Animal husbandry – Aquatic animal culturing – Fish culturing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-21
2002-09-03
Abbott, Yvonne R. (Department: 3644)
Animal husbandry
Aquatic animal culturing
Fish culturing
C119S051040, C702S176000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06443098
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to a system for feeding cultured species, and in particular in relation to cultured fish species. The system is able to automatically regulate feed output for the cultured species.
Wild species of fish introduced to aquacultures, and indeed semi wild domesticated species, exhibit broad feeding cycles that reflect the very nature of the diversification of such species. Such feeding cycles are effected by exogenous and endogenous factors that impose variations to the broad pattern.
Because of these variations, it is difficult to match feed output to the preferential feeding patterns of the cultured fish and thereby effect the ability to maximise the growth of the cultured fish. Such variations also effect the feeding efficiency resulting in feed wastage.
Various systems are available that, to a certain extent regulate the feed provided to aquaculture systems. Such systems may include detection devices which are able to shut off the supply of feed if an amount of feed is detected above a minimum value. Such systems generally are merely a “on/off” system and do not take into account the various exogenous and endogenous factors that may effect the feeding pattern. Accordingly, feed wastage still occurs, and indeed the fish may also not be fed to satiation.
It should however be appreciated that the system may have broader applications for use other than in the feeding of fish species, for example the feeding of cultured crustaceans or indeed non-aquatic species For convenience, it is appropriate to describe the invention in reference to aquaculture species in particular.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least alleviate one or more of the difficulties associated with such systems.
The present invention resides in a feeding system for cultured species including:
(a) providing
i) a sensor able to detect feed particles passing through a sample area, and
ii) a control unit, including computer data storage media in communication with the sensor, and
(b) detecting and discriminating feed particles that pass through the sample area;
wherein the control unit is able to process information obtained from the sensor and determine subsequent feed output based on algorithm parameters, said algorithm parameters regulate the instantaneous feed rate of the cultured species to adjust and match the preferred feed values meted to the cultured species at any given time.
The invention is able to identify and adapt the macro and micro changes in feeding behaviour in order to increase the feeding efficiency of the cultured species. The system according to the invention is able to ensure that fish are fed to satiation (or below if required) while maintaining an efficient food conversion ratio.
The sensor of the present invention is able to detect a sample, or indeed the absolute amount of feed which passes through a population of species occupying a particular aquaculture system. The system may include an enclosure such as a net, pen, tank, pond or other enclosure suitable for aquaculture. The information obtained by the sensor may be used by the control unit to regulate subsequent feed output.
Generally, the control unit of the invention incorporates computer data storage media, interface circuitry, EPROM memory, RAM memory, battery backed real-time clock, control button, LCD display together with appropriate software. The system may also include a switched source of power for activating existing feed dispensers.
Accordingly, the present invention further resides in computer data storage media embodying computer software which functions according to the following steps:
i) process information received from a sensor able to detect feed particles in a sample area;
ii) discriminate feed particles from other particles passing within the sample area;
iii) determine the instantaneous feed rate of a cultured species within a defined system; and
iv) determine-subsequent feed output based on algorithm parameters to match the preferred feed values meted to the cultured species at any given time.
The control unit is able to store the feeding history of the cultured species and to calculate an optimum feed regime based upon the stored history, and/or other parameters inputed by a user. The feed history may be mapped over a period of time by monitoring the feeding behaviour of the cultured species relative to the feed output and the amount of feed detected by the sensor.
The feed output is preferably controlled by the control unit The control unit preferably has a learning ability to allow it to call on prior knowledge or memory to calculate appropriate instantaneous settings. This learning ability is preferably encoded by software. The prior knowledge, or stored history, is based on past events, including feeding meal rates and feeding periods, and is stored and averaged over a period of time.
The sensor may be any suitable sensing device capable of sensing the amount of feed passing through a sample area. The sensor may be any sensor able to measure the change in flux of particles passing through a sample area, including measurement by optical, ultrasonic or other doppler effect The sample area may be a small sample area within the aquaculture system, or indeed may be the entire aquaculture system. The sensor should be able to discriminate between feed particles and other foreign material.
A preferred sensor includes:
(i) a body having an aperture orientated in use to allow objects to pass therethrough;
(ii) at least one light emitter for projecting a band of light across the aperture; and
(iii) at least one light receiver for detecting the amount of light passed across the aperture;
wherein in use, the profile of an object passing through the aperture is determined ratiometrically by measuring the instantaneous change in light level caused by the occlusion of light by the object.
Such a sensor may include collimating mirrors in order to direct the light from the light emitter to the light receiver. Real-time analysis of the profile of the object passing through the aperture allows for discrimination between the feed pellets and other objects passing through the aperture and is able to determine the rate of which the feed particles pass through the aperture.
A preferred sensor is described in co-pending Australian application PN 6815 and subsequently as International application No. PCT/Au96/00751, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The sensor is generally used for underwater use. Accordingly, it is preferred to have a sensor where the light receiver(s), light emitter(s), collimating mirrors and other associated circuitry is based with a body. The body generally involves a material transparent to the wavelength of light used by the sensor. The general design allows different sensors with a range of apertures to be manufactured utilising common operating principles and manufacturing techniques. The body generally incorporates a planar configuration consisting of two opposing plates allowing the components of the sensor to be enclosed therein. The body may be fabricated from flat sheets, such as acrylic, polycarbonate or similar material either by machining or molding. The plates have recessed areas which enclose the collimating mirrors, the light emitters and receivers and accompanying electronic systems. The opposing sheets are bonded at the time of assembly to provide a completely water tight enclosure. The bonding technique may utilise adhesives, ultrasonic welding or any suitable method, including the use of fastening bolts.
The underwater sensor may be submerged to a depth which is dependent on the type of cage structure, average water conditions, the species feeding behaviour, the number of species in the cage, the age of the species and the type of feed used. For example, fish feeding depth will also alter under certain environmental and temporal conditions.
The control unit will generally control the feed dispensed to the cultured species. The control unit is able to utilise information received from the sensor, and other parame
Blyth Peter John
Russell John Fabian
Abbott Yvonne R.
Aquasmart Pty Limited
Ladas & Parry
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