ARTIFICIAL REEF MODULE FOR CORAL REEF REMEDIATION
First Claim
1. An artificial reef module for coral reef remediation comprising:
- a central body having an upper settling plate with an upper surface and a lower surface, a middle settling plate with an upper surface and a lower surface, and a lower settling plate with an upper surface and a lower surface;
a plurality of supporting tines extending at a first angle from said upper surface of said upper settling plate and from said lower surface of said lower settling plate, each said supporting tine having a tip and a base;
a plurality of stabilizing tines extending at a second angle from said upper surface of said upper settling plate and from said lower surface of said lower settling plate, each said stabilizing tine having a tip and a base; and
a plurality of space filling tines extending radially outward from said middle settling plate, each said space filling tine having a tip and a base.
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Abstract
The artificial reef module for coral reef remediation of the present invention includes a central body having an upper settling plate, a middle settling plate, and a lower settling plate. Extending from the central body is a plurality of primary tines which further include a plurality of secondary tines extending from them. The primary tines include the supporting tines, the stabilizing tines, and the space filling tines. The branching of the tines closely replicates the appearance of natural branching coral. Over time the individual artificial reef modules for coral reef remediation would slowly degrade and allow the tines to break off. This degradation closely approximates the fragmentation that occurs with natural branching coral.
6 Citations
36 Claims
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1. An artificial reef module for coral reef remediation comprising:
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a central body having an upper settling plate with an upper surface and a lower surface, a middle settling plate with an upper surface and a lower surface, and a lower settling plate with an upper surface and a lower surface;
a plurality of supporting tines extending at a first angle from said upper surface of said upper settling plate and from said lower surface of said lower settling plate, each said supporting tine having a tip and a base;
a plurality of stabilizing tines extending at a second angle from said upper surface of said upper settling plate and from said lower surface of said lower settling plate, each said stabilizing tine having a tip and a base; and
a plurality of space filling tines extending radially outward from said middle settling plate, each said space filling tine having a tip and a base. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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18. An artificial reef comprising:
a plurality of artificial reef modules for coral reef remediation deployed underwater in a close-packed array.
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27. A method for building an artificial reef comprising the steps of:
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molding a plurality of identical artificial reef module subcomponents by injecting a liquefied ceramic mixture into two-piece molds, each said artificial reef module subcomponent having a plurality of primary tines and secondary tines;
transporting said artificial reef module subcomponents to an area where coral reef remediation is necessary;
assembling a plurality of artificial reef modules for coral reef remediation from said artificial reef module subcomponents, each said artificial reef module for coral reef remediation comprising six said artificial reef module subcomponents; and
deploying said artificial reef modules for coral reef remediation underwater in a close-packed array such that said primary tines and said secondary tines of said artificial reef modules for coral reef remediation intertwine and create a myriad of intersticial spaces well suited for sheltering the small reef fish important to the growth of natural hard corals.
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29. An artificial reef module for coral reef remediation, comprising:
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a central body; and
a plurality of supporting tines extending from said central body.
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Specification