Fish Uptake Duct with Upward Water Stream

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for taking up fish from net cages in fish farming, such as lifting or using pumps, cause stress and physical damage to the fish, and treatments like chemical baths can be harmful due to oxygen deprivation and increased density, which affects the quality and value of the fish.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that utilize a duct with a water stream and grating to allow fish to swim upstream, using their natural instinct, and a pumping system that introduces oxygen-rich, cold water to attract and lift the fish, reducing stress and physical harm, and a processing duct for treatment or sorting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If specialized pumps are used for taking up fish, then fish can be lifted from water, but fish suffer physical damage and stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefish uptake efficiencyVSAvoidfish physical damage and stress

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical pumping systems with a hydraulic flow system. Water flows through a tube to create a current that naturally carries fish upward, eliminating the need for mechanical pumps that cause physical damage and stress to the fish.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses hydraulic principles by allowing water to flow through a tube, creating a current that transports fish from the net cage to the processing area. This hydraulic transport method is gentler than mechanical pumping and reduces fish injury.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Quantity of substance

If net cage volume is reduced by lifting, then fish density increases for treatment, but expensive lifting equipment is required and fish suffer stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefish densityVSAvoidlifting equipment cost and complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses hydraulic flow through a vertically oriented tube to transport fish upward into a concentrated area. The water current naturally carries fish to the top where they accumulate, achieving high density without requiring expensive crane or lifting equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Adaptability or versatility

If impermeable tarpaulin is used for in situ treatment, then treatment can be performed, but oxygen supply to fish is reduced or stopped

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment capabilityVSAvoidoxygen deprivation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts fish from the net cage environment and transports them through a tube to an external processing area. This allows treatment to occur outside the cage without using impermeable tarpaulins, maintaining natural water exchange and oxygen supply while still enabling treatment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 approach minimizes stress and physical damage to the fish, maintains fish quality, and provides an efficient and cost-effective means for fish transfer, treatment, and sorting, while ensuring sufficient oxygen levels and reducing the need for expensive lifting equipment.

Implementation Method 1

introducing water into the duct from the upper open end to give a water stream from the upper open end of the duct to the lower open end of the duct

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWater flow:

Implementation Method 2

a pumping system that introduces oxygen-rich, cold water to attract and lift the fish

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxygen dissolution in water:

Implementation Method 3

a pumping system that introduces oxygen-rich, cold water to attract and lift the fish

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal convection:

Data Source

PatentUS10111413B2Method and device for taking up fish from a body of water

Publication Date: 2018.10.30 SEA SOUL

AI summary

A method for taking fish up from a body of water comprising the steps of providing a duct (14) having a lower open end below the water surface and an upper open end arranged at a floating working platform (5) above sea level; introducing water into the duct (14) from the upper open end to give a water stream from the upper open end of the duct to the lower open end of the duct; and allowing the fish to swim up in the duct against the water stream therein. The incoming water is directed to flow into the duct, and the fish is separated from the flowing by means of a grating (16) inclining upwards from the top end of the duct to a separation plate (17) arranged above the water level in the duct. A device for taking up fish, using the mentioned method is also described.