Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a modular marine floatation collar for aquaculture applications. Component collar segments are sealed by bulkheads including a connecting flange. Standard component collar segments may be assembled into a desired configuration by flange-to-flange connection of adjacent collar segments. A plurality of elongate tubular members having arcuate recesses conforming to the outer perimeters of supporting collar segments are arranged transversely atop the collar assembly so as to provide for the construction of an elevated walkway.

International Patent Application Publication No. <CIT> discloses a support module (<NUM>) for placing in a body of water. The support module comprises at least one float (<NUM>) and securing means (<NUM>) for at least indirectly maintaining, on the at least one float, a breeding pond (<NUM>) used to receive fish which are to be breed and/or other aquatic creatures for breeding. A volume and/or weight of the at least one float is measured such that the support module floats in the body of water. A plurality of floats (<NUM>) and a support frame (<NUM>) are provided. The plurality of floats are secured to the support frame by fixing means (<NUM>) and the support frame comprises securing means (<NUM>) for maintaining the breeding pond and connecting means (<NUM>) for connecting the support module (<NUM>) to an adjacent constructional unit.

International Patent Application Publication No. <CIT> discloses a system that incorporates the additional connection and buoyancy means necessary for the use of rigid, metallic and/or high-weight meshes or nets, for rafts and/or cages used in the farming, keeping, confining or grouping-together of hydrobiological species. The aforesaid may achieved by means of a bracket, which may allow the incorporation of the necessary buoyancy and connection elements into this type of mesh. This system has two formats, namely one that incorporates the extra buoyancy and connection components for this type of mesh in a single unit, and another designed to provide independent buoyancy and connection for this type of mesh, for use in the case of existing rafts and/or cages.

International Patent Application Publication No. <CIT> discloses a fish cage with a flotation collar (<NUM>) and a net (<NUM>). The floatation collar (<NUM>) comprises an elongate, parallelly arranged, substantially straight floatation pipes (<NUM>) which are closed or sealed. The floatation pipes (<NUM>) are interconnected sideways by means of brackets (<NUM>), and corner elements (<NUM>) having at least two vertical sides. The corner elements (<NUM>) are tied together by means of chains/wires or the like in order to tensioning the floatation collar together and in order to distribute the forces. The corner elements (<NUM>) are provided with sealed connecting end pieces (<NUM>) in order to plug the floating pipes (<NUM>).

<CIT>disclosed a modular float drum assembly for use in supporting a floating structure. The modular float drum assembly includes at least two one-piece, plastic molded float drum modules. Each drum module has a top wall, a bottom wall and contiguous first, second, third and fourth side walls extending between said top and bottom walls to define a buoyant enclosure contained therein. The modular float drum assembly includes rigidizing means integrally formed in each module to rigidize each module against deformation. The rigidizing means including a generally flat first wall segment contiguous with said top wall, a generally flat second wall segment spaced a distance away from said first wall segment and contiguous with one of said side walls, and an end wall segment interconnecting said first wall segment with said second wall segment. The first and second wall segments having essentially identical openings formed therein and aligned with one another. An interconnecting wall segment extends about at least a portion of the peripheral edge of said openings and also interconnects said first and second wall segments whereby a double wall construction rigidizes said module when fasteners securing said module to said floating structure are applied through said openings. The modular float drum assembly includes module securing means formed in one of the side walls of each module for releasably joining one module to another module in an aligned relationship where the modules are in side-by-side physical contact with one another.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved modular floatation collar for aquaculture applications.

There is accordingly provided a segment for a modular floatation collar. The segment comprises a frame having a recessed compartment and a removable decking covering the recessed compartment. There is a plurality of rigging hardpoints disposed along the frame. A universal connection at each end of the frame allows the segment to be connected to an adjacent segment either linearly along a common axis, or orthogonally at a right angle. The rigging hardpoints may be disposed along a centerline of the frame. The segment may further include a plurality of installation hardpoints disposed along the frame. The frame may be mounted on a floatation unit. The floatation unit may be a plurality of spaced-apart, parallel lengths of pipe.

There is also provided a modular floatation collar comprising a segment including a frame having a recessed compartment and a removable decking covering the recessed compartment. There is a plurality of rigging hardpoints disposed along the frame. A universal connection at each end of the frame allows the segment to be connected to an adjacent segment either linearly along a common axis, or orthogonally at a right angle. The rigging hardpoints may be disposed along a centerline of the frame. The segment may further include a plurality of installation hardpoints disposed along the frame. The frame may be mounted on a floatation unit. The floatation unit is a plurality of spaced-apart, parallel lengths of pipe.

The present invention defined in claim <NUM> provides a modular floatation collar comprising a first segment and a second segment. The first segment of the modular floatation collar has a frame and decking mounted on the frame. The second segment of the modular floatation collar has a frame and decking mounted on the frame. The modular floatation collar also includes a floatation unit. The first segment of the modular floatation collar and the second segment of the modular floatation collar are each mounted on the floatation unit. The floatation unit extends between the first segment of the modular floatation collar and the second segment of the modular floatation collar. The floatation unit may be a plurality of spaced-apart, parallel lengths of pipe. The first segment of the modular floatation collar is connected to the second segment of the modular floatation collar linearly along a common axis. The first segment of the modular floatation collar is connected to the second segment of the modular floatation collar orthogonally at a right angle.

The invention will be more readily understood from the following description of the embodiments thereof given, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Referring to the drawings and first to <FIG>, a modular floatation collar <NUM> is shown. The floatation collar <NUM> may be used in aquaculture applications, for example, as part of an aquaculture pen system. The floatation collar <NUM> comprises a plurality of segments, for example, a first segment <NUM>, a second segment <NUM>, and a third segment <NUM>. The segments are each configured to be coupled to an adjacent segment either linearly along a common axis, as shown for the first segment <NUM> and the second segment <NUM>, or orthogonally at a right angle, as shown for the second segment <NUM> and the third segment <NUM>. This allows for the construction of a floatation collars of various sizes and configurations. In this example, the floatation collar is coupled to a net <NUM> with weights, for example weight <NUM>, as part of an aquaculture pen system.

The segments are substantially the same in structure and function. Accordingly, only the first segment <NUM> is described in detail herein with the understanding that the other segments have substantially the same structure and function in substantially the same manner. The first segment <NUM> is shown in greater detail in <FIG>. The first segment <NUM> is generally includes a frame <NUM> which has a plurality of recessed compartments <NUM> and <NUM> which are covered by corresponding decking <NUM> and <NUM> mounted on the frame. The recessed compartments <NUM> and <NUM> allow for piping <NUM> and <NUM> as well as other equipment to be disposed in a work-safe and continuous manner to meet various aquaculture pen system configurations and equipment needs. The decking <NUM> and <NUM> is removable, and preferably lightweight, to allow access to the recessed compartments <NUM> and <NUM>. This allows for easier cleaning and maintenance of the modular floatation collar <NUM> in the field.

There are rigging hardpoints disposed along a centerline of the first segment <NUM>, for example rigging hard point <NUM>, which allow for weight directed deployment of a net (not shown) and adjustment of the net from the surface. The rigging hardpoints disposed along a centerline of the first segment <NUM> allow for internal centerline rigging to provide a more stable aquaculture pen system under a variety of loading conditions. The rigging hardpoints along a centerline of the first segment <NUM> also allow access for easier cleaning and maintenance of the net in the field. There are hardpoints disposed along a longitudinal edge of the segment, for example hardpoint <NUM> and hardpoint <NUM>, which allow for the installation of rigging, supports, and other accessories. For example, a railing <NUM> is installed at hardpoint <NUM> and a support post <NUM> is installed at hardpoint <NUM>. This mitigates against jury-rigged installations.

Each end of the first segment <NUM> is provided with a respective one of universal connectors <NUM> and <NUM>. Each side of the first segment <NUM> is also provided with a respective one of the universal connectors <NUM> and <NUM>. The universal connectors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are substantially the same in structure and function. Accordingly, only one of the universal connectors <NUM> is described in detail herein with the understanding that the other ones of the universal connectors <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> have substantially the same structure and function in substantially the same manner. The universal connector <NUM> is shown in greater detail in <FIG>. The universal connector <NUM>, in this example, includes a pair of clevises <NUM> and <NUM>, together with corresponding pins <NUM> and <NUM>, and a pair of tangs <NUM> and <NUM>. The clevises <NUM> and <NUM> are received by corresponding tangs at an end of an adjacent segment when the segments are connected linearly along a common axis. The tangs <NUM> and <NUM> are received by corresponding clevises at an end of an adjacent segment when the segments are connected linearly along a common axis. The clevises <NUM> and <NUM> are received by corresponding tangs at a side of an adjacent segment when the segments are connected orthogonally at a right angle. The tangs <NUM> and <NUM> are received by corresponding clevises at a side of an adjacent segment when the segments are connected orthogonally at a right angle.

Referring back to <FIG>, the first segment <NUM> mounted on a continuous floatation unit <NUM> which, in this example, is a pair of spaced-apart, parallel lengths of pipe <NUM> and <NUM> which extend between adjacent segments. The lengths of pipe <NUM> and <NUM> may be high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe, medium density polyethylene (MDPE) pipe, or pipe formed of any other suitable material with rigid and flexible properties. Referring now to <FIG>, as shown for the first segment <NUM> and the second segment <NUM>, the segments are each mounted on the continuous floatation unit <NUM> and the continuous floatation unit <NUM> extends between adjacent ones of the segments. The continuous floatation unit <NUM> is sufficiently rigid that it will support the weight of a person <NUM>, without flexing, when the person <NUM> walks along the floatation collar <NUM>. This restricts the segments from becoming offset when the person <NUM> steps from a segment to an adjacent segment.

However, the continuous floatation unit <NUM> may also flex under heavy loads as shown in <FIG>. The continuous floatation unit <NUM> thereby decreases the amplitude of impact from wave action and dampen the movement across connections between adjacent segments. The continuous floatation unit <NUM> also secure an edge-free barrier to the net and other components such as weighting.

Claim 1:
A modular floatation collar (<NUM>) for aquaculture applications, the modular floatation collar comprising:
a first segment (<NUM>) of the modular floatation collar comprising a frame (<NUM>) having a recessed compartment (<NUM>, <NUM>) and further comprising a removable decking (<NUM>, <NUM>) covering the recessed compartment;
a second segment (<NUM>) of the modular floatation collar comprising a frame and further comprising a removable decking covering the recessed compartment;
a floatation unit (<NUM>); and
a pivotal connection (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) between said segments around a horizontal pivoting axis, each end of each said segment is provided with a respective one of universal connectors forming said pivotal connection and each side of each said segment is provided with a respective one of the universal connectors to allow the segment to be connected to an adjacent segment either linearly along a common axis or orthogonally at a right angle; characterized in that
the first segment of the modular floatation collar and the second segment of the modular floatation collar are both mounted on the floatation unit, and
the floatation unit extends between the first segment of the modular floatation collar and the second segment of the modular floatation collar.