Antarctic Krill Trawl Beam With Bidirectional Wing Plates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beam trawls for euphausia superba fishing lack an active rising-diving adjustment mechanism, relying solely on vessel control of pulling rope length and speed to manage water depth, which is inadequate for precise fishing operations.

Innovation Solution

A metalimnion adjusting beam structure with bidirectional rotating wing plates driven by hydrodynamic generating mechanisms and a transmission system, allowing real-time depth adjustment and control through electromagnetic or solenoid control, integrated with a water depth sensor for precise trawl positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the trawl depth is controlled only by adjusting pulling rope length and vessel speed, then the control method is simple, but the depth adjustment is passive and imprecise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedepth control precisionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the static beam structure into a dynamic adjustable system. The beam incorporates rotating wing plates that can change their angle of attack actively, allowing the trawl depth to be dynamically adjusted in real-time based on fishing conditions, rather than being fixed or passively controlled only by rope length and vessel speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the angular parameter of the wing plates. By changing the rotation angle of the wing plates around the beam, the hydrodynamic forces acting on the beam are altered, which directly changes the trawl depth. This provides a precise control mechanism for depth adjustment independent of vessel speed or rope length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If wing plates are added to enable active depth adjustment, then depth control precision is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedepth adjustment capabilityVSAvoidbeam structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the beam into functional modules: the main beam structure, multiple independently rotatable wing plates, drive mechanisms for each wing plate, and control systems. This modular segmentation allows for easier manufacturing, maintenance, and adjustment of individual components without affecting the entire beam structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wing plates serve multiple functions: they act as hydrodynamic surfaces to generate lift and control depth, serve as structural elements of the beam, and can be adjusted to different angles for various fishing conditions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate depth control mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If bidirectional rotation of wing plates is implemented, then active rising and diving control is achieved, but the mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverising-diving adjustment capabilityVSAvoidtransmission mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a transmission shaft as an intermediary component that connects the drive mechanisms to the wing plates. This transmission shaft enables the bidirectional rotation of wing plates by serving as a common rotational axis, simplifying the control architecture compared to having independent bidirectional mechanisms for each wing plate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables active and precise control of beam trawl depth for effective euphausia superba tracking and fishing by adjusting the metalimnion, enhancing fishing efficiency and accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

the forward drive hydrodynamic generating mechanism and the reverse drive hydrodynamic generating mechanism are installed on the beam 1... When the forward drive hydrodynamic generating mechanism moves in a water body along with the beam 1, the forward impeller 8 can be driven to rotate in a forward direction through a hydrodynamic force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrodynamic force: Drag

Implementation Method 2

the wing plates are driven to rotate around the center shaft of the transmission shaft, and the angle of the wing plates can be adjusted. Therefore, a direction of an acting force between the wing plates and water flow in a process of moving in a water body can be changed, and an effect of actively controlling the beam trawl to be up and down is achieved

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrodynamic lift: Aerofoil

Data Source

PatentEP4159034B1Beam structure for water layer variation adjustment of antarctic krill trawl
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 EAST CHINA SEA FISHERIES RES INST CHINESE ACAD OF FISHERY SCI
  • EP4159034B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a metalimnion adjusting beam structure for a euphausia superba trawl, including a beam, a forward drive hydrodynamic generating mechanism, a reverse drive hydrodynamic generating mechanism, a transmission mechanism, and a rising-diving adjusting wing mechanism. The transmission mechanism includes a transmission shaft, the transmission shaft rotates in opposite directions respectively through non-synchronous drive of the forward drive hydrodynamic generating mechanism and the reverse drive hydrodynamic generating mechanism, the rising-diving adjusting wing mechanism includes installation plates, first gears and a wing plate with a shuttle-shaped cross section, the two first gears are respectively installed on opposite sides of the installation plates at equal heights and at interval, second gears are arranged on the transmission shaft, the second gears are located between the two first gears and synchronously mesh with the two first gears, the wing plate is installed between the installation plates, each end of the wing plate is connected with the two first gears, and an angle of the wing plate can be adjusted through rotation of an axis of the transmission shaft driven by reverse rotation of the two first gears. The present invention can realize controllable and active rising-diving adjustment of a beam trawl.