Key information

Title
Movable bulkhead for aquaculture system
Application number
20230672
Case type
National
Status
18.03.2024 Patent meddelt (B1)
Filed
09.06.2023
Priority
16.12.2022 NO 20221347
Effective date
09.06.2023
Publicly available
18.03.2024
Next annual fee due
30.06.2027
Applicant
Watermoon AS (NO)
Owner
Watermoon AS (NO)
Inventor
ERLEND EIDE (NO)
Agent
BRYN AARFLOT AS (NO)
Granted
18.03.2024
Patent number
347767
Expiry date
09.06.2043

Abstract and drawing

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.
The invention relates to a moveable bulkhead for fish containers, aquaculture facilities, fish pens, fish tanks and the like. The bulkhead is both expandable and collapsible and is configured to move along a vertical axis. The bulkhead is especially adapted for closed submersible fish containers and may be lowered into the internal fish reservoir through an opening in a top portion of the fish container. The invention also includes a method for operating the bulkhead in a fish container.

Publications

Latest published versionB1A1

Documents

 Expand Download files (28)
Date
 Date Doc. No. Process Case number In/Out Journal description To/from
 02.05.2025 13-01 Saksbehandling 20230672(347767) UT PT Varsel om betaling av første årsavgift (3317) (PT20230672) BRYN AARFLOT AS
 20.03.2024 12-01 Saksbehandling 20230672(347767) UT PT Registreringsbrev nasjonal patent (15) (PT20230672)
20.12.2023 11-01 Saksbehandling 20230672 UT PT Meddelelse om patent BRYN AARFLOT AS
 15.12.2023 10-06 Saksbehandling 20230672 INN Response NIPO BRYN AARFLOT AS
 15.12.2023 10-05 Saksbehandling 20230672 INN 142230NOfigures-en BRYN AARFLOT AS
 15.12.2023 10-04 Saksbehandling 20230672 INN 142230NOdescription_claims_abstract_amended_marked-en BRYN AARFLOT AS
 15.12.2023 10-03 Saksbehandling 20230672 INN 142230NOdescription_claims_abstract_amended_clean-en BRYN AARFLOT AS
 15.12.2023 10-02 Saksbehandling 20230672 INN 142230NOclaims-no BRYN AARFLOT AS
 15.12.2023 10-01 Saksbehandling 20230672 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) BRYN AARFLOT AS
 06.11.2023 09-01 Saksbehandling 20230672 UT 20230672_1774335_PT 08 BRYN AARFLOT AS
 01.11.2023 08-01 Saksbehandling 20230672 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) BRYN AARFLOT AS
 01.11.2023 07-06 Saksbehandling 20230672 INN Response NIPO BRYN AARFLOT AS
 01.11.2023 07-05 Saksbehandling 20230672 INN 142230NOdescription_amended_marked-en BRYN AARFLOT AS
 01.11.2023 07-04 Saksbehandling 20230672 INN 142230NOdescription_amended_clean-en BRYN AARFLOT AS
 01.11.2023 07-03 Saksbehandling 20230672 INN 142230NOclaims_amended_marked-en BRYN AARFLOT AS
 01.11.2023 07-02 Saksbehandling 20230672 INN 142230NOclaims_amended_clean-en BRYN AARFLOT AS
 01.11.2023 07-01 Saksbehandling 20230672 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) BRYN AARFLOT AS
 26.09.2023 06-02 Saksbehandling 20230672 UT PT report 10:49:42
26.09.2023 06-01 Saksbehandling 20230672 UT 20230672_1758843_PT 08 BRYN AARFLOT AS
 01.09.2023 05-01 Saksbehandling 20230672 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) BRYN AARFLOT AS
 07.07.2023 04-02 Saksbehandling 20230672 INN Declaration -signert BRYN AARFLOT AS
 07.07.2023 04-01 Saksbehandling 20230672 INN Korrespondanse (Hovedbrev inn) BRYN AARFLOT AS
 12.06.2023 03-01 Saksbehandling 20230672 UT Formalia 1 BRYN AARFLOT AS
 12.06.2023 02-01 Saksbehandling 20230672 UT Infobrev til oppfinner BRYN AARFLOT AS
 09.06.2023 01-04 Saksbehandling 20230672 INN Generalfullmakt - signert BRYN AARFLOT AS
 09.06.2023 01-03 Saksbehandling 20230672 INN 142230NOfigures-en BRYN AARFLOT AS
 09.06.2023 01-02 Saksbehandling 20230672 INN 142230NOdescription_claims_abstract-en BRYN AARFLOT AS
 09.06.2023 01-01 Saksbehandling 20230672 INN Søknadsskjema Patent BRYN AARFLOT AS

Description, claims and drawings

Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content. Description
Movable bulkhead for a fish containerField of the inventionThe invention relates to movable bulkheads for closed submersible aquaculture systems and a method for operating said bulkhead.BackgroundExtracting fish from fish containers may prove a difficult task. In closed submersible fish containers, the fish do not evacuate on their own motion simply by providing an opening for the fish to escape. Forcing fish out of a fish container directly with e.g. a vacuum hose or direct physical contact will damage the biomass and cause great stress amongst the fish affecting the fish quality.Therefore, the fish should be nudged or encouraged out of the fish container allowing the fish, as much as possible, to evacuate on their own motion.It is substantially harder to interact with and manage the biomass within closed submersible fish containers than open surface aquaculture systems.Due to the mentioned issues, the current invention seeks to provide a solution for easily and gently extracting fish from closed submersible fish containers.WO 2022158984 A1 describes a closed, spherical cage for floating fish farming. The cage features a polygonal pattern created by tubular elements forming a spherical framework. Multiple panes covered by seine netting enclose the structure. The tubular elements house inflatable buoyancy members connected to a gas reservoir, controlled by a control unit. Nodes join the tubular elements using sleeves and finger brackets, and the design allows water to flow into unoccupied parts of the tubular elements. This innovation is intended for fish farming applications in water.US 2012132148 A1 pertains to a containment pen designed for finfish aquaculture. The pen consists of a supporting structure and a net that encloses a volume for holding the fish. Notably, the net is composed of removable panels, each featuring flexible netting attached to rigid members around its perimeter. In Figure 8B, the patent introduces the concept of using inflatable displacement balloons (labeled as "28") in some of the net panels. These balloons can be filled with air or water from the surface through tubes. When it's time to transfer fish between pens, the operator opens gates, inflates the balloon to reduce available swimming space, prompting fish to migrate through a transfer tube into another pen. The balloon may have flexible weighted rings for ballast, and the transfer tube may include features for grading, counting, and estimating fish biomass.Summary of the inventionThe invention relates to a moveable bulkhead for a closed submersible aquaculture system comprising a fish container, comprising:a bulkhead surface comprising a bulkhead surface circumference;an expansion tube fixed to and extending along the bulkhead surface circumference for expanding and collapsing the bulkhead between a collapsed state and an expanded state;wherein the expansion tube is in fluid connection with a fluid control means for injecting and withdrawing fluid to and from the expansion tube (120); moving means connected to the bulkhead for moving the bulkhead inside the fish container.The invention relates to a moveable bulkhead for a closed submersible aquaculture system comprising a fish container, comprising:a bulkhead surface comprising a bulkhead surface circumference; wherein the bulkhead is movable between a collapsed state and an expanded state while inside the fish container;wherein the bulkhead comprises means for expanding and collapsing the bulkhead;wherein the bulkhead is configured to be inserted into an opening of the fish container which is narrower than the bulkhead surface circumference while in its expanded state; and wherein the bulkhead is configured to move within the fish container while its expanded state. The bulkhead is configured to drive fish towards fish outlet of the container. The bulkhead can also be used to move or gather any object within the fish container such as biomass, particles, floating waste etc.The invention further relates to said bulkhead, wherein the means for expanding and collapsing the bulkhead comprises:an expansion tube fixed to and extending along the bulkhead surface circumference for expanding and collapsing the bulkhead between a collapsed state and an expanded state;wherein the expansion tube is in fluid connection with a fluid control means for injecting and withdrawing fluid to and from the expansion tube; moving means connected to the bulkhead for moving the bulkhead inside the fish container.The invention further relates to said bulkhead,wherein the bulkhead is configured to move vertically within the fish container.The invention further relates to said bulkhead, wherein the bulkhead surface comprises a centred opening.The invention further relates to said bulkhead,wherein a support collar is fixed to the centred opening; andwherein the moving means comprises at least one wire, cable or line connected to the support collar.The invention further relates to said bulkhead, wherein when the bulkhead is in its expanded state, the expansion tube is configured to abut against the inner surface of the fish container along the length of the expansion tube creating a barrier for aquatic organisms within the fish container. The invention further relates to said bulkhead, comprising at least one radial tube for containing or holding a weight, the radial tube extending between a centre of the bulkhead surface and the bulkhead surface circumference.The invention further relates to said bulkhead, wherein the weight is free to move within the radial tube.The invention further relates to said bulkhead, wherein the at least one radial tube extends between the support collar and the expansion tube.The invention further relates to said bulkhead, wherein the bulkhead surface is permeable.The invention further relates to said bulkhead, wherein the bulkhead surface is non-permeable.The invention further relates to said bulkhead, wherein the expansion tube and/or the at least one radial tube is made of a flexible material comprising a polymer, a composite or a fabric material.The invention further relates to a method of operating previously mentioned bulkhead within a closed submersible fish container, comprising the steps of: providing an opening in the fish container;moving the bulkhead through the opening while the bulkhead is in its collapsed state;expanding the bulkhead;moving the bulkhead in a direction against a biomass in the reservoir volume.The invention further relates to said method, wherein the expansion step comprises:injecting fluid into the expansion tube using the fluid control means until the bulkhead reaches its expanded state The invention further relates to said method, further comprising the steps of: lowering the bulkhead in its expanded state until the expansion tube reaches a tapered bottom portion or a bottom portion of the fish container preventing the expansion tube from being lowered further;further lowering the bulkhead until the at least one radial tube slopes downwards allowing the weight to slide downwards pressing the bulkhead surface against the inner surface of the fish container or further lowering the bulkhead until the bulkhead surface rests against substantially the entire bottom portion of the fish container.The invention further relates to said method further comprising the steps of:withdrawing fluid from the expansion tube or decreasing the fluid pressure within the expansion tube using the fluid control means until the bulkhead reaches its collapsed state.Moving the bulkhead out through the opening.List of figuresFig. 1 is a cutaway perspective view of a fish container including a bulkhead of the invention in a collapsed state;Fig. 2 is a cutaway perspective view of a fish container including a bulkhead of the invention in an expanded state;Fig. 3 is a cutaway perspective view of a fish container including a bulkhead of the invention in a lowered position; andFig. 4 is a cutaway perspective view of a fish container including a bulkhead of the invention in a lowered position.Detailed description of embodimentsIn this application, the term aquaculture system is intended as a general expression comprising a fish pen, a fish tank, a fish cage, an aquaculture facility and equivalents. An aquaculture system comprises a container (e.g. a fish container) providing a reservoir for aquatic organisms. The term “fish container” is used as a general expression for containers suitable for containing fish, however, the fish container referred to in this application may contain any aquatic organism, and what applies for fish in this application may also apply for other similar aquatic organisms.The fish container may be permeable or non-permeable, flexible or rigid. The internal volume of the fish container housing a biomass such as fish may be referred to as a biomass reservoir volume which is distinguished from other internal volumes of the fish container which does not contain or is not intended for containing aquatic organisms.Fig. 1 is a cutaway perspective view of a fish container 10 including a bulkhead 100 of the invention in a collapsed state. The fish container 10 has an exterior enclosure 101. A part of the exterior enclosure 101 is cut out to view the inside of the fish container 10. In the collapsed state the bulkhead surface 110 has a substantially elongated and tubular shape with a diameter smaller than a diameter of an opening into the fish container 10. The collapsibility which makes it easy to insert into and extract through narrow openings/hatches etc. In the collapsed state the bulkhead surface 110 forms a shape similar to a folded umbrella or a folded and cylindrical skirt.The fish container 10 includes a bottom portion 103 and may include a top portion 104. The bottom portion 103 may be tapered towards the bottom end.The fish container 10 may be of any shape. Seen from above (not shown) the fish container 10 may have a circular, conical, rectangular or square horizontal crosssection. It may have a tapered, conical, convex or concave bottom portion or a flat bottom portion.The exterior enclosure 101 may be rigid or flexible. The fish container 10 may be permeable or non-permeable. In the embodiment of Fig.1, the fish container 10 has a substantially cylindrical middle portion with a tapered top portion 104 and a tapered bottom portion 103, although this figure only serves as one example of many fish container shapes.The fish container 10 may have a closed top portion 104 and a closed bottom portion 103 providing a complete enclosure for the fish. The fish container 10 may therefore be completely submerged.The fish container 10 may include a top support section 105 preferably of a rigid material.The fish container 10 may include an opening 172 in its top portion to provide access to the internal volume of the fish container.The opening 172 may include a hatch (not shown). Preferably the opening 172 is integrated in the top support section 105. The hatch may be opened or closed to provide access to the internal volume of the fish container 10 and to close the fish container 10. The hatch may therefore provide an opening 172 in the top portion 104.Fig. 1 further shows a bulkhead 100 according to the invention positioned inside the fish container 10. The bulkhead 100 includes a bulkhead surface 110. The bulkhead surface 110 may be of any permeable or non-permeable structure/material such as polymer, composite, metal or fabric. The bulkhead surface 110 may be both flexible and rigid. The bulkhead surface 110 may have a perforated structure such as a net or a mesh. The bulkhead 100 further includes a continuous expansion tube 120 which is fastened along a circumference 140 (see Fig. 2) of the bulkhead 100.The bulkhead 100 is expandable and collapsible. In Fig.1 the bulkhead 100 is in a collapsed state. The bulkhead 100 may be lowered down through the opening 172 preferably when the bulkhead 100 is in its collapsed state. The bulkhead 100 may be lowered with moving means 171. The moving means 171 may include at least one wire, chain, rope, cable or line of any material. The moving means 171 may be connected to a winch. The moving means 171 may also be a rigid element such as a steel rod which can be moved actively by a motor in and out of the fish container 10.The bulkhead 100 may be lowered actively with a winch or motor, or passively means of gravity. The bulkhead 100 may be provided with weight elements to achieve a desired weight. The bulkhead 100 may be moved up/down or sideways inside the fish container 10 actively by means of a motor or winch, by manual labour or by gravity. For sideways movement the bulkhead 100 is preferably inserted through an opening located in a side of the fish container 10 (not shown).In general, the bulkhead 100 is intended to move in a direction against an internal biomass in the fish container 10 in order to decrease the biomass reservoir volume, encouraging the biomass to evacuate the fish container 10 though an outlet.The bulkhead 100 can also be inserted from a side opening (not shown) in the fish container 10 or a bottom opening (not shown) in the fish container 10.Once the bulkhead 100 is lowered into the internal fish reservoir i.e. the internal volume of the fish container 10, the fish will according to its biological instincts move downwards and at least away from the introduced bulkhead 100.A fish outlet 700 may be located in the bottom portion 103 of the fish container 10. A fish outlet 701 may also be located in a top portion 104 of the fish container 10.Fig. 2 is a cutaway perspective view of a fish container 10 including a bulkhead 100 of the invention in an expanded state. After the bulkhead 100 (in its collapsed state) has been lowered at least partly into the fish container 10, the bulkhead 100 may be expanded into its expanded state to cover the largest horizontal cross-section of the fish container 10.The expansion tube 120 is fastened along the circumference 140 of the bulkhead surface 110. In the embodiment of Fig.2 the bulkhead surface 110, and consequently also the expansion tube 120, is circular in the expanded state. The bulkhead surface 110 and the expansion tube 120 may however be of any shape corresponding to the inner surface of the fish container 10. In the expanded state, the expansion tube 120 is configured to abut against the inner surface of the fish container 10 along the length and outer surface of the expansion tube 120 creating an impenetrable barrier for aquatic organisms within the fish container 10.The bulkhead 100 may be lowered from a topside location.The moving means 171 is preferably connected to a central portion of the bulkhead 100.In an aspect, the fish container 10 may include a centre column 800. In this aspect the bulkhead 100 includes a centred opening 130 through which the centre column 800 may extend. The centred opening 130 is preferably provided with a support collar 131 which is fastened along the perimeter of the centred opening 130. The support collar 131 may be torus shaped. The support collar 121 is preferably of a rigid material. The moving means 171 is preferably connected to the support collar 131.In another aspect the fish container 10 may also not include any centre column 800. In this aspect, the bulkhead 100 may not include a centred opening 130 so that the bulkhead surface 110 forms a continuous surface without any centred opening. The moving means 171 may in this aspect be fastened to a central part of the bulkhead surface 110 by means of any conventional fastening means, the central part being preferably reinforced. The expansion tube 120 extends along the bulkhead circumference 140. The expansion tube 120 is a hollow tube of a fluid tight material. The expansion tube 120 is equivalent with a fluid channel or a fluid conduit. The expansion tube 120 is preferably of a flexible material comprising a polymer, composite or fabric material.A fluid control means 160 is provided in fluid connection with the expansion tube 120. The fluid control means 160 may be a hydraulic or pneumatic pump configured to inject or withdraw fluid to/from the expansion tube 120 and to provide constant hydrodynamic or pneumatic pressure to the expansion tube 120. By injecting a fluid the expansion tube 120 will gradually form a rigid support structure and expand the bulkhead surface 110 along a horizontal or vertical plane.When the expansion tube 120 is pressurized the expansion tube 120 will expand, also causing the bulkhead surface 110 to expand. The bulkhead surface 110 is preferably sized to create a barrier across the largest horizontal or vertical crosssection of the fish container 10. The expansion tube 120 preferably abuts the inner surface of the fish container 10 along its entire length.The expansion tube 120 may be injected with a fluid such as sea water, air or any other fluid. The expansion tube 120 is preferably filled with sea water.The fluid control means 160 may be located within the fish container 10 or outside the fish container 10 in direct or indirect connection with the expansion tube.Preferably the fluid control means 160 is located top side. The fluid control means 160 may be connected to the expansion tube 120 via at least one fluid transport means being a cable or a tube or a hose etc. (not shown). The fluid transport means may run through the opening 172 along within the moving means 171. The fluid control means 160 may also be a compact impeller, propeller, gas canister or other conventional means for providing hydrodynamic or pneumatic pressure to expand the expansion tube 120.The fluid control means 160 may be actuated to operate in reverse, withdrawing fluid from the expansion tube 120 causing the expansion tube 120 to collapse. The fluid control means 160 may also have a pressure release valve for releasing pressure, also causing the expansion tube 120 to collapse.After the bulkhead 100 has been lowered into the internal fish reservoir, the fish has already fled downwards or away from the bulkhead 100 and is therefore already located below the bottom end of the bulkhead surface 110, or on the side of the bulkhead surface 110 opposite of the opening 172, due to biological instincts. Therefore, when the bulkhead 100 is expanded, the fish is located below, or on the side of the bulkhead surface 110 opposite of the opening 172 of, the expanded bulkhead surface 110.After the bulkhead 100 has been expanded it is lowered further down inside the fish container 10 in a direction towards the fish/biomass causing the fish to flee away from the bulkhead towards a fish outlet 700 located in the bottom portion 103 of the fish container 10 where they eventually will evacuate through the fish outlet 700. A fish evacuation amount is dependent on how much the fish reservoir volume has been decreased by the bulkhead 100, in addition to general disturbance of the internal water.The fish outlet 700 may be a fish evacuation port/opening/gate/hatch located in the bottom portion 103. The fish outlet 700 may be connected to a fish transport means 690 (see Fig.3 and 4) such as a fish transport hose or tube or any other conduit – pressurized or non-pressurized.The fish outlet 700 may be connected to the centre column 800 and the centre column 800 may comprise a fish transport means 690 extending through the centre column 800 to a top fish outlet 701 (see Fig.3), which allows fish to travel up through the centre column 800 and out of a top fish outlet 701 located in a top portion of the fish container 10.The fish (not shown) evacuates through the fish outlet 700. In an aspect the fish transport means 690 may extend between the fish outlet 700 and the top fish outlet 701. The fish transport means 690 may be hydrodynamically pressurized to yield a current for transporting fish and other aquatic organisms, operating essentially as a vacuum hose.The fish outlet 700 may also directly or indirectly be connected to an auxiliary fish pen, tank or cage. The fish outlet 700 may also be connected indirectly to a service vessel for transporting or treating fish. The fish outlet 700 may be connected to a centre column 800 inside which the fish may travel through the centre column 800 and out of the fish container 10.Fig. 3 is a cutaway perspective view of a fish container 10 including a bulkhead 100 of the invention in a lowered position.In Fig.3 the bulkhead 100, in its expanded state, has been lowered to a level where the expansion tube 120 rests against the inner surface of the fish container 10. In Fig.3 the fish container 10 has a tapered lower portion 190 reducing the horizontal cross-sectional area of the fish container 10. Consequently, the expansion tube 120 is held back from being lowered any further. Since the moving means 171 are preferably connected to a central part of the bulkhead surface 110, when lowering the bulkhead 100, the bulkhead surface 110 area will increasingly rest against and cover the inner surface of the tapered lower portion 190 decreasing the biomass reservoir volume completely or nearly completely.The bulkhead 100 of the invention may also be used for flat bottomed fish containers, wherein the bulkhead surface 110 can be positioned to rest against the flat bottom, decreasing the biomass reservoir volume completely or nearly completely.The bulkhead 100 may be provided with least one hollow radial tube 180 connected to the bulkhead surface 110. The radial tubes 180 are preferably made of a flexible material. The radial tubes 180 preferably extends between the expansion tube 120 and the support collar 131. Fig. 4 is a cutaway perspective view of a fish container 10 including a bulkhead 100 of the invention in a lowered position. In Fig.4 the bulkhead 100 has been lowered even further than in Fig.3. The support collar 131 is now located below the expansion tube 120 causing each radial tube 180 to slope downwards, presuming the bottom portion of the fish container 10 is tapered downwards.Each radial tube 180 may be configured to contain a weight 181. The weights 181 may be fixed to a specific position along the radial tube 180, or the weights 181 may be free to slide/move inside the radial tube 180. The latter case is shown in Fig. 4. Since each radial tube 180 slopes downwards, the weight 181 will slide downwards providing a gravitational force to the bulkhead surface 110. As the bulkhead 100 is lowered further, the weights 181 moves inward to a central part of the bulkhead surface 110, forcing the whole of the bulkhead surface 110 against the bottom portion 103.When the bulkhead 100 is lowered sufficiently, the bulkhead 100 may decrease the entire volume or nearly the entire volume below the bulkhead 100. This provides the ability to completely evacuate the internal biomass from the fish container 10 even for fish containers having a tapered bottom portion 190.The fish (not shown) evacuates through the fish outlet 700. In an aspect the fish transport means 690 (see Fig.3) may extend between the fish outlet 700 and the top fish outlet 701. In this case, the fish follow direction 750. On another aspect shown in Fig.4 the fish outlet 700 may guide the fish out through a fish transport means 690 running outside the fish container 10 following a direction 751.In an aspect the bulkhead 100, (see Fig.1-4) may be lowered into the fish container 10, expanded and completely lowered against the bottom portion 103, before fish enters the fish container 10. When the fish is ready for evacuation, the bulkhead 100 may be pulled upwards forcing or encouraging the fish upwards through a top opening 701. The top opening 701 may be connected to a top side fish pen or any other container or enclosure possibly via a fish transport means such as a hose, tube, or any other conduit.Fig. 5 is a cutaway side view of a fish container 10 including a bulkhead 200 of the invention in a collapsed state lowered into the container 10. Fig.5 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein the bulkhead 200 is an expandable umbrellalike structure. The bulkhead 200 includes rigid ribs 230 supporting a bulkhead surface 210. The bulkhead 200 includes a runner 250 connected to a shaft 260. The shaft 260 may be used to move the bulkhead within the fish container 10. The shaft 260 may be referred to as a moving means.Fig. 6 shows a cutaway side view of a fish container 10 including a bulkhead 200 of the invention in an expanded state lowered into the container 10. Fig.6 also shows a detail view of the bulkhead 200 from its inside. The runner 250 may be operated topside via hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical connection means. The runner 250 engages the ribs 230 being connected to the runner 250 and shaft 260. The embodiment of Fig.5 and 6 may include stretchers 270 functioning substantially the same way as for a conventional reverse umbrella. The runner 250 is actuated causing the bulkhead ribs 230 to tilt radially against the inner wall of the tank 10, there by expanding the bulkhead surface 210, bringing the bulkhead into an expanded state. In the expanded state, the bulkhead circumference 240 lies close to the inner walls of the container.The purpose of this bulkhead 200 is to function as an expansive barrier that can be lowered and expanded like an umbrella to drive the fish out of the container. This method of operation is consistent with the previous embodiments that have been already disclosed. In this particular embodiment, it is not necessary for the bulkhead 200 to be in physical contact with the fish as they will be scared by any moving object and will instinctively swim away from the bulkhead surface 210 when it comes near them, regardless of whether it seals against the inner wall of the container 10. Therefore, this embodiment offers a practical solution for effectively driving the fish towards a fish outlet for removing fish from the container without causing harm to the fish while ensuring a stress-free experience for them.
Claims
PATENT CLAIMS1. Moveable bulkhead (100, 200) for a closed submersible aquaculture system comprising a fish container (10), comprising:● a bulkhead surface (110, 210) comprising a bulkhead surface circumference (140, 240);● moving means (171, 260) connected to the bulkhead (100, 200) for moving the bulkhead (100, 200) inside the fish container (10).● wherein the bulkhead (100, 200) is movable between a collapsed state and an expanded state while inside the fish container (10); ● wherein the bulkhead comprises means for expanding and collapsing the bulkhead (100, 200);● wherein the bulkhead (100, 200) is configured to be inserted into an opening (172) of the fish container (10), the opening (172) being narrower than the bulkhead surface circumference (140, 240) when the bulkhead (100, 200) is in its expanded state; and● wherein the bulkhead (100, 200) is configured to move within the fish container (10) while in its expanded state.2. Moveable bulkhead (100) according to claim 1, wherein the means for expanding and collapsing the bulkhead (100) comprises:● an expansion tube (120) fixed to and extending along the bulkhead surface circumference (140) for expanding and collapsing the bulkhead (100) between a collapsed state and an expanded state; ● wherein the expansion tube (120) is in fluid connection with a fluid control means (160) for injecting and withdrawing fluid to and from the expansion tube (120).3. Moveable bulkhead (100) according to any preceding claim, comprising:● wherein the bulkhead (100) is configured to move vertically within the fish container (10).4. Moveable bulkhead (100) according to any preceding claims 2-3, wherein the bulkhead surface (110) comprises a centred opening (130).5. Moveable bulkhead (100) according to claim 4,● wherein a support collar (131) is fixed to the centred opening (130);and● wherein the moving means (171) comprises at least one wire, cable or line connected to the support collar (131).6. Moveable bulkhead (100) according to any preceding claims, wherein when the bulkhead (100) is in its expanded state, the expansion tube (120) is configured to abut against the inner surface of the fish container (10) along the length of the expansion tube (120) creating a barrier for aquatic organisms within the fish container (10).7. Moveable bulkhead (100) according to any preceding claims, comprising at least one radial tube (180) for containing or holding a weight (181), the radial tube (180) extending between a centre of the bulkhead surface (110) and the bulkhead surface circumference (140).8. Moveable bulkhead (100) according to claim 7, wherein the weight (181) is free to move within the radial tube (180).9. Moveable bulkhead (100) according to claim 5 and any of the preceding claims 7-8, wherein the at least one radial tube (180) extends between the support collar (131) and the expansion tube (120).10. Moveable bulkhead (100) according to any preceding claims, wherein the bulkhead surface (110) is permeable.11. Moveable bulkhead (100) according to any preceding claims 1-9, wherein the bulkhead surface (110) is non-permeable.12. Moveable bulkhead (100) according to any preceding claims, wherein the expansion tube (120) and/or the at least one radial tube (180) is made of a flexible material comprising a polymer, a composite or a fabric material.13. Method of operating a moveable bulkhead (100) according to any of the preceding claims within a closed submersible fish container (10), comprising the steps of:● providing an opening (172) in the fish container (10);● moving the bulkhead (100) through the opening (172) while the bulkhead (100) is in its collapsed state;● expanding the bulkhead (100);● moving the bulkhead (100) in a direction against a biomass in the reservoir volume.14. Method of operating a moveable bulkhead according to claim 13, wherein the expansion step comprises:● injecting fluid into the expansion tube (120) using the fluid control means (160) until the bulkhead (100) reaches its expanded state15. Method of operating a moveable bulkhead according to claim 14 of operating a moveable bulkhead (100) according to claim 8 and optionally any of the preceding claims 10-13 when dependent on claim 8, further comprising the steps of:● lowering the bulkhead (100) in its expanded state until the expansion tube (120) reaches a tapered bottom portion (190) or a bottom portion (103) of the fish container (10) preventing the expansion tube (120) from being lowered further;● further lowering the bulkhead (100) until the at least one radial tube (180) slopes downwards allowing the weight (181) to slide downwards pressing the bulkhead surface (110) against the inner surface of the fish container (10), or further lowering the bulkhead (100) until the bulkhead surface (110) rests against substantially the entire bottom portion (103) of the fish container (10).16. Method according to any of claims 13 or 14 further comprising the steps of: ● withdrawing fluid from the expansion tube (120) or decreasing the fluid pressure within the expansion tube (120) using the fluid control means (160) until the bulkhead (100) reaches its collapsed state. ● moving the bulkhead (100) out through the opening (172).PATENTKRAV1. Bevegelig skott (100, 200) til et lukket nedsenkbart oppdrettssystem som omfatter en fiskebeholder (10), omfattende:en skottoverflate (110, 210) omfattende en skottoverflateperimeter (140, 240);bevegelsesmidler (171, 260) koblet til skottet (100, 200) for å bevege skottet (100, 200) inne i fiskebeholderen (10);hvor skottet (100, 200) er bevegelig mellom en kollapset tilstand og en ekspandert tilstand samtidig som det befinner deg inne i fiskebeholderen (10);hvor skottet omfatter midler for å ekspandere og kollapse skottet (100, 200); hvor skottet (100, 200) er konfigurert til å bli satt inn i en åpning (172) i fiskebeholderen (10), hvor åpningen (172) er smalere enn skottoverflatens perimeter (140, 240) når skottet (100, 200) er i sin ekspanderte tilstand; og hvor skottet (100, 200) er konfigurert til å bevege seg innenfor fiskebeholderen (10) samtidig som det er i sin ekspanderte tilstand.2. Bevegelig skott (100) ifølge krav 1, hvor midlene for å ekspandere og kollapse skottet (100) omfatter:en ekspansjonsslange (120) festet til og som strekker seg langs skottoverflateperimeteren (140) for å ekspandere og kollapse skottet (100) mellom en kollapset tilstand og en ekspandert tilstand;hvor ekspansjonsslangen (120) er i fluidforbindelse med et fluidkontrollmiddel (160) for å injisere og trekke ut fluid til og fra ekspansjonsslangen (120).3. Bevegelig skott (100) ifølge et hvert av de foregående kravene, hvor skottet (100) er konfigurert til å bevege seg vertikalt inne i fiskebeholderen (10).4. Bevegelig skott (100) ifølge et hvert av de foregående kravene 2-3, hvor skottoverflaten (110) omfatter en sentrert åpning (130).5. Bevegelig skott (100) ifølge krav 4,hvor en støttekrage (131) er festet til den sentrerte åpningen (130); og hvor bevegelsesmidlene (171) omfatter minst én wire, kabel eller line koblet til støttekragen (131).6. Bevegelig skott (100) ifølge et hvert av de foregående kravene, hvor ekspansjonsslangen (120), når skottet (100) er i ekspandert tilstand, er konfigurert til å anligge mot den indre overflaten av fiskebeholderen (10) langs lengden av ekspansjonsslangen (120), og dermed skape en barriere for akvatiske organismer innenfor fiskebeholderen (10).7. Bevegelig skott (100) ifølge et hvert av de foregående kravene, omfattende minst én radial slange (180) for å inneholde eller holde en vekt (181), den radiale slangen (180) strekker seg mellom et sentrum av skottoverflaten (110) og skottoverflateperimeteren (140).8. Bevegelig skott (100) ifølge krav 7, hvor vekten (181) kan bevege seg fritt innvendig i den radielle slangen (180).9. Bevegelig skott (100) ifølge krav 5 og et hvert av de foregående kravene 7-8, hvor minst én radial slange (180) strekker seg mellom støttekragen (131) og ekspansjonsslangen (120).10. Bevegelig skott (100) ifølge et hvert av de foregående kravene, hvor skottoverflaten (110) er permeabel.11. Bevegelig skott (100) ifølge et hvert av de foregående kravene 1-9, hvor skottoverflaten (110) er ikke-permeabel.12. Bevegelig skott (100) ifølge et hvert av de foregående kravene, hvor ekspansjonsslangen (120) og/eller den minst ene radielle slangen (180) er laget av et fleksibelt materiale som omfatter polymer, kompositt eller et stoffmateriale.13. Fremgangsmåte for å betjene et bevegelig skott (100) ifølge et hvert av de foregående kravene innenfor en lukket nedsenkbar fiskebeholder (10), omfattende trinnene:å tilveiebringe en åpning (172) i fiskebeholder (10);å bevege skottet (100) gjennom åpningen (172) mens skottet (100) er i kollapset tilstand;å ekspandere skottet (100); ogå bevege skottet (100) i retning mot en biomasse i reservoarvolumet.14. Fremgangsmåte for å betjene et bevegelig skott ifølge krav 13, hvor ekspansjonstrinnet omfatter:å injisere fluid i ekspansjonsslangen (120) ved hjelp av fluidkontrollmidlet (160) inntil skottet (100) når sin ekspanderte tilstand.15. Fremgangsmåte for å betjene et bevegelig skott ifølge krav 14 for å betjene et bevegelig skott (100) ifølge krav 8 og eventuelt et hvert av de foregående krav 10-13 når de er avhengig av krav 8, ytterligere omfattende trinnene:å senke skottet (100) i sin ekspanderte tilstand inntil ekspansjonsslangen (120) når en konisk nedre del (190) eller en nedre del (103) av fiskebeholder (10) slik ekspansjonsslangen (120) hindres i å bli senket videre;å ytterligere senke skottet (100) til den minst ene radiale slangen (180) skråner nedover, slik at vekten (181) kan gli nedover og trykke skottoverflaten (110) mot den indre overflaten av fiskebeholderen (10), eller ytterligere senke skottet (100) til skottoverflaten (110) hviler mot hovedsakelig hele nedre del (103) av fiskebeholderen (10).16. Fremgangsmåte ifølge et hvert av kravene 13 eller 14, som ytterligere omfatter trinnene:å trekke fluid ut av ekspansjonsslangen (120) eller redusere fluidtrykket i ekspansjonsslangen (120) ved hjelp av fluidkontrollmidlet (160) inntil skottet (100) når sin kollapsede tilstand;å bevege skottet (100) ut gjennom åpningen (172).
Drawings

Priority

16.12.2022 NO 20221347

Patent classes

IPC classesA01K 61/95A01K 61/60A01K 61/10CPC classesA01K 61/95A01K 61/60A01K 61/10

Citations

WO 2022158984 A1 (A1)US 2012132148 A1 (A1)US 4744331 A (A)CN 105848476 A (A)US 2014165922 A1 (A1)NO 20190905 A1 (A1)

Applicants, owners and inventors

Owners
Watermoon AS
Støavegen 98 5640 EIKELANDSOSEN NO (BJØRNAFJORDEN Municipality, Vestland county)Org. number: 929335775Inventors
ERLEND EIDE
Sandviksvein 164 5035 BERGEN NO (BERGEN Municipality, Vestland county)

Agent

BRYN AARFLOT AS
BRYN AARFLOT AS

Org. number: 979993269

Name and address are automatically synchronized with the Brønnøysund Register Centre.

Open in The Brønnøysund Register Centre
Stortingsgata 8 0161 OSLO NO (OSLO Municipality, Oslo county)
Org. number: 979993269
Reference: 142230NO

Status history

Payment history

Oppositions and appeals

No oppositions or appeals

Administrative limitation

No administrative limitation

Liens and licences

No liens or licenses registered

Gazette entries

No Gazette entries foundOnly events from 2024.03.04 and onwards are shown.