Valve-Switched Slush Ice Transfer for Fishing Vessel Holds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fishing vessels incur redundancy and operational inefficiencies due to maintaining separate equipment for pumping liquid and slush ice, which can lead to delays if equipment fails or lacks capacity, impacting the unloading and loading process.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus on a fish tender vessel equipped with integrated valves, a vacuum pump, and a slush pump, along with a controller, allows simultaneous pumping of liquid from and slush ice into nearby fishing vessels, optimizing the process by reducing the need for individual vessel equipment and enhancing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each fishing vessel maintains separate equipment for pumping liquid and slush ice, then each vessel has operational independence, but equipment redundancy increases costs and operational inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the liquid pumping function and slush ice pumping function into a single integrated apparatus. The system uses a single hose that can be configured for different functions through valve control, eliminating the need for separate vacuum pumps, slush pumps, and hoses on each fishing vessel. This merging reduces equipment redundancy while maintaining operational capability through the integrated control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is designed as a multi-functional system that can perform both liquid removal and slush ice pumping through a single integrated unit. The hose serves multiple purposes by being switchable between liquid pumping mode and slush ice pumping mode, controlled by valves that direct flow appropriately. This universal design eliminates the need for vessel-specific equipment while maintaining operational independence through centralized control.
2Ease of operation
If fishing vessels use their own separate pumping equipment, then each vessel can operate independently, but the unloading and loading process slows down when equipment lacks capacity or breaks down
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the pumping functions into a single high-capacity integrated apparatus on the fish tender vessel, the system achieves faster liquid removal and slush ice pumping compared to individual vessel equipment. The centralized system can service multiple fishing vessels simultaneously or sequentially without the limitations of individual vessel pump capacity, thereby increasing overall productivity while maintaining operational independence through valve-controlled hose configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a single hose that can be quickly reconfigured and reused for different functions (liquid pumping, slush ice pumping) rather than requiring dedicated hoses for each function. This copying/reusability approach allows the same physical infrastructure to serve multiple purposes efficiently, increasing productivity without compromising operational flexibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If each fishing vessel carries its own vacuum pump and slush pump, then each vessel has full capability, but operational costs and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated apparatus provides full operational capability for both liquid removal and slush ice pumping through a single system. The hose is designed to handle both liquid and slush ice by incorporating valves that control the pumping mode. This universal system eliminates the need for each vessel to maintain separate vacuum pumps and slush pumps, significantly reducing operational costs and maintenance requirements while preserving full operational versatility through centralized control.
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 integrated system efficiently removes liquid and delivers slush ice, minimizing downtime and operational costs by streamlining the transfer process between fishing and fish tender vessels.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pump and a hose, as well as their own equipment to pump slush ice into the hold
Implementation Method 2
a slush pump and hose
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a pipe tee with an inlet proximate a first valve, an outlet proximate a second valve, and an inlet-outlet. The inlet receives slush ice when the first valve is open and the second valve is closed. The outlet transmits fluid when the second valve is open and the first valve is closed. The inlet-outlet receives fluid when the second valve is open and the first valve is closed and transmits slush ice when the first valve is open and the second valve is closed. A second pipe tee has an inlet coupled to the outlet of the pipe tee that receives fluid when the second valve is open and the first valve is closed, a first outlet that transmits water, separated from the fluid, when the second valve is open and the first valve is closed, and a second outlet that transmits air, separated from the fluid, when the second valve is open and the first valve is closed.