DESCRIPTION

The present patent concerns the devices for cleaning rivers, and more specifically it concerns a new system for cleaning rivers and waterways in general.

The problems related to plastic pollution, particularly of the seas, are presently well known and particularly relevant.

In fact, plastic is a long-lasting synthetic product that degrades completely only after hundreds of years and, as a result, huge amounts of plastic are accumulating in the seas, where it is disseminated by wind or urban drains and above all by rivers and watercourses that flow into the sea.

Tests and analyses carried out on rivers and waterways that flow into the sea have shown that they are the main conveyors of plastic materials into the sea. In fact, it has been determined that about 80% of the plastic that ends up in the sea comes from rivers.

Initially plastic waste is in the form of bottles, caps, detergent bottles, food packaging and packaging in general. When it enters the sea, plastic waste is dispersed and becomes practically impossible to collect and recover. Furthermore, in seawater, plastic degrades, and plastic waste breaks up into ever smaller fragments which end up being ingested by marine fauna, often causing poisoning or even suffocation, and thus entering our food chain.

It is therefore increasingly necessary to clean the rivers and watercourses that flow into the sea to reduce the environmental impact of plastic materials and their derivatives.

The solutions currently applied to address these problems involve the use of personnel who, with the aid of boats and nets, manually collect such waste, with the consequent costs.

Another solution currently adopted consists in carrying out the cleaning operations after blocking the circulation of boats, thereby causing obvious inconveniences.

One drawback of this type of procedure lies in that it disturbs the ecosystem and in particular fish and marine fauna, birds, as well as the flora, since cleaning the river may also damage the seabed and coasts, while uprooting or damaging aquatic plants.

Systems for cleaning rivers and watercourses in general based on fixed small draught nets are already known in the art. These nets are designed in such a way that they are anchored to both banks of the river and remain in their operating position even for long periods of time and during the rainy season. However, during the installation of said nets the regular circulation of boats is prevented.

The prior art also includes the use of floating dams consisting of floating arms making up a sort of dam and suited to stop the waste carried by the currents and floating on the surface. Even this system prevents the free circulation of boats and moreover collects also organic materials such as reeds and small trunks, which rest on the dam and mix with plastic, thus forming a large accumulation of waste. This accumulation must be removed periodically, which requires regular removal operations and consequently considerable amounts of money and time.

It is also well known that oil-based pollutants, lighter than water and discharged, for example, from drains or boats, float on the surface of watercourses.

The accumulation of said floating substances on the water surface hinders the natural exchange of oxygen that normally occurs between a mass of water and the atmosphere, consequently impoverishing the quality of the water, particularly still water, to the detriment of aquatic fauna and flora.

The presence of said substances, floating oils and liquid pollutants, limits or in any case affects in some way the passage of sunlight, with the consequent harmful effects on aquatic flora and fauna.

A solution currently adopted consists in carrying out the removal of floating oils and liquid pollutants by means of individual devices which, however, are effective only in the vicinity of the site where they are installed. For this reason, said devices must be moved continuously and, in any case, they cannot be effectively used in watercourses where the current would quickly drag away part of the floating substances, further reducing the effectiveness of the cleaning operations.

Some known devices comprise a structure that is arranged crosswise with respect to the watercourse, wherein the structure comprises a belt configured to form a loop and equipped with grids. The sliding of the belt results in the movement of the grids, which intercept and push the floating waste towards one side of the watercourse, where it is accumulated and removed.

Structures are also known which, instead of the belt, have a screw whose rotation drags the waste towards one side of the watercourse, where it is accumulated and removed.

Documents CN112176965A, CN214033632U and CN110984096A describe movable barriers for intercepting and capturing the waste transported by a watercourse, wherein such barriers are not equipped with rotating elements that can move the waste, for example towards a collection point. As a result, the waste accumulates on the barrier itself and therefore periodic and frequent barrier cleaning operations are necessary.

Document CN214143610U describes a V-shaped barrier that forms a sort of chute for the waste transported by a watercourse. The chute conveys the intercepted waste towards a pair of sliding belts, arranged so that they rotate on shafts oriented horizontally and equipped with blades that load the waste onto the belt and transport it to a collection point. Therefore, such a system practically comprises a fixed barrier placed in the watercourse, which cannot be removed from the watercourse itself to enable, for example, the passage of boats.

Document CN112323745A describes a device suited to be positioned in a watercourse and equipped with two impellers with vertical axis, the rotation of which takes place due to the thrusting action exerted by the water. One of the blades of the impeller is made of metallic material and interacts with a magnet constrained to a barrier. Therefore, the rotation of the impeller results in an alternating displacement of said magnet and consequently of said barrier which, when it emerges from the device, captures the passing waste and, when it returns into the device, deposits said waste in a collection tank. The device is therefore able to capture only the waste passing in its vicinity and can deposit the waste only inside its tank, thus requiring periodic and frequent operations for emptying the tank in question. In addition, the impellers are inserted into a groove made on the device, inside which the waste can accumulate, thus preventing the proper rotation of the impeller itself and therefore the efficient operation of the device.

Document CN212270875U describes a barrier made up of two rotary vertical columns which are set rotating by electric motors and whose rotation drives a belt equipped with blades that intercept the waste and move it towards a collection point. In order to operate effectively, said barrier needs to be continuously powered so as to ensure that the columns rotate, while it does not exploit the motion of water in any way.

Various types of barriers are also known which are installed crosswise on the watercourse in a fixed and non-removable manner and are suited to substantially serve as dams equipped with deflector devices having the function of conveying the floating waste towards a collection point. Obviously, these barriers are completely unsuitable for installation on waterways traversed by boats.

The patent applicant is also the holder of a patent concerning a system for cleaning rivers and watercourses in general, which is referred to herein.

The subject of the present patent is a new improved system for cleaning rivers and watercourses in general.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a system that ensures the proper positioning along the water course of the floating or non-floating modules designed to free the water from waste.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a system that ensures that the floating or non-floating modules follow the movement of the water surface, adapting to waves or tidal movements, while at the same time remaining correctly positioned, substantially aligned along a line that is transversal with respect to the watercourse, for example along a straight line. Another object of the present invention is to provide a system that makes it possible to move said floating or non-floating modules quickly and in an orderly manner, for example to allow the passage of boats or in case of exceptional floods, and to subsequently allow the modules to be rapidly repositioned.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system that reduces the risk of waste becoming entangled in the modules.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system that facilitates the cleaning of the modules.

These and other direct and complementary objects are achieved by the new improved system for cleaning rivers and watercourses in general, comprising as its main parts a plurality of floating or non-floating modules however constrained to one another, in a continuous or non-continuous manner, in such a way that they are substantially aligned along at least one main direction, and wherein each of said modules comprises a body which in turn can be floating or non-floating, and one or more blades constrained to said body in any way. Said blades are configured so that, when subjected to the thrusting action exerted by the water, they cause the rotation of said module or part of it around an axis intended to be substantially orthogonal to the surface of the water, when the module is correctly placed in the water. The expression "substantially orthogonal" is understood to mean that the axis of rotation forms an angle included, for example, between 45° and 90° with the free surface of the water.

According to the invention, between one module and the next module there is no element, fixed or movable, which prevents the regular passage of water. Said modules are, for example, of the type described in the patent application W02020/049379 filed by the current applicant.

Furthermore, according to the invention, each of said modules, floating or non-floating, can also comprise means for removing the oils or hydrocarbons or floating substances present on the water, wherein said means are, for example, pads or parts made of a material capable of absorbing said substances or compartments configured so as to collect said substances inside them. The collected substances can then be removed, for example by removing and replacing said absorbent pads, or said compartments can be periodically emptied, for example with the help of suction means communicating with the inside of said compartments.

Said blades of each of said modules preferably rotate due to the thrusting action exerted by the water current, causing the consequent rotation of said modules. When rotating, the modules or part of them move the intercepted waste in the direction determined by the direction of rotation, thus pushing it towards the adjacent module. Thus, aligning two or more modules according to at least one direction that is generally transversal with respect to the watercourse, and in general to the direction of the water flow, actually makes the waste move along said direction.

Preferably but not necessarily, the system is also provided with an accumulation point, where the waste is pushed in succession by the various modules and from where it can be removed periodically. For example, said accumulation point can be on a bank of the watercourse.

As noted, said modules are constrained in such a way that they are substantially aligned along at least one main direction, by means of constraint means.

Such constraint means can be one or more beams or rigid elements and/or one or more non-rigid elements, such as chains or ropes or straps or the like.

In the preferred embodiment, said constraint means must guarantee a minimum distance between each of said modules and the nearest module.

Therefore, not only said floating or non-floating modules can be kept aligned along said at least one main direction, but they are also kept at the correct distance from each other, optimizing the barrier effect against waste, and in particular against floating waste.

Furthermore, said floating or non-floating modules are positioned in such a way that they do not touch each other, thereby reducing the risk of the modules being damaged as a consequence of impacts between them due, for example, to waves or floating waste.

In a possible embodiment, the system comprises at least one beam, that is, a rigid element substantially extending along a longitudinal direction, and wherein two or more of said modules are in any case constrained to said at least one beam, so that they are substantially aligned and also correctly spaced from each other.

In a possible embodiment, when said modules are floating, that is, placed on the watercourse and floating on it, and said beam is positioned so that it is substantially resting on said floating modules, said beam is actually supported by said floating modules.

Consequently, said floating modules are sized in such a way that they can float while at the same time supporting a certain weight which is calculated as a function of the weight of the beam. According to the invention, said beam can also be configured so that it can be walked on, and in this case said floating modules are conveniently sized so that they are able to support a weight greater than just the beam.

The system can comprise several of said beams, wherein said two or more beams can be rigidly constrained to each other, aligned or forming an angle between them, or can be hinged or otherwise constrained to each other, directly or indirectly, so that relative movements between them are allowed. For example, it is possible that said two or more beams can be rotated with respect to each other, for example in order to move them and allow the passage of boats.

According to the invention, said displacement of one or more of said beams can also take place on a plane substantially parallel to the surface of the water and/or on a plane orthogonal to the surface of the water, for example in order to lift the beams and therefore the modules from the water, or to submerge the beams, and therefore the modules.

According to the invention, said modules can also be constrained to said one or more beams using means which allow the distance between the modules and the beam to vary.

The system preferably comprises also anchoring means which are used to anchor said constraint means of the modules, whether they are beams or ropes, to a fixed or mobile point, for example in proximity to or at the level of a bank of a watercourse.

In the preferred embodiment, said anchoring means allow relative movements between said at least one beam or rope and the fixed or movable anchorage point. For example, said anchoring means allow at least one vertical translation of one end of the beam/rope in order to enable the lifting/lowering and/or the variation of inclination of the beam/rope according, for example, to the height of the surface of the water or to lift/lower the beam/rope in order to carry out cleaning and/or maintenance operations and/or to free the watercourse, for example when boats need to pass.

According to the invention, furthermore, said anchoring means can preferably allow a rotational motion of said beam/rope on a substantially horizontal plane, that is, on the waterline. This motion is particularly useful to free the waterway, for example to allow the free passage of boats or in the case of exceptional floods, or other events.

According to a possible embodiment, particularly suitable for watercourses that have a limited width and/or where boats rarely or never navigate, the system can comprise a single beam installed crosswise with respect to the watercourse, wherein both ends of said at least one beam are constrained to respective anchoring means located on the banks of the watercourse.

Alternatively, instead of a rigid element such as the beam, a rope or cable or chain or, in any case, a non-rigid element kept more or less taut between the two sides of the watercourse can be used.

According to the invention, the system can also comprise two or more of said mutually aligned adjacent beams/ropes.

For example, the system can comprise two beams, each directly or indirectly constrained to a bank of the watercourse with one of its ends and to the other beam with the opposite end.

Said two or more beams/ropes are preferably constrained to each other in such a way as to allow a certain margin of relative movement between them, so that each of the beams/ropes, and therefore the modules constrained to them, can respond to any stresses resulting from waves.

One or more of said constraints between said beams/ropes is/are also preferably detachable, that is, one or more beams/ropes can be selectively disconnected from each other and moved, for example in order to allow the passage of a boat or in order to manage floods or other events.

As noted, according to the invention, the system can also be equipped with means suited to rotate said at least one beam/rope substantially around its anchorage point on the bank. For example, said means can comprise a roll-up rope, the winding of which causes the rotation of the beam, preferably in the opposite direction with respect to the direction of the current, so that it is possible to subsequently let the beam return to the position in which it lies crosswise with respect to the watercourse simply by releasing it, thanks to the thrusting action exerted by the current.

Said at least one beam/rope can, as already mentioned, also be lifted with respect to the surface of the water, consequently also lifting said floating or non-floating modules which are constrained to the beam itself. This operation is particularly useful, for example, to allow the passage of small boats under the modules or to carry out scheduled and extraordinary cleaning operations on the floating or non-floating modules without requiring the operator to work underwater.

According to the invention, said modules can also be configured in such a way that they can be submerged, also in this case in order to free the waterway thus allowing the passage of boats. Hybrid solutions may also be implemented, that is, embodiments where the different solutions described above can be combined together in the same system.

According to the invention, moreover, one or more of said floating or nonfloating modules can be equipped with sensors capable of detecting whether or not said blades of the modules rotate. If they do not rotate, in fact, it is likely that there is/are waste or branches that prevents/prevent rotation. Therefore, in the event that one or more sensors detect the absence of rotation, it will be possible to intervene immediately in order to clean and free the blocked module.

Said one or more modules can also be provided with sensors suited to detect the position of the modules themselves, for example with respect to the other modules and/or to one or more reference points. These indications of the position can therefore be useful for detecting any problems related to the positioning of the modules themselves. Consequently, it may therefore be decided to proceed with appropriate maintenance activities.

According to the invention, the new system can also comprise means for recovering the mechanical energy produced by the rotation of the blades of the modules, which is induced by the thrusting action exerted by the water current, for instance transforming said mechanical energy into electrical energy.

For example, one or more dynamos or other similar devices can be mounted on said at least one beam/rope, preferably placed outside the water, and connected to one or more of said modules, for example mounted between the modules and the beam/rope. Said devices are configured and sized to always ensure, in any case, a minimum rotation of the blades of the modules.

The energy generated can be accumulated and reused, for example, for the cleaning operations on the modules, for example to cause the modules to rotate in the opposite direction with respect to their normal rotation, in order to untangle any waste or debris caught in the blades, and/or to lift the beam, and/or for other purposes.

In the event that the modules are not floating, the system can comprise means suited to support said modules at the desired height with respect to the surface of the water.

The characteristics of the new system are better clarified by the following description with reference to the drawings that are attached hereto by way of non-limiting example.

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of the new system (100) in the embodiment with a single beam.

The new system (100) is particularly but not exclusively intended to be installed on a watercourse (F) and comprises at least one beam (10), preferably rectilinear or in any case mainly extending in a main direction.

Floating or non-floating modules (20) are constrained to the underside of the beam (10).

Said floating or non-floating modules (20) are therefore all substantially aligned along the longitudinal direction (X) defined by the beam (10) and are spaced from each other to such an extent that they do not touch each other during the normal operation of the system.

Said modules (20) are, for example but not exclusively, of the type described in the prior patents and patent applications filed by the same applicant.

Each module (20), for example, can comprise a floating or non-floating body

(21) and one or more blades (22) mounted on said body (21).

Said blades (22) are intended to be subjected to the thrusting action (W) exerted by the water and consequently to set said module (20) rotating around an axis (Z) intended to be substantially orthogonal to the surface of the water or in any case forming an angle between 45° and 90° with the surface of the water.

Said blades (22), for example, are distributed along a circumference.

Said body (21) and said blades (22) of the module (20) are configured so that, when the module (20) is floating or is partially immersed in water, said blades

(22) are preferably but not necessarily at the height of the surface of the water. The rotation of the blades (22), which takes place preferably and at least due to the thrusting action (W) exerted by the water, causes the module (20) to hit the floating waste while rotating, and to push the waste laterally, that is, towards the nearby module, and gradually towards a bank (F2) of the watercourse, where the system preferably has at least one point (30) for the collection of the waste.

Said beam (10) is intended to be positioned in a direction (X) generically transverse to the direction (Y) of the watercourse (F). In particular, said beam (10) is oriented in such a way as to form an angle (A) greater than 0° with respect to the direction (Y) of the watercourse (F) and smaller than 90°. Preferably, said angle (A) is included between 0° and 70° and more preferably is equal to 35°. With this specific inclination, in fact, it is possible to separate the modules (20) so that it is unlikely that the floating waste can pass between one module and the other without being hit by the blades (22) of one of them. Said modules (20) are thus aligned along said beam (10), which rests on the modules (20) themselves. According to the invention, however, said beam (10) can be constrained behind or at the sides of the modules (20), without changing the innovative concept introduced herein.

At least one end (11) of said beam (10) is constrained with anchoring means (40) to an anchorage point (50) located on or in proximity to a bank (Fl) of the watercourse (F). The same inventive concept applies even if said anchoring means (40) constrain the beam (10) to any other point, which can be fixed but also movable, for example on board a vessel or the like.

In the embodiment shown in the figure, both the opposite ends (11, 12) are constrained with anchoring means (40) to corresponding anchorage points (50) located on the two opposite banks (Fl, F2) of the watercourse (F).

In the preferred embodiment, said anchoring means (40) comprise, for example, ropes that allow relative movements between said beam (10) and said anchorage points (50).

In particular, it is preferable to permit the translation of the end (11, 12) of the beam (10) in the vertical direction Z.

This movement is allowed both to ensure that the beam (10) can be raised/lowered according to the variation in the height of the surface of the water, for example due to waves or tides, and to ensure that it can be raised with respect to the surface of the water to carry out cleaning operations on the modules (20) or to allow the passage of small boats under the beam (10) itself. According to the invention, the beam (10) can also be lowered under the surface of the watercourse, in order to submerge the modules (20) and allow the passage of the boats over them.

Preferably, said anchoring means (40) of at least one end (11, 12) can also allow a rotational movement of said beam (10) on a substantially horizontal plane, that is, on the waterline, around said anchorage point (50).

Obviously, according to the invention, to enable the rotation of the beam (10), the anchoring means (40) of at least one end (11, 12) of the beam (10) can be released to allow the beam (10) to rotate around the anchorage point (50) of the opposite end (12, 11).

The system (100) can also be provided with means suited to rotate said at least one beam (10) preferably countercurrent, so that it is possible to subsequently let the beam (10) return to the transverse position with respect to the watercourse (F) by simply releasing it, thanks to the thrusting action (W) exerted by the water current.

In any case, the beam (10) can be rotated in the same direction as that of the water current.

To rotate the beam (10), it is possible to use ropes or chains anchored on one side to the free end of the beam (10) and on the opposite side to a fixed or movable point.

Figure 2 shows how, according to the invention, the system (100’) may comprise two or more of said beams (10, 10’) constrained to each other, and to each of which one or more of said modules (20) is/are constrained.

As shown in Figure 3, said beams (10, 10’) are hinged together in such a way that the second beam (10’) can be rotated upwards with respect to the first beam (10).

Figure 4 shows how also the first beam (10) can be rotated upwards, in order to completely lift the entire row of modules (20).

Figure 5 shows how, in contrast, a row of modules (20), constrained to one or more beams (10, 10’), can be rotated parallel to the surface of the water, until it reaches a position in proximity to a bank (F2) of the watercourse.

According to the invention, the system can also comprise two or more of said beams (10, 10”), releasable or not constrained to each other, so that each of them can be moved separately and in a way that is dependent or not dependent on the others.

Said one or more beams (10, 10”) may not be all aligned with each other. For example, they can form the shape of a “V”, as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 7 shows how said one or more beams (10, 10’) can be constrained so that at least one of their ends (11, 12) can translate in the vertical direction (Z), for example along uprights (80) arranged vertically. Said uprights (80) can, for example, be configured as slide guides, on which sliders (81) that are integral with said beams (10, 10’) slide.

According to the invention, the system can also comprise one or more of said beams (10), which can be movable or not, combined with one or more modules not constrained to the beams but to other anchoring means independent from the beams themselves such as, for example, cables anchored to the bottom of the watercourse or to other fixed or movable points. Said modules can, for example, be anchored by means of roll-up cables, which allow the modules to be moved if and when necessary, lifted or submerged.

Figure 8 shows the above mentioned combined embodiment, in which, for example, the system (100”) comprises: a first section (210) consisting of a plurality of modules (20) constrained to and aligned along one or more beams (10, 10’), said first section (210) being, for example, constrained to a bank (Fl) of the watercourse; a second section (220) consisting of a plurality of modules (20) constrained to and aligned along one or more beams (10, 10’), said second section (220) being, for example, constrained to the opposite bank (F2) of the watercourse; a third central section (230) consisting of a plurality of modules (20), constrained by means of cables (70) that enable the modules (20) themselves to move, preferably independently of each other, within a certain area on the surface of the watercourse.

As noted, instead of being constrained to and aligned along the one or more beams (10), said modules (20) can be constrained to and aligned along one or more ropes or belts, for example anchored between the two banks of the watercourse, or elsewhere, and wherein the anchorage points can be movable, for example translating vertically, to compensate for the changes in the water level or to lift/ submerge the modules themselves.

This solution is particularly effective when the watercourse is very wide, since on the one hand it guarantees the correct distance between the modules during the operating phase and on the other hand it reduces the overall weight of the structure.

According to the invention, one or more of said modules (20) can also be provided with blades (22) that rotate because they are driven not only by the thrusting action of the water current, but also due to the action of devices such as motors or the like.

Conversely, as already explained, one or more of said modules (20) can be connected to devices that transform the kinetic energy of the modules, produced by the rotation of the blades (22), into electrical energy which can be used for different purposes.

In a possible embodiment, shown in Figures 9 and 10, all or part of said modules (20) are connected to each other by means of belts, chains or straps (60) so that the rotation of the blades (22) or of the module (20) in general makes the belt (60) slide.

Said belt can in turn be connected to a device suited to accumulate the electrical energy produced by the motion of the belt. In this way, it is possible to produce energy that can be used, for example, to lift the modules in case of high waters, to allow the self-cleaning of the modules, or to set the modules rotating if the speed of the water flow is low or too low to make the blades rotate.

Said belt (60) is useful, for example, to synchronize the movement of said modules (20).

Thus, according to the embodiments described above, all or part of the modules (20) belonging to the system can be moved on the watercourse, at least within a limited range of action, in order to selectively allow the passage of boats or large floating bodies.

Therefore, with reference to the preceding description and the attached drawings, the following claims are made.