GB2543870A

GB2543870A - Marine animal deterrent device

Info

Publication number: GB2543870A
Application number: GB1608202.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jamieson Ian
Original assignee: Score Group Ltd
Current assignee: Score Group Ltd
Priority date: 2016-05-10
Filing date: 2016-05-10
Publication date: 2017-05-03
Anticipated expiration: 2036-05-10
Also published as: GB201608202D0; GB2543870B

Abstract

A pulse generator 310 for deterring marine animals, the pulse generator comprises a pressure pulse generation component (12 figure 6) and a control component 316 configured to control a first parameter relating to the pulses duration and a second variable parameter relating to the pulses peak amplitude. The length of the negative or positive part of the pressure pulse may be configured to correspond to or exceed an expected size of a marine animal. The pulse generation component may comprise a fluid reservoir 326 that discharges fluid through a nozzle 330 using a valve 328 to crate the pressure pulse. The pulse generation component may comprise a power supply (440 figure 4) that generates an arc between two electrodes (442, 444 figure 4) to create the pressure pulse. The pulse generation component may comprise a transducer (546 figure 5) that generates a signal and a diaphragm or speaker (548 figure 5) that is configured to create a pressure wave in response to the signal.

Description

MARINE ANIMAL DETERRENT DEVICE Field of Invention

This invention relates to marine animal deterrent devices, and in particular deterrent devices that generate a pressure pulse to deter marine animals.

Background of Invention

Predatory marine animals such as seals, sharks and tuna are a major threat to the farmed salmon industry. The cost of salmon lost due to predation by these marine animals runs into millions of pounds across the industry, and can have a significant commercial impact on an individual salmon farmer. After a predatory marine animal attacks a salmon farm, there is also a high mortality rate in the salmon due to stress.

It is also desirable to deter marine animals away from marine construction activity. Some marine construction activities, such as the piling of foundations for offshore wind turbines, produce a large amount of noise in water. This noise can be extremely harmful to marine animals. It is therefore desirable to deter the marine animals from the area of marine construction, so that the marine animals are prevented from harm.

Acoustic deterrent devices can be used to deter marine animals away from a location where the aforementioned activities take place. A commonly used deterrent is to play recorded killer whale sounds, particularly ‘call to feed’ sounds, to deter predatory marine animals from entering or habiting the location. This has proved to be ineffective, as research suggests that marine animals are able to differentiate the recorded killer whale sound from a natural sound made by a killer whale. Recent studies have found that the recorded sounds act as an indicator to predatory marine animals that food is available in the area the noise is dispensed from, rather that acting as a deterrent. The predatory marine animals are drawn to the simulated sounds as they believe there is likely to be a large supply of food in the area where the ‘call to feed’ sounds are coming from.

The recorded sounds have also proved to be problematic to other species of whales as they can attract nearby pods of these whales into areas with salmon farms. Since the locations of salmon farms are generally in shallow water, this can result in the mass stranding of the other species of whale.

Other acoustic deterrent devices use sinusoidal waves to deter marine animals. These devices produce sinusoidal waves of pure frequency tones, which are aimed at the hearing of a marine animal. The sinusoidal waves are symmetric and do not deliver a significant stimulus to the marine animals to urge them to move away from the device. Furthermore, the sinusoidal waves produced by the acoustic deterrent devices constructively and destructively interfere. The interference can create corridors where there is a reduction in the strength of the deterrent waves, allowing the marine animals to swim up these corridors and enter the location that the device is meant to be deterring them from.

There are systems such as the one disclosed in US20110176391A1 that generate a pressure pulse which supplies a net pressure to a marine animal. However, these systems have not taken into account the effects on the surrounding fauna, and can permanently damage the marine animals they are designed to deter. The pressure pulses created by such generators rapidly compress the swim bladders of nearby fish, which can potentially cause the swim bladders of the fish to rupture, killing the fish.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one disadvantage of prior marine animal deterrent devices.

Summary of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pulse generator for deterring marine animals, the pulse generator comprising: a pressure pulse generation component configured to generate a pressure pulse; and a control component configured to control a first variable parameter of the pressure pulse generation component such that the pressure pulse has a pulse duration having a first value and a second variable parameter of the pressure pulse generation component such that the pressure pulse has a peak amplitude that is below a threshold.

The pulse generator deters specific marine animals from a particular location, but prevents permanent damage being done to the marine animals by controlling the duration and amplitude of the pulse such that the pulse does not damage the marine animals and other non-target species. This is in contrast to prior art systems.

Furthermore, by controlling the values of the pulse duration and the peak amplitude, fewer such pulse generators are required to deter marine animals than in the prior art arrangements in order to achieve a similar deterring effect

The pressure pulse may have a positive pressure part having a first length and a negative pressure part having a second length and wherein said pulse duration having the first value causes the first length of the positive pressure part or the second length of the negative pressure part at least to substantially correspond to an expected size of a marine animal or exceed the expected size of said marine animal.

The or each of the first length and the second length is preferably selected from a range of between 1m to 25m and preferably, between 1m to 30m and substantially corresponds to or exceeds the expected size of the marine animal concerned.

The pressure pulse may be an acoustic pulse and have a peak amplitude selected such that a peak sound pressure of the pulse is sufficiently high to deter the marine animal without causing harm to the said animal.

This prevents a marine animal from being harmed when it is being deterred from a location. This also prevents non-target species from being harmed.

The peak sound pressure may be between 200 and 220dB, preferably, around 200dB.

The pulse duration may be at least 1/1500s per 1m of length of the marine animal.

The pulse duration may be between 1/1500s to 100ms.

The pulse duration may be between 10ms to 40ms.

The pressure pulse generation component may be configured to generate a single pulse.

The pressure pulse generation component may be configured to generate two or more pressure pulses, preferably, with an interval between 0.5s to 10s between the end of one pulse and the beginning of the next pulse.

In a second aspect of the present invention, the pressure pulse generation component may comprise: a fluid reservoir; a valve fluidly connected with the fluid reservoir; and a nozzle fluidly connected with the valve; wherein the valve is configured to be actuated such that: a fluid from the fluid reservoir is supplied to the nozzle; and the fluid is discharged through the nozzle generating the pressure pulse.

The first variable parameter may be an actuation time of the valve.

The second variable parameter may be a pressure of the fluid supplied to the nozzle.

Preferably, the nozzle has an outlet opening, the outlet opening being sized and shaped such that it is sufficiently large to allow a required volume of fluid to be discharged during a single actuation of the valve but sufficiently small to allow the valve to open and close during the single actuation. In one arrangement, the nozzle has a diameter of about Vi” (0.63cm) or is provided as a slot Vi” (0.63cm) wide.

The control component may be configured to control a third variable parameter of the pulse generation component.

The third variable parameter may be a volume of the fluid reservoir.

The pulse generator may further comprise: a floatation device configured to move in response to the fluid discharged through the nozzle.

This generates a secondary deterrent effect when the floatation device moves in response to the fluid discharged through the nozzle.

The pulse generator may further comprise: a proximity sensor configured to detect an object within a first range, wherein the proximity sensor is configured to send a signal to the control component when the object is within the first range, and wherein the control component is configured to control one of the first, second and third variable parameters in response to the signal received from the sensor.

This prevents a marine animal or human from being harmed by the pulse generator if they are within the first range of the pulse generator.

The valve may be a solenoid valve.

This allows the valve to be fast acting.

In a third aspect of the present invention, pressure pulse generation component may comprise: a power supply; a first electrode connected to the power supply; and a second electrode connected to the power supply and separated from the first electrode by a gap, wherein the power supply is configured to supply a power to the first and second electrodes to generate an arc thereby generating the pressure pulse.

The first variable parameter may be the time for which power is supplied to the first and second electrodes.

The second variable parameter may be an amount of power supplied to the first and second electrodes.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, the pressure pulse generation component may comprise: a power supply; a transducer electrically connected to the power supply and configured to generate a signal using a power supplied from the power supply; and a diaphragm configured to generate the pressure pulse in response to the signal generated by the transducer.

The first variable parameter may be a time for which power is supplied to the transducer

The second variable parameter may be an amount of power supplied to the transducer.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for deterring a marine animal comprising the steps of: providing a pulse generator comprising: a pressure pulse generation component; and a control component, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: generating a pressure pulse using the pulse generation component; and controlling, using the control component, a first variable parameter of the pressure pulse generation component such that the pressure pulse has a pulse duration having a first value and a second variable parameter of the pressure pulse generation component such that the pressure pulse has a peak amplitude that is below a threshold using the control component.

Features of the first, second, third and fourth aspects of the invention can be incorporated into the fifth aspect.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of the pulse generator for deterring marine animals according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic graphical representation of a pressure pulse generated by the pulse generator according to the present invention;

Fig. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of the pulse generator for deterring marine animals according to the present invention;

Fig. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a third embodiment of the pulse generator for deterring marine animals according to the present invention;

Fig. 5 shows a schematic illustration of a fourth embodiment of the pulse generator for deterring marine animals according to the present invention; and

Fig. 6 shows a schematic layout of a fish farm guarded with an array of pulse generators in accordance with the invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, there is depicted a pulse generator 10 for deterring marine animals according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a pressure graph of an exemplary pulse generated by the pulse generator 10. The pulse generator 10 comprises: a pressure pulse generation component 12 configured to generate a pressure pulse 14; and a control component 16 configured to control a first variable parameter of the pressure pulse generation component 12 such that the pressure pulse 14 has a pulse duration having a first value and a second variable parameter of the pressure pulse generation component 12 such that the pressure pulse 14 has a peak amplitude A that is below a threshold.

The pulse generator 10 may be in accordance with a number of different embodiments, a further three of which will be described in detail in the following description. The pressure pulse generation component 12 and control component 16 are connected such that the control component is able to control the operation of the pressure pulse generation component 12. The control component 16 may be any suitable control component of a known type.

In an exemplarily embodiment, the pressure pulse 14 has a positive pressure part 18 having a first length 20 and a negative pressure part 22 having a second length 24 and wherein said pulse duration having the first value causes the first length 20 of the positive pressure part 18 or the second length 24 of the negative pressure part 22 to substantially correspond to an expected size of a marine animal. As the pressure pulse 14 moves through water, it travels substantially at the speed of sound in water ~1500m/s so a 1 millisecond positive part 18 of the pulse may have a first length of substantially 1.5m.

In an example of the pulse generator 10, the duration of the pulse 14 is selected depending on the species of marine animal being deterred. The positive pressure part 18 or the negative part 22 of the pressure pulse 14 is selected to be the same size or longer than the first length of the species being deterred by the pulse generator 10, so that a whole of a marine animal’s body experiences a stimulus at the same time.

In an exemplarily embodiment, the pressure pulse 14 is an acoustic pulse and has a peak amplitude A selected such that a peak sound pressure of the pulse 14 is sufficiently high to deter the marine animal without causing harm to the said animal.

The impulse experienced by the marine animal as a result of the pulse 14 is equal to the area under the pressure graph in Fig. 2. The impulse experienced by the marine animal can be adjusted by varying the duration and amplitude A of the pulse 14. In the exemplary pulse 14 depicted in Fig. 2, the positive pressure part 18 follows the negative pressure part 22.

The peak amplitude A is mathematically related to the peak sound pressure level of the pulse 14. The damage threshold for a marine animal is determined using the sound pressure level, which is measured in units of decibels (dB). The damage threshold is generally 230dB for most cetaceans and generally for most pinnipeds is 218dB.

During testing carried out by the inventors, it has been established that there is an inverse relationship between pulse duration and amplitude A. The pulse generator 10 according to the present invention preferably produces a pressure pulse of 200dB in peak sound pressure level and for a duration in the order of 10 to 40ms. As the pulse generator 10, is operable to generate a pulse 14 of peak sound pressure of 200dB, which is below the damage threshold for most cetaceans and most pinnipeds, the generator 10 prevents permanent damage being done to cetaceans and pinnipeds.

In some examples of the pulse generator 10, the pulse duration is at least 1/1500s per 1m of length of the marine animal. In another example, 1/750s or 1/500s per 1m of marine animal is required. The pulse should ideally be longer than the reaction time of the animal, e.g. 10-40ms, but this range can vary depending on the animal species concerned. If the pulse is too short the animal may not notice it.

In some examples of the pulse generator 10, different first lengths 20 of the positive pressure part 18 or second lengths 24 of the negative pressure part 22 are selected to deter different species of marine animal. Essentially, the length of the pulse should at least correspond or preferably exceed the size of the animal concerned so the full body of the animal is acted upon at once.

The varying lengths of the animals can be as follows:

Blue Whale 25m Humpback whale 13m Sperm Whale 12m Killer whale 9m Narwhal 5m Beluga Whale 4m

Seals vary with species but substantially 2m for an adult male and half this for a female.

Thus, the or each of the first length 20 and the second length 24 may be selected from a range of between 1m to 25m and preferably, between 1m to 30m so that it substantially corresponds to or exceeds the expected size of the marine animal concerned.

It has been found in the testing of the pulse generator 10 by the inventor that the pulse generator is more effective if its duration is sufficiently long for the marine animal to perceive, i.e. to detect aurally and to process neurally, the pressure pulse 14. For this to happen, the pulse duration should preferably be at least 10ms long for a seal. For animal species of higher intellect pulse duration should be longer, preferably 20-40ms as a minimum.

In some examples, the pressure pulse generation component 12 is configured to generate a single pulse 14. It has been found in testing carried out by the inventor that a single pulse 14 generated by a pulse generator 10 is enough to deter most marine animals. However, in some examples, the pressure pulse generation component 12 is configured to generate two or more consecutive pressure pulses 14 with an interval of between 0.5s to 10s between the end of one pulse and the beginning of the next pulse 14. It has been found in testing carried out by the inventor that an interval of between 0.5s to 10s between pulses 14 is most effective in deterring the marine animal if more than a single pulse 14 is required. Multiple pulses facilitate the deterring effect without expending a lot of extra energy or adding a lot of noise pollution. In terms of neuroscience, the first pulse mostly acts on autonomous reflexes and subsequent pulses are processed by the brain.

With reference to Figure 3, there is depicted a second embodiment of the pulse generator 310. In the illustrated example, the pressure pulse generation component 312 comprises: a fluid reservoir 326; a valve 328 fluidly connected with the fluid reservoir 326; and a nozzle 330 fluidly connected with the valve 328; wherein the valve 328 is configured to be actuated such that: a fluid from the fluid reservoir 326 is supplied to the nozzle 330; and the fluid is discharged through the nozzle 330 generating the pressure pulse 14.

In the illustrated example of the invention depicted in Fig. 3, the fluid reservoir 326, valve 328 and nozzle 330 are housed inside a housing 332. The fluid reservoir may be provided in the form of a pressurised container. Attached to the housing 332 and located downstream of the nozzle 330 is an expansion chamber 334. The expansion chamber 334 is adapted to receive fluid discharged from the nozzle 330, and moves in response to the fluid discharged from the nozzle 330. The expansion chamber 334 allows for acoustic waves to be generated from the mechanical excitation of the expansion chamber 334 by the pressurised fluid and may come in a plurality of forms depending on the marine animal species it is intended to deter. In some examples, the fluid held in the fluid reservoir 326 is atmospheric air or oxygen. Preferably, only nitrogen is held in the fluid reservoir 326 because of its inert properties.

In another variation, instead of using the expansion chamber 334, the fluid may be discharged directly into the water where it forms a relatively large gas bubble which expands in the water. The gas bubble oscillates and expands as it rises buoyantly through the water column to the surface and thereby creates an impulsive pressure wave. At surface, the bubble vents into the atmosphere.

In some examples, the first variable parameter is an actuation time of the valve 328. The control component 316 is connected to the valve 328 such that it can control the actuation time of the valve 328.

The second variable parameter is a pressure of the fluid supplied to the nozzle 330. In the illustrated example, the pressure pulse generation component 312 includes a regulator 335 upstream of the fluid reservoir 326. The regulator 335 is configured to control the pressure of the fluid held in the fluid reservoir 326, which is supplied to the nozzle 330. The control component 316 is connected to the regulator 335 such that the control component can control the pressure of the fluid supplied to the nozzle 330. The regulator 335 controls a fluid discharge from the fluid reservoir 326 such that the fluid pressure in the fluid reservoir 326 remains above hydrostatic pressure when the valve 328 closes, avoiding water back flowing into the fluid reservoir 326.

Preferably, the nozzle 330 has an outlet opening, the outlet opening being sized and shaped such that it is sufficiently large to allow a required volume of fluid to be discharged during a single actuation of the valve but sufficiently small to allow the valve to open and close during the single actuation. In one arrangement, the nozzle has a diameter of about Vi” (0.63cm) or is provided as a slot Vi” (0.63cm) wide.

In some examples, the control component 316 is configured to control a third variable parameter of the pressure pulse generation component 312.

In some examples, the third variable parameter is a volume of the fluid reservoir 326. In some examples, the regulator 335 is fluidly connected to a fluid storage vessel 327 and is configured to control the volume of fluid in the fluid reservoir 326 using the fluid stored in the fluid storage vessel 327. The control component 316 is connected to the regulator 335 such that the control component can control the volume of the fluid reservoir 326.

In the example illustrated in Fig. 3, the pulse generator 300 further comprises: a floatation device 336 configured to move in response to the fluid discharged through the nozzle 330.

The floatation device 336 includes a mechanical oscillating device (not depicted) which is adapted to produce a rattle-like noise when it is moved.

When the pulse generator 300 is deployed, the nozzle 330 must be arranged such that any fluid discharged from it is discharged into water. The floatation device 336 is located above the nozzle 330. When fluid is discharged through the nozzle 330, a gas bubble is generated which rises to the surface. As the bubble rises to the surface, it causes the mechanical oscillating device to move generating the rattle-like noise that acts as a secondary deterrent to diving mammals who surface to avoid the pressure pulse 14 generated by the pressure pulse generation component 312.

In the example depicted in Fig. 3, the pulse generator 310 further comprises: a proximity sensor 338 configured to detect an object within a first range, wherein the proximity sensor 338 is configured to send a signal to the control component 316 when the object is within the first range, and wherein the control component 316 is configured to control one of the first, second and third variable parameters in response to the signal received from the sensor 338. In some examples, such as the one depicted in Fig. 3, the proximity sensor 338 is positioned on the pulse generation component 314. However, in some examples, the sensor 338 is not positioned on the pulse generation component 314, but instead positioned a distance away from the pulse generation component.

If the control component 316 receives a signal from the sensor 338 that the object is within the predetermined range the control component can prevent the pressure pulse generation component 312 from generating a pressure pulse 14. The sensor 338 may be any suitable sensor such as an infrared sensor. In some examples, the control component 316 controls the actuation time of the valve 328, the pressure supplied to the nozzle 330 from the reservoir and volume of the fluid in the fluid reservoir, if the control component 316 receives a signal from the proximity sensor 338 that an object is within a first range.

In some examples, the valve 328 is a solenoid valve. Preferably, a solenoid valve is used as it allows the valve to be actuated quickly, giving the control component 316 precise control over the pulse duration.

In some examples, the pulse generator 310 also includes a safety switch (not depicted), which may be a pressure activated safety switch, that prevents valve actuation with the pulse generator 310 is out of water. The safety switch (not depicted) is configured to control the operation of the pulse generator 310. The switch is operable to be actuated between a first and a second position. In the first position, the operation of the pulse generator 310 is permitted by the switch. In the second position, the operation of the pulse generator 310 is prevented by the switch.

With reference to Fig. 4, there is depicted a third embodiment of the pulse generator 410 according to the present invention. In the illustrated example, the pulse generation component 412 comprises: a power supply 440; a first electrode 442 connected to the power supply 440; and a second electrode 444 connected to the power supply 440 and separated from the first electrode 442 by a gap G, wherein the power supply 440 is configured to supply a power to the first and second electrodes 442, 444 to generate an arc thereby generating the pressure pulse 14.

During operation, the pulse generator 410 must be arranged such that ends of the first and second electrodes 442, 444, and the gap G are located in water. The pressure pulse 14 is generated by the arc. To form the arc, the water in the gap G must be ionized by a current flowing between the first and second electrodes 442, 444. The current is formed by a power supplied to the first and second electrodes 442, 444 from the power supply 440. The power supplied to the first and second electrodes 442, 444 must be sufficient to allow the water to become ionised and form the arc.

In some examples, the first variable parameter is the time for which power is supplied to the first and second electrodes 442, 444.

In some examples, the second variable parameter is an amount of power supplied to the first and second electrodes 442, 444.

With reference to Fig. 5, there is depicted a fourth embodiment of the pulse generator 510 according to the present invention. In the illustrated example, the pressure pulse generation component 512 comprises: a power supply 540; a transducer 546 electrically connected to the power supply 540 and configured to generate a signal using a power supplied from the power supply; and a diaphragm 548 configured to generate the pressure pulse 14 in response to the signal generated by the transducer 546.

During the operation of the pulse generator 510, the power supply 540 supplies power to the transducer 546. This allows the transducer 546 to generate a signal. The diaphragm 548 is positioned such that it can receive the signal. The diaphragm 548 then amplifies the signal, and outputs the amplified signal. The output signal generates the pressure pulse 14.

In some examples, the first variable parameter is a time for which power is supplied to the transducer 546.

In some examples, the second variable parameter is an amount of power supplied to the transducer 546.

Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary layout of a fish farm 180 guarded by an array of pressure pulse generation components 12. The fish farm comprises a number of fish pens 80 surrounded by a plurality of pressure pulse generation components 12. A single control component 16 located on a boat 200 at surface controls the pulse generation components 12. Due to increased deterring efficiency of the pulse generation components 12 of the present invention, fewer pulse generation components 12 are required to guard a particular location, such a fish farm, compared with prior art systems. It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the use at a fish farm.

Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

Elements List

Pulse generator 10, 310, 410, 510

Pressure pulse generation component 12, 312, 412, 512

Pressure pulse 14

Control component 16, 316, 416, 516

Positive part of the pulse 18

First length of the pulse 20

Negative part of the pulse 22

Second length of the pulse 24

Fluid reservoir 326

Fluid storage vessel 327

Valve 328

Nozzle 330

Housing 332

Expansion chamber 334

Regulator 335

Floatation Device 336

Proximity sensor 338

Power supply 440, 540

First and second electrodes 442, 444

Transducer 546

Speaker 548

Fish Pens 80

Fish Farm 180

Boat 200

Claims

1. A pulse generator for deterring marine animals, the pulse generator comprising: a pressure pulse generation component configured to generate a pressure pulse; and a control component configured to control a first variable parameter of the pressure pulse generation component such that the pressure pulse has a pulse duration having a first value and a second variable parameter of the pressure pulse generation component such that the pressure pulse has a peak amplitude that is below a threshold.

2. The pulse generator of claim 1, wherein the pressure pulse has a positive pressure part having a first length and a negative pressure part having a second length and wherein said pulse duration having the first value causes the first length of the positive pressure part or the second length of the negative pressure part at least to substantially correspond to an expected size of a marine animal or exceed the expected size of said marine animal.

3. The pulse generator of claim 2, wherein the pressure pulse is an acoustic pulse and has a peak amplitude selected such that a peak sound pressure of the pulse is sufficiently high to deter the marine animal without causing harm to the said animal.

4. The pulse generator of claim 3, wherein the peak sound pressure is between 200 and 220dB.

5. The pulse generator of claim 4, wherein the peak sound pressure is 200dB.

6. The pulse generator of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the pulse duration is at least 1/1500s per 1m of length of the marine animal.

7. The pulse generator of claim 6, wherein the pulse duration is between 1/1500s to 100ms.

8. The pulse generator of claim 7, wherein the pulse duration is between 10ms to 40ms.

9. The pulse generator of any preceding claim, wherein the pressure pulse generation component is configured to generate a single pulse.

10. The pulse generator of any one of claims 1 to 8, where the pressure pulse generation component is configured to generate two or more consecutive pressure pulses with an interval of between 0.5s to 10s between the end of one pulse and the beginning of the next pulse.

11. The pulse generator of any preceding claim, wherein the pressure pulse generation component comprises: a fluid reservoir; a valve fluidly connected with the fluid reservoir; and a nozzle fluidly connected with the valve; wherein the valve is configured to be actuated such that: a fluid from the fluid reservoir is supplied to the nozzle; and the fluid is discharged through the nozzle generating the pressure pulse.

12. The pulse generator of claim 11, wherein the first variable parameter is an actuation time of the valve.

13. The pulse generator of any of claims 11 or 12, wherein the second variable parameter is a pressure of the fluid supplied to the nozzle.

14. The pulse generator of any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the control component is configured to control a third variable parameter of the pulse generation component.

15. The pulse generator of claim 14, wherein the third variable parameter is a volume of the fluid reservoir.

16. The pulse generator of any of claims 11 to 15, further comprising: a floatation device configured to move in response to the fluid discharged through the nozzle.

17. The pulse generator of any of claims 11 to 16, further comprising: a proximity sensor configured to detect an object within a first range, wherein the proximity sensor is configured to send a signal to the control component when the object is within the first range, and wherein the control component is configured to control one of the first, second and third variable parameters in response to the signal received from the sensor.

18. The pulse generator of any of claims 11 to 17, wherein the valve is a solenoid valve.

19. The pulse generator of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the pressure pulse generation component comprises: a power supply; a first electrode connected to the power supply; and a second electrode connected to the power supply and separated from the first electrode by a gap, wherein the power supply is configured to supply a power to the first and second electrodes to generate an arc thereby generating the pressure pulse.

20. The pulse generator of claim 19, wherein the first variable parameter is the time for which power is supplied to the first and second electrodes.

21. The pulse generator of claim 19 or 20, wherein the second variable parameter is an amount of power supplied to the first and second electrodes.

22. The pulse generator of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the pressure pulse generation component comprises: a power supply; a transducer electrically connected to the power supply and configured to generate a signal using a power supplied from the power supply; and a diaphragm configured to generate the pressure pulse in response to the signal generated by the transducer.

23. The pulse generator of claim 22, wherein the first variable parameter is a time for which power is supplied to the transducer

24. The pulse generator of claim 22 or 23, wherein the second variable parameter is an amount of power supplied to the transducer.