LED Illumination System for Aquatic Animal Growth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fish experience a growth dip after being transferred to a sea cage due to sudden exposure to high-intensity artificial lighting, leading to stress, reduced food conversion, and delayed maturation.
Innovation Solution
An illumination system using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with a controller to gradually increase light intensity from a low to a high level over a period of at least one to two weeks, allowing fish to adapt and reducing stress, thereby preventing maturation and enhancing growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high intensity conventional light is applied immediately after fish transfer to sea cage, then fish growth is stimulated, but fish experience stress and growth dip due to sudden light exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by gradually increasing light intensity over a period of 1-4 weeks before reaching full intensity. This gradual adaptation process prepares the fish for high-intensity lighting conditions, preventing the sudden stress response that would otherwise occur when high-intensity light is applied immediately after transfer to sea cages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the light intensity variable rather than static. The lighting system dynamically adjusts intensity over time, transitioning from low initial intensity to high final intensity. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to the changing needs of the fish during their acclimatization period, optimizing both stress reduction and growth stimulation.
2Productivity
If high intensity light is applied continuously, then fish growth is enhanced, but fish sexual maturation is triggered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing alternating periods of high-intensity light and darkness after the gradual acclimatization phase. This photoperiodic regime, with specific light/dark cycles, stimulates growth while preventing the continuous exposure that would trigger sexual maturation. The periodic variation in light intensity allows the system to maintain growth enhancement benefits while avoiding the adverse effect of premature maturation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying both the intensity and duration of light exposure. After the gradual intensity increase phase, the system transitions to a regime where light intensity and photoperiod are dynamically adjusted. This parameter variation allows optimization of growth conditions while preventing the conditions that lead to sexual maturation, thereby maintaining system reliability for growth enhancement purposes.
3Loss of time
If light intensity is increased rapidly, then adaptation period is shortened, but fish stress and growth dip are exacerbated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a gradual light intensity increase over 1-4 weeks before reaching full intensity. This extended acclimatization period, while longer than rapid transitions, prevents the severe growth dip and stress responses that would occur with rapid intensity increases. The preliminary gradual adaptation ensures fish are properly prepared for subsequent high-intensity growth-stimulating phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by using a gradual light intensity increase regime during the acclimatization phase. This gradual transition acts as a cushion, protecting the fish from the shock of sudden high-intensity light exposure. The extended but controlled adaptation period reduces stress and prevents the growth dip that would otherwise occur, thereby protecting overall productivity despite the longer initial timeframe.
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 gradual light intensity increase mitigates the growth dip, improves visibility for food, reduces stress, and allows fish to grow faster and reach harvest size earlier.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light source comprising at least one light emitting diode arranged to emit light to the volume of water
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination system and method configured for mitigating a growth dip and as a consequence enhancing the growth of aquatic animals in a volume of water is disclosed. The illumination system comprises at least one light source (110) comprising at least one light emitting diode arranged to emit light to the volume of water and at least one light driver (120) arranged to drive the at least one light source. The illumination system also comprises a controller (140) that is adapted to provide control signals to the light driver to increase a light intensity level of the light emitted from the at least one light source from a first light intensity level (II) to a second light intensity level (12) over a time period (T) of at least one day to two weeks, preferably at least two days to two weeks.