AU2004101023A4 - Method for assembly of an aquaculture apparatus - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Applicant: ONESTEEL MANUFACTURING PTY LTD A.R.B.N. 004 651 325 Invention Title: METHOD FOR ASSEMBLY OF AN AQUACULTURE APPARATUS The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 2 METHOD FOR ASSEMBLY OF AN AQUACULTURE APPARATUS 0 STechnical Field A method for assembly of an aquaculture apparatus is disclosed. Particularly O 5 though not exclusively, a method for assembly of an aquaculture apparatus having a support pontoon and a net suspended underneath in use for containing aquatic life is disclosed. Apparatus for effecting the method is also disclosed.

Background Art Aquaculture apparatus are used in the farming of aquatic life including fish and shellfish. Known aquaculture apparatus are pre-assembled on land, transported to a location of installation, lifted from a transporting barge, then lowered into an operational position. Such assembly and installation is inconvenient as the assembled aquaculture apparatus is bulky and can be subject to damage during transport.

Summary of the Disclosure In a first aspect there is provided a method for assembling an aquaculture apparatus having a support pontoon and a net suspended underneath in use for containing aquatic life. The method comprises the steps of: installing a support means on the pontoon for supporting the net prior to the net being positioned in an operational position; positioning the net on the support means and coupling the net to the pontoon; and removing the support means from the pontoon so that the net moves into the operational position.

This method allows for in-situ installation, which has particular benefits in remote areas that are difficult to access by eg. road transport.

In one form the step of installing a support means comprises installation of a plurality of elongate flexible first support members across the pontoon. In this form the step of installing the support means may further comprise installing a plurality of elongate flexible second support members across the pontoon transversely to the first support members. The first support members may be cables and the second support members may be wires which when installed can be supported by the first support members.

In one embodiment the step of positioning the net comprises providing and assembling the net on the support means. Assembling the net can comprise coupling at least one net side wall to a net base. Coupling of the net to the pontoon can comprise Speci/500-599/55074 3 O coupling the or each net side wall to the pontoon. In one embodiment the net is o assembled from four side walls. In addition, the four side walls can each be coupled to the pontoon.

Assembly of the net may further comprise assembling the net base from a plurality of connected sheets of mesh.

For example, assembly of the net base can comprise the following steps: a plurality of rolls of elongate mesh sheet are positioned substantially roll end to roll end; 0 the mesh sheet is unrolled from each roll and adjacent longitudinal edges of adjacent sheets of the mesh are aligned; and the adjacent longitudinal edges are coupled together to form the base.

In one embodiment the rolls of mesh are of a length equal to the desired length of the base. In another embodiment a plurality of roll lengths are required to make up the length of the base. In this other embodiment the assembly of the base can further comprise the following steps: for the or each additional roll length, a further one or more rolls of mesh are positioned substantially roll end to roll end; for the or each additional roll length, a leading edge of each further roll is coupled to a trailing edge of the preceding roll; the mesh sheet is unrolled from each further roll and adjacent longitudinal edges of the adjacent sheets of the mesh aligned; and the adjacent longitudinal edges are coupled together to form the base.

The assembly of the net can comprise unrolling the mesh and pulling it over the support means in stages, with the unrolled mesh being coupled to adjacent mesh edges at each stage.

For example, pulling the mesh over the support means can comprise rolling and fastening a mesh end portion over a pipe, tying a rope to the pipe and pulling the rope and thus the pipe and attached mesh over the support means.

Assembly of the net can further comprise assembly of the or each side wall by connecting a plurality of mesh sheets together. For example, the assembly of the or each side wall can comprise the following steps: a plurality of rolls of elongate mesh sheet are positioned substantially roll end to roll end; the mesh is unrolled from each roll and adjacent longitudinal edges of adjacent mesh sheets aligned; and the adjacent longitudinal edges are coupled together to form each side wall.

In one form, the or each side wall can be connected to a leading, trailing or Speci/500-599/55074 -4longitudinal edge of outermost sheet(s) of the net base by winding a spiral connector so o as to connect the two edges, when the edges are aligned adjacent to each other.

The adjacent mesh sheets of the base can be connected by winding a spiral connector so as to connect two adjacent edges when adjacent to each other.

Adjacent side walls can be connected to one another to complete assembling of the net. For example, the connection of the adjacent side walls can comprise the following step: a portion of the net base or the side walls are drawn towards an opposite side of Othe pontoon in a manner such that the side walls are brought into proximity and a connector can be used to connect adjacent edges of the adjacent walls together.

SThe adjacent side wall edges can be progressively connected until the entire length of adjacent edges are connected.

In addition, coupling of the net to the pontoon can comprise threading a hanging wire through top links of the mesh of the at least one side wall.

Coupling of the net to the pontoon can comprise coupling at least one side wall to the support pontoon by a plurality of hooks. Furthermore, coupling the at least one side wall to the pontoon may include mounting each hook to the support pontoon and coupling each hook to the hanging wire and a mesh link.

Where there are four side walls and the support means includes first and second support members, the side walls adjacent to the connections between the cables and the pontoons may be first coupled to the pontoon.

In one embodiment removal of the support means can involve lowering of the first support members to provide the first support members with some sag. The remaining side walls may then be coupled to the pontoon.

Removal of the support means may also involve progressive removal of the second support members after which the hooks can progressively be installed on each remaining side wall.

Removal of the support means may involve releasing and then removing the first support members once all hooks are in place and all of the second support members removed, whereupon the net can be lowered into the operational position.

In a second aspect there is provided an aquaculture apparatus for use with a support pontoon to enable suspension of a net underneath the pontoon in use, the apparatus comprising a removable support means adapted for location on the pontoon and for supporting the net prior to the net being positioned in an operational position; whereby in use, when the net has been positioned on the support means and coupled to the pontoon, the support means can be removed from the pontoon so that the net moves into an operational position.

Speci/500-599/55074 O Typically the support means of the second aspect is otherwise as defined as in (-i O the method of the first aspect.

SThere is also disclosed a method for joining one part of an aquaculture mesh or net to another part of the same or different mesh or net comprising the steps of: bringing the one part into proximity with the other part; rotating a length of elongate spiral-shaped joiner in a manner such that the joiner Cc passes through a plurality of apertures of each of the one and other mesh or net parts (-i Salong a length thereof, to thereby join the parts.

This method for joining an aquaculture mesh or net allows for rapid erection of aquaculture apparatus, especially in-situ.

For example, an edge of the one part can be brought into proximity with an edge of the other part and the length of elongate joiner can be rotated such that it passes through a plurality of apertures adjacent to the edges of each of the one and other parts along a length of each edge, to therebyjoin the edges. The edges can dovetail into each other such that the apertures of one part alternate with the apertures of the other part.

This can facilitate joiner insertion and can result in a more continuous mesh or net once erected.

In end view the joiner may have a dimension (eg. diameter) that is sufficiently large to allow for joining when the parts are somewhat spaced from each other.

The joiner can also be provided as a purpose-designed aquaculture net or mesh joining elongate spiral-shaped joiner.

Brief Description of the Drawings Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the method for assembling an aquaculture apparatus, specific embodiments of the method and apparatus will now be described in detail, and by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of an aquaculture apparatus assembled according to one form of the method; Figure 2 shows a plan view of the aquaculture apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective representation of a support means installed on the apparatus of Figures 1 2 for supporting a net, prior to the net being positioned in the operational position; Figure 4 shows a schematic plan representation of a partly assembled aquaculture apparatus of Figures 1 2; Figures 5 and 6 show side and perspective views of a spiral joiner for joining together sections of an aquaculture net; and Speci/500-599/55074 6 O Figure 7 shows a perspective detail of the aquaculture apparatus of Figures 1 O 2 and illustrating the spiral joiner of Figures 5 6 joining together adjacent sections of San aquaculture net.

Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, an aquaculture apparatus 10 is shown. The aquaculture apparatus 10 includes a rectangular support structure 12 beneath which is suspended an open basket shaped mesh or net 14. The support structure 12 includes an Sexternal walkway 16, and a plurality of flotation devices 17 are attached to support structure 12 under the walkway 16 for providing positive buoyancy to the support structure 12. The support structure is shown in the form of a pontoon which functions to keep afloat and support the mesh or net 14 in use. Preferably the mesh or net is formed from metal, most preferably a steel wire that can be galvanised, coated or be formed of stainless steel. The mesh or net is typically supported by a plurality of hooks (described below). Aquaculture apparatus 10 is preferably assembled according to the following description.

In this regard and referring now to Figure 3 the support structure 12 is shown in an in-use orientation. Moored to the side of the support structure 12 are work pontoons 19, which are used to provide a temporary additional working area for the assembly of the net 14 of the aquaculture apparatus Usually the support structure 12 includes pivot points between each side thereof to allow the apparatus to move with waves. However, during the installation assembly of the aquaculture apparatus the pivot points are typically braced using bracing beams and U-bolts to prevent the pivot points from pivoting during the assembly procedure.

Two anchor points are positioned on the apparatus, preferably on external handrail holds on the same side as the bracing beams of the apparatus (eg. on one of the opposing sides 18 of the pontoon) so as to divide the sides 18 into thirds. Thus, for a pontoon 24 meters in length the anchor points are positioned on a side 18 about 8 meters apart. A winch is attached to each anchor point, such as a Tifor lever action winch, using a D-shackle or anchor pin lugs. A first support member in the form of a length of galvanised wire rope/cable 20 having a machine spliced end with a latch hook is looped around the walkway 16 that is directly opposite each Tifor winch (ie. on the opposite side of support structure 12) and is hooked back into the cable. A tapered end of the cable is then fed through the Tifor winch and tensioned until taut.

Two such cables 20 are installed taut on the support structure 12 in Figure 3.

The two cables 20 act as a backup suspension system and as a lowering system once the Speci/500-599/S5074 7 O net has been assembled as described below. The cables 20 illustrate a representative Sembodiment of the first support members according to the invention. Typically each Scable is formed from 1 lmm fibre core galvanised wire rope.

A plurality of second support members in the form of wires 22 are then installed on the pontoon between opposing ends 24 thereof Half a meter in from the side 18, an end of the wire is tied to an inner rectangular hollow section (RHS) beam of Cc the support structure 12. The wire tail of the resultant knot is bent or removed to prevent Smesh catching on it. The wire is then extended across the length of the pontoon and a Gripple joiner is fitted to the wire, which is looped around an opposite RHS, back into the Gripple and is then tensioned. This process is repeated at 0.5 meter centres for the first two meters and then 1 meter centres thereafter. For a 24 meter length pontoon N approximately 32 wires are used. The cables 20 and wires 22 thus form a support means in the form of a wire platform for supporting the net during its assembly and installation into an operational position. Typically the wire employed is 3.15mm HT Growire.

Referring now to Figure 4, it will be seen how the cables 20 and wires 22 form a type of supporting platform for assembly of the net, as described below. The net is assembled by forming a net base 26 and at least one net side wall 28. In a preferred embodiment four net side walls 28, 28' are provided and assembled. However, in a circular apparatus, a single side wall can be used.

To form the net base 26, rolls of mesh are positioned on the work pontoons 19.

The rolls are positioned evenly across the full width and staggered to allow unrolling without the ends of the rolls catching on adjacent rolls. Several meters of each roll are rolled out onto the pontoon. Adjacent longitudinal edges of the mesh are aligned, with mesh knuckles defined along each mesh roll edge being aligned point to belly (ie. along adjacent edges).

Spiral joiners 80 (as shown in Figures 5 6) are then wound along the adjacent edges to join the mesh sheets together. Referring to Figure 5, each spiral joiner typically has a diameter Dc of 25mm, a pitch P of 38mm, a thickness t of 3.2mm and a length L of lm. Pliers are typically used to bend and twist both ends of the joiners to ensure that the ends are not protruding and the joiner cannot twist out.

Next, three 5.5m lengths of 65 NB pipe are positioned along the leading edge of the joined mesh rolls approximately 300 mm back from the front (leading) edge of the joined rolls. Two pipe lengths are located 500 mm in from each side, with the third pipe being centrally located between the other two. The mesh front edge is rolled back over the pipes and tied in place, preferably by 12mm polypropylene rope. Ropes are then threaded through the pipes ensuring that any pull of the rope is taken by the pipe and not the mesh. Each rope is then taken to the opposite side 24 of the pontoon.

Speci/500-599/55074 8 O Capstan winches are set up on opposite corners and secured to the support structure 12.

SThe ropes are then drawn across the support structure 12 by winding them onto a Srespective Capstan winch. The mesh is thereby progressively unrolled and moved over the support means by the ropes while adjacent mesh portions are simultaneously joined together using the spiral joiners.

This process is continued until approximately a meter of the mesh roll remains on the pontoon. Depending on the length of the rolls, the mesh may already extend the _entire length of the pontoon. However, when for example the rolls are positioned at the Slower side 24 of Figure 4, and assuming a first length of unrolled mesh is 8 meters long and the support structure is 24 meters span (inside to inside), the first mesh length will be extended across about the bottom third of the pontoon to define a first row of sheets, shown as position 29 in Figure 4.

Thereafter, a second set of rolls of mesh are set up, partly unrolled on to the pontoon, and these are joined to the end of the first length of mesh sheets using spiral joiners. Adjacent edges are again aligned with knuckles point to belly. Each adjacent sheet is coupled together using the spiral joiners, thereby gradually forming the net base and defining a second row of sheets at location 29. Whilst this is happening, the partly formed net base is progressively moved further out onto the wire support platform by drawing on the ropes with the capstan winches. The first row of mesh is eventually positioned approximately at location 31 in Figure 4. Also, the Tifor winches may be partly unwound so that the cables 20 may be lowered to facilitate the mesh sheets being pulled across each cable 20 and raised again once the mesh has passed over the cable The process of connecting an additional (third) row of sheets is then repeated.

The progressively forming net base 26 is dragged across the support platform as each row is attached until the net base is fully formed. The first mesh row is now positioned at location 30, the second row positioned at location 31, and the third row, defining the bottom third of the net base 26, is at location 29. The net base 26 is thus positioned across the inner edges of the pontoon. The ropes and pipes are then removed.

Now, the side walls 28 are assembled. Rolls of mesh for forming the side walls are positioned on walkway 16 adjacent to end 24 of the pontoon. Several meters of mesh sheet of each roll is unrolled on to the pontoon. The last (third) row of net base sheets at 29 is joined to the ends of a first row of side sheets at 33 using joiners. It is preferred to use a different type of joiner to indicate that the join is different, such as square spirals or painted loose mesh spirals. The longitudinal adjacent edges of the mesh sheets of the side wall are then aligned with knuckles point to belly along the edge and joined using spiral joiners having a diameter Dc of 25mm, a pitch P of 32mm, a Speci/500-599/55074 9 O thickness t of 3.2mm and a length L of Im..

o The spiral joiners are wound on to the joint until fully engaged and then pliers are used to bend and twist both ends ensuring that ends are not protruding and the spiral cannot twist out. Initially just one spiral joiner is used to join adjacent side edges to provide flexibility when subsequently joining the corners.

The opposite side wall is then assembled to define a row of mesh sheets 32 in a manner similar to that described above. The remaining two side walls 28' are then Sassembled as described above, except that spiral joiners are used instead of square Sjoiners to join the outer longitudinal edges of the outermost sheets 30, 31 and 29 to the leading edge of the sheets of each side wall 28', because of the ease of insertion of the spiral joiners.

N Each of the comers are then formed. The joining of one corner having edges and 41 will now be described. To allow edges 40 and 41 of respective side walls 28 and 28' to be joined, the edges need to be drawn close to one another as indicated by arrows AA. This is achieved by tying a rope initially to the net base and the corner to be joined.

The rope taken to the opposite corner of the pontoon and is then tensioned to pull the base and comer up. This will allow at least a part of side walls edges 40 and 41 to move closer to one another so that at least one spiral can be inserted. Once the spiral is inserted the rope is loosened and then attached approximately 150 mm above the point where the previous spiral joiner finished and again drawn to the opposite side of the pontoon so that another spiral joiner can be inserted. This is repeated until the corner is completed. The other corners are joined in a similar manner. The adjacent edges of the side walls that are not yet fully joined can then be completed using spiral joiners.

Hanging wire, wire rope or rod 40 is then inserted through the top links of the mesh of all the side walls (Figure Preferably 5 mm thick wire is used, and is bent to form a U-shaped head approximately 300 mm in length. The head is inserted through each top link of the mesh and pushed through the width of each sheet of the side wall.

The wire is then cut to leave 400 mm of wire overhang on either side of the sheet for laterjoining. This process is repeated until the wire is located along the top of each mesh sheet of the side walls. The wire overhangs are then tied together by looping the wires around each other to form a double loop. The tails of the loops are wrapped around the main body of the wire approximately 200 mm back from the double loop and then terminated by forming a small loop at 900 to the wire.

The assembled net is now ready to be coupled to the pontoon and moved into its operational position. This occurs by moving the net off the walkway 16 of the pontoon and onto the support means ensuring that the centre of each mesh side is aligned with the centre of each side of the pontoon. For example, starting at the centre Speci/500-599/55074 O of a side 28' parallel to the supporting wires 22, suspension hooks 42 are inserted into O the top of the mesh sides so that each hook holds both the hanging wire and a mesh link.

Each hook is preferably formed in two parts, as shown in the applicant's co-pending PCT application (filed on the same day as the present application). As shown in Figure 7, one hook part has an inverted U portion 43 that can be hooked over an inner RHS pontoon perimeter member 44 and into a half-hole on the edge of decking 45 on Swalkway 16. The other hook part 46 is adapted at 47 for hooking onto the hanging wire and a mesh link. A hook is typically placed every 500 mm to ensure that there is no sag between hooks. Hooks are then positioned on the opposite side 28'.

The two cables 20 are now lowered to give 2 to 3 meters of sag in the net base.

Starting in the middle of one side having the support wires 22 coupled thereto, two N wires 22 are cut from the one side. The wire 22 is then pulled out on the opposite side.

The other end of each of the cut wires 22 is then cut from the pontoon 12 and the wire 22 disposed of. The hook parts are then attached so that each hook extends between the support structure 12 and the net 14.

Thereafter, another two wires 22 are cut, working from the centre to one of the corners and the support hooks progressively attached. The process of cutting wires 22 and attaching hooks is repeated until all the support wires 22 are removed and the net is fully attached around its perimeter to the pontoon by hooks. The net is then lowered by the cables 20 until it hangs under its own weight on the hooks, and the cables and winches are then removed to produce the completed aquaculture apparatus 10 with the net in the operational position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Referring now to Figures 5 to 7, the wire mesh joining spiral-shaped joiner is shown in detail. The joiner 80 is used to join together adjacent sections of mesh as shown in Figure 7. In this regard, prior to assuming the orientation of Figure 7, mesh sections 82 and 84 are positioned adjacent to each other on decking 45, typically so that they dovetail (knuckles pointing to belly) along their edges as shown in Figure 7. The mesh sections can be separate portions of mesh, or the opposite ends of the same portion of mesh. The joiner is then wound along and into the adjacent apertures 86, 88 of mesh sections 82 and 84, threading through the apertures to join the sections together. The joiner is typically bent and twisted at both ends to ensure that the ends are not protruding and the joiner cannot twist out. However, the joiner can alternatively be crimped, wired, soldered or otherwise fastened at it ends and to the mesh to be held in place.

As indicated by Figure 5, the joiner 80 has variable length L, diameter Dc, pitch P and thickness t, and can define a right or left hand thread, depending on the application in which it is used. For example, the joiner can be provided with a Speci/500-599/55074 11 O dimension (eg. a diameter) that is sufficiently large to allow joining of mesh portions Sthat are somewhat spaced from each other.

SThe method and apparatus as described herein has the advantage that it may be assembled in-situ without the need to transport pre-assembled apparatus to its 0 5 operational location.

Modifications and variations may be made to the method and apparatus as described and defined herein. For example, although specific embodiments have been described in relation to a rectangular apparatus, a skilled addressee will realise that the 0apparatus need not be rectangular and can be circular etc. It is also noted that the dimensions and number of sheets of mesh may be different from those described. Thus, the method and apparatus can be embodied in many other forms.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprising" is used in the sense of "including", i.e. the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments.

Speci/500-599/55074

Claims (4)

1. 2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of installing the support means comprises installing a plurality of elongate flexible first support members across the pontoon, and optionally a plurality of elongate flexible second support members across the pontoon transversely to the first support members, with the first support members being cables and the second support members being wires which when installed are supported by the first support members.
2. 3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein: the step of positioning the net comprises providing and assembling the net on the support means; and the step of assembling the net comprises coupling at least one net side wall to a net base, and coupling the or each net side wall to the pontoon.
3. 4. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the assembly of the net further comprises assembling the net base and side wall(s) from a plurality of connected sheets of mesh, wherein adjacent mesh sheets are connected along adjacent sheet edges, optionally by winding a spiral connector along the adjacent sheet edges.
4. 5. An aquaculture apparatus for use with a support pontoon to enable suspension of a net underneath the pontoon in use, the apparatus comprising a removable support means adapted for location on the pontoon and for supporting the net prior to the net being positioned in an operational position; whereby in use, when the net has been positioned on the support means and coupled to the pontoon, the support means can be removed from the pontoon so that the net moves into an operational position. Dated this 2nd day of December 2004 ONESTEEL MANUFACTURING PTY LTD By its Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK Speci/500-599/55074