PH12017050067A1

PH12017050067A1 - Fish pen

Info

Publication number: PH12017050067A1
Application number: PH12017050067A
Authority: PH
Inventors: Benilde B Abigan; Willie Blue B Bussell; Jhaynard C Igano
Original assignee: Benilde B Abigan; Willie Blue B Bussell; Jhaynard C Igano
Priority date: 2017-10-05
Filing date: 2017-10-05
Publication date: 2019-04-15
Also published as: PH12017050067B1

Abstract

Disclosed is a fish pen for aquatic culture comprising: a cluster of containers; a plurality of ballast tanks disposed outside a top wall portion of each container comprising a passage; a plurality of winches link to a mooring anchor; and a pump capable to deflate air to the plurality of ballast tanks when the cluster of containers emerge or submerge to a water surface, characterized in that the passage of each ballast tank comprises a mechanism being capable to mechanically open and close the door. Also disclosed is a system capable to activate the winches by shortening and lengthening the cable bringing the cluster of containers to submerge and emerge when the sensor sensed a strong current or the water has a toxic.

Description

As shown Fig. 9, there is a perspective view of a container 101 comprises a ballast tanks 301 which circumferentially secured and surrounded outside the top portion 901 of said container 101 and being linked by means of a pressure hose 307 which being alternately installed to the opposing side walls 309 of the two ballast tanks 301. Said container 101 further comprises a frame 903 being mounted on the top wall surface 905 and being provided with at least four openings 1101 (see Fig. 11A) for mounting of a ramp 1109 (see Fig. 11C) to access the other container 101 in the cluster of containers 100. Said container 101 of the present invention is made of two halves H1, H2, each halve H1, H2 being provided with a flange 907 having plurality of perforations 911 spacedly and circumferentially arranged in said flange 907. The container 101 being formed by putting together the two halves H1, H2 and tightly locks by means of bolt or nuts through the opposing perforations 911. There are at least four connector rings 913 (partial displayed) equally distributed in said flange 907. Said connector rings 913 are configured to accommodate a hook for transferring of the container 101 to other water environment or during harvest.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the ballast tank 301 were secured through a pair of two elongated flat bar 915 (any material may also be applied) which one end being mounted on both sides of the cylindrical body 305 and the other end of which are bolted or screwed on the flange 907 of the container 101.

As shown in Fig. 10, there is the top portion of the cluster of containers 100 above the water surface 105 interconnecting to each other by means of ramps 1109. Said cluster of containers 100 being provided with an elongated ramp 1001 (portion displayed) having one end clamped on the frame to any one of the container 101 disposed on a front rows of the cluster of containers 100 while the other end being clamped or hooked to a vessel (not shown).

As shown in Figs. 11A to 11C, there is the magnified view of the top portion of the container 101 which comprises a frame 903, a top cover 1111, and a ramp 1109. The top cover 1111 comprises a mechanical door 1113 having a mechanism configured to mechanically opening and closing the door 1113. Said door 1113 may be operated by manually or automatically.

It is understood that many modifications and variations may be devised given the above description of the principles of the invention.

It is intended that all such modifications and variations be considered as within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

FISH PEN

Specification

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a fish pen for aquatic culture having cluster of floatable and submersible containers capable to sustain strong pressure. More particularly, it relates to a fish pen having a system capable to activate the winch by shortening and lengthening the cable bringing the cluster of floatable and submersible containers which submerge and emerge in the water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are traditional types of fishing breeders in fresh water such as fishponds and fish pens. Fishpond is usually erected in the backyard and any suitable area. While fish pens are done by net arrangements enclosing a given area.

There are numerous floating aquaculture apparatus moored by anchors and submerged in natural bodies of water, and artificial island reef platforms for raising quantities of edible fish and crustascean. However, none of which has proven complete success in term of cost, durability, biological compatibility and economic viability.

One is disclosed in an International Publication No. WO 01/65925 A1 filed on March 8, 2001 in the name of REFA AS entitled “DEVICE FOR RAISING AND

LOWERING OF NET PEN". This technology attempts to address the disadvantage of existing technologies by providing a net pen and wire with a ballast block attached to a floating ring characterized by a bottom ring attached to wires by slide rings. The bottom ring is mounted in the vicinity of the closed end of the net pen and equipped to raise the net pen towards the floating ring with the help of an air-regulated ballast block.

Another one is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5251571 issued on October 12, 1993 to Innovation & Development Partners Inc./ IDP Inc. entitled “SUBMERSIBLE CAGE SYSTEM FOR CULTURING AQUATIC ANIMALS”. This technology attempts to address the disadvantage of existing technologies by providing a submersible cage system for cultivating aquatic animals comprises a rigid frame defining a geodesic enclosure, a net supported by the rigid frame to define a water permeable enclosure for the aquatic animals, the rigid frame being rotatable about a horizontal axis, flotation chambers disposed at opposite sides of the rigid frame, the flotation chambers being alternately fillable with a gas or a liquid to increase or decrease, respectively, the cage system's buoyancy, and a mooring for anchoring the frame in a fixed position in a marine environment.

Still another one is found in U.S. Patent Application No. US2012/0006277

A1 published on January 12, 2012 to Hawaii Oceanic Technology, Inc. entitled “AUTOMATED OPEN OCEAN FISH FARM STRUCTURE AND SYSTEMS FOR

OPEN OCEAN FISH FARMING". This technology also attempts to address the disadvantage of existing technologies by providing radio telemetry to communicate positioning signals transmitted from external sources, and generates electrical power using a hybrid solar OTEC heat engine. This technology also provides a self-positioning, self-powered fish-farming structure enables unmanned, extended marine deployment in deeper ocean waters without the need for tethering or anchoring to the ocean floor.

Lastly, there is U.S. Patent No. 5412903 issued on May 9, 1995 to

Mefalim Ymien Vashkoht Ltd. entitled “SEA CAGE FISH FARMING SYSTEM".

This technology also attempts to address the disadvantage of existing technologies by providing a one or more cables connected to a fish cage. Said fish cage and cables have combined buoyancy such that at least a portion of the fish cage is normally located at or above the water surface. Said cables are connected to a sinker whose weight is sufficient to overcome the combined buoyancy of the fish cage cables. The sinker is also connected to a second cable which is connected to a buoy. Said buoy contains a winch for alternately shortening and lengthening the effective length of the second cable so as to alternately allow said fish cage to float or to submerge.

While these available technologies satisfactorily performed their intended functions, there is proposed a fish pen for aquatic culture being provided with a cluster of floatable containers that can sustain strong pressure and having a system which is capable to automatically activate the winch to submerge and emerge the cluster of floatable containers during red tide and strong waves and current.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is a fish pen for aquatic culture comprising: a cluster of containers; a plurality of ballast tanks disposed outside a top wall portion of each container comprising a passage on a cylindrical body; a plurality of winches link to a mooring anchor; and a pump capable to deflate air to the plurality of ballast tanks when the cluster of containers emerge or submerge in a water surface, characterized in that the passage in each ballast tank comprises a mechanism configured to mechanically opening and closing the door.

The present invention also provided with a system configured to activate the winches by shortening and lengthening the cable bringing the cluster of floatable containers to submerge and to emerge when the sensor sensed a strong current or the water has toxic.

Accordingly, it is the main object of the present invention to provide a fish pen for aquatic culture having a system configured to activate the winch by shortening the cable bringing the cluster of containers to submerge when the sensor sensed a strong wave and/or current or the water has toxic, and by lengthening the cable bringing the cluster of containers to emerge when the sensor sensed the water has no strong wave or strong current or non toxic.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fish pen for aquatic culture having a cluster of floatable containers enclosed in a support frame.

Still object of the present invention is to provide a fish pen for aquatic culture that can culture big fishes with at least six feet long or longer.

Still object of the present invention is to provide a fish pen for aquatic culture that can be deployed either in freshwater lakes, near seashore and deep seas.

Still object of the present invention is to provide a fish pen for aquatic culture provided with a safety gear for ease of operation of fishermen teams from breeding of catch fish until harvest time in deep waters.

Still object of the present invention is to provide a fish pen for aquatic culture that is easy to trawl during transfer to other breeding environment and harvest.

Still object of the present invention is to provide a fish pen for aquatic culture that can sustainably culture edible fish and crutascean even the water is toxic due to, for example, water pollution, extinction of the fish due to prohibit act like dynamite fishing, and to ease the demand (locally or internationally).

Other objects of the present invention will become manifest by reading the following description of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows the perspective view of a cluster of containers as embodied in the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a first raw of the cluster of container thereof.

Fig. 3 is a front view of parts of interconnecting ballast tanks thereof.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a winch with water proof box mounted on a flange of the support frame.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a cluster of containers submerged to a water surface and connected to a pump.

Fig. 6A is a perspective view of a ballast tank.

Fig. 6B is a perspective view of a passage seal with reference to Fig. 6A.

Fig. 6C is a cross-section view of passage seal with reference to Fig. 6A.

Fig. 6D is a magnified perspective view of an armored hose detach from the ballast tank with reference to Fig. 6A.

Fig. 7A is a cross-section of a container in a cluster of containers.

Fig. 7B shows a cage arrangement inside a container of a cluster of containers with reference to Fig. 7A.

Fig. 8A is a bottom perspective view of a container of a cluster of containers.

Fig. 8B is a bottom view of a container of a cluster of containers in closed position with reference to Fig. 8A.

Fig. 8C is a bottom view of a container of a cluster of containers in open position with reference to Fig. 8A.

Fig. 8D is a perspective view of hoisted container of a cluster of containers during harvest.

Fig. 9 is a magnified perspective view of a container of a cluster of containers.

Fig. 10 is a top view of a cluster of containers positioned above a water surface.

Fig. 11A is top perspective view of a container of a cluster of containers.

Fig. 11B is top view of a container of a cluster of containers in open position with reference to Fig. 11A.

Fig. 11C is a perspective view of a removable metal ramp guide.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the several views of the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate the same parts throughout, there is shown the present invention for a cluster of floatable containers generally designated as 100.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 5, 9, 10 and 11A, there is a fish pen 100 for aquatic culture comprising a cluster of floatable containers 101 securely enclosed in a rectangular support frame 103 in a water surface 105. The cluster of containers 101 disclosed in the present invention consist of twelve containers securely interconnecting to each other by mean of a detachable ramp 1109 inside the rectangular support frame 103, any number of cluster of containers 101 may also be applied. Said support frame 103 is made of metal (e.g., steel, brass, iron or plastic material) which comprises a flange portion 107 disposed on each corner of the support frame 103. Each container 101 of the cluster of containers 100 comprises a plurality of ballast tanks 301 (see Figs. 3, 9 and 11A) securely and circumferentially disposed outside the upper wall portion 901 of each container 101 in the cluster of containers 100. Both container 101 and ballast tank 301 are made of plastic material having a chemical compound capable to sustain strong pressure or any similar material may also be applied. Said cluster of containers 100 were moored to a plurality of submersible winches 403 (see

Fig. 4) and connected to a plurality of cement anchor platform 111 by means of a sea grade high tensile wires 113. Each winch 403 being mounted to a flange portion 107 of the support frame 103 to prevent the cluster of containers 100 to immobility in the water surface 105 and to keep the same from straying away from the desired location. Each container 101 of the cluster of containers 100 is 6 feet high with 50 feet diameter; any size may also be applied.

As shown in Fig. 2, there is a first row of the cluster of floatable containers 101 interconnecting to each other in series form with a fisherman 201 standing on a circular frame 202 (partial displayed) which mounted on the top portion 1111 (Fig. 11) of each container 101.

As shown in Fig. 3, there is at least two interconnecting ballast tanks 301 in series linear view cut-away form. Each ballast tank 301 comprises a passage

303 disposed to a cylindrical body 305. Said passage 303 poses as air and water intakes. Each ballast tank 301 is provided with an armored pressure hose 307 which is alternately secured and installed to the opposing side walls 309 of the two ballast tanks 301 by means of an interior threaded seagrade nut and bolt 311. Said pressure hose 307 being connected to a pump 501 through an elongated armored hose 503 (see Fig. 5).

As shown in Fig. 4, there is a winch 401 with water proof box 405 disposed adjacent to said winch 401. Both winch 401 and water proof box 405 are securely mounted to a flange 107 of the support frame 103 by a bolt or screw (not shown). Said water proof box 405 contained electronic components electronically connected to a motor 403, a sensor (shown) and a power bank (not shown). Said sensor being provided with a program and configured to detect the turbulent of the water surface 105, the weather condition, and the water condition (e.g. if has red tide, polluted or toxic). Said winch 401 connected to the motor 403 will active to rotate by shortening the cable 113 to bring the cluster of containers 101 to submerge through water intake of the plurality of ballast tanks 301 if the sensor sensed the turbulent of the water or the water surface has strong current, and lengthening the cable 113 to bring the cluster of containers 100 to emerge through deflation of air of the plurality of ballast tanks 301 through a pump 501 if the sensor sensed the water surface is in good condition (e.g., no current, none toxic, none strong winds).

As shown in Figure 5, there is a perspective view of a cluster of containers 101 being submerged to water surface 105, 50ft below the sea level, and anchored through to a cement anchor platform 111. Said cluster of containers 100 being provided with an air pump 501 having connected to a pressure hose 307 mounted on the ballast tanks 301and disposed on a shoreline, rocky hill or a vessel (e.g., boat). Said air pump 501 being provided with a power source (not shown). The pump 501 is configured to deflate air through elongated pressure hose 503 through the pressure hose 307 alternately installed on the opposing side walls 309 of the two ballast tanks 301 if the cluster of containers 100 will be emerged to the above water surface 105.

As shown in Figs. 6A to 6D, there is the perspective view of a ballast tank 301 being provided with a passage 303 disposed on a cylindrical body 305, said passage 303 having a door 600 installed therein which comprises a system to - mechanically seal and unseal for air and water intakes, said door 600 comprises oo a power bank 601, an electrical switch board 603, a motor 605 and a waterproof ~ box 607, said door 600 is made of steel material having a hermetic seal 621 form, ro any material may also be applied. Said ballast tank 301 being provided with a = pressure hose 307 (partially displayed) alternately installed to opposing side walls EA 309 (see Fig. 3) of the two ballast tanks 301, said pressure hose 307 comprises V/s is = an interior feed 611, a threaded nut 613 and an exterior hermetic adaptor seal KEN 615. Said door 600 may be operated by manually or automatically. ro fa Pe Nn oo I

As shown in Figure 7A, there is a cross-section of one container of cluster = of containers 101 having chambers C1, C2, C3, C4 cultured different edible fishes and crustacean. For example, one chamber C1 contained fish, secon chamber C2 contained shrimps, third chamber C3 contained milk fish, and fou chamber C4 contained edible fish, etc.

As shown in Fig. 7B, there is the grille type filter cover 707 securely installed in the bottom portion of one container 101 of cluster of containers 100.

The fish manure will freely pass through from this grille filter cover 707. Said grille filter cover 707 is screwed inside the bottom portion of each container 101, any means of securing may also be applied.

As shown in Fig. 8A to 8D, there is the bottom portion 800 of the container 101 being provided with a cover 801 having a mechanism which configured to mechanically opening and closing the cover 801 and serve to prevent contaminated water or toxic water (e.g., red tide) to come in. Said cover 801 comprises a grille 805 arrange in parallel form (see Fig. 8C) mounted above the elongated triangular shape 807. Said cover 801 being provided with a clamp 803 installed on one side of the cover 801. Said elongated triangular cover 807 is made of steel material wherein one end of said elongated triangular cover 807 compressed in the central section 807 while the other end mounted on the inner wall of the cover 801. Referring to Fig. 8D, it shows a perspective view of a container 101 being hoist (e.g., by crane) and dispensing the matured fishes inside said container 101.

Claims

a ——————————— What is claimed is:

1. A fish pen for aquatic culture comprising: a cluster of containers enclosed with a support frame, each container having a top and a bottom openings; a plurality of ballast tanks securely and spacedly disposed surrounding outside a top body portion of each container of said cluster of containers, each ballast tank being link through an armored hose alternately installed on the opposing side walls on each ballast tank, each ballast tank having a passage on a cylindrical body; a plurality of winches securely mounted on the support frame, each winch being provided with a cable and securely link to a mooring anchor; and a pump installed separately from said cluster of containers and connected to the plurality of ballast tanks through a length of armored hose, said pump being configured to deflate air to the plurality of ballast tanks through the length of armored hose through the ballast tanks when the cluster of containers emerge to a water surface, characterized in that the passage of each ballast tank comprises a mechanism that is capable of mechanically opening the door when the cluster of containers are submerged, and capable to mechanically closing the door when the cluster of containers are emerged to the water surface.

2. A fish pen for aquatic culture according to claim 1 wherein the top and bottom openings being provided with a mechanism capable to seal and unseal said openings.

3. A fish pen for aquatic culture according to claim 2 wherein the bottom opening to each container of the cluster of containers provided with a grill to prevent the penned fishes to escape from the container when the bottom opening is mechanically unseal.

4. A fish pen for aquatic culture according to claim 1 wherein the door of the passage in each ballast tank is hermitic in shaped.

5. A fish pen for aquatic culture according to claim 1 wherein said cluster of containers is made of a plastic material having a chemical compound which capable to sustain strong pressure.

6. A fish pen for aquatic culture according to claim 1 wherein each container of said cluster of containers includes a catcher dispenser disposed on the bottom portion.

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7. A fish pen for aquaculture according to claim 1 wherein each container ~. of said cluster of containers includes a clamp capable to hold a bridge ramp. ~

8. A fish pen for aquaculture according to claim 1 wherein each container ol of said cluster of containers is circular in shaped. ~

9. A fish pen for aquaculture according to claim 1 wherein each ballast Ce ’ tank is cylindrical in shaped. i

10. A fish pen for aquaculture according to claim 1 wherein the pump 7 I. = installed on a land, a shoreline or a vessel. ne ~5 Z

11. A fish pen for aquaculture according to claim 1 wherein each container ? 5 of the cluster of containers comprises a lug secured on the outer middle portion : < with perforation capable to accommodate a tow bar when each container of the : 5 cluster of containers is pulled from the water during red tide or harvest. -

12. A system for fish pen for aquatic culture comprising: a cluster of containers enclosed to a support frame; a winch having a motor securely mounted on the support frame and connected to a mooring anchor; a sensor, a power bank; a water proof box mounted adjacent to the winch contained an electronic components of the winch, the motor, the sensor and the bower bank, characterized in that in said system the winch activates and shortens the cable bringing the cluster of containers to submerge when the sensor sensed a strong current or the water has become toxic, and lengthening the cable bringing the cluster of containers to emerge when the sensor sensed the water has no current or is not toxic.

13. A system of a fish pen for aquatic culture according to claim 12 wherein the mooring anchor includes a gymbal rail which serve as a secondary stability to the cluster of containers.