CLAIMS:
1. An aquaculture system comprising a pond and a piping system adapted to deliver feed and aeration into the pond from beneath the surface of said pond.
2. The aquaculture system of claim 1 , which further comprises a warm water source connected to said piping system.
3. The aquaculture system of claim 1 , which further comprises a centrifugal pump connected to said piping system and an inlet operable to inject air or oxygen containing gas into said centrifugal pump.
4. The aquaculture system of claim 1 , further defined as comprising a container for feed slurry connected to said piping system.
5. The aquaculture system of claim 1, further comprising a thermal cover comprising one or more floating surface panels.
6. The aquaculture system of claim 5, wherein said surface panel is constructed to form an air bubble between the panel and the surface ofthe pond.
7. The aquaculture system of claim 5, wherein said surface panel comprises one or more drains operable to drain water from the top of said panel to beneath the surface ofthe pond.
8. The aquaculture system of claim 5, wherein said one or more floating surface panels are constrained to the surface of said pond by one or more taut cables.
9. A cover for an aquaculture system having a pond, said cover comprising:
one or more floating surface panels, each of said floating surface panels comprising:
(a) a floatable frame configured to float on a surface ofthe pond and to surround at least a portion ofthe pond;
(b) a water impermeable sheet disposed within the frame and peripherally attached to the frame to form a seal over the surrounded portion ofthe pond; and
(c) one or more drains adapted to drain water from above said water impermeable sheet to below the surface of said pond when said cover is floating on said pond.
10. The cover of claim 9 further defined as comprising one or more drains adapted to drain water from above the water impermeable sheet to below the surface of said pond when said cover is floating on said pond.
11. An aquaculture system comprising a nursery pond and a piping system to deliver feed and aeration into the pond from beneath the surface of said pond.
12. The aquaculture system of claim 1 1, which further comprises a thermally insulating floating surface panel.
13. A method of culturing shrimp in a pond comprising providing feed and aeration from beneath the surface ofthe pond through a submerged conduit system.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the feed and aeration are introduced into the pond at a depth of one foot or less from the bottom ofthe pond.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein one or more panels float on the surface of the pond to provide a thermal and evaporative barrier during at least a portion ofthe growing period.
16. Apparatus for growing shrimp which comprises:
a pond having a bottom and sides;
a system of conduits positioned proximate the bottom ofthe pond and distributed across the bottom, to convey water throughout the pond; and
a source of water adapted to supply water to the system of conduits.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 which further comprises a plurality of riser conduits connected at their lower ends to said system of conduits and terminating at their upper ends to discharge water into the pond beneath the surface of water in the pond.
18. The apparatus of claim 16 which further comprises an apparatus for injecting a slurry of water and particulate feed into the system of conduits.
19. The apparatus of claim 16 which further comprises an apparatus for injecting an oxygen containing gas into the system of conduits.
20. The apparatus of claim 16 which further comprises a thermal blanket adapted to cover the surface ofthe pond.
21. Apparatus for growing shrimp which comprises:
a pond having bottom and sidewalls;
a system of conduits on the bottom ofthe pond, said system including a water inlet and a plurality of water outlets positioned to distribute water from the conduits throughout the bottom ofthe pond;
apparatus for dispensing an aqueous slurry of shrimp food through the system of conduits;
apparatus for dispensing an oxygen containing gas through the system ot conduits; and
a thermal cover covering the surface of water within the pond.
22. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the thermal cover comprises a plurality of cover elements configured to fit side-by-side above the surface of water within the pond and to span the surface of such water so as to insulate the water from the atmosphere.
23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein each cover element comprises a buoyant frame and a flexible, water impermeable sheet sealed along its periphery to said frame.
24. The cover of claim 9, wherein each of said floating surface panels provides a thermal blanket for temperature and evaporation control.
25. The cover of claim 24, wherein each of said floating surface panels is constructed to form an air bubble between the panel and the surface ofthe pond, said air bubble forming a stagnant air barrier to evaporation and heat transfer.
26. The cover of claim 9, wherein said one or more floating surface panels surround essentially the entire area of said pond.
27. The cover of claim 9, wherein said one or more floating surtace panels are constrained to the surface of said pond by one or more taut cables.
28. The cover of claim 9, wherein said cover forms a barrier to evaporation and heat transfer over an aquaculture system including a piping system adapted to deliver feed and aeration into the pond from beneath the surface of said pond.
29. The cover of claim 28, wherein said cover forms a barrier over an aquaculture system including a piping system which includes a submerged conduit system disposed beneath the surface of the pond.
30. The cover of claim 28, wherein said cover forms a barrier over an aquaculture system including a piping system configured to introduce feed and aeration into the pond at a depth of one foot or less from the bottom ofthe pond.
31. The cover of claim 28, wherein said cover provides a thermal blanket for temperature and evaporation control over an aquaculture system which includes a warm water source connected to said piping system, a centrifugal pump connected to said piping system, an inlet operable to inject air or oxygen containing gas into said centrifugal pump, and a container for feed slurry connected to said piping system.
32. A cover for an aquaculture system having a nursery pond, said cover comprising:
a plurality of thermally insulating floating surface panels, each of said thermally insulating floating surface panels comprising:
a floatable frame configured to float on a surface ofthe pond and to surround at least a portion ofthe pond; and
a water impermeable sheet disposed within said floatable frame to form a thermal and evaporative insulating seal over the surrounded portion ofthe pond.
33. The cover of claim 32, wherein said floatable frame includes one or more peripheral frame members, said one or more peripheral frame members being configured to define a single opening within said floatable frame opening, and said water impermeable sheet being peripherally attached to said peripheral frame members.
34. The cover of claim 32, wherein said cover further comprises at least one drain for each floating surface panel adapted to drain water from above said water impermeable sheet into said pond.
35. The cover of claim 34, wherein said at least one drain for each floating surface panel is adapted to drain water to a point below the surface of said pond without disturbing the thermal and evaporative insulating seal.
36. The cover of claim 32, wherein said cover forms a barrier to evaporation and heat transfer over an aquaculture system including a piping system adapted to deliver feed and aeration into the nursery pond from beneath the surface of said nursery pond.
37. The cover of claim 36 wherein said piping system comprises a matrix of riser pipes, and wherein said cover is configured such that one of said riser pipes is positioned beneath each of said floating surface panels.
38. A cover for an aquaculture system including a pond having sides, a bottom, and a surface, said cover comprising:
one or more floating surface panels, each of said floating surface panels comprising:
a floatable frame configured to float on a surface ofthe pond and to surround at least a portion ofthe pond;
a water impermeable sheet disposed within the frame and peripherally attached to the frame to form a seal over the surrounded portion ofthe pond;
one or more drains adapted to drain water from above said water impermeable sheet to below the surface of said pond when said cover is floating on said pond; and
wherein said aquaculture system comprises a system of riser conduits positioned to discharge fluid into the pond beneath the surface ofthe
pond, said cover being configured such that one ot said riser conduits is positioned beneath each of said floating surface panels.
39. The cover of claim 38, wherein each of said floating surface panels provides a thermal blanket for temperature and evaporation control.
40. The cover of claim 38, wherein said cover is positioned over a system of riser conduits forming part of an aquaculture system that includes an apparatus for injecting a slurry of fluid and particulate feed into the system of riser conduits.
41. The cover of claim 38, wherein said cover is positioned over a system of riser conduits forming part of an aquaculture system that includes an apparatus for injecting an oxygen containing gas into the system of conduits.
42. A thermal cover for a shrimp farming system including a pond containing water and having sides and a bottom, said thermal cover comprising:
a plurality of cover elements configured to fit side-by-side above a surface of the water within the pond and to span essentially the entire surface of such water so as to insulate the water from the atmosphere; and
said cover being adapted to form a thermal and evaporative barrier over said pond such that at least one of water, an aqueous slurry of shrimp food, an oxygen containing gas, or mixtures thereof may be distributed through a system of conduits positioned beneath the surface of said pond.
43. The thermal cover of claim 42, wherein said cover further comprises one or more drains adapted to drain water from above each of said cover elements to a point below the surface of said pond without disturbing said thermal and evaporative barrier.
44. The thermal cover of claim 42, wherein each cover element comprises a buoyant frame and a flexible, water impermeable sheet sealed along its periphery to said frame.
45. A thermal and evaporative barrier for an aquaculture system for bottom feeding sea life, comprising:
a plurality of floatable frames arranged side-by-side;
a transparent or translucent plastic sheet covering each frame and secured along a periphery of each respective frame to define an air space with a surface of a pond;
one or more drains adapted to drain water from above said plastic sheet to a point below the surface of said pond; and
wherein said thermal and evaporative barrier is adapted such that fluids may be distributed beneath the surface of said pond through an underwater piping system.
46. The thermal and evaporative barrier of claim 45, wherein each of said plurality of floatable frames is positioned above a riser pipe that forms part of said underwater piping system, said riser pipe for discharging fluids into said pond from beneath the surface of said pond.
47. A cover for an aquaculture system having a pond, said cover comprising:
one or more floating surface panels, each of said floating surface panels comprising:
a square or rectangular floatable frame having four corners and being configured to float on the pond and to surround at least a portion ofthe pond;
a water impermeable sheet disposed within the frame and peripherally attached to the frame to form a seal over the surrounded portion ofthe pond in such a way that an air bubble is formed between the panel and a surface ofthe pond, said air bubble forming a stagnant air barrier to evaporation and heat transfer; and
one or more drains adapted to drain fluids from above the water impermeable sheet to an outlet positioned beneath the surface ofthe pond.
48. The cover of claim 47, wherein said one or more drains are configured to drain fluids from above the water impermeable sheet to an outlet positioned beneath the surface ofthe pond without disturbing said air bubble.
49. The cover of claim 47, wherein said one or more drains are formed near each corner of said floatable frame.
50. The cover of claim 47, wherein said cover forms a seal over a pond that includes a piping system adapted to deliver feed and aeration into the pond from beneath the surface of said pond.
AMENDED CLAIMS
[received by the International Bureau on 22 July 1997 (22.07.97) ; orig inal c l aims 1 -4 , 6-8 , 1 1 , 12 , 15 , 16 and 18 amended ; new cl aims 51 -68 added ; rema ining cl aims unchanged ( 13 pages ) ]
1. An aquaculture system comprising a pond, an underwater distribution system adapted to deliver feed and aeration into the pond from beneath the surface of said pond, and a feed source in communication with said underwater distribution system.
2. The aquaculture system of claim 1, which further comprises a warm water source connected to said underwater distribution system.
3. The aquaculture system of claim 2, which further comprises a pump system having an inlet connected to said water source and an outlet connected to said underwater distribution system, and means operable to inject air or oxygen containing gas into said inlet of said pump system so as to aerate water passing through the pump system.
4. The aquaculture system of claim 1, wherein said feed source comprises a container for feed slurry.
5. The aquaculture system of claim 1, further comprising a thermal cover comprising one or more floating surface panels.
6. The aquaculture system of claim 5, wherein at least one of said surface panels is constructed to form an air bubble between the panels and the surface ofthe pond.
7. The aquaculture system of claim 5, wherein at least one of said surface panels comprises one or more drains operable to drain water from the top of said panel to beneath the surface ofthe pond.
8. The aquaculture system of claim 5, which further comprises one or more restraining members installed above the cover to keep the cover in place.
27
ΛMEWDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)
9. A cover for an aquaculture system having a pond, said cover comprising:
one or more floating surface panels, each of said floating surface panels comprising: (a) a floatable frame configured to float on a surface of the pond and to surround at least a portion ofthe pond;
(b) a water impermeable sheet disposed within the frame and peripherally attached to the frame to form a seal over the surrounded portion ofthe pond; and
(c) one or more drains adapted to drain water from above said water impermeable sheet to below the surface of said pond when said cover is floating on said pond.
10. The cover of claim 9 further defined as comprising one or more drains adapted to drain water from above the water impermeable sheet to below the surface of said pond when said cover is floating on said pond.
11. An aquaculture system comprising a nursery pond, an underwater distribution system arranged to deliver fluid, feed and aeration fluid into the pond, and a liquid source in communication with said underwater distribution system.
12. The aquaculture system of claim 11, which further comprises one or more thermally insulating floating surface panels covering at least a portion of the surface ofthe pond.
13. A method of culturing shrimp in a pond comprising providing feed and aeration from beneath the surface ofthe pond through a submerged conduit system.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the feed and aeration are introduced into the pond at a depth of one foot or less from the bottom ofthe pond.
15. The method of claim 13, which further comprises providing one or more floating panels on the surface of the pond capable of providing a thermal and evaporative barrier.
16. Apparatus for growing shrimp which comprises:
a pond having a bottom and sides;
an underwater distribution system comprising a system of conduits positioned proximate the bottom ofthe pond and across the bottom ofthe pond, to convey water throughout the pond; and
a source of water adapted to supply water to the underwater distribution system.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 which further comprises a plurality of riser conduits connected at their lower ends to said system of conduits and terminating at their upper ends to discharge water into the pond beneath the surface of water in the pond.
18. The apparatus of claim 16 which further comprises a pump system for injecting a slurry of water and particulate feed into the system of conduits.
19. The apparatus of claim 16 which further comprises an apparatus for injecting an oxygen containing gas into the system of conduits.
20. The apparatus of claim 16 which further comprises a thermal blanket adapted to cover the surface ofthe pond.
21. Apparatus for growing shrimp which comprises;
a pond having bottom and sidewalls;
a system of conduits on the bottom of the pond, said system including a water inlet and a plurality of water outlets positioned to distribute water from the conduits throughout the bottom ofthe pond;
apparatus for dispensing an aqueous slurry of shrimp food through the system of conduits;
apparatus for dispensing an oxygen containing gas through the system of conduits; and
a thermal cover covering the surface of water within the pond.
22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the thermal cover comprises a plurality of cover elements configured to fit side-by-side above the surface of water within the pond and to span the surface of such water so as to insulate the water from the atmosphere.
23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein each cover element comprises a buoyant frame and a flexible, water impermeable sheet sealed along its periphery to said frame.
24. The cover of claim 9, wherein each of said floating surface panels provides a thermal blanket for temperature and evaporation control.
25. The cover of claim 24, wherein each of said floating surface panels is constructed to form an air bubble between the panel and the surface of the pond, said air bubble forming a stagnant air barrier to evaporation and heat transfer.
26. The cover of claim 9, wherein said one or more floating surface panels surround essentially the entire area of said pond.
27. The cover of claim 9, wherein said one or more floating surface panels are constrained to the surface of said pond by one or more taut cables.
28. The cover of claim 9, wherein said cover forms a barrier to evaporation and heat transfer over an aquaculture system including a piping system adapted to deliver feed and aeration into the pond from beneath the surface of said pond.
29. The cover of claim 28, wherein said cover forms a barrier over an aquaculture system including a piping system which includes a submerged conduit system disposed beneath the surface ofthe pond.
30. The cover of claim 28, wherein said cover forms a barrier over an aquaculture system including a piping system configured to introduce feed and aeration into the pond at a depth of one foot or less from the bottom ofthe pond.
31. The cover of claim 28, wherein said cover provides a thermal blanket for temperature and evaporation control over an aquaculture system which includes a warm water source connected to said piping system, a centrifugal pump connected to said piping system, an inlet operable to inject air or oxygen containing gas into said centrifugal pump, and a container for feed slurry connected to said piping system.
32. A cover for an aquaculture system having a nursery pond, said cover comprising:
a plurality of thermally insulating floating surface panels, each of said thermally insulating floating surface panels comprising:
a floatable frame configured to float on a surface of the pond and to surround at least a portion ofthe pond; and
a water impermeable sheet disposed within said floatable frame to form a thermal and evaporative insulating seal over the surrounded portion ofthe pond.
33. The cover of claim 32, wherein said floatable frame includes one or more peripheral frame members, said one or more peripheral frame members being configured to define a single opening within said floatable frame opening, and said water impermeable sheet being peripherally attached to said peripheral frame members.
34. The cover of claim 32, wherein said cover further comprises at least one drain for each floating surface panel adapted to drain water from above said water impermeable sheet into said pond.
35. The cover of claim 34, wherein said at least one drain for each floating surface panel is adapted to drain water to a point below the surface of said pond without disturbing the thermal and evaporative insulating seal.
36. The cover of claim 32, wherein said cover forms a barrier to evaporation and heat transfer over an aquaculture system including a piping system adapted to deliver feed and aeration into the nursery pond from beneath the surface of said nursery pond.
37. The cover of claim 36 wherein said piping system comprises a matrix of riser pipes, and wherein said cover is configured such that one of said riser pipes is positioned beneath each of said floating surface panels.
38. A cover for an aquaculture system including a pond having sides, a bottom, and a surface, said cover comprising:
one or more floating surface panels, each of said floating surface panels comprising:
a floatable frame configured to float on a surface of the pond and to surround at least a portion ofthe pond;
a water impermeable sheet disposed within the frame and peripherally attached to the frame to form a seal over the surrounded portion of the pond;
one or more drains adapted to drain water from above said water impermeable sheet to below the surface of said pond when said cover is floating on said pond; and
wherein said aquaculture system comprises a system of riser conduits positioned to discharge fluid into the pond beneath the surface of the pond, said cover being configured such that one of said riser conduits is positioned beneath each of said floating surface panels.
39. The cover of claim 38, wherein each of said floating surface panels provides a thermal blanket for temperature and evaporation control.
40. The cover of claim 38, wherein said cover is positioned over a system of riser conduits forming part of an aquaculture system that includes an apparatus for injecting a slurry of fluid and particulate feed into the system of riser conduits.
41. The cover of claim 38, wherein said cover is positioned over a system of riser conduits forming part of an aquaculture system that includes an apparatus for injecting an oxygen containing gas into the system of conduits.
42. A thermal cover for a shrimp farming system including a pond containing water and having sides and a bottom, said thermal cover comprising:
a plurality of cover elements configured to fit side-by-side above a surface of the water within the pond and to span essentially the entire surface of such water so as to insulate the water from the atmosphere; and
said cover being adapted to form a thermal and evaporative barrier over said pond such that at least one of water, an aqueous slurry of shrimp food, an oxygen containing gas, or mixtures thereof may be distributed through a system of conduits positioned beneath the surface of said pond.
43. The thermal cover of claim 42, wherein said cover further comprises one or more drains adapted to drain water from above each of said cover elements to a point below the surface of said pond without disturbing said thermal and evaporative barrier.
44. The thermal cover of claim 42, wherein each cover element comprises a buoyant frame and a flexible, water impermeable sheet sealed along its periphery to said frame.
34
AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 18)
45. A thermal and evaporative barrier for an aquaculture system for bottom feeding sea life, comprising:
a plurality of floatable frames arranged side-by-side;
a transparent or translucent plastic sheet covering each frame and secured along a periphery of each respective frame to define an air space with a surface of a pond;
one or more drains adapted to drain water from above said plastic sheet to a point below the surface of said pond; and
wherein said thermal and evaporative barrier is adapted such that fluids may be distributed beneath the surface of said pond through an underwater piping system.
46. The thermal and evaporative barrier of claim 45, wherein each of said plurality of floatable frames is positioned above a riser pipe that forms part of said underwater piping system, said riser pipe for discharging fluids into said pond from beneath the surface of said pond.
47. A cover for an aquaculture system having a pond, said cover comprising:
one or more floating surface panels, each of said floating surface panels comprising:
a square or rectangular floatable frame having four corners and being configured to float on the pond and to surround at least a portion ofthe pond;
a water impermeable sheet disposed within the frame and peripherally attached to the frame to form a seal over the surrounded portion of the pond in such a way that an air bubble is formed between the panel and a surface of the pond, said air bubble forming a stagnant air barrier to evaporation and heat transfer; and
one or more drains adapted to drain fluids from above the water impermeable sheet to an outlet positioned beneath the surface of the pond.
48. The cover of claim 47, wherein said one or more drains are configured to drain fluids from above the water impermeable sheet to an outlet positioned beneath the surface ofthe pond without disturbing said air bubble.
49. The cover of claim 47, wherein said one or more drains are formed near each corner of said floatable frame.
50. The cover of claim 47, wherein said cover forms a seal over a pond that includes a piping system adapted to deliver feed and aeration into the pond from beneath the surface of said pond.
51. An aquaculture system for bottom feeding sea life comprising, a pond and an underwater distribution system which comprises an underwater piping system positioned proximate the bottom of the pond and patterned to distribute water throughout the pond below the surface of the pond, and a water source in communication with said underwater distribution system.
52. A system as defined in claim 51 which further comprises at least one riser connected at its lower end to said piping system and adapted at its upper end to discharge water below the surface of the pond.
53. The system as defined in claim 52 which further comprises a thermal and evaporative barrier covering the surface ofthe pond.
54. The system as defined in claim 53 wherein said barrier comprises a plurality of floatable frames arranged side-by-side, and a transparent or translucent plastic sheet covering each frame and secured along a periphery of each respective frame to define an air space with the surface ofthe pond.
55. The system as defined in claim 54 wherein a separate said riser is positioned to discharge below each of said frames.
56. The system as defined in claim 54 which further comprises at least one drain for each frame adapted to drain water from the top surface of said plastic sheet and to drain into said pond.
57. The system of claim 51 wherein said distributed water includes feed.
58. The system of claim 51 which further comprises means to inject an oxygen containing gas into said underwater distribution system.
59. The aquaculture system of claim 1, wherein said underwater distribution system comprises a plurality of conduits proximate the bottom of the pond arranged to deliver feed and aeration into the pond from beneath the surface of said pond, in a pattern which spans the pond.
60. The aquaculture system of claim 5, wherein said thermal cover covers essentially the entire surface of the pond and wherein said one or more floating surface panels are contiguously placed.
61. The aquaculture system of claim 11 wherein said underwater distribution system comprises a plurality of conduits positioned proximate the bottom of the pond and arranged to discharge fluid into the pond in a pattern spanning the pond.
62. An aquaculture system for bottom feeding sea life which comprises:
a pond having a bottom and sides;
an underwater distribution system comprising a system of conduits positioned proximate the bottom of the pond and arranged in a pattern spanning across the bottom ofthe pond;
a plurality of nozzles in communication with said conduits to distribute fluids from within the conduits throughout the pond;
a plurality of rectangular frames capable of floating side-by-side on the surface of water in the pond and sufficient in number to cover the surface in rows and columns; and
a transparent or translucent water impermeable plastic cover attached to each frame to provide a thermal and evaporative barrier for water in the pond.
63. An aquaculture system as defined in claim 62, wherein the pond is from about three to about five feet deep.
64. An aquaculture system as defined in claim 63, wherein the nozzles are positioned about one foot or less above the bottom ofthe pond.
65. An aquaculture system as defined in claim 62, wherein one or more of said nozzles are positioned under the approximate center of one or more of said frames.
66. An aquaculture system as defined in claim 62, and further comprising one or more drains adapted to drain water from above said plastic cover to a point below the surface of water in said pond.
67. An aquaculture system as defined in claim 62, which further comprises a pump system in communication with said underwater distribution system operable to deliver a mixture of water and oxygen-containing gas into said underwater distribution system.
68. An aquaculture system as defined in claim 62, which further comprises a source of feed in communication with said pump system to deliver feed into said underwater distribution system.
39
AMENDED SHE V (ARTICLE 19)
STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19
Applicant respectfully submits before the International Bureau amended claims 1-4,
6-8, 11, 12, 15, 16 and 18, and additional claims 51 -68. These claims have been amended
and the new claims have been added in order to more particularly point out and distinctly
claim the subject matter which the applicant regards as the invention.
Support for the amendments and new claims 51 -68 can be found in the description, as
originally filed, and does not impact the description or drawings. Applicant submits
replacement pages 15-26i, reflecting the amended claims and the additional claims.