Submersible Fish Cage with Geostationary Positioning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aquaculture systems for open ocean fish farming face challenges in maintaining efficient waste management and contamination prevention, particularly in deep ocean waters, as mesh netting in current structures becomes contaminated and difficult to clean effectively.

Innovation Solution

A submersible fish farming structure with a geostationary positioning system, comprising a submersible cage enclosure, buoyancy control, signal-receiving apparatus, geostationary-position-correction apparatus, and propulsion system, which allows for automated positioning and maintenance in deep ocean depths without anchoring or mooring, using a topside buoy for power and feed storage and distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cage structures are anchored to the sea floor or moored to shore piers, then stability and positioning are improved, but deployment depth and flexibility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning stabilityVSAvoiddeployment depth flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical anchoring and mooring systems with an automated dynamic positioning system that uses GPS satellites for location determination and computer-controlled propulsion thrusters for position maintenance. This substitution eliminates the need for physical connections to the sea floor or shore, enabling deployment in greater ocean depths while maintaining reliable positioning through electronic control and automated feedback mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If mesh netting is used in cage structures, then fish containment is improved, but waste management and cleaning efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefish containmentVSAvoidwaste management efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the fish containment function from traditional mesh netting by enclosing fish in a cage structure with solid walls that have openings or doors for fish passage. This extraction removes the mesh netting material that causes waste accumulation and contamination, allowing for improved waste management while maintaining effective fish containment through the alternative enclosure design with controlled access points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If automated positioning systems are implemented, then deployment flexibility and depth capability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment flexibilityVSAvoidpositioning system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service automated positioning system where the cage structure autonomously determines its own location using GPS satellite signals and automatically controls its propulsion thrusters to maintain the desired position. The system continuously monitors its position and makes automatic corrections without human intervention, reducing operational complexity despite the advanced technology involved. The computer control system integrates navigation, positioning, and propulsion control into a unified automated framework.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables large-scale, efficient fish farming in deep ocean waters by maintaining a healthy environment, minimizing contamination, and allowing for extended marine deployment with automated positioning, reducing the need for anchoring and improving waste management through continuous ocean current flushing.

Implementation Method 1

a buoyancy control means coupled to the cage structure for raising and lowering the cage structure relative to the ocean surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

a signal-receiving apparatus coupled to the cage structure for receiving an ocean-positioning signal transmitted from an external source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic signal reception: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

a propulsion system coupled to the cage structure for generating and directing a corrective propulsion force commensurate with the geostationary-error signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic propulsion: Electromagnetic Propulsion

Data Source

PatentUS9655347B2Automated open ocean fish farm structures and systems for open ocean fish farming

Publication Date: 2017.05.23 SPENCER JR TRUSTEE WILLIAM A SPENCER JR LTD TRUST DTD 11 02 2007 WILLIAM A

AI summary

An autonomous open-ocean fish-farming structure has a submersible cage enclosure tethered to a topside buoy. The topside buoy stores feed, is equipped with radio telemetry to communicate positioning signals transmitted from external sources, and generates electrical power using, for example, a hybrid solar OTEC heat engine. The structure is navigated and maintained in a geostationary position within the ocean environment by means of position-correction technology and is propelled by thrusters attached to the cage enclosure and, optionally, to the underside of the topside buoy. The self-positioning, self-powered fish-farming structure enables unmanned, extended marine deployment in deeper ocean waters without the need for tethering or anchoring to the ocean floor. Multiple structures can be maintained in a spaced apart configuration to comprise a flotilla of fish farming structures attended by a tender ship that is autonomous, easily serviced and conveniently relocated.