Open-Bottom Marine Farming Vessel with Self-Regulating Water Level

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing marine organism farming systems face challenges such as escapes, salmon lice infestations, and illness due to closed environments, and require efficient logistics and feeding methods to manage fish growth and maturity.

Innovation Solution

A vessel with open-bottom tanks filled with seawater, featuring farming net cages with a water permeable net and a watertight canvas, connected by walkways and water inlet/outlet lines, allowing natural seawater flow and circulation, and incorporating waste separators and water distributors for efficient fish management and feeding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If closed tanks are used to prevent escapes and disease, then reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases due to artificial water level maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of escapes and diseaseVSAvoidenergy consumption for water level maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The tank bottom is designed with openings that allow the tank to automatically fill with seawater to the appropriate level without external intervention. The tank self-regulates its water level by drawing from the surrounding seawater, eliminating the need for energy-consuming pumping systems while maintaining the closed environment needed for reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The tank water level is maintained at the same level as the surrounding seawater by using bottom openings that allow free exchange. This creates an equipotential system where no energy is required to maintain the water level, as the gravitational potential is already balanced between the tank interior and exterior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

2Ease of operation

If water is pumped to high levels for feeding, then feeding capability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeeding capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption for water pumping

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By maintaining the water level in the tank at the same level as the surrounding seawater, the system eliminates the need for energy-intensive pumping to achieve feeding height. Fish can be fed at the natural water level, and waste falls naturally to the bottom without requiring additional energy input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

3Use of energy by moving object

If open-bottom tanks are used for natural filling, then energy consumption is reduced, but control over water level becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumption for water fillingVSAvoidwater level control

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tank design with bottom openings allows the system to self-regulate its water level automatically. When the water level drops, seawater naturally flows in through the bottom openings; when the level rises, excess water flows out. This self-service mechanism maintains appropriate water levels without requiring active control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If hatches are closed during operation to prevent bird attacks, then reliability is improved, but access for feeding and maintenance becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from bird attacksVSAvoidaccess for feeding and maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tank system is divided into segments with individual hatches that can be opened or closed independently. This allows selective access to specific tank areas for feeding and maintenance operations while keeping other areas closed to protect against bird attacks, maintaining both reliability and operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This design reduces energy consumption by maintaining water levels corresponding to sea levels, enables continuous feeding, minimizes bird stress, and allows for controlled lighting to prevent premature fish maturity, improving fish logistics and feed management while maintaining a healthy environment.

Implementation Method 1

The tanks are open to the surrounding seawater at the bottom, and respective tank comprises a farming net cage that holds the marine organisms. Said tanks at the bottom of the vessel preferably comprises an opening to the sea water for throughflow of the surrounding sea water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNatural seawater flow: Convection

Implementation Method 2

Respective farming net cages can comprise one or more water distributors arranged to set the water in each cage in a rotary movement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotary water movement: Turbulence

Implementation Method 3

A respective farming net cage can, in a bottom area, comprise a waste separator, said waste separator is connected to a waste installation on the vessel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWaste separation: Sedimentation

Data Source

PatentUS11840318B2Vessel for farming of marine organisms

Publication Date: 2023.12.12 KYRKJEBOE JAN ERIK

AI summary

A vessel for farming of marine organisms includes several tanks with seawater and the marine organisms that shall be farmed, where the tanks include a farming net cage that holds the marine organisms and where the tanks are open to the surrounding seawater.