Live Fish Sorting Or Grading Patents (Class 119/216)
  • Patent number: 12051231
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for sorting fish in aquaculture. In some implementations, one or more images are obtained of a particular fish within a population of fish. Based on the one or more images of the fish, a data element is determined. The data element can include a first value that reflects a physical characteristic of the particular fish, and a second value that reflects a condition factor of the particular fish. Based on the data element, the fish is classified as a member of a particular subpopulation of the population of fish. An actuator of an automated fish sorter is controlled based on classifying the particular fish as a member of the particular subpopulation of the population of fish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Laura Chrobak, Barnaby John James
  • Patent number: 12022811
    Abstract: A device for grading aquatic organisms is disclosed. The device includes a pump, a grader, two or more receptacles for receiving aquatic organisms from the grader, a counter, and a control system. The grader comprises a rotating barrel with a plurality of chambers, a bottom part of each of the plurality of chambers having an adjustable slit. The control system is designed to adjust at least one of a rotation rate of the grader or a slit setting of the grader based on information from the counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Vaki Fiskeldiskerfi HF
    Inventors: Sverrir Hakonarson, Gunnar Sigvaldi Hilmarsson, Albert Ingi Haraldsson, Hermann Kristjansson
  • Patent number: 11751544
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a novel deterrent barrier based on the phenomenon of fluid cavitation. A drive unit comprising a motor and a propeller are configured for inducing cavitation in water. The cavitation takes the form of a rotationally confined vertical column of cavitation bubbles extending from the propeller, and a one-dimensional series of drive units spanning the width of a waterway may provide an effective, environmentally friendly and non-lethal barrier against entry of target fish species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Inventor: Edem Tsikata
  • Patent number: 11684047
    Abstract: A water quality converter includes: a container having an oval hollow, where the container is a plastic body of a mixture in which 10% to 30% by weight of aventurine, 5% to 20% by weight of sodalite, 2% to 10% by weight of amethyst, 1% to 10% by weight of Chungito, 5% to 20% by weight of germanium, 2% to 10% by weight of Shungite, 3% to 10% by weight of elvan, 2% to 10% by weight of rose crystal, 1% to 5% by weight of seven-colored gemstone, and 1% to 5% by weight of wooden stone are mixed, and a weight ratio of aventurine to sodalite ranges from 3:1 to 1:1, a weight ratio of aventurine to germanium ranges from 2:1 to 1:1, a weight ratio of germanium to Shungite ranges from 4:1 to 1:2, and a weight ratio of amethyst to germanium ranges from 1:2 to 1:5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Inventor: Sung Kyung Kim
  • Patent number: 10785965
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device, a system and a method for grading live aquatic organisms in fluid into batches by using a central control system (7) that controls the grading process in a continuous manner resulting in optimisation of the grading process, said control system (7) optimizing individual grading components, namely concentration control (3) of fish, pump (4) speed and grader (5) settings, based on a software and a database (8) containing pre-set counting data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: VAKI FISKELDISKERFI HF
    Inventors: Sverrir Hakonarson, Gunnar Sigvaldi Hilmarsson, Albert Ingi Haraldsson, Hermann Kristjansson
  • Patent number: 10458447
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for improving fluid circulation in a fluid-body with improved hydrodynamics, minimized dead zones and a system with minimized energy losses, the system comprises at least one dividing-element disposed within the fluid-body, wherein, the dividing-elements divides the fluid-body into at least two segments such that the segments are connected to and in fluid communication with each other, characterized in that, at least one of the dividing-element has at least one asymmetrical structure configured on at least one extremity thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: RELIANCE INDUSTRIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Ganesh Kumar Veluswamy, Avinash Ramchandra Khopkar
  • Patent number: 10398133
    Abstract: A method, a device and a fish-farm for controlling the concentration of living organisms in fluid in order to facilitate the handling of the organisms such as grading and counting. The apparatus comprises a first in-feed channel for a flow of living organisms, a second in-feed channel for a flow of fluid, a chamber containing a lever for regulating the flows from the first and the second in-feed channels through the chamber, an outlet, a computer, and a sensor. The sensor is positioned in the first in-feed channel for detecting the density of living organism in the flow, and the computer continuously and automatically regulates the ratio of flows from the first and the second in-feed channels through the chamber and towards the outlet by the lever in response to the density of living organisms in the flows determined by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Vaki Fiskeldiskerfi HF
    Inventors: Gunnar Sigvaldi Hilmarsson, Sverrir Hakonarson
  • Patent number: 10231443
    Abstract: A mortality trap (150) for a spar buoy fish pen (100) is configured to receive and trap deceased fish, or morts (M), that sink from the fish pen. The mortality trap attaches to a lower portion of the spar buoy (110) to define a first passage (90). The sinking mort passes into an upper receiver portion (150U) of the mortality trap, and encounters a sloping transverse panel (154). Gravity causes the mort to continue through a second passage (B) into a lower entrapment portion (150L), and further into a region underlying the transverse panel (154) preventing the mort from escaping if it becomes positively buoyant. The entrapment portion optionally includes a converging channel into a valved port, to permit extraction of morts. The mortality trap may be located on the distal end of the spar buoy, or at an intermediate location on the lower portion of the spar buoy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: InnovaSea Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Langley R. Gace, David Kelly
  • Patent number: 9497941
    Abstract: A modular aquaculture system and method of use for providing a flexible cost effective system and method for producing aquaculture. The modular aquaculture system and method of use includes aquaculture holding tank for at least facilitating the grow-out of the aquaculture species, at least one oxygenation apparatus operationally couples to each one of the aquaculture holding tanks, and a filter apparatus operationally coupled to the aquaculture holding tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Inventor: Gary Myers
  • Patent number: 8430061
    Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a method and an apparatus for processing a very large number of fish eggs for gene injection and so on with a superior performance. An egg case has an egg-arranging plate and a cover plate. The fish eggs are dropped into concave portions of the egg-arranging plate, when the cover plate opens the concave portions. The cover plates closes the concave portions after fish eggs are accommodated in the concave portions. The egg case is fixed on a table of an egg-arranging apparatus. water is supplied on the egg-arranging plate in the egg plate. A scanning nozzle sprays water on upper surface of the egg-arranging plate. After closing the concave portions with the cover plate, the egg case is inclined for dropping fish eggs remaining on the cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Hashimoto Electronic Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Tamaru, Hideo Miyake, Masatoshi Hashimoto, Masaru Obata
  • Publication number: 20130055960
    Abstract: An integrated multi-trophic aquaculture system (multico) for a primary species, preferably a carnivorous marine species with high market value, secondary, preferably an omnivorous species of medium market value and tertiary species, preferably a detrivorous species with high market value, combined with an unfolding system for the primary species to an open semi-intensive or extensive system, the multico system for the primary species is an intensive closed or semi-closed system. The secondary species is stocked in an intensive closed or semi-closed system, while the tertiary species is stocked in a semi-intensive or closed extensive or semi-closed system. The multico system of the primary species is in communication with the system of the secondary species, while the system of the secondary species is in communication with the system of the tertiary species.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: MARICULTURA VIGAS S.A.P.I. DE C.V.
    Inventors: David CHIBRAS, Daniel RUSSEK, Kevin M. FITZSIMMONS, Wilfrido CONTRERAS, Shmuel APPELBAUM
  • Publication number: 20110107977
    Abstract: A divider for fish aquariums, comprising a dividing wall that is specially designed for use in fish tanks to keep feeder fish and predatory fish in separate sections during non-feeding times, helping to better control the feeding habits of the latter is provided. Basically square in shape, the Control Feeder for Fish Tanks is offered in various sizes to accommodate virtually any aquarium. The present invention is made from durable, clear plexiglass material, and outlined with rubber sealant to keep the divider securely in place while in use. Outfitted with a series of small openings to facilitate water flow, the Control Feeder for Fish Tanks also contains three (3) larger, circular openings, which can be opened and closed via a sliding door mechanism to allow the feeder fish to pass into the predatory fish section of the aquarium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventor: Alvin Smalls
  • Publication number: 20100263599
    Abstract: Distinctive components that enable high-throughput, whole-animal screening are described. These components can be used individually or in various combinations. A staging chip strains off the excess fluid that the input animals are immersed in, increasing their density (number of animals in a given volume) and rapidly bringing them close to other fluidic components. A microfluidic sorter is adapted to isolate and immobilize a single, physiologically active animal in a selected geometry. A multiplexed micro-chamber chip receives single animals and the microchamber chip includes individually addressable screening chambers for imaging, incubation and exposure of individual animals to selected chemical compounds. An imaging structure generates sub-cellular, high-resolution images of the physiologically active animals. A well-plate interface chip is used to deliver elements from a compound library to a single output of the chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Mehmet F. Yanik, Christopher Rohde, Matthew M. Angel, Cody Gilleland
  • Patent number: 7624703
    Abstract: A method for reducing ammonia concentration in an aqueous medium caused by the presence of fish gill/urine discharge, fish faeces and uneaten organic fish-feed particulate matter in recirculating aquaculture tanks. Fish in fish tank water are remotely located or partially isolated from the fish tank water utilized by the sono-molecular-conversion apparatus. Transient cavitation-created, collapsing microsized bubbles generated in the fishless portion of the fish tank water completes ammonia nitrification, mineralization and denitrification therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventor: Robert Edward Vago
  • Publication number: 20090229532
    Abstract: An enclosure, method and apparatus for influencing the swimming behaviour of fish is disclosed. The enclosure defining a space within which the fish can swim, said enclosure having a series of light output members disposed along a path, said light output members being operable to provide a moving visual stimulus along the path by output of light in sequence from the series of light output members thereby to influence the swimming behaviour of the fish.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Neill Andrew Herbert, James Sinclair
  • Publication number: 20090223459
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating fish and debris from water, the apparatus being made up of a frame member within which a rotating drum member is mounted, the drum member containing circumferentially mounted, longitudinally extending chamber members with an open side, and an air distribution member for inducing air into the chambers, facilitating rotation of the drum member. The method and apparatus are conformable for use in areas where the flow of water is a concern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: Robert K. Weir
  • Patent number: 6932025
    Abstract: A scalable fish rearing raceway system is provided, incorporating a fish containment structure having two semi-circular end sections, and two or more parallel fish raceways, surrounding a central zone for housing water treatment systems and a secondary fish crop. Heavy particulates are eliminated from the main fish rearing channels by use of conical areas located at either end of the parallel elongated raceways. Continuous removal of dead or dying fish from the raceway is accomplished by means of a floating mortality catcher consisting of a screened ramp at the surface of the cones which continuously collect moribund and dead fish. Grading bars separate and move fish underwater to an adjacent raceway through a common fish transfer channel. This larger scalable fish production system substantially reduces the direct labor and capital costs associated with the production of fish as compared with conventional circular fish rearing tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Kent SeaTech Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Massingill, Rodney J. Chamberlain, James M. Carlberg, Jon C. Van Olst
  • Patent number: 6880485
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the flow of fish. The system includes a vessel containing water and having an exit aperture. The system also includes a sensor configured to sense a first fish moving through the exit aperture. In addition, the system includes a jet device in communication with the sensor. The jet device is positioned adjacent to the exit aperture and is configured to spray a jet to prevent a second fish from moving through the exit aperture. In one embodiment, the system also includes a gate positioned at the exit aperture, the gate being normally closed and configured to be pushed open by a fish moving through the exit aperture. The system may be employed for providing spacing between fish or may be employed to provide a single fish on demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Inventors: James Massey, David Bressler
  • Publication number: 20040244712
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the flow of fish. The system includes a vessel containing water and having an exit aperture. The system also includes a sensor configured to sense a first fish moving through the exit aperture. In addition, the system includes a jet device in communication with the sensor. The jet device is positioned adjacent to the exit aperture and is configured to spray a jet to prevent a second fish from moving through the exit aperture. In one embodiment, the system also includes a gate positioned at the exit aperture, the gate being normally closed and configured to be pushed open by a fish moving through the exit aperture. The system may be employed for providing spacing between fish or may be employed to provide a single fish on demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: James Massey, David A. Bressler
  • Patent number: 6694920
    Abstract: A duck shooting resort layout having a body of water, a peripheral embankment encircling the water, a duck hunting region within the resort, and duck hunting blinds within the hunting region from which hunters may shoot ducks. A method of training ducks to fly only within the hunting region is described. Multiple embodiments, with islands, piers, or embankment fingers, are described that safely allow a high density of hunters within a given land area. The resort terrain may be sculpted into the invention's structure at a minimum of cost and movement of dirt. The water depth may increase toward the channel ends for harvesting fish by partial draining, and grading screens may be provided at the ends for harvesting fish. A method of using sound for attracting and grading fish in a commercial fish farming operation, with grading screens used during harvesting of fish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: Wendell Harold Noe
  • Patent number: 6161504
    Abstract: An apparatus for collecting and discharging live marine animals, the apparatus having a collection chamber for holding the marine animals, an inlet conduit having one end extendible into a body of water containing the marine animals, and another end in fluid communication with the chamber, the conduit being sized to allow the marine animals to pass therethrough, a pump to suck water out of the chamber which also causes water to flow through the conduit and into the chamber thereby carrying the marine animals through the conduit and into the chamber, a screen to prevent the marine animals from being sucked into the pump, a discharge outlet through which the marine animals can pass out of the apparatus, and a mechanism the marine animals through the discharge outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventors: Werner Wilhelm Jungling, Timothy Norman Staier
  • Patent number: 6112699
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for harvesting and processing zooplankton and, in particular, for harvesting and processing euphausiids for subsequent use as a feed product for early stage juvenile or larvae feed or for a food product as an additive. The euphausiids are continuously harvested from coastal waters and dewatered. The dewatered product is passed to a heat exchanger to increase its temperature and, thence, to a digester where a desired level of enzymatic activity is obtained. The product is then held by a surge tank for subsequent transfer to a ball dryer where the product is dried at a relatively low temperature without destroying the stabilized enzymes created in the digester. The digesting step may be deleted in the event the end use of the product is for a food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Biozyme Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Saxby, John A. Spence
  • Patent number: 5894936
    Abstract: A drum separator for separating brine shrimp eggs from a slurry containing an agglomeration of adult brine shrimp, brine shrimp eggs and debris includes a fluid source to maintain a slurry. The fluid source may be an internal spray jet disposed to spray against the slurry inside the drum for breaking up the agglomeration of adult brine shrimp, brine shrimp eggs and debris so that the brine shrimp eggs may pass through openings formed in the drum. An external spray jet is disposed to spray against the exterior surface of the drum for cleaning the adult brine shrimp and debris out of the openings in the drum. The internal spray jet is preferably an elongated pipe having a plurality of openings and is disposed inside the rotating drum. The external spray jet is preferably an elongated pipe with a plurality of openings and is disposed along the exterior of the rotating drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Sanders Brine Shrimp Company, Inc,
    Inventors: Larry Sanders, David Kuehn
  • Patent number: 5543330
    Abstract: An improved method for diagnosing myofibrogranuloma (MFG) in walleye without harming the fish is described. Blood samples are drawn from walleye and creatinine and calcium levels are then determined along with the sex and length of the fish. These data are then analyzed and compared to data from healthy walleye using discriminant analysis. The process is effective for identifying approximately 88% of MFG-positive walleye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Center for Innovation & Business Development Foundation
    Inventors: Harry L. Holloway, Jr., Craig A. Shoemaker