NO20240224A1

NO20240224A1 - Device, assembly, and method for collecting water-borne objects

Info

Publication number: NO20240224A1
Application number: NO20240224A
Authority: NO
Inventors: Matthias Van Middendorp
Original assignee: Clean Sea Solutions As
Priority date: 2024-03-08
Filing date: 2024-03-08
Publication date: 2025-09-09

Description

Device, assembly, and method for collecting water-borne objects

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to a device, an assembly, and a method for collecting water-borne objects, as defined by the preambles of claims 1, 5, and 7. The invention is particularly useful for collecting debris and other waste floating in a body of water, but may also have other applications.

Background of the invention

The prior art includes WO 2018/102869 A1, which describes a waste collecting device comprising a receptacle having an opening in an upper end and a tubular member mounted for sliding movement within the opening. A pump is provided for pumping water outwardly from within the receptacle and a basket is provided within the tubular member. The tubular member comprises a cylindrical inner wall and a cylindrical outer wall connected at upper and lower ends thereof to define an annular chamber to provide buoyancy to the tubular member.

The prior art also includes GB 2569788 A, which describes a water debris skimming device comprising a cylinder which can be submerged just beneath the surface of the sea, having a pump to remove continuously water which has entered through the cylinder’s mouth. A pump is provided to remove water by an outlet of the cylinder. A filter such as a wire mesh and/or filter bag is placed at the outlet to trap debris which has entered into the cylinder, therefore filtering water leaving the cylinder. The pump is powered by a floating solar panel. The water debris skimming device may further comprise a one-way valve comprising at least one panel arranged to be biased to be horizontal and blocking the inlet.

The prior art also includes WO 2017/139855 A1, which describes a waste collecting device comprising a receptacle having an open upper end for collecting waste from adjacent a surface of a body of water. An upper rim is provided around the open upper end of the receptacle and an outlet is provided for pumping water outwardly from the receptacle. The waste collecting device is provided with buoyancy such that the upper rim floats adjacent the surface of the water and the upper rim includes one or more recesses extending downwardly into the upper rim from an upper surface thereof. The recesses allow water to flow inwardly into the receptacle, thereby capturing waste floating adjacent the surface of the body of water.

The prior art also includes WO 2021/089955 A1, which describes a device for collecting, by overflow, products floating on the surface of a body of water. The device comprises: a tank, a holding member keeping the tank in a position such that the upper edge of the peripheral wall of the tank is situated beneath the free surface of the body of water, a tubular skimming member, which is movable with respect to the tank, comprising an inner shell fitted freely inside the tank and having an upper overflow threshold, and a liquid extraction member communicating with the lower part of the tank, the tubular skimming member being exposed to the level of the liquid in the inner shell. The tubular skimming member comprises an isolating member which delimits, with the inner shell, an annular confinement space in which the upper part of the peripheral wall of the tank is freely fitted, in an interlocking position.

An object of the present invention is to present a device for collecting water-borne objects that is more robust and efficient, and has a larger capacity than the prior art devices, and is more compact and occupy less area near quays and jetties than the prior art devices and assemblies.

Summary of the invention

The invention is set forth and characterized in the main claim, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention.

It is thus provided a device for collecting water-borne objects, configured for being arranged in a body of water and comprising a hull with a compartment for holding a predefined volume of water and one or more collected objects; wherein:

- the compartment comprises at least one inlet opening for allowing water and objects to float into the compartment;

- the device comprises at least one pivot connection for rotatable connection to a respective support device;

- the device comprises at least one pump configured and arranged for evacuating water from the compartment;

characterized by:

- a buoyant member or a mass connected to or integrated in the device at a distance away from the pivot connection; or

- a buoyant member and a mass connected to or integrated in the device at a distance away from and on opposite sides of the pivot connection;

- and wherein the buoyant member and the mass are arranged such that they – individually or combined – generate rotational moments that act in the same direction.

In one embodiment, the buoyant member and the mass are arranged such that a buoyant force generated by the buoyant member and a ballast force generated by the mass counteract a buoyant force of the collecting device when the pump is operating to evacuate the compartment.

In one embodiment, the inlet opening and the buoyant member are arranged on the same side of the pivot connection.

In one embodiment, the inlet pump is a submersible pump arranged in the compartment and at least partially constitutes the mass.

It is also provided an assembly for collecting water-borne objects, characterized by the device according to the invention and at least one support device, wherein the device is rotatably connected to the at least one support device via said at least one pivot connection, and the at least one support device is connected to a support platform.

In one embodiment, the at least one support device is adjustable to control the vertical position of the collecting device in relation to a water surface and thus the position of the inlet opening below the water surface when the pump is operating.

It is also provided a method of operating the assembly according to the invention, characterized by:

- arranging the at least one support device such that the inlet opening is below the water surface; and

- controlling the pump to maintain a water throughput through the compartment such that the collector device in a state of rotational equilibrium.

Brief description of the drawings

These and other characteristics of the invention will become clear from the following description of an embodiment of the invention, given as a non-restrictive example, with reference to the attached schematic drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the collecting device according to the invention, connected to a floating barge or jetty;

Figure 2 is an elevation view of the assembly illustrated in figures 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the collecting device illustrated in figure 1;

Figure 4 is a different perspective view of the embodiment of the collecting device illustrated in figure 3, connected to a pair of support devices;

Figure 5 is a side view of the assembly illustrated in figure 4, with the collecting device in a first position;

Figure 6 is a side view of the assembly illustrated in figure 4, with the collecting device in a second position; and

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the collecting device, comprising a control and monitoring unit arranged to monitor the contents in the collecting device compartment.

Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

The following description may use terms such as “horizontal”, “vertical”, “lateral”, “back and forth”, “up and down”, ”upper”, “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “forward”, “rear”, “underneath”, “above”, etc. These terms generally refer to the views and orientations as shown in the drawings and that are associated with a normal use of the invention. The terms are used for the reader’s convenience only and shall not be limiting.

Figure 1 illustrates the invented collecting device 1 installed on the side of a platform 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the platform is floating vessel, such as a barge or floating jetty, but the platform may be any manmade or natural structure capable of supporting the collecting device. The platform may be a static structure or a structure floating in the water.

The collecting device 1 is pivotally connected to the platform 30 via a pair of support devices 15, and is thus rotatable around a nominal horizontal axis (the z-axis illustrated in figure 3). Although not illustrated, it should be understood that the connection may be provided by only one support device or by more than two support devices. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the support device 15 is a bracket comprising a cantilever arm 19, a fastener element 17 (for connecting the support device to the platform 30), and a support strut 16. The cantilever arm 19 is pivotally connected to the fastener element 17 via a hinged connection 18, whereby the angle between the cantilever arm 19 and the fastener element 17 is adjustable. The angle is controlled by the support strut 16, which may be length-adjustable or releasably attached to one of several positions along the cantilever arm 19. The angle between the cantilever arm 19 and the fastener element 17 may thus be adjusted to control the vertical position of the collecting device 1 in relation to the water surface S. The support device shall not be limited to the illustrated bracket configuration as long as it fulfills the function of connecting the collecting device to the platform. The support device does not necessarily need to be adjustable.

Referring to figures 2-4, the collecting device 1 comprises a hull 7 made of a material suitable for the intended use (e.g. aluminium or polyethylene). The hull defines a compartment 3 having closed bottom region 9 and an upper region 10 which is open upwards. The compartment is designed for receiving substances floating in the water in which the collecting device is arranged. Such substances (not shown) may be debris, garbage, or any other items floating in the water, or a liquid floating in the water surface. A removable bag or net (not shown) may advantageously be arranged inside the compartment to collect the substances floating into the compartment.

In the illustrated embodiment, the upper region is wider than the bottom region. A cover (not shown) may be arranged on top of the hull upper region. An inlet opening 2 is arranged in a first side of the hull, in the vicinity of the upper region, and is configured for allowing water and floating objects to flow into the compartment. In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet opening 2 is formed as a cutout portion of the hull wall, extending from the top of the hull, but the invention shall not be limited to this configuration. For example, the inlet opening 2 may be formed as a hole in the hull wall.

Referring in particular to figures 3 and 4, the inlet opening 2 and the hull wall below it protrude outwards in the xz-plane, as indicated by the reference line 22. The inlet opening also extends downwards in the yz-plane, having a distinct lowermost region 11. This geometry makes the inlet opening less sensitive to waves and allows for items flowing deeper in the water to enter the compartment. In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet opening and the hull wall below are V-shaped, but the invention shall not be limited to this specific geometry.

In the illustrated embodiment, a submersible pump 6 is arranged in the compartment 3 and is arranged and configured for pumping water out of the compartment. The pump inlet is not illustrated, but it should be understood that it is near the bottom of the compartment or at least a significant distance below the inlet opening 2. The pump outlet is also not illustrated, but the skilled person will understand that this outlet may be arranged in a number of ways as long as it allows water to be pumped out from the compartment. It should also be understood that the pump may be arranged elsewhere, for example outside the compartment, with the pump inlet inside the compartment.

The collecting device 1 is pivotally connected to the support devices 15 at a pivot connection 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot connections are arranged at the free ends of respective carrier arms 4 that are rigidly connected to the hull on opposite sides of the hull. It should be understood, however, that the pivot connections may be arranged differently, for example directly on the side of the hull.

In the illustrated embodiment, a buoyant member 5 is connected to the first side of the hull, on the same side of the hull as the inlet opening 2, and the support devices 15 are connected on the opposite side of the hull, referred to as the second side. The buoyant member 5 may have a tube shape, as illustrated, and is connected to the hull first side via support members. Its center of buoyancy is arranged a distance d from the pivot connection 8 (see figure 5). A plate section 20 may optionally extend between the buoyant member 5 and the inlet opening 2, the purpose of which is to make the inflow more laminar and prevent upwards currents near the inlet opening.

Figure 5 illustrates the collecting device 1 connected to the support devices 15 and pivotally arranged in a body of water. In this first position of the collecting device, the inlet opening is below the water surface S and water is flowing into the compartment while the pump 6 (illustrated by dotted lines) is running to pump water out from the compartment. The collecting device buoyant force – generated by the pump operating to evacuate the compartment – is denoted FA; the buoyant force generated by the buoyant member 5 is denoted FT; and the ballast force generated by the mass of the pump 6 is denoted FB. It should be understood that the ballast force FB may be generated by a mass other than the pump. Reference number 6 shall therefore denote a mass as such, arranged inside or on the collecting device. The buoyant member 5 and the mass 6 may have other shapes, configurations and positions than those illustrated, but are arranged on opposite sides of the pivot connection 8 and generate – individually or combined – rotational moments that act in the same direction.

In design, the buoyant force FT and the ballast force FB may be controlled independently of each other, and it is possible to use only one of the two to counter the rotational moment generated by the collecting device buoyant force FA and thus maintain the collector device 1 in a state of equilibrium. The required rotational moment (MCW or MCC) to maintain the collector device 1 in a state of equilibrium is determined by the magnitude of FT and/or FB and their respective distances from the pivot connection, of the water flowrate through the compartment, and the water level in the compartment (the latter two determining FA). The water flowrate (throughput) is determined by the pump operating capacity and the inlet opening size and configuration. When commencing operation, the starting height of the inlet opening (i.e. depth below the water surface) is set to the desired level, for example controlled by the support device. This level directly influences the nominal water height inside the collector device when it is in equilibrium. In a practical application for a specific design of the collecting device, the shape, configuration and position of the buoyant member 5 and the mass 6 are chosen so as to optimise FB and/or FT.

Figure 6 illustrates the collecting device 1 in a second position, in which the inlet opening is above the water surface and the rotational moment MCC generated by the buoyant force FT pivots the collecting device towards the support device 15.

A fundamental principle in the invention is that the pivot connection 8, the buoyant force FT, and the ballast force FB are arranged and dimensioned such that the collector device assumes the state of equilibrium as shown in figure 5, while the pump 6 is running, and the inherent buoyancy of the collection device is used to pivot it in the water. As soon as the compartment fills, the collector device will be pivoted back due to the weight of the ballast (e.g. the pump) and the added buoyancy provided by the buoyant member 5, or one of these. The pivotable collector device is thus a selfregulating mechanism.

Figure 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the collecting device, comprising a control and monitoring unit 23. The unit may comprise an optical device such as a camera, and may be connected to a computer, for example via a cloud connection. The information provided by the optical device may be used in computer vision analyses on the debris that passes through the inlet opening. The unit may also comprise a pump motor frequency drive, microcontroller, and other components required to operate and control the collecting device.

It should be understood that the figures referred to above illustrate specific embodiments, and that the invention may comprise other specific components than those illustrated. Also, the figures only illustrate features that are necessary to elucidate the invention, and do not illustrate sensors, cables, wires, hoses and other parts that may be required to operate the device.

In the embodiments described above, various features and details are shown in combination. The fact that several features are described with respect to a particular example should not be construed as implying that those features by necessity have to be included together in all embodiments of the invention. Conversely, features that are described with reference to different embodiments should not be construed as mutually exclusive. As a person skilled in the art readily will understand, embodiments that incorporate any subset of features described herein and that are not expressly interdependent have been contemplated by the inventor and are part of the intended disclosure. However, explicit description of all such embodiments would not contribute to the understanding of the principles of the invention, and consequently some permutations of features have been omitted for the sake of simplicity or brevity.

Claims

1. A device (1) for collecting water-borne objects, configured for being arranged in a body of water and comprising a hull (7) with a compartment (3) for holding a predefined volume of water and one or more collected objects; wherein:

- the compartment (3) comprises at least one inlet opening (2) for allowing water and objects to float into the compartment;

- the device comprises at least one pivot connection (8) for rotatable connection to a respective support device (15);

- the device comprises at least one pump (6) configured and arranged for evacuating water from the compartment (3);

characterized by:

- a buoyant member (5) or a mass (6) connected to or integrated in the device (1) at a distance away from the pivot connection (8); or

- a buoyant member (5) and a mass (6) connected to or integrated in the device (1) at a distance away from and on opposite sides of the pivot connection (8);

- and wherein the buoyant member (5) and the mass (6) are arranged such that they – individually or combined – generate rotational moments that act in the same direction.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the buoyant member (5) and the mass (6) are arranged such that a buoyant force (FT) generated by the buoyant member (5) and a ballast force (FB) generated by the mass (6) counteract a buoyant force (FA) of the collecting device when the pump is operating to evacuate the compartment (3).

3. The device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the inlet opening (2) and the buoyant member (5) are arranged on the same side of the pivot connection (8).

4. The device of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the inlet pump is a submersible pump arranged in the compartment and at least partially constitutes the mass (6).

5. An assembly for collecting water-borne objects, characterized by the device (1) as specified by any one of claims 1-4 and at least one support device (15), wherein the device (1) is rotatably connected to the at least one support device (15) via said at least one pivot connection (8), and the at least one support device (15) is connected to a support platform (30).

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the at least one support device (15) is adjustable to control the vertical position of the collecting device (1) in relation to a water surface (S) and thus the position of the inlet opening (2) below the water surface when the pump is operating.

7. A method of operating the assembly as defined by claim 5 or claim 6, characterized by:

- arranging the at least one support device (15) such that the inlet opening (2) is below the water surface (S); and

- controlling the pump (6) to maintain a water throughput through the compartment such that the collector device (1) in a state of rotational equilibrium.