Movable Guiding Grid for Gentle Fish Transfer in Tanks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fish transfer methods in aquaculture tanks cause significant stress and mortality due to disruptive guiding mechanisms, sedimentation of particles, and difficulties in maintaining tank cleanliness, especially in large-scale operations.

Innovation Solution

A horizontally arranged perforated guiding grid that moves vertically within the tank, guiding fish towards a central suction arrangement, allowing water flow and gentle fish transfer without penetrating the tank wall, using a suction mechanism connected to a siphon or pump.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If upwardly directed profiles are mounted on the tank bottom to guide fish, then fish can be directed into a small sector for removal, but sedimentation of fish waste and feed residues occurs around these profiles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefish guiding capabilityVSAvoidsedimentation of particles

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the guiding profiles from the tank bottom and extracts only the necessary fish gathering function. Instead of having fixed profiles that cause sedimentation, the system uses a movable guiding grid that can be positioned temporarily and then removed, eliminating the source of particle accumulation while maintaining fish guiding capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The guiding grid is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be dynamically positioned during fish gathering operations and then retracted to its initial position. This dynamic approach prevents permanent disruption of water flow patterns that would otherwise cause continuous sedimentation around static profiles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If fish are removed through a hole in the tank wall near the bottom, then fish transfer is achieved, but cleaning becomes difficult and stagnant water develops causing hydrogen sulfide accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefish transfer efficiencyVSAvoidtank cleaning accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a movable guiding grid as an intermediary device that temporarily directs fish toward the suction opening during transfer operations. This mediator allows fish removal without requiring a permanent hole in the tank wall, thereby maintaining tank integrity and cleaning accessibility while achieving efficient fish transfer when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The suction opening is designed to be movable or coverable, allowing it to be opened only during fish transfer operations and closed during normal operation and cleaning. This dynamic control eliminates the need for a permanent open hole in the tank wall, preventing stagnant water accumulation and hydrogen sulfide development while maintaining fish transfer capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If herding nets and suction pumps are used in sea cages, then fish can be gathered and transferred, but significant stress and mortality occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefish transfer capabilityVSAvoidfish stress and mortality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the aggressive mechanical herding net system with a gentler guiding grid mechanism that uses water flow and gentle guidance to direct fish toward the suction opening. This substitution reduces mechanical stress and physical trauma to fish during the gathering process, thereby lowering mortality rates while maintaining transfer efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The guiding grid serves as a gentle intermediary between the fish and the suction pump, providing a gradual transition zone that allows fish to be guided smoothly toward the suction opening without the abrupt confinement and stress caused by herding nets. This intermediary approach significantly reduces fish stress and mortality during transfer operations.

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

The solution minimizes fish stress and mortality by guiding fish gently through a central channel, maintaining tank cleanliness, and facilitating efficient transfer without disrupting the water flow or sedimentation.

Implementation Method 1

a suction arrangement (14) for the removal of liquid and marine organisms from the tank

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

the suction arrangement is connected to a siphon that lifts the marine organisms out of the tank through a flexible piping

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSiphon: Syphon

Data Source

PatentUS20260083103A1Device and method for guiding and transferring fish and liquid out of a tank

Publication Date: 2026.03.26 SEARAS AS

AI summary

Disclosed is an apparatus and a method for guiding and transferring marine organisms, such as fish, from a fish tank using a suction system coupled to the center part of a horizontally positioned guiding grid that moves upward in the water space in the fish tank. The fish will seek downwards and into the suction arrangement and be transferred to another tank.