Modular Live Seafood Storage with Hydraulic Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for storing and transporting live seafood face challenges such as increased operational tasks, limited storage capacity, and degradation of products due to stagnant water and restricted water flow, leading to compromised quality and taste.
Innovation Solution
A modular system with open-ended tubular housings made of lightweight materials, allowing direct placement of seafood and improved water circulation, reducing stagnation and increasing storage capacity, while maintaining optimal handling and transportability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If seafood products are frozen during transport, then they can be stored and transported easily, but they are no longer alive at destination and quality and taste deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical state parameter of the seafood from frozen to living by maintaining appropriate water temperature and circulation conditions, thereby preserving product quality while enabling transport
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a hydraulic circuit to generate water circulation that keeps seafood alive during transport, replacing the frozen state with a controlled aquatic environment that maintains product vitality and quality
2Loss of energy
If seafood is stored in integral housings with hydraulic circuits, then water weight is reduced and transport costs decrease, but the number of operational tasks increases and storage capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the storage into multiple separate tubular housings that can be arranged in arrays, increasing storage capacity while maintaining the hydraulic circulation benefits of the integral design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single housings to multi-level stacked arrangements, utilizing vertical space to dramatically increase storage capacity without proportionally increasing water volume or transport cost
3Ease of operation
If complex hydraulic circuits with supply and overflow pipes are used, then water circulation is achieved, but water stagnation occurs in lower parts and flow rate is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex supply and overflow pipe systems that create stagnation zones, the patent inverts the approach by using a bottom-up circulation system where water enters at the lowest point and flows upward through all housings, eliminating stagnation and maximizing flow rate
4Reliability
If seals are used to close housings, then water containment is achieved, but seal life is limited due to corrosive effect of salt water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent accepts that seals will degrade due to salt water corrosion and designs the system to accommodate periodic maintenance and replacement of these consumable components, focusing on making the replacement process simple and the seals themselves inexpensive
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses flexible sealing elements that can accommodate thermal expansion and contraction, as well as minor misalignments, thereby extending seal life in the corrosive salt water environment
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 system enhances the preservation of live seafood by reducing stress, improving water flow, and maintaining freshness, resulting in higher quality and longer storage duration with reduced mortality rates during transport.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic circuit adapted to generate a circulation of water in each of the housings
Implementation Method 2
an installation adapted to treat the water in circulation, so as to adapt its composition to the products of the sea
Implementation Method 3
the installation is suitable for keeping the water circulating in the accommodation at a temperature below 25°C
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a system for storing live seafood (P), comprising: - compartments (10) into which the seafood (P) is introduced, • - a hydraulic circuit (41, 42) to cause water to circulate, • - an installation (5) for treating the water, characterized in that: • - the compartments (10) form part of at least one module (1) taking the form of a unit which unit is made of a lightweight material, • - the water flow (F) generated by the hydraulic circuit (41, 42) enters the compartments (10) via the upstream end (10a) and reemerges via the downstream end (10b) thereof, • - the water circulating through the compartments (10) is kept at a temperature of below 25°C.