Abstract: Methods are provided for forming spliced connections in coverbraided ropes in the form of a sling having at least one eye. The methods include the step of situating a void spacer adjacent to a portion of a core rope. The methods also include coverbraiding the removable void spacer to create a tunnel into which a section of the same coverbraided sheath enclosing a strength member core is able to be positioned in between the strength member core and the coverbraided sheath enclosing the strength member core in the vicinity of the spliced eye's splice braid zone, thereby forming a spliced eye connection.

Abstract: A method for producing a rope (35) that is useful for forming pelagic trawl mesh, particularly self-spreading trawl mesh. The rope (35): 1. is stronger for a given amount of material; 2. has less drag; 3. exhibits the same. or better lift when subjected to water flow at trawl mesh angles of attack; and 4. is also less costly to manufacture in comparison with known helix rope constructions. Most broadly, the method and apparatus of the present disclosure include a standard braiding apparatus (11) where an additional planetary carrier apparatus orbits about the outside of the usual planetary carrier apparatus, at a same or similar height as the usual planetary carrier apparatus, at a lower speed than the usual planetary carrier apparatus, and preferably carries fewer bobbins (19) than the usual planetary carrier apparatus.

Abstract: An improved trawl door that provides by combination of certain camber relationships of leading edge slats relative to a main deflector body, in certain aspect ratios, with certain thickness relationships for plates forming leading edge slats and a main deflector body where such leading slats and such main deflector body are formed with a similar curvature to their exterior (i.e. “outer”) and interior (i.e. “inner”) side surfaces, a trawl door that provides a maximally efficient trawl door of superior efficiency, of superior stability, useful at a wide range of angles of attack. In certain embodiments a perforate slat is disposed above a leading edge slat. In certain other embodiments, a perforated slat is disposed above a main deflector body, and certain constructions of support plates are useful for protecting the various perforated slats.

Abstract: A method for forming a helix rope for a trawl comprising the steps of: a) situating upon a portion of a rope a bead of a substance being selected from a group consisting of: (i) a liquid substance; and (ii) a semi-liquid substance. A helix rope (35) for forming portions of a pelagic trawl, the helix rope comprising a braided sheath (398) formed of greater than sixteen strands (397), whereby drag is reduced. A method for forming a high strength synthetic rope useful for towing warps, trawler warps, yachting ropes, mooring lines, anchoring lines, oil derrick anchoring lines, seismic lines, paravane lines, and any other uses for rope, cable or chain.

Abstract: A trawl door (20, 60) or a paravane (120, 140) having at least one main deflector (22, 22U, 22L) includes a permeable structure disposed adjacent to and separated from an outer surface (34) of the main deflector (22, 22U, 22L). The permeable structure extends from near a trailing edge (26, 26U, 26L) of the main deflector (22, 22U, 22L) over and separated from the outer surface (34) toward the main deflector's leading edge (24, 24U, 24L). In one embodiment of the permeable structure, a plurality of apertures (54, 56) pierce a perforated slat (52, 52U, 52L) thereby establishing a porous surface adjacent to the outer surface (34) of the main deflector (22, 22U, 22L). Adding the permeable structure perforated slat (52, 52U, 52L) to a trawl door (20, 60) increases the trawl door's stability when the trawl door is towed through water at a high angle of attack, and also reduces the trawl door's drag when operating at a high angle of attack.

Abstract: Fishhooks (20), artificial lures (23, 35, 65, 67 and 91) or trailer rods (120) include both an anodic segment (25, 85 and 105) and a cathodic segment (27). The anodic and cathodic segments (25, 85, 105 and 27) are arranged so that immersion of fishhooks (20), artificial lures (23, 35, 65, 67 and 91) or trailer rods (120) in water establishes a galvanic cell that generates an electo-magnetic field which simulates the natural bioelectric field of living prey. A particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention interposes an insulated segment (29) between the anodic and cathodic segments (25, 85, 105 and 27) of fishhooks (20), artificial lures (23, 35, 65, 67 and 91). While galvanic action occurs between the anodic and cathodic segments, fishhooks (20) and artificial lures (23, 35, 65, 67 and 91) and trailer rods (120) in accordance with the present invention establish a constant, bioelectric simulating electromagnetic field.

Abstract: A trawl's mesh cells include at least three mesh bars. A cell's first mesh bar includes a first product strand formed by a core product strand enclosed within a sheath. The sheath resists sliding along the core product strand during the trawl's assembly and field operations. The first product strand also mechanically connects to a second product strand forming the mesh cell's second mesh bar. The mechanical connection includes a clamp which encloses at least the slide-resistant, sheathed portion of the first product strand. A particularly preferred embodiment for the sheath includes at least one spiraling product strand interwoven with other encircling product strands. The spiraling product strand has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of each of the other encircling product strands. An improved method for catching fish with a trawl system includes a step of assembling the trawl system by combining selected trawl components.

Abstract: A trawl's mesh cells include at least three mesh bars. A cell's first mesh bar includes a first product strand formed by a core product strand enclosed within a sheath. The sheath resists sliding along the core product strand during the trawl's assembly and field operations. The first product strand also mechanically connects to a second product strand forming the mesh cell's second mesh bar. The mechanical connection includes a clamp which encloses at least the slide-resistant, sheathed portion of the first product strand. A particularly preferred embodiment for the sheath includes at least one spiraling product strand interwoven with other encircling product strands. The spiraling product strand has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of each of the other encircling product strands. An improved method for catching fish with a trawl system includes a step of assembling the trawl system by combining selected trawl components.

Abstract: Mesh bars (35, 283) of a trawl (13, 263) include at least a portion having a corkscrew-shaped pitch which exhibits a hydrofoil-like effect. Such mesh bars (35, 283) are preferably formed from a material having a substantially incompressible cross-sectional shape. By appropriately selecting the lay and leading edge of mesh bars (35, 283), movement of the trawl (13, 263) through the water entrained environment creates a pressure differential and lift across that portion of mesh bars (25, 283) which exhibit the hydrofoil-like effect. The lift thus created increases performance characteristics of the trawl (13, 263) including increased trawl volume, improved trawl shape, and reduced vibration, noise, and drag. Obtaining the greatest improvement of trawls (13, 263) requires controlling a pitch range for twisted product strands (e.g. twisted ropes) (36, 37), and for straps (284) forming mesh bars (35, 283).

Abstract: Mesh bars (35, 283) of a trawl (13, 263) include at least a portion having a corkscrew-shaped pitch which exhibits a hydrofoil-like effect. Such mesh bars (35, 283) are preferably formed from a material having a substantially incompressible cross-sectional shape. By appropriately selecting the lay and leading edge of mesh bars (35, 283), movement of the trawl (13, 263) through the water entrained environment creates a pressure differential and lift across that portion of mesh bars (25, 283) which exhibit the hydrofoil-like effect. The lift thus created increases performance characteristics of the trawl (13, 263) including increased trawl volume, improved trawl shape, and reduced vibration, noise, and drag. Obtaining the greatest improvement of trawls (13, 263) requires controlling a pitch range for twisted product strands (e.g. twisted ropes) (36, 37), and for straps (284) forming mesh bars (35, 283).

Abstract: Mesh cells (30) for machine-made netting (51) use pairs of mesh bars (35) made from a continuous length of material and meet at a common coupler (34). Such mesh bars (35) have a lay with a common direction throughout the length of material. In a zig-zag pattern used in knitting machine-made netting (31), the longitudinal axis of symmetry (38) of mesh bars (35) turns at each coupler (34). Towing such mesh bars (35) causes water to flow past pairs thereof in two different directions with respect to their common lay. The directions of water flow are neither parallel nor perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of symmetry (38) of the mesh bars (35). As water flows past the mesh bars (35), the cross-sectional shapes of the mesh bars (35) produce a net component of force that is oriented in a direction perpendicular to a combined drag component of force for the mesh bars (35).

Abstract: A mesh cell construction which is systemized wherein opposite mesh bars of the rectangularly shaped mesh cell have a common lay direction when viewed in an axially receding direction (either right-handed or left-handed lay) that is opposite to that associated with the remaining opposite mesh bars of such mesh cell. In another aspect, when incorporated in a trawl (13), such cell construction of the invention provides for improved shaping and performance of the trawl (13) wherein the mesh cells of different geometrical locations positioned relative to and about the longitudinal axis of the trawl can be controlled such that resulting trawl panels wings (25) act analogous to a series of mini-wings capable of acting in concert in operation. Such concerted action provides, when the trawl is in motion, outwardly directed force vectors which significantly increase the trawl volume and hence mouth (26) volume while simultaneously decreasing drag.

Abstract: A mesh cell construction which is systemized wherein opposite mesh bars of the rectangularly shaped mesh cell have a common lay direction when viewed in an axially receding direction (either right-handed or left-handed lay) that is opposite to that associated with the remaining opposite mesh bars of such mesh cell. In another aspect, when incorporated in a trawl (13), such cell construction of the invention provides for improved shaping and performance of the trawl (13) wherein the mesh cells of different geometrical locations positioned relative to and about the longitudinal axis of the trawl can be controlled such that resulting trawl panels wings (25) act analogous to a series of mini-wings capable of acting in concert in operation. Such concerted action provides, when the trawl is in motion, outwardly directed force vectors which significantly increase the trawl volume and hence mouth (26) volume while simultaneously decreasing drag.

Abstract: Mesh bars (35, 283) of a trawl (13, 263) include at least a portion having a corkscrew-shaped pitch which exhibits a hydrofoil-like effect. Such mesh bars (35, 283) are preferably formed from a material having a substantially incompressible cross-sectional shape. By appropriately selecting the lay and leading edge of mesh bars (35, 283), movement of the trawl (13, 263) through the water entrained environment creates a pressure differential and lift across that portion of mesh bars (25, 283) which exhibit the hydrofoil-like effect. The lift thus created increases performance characteristics of the trawl (13, 263) including increased trawl volume, improved trawl shape, and reduced vibration, noise, and drag. Obtaining the greatest improvement of trawls (13, 263) requires controlling a pitch range for twisted product strands (e.g. twisted ropes) (36, 37), and for straps (284) forming mesh bars (35, 283).

Abstract: A series of disturbed (or rippled) air-water interface regions contiguously arranged guide anadromous fish in a selected direction. Artificial or natural light, diffusely refracted by passage through the disturbed regions, establishes an aura-dominated passage that elicits a learned response from fish which have a “silver underbody” perceive the passage being safe. Accordingly, a fish guidance system in accordance with the present invention may include shower assemblies or nozzles for spraying a fluid, such as water, onto the surface of a body of water, and light assemblies for illuminating disturbed air-water interface regions created by the sprayed fluid. A dark, light absorbing surface beneath the aura-dominated passage enhances its effectiveness as do darkened regions created alongside of and complementing that passage. The darkened regions may also be advantageously exploited for guiding dark, catadromous fish.