Roof cover for fish farm

Abstract

A roof cover for a fish farm, in which solar cells may be arranged on the roof cover to collect solar energy, and where the roof cover is resistant to weather conditions, and where the roof cover provides a controlled environment for fish farming by protecting it from wind and weather.

Claims

1. A roof cover for a fish farm, the fish farm comprising a float ring and a net cage fixed to the float ring, wherein: the roof cover is attached to the float ring; the roof cover is supported by a mast arranged on a floating element located in a middle of the float ring; solar cells are arranged on the roof cover; the roof cover being divided into several sector segments separated radially from a center axis of the float ring, the sector segments being joined together with joining means, the sector segments together forming an enclosing roof, and the sector segments form slits between each other and between the sector segments and the float ring, and wherein each sector segment has a double membrane comprising an upper and a lower membrane, the membranes of each sector segment being joined together along a periphery of the sector segments, and the membranes of each sector segment forming an inflatable air space between the membranes, wherein the roof cover further includes a support ring which provides an opening in the roof cover between the roof cover and an upper part of the mast that is configured to allow air flow therethrough to normalize air pressure below the roof cover relative to ambient pressure above the roof cover.

2. The roof cover according to claim 1, wherein the roof cover is adapted to yield or collapse due to external fluid loading and further adapted to automatically rise after the fluid loading has subsided.

3. The roof cover according to claim 1, wherein the mast and the associated floating element are stabilized in a horizontal plane by means of radially arranged upper support means stretched between the support ring and the upper part of the mast, and radially arranged lower support means stretched between the float ring and a lower part of the mast via an annular body through which the mast has vertical freedom of movement.

4. The roof cover according to claim 1, wherein the mast is elastically deformable when subjected to loading from external fluids.

5. The roof cover according to claim 1, wherein the sector segments are further divided into several tubular members.

6. The roof cover according to claim 1, wherein the roof cover comprises drainage channels arranged radially out from the center axis, wherein the drainage channels are aligned with the slits and joining means between the sector segments, and wherein the drainage channels are positioned on an underside of the roof cover.

7. The roof cover according to claim 1, wherein the mast is configured to yield to loads applied substantially along a longitudinal axis of the mast.

8. The roof cover according to claim 1, wherein light sources are mounted in a ceiling of the roof cover.

9. The roof cover according to claim 1, wherein the float ring has a circumference of approx. 200 m.

10. The roof cover according to claim 1, further comprising: an annular body encircling the mast and movable along a length of the mast; and a lower support means extending radially between and interconnecting the annular body and the float ring.

11. The roof cover according to claim 10, further comprising an upper support means attached to the upper part of the mast and extending radially between and interconnecting the upper part of the mast and the support ring.

12. The roof cover according to claim 1, wherein the floating element is configured to float on water while holding the solar cells upright and above the water.

13. The roof cover according to claim 1, wherein the opening is configured to allow air to flow between a location that is outside of and above the upper membrane and an internal space of the roof cover, the internal space of the roof cover being collectively defined by the lower membrane, the float ring, and a water surface when the roof cover is disposed on the water surface.

14. A roof cover for a fish farm, the fish farm comprising a float ring having a central axis and a net cage fixed to the float ring, wherein: the roof cover is attached to the float ring; the roof cover is supported by a mast arranged on a floating element located inside the float ring; the roof cover is divided into several sector segments circumferentially spaced about the central axis and separated radially from the center axis, the sector segments are coupled together such that open slits are defined between the sector segments, the roof cover comprises drainage channels extending outward from the central axis that are aligned with the slits and positioned along an underside of the roof cover, each sector segment has a double membrane comprising an upper and a lower membrane that are joined together along a periphery of the sector segment to form an inflatable air space between the membranes, and the roof cover further includes a support ring which provides an opening in the roof cover between the roof cover and an upper part of the mast that is configured to normalize air pressure below the roof cover relative to ambient pressure above the roof cover.

15. The roof cover according to claim 14, wherein the roof cover is adapted to yield or collapse due to external fluid loading and further adapted to automatically rise after the fluid loading has subsided.

16. The roof cover according to claim 14, further comprising: an annular body encircling the mast and movable along a length of the mast; and a lower support means extending radially between and interconnecting the annular body and the float ring.

17. The roof cover according to claim 16, further comprising an upper support means attached to the upper part of the mast and extending radially between and interconnecting the upper part of the mast and the support ring.

18. A roof cover for a fish farm, the fish farm comprising: a float ring having a central axis and a net cage fixed to the float ring, wherein: the roof cover is attached to the float ring; the roof cover is supported by a mast arranged on a floating element located inside the float ring; the roof cover is adapted to yield or collapse due to external fluid loading and further adapted to automatically rise after the fluid loading has subsided; the roof cover is divided into several sector segments circumferentially spaced about the central axis and separated radially from the center axis, the sector segments are coupled together such that open slits are defined between the sector segments, each sector segment has a double membrane comprising an upper and a lower membrane that are joined together along a periphery of the sector segment to form an inflatable air space between the membranes, and the roof cover further includes a support ring which provides an opening in the roof cover between the roof cover and an upper part of the mast that is configured to allow air flow therethrough to normalize air pressure below the roof cover relative to ambient pressure above the roof cover; an annular body encircling the mast and movable along a length of the mast; a lower support means extending radially between and interconnecting the annular body and the float ring; and an upper support means attached to the upper part of the mast and extending radially between and interconnecting the upper part of the mast and the support ring.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 shows the fish farm in its entirety.

(2) FIG. 2 shows the fish farm from above.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of the fish farm and in particular the roof cover.

(4) FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the fish farm, and an embodiment in which the roof cover consists of a single membrane.

(5) FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of an embodiment in which the roof cover consists of a double membrane and an embodiment in which the roof cover includes drainage channels.

(6) FIG. 6 shows the fish farm from above, and an embodiment in which the roof cover consists of double membrane, and an embodiment in which the roof cover includes drainage channels.

(7) FIG. 7 shows a cross section of the roof cover in an embodiment having “air beams”.

(8) FIG. 8 shows a sector segment of the roof cover from above in an embodiment with “air beams”.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(9) FIG. 1 shows a fish farm 1 including net cage and with a surrounding float ring 2 comprising a roof cover 4, where the roof cover 4 is divided into several sector segments 21, and which comprises a supporting ring 10. FIG. 1 also shows a ballast ring 3 at the bottom of net 9, and mooring fastening points 8. A lice skirt 5 which is impervious to salmon lice and possibly other parasites is attached along the outer edge of the float ring 2. The roof cover 4 may consist of several sector segments 21 separated radially from the center of the float ring, which is joined together with fastening means, and which together form an enclosing roof. When referring to the roof cover, it is referred to all sector segments. The roof cover 4 can also be referred to as a canvas. The roof cover is held up by a mast (not shown in FIG. 1).

(10) The roof cover 4 is designed to collapse if subject to forces by water washing over it, and is designed to rise up by itself. The roof cover 4 may have a slope that optimizes the efficiency of the solar cells 19 by capturing as much sunlight as possible, but at the same time having such a slope that the roof cover 4 becomes self-draining for rainfall and sea spray. If the roof cover 4 collapses or becomes deformed as a result of loading, an overpressure is formed under the roof cover. Air will then leak out of the slips formed between the sector segments, the ventilation opening formed within the support ring 10 and the gaps between the float ring 2 and the sector segments 21.

(11) The roof cover 4 may consist of membrane/membrane-like material, but can also consist of polymer, oil-based material, PVC, or other water-resistant/waterproof/water-repellent/water-diverting material. The roof cover 4 is also referred to as a membrane, but this is not limited to the material itself. Membrane can also be understood as a physical extent of membrane material.

(12) FIG. 2 shows the fish farm 1 from above. FIG. 2 further shows the float ring 2, the roof cover 4 divided into sector segments 21, a mast 12, a joint piece 7 joining together arched elements 6. The number of joint pieces 7, which depends on the number of arched elements 6, may vary.

(13) FIG. 3 shows the fish farm 1 with a float ring 2 and a roof cover 4, where the roof cover 4 is attached to the float ring 2 and to a support ring 10 which is secured with upper support means 24, which may be rigid or non-rigid lines, spokes, metal rods, wire, chain, rope etc., to a mast 12 for holding up the support ring 10 and thereby also the roof cover 4. The mast 12 is fixed to the upper surface of the floating element 11, the floating element and mast being stabilized in the horizontal plane by lower support means 13, which may be rigid or non-rigid lines, spokes, metal rods, wire, chain, rope, etc., extending radially between the mast 12 and the float ring 2. The lower support means 13 are connected to the mast via an annular body 25 which encircles the mast 12, but which is not fixed to the mast 12. The mast 12 thus extends vertically through the annular body 25 and has vertical freedom of movement through it. The roof cover 4 constitutes a superstructure attached to the float ring 2 and held up by the mast 12 arranged on the floating element 11 which is located in the middle of the float ring 2. In addition, FIG. 3 shows solar cells 19 arranged on the roof cover 4.

(14) The mast 12 projects higher than the height of the float ring 2 over the sea. The mast 12 and the floating element 11 are also stabilized by upper support means 24 attached to the top of the mast 12 and extending radially between the mast 12 and the support ring 10. The roof cover 4 is indirectly attached to the upper part of the mast 12, and so that the roof cover 4 achieves a slope from the mast and down to the float ring 2.

(15) The roof cover must be secured in relation to high wind speeds so that overpressure is evacuated from the underside of the roof cover, inside the facility. This is solved by means of a central opening formed by the support ring 10 in the middle of the roof cover, and by the fact that the roof cover is made up of sector segments 21 with a slip between them where each sector segment 21 is attached to adjacent sector segments, and in the periphery towards to the float ring.

(16) The solar cells 19 may be solar cell elements or solar cell panels. The solar cells may be deformable and rigid. They may be attached to the roof cover 4 with e.g. with adhesives/adhesives, they may be melted/plastic welded to the roof cover 4 or attached to the roof cover 4 indirectly via seams, or secured to the roof cover by lying sown in pockets.

(17) FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the fish farm, and an embodiment in which the roof cover 4 consists of a single membrane 14. FIG. 4 further shows floating elements 11, and the mast 12 which is attached to the top of the floating element 11. FIG. 4 further shows a cross section of the support ring 10, and the upper support means 24 connecting the support ring 10 to the mast. In this embodiment, the roof cover 4 consists of a single membrane which is attached/supported to/by the float ring 2 at one end, and attached/supported to/by the mast 12 in the other. More specifically, the membrane 14 is indirectly attached/supported to/by the mast 12 via a support ring 10 which is attached/supported to/by the mast 12 via upper support means 24.

(18) FIG. 5 shows an embodiment in which the roof cover 4 consists of a double membrane. FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of a sector segment 21 with an upper membrane 15 and a lower membrane 16, and an air space 23 formed between the upper and lower membranes. FIG. 5 also illustrates an embodiment in which drainage channels 22 with curved cross sections are used and arranged on the underside of the joining means 17 between the sector segments 21. Such drainage channels 22 may be used in all embodiments. The drainage channels 22 may consist of material such as polymer, oil-based material, PVC, or other water-resistant/waterproof/water-repellent/water-diverting material. The drainage channels 22 are preferably elastic but may also be rigid.

(19) In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the roof cover 4 consists of several sector elements 21 each having a double membrane, i.e. two canvases consisting of membrane material on top of each other, comprising an upper 15 and a lower membrane 16, which are joined together along the periphery of the sector segments 21, and which forms an inflatable air space between the upper 15 and lower membrane 16. Air may leak out of the junctions between upper membrane 15 and lower membrane 16 if the joining means 17 are not completely airtight. The upper membrane 15 and the lower membrane 16 may also be joined together to form a fully airtight pocket.

(20) Air supply may be provided from compressors/fans located within the float ring and continuously supplying air into the air space between the membranes, creating overpressure, to maintain the sector segment 21 in inflated condition. The upper membrane will thus have a curved shape, so that precipitation and sea spray will flow down towards the joining means on the side and down towards the float ring 2.

(21) The roof cover 4 may have a drainage system which collects water from the roof cover 4, such as rainwater or salt water from waves, and which leads this water to storage tanks. This water/brackish water may be used to the treatment of salmon lice. The drainage system may include drainage channels 22 arranged radially between the sector segments, and on the underside of the joining means 17 of the sector segments 21, so that water will drain off the sector segments 21 through the slip between the sector segments 21 and into the drainage channels 22 and into storage tanks 22. The storage tanks may be located inside the float ring 2.

(22) If seawater washes over the float ring 2 and the aforementioned drainage system fails to remove this seawater, the roof cover 4 can, in a controlled manner, collapse and partially settle into the sea bounded by the float ring 2. If the roof cover 4 or parts of the roof cover ends up in the sea, or a double membrane sector segment 21 is drained of air as a result of loading, it may rise/recover its original shape by means of a built-in mechanism.

(23) This may be solved by: refilling/blowing air into a sector segment 21 with double membrane until the structure has reached its original shape after disruptive loads have subsided a built-in mechanism that responds with a soft reaction from the centrally located floating element 11 which holds the roof cover upright, with little water area, which moves along with the roof cover depression until disturbing loads disappear, or where the mast 12 may be elastically deformed and restored either by reduced material rigidity or mechanical suspension or damping the mast 12 being compressible in the longitudinal axis, the mast comprising a damping piston the floating element 11 and the mast 12 being able to submerge and resurface a combination of refilling/filling air into a double membrane sector segment 21 and soft reaction from the centrally located floating element

(24) The double membrane sector segments 21 may be provided with a valve such that if the sector segments 21 are compressed as a result of loading, the valve will vent air to prevent the air pressure from tearing the membrane/roof cover 4 or its joining means. The air space 23 between the membranes have achieve an air pressure giving the membranes the shape of an air cushion/a bubble. This will have a stiffening effect, and the sector segments 21 will thus not be equally dependent on the tension between the mast and the float ring 2 to maintain such a shape that causes precipitation and spray to drain/divert from the sector segment 21, and thus to prevent water from accumulating on the roof cover 4. The inflated sector segment 21 with double membrane will act as an air beam that can take up pressure and tension forces.

(25) The sector segments 21 are secured to each other by joining means 17, these joining means 17 forming joints such as e.g. a rope-line seam through holes (not shown) in each adjacent edge of the sector segments 21. These joining means 17 will form a slip between the sector segments. The sector segments 21 are also attached to the float ring by means of joining means 18. The sector segments 21 thereby form a completely enclosing/continuous superstructure.

(26) FIG. 6 shows a sector element 21 from above. FIG. 6 shows the float ring 2, the joint between the sector segments 21 and the joining means 17 between the sector segments and the float ring 18. The periphery of the sector segments 21 may be reinforced with several layers and/or with PVC. The roof cover 4 is tightened so that it achieves a stretch so that rainfall and sea spray is drained from the membrane/runs away from the membrane, so that the water does not collect and remain on the membrane.

(27) The roof cover 4 may also consist of a combination of single canvas and double membrane. This mode of execution is not depicted. In this case, there is provided a hammock consisting of a single canvas of rope, e.g. a rope based net. This rope based net can carry a double-membrane roof cover. This will reduce the tightening need for the single membrane system by tolerating sagging/slackening.

(28) FIG. 7 shows a cross-section of the roof cover 4 in an embodiment in which the sector segments 21 are divided into several tubular elements 20. The tubular elements may be directed radially out of the center of the facility, or be arranged in parallel to the float ring in curved shape.

(29) FIG. 8 shows an embodiment, seen from above, in which the sector segments 21 consist of double membranes joined together in a radial direction to form more tubular elements 20 which act as “air beams”.

(30) TABLE-US-00001  1 Fish farm  2 Float ring  3 Ballast ring  4 Roof cover  5 Lice skirt  6 Arched element  7 Joint piece  8 Mooring fastening point  9 Net 10 Support ring 11 Floating element 12 Mast 13 Lower support means 14 Membrane 15 Upper membrane 16 Lower membrane 17 Joining means 18 Joining means between the sector segments and the float ring 19 Solar cells 20 Tubular elements 21 Sector segments 22 Drainage channels 23 Air space 24 Upper support means 25 Annular body