Pliable Grid Sorting Marine Species in Fish Trawl
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fish trawl sorting grids are rigid and fail to withstand the mechanical stress of commercial fishing conditions, leading to gear failure and reduced trawl efficiency due to their inflexibility and inability to handle high volumes of catch effectively.
Innovation Solution
A pliable grid system using stainless steel cables with adjustable bar spacing and back straps that maintain consistent grid spacing when deployed, allowing for flexibility during retrieval and deployment, and securing to the trawl webbing to maintain shape and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid sorting grid is used in a fish trawl, then bycatch exclusion effectiveness is improved, but the gear reliability deteriorates under heavy loads and challenging sea conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the sorting grid flexible rather than rigid. The grid is constructed from flexible webbing material that can dynamically adapt to heavy loads and challenging sea conditions, allowing it to bend and flex without breaking while maintaining its sorting function. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the grid to maintain reliability under stress through dynamic flexibility rather than static rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent directly applies this principle by constructing the sorting grid from flexible webbing material instead of rigid structures. The flexible webbing allows the grid to withstand heavy loads and challenging sea conditions by bending and flexing, preventing gear failure while maintaining bycatch exclusion effectiveness. This approach transforms the grid from a rigid structure that fails under stress to a flexible structure that adapts to stress.
2Reliability
If a rigid sorting grid is used in a fish trawl, then bycatch exclusion effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases due to difficulty in retrieval and deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible webbing construction allows the grid to dynamically collapse and expand during retrieval and deployment. When the trawl is hauled in, the flexible grid naturally compresses and flexes, making it easier to retrieve through the net reel without requiring complex mechanisms. This resolves the contradiction by making the grid easier to operate while maintaining its sorting effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible webbing material allows the grid to be easily compressed and maneuvered during retrieval and deployment operations. The flexibility enables the grid to pass through the net reel and be repositioned without requiring complex mechanical assistance, directly improving ease of operation while maintaining bycatch exclusion effectiveness.
3Reliability
If a rigid sorting grid is used in a fish trawl, then bycatch exclusion effectiveness is improved, but the loss of time increases due to gear failure and reduced trawl efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible webbing grid maintains its sorting function under heavy loads and challenging conditions without failing, ensuring continuous operation and maintaining trawl efficiency. The dynamic flexibility prevents gear failure that would otherwise require time-consuming repairs or replacements, directly addressing the productivity loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible webbing construction prevents gear failure under stress, ensuring the sorting grid remains functional throughout the trawl operation. This eliminates downtime associated with gear failure and maintains consistent bycatch exclusion effectiveness, thereby improving overall trawl productivity and efficiency.
4Reliability
If a rigid sorting grid is used in a fish trawl, then bycatch exclusion effectiveness is improved, but the weight of the gear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible webbing material used in the grid is significantly lighter than rigid materials such as metal or hard plastic would be. This flexible construction maintains bycatch exclusion effectiveness while reducing the overall weight of the sorting grid, directly addressing the weight contradiction.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatus for sorting undesired marine species during trawling, provides a pliable grid when the trawl net is pulled from the water and wound tightly on the net reel, and when the trawl is deployed in the water, the apparatus is fixed into place inside the trawl and holding its shape with consistent grid spacing. Marine species sorting apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes grid, back straps, and lead ring. Grid includes a plurality of bars surrounded by grid frame. Grid frame is attached to lead ring at an angle using terminal couplers. Lead ring supports grid and secures marine species sorting apparatus in trawl webbing referred to as the extension.