CN116896984A

CN116896984A - System and method for automatic maturation of oysters

Info

Publication number: CN116896984A
Application number: CN202180093779.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 卢克·格雷
Original assignee: Haslai Co ltd
Current assignee: Haslai Co ltd
Priority date: 2020-12-15
Filing date: 2021-12-15
Publication date: 2023-10-17

Abstract

An automated oyster ripening system includes a containment assembly that is rotatably disposed within a housing. The containment assembly includes a spiral configuration including compartments in communication with each other, walls defining the compartments, and a ramp. The size of the openings provided in the walls and ramp increases from the outer diameter to the inner diameter of the spiral formation such that with each complete rotation of the containment assembly, each oyster can tumble further into the spiral formation and rise from its original compartment into the adjacent inner compartment, the size of the openings in the adjacent inner compartment being larger than the size of the openings in the original compartment, such that only oysters that have grown sufficiently can remain in the adjacent inner compartment, while oysters that have not grown sufficiently will fall through the openings of the adjacent inner compartment into the original compartment.

Description

System and method for automatic maturation of oysters

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority and benefit from U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/255,213 entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATED MATURATION OF OYSTERS (systems and methods for automatic maturation of OYSTERs)" filed on month 10, 2021, "U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/170,565 entitled" AUTOMATED OYSTER MATURATION CONTAINMENT (AUTOMATED OYSTER maturation vessel) "filed on month 4, 2021," U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/135,800 entitled "AUTOMATED OYSTER MATURATION CONTAINMENT (AUTOMATED OYSTER maturation vessel)" filed on month 11, 2021, and U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/125,971 filed on month 12, 2020, and entitled "autonomous OYSTER cultivation system").

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a system and method for automatic maturation of oysters.

Background

Traditional oyster farmers rake wild oysters from the sea floor. This approach is generally not sustainable and is also inefficient.

Modern aquafarmers collect wild oyster eggs from hatcheries (larvae that begin to attach to the medium) or purchase oyster seedlings (when eggs begin to grow shells) and mature the seedlings using a variety of methods. The seedlings may be naturally matured, for example in existing oyster beds, and/or in simple floating or bottom baskets, cages or bags, etc.

Oyster maturation to typical harvest sizes (e.g., 3 inches long) may require, for example, from as short as 9 months in warm water (e.g., around virginia, florida, and alabama, etc.), to 12-24 months in temperate regions (e.g., around new england), to as long as 3 years in cold water (e.g., around novalac scotland). Oyster may exhibit more consistent growth in warm water (e.g., near mexico) and may exhibit a dormant (hibernation) and forced out of a cavity (bolting) pattern (exhibit slower and faster growth) in water that is less warm in duration but has high temperature peaks (e.g., near ct and other parts of new england).

In a typical maturation process, oysters are periodically removed from the water to be tumbled and sorted by size. Tumbling is used to clean, shape, and stimulate growth, while the oysters are raised with other oysters of the same size in order to increase maturation rate. Allowing oysters to grow unexamined may result in nonstandard shapes and inconsistent meat content, which may affect the sales price of oysters. Because larger oysters are able to pump disproportionately more water than smaller oysters, oysters of significantly different sizes are put together, resulting in smaller oysters being eliminated because of water and nutrients.

Traditional sorting methods are tedious and expensive. Sorting oysters requires that all oysters be removed from the line/bed, taken to land-based facilities for manual processing and/or processed with mechanical/optical classifiers, and then placed back into the farm. Therefore, oyster cannot be sorted more than several times in life economically. Furthermore, because current farming methods require oysters to be so intensively handled, oysters must typically be cultivated in tidal basins or other offshore locations that have been mostly fully utilized by farming (and other uses) and thus have limited capacity to provide space for additional oyster growth. In many parts of the world, farm location is further limited by local ocean conditions, geography, and prevailing natural disasters such as algal bloom, viruses, and storms. Typically, the offshore growth conditions (e.g., turbidity, temperature, salinity, prevalence of disease, etc.) are poor, such that mortality is high and growth is slow compared to the growth conditions presented in some offshore experiments. Near shore rentals can also be difficult to obtain, pose ecological risks, and are limited. Offshore permits to cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to obtain and does not provide certainty. For example, even if "federal permissions" for offshore leases are obtained, a state or other local geographic area may not have an obligation to allow the product to land on its shore. The technology and cultivation conditions vary widely, so that the best method for a given farm can only be developed by expensive trial and error methods. Oyster is usually kept in different types of containers during different stages of growth.

Some oyster farms use traditional oyster tumbling classifiers or oyster classifying tumblers, which often appear to be miniature versions of rock or gold drums, to increase throughput during the classification operation. Screw flights and/or inclination are sometimes used to transport the oysters through a rotating sorting tube as they tumble along the length of the straight tube and are exposed to openings of increasing size. For example, korean patent nos. KR 101584527B1, KR101629652B1 and KR20160107455a disclose devices similar to conventional tumble sorters for temporarily sorting and/or cleaning shellfish/other small marine organisms in transient processing applications, but they do not contain organisms during the normal incubation process. Korean patent KR20200045698A discloses a platform on which a conventional tumbling classifier is disposed beside an oyster container, but the oyster container is separated from the classifier. U.S. patent application publication No. 20200060242A1 discloses a mechanized oyster container, but does not provide the ability to sort oysters.

Other types of marine organisms (such as salmon and shrimp) mature, for example, on farms that include a through-flow system near/on the salt water body or a recirculation system in a land-locked location, which typically requires advanced filtration systems. However, such a farming system does not currently exist for oysters.

Disclosure of Invention

High labor costs (associated with oyster processing/sorting) and high operational costs (caused by limited farm capacity) have identified oysters as one of the most luxury proteins worldwide. What is needed, therefore, is an oyster maturation receptacle that is also capable of sorting oysters internally without human intervention or removal of oysters from the receptacle so that such receptacles can be deployed in large quantities offshore or inland. To date, no such containment has met design challenges in marine environments that are low cost, mass manufacturable, reliable, and long-lived. To meet this need, the present invention provides an oyster maturation vessel that can continuously sort oysters, thereby maximizing the rate of maturation and eliminating the need for human intervention during maturation, which reduces costs and allows oyster farms to move to offshore where space is more available and water quality is better. Thus, high quality oysters can grow in unlimited amounts, at a cost lower than beef or poultry.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a receptacle that can be floated, sunk, pitched, and/or rotated around a rotational axis, e.g. via a ballast tank, a water turbine, or by external mechanical manipulation of a motor, etc.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a plurality of nested compartments within the receptacle, arranged about the axis of rotation, separated by walls having holes of a specific size to allow a sufficiently small oyster to fall under gravity.

Another object of the invention is to have the holes decrease with distance from the axis of rotation so that as the container rotates and/or tilts, smaller oysters accumulate in the outer compartment and larger oysters remain in the inner compartment.

It is a further object of the present invention to transfer oysters from an outer compartment to an adjacent inner compartment so that sorting can be performed. This can be done with a one-way valve and an intermediate chamber (requiring rotation and pitching of the container) or with a helical ramp (requiring only rotation of the container).

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pump and/or propeller for generating a fresh, nutrient-rich water flow through the receptacle.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a centerless rotational connection for introducing oyster seedlings into a containment portion and removing harvested size oysters from the containment portion.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a screw flight to transport oysters throughout the containment.

Another object of the invention is to make the containment very large and with a cylindrical or prismatic shape.

Another object of the invention is to deploy the receptacle in the floating gate.

Another object of the invention is to house the receptacle inside the frame so that the receptacle can be easily transported and deployed as a bottom cage.

Yet another object is to provide remote and/or autonomous control and monitoring of all aspects of the operation of the receptacle.

Other and further objects will be explained hereinafter and more particularly delineated in the appended claims.

More specifically, exemplary embodiments of the present invention may include an oyster maturation housing assembly that tumbles and sorts the oysters, which may provide advantages such as, for example, increased oyster maturation rate, reduced need for human intervention during maturation, and increased yield of more consistent and better shaped oysters with higher meat content. By minimizing or even eliminating labor, the containment may be located, for example, offshore, where there may be better growth conditions, leases may be inexpensive, and growth capacity may be substantially unlimited, etc. Without being limited by theory, oyster meat can thus be produced on a large scale, with net zero emissions, at a much lower cost than beef or poultry.

In embodiments, the containment assembly may have a cylindrical or prismatic shape and may include a plurality of compartments that may be rotated about an axis of rotation and separated by walls and/or ramps, each of which may include apertures of a particular size to allow oysters that are too small for one compartment to fall through the apertures into an adjacent compartment. In an embodiment, the size of the holes may decrease with distance from the axis of rotation. In embodiments, the containment assembly may further include, for example, a one-way valve and an intermediate chamber and/or a helical ramp connecting adjacent compartments, which may periodically transfer oysters from the outer compartment into the adjacent inner compartment, such that the oysters may be sorted as they grow. In an embodiment, by periodically transferring oysters from the outer compartment into an adjacent inner compartment, the oysters can be contacted with increasingly larger holes, with smaller oysters returning to the outer compartment and larger oysters remaining in the inner compartment. The largest oysters may for example accumulate in the innermost compartment or be transported to a ready-to-harvest hopper outside the receiving portion, thereby reducing the difficulty of harvesting oysters. In an embodiment, for example, a multi-layer inversion drum (Multilayer Inverting Trommel) ("oyster multi-layer inversion drum") may include a helical ramp that may extend the entire length of the containment assembly to transfer the oysters from the outer compartment to the adjacent inner compartment upon each rotation. Continuing with this example, the oyster multi-layer inversion drum may be located within a housing (e.g., steel frame or shipping container, etc.) that may be easily transported and quickly deployed as a bottom cage. Continuing with this example, the oyster multi-layer inversion roller may include as many compartments as possible to separate oyster sizes with sufficient differentiation. Continuing with this example, the oyster multi-layer inversion drum may also be provided with pumps and/or propellers to provide an axial through-flow and centreless rotational connection of water/nutrients to transport, for example, oyster seeds, harvested size oysters, feed/water, waste, compressed air/ballast, power, telemetry, control, etc. into/out of the containment. Oyster mud can be made very large (e.g., 20 feet long, 30 feet long, 40 feet long, less than 40 feet long, or greater than 40 feet long) and deployed in large numbers (e.g., less than 2,000 oyster multi-layer inversion rollers, at least 2,000 oyster multi-layer inversion rollers, less than 4,000 oyster multi-layer inversion rollers, or at least 4,000 oyster multi-layer inversion rollers).

In an embodiment, the automated oyster maturation system may comprise: a) A housing; b) A containment assembly rotatably disposed within the housing, the containment assembly may include: 1) An outer cylindrical enclosure, 2) one or more sheets of material contained within the outer cylindrical enclosure, the one or more sheets of material arranged to form a helical configuration having an outer diameter and an inner diameter, wherein the helical configuration may comprise at least three turns, and the helical configuration may further comprise: i) A plurality of compartments in communication with each other, ii) a plurality of walls defining a plurality of compartments, iii) a plurality of ramps, wherein each of the plurality of ramps can be attached to a corresponding one of the plurality of walls so as to form a plurality of pairs of walls and ramps providing a helical shape for the helical configuration, iv) a plurality of openings provided in the plurality of walls and the plurality of ramps, the plurality of openings including a plurality of sets of openings, each set of openings having a diameter of a respective common dimension that increases from an outer diameter to an inner diameter of the helical configuration such that each oyster will also tumble into the helical configuration and rise from its original compartment into an adjacent inner compartment with each complete rotation of the containment assembly, the size of the opening in the adjacent inner compartment being greater than the size of the opening in the original compartment such that only oysters that have grown sufficiently can remain in the adjacent inner compartment, and yet not grown oysters will fall into the original compartment through the openings of the adjacent inner compartments, and 3) a hollow shaft having a first end disposed within the innermost compartment of the plurality of compartments and a second end disposed within the hollow shaft, wherein the hollow shaft is configured to be disposed between the first end of the plurality of compartments and the hollow shaft, wherein the hollow shaft is configured to be discharged from the first end of the hollow shaft and the hollow shaft, the hollow shaft is configured to be discharged from the hollow shaft into the hollow shaft, and the hollow shaft is configured to be a plurality of the hollow shaft is ready to be discharged into the hollow assembly, and the hollow shaft is d) a plurality of the hollow shaft is ready to be discharged into the hollow shaft.

In an embodiment, the housing may be a frame supporting the containment assembly.

In an embodiment, the housing may be a shipping container that supports and substantially encloses the containment assembly.

In an embodiment, the oyster ripening system may further comprise at least one rotating device that is provided inside the casing and configured to rotate the containing assembly inside the casing

In an embodiment, the at least one rotation device may comprise a motor.

In an embodiment, the motor may comprise an electric motor.

In an embodiment, the motor may comprise a hydraulic motor.

In an embodiment, the motor may be powered by a battery.

In an embodiment, the battery may be charged by a solar panel.

In an embodiment, the motor may be powered by a hydraulic accumulator.

In an embodiment, the hydraulic accumulator may be charged by a solar panel.

In an embodiment, the motor may be powered by a subsea cable configured to transmit electrical power.

In an embodiment, the motor may be configured to provide a torque of at least 1,000 inch-pounds.

In an embodiment, the motor may be configured to provide a torque in the range of 30,000 inch-pounds to 100,000 inch-pounds.

In an embodiment, a torque of at least 10,000 inch-pounds is applied to the containment assembly.

In an embodiment, a torque in the range of 300,000 inch-pounds to 1,000,000 inch-pounds is applied to the containment assembly.

In an embodiment, the containment assembly further comprises a plurality of sprockets along the outer cylindrical enclosure and a chain operatively connected to the motor and the sprockets such that the containment assembly can be configured to be rotated by the motor via the chain.

In an embodiment, the chain may comprise stainless steel.

In an embodiment, the chain may comprise a roller chain.

In an embodiment, the chain may comprise a toothed belt.

In an embodiment, the toothed belt may comprise a V-belt.

In an embodiment, the sprocket can be separated from the receiving assembly by a cushion ring under belt compression.

In embodiments, the gasket may include a non-porous alumina ceramic material and/or plastic.

In an embodiment, the containment assembly may further comprise a channel formed along the outer cylindrical envelope.

In an embodiment, the belt is operably connected to the motor and the channel such that the motor may be configured to rotate the containment assembly via the belt.

In an embodiment, the belt may comprise a drive belt.

In an embodiment, the belt may comprise a rope.

In an embodiment, the belt may comprise a steel cord.

In an embodiment, the housing may include rollers on which the containment assembly rests.

In an embodiment, the rollers may be driven by a motor.

In embodiments, the rollers may comprise solids, castings, polyurethane.

In an embodiment, the rollers may comprise solid aluminum or ferrous wheels.

In an embodiment, the rollers may be supported by a sliding bearing and a shaft.

In an embodiment, the bearing may comprise a non-absorptive, non-metallic, self-lubricating (dry running) material.

In an embodiment, the shaft may comprise stainless steel.

In an embodiment, the motor may comprise a coaxial low speed high torque motor operatively connected to the hollow shaft.

In an embodiment, the coaxial low-speed high-torque motor may include a deep planetary gear reducer.

In an embodiment, the at least one rotation device may comprise a ratchet-pawl mechanism.

In an embodiment, the ratchet-pawl mechanism may comprise a hydraulic cylinder.

In an embodiment, the at least one rotation means may comprise a retracting clevis pin.

In an embodiment, the retracting clevis pin may include a hydraulic cylinder.

In an embodiment, the at least one rotation device may comprise a gear drive.

In an embodiment, the at least one rotation device may comprise a direct drive.

In an embodiment, the at least one rotation device may comprise a stranded wire jack.

In an embodiment, the at least one rotation device may comprise a rail jack.

In an embodiment, the at least one rotating device may comprise a wedging force pad.

In an embodiment, the at least one rotation device may comprise a water turbine and a gear reducer, such that the rotation device may be configured to be driven by passive movements from the flow and the sea.

In an embodiment, the at least one rotation device may include a rope and a winch such that the rope and winch are configured to rotate the containing assembly.

In an embodiment, the at least one rotation device may be configured to rotate the containment assembly about the central axis.

In an embodiment, the at least one rotation device may be configured to periodically rotate the containment assembly.

In an embodiment, the at least one rotation device may be configured to rotate the containment assembly at least once every 24 hours.

In an embodiment, the at least one rotation device may be configured to rotate the containment assembly at least once per week.

In an embodiment, the at least one rotation device may be configured to fully rotate the containment assembly at least once a month.

In an embodiment, the at least one rotation device may be configured to fully rotate the containment assembly according to a seasonal growth rate of the oysters, which may be configured to maintain the seasonal growth rate of the oysters.

In an embodiment, the at least one rotation device may be configured to fully rotate the containment assembly at a rate configured to provide optimal growth for oysters in which the containment assembly may be configured to be stored.

In an embodiment, the at least one rotation device may be configured to non-periodically rotate the containment assembly.

In an embodiment, the at least one rotation device may be configured to programmatically rotate the containment assembly via the controller.

In an embodiment, the controller may include a processor and memory configured to be programmed.

In an embodiment, the controller may be programmed to operate the rotating device based on information from the monitoring device.

In an embodiment, the at least one rotation device may be configured to rotate the containment assembly as needed after receiving input from the external controller.

In an embodiment, the external controller may be a remote control.

In an embodiment, the at least one rotation device may be configured to rotate the containment assembly clockwise and counterclockwise.

In an embodiment, the at least one rotation device may be configured to rotate the containment assembly a first amount in a first direction and a second amount in a second direction.

In an embodiment, the first direction may be opposite to the second direction.

In an embodiment, the first amount may be greater than the second amount.

In an embodiment, the at least one rotating device may be further configured to vibrate the containment assembly within the housing.

In an embodiment, the rotation device may comprise a ballast attached to the containment assembly.

In an embodiment, the containment assembly may include a vibrator.

In an embodiment, the vibrator may be configured to vibrate the containment assembly.

In an embodiment, the outer cylindrical enclosure may include a set of openings in a wall of the outer cylindrical housing configured to allow water to flow through but prevent predators from entering the containment assembly and oysters from exiting the containment assembly.

In an embodiment, the set of openings in the wall of the outer cylindrical enclosure may be further configured to permit biological deposits to exit the containment assembly.

In an embodiment, the biological deposit may comprise fecal matter.

In an embodiment, the biological deposits may include oyster shell shavings.

In an embodiment, the biological sediment may comprise dead oysters.

In an embodiment, the dead oysters may include dead oysters that are ground by rotation of the containment assembly.

In an embodiment, the outer cylindrical housing may not include a set of openings in a wall of the outer cylindrical housing.

In an embodiment, the containment assembly includes at least one baffle configured to support the spiral configuration.

In an embodiment, the containment assembly includes at least one beam configured to provide structural support to the helical configuration.

In an embodiment, the helical configuration may include at least four turns.

In an embodiment, the helical configuration may include at least five turns.

In an embodiment, the helical configuration may include at least six turns.

In an embodiment, the helical configuration may include at least seven turns.

In an embodiment, the spiral configuration may include a plurality of turns, wherein the plurality of turns may be configured to provide optimal oyster growth.

In an embodiment, the helical configuration may be connected to an inner surface of the outer cylindrical envelope.

In an embodiment, the spiral configuration may be welded to the inner surface of the outer cylindrical envelope.

In an embodiment, the spacing between adjacent ones of the one or more sheets of material varies from the outer diameter to the inner diameter.

In embodiments, the thickness of one or more sheets of material in each successive turn may be greater than the thickness of the previous turn from the outer diameter to the inner diameter.

In embodiments, the thickness of one or more sheets of material may be substantially the same for each turn.

In embodiments, the one or more sheets of material may comprise a plurality of sheets of material.

In an embodiment, the plurality of compartments may be in fluid communication with each other.

In an embodiment, an innermost compartment of the plurality of compartments may be configured to store oysters ready for harvesting (e.g., as the opening is sized to hold oysters having a range of sizes).

In an embodiment, an outermost compartment of the plurality of compartments may be configured to store a germ line oyster.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of compartments is configured to be between 3 and 5 times the width of the oyster in which the compartment is configured to store.

In embodiments, the compartments between the outermost compartment of the plurality of compartments and the innermost compartment of the plurality of compartments may be configured to house increasing oysters ranging in size from greater than the growth size of the germchit oysters to less than the growth size of the oysters ready for harvesting.

In an embodiment, the compartment between the outermost compartment of the plurality of compartments and the innermost compartment of the plurality of compartments may be configured to be between 3 and 5 times the width of the oyster they are configured to store.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of compartments may be configured to store substantially the same number of oysters, except for an innermost compartment of the plurality of compartments.

In an embodiment, an outermost compartment of the plurality of compartments is configured to hold more oysters than other compartments of the plurality of compartments.

In an embodiment, an outermost compartment of the plurality of compartments may be configured to store, for example, oysters having a length of from 4 to 34mm, a next outermost compartment of the plurality of compartments may be configured to store oysters having a length of from 34 to 51mm, a next outermost compartment of the plurality of compartments may be configured to store oysters having a length of from 51 to 60mm, a next outermost compartment of the plurality of compartments may be configured to store oysters having a length of from 60 to 69mm, and an innermost compartment of the plurality of compartments may be configured to store oysters having a length of from 69 to 78 mm.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of walls may comprise a hollow semi-cylinder.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of pairs of walls and ramps forms a corresponding one of the at least three turns.

In an embodiment, the radius of the plurality of walls and the plurality of ramps increases from an inner diameter of the helical configuration to an outer diameter of the helical configuration.

In an embodiment, the plurality of pairs of walls and ramps may be arranged such that each of the plurality of walls is separated by a corresponding ramp of the plurality of ramps.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of ramps may include a hollow semi-cylinder.

In an embodiment, the outermost ramp may be attached to an inner portion of the outer cylindrical enclosure.

In an embodiment, the opening may be circular in shape.

In an embodiment, the opening may be oval in shape.

In an embodiment, the openings may be diamond-shaped.

In an embodiment, the opening may be square in shape.

In an embodiment, the diameter of the opening increases from an inner end to an outer end of each of the plurality of walls.

In an embodiment, the diameter of the opening increases from the inner side to the outer side of each ramp.

In an embodiment, the plurality of sets of openings may include a set of openings having a common respective size of 1/16 inch, a set of openings having a common respective size of 0.75 inch, a set of openings having a common respective size of 1.375 inch, a set of openings having a common respective size of 1.625 inch, a set of openings having a common respective size of 1.875 inch, and a set of openings having a common respective size of 2 inches.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of ramps may include at least two of the plurality of sets of openings such that each of the plurality of ramps may include openings having at least two different common dimensions that increase from an outer diameter to an inner diameter of the spiral configuration.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of walls may include only one of the plurality of sets of openings such that each of the plurality of walls may include a respective opening having a diameter of a common size.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of ramps may include only one of the plurality of sets of openings such that each of the plurality of ramps may include a respective opening having a diameter of a common size.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of sets of openings corresponds to one of the plurality of compartments, such that each of the plurality of compartments may be configured to store oysters of a corresponding size range.

In an embodiment, the corresponding size ranges from an outermost compartment of the plurality of compartments to an innermost compartment of the plurality of compartments.

In an embodiment, the corresponding size range may be configured to group oysters having substantially the same size in only one corresponding compartment of the plurality of compartments.

In embodiments, the corresponding size range may be configured to promote oyster growth.

In an embodiment, the corresponding size range may be configured to prevent spoofing between oysters.

In an embodiment, the containment assembly may be configured such that, when the containment assembly may be rotated, oysters smaller than the size range of the compartment in which they are stored pass through the set of openings corresponding to the compartment to other compartments surrounding the compartment.

In an embodiment, the containment assembly may be configured such that, when the containment assembly may be vibrated, oysters smaller than the size range of the compartment in which they are stored fall through the set of openings corresponding to the compartment into other compartments surrounding the compartment.

In embodiments, the containment assembly may be configured such that, when the containment assembly may be pitched, oysters smaller than the size range of the compartment in which they are stored fall through the set of openings corresponding to the compartment into other compartments surrounding the compartment.

In an embodiment, the containment assembly may be configured such that, when the containment assembly may be rotated, the oyster moves along one of at least three turns of the helical configuration from the outer diameter toward the inner diameter of the helical configuration.

In an embodiment, the spiral configuration may comprise aluminum.

In an embodiment, the spiral configuration may comprise plastic.

In an embodiment, the plastic may comprise High Density Polyethylene (HDPE).

In an embodiment, the plastic may comprise marine grade plastic.

In an embodiment, the plastic may comprise recycled material.

In an embodiment, the helical configuration may comprise a composite material.

In an embodiment, the helical configuration is preformed and supported by a helical recess formed by the bar.

In an embodiment, the second end of the hollow shaft may be configured to receive a oyster.

In an embodiment, the plurality of holes formed in the wall of the hollow shaft may be sized such that the pressure loss may be uniformly distributed along the length of the hollow shaft and such that the oyster seedlings are uniformly distributed along the length of the hollow shaft.

In an embodiment, the size of the holes may be about 0.5 inches plus or minus a tolerance.

In embodiments, the size of the pores may be about three to five times the average diameter of a seed oyster of a type of oyster that the automated oyster maturation system may be configured to grow.

In an embodiment, the plurality of holes formed in the wall of the hollow shaft may include four holes distributed every twelve inches of length of the hollow shaft.

In an embodiment, the hollow shaft may be positioned along a central axis of the containment assembly.

In an embodiment, the containment assembly may further comprise at least one monitoring device configured to receive and transmit information.

In an embodiment, the at least one monitoring device may comprise at least one camera.

In an embodiment, the at least one camera may be configured to capture visible light in the hopper.

In an embodiment, the at least one camera may be configured to capture visible light in the containment assembly.

In an embodiment, the at least one camera may be configured to capture infrared radiation in the funnel.

In an embodiment, at least one camera may be configured to capture infrared radiation in the containment assembly.

In an embodiment, the at least one camera may comprise a security camera.

In an embodiment, the at least one monitoring device may comprise at least one load cell.

In an embodiment, the at least one load cell may be configured to measure the weight of the harvesting hopper.

In an embodiment, the at least one load cell may be configured to measure the weight of the containment assembly.

In an embodiment, the at least one monitoring device may comprise a pressure gauge.

In an embodiment, the at least one monitoring device may comprise a pitot tube.

In an embodiment, the at least one monitoring device may comprise a force pad.

In an embodiment, the force pad may include a force sensing resistor.

In an embodiment, the force pad may comprise a transducer.

In an embodiment, the at least one monitoring device may comprise at least one anemometer.

In an embodiment, the at least one monitoring device may comprise at least one accelerometer.

In an embodiment, the at least one monitoring device may comprise a proximity sensor.

In an embodiment, the proximity sensor may be configured to sense relative movement between the housing and the settlement in the seabed.

In an embodiment, the at least one monitoring device may comprise an encoder.

In an embodiment, the encoder may be configured to reduce drift of the containment assembly relative to the housing.

In an embodiment, the encoder may be configured to measure rotation.

In an embodiment, the at least one monitoring device may comprise a light sensor.

In an embodiment, the light sensor may comprise a spectrometer.

In an embodiment, the at least one monitoring device may comprise at least one water quality sensor.

In an embodiment, the at least one water quality sensor may be configured to measure water temperature.

In an embodiment, the at least one water quality sensor may comprise a thermocouple.

In an embodiment, the at least one water quality sensor may comprise a thermistor.

In an embodiment, the at least one water quality sensor may be configured to measure salinity of the water.

In an embodiment, the at least one water quality sensor may be configured to measure pH.

In an embodiment, the at least one water quality sensor may be configured to measure a nutrient density of the water.

In an embodiment, the at least one water quality sensor may be configured to measure turbidity of water.

In an embodiment, the at least one water quality sensor may be configured to measure dissolved oxygen.

In an embodiment, the at least one water quality sensor may be configured to measure dissolved carbon dioxide

In an embodiment, the at least one water quality sensor may be configured to measure dissolved nitrogen.

In an embodiment, the at least one water quality sensor may be configured to measure large intestine fecal matter.

In an embodiment, the at least one water quality sensor may be configured to measure chlorophyll.

In an embodiment, the at least one water quality sensor may be configured to measure bacteria.

In an embodiment, the at least one water quality sensor may be configured to measure suspended matter.

In an embodiment, the at least one monitoring device may comprise at least one electrochemical sensor.

In an embodiment, the at least one electrochemical sensor may be configured to measure ammonia.

In an embodiment, the at least one electrochemical sensor may be configured to measure nitrite.

In an embodiment, the at least one electrochemical sensor may be configured to measure nitrate.

In an embodiment, the at least one electrochemical sensor may be configured to measure a specific molecule.

In an embodiment, the containment assembly may be configured to rotate based on information obtained or received from the at least one monitoring device.

In an embodiment, the containment assembly may be configured to vibrate based on information obtained or received from the at least one monitoring device.

In an embodiment, the containment assembly may be configured to pitch based on information obtained or received from at least one monitoring device.

In an embodiment, the containment assembly may further comprise a plurality of lights.

In an embodiment, the plurality of lamps may comprise a plurality of LED light bars.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of compartments may comprise at least one LED light bar.

In an embodiment, the plurality of lights may be configured to provide lights approximating sunlight.

In an embodiment, the plurality of lights may be configured to provide light of an extreme ultraviolet wavelength.

In an embodiment, the plurality of lights may be configured to provide light in the ultraviolet band.

In an embodiment, the plurality of lamps may be configured to receive electrical power.

In an embodiment, the plurality of lamps may be configured to provide illumination periodically.

In an embodiment, the plurality of lights may be configured to provide 16 hours of illumination over a 24 hour period.

In an embodiment, the plurality of lamps may be configured to provide illumination aperiodically.

In an embodiment, the plurality of lights may be configured to provide illumination in accordance with instructions received from the controller.

In an embodiment, a controller may include a processor and a memory.

In an embodiment, the controller may include a remote control configured to communicate wirelessly (e.g., a remote control capable of WiFi/radio communication to send and receive data, new programs, etc.).

In an embodiment, the automated oyster ripening system may further comprise a second inlet assembly that is configured to feed the young oysters into the containment assembly.

In an embodiment, the housing comprises an opening for the inlet assembly.

In an embodiment, the inlet assembly may comprise an injection conduit configured to convey the oyster of the seedling, the injection conduit comprising a first opening and a second opening.

In an embodiment, the first opening of the injection conduit may be operably connected to and in fluid communication with an opening in the housing.

In an embodiment, the first opening of the injection conduit may be located below the waterline.

In an embodiment, the second opening of the injection conduit may be configured to receive a oyster.

In an embodiment, the injection conduit may comprise rubber.

In an embodiment, the injection conduit may comprise plastic.

In an embodiment, the injection conduit may comprise a metal tube.

In an embodiment, the second opening of the injection conduit may be operably connected to and in fluid communication with the first opening of the injection hose, wherein the injection hose may comprise the first opening and the second opening.

In an embodiment, the first opening of the injection hose may be located below the waterline.

In an embodiment, the second opening of the injection hose may be configured to receive a seeding oyster.

In an embodiment, the injection hose may comprise rubber.

In an embodiment, the injection hose may comprise plastic.

In an embodiment, the injection hose may comprise a thermosetting polymer.

In an embodiment, the injection hose may comprise a tiled polyurethane hose.

In an embodiment, the injection hose may comprise a metal tube.

In an embodiment, the inlet assembly may further comprise a float attached to the injection hose near the second opening of the injection hose assembly.

In an embodiment, the inlet assembly further comprises a funnel having a first opening and a second opening, wherein the second opening may be operably connected to the injection hose and the first opening may be configured to receive the oyster.

In an embodiment, the funnel may further comprise a reservoir between the first opening and the second opening and radial brushes extending through the first opening and configured to prevent the oysters from floating out of the reservoir.

In an embodiment, the interior of the funnel may be filled with foam.

In an embodiment, the inlet assembly may comprise a pump configured to pump the oyster through the inlet assembly.

In an embodiment, the pump may comprise a titanium submersible pump having a nominal brine operation of over 60,000 hours.

In an embodiment, the pump may be further configured to pump nutrient-rich water through the inlet assembly and into the containment assembly.

In an embodiment, the automated oyster ripening system may further comprise a second ejection assembly that is configured to eject oyster ready to harvest from the innermost compartment of the plurality of compartments.

In an embodiment, the housing may include an opening for the discharge assembly.

In an embodiment, the automated oyster maturation system may further comprise a floating hull connected to the hull via at least one tether, wherein the floating hull may comprise at least one of: at least one solar panel, at least one battery, a hydraulic accumulator, a hydraulic pump, at least one programmable logic controller including at least a memory and a processor, a radio modem, a WiFi gateway, a telemetry device, a control device, a communication device, an AIS, a security camera, and a flash.

In an embodiment, the floating hull may be operably connected to the hull via a cable and may be configured to provide power to components of the automated oyster maturation system.

In an embodiment, the floating hull may be operably connected to the hull via hydraulic cables and may be configured to provide hydraulic power to components of the automated oyster maturation system.

In an embodiment, the floating hull may be operably connected to the hull via a communication cable and may be configured to send control instructions to components of the automated oyster ripening system.

In an embodiment, the floating hull may be operably connected to the hull via a communication cable and may be configured to receive information from components of the automated oyster maturation system.

In an embodiment, the floating hull may be operably connected to the housing via at least one wireless communication device and may be configured to send control instructions to components of the automated oyster ripening system.

In an embodiment, the floating hull may be operably connected to the hull via at least one wireless communication device and may be configured to receive information from components of the automated oyster maturation system.

In an embodiment, the floating hull may be configured to send and receive information via the communication device.

In an embodiment, the floating hull may be configured to send and receive information to and from the cloud computing server.

In an embodiment, the communication device may include a satellite uplink.

In an embodiment, at least one screw flight may be located within an innermost compartment of the plurality of compartments of the spiral configuration.

In an embodiment, the at least one screw flight may comprise two screw flights, each screw flight having opposite handedness to each other.

In an embodiment, the at least one screw flight comprises a plurality of screw flights, each of the plurality of screw flights being disposed within a corresponding compartment of the plurality of compartments.

In an embodiment, the plurality of screw flights alternate in handedness between the plurality of compartments.

In an embodiment, the screw flights may comprise an auger.

In an embodiment, the screw flights may be helical.

In an embodiment, the screw flight may be half the diameter of the innermost compartment of the plurality of compartments.

In an embodiment, the diameter of the innermost compartment of the plurality of compartments may be no greater than: (4*N/(Density. Pi. 1.5)/(l/3), wherein N may be the number of oysters the automated oyster maturation system is configured to expel with each rotation of the containment assembly, and wherein the density is the density of oysters in the central compartment.

In an embodiment, the automated oyster ripening system further comprises a second hopper that receives the oysters that are discharged from the containment assembly ready for harvesting.

In an embodiment, the second hopper may be located on an opposite side of the containment assembly from the first hopper.

In an embodiment, the hopper may be configured to receive oysters from a plurality of discharge assemblies.

In an embodiment, the hopper may comprise a vibrator.

In an embodiment, the vibrator may be configured to vibrate the hopper.

In an embodiment, the hopper may be within the housing.

In an embodiment, the hopper may be connected to one end of the housing.

In an embodiment, the hopper may be connected to an end of the housing via at least one strapping bar.

In an embodiment, the hopper may be connected to an end of the housing via at least one hinge.

In an embodiment, the material used for the connection may be configured to prevent galvanic corrosion.

In an embodiment, the automated oyster ripening system may further comprise an outlet assembly that is configured to expel the oyster from the hopper ready to harvest.

In an embodiment, the outlet assembly may include a discharge conduit having a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first opening may be configured to receive oyster ready for harvesting.

In an embodiment, the discharge conduit may comprise rubber.

In an embodiment, the discharge conduit may comprise plastic.

In an embodiment, the discharge conduit may comprise a metal tube.

In an embodiment, the second opening of the discharge conduit may be operatively connected to and in fluid communication with the first opening of the discharge hose, wherein the discharge hose may comprise the first opening and the second opening.

In an embodiment, the first opening of the drain hose may be below the waterline.

In an embodiment, the second opening of the discharge hose may be configured to receive a oyster.

In an embodiment, the discharge hose may comprise rubber.

In an embodiment, the discharge hose may comprise plastic.

In an embodiment, the drain hose may include reinforced Kanaflex ^TM And a suction hose.

In an embodiment, the drain hose may comprise a metal tube.

In an embodiment, the discharge hose may be non-rigid.

In embodiments, the discharge hose may be substantially non-rigid.

In an embodiment, the outlet assembly further comprises a float.

In an embodiment, the outlet assembly may further comprise a funnel having a third opening and a fourth opening, and wherein the third opening is operatively connected to the injection hose and the fourth opening may be configured to receive oyster ready for harvesting.

In an embodiment, the interior of the funnel may be filled with foam.

In an embodiment, a pump is used to pull the oyster ready for harvesting through the outlet assembly.

In an embodiment, the outlet assembly further comprises a deployment flow insert adjacent the first opening of the discharge conduit.

In an embodiment, the outlet assembly further comprises a male connector configured to connect with a mating female connector of a harvesting vessel.

In an embodiment, the automated oyster ripening system may further comprise a harvesting vessel, wherein the harvesting vessel may comprise i) a crane, wherein it may be configured to extend away from the side of the harvesting vessel, ii) a harvesting hose operatively connected to the crane, iii) at least one seedling injection hose, iv) a hopper feeding the seedling oysters to the seedling injection hose, v) at least one suction pump operatively connected to the harvesting hose, vi) a deck hopper operatively connected to the at least one suction pump; vii) a conveyor configured to facilitate oyster sorting; viii) a spillway operatively connected to the deck hopper; and ix) at least one refrigerated container on the deck of the harvesting vessel.

In an embodiment, the crane may be configured to rotate.

In an embodiment, the crane may be configured to hoist up and down.

In an embodiment, the crane may be configured to be telescopic.

In an embodiment, the crane may be configured to reel in and reel out the wire rope.

In an embodiment, the harvesting hose may comprise a first vertical end section and the at least one seedling injection hose may comprise a second vertical end section.

In an embodiment, the first vertical end section may be operably connected to the collection hose via a 180 degree bend.

In an embodiment, the first vertical end section and the second vertical end section may be mechanically connected via a coupler.

In an embodiment, the harvesting hose may comprise a female connector.

In an embodiment, the female connector may be configured to connect to the male connector.

In an embodiment, the male connector and the female connector may be configured to synchronize via GPS coordinates.

In an embodiment, the harvesting hose may include a camera configured to capture the female connector.

In an embodiment, the harvesting hose may be configured to receive oyster ready to harvest that has been discharged from the containment assembly.

In an embodiment, the at least one seedling injection hose may be configured to inject oyster into the inlet assembly.

In an embodiment, the harvesting hose may be configured to feed the oyster into the at least one suction pump.

In an embodiment, the at least one suction pump may be configured to pump between 1800 and 5000 gallons per minute.

In an embodiment, the at least one suction pump may comprise an industrial production pump.

In an embodiment, the at least one suction pump may comprise an industrial solids handling pump.

In an embodiment, the at least one suction pump may comprise an industrial dewatering pump.

In an embodiment, the at least one suction pump may comprise a venturi pump.

In an embodiment, the at least one suction pump may comprise a jet pump.

In an embodiment, the at least one suction pump may comprise a fish pump.

In an embodiment, the deck hopper may be configured to receive emissions from at least one suction pump.

In an embodiment, the conveyor may be configured to receive oysters from the deck hopper.

In an embodiment, the harvesting vessel may include an optical compressed air classifier to sort the oysters on the conveyor.

In an embodiment, the harvesting vessel may be configured such that the oysters on the conveyor may be sorted by hand.

In an embodiment, the spillway may be configured to receive water discharged from the deck hopper.

In an embodiment, the spillway may be configured to receive discarded oysters from the conveyor.

In an embodiment, at least one refrigerated container may be electrically connected to the harvesting vessel.

In an embodiment, the at least one refrigerated container may be configured to store the oysters sorted on the conveyor ready for harvesting.

In an embodiment, at least one refrigerated container may be configured to be loaded on a trailer.

In an embodiment, the harvesting vessel may comprise a plurality of bow thrusters.

In embodiments, the harvesting vessel may be configured to store at least or up to 2,000,000 oysters.

In an embodiment, the automated oyster maturation system may include a marine growth prevention system.

In an embodiment, the marine growth prevention system may comprise a brush.

In an embodiment, the marine growth prevention system may comprise a doctor blade.

In an embodiment, the marine growth prevention system may be mounted to the housing.

In an embodiment, the marine growth prevention system may include a lubricious coating.

In an embodiment, the lubricious coating may comprise PTFE.

In an embodiment, the automated oyster ripening system further comprises legs arranged on the shell.

In an embodiment, the leg is removably attached to the housing.

In an embodiment, the legs are attached to each other by a frame.

In an embodiment, the bottom of the housing comprises a panel.

In an embodiment, the panel has a convex curvature with respect to the sea floor.

In an embodiment, the panels are spaced apart from each other.

In an embodiment, the automated oyster ripening system further comprises a dispensing tube that extends from the hollow shaft.

In an embodiment, the hollow shaft is divided into a plurality of compartments extending along the length of the hollow shaft.

In an embodiment, the hollow shaft comprises a plurality of longitudinal sections, and each of the plurality of compartments is blocked within a respective one of the plurality of longitudinal sections, wherein the number of blocked compartments increases along the length of the hollow shaft.

In an embodiment, the distribution tube comprises a plurality of distribution tubes, and one or more of the plurality of distribution tubes corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of longitudinal sections of the hollow shaft.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of maturing oysters includes: (A) A containment assembly for injecting a oyster shell into a containment assembly rotatably disposed within a housing, the containment assembly comprising: (1) an outer cylindrical envelope; (2) One or more sheets of material contained within the outer cylindrical enclosure and arranged to form a helical configuration having an outer diameter and an inner diameter, wherein the helical configuration comprises at least three turns, and the helical configuration further comprises: (i) a plurality of compartments in communication with each other; (ii) a plurality of walls defining a plurality of compartments; (iii) A plurality of ramps, wherein each of the plurality of ramps is attached to a corresponding wall of the plurality of walls so as to form a plurality of pairs of walls and ramps that provide a helical shape to the helical configuration; (iv) A plurality of openings arranged in the plurality of walls and the plurality of ramps, the plurality of openings comprising a plurality of sets of openings, wherein the openings within each set of openings have diameters of respective common dimensions that increase from an outer diameter to an inner diameter of the helical configuration; and (B) rotating the containment assembly such that with each complete rotation of the containment assembly, each oyster can tumble further into the helical configuration and rise from its original compartment into an adjacent inner compartment in which the opening size is larger than the opening size in the original compartment such that only oysters that have grown sufficiently can remain in the adjacent inner compartment while oysters that have not grown sufficiently will fall through the opening of the adjacent inner compartment into the original compartment.

In an embodiment, step (a) of injecting the oyster seeding includes injecting the oyster seeding into a hollow shaft disposed within an innermost compartment of the plurality of compartments, wherein the hollow shaft includes a plurality of holes formed in a wall of the hollow shaft and sized to allow the oyster seeding to pass through the holes.

In an embodiment, step (a) of injecting the oyster seeding includes injecting the oyster seeding through an inlet assembly operatively connected to the hollow shaft.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: the oyster ready for harvesting is discharged from the innermost compartment of the plurality of compartments of the containing assembly via the discharge assembly.

Drawings

The above and related objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of exemplary (although illustrative) embodiments of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram depicting a cross-section of an automated oyster ripening system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram depicting a cross-section of an automated oyster ripening system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of an end view of a spiral ramp according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a side view of a spiral ramp according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of an automated oyster maturation system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams depicting cross-sections of a containment assembly 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 7 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a containment assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram depicting an isometric view of an automated oyster ripening system according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram depicting a side view of an automated oyster ripening system according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram depicting a cross section of a hopper according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 11A and 11B illustrate a method of fabricating a containment assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11C illustrates oyster flow through a containment assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 12A and 12B are schematic views in partial cross-section of a containment assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 illustrates a multi-layer invert drum harvesting vessel harvesting from two rows of mass-produced multi-layer invert drums simultaneously, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 14A, 14B and 14C show several detailed views of the deployed deck of a harvesting vessel according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 15A shows a detailed view of a connection assembly between a harvesting hose and a seedling injection hose of a harvesting vessel having a double funnel according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 15B shows a detailed view of the connection assembly between the harvesting hose and the seedling injection hose of the harvesting vessel having the double funnel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 16A-16B illustrate an automated oyster ripening system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

17A-17B illustrate an automated oyster maturation system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 18A-18D illustrate various components of an automated oyster ripening system according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19A provides a perspective view of an automated oyster ripening system according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19B provides a side view of the automated oyster maturation system of FIG. 19A.

FIG. 19C provides a first end view of the automated oyster maturation system of FIG. 19A.

FIG. 19D provides a second end view of the automated oyster maturation system of FIG. 19A.

FIG. 19E provides a top view of the automated oyster maturation system of FIG. 19A.

FIG. 19F provides a bottom view of the automated oyster maturation system of FIG. 19A.

In the drawings, there are shown by way of example exemplary embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the specification and drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating the exemplary embodiments and are not intended to be limiting.

Detailed Description

As used herein, the term "automated oyster ripening system" may be used interchangeably with the terms "multi-layer inversion drum" or "oyster multi-layer inversion drum (oyster minute)" or "multi-layer inversion drum (minute)", and the like.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram depicting a cross-section of an automated oyster ripening system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment, as shown in fig. 1, an automated oyster maturation system may include a containment assembly 100 that may float in a body of water 20 and may contain oysters at different stages of maturation, such as, for example, crassostrea gigas 1 (e.g., mitsui), mitsui 2, and/or Dassostrea 3 (e.g., oysters ready to harvest), and so forth. In an embodiment, the containment assembly 100 may be secured via tethers 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d to a ballast 5 that may be located on the seafloor 6 and a float 7 at a surface 8 (e.g., water level). In an embodiment, the containment assembly 100 may further include rotational connectors 10a and 10b that connect the containment assembly 100 to the tethers 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d. For example, in an embodiment, the rotational connector 10a may be connected to the tethers 4a and 4c, and the rotational connector 10b may be connected to the tethers 4b and 4d. In an embodiment, the ballast tank 11 may be attached to the exterior of the containment assembly. In embodiments, the containment assembly 100 may be configured to move in one or more modes. For example, in an embodiment, the containment assembly 100 may be floated (e.g., submerged via the ballast tank 11), rotated about the axis of revolution 9 (e.g., by rotating the connector 10), and/or pitched clockwise/counterclockwise in the X, Y and/or Z-plane, etc., by changing the ballast in the ballast tank 11 (or, for example, by changing the length of the tethers 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d via an external motor). In embodiments, containment assembly 100 may be moved by delivering ballast to ballast tank 11 and/or delivering ballast from ballast tank 11, for example by pushing ballast out of the tank (e.g., via an air compressor) and injecting ballast into the tank (e.g., with a pump) using a multiple way valve on the discharge side, which may enable an air compressor and/or pump to inject air and/or ballast into any ballast tank 11. In embodiments, the components may be controlled entirely remotely and/or autonomously. In embodiments, the containment assembly 100 may include a pump 12, and the pump 12 may be provided to create a through flow of fresh water and nutrients in the containment assembly 100. In an embodiment, at any given time, the flow direction may depend on the pitch direction such that the through-flow gushes upward from a lower depth.

In an embodiment, the containment assembly 100 may comprise compartments 101, 102, 103, the compartments 101, 102, 103 being rotatable about the axis of revolution 9 and being separated by perforated walls 104, 105. The compartments 101, 102, 103 may be, for example, in the shape of hollow cylinders or prisms. While the illustrated embodiment has only three compartments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to this number and that in other embodiments, the containment assembly 100 may include any number of compartments, such as, for example, more than three compartments, more than four compartments, more than five compartments, more than six compartments, and the like. In an embodiment, walls 104 and 105 may include holes of a particular size such that a sufficiently small oyster may pass through to reach an adjacent compartment. In an embodiment, the size of the holes may decrease with distance from the axis of revolution 9. For example, in an embodiment, the holes in wall 104 may be sized to allow only minor oyster 1 to pass through, while the holes in wall 105 may be sized to allow minor oyster 1 and medium oyster 2 to pass through, and major oyster 3 may be too large to pass through the holes in wall 104 or 105. Continuing with this example, if the containment assembly 100 is rotated and/or pitched, the oysters can roll within the compartment and fall through the apertures, accumulating in compartments of oysters having similar dimensions, smaller oysters (e.g., minor oyster 1) accumulating in the outer compartment (e.g., compartment 101) and larger oysters (e.g., medium oyster 2 and/or major oyster 3) remaining in the inner compartment (e.g., compartments 102 and/or 103). In embodiments, compartments 101, 102, and 103 may include screw flights (as shown), which may provide advantages such as, for example, increased path length, increased sorting efficiency, and increased capacity of containment assembly 100.

In an embodiment, still referring to fig. 1, compartment 101 may be connected to compartment 102 via intermediate chamber 106 and a set of one-way valves 107, which may allow for the transfer of oysters from compartment 101 to compartment 102. In an embodiment, compartment 102 may be connected to compartment 103 via intermediate chamber 108 and a set of one-way valves 109, which may allow oyster to be transported from compartment 102 to compartment 103. For example, in an embodiment, if the containment assembly 100 is rotated and repeatedly pitched in alternating directions, oysters from the chamber 101 may flow through the intermediate chamber 106 and the set of one-way valves 107 into the compartment 102, while oysters from the compartment 102 may flow through the intermediate chamber 108 and the one-way valves 109 into the compartment 103. Continuing with this example, in an embodiment, if any oysters are too small to remain in compartment 102 or 103, they may fall through the holes in wall 104 or 105, respectively, returning to the outer compartment of a similarly sized oyster (e.g., middle oyster 2 may return to compartment 102 and small oyster 1 may return to compartment 101). Continuing with this example, if the containment assembly 100 is periodically (e.g., at least once every 24 hours, at least once a week, at least once a month, etc.) rotated and repeatedly pitched in alternating directions, oysters from the outer compartment may be periodically recycled into adjacent inner compartments and sorted into compartments having oysters of similar size.

In an embodiment, oysters may grow while inside the containment assembly 100 and thus cannot fall through the holes in the walls 104 or 105 of the compartments 102 and 103, respectively, of the containment assembly 100. For example, in an embodiment, if crassostrea 1 becomes crassostrea 2, it may remain in compartment 102 and may not fall back into compartment 101 through wall 104. Continuing with this example, if the middle oyster 2 becomes the large oyster 3, it may remain in the innermost compartment 103 and may not fall back into the compartment 102 through the wall 105. Continuing with this example, after a period of time in the containment assembly (e.g., the time from the growth of the crassostrea gigas 1 to the crassostrea 3), the crassostrea 3 in compartment 103 can be harvested. In an embodiment, collection of the large oysters 3 from the compartments 103 may be accomplished in a variety of ways, such as pumping out the large oysters 3, e.g., by a shaftless pump at the swivel joint 10b, temporarily removing the compartments 103 and emptying the large oysters 3 into separate containers for delivery, opening one end and using screw threads in the compartments 103 to expel the large oysters 3, and/or automatically expelling to auxiliary containers (e.g., hoppers, etc.) having much larger capacities, etc.

In an embodiment, the containment assembly 100 may include a plurality of nested compartments and intermediate chambers; for example, as many of the oyster sizes as possible are isolated in sufficient size to maximize oyster growth. The containment assembly 100 may be periodically rotated and/or pitched to optimize parameters such as cleaning, shaping, abrasion, sorting, etc., in order to increase the maturity rate of the oysters and produce well-formed, high meat content oysters. For example, the containment assembly may be rotated and/or pitched based on any suitable period of time, such as, for example, based on a period of time of any minute (e.g., every 10 minutes, every 15 minutes, every 30 minutes, every 90 minutes, etc.), any hour (e.g., 1 hour, 5 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, etc.), any day (e.g., daily, every two days, every three days, etc.), and/or any week (e.g., weekly, every two weeks, etc.), etc.

In an embodiment, the outermost compartment 101 may be surrounded by an outer wall 110, which outer wall 110 may be impermeable or may comprise very small holes or perforations preventing losses (e.g. oyster seedlings), in particular preventing predation. In an embodiment, for example, the holes in the outermost compartment 101 may be 1/16 inch.

In an embodiment, the containment assembly 100 may include instruments such as, for example, cameras, load cells, flow meters, temperature sensors, conductivity/salinity sensors, etc., that may track oyster growth conditions and status. In an embodiment, the float 7 may be provided with communication means and energy stations, such as for example solar panels, wave energy generators and/or wind turbines, etc. for powering communication means, measuring means, motors, valves and other components of the containment assembly 100. In embodiments, the automated oyster maturation system may include batteries that may, for example, reduce the intermittence of power.

Still referring to fig. 1, in an embodiment, the automated oyster ripening system may be configured to be driven entirely or at least in part by tidal flow. For example, in embodiments where the automated oyster maturation system is located in an area where tidal flows are reversed (e.g., the tidal flow and tidal flow are in approximately opposite directions), the drag on the containment assembly 100 may cause it to sway and the fixed length of the tethers 4a and 4b may cause it to pitch. Continuing with this example, the moving weight of any oysters contained in the containment assembly 100 may help to change the pitch of the containment assembly 100. Continuing with this example, in embodiments, the turbine 13 may be attached to the exterior of the containment assembly 100 and may be configured to provide rotation about the axis of revolution 9. In an embodiment, the turbine 12 may rotate the containment assembly 100 in a direction synchronized with the pitch for a given direction of flow (e.g., a first direction of a high tide and a second direction of a low tide). Continuing with this example, in an embodiment, if the containment assembly 100 is rotating in tidal flow, the pump 12 may be a static propeller that provides through flow, and if the containment assembly 100 is rotating, the screw flights within the compartments 101, 102, and 103 may also be configured to provide some through flow.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram depicting a cross-section of an automated oyster ripening system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In embodiments, an automated oyster maturation system may include a containment assembly 200 that may float in a body of water 20 and may contain oysters at different stages of maturation, such as crassostrea gigas 1 (e.g., miao oysters), miao oysters 2, and/or Daao oysters 3 (e.g., oysters ready for harvesting), and the like. In an embodiment, the automated oyster ripening system may comprise floats 7a, 7b and rotating belts 14a, 14b, and the containment assembly 200 may be fixed to the floats 7a, 7b at the free surface 8 via the rotating belts 14a, 14 b. In an embodiment, the containment assembly 200 may be rotated about the axis of rotation 9 by a rotational connection, such as via motors 10a, 10b (which may exert torque on the rotating belts 14a, 14 b) housed in the floats 7a, 7b and followers supported in the floats 7a, 7b. In an embodiment, the rotational speed may be controlled, for example, by remote and/or autonomous control of the motor, etc. As shown in fig. 2, in an embodiment, the containment assembly 200 may be located partially above the free surface 8. In other embodiments, the containment assembly 200 is located below the free surface 8 (e.g., any distance) or configured to operate both below the surface and at least partially above the surface.

In an embodiment, the containment assembly 200 may comprise a plurality of coaxial cylindrical compartments 201, 202 and 203, the compartments 201, 202 and 203 being rotatable about the axis of revolution 9 and being separated by perforated walls 205 and 206. While the illustrated embodiment has only three compartments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to this number and that in other embodiments, the containment assembly 200 may include any number of compartments, such as, for example, more than three compartments, more than four compartments, more than five compartments, more than six compartments, and the like. In an embodiment, walls 204 and 205 may have holes of a particular size so that a sufficiently small oyster may pass through to reach an adjacent compartment. In an embodiment, the containment assembly 200 may be surrounded by an outer wall 204, which may be impermeable or may contain very small holes/perforations, for example, to prevent loss of the seeding oyster, particularly to prevent predation. In an embodiment, the size of the aperture may decrease with distance from the axis of rotation 9 and may vary along the length of the containment assembly. For example, the size of the holes in wall 205 may be determined to allow only crassostrea gigas 1 (e.g., crassostrea gigas, etc.) to pass through, while the size of the holes in wall 206 may be determined to allow crassostrea gigas 1 and crassostrea gigas 2 to pass through, and crassostrea gigas 3 (e.g., crassostrea gigas ready to harvest) may be too large to pass through the holes in either wall. In an embodiment, if the container 200 is rotated, oysters may roll in the compartments and fall through the holes, accumulating in compartments of oysters having similar sizes, smaller oysters (e.g., small oysters 1) accumulating in outer compartments (e.g., compartments 201), while larger oysters (e.g., medium oysters 2 and/or large oysters 3) remain in inner compartments (e.g., compartments 202 and/or compartments 203).

In an embodiment, the compartments 201, 202, 203 may include screw flights that may be configured to transport oysters along the length of the respective compartments. In embodiments, the screw flights may alternate handedness/handedness from compartment to compartment such that the oyster is transported in opposite directions, or the screw flights may have the same handedness/handedness such that the oyster is transported through the compartment in the same direction. For example, in an embodiment, compartments 201 and 203 may contain right-handed screw flights, and compartment 202 may contain left-handed screw flights. Continuing with this example, the screw threads may be configured such that if the containment assembly 200 is rotated in the indicated direction about the axis of rotation 9, the oysters in compartments 201 and 203 may be transported to the right and the oysters in compartment 202 may be transported to the left. In embodiments, the screw flights may include, for example, variable pitch, variable diameter, flight geometry/profile, and the like. In embodiments, the screw flights may vary with each compartment and/or along the length of each compartment. In embodiments, the pitch and gap size may also vary along the length of each compartment (e.g., to accommodate increases in size as oysters grow or to increase the transport speed in sections of the compartment, etc.). In embodiments, the screw flights may also be provided as a plurality of nested spirals. In embodiments, the length of the container 200, the pitch of the screw flights, the rotational speed, and the number of compartments may be configured to be optimized, such as residence time (e.g., time spent by oysters in the container assembly 200), sorting frequency/efficiency, and/or capacity, among others.

In embodiments, it should be understood that any component of the containment assembly 100 may be applied to the containment assembly 200 and vice versa without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, as with the containment assembly 100, the containment assembly 200 may have a centerless swivel connection 10.

Still referring to fig. 2, a single oyster is used to illustrate the number of oysters potentially flowing through the containment assembly 200. In an embodiment, for example, the inlet 15a may introduce an oyster (e.g., one of the plurality of seedling oysters 16) into the containment assembly 200 such that the oyster falls to a position 1a within the outermost compartment 201. Continuing with this example, in an embodiment, a right-handed screw may transport the oyster from location 1a through compartment 201 to location 1b. In an embodiment, the screw flights may periodically (e.g., as the containment assembly 200 rotates) carry the oysters. Continuing with this example, the oyster may then enter the spiral ramp 207 at location 2a, and the spiral ramp 207 may transfer the oyster into the compartment 202 at location 2 b. In an embodiment, the helical ramp 207 may transfer the oyster as it rotates (e.g., as the containment assembly 200 rotates). Continuing with this example, in an embodiment, the left-hand screw flight may transport the oyster from location 2b through compartment 202 to location 2c. Continuing with this example, the oyster may then enter the spiral ramp 208 at location 3a, and the spiral ramp 208 may transfer the oyster into the compartment 203 at location 3 b. In an embodiment, the helical ramp 208 may transfer the oyster as it rotates (e.g., as the containment assembly 200 rotates). Continuing with this example, in an embodiment, the right-handed screw threads may transfer the oyster to position 3c in the storage chamber 209 (e.g., as the containment assembly 200 is rotated). Continuing with this example, oysters (e.g., one of the now plurality of oysters 17 ready for harvesting) may be extracted through outlet 15 b.

Still referring to fig. 2, and continuing with this example, in an embodiment, the apertures may be sized such that, upon transfer from one compartment to the other, if the oyster is too small to remain in compartment 202 or 203, the oyster may fall through the aperture in wall 205 or 206, respectively, returning to the outer compartment of an oyster having a similar size. In embodiments, the compartments may be configured such that slower growing oysters may be "blocked back" while faster growing oysters may be directed into increasingly inner compartments. In an embodiment, the containment assembly 200 may be configured such that oysters may remain with oysters of approximately the same size, and harvested-size oysters accumulate in the storage chamber 209. In an embodiment, the size of the oyster within each compartment may vary according to the sorting efficiency and the number of compartments. In an embodiment, the oysters ready for harvesting may be continuously discharged into the spare storage compartment instead of accumulating in the storage chamber 209.

In an embodiment, the containment assembly 200 may receive the pumped throughflow via the inlet 15a or the outlet 15 b. As previously described with reference to the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the containment assembly 200 may include a pump and/or propeller that provides through flow to one or both ends. As also previously described with reference to the embodiment shown in fig. 1, rotation of the receptacle 200 may be caused, at least in part, by the flow and/or via the turbine. In an embodiment, the rotation of the containment assembly 200 may be caused by a well-type (Wells) turbine, which is a unidirectional turbine capable of providing a constant direction of rotation regardless of the direction of flow. In an embodiment, the turbine may have freely rotating turbine blades such that any direction of flow will turn the turbine in the same direction and achieve a large angle of attack for both directions of flow.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of an end view of a spiral ramp of a containment assembly 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment, the screw is configured such that if container 200 is rotated in the indicated direction, oyster at position 1b may enter screw ramp 207 after tumbling along the face of the right-handed screw conveyor within compartment 201 until it reaches position 2a. In an embodiment, the spiral ramp may be configured to allow the oysters to tumble down the internal spiral ramp 207 to a location 2b where the oysters may enter the left-handed screw conveyor within the compartment 202.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a side view of a spiral ramp of a containment assembly 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 shows a close-up side view of the spiral ramp 208 of the receptacle 200. Oyster is transported from location 2b to location 2c by a left-handed screw conveyor within compartment 202 and enters screw ramp 208 at location 3 a. The oyster is then transferred into compartment 203 at location 3b and transported by right-handed screw conveyor through compartment 203 to location 3c.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of an automated oyster maturation system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment, the automated oyster ripening system comprises a containment assembly 300 that is rotatably arranged within a housing 324. In embodiments, the housing 324 may have an open or closed frame structure. In an embodiment, the housing 324 may be easily transported and quickly deployed as a bottom cage (e.g., via a "pick and place" operation performed by a crane and winch system attached to the vessel).

In an embodiment, the oyster ripening system comprises at least one rotating device 325 that is disposed inside the casing 324 and configured to rotate the containment assembly 300 inside the casing 324. In an embodiment, the rotation device 325 is a motor. The motor may be any suitable motor, such as, for example, an electric motor, a hydraulic motor, a battery-powered motor, a motor driven by a hydraulic accumulator, and/or a solar-powered motor (e.g., the battery may be solar-powered in the case of a battery-powered battery, or the hydraulic accumulator may be solar-powered in the case of a hydraulic accumulator-driven motor), etc. In embodiments, the motor is configured to generate a suitable amount of torque, such as, for example, at least 1,000 inch-pounds of torque, or in the range of 30,000 to 100,000 inch-pounds of torque. In embodiments, the amount of torque applied to the containment assembly may be at least 10,000 inch-pounds, or in the range of 250,000 to 1,000,000 inch-pounds.

In an embodiment, the containment assembly 300 includes a power transfer mechanism 326 that transfers power from the motor to the containment assembly 300 to cause the containment assembly 300 to rotate. The containment assembly 300 may include at least one flange 322 that retains the power transfer mechanism 326 such that movement of the power transfer mechanism within the flange 322 causes the containment assembly 326 to rotate.

In an embodiment, the power transmission mechanism 326 may be a roller chain drive including a chain operatively connected to both a sprocket of the motor and a sprocket disposed within the flange 322 such that the containment assembly 300 is configured to be rotated by the motor via the chain. The chain may be any type of chain capable of transmitting power generated by a motor to a sprocket to cause the accommodation assembly 300 to rotate. For example, the chain may be a stainless steel chain, a roller chain, a toothed belt, a v-belt, or the like. In an embodiment, the sprocket may be separated from the receiving assembly by a cushion ring under bolt compression to isolate the sprocket from the flange 322, and the cushion ring may be made of materials such as plastic, composite, and ceramic.

In an embodiment, the power transmission mechanism 326 may be a belt drive that includes a belt operatively connected to the motor and wrapped around the containment assembly 300 on the flange 322 such that the containment assembly 300 is configured to be rotated by the motor via the belt. The belt may be any type of belt capable of transmitting power generated by the motor to cause the containment assembly 300 to rotate. For example, the belt may be a drive belt (e.g., flat, V-shaped, grooved, triangular, circular), chain links, rope, or wire rope, etc.

It should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the use of any particular type of power transmission mechanism 326, and that other embodiments may involve the use of other types of power transmission mechanisms, such as, for example, direct drive, drive wheels, pistons, drive shafts, gears, or gear teeth, etc., without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In an embodiment, the housing may include a roller 323, and the containment assembly 300 may be rotatable on the roller 323. The rollers 323 may be driven by a motor. The roller 323 may be made of a material such as polyurethane or aluminum, for example. In embodiments, the roller 323 may be made of a single material or may include a metal core with a rubber tread. The rollers 323 may be supported by slide bearings and axles. In embodiments, the bearing may comprise a non-absorbent, chemical/salt water resistant, non-metallic, dry running material, and the axle may be made of, for example, stainless steel, composite or other materials, or the like.

In an embodiment, the rotation device 325 may comprise a coaxial low-speed, high-torque motor operatively connected to a portion of the containment assembly 300, such as, for example, to a hollow shaft (described in more detail below) extending through the containment assembly 300. The coaxial low speed high torque motor may include a deep planetary gear reducer.

In an embodiment, the rotation device 325 may include a ratchet and pawl mechanism. The ratchet and pawl mechanism may include a hydraulic cylinder.

In an embodiment, the at least one rotation device 325 may include components such as, for example, retraction clevis pins, gear drives, direct drives, stranded wire jacks, rail jacks, wedging pads, hydraulic turbines and gear reducers (such that the rotation device is configured to be driven by passive motion from the flow and sea) and/or ropes and winches (such that the ropes and winches are configured to rotate the containment assembly 300), and the like.

In an embodiment, the at least one rotation device 325 is configured to rotate, preferably periodically rotate, the containment assembly 300 about the central axis 9. For example, the containment assembly may be rotated based on any suitable period of time, such as, for example, a period of time based on any minute (e.g., every 10 minutes, every 15 minutes, every 30 minutes, every 90 minutes, etc.), any hour (e.g., 1 hour, 5 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, etc.), any day (e.g., daily, every two days, every three days, etc.), any week (e.g., weekly, bi-weekly, etc.), and so forth. In an embodiment, the rotation device 325 may be configured to rotate the containment assembly 300 at least once per 24 hours, at least once per week, at least once per month, depending entirely on the seasonal growth rate of the oysters in which the containment assembly 300 is configured to be stored, the rate at which it is configured to provide optimal growth for the oysters in which the containment assembly 300 is configured to be stored, etc. In an embodiment, the rotation device 325 may be configured to non-periodically rotate the containment assembly 300.

In an embodiment, the at least one rotation device 325 is configured to programmatically rotate the containment assembly 300 via the controller. The controller may include a processor and a non-transitory computer readable medium (e.g., a memory device) configured to be programmed with instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the controller to rotate the containment assembly 300 by actuating the rotation device 325. The controller may be programmed to operate the rotating device based on information from the monitoring device. In an embodiment, the monitoring device may monitor a variable such as, for example, time, temperature, and/or water flow rate.

In an embodiment, the at least one rotation device 325 may be configured to rotate the containment assembly 300 as needed after receiving an input from an external controller. The external controller may be a remote control, such as a programmable logic controller.

In an embodiment, the at least one rotation device 325 may be configured to rotate the containment assembly 300 clockwise and counterclockwise on a periodic or non-periodic basis. For example, the rotation device 325 may be configured to rotate the containment assembly 300 a first amount in a first direction and a second amount in a second direction, wherein the first and second amounts may be the same or different (e.g., greater than or less than one another), and wherein the first and second directions may be the same or different (e.g., opposite one another). In an embodiment, the at least one rotation device 325 may be configured to vibrate the containment assembly 300 within the housing 324.

In an embodiment, the oyster ripening system may comprise a pitching device arranged within the casing 324 that is configured to shake the containment assembly 300 in order to cause the oyster within the cylindrical assembly 300 to move into position. The pitching arrangement may comprise, for example, a ballast 11 attached to the containing assembly 300.

Fig. 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams depicting cross-sections of a containment assembly 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Containment assembly 300 includes an outer cylindrical enclosure 370 and one or more sheets of material contained within outer cylindrical enclosure 370, the one or more sheets of material arranged to form a helical configuration 336 having an outer diameter and an inner diameter. In an embodiment, the spiral formation 336 may be connected to the inner surface of the outer cylindrical enclosure 370 by, for example, welding. For example, helical construct 336 may be made of a material such as metal, plastic, composite, or a combination thereof. In the case of plastics, the plastics may be High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), marine grade plastics, recycled plastics or the like. In an embodiment, helical formation 336 may be formed by shaping a helical recess formed from a bar.

In an embodiment, spiral formation 336 may include at least three turns, such as, for example, three turns, four turns, five turns, six turns, seven turns, and so forth. The thickness of one or more sheets of material in each successive turn may be substantially the same or may be greater than the thickness of the previous turn from the outer diameter to the inner diameter of the helical formation. In embodiments, one or more sheets of material may include multiple sheets of material that are combined together to form a unitary structure.

In an embodiment, the outer cylindrical enclosure 370 may include a plurality of openings configured to allow water to flow through but prevent predators from entering the containment assembly and the oysters from exiting the containment assembly. The opening in the outer cylindrical enclosure 370 may be further configured to permit biological deposits (such as, for example, fecal matter, oyster shell fragments, and dead oysters, etc.) to exit the containment assembly 300. Containment assembly 300 may include one or more baffles 320 and beams 321 for structural support of helical construct 336.

In an embodiment, spiral formation 336 includes: a plurality of compartments 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306 in communication with each other; a plurality of walls 308, 309, 310, 311, 312 defining the plurality of compartments 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306; and a plurality of ramps 313, 314, 315, 316, 317. Each of the plurality of ramps is attached to a respective one of the plurality of walls 308, 309, 310, 311, 312 to form a plurality of pairs of walls and ramps that provide a helical shape to the helical configuration 336. Each of the plurality of pairs of walls 308, 309, 310, 311, 312 and ramps 313, 314, 315, 316, 317 may form a respective turn of the helical formation 336. The radius of the plurality of walls 308, 309, 310, 311, 312 and the plurality of ramps 313, 314, 315, 316, 317 increases from the inner diameter of the helical formation 336 to the outer diameter of the helical formation 336. In an embodiment, the pairs of walls and ramps are arranged such that each of the plurality of walls 308, 309, 310, 311, 312 is separated by a respective ramp of the plurality of ramps 313, 314, 315, 316, 317. Each of the plurality of ramps may be made of a hollow semi-cylinder or a thin-walled semi-tube. The outermost ramp may be attached to an inner portion of the outer cylindrical enclosure. In an embodiment, the plurality of walls 308, 309, 310, 311, 312 and ramps 313, 314, 315, 316, 317 may form a 180 degree arc. The plurality of walls 308, 309, 310, 311, 312 and ramps 313, 314, 315, 316, 317 may have a constant curvature or a non-constant curvature. The plurality of walls 308, 309, 310, 311, 312 and ramps 313, 314, 315, 316, 317 may be made of perforated sheet material, rolled into a suitable shape and welded into a continuous spiral between the baffles 320 and/or other support structures. In embodiments, the sheets may be made of plastic and supported by metal (e.g., aluminum) spacers, rather than welded together.

The innermost compartment 306 of the plurality of compartments is configured to store oysters ready for harvesting, and the outermost compartment 301 of the plurality of compartments is configured to store oysters that are germchit. The compartments between the outermost compartment 301 of the plurality of compartments and the innermost compartment 306 of the plurality of compartments are configured to store oysters that grow in size from greater than the growth size of the oysters that are grown in seedlings to less than the growth size of the oysters that are ready to be harvested. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of compartments 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306 may be sized to store between 3 and 5 times the width of the oysters that the compartment is configured to store. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of compartments 301, 302, 303, 304, 305 may be configured to hold substantially the same number of oysters and each oyster is held in each compartment for substantially the same amount of time, except for the innermost compartment 306 of the plurality of compartments. For example, the size of the compartments may be selected such that each oyster consumes about 1/5 of its lifetime in each compartment. In embodiments, the outermost compartment may be configured to hold more oysters than the other compartments, as the germchit oysters in that compartment are expected to experience a certain mortality rate (e.g., at least 10% mortality rate).

In an embodiment, an outermost compartment 301 of the plurality of compartments may be configured to store oysters having a length of from 3mm to 34mm, a next outermost compartment 302 of the plurality of compartments may be configured to store oysters having a length of from 34mm to 51mm, a next outermost compartment 303 of the plurality of compartments may be configured to store oysters having a length of from 51mm to 60mm, a next outermost compartment 305 of the plurality of compartments may be configured to store oysters having a length of from 60mm to 69mm, and an innermost compartment 306 of the plurality of compartments may be configured to store oysters having a length of from 69mm to 78 mm. It is to be understood that the size range of the oysters stored in each compartment is not limited to these dimensions, and that dimensions may vary without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In an embodiment, a plurality of openings 390 are arranged in the plurality of walls 308, 309, 310, 311, 312 and the plurality of ramps 313, 314, 315, 316, 317. The plurality of openings 390 includes a plurality of sets of openings 390, wherein the openings within each set have respective common size diameters, wherein the respective common sizes increase from an outer diameter to an inner diameter of the helical formation 336. In an embodiment, each ramp/wall pair defining a respective compartment has an opening of a corresponding common size. In other embodiments, the diameter of the bore 390 may increase from the outermost end to the innermost end of each wall 308, 309, 310, 311, 312 and from the outermost end to the innermost end of each ramp 313, 314, 315, 316, 317. The diameter size of the opening 390 increases from the outermost compartment to the innermost compartment such that with each complete rotation of the containment assembly, each oyster can tumble further into the spiral configuration and rise from its original compartment into an adjacent inner compartment in which the opening size is larger than the opening size in the original compartment such that only oysters that have grown sufficiently can remain in the adjacent inner compartment while oysters that have not grown sufficiently will fall through the opening of the adjacent inner compartment into the original compartment. This occurs simultaneously for all oysters of all sizes in all compartments. Only harvested size oysters will be able to remain in the innermost compartment. In an embodiment, the opening 390 may have a shape such as, for example, circular, oval, diamond, square, and the like.

In an embodiment, the plurality of sets of openings 390 may include a set of openings having a common corresponding dimension of 1/16 inch, a set of openings having a common corresponding dimension of 0.75 inch, a set of openings having a common corresponding dimension of 1.375 inch, a set of openings having a common corresponding dimension of 1.625 inch, a set of openings having a common corresponding dimension of 1.875 inch, and a set of openings having a common corresponding dimension of 2 inches. It is to be understood that these dimensions may vary without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of ramps 313, 314, 315, 316, 317 may include only one of the plurality of sets of openings such that each of the plurality of ramps 313, 314, 315, 316, 317 includes a corresponding opening having a diameter of a common size.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of ramps 313, 314, 315, 316, 317 may include at least two of the plurality of sets of openings such that each of the plurality of ramps 313, 314, 315, 316, 317 includes openings having at least two different common dimensions that increase from an outer diameter to an inner diameter of the helical formation 336.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of walls 308, 309, 310, 311, 312 may include only one of the plurality of sets of openings such that each of the plurality of walls 308, 309, 310, 311, 312 includes a corresponding opening having a diameter of a common size.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of walls 308, 309, 310, 311, 312 may include at least two of the plurality of sets of openings such that each of the plurality of walls 308, 309, 310, 311, 312 includes openings having at least two different common dimensions that increase from an outer diameter to an inner diameter of the helical formation 336.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of sets of openings 390 may correspond to one of the plurality of compartments 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306 such that each of the plurality of compartments 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306 may be configured to store a respective size range of oysters. The respective size ranges may increase from the outermost compartment 301 of the plurality of compartments to the innermost compartment 306 of the plurality of compartments. The respective size ranges may be configured to group oysters of substantially the same size in only one respective compartment of the plurality of compartments 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306. In an embodiment, the size range is selected to achieve certain objectives, such as, for example, promoting oyster growth and preventing the formation of a layer of crassostrea between oysters.

In an embodiment, when the containment assembly 300 is rotated, vibrated, and/or pitched, oysters smaller than the dimensional range of the compartment in which they are stored may pass through the set of openings corresponding to that compartment to other compartments surrounding that compartment (e.g., smaller oysters fall through the opening 390 into other more outwardly disposed compartments).

Thus, in an embodiment, a plurality of sheets are provided which form a continuous spiral extending the length of the containment assembly and enclosed by the outermost cylindrical barrier. Each turn of the spiral is made of 180 degree sheets concentric with the outermost cylindrical barrier ("wall section") and 180 degree sheets connecting adjacent wall sections (and the outermost cylindrical barrier ("ramp section") such that the interior volumes of the spiral sheets and the outermost cylindrical barrier form a continuous and contained spiral space. Each wall and each ramp has a unique radius of curvature. Each wall/wall pair has a unique aperture size configured to hold oysters having a certain minimum size (e.g., aperture diameter is about 5% -15% smaller than the second largest major dimension (typically width) of the minimum size of oysters to be held), and thus the interior volume of each wall/wall pair can be considered as a separate compartment in a continuous and contained spiral space, each compartment storing a proprietary range of oysters sizes between the defined minimum sizes. The hole size and thus the minimum size of oyster that each compartment will hold increases towards the centre of the helix between the first ramp/wall pair and the outermost cylindrical barrier holding the germchited oyster, the innermost compartment and the outermost compartment holding the harvested oyster. For six (6) total compartments, the size range may be 4mm to 34mm in the outermost/first compartment (held on 1/16 inch hole), 34mm to 51mm in the second compartment (held on 3/4 inch hole), 51mm to 60mm in the third compartment (held on 1+3/8 inch hole), 60mm to 69mm in the fourth compartment (held on 1+5/8 inch hole), 69mm to 78mm in the fifth compartment (held on 1+7/8 inch hole), and greater than 78mm in the innermost/sixth compartment (held on 2 inch hole). The innermost compartment contains screw flights that carry harvested size oysters out of the receptacle. As the oysters grow, the entire receptacle is rotated periodically so that the oysters tumble around the continuous and contained spiral space into the higher/inner adjacent compartment, wherein the oysters that have grown sufficiently large can remain and the oysters that have not grown sufficiently will fall through the apertures, returning to the previous compartment. Thus, oyster can be frequently and simultaneously continuously shaped and sorted. The compartments may be sized to hold approximately equal numbers of oysters for each compartment, and the pore size may be selected such that each compartment holds each oyster for approximately equal amounts of time during which the oyster grows from the seedling to the harvest size. The maximum capacity of the receptacle can be achieved by adjusting the size of each compartment to store exactly the same number of oysters of the corresponding maximum oyster size of each compartment in the same angular sector of the helix ("fill line"). This results in the outer compartment being much thinner than the inner compartment, because in the outer compartment the oyster is smaller and the perimeter of the spiral inside the angular sector increases. However, without being bound by theory, the limit to such maximization is that the width of each compartment (the space from sheet to sheet) is preferably at least 3-5 times the width of the largest oyster that is intended to remain in that compartment to prevent bridging and other flow reliability problems.

In an embodiment, a hollow shaft 319 having a first end and a second end may be disposed within an innermost compartment of the plurality of compartments 306, wherein the first end of the hollow shaft 319 is configured to receive a oyster of a seedling. In an embodiment, the oysters are pumped with water at a high rate (e.g., above the settling rate of the oysters). The hollow shaft 319 may extend along a central axis of the containment assembly 300. The hollow shaft 319 may include a plurality of holes formed in a wall of the hollow shaft 319 between the first and second ends, and the plurality of holes are sized to allow the oyster to pass through the plurality of holes. The plurality of holes formed in the wall of the hollow shaft 319 may include a ring of at least four holes evenly distributed along the length of the hollow shaft 319, such as every 6 inches, every 12 inches, or some other amount. It should be appreciated that the number of holes within each ring and the spacing between rings is not limited by these amounts, and that in embodiments, rings may have any number of holes and be spaced apart any distance.

In an embodiment, the plurality of holes of the hollow shaft 319 may be sized such that the pressure loss is evenly distributed along the length of the hollow shaft 319 and such that the oyster seedlings are evenly distributed along the length of the hollow shaft 319. Without being bound by theory, the pressure loss through these holes is much greater than the pressure loss through the tube itself, so the flow through each hole is equal regardless of the position of the hole along the length of the tube. Because the flow through each well is approximately equal, and because the seedlings are thoroughly mixed/suspended/not settled, the number of seedlings pushed through each well is also equal, and the seedlings are distributed longitudinally evenly throughout the containment assembly.

The diameter of these holes may be, for example, about 0.5 inch ± tolerances. In an embodiment, the size of the holes may be about three to five times the average diameter of the germchit oysters of the oyster species for which the automated oyster maturation system is configured to grow.

In an embodiment, the containment assembly 300 may include at least one monitoring device configured to receive and transmit information. The monitoring device may include devices such as, for example, cameras, load cells, pressure gauges, pitot tubes, force pads, force sensing resistors, transducers, anemometers, accelerometers, proximity sensors, encoders, light sensors, water quality sensors, electrochemical sensors, combinations thereof, and the like.

In the case of a camera, the camera may be, for example, a camera configured to capture visible light in the harvesting hopper, a camera configured to capture visible light in the containment assembly 300, a camera configured to capture infrared radiation in the harvesting hopper, a camera configured to capture infrared radiation in the containment assembly 300, or a security camera, among others.

In the case of a load cell, the load cell may be, for example, a load cell configured to measure the weight of the harvesting hopper, or a load cell configured to measure the weight of the containment assembly 300, or the like.

In the case of a force pad, the force pad may be, for example, a force sensing resistor or transducer, or the like.

In the case of a proximity sensor, the proximity sensor may be, for example, a proximity sensor configured to sense relative movement between the housing 324 and the settlement in the seabed 6.

In the case of an encoder, the encoder may be, for example, an encoder configured to reduce drift between the containment assembly and the housing, or an encoder configured to measure rotation, or the like.

In the case of a light sensor, the light sensor may be a spectrometer.

In the case of a water quality sensor, the water quality sensor may be, for example, a thermocouple or thermistor, or the like. The water quality sensor may be configured to measure one or more of the following variables: large intestine excrement, chlorophyll, excrement/pseudo excrement, suspended matter (plankton, e.g., diatoms), nitrite, nitrate, ammonia, dissolved O ₂ Dissolved CO ₂ Dissolved nitrogen, bacteria, calcium carbonate, turbidity, salinity, pH, or combinations thereof, and the like.

In the case of an electrochemical sensor, the electrochemical sensor may be configured to measure a variable, such as, for example, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, a specific molecule, or a combination thereof, or the like.

In an embodiment, the containment assembly 300 may be configured to rotate, vibrate, and/or pitch based on information obtained or received from at least one monitoring device. For example, the controller may take as input any one or a combination of measurements from at least one monitoring device to determine whether the pod assembly 300 should be rotated, vibrated, and/or pitched.

In an embodiment, the containment assembly 300 includes one or more lights, such as, for example, an LED light bar. In this regard, each of the plurality of compartments 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306 may include at least one LED light bar. The lamp may be configured to provide, for example, light approximating sunlight, light of an extreme ultraviolet wavelength, light in the ultraviolet band, periodically or aperiodically, illumination. As another example, the lamp may be configured to provide illumination for a predetermined length of time for a predetermined period of time, such as, for example, 16 hours for a 24 hour period, 32 hours for a two day period, or 48 hours for a three day period, or the like. In an embodiment, the lamp may be configured to provide illumination in accordance with instructions received from the controller. In an embodiment, the automated oyster ripening system may comprise one or more inlet assemblies 360 configured to feed the raw oysters into the containment assembly 300 and rinse the waste (e.g., biological deposits, which may include fecal matter, oyster shell fragments, dead oysters, etc., that may be ground by rotation of the containment assembly 300) from the containment assembly 300 and/or the harvesting hopper 327. In an embodiment, the system may comprise two inlet assemblies 360, wherein each inlet assembly 360 is arranged to receive a corresponding end of the assembly 300. Each inlet assembly 360 may extend through an opening in housing 324 and may be operably connected to hollow shaft 319. In an embodiment, the inlet assembly 360 may include a pump 330 disposed at a distal portion of the inlet assembly 360 and an injection hose 329 extending from the pump toward the containment assembly 300.

Pump 330 may be, for example, a titanium submersible pump having a nominal brine operation of at least 60,000 hours. The pump 330 may be configured to pump nutrient-rich water as well as the oysters through the inlet assembly 360 and into the containment assembly 300.

The injection hose 329 may include a first opening distal to the pump 330 and a second opening proximal to the pump 330. The first opening of the injection hose 329 may be below the waterline and the second opening may be configured to receive a seeding oyster pumped into the system by the pump 330. The injection hose 329 may be made of materials such as, for example, rubber, plastic, thermoset polymer, lay-flat polyurethane hose, metal tubing, and combinations thereof. Further details of the inlet assembly 360 are described below with reference to fig. 8-10.

In an embodiment, a funnel having a first opening and a second opening may be operably connected to the injection hose and may be configured to receive and transfer the seeding oyster. In an embodiment, the funnel may comprise, for example, a tank, a radial brush, and/or foam, etc., the radial brush extending through the first opening and configured to prevent the seeding oyster from floating out of the funnel. In an embodiment, the inlet assembly 360 may include an injection conduit, which may have a first opening and a second opening. In an embodiment, the first opening of the injection conduit may be configured to connect to and fluidly communicate with an opening in the housing of the containment assembly 300 (instead of the injection hose), and the second opening may be configured to connect to and fluidly communicate with the first opening of the injection hose 329. In embodiments, the injection conduit may be made of materials such as rubber, plastic, metal, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the automated oyster ripening system comprises a discharge assembly 362, the discharge assembly 362 being configured to discharge oyster ready to harvest from the innermost compartment 306 of the plurality of compartments. Further details of the drain assembly 362 are described below with reference to fig. 8-10.

In an embodiment, the automated oyster maturation system may include a floating hull 331, the floating hull 331 being connected to the hull 324 by, for example, at least one tether 332. The floating hull 331 may include one or more components such as, for example, solar panels, batteries, accumulators, hydraulic pumps, programmable logic controllers including at least memory and a processor, telemetry devices, radio modems, control devices, communication devices, automatic Identification Systems (AIS), security cameras, flashlights, combinations thereof, and the like. The floating hull 331 may be operably connected to the hull via a cable 333 and may be configured to provide electrical power to the components of the automated oyster ripening system. In an embodiment, the floating hull 331 may be operably connected to the hull 324 by, for example, hydraulic cables 334 such that the floating hull 331 may provide hydraulic power to components of the automated oyster ripening system, the floating hull 331 may be operably connected to the hull 324 by, for example, communication cables, wireless communication devices, wiFi gateways, cloud computing services, and/or satellite uplinks such that the floating hull 331 may be configured to send information (e.g., control instructions) to and/or receive information from components of the automated oyster ripening system, and the like. In an embodiment, the hull 331 may be connected to a plurality of shells. In an embodiment, if the hull 331 is provided with solar panels, the panels may provide sufficient power to charge the battery and/or hydraulic accumulator between actuations of the containment assembly 300 (e.g., between rotations or other movements). In an embodiment, the subsea cable may provide sufficient power to actuate the rotating device (e.g., motor). In embodiments, the hull 331 may include deterrents to sharp and/or other measures to prevent birds from perching on their tops. In embodiments, the hull 331 may include other features or structural elements to qualify as a true maritime mark.

In an embodiment, the hull 331 may be designed to appear as a pontoon/high-altitude craft or another object familiar to the boat operator to avoid confusion/collision.

In embodiments, the tether 332, electrical cable 333, and/or hydraulic cable 334 may be configured to include slack (e.g., to accommodate heave of the hull 331). Tether 332 may have less slack than cable 333 and hydraulic cable 334 such that tether 332 may be pulled taut before cable 333/hydraulic cable 334, thereby protecting cable 333/hydraulic cable 334 from excessive strain. The hull 331 may be designed to have a very weak buoyancy such that in strong sea conditions with large swells/waves, the hull 331 is submerged without damaging the tether 332. This may also help to clean any debris of the solar panel. In this regard, the solar panels may be inclined to allow water and debris to flow out.

In an embodiment, rather than floating at the surface, the hull may be disposed below the surface, for example, at a location attached to the housing 324. The wave energy converter, the tidal energy generator and/or the grid power via the submarine cable may then be used to power the whole system. The distal ends of the harvesting and injection hoses can be arbitrarily distanced from the surface, as the coupling between the harvesting vessel and the double funnel can be done remotely using real-time video. Thus, all navigation and entanglement hazards can be completely eliminated if desired. With the hull on the hull 324, status updates and commands can be uploaded at high data rates by using antennas or gateways at the surface or via high power transmitters/receivers.

In an embodiment, the containment assembly 300 may include at least one screw thread 318, the screw thread 318 being operable to push the oyster ready for harvesting from the containment assembly 300. At least one screw flight 318 is preferably located within the innermost compartment 306 of the plurality of compartments of the helical configuration 336. In an embodiment, the containment assembly 300 may include two screw flights 318 within the innermost compartment 306, wherein each screw flight has opposite handedness to each other, such that oysters ready for harvesting may be discharged from both ends of the containment assembly 300. In an embodiment, the at least one screw flight 318 may be, for example, an auger. The screw flight 318 may be helical throughout its extent. The diameter of the screw flight 318 may be, for example, 1.5 times the diameter of the innermost compartment 306 of the plurality of compartments. In this regard, in one particular exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the innermost compartment 306 of the plurality of compartments is not less than: (4*N/(Density. Pi. 1.5)/(l/3)), (1)

Where N is the number of oysters the automated oyster maturation system is configured to expel with each complete revolution of the containment assembly, and where the density is the density of oysters in the central compartment.

In an embodiment, the automated oyster ripening system may comprise at least one hopper 327 that receives the oyster that is ready to be harvested that is discharged from the discharge assembly 362. As described in more detail below with reference to fig. 8-10, a plurality of hoppers 327 may be provided to receive ready-to-harvest oysters from a plurality of respective discharge assemblies 362. The hopper 327 may include a vibrator or other mechanism configured to vibrate the hopper 327. The hopper 327 may be disposed within the housing 324 or connected to an end portion of the housing 324. In an embodiment, oysters ready for harvesting may be discharged from compartment 306 into collection hopper 327 through screw flights 318.

In an embodiment, the harvesting hopper 327 may be configured to be quickly evacuated using, for example, a fish pump, a vacuum pump, an air lift, a venturi aspirator, a conventional end suction centrifugal pump, combinations thereof, and the like. In embodiments, the outlet assembly and harvesting hopper 327 may have self-sucking capability and/or self-sealing suction connection, which may enable rapid cycle times. In an embodiment, the collection vessel may clean, package, and freeze oysters for immediate delivery to a port for immediate wholesale/distribution (e.g., no warehouse process or inventory).

Further details of the hopper are described below with reference to fig. 8-10.

In an embodiment, the automated oyster maturation system may include at least one outlet assembly 364, the at least one outlet assembly 364 configured to discharge the oysters ready for harvesting from the hopper 327 and into the collection vessel. For example, if the system includes two hoppers 327, two corresponding outlet assemblies 364 may be provided to expel oyster from each hopper 327 ready for harvesting. The outlet assembly 364 may include a pump 363 disposed at a distal end portion of the outlet assembly 364 and a discharge hose 328 extending from the pump 363 toward the containment assembly 300.

Pump 363 may be, for example, a titanium submersible pump with nominal brine operation of at least 60,000 hours. Pump 330 is configured to pump oyster ready for harvesting from hopper 327.

The discharge hose 328 may include a first opening distal to the pump 363 and a second opening proximal to the pump 363. The first opening of the drain hose 328 may be below the waterline and the second opening may be configured to drain the harvested oyster pumped out of the system by the pump 363. The discharge hose 328 may be made of, for example, rubber, plastic, reinforced Kanaflex ^TM The suction hose, the metal tubing, two different tubing and/or hoses each having two openings, a float (e.g., a funnel connected to the opening of the harvesting hose and configured to receive oyster ready for harvesting), a deployment flow insert proximate the opening of the harvesting hose, a male connector configured to connect with a mating female connector that may come from the harvesting container, combinations thereof, and the like.

Further details of the exit assembly 364 are described below with reference to fig. 8-10.

As previously described, in embodiments, each compartment of the containment assembly 300 may be configured to house a particular size range of oysters, the particular size range being defined by the size of the apertures in the walls surrounding the compartment. In an embodiment, the size of the holes may be determined such that each compartment may hold a given oyster for about an equal amount of time. For example, the American oyster (crassostrea virginica oysters) length ranges of 4-34mm, 34-51mm, 51-60mm, 60-69mm, and 69-78mm may represent approximately equal periods of oyster growth life cycle, with 78mm (about 3 inches) being the harvest size. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the width of the oyster is the limiting dimension because the oyster may pass longitudinally through the smallest possible aperture, and in an embodiment, the size of the circular aperture may be configured to sort the oyster based primarily on width. Continuing with this example, the width of the oyster may be 70% of the length. Continuing with this example, in embodiments, the holes may be further reduced in size by a predetermined amount, such as, for example, 5%, 10%, 15%, or in the range of 0-15%. Continuing with this example, and rounding to standard empire hole sizes, in an embodiment, for the outer enclosure 307 and the plurality of walls 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, the holes in the containment assembly 300 for the american oysters may be 1/16 inch (enclosure 307), 0.75 inch (wall 308), 1.375 inch (wall 309), 1.625 inch (wall 310), 1.875 inch (wall 311), 2 inch (wall 312), and so forth. In embodiments, the pore size may be configured to accommodate any variety of oysters (e.g., africa, europe, pacific, japan, etc.) based on data regarding growth rate (e.g., to determine the correct size range) and careful measurement of the comparative examples (e.g., to determine the radius of the pore based on the length and width of the oyster at each growth stage).

In an embodiment, the holes may have a deterministic shape that is capable of sorting objects based on a nominal maximum dimension. For example, in an embodiment, the aperture may be a circle formed in the wall and ramp of the containment assembly 300. In an embodiment, the aperture may be elliptical.

In embodiments, the size of the central compartment (e.g., the innermost of these compartments, or compartment 306, etc.) may be different from the other compartments. In embodiments, the size of the central compartment may be reduced relative to other compartments, which may help to evacuate the harvested size or near harvested size of the oyster from the central compartment and/or provide more space for still growing oysters in other compartments, for example, as soon as possible without being bound by theory. In an embodiment, as previously described, the central compartment may include screw flights configured to convey oysters along the central compartment in the direction indicated in fig. 6B.

In an embodiment, the last threaded section should preferably store the maximum number of oysters discharged from the multi-layer inversion drum with each rotation. As an example, assuming a 40 foot multi-layer inversion drum with 300,000 american oysters for a 12 month growth cycle and a daily rotation frequency (365 revolutions per year), about 800 oysters are discharged with each rotation (assuming that the multi-layer inversion drum is loaded with 300,000 oysters on average in one growth cycle). If the seedlings were evenly distributed to the two halves of a 40 foot multi-layer inversion drum (in this example, due to about 1/2 inch holes distributed along the central axis), about 400 oysters would leave each side of the 40 foot multi-layer inversion drum with each revolution. In an embodiment, the pitch of the screw flights in the central compartment may be 1.5 times the diameter of the central compartment. At an adult oyster density of 0.175 oysters/3 inch (relatively low packing rate at tumbling), the diameter of the central compartment and the pitch of the central screw flight can be solved to about 12 inches and about 18 inches (400/0.175= pi 1.5 x (d ζ3)/4). Safety factors may be included but even if the central compartment is slightly undersized (because the multi-layer inversion drum has been overloaded due to human error or lower than expected seedling mortality or due to differences in growth rate) will not have catastrophic consequences, because even if the central compartment is overfilled and the oysters return to the outer compartment, the screw flights will continue to transport and eventually push all harvested size oysters out.

In an embodiment, given the predetermined dimensions of the central or innermost compartment and aperture, the spiral configuration 336 may be sized such that each turn/compartment stores an approximately equal number of oysters and maximizes the capacity of the containment assembly 300 (in terms of the total number of oysters of all sizes). Since the size of the oysters increases from the outer compartment to the inner compartment, the outer compartment may be smaller than the inner compartment (e.g., compartment 301 may be smaller than compartment 302, compartment 302 may be smaller than compartment 303, etc.). For example, in an embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the containment assembly may be generally allocated to each compartment/oyster size in proportion to the relative volume of the individual oysters to be stored in the compartment, except for areas that have been dedicated to the central compartment (e.g., compartment 306). In particular, without being bound by theory, dividing the rectangular volume of a certain size of oyster for which a compartment may be configured to store by the sum of the rectangular volumes of the various sizes of oysters for which a compartment may be configured to store may result in a ratio of cross-sectional areas (less than the area already allocated to the central compartment) of the containment assembly 300 to be assigned to the compartment intended to store that particular size of oyster. In embodiments, adjustments may be made to accommodate filling rates (e.g., tightness of oyster filling together) and/or horizontal lines (e.g., angle of repose at which oysters may settle into the interior of containment assembly 300), which may decrease as the size of oysters increases. In an embodiment, a different method of dispatch may be used (e.g., where the diameter of the containment assembly is less than 5 feet, which may otherwise result in the outermost compartment being thinner than the smallest dimension of the oyster intended to be stored). In embodiments, the walls and ramps may have a non-zero thickness, and the compartment sizes may be configured to increase the gap between adjacent ramps and walls, which may improve oyster flow (e.g., a space of about 3-5 times the width of the oyster size in each compartment). In an embodiment, the above method may be used to determine wall diameters, which may be considered as nominal "diameters" for each compartment.

Without being bound by theory, it is believed that even though oysters may be perfectly assigned into each compartment, the number and volume in each compartment is initially identical, and different standard deviations in growth rate at each growth stage may cause the number of oysters in each compartment to fluctuate over time.

Turning to fig. 6A, in an embodiment, the containment assembly 300 may be configured to rotate about the axis of revolution 9 (fig. 6B) in the indicated direction 52. In an embodiment, the spiral ramps 313, 314, 315, 316, 317 may transfer the oysters from the outer compartment to the adjacent inner compartment on each complete revolution. In an embodiment, oysters that are too small to remain in the adjacent inner compartment may fall back into the outer compartment through the holes in the wall and ramp. For example, in an embodiment, compartments 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, and 306 may be configured to house oysters of a particular size (e.g., minor oyster 1 for compartment 301, medium oyster 2 for compartment 303, major oyster 3 for compartment 305, etc.). Continuing with this example, in embodiments, the wall 307 may have apertures configured to permit, for example, water and nutrients to flow into the containment assembly and to permit biological deposits (e.g., fecal matter, oyster shell shavings, and/or dead oysters, etc., which may be ground by rotation of the containment assembly) to flow out of the containment assembly. Continuing with this example, in an embodiment, the ramp 313 and wall 308 can have a plurality of apertures configured according to the size of the oyster that the compartment 302 can be configured to store (e.g., a size greater than the size of the oyster that the compartment 301 is configured to store). Continuing with this example, in an embodiment, the ramp 314 and the wall 309 can have a plurality of apertures configured according to the size of the oyster that the compartment 303 can be configured to store (e.g., a size greater than the size of the oyster that the compartment 302 is configured to store). Continuing with this example, in an embodiment, the ramp 315 and the wall 310 can have a plurality of apertures configured according to the size of the oyster that the compartment 304 can be configured to store (e.g., a size that is greater than the size of the oyster that the compartment 303 is configured to store). Continuing with this example, in an embodiment, the ramp 316 and the wall 311 can have a plurality of apertures configured according to the size of the oyster that the compartment 305 can be configured to store (e.g., a size greater than the size of the oyster that the compartment 304 is configured to store). Continuing with this example, in an embodiment, ramp 317 and wall 312 may have a plurality of apertures configured according to the size of oysters that compartment 306 may be configured to store (e.g., a size greater than the size of oysters that compartment 305 is configured to store).

Continuing with this example, in an embodiment, as the containment assembly 300 rotates, the crassostrea 1 can leave the compartment 301 and enter the compartment 302 via the ramp 313. Continuing with this example, in an embodiment, if an oyster has not grown large enough (e.g., the oyster is smaller than the size of the compartment 302 configured to be stored), the oyster may fall back into the compartment 301 through the hole in the wall 308 or ramp 313. Continuing with this example, in an embodiment, instead, if the oyster has grown large enough (e.g., the oyster is at least the size of the compartment 302 that is configured to be stored), the oyster may remain in the compartment 302. Continuing with this example, in an embodiment, as the containment assembly 300 rotates, the oysters can leave the compartment 302 and enter the compartment 303 via the ramp 314. Continuing with this example, in an embodiment, if an oyster has not grown large enough (e.g., the oyster is smaller than the size of the compartment 303 is configured to store), the oyster may fall back into the compartment 302 through the hole in the wall 309 or ramp 314. Continuing with this example, in an embodiment, instead, if the oyster has grown large enough (e.g., the oyster is the size of the medium oyster 2 and/or at least the size of the compartment 303 configured to be stored, etc.), the oyster may remain in the compartment 303. Continuing with this example, in an embodiment, as the containment assembly 300 rotates, the oyster may leave the compartment 303 and enter the compartment 304 via the ramp 315. Continuing with this example, in an embodiment, if the oyster has not grown large enough (e.g., the oyster is smaller than the size of the compartment 304 is configured to store), the oyster may fall back into the compartment 303 through the hole in the wall 310 or the ramp 315. Continuing with this example, in an embodiment, instead, if the oyster has grown large enough (e.g., at least the size of the compartment 304 configured to be stored), the oyster may remain in the compartment 304. Continuing with this example, in an embodiment, as the containment assembly 300 rotates, the oyster may leave the compartment 304 and enter the compartment 305 via the ramp 316. Continuing with this example, in an embodiment, if the oyster has not grown large enough (e.g., the oyster is smaller than the size of the compartment 305 configured to be stored), the oyster may fall back into the compartment 304 through the hole in the wall 311 or ramp 316. Continuing with this example, in an embodiment, instead, if the oyster has grown large enough (e.g., the oyster is the size of large oyster 3 and/or at least the size of the compartment 305 configured to be stored, etc.), the oyster may remain in the compartment 305. Continuing with this example, in an embodiment, as the containment assembly 300 rotates, the oyster may leave the compartment 305 and enter the compartment 306 via the ramp 317. Continuing with this example, in an embodiment, if the oyster has not grown large enough (e.g., the oyster is smaller than the size of the compartment 305 configured to be stored), the oyster may fall back into the compartment 305 through the hole in the wall 312 or ramp 317. Continuing with this example, in an embodiment, instead, if the oyster has grown large enough (e.g., at least the size of the compartment 306 configured to store, etc.), the oyster may remain in the compartment 306. In an embodiment, when oysters grow to a size where they remain in the central compartment 306, they may be transported out of the containment assembly 300 by the screw threads 318. The hole size and diameter of each compartment of the containment assembly 300 may be designed such that each compartment holds approximately the same number of oysters for approximately the same amount of time. This maximizes the capacity of the containment assembly 300 for a given envelope.

Without being bound by theory, it is believed that providing holes with a circular profile is preferable because circular is purely based on maximum size sorting and eliminates orientation dependence.

Without being bound by theory, it is believed that containment assembly 300 exhibits several advantages over containment assemblies 100 and 200, including improved sorting frequency, ease of manufacture due to a single spiral configuration, improved volumetric capacity for a given containment envelope, and the like.

In the example of fig. 6A, which is designed for a particular class of oysters (american oysters), the outer diameters of the compartments 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, and 306 are 48 inches, 46 inches, 43 inches, 38 inches, 30 inches, and 12 inches, respectively, and the hole sizes in the walls 308, 309, 310, 311, and 312 are 7/8 inches, 1+3/8 inches, 1+5/8 inches, 1+7/8 inches, and 2 inches, respectively (e.g., the outer enclosure 307 may be perforated with 1/16 inch holes). The dimensions of these holes maintained oyster shells of 4mm, 34mm, 51mm, 60mm, 69mm and 75mm in length, respectively-an approximately uniform growth phase over the life cycle of the oyster shells. About 2,000 oysters per compartment are stored, with a total holding capacity of about 10,000 oysters-a relatively small oyster multi-layer inversion drum compared to possible. As oysters grow, the compartments may become larger to accommodate the oysters, however, the outer compartments may not be so thin that the size of the oysters they are intended to store cannot fit or tumble properly (in this example, two times the minimum oyster width is provided). In this example, the size of the pores is selected based on the proportion of the particular species of oyster and the growth rate over time. Other oyster species can be accommodated by adjusting the hole and compartment sizes. In an embodiment, containment assembly 300 preferably maintains no more than 1/2 full cartridge (e.g., no more than 1/3 full cartridge).

In an embodiment, the containment assembly 300 may be configured to receive a seeding oyster having a length of greater than 4 mm. For example, in an embodiment, the outer diameters of the compartments 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, and 306 and the dimensions of the holes in the walls 308, 309, 310, 311, and 312 may be adjusted to accommodate a oyster having an initial length of 9-12 mm. The oysters with such larger sizes have lower sensitivity and mortality than smaller oysters with smaller seedlings. This results in less accumulation of dead shells and greater predictability in accurately knowing how many seedlings are injected to maintain a constant output over time. In an embodiment, the size of the central shaft 319 may be increased to a range of, for example, 3 inches to 6 inches to accommodate larger seedling oysters.

An advantage associated with using larger seed oysters is that the material used to form the outer enclosure 307 can have a larger opening. For example, instead of using a 1/16 inch perforated sheet on the outside of the containment assembly 300 (which is expensive and has only 30-40% open area, which limits water flow through the containment assembly 300 to hold 4mm seedlings), the outer enclosure 307 may be made of 3/16 inch-1/2 inch expanded aluminum sheet or wire mesh or perforated sheet with larger/more closely spaced holes (which are very inexpensive and have 70% open area). This unfolded sheet has diamond openings and the wire mesh has square openings, but no circular openings are required on the outer enclosure 307, as it is not intended to sort oysters (i.e., no oysters pass through it). In an embodiment, depending on, for example, the depth of system placement and nutrient utilization, the increased open area of the expanded metal (or other material with larger open area, such as wire mesh or perforated sheet with larger holes and closer hole spacing) may completely avoid the need for injection pump 430 (e.g., flow through only the multi-layer tumbling drum sufficient to feed the oyster), which eliminates the expensive pump that would require maintenance.

Fig. 7 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a containment assembly 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment, a crassostrea gigas (e.g., crassostrea gigas 1) can be injected into the containment assembly 300 via the central shaft 319. In an embodiment, the central shaft 319 may be in the shape of a hollow cylinder. In an embodiment, the central shaft 319 may have holes formed in the wall of the shaft and distributed along its length. The aperture of the central shaft 319 may have a minimum size that allows the crassostrea gigas to pass through (e.g., 3 to 5 times the length of the crassostrea gigas that are injected). In an embodiment, the size of the central shaft 319 may be determined such that the pressure loss through the holes is much greater than the pressure loss through the central shaft itself, which, without being bound by theory, may allow approximately equal flow and equal numbers of seedlings to flow through each hole. In an embodiment, the flow through the orifice may not substantially attenuate along the length of the central shaft 319. In an embodiment, the oysters can leave the central axis and enter the central compartment 306. In embodiments, as the seeding oysters can be smaller than the holes in the different compartments and/or as the containment assembly 300 can rotate, the seeding oysters can easily fall through successive layers of the spiral configuration 336 (e.g., the walls and/or ramps of the compartments 302, 303, 304, 305, and 306) and begin to grow in the outermost compartment (e.g., compartment 301).

In an embodiment, the central shaft 319 may be divided into two halves by an inner plate, and the oyster may be injected through both ends. In this regard, there may be an equal number of distributed apertures between each pair of baffles. Typically, the apertures may be evenly spaced apart except in the containment assembly section adjacent the adult-oyster outlet ("flow channel"), in which the apertures may gather toward the center of the containment assembly to prevent the seedlings from inadvertently tumbling into the collection hopper after exiting the central shaft before settling into the outermost compartment. The containment assembly 300 may be loaded with seedlings in different ways, for example, by initially loading all seedlings at once (e.g., 250,000-500,000 seedlings for a 40 foot multi-layer tumbling drum) or over a period of time (such as, for example, a first growth cycle) to avoid compartment changes and a surge in oyster discharge from harvest size. Regardless, and without being bound by theory, once the multi-layer tumbling cylinder has been run for several growth cycles, the standard deviation of the growth rate produces an average value, so that about an equal number of oysters can be leveled and discharged into the collection hopper per round of rotation.

In an embodiment, the partition 320 of the containment assembly 300 may include a channel disposed around a thin flat plate. Beams 321 may be disposed between baffles 320 to provide bending and torsional reinforcement so that the walls and spiral ramps may be as thin as possible.

In embodiments, containment assembly 300 may be rotated continuously or at any suitable interval to maintain the maturation of the oysters. For example, referring back to fig. 7, in an embodiment, the containment assembly 300 may be configured to rotate a first amount (e.g., pi/4 radians) and a second amount (e.g., pi/12 radians) every 20 minutes before discharging (or driving) the first amount (e.g., pi/4 radians) back to equilibrium. In an embodiment, the first amount may be configured as a point at which the oyster slides and/or tumbles within the containment assembly 300. Continuing with this example, in an embodiment, by rotating the containment assembly 300 every 20 minutes in this manner for an 8 hour day period (24 revolutions), the containment assembly 300 will swivel about one full revolution per day. Continuing with this example, by charging and discharging the hydraulic accumulator to actuate hydraulic motor 325 during an interval of twenty minutes, a relatively small hydraulic pump and solar panel may be used. Continuing with this example, in an embodiment, hydraulic motor 325 is capable of having a capacity of 2,000 inch-pounds at 100rpm/1800psi, and sprocket 322 may provide a 180:12 reduction that, without being bound by theory, would provide more than enough torque to drive containment assembly 300 (e.g., having a maximum expected torque of 15,000 inch-pounds). Continuing with this example, and without being bound by theory, it is believed that by driving the first and second amounts of containment assembly 300 (e.g., amounts slightly greater than the sliding angle of the oyster (e.g., pi/4+pi/12 radians)) and then allowing hydraulic motor 325 to drain in reverse a greater path length and sorting efficiency, this can be achieved without increasing the wall or spiral ramp size. In an embodiment, a rotating device (e.g., hydraulic motor 325) may use a fine lift/step motion when tumbling/sorting, for example, rotating containment assembly 300 (2 x (slip angle) +pi/96) radians and then returning (2 x (slip angle) +pi/192) radians.

In an embodiment, the automated oyster ripening system may comprise one or more encoders that may track any fine stepping motion (e.g., < 5% steps per stroke) of the rotating device (e.g., motor 325). In embodiments, the rotating device may jolt/vibrate the container at the start and stop of each motion, which is believed, without being bound by theory, to help reduce friction.

In an embodiment, the containment assembly 300 may be configured to rotate more or less frequently than once a day by varying, for example, the period of rotation of the assembly per day, the interval between rotations, the amount of rotation, and the like. For example, in an embodiment, the containment device 300 may rotate at least once every 12 hours, at least once every 24 hours, at least once a week, at least once a month, at least once every 3 months, etc. In an embodiment, the containment assembly 300 may be configured to rotate non-periodically or irregularly (e.g., not at all between 12 months and 3 months, but at a scheduled time from 4 months to 11 months, etc.). In an embodiment, the containment assembly 300 may be configured to rotate via a controller, which may include a processor and memory, which may be programmed based on information from, for example, a monitoring device (e.g., a device that tracks oyster growth). In an embodiment, the containment device 300 may be configured to rotate after receiving input from an external controller (e.g., a programmable logic controller).

In an embodiment, the bottom cage design of fig. 5 may be advantageous, e.g., because floating and complex grid mooring is not required, the weight of the system may no longer be so much constrained, the device may be fully protected from storms, and the system may more easily remain unobtrusive for safety reasons, etc. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the positive pressure created inside the containment assembly 300 by the depth of the containment assembly 300 and/or the additional head provided by the submersible pump 330 may increase nutrient absorption by the oysters and/or aid in flushing waste (e.g., biological deposits). Moreover, it is believed that the mortality rate of the oysters (which may be less than 20% in more favorable offshore growth conditions than more than 70% of offshore farms) may be reduced by the oyster tumbling action of containment assembly 300. Further, the system may be made into an anti-food trap by providing it with features such as, for example, not more than 1/16 inch in size for all openings (e.g., the size of the openings of the wall 307 and/or the submersible pump 330, etc.), packaging and/or trimming to seal all connections (e.g., from the inlet assembly to the receptacle 300 and/or from the receptacle 300 to the collection hopper 327, etc.), and one-way valves or rubber/brush seals for, for example, the harvesting hose 328 and the injection hose 329.

In an embodiment, the containment assembly 300 and the frame 324 may be entirely made of welded aluminum and welded/painted steel, respectively, using commonly available metal shapes that are cut and/or rolled/bent to minimize machining. In embodiments, the use of non-TBT coatings and food grade hydraulic oil may make the device entirely environmentally friendly.

In embodiments, the various components of the system may be configured to provide a year service life of twenty (20) years or more in brackish water without maintenance. For example, in an embodiment, the containment assembly 300 may be aluminum. Continuing with this example, in an embodiment, the rollers 323 may be solid, cast polyurethane, which may be supported by self-lubricating (e.g., dry running) bearings, stainless steel axles, and the like. Continuing with this example, in an embodiment, the chain 326 may be stainless steel, oversized, under unidirectional tension, and protected by a "soft" hydraulic solenoid valve (e.g., which may prevent crack growth by preventing abrupt changes in direction or impact loads). Continuing with this example, in embodiments, sprocket 322 may be separated from containment assembly 300 by washers under bolt compression, which, without being bound by theory, may exhibit high friction, high shear strength, high compressive strength, no differentiation from salt water, electrical insulation against electrochemical corrosion, etc., relative to other materials. Such gaskets may be made of materials such as plastics, composites, ceramics, and the like. Continuing with this example, in embodiments, the rollers 323 and insulated wires 335, which may be made of any suitable insulating material (e.g., plastic), may protect the containment assembly 300 and the harvesting hopper 327 from electrochemical corrosion of the frame 324, and in embodiments, the frame 324 may be made of steel. Continuing with this example, and without being bound by theory, in embodiments, where the automated oyster ripening system is placed on the seafloor, the aggressiveness of the corrosion may have been greatly reduced due to the low oxygen, low temperature, and good flushing conditions there, as compared to the surface/"splash zone".

Figures 8-12 illustrate an automated oyster maturation system according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. It should be understood that the previous exemplary embodiments of the oyster ripening system of the present invention described above with reference to fig. 5-7 may have the same or similar components as those of the present exemplary embodiment, so that the more detailed description provided herein with reference to the present embodiment may be applied to the previous exemplary embodiments and vice versa without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Specifically, fig. 8 is a schematic diagram depicting a perspective view of an automated oyster maturation system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a side view of an automated oyster ripening system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As in the previously described exemplary embodiments, the system of the present embodiment may include a containment assembly 400 having an outer enclosure 470, which outer enclosure 470 may have, for example, a cylindrical shape. Also, as in the previously described exemplary embodiment, the containment assembly 400 may include a bulkhead 420 connected by a beam 421 and may be located on a roller 423 inside a housing 424.

In an embodiment, the housing 424 may be a mass manufactured container, such as, for example, a shipping container. In the case of a shipping container, the container may be a high cube container such as 10 feet, 20 feet, 40 feet, 45 feet, or 53 feet, etc. (e.g., the container may have a length such as 10 feet, 20 feet, 40 feet, 45 feet, or 53 feet, etc.). In an embodiment, the housing 424 may be modified from its original configuration to make it suitable for use with the containment assembly 400 and other components of the overall system. For example, portions of the side walls of the housing 424 may be cut to allow seawater to flow through, the housing 424 may be provided with diagonal stiffeners 435, the floor of the housing 424 (particularly if the housing 424 is a shipping container) may be partially or completely removed (leaving the floor, where possible, to save time and to help inhibit subsidence under unstable soil conditions), although in pressure treated wooden containers, the floor may pose a risk of toxicity and may in embodiments need to be removed), the floor beams 437 may be removed where they overlap the location of the rollers 423 and replaced with wheel mounting beams (e.g., for a wheel frame to be secured thereto, the original c-channels may be replaced with closed box sections), holes may be cut in both ends of the shipping container so that the outlets 438 (fig. 10) on the containment assembly 400 may extend out of the shipping container 424 and into the harvesting hopper 427, the harvesting hopper 427 may hang on the end face of the housing 424, as shown in fig. 8, so that the interior of the housing 424 may leave room for the longer containment assembly 400, more, etc.

In an embodiment, if a shipping container is used for the housing 424, the shipping container may remain ISO certified for intermodal transportation land/sea and may still be lifted from its corner castings 436. A 40 foot tall cubic container would allow the use of 40 foot multi-layer flip drums which in an embodiment could accommodate 250,000-500,000 oysters (50,000-100,000 oysters of each size). As in the previously described exemplary embodiments, the system may include one or more inlet assemblies 460, one or more outlet assemblies 464, and one or more discharge assemblies 462, the inlet assemblies 460 including an injection hose 429 and a pump configured to inject the seeding oysters into the containment assembly 400, the outlet assemblies 464 including a discharge hose 428 and a pump configured to transport the oysters ready to be harvested to, for example, a collection vessel, and the discharge assemblies 462 configured to discharge the oysters ready to be harvested from the containment assembly 400. A drain hose 428 and an injection hose 429 may extend from the harvesting hopper 427. In an embodiment, each drain hose 428 may be coupled with a corresponding fill hose 429 by a double funnel 439, which prevents the hoses from twisting together.

As previously described, the containment assembly 400 may be actuated in a variety of ways, such as, for example, by a hydraulic motor 425 rotating the sprocket 422 via a chain 426, a hydraulic piston via a lifting motion (e.g., with a ratchet-pawl mechanism that may provide the ability to generate high accelerations to vibrate the oyster and reduce friction and promote tumbling, although the range of motion may be a matter of a piston with limited travel within a limited container envelope), by driving all or at least a portion of the rollers 423, or via a coaxial low-speed high torque motor (similar to a transport hybrid motor) on a deep planetary gear reducer driving the central shaft of the containment assembly 400, etc. In an embodiment, the passive movement may be achieved via a hydraulic turbine and a very large gear reducer.

As previously described, a system according to the present exemplary embodiment may include a hull 431 that floats at a surface and houses a number of components (such as, for example, solar panels, batteries, PLCs, hydraulic accumulators, hydraulic pumps, radio modems and other electronics necessary for telemetry, control, and communication, etc.). The hull 431 may be secured to the housing 424 by a tether 432, and an electrical cable 433 and a hydraulic cable 434 may extend between the hull 431 and the housing 424. In embodiments, multiple multi-layer inversion rollers (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, or more multi-layer inversion rollers) may share a single large hull. The motor 425 may be of any type, such as, for example, hydraulic or electric, etc. The solar panel may provide sufficient power to charge the battery and/or hydraulic accumulator between actuations of the containment assembly 400 (e.g., between each rotation of the containment assembly 400). Submarine cables may be used in the case of large multi-layer roll-over farms, for example. The hull 431 may include deterrents and/or other measures to prevent birds from perching on top of them, and may include other features or structural elements to qualify as a true maritime mark.

As described with respect to the previous exemplary embodiments, tether 432, electrical cable 433, and/or hydraulic cable 434 may be designed with slack to accommodate moderate heave of hull 431 during typical ocean conditions. Tether 432 may have less slack than electrical cable 433 and hydraulic cable 434 such that tether 432 is tensioned prior to electrical cable 433/hydraulic cable 434, thereby protecting electrical cable 433/hydraulic cable 434 from excessive strain. The hull 431 may be designed to be very weakly buoyant so that in strong sea conditions with large swells/waves, the hull 431 floods rather than breaks the tether 432. This may also help to clean any debris of the solar panel. In an embodiment, the solar panel may be sloped to allow water and debris to flow out.

In an embodiment, using shipping containers as the housing 424 may allow the system to be mass manufactured. In this regard, the use of shipping containers maximizes oyster capacity of the multi-layered inversion rollers while still allowing the multi-layered inversion rollers to be transported on roads and container ships. If the approach to manufacturing or alternative/future transportation methods enable transportation of larger oyster multi-layer inversion rollers, larger multi-layer inversion rollers may be manufactured inside the custom frame (e.g., more compartments may be created to reduce pressure between oysters).

Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the capacity of the multi-layer inversion roller and the diameter D of the containment assembly 400 ² Is at least somewhat proportional to the square of the receiving assembly 400 and increases in proportion to the length L of the receiving assembly 400 ¹ At least to some extent, in direct proportion to the material cost and diameter D of the containment assembly 400 ¹ At least to some extent, and in proportion to the length L of the containment assembly 400 ¹ At least to some extent, in a proportional increase. It is therefore advantageous to maximize the diameter of the multi-layer turning drum in a given envelope (shipping container in this example). For a given diameter, a ratio of major diameters (L: D) much greater than 2:1 to 3:1 may cause the innermost compartment 406 to overfill because the oyster ready for harvesting takes longer to leave the harvesting hopper (a longer multi-layer inversion drum requires more rotation to drain the oyster). Thus, in an embodiment where the housing 424 is a 40 foot shipping container, the screw 418 within the innermost compartment 406 of the 40 foot containment assembly 400 may be right-handed in one half and left-handed in the other half, such that the oysters in the different halves are discharged in opposite directions. In this regard, the containment assembly 400 may be split into two 20 foot containment assemblies and built inside a 20 foot shipping container, although a slightly greater economies of scale may be achieved by combining the containment assemblies inside a single 40 foot shipping container.

Fig. 10 shows a cross section of one of two harvesting hoppers 427 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The oysters 1 (about 4 mm) can be poured into the left-hand side of the double funnel 439, wherein the pump 430 injects the oysters 1 into the containment assembly 400 through the injection hose 429, injection tube 441 and central shaft 440. In an embodiment, pump 430 may also provide additional nutrients from the surface, such as 200-1000GPM, and positive containment pressure for cleaning and increasing nutrient absorption/availability to the oyster. The central shaft 440 has holes that may be equally distributed along its length such that each section of the containment assembly 400 receives approximately equal water/nutrient flow and an equal number of seeding oysters (e.g., the size of the holes is preferably small, such as 4 inches, so the pressure loss inside the central shaft 440 is insignificant compared to the pressure loss through the distributed holes, and thus each hole receives approximately equal flow). The oyster seedlings descend to the outermost compartment 401 and return to the inner compartment 406 during their growth life cycle. Once the harvested size oysters 3 are in the innermost compartment 406, the screw flights 418 may push them through the outlet 438 into the harvesting hopper 427, from which harvesting size oysters 3 may be pumped through the harvesting tube 442, the one-way valve 443 (or e.g. rubber or brush seal), the harvesting hose 428 and the male connector 444. A deployed flow insert 445 may be provided to prevent excessive pressure at the inlet of the harvest tube 442 and to facilitate mass flow. Once the harvesting vessel arrives and begins to remain in place above the shipping container 424, the seeding oyster 1 can be poured into the left-hand side of the double funnel 439 and the female connector (which can be directly connected to a submersible pump, similar to a net-like fishing vessel using a pump emptying net, or can be directly connected to an on-board self-priming pump that will prevent damage to the harvested oyster, similar to a Transvac Silkstream fish pump (Environmental Technologies inc., washington, USA), or a mining pump (such as Godwin DPC 300 (Xylem inc., rye Brook, new York, USA)) can be simultaneously dropped onto the male connector 444 (which can be connected directly to a submersible pump, such as a power block, a winch, a pulley, or a mechanical arm, etc.) by a lifting mechanism, to form a self-sealing connection for pumping the oyster out of the harvesting hopper 427. Because they are marine, have a large stern deck, have rigs (power blocks, pulleys, etc.) for handling female connectors such as hoses, and have a chilled seawater system. However, any pole deck vessel (e.g., a utility ship for a utility) may be equipped for the harvesting operation of the multi-layer inversion drum. Further details of the harvesting vessel are described below in connection with fig. 13-15.

In embodiments, a large, centralized hopper may be provided to collect product from multiple multi-layer inversion rollers. For example, a number of multi-layer turning drums may be arranged around a large central hopper. This may involve lifting a large hopper on the vessel for harvesting, rather than pumping the oysters directly from the system hopper. In general, keeping the hopper small is believed to minimize the risk of blockage and to avoid the potential need for divers or hoisting large hoppers on board to clear the blockage.

In an embodiment, a one-way valve 443 or rubber or brush seal, as well as various trim and packaging seals, may be provided around the system to prevent predators from entering the harvesting hopper and/or containment assembly 400. The harvesting hose 428 and the injection hose 429 may cooperate with the hose float 446 to help hold them upright (in embodiments, both hoses are preferably already relatively neutrally buoyant). The harvesting hose 428 may be, for example, a reinforced Kanaflex suction hose, and the injection hose 429 may be, for example, a lay-down polyurethane hose, although other types of hoses may be used as described herein. Pump 430 may be, for example, a titanium submersible pump having a nominal brine operation of over 60,000 hours. In an embodiment, the pump 430 may be the only component that needs to be replaced during the life cycle of the system, and is therefore preferably located at the surface for ease of maintenance.

Harvesting hoppers 427 may be suspended from the ends of the housing 424 using, for example, tie rods and turnbuckles 447, which may be designed to engage corner castings 436 in the same manner as in normal intermodal transport (e.g., for strapping a stack of containers to a container ship). The lashing bars and turnbuckles may leave enough space in the corner castings 436 so that the twist locks of the spreader crane may still pick up the shipping container 424 even if the harvesting hopper 427 is attached (e.g., the entire machine may be lifted from the vessel and installed in the seafloor in a single lift). In an embodiment, insulation pads and/or coatings may be used to prevent galvanic corrosion between corner castings 436 and tie rods 447 and between harvesting hopper 427 and shipping container 424. The length of tie rod 447 may be adjustable so that misalignment between fill tube 441 and central shaft 440 may be easily accommodated and a lifting device (such as, for example, a forklift) may be used to quickly and efficiently suspend the harvesting hopper from shipping container 424. For this purpose, the shipping container and harvesting hopper can be transported separately and quickly assembled prior to loading on a ship for installation on an offshore seabed. Alternatively, in an embodiment, the harvesting hopper 427 may be suspended from the ends of the housing 424 using custom hinges inserted into the top and/or bottom of the corner castings 436 and then secured using, for example, pins, lashing bars, turnbuckles, or a combination thereof. A load cell may be mounted on the support surface to measure the hopper weight and provide a signal indicative of the appropriate time for harvesting.

Fig. 11A and 11B illustrate a process of manufacturing the receiving assembly 400 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The containment assembly 400 may be made of longitudinal sections 448, and the longitudinal sections 448 may be connected together within the housing 424 by, for example, welding corner rings and baffles on both sides of each section 448 to form a channel ring to rest on the rollers 423. In an embodiment, methods other than welding may be used to connect segments 448, such as, for example, bolt circles, torque coupling friction, or Oldham coupling. In this example, the first and last sections 448b may have an outlet 438 attached and may be slightly shorter to allow the accommodation assembly 400 to fit within the housing 424. For example, if a 40 foot shipping container is used for the housing 424, the length of the containment assembly is preferably just below 40 feet. Other segments 448 may have additional angular rings added in a straight line to provide a mounting surface for components such as, for example, drive sprockets and ratchet pawls. The central shaft 440 may be split between each segment 448 and may be mated together by a male/female socket and seal when the segments 448 are brought together. Each separator plate may be formed from two corner rings and two sheets that, when connected together between each segment 448, form a channel ring and a full thickness sheet.

Fig. 11C illustrates the flow of oysters through the containment assembly 400 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The seeding oyster 1 may be injected through the central shaft 440, uniformly distributed throughout the containing assembly 400, and settled to the outermost compartment 401. When the seedling oysters 1 have grown to the harvested size oysters 3 and remain in the compartment 406, the screw flights 418 can push them out through the outlet 438. The screw threads 418 may be one half right-handed and the other half left-handed such that oysters on the left side of the containment assembly 400 are discharged through the left-hand outlet 438 and oysters on the right side of the containment assembly 400 are discharged through the right-hand outlet 438.

Fig. 12A and 12B illustrate a cross-section of the spacer 420 between two sections 448 of the containment device 400 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Compartments 401, 402, 403, 404, 405 and 406 are separated by cylindrical enclosure 407 and ramps 413, 414, 415, 416 and 417 (walls 408, 409, 410, 411 and 412 are not shown in fig. 12 because they are on opposite cross-sections). In a multi-layer turning cylinder manufactured on a large scale, all ramps 413, 414, 415, 416, 417 and all walls 407, 408, 409, 410, 411, 412 may be made of a plastic material, such as, for example, high Density Polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene, combinations thereof, etc., which may be marine grade and/or recycled material. In an embodiment, spiral perforated sheets are an important cost item for any size multi-layer inversion cylinder, for example, 50% higher than the cost of multi-layer inversion cylinders described previously with reference to fig. 5-7, where the multi-layer inversion cylinder is made of 1/8 inch perforated aluminum. The use of HDPE provides advantages such as, for example, a significant cost reduction compared to aluminum (even for the same equivalent bending stiffness), reduced susceptibility to degradation in salt water, and the ability to be punched into larger holes compared to aluminum (e.g., up to 2 inch diameter holes required to sort harvested size oysters), aluminum can only be punched into up to 1 inch holes and requires cutting of larger holes at very high cost (unsuitable for mass production) using a laser. To constrain the HDPE perforated sheet, the partition 420 of the receptacle 400 may be provided with a helical recess formed by the bar 449 into which the ramps 413, 414, 415, 416, 417 and the walls 408, 409, 410, 411, 412 may be inserted.

In a specific example, 3 feet-4 feet X15 feet perforated sheet material can be used to form all ramps 413, 414, 415, 416, 417 and all walls 408, 409, 410, 411, 412. The perforated sheet may be pre-perforated with holes of the desired size, heated in a large oven (e.g., forced convection or autoclave) up to 350 degrees fahrenheit, and film-formed over a die of the desired radius. By placing the sheet on top of the mold on a multi-layer rack inside a large oven for thermal cycling, many walls and ramps can be formed at a time. To minimize or eliminate deformation of the sheet edges that may occur during this process, the sheet edges may be final trimmed to ensure fit between the spacer 420 and the helical bars 449. To prevent longitudinal gaps between the ramp and the wall, the longitudinal edges of the perforated sheet may be trimmed to form mating edges 450 (male/female or stepped/lap), as shown in fig. 12B, or the longitudinal edges of the perforated sheet may be fused using a heated plate (similar to HDPE pipe fusion). The roll angle/channel rings and circular plates that make up the spacer 420 may be welded to a clamp and bound together by beams 421, thereby clamping ramps 413, 414, 415, 416, 417 and walls 407, 408, 409, 410, 411, 412 within the helical recess formed by bar 449. The segments 448 may then be mounted one by one on top of the rollers 423 inside the shipping container 424 through cutouts in the sides of the container or through container gates (which may still be operational) by using a lifting mechanism such as, for example, a remote handler, a counter-weight lift or forklift, etc. Once aligned and resting on the roller 423, the segments 448 may be welded, bolted, or otherwise coupled together. The paint on the container may be touched, especially in the area where the cut is made. Due to the use of coten/weathering steel in shipping containers and cold, low oxygen, good flushing conditions on the seabed, the loss of containers on ships has provided opportunities for observing container degradation on the seabed and has demonstrated a complete exceptional longevity of the structure.

Instead of placing the container as is, repainting, or sealing with enamel, the cootonian steel of an ISO container may be weathered, which may require that existing paint be wire brushed or sandblasted/pearlescent, so that the container may weathered outdoors for more than a few days or weeks. Weathered cooton (coten) steel can survive in salt water and will eliminate the need for careful/expensive painting of all surfaces, but these containers must be weathered prior to installation because a stable oxide layer cannot form once the steel has been in salt water. Weathering will also eliminate disputes about the toxicity of various paint choices.

In an embodiment, since the plastic perforated sheet retains its heat/formability for a few minutes, the perforated sheet can be heated in an oven on closely packed flat shelves and then pulled onto the envelope mold after removal from the oven. The envelope mold may be a metal sheet supported by a wooden frame having an adjustable radius of curvature.

While the assembly of the multi-layered reversing drums may be done in the manufacturing assembly line body, the assembly of the multi-layered reversing drums may also be done in open sites/plots or even quaysides with lifting mechanisms such as, for example, remote handlers and forklifts using factory-manufactured perforated sheets and bulkheads. Such containers may be loaded directly onto barges or dumped container ships, or on large stool land boats on the beach at remote locations without port facilities, for offshore installation. This will allow the construction of multi-layer turning drums with very large diameters, since road transport is avoided. For farm installation, the vessel may be provided with a crane, or a separate barge crane may be provided.

It is to be understood that the material for the spacer 420 is not limited to aluminum and that other materials, such as, for example, plastics, other types of metals, combinations thereof, and the like, may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In an embodiment, an oyster multi-layer inversion roller farm may be placed far enough offshore (e.g., 12 seas or more) that federal approval may be required, rather than federal and state/local jurisdiction approval (although locations within the state water domain may be necessary in view of the multi-layer inversion roller's water depth not exceeding 20 m). Further, in embodiments, the impact of an oyster multi-layer inversion roller farm on the environment and marine life may be minimal because, for example, no on-site assembly is required, rapid and efficient farm construction may occur in a very short period of time (it is possible to take the multi-layer inversion roller from the deck of the watercraft and place it on the beach), relatively little space is required, machine density is high, and fewer restrictions are required meaning that the multi-layer inversion roller may occupy less sensitive habitat. In contrast, for example, offshore wind farms are located in deeper waters, require extremely noisy and many years of construction, and have thin but very strong lines spanning large distances, with serious impact on marine life. The tether 432 of the multi-layer inversion drum may be significantly weaker than the wind farm mooring line and thus also have less environmental risk.

In embodiments, a single multi-layer inversion roller farm or multi-layer inversion roller farm may be located anywhere in the range of 3m to 20m, less than 3m, or greater than 20m, etc., at ocean depths of, for example, 3m, 10m, 15m, 20m, etc. Multilayer turning roll farms may be placed offshore to act as breakwaters and artificial reefs to prevent storm spills and coastal erosion. In this regard, an electric field may be applied to the multi-layer flip-roller container frame to accelerate coral and other animals growing on them.

In a specific example, billions of oyster farms per year may require 2,000-4,000 40 foot multi-layer turning drums and occupy approximately 20-80 acres of the sea bed. Assuming a farm aspect ratio of 5:1, the water flow through this footprint can be up to 200 billion gallons per day, and thus, assuming an average filtration of 20 gallons per day by adult oysters, nutrient availability is not an issue. Farm installation can be a simple problem in that fine multi-layer inversion rollers are placed on the ocean floor at sufficient spacing to allow water flow and to easily distinguish between adjacent multi-layer inversion rollers (e.g., 50% fill rate). A 2-3 times the length of the harvesting vessel may be provided with a drift to allow passage/manipulation. Farms can be quickly constructed by placing a large number of pre-assembled multi-layer turning drums on a ship and taking/placing each container in place on the seabed using crane and DP2 (e.g., dynamic positioning system class of DP 2) station capacity. Retirement may not be required because the multi-layer turning drum is either refurbished or left permanently as a manual reed and/or diving site. Compressible seabed or other non-load bearing formations and other risks such as frequent seafloor storms/plumes/solid precipitants may cover portions of the multi-layer inverted drum farm for extended periods of time. In this regard, in embodiments, the multi-layer inversion drum may be lifted off of the accumulated deposit and replaced on top or moved to other areas. By lifting the multi-layer inversion drum on the vessel, performing the operation, and immediately replacing the multi-layer inversion drum on the seafloor, maintenance, repair and/or refurbishment of the multi-layer inversion drum can be performed in situ. Repair may include, for example, replacement of rollers/bushings, sprockets/chains, and/or motor/accessories, etc. The only periodic expected maintenance may be to replace the titanium pump 430 after a predetermined period of operation, such as, for example, about 60,000 hours of operation. Refurbishment may involve replacement of aluminum bulkheads, which may require transport back to land.

In an embodiment, to allow fresh oysters to grow in a land-locked position or to better control growth conditions (e.g., temperature, salinity, nutrients, etc.), for example, to allow exotic species of oysters to grow near a center of demand, a multi-layered inversion drum may be placed on land inside a structure, such as, for example, a warehouse or artificial canal. Such multi-layer inversion rollers may have additional costs compared to conventional offshore multi-layer inversion roller farms that have minimal operational growth costs, such as costs associated with warehouse construction, large pumping/plumbing, heating, water treatment, salt (closed systems for land locking), land costs, additional approval/monitoring, and bioreactors for producing food, among others. Thus, warehouse multi-layer tumbling drum oysters may be produced at a higher cost than the average in the current market. Such use cases for multi-layer inversion drums preferably must be able to sell oysters for premium prices because, for example, oysters are exotic and/or because they are grown for land-locked demand centers that would otherwise not be accessible to fresh oysters. In a warehouse scenario, the multi-layer reverse roll stack may be 2-3 meters high (e.g., in air above the ground), and nutrient-rich water may be pumped through and captured in a sump for recycling, cleaning, or for disposal (e.g., depending on whether the system is making its own salt water or using sea water).

In embodiments, marine growth may be a major problem with multi-layer inversion rolls, as too much marine growth may weaken the nutrients, cover the perforations, and/or damage mechanisms. In this regard, as long as the multi-layer tumbling drum rolls over frequently, the oyster rolling action may be sufficient to kill any larvae that attach to the inner walls of the multi-layer tumbling drum or to the oyster itself before the growth can grow to a more elastic size. For example, even though the multi-layer inversion drum is rotated only once per week for sorting purposes, the multi-layer inversion drum may still be rotated back and forth every day with a net zero revolution for the sole purpose of cleaning marine growth. Marine growth on the spacer ring is limited to the flanges of the channel ring and the corner ring because nothing can grow on the tread/contact of the wheel. Marine growth on the struts, ring flanges and container/housing is not critical as such growth does not interfere with any function of the multi-layer inversion drum. Marine growth on the outside of the outermost perforated sheet has a negative impact because the holes are very small (e.g., about 1/16 inch diameter; thus easily covered by growth) and are easily colonized by marine growth larvae. This surface can be kept clean by simply placing a spatula or fixed brush (e.g., metal or plastic or horsehair) in the container frame of the multi-layer tumbling cylinder that can be mass-produced, which spatula or fixed brush contacts the outer wall of the containment assembly and clears the larvae as the containment assembly rotates (deposited microscopic larvae will not have time to attach or grow because the entire outer surface of the containment assembly is contacted by the brush at least once for each rotation of the containment assembly). Brushes may also be used to clean roller chains, wheels and other surfaces in a similar manner. Internal pressurization of the containment assemblies and flow through the outermost apertures may be provided to help keep them clean. A directed jet inside the containment assembly may be provided to help keep certain surfaces clean, such as those surfaces that are not in contact with the tumbling oyster or brush/spatula. Coatings, such as for example PTFE coatings, may be applied to portions of the multi-layer reversing drum, such as, for example, on the outside of the outermost perforated layer, to prevent marine growth, as ocean currents will tear marine growth from the container assembly once the growth reaches a critical size and the drag force is too great compared to the friction/adhesion between the marine growth and the PTFE coating (this is a method for preventing marine growth on the oil containment boom).

In embodiments, it may be most cost effective to provide subsea high voltage cables that carry power into a central transformer and/or distribution hub for a sufficiently large multi-layer inverted roller farm.

As previously described, in embodiments, the solar/uv exposure provided by tidal estuaries during low tide may be simulated in a multi-layer roll-over drum by providing full spectrum lamps or distributed LED strips throughout the compartment. This also prevents marine growth and strengthens oyster shells.

In an embodiment, the multi-layered reverse roller may be individually loaded on an ISO trailer for road transportation. The multi-tier roll may be modified (e.g., reinforced) as needed to confirm that the multi-tier roll is available for intermodal transportation so that the multi-tier roll may be stacked with conventional container cargo on ocean-going container ships.

In embodiments, instead of or in addition to relying on gravity to dispense the seedlings from the central shaft, a plurality of components (such as, for example, radial tubes or spacer cavities) may be provided to bring the seedlings directly to the outer layer of the containment assembly. To this end, in order to accommodate such components, a plurality of cuts may be made in the perforated sheet and/or bar spiral recess to allow the tube to pass through and/or the separator may be made hollow.

In an embodiment, the multi-layered inversion drum may have a large central hopper within a container frame with a single pair of hoses, in which case the containment assembly may be split into two halves to house the hopper between the two halves. Each multi-layer inversion drum allows only one harvesting step, but the mass flow of the larger hopper is not as efficient or reliable as the mass flow of the two smaller hoppers.

Fig. 13 illustrates a multi-layer invert drum harvesting vessel 500 that is harvested simultaneously from two rows of mass-produced multi-layer invert drums 501, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The crane 502 may be used to lower the harvesting hose 503 and the seedling injection hose 504 onto a double funnel 439, the double funnel 439 passing through the injection hose 428 and the injection hose 429 to the harvesting hopper 427. The harvesting hose 503 and seedling injection hose 504 may have slack to allow for recovery on the harvesting vessel 500, and may have a wide range of adjustments to accommodate movement of the crane 502, such as, for example, rotation, upward/downward fly, telescoping, and reeling in/out, etc. The drift 505 may be left between rows of multi-layer inversion rollers 501 in a large scale manufacturing to allow the harvesting vessel 500 to pass through the multi-layer inversion roller farm. The harvesting vessel 500 may be provided with bow thrusters 506 for dynamic positioning precisely at each multi-tier roll position, and may further be GPS assisted. In an embodiment, harvesting vessel 500 may harvest from about 50-100 multi-layer inversion drums on a weekday, and assuming each multi-layer inversion drum is harvested once every 10 days, about 10,000 oysters may be produced per hopper pair per harvest, and harvesting vessel 500 may hold up to 1,000,000 oysters on the vessel. The harvesting vessel 500 may be capable of harvesting billions or more of oysters (e.g., 2000-4000 40 foot multi-layer tumbling cylinders) from a multi-layer tumbling cylinder farm. It should be appreciated that the number of multi-layered turning drums in each farm, the harvest time and the harvest capacity of the harvest vessel 500 are not limited to those examples provided herein, and that these parameters may vary without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Fig. 14A-14C illustrate several detailed views of the deck deployment area of a harvesting vessel 500 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In addition to the crane 502, harvesting hose 503 and seedling injection hose 504, the deck deployment area may also comprise a number of other components, such as e.g. pumps 507, deck hoppers 508, conveyors 509, spillways 510, refrigerated containers 511 and seedling oyster hoppers 512 etc. Harvesting hose 503 may be fed into the suction portion of pump 507. Pump 507 may be, for example, an industrial mining/solids handling/dewatering pump or a venturi/jet/fish pump having a flow rate in the range of, for example, 1800-5000 GPM. The pump 507 may be discharged into a deck hopper 508, the deck hopper 508 distributing the oysters onto a conveyor 509 and water into a spillway 510, which may be discharged from the stern of the harvesting vessel 500. The oysters can be sorted on the conveyor 509 into boxes and/or bags ready to be put on the market, palletized and loaded into the refrigerated container 511 either manually (e.g., using about 20 workers) or automatically using, for example, an optical/compressed air classifier. Dead oysters or sub-standard oysters may remain on the conveyor 509 and be discarded through the spillway 510. The refrigerated container 511 may be de-energized from the harvesting vessel 500 and when the harvesting vessel 500 returns to the port, the refrigerated container 511 may be immediately loaded onto a semi-trailer for transport to the dispenser. The seedling injection hose 504 may be connected to the seedling oyster hopper 512, and the seedling oyster may be dispensed into the double hopper 439 through the seedling injection hose 504 via a mechanism (such as, for example, a jet pump, a positive displacement pump, a flushing mechanism, a flexible screw conveyor, a cable conveyor, a tray conveyor, a traction conveyor, a chain conveyor, a tubular conveyor, or a combination thereof, etc.), so that an appropriate amount may be accurately and lightly dispensed at each multi-layer inversion roller.

Fig. 15A shows a detailed view of the connection assembly (generally indicated by reference numeral 518) between the harvesting hose 503 and the seedling injection hose 504 of the harvesting vessel 500 with double funnels 439, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The harvesting hose 503 may be connected to the first vertical end section 513 via a 180 degree elbow 514. The connection assembly 518 may be suspended from the crane 502 by the elbow 514. The seedling injection hose 504 may in turn be mated with the second vertical end section 515. The first vertical end section 513 and the second vertical end section 515 may be connected by a coupler 516. The double funnel 439 may be split into two halves. Half of the double funnel 439 may provide an upward facing cone 451 to facilitate a secure and quick mating of the female connector 517 with the male connector 444 to create a self-sealing pumping connection to evacuate the oyster 3 ready for harvesting from the harvesting hopper 427 through the harvesting hose 428. The other half of the double funnel 439 may provide a sump 452 in which the pump 430 may generate sufficient downward fluid flow to draw down the seedling oyster 1 dispensed through the seedling injection hose 504 and the vertical end section 515 so that the seedling is sucked in by the pump 430 and injected into the multi-layer inversion drum through the injection hose 429. For example, radial brushes and/or flakes 453 can be provided to prevent oyster seedlings (which can sometimes exhibit positive buoyancy) from floating out of the tank 452. The double funnel 439 can be mass manufactured using, for example, rotational molding such that the interlayer 454 can be foam filled and/or sealed and serve as additional buoyancy for the hose float 446. By lifting the vertical end sections 513 and 515 using the crane 502, suction between the female connector 517 and the male connector 444 may be disrupted.

It should be understood that the connection assembly 518 is not limited to the description provided herein and that embodiments of the invention may include modifications of the connection assembly 518 without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, while the connections between harvesting hose 503, elbow 514, and vertical end section 513, etc. are depicted as ball cam locking fittings that provide some angular compliance in these joints that may allow free movement, rigid bolting may also be used. Similarly, the vertical end sections 513 and 515 may be flexible hoses or hard tubes. As shown in fig. 15B, instead of using male/female connectors on the harvesting hose and the reservoir with pump for seedling injection, the double funnel may comprise two separate cones (e.g. shear rotated by stainless steel cones) that guide the chute ends (from the harvesting vessel) a distance into the harvesting hose and the seedling injection hose to create a sufficient seal for pumping. The top of each cone may include a rubber or brush seal 455 that prevents predators from entering the hose and helps create a static seal for the pipe from the harvesting vessel.

In an embodiment, because the vertical end sections 513 and 515 can be coupled, the connection assembly 518 is preferably placed in a proper angular orientation such that the vertical end section 513 can enter the upward facing cone 451 and the vertical end section 515 can simultaneously enter the reservoir 452. In addition to the accurate positioning/holding of the harvesting vessel 500 stationary and the margin of error provided by oversized upward facing cone 451 and reservoir 452, the connection assembly 518 may provide rotational control by, for example, a tag line, push/pull arm, or by adding a rotating wrist to the crane 502, etc. In embodiments, the coupler 516 may be rotated and fixed on the vertical end section 513 at any angle (either manually or automatically through, for example, a motor/gearbox between the vertical end section 513 and the coupler 516) such that any angular misalignment may be corrected such that a plane passing through the central axes of the vertical end sections 513 and 515 is substantially perpendicular to the port/starboard side of the harvesting vessel 500.

Oyster have a continuously changing width, which may cause them to temporarily wedge into the hole at their maximum width, however, the weight of other oysters turning over them may eventually force them through. In embodiments, stretching the holes slightly outward (e.g., a slightly increasing hole diameter from the innermost end to the outermost end of each wall/ramp) may also help reduce wedging, as contact between the oyster and the holes is at only two points rather than line contact, and only a small displacement is required to strike the wedged oyster through the holes due to the ability of the holes to expand, particularly if the walls and ramps are made of HDPE or other flexible material that allows localized stretching and/or warping around the holes. Furthermore, the bending of the sheet material may slightly warp the round hole and slightly oval and slightly stretch it, which may reduce the risk of the oyster getting stuck in the hole if the width of the oyster is only slightly larger than the nominal hole diameter.

Jamming may occur if the containment assembly is not rotated frequently enough and the oyster is allowed to grow in one compartment for an extended period of time. Thus, in embodiments, the containment assembly is preferably rotated frequently enough or at least agitated to prevent such jamming (e.g., as frequently as possible without shrinking the oyster).

More precisely, in embodiments, the containment assembly is preferably rotated as often as possible to prevent jamming and/or overfilling of the compartments and to expel harvested-size oysters as quickly as possible, which in turn may minimize the required size of the innermost compartment and maximize the space for growing oysters. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that limiting the constraint is that rotating too frequently may allow oyster shells to be removed faster than grown, thereby shrinking the size of the oyster. In an embodiment, weekly rotation may be considered suitable for capturing growth progress of certain types of oysters, such as, for example, american oysters with 18 month growth cycles, but may be frequent up to daily or as low as monthly, depending on the species and growth conditions. In an embodiment, the containment assembly may be rotated back and forth between rotations without any forward travel to prevent jamming, and this may extend the allowed period between full rotations.

In an embodiment, the containment assembly preferably moves in an oscillating motion as it gradually advances forward while rotating. For example, if the oysters occupy a sector of about 120 degrees inside the containment assembly and the average glide/roll/contact angle of the oysters is 30 degrees, the containment assembly may be rotated 2× (60 ° +30°) + (forward step) and then rotated 2× (60 ° +30°) + (backward step) back and forth until a full revolution is made. In an embodiment, the total step size of the containment assembly movement is the difference between the forward rotation and the backward rotation (forward step size-backward step size). As the total step size of the containment assembly approaches 0, the sorting efficiency may approach 100% because the oysters are sorted through a larger length of perforated sheet. In an embodiment, the step size is preferably as small as possible so that the control system can still monitor and ensure ongoing forward travel, but not so small that the rotational frequency cannot be achieved because of rotational cycle disturbances.

In embodiments, an encoder may be used to directly measure the rotation of the containment assembly to ensure that drift/slip in the motor and/or transmission does not affect forward travel (especially if rotation is slow/takes a long time or if hydraulic or friction drives are used, like wheels and belts). With manual control, for example, a maximum step size of 30 degrees may be sufficient when the containment assembly speed is 1rpm, however, steps as low as, for example, 1 degree or even lower may be achieved for an autonomously controlled containment assembly if a given encoder resolution is measured in microns/millimeter and the containment assembly circumference is measured in tens of feet. The encoder may be based on, for example, light, magnetism, capacitance, inductance, eddy currents, or the like.

Without being bound by theory, the containment assembly speed selection may be a component cost tradeoff between power generation (e.g., grid power or solar panel), power storage (e.g., battery or hydraulic accumulator), primary mover (e.g., pump/motor), and to a lesser extent transmission/gear reduction/control (e.g., roller chain, gearbox, encoder). The containment assembly is preferably rotated as slowly as possible to minimize the required power (e.g., fewer solar panels and smaller hydraulic pumps), but again without being bound by theory, the optimization is ultimately limited by the rotational frequency requirements (daily, weekly, monthly) and/or the effective operating range of the primary drive that can provide the required torque.

In an embodiment, the acceleration of the containment assembly may be made as great as possible in order to reduce friction and assist in oyster flow. In this regard, the hydraulic cylinder may be used to accommodate the impact loads associated with higher accelerations.

Like all bulk materials, particularly particles having the same approximate size, the oysters within the containment assembly may exhibit a bridged or stable arch-like structure. Thus, in embodiments, the gap between the wall and the ramp is preferably large enough to prevent this from occurring (e.g., about 3-5 times the width of the oyster size in each compartment).

In an embodiment, the torque required to rotate the containment assembly may be conservatively calculated by multiplying the submerged weight of the oyster in each compartment by the average radius of each compartment. For example, for a 4 foot diameter by 8 foot long containment assembly with 10,000 oyster capacity (2,000 in each compartment), the torque requirement is about 15,000in-lbs. As another example, for an 8 foot diameter by 40 foot long containment assembly with 300,000 oysters (60,000 in each compartment), the torque requirement is about 1,000,000in-lbs. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that this torque requirement may never be reached because the oysters slip/tumble before the center of immersed oysters mass reaches the maximum moment arm. In an embodiment, a safety factor (e.g., about 2) may be used, and a preferred drive train (e.g., roller chain, drive wheel, etc.) may provide deep gear reduction at the containment assembly to reduce torque requirements for the motor.

In embodiments, the power train for housing the assembly may include, for example, roller chains (e.g., stainless steel, coated, sealed pin ends, etc.), drive belts (e.g., flat reinforced/metal, V-shaped, grooved, toothed/timing belts, etc.), drive wheels (e.g., solid polyurethane wheels, solid stainless steel wheels, solid aluminum wheels with different coatings and textures, etc.), gear drives (e.g., spur gears, helical gears, etc.), direct drives (e.g., with gearboxes, such as planetary, worm, burr, screw, ramp, etc.), ratchet-pawl mechanisms, hydraulic cylinders, retracting clevis pins, stranded wire jack/rail jack/wedging force pads (e.g., hydraulic cylinders wedged onto a stranded wire or rail or flat flange), etc. In embodiments, the containment assembly may be driven and suspended by, for example, a roller chain, a drive belt, and/or a hydraulic cylinder (in combination with the support and the transmission).

In an embodiment, since capacity is one of the most important variables affecting Return On Investment (ROI) (along with oyster growth rate, machine cost, life time), oyster capacity is maximized by, for example, maximizing internal volume, use of internal volume, distribution of corresponding oyster size, flow characteristics. However, in embodiments, without being bound by theory, the best practice for reducing risk and maximizing reliability may be to underfilling the multi-layer tumbling drum with the minimum number of oysters required to meet the ROI objective (depending on the selected business plan). Over time, the envelope may be pushed (e.g., from 30% circular sector to no more than 50% circular sector of the volume of the containment assembly).

FIGS. 16A-16B illustrate an automated oyster ripening system according to another example embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood that the previous exemplary embodiment of the oyster ripening system of the present invention described above with reference to fig. 5-15 may have the same or similar components as those of the present exemplary embodiment, so that the more detailed description provided herein with reference to the present embodiment may be applied to the previous exemplary embodiment and vice versa without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In particular, fig. 16A is a schematic diagram depicting a perspective view of an automated oyster ripening system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 16B is a schematic diagram depicting a side view of an automated oyster ripening system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As in the previously described exemplary embodiments, the system of the present embodiment may include a containment assembly 700 having an outer enclosure 770, which outer enclosure 770 may have, for example, a cylindrical shape. Also, as in the previously described exemplary embodiment, the containment assembly 700 may include a bulkhead 720 connected by a beam 721 and may be located on a roller 723 inside a housing 724. Although the housing 724 is shown as having an open frame structure, it should be appreciated that the housing 724 may have a closed frame structure or may be a shipping container, as described with respect to the previously described exemplary embodiments.

As in the previous embodiments, the system according to the present exemplary embodiment may include a hull 731 that floats at the surface and houses a number of components, such as for example solar panels, batteries, PLCs, hydraulic accumulators, hydraulic pumps, radio modems, and other electronics necessary for telemetry, control, and communication, etc. Hull 731 may be secured to housing 724 by tether 732, and electrical and hydraulic cables may extend between hull 731 and housing 724.

As in the previously described exemplary embodiments, the system includes: an inlet assembly 760, the inlet assembly 760 comprising an injection hose 729 and a pump configured to inject a seeding oyster into the containing assembly 700; an outlet assembly 764, the outlet assembly 764 comprising a discharge hose 728 and a pump configured to transport the oyster ready for harvesting to, for example, a collection vessel; and a discharge assembly 762 configured to discharge the oyster ready for harvesting from the containing assembly 700. The discharge hose 728 and the injection hose 729 may extend from the harvesting hopper 727. In an embodiment, the discharge hose 728 may be coupled with the fill hose 729 through a double funnel 739, which prevents the hoses from twisting together. Although the system in this exemplary embodiment includes only one inlet assembly 760, only one outlet assembly 764, only one discharge assembly 762, and only one hopper 727, it should be understood that the system may include more than one each of these components, as disclosed with respect to the previously described exemplary embodiments.

In an embodiment, hopper 727 receives oyster ready for harvesting discharged from discharge assembly 762. As in the previously described embodiments, the oysters ready for harvesting may be discharged from the innermost compartment of the containment assembly 700 into the hopper 727 by one or more screw flights.

In an embodiment, legs 750 may extend from the bottom of housing 724. The leg 750 may be permanently fixed to the housing 724 such that the leg 750 and the housing 724 form a unitary structure, or the leg 750 may be removably attached to the housing 724. If the legs 750 are removably attached, the system may be delivered to a location where no legs 750 are attached, and then the legs 750 may be attached to the housing 724 just before the system is lifted off-board or otherwise submerged. In an embodiment, the leg 750 may be removably attached to the housing 724 by means such as, for example, pins, screws, or rods. In an embodiment, the legs 750 may be attached to each other by a frame (not shown) such that the legs may be more easily attached to the housing 724. This would provide a modular arrangement in which all of the legs 750 could be quickly attached to the housing 724 or removed from the housing 724 using a frame. For example, for attachment, the frame may be aligned with the housing 724 such that the legs 750 may be placed in position relative to the attachment points on the bottom of the housing 724.

In an embodiment, the legs may be configured to maintain the system at a distance from the seafloor to prevent debris from burying the system. For example, legs 750 may have a suitable length to maintain the system within a range of, for example, 1 to 5 feet from the seafloor, 2 to 3 feet from the seafloor, or any other suitable distance from the seafloor. In an embodiment, the legs 750 may be piles, such as, for example, friction piles or end support piles, or have a base/footing on the seafloor.

Fig. 17A is a schematic diagram depicting a perspective view of a housing 824 of an automated oyster ripening system according to an example embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 17B is a schematic diagram depicting a side view of the housing 824. As in the previously described embodiments, the housing 824 may be equipped with legs 850, rollers 823 may be arranged within the housing 824 such that the containment assembly may be rotated within the housing 824, and brushes or blades 860 may be arranged around the inside of the housing 824 to contact the containment assembly as the assembly rotates to remove marine growth and debris from the assembly. In an embodiment, the floor of housing 824 may be formed from a plurality of panels 840. Each floor panel 840 may be shaped with a convex curvature relative to the seafloor to prevent the frame from sinking into the seafloor. In an embodiment, the convex curvature provides enhanced bending stiffness and allows for the use of relatively thin panels. In embodiments, the panel 840 may be provided with corrugations and/or sharp bends (with or without a convex curvature) to increase the bending stiffness and reduce the required material thickness of the facestock. The panels 840 may be spaced apart from one another to allow debris to fall between facestocks when, for example, the housing 824 is lifted or moved relative to the seafloor.

In an embodiment, the brush 860 may be a strip brush made of, for example, polypropylene or polyester bristles with a plastic or stainless steel or aluminum backing/retainer. The use of plastic bristles provides advantages such as long life, salt tolerance, low water absorption, and resistance to biological growth. The brush 860 may be mounted within the housing 824 by, for example, inserting the brush into the holder and securing the holder to a steel angle welded to the inside of the housing 824. The number of brushes 860 disposed about the containment assembly may range, for example, from one to eight, preferably from four to eight, or more than eight. The higher number of brushes allows each portion of the container to be brushed without having to rotate the container in a full revolution. This is particularly important in winter when oyster growth slows down, and severe rotation of the container should be avoided to prevent crushing of the shells when the oyster is dormant and cannot be repaired. For example, the container may be rotated back and forth 360/8 degrees to ensure that all surfaces are brushed and to avoid any oyster tumbling, as the oyster will not exceed its slip angle. With four strip brushes, the entire surface of the receptacle is brushed at least four times with each revolution and may be brushed more times than this given oscillation/ratcheting motion of the container. In embodiments, the strap brush may be configured and/or mounted to clean other surfaces, such as, for example, sprockets, chains, wheels, and the like. In an embodiment, the brush 860 is not necessarily intended to remove large marine growth, but if the receptacle is rotated frequently enough, the brush 860 will continuously remove larvae and other marine growth before they can grasp and grow to any appreciable size. This is important to maintain an open area of the outer envelope and to ensure good water flow through the receptacle.

Fig. 18A-18D illustrate components of an automated oyster ripening system according to an example embodiment of the present invention. As in the previously described embodiments, the system of the present embodiment may include a containment assembly 900 having an outer enclosure 970, which outer enclosure 970 may have, for example, a cylindrical shape. Moreover, as in the previously described exemplary embodiment, the containment assembly 900 may be made up of longitudinal sections 948A, 948B, 948C, 948D, which longitudinal sections 948A, 948B, 948C, 948D may be connected together inside the housing 924 by, for example, welding corner rings and baffles on both sides of each section 948A, 948B, 948C, 948D to form a channel ring to rest on a roller (not shown). In embodiments, methods other than welding may be used to connect the segments 948A, 948B, 948C, 948D, such as, for example, bolt circles, torque coupling friction, or oldham couplings, among others. The central shaft 940 may be split between each of the sections 948A, 948B, 948C, 948D and may be mated together when the sections 948A, 948B, 948C, 948D are brought together by, for example, male/female sockets and seals. In this regard, the compression seal may be sandwiched between the segments when the portions are connected together. Each spacer may be formed from two corner rings and two sheets that when connected together between each section 948A, 948B, 948C, 948D form a channel ring and a full thickness sheet.

As in the previously described exemplary embodiments, the system includes: an inlet assembly 960, the inlet assembly 960 comprising an injection hose 929 and a pump configured to inject the oyster into the containment assembly 900; an outlet assembly 964, the outlet assembly 964 comprising a discharge hose 928 and a pump configured to transport the oyster ready for harvesting to, for example, a collection vessel; and a discharge assembly 962, the discharge assembly 962 configured to discharge the oysters ready for harvesting from the housing assembly 900. Drain hose 928 and injection hose 929 may extend from harvest hopper 927. Although the system in this exemplary embodiment includes only one inlet assembly 960, only one outlet assembly 964, only one discharge assembly 962, and only one hopper 927, it should be understood that the system may include more than one each of these components as disclosed with respect to the previously described exemplary embodiments.

In an embodiment, hopper 927 receives oyster ready for harvesting discharged from discharge assembly 962. As in the previously described embodiments, the oysters ready for harvesting may be discharged from the innermost compartment of the containment assembly 900 into the hopper 927 by one or more screw flights 918.

In an embodiment, the housing 924 may be equipped with legs 950, as previously described.

As shown in fig. 18D, in an embodiment, the central shaft 940 may be divided into longitudinal sections 940A, 940B, 940C, 940D, each longitudinal section 940A, 940B, 940C, 940D corresponding to a respective longitudinal section 948A, 948B, 948C, 948D of the containment assembly 900. As shown in fig. 18C, the cross-section of each longitudinal section 940A, 940B, 940C, 940D may be divided into a plurality of pie-shaped compartments 944A, 944B, 944C, 944D, wherein the number of compartments has a direct relationship with the number of longitudinal sections. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the central shaft 940 includes four longitudinal sections, in which case the cross-section of each longitudinal section is divided into four equal pie-shaped compartments. It should be understood that the number of longitudinal sections and cross-sectional compartments is not limited to any particular number, and in embodiments, the number may vary from, for example, 2 to 10.

In an embodiment, one or more of each compartment 944A, 944B, 944C, 944D in each longitudinal section 940A, 940B, 940C, 940D is blocked. For example, each compartment 944A, 944B, 944C, 944D is blocked at a point along a corresponding one of the longitudinal sections 940A, 940B, 940C, 940D, where the point may be, for example, between endpoints of the corresponding one of the longitudinal sections 940A, 940B, 940C, 940D or at endpoints of the corresponding one of the longitudinal sections 940A, 940B, 940C, 940D. More specifically, compartment 944A is blocked within longitudinal section 940A, compartment 944B is blocked within longitudinal section 940B, compartment 944C is blocked within longitudinal section 940C, and compartment 944D is blocked within longitudinal section 940D. It should be appreciated that only one of the compartments in the first longitudinal segment 940A (compartment 944A) is blocked within the longitudinal segment 940A, while the last longitudinal segment 940E causes all of the compartments to be blocked at the ends of the longitudinal segment 940E. With this configuration, the cross-section of the entire central shaft 940 may be considered to be made up of pie-shaped compartments, wherein each pie-shaped compartment extends along the length of the central shaft 940, but is blocked within a respective longitudinal section of the central shaft 940.

In an embodiment, each longitudinal section 940A, 940B, 940C, 940D includes a corresponding one or more distribution tubes extending radially therefrom. The entry, friction and exit losses of these distribution pipes contribute to increased pressure losses compared to holes distributed in the previous embodiment only along the length of the central shaft. This helps to further improve uniform seedling distribution. The distribution pipe also ensures that seedlings are delivered directly to the outermost layer and are not damaged by dropping through all layers as may occur in the previous embodiments.

Specifically, in the embodiment shown in fig. 18B, the longitudinal segment 940A includes a distribution tube 942A, the longitudinal segment 940B includes a distribution tube 942B, the longitudinal segment 940C includes a distribution tube 942C, and the longitudinal segment 940D includes a distribution tube 942D. Before the compartments are blocked, each component piping is in fluid communication with a compartment within the respective longitudinal section at a point before the compartments are blocked, the compartments within the respective longitudinal section being blocked within the respective longitudinal section. For example, before compartment 944C is blocked, dispensing tube 942C is in fluid communication with compartment 944C of longitudinal section 940C at a point.

Although only one distribution tube is included within each longitudinal section in the embodiment shown in fig. 18B, it should be understood that the number of distribution tubes within each longitudinal section is not limited to one, and in other embodiments each longitudinal section may include, for example, two, three, four, five, or six equal distribution tubes.

In an embodiment, the distribution tubes 942A, 942B, 942C, 942D are made of a flexible and/or formable material, such as, for example, rubber, plastic, or aluminum. In an embodiment, as shown in fig. 18B, 18C, 18D, the dispensing tubes 942A, 942B, 942C, 942D are angled away from the central axis 940 at different angles, but are routed such that their axes are coplanar and pass through the perforated sheet at the intersection between the wall of the containment assembly 900 and the ramp. The distribution pipe is preferably routed in one of two opposite directions, so that during seedling injection the receptacle can be rotated (e.g. according to encoder readings) so that the opening of the distribution pipe is oriented in the horizontal direction and the injected seedling tumbles to the bottom of the outer layer and does not block the outlet of the distribution pipe.

In operation, the flow of seedlings is equally divided between the compartments 944A, 944B, 944C, 944D at the beginning of the first longitudinal section 940A, where the flow velocity is highest, and the seedlings are thoroughly mixed due to turbulence and are completely entrained in the flow so that the settling of the seedlings along the length of the central shaft 940 will not affect the seedling distribution. As the flow of seedlings progresses through the central shaft 940, the cross-sectional area gradually decreases due to the blocked compartments, thereby ensuring that the velocity within the central shaft 940 is maintained at a level sufficient to further minimize the effect of the seedlings settling along the length of the central shaft 940. In an embodiment, the diameter of the central tube is substantially larger than the diameter of the distribution tube such that the pressure loss through the distribution tube is much larger than the pressure loss through the central shaft compartment such that the total pressure loss, flow and number of seedlings delivered to each longitudinal section 948A, 948B, 948C, 948D is substantially equal, irrespective of the path length required to reach each longitudinal section of the containment assembly. In a specific example, the diameters of the center tube are 3 inches and 6 inches for a minimum seedling size of 4mm and a maximum seedling size of 12mm, respectively, and the diameters of each distribution tube are 0.5 inches and 1.5 inches, respectively. In an embodiment, the flow delivered to each longitudinal section 948A, 948B, 948C, 948D is attenuated by only about 2% from the first longitudinal section to the last longitudinal section. In a specific exemplary embodiment, the total maximum system pressure with 300gpm seedling injection flow is less than 18psi, so the seedlings are not damaged and the seedlings can be pumped quickly, but at a low density to avoid clogging.

In an embodiment, the frame for the containment assembly may be customized to maximize the diameter of the containment assembly. For example, instead of using shipping containers as described previously, a custom frame may be used to allow for larger containment assemblies. In a specific example, the diameter of the containment assembly can be expanded from 84 inches inside a standard shipping container to 92 inches inside the custom frame, all while maintaining the custom frame within the legal road width and height of standard flatbed transport (102 inches by 102 inches). The customization also allows for optimization of the motor support, structure for resisting motor reaction forces, and the hopper support, all of which reduce cost.

In embodiments, the frame may be painted or unpainted. For example, the steel frame may be sprayed with a coating such as, for example, titanium oxide or zinc chromate. If unpainted, the frame may be made of, for example, weathered steel or aluminum.

In embodiments, the hopper may have sloped walls, which provides advantages such as, for example, simpler manufacturing and minimizing oyster/wall friction to ensure mass flow and complete emptying of the hopper at a time. For example, as shown in fig. 16A, the hopper 727 has the shape of a pure triangular prism in which the walls are inclined from the top corner of the frame all the way to the bottom center. Providing a hopper 727 with a triangular profile instead of a profile with a vertical portion maximizes the steepness of the wall. In some embodiments, the walls may be so inclined at an angle of 60 degrees or greater to minimize wall friction and bridging risk.

In embodiments, the hopper may be suspended from the ends of the frame using, for example, pins and/or screws, so that the hopper may be quickly installed and also removed and belted to a surface for collection or maintenance.

Figures 19A-19F illustrate an automated oyster ripening system, indicated generally by reference numeral 1000, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The system 1000 does not include external components such as inlet assemblies, outlet assemblies, legs or other support structures, tethers, floating platforms, and the like. Rather, the system 1000 is that this embodiment may include only certain components, such as a containment assembly 1010 rotatably mounted within the housing 1012, a hopper 1014 attached to the housing 1012, and the like. The hopper 1014 may include fittings 1016A, 1016B configured to allow for installation of inlet and outlet assemblies. The system 1000 according to this exemplary embodiment may be intended as deliverable to a customer so that, for example, the system 1000 may be installed at a selected location by the customer (or technician) by attaching external components as needed. In an embodiment, the system 1000 may be delivered as a kit with separate external components such as, for example, legs, inlet and outlet assemblies, tethers, cables, and floating platforms, etc., which may then be installed at the site.

While embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail, various modifications and improvements thereto may become readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, as noted above, the exemplary embodiments of the invention are intended to be illustrative rather than limiting. The spirit and scope of the invention will be construed broadly.

Claims

1. An automated oyster ripening system comprising:

(A) A housing;

(B) A containment assembly rotatably disposed within the housing, the containment assembly comprising:

(1) An outer cylindrical envelope;

(2) One or more sheets of material contained within the outer cylindrical enclosure, the sheets of material being arranged to form a helical configuration having an outer diameter and an inner diameter,

wherein the spiral configuration comprises at least three turns, and the spiral configuration further comprises:

(i) A plurality of compartments in communication with each other;

(ii) A plurality of walls defining the plurality of compartments;

(iii) A plurality of ramps, wherein each of the plurality of ramps is attached to a corresponding wall of the plurality of walls so as to form a plurality of pairs of walls and ramps that provide a helical shape to the helical configuration;

(iv) A plurality of openings disposed in the plurality of walls and the plurality of ramps, the plurality of openings comprising a plurality of sets of openings, wherein the openings within each set of openings have diameters of respective common dimensions that increase from an outer diameter to an inner diameter of the helical formation such that with each complete rotation of the containment assembly, each oyster can tumble further into the helical formation and rise from its original compartment into an adjacent inner compartment, the opening dimensions in the adjacent inner compartment being larger than the opening dimensions in the original compartment such that only oysters that have grown sufficiently can remain in the adjacent inner compartment, while oysters that have not grown sufficiently will fall through the openings of the adjacent inner compartment into the original compartment;

(3) A hollow shaft having a first end and a second end disposed within an innermost compartment of the plurality of compartments, wherein the first end of the hollow shaft is configured to receive a oyster of a seedling, and wherein the hollow shaft comprises a plurality of holes formed in a wall between the first end and the second end of the hollow shaft, the plurality of holes sized to allow the oyster of a seedling to pass through the plurality of holes;

(C) An inlet assembly configured to feed the oyster into the containment assembly, wherein the inlet assembly is operably connected to the hollow shaft; and

(D) A discharge assembly configured to discharge oyster ready for harvesting from an innermost compartment of the plurality of compartments.

2. The automated oyster ripening system of claim 1, wherein the housing is a frame that supports the containment assembly.

3. The automated oyster ripening system of claim 1, wherein the shell is a shipping container that supports and substantially encapsulates the containment assembly.

4. The automated oyster ripening system of claim 1, wherein the oyster ripening system further comprises at least one rotating device that is provided inside the housing and configured to rotate the containing assembly inside the housing.

5. An automated oyster ripening system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least one rotating device comprises a motor.

6. An automated oyster ripening system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the housing comprises a roller on which the containment assembly rests.

7. An automated oyster ripening system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the rollers are driven by the motor.

8. The automated oyster ripening system of claim 4, wherein the at least one rotating device is configured to rotate the containment assembly about a central axis.

9. The automated oyster ripening system of claim 4, wherein the at least one rotating device is configured to periodically rotate the containment assembly.

10. The automated oyster ripening system of claim 4, wherein the at least one rotating device is configured to non-periodically rotate the containment assembly.

11. The automated oyster ripening system of claim 4, wherein the at least one rotating device is further configured to vibrate the containment assembly inside the housing.

12. The automated oyster ripening system of claim 1, further comprising a pitching device that is disposed within the housing and configured to rock the containment assembly so as to move the oyster into position within the cylindrical assembly.

13. An automated oyster maturation system according to claim 1, wherein the helical construct comprises at least four turns.

14. The automated oyster ripening system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of compartments are in fluid communication with each other.

15. The automated oyster ripening system of claim 1, wherein an innermost compartment of the plurality of compartments is configured to store the oyster ready to harvest.

16. The automated oyster ripening system of claim 15, wherein an outermost compartment of the plurality of compartments is configured to store the oyster seedlings.

17. The automated oyster ripening system of claim 16, wherein a compartment between an outermost compartment of the plurality of compartments and an innermost compartment of the plurality of compartments is configured to store increasing oysters that are sized from greater than the growth size of the young oysters to less than the growth size of the oysters that are ready to harvest.

18. The automated oyster ripening system of claim 1, further comprising a hopper that receives the ready-to-harvest oysters discharged from the discharge assembly.

19. The automated oyster ripening system of claim 1, further comprising a dispensing tube that extends from the hollow shaft.

20. The automated oyster ripening system of claim 19, wherein the hollow shaft is divided into a plurality of compartments that extend along the length of the hollow shaft.

21. The automated oyster system of claim 20, wherein the hollow shaft comprises a plurality of longitudinal sections and each of the plurality of compartments is plugged within a respective one of the plurality of longitudinal sections, wherein a number of plugged compartments increases along a length of the hollow shaft.

22. The automated oyster system of claim 21, wherein the distribution tube comprises a plurality of distribution tubes, and one or more of the plurality of distribution tubes corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of longitudinal sections of the hollow shaft.

23. A method of maturing oysters, the method comprising:

(A) Injecting the oyster with seedling into hold the subassembly, hold the subassembly rotatably setting in the casing, hold the subassembly and include:

(1) An outer cylindrical envelope;

(2) One or more sheets of material contained within the outer cylindrical enclosure and arranged to form a helical configuration having an outer diameter and an inner diameter, wherein the helical configuration comprises at least three turns, and the helical configuration further comprises:

(i) A plurality of compartments in communication with each other;

(ii) A plurality of walls defining the plurality of compartments;

(iv) A plurality of openings disposed in the plurality of walls and the plurality of ramps, the plurality of openings comprising a plurality of sets of openings, wherein the openings within each set of openings have diameters of respective common dimensions that increase from an outer diameter to an inner diameter of the helical configuration; and

(B) The containment assembly is rotated such that with each complete rotation of the containment assembly, each oyster can tumble further into the helical configuration and rise from its original compartment into an adjacent inner compartment, the opening size in the adjacent inner compartment being larger than the opening size in the original compartment, such that only oysters that have grown sufficiently can remain in the adjacent inner compartment, while oysters that have not grown sufficiently will fall into the original compartment through the opening of the adjacent inner compartment.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the step (a) of injecting the oyster seeding includes injecting the oyster seeding into a hollow shaft disposed within an innermost compartment of the plurality of compartments, wherein the hollow shaft includes a plurality of holes formed in a wall of the hollow shaft and sized to allow oyster seeding therethrough.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the step (a) of injecting a seeding oyster comprises injecting the seeding oyster via an inlet assembly operatively connected to the hollow shaft.

26. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of: the oyster ready for harvesting is discharged from the innermost compartment of the plurality of compartments of the containing assembly via a discharge assembly.