Annular Nozzle Fish Parasite Removal Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing exterior parasites from fish, such as sea lice, often leave untreated areas on the fish and allow parasites to reattach, and are either costly or require complex maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A device using annular nozzles to create a circumferential fluid stream around the fish, directing parasites into a hollow cylindrical filter for easy separation, with a simplified design that reduces maintenance and production costs, and employs a 'blade-effect' to scrape parasites off the fish surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If discrete nozzles are used to treat fish point-wise, then the device structure is simplified, but untreated areas remain on the fish circumference
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment process is segmented into two distinct stages: a pre-treatment phase using discrete nozzles to remove bulk parasites, and a finishing phase using an annular nozzle to treat the entire fish circumference uniformly. This segmentation allows each nozzle type to optimize its function while achieving complete coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from point-wise treatment (0D/1D) using discrete nozzles to circumferential treatment (1D/2D) using an annular nozzle. This dimensional change ensures that the entire fish surface is covered by directing the fluid stream along the fish circumference, eliminating untreated areas.
2Productivity
If chemical treatments are used to remove parasites, then parasite removal effectiveness is improved, but environmental harm and fish safety concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces chemical treatment methods with a purely mechanical approach using high-velocity fluid streams generated by nozzles. The mechanical force of the fluid jet physically removes parasites from the fish surface without introducing chemicals, thereby eliminating environmental contamination and fish safety concerns while maintaining effective parasite removal.
3Productivity
If multiple nozzles connected to a water pump are used, then parasite removal capability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of multiple discrete nozzles with an annular nozzle into a single integrated treatment system. The annular nozzle combines the treatment zones of multiple nozzles into one circumferential structure, reducing the number of separate components while maintaining or enhancing parasite removal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The annular nozzle serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides circumferential treatment coverage, directs fluid stream along the fish body, and eliminates the need for multiple separate nozzles. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining high parasite removal effectiveness.
4Ease of manufacture
If discrete nozzles treat fish point-wise, then device construction is simplified, but parasite reattachment possibility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment is segmented into pre-treatment with discrete nozzles and finishing treatment with an annular nozzle. This segmentation ensures that the annular nozzle can uniformly treat the entire fish circumference, preventing parasites from finding untreated areas to reattach, while the discrete nozzles handle initial bulk removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The annular nozzle provides continuous circumferential treatment along the entire fish body, ensuring that no areas are left untreated. This continuous action eliminates gaps in treatment coverage where parasites could potentially reattach, maintaining complete and reliable parasite removal.
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
The device provides a homogeneous treatment of the fish's entire circumference, effectively removing parasites and preventing reattachment, with a durable and cost-efficient design that extends the device's lifespan and maintains fish health.
Implementation Method 1
a nozzle for ejecting a fluid stream circumferentially around a passing fish
Implementation Method 2
a hollow cylindrical filter arranged to receive the fluid stream from the nozzle
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~3b
AI summary
A device for reducing the number of exterior parasites on fish, comprising a hollow cylindrical filter member (3) having an inlet and an outlet, the circumference of the inlet and/or outlet being provided with a nozzle (1a, 1b), wherein the nozzle comprises a substantially annular slit along the circumference of the inlet and/or outlet for ejecting a fluid towards the interior of the cylindrical filter (3).