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Title:
MATERIAL COLLECTION AND RECYCLING
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2020/064928
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
This disclosure relates to a belt actuator buoy (100) for driving a conveyor belt (190) along a surface of a waterbody. The belt actuator buoy (100) comprises a buoyant float (110); a belt support (120) coupled with the float (110) and comprising a drive pulley (121) for driving the conveyor belt (190), the drive pulley (121) being configured to rotate about an upright rotational axis (122), when the belt actuator buoy (100) is in use; an energy-harvesting unit (130) coupled with the float (110) and configured to harvest energy from kinetic energy of water moving with respect to the energy-harvesting unit (130); and a power transmission unit (140) configured to transmit energy harvested by the energy-harvesting unit (130) to energize the drive pulley (121).

Inventors:
MIKOLA ANSSI (FI)
Application Number:
PCT/EP2019/076031
Publication Date:
April 02, 2020
Filing Date:
September 26, 2019
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
SENNET OY (FI)
International Classes:
B63B22/18; B63B35/32; E02B15/10
Foreign References:
DE102004020802A12005-10-27
KR20120011375A2012-02-08
CN105539747A2016-05-04
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
PAPULA OY (FI)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1. A belt actuator buoy (100) for driving a conveyor belt (190) along a surface of a waterbody, com prising :

- a buoyant float (110);

- a belt support (120) coupled with the float (110) and comprising a drive pulley (121) for driving the conveyor belt (190), the drive pulley (121) being configured to rotate about an upright rotational axis (122), when the belt actuator buoy (100) is in use;

- an energy-harvesting unit (130) coupled with the float (110) and configured to harvest energy from kinetic energy of water moving with respect to the energy-harvesting unit (130); and

- a power transmission unit (140) configured to transmit energy harvested by the energy-harvesting unit (130) to energize the drive pulley (121) .

2. A belt actuator buoy (100) according to claim 1, wherein the energy-harvesting unit comprises a water turbine (131), such as a reaction turbine, e.g., a helical turbine, or an impulse turbine, e.g., a water wheel .

3. A belt actuator buoy (100) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a mooring line (150) coupled with the float (110) .

4. A belt actuator buoy (100) according to claim 3, comprising a drogue (160) and a drogue line (161) coupling the drogue (160) with the float (110), wherein the mooring line (150) is slidably coupled with the drogue line (161) to couple the mooring line (150) with the float (110) .

5. A belt actuator buoy (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the power transmission unit (140) comprises a mechanical drivetrain (141), cou pling the water turbine (131) with the drive pul ley (121) .

6. A belt actuator buoy (200) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a motor (270) driv- able by energy harvested by the energy-harvesting unit (230), and the power transmission unit (240) com prises a mechanical drivetrain (241), coupling the mo tor (270) with the drive pulley (221) .

7. A belt actuator buoy (200) according to claim 6, wherein the energy-harvesting unit (230) com prises an energy storage (232) for storing energy har vested by the energy-harvesting unit (230) .

8. A belt actuator buoy (200) according to claim 7, wherein the energy-harvesting unit (230) com prises an energy transfer terminal (234) connectable with an energy transmission line (235) to transmit en ergy to and/or from the energy storage (232) .

9. A belt actuator buoy (200) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising moving means for moving the belt support.

10. A belt actuator buoy (200) according to claim 9, wherein the moving means comprise a drogue (260) and/or a propulsion device, e.g., a pro peller (280) and/or a water jet, coupled with the float.

11. A belt actuator buoy (200) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the float (210) has a modular structure, comprising a plurality of float el ements, individual float elements (211) of the plurality of float elements being coupled together.

12. A debris concentrator (300), comprising

- a conveyor belt (390);

- a first buoy (310) and a second buoy (320) at a distance from the first buoy (310), comprising a first belt support (311) with a first pulley (312) and a second belt support (321) with a second pul ley (322), respectively, the first and the second pulley being coupled with the conveyor belt (390); and

- a third buoy (330), which is a belt actuator buoy (100) in accordance with any of claims 1 to 11, the drive pulley (332) of the belt sup port (331) of the third buoy (330) being configured to drive the conveyor belt (390) .

13. A debris concentrator (300) according to claim 12, wherein the first pulley (312) and/or the sec ond pulley (322) is configured to drive the conveyor belt (390).

14. A debris concentrator (300) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the first buoy (310) and/or the second buoy (320) is a belt actuator buoy (100) in ac cordance with any of claims 1 to 11.

15. A debris concentrator (300) according to any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the conveyor belt has a width in a range from 0.1 meters, m, to 2 m, or from 0.5 m to 1.5 m, or from 0.7 m to 1.3 m.

16. A debris concentrator (300) according to any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the conveyor belt (390) is perforated.

17. A debris concentrator (300) according to claim 16, wherein the conveyor belt (390) comprises a modular structure, a mesh structure, a woven structure, and/or a net structure.

18. A debris concentrator (300) according to any of claims 12 to 17, wherein the conveyor belt (390) comprises plastic material.

19. A debris concentrator (400) according to any of claims 12 to 18, comprising a frame (440) con nected to the first buoy (410), the second buoy (420), and the third buoy (430) .

20. A debris concentrator (400) according to claim 19, wherein the frame (440) comprises a plat form (441) .

21. A debris concentrator (400) according to claim 19 or 20, comprising an energy storage (450) sup ported by the frame (440) for storing energy harvested by the energy-harvesting unit (130) of the third buoy (330) .

22. A debris concentrator (400) according to claim 21, comprising an energy transfer terminal (451) connectable with an energy transmission line (452) to transmit energy to and/or from the energy storage (450) .

23. A debris collection system (500), compris ing

- a first debris concentrator (510), which is a de bris concentrator (300) in accordance with any of claims 12 to 22, the first debris concentra tor (510) being configured to steer debris floating in a waterbody towards a recovery location (531), and

- a debris collector (530) configured to recover the debris from the recovery location (531) .

24. A debris collection system (500), compris ing a second debris concentrator (520) at a distance from the first debris concentrator (510), the second debris concentrator (520) being a debris concentra- tor (300) in accordance with any of claims 12 to 22 and configured to steer debris floating in the waterbody towards the first debris concentrator (510) .

Description:
MATERIAL COLLECTION AND RECYCLING

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

This disclosure concerns debris collection from water. In particular, this disclosure concerns arrangements for concentration of floating debris for recovery thereof.

BACKGROUND

Marine debris poses a considerable worldwide threat to the environment and especially to marine wildlife. A vast majority of marine debris originates from land and is transported to seas and oceans via rivers. Since debris may often be more readily collectible while still in transit towards marine ecosystems, various methods have been developed for recovery of debris floating in rivers .

However, in conventional solutions for recovery of floating debris, waste is collected in a manner that inhibits the passage of boats and ships. Moreover, many solutions are excessively laborious and/or expensive, hindering their adoption in various settings around the world. Considering this, it may be desirable to develop new solutions related to debris collection from water.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. According to a first aspect, a belt actuator buoy for driving a conveyor belt along a surface of a waterbody is provided. The belt actuator buoy comprises a buoyant float; a belt support coupled with the float and com prising a drive pulley for driving the conveyor belt, the drive pulley being configured to rotate about an upright rotational axis, when the belt actuator buoy is in use; an energy-harvesting unit coupled with the float and configured to harvest energy from kinetic en ergy of water moving with respect to the energy-har vesting unit; and a power transmission unit configured to transmit energy harvested by the energy-harvesting unit to energize the drive pulley.

According to a second aspect, a debris concentrator is provided. The debris concentrator comprises a conveyor belt; a first buoy and a second buoy at a distance from the first buoy, comprising a first belt support with a first pulley and a second belt support with a second pulley, respectively, the first and the second pulley being coupled with the conveyor belt; and a third buoy, which is a belt actuator buoy in accordance with the first aspect, the drive pulley of the belt support of the third buoy being configured to drive the conveyor belt .

According to a third aspect, a debris collection system is provided. The debris collection system comprises a first debris concentrator, which is a debris concentra tor in accordance with the second aspect, the first de bris concentrator being configured to steer debris floating in a waterbody towards a recovery location, and a debris collector configured to recover the debris from the recovery location. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be better understood from the following Detailed Description read in light of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a belt actuator buoy for driving a conveyor belt along a surface of a waterbody,

FIG. 2 depicts another belt actuator buoy for driving a conveyor belt along a surface of a water body,

FIG. 3 illustrates a debris concentrator com prising a conveyor belt,

FIG. 4 shows another debris concentrator com prising a conveyor belt, and

FIG. 5 depicts a debris collection system com prising a debris concentrator.

Unless specifically stated to the contrary, any drawing of the aforementioned drawings may be not drawn to scale such that any element in said drawing may be drawn with inaccurate proportions with respect to other elements in said drawing in order to emphasize certain structural aspects of the embodiment of said drawing.

Moreover, corresponding elements in the embodiments of any two drawings of the aforementioned drawings may be disproportionate to each other in said two drawings in order to emphasize certain structural aspects of the embodiments of said two drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts a belt actuator buoy 100 according to an embodiment in use, driving a conveyor belt 190 along a surface of a waterbody. In FIG. 1, the belt actuator buoy 100 is arranged in the waterbody. FIG. 1 further shows an insert with an exploded view of selected parts of the belt actuator buoy 100.

Throughout this disclosure, a "buoy" may refer to a device configured to float on water. A buoy may or may not be moored or anchored. A buoy may generally have any suitable shape or structure.

In this specification, a "conveyor belt" may refer to a continuous, band-shaped, and/or loop-shaped element suitable for transportation of objects. Additionally or alternatively, a conveyor belt may refer to a carrying medium suitable for use in a belt conveyor system. A conveyor belt may generally have a movement direction, a thickness along a thickness direction perpendicular to the movement direction, and a width along a width direction perpendicular to each of the movement direc tion and the thickness direction, the width being greater than the thickness.

Herein, "movement direction" may refer to a direction to which a belt segment of a conveyor belt is configured to move, when said conveyor belt is driven. Generally, a conveyor belt may have a position-dependent movement direction .

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the belt actuator buoy 100 comprises a buoyant float 110. Herein, a "buoyant float" may refer to an element buoyant in water. Additionally or alternatively, a buoyant float of a belt actuator buoy may be configured to keep any or all parts and/or units of a belt actuator buoy, for example, any part(s) and/or unit(s) coupled to it, at pre-determined height (s) with respect to a surface of a waterbody. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the belt actuator buoy 100 comprises a belt support 120 coupled with the float 110.

Throughout this disclosure, a "belt support" of a belt actuator buoy may refer to a part of said belt actuator buoy at least part of which is configured to couple with a conveyor belt.

The belt support 120 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 com prises a drive pulley 121 for driving the conveyor belt 190. The drive pulley 121 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is configured to rotate about an upright rota tional axis 122, when the belt actuator buoy 100 is in use. Generally, a drive pulley being configured to ro tate about an upright rotational axis, when a belt ac tuator buoy is in use may enable driving a conveyor belt along a surface of a waterbody with a width direction of said conveyor belt arranged upright.

Herein, a linear entity, such as a direction, an axis, a line, or the like, being or being arranged "upright" may refer to said linear entity forming a smallest angle of at least 45°, or at least 60°, or at least 75°, or at least 80°, or at least 85° with a horizontal plane.

In this specification, a "pulley" may refer to a device or element suitable for coupling with a conveyor belt in a rotatory manner. A pulley may generally have any suitable shape. As such, a pulley may have any suitable cross-sectional shape perpendicular to a rotational axis of said pulley, and a pulley may or may not have a textured, patterned, and/or structured surface. A pulley may be, for example, wheel-shaped, drum-shaped, and/or cylindrical. Further, a first object "driving" a second object may herein refer to said first object operating said second object, propelling said second object to wards a specific direction, and/or controlling a direc tion and/or speed of motion of said second object. Con sequently, a "drive pulley" may herein refer to a pulley configured to drive a conveyor belt.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the belt actuator buoy 100 comprises an energy-harvesting unit 130 coupled with the float 110. The belt actuator buoy 100 is configured to harvest energy from kinetic energy of water moving with respect to the energy-harvesting unit 130. In FIG. 1, water flows along a water flow direction indicated by arrow 101.

The energy-harvesting unit 130 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 comprises a water turbine 131. In other embodi ments an energy-harvesting unit may or may not comprise a water turbine.

In this disclosure, a "water turbine" may refer to a device for producing power, wherein a rotor is config ured to be rotated by flow of water. A water turbine may generally be a reaction turbine or an impulse turbine. The water turbine 131 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 may be a reaction turbine.

The energy-harvesting unit 130 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 could also comprise, alternatively or in addition to the water turbine 131, a water wheel 132. This is indicated in FIG. 1 using dashed lines. In other embod iments, wherein an energy-harvesting unit comprises a water turbine, said water turbine may be of any suitable type, e.g., a reaction turbine (such as a helical tur bine) or an impulse turbine (such as a water wheel) . In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the belt actuator buoy 100 comprises a power transmission unit 140 configured to transmit energy harvested by the energy-harvesting unit 130 to energize the drive pulley 121. Such power transmission unit in a belt actuator buoy may enable concentrating debris in a waterbody for recovery thereof in a scalable manner while allowing watercraft passage along said waterbody.

Throughout this disclosure, "debris" may refer to any discarded and/or rejected matter. Additionally or al ternatively, debris may refer to the remains of anything that has been broken down and/or destroyed. Generally, debris may or may not float on water. Debris may com prise, for example, (plastic) bags, (plastic) bottles, rope, bottle caps, cigarette studs, fishing nets, and the like.

The power transmission unit 140 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 comprises a mechanical drivetrain 141. The me chanical drivetrain 141 couples the water turbine 131 with the drive pulley 121. In other embodiments, a power transmission unit may or may not comprise such mechan ical drivetrain.

The mechanical drivetrain 141 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 comprises a driveshaft between the water tur bine 131 and the drive pulley 121. In other embodiments, wherein a power transmission unit comprises a mechanical drivetrain, said mechanical drivetrain may comprise any element (s) suitable for coupling a water turbine with a drive pulley, for example, a driveshaft, and/or a gear train . In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the belt actuator buoy 100 comprises a mooring line 150 coupled with the float 110. Such mooring line may facilitate holding a belt actuator buoy in place during operation. In other embodiments, a belt actuator buoy may or may not comprise such mooring line. In some embodiments, a mooring line may be used for towing a belt actuator buoy.

The mooring line 150 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is coupled with an anchor 151. In other embodiments, a mooring line may or may not be coupled with an anchor. For example, a mooring line of a belt actuator buoy may be left unattached when said belt actuator buoy is not in use.

The mooring line 150 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 may be directly coupled with the float 110. In other embodi ments, wherein a belt actuator buoy comprises a mooring line coupled with a float, said mooring line may be coupled with a float in any suitable manner, e.g., di rectly or indirectly via other part(s) or element (s) .

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the belt actuator buoy 100 may further comprise a drogue 160 and a drogue line 161 coupling the drogue 160 with the float 110. This is in dicated in FIG. 1 using dashed lines. The mooring line 150 may then be slidably coupled with the drogue line 161 to couple the mooring line 150 with the float 110. Such slidable coupling may be affected, for example, by attaching the mooring line 150 to a spool 162 configured to slide on the drogue line 161 when the belt actuator buoy 100 is in use. A mooring line being slidably coupled with a drogue line to couple said mooring line to a float may generally increase impact resistance of a belt actuator buoy or a debris concentrator. In other embodiments, a belt actuator buoy may or may not comprise such drogue and such drogue line .

FIG. 2 depicts a belt actuator buoy 200 according to an embodiment in use, driving a conveyor belt 290 along a surface of a waterbody. In FIG. 2, the belt actuator buoy 200 is arranged in the waterbody. FIG. 2 further shows an insert with an exploded view of selected parts of the belt actuator buoy 200. The embodiment of FIG. 2 may be in accordance with any of the embodiments dis closed with reference to, in conjunction with, and/or concomitantly with FIG. 1. Additionally or alterna tively, although not explicitly shown in FIG. 2, the embodiment of FIG. 2 or any part thereof may generally comprise any features and/or elements of the embodiment of FIG. 1 which are omitted from FIG. 2.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the belt actuator buoy 200 comprises a buoyant float 210; a belt support 120 cou pled with the float 210 and comprising a drive pul ley 221, which is configured to rotate about an upright rotational axis 222, when the belt actuator buoy 200 is in use; an energy-harvesting unit 230 coupled with the float 210 and configured to harvest energy from kinetic energy of water moving with respect to the energy-har vesting unit 230; and a power transmission unit 240 con figured to transmit energy harvested by the energy-har vesting unit 230 to energize the drive pulley 221.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the belt actuator buoy 200 comprises a motor 270. The motor 270 is drivable by en ergy harvested by the energy-harvesting unit 230. The power transmission unit 240 of the embodiment of FIG. 2 comprises a mechanical drivetrain 241, coupling the mo tor 270 with the drive pulley 221. Such motor arrange ment may enable setting a driving speed of a conveyor belt independently of a flow rate of a waterbody. Addi tionally or alternatively, such motor arrangement may enable utilizing external and/or stored energy to drive a conveyor belt. In other embodiments, a belt actuator buoy may or may not comprise such motor and such me chanical drivetrain.

The mechanical drivetrain 241 of the embodiment of FIG. 2 comprises a gearbox between the motor 270 and the drive pulley 221. In other embodiments, wherein a power transmission unit comprises a mechanical drivetrain, said mechanical drivetrain may comprise any element (s) suitable for coupling a motor with a drive pulley, for example, a driveshaft, a gearbox, and/or a gear train.

In some embodiments, a mechanical drivetrain may couple a water turbine with a drive pulley and a motor with said drive pulley. In said embodiments, coupling may or may not be affected consecutively or concurrently. In said embodiments, said mechanical drivetrain may com prise any components and/or elements, e.g., a clutch arrangement, a gearbox, a dual drive mechanism, or the like, suitable for coupling said water turbine with said drive pulley and said motor with said drive pulley.

The energy-harvesting unit 230 of the embodiment of FIG. 2 comprises an energy storage 232, for example, a battery or ( super) capacitor, for storing energy har vested by the energy-harvesting unit 230. Such energy storage may enable storing auxiliary power for driving a conveyor belt. Additionally or alternatively, such energy storage may enable operating auxiliary compo nents, such as sensors, signaling or communication de vices using energy harvested by an energy-harvesting unit. In other embodiments, an energy-harvesting unit may or may not comprise such energy storage, e.g., a battery. Generally, any suitable type of energy storage may be used.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the energy-harvesting unit 230 comprises a water turbine 231 and a genera tor 233 coupled with the water turbine 231 for convert ing energy from water moving with respect to the energy harvesting unit 230 into electrical energy. In other embodiments, wherein an energy-harvesting unit com prises an energy storage, said energy-harvesting unit may or may not comprise such water turbine and such generator .

The energy-harvesting unit 230 of the embodiment of FIG. 2 comprises an energy transfer terminal 234. The energy transfer terminal 234 is connected with an energy transmission line 235, e.g., an electrical power cable, to transmit energy to and/or from the energy storage. Such energy transfer terminal may enable provision of power for energizing a drive pulley and/or auxiliary components, such as sensors, signaling or communication devices, when water flow rates are low for extended time periods. In other embodiments, an energy-harvesting unit may or may not comprise such energy transfer terminal.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the belt actuator buoy 200 comprises a drogue 260 and a drogue line 261. The drogue line 261 couples the drogue 260 to the float 210. The drogue 260 may act as a type of moving means for moving the belt support 220. Such moving means may generally facilitate passage of ships, when a belt actuator buoy is used to drive a conveyor belt along a surface of a waterbody. In other embodiments, a belt actuator buoy may or may not comprise such moving means.

As indicated using dashed lines in FIG. 2, the belt actuator buoy 200 of the embodiment of FIG. 2 could al ternatively or in addition to the drogue 260 comprise a propeller 280 coupled with the float 210. Such propel ler 280 could act as a type of moving means for moving the belt support 220. In other embodiments, wherein a belt actuator buoy comprises moving means, any suitable type of moving means, e.g., a drogue and/or a propulsion device (such as a propeller and/or a water jet) may be used .

The float 210 of the embodiment of FIG. 2 has a modular structure, comprising a plurality of float elements. Individual float elements 211 of the plurality of float elements are coupled together. Such float elements may facilitate large-scale usage of belt actuator buoys in various settings around the world by simplifying fabri cation and/or transportation of floats for belt actuator buoys .

It is to be understood that the embodiments of the first aspect described above may be used in combination with each other. Several of the embodiments may be combined to form a further embodiment.

Above, mainly structural aspects of belt actuator buoys are discussed. In the following, more emphasis will lie on aspects related to debris concentrators and debris collection systems. What is said above about the ways of implementation, definitions, details, and advantages related to belt actuator buoys apply, mutatis mutandis, to the aspects discussed below. The same applies vice versa .

FIG. 3 depicts a debris concentrator 300 according to an embodiment. In FIG. 3, the debris concentrator 300 is arranged in a waterbody with a water flow direction indicated by arrow 301. The embodiment of FIG. 3 may be in accordance with any of the embodiments disclosed with reference to, in conjunction with, and/or concomitantly with any of FIGs. 1 and 2. Additionally or alterna tively, although not explicitly shown in FIG. 3, the embodiment of FIG. 3 or any part thereof may generally comprise any features and/or elements of any of the embodiments of FIGs. 1 and 2 which are omitted from FIG. 3.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the debris concentrator 300 comprises a conveyor belt 390 as well as a first buoy 310 and a second buoy 320 at a distance from the first buoy 310. The first buoy 310 comprises a first belt support 311 with a first pulley 312, coupled with the conveyor belt 390, and the second buoy 320 comprises a second belt support 321 with a second pulley 322 cou pled with the conveyor belt 390. The debris concentra tor 300 further comprises a third buoy 330. The third buoy 330 is a belt actuator buoy, which may be in ac cordance with any of the belt actuator buoys disclosed above with reference to any of FIGs . 1 and 2. As such, the third buoy 330 comprises a belt support 331 with a drive pulley 332. The drive pulley 332 is configured to drive the conveyor belt 390. Such debris concentrator may enhance recovery of debris floating in a waterbody by concentrating said debris towards a designated re covery location, when said debris is pushed against a conveyor belt of said debris concentrator, for example, due to water flow in said waterbody. This may be achiev able with reduced disturbances to boat traffic, as said waterbody may be only partly obstructed.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the conveyor belt 390 has its width direction arranged upright. In other embodi ments, conveyor belt may or may not have its width di rection arranged upright.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the debris concentrator 300 comprises three buoys. Generally, a debris concentrator comprising at least three buoys may decrease tension requirements in a debris concentrator. In other embod iments, a debris concentrator may comprise at least three, for example, three, four, five, etc., buoys.

The first pulley 312 and the second pulley 322 are con figured to drive the conveyor belt 390. As such, they act as drive pulleys. Usage of multiple pulleys to drive a conveyor belt may reduce a sensitivity of a debris concentrator to low water flow rates and/or to malfunc tioning of its drive pulleys. In other embodiments, a first pulley and/or a second pulley may or may not be configured to drive a conveyor belt. In some embodi ments, each buoy of a debris concentrator may be con figured to drive a conveyor belt.

In particular, the first buoy 310 and the second buoy 320 are belt actuator buoys, which may be in ac cordance with any of the belt actuator buoys disclosed above with reference to any of FIGs . 1 and 2. In other embodiments, a debris concentrator may or may not com prise such first buoy and such second buoy.

The conveyor belt 390 of the embodiment of FIG. 3 has a movement direction 391. The conveyor belt 390 of the embodiment of FIG. 3 further has a width in a width direction 392 perpendicular to the movement direction 391. The width of the conveyor belt 390 may be, for example, 1 meter (m) . During use of the debris concen trator 300, a suitable part, e.g., about 10 %, about 20 %, or about 30 %, of the width may be arranged to stay above a surface of a waterbody. In other embodi ments, a conveyor belt may have any suitable width. In some embodiments, a conveyor belt may have a width in a range from 0.1 m to 2 m, or from 0.5 m to 1.5 m, or from 0.7 m to 1.3 m. Such widths may provide a convenient tradeoff between collection efficiency and conveyor belt weight .

The conveyor belt 390 of the embodiment of FIG. 3 is perforated. A perforated conveyor belt may be less prone to bend, when a water in a waterbody flows rapidly. In other embodiments, a conveyor belt may or may not be perforated .

In particular, the conveyor belt 390 of the embodiment of FIG. 3 may comprise a modular structure, a mesh structure, a woven structure, or a net structure. Such perforated structures may facilitate fabrication of a debris concentrator. In other embodiments, a belt may comprise, have, or consist of any suitable structure ( s ) , for example, a modular structure, a mesh structure, a woven structure, and/or a net structure. The conveyor belt 390 of the embodiment of FIG. 3 may comprise a plastic material. Usage of plastic materials may facilitate fabrication of a debris concentrator and/or result in lower weight and/or higher durability of a conveyor belt. In other embodiments, a conveyor belt may or may not comprise or be formed of a plastic material .

FIG. 4 depicts a debris concentrator 400 according to an embodiment. In FIG. 4, the debris concentrator 400 is arranged in a waterbody with a water flow direction indicated by arrow 401. The embodiment of FIG. 4 may be in accordance with any of the embodiments disclosed with reference to, in conjunction with, and/or concomitantly with any of FIGs. 1 to 3. Additionally or alternatively, although not explicitly shown in FIG. 4, the embodiment of FIG. 4 or any part thereof may generally comprise any features and/or elements of any of the embodiments of FIGs. 1 to 3 which are omitted from FIG. 4.

The debris concentrator 400 of the embodiment of FIG. 4 may be basically in accordance with the debris concen trator 300 of the embodiment of FIG. 3. For example, the debris concentrator 400 comprises a conveyor belt 490, having a movement direction 491; a first buoy 410, com prising a first belt support 411 with a first pul ley 412; a second buoy 420, comprising second belt sup port 421 with a second pulley 422; and a third buoy 430, which is a belt actuator buoy and comprises a belt sup port 431 with a drive pulley 432. The drive pulley 432 is configured to drive the conveyor belt 490.

However, the debris concentrator 400 comprises a frame 440. The frame 440 is connected to the first buoy 410, the second buoy 420, and the third buoy 430. Such frame may assist in maintaining a desired shape of a debris concentrator during use thereof. In other em bodiments, a debris concentrator may or may not comprise such frame. In embodiments, wherein a debris concentra tor comprises a frame, said frame may be connected to any number of buoys, for example, two or more buoys. Such number of buoys may correspond to all or only a fraction of buoys of said debris concentrator.

The frame 440 of the embodiment of FIG. 4 comprises a platform 441. In FIG. 4, certain parts of the frame 440 covered by the platform 441 are depicted by dashed lines. Such platform may increase a rigidity of a frame. Additionally or alternatively, such platform may provide a surface, which facilitates positioning of auxiliary elements of a debris concentrator. Additionally or al ternatively, such platform may prove a surface on which personnel may tread and work. In other embodiments, a frame may or may not comprise such platform.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the third buoy 430 has an energy-harvesting unit, and the debris concentrator 400 comprises an energy storage 450 supported by the frame 440, for example, a battery or ( super) capacitor, for storing energy harvested by the energy-harvesting unit of the third buoy 430. Such energy storage may enable storing auxiliary power for driving a conveyor belt. Additionally or alternatively, such energy storage may enable operating auxiliary components, such as sen sors, and signaling or communication devices using en ergy harvested by an energy-harvesting unit. In other embodiments, a debris concentrator may or may not com prise such energy storage, e.g., a battery. Generally, any suitable type of energy storage may be used. In embodiments, wherein a debris concentrator comprises at least two belt actuator buoys, an energy storage may be suitable for storing energy harvested by any energy harvesting unit(s), for example, each energy-harvesting unit, of said belt actuator buoys.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the debris concentrator 400 comprises an energy transfer terminal 451. The energy transfer terminal 451 is connected with an energy trans mission line 452, e.g., an electrical power cable, to transmit energy to and/or from the energy storage 450. Such energy transfer terminal may enable provision of power for energizing a drive pulley and/or auxiliary components, such as sensors, and signaling or communi cation devices, when water flow rates are low for ex tended time periods. In other embodiments, a debris con centrator may or may not comprise such energy transfer terminal .

FIG. 5 depicts a debris collection system 500 according to an embodiment and a schematic debris path 502 of debris floating on a surface of a waterbody with a water flow direction indicated by arrow 501. The embodiment of FIG. 5 may be in accordance with any of the embodi ments disclosed with reference to, in conjunction with, and/or concomitantly with any of FIGs. 1 to 4. Addi tionally or alternatively, although not explicitly shown in FIG. 5, the embodiment of FIG. 5 or any part thereof may generally comprise any features and/or elements of any of the embodiments of FIGs. 1 to 4 which are omitted from FIG. 5. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the debris collection sys tem 500 comprises a first debris concentrator 510. The first debris concentrator 510 may be in accordance with any debris concentrator ( s ) disclosed above. The first debris concentrator 510 is configured to steer debris floating in a waterbody towards a recovery location 531.

The debris collection system 500 of the embodiment of FIG. 5 further comprises a debris collector 530. The debris collector 530 is configured to recover the debris steered by the first debris concentrator 510 from the recovery location 531. In case of the embodiment of FIG. 5, this may be achieved by selecting a first move ment direction for a first conveyor belt 511 of the first debris concentrator 510 as indicated by arrow 512 in FIG. 5. Such arrangement of a debris concentrator and a debris collector may enable increasing an operational efficiency of said debris collector by increasing its debris intake. This may also be achievable with limited disturbance to water traffic. Generally, any suitable type of debris collector ( s ) , e.g., a collector with a conveyor belt, a scoop dredger, and/or a lift net, may be used in a debris collection system.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the debris collection sys tem 500 may further comprise a second debris concentra tor 520 at a distance from the first debris concentra tor 510. This is indicated in FIG. 5 using dashed lines. The second debris concentrator 520 may be in accordance with any debris concentrator ( s ) disclosed above. The second debris concentrator 520 is configured to steer debris floating in the waterbody towards the first de bris concentrator 510. In case of the embodiment of FIG. 5, this may be achieved by selecting a second move ment direction for a second conveyor belt 521 of the second debris concentrator 520 as indicated by arrow 522 in FIG. 5. Such arrangement of a first debris concen trator, a second debris concentrator, and a debris col lector may enable increasing an operational efficiency of said debris collector even further by increasing its debris intake. This may also be achievable with limited disturbance to water traffic.

It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that with the advancement of technology, the basic idea detailed herein may be implemented in various ways. Any aspects of this specification and their embodiments are thus not limited to the examples described above, instead they may vary within the scope of the claims.

It will be understood that any benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments. The embodiments are not limited to those that solve any or all of the stated problems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits and advantages.

The term "comprising" is used in this specification to mean including the feature (s) or act(s) followed there after, without excluding the presence of one or more additional features or acts. It will further be under stood that reference to 'an' item refers to one or more of those items. 1

belt actuator buoy 240 power transmission unit water flow direction 241 mechanical drivetrain float 260 drogue

belt support 261 drogue line

drive pulley 270 motor

rotational axis 280 propeller

energy-harvesting unit 290 conveyor belt

water turbine 300 debris concentrator water wheel 301 water flow direction power transmission unit 310 first buoy

mechanical drivetrain 311 first belt support mooring line 312 first pulley

anchor 320 second buoy

drogue 321 second belt support drogue line 322 second pulley

spool 330 third buoy

conveyor belt 331 belt support

belt actuator buoy 332 drive pulley

water flow direction 390 conveyor belt

float 391 movement direction float element 392 width direction

belt support 400 debris concentrator drive pulley 401 water flow direction rotational axis 410 first buoy

energy-harvesting unit 411 first belt support water turbine 412 first pulley

energy storage 420 second buoy

generator 421 second belt support energy transfer terminal 422 second pulley

energy transmission line 430 third buoy belt support 502 debrrs path

drive pulley 510 first debris concentra frame tor

platform 511 first conveyor belt energy storage 512 first movement direction energy transfer terminal 520 second debris concentra energy transmission line tor

conveyor belt 521 second conveyor belt movement direction 522 second movement direc water flow direction tion

debris collection system 530 debris collector water flow direction 531 recovery location




 
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