Pneumatic Aquaculture Apparatus for Shellfish Bio-fouling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aquaculture systems for shellfish, particularly oysters, face challenges in deeper waters due to instability when floating devices from the water bottom to the surface, leading to potential overturning and increased labor and safety risks for bio-fouling control.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatically controlled aquaculture apparatus that includes a lift vessel, a container for holding shellfish, an inflatable buoy bladder, and a compressed gas source, allowing for independent control of gas supply to each component. This apparatus can be moved between three positions: floating, suspended, and submerged, maintaining stability through centered retention of the buoy bladder and controlled gas flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual flipping of containers is used for desiccation, then bio-fouling control is achieved, but labor intensity and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical flipping of containers with an automated pneumatic system. Compressed air is supplied to inflate a buoyancy bladder, which automatically lifts the container above the water surface for desiccation, eliminating the need for manual labor and reducing safety risks while maintaining effective bio-fouling control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by using compressed air to inflate the buoyancy bladder. The pneumatic pressure differential between the inflated bladder and surrounding water automatically propels the container upward for desiccation, providing a safe and efficient alternative to manual flipping
2Productivity
If containers are manually flipped for desiccation, then shellfish growth is maintained, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated pneumatic lifting system replaces time-consuming manual flipping operations. The compressed air system rapidly inflates the buoyancy bladder and lifts the container to the surface for desiccation, significantly reducing the time required for this critical process while maintaining shellfish growth conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares the container for desiccation by automatically inflating the buoyancy bladder and positioning the container above the water surface before the desiccation period begins. This preliminary automated preparation eliminates the time loss associated with manual handling and positioning operations
3Adaptability or versatility
If floating devices are used in deeper waters, then aquaculture operations expand, but stability and overturning risk decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the flotation system into two independent components: a buoyancy bladder for vertical lifting and a separate floatation structure for stability. The buoyancy bladder is retained in a centered position by a frame, separating the lifting function from the stabilization function, which allows the device to operate stably in deeper waters
Solution Approach 2:
The centered buoyancy bladder acts as a counterweight and stabilization element. By retaining the bladder in a centered position using a frame structure, the system counteracts overturning moments and maintains vertical stability during pneumatic lifting operations in deeper water environments
4Ease of operation
If pneumatic lifting is used, then labor is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it retains the buoyancy bladder in a centered position, provides structural support for the container, and acts as a stabilization element during pneumatic lifting. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving labor reduction
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 apparatus enables stable and controlled movement in deeper waters, reducing labor and safety hazards by automating the desiccation process and preventing bio-fouling, while also allowing for flexible positioning within the water column for optimal growth and protection from adverse conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The buoy bladder is disposed above both the container and the lift vessel when the apparatus is in an upright position for normal use
Implementation Method 2
a compressed gas source configured to independently supply gas to each of the lift vessel and the buoy bladder
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatically controlled aquaculture apparatus is provided. The apparatus has a lift vessel that lifts containers holding shellfish out of the water when the lift vessel is floating in order to allow air desiccation to prevent bio-fouling of the equipment and shellfish. The apparatus has a floatation control tank positioned above the containers holding shellfish in a centered position of the apparatus. The apparatus also has a suspension buoy for suspending the apparatus in the water column. The apparatus may be deployed in two different suspended positions with either the floatation control tank or the suspension buoy floating on the water surface and the containers holding shellfish suspended below the surface. The apparatus may also be deployed in a submerged position in which the apparatus is resting on the water bottom.