Variable-Buoyancy Aquaculture Platforms With Pneumatic Depth Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aquaculture platforms for oyster farming are labor-intensive and time-consuming to move due to manual flipping or lowering, prone to damage during storms, and require complex operations for adjusting water depth.
Innovation Solution
A variable buoyancy platform with bottom and top pontoons connected to an air supply system, allowing controlled inflation and deflation to adjust the platform's position relative to water level, using pressurized air to raise or lower it safely and efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual flipping or lowering of bags/cages is used, then labor intensity and time consumption increase, but the platform structure remains simple
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pneumatic principles by using air-filled pontoons (bottom and top pontoons) that can be inflated or deflated to control the platform's buoyancy and vertical position. Air supply conduits connect the pontoons to an air source, enabling rapid adjustment of platform depth without manual intervention, thus resolving the contradiction between adjustment speed and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of buoyancy by controlling the air volume in the pontoons. By adjusting the amount of air in the bottom and top pontoons, the platform can rapidly transition between different water depths, achieving fast adjustment while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Ease of operation
If bags/cages are placed in shallow waters, then accessibility is improved, but vulnerability to storm damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the platform dynamically adjustable in vertical position. During storms, the platform can be rapidly raised to a higher position using the pneumatic pontoon system, allowing it to escape from shallow vulnerable waters while maintaining operational accessibility during calm periods.
3Force
If mechanical equipment such as winches is used for raising bags/cages, then lifting capability is improved, but labor intensity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical winch systems with a pneumatic buoyancy control system. Air-filled pontoons provide immediate lifting force through buoyancy, enabling rapid platform elevation without the time-consuming operations of mechanical winding or hauling, thus resolving the contradiction between lifting capability and adjustment time.
4Adaptability or versatility
If variable buoyancy system is implemented, then adjustment capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the buoyancy control system into separate bottom pontoons and top pontoons, each with independent air supply conduits and control valves. This segmentation allows for precise, independent control of different platform sections, achieving versatile depth adjustment while keeping each individual component relatively simple and manageable.
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 safe, reliable, and cost-effective adjustment of platform depth with ease, reducing labor requirements and minimizing damage from storms, while simplifying operations.
Implementation Method 1
pressurized air is provided to the bottom pontoons causing water to be displaced in the bottom pontoons until the platform is in a raised position with a top of the support frame being above a water level
Implementation Method 2
Water is released from the top pontoons with the at least a top pontoon air valve being open for enabling ingress of ambient air into the top pontoons
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A variable buoyancy platform is provided. The variable buoyancy platform comprises a support frame having a plurality of bottom pontoons fixedly mounted to a bottom side thereof. Each bottom pontoon comprises at least an opening disposed in a bottom portion thereof and at least a bottom pontoon air conduit port disposed in a top portion thereof. A plurality of top pontoons is fixedly mounted to a top side of the support frame. Each top pontoon comprises at least an opening disposed in a bottom portion thereof and at least a top pontoon air conduit port disposed in a top portion thereof. A bottom air supply conduit system is connected to the at least a bottom pontoon air conduit port of each bottom pontoon. The bottom air supply conduit system comprises at least an air supply valve for controlling air flow therethrough and a connector adapted for being connected to a pressurized air supply. At least a top pontoon air valve is connected to the at least a top pontoon air conduit port of each top pontoon. The at least a top pontoon air valve enables controlling ambient air flow therethrough.