Underwater Net Monitoring With Distributed Tension Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aquaculture net inspection is manual, time-consuming, expensive, and inaccurate, often delayed by weather or schedule, and fish escapes are costly and ineffective to remediate.
Innovation Solution
A distributed net monitoring system with releasable devices that generate tension signals through underwater acoustic modems, powered by motion, to detect defects in aquaculture nets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual net inspection is performed by divers or camera operators, then net defects can be detected, but the process becomes time-consuming, expensive, and delayed by weather or schedule constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The net monitoring system performs self-inspection by generating impulse signals that propagate through the net structure and detecting changes in tension patterns that indicate defects. The system autonomously monitors itself without requiring external human intervention, thereby eliminating weather dependencies and schedule constraints while maintaining continuous defect detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection methods (divers physically examining nets or camera operators visually scanning) with an automated acoustic/mechanical signal-based system. Impulse signals are generated and propagated through the net structure, and sensors detect mechanical responses, substituting human labor with automated physical field-based detection.
2Measurement precision
If manual net inspection is conducted, then net damage can be identified, but the process is expensive and requires human resources
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system autonomously performs defect detection without requiring human divers or camera operators, eliminating labor costs. The system self-generates impulse signals, self-processes sensor data, and autonomously identifies defects, transforming a labor-intensive expensive process into an automated cost-effective operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes expensive manual inspection labor with automated electronic sensors and signal processing systems. The mechanical inspection process is replaced by generating acoustic/mechanical impulses and analyzing sensor responses, dramatically reducing operational costs while maintaining or improving detection accuracy.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If fish escape through torn nets, then remediation efforts can be attempted, but the methods are expensive and ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system detects net defects such as tears or holes before fish can escape through them. By continuously monitoring tension patterns in the net structure and identifying anomalies that indicate defects, the system enables preventive action before the harmful effect of fish escape occurs, making remediation unnecessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback about net integrity by monitoring tension patterns and detecting changes that indicate defects. This real-time feedback enables immediate awareness of net condition, allowing operators to address issues before they lead to fish escapes, thereby preventing the harmful outcome rather than attempting costly and ineffective remediation.
4Measurement precision
If distributed monitoring devices are deployed on the net, then defect detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is divided into multiple distributed sensor nodes placed at different locations on the net. Each node independently generates impulse signals and detects local tension patterns, with results aggregated to provide comprehensive defect detection coverage. This segmentation enables scalable deployment while maintaining manageable complexity at each individual node.
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 provides efficient, scalable, and cost-effective net monitoring with reduced human intervention, extending deployment duration and reducing damage to nets while enabling rapid defect detection.
Implementation Method 1
The devices generate power from motion sufficient to power the integrated components of the devices
Implementation Method 2
The communications device for the net monitoring system receives the signals from the water
Data Source
AI summary
A net monitoring system, including: a plurality of net monitoring devices, each net monitoring device including: a housing; a plurality of tensioning arms, each tensioning arm reversibly extendable through the housing and configured to reversibly secure to a net, each tensioning arm including a force sensor configured to generate a tension signal indicative of a tension applied to the corresponding tensioning arm; a tensioning mechanism configured concurrently retract the plurality of tensioning arms into the housing; an impulse generating device, configured to generate an impulse responsive to a command; and a communications device configured to receive the tension signals from the plurality of force sensors, and transmit the tension signals through water; and a controller, configured to: command at least one of the plurality of net monitoring devices to generate the impulse; receive the tension signals responsive to the command to generate the impulse; and determine, based on the received tension signals, a presence of a defect in a net on which the plurality of net monitoring devices are installed.