Got-u-tube

Abstract

The invasion of Asian carp has already affected all inland waters connected to the Mississippi River, devastating the aquatic ecosystem, negatively impacting the fishing and recreation industries and costing our country hundred of millions of dollars. The purpose of the GOT-U-TUBE is to remove large volumes of Asian carp and prevent the necessity of physically handling each fish, while leaving no negative ecological impact. It works differently from current methods of removal not only in its mechanism of action but also in its scale. The device uses a high-pressure water force to create a vacuum within a large tube, utilizing the species' natural fear and group behavior by providing a man-made escape channel, while moving over 5000 gallons of water per minute from the action of the pump alone.

Claims

1. The GOT-U-TUBE will remove Asian carp smaller than one pound and up to at least 100 pounds through this escape channel without having to handle the fish by hand.

2. All the water removed by this method will be returned in less than 100 yards, leaving no negative environmental impact on the lake or stream.

3. Even though this device was designed with the idea of removing live Asian carp, because of its surface capability it can also be used to remove dead fish killed by chemicals or lack of oxygen from the surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 gives a full-length overview of the entire GOT-U-TUBE. FIG. 2 provides a cross-section of the entire device along with precise measurements. FIG. 3 shows a front and side view of the foot. FIG. 4 gives a front and side view of the schedule 80 support near the elbow. FIG. 5 provides a close-up of the center schedule 80 support and middle lifting ring. FIG. 6 shows the lifting ring near the discharge end of the device. Finally, FIG. 7 specifically illustrates a front and side view of the lifting lugs on the foot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The GOT-U-TUBE design is a pipe nested inside a tube. The tube becomes the escape channel with two opposing bends. The bottom bend allows the unit to set on a foot if needed on the bottom of stream or lake bed. The upper bend enables the water and Asian carp to be ejected perpendicular to the water surface. The pipe allows the high pressure water to come in with as little obstruction as possible and then is centered to ensure equal pressure and volume over the diameter of the tube. A vacuum effect is created by a large high-pressure pump moving water through the pipe. The centering of this pipe allows for equal pressure and volume through the tube.

[0010] The GOT-U-TUBE is large to accommodate large numbers of fish, so it is quite heavy. Because of its sheer weight and to accommodate the diesel pump, it has to be used in conjunction with a work barge, along with a 30-ton hydraulic crane.

[0011] In this design, the tube is 48 inches in diameter by ¼ inch steel. Both tube ends are open and unobstructed. The length was designed to be used anywhere from just under the surface up to a depth of 25 feet. By using this length and the five different lugs on each of the three lifting rings, it is not necessary to build five different models, but it could be done if desired. All three hook locations are in the top right quadrant, top center, and 20 degrees apart. This allows the GOT-U-TUBE to be closer to the surface as needed. Whatever lug location is chosen for one lifting ring hook needs to correspond with the same lug location on the remaining two lifting ring hooks.

[0012] The 12-inch diameter schedule 80 high pressure pipe is supplied by a 300 horsepower diesel pump available to rent or purchase. It is attached to a quick-disconnect threaded coupling welded to the intake side of the pipe above the elbow by a flexible 12-inch line also available to rent.

[0013] Near the bottom of the intake, there is a foot which serves two different purposes. First, it serves as a collar to prevent the nets from being sucked into the intake. (The nets referred to here are only used to prevent the herded Asian carp from escaping the bay; they are not part of the device.) Its second function is to raise the intake off the bottom, otherwise it would suck sand, gravel and mud until it reached bedrock.

[0014] The water pressure has to be maintained at 100 PSI or above through the pipe. The ratio of tube size to pipe size maintains the vacuum that allows the fish to escape. There are no moving parts inside the tube, only a vertical buoy marking the end of the high pressure and high volume pipe so the operator can maintain its location well below the water surface. It is very important to understand that the pump does not pump fish; it only pumps water. When first lowered into the water, the GOT-U-TUBE has the same water level inside as the water level outside, and this does not change until the pump is started and allowed to reach the desired 100 PSI. The high pressure water and volume, along with its location in the tube creates the vacuum almost instantly. The inside of the tube is basically smooth and length and size can be altered as long as the 4:1 ratio of diameter of tube to diameter of pipe is maintained with a minimum of 100 PSI. The tube can be made of different materials as long as they are smooth and can handle the high pressure, weight and motion.

[0015] By the time they get to the discharge end, the fish are airborne. The fish and water do have to be separated, but all water is returned within 100 yards.