Gill Net Fish Removal With Sensor-Actuated Bleeding Blade

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gill net fishing is labor-intensive and time-consuming for fish removal and bleeding, leading to inefficient operations and potential damage to fish meat, especially under time pressure.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with a sensor-actuated blade system that cuts fish free from the net and initiates bleeding by extending a blade to pierce the fish gill, using pneumatic or electronic actuators, with adjustable delay and protective housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual fish removal and bleeding is performed, then fish can be extracted from the net, but the process is labor-intensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefish removal efficiencyVSAvoidtime for fish extraction and bleeding

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses sensors to automatically detect fish presence and triggers the bleeding mechanism without requiring manual inspection or intervention, allowing the system to serve itself in identifying and processing fish

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated system combining sensors, control electronics, and a bleeding mechanism that can puncture fish automatically, eliminating the need for hand-based fish handling and bleeding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If fish are removed quickly under time pressure, then productivity increases, but fish meat may be damaged and bleeding may not be initiated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefish removal speedVSAvoidbleeding initiation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates sensors that detect fish presence and provide feedback to the control mechanism, ensuring the bleeding action is triggered at the appropriate moment with consistent reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor detection occurs before the bleeding action is executed, allowing the system to prepare and position the bleeding mechanism in advance, ensuring reliable and precise fish puncture without rushed manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If large holes are cut in the net to remove fish, then fish extraction is faster, but net damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefish extraction speedVSAvoidnet material loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary function of fish removal from the net without requiring large openings, using a targeted bleeding mechanism that can penetrate and release fish through minimal net disruption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of creating large holes throughout the net, the system applies a localized bleeding action at specific points where fish are detected, minimizing overall net damage while maintaining efficient fish removal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Rapid and efficient fish removal with minimal net damage and consistent bleeding, enhancing operational efficiency and fish quality.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor for detecting the presence of a fish

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSensor detection:

Implementation Method 2

a piston-actuated blade mounted behind an opening in the surface adjacent to the sensor. Electronics are provided to receive signals from the sensor and to operate the piston, which may be pneumatic, electronic or hydraulic.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic actuation:

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic actuation:

Data Source

PatentUS20260026481A1Methods and apparatus for removing and bleeding fish from a gill net

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 KOETJE RICK

AI summary

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for efficiently removing fish from gill nets and consistently initiating the bleeding process by providing electronic units having a flat outer surface with a sensor thereon, and a piston-actuated blade mounted behind an opening in the surface adjacent to the sensor. Electronics are provided to receive signals from the sensor and to operate the piston. In operation, a fish entangled in a gill net is brought near the sensor along the flat surface such that the fish gill is near the blade opening. Upon sensing the fish, the piston is actuated causing the blade to briefly extend through the opening in the surface in order to simultaneously cut the net and also punch into the gill of the fish, and then quickly retract. This action cuts the fish free from the net with minimal damage to the net, and also initiates the bleeding process.