Communications – electrical: acoustic wave systems and devices – Echo systems – Speed determination
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-07
2001-11-13
Lobo, Ian J. (Department: 3662)
Communications, electrical: acoustic wave systems and devices
Echo systems
Speed determination
C367S110000, C367S112000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06317385
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to monitoring systems for detecting the amount of food waste in a large-scale fish farming operation.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Feed costs significantly impact the profitability of commercial fish farming operations. Fish farms use floating “seacages” to hold the fish. These cages are made of a mesh material (net or webbing). The net is sized to prevent fish escape while allowing free circulation of water through the cage. The net completely encapsulates the fish with the exception of surface water (that is, the cage surrounds the fish in the water around the sides and the bottom).
Somewhat analogous to feeding pet fish in an aquarium, commercially raised fish are fed by dropping food pellets into the water in the seacage. The amount of food needed is hard to judge accurately. Unlike other animals, the feeding urges of fish are more sensitive to environmental changes and other factors. What is adequate feeding one day may be overfeeding the next. In order to promote maximum growth, it is desirable to feed the fish as much as they will eat. However, overfeeding creates waste and unnecessary cost.
The fish consume the feed as it is dropped into the seacage. This is a dynamic process where the fish must “catch” the food as it slowly sinks down. Whatever is not eaten escapes the cage through the bottom and eventually rests on the bottom of the sea, lake, or riverbed in which the cage is located.
The present invention provides a way to monitor overfeeding and thereby reduce food waste by tracking the quantity of feed that escapes through the bottom of the cage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is a scanning acoustic transducer positioned below a seacage. The transducer generates an acoustic beam that is transmitted below the seacage—across the path of the fish feed as it exits below the cage. The acoustic beam echoes back to the transducer, thereby providing an “echo sound” for a sonar display. The transducer is connected to a controller that processes the echo sound signal and calibrates the signal to the rate of food waste dropping from the cage.
More specific details of the invention are described below.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5978315 (1999-11-01), Molaug
patent: 6000362 (1999-12-01), Blyth et al.
K.P. Ang, R.J. Petrell; Control of feed dispensation in seacages using underwater video monitoring: effects on growth and food conversion, Aquacultural Engineering, May 15, 1996, pp. 45-62, vol. 16 (1997), Elsevier Science, New York, NY.
J.E. Juell, D.M. Furevik & A. Bjordal; Demand Feeding in Salmon Farming by Hydroacoustic Food Detection; Aquacultural Engineering, Sep. 30, 1992, pp. 155-167, vol. 12 (1993), Elsevier Science, New York, NY.
J.E. Juell; Hydroacoustic Detection of Food Waste—A Method to Estimate Maximum Food Intake of Fish Populations in Sea Cages; Aquacultural Engineering, May 28, 1991, pp. 207-217, vol. 10 (1991), Elsevier Science, New York, NY.
M. Dunn & K. Dalland; Observing behaviour and growth using the Simrad FCM 160 Fish Cage Monitoring System; Fish Farming Technology, 1993, pp. 269-274, Balkema, Rotterdam.
P.J. Blyth, G.J. Purser & J.F. Russell; Detection of feeding rhythms in seacaged Atlantic salmon using new feeder technology, Fish Farming Technology, 1993, pp. 209-216, Balkema, Rotterdam.
A. Bjordal, J.E. Juell, T. Lindem, A. Ferno; Hydroacoustic monitoring and feeding control in cage rearing of Atlantic salmon, Fish Farming Technology, 1993, pp. 203-208, Balkema, Rotterdam.
J.E. Juell, J.C. Holm, A.K. Beltestad; In situ acoustic observation of food consumption in caged Atlantic mackerel, Fisheries Research, Dec. 9, 1995, pp. 131-135, vol. 27 (1996), Elsevier Science, New York, NY.
M. Foster, R. Petrell, M.R. Ito, R. Ward; Detection and Counting of Uneaten Food Pellets in a Sea Cage Using Image Analysis, Aquacultural Engineering, Aug. 8, 1994, pp. 251-269, vol. 14, No. 3 (1995), Elsevier Science, New York, NY.
Instituto Fomento Pesquero
Lobo Ian J.
Miller Nash LLP
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