Fish Transfer System Using Water-Level Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fishing vessel transfer methods cause stress and quality degradation of caught fish due to lifting them out of water, leading to physiological impacts and increased stress levels, which results in lower quality catches and safety concerns for onboard personnel.
Innovation Solution
A fishing vessel system with a transfer opening below water level, a fishing gear mover, and a vertically movable gate that allows fish to be transferred into a tank without lifting, using lifting means and auxiliary winches to manage trawl sections and connectors, ensuring minimal stress and safer operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fish are lifted out of water onto the deck using traditional pulling methods, then fish can be transferred from the fishing gear to the vessel, but fish stress increases and quality deteriorates due to compression forces and physiological impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the transfer opening and water reservoir at the same water level as the fishing gear, eliminating the need to lift fish vertically. The fish remain in water throughout the transfer process, moving horizontally from the fishing gear through the transfer opening into the vessel's hold, thus avoiding compression forces and physiological stress associated with traditional lifting methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a water reservoir as an intermediary medium that receives fish from the fishing gear and transports them into the vessel. This water-filled transfer chamber acts as a buffer zone that maintains fish in a stress-free aquatic environment during the entire transfer operation, preventing direct contact with air and deck surfaces
2Productivity
If the fishing gear is pulled completely onto the deck, then all fish can be accessed for transfer, but safety risks increase for onboard personnel due to heavy equipment and fish movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the fishing gear into two separable sections: a first section that remains in the water and a second section that is pulled onto the deck. This segmentation allows selective transfer of fish from the second section while the first section stays submerged, reducing the weight and hazard level of equipment on deck while maintaining complete fish recovery capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial pulling of the fishing gear onto the deck, where only the second section containing caught fish is brought aboard, while the first section remains in water. This partial action achieves sufficient fish transfer without the safety risks associated with completely hauling the entire heavy fishing gear onto the deck
3Productivity
If traditional sucking or pulling methods are used to transfer fish, then fish can be moved from the fishing gear to the vessel, but the working environment becomes more dangerous and manual effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pump system that automatically creates a pressure differential to draw water and fish from the fishing gear through the transfer opening into the vessel. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual pulling or suction operations by crew members, reducing physical labor and improving working conditions while maintaining efficient fish transfer capability
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The present invention relates to a fishing vessel (1) comprising a hull, a deck (12), and at least one fishing gear (2) with a net, a transfer opening providing an exit path for fish to be transferred to an inner region of the fishing gear, and a connector (11) arranged at least partly surrounding the transfer opening. The fishing vessel comprises a transfer system for transferring fish from the inner region of at the least one fishing gear (2) and into the inner space (9) of the hull via at least one delivery opening (14). The transfer system comprises a fishing gear mover (7) comprising at least one guide with which it can be releasably connected to the connector (11) of each of the at least one fishing gear (2). The fishing gear mover (7) is arranged adjacent to the hull and movable between a parking position (8) in which it is out of engagement with the at least one fishing gear (2), an engagement position in which a connection between the at least one guide and the at least one connector (11) is established, and a delivery position (17). The fishing gear mover (7) can move each of the at least one connector (11) from the engagement position to the delivery position (17) in which the at least one connector (11) is aligned with the corresponding delivery opening (14) so that fish can be transferred into the inner space.