Remote Electric Shark Barrier Pods Without Marine Life Entanglement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shark repellent systems fail to effectively deter sharks from entering specific areas without harming or entangling marine life, and there is a need for a comprehensive, easy-to-install, and remotely controllable barrier that is safe for aquatic animals.
Innovation Solution
A shark repellent system that creates an electric field using electrodes and floating pods to repel sharks by emitting electrical pulses, which can be controlled and monitored remotely, and does not harm or entangle marine life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If shark nets are used to form barriers, then sharks are deterred from entering areas, but aquatic animals become entangled, stuck, injured or killed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical barrier system (shark nets) with an electrical field-based repellent system. Electrodes are positioned in the water to generate an electric field that repels sharks through their ampullae of Lorenzini, eliminating the need for physical nets that entangle and harm marine life.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric field acts as an intermediary between the repellent device and the shark. Instead of direct physical contact through nets, the electric field serves as a mediating force that communicates the repellent signal to the shark's sensory receptors, causing them to avoid the area without physical interference.
2Reliability
If permanent magnet barrier systems are used, then sharks are dissuaded from passing through, but the system is complex and difficult to install and relocate
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier system is divided into multiple independent electrode units or pods that can be individually deployed and positioned. Each electrode or pod operates independently, allowing for flexible configuration and easy relocation without requiring removal of an entire complex magnet barrier system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static permanent magnet barriers to a dynamic electrical field system that can be actively controlled, adjusted, and relocated. The electrodes can be powered and positioned flexibly, allowing the barrier to adapt to different locations and conditions without the permanence and complexity of magnet installations.
3Reliability
If personal safety devices like SharkPOD are used, then sharks are repelled in the vicinity of the user, but each individual must be equipped separately and the coverage area is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple personal safety devices are merged into a coordinated barrier system. Multiple electrodes or pods work together to create a continuous electric field barrier that spans a larger area, providing collective protection for multiple users simultaneously rather than requiring separate devices for each individual.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection extends from a point-based personal safety device to a line or area-based barrier system. By positioning electrodes in a linear or spatial arrangement, the system creates a two-dimensional or three-dimensional protected zone that covers a much larger area than a single personal device.
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 effectively deters sharks from designated areas, ensuring safety for swimmers and divers while being non-lethal to aquatic animals and easy to deploy, with remote monitoring and control capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
creating an electric field in the sea water and applying electrical pulses with specific properties thereto
Implementation Method 2
sharks have highly sensitive electrical receptors in their snouts, known as the ampullae of Lorenzini
Data Source
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AI summary
A shark repellent system includes a barrier, a controller and at least one remote device wirelessly connected to the barrier. The barrier is configured to be positioned in the ocean and includes a plurality of electronic pods configured to be spaced apart along a length of the barrier. Each pod has an electrode attached thereto and the pods are configured to apply electrical pulses to the electrodes to form an electric field between adjacent electrodes, thereby repelling sharks from the vicinity of the electrode. The system includes a mooring arrangement for securing the barrier to a structure, vessel or coastal feature. The controller is configured to transmit firing instructions to the pods in order to coordinate the electrical pulses generated, and is configured to monitor operation or status of the pods. The remote device permits a user to remotely control and monitor the barrier, individual pods or the controller.