Inventors:
Matthew D. Campbell - Austin TX, US
Robert L. Beine - Baton Rouge LA, US
Steven G. Hall - Baton Rouge LA, US
Assignee:
ORA Technologies, LLC - Baton Rouge LA
International Classification:
E02B 3/04, A01K 61/00
US Classification:
405 30, 405 21, 405 25, 119221, 119234, 119238
Abstract:
An apparatus and method of reducing the effects of hydrodynamic forces of waves and water currents in coastal environments (e. g. , oceans, and coastal, river, lake, and reservoir banks). The apparatus is an oysterbreak having two basic designs adapted to allow for the attachment of oysters and other bio-fouling marine organisms, using the least amount of material. In one embodiment, the oysterbreak comprises a support structure and plurality of slats (i. e. , relatively planar sections or surfaces) having growth layers made from tubing coated with a material capable of inducing aquatic sessile organism attachment and growth. In another embodiment, the oysterbreak comprises a plurality (e. g. , two, three, four, five, six, etc. ) of growth layers of regular polygonal-shaped members made from a material capable of inducing aquatic sessile organism attachment and growth that when stacked, form a relatively portable, breakwater module.