Submersible Catapult Mechanism for Invasive Fish Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling invasive fish species like lionfish are inefficient and pose safety risks due to the need for manual handling and high by-catch, with existing automated systems being costly and requiring multiple personnel.
Innovation Solution
A submersible system equipped with a controllable thruster, camera, and a catapult mechanism that uses a retractable device to capture and stun fish, minimizing by-catch and allowing for efficient population management with reduced human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional spear fishing techniques are used, then fish can be captured, but the number of fish killed is small and safety equipment is required making the method inadequate for population management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual spear fishing with an automated robotic system that uses computer vision to identify target fish and a mechanical arm to deploy spears. This substitution eliminates the need for divers to wear safety equipment while dramatically increasing capture throughput through automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system operates autonomously to identify, target, and capture fish without human intervention in the water. The system self-manages the entire capture process including navigation, fish identification, spear deployment, and retrieval, thereby eliminating safety risks to human operators while maintaining high productivity.
2Productivity
If automated fishing systems are used, then productivity increases, but the cost and personnel requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular components: a robotic platform, computer vision system, mechanical arm with spear mechanism, and control system. This segmentation allows for targeted investment in specific high-impact components while keeping overall system complexity and cost manageable compared to fully autonomous multi-robot systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a surface vessel as an intermediary base to deploy and retrieve the robotic system, eliminating the need for the robot to have complex autonomous navigation and surface communication capabilities. This intermediary approach reduces the technical complexity and cost of the underwater robot while maintaining high productivity.
3Ease of operation
If manual handling of fish is required, then capture can be achieved, but safety risks increase due to venomous spines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual fish handling with a robotic mechanical arm that deploys spears and retrieves fish. This mechanical substitution eliminates direct human contact with venomous spines while maintaining effective capture capability through automated precision targeting and spear deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts the hazardous function of direct fish handling from human operators and transfers it to the robotic system. The robot assumes the role of interacting with venomous fish, thereby removing the safety risk from human operators while preserving the essential capture function.
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 captures and manages invasive fish species with minimal damage and by-catch, reducing operational costs and personnel requirements while ensuring safety and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member for propelling the releasable retractable device
Data Source
AI summary
A submersible (10) and method of using a submersible for capturing a target species comprising: at least one controllable thruster (14) for manoeuvring the submersible; at least one camera (12) for capturing images to allow the identification of an individual of a target species; a catapult mechanism (33) wherein the catapult mechanism is reversibly moveable between a released configuration and a primed configuration by an activatable motor, and wherein the catapult mechanism may be loaded with a retractable device mounted on the catapult mechanism, and the retractable device may be launched from the submersible by being propelled by the catapult mechanism; a container for receiving a captured individual.