U.S. patent application number 11/109456 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-11 for system and method for controlling fish flow with jet device.
Invention is credited to David Bressler, James Massey.
Application Number | 20060096547 11/109456 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33489352 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060096547 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Massey; James ; et
al. |
May 11, 2006 |
System and method for controlling fish flow with jet device
Abstract
A system and method for controlling the flow of fish. The system
includes a vessel containing water and having an exit aperture. The
system also includes a sensor configured to sense a first fish
moving through the exit aperture. In addition, the system includes
a jet device in communication with the sensor. The jet device is
positioned adjacent to the exit aperture and is configured to spray
a jet to prevent a second fish from moving through the exit
aperture. In one embodiment, the system also includes a gate
positioned at the exit aperture, the gate being normally closed and
configured to be pushed open by a fish moving through the exit
aperture. The system may be employed for providing spacing between
fish or may be employed to provide a single fish on demand.
Inventors: |
Massey; James; (Anacortes,
WA) ; Bressler; David; (Indianola, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HUGHES LAW FIRM, PLLC
PACIFIC MERIDIAN PLAZA, SUITE 302
4164 MERIDIAN STREET
BELLINGHAM
WA
98226-5583
US
|
Family ID: |
33489352 |
Appl. No.: |
11/109456 |
Filed: |
April 18, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10444757 |
May 23, 2003 |
6880485 |
|
|
11109456 |
Apr 18, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
119/219 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K 61/90 20170101 |
Class at
Publication: |
119/219 |
International
Class: |
A01K 63/00 20060101
A01K063/00 |
Claims
1. A system for controlling the flow of fish comprising: a vessel
containing water and having an exit aperture; a sensor configured
to sense a first fish moving through the exit aperture; and a jet
device in communication with the sensor, the jet device positioned
adjacent to the exit aperture and configured to spray a jet to
prevent a second fish from moving through the exit aperture.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a gate positioned at
the exit aperture, the gate being normally closed and configured to
be pushed open by a fish moving through the exit aperture.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the gate has one end attached to
the vessel and a second end that is free to be moved by the
fish.
4. The system of claim 2, wherein the gate includes a pair of
oppositely disposed gate portions.
5. The system of claim 2, wherein the gate includes a plurality of
compliant wires.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the compliant wires are made of
stainless steel.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the vessel includes a tunnel.
8. The system of claim 3, wherein the sensor is positioned adjacent
to the second end of the gate.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the jet device is configured to
spray the jet until the sensor senses that the first fish has moved
fully through the exit aperture.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the jet device is configured to
spray the jet for a predetermined period of time.
11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a flow generation
device for generating a flow in the vessel in a direction away from
the exit aperture.
12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a fish stimulation
device for stimulating fish in the vessel to move through the exit
aperture.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the fish stimulation device
provides positive stimulation to attract fish in the vessel towards
the exit aperture.
14. The system of claim 12, wherein the fish stimulation device
includes the jet device.
15. The system of claim 12, wherein the fish stimulation device
provides negative stimulation to repel fish in the vessel towards
the exit aperture.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the fish stimulation device
includes at least one of an illumination device, an acoustic
device, a vibrational device, an odorous device, a chemical
introduction device, an electrical device and a visual stimuli.
17. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to
provide spacing between fish.
18. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to
provide a single fish on demand.
19. A method for controlling the flow of fish in a vessel
containing water and having an exit aperture, the method comprising
the steps of: sensing a first fish moving through the exit
aperture; spraying a jet into the vessel to prevent a second fish
from moving through the exit aperture.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of
disposing a gate at the exit aperture, the gate being normally
closed and configured to be pushed open by a fish moving through
the exit aperture.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the disposing step includes
attaching a first end of the gate to the vessel and allowing a
second end to be free to be moved by the fish.
22. The method of claim 20, wherein the disposing step includes
disposing a pair of gate portions.
23. The method of claim 20, wherein the disposing step includes
disposing a plurality of compliant wires.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the disposing step includes
disposing a plurality of compliant stainless steel wires.
25. The method of claim 19, wherein the method includes the step of
disposing the fish in a tunnel.
26. The method of claim 21, further comprising positioning the
sensor adjacent to the second end of the gate.
27. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:
sensing that the first fish has moved fully through the exit
aperture; and in response, discontinuing the spraying of the jet
until the sensor senses that another fish is moving through the
exit aperture.
28. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of
continuing to spray the jet for a predetermined period of time.
29. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of
generating a flow in the vessel in a direction away from the exit
aperture.
30. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of
stimulating fish in the vessel to move through the exit
aperture.
31. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of
providing spacing between fish.
32. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of
providing a single fish on demand.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for
controlling fish flow. More specifically, the present invention
relates to a system and method for using water jets to separate
fish moving through an exit aperture of a vessel.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0002] In the fields of pisciculture and aquatic resource
management, it is often necessary to perform routine fish handling
operations on a large number of live fish. Examples of these
operations include sorting fish by size, automated vaccinations,
and fish tagging/marking. When performing any of these operations,
it is typically desirable that the fish be separated from each
other. In addition, separating fish may be especially desirable in
order to allow fish to be, e.g., automatically or electronically
counted. Indeed, automatic fish counting primarily depends upon the
separation of individual fish, rather than on their orientation, as
they pass a point at which they are detected and counted.
Separation between fish is important in automatic counting
operations because counting mechanisms may not be able to
distinguish between (and therefore accurately count) fish that are
overlapped as they move past the counting mechanism.
[0003] Various devices are known for handling live fish prior to a
given operation. One such type of device are employed to orient
live fish prior to a given operation. For instance, U.S. Pat. No.
5,816,196 (hereinafter "the '196 patent") describes a device and
method for volitionally orienting fish. The '196 patent is
incorporated by reference herein as fully as if set forth in its
entirety. FIG. 1 illustrates the device described in the '196
patent. Specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates a vessel 1 with a lower
interior surface 2 and an apertured end 3. The apertured end 3
contains an exit aperture 4. The exit aperture 4 is generally of a
size slightly wider than the fish to be oriented. The vessel 1
contains water and receives the fish that it are desired to
oriented. The supply of fish to be oriented is introduced into the
vessel 1 through a supply channel 14, e.g., a supply tank, a net, a
second fish handling device, etc. A flow F of water in the vessel 1
is generated in a direction away from the apertured end 3, such as
by introducing water through the flow apertures 6 and directed
toward the side 9 of the vessel 1 located opposite the apertured
end 3. The lower interior surface 2 of the vessel 1 is tilted by
placing blocks 15 underneath the lower interior surface 2 proximate
to the apertured end 3, so as to facilitate the movement of water
in a direction away from the apertured end 3. The flow F away from
the apertured end 3 is of sufficient strength so that any fish
exiting the vessel 1 through the exit aperture 4 must swim against
the flow F in order to pass through the exit aperture 4, thus
resulting in the fish having a head-first, dorsal-side-up
orientation. The fish are guided towards the exit aperture 4 by
slanted walls 7. However, while the device illustrated in FIG. 1,
and other conventional fish orienting devices like it, are useful
for orienting fish in the head-first, dorsal-side-up orientation,
there is still a need to better and more reliably separate the
fish.
[0004] There are some conventional devices that operate to
automatically count fish. For instance, one example of an automatic
fish counting mechanism is the "Bioscanner" by Vaki Aquaculture
Systems Ltd. of Reykjavik, Iceland. The Bioscanner system includes
two acrylic V-shaped channels that are connected to a basin where
fish are gathered. Water is pumped into the V-shaped channels from
the basin, which is tilted toward the inlets of the channels. The
fish in the basin are flushed down the channels. All of the water
in this process flows into the channels. At a given distance
further down the channels from the channel inlets, the channels
narrow to the approximate width of a single fish and curve sharply
downward. The effect of the downward curving channels is to
accelerate the fish as they pass through the channels, thereby
increasing the separation between individual fish or, if the fish
were overlapped when they entered the channels, causing the fish to
be separated. Counting scanners are located at the bottom of the
V-shaped channels and operate to count the fish as they pass by the
scanners. However, this and other conventional devices for
separating fish do not ensure adequate separation between fish.
[0005] Thus, there is a need to provide a system and method for
controlling fish flow that ensures adequate separation between
fish.
[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a system and method for controlling fish flow that ensures
adequate separation between fish.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The above and other beneficial objects of the present
invention are achieved by providing a system and method as
described herein. The present invention, according to one example
embodiment thereof, relates to a system for controlling the flow of
fish. The system includes a vessel containing water and having an
exit aperture. The system also includes a sensor configured to
sense a first fish moving through the exit aperture. In addition,
the system includes a jet device in communication with the sensor.
The jet device is positioned adjacent to the exit aperture and is
configured to spray a jet to prevent a second fish from moving
through the exit aperture. In one embodiment, the system also
includes a gate positioned at the exit aperture, the gate being
normally closed and configured to be pushed open by a fish moving
through the exit aperture.
[0008] In one embodiment, the gate includes a pair of oppositely
disposed gate portions, each of which has one end attached to the
vessel and a second end that is free to be moved by the fish. The
gate portions may be made of a plurality of thin and compliant,
e.g., stainless steel, wires. The sensor may be positioned adjacent
to the second end of the gate. The jet device may be configured to
spray the jet until the sensor senses that the first fish has moved
fully through the exit aperture and/or may be configured to spray
the jet for a predetermined period of time.
[0009] The system may also include a flow generation device for
generating a flow in the vessel in a direction away from the exit
aperture. In addition, the system may include a fish stimulation
device for stimulating fish in the vessel to move through the exit
aperture. The system may be employed for providing spacing between
fish or may be employed to provide a single fish on demand.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram that illustrates a device for orienting
live fish, in accordance with the prior art;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a top view of a device for separating live fish,
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates the operation of the device for
separating live fish, according to the embodiment of the present
invention illustrated in FIG. 2;
[0013] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a device for providing single fish
for additional processing upon demand, in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective, partially cut-away view of a fish
flow control device including a water level regulation device,
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a fish flow control system
100, according to one embodiment of the present invention, that
separates fish 103. The fish flow control system 100 may be
employed to separate fish that are moving through an exit aperture
of a fish containing vessel, like the fish containing vessel
illustrated in FIG. 1. More specifically, FIG. 2 illustrates a
fish-containing vessel 102 that is filled with water containing
fish 103. The fish-containing vessel 102 has an apertured end 103
that has an exit aperture 120, an opposite end 109, and two side
walls 107a, 107b. The fish-containing vessel 102 also has two
vessel side walls 104a and 104b, that may be composed of a mesh or
other material that allows water to flow therethrough, and that
converge in the vicinity of the exit aperture 120. Alternatively,
the two vessel side walls 104a and 104b may be composed of a solid
material that does not allow water to flow therethrough.
Preferably, the exit aperture 120 is large enough to allow passage
therethrough by the largest size fish that may be contained in the
fish-containing vessel 102.
[0016] In one embodiment, positioned within or immediately adjacent
to the exit aperture 120 is a gate 106. In the embodiment shown,
the gate 106 includes a pair of pivotable gate portions 106a, 106b,
each of which is connected at a first end 1061, 1062 to a
respective vessel side wall 104a, 104b and which is free to move,
e.g., to be moved by a fish, at a second end 1063, 1064. In one
embodiment, the second ends 1063, 1064 of the first and second gate
portions 106a, 106b are curved so as to minimize the likelihood of
harming a fish that is moving therebetween. Preferably, each of the
pivotable gate portions 106a, 106b is comprised of an array of
wires, e.g., 0.010'' stainless steel wires, that are compliant
enough to allow a fish to push through the gate but which is rigid
enough to prevent or at least discourage more than one fish from
pushing through the gate simultaneously. In one embodiment, the
second end 1063 of the first pivotable gate portion 106a is
maintained adjacent to the second end 1064 of the second pivotable
gate portion 106b when the first and second pivotable gate portions
106a, 106b are in a resting, e.g., normally closed, position. Of
course it is recognized that, while the embodiment of the present
invention shown in FIG. 2 illustrates two pivotable gate portion
106a, 106b that are connected to respective vessel side walls 104a,
104b, other embodiments of the present invention may not have a
gate. Alternatively, other embodiments may employ a single
pivotable gate that is connected at its first end to a first vessel
side wall and that has a second end that, in its resting position,
is adjacent to a second vessel side wall.
[0017] Referring again to FIG. 2, located on opposite sides of the
exit aperture 120 are first and second jet devices 110a, 110b.
Specifically, a first jet device 110a is located in the exit
aperture 120 in the space 1201 between the first vessel side wall
104a and the first pivotable gate portion 106a. Similarly, a second
jet device 110a is located in the exit aperture 120 in the space
1202 between the second vessel side wall 104b and the second
pivotable gate portion 106b. The first and second jet devices 10a,
10b are configured to spray a jet, such as a jet of water, air,
etc., out of the exit aperture 120 and into the fish-containing
vessel 102 in a direction towards the fish 103. In the preferred
embodiment, in which each of the pivotable gate portions 106a, 106b
is made of an array of compliant stainless steel wires, the first
and second jet devices 110a, 110b are configured to spray a jet
into the fish-containing vessel 102 through the wires of the first
and second pivotable gate portions 106a, 106b. In this embodiment,
the wires of the first and second pivotable gate portions 106a,
106b are thin enough and adequately spaced apart so as to minimally
interfere with the jet spraying therethrough. Advantageously, the
compliant stainless steel wires of the pivotable gate portions
106a, 106b center the fish 103 between the first and second jet
devices 110a, 110b so as to ensure that the fish 103 is in an
optimal position when the first and second jet devices 110a, 110b
spray a jet out of the exit aperture 120 and into the
fish-containing vessel 102 in a direction towards the fish 103.
[0018] The fish flow control system 100 also includes a sensor 108.
The sensor 108 is configured to sense the presence of a fish 103.
The sensor 108 may be any type of device that is capable of sensing
the presence of a fish. In the preferred embodiment of the
invention, the sensor 108 is located approximately adjacent to the
free ends of the first and second pivotable gate portions 106a,
106b when the first and second pivotable gate portions 106a, 106b
are in the resting, e.g., normally closed, position. In addition,
the sensor 108 is configured to communicate with the first and
second jet devices 110a, 110b such that, upon sensing the presence
of a fish, the first and second jet devices 110a, 110b are caused
to spray their respective jets out of the exit aperture 120 and
into the fish-containing vessel 102. Other types or positions of
the sensor 108 may also be used, provided that the sensor 108 is
configured to cause the first and second jet devices 110a, 110b to
spray their respective jets at an appropriate time, as further
discussed below. For instance, in one embodiment, the sensor 108
may be incorporated as part of the gate 106, such that movement of
the gate 106 provides the necessary indication that a fish is
present.
[0019] The fish flow control system 100 may also include, according
to one embodiment, a flow generation device 127 for generating a
flow F in the water in the fish-containing vessel 102.
Advantageously, the flow generation device 127 is configured to
generate a flow in the water in the fish-containing vessel 102 in a
direction away from the exit aperture 120. The degree of flow F
away from the exit aperture 120 is preferably strong enough so that
fish in the fish-containing vessel 102, and eventually moving
through the exit aperture 120, are required to swim against the
flow F in order to pass through the exit aperture 120, thereby
providing that when fish exit the fish-containing vessel 102
through the exit aperture 120, they are in a head-first,
dorsal-side-up orientation. Of course, the flow F should not be so
strong as to prevent fish from exiting the fish-containing vessel
102 through the exit aperture 120 or to drive fish away from the
apertured end 103. In one embodiment, the strength and volume of
the flow F away from the apertured end 3 may be varied in
accordance with the type of fish to be separated.
[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, the flow
generation device 127 includes a pump or the like which generates
the flow F by introducing water into the fish-containing vessel 102
through the lower interior surface of the fish-containing vessel
102, the apertured end 103 of the fish-containing vessel 102, a
vessel side wall 104a, 104b, from above the water in the
fish-containing vessel 102, or any combination of these locations.
Water may be pumped into the fish-containing vessel 102, or may be
forced into the fish-containing vessel 102 by pressure or by
gravity. In one embodiment of the invention, water is pumped into
the fish-containing vessel 102 through flow apertures 600 located
proximate to the apertured end 103 of the fish-containing vessel
102. Alternatively, water may be forced into the fish-containing
vessel 102 through a portion of the exit aperture 120 or may be
conveyed into the fish-containing vessel 102 through tubing or
piping.
[0021] In another embodiment of the present invention, the flow
generation device 127 also includes a device for slanting or
tilting the fish-containing vessel 102. For instance, to facilitate
the flow F of water in the vessel away from the exit aperture 120,
the fish-containing vessel 102 may be slanted such that the depth
of the water proximate to the exit aperture 120 is less than the
average depth of the water in the fish-containing vessel 120. One
method of slanting the fish-containing vessel 102 is to elevate the
end of the vessel 102 proximate to the exit aperture 120 by
placing, e.g., blocks 115, beneath the lower interior surface, or
fixing an angled block or wedge to the lower exterior surface. In
this embodiment, the flow F is stronger near the apertured end 3 of
the fish-containing vessel 102, and weaker at the opposite end 109
of the fish-containing vessel 102. The flow F diminishes towards
the opposite end 109 of the fish-containing vessel 102 because the
depth of the water in the fish-containing vessel 102 increases
towards the opposite end 109 of the fish-containing vessel 102. The
weak flow at the opposite end 109 of the fish-containing vessel 102
helps decreases the likelihood that a fish 103 will accidentally be
washed over the wall at the opposite end 109 of the fish-containing
vessel 102.
[0022] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the lower interior surface 2 of the vessel 1 is tilted by placing
blocks 15 underneath the lower interior surface 2 opposite the
apertured end 3. In this embodiment, the deeper water proximate to
the exit aperture 120 may encourage fish to swim towards the exit
aperture 120. In order to provide adequate flow towards the
opposite end 109 of the fish containing vessel 102 located opposite
the apertured end 103, particularly in those embodiments in which
the two vessel side walls 104a and 104b are composed of a solid
material that does not allow water to flow therethrough, the fish
containing vessel 102 may provide a space between the bottom edge
of the two vessel side walls 104a, 104b and the lower interior
surface of the fish containing vessel 102. According to one such
embodiment, the space between the bottom edge of the two vessel
side walls 104a, 104b and the lower interior surface of the fish
containing vessel 102 is largest adjacent to the exit aperture 120
and decreases towards the outer side walls 107a, 107b. In this
manner, the current gradient may remain largest in the vicinity of
the exit aperture 120.
[0023] The fish flow control system 100 may also include, according
to one embodiment thereof, a fish stimulation device 125 for
stimulating the fish 103 in the fish-containing vessel 102.
Advantageously, the fish stimulation device 125 is configured to
stimulate the fish 103 to move in the fish-containing vessel 102 in
a direction towards the exit aperture 120 and to exit through the
exit aperture 120. The fish stimulation device 125 may include one
or both of a means for providing positive stimulation, e.g., any
type of stimulation that attracts a fish, and a means for providing
negative stimulation, e.g., any type of stimulation that repels a
fish. For instance, in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention, the fish stimulation device 125 creates an
environment within the fish-containing vessel 102 that is
uncomfortable to fish, thereby causing the fish to seek a way out
of the fish-containing vessel 102. For instance, the fish
stimulation device 125 may include a light, for illuminating the
water of the fish-containing vessel 102 or for illuminating the
lower interior surface of the fish-containing vessel 102. The
light, because it typically makes fish feel vulnerable to
predators, encourages the fish to leave the brightly-lit area.
[0024] In addition, the fish stimulation device 125 may include an
acoustic device, e.g., a speaker or the like, for introducing sound
waves into the water of the fish-containing vessel 120. Still
further, the fish stimulation device 125 may include an oscillator
or other vibrational device for introducing vibrations or shock
waves into the water of the fish-containing vessel 102. In
addition, the fish stimulation device 125 may include an odorous
device for generating an odor in the water of the fish-containing
vessel 102. Also, the fish stimulation device 125 may include a
chemical device for introducing chemicals into the water of the
fish-containing vessel 102, e.g., by placing salt, shark repellent,
or citric acid in the water of the fish-containing vessel 102.
Still further, the fish stimulation device 125 may include an
electrical device for creating an electric current in the water of
the vessel 1, e.g., by placing an anode proximate to the exit
aperture 4 and a cathode proximate to the side 9 opposite the
apertured side 3 and running a current between the anode and
cathode. In addition, the fish stimulation device 125 may include
visual stimuli visible to the fish, e.g., models or pictures of
predators proximate to the side 109 of the fish-containing vessel
102 opposite the apertured side 103. The present invention may also
include any combination of the above-described fish stimulation
devices 125 or may include none at all.
[0025] In another embodiment of the present invention, the fish
stimulation device 125 may include a system for creating and/or
maintaining a crowded environment within the fish-containing vessel
102 such that the number of fish per square foot of swimmable water
surface area in the fish-containing vessel 102 is larger than a
number with which the fish are instinctively comfortable. For
instance, a crowded environment within the fish-containing vessel
102 may be created by introducing fish 103 into the fish-containing
vessel 102 at a predetermined rate. Preferably, the number of fish
per square foot of swimmable water surface area is kept as high as
possible, provided that the fish flow control system 100 continues
to function properly. In another embodiment of the present
invention, the fish stimulation device 125 may include a system for
creating and/or maintaining a shallow environment within the
fish-containing vessel 102. For instance, in one embodiment, the
average depth of the water in the fish-containing vessel 102 and/or
depth of the water at the exit aperture 120 is less than twice the
average height of the fish to be separated so as to ensure that two
fish cannot exit the fish-containing vessel 102 through the exit
aperture 120 at the same time by having one fish swim above the
other. The fish flow control system may employ a depth control
feature to control the depth of the water in the fish-containing
vessel 102.
[0026] It is also noted that the fish stimulation device 125 may
encompass the first and second jet devices 110a, 110b. For
instance, the first and second jet devices 110a, 110b may provide
positive stimulation, e.g., may attract the fish 103 towards the
exit aperture 120. This occurs due to the inclination of the fish
103 to swim towards the agitated water that is generated by the
first and second jet devices 110a, 110b.
[0027] The fish flow control system 100 may also include, according
to one embodiment thereof, a water level regulation device 135 for
regulating the level of the water in the fish containing vessel
102. Regulating the level of the water in the fish containing
vessel 102 may ensure consistent operation of the first and second
jet devices 110a, 110b, e.g., may ensure that the jet devices spray
their respective jets with an equal amount of force each time. FIG.
6 is a perspective, partially cut-away view of a fish flow control
device 100 that illustrates various features of a water level
regulation device 135 for regulating the level of the water in the
fish containing vessel 102, according to one embodiment of the
present invention. For instance, the water level regulation device
135 may include perforations 136 through a lower interior surface
131a of the fish containing vessel 102. In addition, the fish flow
control device 100 may include an adjustable water level mechanism
137. The adjustable water level mechanism 137, in the embodiment
shown, is housed in a secondary chamber 150 that is separate from
but in fluid communication with the fish containing vessel 102. The
adjustable water level mechanism 137 includes an adjustable water
outlet, in this case a rotatable pipe 139 that is housed within the
secondary chamber 150. The rotatable pipe 139 has an orifice, e.g.,
a longitudinal slit 139a extending along the outer wall of the
rotatable pipe 139, through which water may exit the secondary
chamber 150. In operation, water flows through the perforations 136
of the lower interior surface 131a of the fish containing vessel
102 and into the secondary chamber 150. Since the fish containing
vessel 102 and the secondary chamber 150 are in fluid communication
with each other via the perforations 136, the water level in the
fish containing vessel 102 is the same as the water level in the
secondary chamber 150. In order to adjust the water level in the
secondary chamber 150, and consequently in the fish containing
vessel 102 also, the rotatable pipe 139 is rotated so as to change
the position, e.g., the relative height, of the longitudinal slit
139a. For instance, if the rotatable pipe 139 is rotated such that
the longitudinal slit 139a is positioned at the top of the
rotatable pipe 139, then the water level in the fish containing
vessel 102 and the secondary chamber 150 will both be maintained at
the highest possible level. The water level in the fish containing
vessel 102 and the secondary chamber 150 may be lowered by rotating
the rotatable pipe 139 so that the longitudinal slit 139a is
positioned at a lower relative height. Thus, the level of the water
in the fish containing vessel 102 can be regulated by adjustment of
the adjustable water level mechanism 137 in the secondary chamber
150. The present invention contemplates that the adjustment of the
adjustable water level mechanism 137 may be accomplished either
manually, e.g., by an operator, or automatically, e.g., by sensors
or the like that detect the water level. While FIG. 6 illustrates a
water regulation device 135 in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention, it should be recognized that any other
mechanism or combination of mechanisms for regulating the level of
the water in the fish containing vessel 102, e.g., level sensors,
pumps, drains, etc. may be employed. The embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 6 provides the advantage that stressed or lethargic fish are
not pinned to the opposite, e.g., rear, end 109 of the fish
containing vessel 102, because the water exits the fish containing
vessel 102 through the perforations 136 in the lower interior
surface 131a of the fish containing vessel 102 rather than through
or over the rear end 109.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the fish flow control
system 100, according to one embodiment of the present invention,
showing in part the operation of the fish flow control system 100.
Specifically, FIG. 3 illustrates the fish flow control system 100
when one fish 1031 of a plurality of fish 103 is moving through the
exit aperture 120 of the fish containing vessel 102. The first fish
1031 pushes through the first and second pivotable gate portions
106a, 106b which as discussed previously is compliant enough to
allow passage of the fish 1031. The free ends of the first and
second pivotable gate portions 106a, 106b are caused to separate
from each other but remain in contact with the sides of the fish
1031 as the fish 1031 is passing through the first and second
pivotable gate portions 106a, 106b. This contact of the first and
second pivotable gate portions 106a, 106b with the sides of the
fish 1031 help minimize the likelihood that another fish 103 will
simultaneously pass through the first and second pivotable gate
portions 106a, 106b.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, as the forward-most end 1031a of the
first fish 1031 moves through the first and second pivotable gate
portions 106a, 106b, the forward-most end 1031a of the first fish
103 contacts, or activates in any other manner, the sensor 108 (the
sensor 108 is shown in FIG. 3 as hidden beneath the forward-most
end 1031a of the first fish 1031). The sensor 108, upon sensing the
presence of the first fish 1031, communicates with the first and
second jet devices 110a, 110b to cause the first and second jet
devices 110a, 110b to spray their respective jets into the
fish-containing vessel 102. In the preferred embodiment of the
invention, the first and second jet devices 110a, 110b are oriented
so that their jets spray through the first and second pivotable
gate portions 106a, 106b, respectively, along the sides of the
first fish 1031 and towards the region directly behind the first
fish 1031. In this configuration, the sensor 108, the first and
second pivotable gate portions 106a, 106b, and the first and second
jet devices 110a, 100b are positioned relative to each other such
that, upon the sensor 108 sensing the presence of the first fish
1031, the first fish 1031 has at least partially passed between the
first and second pivotable gate portions 106a, 106b. Thus, when the
first and second jet devices 110a, 110b are caused to spray their
respective jets, the first fish 1031 has moved a sufficient
distance between the first and second pivotable gate portions 106a,
106b such that the first fish 1031 is not pushed back or
discouraged from continuing to move forward between the first and
second pivotable gate portions 106a, 106b. Instead, when the first
and second jet devices 110a, 110b are caused to spray their
respective jets, the jets from the first and second jet devices
110a, 110b are sprayed towards the remaining fish 103 in the
fish-containing vessel 102 so as to prevent or at least discourage
the remaining fish 103 from moving between the first and second
pivotable gate portions 106a, 106b.
[0030] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
first and second jet devices 110a, 110b are configured to spray the
jet until the sensor 108 senses that the first fish 1031 has moved
fully through the exit aperture 120, e.g., when the sensor 108
senses that the rear-most portion of the first fish 1031 has moved
past the sensor 108. At this point, the sensor 108 may communicate
with the first and second jet devices 110a, 110b so as to
discontinue spraying the jets until another fish 103 is sensed in
the exit aperture 120. In another embodiment, the first and second
jet devices 110a, 110b are configured to spray the jet for an
additional predetermined amount of time after the sensor 108 senses
that the first fish 1031 has moved fully through the exit aperture
120. In still another embodiment of the present invention, the
first and second jet devices 110a, 110b are configured to spray the
jet for a predetermined period of time after sensing that the
forward-most portion 1031a of the first fish 1031 is in the exit
aperture 120.
[0031] The present invention may be used in various different ways.
For instance, the fish flow control system 100 may be used to
provide spacing between fish. The jets sprayed by the first and
second jet devices 110a, 110b are thus used to push backwards, or
at least discourage the forward movement of, all but a first fish,
such as the first fish 1031, as the fish are attempting to move
single file through the exit aperture 120 of the fish-containing
vessel 102. Because the gate 106, according to one embodiment of
the present invention, may be compliant, various sizes of fish may
be controlled by the fish flow control system 100--thus, the fish
103 may be sorted or unsorted. An arrangement of this type is
advantageous for operations that require a high throughput, such as
sorting or counting.
[0032] The fish flow control system 100 may also be used to provide
a fish on demand. Advantageously, in this embodiment, the fish are
already sorted, e.g, all of the fish in the fish-containing vessel
102 are of a similar size or type. FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an
embodiment of the present invention in which fish are disposed in a
tunnel such that a single fish may be provided for additional
processing upon demand. FIG. 4 illustrates, in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention, pre-sorted fish 203 that are
disposed in a relatively narrow tunnel 202. Advantageously, the
width of the tunnel 202 is provided so as to cause the fish 203 to
be arranged in a single file. Once arranged in a single file, the
position of a first fish 2031 is controlled via closed-loop control
of the water flow in the tunnel. Once a fish is demanded, the first
fish 2031 is allowed to move forward within the tunnel 202. After
the widest part of the first fish 2031 has past a predetermined
point in the tunnel 202, first and second jet devices 210a, 210b
spray a jet to push backwards, or at least discourage the forward
movement of, a second fish swimming behind the first fish 2031. The
first fish 2031 moves forward to be processed. The position of the
second fish is then controlled via closed-loop control of the water
flow in the tunnel 202 until another fish is demanded. This
embodiment has the advantage that a fish is always ready to be
provided when a fish is demanded, making it particularly
well-suited for processes such as tagging, vaccinating, etc.
[0033] Thus, the present invention, in accordance with various
embodiments thereof, provides numerous advantages as compared to
conventional fish flow control devices. For example, the fish flow
control device of the present invention provides a system and
method for ensuring adequate separation between fish as the fish
are handled by a fish flow control device. In addition, the fish
flow control device of the present invention provides a fish
stimulation device 125 that is configured to stimulate the fish 103
to move in the fish-containing vessel 102 in a direction towards
the exit aperture 120 and to exit through the exit aperture 120. As
mentioned previously, the fish stimulation device 125 may include
positive fish stimulation means, e.g., a visual stimuli device, for
attracting a fish and/or negative fish stimulation means, e.g., an
illumination device, an acoustic device, a vibrational device, an
odorous device, a chemical introduction device, an electrical
device and/or a visual stimuli device, to repel a fish. In
addition, the present invention provides positive stimulation in
the form of the first and second jet devices 110a, 110b, which may
attract the fish 103 towards the exit aperture 120 by taking
advantage of the inclination of the fish 103 to swim towards
agitated water that is generated by the first and second jet
devices 110a, 110b. By providing this stimulation, the fish 103 are
drawn towards the exit aperture 120 and the throughput of the fish
flow control system of the present invention may be increased.
Furthermore, the fish flow control system 100 also has the
advantage that the jets that are sprayed from the first and second
jet devices 110a, 110b cause the water in the fish-containing
vessel 102 to be circulated. Thus, stressed or lethargic fish 103
in the fish-containing vessel 102 may be moved towards the
apertured end 103 of the fish-containing vessel 102, thereby
enticing them to exit the fish-containing vessel 102 through the
exit aperture 120. This action may reduce the overall stress in the
population of fish 103 in the fish-containing vessel 102 as
compared with a tranquil or stagnant vessel.
[0034] Thus, the several aforementioned objects and advantages of
the present invention are most effectively attained. Those skilled
in the art will appreciate that numerous modifications of the
exemplary example embodiments described hereinabove may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Although various exemplary example embodiments of the present
invention have been described and disclosed in detail herein, it
should be understood that this invention is in no sense limited
thereby and that its scope is to be determined by that of the
appended claims.
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