Cylindrical Jellyfish Aquarium With Spillover Riser
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Jellyfish aquariums face challenges in maintaining the delicate creatures due to their fragile nature, requiring specific water movement, temperature control, and filtration systems that avoid harming the jellyfish, and existing designs often lead to injury or death from mechanical components and air bubbles.
Innovation Solution
A cylindrical aquarium with a spillover riser and separate water and air inlet systems, incorporating media screens for filtration and a refrigeration unit for temperature control, designed to mimic ocean currents and prevent air bubbles from reaching the viewing area, ensuring gentle water movement and effective waste removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If water movement is increased to keep jellyfish suspended, then jellyfish remain suspended and moving, but jellyfish may be injured or forced against walls aggressively
Solution Approach 1:
The aquarium uses a cylindrical geometry instead of rectangular, which eliminates sharp corners where jellyfish could become trapped or injured. The curved walls allow water to flow more smoothly and gently around jellyfish, reducing the risk of injury while maintaining sufficient water movement to keep them suspended.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements different water flow characteristics in different zones of the aquarium. The water inlet creates a gentle upflow that suspends jellyfish without forcing them against walls, while the overflow region allows excess water to drain calmly. This localized control of flow properties ensures jellyfish safety throughout the tank.
2Productivity
If mechanical pumps are used to move water, then water circulation is achieved, but pumps may injure or capture jellyfish
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes traditional mechanical pumps from the aquarium system. Instead, water circulation is achieved through gravity-driven flow from an elevated source, with water entering through a screened inlet and overflowing at the top. This extraction of harmful mechanical components eliminates the risk of pumps injuring or capturing jellyfish while maintaining effective water circulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a screened water inlet as an intermediary between the water source and the aquarium interior. The screen filters out debris while allowing water to flow gently into the tank, and the cylindrical geometry acts as an intermediary that distributes water flow uniformly, preventing direct jets or strong currents that could harm jellyfish.
3Quantity of substance
If air bubbles are introduced for oxygenation, then oxygenation is improved, but jellyfish cannot tolerate air bubbles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of air bubbles into a benefit by using a screened water inlet that allows controlled air-water mixing at the inlet screen, where bubbles are broken into fine microbubbles that rise harmlessly. Alternatively, the system may rely on surface aeration where water spills over the top, creating gentle oxygenation without introducing harmful bubbles into the jellyfish habitat.
4Temperature
If cooling system is added to maintain cold temperatures, then temperature control is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs passive cooling methods where the aquarium benefits from ambient room temperature or natural convection currents. The cylindrical geometry promotes efficient heat dissipation to the surrounding environment, and the continuous water circulation naturally distributes temperature uniformly without requiring active cooling mechanisms. This self-service approach maintains appropriate temperatures while avoiding complex refrigeration systems.
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 design effectively maintains jellyfish health by replicating ocean currents, preventing injury from mechanical components, and ensuring proper filtration and temperature control, enhancing their survival and well-being in an aquarium environment.
Implementation Method 1
an aquarium typically includes a cooling system of some type (refrigeration unit; chiller)
Implementation Method 2
the water must move sufficiently to keep the jellyfish suspended and gently moving
Implementation Method 3
a typical jellyfish aquarium should also have a surface skimming capability and a filtration capability
Data Source
AI summary
An aquarium is disclosed that includes a plurality of exterior walls that define a tank, a cylindrical wall within the tank that defines a cylindrical viewing area, a first upright interior wall adjacent the cylindrical wall that defines a water inlet chamber between the cylindrical wall and the one of said exterior walls, a spillover riser in the water inlet chamber, and a water inlet in communication with one side of the spillover barrier.