A fluid flow control apparatus

Abstract

The present disclosure describes a fluid flow control apparatus (1) that includes a primary actuator (2) adapted to control fluid flow in a primary vessel (6). The primary actuator (2) is controllable by means of fluid flow from a secondary vessel (10) in fluid communication with the primary actuator (2). Further, the fluid flow control apparatus further includes a secondary actuator (12) adapted to control fluid flow in a secondary vessel (10), the secondary vessel (10) being in fluid communication with the primary actuator (2).

Description

[0001] A FLUID FLOW CONTROL APPARATUS

[0002] The present invention relates to control and in particular to control of fluid flow.

[0003] The invention has been developed primarily as a fluid control apparatus for controlling the flow of oxygen into fish tanks and will be described herein with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Any discussion of prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field.

[0006] AN OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of the invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

[0008] Fish farming, also known as aquaculture, is the practice of raising fish in controlled environments, such as tanks or enclosed water bodies, for food production. It's a crucial sector in global food production. With the world's natural fish stocks under pressure from overfishing and environmental changes, aquaculture offers a viable alternative to meet the growing demand for fish. Fish are an excellent source of lean protein and contain vital minerals like calcium, which are essential for bone health. As such, fish farming plays a key role in food security and nutrition, especially in regions where access to fresh seafood is limited. This method of farming allows for efficient use of resources and can be tailored to various environments, making it a versatile solution for future food challenges.

[0009] Within advanced intensive land-based fish farms, oxygen dosing is essential to ensure the fish stay alive and perform on growth. Because the amount of oxygen needed to keep fish alive and for the fish to perform, is dynamic, an automatic system is required. A known way to dose oxygen to fish tanks involves the use of an electro-mechanical apparatus adapted to control the flow of oxygen from a storage container and into a fish tank. Oxygen sensors are typically located within each individual fish tank to measure the amount of oxygen present in each tank. The sensors are connected an electrical panel wherein several electromagnetic dosing valves open or close each tank's supply of oxygen.

[0010] The electric coil that activates electromagnetic valve can get very hot. This, combined with the pure oxygen being distributed from the panel, poses a fire risk.

[0011] This way of dosing oxygen to fish tanks is a cause of fires on fish farms. These fires, on several occasions, have caused a total meltdown of the farms, resulting in massive property damage, and a loss of fish life.

[0012] It is an object of the invention in its preferred form to provide a fluid flow control apparatus for dosing oxygen to fish tanks which is safer to use.

[0013] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] According to the invention there is provided a fluid flow control apparatus including: a primary actuator adapted to control fluid flow in a primary vessel, the primary actuator being controllable by means of fluid flow from a secondary vessel in fluid communication with the primary actuator; and a secondary actuator adapted to control fluid flow in a secondary vessel, the secondary vessel being in fluid communication with the primary actuator.

[0015] Preferably, the fluid in the primary vessel is pressurised gas.

[0016] Preferably, there is further included another secondary actuator adapted to control fluid flow in another secondary vessel, the secondary vessel being a return vessel for the pressurised gas.

[0017] The secondary actuator is preferably an electrical actuator.

[0018] The secondary actuator is preferably a normally closed electrical actuator. The secondary actuator and the other secondary actuator are preferably electrical actuators.

[0019] The secondary electrical actuator is preferably a normally closed actuator, the other secondary actuator is preferably a normally open actuator.

[0020] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0022] Figure 1 is an illustration of a fluid flow control apparatus (1), in an oxygen non-flowing state, according to the invention.

[0023] Figure 2 is another illustration of the fluid flow control apparatus (1), in an oxygen flowing state, according to the invention.

[0024] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Referring to the drawings, the fluid flow control apparatus (1) has a primary actuator (2) adapted to control fluid flow in the form of oxygen gas fluid flow (i.e., oxygen flow) (4) in a primary vessel (6). The primary actuator (2) is itself controllable by means of fluid flow in the form of pressurised air flow (8) in a secondary vessel (10) in fluid communication with the primary actuator (2). The apparatus (1) has secondary actuator in the form of normally closed electrical actuator (12) adapted to control the pressurised air flow (8) in the secondary vessel (10). The apparatus (1) also has another secondary actuator in the form of a normally open electrical actuator (14) adapted to control fluid gas flow (22) in another secondary vessel (18) in fluid communication with the primary actuator (2). The secondary vessel (18) is a pressurised return air flow returning from the primary actuator (2).

[0026] To control oxygen flow (4) with the apparatus 1, the secondary actuator (12) is firstly actuated to open the actuator (12) and cause pressurised air flow (8) in the secondary vessel (10). At the same time, the other actuator (14) is closed, stopping the pressurised return air flow (22) from the primary actuator (2). Pressurised air flow (8) enters the primary actuator (2) through the secondary vessel (10), and actuates the primary actuator (2) to cause oxygen flow (4) in the primary vessel (6) from one location to another. In a preferred embodiment, the oxygen flow (4) is from one location in the form of a storage tank (not shown) and into another location in the form of a fish tank (not shown).

[0027] The secondary actuator (12) and the other secondary actuator (14) are de-actuated (i.e., closed and opened, respectively) when the desired quantity of oxygen flow (4) has been reached, causing pressurised air flow (8) to stop flowing in the secondary vessel (10) and at the same time causing pressurised air return flow 2 from the primary actuator (2) and into the other secondary vessel (18), the combination of the stopped air flow (8) and the air return flow (22) causing the primary actuator (2) to stop the oxygen flow (4) in the primary vessel (6).

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the primary actuator (2) includes an inflatable bladder (not shown) for receiving fluid flow, the bladder being operatively connected to a valve (not shown) for controlling the flow of oxygen.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the primary actuator (2) is a pneumatic actuated valve, as best shown in the drawings.

[0030] It will be appreciated that fluid flow control apparatus (1) is relatively safe to use.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A fluid flow control apparatus (1) including: a primary actuator (2) adapted to control fluid flow in a primary vessel (6), the primary actuator (2) being controllable by means of fluid flow from a secondary vessel (10) in fluid communication with the primary actuator (2); and a secondary actuator (12) adapted to control fluid flow in a secondary vessel (10), the secondary vessel (10) being in fluid communication with the primary actuator (2).

2. A fluid flow control apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the fluid in the primary vessel (6) is pressurised gas.

3. A fluid flow control apparatus (1) according to claim 2, further including another secondary actuator (14) adapted to control fluid flow in another secondary vessel (18), the secondary vessel (18) being a return vessel for the pressurised gas.

4. A fluid control apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the secondary actuator (12) is an electrical actuator.

5. A fluid control apparatus (1) according to claim 4, wherein the secondary actuator (12) is a normally closed electrical actuator.

6. A fluid control apparatus (1) according to claim 3 wherein the secondary actuator (12) and the other secondary actuator (14) are electrical actuators.

7. A fluid control apparatus (1) according to claim 6, wherein the secondary electrical actuator (12) is a normally closed actuator, the other secondary actuator (14) being a normally open actuator.

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