Acoustic Pinger Control for Deterring Large Toothed Whales
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing acoustic pingers designed to deter smaller toothed whales like porpoises are ineffective against larger species such as dolphins and killer whales, and solutions like larger batteries or boat-mounted systems either increase size and weight or pose hazards to marine life.
Innovation Solution
A pinger that emits a series of pseudorandomly sequenced acoustic pings within the 30-50 kHz frequency range, using a pseudorandom syllable selection and varying ping durations, with a power management system to optimize battery life and volume, and a sensor to activate only when fish are caught.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a larger battery is provided in the pinger to produce higher volume pings, then the deterrence effectiveness against larger toothed whales is improved, but the size and weight of the pinger increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by using a fish-triggered activation system that only operates the acoustic pinger when a fish is caught on the line. This intermittent operation allows the use of higher power output (160-240dB) for shorter durations, achieving effective deterrence against larger toothed whales without requiring a continuously high-power system that would need a large battery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the acoustic output based on trigger events. The system switches between silent and high-volume ping states based on whether a fish is caught, allowing the same battery to support higher peak power outputs without increasing average power consumption and battery size
2Power
If a boat-mounted acoustic pinger is used to provide high volume pings, then the deterrence effectiveness is improved, but the risk of harm to marine life increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by activating high-volume pings only at specific moments when a fish is caught, rather than operating continuously. This event-driven operation reduces the total acoustic exposure to marine life while maintaining effectiveness when needed, as the pinger remains silent during most of the fishing operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through a sensor that detects when a fish is caught on the line, using this information to trigger the acoustic ping. This closed-loop control ensures pings are emitted only when there is actual depredation risk, reducing unnecessary acoustic exposure to marine life while maintaining deterrence effectiveness
3Reliability
If acoustic pingers are used to deter toothed whales, then fish depredation is reduced, but fish are attracted to the pinger and become entangled in the net
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback control by sensing whether a fish is actually caught on the line before activating the acoustic ping. This ensures that pings are emitted only when there is genuine depredation risk, rather than continuously. The selective activation based on real-time conditions reduces unnecessary acoustic exposure that would attract fish without actual threat
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies periodic action by operating the acoustic pinger in intermittent bursts triggered by fish catch events, rather than continuous operation. This event-based activation pattern reduces overall acoustic exposure in the environment, thereby reducing the attraction of fish to the net while maintaining effectiveness when depredation occurs
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively deters larger toothed whales without significantly increasing size or weight, reduces habituation, and extends battery life by up to 50 times through selective activation, minimizing marine noise pollution.
Implementation Method 1
a loudspeaker configured to produce a series of pings
Implementation Method 2
a DC-DC converter configured to step-up the first voltage to a second voltage
Implementation Method 3
a capacitor configured to store charge at the second voltage
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Toothed whales are known to depredate fish from nets and longlines during the human act of fishing. Acoustic pingers are know that emit a series of acoustic pings within the range of porpoises to deter them from depredating fish. Such pingers may be attached to the nets or longlines at strategic points. However, acoustic pingers that are effective against porpoises are not effective against larger toothed whales such as dolphins, false killer whales and killer whales. In order to deter such larger toothed whales, louder pings must be employed without compromising the size and weight of the pinger.