Specialized shellfish farming equipment

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shellfish aquaculture device, comprising: a tank in which seawater or liquid feed is stored; a supply pipe that supplies seawater or liquid feed pumped from the tank by a pump along a plurality of rearing tanks; a spray pipe branching from the supply pipe to each of the rearing tanks; a flow control valve installed in each of the spray pipes, divided into a plurality of groups by a set amount, and controlling the flow rate of the spray pipes for each group; and a controller that controls the operation of the flow control valves and the pumps; wherein the flow control valves are driven for each group.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aquaculture device, and more specifically to an aquaculture device dedicated to raising shellfish such as clams or abalone. Background Technology

[0002] Recently, some shellfish and diatoms used as feed for shellfish have become farmable and are being sold after being reared. In particular, in the case of abalone, long rearing tanks are configured with approximately 20 to 30 units per line, and juvenile abalone are reared in rectangular tanks about 1.2 meters high. These rearing tanks are supplied with seawater through pipes that are pumped by a pump, feed is supplied by workers, and the tanks are periodically cleaned by spraying seawater. During this process, workers walk along the walls between the rearing tanks. However, because the tank walls are slippery due to the seawater, falls by workers frequently occur.

[0003] Korean Registered Utility Model No. 20-0255206 (Kim Yong-deuk) relates to a structure for abalone farming, wherein the structure for abalone farming is equipped with a culture tank (10) for cultivating abalone seedlings and a rearing tank (20) for raising cultured abalone into adult abalone, wherein the culture tank (10) is connected to an inlet pipe (11) extended to a coastline or a separate reservoir (40) to receive new seawater, and the rearing tank (20) is connected to a drain pipe (15) of the culture tank (10) to receive and reuse water discharged from the culture tank (10), and the rearing tank (20) is equipped with an externally extended discharge pipe (25) to discharge the reused water to the outside.

[0004] This conventional technology has the advantage of reducing the supply of new seawater by half by reusing the water discharged from the culture tank (10) in the cultivation tank (20), thereby significantly reducing the power consumption for driving the pump (P) and the associated massive maintenance costs, and also reducing environmental pollution caused by the discharged water, but as mentioned above, the worker must perform the feed supply or cleaning work one by one.

[0005] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2019-0086095 (Petition) relates to a cleaning device for an abalone aquaculture tank, wherein the cleaning device is for cleaning foreign substances on the bottom and walls of a tank formed to a predetermined depth by moving over the tank having a bottom surface and walls and spraying cleaning water. The cleaning device comprises: an extendable bellows (100) having one end fixed to one side of the tank (T) and the other end foldable to move along the top of the tank wall; foldable arms (200) foldably provided on both sides of the other end of the extendable bellows (100); and a cleaning water nozzle (300) attached to the foldable arms (200) to spray cleaning water onto the bottom and walls of the tank (T).

[0006] This other conventional technology provides a useful effect that maximizes the efficiency of the cleaning operation, as the entire floor and wall surface inside the tank can be cleaned without missing any spots, and the cleaning operation can be performed by operating the actuators of the main and auxiliary carts via wired or wireless means without a worker being placed inside the tank, and two tanks can be cleaned simultaneously.

[0007] However, this other conventional technology requires installing an expandable bellows for cleaning operations that simply spray seawater or freshwater inside the breeding tank, configuring the expandable bellows to move on a trolley, and piping the connecting pipe that supplies cleaning water to the cleaning water nozzle to move along the trolley, so the installation cost is excessive. Prior art literature

[0008] Republic of Korea Registered Utility Model No. 20-0255206 (Kim Yong-deuk) Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2019-0086095 (Cheongwon) The problem to be solved

[0009] The present invention was created to solve the aforementioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a specialized aquaculture device for shellfish capable of automatically supplying liquid feed to a rearing tank by spraying the feed in liquid form, or automatically spraying washing water into the rearing tank.

[0010] In particular, the purpose is to provide a shellfish-specific aquaculture device in which a group controller that provides a control signal for each group is provided in a quantity corresponding to each group of valves that operate for spraying liquid feed or washing water, so that the control signal of the valve can be applied to each group separately.

[0011] Another objective is to provide a specialized aquaculture device for shellfish that allows seawater to be supplied to all rearing tanks even if the supply volume of seawater or the number of pumps is limited compared to the volume of rearing tanks, by enabling group controllers to be operated or managed individually according to the operating time of each group, and furthermore, by minimizing the number of connecting lines connected to valves.

[0012] In addition, another objective is to provide a specialized aquaculture device for shellfish that can supply liquid feed or wash water to the rearing tanks in a circulating manner according to a schedule.

[0013] In addition, another objective is to provide a specialized aquaculture device for shellfish that allows for the management of the rearing environment by monitoring various conditions within the rearing tank, and furthermore, enables the operation of multiple pumps in a circulating manner. means of solving the problem

[0014] A shellfish-specific aquaculture device of the present invention for achieving the aforementioned purpose comprises: at least one tank in which seawater or liquid feed is stored; at least one pump for pumping seawater or liquid feed from the tank; a supply pipe for supplying seawater or liquid feed pumped from the pump along a plurality of rearing tanks; a plurality of spray pipes branching from the supply pipe to each of the rearing tanks and having spray nozzles installed along the longitudinal direction to spray seawater or liquid feed from the supply pipe into each of the rearing tanks; a flow control valve installed in each of the spray pipes and configured in a plurality, divided into a set amount and configured into a plurality of groups, thereby controlling the flow rate of the spray pipes by group; and a controller for controlling the operation of the flow control valve and the pump.

[0015] The controller comprises: a master that controls the operation of the pump or controls the operation of the flow control valves by group by providing a drive signal for driving the pump or a group drive signal for driving the flow control valves according to a preset drive time; and a plurality of slabs configured in a quantity corresponding to the group of the flow control valves, electrically connected to the flow control valves of each group, and providing the group drive signal of the master to the corresponding group to control the driving of the flow control valves by group.

[0016] The above-mentioned tank consists of a collection tank for collecting seawater and a feed tank for storing liquid feed.

[0017] The above pump includes: a feeding pump that pumps and feeds liquid feed from the feed tank; and a seawater pump that pumps liquid feed supplied to the collection tank by the feeding pump, or liquid feed together with seawater from the collection tank, and supplies it to the supply pipe.

[0018] The above pump may further include a raw water supply pump that directly supplies seawater.

[0019] The above feed tank is characterized by supplying seawater for the production of the liquid feed through a water supply pipe that supplies seawater to the above rearing tank, and providing a liquid feed of salts and nutrients as powdered feed is introduced through a feed dispenser and mixed with seawater.

[0020] The above supply pipe includes a one-side supply pipe piped to one side of the water collection tank; and a other-side supply pipe piped to the other side of the water collection tank.

[0021] The above seawater pump includes: a seawater pump on one side connected to the one-side supply pipe; and a seawater pump on the other side connected to the other-side supply pipe.

[0022] The above supply pipe further includes: a connecting pipe connecting the one-side supply pipe and the other-side supply pipe; and a bypass valve that controls the flow rate of the connecting pipe to bypass it to either the one-side supply pipe or the other-side supply pipe.

[0023] The above water collection tank is characterized by being composed of at least one of the above breeding tanks.

[0024] The above master includes: an address storage unit in which the addresses of the slabs corresponding to each group of the flow control valves are stored for identifying the slabs; a driving time setting unit in which a pump driving time for driving the pump for pumping seawater or liquid feed in the tank, or a group driving time for driving the flow control valves configured in groups, is set; a timer for counting the driving time of the pump or the flow control valves set in the driving time setting unit; and a signal application unit for applying a pump driving signal or a group driving signal for driving the pump or the flow control valves according to the counting of the timer.

[0025] The above signal application unit is characterized by applying a pump driving signal to the pump to drive the pump according to the counting of the timer, or applying a group driving signal based on the address of the address storage unit to the slab of the group corresponding to the driving time of the driving time setting unit among the slabs to drive the flow control valves by group.

[0026] The above-mentioned driving time setting unit includes: a schedule storage unit storing a circulation schedule having a schedule for group-specific driving time and group-specific circulation driving time for driving the flow control valves in a circulating manner so that the driving of the flow control valves is circulated by group to supply seawater or liquid feed in a circulating manner to a plurality of breeding tanks; and a counting signal providing unit providing a counting signal to the timer so that the scheduling time of the circulation schedule stored in the schedule storage unit is counted.

[0027] The above slab is composed of a terminal box that applies driving power to the terminals of the flow control valves provided in each group of the flow control valves based on the group driving signal of the master.

[0028] The terminal box comprises: a connection terminal to which the terminal of the flow control valve provided in each group of the flow control valves is connected; and a switch that switches the connection terminal of the corresponding group among the connection terminals according to the group-specific driving signal of the master to interrupt the driving power of the flow control valve configured for each group.

[0029] The above master further includes: a measuring sensor for measuring the illuminance or temperature of the breeding tank; a breeding environment storage unit in which the set illuminance or set temperature of the breeding tank is stored; a comparison unit for comparing the set illuminance or set temperature of the breeding environment storage unit with the illuminance or temperature measured by the measuring sensor; and an alert for warning the comparison unit that the comparison value does not correspond to the set illuminance or set temperature. Effects of the invention

[0030] The present invention, as described above, can automatically and easily supply liquid feed of nutrients or seawater for washing to a number of rearing tanks, and accordingly, can easily feed or wash as needed.

[0031] In particular, flow control valves can be controlled and managed by group through slabs installed on the group-specific flow control valves, and since only the terminal wires of the flow control valves are wired to the slabs, the wiring of various unnecessary wires (e.g., power lines, signal lines, communication lines, etc.) can be omitted.

[0032] In addition, since the feed is supplied as liquid nutrients, it can be easily and evenly distributed by spraying through spray pipes and nozzles. Furthermore, because liquid feed or seawater is supplied in a circulating manner, it is possible to supply the feed even if any of the rearing tanks are used as a collection tank or feed tank, thereby reducing the manufacturing costs of the collection tank or feed tank.

[0033] In addition, if the supply pipes are configured in multiple ways and connected to a connecting pipe equipped with a bypass valve, liquid feed or seawater supplied to one of the supply pipes can be bypassed and supplied to another supply pipe.

[0034] In addition, since the addresses of the slabs are stored in the address storage unit, the driving signal can be accurately applied to each slab, and different driving signals can be applied to each group through the driving time setting unit and the timer.

[0035] In addition, when a circulation schedule is set, the operation of the components can be controlled according to the schedule, allowing for the easy supply of liquid feed or seawater in a circulating manner, and thereby improving the operational efficiency of the components.

[0036] Furthermore, since the slab is composed of a terminal box having connection terminals and a switch, the slab can be configured simply, and as mentioned above, the number of wires can be minimized.

[0037] Furthermore, since the aquaculture facility is operated based on the illuminance or temperature received in real time from the measurement sensor, the facility can be easily managed remotely. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0038] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shellfish aquaculture device according to the prior art; FIG. 2 is a side view of a rearing tank cleaning device according to another prior art; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a shellfish-dedicated aquaculture device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a hydraulic circuit diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the aquaculture device shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a plan view of the aquaculture device shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 6 is a plan view of a farming apparatus of another embodiment in which the supply pipe of FIG. 3 is composed of multiple pipes; FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view of the configuration illustrated in FIG. 3; FIG. 8 is a side view of FIG. 3; FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating a controller applied to the aquaculture device of FIG. 3; FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating the installation state of the slab shown in FIG. 9; FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the aquaculture device shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the master shown in FIG. 11; FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the driving time setting unit shown in FIG. 12; FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the slab shown in FIG. 11; FIG. 15 is a timetable showing the schedule of the schedule section shown in FIG. 13; FIG. 16 is a timetable to which the time of the schedule shown in FIG. 15 has been changed and applied; and FIG. 17 is a front view of the master illustrated in FIG. 11, photographically illustrated. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0039] Hereinafter, a shellfish farming device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0040] A shellfish-only aquaculture device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a water tank (SU, FE), a pump (P), a supply pipe (51), a spray pipe (53), a flow control valve (53), and a controller (C), as shown in FIGS. 3 to 4 and FIG. 11.

[0041] The tank (SU, FE) stores seawater or liquid feed. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the tank (SU, FE) may be composed of a collection tank (SU) and / or a feed tank (FE). Seawater is collected in the collection tank (SU). Liquid feed is stored in the feed tank (FE). The tank (SU, FE) may be configured as a single unit to store only seawater or only liquid feed as needed. Therefore, the tank (SU, FE) described below is explained as an example in which the collection tank (SU) and the feed tank (FE) are configured separately.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, seawater can be collected in the collection tank (SU) by a raw water supply pump (P1) that pumps seawater. The raw water supply pump (P1) supplies seawater to a rearing tank (BE) for shellfish farming described later through a raw water pipe not shown, and supplies seawater to the collection tank (SU) when necessary.

[0043] As illustrated in FIG. 4, liquid feed is stored in the feed tank (FE). As illustrated, feed that can be dissolved or mixed in seawater is introduced into the feed tank (FE) through a conventional feed dispenser (FA), and liquid feed is provided as seawater for dissolving the feed is supplied through the aforementioned raw water supply pump (P1) connected to a water supply pipe not illustrated. For example, organic urea fertilizer, commercially available particulate feed, or compound feed may be introduced into the feed tank (FE) through the feed dispenser (FA). When urea fertilizer is introduced, the feed tank (FE) provides liquid feed containing nutrients as the urea fertilizer dissolves in the seawater. For example, the feed tank (FE) is configured with a capacity in which 500g of urea fertilizer dissolves in 1 ton of seawater, and a conventional agitator not illustrated may be installed inside. For reference, in the following description, urea fertilizer is described as an example of the feed mixed in the seawater.

[0044] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 11, the pump (P) is composed of at least one of a seawater pump (P3) and a feed pump (P2) installed in a collection tank (SU) or a feed tank (FE) to pump seawater or liquid feed, and the aforementioned raw water supply pump (P1). As illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, the seawater pump (P3) pumps and supplies seawater from the collection tank (SU) through a supply pipe (51) piped along a rearing tank (BE) for rearing shellfish (e.g., abalone). As illustrated, if the supply pipe (51) is configured in multiple units to form a one-side supply pipe (51a) and a other-side supply pipe (51b), the seawater pump (P3) may be configured in multiple units corresponding to this to form a one-side seawater pump (P3a) and a other-side seawater pump (P3b). Accordingly, the seawater pump (P3) pumps seawater from the collection tank (SU) through the one-sided seawater pump (P3a) and the other-sided seawater pump (P3b) and supplies it to the one-sided supply pipe (51a) and the other-sided supply pipe (51b). In conclusion, the seawater pump (P3) can be configured with a quantity corresponding to the quantity of the supply pipe (51).

[0045] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the feed pump (P2) pumps liquid feed stored in the feed tank (FE) and supplies it to the aforementioned supply pipe (51). As illustrated, the feed pump (P2) may be configured to supply liquid feed to the collection tank (SU) so that the liquid feed is supplied to the supply pipe (51) through the aforementioned seawater pump (P3). At this time, the seawater pump (P3) pumps the seawater in the collection tank (SU) mixed with the liquid feed and supplies it to the supply pipe (51). Thus, the supply pipe (51) can provide liquid feed by the feed pump (P2) and / or the seawater pump (P3).

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the supply pipe (51) may be composed of multiple pipes, such as one supply pipe (51a) and the other supply pipe (51b), or alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, it may be composed of a single pipe. As shown, this supply pipe (51) is piped along a plurality of breeding tanks (BE), and liquid feed supplied through a feed pump (P2) or seawater supplied through a seawater pump (P3) flows through it.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 4, when the supply pipe (51) is configured in multiple units, such as a one-sided supply pipe (51a) and a other-sided supply pipe (51b), the one-sided supply pipe (51a) and the other-sided supply pipe (51b) can be connected and communicated through a connecting pipe equipped with a cut-off type bypass valve (CV). The supply pipe (51) allows the one-sided supply pipe (51a) and the other-sided supply pipe (51b) to be connected or blocked by the operation of the bypass valve (CV). When the operation of the one-sided seawater pump (P3a) installed in the one-sided supply pipe (51a) is stopped to prevent overheating, and only the other-sided seawater pump (P3b) is operated, the other-sided supply pipe (51b) is connected to the one-sided supply pipe (51a) by the bypass valve (CV). Accordingly, the supply pipe (51) can supply seawater or liquid feed pumped from the other side seawater pump (P3b) by bypassing it to the one side supply pipe (51a). Thus, the supply pipe (51) continues to supply seawater or liquid feed to the one side supply pipe (51a) and the other side supply pipe (51b).

[0048] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the injection pipe (53) is composed of multiple pipes and branches off from the supply pipe (51) in a manner perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the supply pipe (51). As illustrated, the injection pipe (53) branches toward the rearing tank (BE). Liquid feed or seawater is supplied to the injection pipe (53) through the supply pipe (51). As illustrated, injection nozzles (53a) are installed on one side and / or both sides along the longitudinal direction of the injection pipe (53). As illustrated in FIG. 8, the injection pipe (53) may be connected to the injection nozzles (53a) via a connecting pipe. The injection pipe (53) sprays liquid feed or seawater into the rearing tank (BE) through the injection nozzles (53a).

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a flow control valve (55) is installed at one end of a spray pipe (53) connected to a supply pipe (51). The flow control valve (55) controls the amount of spray by interrupting the flow of the spray pipe (53). As shown in FIGS. 8, the flow control valve (55) is provided separately in each of the spray pipes (53), so it is composed of multiple valves. The flow control valve (55) is divided into groups by a set quantity. For example, the flow control valves (55) of each spray pipe (53) piped to any one of the multiple breeding tanks (BE) or to multiple breeding tanks (BE) are composed of one group and controlled by group. That is, the flow control valves (55) are composed of multiple groups and their operation is controlled on a group basis. For example, as illustrated, the flow control valves (55) of the injection pipes (53) piped to one of the four to eight breeding tanks (BE) form one group. To explain this in more detail, one group is formed by two flow control valves (55) in the breeding tank (BE) as two injection pipes (53) are piped to one breeding tank (BE), and if there are a total of eight such breeding tanks (BE), the group is formed with eight valves, equal to the number of breeding tanks (BE). The flow control valves (55) of each group can be operated individually during the set group-specific operating time as described below.

[0050] As illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11, the controller (C) is connected to the flow control valve (55) and the pump (P) via wired or wireless connection to control the operation of the flow control valve (55) and the pump (P). As illustrated, the controller (C) may be composed of a master (60) and a plurality of slabs (70). The master (60) provides a driving signal to the pump (P) or provides group driving signals for the flow control valves (55) according to a preset driving time. Accordingly, the master (60) controls the operation of the pump (P) or controls the operation of the flow control valves (55) in a group unit.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the slab (70) is composed of a plurality of units corresponding to the number of groups of flow control valves (55), and a group-specific driving signal applied from the master (60) is applied to each group of flow control valves (55). Accordingly, each slab (70) controls the driving of the flow control valves (55) on a group basis.

[0052] Here, the aforementioned water collection tank (SU) or feed tank (FE) may be composed of at least one of the aforementioned rearing tanks (BE), each of which stores approximately 4 tons of seawater. That is, the water collection tank (SU) or feed tank (FE) is not manufactured separately. Therefore, the user can save on manufacturing costs and installation space for the water collection tank (SU) or feed tank (FE).

[0053] Meanwhile, the master (60) of the aforementioned controller (C) is composed of an address storage unit (61), a driving time setting unit (62), a timer (63), and a signal application unit (64), as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The address storage unit (61) stores the addresses of the slabs (70) corresponding to each group of the flow control valve (55). That is, the address storage unit (61) stores the unique identification numbers of each slab (70).

[0054] The drive time setting unit (62) sets the pump drive time for driving the aforementioned pump (P) or the group drive time for group-specific operation of the flow control valves (55) constituting the group. That is, the drive time setting unit (62) sets the drive time of at least one of the raw water supply pump (P1), the feed pump (P2), and the seawater pump (P3) and / or the group-specific drive time of the groups composed of the flow control valves (55). The group-specific drive time can be set, for example, to 1 time (20 seconds) to 4 times (80 seconds) for 20 seconds per group, as shown in the timetable of FIG. 15. Alternatively, the group-specific drive time can be set to 1 time (30 seconds) to 4 times (120 seconds) for 30 seconds per group, as shown in the timetable of FIG. 16. These group-specific operating times may be determined by the volume of the rearing tank (BE) and / or the flow rate of seawater or liquid feed supplied to the rearing tank (BE) through the pump (P), or by a circulation schedule as described below. However, the setting criterion for the group-specific operating times is that they consist of a supply time or circulation operating time during which seawater or liquid feed can be supplied to prevent drying of all shellfish or seaweed reared in multiple rearing tanks (BE).

[0055] The timer (63) counts the operating time of the pump (P) or the operating time of the flow control valves (55) set in the operating time setting section. That is, the timer (63) counts the operating time of at least one of the raw water supply pump (P1), the feed pump (P2), and the seawater pump (P3). Then, after counting the operating time of each group of the aforementioned flow control valves (55), the timer (63) applies a counting completion signal.

[0056] The signal application unit (64) applies a driving signal to operate at least one of the pump (P) and the flow control valve (55) according to the counting of the timer (63). The signal application unit (64) applies the driving signal of the flow control valve (55) to the slab (70) and applies the driving signal of the pump (P) to the control board not shown of the pump (P). At this time, the signal application unit (64) applies the pump driving signal to the pump (P) to drive the pump (P), or applies a group driving signal to the slab (70) of the corresponding group based on the address of the address storage unit (61) to drive the flow control valves (55) by group. Accordingly, the pump (P) or the flow control valve (55) is operated by the driving signal of the signal application unit (64).

[0057] Here, the aforementioned driving time setting unit (62) may be composed of a schedule storage unit (62a) and a counting signal providing unit (62c) as shown in FIG. 13, so that the flow control valves (55) are driven in a circulating manner by group. The schedule storage unit (62a) stores a circulation schedule in which the group driving time and the circulation driving time are scheduled to drive the flow control valves (55) in a circulating manner by group so that seawater from the collection tank (SU) or liquid feed from the feed tank (FE) is supplied in a circulating manner to a plurality of breeding tanks (BE) through the groups of flow control valves (55).

[0058] As illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, the circulation schedule is configured such that the group-specific driving time and circulation driving time are scheduled for the circulation operation of the flow control valve (55) operating in groups. For example, if the circulation schedule is configured to be circulated three times for 480 seconds (8 minutes) as illustrated in FIG. 15, the group-specific driving time is scheduled for 1 time (20 seconds) to 4 times (80 seconds) for 20 seconds each, and the circulation driving time is scheduled for 100 seconds (1st), 260 seconds (2nd), and 420 seconds (3rd). In contrast, if the cycle schedule is configured to cycle twice for 480 seconds (8 minutes) as shown in FIG. 16, the group-specific driving time is scheduled for 30 seconds each time, from 1 time (30 seconds) to 4 times (120 seconds), and the cycle driving time is scheduled for 150 seconds (1st time) and 390 seconds (2nd time).

[0059] As previously explained, the group-specific driving time and circulation driving time of this circulation schedule are set by the manager to ensure that the drying of shellfish or seaweed raised in all rearing tanks (BE) is taken into account. In particular, to prevent the drying of shellfish or seaweed in all rearing tanks (BE), the supply of seawater or liquid feed is set by the manager in a circulation manner so that seawater or liquid feed is supplied evenly to each rearing tank (BE) at the appropriate time. At this time, the manager must determine the aforementioned group-specific driving time and circulation driving time by considering the total volume of rearing tanks (BE), the capacity of the pump (P), or the supply flow rate, etc., in order to set the group-specific driving time and circulation driving time in a circulation manner to prevent drying. In conclusion, the group-specific driving time and circulation time are determined by the total volume of rearing tanks (BE), the capacity of the pump (P), or the supply flow rate, etc., based on the drying time.

[0060] The counting signal providing unit (62c) provides a counting signal to the aforementioned timer (63) so that the scheduling time set in the cycle schedule of the schedule storage unit (62a) is counted. That is, the counting signal providing unit (62c) applies a counting signal for the group-specific driving time and cycle driving time for the cycle scheduled in the cycle schedule. Accordingly, the timer (63) counts the scheduled group-specific driving time and cycle driving time. This timer (63) provides a counting start signal or a counting completion signal to the signal applying unit (64). Accordingly, the signal applying unit (64) controls the operation of the pump (P) or the group-specific flow control valve (55) by applying a pump driving signal or a group-specific driving signal according to the counting start signal or the counting completion signal.

[0061] Meanwhile, the master (60) may be configured to include a remote management unit that remotely manages the management status of the breeding tank (BE). As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, this remote management unit is composed of a measurement sensor (S), a breeding environment storage unit (65), a comparison unit (66), and an alert (67). The measurement sensor (S) may be composed of, for example, a conventional light intensity sensor or a temperature sensor that measures the light intensity or temperature of the breeding tank (BE). The breeding environment storage unit (65) stores the set light intensity or set temperature of the breeding tank (BE). The comparison unit (66) compares the set light intensity or set temperature of the breeding environment storage unit (65) with the light intensity or temperature measured in real time by the measurement sensor (S). The alert (67) warns that the comparison value of the comparison unit (66) does not correspond to the set light intensity or set temperature of the breeding environment storage unit (65). This alert (67) issues a warning by applying a warning signal.

[0062] The alert (67) can be configured as a normal lamp or buzzer so that a warning light or warning sound is emitted by a warning signal. Alternatively, if the alert (67) is equipped with a communication unit (68) that uses an internet network such as Zigbee or Wi-Fi as shown in FIG. 12, it can be configured to apply a warning signal to a control server or a manager's portable terminal through the communication unit (68) to display a warning sound or a warning screen. For example, the alert (67) is set such that the illuminance and temperature of the rearing environment storage unit (65) are 800 Lux to 1000 Lux and 24°C to 26°C, which are suitable for growth. If the real-time measured illuminance and temperature fall within these ranges, no warning signal is applied, but if they fall below or exceed these ranges, a warning signal is applied to provide a warning. Therefore, the master (60) can remotely provide guidance on the management status of the rearing tank (BE).

[0063] As illustrated in FIG. 12, the master (60) may be equipped with a feed feeder drive unit (69). The feed feeder drive unit (69) applies a supply signal to a feed feeder (FA) that feeds powdered feed into the aforementioned feed tank (FE). The feed feeder drive unit (69) applies a supply signal according to a preset amount of feed input and operating time. Accordingly, the feed feeder (FA) feeds a preset amount of feed into the feed tank (FE) by rotating a conventional rotary valve-type feed screw, which is built into the hopper and rotated by a drive motor, for a preset time. It is preferable that this feed feeder drive unit (69) be configured to operate the feed feeder (FA) while the aforementioned flow control valve (55) is not operating, so that the feed is supplied as nutrients after being properly mixed with seawater.

[0064] As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and FIGS. 17, the master (60) may be equipped with a display (D). If the display (D) of the master (60) is configured as a conventional touchscreen, the aforementioned operating time, address, set illuminance, set temperature, etc., may be input through the display (D), or may be input remotely through an unillustrated management server or a manager's portable terminal. As illustrated, the master (60) may be equipped with lamps for each group to confirm that the flow control valve (55) of each group is operating, or with buttons for turning the flow control valves (55) on and off by group, and / or with an emergency control box equipped with an emergency button for operating in an emergency. Since such an auxiliary control box or emergency control box is a conventional technology, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0065] Meanwhile, the aforementioned plurality of slabs (70) are installed separately for each group of flow control valves (55), as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11. The slab (70) may be configured, for example, as a terminal box that applies driving power to the terminals of the flow control valves (55) provided in each group, as shown. The slab (70) applies the aforementioned group-specific driving signal applied from the master (60) to each group of flow control valves (55).

[0066] As illustrated in FIG. 14, the slab (70) may be composed of a connection terminal (73) and a switch (71). The connection terminal (73) is connected to the terminal of the flow control valve (55) provided in each group of flow control valves (55). For example, if the flow control valves (55) in each group are composed of 8 based on 4 breeding tanks (BE), as described above, the connection terminal (73) is composed of 8 to correspond to this. The switch (71) switches the connection terminal (73) according to the group-specific driving signal of the master (60) to control the driving power of the flow control valves (55) configured by group. The switch (71) may be composed of, for example, a conventional relay and is switched so that the connection terminal (73) is connected according to the group-specific driving signal. Accordingly, the slab (70) applies driving power to the flow control valves (55) forming a group to operate the flow control valves (55) in a group unit.

[0067] An embodiment of the present invention configured as described above operates a raw water supply pump (P1) through the master (60) of the controller (C) as shown in FIGS. 4 and 11 to collect or store a sufficient amount of seawater in a collection tank (SU) or a feed tank (FE). As shown in FIGS. 4 and 12, the controller (C) operates a feed dispenser (FA) through the feed dispenser drive unit (69) of the master (60) to introduce powdered urea fertilizer into the feed tank (FE) where seawater is stored and mix it with the seawater. As shown, the controller (C) operates a feed pump (P2) through the master (60) to supply liquid feed from the collection tank (SU) to the collection tank (SU).

[0068] The master (60) applies a driving signal to at least one of the seawater pump (P3) on one side (P3a) and the seawater pump on the other side (P3b) of the seawater pump (P3) as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 11 so that liquid feed from the collection tank (SU) is supplied to the spray pipe (53) through the supply pipe (51), and applies a group driving signal to at least one of the plurality of slabs (70) so that liquid feed is sprayed through the spray nozzle (53a) of the spray pipe (53). At this time, the master (60) applies a counting signal to the timer (63) through the driving time setting unit (62) so that the pump driving time set in the driving time setting unit (62) or the group driving time of the flow control valve (55) is counted. For example, if the breeding tanks (BE) are composed of 4 and the slabs (70) are also composed of 4, and the total injection time is set to 8 minutes and the driving time for each group is set to 2 minutes, the timer (63) counts the pump driving time of 8 minutes and counts the driving time for each group in 2 minutes. Then, the signal application unit (64) applies a pump driving signal simultaneously with the counting of the timer (63) to operate the pump (P), and applies the driving signal for each group in order from the first slab (70) to the last slab (70) based on the address of the address storage unit (61). Accordingly, the flow control valve (55) operates for 2 minutes per group and sequentially injects and supplies liquid feed to the 4 breeding tanks (BE).

[0069] When a circulation schedule is stored in the schedule storage unit (62a), the master (60) applies a counting signal to the timer (63) through the counting signal providing unit (62c) for the scheduling time of the circulation schedule as shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, that is, the group-specific driving time and circulation driving time of the circulation schedule. The timer (63) counts the pump driving time and the group-specific driving time and circulation driving time scheduled in the circulation schedule for circulation based on the counting signal. As shown in FIG. 15, when the group-specific flow control valve (55) is scheduled to circulate three times for a total of 480 seconds based on the time during which drying of spat or seaweed is prevented, the timer (63) counts the pump driving time corresponding to 480 seconds (8 minutes), the group-specific driving time consisting of 20 seconds to 80 seconds, and 100 seconds corresponding to the first circulation driving time. This timer (63) provides a counting start signal or a counting completion signal to the signal application unit (64). Accordingly, the signal application unit (64) controls the operation of the pump (P) or the group flow control valve (55) by applying a pump drive signal or a group drive signal according to the counting start signal or the counting completion signal. At this time, the signal application unit (64) applies the group drive signals sequentially according to the order of the slabs (70) scheduled in the circulation schedule based on the address of the address storage unit (61). Accordingly, the slabs (70) apply the group drive signals in the scheduled order to circulate and operate the flow control valves (55) by group.

[0070] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the slab (70) connects the connection terminals (73) connected to the flow control valves (55) of the injection pipes (53) arranged from the first breeding tank (BE) to the fourth breeding tank (BE) by switching them with a switch (71). At this time, the switch (71) switches the connection terminals (73) related to the first breeding tank (BE) to the fourth breeding tank (BE) for 20 to 80 seconds according to the group driving time scheduled in the illustrated cycle schedule. Accordingly, the group of flow control valves (55) installed from the first breeding tank (BE) to the fourth breeding tank (BE) are each driven for 20 to 80 seconds.

[0071] As illustrated in FIG. 15, the master (60) applies a group-specific driving signal to the corresponding slabs (70) through the counting signal providing unit (62c) so that the group-specific driving valve (55) responsible for breeding tanks 5 through 8 is driven for 80 seconds immediately after the group-specific driving valve (55) installed in breeding tank 4 (BE) is driven for 20 seconds. To this end, the master (60) applies a counting signal for counting the scheduled group-specific driving time to the timer (63) through the counting signal providing unit (62c) as illustrated. At this time, the master (60) applies a counting signal so that the group-specific driving time of the driving valve (55) for breeding tanks 5 through 8 (BE) is driven after being sequentially delayed by 20 seconds compared to the driving time of the driving valve (55) of breeding tank 4 (BE). Accordingly, the timer (63) counts the 80-second group driving time for the 5th breeding tank (BE) immediately after the 20-second group driving time for the flow control valve (55) of the 4th breeding tank (BE) is completed, as illustrated, so as to be sequentially delayed by 20 seconds, and counts the 80-second group driving time for the 6th to 8th breeding tanks (BE) at intervals of sequential delay by 20 seconds. Accordingly, the signal application unit (64) drives the flow control valves (55) of the corresponding group for 80 seconds through the slabs (70) of the group driving valves (55) responsible for the 5th to 8th breeding tanks (BE) using the group driving signals according to the counting start signal and counting completion signal of the timer (63).

[0072] When the counting for the first cycle drive time of 100 seconds is completed in the timer (63), the master (60) applies a first counting completion signal to the counting signal providing unit (62c) via the timer (63). The counting signal providing unit (62c) applies a counting signal for the second cycle to the timer (63) again so that the group drive time of 80 seconds for breeding tanks 1 through 8 (BE), which are scheduled for the second cycle as illustrated in FIG. 15, and the second cycle drive time of 260 seconds are counted in the timer (63). Accordingly, the timer (63) provides a second counting start signal for the group drive time for the second cycle and the second cycle drive time to the counting signal providing unit (62c). Then, the signal application unit (64) drives the flow control valves (55) of the corresponding group for 80 seconds each through the slabs (70) of the flow control valves (55) for each group responsible for breeding tanks (BE) 1 through 8 in the manner described above by counting of the timer (63). At this time, as illustrated, the signal application unit (64) drives the flow control valve (55) of the group responsible for breeding tank 1 (BE) for 80 seconds immediately upon completion of the 100-second count, and then sequentially delays the driving of the flow control valves (55) of the groups responsible for breeding tanks 2 through 8 (BE) for 20 seconds each so that the flow control valves (55) of breeding tanks 2 through 8 are driven after a sequential delay of 20 seconds per group, and then drives them sequentially for 80 seconds each once the 20-second delay time is completed. Therefore, the master (60) can supply liquid feed to breeding tanks 1 through 8 (BE) in a second step.

[0073] When the counting for the second cycle drive time of 260 seconds is completed in the timer (63), the master (60) applies a second counting completion signal to the counting signal providing unit (62c) via the timer (63). The counting signal providing unit (62c) applies a counting signal for the third cycle to the timer (63) again so that the group drive time of 80 seconds for breeding tanks 1 through 8 (BE), which are scheduled for the third cycle as illustrated in FIG. 15, and the third cycle drive time of 420 seconds are counted in the timer (63). Accordingly, the timer (63) counts the group drive time and the third cycle drive time required for the third cycle and then provides a third counting completion signal to the counting signal providing unit (62c). Then, the signal application unit (64) drives the flow control valves (55) of the corresponding group through the slabs (70) of the group-specific flow control valves (55) responsible for breeding tanks 1 through 3, in the manner described above by the counting of the timer (63). At this time, the signal application unit (64) drives the flow control valves (55) of breeding tanks 2 and 3 (BE) so that they are driven sequentially with a delay of 20 seconds compared to the flow control valve (55) of breeding tank 1 (BE). Accordingly, the master (60) supplies liquid feed again to breeding tanks 1 through 3 (BE).

[0074] When the pump operation time of 480 seconds mentioned above is finished at the timer (63), the master (60) applies a termination signal to the signal application unit (64) via the timer (63). Then, the signal application unit (64) applies a drive termination signal to the slab (70) to terminate the operation of the flow control valves (55). Accordingly, the group-specific flow control valves (55) responsible for breeding tanks 1 through 3 (BE) are operated for 60 seconds, 40 seconds, and 20 seconds, respectively, as shown in FIG. 15, and then terminate the operation. Thus, as shown, the master (60) supplies liquid feed in a circulating manner to all breeding tanks 1 through 8 (BE), supplying liquid feed equally for 240 seconds each.

[0075] When the master (60) has a circulation schedule configured as shown in FIG. 16, that is, a pump operation time corresponding to 480 seconds (8 minutes), a group operation time consisting of 30 to 120 seconds, and circulation operation times of 150 seconds and 390 seconds by two cycles, the master supplies liquid feed to breeding tanks 1 through 8 (BE) for 240 seconds each in the same manner as described above. Since this method is the same as previously described, it will not be explained in further detail.

[0076] The master (60) supplies seawater in the same manner as above when supplying washing water to the breeding tanks (BE). Therefore, breeding tanks 1 through 8 (BE) are all washed with seawater for 240 seconds each.

[0077] Here, the reason why rearing tanks 1 through 3 (BE) are initially supplied for 20 to 60 seconds or 30 to 90 seconds, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, is to minimize the exposure time, as spat or diatoms used as feed may die if exposed to the atmosphere for a long time. Accordingly, each rearing tank (BE) does not dry out when liquid feed or seawater is first supplied to rearing tanks 1 through 3 (BE) for the time described above. Then, as shown, rearing tanks 1 through 3 (BE) are supplied with liquid feed or seawater for 20 to 60 seconds or 30 to 90 seconds at the end, so liquid feed or seawater is supplied in the same way as in the other rearing tanks (BE).

[0078] Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the master (60) is configured such that the supply pipe (51) consists of a one-sided supply pipe (51a) and a other-sided supply pipe (51b) having a connecting pipe with a bypass valve (CV) installed therein, and the seawater pump (P3) consists of a one-sided seawater pump (P3a) and a other-sided seawater pump (P3b). Even if the operation of either the one-sided seawater pump (P3a) or the other-sided seawater pump (P3b) is stopped, the bypass valve (CV) is operated to bypass the seawater or liquid feed pumped by the other. Therefore, the master (60) can continuously supply seawater or liquid feed to the one-sided supply pipe (51a) and the other-sided supply pipe (51b).

[0079] And, as shown in FIG. 12, the master (60) compares the illuminance or temperature measured in real time by the measurement sensor (S) with the set illuminance or set temperature of the breeding environment storage unit (65) through the comparison unit (66), and if it does not correspond to the set illuminance or set temperature, warns through the alert (67).

[0080] The above-described embodiment of the present invention can automatically and easily supply liquid feed of nutrients or seawater for washing to a number of rearing tanks (BE), and accordingly, can easily feed or wash when necessary.

[0081] In particular, the flow control valve (55) can be controlled and managed by group through the slab (70) installed on the group-specific flow control valve (55), and since only the terminal wire of the flow control valve (55) is wired to the slab (70), the wiring of various unnecessary wires (e.g., power lines, signal lines, communication lines, etc.) can be omitted.

[0082] In addition, since the feed is supplied as liquid nutrients, it can be easily and evenly supplied by spraying through the spray pipe (53) and spray nozzle (53a), and since the liquid feed or seawater is supplied in a circulating manner, it is possible to supply it even if any one of the rearing tanks (BE) is used as a collection tank (SU) or feed tank (FE), and accordingly, the manufacturing cost of the collection tank (SU) or feed tank (FE) can be reduced.

[0083] In addition, if the supply pipe (51) is configured in multiple ways and connected to a connecting pipe equipped with a bypass valve (CV), liquid feed or seawater supplied to one of the supply pipes (51) can be bypassed and supplied to another supply pipe (51).

[0084] In addition, since the addresses of the slabs (70) are stored in the address storage unit (61), the driving signal can be accurately applied to each slab (70), and the driving signal can be applied differently to each group through the driving time setting unit (62) and the timer (63).

[0085] In addition, when a circulation schedule is set, the operation of the components can be controlled according to the schedule, allowing for the easy supply of liquid feed or seawater in a circulating manner, and thereby improving the operational efficiency of the components.

[0086] In addition, since the slab (70) is configured as a terminal box having a connection terminal (73) and a switch (71), the slab (70) can be configured simply, and as described above, the number of wires can be minimized.

[0087] Furthermore, since the aquaculture facility is operated based on the illuminance or temperature received in real time from the measurement sensor (S), the facility can be easily managed remotely.

[0089] The aforementioned embodiments merely describe preferred embodiments of the present invention, and therefore the scope of application of the present invention is not limited thereto. Appropriate modifications (changes in structure or configuration, or partial omission or supplementation) are possible within the scope of the same concept as long as the essential features are satisfied. Furthermore, some or many of the features of the aforementioned embodiments may be combined with one another. Accordingly, since the structure and configuration of each component shown in the embodiments of the present invention can be implemented through modification or combination, it is natural that such modifications or combinations of structure and configuration fall within the scope of the appended claims of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0090] 50: Raw water supply pipe 51: Supply pipe 51a: One-side supply pipe 51b: Other-side supply pipe 53: Spray pipe 53a: Nozzle 55: Flow control valve 60: Master 61: Address storage unit 62: Operation time setting unit 62a: Schedule storage unit 62c: Counting signal providing unit 63: Timer 64: Signaling unit 65: Rearing Environment Storage Section 66: Comparison Section 67: Alert 68: Communications Department 69: Feed dispenser drive unit 70: Slab 71: Switch 73: Connection terminal BE: Rearing tank C: Controller CV: Bypass valve D: Display unit (Input unit) FA: Feed dispenser FE: Feed container OF: Return pipe P: Pump P1: Raw water supply pump P2: Feed pump P3: Seawater pump P3a: One-sided seawater pump P3b: Other side seawater pump S: Measurement sensor SU: Water collection tank

Claims

Claim 1 At least one tank in which seawater or liquid feed is stored; at least one pump for pumping seawater or liquid feed from the tank; a supply pipe for supplying seawater or liquid feed pumped from the pump along a plurality of rearing tanks; a plurality of spray pipes branching from the supply pipe to each of the rearing tanks, each having a spray nozzle installed along the longitudinal direction to spray seawater or liquid feed from the supply pipe into each of the rearing tanks; a flow control valve installed in each of the spray pipes and configured in a plurality, divided into a set quantity and configured into a plurality of groups, thereby controlling the flow rate of the spray pipes by group; and a controller for controlling the operation of the flow control valves and the pump; wherein the controller comprises a master that controls the operation of the pump or controls the operation of the flow control valves by group by providing a driving signal for driving the pump or a group driving signal for driving the flow control valves according to a preset driving time. A shellfish-dedicated aquaculture device comprising: a plurality of slabs configured in a quantity corresponding to the group of the flow control valves, electrically connected to the flow control valves of each group, and providing a group-specific driving signal of the master to the corresponding group to control the driving of the flow control valves by group. Claim 2 In claim 1, the master comprises: an address storage unit in which each address of the slabs is stored for identifying the slabs corresponding to each group of the flow control valves; a drive time setting unit in which a pump drive time for driving the pump for pumping seawater or liquid feed of the tank, or a group drive time for driving the flow control valves configured in groups, is set; a timer for counting the drive time of the pump or the flow control valves set in the drive time setting unit; and a signal application unit for applying a pump drive signal or a group drive signal for driving the pump or the flow control valves according to the counting of the timer; wherein the signal application unit, according to the counting of the timer, applies a pump drive signal to the pump to drive the pump, or applies a group drive signal based on the address of the address storage unit to the slab of the group corresponding to the drive time of the drive time setting unit among the slabs to drive the flow control valves by group, characterized in that it is a shellfish-only aquaculture device. Claim 3 In claim 2, the driving time setting unit comprises: a schedule storage unit storing a circulation schedule having a schedule for group-specific driving time and group-specific circulation driving time for driving the flow control valves in a circulating manner so that the driving of the flow control valves is circulated by group and seawater or liquid feed is supplied in a circulating manner to a plurality of breeding tanks; and a counting signal providing unit providing a counting signal to the timer so that the scheduling time of the circulation schedule stored in the schedule storage unit is counted. Claim 4 A shellfish-only aquaculture device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the slab comprises: a terminal box that applies driving power to a terminal of a flow control valve provided in each group of the flow control valves based on a group-specific driving signal of the master; and the terminal box comprises: a connection terminal to which the terminal of the flow control valve provided in each group of the flow control valves is connected; and a switch that switches the connection terminal of the corresponding group among the connection terminals according to the group-specific driving signal of the master to interrupt the driving power of the flow control valve configured by group.

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