Garbage Collection Apparatus

Abstract

Garbage collection apparatus for the collection of plastic from a surface of a waterbody with a waterflow. The garbage collection apparatus comprises a base and a horizontal beam mounted pivotably around a vertical axis on the base. Said horizontal beam is mounted displaceably in vertical direction on the base, where said horizontal beam on an underside comprises a collection device for collecting plastic floating on the surface of the waterbody. The collection device extends vertically away from the horizontal beam and extends horizontally in a direction opposite the direction of the water flow in the waterbody, which collection device comprises one of either bars or mesh, where said garbage collection apparatus comprises a first actuator for displacing the horizontal beam in or into vertical direction and where said collection device is connected rotatably to the horizontal beam and where the rotation axis of the collection device relative to the beam is parallel to a main axis of the horizontal beam and where the garbage collection apparatus comprises a controller. Method for removing plastic from the surface of a waterbody with a water flow, with a garbage collection apparatus.

Claims

1. Garbage collection apparatus for the collection of plastic and other debris from a surface of a waterbody, which garbage collection apparatus comprises a base and a beam mounted pivotally around an axis on the tower, where said beam is mounted displaceably in a vertical direction on the base, where said beam comprises an underside, a front and a back, where said beam on an underside comprises a col lection device for collecting plastic floating on the surface of the waterbody, which collection device extends downwards from the beam and in use into the water, which collection device comprises bars and/or a mesh for skimming plastic and other floating debris from the surface of the waterbody, where said garbage collection apparatus comprises a first actuator tor displacing the beam in or into vertical direction, where said collection device is connected pivotably to the beam and where the rotation axis of the collection device relative to the beam is parallel to a main axis of the beam, where the garbage collection apparatus comprises a controller.

2. Garbage collection apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the garbage collection apparatus comprises a second actuator for effecting a rotational motion of the beam around a vertical axis.

3. Garbage collection apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the collection device is substantially L-shaped in a cross-section which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the beam.

4. Garbage collection apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the garbage collection apparatus comprises a camera.

5. Garbage collection apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the beam comprises a lattice structure comprising triangles and/or tetrahedrons.

6. Garbage collection apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the garbage collection apparatus comprises a power storage device and a solar cell and/or a turbine for charging the power storage device.

7. Garbage collection apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a device on the beam, which device transports collected debris along the beam to a collection point.

8. Garbage collection apparatus according to claim 7, characterised in that the device is one of the following: a conveyor, vacuum means, movable brush, vibration conveyor, flushing channel, pneumatic transport conveyor, a screw conveyor.

9. Garbage collection apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the apparatus comprises a number of sensors, there among one or more of the following: a water level sensor, a water current sensor, a wind load sensor, an air temperature sensor, a water temperature sensor, horizontal load on beam, vertical load on beam; Where said sensors are connected to the controller, and where said controller comprises pre-stored operational ranges for one or more of the following: water level, water current velocity, wind velocity, air temperature, water temperature, horizontal load and vertical load, such that if the input from one or more of the sensors falls outside the corresponding operational range, the controller activates the actuators in a pro-determined manner.

10. Garbage collection apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the beam can at an underside comprise one or more floating elements, which floating elements keep the beam floating on the surface of the waterbody.

11. Method for removing plastic and other debris from the surface of a waterbody, with a garbage collection apparatus according to claim 1, where said apparatus comprises a base and a beam mounted pivotally around an axis on the base, and said beam being displaceable in a vertical direction on the base, which method comprises any of the following steps: bringing the beam into an active position in which the collection device can collect plastic and other debris floating on the surface of the water. adjusting a height of the beam, such that the collection device mounted on the underside of the beam is partly submerged in the waterbody, and then either a)-lifting the beam and rotating the beam to an emptying area over land rotating the collection device, such that plastic and other garbage collected in the collecting device fall out of the collection device and onto the emptying area: Or b) activating the device on the beam, which device transports collected debris along die beam to a collection point, wherein the device is one of the following: a conveyor, vacuum means, movable brush, vibration conveyor. Hushing channel, pneumatic transport conveyor, a screw conveyor.

12. Method according to claim 11, where the apparatus further comprises a vison system and scanning the vicinity of the garbage collection apparatus with said vison system or camera and/or sensor for objects which might collide with the garbage collection apparatus initiating any one of the following actions if an object which might collide with the garbage collection apparatus is detected: issuing a warning with a warning light and/or warning sound lifting the beam out of the water rotate the beam into a position which avoids collision.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0089] FIG. 1 shows a garbage collection apparatus according to the invention,

[0090] FIG. 2 shows a schematic of the plastic collection device with the horizontal beam 5 in three different positions.

[0091] FIG. 3a-c show cross-sections through the horizontal beam 5 with the collection device 15 in different positions.

[0092] FIG. 4a-c show cross-sections through the horizontal beam in a further embodiment of the garbage collection apparatus,

[0093] FIG. 5 shows a cross-section through the base and the horizontal beam of the garbage collection apparatus,

[0094] FIG. 6 shows a cross-section through the horizontal beam in a further embodiment of the plastic collection device, and

[0095] FIG. 7 shows another garbage collection apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0096] In the following text the figures will be described one by one, and the different parts and positions seen in the figures will be numbered with the same numbers in the different figures. Not all parts and positions indicated in a specific figure will necessarily be discussed together with that figure.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0097] 1 Garbage collection apparatus [0098] 3 Base/Tower [0099] 5 Horizontal beam [0100] 6 End, horizontal beam [0101] 7 Vertical axis [0102] 8 Vertical direction [0103] 9 Underside [0104] 11 Front [0105] 13 Back [0106] 15 Collection device [0107] 17 Plastic [0108] 19 Waterbody [0109] 21 Surface, waterbody [0110] 23 Upper layer, waterbody [0111] 25 Direction of water flow [0112] 27 Bars [0113] 29 Mesh [0114] 31 Scraper rods [0115] 33 First actuator [0116] 35 Second actuator [0117] 37 Third actuator [0118] 39 Rotation axis, collection device [0119] 41 Controller [0120] 43 Land [0121] 45 Garbage storage element [0122] 47 Holding wire [0123] 49 First end, holding wire [0124] 51 Second end, holding wire [0125] 53 Warning light [0126] 55 Camera [0127] 57 Lattice structure [0128] 59 Undercut recess [0129] 61 Slide [0130] 63 Waterlevel sensor [0131] 65 First transporting device [0132] 66 Second transporting device [0133] 67 Conveyor belt [0134] 69 Floating elements [0135] 71 Power storage device [0136] 73 Battery [0137] 75 Solar cell [0138] 77 Turbine

[0139] FIG. 1 shows a garbage collection apparatus according to the invention from a front side.

[0140] The garbage collection apparatus 1 comprises a base 3 and a horizontal beam 5 mounted pivotally around a vertical axis 7 on the base 3. The base is a tower. The horizontal beam 5 is mounted displaceable in a vertical direction on the base 3. The horizontal beam comprises an underside 9, a front 11 and a back 13.

[0141] The horizontal beam comprises a lattice structure 57 comprising triangles. Alternatively the lattice structure can comprise tetrahedrons. The lattice structure allows the beam to be of light weight and high durability.

[0142] On the underside 9 the horizontal beam 5 comprises a collection device 15 for collecting plastic 17 floating on the surface 21 of the waterbody 19.

[0143] The collection device 15 covers the length of the horizontal beam.

[0144] The collection device 15 extends vertically away from the horizontal beam 7 and extends downwards from the horizontal beam and in use into the water 19. The collection device 15 comprises a mesh 29.

[0145] Alternatively the collection device can comprise bars 27.

[0146] The garbage collection apparatus 1 comprises a first actuator 33 for displacing the horizontal beam 5 in or into vertical direction 8, where said collection device is connected rotatably to the horizontal beam 5 and where the rotation axis 39 is parallel with a main axis of the horizontal beam.

[0147] The first actuator 33 is a motor with a hoist.

[0148] The garbage collection apparatus 1 comprises a controller 41.

[0149] The controller can control the first actuator. The controller can control the second actuator. The controller can control the third actuator. The controller can process data from sensors such as, but not limited to, water level sensors, cameras, radar, LIDAR, force sensors. The controller can actuate the actuators dependent on the data received from one or more sensors.

[0150] The garbage collection apparatus 1 comprises a holding wire 47 connecting the tower 3 and the horizontal beam 5. The holding wire 47 is in a first end 49 attached to the tower in a part above the beam, preferably in a top area of the tower. The holding wire is in a second end 51 attached to the horizontal beam in a middle area of the beam.

[0151] The holding wire increases the stability of the garbage collection apparatus. Furthermore, it allows the garbage collection apparatus to be constructed using less material and is therefore more cost effective.

[0152] The garbage collection apparatus 1 comprises a warning light 53.

[0153] The garbage collection apparatus 1 comprises a camera 55.

[0154] Data from the camera can be used to detect objects which might collide with the garbage collection apparatus, such as boats.

[0155] When an object is detected the warning light 53 can be activated. The horizontal beam 5 can be lifted out of the water. The horizontal beam can be rotated to avoid collision.

[0156] The garbage collection apparatus comprises a water level sensor 63.

[0157] The water level sensor is connected to the controller 41. The water level sensor measures the height of the water level in the waterbody 19. Depending on the input of the water level sensor, the controller can actuate the first actuator and adjust a height of the horizontal beam, such that the collection device is partly submerged in the water-body and collects plastic flowing in an upper layer of the water.

[0158] This has the advantage that there is minimal disturbance of the water flow in the upper water layer. Thus, collection of plastic is efficient.

[0159] A method for removing plastic from the surface of a waterbody with a water flow can be carried out with the garbage collection apparatus 1. The method comprises any of the following steps: [0160] bringing the horizontal beam into a position in an angle with the flow of the waterbody, preferably in a right angle, [0161] adjusting a height of the horizontal beam, such that a collection device mounted on the underside of the horizontal beam is partly submerged in the waterbody, [0162] lifting the horizontal beam and rotating the horizontal beam to an emptying area over land [0163] rotating the collection device, such that plastic and other garbage collected in the collecting device falls out of the collection device and onto the emptying area [0164] scanning the vicinity of the garbage collection apparatus with a camera and/ or sensor for objects which might collide with the garbage collection apparatus [0165] initiating any one of the following actions if an object which might collide with the garbage collection apparatus is detected: [0166] issuing a warning with a warning light and / or warning sound [0167] lifting the horizontal beam out of the water [0168] rotate the horizontal beam into a position which avoids collision.

[0169] FIG. 2 shows a schematic of the plastic collection device with the horizontal beam 5 in three different positions.

[0170] In a first position depicted on the top, the horizontal beam 5 is in a right angle to the direction of water flow 25.

[0171] In this position the horizontal beam can be lowered, until the collection device is partly submerged in the water. Plastic particles and other garbage flowing on the water surface or in an upper water layer will accumulate in the collection device.

[0172] When the collection device is full, the horizontal beam can be lifted out of the water by actuating the first actuator 33.

[0173] Then the horizontal beam can be rotated around a vertical axis into an emptying position.

[0174] In a second position depicted in the middle, the horizontal beam 5 is in an intermediate position at an angle to the direction of the water flow.

[0175] When the tower is located close to land, for example at a riverbank or at a quay, the horizontal beam can be rotated over or close to land. This is exemplary shown in a third position shown on the lower part of FIG. 2. On land a plastic collection element such as a garbage container can be placed.

[0176] The garbage collection apparatus comprises a second actuator 35 for effecting a rotational motion of the beam around the vertical axis.

[0177] Emptying the collection device is schematically shown in FIG. 3a-c.

[0178] FIG. 3a-c show cross-sections through the horizontal beam 5 with the collection device 15 in different positions.

[0179] In FIG. 3a the collection device 15 is in a collection position, where carbage can be collected.

[0180] The collection device can be rotated into an emptying position such that the plastic collected in the collection device falls out of the collection device and into the garbage storage element 45.

[0181] FIG. 3b shows the collection device 15 in an intermediate position during rotation of the collection device.

[0182] FIG. 3c shows the collection device 15 in emptying position, fully rotated.

[0183] The collection device comprises bars 27.

[0184] The garbage collection apparatus comprises scraper rods 31 mounted on the underside of the beam. When the collection device is rotated the scraper rods loosen plastic particles which are attached to the collection device increasing the efficiency of the emptying process.

[0185] The collection device can be rotated back into a collection position. The horizontal beam is rotated back into an angle with the water flow in the waterbody. The horizontal beam is lowered into a position where the collection device is partly submerged in the waterbody and plastic collection can be continued.

[0186] The garbage collection apparatus comprises a third actuator 37 for effecting the rotation of the collection device.

[0187] The collection device 15 is substantially L-shaped in a cross-section which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the horizontal beam 5.

[0188] FIG. 4 shows a cross-section through the horizontal beam 5 in a further embodiment of the garbage collection apparatus 1.

[0189] The garbage collection apparatus comprises a first transporting device 65 on the horizontal beam 5.

[0190] The first transporting device 65 can transport the plastic collected in the collection device 15 along the horizontal beam and to a garbage storage element 45 such as a container.

[0191] Preferably the garbage storage element 45 is located on land. When the garbage collection apparatus is not located in the vicinity of land 43, a floating garbage storage element such as a barge can be used.

[0192] When the collection device is to be emptied, the collection device can be rotated into an offloading position by actuating the second actuator 35. The collection device is rotated out of the water and above the first transporting device 65 such that the plastic 17 collected in the collection device falls onto the first transporting device 65. The collection device can be rotated back into the collection position. The first transporting device can be activated and the collected plastic can be transported into the garbage storage element.

[0193] The first transporting device is a conveyor belt 67.

[0194] FIG. 5 shows a cross-section through the tower 3 and the horizontal beam 5 of the garbage collection apparatus 1. The tower 3 comprises an undercut recess 59 extending along the vertical direction, which undercut recess co-operates with a slide 61 on a first end of the horizontal beam 5.

[0195] The undercut recess 59 and the slide 61 allow translational movement of the horizontal beam.

[0196] FIG. 6 shows a cross-section through the horizontal beam 5 in a further embodiment of the plastic collection device 1. The horizontal beam 5 comprises at an underside 9 floating elements. The floating elements keep the horizontal beam floating on the surface of the waterbody. Thus, during plastic collection, the horizontal beam automatically adjusts to changes in water level.

[0197] FIG. 7 shows a garbage collection apparatus 1 comprising power storage device 71. The power storage device 71 is a battery 73. The garbage collection apparatus 1 comprises a solar cell 75 for charging the power storage device 71. The garbage collection apparatus 1 comprises a turbine 77 for charging the power storage device 1. The turbine 77 is a wind turbine. Alternatively the turbine can be a water turbine.

[0198] The garbage collection apparatus 1 comprises a second transporting device 66. The second transporting device 66 is located at an end of the horizontal beam 5. The second transporting device transports the plastic and other debris which is transported by the first transporting device to an end of the horizontal beam to the garbage storage element.