Livewell Control System for Vessel Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Filling livewells on marine vessels prior to fishing trips increases vessel weight, reducing transit speed and fuel efficiency, and requires significant time for manual filling, which is inconvenient, especially during competitions.
Innovation Solution
A marine electronic device that automatically fills or recirculates the livewell upon fish catch, using sensors to monitor water parameters and adjust accordingly, and assigns culling tags for fish management, allowing for quick identification and release of fish based on predetermined metrics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the livewell is filled prior to leaving the shore, then the fish are ready for storage, but the vessel weight increases significantly, reducing transit speed and motor efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary preparation by pre-programming fill targets and fish catch protocols before departure. The livewell is configured with target water levels and the system automatically executes fill operations only when fish are caught, eliminating the need to pre-fill the livewell while maintaining readiness through automated response capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The livewell system automatically monitors its own water level and fish catch status, then self-regulates by activating the fill pump when water is needed. This eliminates manual intervention and ensures the livewell is filled only when necessary, maintaining minimal weight while ensuring fish storage readiness.
2Speed
If the livewell is filled manually when a fish is caught, then the vessel weight remains low, but significant time is spent on filling instead of active fishing
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs automatic detection of fish catch events through sensors or user input, then autonomously activates the fill pump to replenish livewell water. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for fishermen to manually intervene in the filling process, preserving valuable fishing time while maintaining optimal livewell conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors livewell water level and fish catch status, using this feedback to automatically trigger fill operations. The closed-loop control ensures water is replenished immediately when needed based on actual conditions rather than manual assessment, reducing time loss while adapting to real-time fishing scenarios.
3Ease of operation
If the livewell is filled manually, then operator control is maintained, but the process requires significant operator attention and time commitment
Solution Approach 1:
The system transfers the monitoring and control tasks from the operator to automated sensors and control logic. The livewell system independently tracks water levels, detects fish catch events, and executes fill operations without requiring operator attention, thereby maximizing active fishing time while maintaining operational control through programmable parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated electronic control system that uses sensors, microprocessors, and automated pumps. This substitution eliminates the need for manual monitoring and operation, freeing fishermen to focus on active fishing while the electronic system handles livewell management.
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
Reduces vessel weight and time spent on livewell maintenance, enabling faster transit and more efficient fishing, while aiding in fish management during competitions by automatically maintaining optimal livewell conditions and identifying preferred catch.
Implementation Method 1
a pump configured to convey water from the body of water into the livewell
Implementation Method 2
a purge valve configured to drain water from the livewell into the body of water
Implementation Method 3
one or more oxygen sensors configured to monitor the water within the livewell
Implementation Method 4
one or more temperature sensors configured to monitor the water within the livewell
Data Source
AI summary
Livewells of a vessel are used to store caught fish, such as during fishing competitions. Apparatuses, systems, and methods track and use fishing information for efficient operation and control of livewells and the associated pumps. An example marine electronic device of a vessel comprises a user interface with a display screen, a processor, and memory including computer program code. The memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the processor, cause the marine electronic device to receive an indication of a fish catch and cause, in response to receiving the indication of the fish catch, a pump associated with a livewell of the vessel to one of fill the livewell with water or recirculate water in the livewell, wherein the water is pumped from a body of water in which the vessel is at least partially submerged.