Feed spreader for water-borne feed and a method of underwater feeding

Abstract

A feed spreader for distributing water-borne feed in a breeding pen The feed spreader comprising: a feed inlet; a distributor defining a chamber comprising a central axis, the distributor comprising: an inlet port in fluid communication with the feed inlet; and a base portion comprising an outlet port of the distributor, the outlet port being in fluid communication with the inlet port and comprising a central axis and / or a first focal point; and two or more feed outlets in fluid communication with the outlet port of the distributor. The central axis and / or the first focal point of the outlet port of the distributor is offset from the chamber's central axis. There is provided a breeding pen assembly for raising aquatic creatures. There is provided an insert for arrangement within an aperture of a distributor of a feed spreader. A method of underwater feeding is disclosed as well.

Description

[0001] FEED SPREADER FOR WATER-BORNE FEED AND A METHOD OF UNDERWATER FEEDING

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a feed spreader for distributing water-borne feed in a breeding pen. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a feed spreader designed for immersion in water. The present disclosure also describes a breeding pen assembly comprising the feed spreader, an insert for the outlet port of a feed spreader, and a method for distributing feed with the feed spreader.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Fish that are in the upper water layer in a breeding cage or pen are exposed to infestations of salmon lice. One measure against salmon lice is to keep the fish below the upper water layer. It is also known that low temperatures in the upper water layer in winter result in slower growth for the fish. For this reason, it is desirable to keep the fish down in the water column in winter.

[0006] One measure to keep the fish below the layer of lice and cold water is to feed the fish down in the water column. Different systems can be used for underwater feeding:

[0007] Patent document NO335720 describes a feeding device for fish feed where the feed is fed in a hose from a feed store up into a distributor which is positioned above the waterline on a feeding device. From the distributor, the feed is led down into the water column via a plurality of pipes, typically four. Patent document NO338945 describes a submerged distribution chamber for fish feed. A pump pumps water through an ejector in the distribution chamber so that a negative pressure is provided. The negative pressure means that feed is sucked down through a feed pipe which is typically connected to a feed barge at one end and to the distribution chamber at the other end. When the feed enters the distribution chamber, the feed is mixed with the water. From the distribution chamber, the feed-containing liquid sinks by gravity into a plurality of feed outlets which are connected to a corresponding number of distribution pipes.

[0008] Patent document NO341213 describes a feeding device for fish feed which is designed to float partially submerged in the sea. The feed is introduced in a tangential direction with the cylindrical upper part where feed and water are mixed in a cyclone before the feed mixture is fed via feed outlet lines into the rearing pen at the desired depth.

[0009] One problem with these solutions is the uneven distribution of feed to the distribution pipes. The reason is that the feed sinks to the lowest feed outlet in the distribution chamber or, and if the distribution chamber is not level and the feed outlets therefore have different heights, more feed will enter the bottom feed outlet than the upper one. In some cases, little or no feed will sink into the top feed chute. The distribution of feed in the cage can therefore become very uneven. Due to currents in the water column, the distribution chamber is usually skewed, and an even distribution of the feed is therefore seldom achieved.

[0010] Patent document NO347503 describes an alternative feed spreader for distributing water-borne fish feed, wherein a plurality of feed drains are positioned in a bottom element of a distributor.

[0011] The term "flow of feed" may comprise water and feed, for example water and feed pellets. The purpose of the invention is to remedy or to reduce at least one of the disadvantages of known technology, or at least to provide a useful alternative to known technology.

[0012] The purpose is achieved by the features indicated in the description below and in the subsequent patent claims.

[0013] SUMMARY

[0014] According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a feed spreader for distributing water-borne feed in a breeding pen, the feed spreader comprising: a feed inlet; a distributor defining a chamber comprising a central axis, the distributor comprising: an inlet port in fluid communication with the feed inlet; and a base portion comprising an outlet port of the distributor, the outlet port being in fluid communication with the inlet port and comprising a central axis and / or a first focal point; and two or more feed outlets in fluid communication with the outlet port of the distributor, wherein the central axis and / or the first focal point of the outlet port of the distributor is offset from the central axis of the chamber.

[0015] Advantageously, this may allow for the waterborne feed to be more evenly distributed between the two or more feed outlets than if the central axis and / or first focal point of the outlet port of the distributor were coincident with the central axis of the chamber.

[0016] Optionally, the feed spreader comprises three or four or five or six or seven or eight or nine or ten or eleven or twelve or more feed outlets in fluid communication with the outlet port of the distributor.

[0017] Optionally, the outlet port of the distributor is substantially circular in form.

[0018] Optionally, the outlet port of the distributor is substantially elliptical in form, further comprising a second focal point. Advantageously, this may allow for the flow of feed to be even more evenly distributed between the two or more feed outlets.

[0019] Optionally, an imaginary major axis of the substantially elliptical form of the outlet port of the distributor is offset from the central axis of the chamber defined by the distributor.

[0020] Optionally, the distributor further comprises a distributor aperture and an insert for the distributor aperture, the insert comprising: an engagement portion for engagement with the distributor aperture, the engagement portion comprising a central axis; and an insert port comprising a central axis and / or a first focal point, wherein the insert is arranged within the distributor aperture such that the insert port of the insert is the outlet port the distributor.

[0021] Advantageously, this may allow for the shape and location of the outlet port of the distributor to be adjusted depending on the application, for example depending upon the type of feed being used, and for existing feed distributors where the central axis and / or first focal point of the outlet port of the distributor are coincident with the central axis of the chamber defined by the distributor to be retrofitted.

[0022] According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a breeding pen assembly for raising aquatic creatures, the breeding pen assembly comprising: a breeding pen; and a feed spreader according the first aspect of the disclosure, wherein the two or more feed outlets are arranged to discharge a flow of feed into the breeding pen.

[0023] According to a third aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an insert for arrangement within an aperture of a distributor of a feed spreader, the insert comprising: an engagement portion for engagement with the distributor aperture of the feed spreader, the engagement portion comprising a central axis; and an insert port comprising a central axis and / or a first focal point, wherein the central axis and / or first focal point of the insert port is offset from the central axis of the engagement portion. Advantageously, this may allow for the shape and location of the outlet port of the distributor to be adjusted depending on the application, for example depending upon the type of feed being used, and for existing feed distributors where the central axis and / or first focal point of the outlet port of the distributor are coincident with the central axis of the chamber defined by the distributor to be retrofitted.

[0024] Optionally, the engagement portion comprises a substantially circular outer perimeter.

[0025] Optionally, the insert port is substantially circular in form.

[0026] Optionally, the insert port is substantially elliptical in form, further comprising a second focal point.

[0027] Advantageously, this may allow for the flow of feed to be even more evenly distributed between the two or more feed outlets.

[0028] Optionally, an imaginary major axis of the substantially elliptical form of the insert port is offset from the central axis of the engagement portion.

[0029] Optionally, the insert port comprises a threaded surface for imparting swirl to a flow of feed conveyed therethrough.

[0030] Advantageously, this may allow for the flow of feed to be even more evenly distributed between the two or more feed outlets.

[0031] According to a fourth aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of underwater feeding, the method comprising the steps of: providing a breeding pen assembly according to the second aspect of the disclosure; and providing a flow of feed into the feed inlet of the feed spreader. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1A is a schematic view of a breeding pen assembly comprising a first embodiment of a feed spreader.

[0033] Figure IB is a schematic view of a breeding pen assembly comprising a second embodiment of a feed spreader comprising a first embodiment of insert.

[0034] Figure 2A is a side cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of feed spreader shown in Figure 1A.

[0035] Figure 2B is a top view of the first embodiment of feed spreader shown in Figure 2A.

[0036] Figure 3A is a side cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of feed spreader shown in Figure IB.

[0037] Figure 3B is a top view of the first embodiment of feed spreader shown in Figure 3A.

[0038] Figure 4A is an isometric view of a first embodiment of insert shown in Figure IB.

[0039] Figure 4B is a plan view of the first embodiment of insert shown in Figure 4A.

[0040] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Overview of breeding pen assembly 100

[0042] Figure 1A shows a first embodiment of a breeding pen assembly generally at 100. The first embodiment of the breeding pen assembly 100 comprises a breeding pen 200 and a first embodiment of a feed spreader 300. The first embodiment of the feed spreader 300 is shown in Figures 2A and 2B.

[0043] Figure IB shows a second embodiment of a breeding pen assembly 100. The second embodiment of the breeding pen assembly comprises the breeding pen 200, and a second embodiment of the feed spreader 300. The second embodiment of the feed spreader 300 comprises an insert 400. The second embodiment of the feed spreader 300 is shown in Figures 3A and 3B without the insert 400. Breeding pen 200

[0044] The breeding pen 200 is for raising aquatic creatures such as fish. The breeding pen 200 may be a floating breeding pen, or a recirculating breeding pen, also known as a Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS), and / or a land-based fish tank. The breeding pen 200 comprises a breeding volume (not shown) defined by a net bag or a tank, for example.

[0045] Feed spreader 300

[0046] The feed spreader 300 is for distributing a flow of feed in the breeding pen 200. The feed spreader 300 comprises a feed inlet 310, a distributor 320, and two or more feed outlets 370. The two or more feed outlets 370 may be considered as one or more feed outlet manifolds.

[0047] The feed inlet 310 is a conduit for conveying the flow of feed into the distributor 320.

[0048] The distributor 320 is for evenly distributing the flow of feed from the feed inlet 310 to each feed outlet 370. The distributor 320 comprises a main body 330, having a main body central axis 332. The main body 330 defines a chamber in which the flow of feed is received and out of which the flow of feed is distributed. The main body central axis 332 may be considered as being the central axis of the chamber.

[0049] The distributor 320 comprises an inlet port 336 and an outlet port 360. The inlet port 336 is in fluid communication with the feed inlet 310, and the outlet port 360 is in fluid communication with the inlet port 336 and the two or more feed outlets 370. More specifically, the inlet port 336 is directly connected to the feed inlet 310, and the outlet port 360 is directly connected to the two or more feed outlets 370. In other words, the inlet port 336 is the inlet port of the chamber defined by the distributor 320, and the outlet port 360 is the outlet port of the chamber defined by the distributor 320.

[0050] The main body 330 of the distributor 320 comprises a wall portion 334 and a base portion 350. Together, the wall portion 334 and the base portion 350 define the chamber of the distributor 320. In the present embodiments, the inlet port 336 is arranged on the wall portion 334, and the outlet port 360 is arranged on the base portion 350. In the embodiment shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the wall portion 334 is substantially cylindrical. In the present examples, the feed inlet 310 is arranged substantially tangentially relative to the cylindrical wall portion 334. The base portion 350 comprises a base portion central axis 352. The base portion 350 is substantially conical in form. In the present examples, the conical form of the base portion 350 is frustoconical.

[0051] The outlet port 360 is arranged at a bottom of the base portion 350. In the first embodiment of the feed spreader 300, as seen in Figures 2A and 2B, the outlet port 360 is formed as one integral part with the distributor 320.

[0052] The outlet port 360 comprises an outlet port central axis 362. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2A, as the outlet port 360 is arranged in a centre of the base portion 350, the outlet port central axis 362 is coincident with the base portion central axis 352. In other embodiments, however, the outlet port 360 may not be arranged in a centre of the base portion 350 and thus the outlet port central axis 362 may not be coincident with the base portion central axis 352.

[0053] In some embodiments, for example the embodiment shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the outlet port 360 is substantially elliptical in form and comprises a first focal point 364 and a second focal point 365. The substantially elliptical form of the outlet port 360 comprises an imaginary major axis with which the first and second focal points 364, 365 coincide. Both the first and second focal points 364, 365 are offset from the central axis 332 of the chamber defined by the distributor 320, for example by anywhere between 1 to 500 millimetres, e.g. between 10 and 100 millimetres. In other embodiments, for example when the outlet port 360 is substantially circular in form, the outlet port 360 comprises only the first focal point 364 which coincides with the outlet port central axis 362. The first focal point 364 is also offset from the central axis 332 of the chamber defined by the distributor 320, for example by anywhere between 1 to 500 millimetres, e.g. between 10 and 100 millimetres. In some embodiments, the distributor 320 may comprise a lid (not shown) such that the feed spreader 300 may be submerged in the breeding pen assembly 100. In such embodiments, the wall portion 334, the base portion 350, and the lid define the chamber of the distributor 320.

[0054] The second embodiment of the feed spreader 300, as seen in Figures 3A and 3B, further comprises a distributor aperture 361 for receiving the insert 400. The insert 400 comprises an engagement portion 410 and an insert port 420. The insert 400 is arranged within the distributor aperture 361 of the distributor 320 such that the insert port 420 may be considered as the outlet port 360 of the distributor 320. The insert 400 is annular in form. The engagement portion 410 of the inserts 400 shown in the figures comprise a substantially circular outer perimeter 414. As can be seen in Figure 4B, the engagement portion 410 comprises a central axis 412. Furthermore, the insert port 420 comprises an insert port central axis 422. In some embodiments, for example the embodiment shown in Figure 4A, the Insert port 420 is substantially elliptical in form and comprises a first focal point 424 and a second focal point 425. The substantially elliptical form of the insert port 420 comprises an imaginary major axis with which the first and second focal points 424, 425 coincide. As can be seen in Figure 4B, both the first and second focal points 424, 425 are offset from the engagement portion central axis 412, for example by anywhere between 1 to 500 millimetres, e.g. between 10 and 100 millimetres. In other embodiments, for example when the inlet port 420 is substantially circular in form, the inlet port 420 comprises only the first focal point 424 which coincides with the insert port central axis 422. The first focal point 424 is also offset from the engagement portion central axis 412, for example by anywhere between 1 to 500 millimetres, e.g. between 10 and 100 millimetres.

[0055] The insert port 420 may comprise an inner threaded surface 427 for imparting swirl to a flow of feed conveyed therethrough, as seen in Figure 4A.

[0056] Each feed outlet 370 comprises a conduit for conveying the flow of feed from the outlet port 360 of the distributor 320 out into the breeding pen 200. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2A, the feed spreader 300 comprises five feed outlets 370, but in other embodiments may comprise fewer, for example two, three, or four feed outlets 370, or more, for example six, seven, eight, nine, or ten feed outlets 370. In some embodiments, there may be more than ten feed outlets 370. In the present example, the feed outlets 370 are arranged rotationally symmetrically relative to the base portion central axis 352.

[0057] A person skilled in the art will understand that the figures are just principal drawings. The relative proportions of individual elements may also be distorted. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A feed spreader (300) for distributing water-borne feed in a breeding pen (200), the feed spreader (300) comprising: a feed inlet (310); a distributor (320) defining a chamber comprising a central axis, the distributor (320) comprising: an inlet port (336) in fluid communication with the feed inlet (310); and a base portion (350) comprising an outlet port (360) of the distributor (320), the outlet port (360) being in fluid communication with the inlet port (336) and comprising a central axis (362) and / or a first focal point (364); and two or more feed outlets (370) in fluid communication with the outlet port (360) of the distributor (320), c h a r a c t e r is e d i n t h a t the central axis (362) and / or the first focal point (364) of the outlet port (360) of the distributor (320) is offset from the central axis of the chamber.

2. The feed spreader (300) of claim 1, wherein the outlet port (360) of the distributor (320) is substantially circular in form.

3. The feed spreader (300) of claim 1, wherein the outlet port (360) of the distributor (320) is substantially elliptical in form, further comprising a second focal point (365).

4. The feed spreader (300) of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the distributor (320) further comprises a distributor aperture (361) and an insert (400) for the distributor aperture (361), the insert (400) comprising: an engagement portion (410) for engagement with the distributor aperture (361), the engagement portion (410) comprising a central axis (412); and an insert port (420) comprising a central axis (422) and / or a first focal point (424), whereinthe insert (400) is arranged within the distributor aperture (361) such that the insert port (420) of the insert (400) is the outlet port (360) of the distributor (320).

5. A breeding pen assembly (100) for raising aquatic creatures, the breeding pen assembly (100) comprising: a breeding pen (200); and a feed spreader (300) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the two or more feed outlets (370) are arranged to discharge a flow of feed into the breeding pen (200).

6. An insert (400) according to claim 4 wherein the central axis (422) and / or the first focal point (424) of the insert port (420) is offset from the central axis (412) of the engagement portion (410).

7. The insert (400) of claim 6, wherein the engagement portion (410) comprises a substantially circular outer perimeter (414).

8. The insert (400) of claim 6 or 7, wherein the insert port (420) is substantially circular in form.

9. The insert of claim 6 or 7, wherein the insert port (420) is substantially elliptical in form, further comprising a second focal point (425).

10. A method of underwater feeding, the method comprising the steps of: providing a breeding pen assembly (100) according to claim 5; and providing a flow of feed into the feed inlet (310) of the feed spreader (300).

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