Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
  • A01K61/00—Culture of aquatic animals
  • A01K61/10—Culture of aquatic animals of fish
  • A01K61/13—Prevention or treatment of fish diseases
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
  • A01K63/00—Receptacles for live fish, e.g. aquaria; Terraria
  • A01K63/04—Arrangements for treating water specially adapted to receptacles for live fish
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02A40/00—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
  • Y02A40/80—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in fisheries management
  • Y02A40/81—Aquaculture, e.g. of fish

Definitions

• the present invention is related to a device for combating free swimming lice and other ectoparasites in the water of a fish farm, according to the preamble of claim 1.
• the present invention is also related to a method for combating free swimming lice and other ectoparasites in the water of a fish farm, according to the preamble of claim 13.
• sea lice Fluorescent Equivalent Privacy
• Sea lice are ectoparasites, attaching to outside of fish on skin, fins, or gills.
• a widely used method is the use of chemicals and drugs to treat salmon after an outbreak of sea lice occurs. This method is costly and such treatment often involves potential environmental impacts, as well as human health concerns of using chemicals remain uncertain.
• W015159757A1 discloses a marine product aquaculture device having a simple structure, uniformly emitting ultrasonic waves, increasing the resistance of the fish, crustaceans, and shellfish that are being cultivated, and improving survival rates; and an aquaculture method therefor.
• the marine product aquaculture device comprises: a container positioned so as to be movable either on the surface of or in water in which marine products are being cultivated; and ultrasonic vibrators attached to the container.
• the container moves across the water surface or through the water and emits ultrasonic waves on to the marine products.
• the ultrasonic vibrators are piezoelectric vibrators having a resonance frequency of 0.3-10 MHz.
• a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators are provided in one container, the ultrasonic emission direction of each ultrasonic vibrator is different, and the ultrasonic emission surface is inclined 3-45 degrees to the water surface.
• WO13095153A1 a system and method for inhibiting one or more parasites to infest and/or attach to one or more aquatic animals includes an acoustic arrangement for generating an acoustic image in a vicinity of the acoustic arrangement within an aquatic environment accommodating said one more aquatic animals and/or parasites.
• ultrasonic oscillation terminals installed in a fish tank.
• the ultrasonic oscillation terminals and an oscillator are connected.
• Ultrasound waves are generated in the fish tank, and body surface parasites on the farmed fish in the fish tank are removed.
• US2008257830A discloses a method of treating a target area with an ultrasound wave pattern, including: providing an ultrasound apparatus having an ultrasound wave generator operatively attached to a plurality of transducers, coupled to an immersible support and configured to emit an ultrasound wave; immersing the apparatus into a water environment; positioning the apparatus proximate to a target area to treat at least one in situ organism; and emitting a pattern of ultrasound waves from the transducers, the pattern of ultrasound waves additive in effect and emitted onto the target area to threat an in situ underwater organism.
• W018115826A1 a method of injuring or killing an aquatic ectoparasite comprises exposing the aquatic ectoparasite to an aqueous solution comprising hydrogen peroxide and exposing the aquatic ectoparasite to sound waves.
• a further disadvantage of the prior art solutions is that they are not arranged to attract lice and other ectoparasites to increase the efficiency of the use of the ultrasound.
• Another disadvantage with the prior art solutions is that the extensive use of ultrasonic technology is high energy consuming and may affect sea mammals such as whales and dolphins.
• the main object of the present invention is to provide a device and method for combating free swimming lice and other ectoparasites in the water of a fish farm partly or entirely solving the mentioned disadvantages of prior art.
• An object of the present invention is to provide a device and method for combating free swimming lice and other ectoparasites in the water of a fish farm that is able to combat lice and other ectoparasites before they are affecting the fish.
• An object according to the present invention is to provide a device and method for combating free swimming lice and other ectoparasites in the water of a fish farm that is controllable both as regards the attraction of the lice and other ectoparasites and the combating thereof.
• An object of the present invention is to provide a device and method for combating free swimming lice and other ectoparasites wherein the ultrasonic energy is confined at desired area/volume of the fish farm.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide a device and method for combating free swimming lice and other ectoparasites which is energy saving compared to prior art solutions.
• a device for combating free swimming lice and other ectoparasites in the water of a fish farm according to the present invention is disclosed in claim 1. Preferable features of the device are disclosed in the dependent claims.
• a method for combating free swimming lice and other ectoparasites in the water of a fish farm according to the present invention is disclosed in claim 13. Preferable features of the method are disclosed in the dependent claims.
• the present invention provides a device and method for combating free swimming lice and other ectoparasites in the water of a fish farm. Further, the present invention provides a device and method for attracting free swimming lice and other ectoparasites in the water and combating the attracted free swimming lice and other ectoparasistes in the water before they are affecting fish in the fish farm, thus removing the lice and other ectoparasistes at as early stage as possible.
• the present invention will thus reduce or completely remove the need for treatment of affected fish from lice and other ectoparasites, which is expensive, as well as considerably reduce the risk of diseases arising in a fish farm.
• the device and method for combating free swimming lice and other ectoparasites in the water of a fish farm according to the present invention is based on at least one light source for attracting the free swimming lice and other ectoparasites in the water and the use of ultrasonic means for combating the attracted lice and other ectoparasites.
• the device according to the present invention further comprises an upper disc and lower disc spaced apart in longitudinal direction of the device with a desired distance from each other in longitudinal direction of the device defining a limited volume for combating attracted lice and other ectoparasites for the device.
• At least one of the mentioned discs exhibit a parabolic or inclined surface, at least at sections of the surface, facing the other disc.
• the at least one light source is arranged to emit light in circumferential direction thereof and has an extending in longitudinal direction between the mentioned discs.
• the at least one light source is preferably a controllable light source, but may also be a fixed light source.
• the ultrasonic means is according to the present invention formed by at least one first ultrasound unit and at least one second ultrasound unit arranged to both the upper and lower discs emitting ultrasonic waves towards the facing respective disc.
• the first ultrasound unit comprises at least one ultrasonic transducer operable to generate a first ultrasound signal from a first operation frequency fl and the second ultrasound unit comprises at least one ultrasonic transducer operable to generate a second ultrasound signal from a second operation frequency f2, wherein the second operation frequency f2 is different from the first operation frequency fl, providing generation of a heterodyned signal from the first and second ultrasound signals for propagation in the volume between the mentioned discs.
• the device comprises at least one ultrasonic generator operable to generate electrical energy to drive the mentioned first and second ultrasonic transducers, wherein the electrical energy comprising the at least two different frequencies including the first operation frequency fl and a second operation frequency f2.
• the at least one ultrasonic generator is adjustable for voltage and control current.
• the at least one ultrasonic generator is capable of performing a frequency sweep of the at least one of the first fl and second f2 operation frequencies to tune at least one of first fl and second f2 resonant frequencies of the at least one first and second ultrasonic transducers, respectively.
• the device comprises a control device controlling characteristics of the signals generated by the at least one ultrasonic generator.
• the characteristics of the signals controlled by the control device include at least one of an amplitude and a timing.
• the first operation frequency fl is between about 20 and about 30 kHz inclusively.
• the second operation frequency f2 is between about 30 and about 50 kHz inclusively.
• the first operation frequency fl and the second operation frequency f2 are distinct from one another.
• the first ultrasound unit comprises at least two first ultrasonic transducers and that the second ultrasound unit comprises at least two second ultrasonic transducers, wherein the first ultrasonic transducers of the first ultrasound unit and the second ultrasonic transducers of the second ultrasound unit are arranged in one or both of: an inline configuration whereby one or both of the first ultrasonic transducers and the second ultrasonic transducers are linearly aligned with one another; and a triangular configuration whereby adjacent ones of the first ultrasonic transducers or the second ultrasonic transducers are disposed diagonally across from one another.
• a method for combating free swimming lice and other ectorparasites in the water of a fish farm comprises attracting free swimming lice and other ectoparasites by illuminating light by means of at least one light source and ultrasonically combating the attracted lice and other ectoparasites.
• the method according to the present invention comprises combating the attracted lice and other ectoparasites by generating a first ultrasound signal of at least one first ultrasonic transducer from a first operation frequency fl and a generating a second ultrasound signal of at least one second ultrasonic transducer from a second operation frequency f2, such that a heterodyned signal is generated from the first and second ultrasound signals for combating the attracted lice and other ectoparasites.
• the method comprises performing a frequency sweep of the at least one of the first fl and second f2 operation frequencies to tune at least one of first fl and second f2 resonant frequencies of the at least one first and second ultrasonic transducers, respectively.
• a first operation frequency fl that is between about 20 and about 30 kHz inclusively.
• a second operation frequency f2 that is between about 30 and about 50 kHz inclusively.
• the method according to the present invention comprises using a first operation frequency fl and second operation frequency f2 that are distinct from one another.
• Fig. la-b are principle drawings of a device for combating free swimming lice and other ectoparasites in the water of a fish farm according to the present invention, seen inclined from above and below, respectively, and
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the device according to the present invention.
• Figures la-b are principle drawings of a device 10 for combating free swimming lice and other ectoparasites in the water of a fish farm according to an example embodiment of the present invention.
• the device 10 comprises an upper 11 and lower 12 mainly circular discs spaced apart form one another in longitudinal direction of the device 10, wherein at least one of the discs 11, 12 exhibit a parabolic or inclined surface, at least at sections of the surface, facing the other disc 11,12.
• the upper 11 and lower disc 12 are spaced apart in longitudinal direction of the device 10 by means of numerous vertical rods 13 extending between the discs 11, 12 for fixation of the discs 11, 12 to each other with a desired distance from each other in longitudinal direction of the device 10, wherein the vertical rods 13 preferably are arranged close to exterior circumference of the discs 11, 12.
• the interior surface, i.e. the surface of the upper 11 and lower 12 disc facing each other is provided with or formed by an ultrasound reflecting material.
• the device 10 further comprises at least one first ultrasound unit 20a and at least one second ultrasound unit 20b arranged to both the upper 11 and lower 12 discs.
• the first ultrasound unit 20a comprises at least one ultrasonic transducer 21a operable to generate a first ultrasound signal from a first operation frequency fl and the second ultrasound unit 20b comprises at least one ultrasonic transducer 21b operable to generate a second ultrasound signal from a second operation frequency f2, wherein the second operation frequency f2 is different from the first operation frequency fl, providing generation of a heterodyned signal from the first and second ultrasound signals for propagation in the volume between the mentioned discs 11, 12.
• the at least one of the first ultrasonic transducers 21a and the second ultrasonic transducers 21b e.g. comprise a piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer.
• the ultrasound units 20a and 20b may comprise more than one ultrasonic transducer 21a-b, respectively, wherein the ultrasonic transducers 21a-b, respectively.
• the first ultrasonic transducers 21a of the first ultrasound unit 20a and the second ultrasonic transducers 21b of the second ultrasound unit 20b are arranged in one or both of: an inline configuration whereby one or both of the first ultrasonic transducers 21a and the second ultrasonic transducers 21b are linearly aligned with one another; and a triangular configuration whereby adjacent ones of the first ultrasonic transducers 21a or the second ultrasonic transducers 21b are disposed diagonally across from one another.
• the upper 11 and lower 12 discs are for this provided with through holes 14 for receiving and accommodating emitting end of the ultrasonic transducers 21a-b of the respective ultrasound unit 20a-b.
• the ultrasound units 20a-b are arranged to respective discs 11, 12 by means of housings 22 at the surface not facing the other disc 11, 12 such that the ultrasonic transducers 21a-b, respectively, thereof are positioned in the mentioned through holes 14 and pointing towards the other disc 11, 12 with the emitting end.
• first 20a and second 20b ultrasound units are arranged in a configuration where they are displaced in relation to each other in the respective disc 11, 12 and displaced in relation to first 20a and second 20b ultrasound units in the opposite disc 11, 12 such that the ultrasonic transducers 21a-b of the respective discs 11, 12 are not directly facing each other such that they will not cancel each other out.
• the ultrasonic transducers 21a-b are arranged with an angle in relation to the vertical plane such that they emit in different planes in relation to each other to avoid the same.
• the device 10 further comprises at least one controllable light source 30, extending in longitudinal direction between the mentioned discs 11, 12, preferably arranged in the center of the discs 11, 12 and accommodated and fixed in through holes 15 arranged in center of the discs 11, 12 and housings 31 at exterior sides of the discs 11, 12.
• the at least one controllable light source 30, e.g. comprising LED, is arranged to emit a desired light in circumferential direction of the controllable light source 30. Due to the light source 30 being controllable the illuminated light thereof may be adjusted for optimal attraction according to the present condition in the water of the fish farm, as well as be adjusted to attract the lice and other ectoparasites in different development stages that requires different/adjusted light for attraction.
• the two or more distinct ultrasonic transducers 21a-b arranged to both the upper 11 and lower 12 disc provide super-positioning of two or more exited frequencies.
• the result is the effect of heterodyning.
• Super-positioning of two or more frequencies results in generating about double the amount of the vibration frequencies.
• the effective range and intensity/effect of combating is increased, due to the lower frequency carrying the superposed high frequency to greater distances than the high frequency would be able to travel as a single frequency wave.
• the at least one first and second ultrasound units 20a-b are controlled by continuous guided wave ultrasound mode vibration, which may be antisymmetric, to emit with a parallel second frequency ultrasound wave that results in heterodyning which produces two additional frequencies out of the initial two frequencies.
• continuous guided wave ultrasound with the effect of heterodyning
• the lice or other ectoparasites can be vibrated not only with one single frequency, but with four distinct frequencies, thus permitting combating a much wider range of lice and other ectoparasites.
• Each lice and other ectoparasite has its specific resonance frequency, also depending on evolution, on which it is particularly vulnerable against damage by ultrasonic impact.
• embodiments of the present invention may combat a much broader variety of lice and other ectoparasites, as can be found in fish farms throughout the world marine environment.
• the device 10 according to the present invention provides a solution with reduced leakage of ultrasonic energy into the water due to the use of the discs 11, 12, as well as the heterodyning, and thus a greatly enhanced effect of the ultrasonic vibrations is achieved. As a result, a considerable higher kill rate of lice and other ectoparasites is achieved by the present invention, compared to prior art solutions.
• the first 22a and second ultrasonic transducers 21a-b of the first 20a and second 20b ultrasound units are operated at different frequencies.
• the operation frequency fl of the first ultrasonic transducer 21a is between about 20 and about 30 kHz inclusively
• the operation frequency f2 of the second ultrasonic transducer 21b is between about 30 and about 50 kHz inclusively, or vice versa.
• the first operation frequency fl and the second operation frequency f2 are distinct from one another.
• Figure 2 is a block diagram of the device according to the present invention.
• the device 10 will further be provided with a control device 100 provided with means and/or software for controlling the at least one light source 30 and the ultrasound units 20a-n.
• the control device 100 is provided with means/and or software for controlling characteristics of the signals generated by an ultrasonic generator 22 controlling the ultrasonic transducers 21a-b of the ultrasound units 20a-n.
• the ultrasonic generator 22 is operable to generate electrical energy to drive the at least one first 21a and second 21b ultrasonic transducers connected to the ultrasonic generator 22, wherein the electrical energy including at least two different frequencies including the first operation frequency fl and the second operation frequency f2.
• the first operation frequency fl operates the mentioned at least one first ultrasonic transducer 21a such that it is operable to generate a first ultrasound signal from the first operation frequency fl
• the second operation frequency f2 operates the mentioned at least one second ultrasonic transducers 21b such that it is operable to generate a second ultrasound signal from the second operation frequency f2, such that a heterodyned signal is generated from the first and second ultrasound signals for propagation in the area between the mentioned discs 11, 12.
• the respective first ultrasonic transducers 21a and second ultrasonic transducers 21b are electrically connected in parallel to the ultrasonic generator 22.
• the characteristics of the signals controlled by the control device 100 include at least one of an amplitude and a timing.
• one or more of a voltage and a control current of the ultrasonic generator 22 is adjustable.
• the ultrasonic generator 22 is operable to perform a frequency sweep of at least one of the first fl and second f2 operation frequencies to tune at least one of first fl and second f2 resonant frequencies of the at least one first and second ultrasonic transducers 21a-b, respectively.
• the frequency sweep is less than about 3kHz. In certain other embodiments, the sweep is less than about 5kHz.
• the frequency sweep comprises transmitting electrical signals about a resonant frequency of at least one of the first ultrasonic transducers 21a or the second ultrasonic transducers 21b.
• the electrical signals are transmitted continuously and simultaneously during a combat interval.
• the control device 100 can further be provided with wired or wireless communication means 101 for communication with an external device 110, such as a control panel or control system, for adjusting the settings of the device 10.
• the control device 100 may further be arranged to issue an alarm on the external device 110 in response to failure of any one of the ultrasonic transducers 21a- b or light source 30.
• a device for combating free swimming lice and other ectoparasites that may be submerged in the water in a fish farm or in the vicinity of the fish farm. Even though the main use will be arranging the device according to the present invention in the fish farm it may also be arranged in the vicinity if one take into consideration the current in the area around the fish farm, and thus be able to combat free swimming lice and other ectoparasites before it enters the fish farm.
• multiple devices according to the present invention are arranged in the fish farm and/or in the vicinity outside the fish farm.
• the device 10 for combating lice and other ectoparasites works by that the controllable light source 30 is used to attract free swimming lice and other ectoparasites in a fish farm, which then may be combat with the above described ultrasound units 20a-b.
• the ultrasound signals will propagate several times back and forth between the mentioned discs 11, 12, wherein the signal path will be reflected with an angle deviating from the incoming angle of the signal each time the signal hits the parabolic or inclined surface.
• the ultrasound units 20a-b will be preferably be operated in an on/off scheme, wherein the controllable light source 30 is allow to attract lice and other ectoparasites for a given time period before the ultrasound units 20a-b are activated for a given time period for combating the lice and other ectoparasites attracted, whereupon the ultrasound units are shut off, allowing other free swimming lice and other ectoparasites to be attracted for a given time period before the ultrasound units 20a-b again are activated, and so on.
• the control device 100 will further be arranged to an internal or external power source 120 (Figure 2) for powering of the components of the device 10.
• the power source 120 may be further be provided with energy harvesting means and an energy storage.
• the device 10 will further be provided with a lifting hook 40 or similar, see Figure 1, enabling the device 10 to be suspended to a lifting device in connection with the fish farm enabling movement of the device 10 in the fish farm.
• a lifting hook 40 or similar, see Figure 1, enabling the device 10 to be suspended to a lifting device in connection with the fish farm enabling movement of the device 10 in the fish farm.
• the device 10 will have a natural ballast such that it will not float in the water, but will submerged when positioned in the water, whereupon a lifting device may be used to control the submerged position to a desired position in the fish farm.
• the present invention does not attack lice and other ectoparasites already present in fish in the fish farm, but is a solution that will prevent the lice or other ectoparasistes in the water from attacking the fish by attracting it and combating it before it attacks the fish. Accordingly, the present invention will prevent the existence of the water of the fish farm and thus preventing lice and other ectoparasistes from affecting the fish farmed therein.

Landscapes

• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Environmental Sciences (AREA)
• Marine Sciences & Fisheries (AREA)
• Animal Husbandry (AREA)
• Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
• Zoology (AREA)
• Farming Of Fish And Shellfish (AREA)
• Medicines Containing Material From Animals Or Micro-Organisms (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=74758398

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (2)

Cited By (2)

Families Citing this family (1)

Citations (7)

Family Cites Families (5)

• 2019
  • 2019-09-12 NO NO20191091A patent/NO345454B1/en unknown
• 2020
  • 2020-09-09 WO PCT/NO2020/050230 patent/WO2021049947A1/en not_active Ceased

Patent Citations (7)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events