Automated water treatment and delivery apparatus
OwnerDonald Robohminventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A live fish transport system is described herein. In particular, a modular live fish transport tote, an oxygen delivery system, an automated water treatment and delivery apparatus, and a chemically and biologically balanced aquaculture solution are described. Methods of making and using these components, either alone or in combination with each other, are also described.
Claims30
An oxygen delivery system comprising an oxygen flow meter having a supply coupling for fluidically connecting said flow meter to an oxygen supply line and a delivery coupling for fluidically connecting said flow meter to an oxygen delivery line;
- an oxygen diffusing system having a plurality of radially extending oxygen diffusers, said diffusers directing oxygen to the periphery of a fish tank;
- and an oxygen delivery line sealingly connecting said flow meter to said oxygen diffusing system.
A live fish transport tote comprising a modular insulated container formed from a lightweight, durable material having interior and exterior surfaces, an integral footed base and sidewalls, and a removable lid with a vent hole disposed in the center thereof.
A live fish transport tote comprising a modular insulated container formed from a lightweight, durable material, said container further comprising:
- (1) interior and exterior surfaces, the base of said interior surface having a plurality of mounting brackets adhered thereto;
- (2) an integral base and sidewalls, said base and sidewalls having grooves which coordinate with the tines of a forklift;
- (3) a removable lid with a vent hole disposed in the center thereof, said vent hole further comprising a bulkhead fitting disposed within said vent hole for securing a periscope pipe and a periscope pipe for venting said tote to the exterior environment attached to said bulkhead fitting;
- and (4) an oxygen delivery system comprising (i) an oxygen flow meter having a supply coupling for fluidically connecting said flow meter to an oxygen supply line and a delivery coupling for fluidically connecting said flow meter to an oxygen delivery line;
- (ii) an oxygen supply source fluidically connected to said flow meter via said supply coupling;
- (iii) an oxygen diffusing system having a plurality of radially extending oxygen diffusers, said diffusers directing oxygen to the periphery of a fish tank;
- and (iv) an oxygen delivery line sealingly connecting said flow meter to said oxygen diffusing system,
- wherein said flow meter and delivery line are disposed within said vent hole and lockingly coordinate with said bulkhead fitting and periscope pipe, and said mounting brackets lockingly coordinate with said radial arms of said oxygen diffusing system.
A chemically and biologically balanced aquaculture solution for transporting and storing live fish over extended periods of time with minimal morbidity and mortality, said solution being substantially free from carbon dioxide and ammonia and comprising an osmoregulatory salt gradient, an oxygen saturation level sufficient to maintain a plurality of fish, a calcium water hardness level sufficient to induce toughening of fish scales, a dynamic pH buffering system, and a bioactive bacterial culture, said solution maintained at a temperature sufficient to induce thermal stasis.
An automated water treatment and delivery apparatus for chemically and biologically removing water from a plurality of live fish transport tanks, and treating and returning said water to said tanks, said apparatus comprising:
- (1) an ammonia remover;
- (2) a temperature controller;
- (3) a water reservoir;
- (4) a carbon dioxide remover;
- (5) a water dispenser;
- (6) a suction system;
- and (7) a circulation pump for circulating water through components (1)-(6);
- wherein said components are fluidically interconnected.
A method for preparing a chemically and biologically balanced aquaculture solution for use in transporting live fish over extended period of time comprising:
- (a) removing particulate matter from source water;
- (b) filtering said source water through an ammonia remover;
- (c) adjusting the temperature of said filtered water to a temperature suitable to induce thermal stasis in fish;
- (d) removing carbon dioxide from said cooled, filtered water;
- and
- (e) adding chemical and biological balancing components to said water.
A method for transporting and storing live fish over extended periods of time comprising:
- (a) harvesting a quantity of fish and source water into a plurality of live fish transport totes;
- (b) coordinating said totes with an automated water treatment and delivery apparatus, said automated water treatment and delivery apparatus comprising a suction system, a circulation pump, at least one filtration component, at least one treatment component, and a water dispenser;
- (c) removing source water from said totes by said suction system;
- (d) circulating said source water through said filtration component to establish filtered source water;
- (e) circulating said filtered source water through said treatment component to establish a chemically and biologically balanced aquaculture solution;
- (f) returning said chemically and biologically balanced aquaculture solution via said water dispenser to said plurality of live fish transport totes;
- and
- (g) loading said totes onto a delivery vehicle;
- wherein said fish may be transported and stored within said totes for an extended period of time with minimal stock loss.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.