Aquaculture Cage Segmented Net and Upper Enclosure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aquaculture cages face issues with corrosion and biofouling, leading to reduced longevity and increased maintenance costs, as well as susceptibility to predators, which affects fish health and yield.
Innovation Solution
The design features a buoyant structure with a copper alloy aquaculture net portion submerged below the water surface and a non-corrodible upper enclosure portion, supported by a net flotation device that counteracts most of the net's weight, reducing corrosion and biofouling, while also incorporating a platform with a walkway for easy access and predator deterrence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal wire nets are used to construct the cage, then the cage provides protection from predators and structural strength, but the metal nets are subject to corrosion that reduces thickness and limits service life
Solution Approach 1:
The cage is divided into two distinct portions: an upper enclosure portion made of non-corrodible material and a lower aquaculture net portion made of corrodible metal material. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function and environmental conditions, with the non-corrodible upper portion protecting against elements and the metal lower portion providing predator protection where it is most needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Different materials are used for different portions of the cage based on local requirements. The upper enclosure portion uses non-corrodible material to resist corrosion from wave action and aerial exposure, while the lower aquaculture net portion uses metal wire to provide predator protection. This local quality approach ensures each material is optimally suited to its specific operational environment.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the thickness of metal wire is increased to increase service life, then corrosion resistance improves, but the weight of the net increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The cage net is segmented into upper and lower portions with different material specifications. The upper portion uses non-corrodible material that does not require increased thickness for corrosion resistance, while the lower portion uses standard-thickness metal wire. This segmentation avoids the need to increase the thickness of metal wire throughout the entire cage, thereby controlling weight while maintaining service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The material composition parameter is changed from uniform metal wire throughout to a combination of non-corrodible material for the upper portion and metal wire for the lower portion. This parameter change allows the cage to achieve adequate service life without increasing the thickness and weight of metal wire in the entire structure.
3Weight of moving object
If synthetic materials are used to reduce weight, then the cage becomes lighter and easier to handle, but the materials are susceptible to biofouling that decreases water flow and affects fish health
Solution Approach 1:
The cage is segmented vertically with the upper enclosure portion made of non-corrodible material that resists biofouling and the lower aquaculture net portion made of metal wire. This segmentation places the biofouling-resistant material in the upper portion where it is most effective at preventing organism accumulation, while the metal lower portion provides predator protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The cage employs a composite construction combining non-corrodible material for the upper enclosure and metal wire for the lower aquaculture net. This composite approach leverages the biofouling resistance of non-corrodible materials in the upper portion while using metal's predator protection capabilities in the lower portion, achieving both benefits without the drawbacks of using either material throughout the entire structure.
4Ease of operation
If the top of the aquaculture net is positioned closer to the water surface, then ease of access for feeding and harvesting improves, but corrosion rate increases due to exposure to aerated seawater and wave action
Solution Approach 1:
The cage structure is segmented into an upper enclosure portion and a lower aquaculture net portion. The upper enclosure portion is made of non-corrodible material and can be positioned closer to the water surface, improving ease of access for feeding and harvesting. The lower metal aquaculture net portion is positioned where corrosion rates are lower, extending service life. This segmentation allows the structure to benefit from both improved accessibility and extended durability.
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 configuration significantly extends the cage's lifespan, reduces biofouling, and enhances fish health and yield by minimizing corrosion and biofouling, while maintaining ease of maintenance and predator protection.
Implementation Method 1
The buoyancy of the net flotation device counteracts most of the weight of the aquaculture net portion
Implementation Method 2
The aquaculture net portion can comprise a material comprising a copper alloy, including copper with tin, zinc, or nickel, or a combination thereof
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary embodiment of an aquaculture cage of the invention has a buoyant structure configured to float on a water surface, an aquaculture net portion made of a material that is corrodible by salt water and attached to the buoyant structure for positioning a top of the aquaculture net portion at a distance below the water surface, where the aquaculture net portion encloses an interior of the cage from the top of the aquaculture net portion to a bottom of the aquaculture net portion to retain marine life, and an upper enclosure portion enclosing space above the aquaculture net portion for preventing the marine life from escaping over the top of the aquaculture net portion, where the upper enclosure portion comprises a material that is substantially non-corrodible by salt water.