Illumination – Plural light sources – Combined
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-07
2001-03-20
Cariaso, Alan (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Plural light sources
Combined
C362S158000, C362S230000, C362S259000, C362S800000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06203170
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to illuminated devices for attracting or repelling fish, and more specifically to such devices which use an array of light emitting diodes as a light source.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fish are known to be attracted and repelled by light. This fact has been used to advantage in a number of devices for either attracting or repelling fish and thereby guiding their movements.
For example, International published application Serial No. WO/25450 (Baugher et al.) discloses a strobe light system with underwater flash heads for repelling and directing the movements of migrating fish away from turbine intakes and other danger points at dams, hydroelectric facilities, and water intakes in lakes and rivers. In order to deliver light of the appropriate intensity and wavelength, xenon tube flash heads are preferably employed by this system. Although xenon tube flash heads are durable and efficient, they generate large amounts of heat. In order to prevent premature failure due to excessive heat buildup, the Baugher et al. system employs a complex heat monitoring and dissipation system including temperature sensors, internal cooling fans and air circulation means, which adds to the complexity and cost of the system. Clearly, it would be advantageous to provide an underwater fish repelling or attracting system which does not generate large amounts of heat.
Light is also used to attract fish in the commercial fishing industry. In commercial fishing operations, illuminating devices are commonly attached to fishing nets in order to attract fish. One such device comprises a tubular, water-tight container which is easily attached to a net and contains two chemicals in chambers separated by a breakable barrier. When the barrier is disrupted, the chemicals react with one another to produce a phosphorescent light source. One such device, commonly referred to as a “glowstick”, is sold by Lindgren-Pitman, Inc. under the trademark Duralumes. While this system is much simpler and inexpensive than the strobe light system discussed above, the disadvantage exists that these devices are not reusable, and the intensity of the light given off by these devices declines in intensity after only a few hours. This is a considerable disadvantage in some commercial fishing operations, such as gill net fishing, where a net may be left at sea for several days before being retrieved. After the light given off by the glowsticks subsides, the net may be left without an effective light source for a number of days before it is retrieved.
Therefore, prior art fish attracting and repulsion systems suffer from numerous disadvantages which have not yet been overcome.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the above-discussed disadvantages of the prior art by providing a fish attraction and/or repulsion system which utilizes a light source comprising an array of light emitting diodes. Light emitting diodes emit relatively little heat as compared to xenon tube strobe lights, allowing the attraction and/or repulsion system of the present invention to operate without heat monitoring and dissipation means. The simple construction of the system of the present invention, as well as the durability and low cost of light emitting diodes, provides a reusable and durable attraction and/or repulsion system which provides a viable alternative to disposable glowsticks and xenon tube strobe light systems to attract or repel fish in a wide variety of applications.
The fish attracting and/or repelling device according to the present invention includes an array of light emitting diodes which emit light having a wavelength which either attracts or repels fish. The diodes are housed in a water resistant, protective housing which is substantially transparent to the light emitted by the diodes. Electrical power required to illuminate the diodes is transmitted to the diode array from a power supply which may be either internal or remote from the device. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the diodes are powered by a rechargeable photovoltaic power supply.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3833955 (1974-09-01), Hulbert, Jr.
patent: 4553194 (1985-11-01), Bailey
patent: 5003719 (1991-04-01), Whitlock et al.
patent: 5036615 (1991-08-01), Lu
patent: 5119578 (1992-06-01), Johnson
patent: 5157857 (1992-10-01), Livingston
patent: 5299107 (1994-03-01), Ratcliffe et al.
patent: 5388039 (1995-02-01), Dolph
patent: 5471821 (1995-12-01), Lindgren
patent: 5607226 (1997-03-01), Toth et al.
patent: 5890794 (1999-04-01), Abtahi et al.
patent: 5898372 (1999-04-01), Johnson et al.
patent: 2 161 051 (1986-01-01), None
patent: WO98/25450 (1998-06-01), None
Lindgren-Pitman, Inc., LP Duralumes Commercial Light Stick, date unknown, 1 page.
Ontario Hydro, “Response of Fish to Light”, Paul H. Patrick and G. L. Vascotto, Apr. 1991, pp. 252-260.
Int. Revue ges. Hydrobiol., “Attraction of Fish to Mercury Vapour Light and Its Application in a Generating Station Forebay”, Gerard T. Haymes, Paul H. Patrick and Lawrence J. Onisto, 1984, pp. 867-876.
Int. Revue ges Hydrobiol., “Experimental Reduction of Fish Impingement by Artificial Illumination at Bergum Power Station”, Rolf H. Hadderingh and N. V. Kema, 1982, pp. 887 and 889.
Aquaculture, Effects of fish size at harvest, initial stocking density and tank lighting conditions on the habituation of pond-reared yellow perch (Perca flavescens) to intensive culture conditions, Jeffrey A. Malison and James A. Held, vol. 104 (1992), p. 67.
Aquaculture Update, “Using Light to Harvest and Feed-train Fingerlings”, vol. 2, No. 2, Summer 1994, 2 pages.
Patrick Paul H.
Poulton Scott
Cariaso Alan
Ridout & Maybee
LandOfFree
Fish attracting or repelling device comprising diode array does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Fish attracting or repelling device comprising diode array, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Fish attracting or repelling device comprising diode array will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2511333