The present invention relates to a cage device comprising a closed, spherical cage for fish rearing as set out in the preamble of claim 1.

Background

Industrial fish farming has long been a major "industry" in many countries, and both the size and number of fish farms have grown considerably. The vast majority of cages used commercially are open cages located in the sea and where the fish that are reared are separated from the surroundings by a single layer of seine net that hangs like a large cylinder in the sea, closed at the bottom but open at the top. The seine net hangs from buoyancy elements, which form a floating ring on the surface. Under ideal conditions, this works well, but it is vulnerable to damage and loss of fish in bad weather, and has little protection against algal bloom and not least salmon lice.

Billions of Norwegian kroner are lost annually in the form of fish that escape and which also leads to an unwanted strain on the wild fish in the form of disease etc.

Existing facilities furthermore pollute the seabed under the facilities and the surrounding areas, because they lack effective solutions for collecting waste from feed and excrement.

Due to the mentioned disadvantages, a number of measures have been proposed to overcome these problems or disadvantages, such as moving the entire facilities ashore or using facilities that are more closed and can provide better protection against one or more of the mentioned disadvantages. So far, no proposals have been made that have proved sufficiently simple and inexpensive to really compete with existing facilitiesin, despite the fact that they technically show advantages over the open cages.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,424,491 B2 discloses a closed, substantially spherical cage structure which is designed as triangular, rigid beam sections based on beam elements of plastic or metal. The beam elements can enclose conduits or inflatable elements. The system is submersible so that the entire cage can be submerged under water if necessary. According to the patent, cages of different sizes can be built up of the same basic components, for example by using from 80 and even up to 720 composite triangular elements, but since the elements are rigid in nature, extreme precision is required to join these at such an angle that the desired size. It might therefore be desirable to design a system which is more flexible and which allows the assembly of the components to take place without having to ensure such a degree of accuracy. From Norwegian patent no. 332 518 a spherical cage is known based on a supporting structure of beams assembled to form polygons with a net in the form of removable panels. Fixed and inflatable buoyancy elements will be included in several of the beams, while some beams may contain only fixed buoyancy elements, only inflatable buoyancy elements or none of the parts.

Among other technology known in the art, reference is made to SE 450866 and to US 5,251,571 A.

Objectives

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a cage for farming fish rearing which is simple in its construction, easy to adapt to different sizes and simple and safe to operate, including having low operating and maintenance costs, and which is able to withstand storms with minimal risk of damage

It is a further object to provide a cage which has good safety against escape and which has an inherent ability to protect fish against lice and algae in the event of strong algae bloom, and which pollutes the environment to a lesser extent.

It is also a purpose that it should be easy to anchor and provide good opportunities for moving fish into and out of the cage.

The present invention

The above objectives are achieved by the cage according to the present invention as set out in claim 1.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed by the dependent claims.

By cage device is meant that the invention does not exclusively deal with the cage itself, but also with externally connected physical equipment and a control unit which is used, among other things, to regulate the cage's position in the sea.

By "closed" as is used herein is meant that there are both roofs and walls in the cage, however, it should not be interpreted as any part of it being waterproof or airtight unless clearly stated.

The present invention provides a cage which is unique in its construction and which solves the mentioned challenges, among other things in that it can be immersed completely under water which is a great advantage in bad weather or as a measure among others to reduce the nuisance caused by salmon lice. The submersible function of the cage enables the installation of coastal farming facilities, where conventional cage systems are unable to withstand the strong natural forces to which the facilities are occasionally exposed in strong winds and large waves.

The submerged cage according to the present invention also offers advantages in rearing in that upper water masses can be avoided in critical situations, such as in the case of dangerous algae bloom, in lice infestations, or in the release of environmental toxins. Other critical situations can be, for example, oil spills caused by discharges from the oil industry or accidents at sea.

Furthermore, the system with its adjustable buoyancy / ballast can be controlled so that the cage can be rotated in the sea so that any part of the cage can be oriented above water level whenever desired, for example when cleaning, maintaining or installing new equipment, transportation channel for fish or the like.

The present invention consists of a closed cage construction, which provides a number of advantages over currently used conventional cage constructions. The closed shape offers obvious advantages over existing applied solutions, due to the fact that the risk of reared fish escaping the cage is significantly reduced through the cage being closed. According to a preferred embodiment, the cage has a double net solution, which, among other things, allows for continuous monitoring of several operating parameters, including damage to the net with the risk of escape. The net is divided into panes / sections for each one of the cage's construction elements / panes, and is individually attached to buoyancy elements. The fact that the net is divided into sections gives a significant advantage over conventional cages with large and heavy nets. The advantage of smaller net sections is that this method provides easier assembly and service due to weight, size and requirements for tools, for otherwise heavy operations as is the case today. If desired, the solution with net sections provides the opportunity of having additional layers of net, or other membrane types if this is considered expedient.

The cage's construction with the possibility of at least two layers of net (or net plus membrane), means that one can mount a filter function with a fabric / membrane as the outer layer, as well as the possibility of controlling and monitoring the water masses between the outer and the inner net sections.

It is thus within the scope of the invention that the cage exhibits an inner, relatively fine-mesh net preventing fish from escaping, and an outer, more coarse-mesh net preventing predatory fish from penetrating the cage. The cage construction makes it possible to move it by towing even if the cage is filled with fish.

Moving cages with fish inside has proven to be desirable for the industry from an operational and safety perspective.

Sizing of the cage with respect to its diameter can be done by selecting pipe elements with different lengths and / or by changing the geometry of the finger brackets so that the curvature generally becomes smaller or larger at each node.

Compared to the closed structure known from U.S. Pat. No. 8,424,491 B2, the cage of the present invention is lighter, easier to size, and allows the use of more than one layer of net yarn or other type of "membrane" against the environment, desired. While at each node of the cage according to US 8424491 there are four or five rigid beam elements which meet, in the present invention there are three pipe elements which meet and which are easily arranged via a separate sleeve into a prefabricated finger bracket which makes the mounting in principle equal simple as setting up a tent. While the finished cage of the present invention is soft, resilient and flexible, the skeleton of the cage of US 8,424,491 B2 is rigid. It is not a given that one cage is better than the other in all conditions and in all contexts, but they are different and have, despite the common features, fundamentally different properties.

In the following, the invention will be described in more detail in the form of some selected, nonlimiting embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a cage according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic side view of a cage according to the present invention during an operation.

Figure 3 is a schematic side view of a cage according to the present invention in a submerged state.

Figure 4 is a schematic side view of two cages according to the present invention during the execution of an operation.

Figure 5 is a perspectival view of a pipe element etc. which constitute elements of a cage according to the present invention.

Figure 6A shows an embodiment of a finger bracket according to the present invention.

Figure 6B shows an alternative embodiment of a finger bracket according to the present invention.

Figure 6C shows an assembly of a finger bracket, a sleeve and parts of a tubular element according to the invention.

Figures 7A-7C show the principle of buoyancy according to the invention Figure 8 shows a further feature of a cage according to the present invention.

Figures 9A-9F show a further advantageous feature of the invention in different positions.

Figures 10A-10B show assemblies of several cages according to the present invention.

Figure 11 shows details of a particular variant of the present invention

Figure 1 shows a closed, spherical cage 10 according to the present invention floating deep in the sea, with the top projecting above the water surface. The spherical shape is obtained through a number of pipe elements 11 mounted together in nodes 12 which together with the pipe elements 11 delimit panes 13 of polygons. In the embodiment shown, the polygons are a combination of pentagons and hexagons. Most of the panes are covered with nets in at least one layer.

The upper pane of the cage is covered by a top plate 14. The top plate may be impervious or perforated, but typically constitutes a rigid element as explained in connection with another figure. The lower pane is covered by a bottom plate 15 provided with further details, including a fastening device 16 for a mooring line 17 and a hatch 18 for discharging waste from the cage. The hatch 18 is typically equipped with means for opening and closing by means of a control unit. A safety line 19 is also shown as a supplement to the mooring line 17. A buoy 21 with flag, light or other marking, is attached to the cage to make it easily visible.

As is explained in the following, buoyancy elements (one or more) are arranged for connection in each pipe element 11, which makes it possible to place the cage high or low in the water.

Figure 2 shows the cage from figure 1 in a situation where a service boat 22 has arrived and connected a drain hose 23 to the hatch 18 to pump out solid waste from the lower part of the cage. In practice, one end of the drainhose 23 can normally be connected to the hatch 18 while the other end is attached to the upper part of the cage so that it can be easily connected to the pump on board the boat without requiring any connection to be made under water. The drain hose 23 may alternatively be connected to a collecting device, for example in the form of an impervious bag / container on the sea bottom for temporary collection and storage.

Figure 3 shows a situation where the cage according to the invention is pulled completely under water by means of a winch 31 and preferably by means of an adapted regulation of the buoyancy in at least some of the buoyancy elements. In a zone A at the top of the cage, an airtight fabbric is arranged which ensures that an air pocket accompanies the cage when it is pulled down. For example, in zone A, solar panels can be fitted for storage / supply of energy so that the cage is at least partially self-supported with energy. At the bottom of the cage, in a zone B, an impervious fabric is typically arranged for collecting solid waste until it is discharged via the hatch 18. In the submerged state a special buoy 32, typically equipped with battery, communication unit and a central control unit 33, will be able to transfer information to and from the cage, as well as to control certain parameters on the cage as discussed below. For example, the control unit 33 may be programmed to automatically lower the cage under water when wind strength and / or wave height exceeds certain levels. This can be done by starting the winch 31 and adjusting the buoyancy using buoyancy elements described below. The control unit 33 is arranged to be able to adjust the length of the mooring line 17 so that the cage can be placed at the surface when desired and so that it can be placed more than 10 meters below the water surface when desired.

The communication unit in the buoy 32 can provide current information about the condition of the cage and the position of the cage, as well as allow an operator to override the automatics. The buoy 32 is shown connected to the cage with a cable 34 for transmission of electricity, air and gas and optionally communication, while communication to the operator preferably takes place wirelessly. The winch 31 can, if desired, be operated manually, but is preferably controlled by the control unit 33 which can automatically implement various measures based on external parameters, such as wind strength, wave height etc.

One or more of the communication unit, the control unit and the battery may also optionally be arranged watertight on the top plate 14.

Figure 4 shows schematically how a tubular net 44 can be connected to a respective pane in two cages according to the invention placed close to each other. This can be done to move fish from one cage to another, for removing and controlling fish, or for example in need of major maintenance operations. The otherwise closed panes 13 of seine nets must for the purpose be loosened at least partially in the relevant squares to give the fish access to pass, or preferably a device for opening and closing being controlled by the control unit.

Figure 5 shows a bit of a pipe element 11 with an inner seine net 51 on one side and an outer seine net 52 on the opposite side, fastened with fastening means 53. Inside the pipe, a cable gate 54 is shown which can contain a number of pipes for supplying air/ gas to buoyancy elements as well as electricity for lights, cameras etc. and for the transmission of control signals.

Figure 6A shows a three-finger finger bracket 40 used to form nodes between the tubular members of the cage of the present invention. The finger bracket typically has a slight angular change between each finger so that if you place an imaginary plane through the center of two of the fingers, the third finger will be outside the plane. This contributes to the curvature of the surface formed by assembling a cage, so that a ball surface can be obtained without curving the pipe elements 11 between the finger brackets. Figure 6A shows the finger bracket 40 from its concave side, i.e. the side which in mounted condition will face the cage. Each finger on the bracket is equipped with a fastening device such as an annular flange 41 suitable for locking an adapted sleeve.

Figure 6B shows a finger bracket 45 with an interior corresponding to the finger bracket shown in Figure 6A, but with an outer shape which is substantially spherical. It works in the same way as the finger bracket 40, but the attachment to the sleeve can be done in another way, for example with an external bayonet attachment or screw threads.

Figure 6C shows a (partial) section through a pipe element 11 which is connected to a finger bracket 40 by means of a sleeve 42. The sleeve 42 is fixedly attached to the finger bracket 40 by the flange 41, possibly secured with a tension-band 43, while the pipe element 11 can slide back and forth inside the sleeve 42 depending on external influences on the cage. The sleeve is of such a length that the pipe element cannot slide completely out of the sleeve even under severe stress. The seine net itself, which covers the cage in at least one, preferably two layers, helps to limit the freedom of movement of the pipe element so that it cannot slide all the way out of the sleeve.

As explained above, the assembly can take place without the use of welding, bolts or threads / screwing.

The buoyancy element that is typically present in the pipe element is not shown in figure 6.

Figure 7A schematically shows a (in parti) a side section of a pipe element 11 between two finger brackets 40 with an empty buoyancy element 60 in the pipe. The pipe element 11 is shown with circular perforations. The purpose of the perforations is for water to pass in or out of the pipe element 11 as the buoyancy element is emptied and filled respectively. Figure 7B shows the same section as Figure 7A, but with a half-full buoyancy element 60. Figure 7C again shows the same section as Figures 7A and 7B, here with a full buoyancy element 60.

The control unit 33 can be programmed to fill or empty the buoyancy elements in each pipe element 11 individually. Alternatively, the pipe elements 11 can be divided into different zones, so that the buoyancy elements 60 in each individual zone are emptied and filled simultaneously, but independently of emptying and filling of the buoyancy elements in other zones. Both of these options make it possible to make some parts of the cage light and other parts of the cage heavier, so that the whole cage can be rotated in the water so that any part of it is brought above the water surface, for example for maintenance, repair, cleaning or for connection and disconnection of equipment.

Figures 7A to 7C do not show the supply lines for the air or gas which are filled and emptied from the buoyancy elements as required. These are typically located inside the pipes and are routed internally via the finger brackets from pipe to pipe. The buoyancy elements can, if desired, be grouped in different sections, so that all buoyancy elements in one and the same section are filled equally and emptied equally, alternatively with individual pressure adjustment for each buoyancy element. Such sectioning reduces the need for the number of supply lines. For example, all buoyancy elements adjacent to the panes 13 adjacent to the top plate 14 of the cage may form one section.

Figure 8 shows a cage similar to that shown in Figures 1-3 slightly enlarged and shows a stabilizing chain 80 between top and bottom plate which helps to reduce deviations from the spherical shape of the cage when it is affected by forces in the sea, such as currents caused by wind and tidal currents. Reduced deviations from the ball shape is also contributed by the design with tubular element 11 which moves freely in sleeves 42. The chain 80 between top and bottom is preferably arranged with a shock-absorbing and / or elastic element (not shown), preferably with a cylinder prestressed by spring or pressure.

Figure 9A shows an alternative to the variant shown in Figure 8 where the chain 80 is replaced by a substantially rigid tube 90 from top to bottom, preferably with a shock absorbing function (not shown) at least at one end. Arranged around a part of the tube 90 is a displacement member comprising ribs 91 which are slidably attached to the tube 90 by a top sleeve 92A slidable along the tube 90 and a bottom sleeve 92B slidable along the tube 90. Each rib 91 has an upper and a lower part connected in a pivotal joint 93.

Figure 9B shows the same as Figure 9A, but in a position where at least one of the top sleeve and the bottom sleeve has moved in the direction of the other sleeve, so that each joint 93 has assumed an angle different from 180 degrees. Between the winches above and / or below the joints 93, there is an impervious or fine-meshed fabric. The effect of moving at least one sleeve in the direction of the other is much like unfolding an umbrella.

Figure 9C shows the same where the lower sleeve 92B has moved further in the direction of the upper sleeve 92A and where the angle of the joints 93 has been reduced to about 90 degrees with the result that the "umbrella" has been further unfolded. In Figure 9D, the movement is completed so that the upper sleeve 92A and lower sleeve 92B lie next to each other and where the fabric or the fine-mesh netting between the posts forms an inner "roof" in the cage which covers a substantial part of the cage's horizontal section. If a more complete coverage of the cross-section is desired, the fabric near the joints 93 can be extended and possibly supported by flexible plastic rubs (not shown) which bend when in contact with the fabric of the cage itself.

Figures 9E and 9F show how the displacing means can displace fish in the direction of the bottom of the cage by displacing both sleeves 92A, 92B, in the downward direction when they are still adjacent to each other and the fabric between the spindles forms a movable inner roof of the cage that gradually reduces the volume under the roof. It is possible, in a similar manner as shown in Figures 9A to 9F, to unfold the "umbrella" at a low level in the cage and displace fish upwards in the cage. The up and down movement of the displacement member can also be controlled as a function of the buoyancy of the cage.

Figure 10A shows in a side view an assembly of four cages 10 according to the present invention, connected in a tetrahedron with an upper cage 10 which constitutes a node for three underlying cages 10 which lie at the same or approximately the same vertical level. The upper cage is connected to the three cages below through channels 105 which can be opened and closed as required. There may be different purposes for using such a structure. The upper cage can, for example, lie on the surface and be used to control and process fish, while the lower cages are used for a more permanent stay and are positioned lower than the lice belt. Transport of fish between the upper and one of the lower cages can take place, for example, by using a displacement means as shown in Figures 9A to 9F. Figure 10A does not show any channels directly between the three cages located at the vertical level of a fiddle, but it is of course also possible to include channels between the cages at this level.

Figure 10B shows in a top view another assembly comprising three cages 10 which all lie in one and the same vertical level in a triangular shape, each cage being connected to both the other two cages via channels 105 which can be opened and closed as required. As an alternative to displacing fish, fish can be moved from one cage to another by supplying fodder to only one of two cages between which the channel is kept open.

Other assemblies of two or more cages are also possible, as a window in each of the cages is replaced by a "window" which is connected to a transport channel, the window or channel also having a closing curtain which remotely opens or closes the transport path between the connected cages. Figure 11 shows a particular variant of a cage 10, for example suitable for use as an upper cage in a tetrahedron-coupled assembly of cages as shown in Figure 10A. The cage comprises a pipe 90 between top and bottom as shown in Figures 9A-9F and in addition to this a platform 110 on which people 112 can work, be it for maintenance, feeding, medication etc.

The platform 110 is typically constructed as a disc which surrounds the tube 90 partially or completely and which may be raised and lowered along the tube as needed. The platform 110 may optionally move freely up and down along the pipe 90 and be provided with floating elements which ensure that it floats at all times at the water level present in the cage at all times.

Use of displacement means as shown in Figures 9A to 9F is also possible in combination with the embodiment shown in Figure 11, by arranging the platform 110 sufficiently high in the cage.

With regard to the feeding of fish in the cages according to the present invention, this can be accomplished in several ways, but primarily through automatically controlled feeding systems of a type known per se. Each cage may have a reservoirof fodder at the top of the cage, which is filled at regular intervals from the service boat, and which is watertight so that the fodder is kept dry until it is dispersed in the water via suitable fodder nozzles. Any fodder of known type which is useful for cages in a submerged state may also be used.

For feeding fish in the cage, a solution can also be used to feed from the cage's bottom platform. This is particularly relevant when using fodder that is lighter than water so that the fodder floats upwards in the water masses during feeding. As the fodder draws water, the fodder will sink to the bottom. In this way, the fodder will be available to the fish for a longer period of time, which will provide better fodder-utilization.

Otherwise, the cage and the arrangement around it are arranged for automatic or remote control of functions in such a way that personnel do not have to be on board the cage during its normal operation. Therefore, it does not need to be equipped with walkways, safety equipment for personnel, etc. with regard to the safety of persons on board, which also is a simplification compared to more conventional cages.