Adjustable Damper for Fish Rearing Vessel Current Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current water current producing systems in fish rearing vessels struggle to maintain a constant water speed regardless of varying water pressure and quantity, making it difficult to provide an optimal aquatic environment for fish as the water speed is affected by multiple parameters and cannot be easily adjusted.

Innovation Solution

A manually operable system that allows for stepless adjustment of the outlet opening area by using a slide-shaped damper with axial slits and guides, enabling control over the outlet speed and flow rate independently of water quantity, ensuring optimal swimming conditions for fish.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the water flow rate is increased to meet varying fish rearing needs, then the water quantity increases, but the outlet speed increases proportionally causing excessive current strength

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater quantityVSAvoidoutlet speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the nozzle opening area adjustable rather than fixed. The system allows dynamic modification of the flow area independently of flow rate changes, enabling decoupling of quantity and speed control. This resolves the contradiction by allowing water quantity to vary while maintaining constant outlet speed through area adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of nozzle opening area to independently control flow characteristics. By modifying the area parameter separately from flow rate, the system can increase water quantity without proportionally increasing outlet speed, thus resolving the technical contradiction between quantity and speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If the nozzle opening area is increased to allow more water flow, then the water quantity increases, but the jet speed decreases making the current too weak

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater quantityVSAvoidjet speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts both area and flow rate parameters to achieve desired current strength. When more water is needed, the system increases flow rate while maintaining or adjusting area to keep jet speed appropriate, resolving the contradiction between quantity and speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent independently controls two parameters (area and flow rate) that were previously coupled. By changing area to allow more flow while adjusting flow rate to maintain speed, the system resolves the contradiction between increasing water quantity and maintaining jet speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If static slotted pipes are used with fixed slot areas, then the system is simple to manufacture, but the water speed cannot be adjusted to match varying fish rearing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidwater speed adjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static, fixed-area nozzle system into a dynamic system with adjustable opening areas. This allows the same basic pipe structure to adapt to varying fish rearing needs by modifying the effective flow area, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system gains multi-functionality by enabling a single nozzle structure to serve multiple flow conditions. The adjustable area mechanism allows the same device to handle varying water quantities and speed requirements for different fish species, sizes, and densities, enhancing versatility without complicating the basic design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If adjustable orifices are added to close individual nozzle openings, then the outlet area can be modified, but the system becomes complex and difficult to operate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutlet area controlVSAvoidsystem operability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual adjustment mechanisms into a single integrated control system. Instead of requiring separate control for each nozzle opening, the system uses unified control to adjust the effective flow area, thereby maintaining adaptability while dramatically improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A single control mechanism performs the multi-functional task of adjusting outlet area for various flow conditions. This universal control element replaces complex individual orifice adjustments, enabling area modification while keeping the system simple to operate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This solution maintains a constant optimal water speed and flow rate, allowing for precise adjustment to meet the changing needs of fish rearing vessels, ensuring fish comfort and efficient water usage without excessive water consumption.

Implementation Method 1

A manually operable system that allows for stepless adjustment of the outlet opening area by using a slide-shaped damper with axial slits and guides, enabling control over the outlet speed and flow rate independently of water quantity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow control through adjustable opening area:

Implementation Method 2

This solution maintains a constant optimal water speed and flow rate, allowing for precise adjustment to meet the changing needs of fish rearing vessels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow velocity control through area adjustment:

Data Source

PatentEP2157850B1Current producing means for fish rearing vessel.
Publication Date: 2016.10.05 ARTEC AQUA
  • EP2157850B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2157850B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Current producing device for cylindrical fish rearing vessels (11), having at least one supply or distributor pipe (15) for supply of water, which is located by the edge of the rearing vessel and provided with numerous nozzle openings (18). A damper (means 21) displaceable with regard to the nozzle openings (18) is arranged axially movable between lateral guides (19, 20). The nozzle openings (18) in the distributor pipe (15) is provided with axially extending slits, having a length which exceeds the width by a factor of at least (2). The damper means exhibits numerous slit openings (22), which correspond with the slit openings in the distributor pipe (15) with regard to shape and number. The damper means (21) is connected to a linear motor (23, 25) for controlling the axial movement.