side view of an
embodiment of a floatable-material receiver;
[0041] FIG. 16 is schematic diagram of an overhead view of an
embodiment of a floatable-material thruster;
[0042] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of an overhead view of an
embodiment of a floatable-material thruster;
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10043] FIG. 18A is a schematic diagram of an overhead view of an
embodiment of a floatable-material thruster;
100441 FIG. 18B is a schematic diagram of an overhead view of an
embodiment of a floatable-material thruster;
[0045] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a direct view of an
embodiment of a floatable-material thruster;
[0046] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of a direct view of an
embodiment of a floatable-material thruster connected to a water
pump and floatation device;
[0047] FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a
trommel washer, sterilizer, and refrigeration unit that can be used
with the floatable-material harvester;
[0048] FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an
overhead view of a floatable-material harvester;
100491 FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of a side view of an
embodiment of a floatable-material receiver and an entrance of air
for at lease one air inductor;
100501 FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an
overhead view of an air induction floatable-material harvester;
[0051] FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram of a side view of an
embodiment of a floating air inductor through a snorkel;
100521 FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram of a direct view of an
embodiment of a floating air inductor;
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[0053] FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a side
and overhead view of a plug designed to bleed air;
100541 FIG. 28A is a schematic diagram of a direct view of an
embodiment of an air induction system with an air tight outer hose;
100551 FIG. 28B is a schematic diagram of a side view of an
embodiment of an air induction system with an air tight outer hose;
[0056] FIG. 29C is a schematic diagram of an overhead view of an
embodiment of an air induction system with an air tight outer hose;
[0057] FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram of an overhead view of an
embodiment of a floating air inductor;
[0058] FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram of a direct view of an
embodiment of a floating air inductor with a counterweight;
[0059] FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a side
view of a floatable-material receiver;
[0060] FIG. 32A is a schematic diagram of an overhead view of an
embodiment of an elongated pickup mechanism;
100611 FIG. 32B is a schematic diagram of a side view of an
embodiment of an elongated pickup mechanism;
100621 FIG. 33A is a schematic diagram of an overhead view of an
embodiment of a swivel conveyor apparatus;
100631 FIG. 33B is a schematic diagram of a side view of an
embodiment of a swivel conveyor apparatus;
100641 FIG. 34 is a schematic diagram of an overhead view of an
embodiment of a sorbent material disbursement apparatus;
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[0065] FIG. 35 is a schematic diagram of a side view of an
embodiment of a mechanical device that picks up floatable material;
[0066] FIG. 36A is a schematic diagram of a side view of an
embodiment of a filter which exits water and collects floatable
material;
[0067] FIG. 36B is a schematic diagram of a side view of an
embodiment of an instrument that measures water speed and
direction;
Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments
[0068] Embodiments of the disclosed floatable-material harvester,
when used particularly to harvest seaweed or chemically absorbent
material, enable workers on a shore of adjacent body of water to
clean up seaweed or other floatable material more efficiently, with
less environmental impact. The improved transport hose has the
effect of accelerating the speed of material as the air speed increases
over each air inductor, allowing a significant increase in both
travel/conveyance distance, even while possibly using a smaller
hose diameter. The improved suction also permits the harvester to
collect seaweed or other floatable material more rapidly. Even more
mass may be moved and/or an even larger conveyance distance may
be achieved in some embodiments which depict at least one
floatable-material thruster comprised of at least one nozzle pointed
in the general direction of flow of the seaweed or floatable material,
where the floatable-material thruster provides pressurized fluid from
at least one pump through a high pressure hose. Even more mass
may be transported a longer distance with the use of a plurality of
floatable-material thrusters and a plurality of flow control valves.
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100691 Some embodiments disclosed herein are designed to harvest
seaweed, particularly loose seaweed on the surface or shore of any
body of water. "Seaweed" for the purposes used in this document
includes oceanic seaweed, kelp, and other algal "plants," as well as
any aquatic plant or plant-like organisms in fresh, brackish, or salt
water. Embodiments of the disclosed floatable-material harvester
may function on the surface or shore of any body of water, including
oceans, seas, bays, fjords, lagoons, lakes, rivers, streams, ponds,
estuaries, marshes, salt marshes, and swamps. The "shore" or
"beach" of a body of water is the area of land immediately adjacent
to that body of water.
100701 It is noted that, for simplicity sake and ease of description,
the floatable-material harvester is being described primarily in the
context of harvesting seaweed but, as previously noted, the system
can be used in a similar manner to harvest/retrieve other types of
floating or beached sorbents, also known as a chemically absorbent
material (e.g., wood chips, vermiculite, straw, clay, mesh
polypropylene, zeolite, titanate nanofibres), such as those employed
to aid clean up of a chemical or pollutant spill (e.g. absorbent
material capable of floating in water) and providing that such
material could be harvested either while floating or once beached on
a shore. It is to be understood that, for the purposes of cleaning up
non-organic beach/floating sorbents (e.g., clay, perlite, titanate
nanofibres), the system described herein for use with floating
organics can also be used to clean up of such non-organic
beached/floating sorbents, given that the principles of operation are
basically the same for such materials. Also, natural and synthetic
zeolite minerals have a unique ability to absorb radiation and
harmful substances from the environment. They are used even in
food supplements for people employed in industries where there is
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a risk of exposure. Products such as zeolite which may not be easily
pierced and picked up by a tine may be blended with a Styrofoam,
fabric, or other material that is easily picked up by a tine or hook. In
some embodiments, the absorbent material may be configured into
loops. In some embodiments, zeolite or nanofibres may be
embedded in natural material such as cotton. In some embodiments,
zeolite or nanofibres may be embedded in a synthetic material such
as but not limited to polypropylene mesh. In some embodiments, the
sorbent may be comprised of magnetic material, so that it may be
easier for a mechanical device to pick up.
100711 A beach cleaner is a vehicle or pull-behind unit that operates
on the beach and is designed to remove seaweed and refuse while
leaving sand, either from the beach or near-shore waters. Beach
cleaners may be comprised of a mechanical device that picks up
floatable material, or pick up floatable material that can be pierced
or grabbed by the tines. Beach cleaners come in many different
forms and have been in active use for decades. The beach cleaner's
largest limitation is that it has a collection area which becomes full,
which requires the beach cleaner to travel to a separate vehicle to
transfer the load, or a vehicle needs to meet the beach cleaner. This
is fuel inefficient and an inefficient process in general. Beach
cleaners may also only use one pick up mechanism, which makes
the rate of pick up too slow for a mass removal from a single
apparatus. Beach cleaners also have no means of elevating
themselves over large obstructions. Also, once the load is
transferred to truck, it is well known and published that barging can
be roughly 6.2 times more fuel efficient than trucking a material an
equal weight and distance. In some embodiments, the beach cleaner
may be replaced with an amphibious vehicle. In some embodiments,
the vehicle may be a hovercraft. In some embodiments, a vehicle
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that floats may be configured to pick up floatable material from the
beach or within a body of water.
100721 FIG. lA is the embodiment of the inventive components of
a completely mechanized apparatus, where beach cleaner 7 would
have arrived by land or by amphibious means. The beach cleaner 7
generally includes a mechanical device that picks up floatable
material 120. This device may be a rake and a rotating cylinder with
numerous small tines that pick up material from the sand, leaving
most of the sand behind. In one embodiment, the device may also
pick up seaweed/floatable material in a manner similar to a farm
combine with a rotating cylinder and flat blades. In another
embodiment, sand and waste are collected via the pick-up blade of
the vehicle onto a vibrating screening belt, which leaves the sand
behind while retaining the floatable material. Beach cleaners
generally operate and move themselves on wheels or tracks. Beach
cleaners transfer the collected material to a collection area. These
collection areas generally have means of transferring their load to
another vehicle, either by dumping or conveying.
100731 In some embodiments, an elongated pick up 19 is comprised
of a side-by-side row of conveyor belts 120 which are further
comprised of many tines, the conveyor belts 120 configured in such
a manner as to pick up floatable material from the beach as depicted
in FIG. 32 (a-b). In some embodiments, the same mechanism may
pick up floating material from a body of water. In some
embodiments, the conveyor belts 120 may have cutters on the
bottom, which sever algae weeds from the bottom of the body of
water. The row of conveyor belt mechanical devices that pick up
floatable material 120 transfers the collected material to two
perpendicular conveyor belts 8, which both operate in opposite
directions to one another, so that the flow of collected floatable
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matter flows from the outside of the elongated pickup into the center
of the apparatus. The floatable material in one embodiment is then
transferred to reducing and metered conveyor belt 46 shown in FIG.
1A. In reference to FIG. 32 (a-b) and in another embodiment, the
floatable material is transferred to a screw conveyor 52. The terms
screw conveyor and screw auger arc used interchangeably in this
document, but both are conveyors.
[0074] In one of the embodiments and in relation to FIG. 1A, the
vessel 68 arrives in a position and depth that is calculated to be safe,
controlled by an operator where the vessel may be self propelled or
pulled by tugboat. The spool 57 deploys high pressure hose 28, and
transport hose 60 is deployed from spool 56. A floatable-material
thruster 62 is lined up with a water tight connector 4, a flow valve
69 and flow meter 23, which are threaded or otherwise connected to
floatable-material thruster 62 and water tight connector 4. In some
embodiments, the flow valve 69 may be replaced with a pressure
regulator valve. In some embodiments, the flow valve 69 may be
replaced with any device designed to control the flow of fluid
through the floatable-material thruster 62. As the hose is deployed
from the two spools, this may be repeated perhaps dozens of times
if a long hose length is required to reach the beach. Several
amphibious vehicles 5 may, as needed, position themselves between
the beach cleaner 7 and the low tide line. The amphibious vehicles
attach the floatable-material thruster 62 assembly by swivel plate
61, separated by an undercarriage 100. The undercarriage may have
a series of horizontally flexible joints 152, so that the entire
apparatus can bend, as well as wrap itself assembled around a large
spool. The swivel plate may be further connected to a
slider/prismatic joint 150, so that the amphibious vehicle 5 may turn
and move lateral underneath the undercarriage 100 by the swivel 61
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and the slider joint 150. The ends of the hoses are attached to beach
cleaner 7. Floating transport hose 60, in its operative state, is
disconnected from spool 56 and connected, directly or indirectly, to
water pump 72 (e.g., a centrifugal water pump in the illustrated
example). The hoses are suspended between the beach cleaner 7 and
from each amphibious vehicle by an undercarriage 100. The swivel
61 connected to the amphibious vehicle may assist the apparatus in
turning and moving up and down the undercarriage 100 by the slider
joint 150. In some embodiments, the swivel 61 may be comprised
of a ball joint, so that it may rotate in all directions. In some
embodiments, the amphibious vehicle 5 is a hovercraft. In some
embodiments such as in FIG. 1B, the amphibious vehicle 5 is
supported and moved by treads 153. In some embodiments such as
depicted in FIG. 32 (a-b), the amphibious vehicle is equipped with
a radar/sonar system 122, which is further disclosed in this
document, so that the amphibious vehicle 5 may avoid obstructions
while still suspending the transport hose 60 above the ground. The
amphibious vehicle 5 may be further comprised of a vertical jack
151, so that the microprocessor 11 may raise or lower the apparatus
over obstructions. Jacks employ a screw thread or hydraulic cylinder
to apply very high linear forces. The jack 151 may be a scissor jack.
Before the apparatus is deployed, an aircraft, satellite, vessel, or
vehicle may survey the terrain in advance with radar, sonar, infrared,
laser, or photographic imagery and provide such data to the
microprocessor 11, so that the microprocessor may best determine
the best route for the harvesting apparatus to undertaken, and the
microprocessor shall determine if certain obstructions may present
difficulty or should be avoided. In some embodiments, the
underwater terrain is surveyed by an Autonomous Underwater
Vehicle (AUV) or a manned submarine.
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100751 For simplicity of naming conventions, hoses that transport
floatable material are often referred to herein as "suction hoses"
and vise-versa, given that a vacuum source is often employed to
move material toward the collection area 12 in FIG. 1A and FIG. 2.
However, these hoses may be more generically considered to be
"transport hoses". The generic term applies because such hoses are
indeed being used to transport floatable materials such as seaweed,
but the means to move the floatable material may involve vacuum
and/or thrust forces. That is, vacuum or suction forces drawing the
material flow toward the hose 60 output, or thrust forces, pushing
the material flow toward the hose output, can be used, and
illustrations of both mechanisms are indeed shown.
100761 Returning to FIG. 1A, beach cleaner 7 has an elongated pick
up 19 designed to transport seaweed from the beach into a collection
area on the beach cleaner unit 7. The pick up 19 is adjustable in
height to leave a layer of seaweed in place on the beach if desired,
often to ensure that a proper and natural level of nutrients are
returned to the sea. An elongated pick up 19 is well known on farm
combines and other types of similar harvesting machinery. In some
embodiments, the elongated pick up 19 may be a rotating cylinder
with horizontal blades that picks up the seaweed/floatable material
and places it on a reducing/channeling metered conveyor belt 46. In
some embodiments, several hooks may be positioned on the material
pick up device 120. The hooks or tines may each pass through a flat
surface with a narrow opening for each tine to pass through, so that
the attached material is severed and remains on top of the flat
surface. The tine may return down the device to obtain more
material from the sand or surf, while the severed material now flows
by force of gravity or any other means of propulsion including what
is described in this document, towards the floatable material
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receiver. In some embodiments, the tines or hooks may be
configured in such a manner as to retract from the surface, which
may cause the material picked up to drop. The tines may then
emerge to the surface of the conveyor to pick up more material. The
beach cleaner vehicle may be equipped with means of flotation. The
beach cleaner in some embodiments may be an amphibious vehicle
that can also collect material from the surf. In some embodiments,
the beach cleaner 7 may be substituted with a small vessel, so that
only a harvest from shallow water may take place.
100771 In some embodiments, the pick up 19 is a rotating conveyor
belt 120 containing a large amount of tines or hooks that combs
through the sand and removes surface and buried debris while
leaving the sand on the beach. In some embodiments, the conveyor
belts 120 transfer their load to a perpendicular conveyor 8 (see
FIGS. 32 a-b). In some embodiments, that perpendicular conveyor
may be a screw conveyor. In some embodiments, the perpendicular
conveyor may be curved and follow a perpendicular curve in
relation to the mechanical devices that pick up floatable material.
The collection area of the beach cleaner 7, in the illustrated
embodiment, has been removed or bypassed, so that the flow of the
seaweed on the elongated pickup 19 is fed into a
reducing/channeling and metered conveyor belt 46. This funneling
element is comprised of two tapered walls that rest on top of the
conveyor belt, so that forward motion of the conveyor belt causes
the seaweed on top of the belt to pile up into a narrower path.
100781 FIG. 32A is an embodiment of a conveyor system designed
to pick up and remove floatable material from the beach or the surf.
FIG. 32A is of an overhead embodiment of the conveyor apparatus.
FIG 32B represents an embodiment of a side view of the conveyor
apparatus. In some embodiments, conveyor belts with tines, which =
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for the present invention will be called a mechanical device that
picks up floatable material 120, are used to pick up and transfer
material from the beach. In some embodiments, an upwards facing
nozzle 58 fluidly connected to a pump is extended into the material
to be harvested, may provide pressurized fluid in the direction of
flow onto the mechanical device 120 to assist in picking up floatable
material. In some embodiments, the nozzle 58 may replace or assist
the mechanical device that picks up floatable-material 120. In some
embodiments, the nozzle 58 that is configured to pick up floatable
material, may be raised or lowered into the floatable material by a
swivel or elevator. In some embodiments the mechanical device that
picks up floatable material 120 may have a magnetic surface and the
floatable material may be magnetic, so the floatable material is
picked up. In another embodiment, the apparatus of FIG. 32 (a-b)
is equipped with means of flotation which may be pontoons 43, so
that the floatable material can be harvested from the surf. In a similar
embodiment, downward projecting nozzles 58 may provide
pressurized fluid in a downward direction, and may be positioned
all over the bottom of the apparatus for balance, as to provide lift of
the apparatus and stability in the surf Each nozzle 58 may be fluidly
connected to both a flow valve and a pump (Not specifically shown
in the FIG. 32 (a-b) embodiments. In a related embodiment, a wave
sensor 500 may provide information to microprocessor 11. A wave
sensor 500 may be a float switch. A wave sensor 500 may be a
mercury tilt switch. In some embodiments, a wave sensor 500 may
be a radar or sonar system configured in such a manner as to provide
distance information from the water to microprocessor 11. A wave
sensor 500 may also be an acoustic sensor. A wave sensor 500 may
also be comprised of accelerometers. A wave sensor 500 may be a
gyroscope. Information from the wave sensor may be used to control
flow valves (not specifically shown in FIG. 32 a-b) to open behind
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the downward facing nozzles 58. A wave sensor 500 indicating a
downward wave may result in the microprocessor 11, open one or
more flow valves as to provide a counter thrust of energy through
the downward facing nozzles 58. Providing counter thrusts to
descending waves may provide more stability of the apparatus in
rough weather. A thrust may become greater in intensity as a wave
moves away from the downward facing nozzle 58, and lower in
intensity as the wave approaches. In some embodiments, FIG. 32
(a-b) may operate underwater and remove floatable material such as
growing algae and seaweed from the floor of the body of water. In
some embodiments, the reverse and forward propulsion of the
floatable-material receiver and the apparatus of FIG. 32 (a-b), may
be provided by nozzles pointed forward and reverse, the nozzles
fluidly connected to at least one pump, which may provide better
results than a propeller driven thruster and allow the floatable-
material receiver to operate in very shallow water. In some
embodiments, the mechanical device that picks up floatable material
120 and/or the conveyors 8 are equipped with covers, so that
floatable material does not float away if submerged in water. In the
same or similar embodiment, a water pump is used exclusively
without a thruster apparatus, where a water pump moves floatable
material from the bottom of a body of water to the surface and
through the water pump. In the same or similar embodiment, the
output of the transport hose is projected against a screen which
allows water to pass through, but the floatable material to be
collected within the screen. In some embodiments, the screen is
sloped so that the bottom of the screen is farther away from the
transport hose output than the top of the screen. This may cause
floatable material to be forced downward onto a perpendicular
conveyor. The motion of the perpendicular conveyor may provide
continuous removal of floatable material from the water stream. In
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some embodiments, projecting the water stream in an upwards
direction may be used to dissipate energy. In some embodiments,
conveyors 8 may be tined conveyors as well, synchronized for the
respective tines not to collide with the tines of the mechanical device
that picks up floatable material 120. In some embodiments, the
mechanical device that picks up floatable material 120 may have at
least one swivel joint, so that the device may bend like a finger as it
picks up floatable material. In some embodiments, the conveyor
system of FIG. 32 (a-b) may be mounted on an amphibious vehicle
or a beach cleaner. In one embodiment, the conveyor system may be
floated by a boat or floatation devices. In some embodiments, the
apparatus of FIG. 32 (a-b) may have buoyancy control by flooding
and evacuating ballast tanks or hollow spaces. In some
embodiments, neutral and negative buoyancy is maintained by a
downward thrust of at least on propulsion device and floatation
devices connected to the apparatus, so that if the power fails, the
apparatus will float to the surface of a body of water without power,
as the apparatus maintains natural buoyancy and is simply held to
the floor by downward thrust. In another embodiment, cylinders
with tines are used to pick up material from the beach or surf as
commonly known in a beach cleaner vehicle or pull behind. As
depicted, floatable material flows from the mechanical device that
picks up floatable material 120 and is transferred to two
perpendicular conveyor belts 8. In some embodiments, the conveyor
belts 8 are replaced with screw augers, which devices are also
known in this document as screw conveyors 52. Both conveyors
move in an inward direction towards a central screw conveyor 52
that is configured to receive material from the two conveyor belts 8.
In some embodiments, screw auger 52 may be replaced by a
conveyor belt 8. The screw auger 52, which for the scope of this
document may be referred to as a conveyor or conveying device,
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flows floatable material directly into the floatable-material receiver,
which in some embodiments is equipped with a funneling element
45. The floatable material may then be fed directly into the transport
hose 60. In other embodiments, such as depicted in FIG. 31, the
floatable material may pass by a floatable-material thruster 62
before entering the transport hose 60. In some embodiments, a
nozzle 58 is positioned in the direction of the flow between the
conveyor and the entrance of the transport hose 60, as to provide
pressurized fluid to assist with entry of floatable material into the
transport hose 60 by an expanding, directed fluid stream 59 as
depicted in FIG. 31. In some embodiments, the entire conveyor
apparatus of FIG. 32 (a-b) is a pull behind unit, so that floatable
material first flows under the apparatus and is picked up after the
apparatus has passed over the floatable material. In some
embodiments, such as depicted in FIG. 1A, the elongated pick up
apparatus 19, which may be the pick up apparatus of FIG. 32 (a-b),
is positioned in front of the vehicle or vessel that transports the
apparatus, so that very little floatable material passes under the
apparatus. In some embodiments, each mechanical device that picks
up floatable material 120 may be connected with a powered swivel
135 connected to the apparatus, in such a manner that each
mechanical device that picks up floatable material may all
individually be adjustable in height by control. Such a mechanism
assists in passing over beach or surf that is uneven in height or where
obstructions such as rocks are present. In one einbodiment, one
conveyor is positioned perpendicular to all of the mechanical
devices configured to pick up floatable material 120 and the end of
the conveyor belt is curved so that the material flows directly to the
floatable-material receiver. In some embodiments, one conveyor is
curved in a semi-circle to receive floatable material from a multitude
of mechanical devices that pick up floatable material. In the same
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embodiment, each device that picks up floatable material is
positioned in a perpendicular curve to the at least one receiving
conveyor, which then conveys its load into the floatable material
receiver. In some embodiments, the height of the pickup device 120
is moved by a gear motor connected to a swivel 135. In another
embodiment, a hydraulic device is used to raise and lower the
mechanical devices that pick up floatable material 120. In another
embodiment, the mechanical device that picks up floatable material
120 is raised and lowered by cables connected to a winch, pivoting
on the swivel 135 earlier described. In some embodiments, the
mechanical devices that pick up floatable material are connected to
elevators that raise and lower said devices. In another embodiment,
a conveyor belt that picks up floatable-material may be retractable
and extendable in overall length. This may be accomplished by
sliding joints between the rows of tines. In the same embodiment,
the slider joints may be controlled by hydraulic pressure. In some
embodiments, the slider joints may by extended and compressed by
springs. The mechanical device that picks up floatable-material may
be comprised of a plurality of pressure sensors, which may control
the retraction or expansion of the mechanical device that picks up
floatable-material 120, directly or through the decision of a
microprocessor. It should be noted that material that doesn't float
may still be picked up by this invention, including but not limited to
rocks and sand, however the intention of this invention is to
efficiently pick up relatively light material, and ideally but not
necessarily material that can be pierced or grabbed by tines or hooks.
A series of retractable wheels 132 or treads may be positioned on
the floatable-material receiver or the conveyors 8 depicted in FIG.
32 (a-b). Retractable wheels are well known on aircraft. These
wheels or treads, which may be referred to as devices that turn on
an axle to provide mOtion, may be retractable to overcome objects
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and clearance when the apparatus is floating in the water.
In some embodiments, the wheels, tracks, or treads may have means
of propulsion such as an electric, hydraulic, or internal combustion
engine. In other embodiments, the devices that turn on an axle to
provide motion 132 may only provide means of support of the
apparatus and are without power to move the apparatus. In some
embodiments, there may be a plurality of retractable wheels or
tracks, so that it may be easier for the apparatus to navigate over
obstructions. A retractable wheel is a known configuration on
aircraft. The retractable wheel 132 may retract straight up, or may
pivot up and to the back of the conveyor 8, so that it may allow
obstructions 123 to pass under the apparatus.
[0079] Continuing with FIG. 32 (a-b), a radar system coupled to a
microprocessor 11 is a common device in modern automobiles,
often referred to as collision avoidance systems or active cruise
control. A forward looking or backward looking electronic device
such as a radar system 122 may provide information to a
microprocessor 11, where the microprocessor 11 uses information
provided by the radar system 122 to raise or lower the height of each
mechanical device that picks up floatable material 120. In some
embodiments, the retractable devices that turn on an axle to provide
motion may be raised or lowered by the radar/sonar system 122 by
control. In some embodiments, the nozzle 58 that is positioned to
assist or replace the mechanical device 120 in picking up floatable
material, is also raised or lowered by the control of the radar system
122. This allows the apparatus to avoid solid objects during the
course of forward motion of the floatable-material receiver and
surrounding apparatus. In some embodiments, the radar system may
be a sonar system, which may allow the use of the collision
avoidance system underwater. Sound generally travels better in
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water than high frequency radio waves. In other embodiments, a
laser may be used instead of sonar or radar. In some embodiments,
each collision avoidance system operates on a different frequency,
to avoid interference from each other collision avoidance system on
the apparatus and also a nearby apparatus. The apparatus may have
several collision avoidance system transponders located all over. In
some embodiments, one or more cameras connected to a
microprocessor 11 may be used to provide information so the
microprocessor 11 may lift the mechanical device that picks up
floatable material 120 over obstructions by an interpretation from
the microprocessor II of the image provided by the cameras. In
some embodiments, the camera system may use infrared such as a
forward-looking infrared system (FLIR). The infrared system may
be configured to detect infrared signatures of pollutants and
absorbent material. In some embodiments, a Geiger counter or a
device configured to receive and interpret particle radiation may be
implemented. The radar system 122 may use passive energy such as
daylight/radiation or may emit active radar, sonar, or laser, such
emission of energy 121 reflecting back off of solid obstruction 123.
All of these devices are non-limiting examples of an electronic
device that receives and interprets energy from an object.
In some embodiments, the radar system 122 is mounted on a
horizontal pole positioned between mechanical devices that pick up
floatable material 120, so that the radar/sonar system 122 is
positioned slightly ahead of the mechanical device that picks up
floatable material 120, as this may ensure a more accurate reflection
without interference. An electronic device that receives and
interprets energy from an object may have a transmitter as well as a
receiver to transmit sonar, radar, or laser, and also receive radar,
laser, or sonar. The radar system 122 may control the height of at
least one nozzle 58 that is positioned in the flow of the floatable
CA 2846047 2018-09-28
material as depicted in FIG. 32B. The microprocessor 11 may use
information provided from the electronic device that receives and
interprets energy to control the propulsion and direction of the
floatable-material receiver, the beach cleaner 7, the amphibious
vehicles 5, the vessel 68, and the directional propulsion thruster of
FIG. 11 (a-b). The microprocessor 11 in general terms controls the
movement of the floatable-material harvester.
[0080] An AUV is an acronym for an Autonomous Underwater
Vehicle and is well known in the prior art. AUV's are generally
powered by an electric power plant, but may use other forms of
energy as propulsion including diesel, gas, nuclear, or solar. In some
embodiments, the AUV is comprised of cutting blades. In the same
embodiment, the AUV may operate near the bottom of the body of
water, severing macro algae growing on the bottom. This may cause
the algae to float to the surface of the body of water, where the algae
may be harvested by the floatable-material harvester. For efficiency
of the operation, several AUV's may be deployed simultaneously. In
some embodiments, the underwater vehicle may have an operator.
In some embodiments, the AUV is instead controlled remotely.
[0081] Returning to FIG. 1A, this arrangement allows the seaweed
to flow from the reducing/channeled conveyor 46 into a trommel
washer 64, where an appropriate amount of water flows through
flow valve 69 and flow meter 23 and then into the trommel washer
64. A device that dissipates or reduces the water pressure to the
trommel washer may be used. The amount of water is adjusted in
each case to have an efficient means of returning sand to the beach
and not so much water as to cause beach erosion. Water and sand
dissipate back onto the beach with an elongated water displacement
apparatus 20. In some embodiments, the elongated water
displacement apparatus 20 may be a series of pipes angled to
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distribute the water evenly back on the beach. In other embodiments,
the elongated water displacement apparatus 20 may be a flat board
with a number of vertical dividers, to distribute water and sand
evenly to the beach.
100821 High pressure water pump 29 draws water from the ocean or
body of water and pressurizes high pressure water tank 30, then the
water flows into high pressure hose 28 through spool 57. The high
pressure hose may be pressurized to several thousand psi, as to
provide a long hydraulic parallel to the transport hose 60, which may
be an efficient means of transferring energy into a system. In some
embodiments, the speed of the high pressure pump 29 may be
controlled by pulsation or a wave of energy. In other embodiments,
the high pressure pump 29 may be controlled by bursts of energy.
The energy may be electrical, combustion, mechanical, chemical, or
the expansion of a fluid such as steam into a turbine. In a variation
of the fluid compression system, high pressure water pump 29 is
replaced or supplemented by air compressor and motor, and the high
pressure water tank 30 is replaced or supplemented by high pressure
air tank.
100831 Returning to FIG. IA, the washed seaweed flows from the
trommel washer 64 to vegetation shredder 67 via a slopped angle of
the trommel washer 64. In some embodiments, the vegetation
shredder 67 may be a wood chipper or another cutting, grinding, or
size-reduction mechanism. In other embodiments the vegetation
shredder 67 may be a leaf shredder. The vegetation shredder 67
feeds the flow of seaweed into transport hose 60, where the seaweed
is then sucked off by force of vacuum into transport hose 60 and/or
forced by a positive fluid flow by an floatable-material thruster 62
or a spray nozzle 58 (not specifically shown in this context). In some
embodiments, the speed of the vegetation shredder 67 and trommel
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washer 64 are controlled by a microprocessor 11. The seaweed
passes by floatable-material thruster 62, where flow valve 69
provides a metered flow of high pressure water in the direction of
the flow of seaweed. In some embodiments, pressure sensor 44 and
flow meter 23 relay information back to a central microprocessor
11, which controls the speed of water pump 72 and high pressure
pump 29, as well as flow valves 69. Microprocessor 11 may also
control the speed of reducing conveyor 46, elongated pick up 19,
and the speed of vegetation shredder 67.
100841 The implementation of a series of floatable-material thrusters
62 along the length of the transport hose 60 has a distinct advantage
of transporting floatable material a greater overall distance and more
efficiently than a single floatable-material thruster, with less wear
on the transport hose 60, extending time between hose replacement.
Wear may be especially excessive on the hose near the output of the
floatable-material thruster 62. The release of high pressure fluid into
a lower pressure environment may cause expansion and acceleration
of the overall volume of the fluid or the space that it occupies, which
in turn may cause acceleration of the material travelling through the
hose and potential damage to that material.
[0085] The velocity of the material and wear of components due to
frictional contact with that same material have a relationship that is
often nearly exponential. That is, an increase in velocity has an often
near exponential increase in wear due to friction and loss of energy
as heat. Furthermore, hydraulics can offer an enormous transfer of
energy that has the potential to cut through hose if that localized
release of energy is too great, as well as damaging the product being
transported thereby. Therefore, it is advantageous and more energy
efficient to spread the overall release of energy over the entire
distance of the transport hose 60, by using as many floatable-
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material thrusters 62 connected in series as possible and regulating
the flow of fluid into each floatable-material thruster 62. Often the
fluid is provided from a high pressure hose 28 that is deployed
parallel to the transport hose 60. In some embodiments, the high
pressure hose 28 may be flexible in composition and may float. It
may be advantageous to use flexible hose to transport fluid through
high pressure hose 28 to the floatable-material thruster 62, and as
well the use of flexible hose for both the suction hose and the
transport hose 60. In some embodiments, the transport hose 60 may
be a rigid tube. In some embodiments, thc high-pressure hose 28
may be a rigid tube.
[0086] In one embodiment of the apparatus, the flexible hose is
wound around the outer perimeter of the apparatus, so that the
apparatus becomes, in essence, one very large spool. This allows for
a gradual pending of the flexible hose, where the hose may be of a
composition that makes it difficult to bend on a smaller conventional
spool. Winding the hose on the outer perimeter also allows the
vessel or apparatus to carry a relatively long length of hose and to
deploy the apparatus rapidly without assembly.
[0087] Based on the pressure information from the pressure sensor,
entrained air may be released out of the system through the
mechanism of FIG. II (a-b) and the escaping air used as a form of
propulsion of the hose floating in the water, to move and/or
straighten the hose apparatus against the current and waves. The
beach cleaner 7 moves over seaweed windrow 53, while the
amphibious vehicles 5 and ocean vessel 68 all move in relatively the
same direction as a single apparatus. The beach cleaner may be a
vehicle which is configured to pick up floatable material. As the tide
comes in and out, amphibious vehicles 5 may use spinning deep
groove wheels or other means of propulsion such as propellers while
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immersed in water. In some embodiments, the amphibious vehicle
may be an Argo. In some embodiments, the amphibious vehicle
may have an inboard or outboard motor connected to a propeller.
During times of lower tide, amphibious vehicles 5 may further be
configured to keep the hose elevated above the ground, to prevent
the hoses from dragging and snagging on rocks and sand.
Additionally, those amphibious vehicles 5 that are out of the water
may drive at the same speed and direction as the rest of the apparatus
remaining in the water to reduce the opportunity, for example,
kinking of the hoses and working loose of any of the various
connections due to stresses created by mismatched travel speeds.
[0088] Undercarriage 100 suspends the hoses between each
amphibious vehicle 5 and the beach cleaner 7. The undercarriage
100 may be comprised of many horizontally positioned solid plates
overlapping one another, so that the undercarriage 100 is
horizontally flexible. They may be referred to as horizontally
flexible joints 152. As seaweed reaches the vessel through transport
hose 60, the seaweed is deposited into the collection area 2 through
the large cavities of centrifugal pump 72. The seaweed then flows
perpendicular down draining conveyor belt 17, so that extra water
in the system is removed efficiently. Most of the water passes
through small holes in the back of the collection area 12, and the
water is directed to pass through a directional propulsion thruster
101. Directing the water in such a fashion provides thrust for the
vessel in any direction the operator chooses, while dissipating the
immense energy of the vacuum system. In some embodiments, the
collection area may be a large net that collects material and allows
water to project into the air.
[0089] At a reasonable distance down the hose (e.g., nearing the end
thereof), most or all of the entrained gas is evacuated through the
CA 2846047 2018-09-28
series gun silencer system shown in FIG. II (a-b). This will allow
the use of a centrifugal water pump instead of a vacuum pump,
which is more energy efficient. Additionally, the centrifugal pump
may be able to hydraulically pull a significant vacuum compared to
a vacuum possible using a pneumatic pump. Additionally, a
pneumatic pump can lose a significant amount of energy as heat.
(That said, in certain circumstances, there could be instances in
which one could choose any of a variety of pumps (e.g., based on
cost, availability, etc.), including a pneumatic or another type of
vacuum pump, could be employed for the water pump, and such
choices are considered to be within the scope of the present system.)
The centrifugal pump may contain a continuous air bleed as well, to
ensure complete or ideal evacuation of the air in the system and
minimize cavitation. The floatable material is drawn through and
expelled through the impeller of the pump, thereby allowing for
continuous operation. A pump may also provide fluid by continuous
flow or by bursts or pulsations of energy.
[0090] Sorbents or absorbent material are insoluble materials or
mixtures of materials used for the recovery of a fluid. In broadest
terms, the sorbent or absorbent material needs to have an attraction
for the fluid that is being used to recover and should have the ability
to float on or near the surface of the body of water upon which it is
employed. To be particularly useful in combatting petroleum and
solvent spills, sorbents should, to at least some degree, be both
oleophilic (oil attracting) and hydrophobic (water repelling).
Suitable materials can be divided into three basic categories: natural
organic, natural inorganic, and synthetic. Natural organics include
peat moss, straw, hay, sawdust, and feathers. Natural inorganics
include clay, perlite, vermiculite, glass wool, zeolite, and sand.
Synthetics include plastics such as polyurethane, polyethylene, and
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polypropylene. For the purpose of this invention, the terms sorbent
and absorbent material are used interchangeably.
[0091] Clay, perlite, zeolite, and vei __________________ iniculite are also
used to absorb
radioactive material and heavy metals. They have the disadvantage
of sometimes releasing the absorbed radioactive material if they are
exposed to water. Nanofibres on the other hand have the benefit of
permanently absorbing radiation and radioactive material such as
heavy metals (e.g. cesium and cadmium), which may make their use
in and near water ideal. In some embodiments, the nanofibres may
be made from sodium titanate. In other embodiments, other titanate
salts may be used. Radioactive iodine is also effectively absorbed
by nanofibres. For the purpose of the invention, nanofibres may be
mixed with and/or comprised of floatable material, pelletized,
cubed, shredded, comprise of loops, or provided in such a manner
that the nanofibre is easy to collect by the apparatus, where the
absorbent material is composed or configured in such a manner that
a tine can pick up said material easily.
[0092] In reference to FIG 1A, a method of cleaning chemical
spills/radioactive material is accomplished by using sorbent or
absorbent material that is laid down on the beach or in the adjoining
body of water, in the same manner the seaweed windrow 53 is
depicted. The apparatus that lays down the material may be
comprised of a vessel with a storage area full of absorbent material,
where the sorbent material is conveyed into a floatable-material
receiver and through a transport hose, where said transport hose is
connected to at least on floatable-material thruster connected to a
high pressure pump, where a small vessel may control the direction
of the output of the hose, so that absorbent material is spread evenly
along the beach and adjacent body of water. The apparatus of FIG.
1A then operates in the same manner as it would harvesting
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seaweed, although the trornmel washer 64, water displaCement
apparatus 20 and vegetation 67 may be omitted. The use of the
device in organic solvent, petroleum, and other organic chemicals
may require a process involving the disposal of said material.
100931 As seaweed is a sensitive and live organic that needs to be
preserved, seaweed requires a chemical and physical treatment to
ensure its preservation, often so that the seaweed has time to reach
a drying facility. However, the pick-up of waste solvents presents
another process distinct from the processing of seaweed or
radioactive material, where there is a desire, if at all possible, to
simply combust the product to ensure its immediate disposal and to
reduce or possibly eliminate the amount that might otherwise need
to be land-filled or stored. Furthermore, some of the collected
pollutant (e.g. petroleum, crude oil) may be recycled by pressing the
absorbent material, centrifuging the material, or otherwise
mechanically separating the pollutant from the absorbent material.
The apparatus can serve as an ideal location to process the waste
absorbent material since nominally little or no additional time or
effort is used to dispose of the contamination. Further, the waste
energy generated by combusting the waste material instead could be
used directly to power the vessel or apparatus or otherwise stored or
delivered to a local energy grid (depending, in part, on the amount
of energy generated). Also, it presents the safety of having contained
the spreading of a fire, which is a concern when performing the
combustion task within a body of water.
100941 In the method, the absorbent material is ideally, although not
necessarily, combustible as well, so materials such as wood chips or
straw becomes more suitable for absorbing petroleum. The wet
organic solvent and absorbent material is metered under the rate of
feed decided by the central microprocessor 11 into an incinerator of
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sufficient size as to incinerate at a rate that is consistent with the rate
of feed. This may in fact be a very large incinerator. The incinerator
may have all of the emission controls that are relevant and known to
the prior art, including but not limited to catalytic conversion, air
intakes, sensors to monitor plume gas concentrations, and
temperature control. In some embodiments, the collected floatable
material is metered into the incinerator by an operator.
In some embodiments, the collected organic material is metered into
the incinerator by a variable speed controller and a conveyor.
[0095] The incinerator produces a great deal of waste heat, which
also produces steam from the wet organic material. Water from the
body of water may be added to the exhaust of the incinerator to
create more steam, or a heat exchanger may be used in some
embodiments. The steam can be used to power a turbine or any
similar device that converts steam into mechanical energy. The
mechanical energy can used to power the apparatus through direct
drive of the hydraulic or vacuum pumps and/or to turn generators
for electrical power, electrical power which could be used onsite or
delivered to a power grid. Organic material for the purpose of this
document may include material which is inorganic or synthetic that
has absorbed organic material, since the chemical it absorbs is
sometimes organic in nature.
100961 During the vacuuming process, there may be times oil may
separate back into the body of water. It is, of course, desirable to
separate the oil and water and to not allow petroleum or solvent to
return to the body of water from which it was drawn. This may be
done by passing the fluid draining as part of the vacuum process
through more wood chips or other sorbent material. If need be, the
oil may be separated by allowing it to float on the surface of the
water and skimming the oil from the water. All that said, the present
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process is designed to limit the amount of oil or other solvents that
might return to the water, given the capabilities of the sorbents being
employed. Such additional processing steps are provided simply to
increase the percentage of oil/solvent that is to be captured. The use
of nanofibres in the cleanup of radioactive material has the benefit
of retaining said material and radiation, so that the radioactive
material/isotopes has the benefit of not separating back into water.
Zeolite is also a useful material for absorbing and purifying both salt
and fresh water from radiation and other chemicals.
[0097] FIG. 2 illustrates an additional benefit can be gained by
staging or increasing the inside diameter of the suction and high
pressure hose between the floatable-material thrusters 62 and the
water tight connectors 4. Staging the hose allows volume
compensation for the displacement of the fluid from the high
pressure pump 29 as the volume of fluid flows to the vacuum source
66 or centrifugal pump 72. This will minimize compression of
entrained gases in the transport hose 60 and will have a tendency to
minimize the acceleration of the material flow, which would both
cause loss of energy as heat. It also has the benefit of operating a
smaller diameter hose near the beach and workers, which is easier =
to move. Also, more hose will fit on a spool overall. The staging
configuration may allow the component shown in FIG. 11 (a-b) to
be omitted from the apparatus. In reference to FIG. 2, both the high
pressure hose 28 and transport hose 60 are shown with decreasing
interior diameter as they become closer to the floating conveyor belt
apparatus, as depicted in FIG. 5.
[00981 FIG. 2 is of an embodiment of a completely deployed
floatable-material harvester apparatus, where the floating conveyor
belt apparatus of FIG. 5 is feeding floatable material in a forward
motion towards the vacuum source, as the floatable material is
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provided by workers surrounding the deployed seaweed harvest
apparatus. In one embodiment, small conveyor 110, a mechanical
device that picks up floatable material, is lowered into the water at
an appropriate angle by a locking swivel joint and floating funneling
element 111 assists in providing greater capture of detached
seaweed/floatable material in the surf, directing the seaweed to the
small conveyor 110, which is a mechanical device that picks up
floatable material. Small conveyor 110 unloads its contents by the
forward motion generated thereby onto a horizontal conveyor belt
8, which is a feeder mechanism that provides floatable material to
the transport hose 60. The vacuum is provided by vacuum unit 66,
and water is drawn through a filter to the high pressure water pump
29, which pressurizes the high pressure water tank 30 with water,
and water flows down the high pressure hose 28 on spool 57.
Subsequently, the water flows down high pressure hose 28 to a set
of parallel flow meters 23, and then the metered water flows through
parallel flow valves 69 and into the fluid input of floatable-material
thrusters 62 of either FIGS. 16, 17, 18, 19. Seaweed flows from the
moving belt conveyor 8 and is directed by funneling element 45 into
the front of the transport hose 60, where the force of the vacuum
carries the floatable material down the transport hose. As depicted
in FIG. 31, entry of floatable material into the transport hose 60 may
be assisted by a spray nozzle 58 which provides pressurized fluid in
the direction of flow of the floatable material.
100991 FIG. 2 also depicts a number of cavitation detectors 400.
Cavitation is the formation of vapour cavities in a liquid, which
usually occurs when a liquid is subjected to rapid changes of
pressure, that cause the formation of cavities where the pressure is
relatively low. Cavitation may be a seriously detrimental problem
around the output of a floatable-material thruster and the floatable
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material thruster 62, where cavitation may cause damage to the
transport hose 60 and the floatable-material thruster. Therefore, a
cavitation detector 400 may be positioned at the output of nozzles
or the floatable-material thruster 62 itself, or be otherwise
structurally associated with a floatable-material thruster 62. The
cavitation detector 400 may transmit such information to
microprocessor 11, so that the flow of water through the floatable-
material thruster may be reduced by controlling flow valve 69 or the
speed/thrust of the high pressure pump 29. A cavitation detector 400
may be positioned anywhere along the transport hose 60. A
cavitation detector 400 may be passive or active. A cavitation
detector may signal an indicator light, so that an operator may vary
the speed or thrust of the pump, or adjust the flow of a valve to lessen
or correct the cavitation. A cavitation detector 400 may be a
hydrophone (or another device capable of receiving acoustics)
configured to receive the harmonics of a cavitation, which identifies
cavitation events by sensing acoustic emissions generated by the
collapse of bubbles. A cavitation detector may be an electronic
camera that visually detects a cavitation from a nozzle 58. A
pressure sensor or a high speed pressure transducer may also be used
to detect a cavitation. An accelerometer may be used to detect a
cavitation. Vibration monitoring may detect a cavitation. Using
electrodes as known in the prior art may detect a cavitation.
The pressure sensor 44 may also be configured to detect a cavitation.
101001 The seaweed flows through the center of floatable-material
thrusters 62 or conventional air conveyors, where additional forward
moving energy is released into the system by expansion of high
pressure fluid. That additional forward moving energy pushes the
material in the direction of flow at a higher velocity and minimizes
the resistance on vacuum unit 66, where the effect may allow
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vacuum unit 66 to run at higher velocity. This high velocity is
achieved through, e.g., a higher gear ratio from motor-to-fan and/or
a larger fan size-to-motor size ratio. Microprocessor control 11 (not
shown in this context) receives flow and pressure information from
ultrasonic/radio 2-way transmitter 65, calculates ideal conditions
from a set table, and relays commands back to flow valves 69,
vacuum unit 66, high pressure water pump 29, and the belt conveyor
8, and buoyancy control through bilge pumps 9 located on the
floating conveyor belt apparatus of FIG. 5. In some embodiments,
the entire transport hose 60 may be comprised of buoyancy control,
so that the entire apparatus may lower itself into the water in which
it floats. This may assist in the hose wrapping itself around the entire
perimeter of vessel 68.
101011 When seaweed and water fills the collection area 12 of
vacuum unit 66, the vacuum unit shuts off, and the collection area
12 is opened. The floatable material is dumped into dump box 18,
which is equipped with adequate draining, where seaweed is then
metered into trommel washer 64 by a conveyor belt 8. The trommel
washer 64 is equipped with a refrigeration unit 48 and sterilizer
injector 79, as depicted in FIG. 21. The refrigeration unit 48 cools
the wash water to -2C or any other temperature found to be ideal for
preservation. The sterilizer injector 79 provides ozone, bromine,
chlorine, or any other suitable sterilizer to clean the seaweed and kill
bacteria and fungi. Ozone has the benefit of being generated from
ambient oxygen and the additional benefit of decomposing rapidly
to oxygen after sterilizing, which further oxygenates the seaweed
and prolongs preservation. The use of ozone also negates the need
for storage of a chemical, and is very cost effective, requiring only
electricity. Collection area 12 is again sealed, and vacuum unit 66 is
turned on again to resume operations. This is a common cyclic
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operation of a conventional Hydrovac unit. The seaweed is then
metered by a belt conveyor 8 into refrigerated storage container 31,
where the container 31 may be craned to a different vessel, once
filled, and an empty container moved into its place. In some
embodiments, the storage container 31 has a ventilation system
which removes gases of decomposition from the seaweed such as
carbon dioxide, while providing outside air and oxygen. The
ventilation system may use fans and ducting to circulate outside air.
In some embodiments, the storage container 31 may have a
perforated floor to allow a relatively even flow of gases through the
seaweed. In some embodiments, the ventilation system may
circulate air cooled by a refrigeration unit. In some embodiments,
low level ozone may be circulated through the container to further
minimize the growth of bacteria/fungi during transport.
[0102] Transport hose spool 56 was bypassed after deployment of
the hose, so that transport hose 60 could guide the floatable material
directly into the collection area 12 as straight as possible. Such a
substantially straight alignment limits the centripetal force and
resistance that would have occurred by having such a large mass coil
around at a high speed inside the spool, which may cause energy
loss and add resistance to the system. Also, the propulsion thrusters
63 of FIG. 11 (a-b) provides exit gas which can resist currents and
waves to keep the hose apparatus as straight as possible during
operation. The mechanism of FIG. 11 (a-b) is later described in
detail.
[0103] FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6 illustrate a floating belt conveyor 8 based
apparatus that works on both the beach and in the surf. The motor
speed of the belt conveyor 8 is controlled by central microprocessor
control 11 and speed information is transmitted by ultrasonic/radio
2-way transmitter 65. The conveyor belt 8 is a feeder mechanism
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that provides floatable material to the transport hose 60. The
microprocessor 11 is not shown. Anchors 6 can be used for stability.
The unit floats or rests on pontoons 43, where the bottom of the
pontoons and vessel may be flat for lower footprint on the beach.
Unit may be lowered or raised by positive or negative buoyancy
through reversible bilge pumps 9 and snorkels 54 by pumping water
or air into the hollow portion of floatation device 43. The conveyor
moves in a forward motion towards funneling element 45 and into
removable vegetation shredder 67, where contents of the belt
conveyor 8 are pushed into the mouth of removable vegetation
shredder 67 and then into transport hose 60. The vegetation shredder
is also a feeder mechanism that provides floatable material to the
transport hose 60. The vegetation shredder 67 may be omitted and
the conveyor belt 8 may act as the feeder mechanism that provides
material to the funneling element 45.
101041 FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show a variation of the conveyor where a
motorized paddle wheel 34 spins in a forward motion pushing the
floatable material into the hose in conjunction with the conveyor belt
8 and with no vegetation shredder 67 being used. In some
embodiments, the speed of motorized paddle wheel 34 is controlled
by a microprocessor, which may be microprocessor 11. In some
embodiments, the paddle wheel may be a feeder mechanism that
provides floatable material to the transport hose 60. The paddle
wheel may be powered by air, steam, electricity, petrol or biodiesel
engine. Negative buoyancy is achieved by flooding the air
compartment/conduit of the pontoons 43 with water through the
reversible bilge pumps 9, where air is either drawn from or
evacuated through snorkel 54. Stability of the apparatus is achieved
through automatically deployed anchors 6. Handles 25 can be used
by the operators and workers to move the apparatus. In some
CA 2846047 2018-09-28
embodiments, the apparatus has a propulsion system. The
propulsion system 49, the reversible bilge pumps 9, and the
automatic anchoring system 6 may be controlled by microprocessor
11.
101051 FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 depict a variation of the conveyor belt
apparatus where a removable vegetation shredder 67 is inserted
inside funneling element 45 so that larger algae such as kelp may be
processed through the machine. Also depicted is a smaller conveyor
belt 110, which is submerged into the body of water on which the
floatable-material receiver floats. The smaller conveyor belt 110
may be a mechanical device that picks up floatable material. In some
embodiments, the smaller conveyor belt 110 may have a locking
swivel joint, which allows it to be moved to a vertical position for
transport or adjusted to the depth of the water. In some
embodiments, the smaller conveyor belt 110 may have spikes or
tines designed to pick up seaweed or floatable material out of the
water easier and transfer the material onto conveyor belt 8. Also
available is a floating funneling element 111, the top of which is
comprised of two flotation devices, and where the walls are angled
to connect directly to the side of the smaller conveyor belt 110. In
some embodiments, the floatable-material receiver has propulsion
and steering. In some embodiments, the propulsion and steering are
controlled by microprocessor 11. In some embodiments, the
floatable-material receiver and conveyor belts have means of
draining water, such as by the use of a mesh belt, so that only solid
material is left on the conveyor belt.
101061 FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 illustrate a system that is comprised of
and operates in the same manner as that shown in FIG. 3 and FIG.
4, with a variation and replacement of the belt conveyor 8, where a
screw conveyor 52 is used in place of the belt conveyor to feed the
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seaweed into removable vegetation shredder 67, where the seaweed
is then sucked into transport hose 60 by way of vacuum. Seaweed is
deposited in the top of the apparatus by workers similar to the belt
conveyor unit 8. Motor 85 turns the screw conveyor 52. The speed
of the motor is controlled by variable speed controller 75, which in
turn receives speed information from microprocessor 11 through the
2-way wireless transmitter 65. Snorkel 54 provides air for the
internal combustion engine of motor 85.
[01071 FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 depicts a floatable-material receiver
comprised of a hopper 84, mounted to the same flotation device by
swivel 61. The floatable-material receiver is detachable from the
floatation apparatus. An anchoring system 6 is depicted holding the
floatable material receiver in place in the surf. Rudders 50 provide
steering of the unit in the surf while the reversible propulsion system
49 provides movement of the apparatus. An agitator 108 connected
to the hopper 84 further assists the flow of seaweed/floatable
material down the hopper and into the transport hose 60. In some
embodiments, an agitator 108 is used to assist with the flow of
seaweed into the mouth of the transport tube. The speed of agitator
108, the direction and speed of reversible propulsion system 49, and
rudders 50 may be controlled by microprocessor 11.
[0108] FIG. 11B shows an overhead view of a gun silencer type
apparatus that allows gas to exit from the transport hose 60 during
transport of the seaweed through the apparatus of FIG. 11 (a-b).
FIG. 11A depicts a direct view of the same apparatus. The exiting
gases can be further utilized as means of directed propulsion in the
body of water in which the transport hose 60 floats. The apparatus
uses the physical principal of a gun silencer to allow the escape of
gas through the perforated opening 39. In some embodiments, the
escape route is provided by the top half of the entire cylinder, while
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solid tube 55 comprises the other lower half of the cylinder in some
embodiments. The function of the tube is to allow a tendency for air
to escape above while water flowing through the system will have a
tendency to pass through below due to water's mass and gravity.
Pressurized air from transport hose 60 flows through perforated
openings 39 and travels down between the outer cylinder 14 and the
solid tube 55, the flow of such gas is regulated by air flow valves 3.
The escaping gases flow down the center of motorized swivel 35
and to which gas flow is regulated by then flowing through flow
meter 23, which in turn controls variable air flow valve 3 via central
microprocessor 11. The air flow valves allow pressurized air to exit
through propulsion thrusters 63, providing thrust in the direction the
propulsion thruster 63 is facing. In some embodiments, the
propulsion thruster 63 may rotate on a sealed swivel to provide
upward and downward propulsion. Flow rate through variable air
valves 3 are determined by a central microprocessor 11 (not shown
in this context). The propulsion thrusters 63 may individually vary
output by air flow control valves 3, as to assist in turning/aligning
(as needed) with motorized swivel joint 35. Steering stability may
be accomplished with rudder 50. In some embodiments, air flow
control valves 3 and motorized swivel 35 are controlled by
microprocessor 11. In some embodiments, pressure relief valves are
used in place of air flow control valves 3. In some embodiments, the
apparatus may discharge water instead of air. In some embodiments,
a plurality of the apparatus of FIG. 11 (a-b) along the length of the
transport hose 60 or high pressure hose 28 may pulsate in a
synchronized or consecutive manner, all controlled by the
microprocessor 11. In some embodiments, a plurality of the
apparatus depicted in FIG. 11 (a-b) are located along the length of
high pressure hose 28 and said apparatuses provides thrust directly
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from the fluid of the high pressure hose 28, as to operate in a similar
manner to provide directed thrust.
[0109] An anemometer is a device used for measuring wind speed,
and is a common weather station instrument. An anemometer may
also be coupled with a wind vane and referred to combined as an
aerovane. An aerovane may operate within a body of water with
proper seals and protection from leakage. Anemometers may
operate on the principals of pressure, velocity, cups, windmill, hot
wire, sonar, Doppler laser, ping-pong ball, plate, and tube. For this
invention, an anemometer with a vane configured to operate in water
may be referred to as a hydrovane and a device that measures water
speed and direction. This instrument named a hydrovane should not
be confused with a hydrovane compressor, but is rather the water
measuring equivalent of an aerovane. In some embodiments, a
hydrovane 401 may be encased in a filter shaped as a globe, so as to
allow laminar water flow and minimize interference by solids in the
water by preventing the solids from contacting the hydrovane 401.
In some embodiments, a hydrovane may also be configured to
measure vertical angle of water flow, as well as horizontal direction
of flow. In some embodiments, hydrovanes 401 may be attached to
transport hose 60, as depicted in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, the
hydrovane may be connected directly to the fluid exit mechanism
depicted in FIG. 11 (a-b). Water current speed and direction
information from the hydrovane 401 may be transmitted to
microprocessor 11. The microprocessor may then control the
direction and thrust of the apparatus depicted in FIGS. 11 (a-b), to
navigate ocean currents based on information received from at least
one hydrovane 401, or apply an equal and opposite force to maintain
the hose position. The apparatus of FIGS. 11 (a-b) may provide a
direct counter-current, to maintain stability of the transport hose 60
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in rough weather. In some embodiments, a hydrovane 401 may be
positioned in a vertical position to provide vertical water currents in
addition to horizontal. The hydrovane 401 may be coupled directly
to the flow valves 3, flow meters 23, and the motorized swivel 35,
which are all depicted in FIGS. 11 (a-b). The hydrovane 401 may
communicate to these components through a microprocessor 11,
where a microprocessor may make more intelligent and precise
decisions than a directly coupled actuator or analog circuit. In some
embodiments, the fluid escape mechanism (gas or water) of FIGS.
11 (a-b) may be replaced or supplemented with a propeller based
propulsion system, such as the reversible propulsion thruster 49
depicted in FIG. 12 or a conventional bow thruster which is
common on a boat, where the propulsion thruster 49 may be
connected to the motorized swivel 35 of FIG. 11 (a-b), so that the
swivel may turn the propulsion thruster 360 degrees, and provide the
same basic function as the apparatus of FIG. 11 (a-b) from a
different source of power, as well controlled by information
provided by the hydrovane 401. In related embodiments, the snorkel
54 and reversible bilge pumps 9 may be fluidly connected to the
transport hose 60, so that the transport hose may be evacuated of
water. The bilge pumps 9 may be fluidly connected to the bottom of
the transport hose 60, so that they may pump out water from the
transport hose while the snorkel provides a flow of air. Coupled to
microprocessor 11, the transport hose may have buoyancy control,
which is controlled by the microprocessor. The floatation devices 43
of FIGS. 11 (a-b) may also have buoyancy control by the same
manner.
[0110] FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are overhead and side views
respectively of a floating funnel craft, where funnel 24 is a large
enough funnel to allow surrounding personnel to deposit seaweed
CA 2846047 2018-09-28
into said funnel from all sides of the craft, by use of hand tool such
as a pitchfork. The base of the funnel has a gradual 90 degree bend
to point horizontal, and is then connected to transport hose 60, which
is commonly in the range of 7 to 9 inches in diameter and sometimes
several hundred feet in length. Agitator 108 vibrates the funnel to
assist with the movement and flow of seaweed into the center.
Below the 90 degree bend in the illustrated embodiment is a 360
degree swivel joint 61, which connects to a detachable plate 16, so
that the funnel, hose, and plate can be removed from the water craft
and placed on a solid surface such as sand or rock.
[0111] Handles 25 are located in all four corners of the detachable
plate allow ease of movement by personnel. The watercraft is
stabilized by two pontoons 43, where the reversible propulsion
system 49 is located in the center of the craft, between and parallel
to the two pontoons 43. Steering of the vessel is performed with a
rudder system 50. Mesh filters 33 may be placed over the intake and
exhaust of the propulsion systems to keep windrow and loose
seaweed and floatable material out of the propulsion system.
Outside of the perimeter of the funnel is a snorkel 54, which
connects by tubing to bilge pumps 9 which have the ability to pump
air or water in either direction of flow into the air cavities of
pontoons 43, thereby raising or lowering the apparatus in the surf.
Additional bilge pumps 9 are connected to the bottom outside of the
craft and to the inside of the pontoons, so that water or air can be
pumped in either direction. An automatic anchoring system 6 may
also be deployed to help stabilize the floating funnel in the surf. In
some embodiments, bilge pumps 9, anchoring system 6, rudders 50,
propulsion system 49, and agitator 108 are controlled by
microprocessor control 11.
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101121 FIG. 14 & FIG. 15 show a floating water based system
comprised of pontoons 43, where the floatable-material receiver sits
below the water line. Water is drawn through filter screen 33 and
through water pump and motor 70. If the motor 70 is an internal
combustion engine, the air to be used for combustion is available
through snorkel 54, but if it were instead to be an electric motor, no
snorkel would be needed, of course. Variable speed controller 75
controls the speed of the water flow, which information is
transmitted by, e.g., ultrasonic/radio 2-way transmitter 65 to central
microprocessor control 11, which is not shown. In some
embodiments, microprocessor 11 controls all motorized
components of the apparatus. Automatic anchors 6 serve to hold the
unit in place. The flow of water from the output of the water pump
70 is directed into a nozzle 58, which propels seaweed into the
removable vegetation shredder 67 and into transport hose 60. The
unit can be maneuvered by personnel with handles 25. In some
embodiments, there is a manifold of nozzles that spray water parallel
to one another, which allows for a wider floatable-material receiver.
Funneling element 45 directs the seaweed/floatable-material into the
transport hose 60.
[0113] FIG. 16 represents a side view of a floatable-material
thruster 62, which design is based on that of a conventional air
(pneumatic) conveyor that has been modified to handle high
pressure water/air. Flow of high pressure fluid 73 travels through a
fluid input and into an outer plenum 41 and through variable flow
valves 69, where the fluid passes through nozzles 36 and is injected
into the transport hose 60 in the relative direction of floatable
material flow through a fluid stream 74, thereby increasing the speed
of and the distance the seaweed mass can travel. Every floatable-
material thruster 62 may have a floatable-material input to which
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material enters the thruster and a floatable-material output to which
product and fluid exit the thruster. The purpose of the variable flow
valves 69 being positioned directly behind nozzles 36 is to ensure
the majority of material erosion that will occur in the floatable-
material thruster 62, which would be particularly rapid when using
high pressure water, would occur mostly on the replaceable nozzles
36 themselves, as plenum 41 would remain pressurized and
therefore may be inclined to wear due to a much lower fluid velocity
inside the plenum 41. The floatable-material thruster 62 may be
composed of aluminum, stainless steel, composite plastic, zinc, or
any other suitable material that is sufficiently corrosion and wear
resistant. The interior of the floatable-material thruster may have a
smaller interior diameter than the connecting transport hose 60 to
cause a Venturi effect on the intake.
[0114] FIG. 17 shows a pear shaped floatable-material thruster 62,
where either high pressure water or air flows down high pressure
hose 28 and flow meter 23, then through air flow valve 3 or water
flow valve 69 and through a fluid input. With this nozzle design, the
fluid rapidly expands due to the decrease in pressure in the pear
shaped nozzle, and the fluid is thrust into the transport hose 60 at an
inward angle. Pressure sensor 44 transmits information through
ultrasonic/radio 2-way transmitter 65 to central microprocessor 11
(not shown here).
[0115] FIG. 18A is an embodiment of a floatable-material thruster
that represents the reverse process of a firearm silencer. In this
configuration, high pressure air or water enters through high
pressure hose 28 and through flow meter 23, then through air flow
valve 3 or water flow valve 69 and through a fluid input into the
expansion chamber. The fluid then passes through perforated tube
opening 39 and is injected into the transport hose 60. Figure 18B is
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an embodiment of a central tube thruster, where high pressure water
or air flows down high pressure hose 28 and through flow meter 23,
and through water flow valve 69 or air flow valve 3, into a fluid
input where the fluid passes through a 90 degree bend and is thrust
into the center of the flow of seaweed by a spray nozzle 58. Pressure
sensor 44 relays pressure and flow information through
ultrasonic/radio 2-way transmitter 65 to central microprocessor 11,
where the microprocessor 11 controls water flow valve 69 or air
flow valve 3.
[0115] FIG. 19 is a depiction of a cone nozzle within the floatable-
material thruster, where high pressure air or water travels down high
pressure hose 28 and then through flow meter 23. The water then
flows through water flow valve 69 or air flow valve 3, and through
a fluid input into the thruster where the fluid rapidly expands due to
decrease in pressure into the cone. The expanding fluid is thrust at
an inward angle into the flow of the seaweed in transport hose 60.
Pressure sensor 44 relays its information along with flow meter 23
to central microprocessor 11, where the microprocessor 11 in turn
controls water flow valve 69 or air flow valve 3 through
ultrasonic/radio 2-way transmitter 65.
[0116] FIG. 20 is a direct view of a floating high pressure water
thrust system that replaces the parallel high pressure hose 28, where
water passes through filter screen 33 and through high pressure
water pump 29. High pressure water pump 29 shown is driven by an
internal combustion engine, so the system uses snorkel 54 to provide
oxygen for the internal combustion engine, but if an electric motor
were instead to be employed, no snorkel would be needed. Through
use of the high pressure water pump 29, water is injected into the
fluid input of floatable-material thrusters 62 depicted in FIGS. 16,
17, 18, 19. Floatation devices 43 provide support, and automatic
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anchors 6 provide stability in rough water. In some embodiments,
microprocessor 11 controls the speed of the high pressure water
pump 29 by transmitting information through wireless transmitter
65 to water speed controller 71, which in turn controls the speed of
high pressure water pump 29.
101171 FIG. 21 is an illustration of trommel washer 64, where water
is provided by an external pump to water inlet 51. The water then
passes either through shut off valve 83 and heat exchanger 26, or
through bypass valve 10 and into refrigeration unit 48 where the
water's temperature is substantially lowered. Then the water passes
through ozone, bromine, chlorine, or sterilizer injector 79 and into
the trommel washer 64 through spray valve 58, where the wash
water drains through the holes in the trommel and passes through
heat exchanger 26, where the waste water returns out back to the
body of water through water outlet 80.
101181 FIG. 22 depicts one embodiment of the floatable-material
harvester. In brief overview, the harvester includes a vacuum source
66 having an input, a transport hose 60, having an input at one end
and an output connected to the vacuum source 66 input, and having
at least one air inductor. The at least one air inductor/intake is
comprised of a water tight joint 4, an air cavity 1, and a snorkel 54.
The transport hose 60 is connected to a floatable-material receiver
as shown in FIG. 4. An air inductor may be simply an opening 106
that allows air to enter along the length of the hose. A plurality of
air inductors is desirable to keep the overall pressure of the transport
hose from dropping too much through resistance, where maintaining
an increase in air speed and the pressure from dropping too much
allows material to be transferred longer distances in a smaller
transport hose than a transport hose with only one or no air
inductors.
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[0119] In some embodiments, the vacuum source 66 is an air-
impeller evacuated device, such as that commonly available under
the tradename ''Hydrovac". In some embodiments, the vacuum
source 66 includes a vacuum chamber evacuated by an air impeller
(not shown). In some embodiments, the vacuum source is a large fan
connected to a motor. In some embodiments, the vacuum source is
a large fan connected to a turbine powered by steam. In some
embodiments, the vacuum source 66 is a vacuum excavator system,
which combines a Hydrovac vacuum device a high-pressure water
pump connected to a high pressure hose and a wand that allows a
worker to loosen substrates with the jet so that the Hydrovac vacuum
can consume the resulting slurry. In some embodiments, the vacuum
source 66 draws the contents of the transport hose into a collection
area 12. The vacuum source 66 may be mounted on a transporter.
The transporter may include a watercraft. In some embodiments, the
watercraft is a boat. In other embodiments, the watercraft is a barge.
In still other embodiments, the watercraft is a raft. The watercraft
may be a flotation device. The transporter may include a terrestrial
vehicle. In some embodiments, the transporter is a motorized
wheeled vehicle. In other embodiments the transporter is a trailer. In
other embodiments, the transporter is a sledge. The vacuum source
66 may be mounted on skids to permit it to be pulled over sand and
debris. The vacuum source 66 may have an on/off switch. The
vacuum source 66 may have controls that vary its power. An
operator may operate the controls. An "operator," as used in this
document, is a person operating the floatable-material harvester of
FIG. 1A, FIG. 2, FIG. 22, and FIG. 24. The controls may be
operated either locally or remotely. A microprocessor configured to
operate the controls may operate the controls.
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[0120] In some embodiments, the vacuum source 66 includes a
canister, defined as a chamber in which the vacuum source collects
the seaweed and other floatable materials it receives via the transport
hose 60. The canister may be the collection area 12. In some
embodiments, the vacuum source may be connected to at least one
storage container. The at least one storage container may be
refrigerated. The at least one storage container may be detachable
from the vacuum source 66 for transport. The vacuum source 66
may have a dump box into which the canister may rapidly be
emptied, for instance, by opening a connecting door between the
canister and the dump box so that the force of gravity causes the
contents of the canister to fall into the dump box. In some
embodiments, the vacuum source 66 includes at least one conveyor
to move seaweed and other floatable materials from one container
to another. The least one conveyor may be a conveyor belt. The least
one conveyor may be a conveyor screw. The conveyor may be least
one controlled by an operator. The conveyor may be controlled by a
microprocessor configured to control the conveyor. In some
embodiments, the conveyor is a drainage conveyor; for instance, it
may be a conveyor belt made of mesh, which allows water to run
out of the materials it is transporting.
[0121] As illustrated in FIG. 21, in some embodiments, the vacuum
source 66 includes a trommel washer 64 connected to the vacuum
chamber, which may be connected by a conveyor belt. The trommel
washer 64 includes a washer drum. The washer drum may be
substantially cylindrical in form. The washer drum may have
perforations in the curved cylinder wall; the perforations may permit
water to escape the trommel washer. The washer drum may have a
cylindrical wall made of mesh. In some embodiments, the mesh is
loose enough to allow non-seaweed matter such as sand and small
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organisms to wash out through the mesh, while retaining the
seaweed. In some embodiments, the washer drum rotates around the
vertical axis of its cylindrical form. In some embodiments, the
vertical axis of the cylinder making up the washer drum is tilted
from the horizontal, causing the seaweed to move from one end to
the other of the washer drum as it rotates. In some embodiments
such as in FIG. 21, the ocean water that enters the trommel washer
64 is cooled by passing through a refrigeration unit 48. In some
embodiments, ozone or another sterilizing agent such as chlorine or
bromine is injected into the water from a sterilizer injector 79. In
some embodiments, the trommel washer 64 includes a spray nozzle
58 that sprays water on the seaweed as the washer drum rotates. In
some embodiments, water is drawn from a water inlet 51 by a pump
70 and provided to the spray nozzle 58.
101221 In some embodiments, the water passes through a heat
exchanger 26 prior to being sprayed on the seaweed by the spray
nozzle 58 and then again passes through the same heat exchanger as
the water exits. In some embodiments, the water that drains from the
washer drum is ejected from the trommel washer 64 via a water
outlet 80. In some embodiments, the water passes through the heat
exchanger 26 prior to being ejected through the water outlet 80. The
trommel washer 64 may have controls by means of which its
operation may be regulated. An operator may operate the controls.
The controls may be operated remotely or locally. A microprocessor
configured to operate the controls, as set forth more fully below,
may operate the controls.
[0123] The suction tube or, more broadly, transport hose 60 of any
of the embodiments may be made from any combination of
materials that permit the tube to be sufficiently airtight to maintain
the pressure differentials with the outside atmosphere that is
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necessary for suction or pressure thrusting. The transport hose 60
should also be sufficiently watertight to transport wet materials and
be capable of withstanding the suction force without collapsing or
the thrust pressure force without exploding or rupturing. In some
embodiments, the transport hose 60 may be reinforced with a metal
mesh to withstand high pressure. In some embodiments, the
transport hose/suction tube 60 is a flexible hose or other conduit. For
the purposes used herein, an object is "composed at least in part" of
a substance if any non-zero proportion of the object is composed of
that substance. An object is "composed at least in part" of a
substance if the object is composed entirely of that substance.
101241 In some embodiments, the transport hose 60 is composed at
least in part of a polymer material. In some embodiments, the
transport hose 60 is composed at least in part of polyvinyl chloride.
In other embodiments, the transport hose 60 is composed at least in
part of polyurethane. In additional embodiments, the transport hose
60 is composed at least in part of a fluoropolymer also known as
Teflon. In additional embodiments, the transport hose 60 is
composed at least in part of polyethylene. In still other
embodiments, the transport hose 60 is composed at least in part of
nylon. The transport hose 60 may be composed at least in part of a
natural rubber. In some embodiments, the transport hose 60 is
composed at least in part of a synthetic rubber. The transport hose
60 may be composed at least in part of a textile material.
The transport hose 60 is composed at least in part of metal. The
transport hose 60 may be composed at least in part of a rigid plastic.
101251 In some embodiments, the transport hose 60 is composed of
a combination of the above materials. For instance, the transport
hose 60 may be composed of a flexible substance reinforced with
cross-sectional hoops of a rigid substance. The transport hose 60
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may be composed of a polymer substance reinforced with textile
material. The transport hose 60 may be composed of cylindrical
sections of rigid material such as metal concatenated with
cylindrical sections of flexible material, such as flexible polyvinyl
chloride. The rigid cylindrical sections may form watertight joints
for connecting together two sections of flexible hose.
In some embodiments, each hose section connects to the watertight
joints via a threaded connection, requiring the hose section to be
screwed together with the watertight joint. Some embodiments of
the transport hose 60 are composed of a flexible material corrugated
to form cross-sectional circular ribs for greater strength. In some
embodiments, the inner diameter of transport hose 60 may be
between 4 and 17 inches. In some embodiments, the transport hose
may be at least 500 feet long. Where the transport hose 60 is a
flexible hose, it may be stored on a spool; for instance, it may be
wound on a spool attached to the vacuum source 66.
[0126] In some embodiments, the transport hose 60 has at least one
flotation device 105. In some embodiments the flotation device 105
is a buoy. The buoy may be composed of any combination of
materials known in the art to be suitable for manufacturing buoys.
The buoy 105 may be composed at least in part of foam. The buoy
105 may be composed least in part of natural polymer foam, such as
latex foam. The buoy 105 may be composed least in part of synthetic
polymer foam such as polyethylene foam. The foam may be closed-
celled. The foam may be open-celled. Open-celled foam may be
combined with a waterproof skin to prevent incursion of water and
resultant loss of buoyancy.
[0127] The high pressure hose 28 may share similar characteristics
to the transport hose 60. High pressure hose 28 may have much
higher pressure ratings than transport hose 60 and may be comprised
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of thicker material. High pressure hose 28 may be flexible or rigid
in composition. High pressure hose 28 may be reinforced with a
mesh designed to withstand very high pressures. High pressure hose
28 may float from its composition or may require an additional
floatation device.
101281 In some embodiments, the flotation device 105 is a
cylindrical '0' type buoy that is designed to be attached to the
transport hose 60, comprised of two C halves connected by hinges.
On the opposite end of the hinges there may be locking clamp to
secure the buoy 105 to the transport hose 60. The inside diameter of
the locked '0' type buoy may be equivalent to the outside diameter
of the transport hose 60, so that the buoy firmly grips the transport
hose 60.
101291 In some embodiments, the flotation device 43 is a part of the
air inductor, as set forth below in reference to FIG 25. The flotation
device may be an airtight outer hose 77 section as set forth in more
detail below in reference to FIG. 28. In some embodiments, where
the transport hose 60 is formed from a series of flexible hose
sections concatenated with watertight joints, the flotation device is
a set of pontoons 43 affixed to a watertight joint. The flotation
device 43 may be detachable. In some embodiments, the transport
hose 60 includes at least one anchor 6. Where the transport hose 60
is made up of flexible hose sections concatenated with watertight
joints, the anchor may be affixed to a watertight joint. The anchor
may be detachable and the anchor may be automatically deployed
by a winch. An air inductor may also have an anchor and said
anchoring system may be automated.
101301 As illustrated by FIG. 26, in some embodiments, the
transport hose 60 has at least one air inductor/intake mechanism. In
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some embodiments, the transport hose 60 has a plurality of air
inductors. Air may enter through an opening 106. The at least one
air inductor is an element that allows air to enter the interior of the
transport hose by, for example, passive induction/intake or negative
pressure. The at least one air inductor is a separate element from the
input of the transport hose 60. The presence of the at least one air
inductor has the effect of accelerating the speed of material, as the
air speed increases past each opening, allowing a significant
increase in both distance travelled by the material and allowing for
a smaller hose diameter to be used. In an embodiment, the air
inductor includes an opening 106 in the wall of the transport hose
60; and the inducted air passes through the opening 106 into the
interior of the transport hose 60. In some embodiments, the opening
opens on an air cavity 1 outside the transport hose 60. The air cavity
I may act as a local reservoir of air from which the transport hose
60 can draw through the opening 106. The air cavity 1 may also
function as a flotation device 43, as described above in reference to
FIG. 22.
101311 In some embodiments, the at least one air inductor also
includes at least one air control valve 3, regulating the flow of air
through the at least one inductor. The air control valve 3 may be
located at the opening 106. in embodiments in which the air inductor
includes an air cavity 1, the air control valve 3 may regulate the entry
of the air into the air cavity 1. In one embodiment, the air control
valve 3 is a check valve. For instance, the air control valve 3 could
be a check valve with a bias that causes it to close if the pressure
within the transport hose 60 interior relative to the source of the air
outside the opening 106 falls below a certain threshold. In some
embodiments, the air control valve 3 is a ball valve. In some
embodiments, the air control valve 3 is a pressure regulator valve.
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In other embodiments, the air control valve 3 is a globe valve. In
still other embodiments, the air control valve 3 is a gate valve. The
air control valve 3 may be a butterfly valve. The air control valve 3
may be actuated mechanically. The air control valve 3 may be
actuated hydraulically. The air control valve 3 may be actuated
pneumatically. The air control valve 3 may be actuated by means of
an electrical motor. In some embodiments, any of the air inductors
described within this document may function in reverse direction as
a gas escape mechanism that may be for a floatable-material
thruster, such as is depicted in FIG. 11 (a-b).
101321 Some embodiments include a microprocessor 11 coupled to
the at least one air control valve or water control valve and
configured to control the at least one air control valve 3 or water
control valve 69. The microprocessor 11 may control the air control
valve 3 or water control valve 69 via any actuator controls listed
herein or by any conventional means. The microprocessor 11 may
be coupled to the air control valve 3 or water control valve 69 with
actuator control by a wired connection. The microprocessor 11 may
be coupled to the air control valve 3 actuator via a wireless
connection 65. The microprocessor 11 may be any processor known
in the art. The microprocessor 11 may be a special purpose or a
general-purpose processor device. As will be appreciated by persons
skilled in the relevant art, the microprocessor 11 may also be a single
processor in a multi-core/multiprocessor system, such system
operating alone, or in a cluster of computing devices operating in a
cluster. The air flow valve 3 and water flow valve 69 may be
controlled by an analog circuit coupled to the flow meter
101331 In some embodiments, the at least one air inductor also
includes an airflow meter 23. The airflow meter 23 may measure the
rate of flow of the air through the air inductor. In some
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embodiments, the air flow meter is an anemometer. An anemometer
may obtain an air flow reading through Doppler laser, sonic,
windmill, cup, hot hire, acoustic resonance, ping-pong ball,
pressure, plate, tube, and air density. The airflow meter 3 in some
embodiments controls the airflow through the air control valve 3 by
means of the air control valve 3 actuator, responsive to that
measurement. In some embodiments, the airflow meter 23 is
coupled to the microprocessor 11. In some embodiments, the
microprocessor 11 controls the air control valve 3 in response to a
measurement of airflow received from the airflow meter 23. In some
embodiments, the air inductor includes an anchor 6. In some
embodiments, the anchoring system is automated. In some
embodiments, such as an embodiment using a floatable-material
thruster, the airflow meter 23 is replaced or supplemented by a flow
meter designed to measure the flow of pressurized fluid such as air
or water. The flow of water may be measured by turbine,
displacement, velocity, compound, electromagnetic, ultrasonic, and
impeller.
101341 In some embodiments, the at least one air inductor includes
a snorkel 54. The air inductor in some embodiments receives air
through the snorkel 54. The snorkel may be of sufficient height to
prevent or at least minimize entry of water from waves. The air may
enter the air inductor via the snorkel by passive induction/negative
pressure. In some embodiments, watertight connectors 4 allow the
snorkel apparatus to be detached when not in use, so that the
transport hose 60 rolls up easily onto a spool 56. In some
embodiments, the at least one air inductor includes two snorkels 54.
In some embodiments, the air inductor includes a counterweight 13,
such as in FIG. 30. For example, in one embodiment, the air
inductor has where snorkel 54 with an air control valve 3, air flow
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meter 23 and air cavity 1 on one side of the transport hose 60, and a
watertight connector, with air cavity, and counter balance weight on
the opposite side. Returning to FIG. 22, in some embodiments, the
air inductors are connected to watertight joints that are combined
with sections of flexible hose to form the transport hose 60, as
disclosed above.
[0135] As shown in FIG. 28, some embodiments of the floatable-
material harvester include an airtight outer hose section 77 filled
with air, through which the transport hose 60 passes. The airtight
hose section 77 interior is fluidly connected to the interior of the
transport hose 60 by the at least one air inductor. The airtight hose
section 77 may cover the entire length of the transport hose 60; for
instance, the transport hose 'may in effect be a double hose. The
airtight outer hose section 77 may cover less than the entire length
of the transport hose 60. Where the transport hose 60 is composed
of lengths of flexible hose concatenated with watertight joints, the
airtight outer hose section 77 may cover one flexible hose length.
Each flexible hose length may have a separate airtight hose section
77. The hose section 77 may act in a similar capacity to the air cavity
1 described above in reference to FIG. 26. In some embodiments,
the hose section 77 functions as source of flotation for the transport
hose 60. As shown in FIG. 23, the hose section 77 has an opening
107 at one end to receive air, in some embodiments. The hose
section 77 receives air from the outside via a snorkel (not shown) in
some embodiments.
[0136] FIG. 33 is an embodiment of a swivel connection in the
conveyor system, that is configured to transport floatable material
through the swivel connection to the floatable-material receiver. The
swivel joint 61 is designed to transport floatable material through
the swivel joint 61 from one conveyor to another. The swivel 61 in
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some embodiments may connect directly to the floatable-material
receiver. In some embodiments, the swivel connection 61 may
connect anywhere down the process before the transport hose 60,
from the mechanical device that picks up floatable material 120 to
the floatable-material receiver. In some embodiments, the swivel
joint 61 is connected directly to the floatable-material receiver and
the lower feeder mechanism is a feeder mechanism of the floatable-
material receiver. In some embodiments, the swivel joint 61 may
rotate 360 degrees. In some embodiments, the lower conveyor belt
131 may be replaced or supplemented by a hopper or a funneling
device. The swivel may allow the vehicle or watercraft carrying the
floatable-material receiver to turn while it is collecting floatable
material, which may have the advantage of a more maneuverable
and efficient apparatus on both the beach and operating in the water.
The swivel may allow a watercraft containing the mechanical device
that picks up floatable material 120 to turn into the surf to collect
floatable material, navigate up to or near the beach, and then turn to
collect floatable material in an optimal direction.
[0137] In this embodiment, top conveyor belt 130 is positioned
above the swivel joint 61. As top conveyor belt 130 moves its load
forward, the force of gravity causes the floatable material to drop to
the lower conveyor belt 131. The swivel 61 ensures that whatever
direction a conveyor belt 130 is facing, it is able to transfer its load
to the lower conveyor belt 131. This may present a flow problem
however, where the top conveyor belt may transfer its load faster
than gravity may cause the material to fall. This may cause plugging
or a low rate of flow. This problem is minimized by a downward
pointing spray nozzle 58, which may provide fluid from a high
pressure hose 28 or an independent source. The high pressure fluid
released from nozzle 58 forces the material in a downward direction
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much faster than for which gravity can provide, thereby producing
a faster rate of transfer from one conveyor to the next. In some
embodiments, screw augers are used to substitute or augment the
conveyor belts. In some embodiments, two screw conveyors are
positioned to replace conveyor belts 130 and 131 with a nozzle
pointed in the direction of flow of the seaweed in the same manner
as FIG. 33. This may allow a swivel joint 61 to operate in any
direction with the use of screw augers positioned within the swivel
joint tube 61, since there is not a reliance on the need for gravity. In
some embodiments, the swivel joint tube is comprised of a screw
conveyor, so that a total of three conveyors, one perpendicular to the
two others, operate simultaneously to transfer material through the
swivel connection. The connection may have means of draining or
evacuating the fluid from the nozzle.
101381 The embodiment of FIG. 34 is of an apparatus that may
distribute sorbent material onto a foreshore or body of water.
Sorbent material storage container 200 may convey by gravity and
funnel, sorbent material to conveyor belt 8, where the conveyor belt
feeds material into the funneling element 45 and into transport hose
60. Water may be drawn from the body of water through a filter by
high pressure pump 201, which may charge high pressure tank 202
with high pressure water. In some embodiments, high pressure air is
used instead of water. Fluid travels down high pressure hose 28 and
through valves 69 and into the floatable-material thrusters 62, where
the nozzles of said thrusters are configured to flow in the opposite
direction of a floatable-material harvester. Both the high pressure
hose 28 and the transport hose 60 may be staged, or have an
increasing diameter, to minimize excessive acceleration of the
sorbent material. Small craft 203 may point the transport hose output
in an upward direction, so as to project the sorbent material onto a
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foreshore or body of water. Valves 69 may provide a continuous and
regulated flow of fluid from the high pressure pump 201, or the
valves 69 may provide bursts of high pressure fluid into the transport
hose 60, to propel a finite amount of sorbent material a longer
distance, similar to that of a gun. The conveyor belt 8 may load the
transport hose 60 with sorbent material before the valves 69 provide
a burst of fluid.
[0139] Returning to FIG. 1A, FIG. 2, FIG. 22, or FIG. 24, the
floatable-material harvester of FIG. 1A, FIG. 2, FIG. 22, or FIG.
24 includes a floatable-material receiver. The floatable-material
receiver is connected to the input of the transport hose 60. In some
embodiments, the floatable-material receiver is a device that aids
operators of the floatable-material harvester of FIG.1A, FIG. 2,
FIG. 22, or FIG. 24 in placing floatable material into the transport
hose 60.
[0140] The floatable-material receiver may include a nozzle 58. The
nozzle 58 may have handles (not shown), allowing an operator to
direct the nozzle at floatable material on a shore or in water. The
nozzle may have two or more sections connected by joints, allowing
the operator to direct the nozzle opening to various angles relative
to the position of the transport hose 60. The nozzle may have a valve
that allows the operator to stop airflow or water flow through the
nozzle into the transport hose 60. An operator may operate the valve
directly or via remote control. A microprocessor 11 may operate the
valve.
101411 In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the floatable-
material receiver is a platform-based floatable-material receiver.
A platform-based floatable-material receiver is a floatable-material
receiver that includes a floor portion on which floatable material
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may be placed. In some embodiments, the floor portion is
substantially planar. In other embodiments, the floor portion is
curved. The floor portion may be angled; for example, the floor
portion may be angled toward the transport hose 60 so that the action
of gravity aids in moving the floatable material toward the transport
hose 60. In some embodiments, the floor portion is substantially
horizontal. Other components of the floatable-material receiver may
be placed on the floor portion; for example a receptacle may be
placed upon the floor portion. In some embodiments, the transport
hose 60 removes the floatable material directly from the platform.
[01421 The platform-based floatable-material receiver may include
a conveyor belt 8 or a screw auger 52 to convey the seaweed from
the platform to the transport hose 60. As a non-limiting example, the
feeder mechanism may be a conveyor belt 8. The conveyor belt 8
may be powered by any conventional means, including the force of
the vacuum itself. In some embodiments, the conveyor belt 8 has a
variable speed control. In some embodiments, the feeder may have
a funneling element 45 that forces floatable material into the hose
by narrowing the path the material can follow as the conveyor belt
8 moves forward. The variable speed control may be able to cause
the conveyor belt to move faster or slower. The variable speed
control 75 may be controlled by an operator. The variable speed
control 75 may be controlled by a microprocessor configured to
control the variable speed control (not shown). The microprocessor
may be a microprocessor 11.
[0143] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9, the floatable-
material receiver is a receptacle-based floatable-material receiver.
A receptacle-based floatable-material receiver may be a floatable-
material receiver that includes a receptacle into which the floatable
material may be placed, and from which the transport hose 60
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removes the floatable material. The transport hose 60 may remove
the floatable material directly from the receptacle. The transport
hose 60 may receive the floatable material from the receptacle
indirectly, via a feeder mechanism. For example, a screw conveyor
52 may remove the floatable material from the receptacle and feed
it to the transport hose 60. A conveyor belt may remove floatable
material from the receptacle and feed it to the transport hose 60.
101441 In some embodiments, the receptacle-based floatable
material receiver includes a funnel 24. In some embodiments, the
funnel 24 is angled so that it opens directly into the transport hose
60. In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 13, the mouth of the
funnel 24 is pointed vertically, and the funnel 25 is connected to the
transport hose 60 input by a conduit with a gradual 90-degree bend.
In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9 the receptacle-based
floatable-material receiver includes a hopper 84 having an outlet
coupled to the input of the transport hose 60.
10145] In one embodiment, the hopper 84 includes an agitator 108.
The agitator 108 may be an element that agitates the seaweed or
floatable material in the hopper or funnel; this may have the effect
of loosening clumps of seaweed/floatable material and may act as a
feeder mechanism to the transport hose 60. In some embodiments,
the agitator 108 vibrates. In some embodiments, the nozzle 58 may
assist or replace a feeder mechanism for the transport hose 60. An
operator may operate the agitator 108 directly or via remote control.
A microprocessor configured to operate the agitator 108 may
operate the agitator. In some embodiments, the floatable-material
receiver includes a vegetation shredder 67. An operator may operate
the vegetation shredder 67 directly or via remote control. A
microprocessor configured to operate the vegetation shredder 67
may operate the vegetation shredder 67. In some embodiments, the
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floatable-material receiver includes a trommel washer 64. The
trommel washer may be a trommel washer 64 as described above in
reference to FIG. 21.
[0146] Returning to FIG. 1A, FIG. 2, FIG. 22, and FIG. 24, in
some embodiments, the floatable-material harvester includes a
floatable-material receiver transporter supporting the floatable-
material receiver. In some embodiments, the floatable-material
receiver transporter is a terrestrial vehicle. In some embodiments,
the floatable-material receiver transporter is a motorized wheeled
vehicle. In other embodiments the floatable-material receiver
transporter is a trailer. In other embodiments, the floatable-material
receiver transporter is a sledge. In other embodiments, the floatable-
material receiver transporter is a beach cleaner, or a vehicle designed
to collect seaweed and convey the seaweed into the transport hose
60.
[0147] In some embodiments, the floatable-material receiver
transporter includes a flotation device 43 supporting the floatable-
material receiver. The flotation device may be a raft. The flotation
device 43 may be a boat. The flotation device 43 may include at least
one pontoon. The flotation device 43 may be constructed using any
combination of materials known in the art to produce a buoyant
object. In some embodiments, the flotation device 43 is composed
at least in part of polymer foam, as described above in reference to
FIG. 2 and FIG. 22. In other embodiments, the flotation device 43
is composed at least in part of wood. In still other embodiments, the
flotation device 43 includes at least one enclosed cavity filled with
air. The material enclosing the at least one cavity may be any
material or combination of materials capable of forming an airtight
enclosure. The material enclosing the at least one cavity may be
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metal. The material enclosing the at least one cavity may be a
polymer.
101481 As shown in FIG. 13, the flotation device 43 may also
include buoyancy control. In some embodiments, buoyancy control
is a set of devices that enables the flotation device 43 to increase or
decrease its buoyancy. Where the flotation device 43 contains at
least one air-filled, enclosed cavity, the buoyancy control may
include at least one bilge pump 9. In an embodiment, the at least one
bilge pump 9 is capable of pumping water into the cavity. In another
embodiment, the at least one bilge pump 9 is capable of 'pumping
water out of the cavity. In an additional embodiment, the at least one
bilge pump 9 is capable of both of pumping water into the cavity
and of pumping water out of the cavity. In some embodiments, the
at least one bilge pump 9 pumps water from the body of water using
a water conduit. The water conduit may have an element that filters
solid matter out of the water, such as a mesh filter.
101491 In some embodiments, the at least one bilge pump 9 pumps
water from the cavity into the body of water through a water conduit.
In an embodiment, the at least one bilge pump 9 is capable of
pumping air into the cavity. In another embodiment, the at least one
bilge pump 9 is capable of pumping air out of the cavity. In an
additional embodiment, the at least one bilge pump 9 is capable of
both of pumping air into the cavity and of pumping air out of the
cavity. In some embodiments, the at least one bilge pump 9 pumps
air from the atmosphere using a snorkel 54. In some embodiments,
the bilge pump 9 pumps air back into the atmosphere using a snorkel
54. In some embodiments, the at least one bilge pump 9 can pump
either air or water in or out of the cavity, as needed to adjust the
buoyancy of the flotation device 43. In some embodiments, the
buoyancy control is controlled by an operator. In some
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embodiments, the operator controls the buoyancy control remotely
by means of a wired or wireless signal. In some embodiments, the
buoyancy control is controlled by a microprocessor configured to
control the buoyancy control (not shown). The microprocessor may
be a microprocessor 11.
101501 As shown in FIG. 10, in some embodiments, the flotation
device further includes a propulsion system 49. The propulsion
system 49 includes at least one propeller, in some embodiments. In
some embodiments, the propulsion system may use the principal of
magneto hydrodynamics. In some embodiments, the propulsion
system 49 has reversible thrust. In some embodiments, the
propulsion system 49 is controlled by an operator. In some
embodiments, the operator controls the propulsion system 49
remotely by means of a wired or wireless signal. In some
embodiments, the propulsion system 49 is controlled by a
microprocessor configured to control the propulsion system 49 (not
shown). The microprocessor may be a microprocessor 11. In some
embodiments, the flotation device 43 includes a rudder 50. In some
embodiments, the rudder 50 is controlled by an operator. In some
embodiments, the operator controls the rudder 50 remotely by
means of a wired or wireless signal. In some embodiments, the
rudder 50 is controlled by a microprocessor configured to control
the rudder 50 (not shown). The microprocessor may be a
microprocessor 11. In some embodiments, the flotation system 43 is
made up of two pontoons, and the propulsion system 49 is located
in between the two pontoons.
101511 In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9, the flotation
device includes an anchoring system 6. In some embodiments, the
anchoring system 6 includes at least one anchor attached to at least
one cable. The at least one cable may be wound on at least one
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winch. In some embodiments, the at least one winch is electric. In
some embodiments, the anchoring system 6 is automated; for
instance, the anchoring system 6 may have at least one electric
winch that is remotely controlled. The winch may be controlled by
an operator. The winch may be controlled by a microprocessor
configured to control the winch (not shown). The microprocessor
may be a microprocessor 11.
[0152] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 10, the floatable-
material receiver is mounted on the flotation device 43 by means of
a swivel 61. The swivel 61 may be a horizontal swivel. The swivel
61 may permit the transport hose 60 and the floatable-material
receiver to swivel three hundred and sixty (360) degrees with respect
to the flotation device 43. The swivel 61 may permit the transport
hose 60 and the floatable-material receiver to three hundred and
sixty (360) degrees an unlimited number of times in either horizontal
direction with respect to the flotation device 43. In some
embodiments, the floatable-material receiver is detachable from the
flotation device 43; in other words, the floatable-material receiver
may be detached from the flotation device 43 and reattached to the
floating device 43 an indefinitely large number of times without any
noticeable damage to either the flotation device 43 or to the
floatable-material receiver. The floatable-material receiver may
include one or more handles 25 so that operators can lift and carry
it where necessary.
[0153] A team of operators provide a floatable-material harvester as
described above in reference to FIG. 1A, FIG. 2. FIG. 22, or FIG.
24. In some embodiments, the operators assemble the transport hose
60; for instance, where the transport hose is made up of a series of
lengths of flexible hose concatenated with watertight joints, the
operators may connect together the lengths of hose and the joints to
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produce the fully assembled transport hose 60. Where the transport
hose 60 is wound on a spool, the operators may partially or wholly
unwind the transport hose 60. Where the transport hose 60 is not
initially attached to the input of the vacuum source 66, the operators
may attach the transport hose 60 to the input of the vacuum source
66. In some embodiments of the method, the at least one air inductor
is not attached to the transport hose 60 prior to deploying the
floatable-material harvester of FIG. 22 or FIG. 24; the operators
may attach the at least one air inductor to the transport hose 60 while
deploying the floatable-material harvester of FIG. 22 or FIG. 24.
The operators may activate the at least one actuator of the at least
one valve 3.
101541 In an embodiment, the operators attach the floatable-material
receiver to the transport hose 60. In another embodiment, the
operators attach the floatable-material receiver to the flotation
device 43; for instance, the operators may attach the floatable-
material receiver to the flotation device 43 via the swivel 61 as
described above. The operators may couple the microprocessor 11
to the at least one valve 3. The operators may couple the
microprocessor to the propulsion system 49. The operators may
couple the microprocessor to the buoyancy control. The operators
may couple the microprocessor to the automated anchoring system
6. The operators may couple the microprocessor to the conveyor
belt 8. The operators may couple the microprocessor to the agitator
108. The operators may couple the microprocessor to the vacuum
source 66. The operators may couple the microprocessor to the air
flow meters 23. In some embodiments, the floatable-material
receiver is comprised of a floatable-material thruster 62 such as
depicted in FIG. 31.
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101551 In some embodiments, for instance when the floatable-
material receiver is platform-based or receptacle-based as described
above in reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 9, the operators may pitch
seaweed into or onto the floatable-material receiver, for instance
with a shovel or pitchfork 82. Where the floatable-material receiver
has a conveyor belt 8, the conveyor belt 8 may transport the seaweed
to the input of the transport hose 60. Where the conveyor belt 8 has
variable speeds, an operator may cause it to vary its speed. A
microprocessor 11 may cause it to vary its speed. Where the
floatable-material receiver has a screw conveyor 52, the screw
conveyor may transport the seaweed/floatable material to the input
of the transport hose 60. Where the floatable-material receiver
includes a hopper 84 with an agitator 108, the agitator may agitate
the seaweed by vibration, which may provide a more even flow of
floatable material into the transport hose 60. Where the harvesting
apparatus includes a trommel washer, the trommel washer may wash
the seaweed. In embodiments in which the floatablc-material
receiver includes a vegetation shredder 67, the vegetable shredder
may shred the seaweed. Where the floatable-material receiver has a
nozzle, the operators may harvest seaweed by directing the nozzle
at the seaweed and permitting the suction of the transport hose 60 to
further transport the seaweed.
101561 In some embodiments, the transport hose and floatable-
material thruster are comprised of a pressure sensor. Pressure
sensors can alternatively be called pressure transducers, pressure
transmitters, pressure senders, pressure indicators and piezometers,
manometers, among other names. Pressure may be measured by
piezoresi stive strain gauge, capacitive,
electromagnetic,
piezoelectric, optical, potentiometric, resonant, thermal, and
ionization. In another embodiment, a pressure sensor is connected
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to the high pressure hose and the high pressure tank. The pressure
sensor may transmit pressure information to the microprocessor 11.
The microprocessor 11 may use such pressure information to control
the speed and generated thrust of the high pressure pump, the water
pump connected to the transport hose, and the flow valves 69 or 3.
In some embodiments, the microprocessor may be replaced or
supplemented by an analog circuit, configured to control said valves
and said pumps.
[01571 FIG. 35 is a side view of an embodiment of a mechanical
device that picks up floatable material, depicted in the retracted
position with solid lines, and the extended position with dotted lines.
A retractable mechanism may allow the device to shorten its overall
length and therefore not become stuck on a solid object such as an
embedded rock, while picking up floatable material. The tines 304
are positioned along flexible belt 307, where said flexible belt
rotates in a counterclockwise direction by mechanical force
provided by a motor connected to drum 302. In some embodiments,
each drum may have sprockets. Each or some tines 304 may have
pressure sensors 301, which provides information to a
microprocessor 11. In some embodiments, each tine is flexible. In
another embodiment, the tine 304 may be a hook. The pressure
sensor 301 may be a pressure switch. When a certain amount of
pressure is applied to the tine 304, the microprocessor 11 may
control drum 305 to move by a connected hydraulic jack or slider
joint (motion shown with arrows but device not specifically shown)
to retracted position 308, while drum 306 simultaneously moves to
elevated position 303, thereby maintaining the overall length and
tension of flexible belt 307. This ability to retract and shorten the
overall length of the mechanical device that picks up floatable
material 120 may allow the invention to operate in a continuous
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manner, without having to stop and back up. The entire mechanical
device that picks up floatable material 120 may rotate on a swivel
connection (shown in FIG. 32A as 135), or the mechanical device
may rise vertically on an elevator, so that a tine 304 receiving
pressure by becoming stuck on an obstruction, may cause the
mechanical device to retract and lift in an almost simultaneous
manner, thereby clearing the obstruction. As floatable material is
collected on the tines 304, the material is severed from the tine as
the tine 304 passes though gate 302, thereby transferring the
floatable material onto conveyor belt 8, while allowing the tine 304
to return back down to pick up additional floatable material.
[0158] FIG. 36A is an embodiment of a side view of a continuous
filter mechanism and a collection area, which may allow a
continuous separation of floatable material from the water in the
transport hose 60. Water and material exit the transport tube output
313 against the filter screen 311, which may be curved at a
downward facing angle to allow for a smooth laminar flow of
floatable material down the inside of the filter screen 311 to draining
conveyor belt 17. Said draining conveyor belt may be a mesh
conveyor belt, so as to allow water to pass through while retaining
floatable material on the surface. The continuous movement of
draining conveyor belt 17 may provide a continuous flow of material
from the collection area to a washer, cooler, or storage container.
The filter screen 311 may be comprised of upward angled plates
314, so that the water 310 is projected up into the air, as to neutralize
the large amount of energy that may be within the transport hose 60,
and to avoid the undesired propulsion of the apparatus within a body
of water. The water that drains below the draining conveyor 17 may
be directed through the directional propulsion thruster 101, as
depicted in FIG. 1A. Instead of shooting exit water 310 up into the
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air, said exit water may also be directed to a directional propulsion
thruster 101. Another water pump between the filter screen 311 and
the directional propulsion thruster 101 may assist with the flow of
exit water.
101591 FIG. 36B is a side view of an embodiment of a hydrovane
401. The mesh filter screen globe 315 should be made out of suitable
gauge and material as to create as little turbulence as possible. In a
related embodiment, the globe is replaced with an upside down U
connector that connects to the three potentiometers 314, so that the
body of the hydrovane 320 is open to the elements, but still
connected to the remaining components of the instrument as to
function in the same manner as the globe. In this embodiment, globe
315 is connected to three 360 degree potentiometers 314, so that the
globe may rotate horizontally and the body of the hydrovane 320
may rotate vertically, as to provide directional information based on
resistance of each potentiometer to microprocessor 11. The top
potentiometer 314 may be connected to the transport hose 60 or
anywhere along the length on the apparatus. Propeller 316 may
provide water speed information by generating a current or a pulse
through a generator or a switch respectively, inside the body of the
hydrovane 320. Such information may be transmitted to the
microprocessor 11 by wire or wireless transmission. Horizontal
stabilizer tail 318 may stabilize the body of the hydrovane 320 in
elevation while vertical stabilizer tail 317 may stabilize the direction
of the body of the hydrovane 320 while rotating the globe 315, both
movements turning the potentiometers 314. A global positioning
system may have receivers placed on the transport hose 60 and along
the length of the apparatus, with information transmitted to the
microprocessor 11, so that the information provided may be used
with the hydrovane 401 for more accurate movement control.
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101601 A method is disclosed of an additional benefit to the
floatable-material harvester, where the floatable-material harvester
is used to remove other types of floatable substrate from the body of
water that the floatable-material receiver floats on. This substrate
can, for example, be material used to absorb chemical spills, such as
in a spill of petroleum. These substrates have an affinity for
absorbing petroleum over water, such as but not limited to wood
chips, peat moss, or sphagnum moss. The substrate may be
comprised of nanofibres, to absorb nuclear waste. Nanofibres
neutralize radiation and permanently absorb some heavy metals.
Large amounts of the substrate are placed into the body of water or
on the beach and are allowed enough time for the chemical to absorb
into the substrate, which for the purpose of this document are
referred to as sorbent or absorbent material. The spilled chemical
and/or radioactive material may be referred to as pollutants. A
similar apparatus may be used to deploy the sorbent material to the
beach and shore. In some embodiments, the sorbent material
deploying apparatus is comprised of a storage area containing
absorbent material, which is metered by a conveyor into a floatable-
material receiver which, is fluidly connected to a transport hose, the
transport hose having at least one floatable-material thruster along
its length. The floatable-material thruster is fluidly connected to at
least one pump. The apparatus may have a small vessel which
directs the output end of the transport hose to deploy absorbent
material to the beach and shore.
[01611 The floatable-material receiver depicted in FIG. 5 and FIG.
6 uses a small conveyor belt 110 submerged at an angle close to 45
degrees into the body of water on which the floatable-material
receiver floats in order to retrieve the substrate or floatable-material.
In some embodiments, the small submerged conveyor belt 110 may
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have spikes, hooks, or prongs that protrude from the surface of the
belt, making it easier for material to be picked up and carried by the
conveyor belt 110 and deposited onto the platform conveyor belt 8.
In one embodiment, the conveyor belt 8 may be replaced with a
screw auger. The horizontally level conveyors that feed the transport
tube are non-limiting examples of feeder mechanisms that provide
floatable material to the transport tube 60. The floatable-material
receiver uses propulsion and steering to maneuver itself through the
body of water. The floating funneling element 111 functions in the
same manner as the smaller funneling element 45, with the
difference being that the floating funneling element 111 is located
on the sides of the conveyor belt 110, while the smaller funneling
element 45 lays on top of conveyor belt 8. Apparatus is maneuvered
around the body of water and used to collect the substrate. The
floatable-material receiver and conveyor belt 8 provide enough
draining to ensure that mostly solid substrate is removed and water
is drained. Once the collection area is full, the collection area is
emptied and its contents, for example, may be transported away,
stored, or incinerated.
[0162] Essentially, the same features that facilitate the collection of
seaweed are generally able to be employed for collection of
chemical/radioactive-spill absorption substrate, whether the
absorption substrate is organic or inorganic in nature. That is, while
many of the elements are described in relation to "floating-organics"
harvesting, those same elements could, within the scope of the
present device, also be used to collect floating sorbcnts (both
organic and inorganic varieties). That said, certain features may not
necessarily be employed with the clean up of the absorption
substrate, such as the cleaning/oxygenating/refrigeration system
and/or the vegetation shredder. Also, the water displacement
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apparatus and the trommel washer may be excluded from the
apparatus. In the method of harvesting material used to absorb a
chemical/radioactive spill, a floatable-material thruster may be
referred to as a material thruster or vise-versa, and an organics
receiver may be referred to as a floatable-material receiver or vise-
versa, since the material used to absorb the chemical spill may be
inorganic or synthetic in composition.
101631 It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in
other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central
characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments,
therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not
restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given
herein.
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