FLOATING AND SUBMERSIBLE HIGH-SEA AQUACULTURE INSTALLATION

Abstract

The invention relates to a floating and submersible high-sea aquaculture installation. The objective of the present invention is to create a floating and submersible high-sea aquaculture installation that offers better stability, particularly in its submerged or semi-submerged state. According to the invention, this objective is achieved by a floating and submersible high-sea aquaculture installation (1) comprising a structure (2), fish-rearing cages (3) and at least two first adjustable-ballast floats (4) which are located in the bottom third of the structure (2). The installation (1) according to the invention is characterized in that it further comprises at least two second floats (7) which are located in the top third (8) of the structure and which are able to support at most 50% of the weight of the structure.

Claims

1. Floating and submersible offshore aquaculture installation comprising a structure, cages for breeding of fish, and at least two first floats having adjustable ballasts, wherein the first floats are located in the lower third of the structure, characterized in that the installation comprises further at least two second floats, the second floats being located in the upper third of the structure, and the second floats being capable to support at most 50% of the weight of the structure.

2. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and/or second floats are arranged on two opposite sides of the installation.

3. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the first floats have the shape of a hull.

4. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and/or second floats are arranged around the entire perimeter of the installation.

5. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the floats are vertically movable.

6. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the first floats and/or the second floats are installed at the ends of the installation at a maximum distance from each other.

7. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the second floats have adjustable ballasts.

8. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the second floats are capable of supporting a maximum of 33% of the weight of the structure, and preferably a maximum of 25% of the weight of the structure.

9. Installation according to claim 7, characterized in that the installation comprises a ballast control system for the first and second floats which makes it possible to achieve a precise distribution of buoyancy between the ballasts of the first and second floats, in particular a distribution in which the first floats carry more than 50% of the weight of the structure.

10. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the installation comprises a frame that includes floating elements, in particular hollow tubes.

11. Installation according to claim 8, characterized in that the installation comprises a ballast control system for the first and second floats which makes it possible to achieve a precise distribution of buoyancy between the ballasts of the first and second floats, in particular a distribution in which the first floats carry more than 50% of the weight of the structure.

Description

[0051] The invention is explained more precisely below with reference to the appended figures which show different embodiments of the invention in a schematic way:

[0052] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an aquaculture installation in accordance with the invention in rear view;

[0053] FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of an aquaculture installation in accordance with the invention in rear view;

[0054] FIGS. 3a and 3b show aquaculture installations in accordance with the invention from above.

[0055] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an aquaculture installation in accordance with the invention in rear view. It is specified that this figure, as well as the other figures, show the installation in a purely schematic way to explain the general mode of operation of the invention. The figures are neither to scale nor complete but show schematically only those elements that are necessary to assess the invention.

[0056] The installation 1 includes a structure 2 that comprises cages 3 for breeding of fish. The installation also includes at least two first floats 4 with adjustable ballasts 5. The first floats 4 are located in the lower third 6 of structure 2. The first floats 4 are in the form of a hull.

[0057] The installation 1 includes further at least two second floats 7 which are arranged in the upper third 8 of the structure and which are capable of supporting at most 50% of the weight of the structure.

[0058] Thus, the second floats 7 have a reserve buoyancy that makes the structure stable when subjected to external stresses. However, the second floats 7 are too small to carry the weight of the installation alone. The installation remains stable even with high waves on the water surface 9.

[0059] An installation with a length of 70 to 100 meters is expected to remain stable in the presence of waves of 5 to 7 meters or more, which is an operating margin that is more than sufficient for a submersible aquaculture facility.

[0060] The installation may include, as shown in FIG. 1, a handling bridge 10 that remains in the unsubmerged state of the installation 1 above the water surface 9. The installation can be completely submerged, for example to protect it from storms, by ballasting the first floats 4. In this case, the mast 11 of the installation remains above the water surface 9 to be able to transmit and receive radio signals. The installation can thus be controlled by radio signals and, for example, its flotation level can be controlled remotely.

[0061] FIG. 2 shows an installation that is similar to the installation of FIG. 1 but has second floats with adjustable ballasts 12. The ratio between the weight of the structure supported by the first and second floats 4, 7 can be adjusted very finely, while keeping the ratio of less than 50% of the weight supported by the second floats 7.

[0062] FIG. 3a shows an embodiment of an aquaculture installation in accordance with the invention from above. The installation has a longitudinal shape. The floats 4, 7 are arranged along the longest side faces. The first floats 4 installed in the lower third of the installation are hull-shaped.

[0063] The installation further comprises an anchoring line 13 which is fixed to a single point 14 in the environment of the installation. Lateral floats 4, 7 allow easy orientation of the installation in a water stream C. Quick orientation is further facilitated by the first hull-shaped floats 4.

[0064] FIG. 3b shows another embodiment of an aquaculture installation in accordance with the invention in top view. The installation also has a longitudinal shape but has second floats 7 around the entire perimeter of the installation. This configuration makes the installation even more stable in relation to the effect of waves, however, its orientation in water currents can be slightly slowed down.