System for cleaning rivers and waterways in general

Abstract

A system for cleaning rivers and waterways in general includes a plurality of floating or non-floating modules configured to rotate at least due to the effect of the thrusting action exerted by the water, and constraining elements configured to constrain two or more of the modules to be substantially aligned with one another along at least one main direction. The constraining elements are configured to ensure that a minimum clearance is provided between each module and an adjacent module, so that the modules do not come in contact with each other during their normal operation, and so that each module, due to its own rotation, pushes waste toward an adjacent module.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system ( 100 ) for cleaning rivers and waterways (F), comprising:
 a plurality of floating or non-floating modules ( 20 ),   wherein each module ( 20 ) comprises a floating or non-floating body ( 21 ) and one or more blades ( 22 ) directly or indirectly mounted on said body ( 21 ), and   wherein said module ( 20 ) is configured to rotate, due to a rotation of said one or more blades ( 22 ) caused at least by a thrusting force (W) exerted by water, around an axis (Z) that is substantially orthogonal to a surface of the water when the module ( 20 ) is positioned in the water, and   wherein said axis (Z), when substantially orthogonal to a waterline, forms an angle included between 45° and 90° with the waterline; and   constraining means ( 10 ) configured to constrain two or more of said modules ( 20 ) so that they are substantially aligned with one another along a main direction (X),   wherein said constraining means ( 10 ) are configured to ensure that a minimum clearance is provided between each of said modules ( 20 ) and an adjacent module, so that said modules ( 20 ) are not in contact with each other during their normal operation, and to further ensure that each of said modules ( 20 ), through its own rotation, pushes waste towards a module ( 20 ) adjacent thereto.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said constraining means comprise a beam ( 10 ) or rigid element having a shape that substantially develops according to said main direction (X). 
     
     
         3 . The system ( 100 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein said beam ( 10 ) or rigid element is positioned on said modules ( 20 ), and wherein said modules ( 20 ) are sized to float and support said beam ( 10 ). 
     
     
         4 . The system ( 100 ) according to  claim 3 , wherein said beam ( 10 ) is configured so that it can be walked on. 
     
     
         5 . The system ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more of said modules ( 20 ) comprise means for collecting and, if desired, removing oils, hydrocarbons, or floating pollutants present in the water. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein said constraining means comprise a non-rigid element. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein all or part of said modules ( 20 ) are connected to one another a strap, chain, or belt ( 60 ) in such a way that the rotation of the one or more blades ( 22 ) or of said module ( 20 ) causes a sliding movement of the strap, chain, or belt ( 60 ), and wherein said strap, chain, or belt ( 60 ) is connected to a device for storing electrical energy produced by a motion of the strap, chain, or belt ( 60 ). 
     
     
         8 . The system ( 100 ) according to  claim 6 , further comprising anchoring means ( 40 ) configured to constrain the beam ( 10 ) and/or non-rigid element to a fixed or movable anchorage point ( 50 ), and wherein said anchoring means ( 40 ) are configured to allow relative movements of said beam ( 10 ) and/or non-rigid element with respect to a respective anchorage point ( 50 ) at least in said axis (Z) and/or to allow a rotary motion of said beam ( 10 ) on a substantially horizontal plane corresponding to the waterline. 
     
     
         9 . The system ( 100 ) according to  claim 8 , wherein said anchoring means ( 40 ) are configured to allow the rotary motion of said beam ( 10 ) on a substantially vertical plane, orthogonally to the waterline. 
     
     
         10 . The system ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein there is a plurality of adjacent beams ( 10 ) directly or indirectly constrained to one another by constraining means permitting relative motions between the plurality of beams ( 10 ). 
     
     
         11 . The system ( 100 ) according to  claim 10 , wherein said constraining means for said plurality of adjacent beams ( 10 ) are releasable. 
     
     
         12 . The system ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more of said plurality of modules ( 20 ) comprise one or more sensors configured to detect the rotation of said blades ( 22 ) and/or a position of one or more of said modules ( 10 ) with respect to other modules ( 20 ) and/or with respect to one or more reference points. 
     
     
         13 . The system ( 100 ) according to  claim 8 , wherein said constraining and anchoring means are configured to lift and/or sink one or more of said modules ( 20 ). 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising means that transform mechanical energy produced from a rotation of the blades ( 22 ) into electrical energy, and optionally one or more electrical energy accumulators. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises:
 one or more beams ( 10 ), to which one or more of said modules ( 20 ) are constrained,   wherein one or more of the modules ( 20 ) are not constrained to said beams ( 10 ) but to other anchoring means independent of the one or more beams ( 10 ).   
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more of said modules ( 20 ) are directly or indirectly constrained to an anchorage point with roll-up cables. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said modules ( 20 ) are constrained with one or more ropes or straps to anchorage points, and wherein the anchorage points are movable to compensate for changes in water level or to lift/sink the modules.