IMPROVED UNDERWATER HARVESTING SYSTEM

Abstract

The present invention relates to a harvesting system (11, 12, 13, 14, 24, 28) for harvesting zooplankton or mesopelagic fishes, said system comprising: an underwater device (1, 4, 7, 16, 23, 29) for being lowered and towed into the sea, said underwater device comprising a housing provided with one or more inlets (30) adapted to receive a zooplankton or mesopelagic fishes-containing fluid, wherein said housing comprises one or more manifolds (2); said underwater device further comprising one or more sources of light (26, 27) facilitating schooling of zooplankton towards an illuminated area; a fluidic connection (21) fluidically connecting said underwater device to a surface vessel; wherein said one or more inlets are inlets to said one or more manifolds and said one or more manifolds converge into said fluidic connection, wherein said one or more sources of light are located within said one or more inlets.

Claims

1. A harvesting system for harvesting zooplankton or mesopelagic fish, comprising: an underwater device configured to be lowered and towed into in the sea, said underwater device comprising a housing comprising one or more inlets configured to receive a fluid comprising zooplankton or mesopelagic fish, wherein said housing comprises one or more manifolds; said underwater device further comprising one or more sources of light configured to school the zooplankton towards an illuminated area generated by said one or more sources of light; a fluidic connection fluidically connecting said underwater device to a surface vessel; wherein said one or more inlets are inlets to said one or more manifolds and said one or more manifolds converge into said fluidic connection, and wherein said one or more sources of light are located within said one or more inlets; one or more pumps configured to move said fluid comprising said zooplankton or mesopelagic fish through said one or more inlets towards said surface vessel; and a frame surrounding said underwater device, wherein said frame is configured to protect said underwater device; wherein said pump is located onto said frame surrounding said underwater device.

2-30. (canceled)

31. The harvesting system according to claim 1, wherein said frame surrounding said underwater device is a cage type frame.

32. The harvesting system according to claim 1, wherein said one or more sources of light are LED, said one or more sources of light being fastened to said one of more inlets.

33. The harvesting system according to claim 1, wherein said one or more sources of light are within a predetermined distance from an opening of said one or more inlets.

34. The harvesting system according to claim 1, wherein said one or more inlets comprise a filter configured to separate said zooplankton or mesopelagic fish entering said one or more inlets by size.

35. The harvesting system according to claim 1, wherein said one or more sources of light emit at a predefined wavelength between 400-550 nm.

36. The harvesting system according to claim 1, further comprising an acoustic device configured to identify said zooplankton or mesopelagic fish.

37. The harvesting system according to claim 1, further comprising one or more cameras positioned to capture images of said zooplankton or mesopelagic fish.

38. The harvesting system according to claim 1, further comprising one or more buoyancy adjustment elements for controlling the buoyancy of said underwater device.

39. The harvesting system according to claim 38, wherein said one or more buoyancy adjustment elements are removable elements.

40. The harvesting system according to claim 38, wherein said buoyancy adjustment elements are floats.

41. The harvesting system according to claim 38, wherein said one or more buoyancy adjustment elements are located onto an external surface of said underwater device.

42. The harvesting system according to claim 38, wherein said one or more buoyancy adjustment elements are connected to said underwater device and located at a predefined distance from said underwater device.

43. The harvesting system according to claim 38, wherein said one or more buoyancy adjustment elements are attached to said frame.

44. The harvesting system according to claim 1, wherein said one or more pumps are configured to move said fluid comprising said zooplankton or mesopelagic fish by mechanical action.

45. The harvesting system according to claim 44, wherein said one or of more pumps are subsea pumps.

46. The harvesting system according to claim 44, wherein said one or of more pumps are centrifugal pumps.

47. The harvesting system according to claim 1, wherein said one or more pumps are fastened to said fluidic connection.

48. The harvesting system according to claim 1, wherein said one or more pumps comprise sound damping elements.

49. The harvesting system according to claim 1, further comprising one or more sources of light located underneath said openings of said one or more inlets configured to illuminate the area underneath the underwater device while in operation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0092] The harvesting system and method of harvesting according to the invention will now be described in more detail with regard to the accompanying figures. The figures show one way of implementing the present invention and is not to be construed as being limiting to other possible embodiments falling within the scope of the attached claim set.

[0093] FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E are schematic representations of the harvesting system according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0094] FIGS. 2A, 2B are a side and a front view of an underwater device according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0095] FIG. 2C is a perspective view of an underwater device according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0096] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an underwater device according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0097] FIGS. 4, 5A and 5B show a manifold of an underwater device according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0098] FIGS. 6A and 6B show inlets of an underwater device according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0099] FIGS. 7, 8A and 8B show inlets comprising a source of light of an underwater device according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0100] FIGS. 9A and 9B are a schematic side view and perspective view of a subsea pump according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0101] FIG. 10 shows pumping means for pumping zooplankton or mesopelagic fishes according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0102] FIG. 11A shows a schematic representation of the harvesting system in which the pumping means are located onto a structure protecting and surrounding the underwater device.

[0103] FIG. 11B shows a schematic representation of the harvesting system in which the pumping means are located onto a structure protecting and surrounding the underwater device from a point of view located above the harvesting system.

[0104] FIG. 11C shows a schematic representation of the harvesting system in which the pumping means are located onto a structure protecting and surrounding the underwater device from a point of view located below the harvesting system.

[0105] FIG. 12A is a cross section of an underwater device according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0106] FIG. 12B is a bottom view of an underwater device according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0107] FIG. 13 is a flow-chart of a method according to some aspects of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

[0108] FIG. 1A shows the harvesting system 11 in which the underwater device 1 is connected to a subsea pump 2 and to the means 3 to deploy the underwater device and subsea pump.

[0109] FIG. 1B shows the harvesting system 12 is an alternative configuration in which the underwater device 4 is connected to means 5 to deploy the underwater device while the pumping means 6 are located on shore or on a surface vessel.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 1C, the harvesting system 13 may also have a configuration in which the underwater device 7 is connected to a subsea pump 8 and to the means 9 to deploy the underwater device and the subsea pump, which is further connected to the pumping means 10 located on shore or on a surface vessel so as to optimize zooplankton or mesopelagic fishes harvesting procedures.

[0111] FIG. 1D shows the harvesting system 14 in which the pumping means, i.e. the the subsea pump 15 is located onto the underwater device 16. The means 17 for deploying the underwater device are shown connected to the underwater device 16. For example, the pumping means may be located onto a protecting frame surrounding the underwater device.

[0112] In some embodiments, the means 17 for deploying the underwater device may also be connected to the underwater device via the subsea pump 15. FIG. 1E shows a schematic representation of the harvesting system comprising the underwater device connected with a flexible hose to a surface vessel. The flexible hose is deployed through the use of a winch located on the surface vessel. A float is connected to the hose, ensuring correct positioning of the underwater device during use.

[0113] A subsea pump is used for pumping zooplankton or mesopelagic fishes to the surface vessel. The subsea pump is fastened to the hose by a cable grip. Electrical power is provided to the underwater device via an umbilical, deployed via an umbilical winch. The subsea pump is powered by the umbilical via a cable originating from the underwater device. In some other embodiments, the subsea pump may be powered directly via the umbilical cable.

[0114] FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C show an underwater device showing the outlet to the hose and buoyancy elements located onto an external surface of the underwater device.

[0115] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an underwater device showing manifolds (2), manifolds with LED, floats (27), a junction box (28), an external camera (25), an external schooling LED (26), a rear wing (15) and several plates constituting the external surface of the underwater device.

[0116] FIG. 4 shows a trident-shaped manifold of an underwater device according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0117] FIGS. 5A and 5B show the location of the inlets to trident-shaped manifold of an underwater device according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0118] FIGS. 6A and 6B show a cone shaped inlet funnel and a bell shape inlet funnel respectively.

[0119] FIGS. 7, 8A and 8B show an inlet comprising a source of light of an underwater device wherein the source of light is located on a side aperture within the wide opening surface or area of the inlet funnel.

[0120] FIGS. 9A and 9B are a schematic side view and perspective view of a subsea pump according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0121] FIG. 10 shows a surface pump that can be used as pumping means for pumping zooplankton or mesopelagic fishes according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0122] FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C show a schematic representation of the harvesting system in which the pumping means are located onto a structure protecting and surrounding the underwater device.

[0123] FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C show a schematic representation of the harvesting system 24 in which the pumping means, i.e. a subsea pump 19, are located onto a structure 18 protecting and surrounding the underwater device 23.

[0124] In some embodiments, the structure 18 is a cage type frame or cage structure having functional features allowing better buoyancy and protection of the underwater device 23. For example, the harvesting system 24 may have extra buoyancy adjustment elements attached to the cage structure 18 or to the underwater harvesting system 24 to render the underwater device 23, the cage 18 and the pumping means 19 neutrally buoyant.

[0125] In general, the presence of a cage structure 18, on which the pumping means are located, allows for better protection and handling of the harvesting system 24 and has the advantage of providing the buoyancy adjustment needed to operate the underwater device 23 in a preferred horizontal position. Position sensors may be located onto the cage structure 18 so as to monitor the position of the underwater device 23.

[0126] The harvesting system 24, may comprise, as shown in FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C, elements absorbing the impact in a minor collision, such as shock absorbers, bumpers or cushions 22.

[0127] The shock absorbers 22 may be located onto circular structures being part of the cage structure 18, surrounding the underwater device 23.

[0128] In some embodiments, the shock absorbers 22 may be buoyancy adjustment elements, such as floats.

[0129] In some embodiments, sound and vibration damping elements, such as rubber elements, may be located around the pumping means 19, thereby damping the sounds and the vibrations produced by the pumping process that may distract the zooplankton or the mesopelagic fishes.

[0130] The harvesting system 24 comprising the cage structure 18 of FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C shows also the presence of the umbilical cable or umbilical 20 for suppling electric power and fibre optics to the underwater device.

[0131] The umbilical may be conveniently coiled around the circular structures of the case 18.

[0132] In FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C, the presence of the fluidic connection or flexible hose 21 is shown.

[0133] Conveniently, flexible hose 21 and umbilical 20 may be located at opposite sides of the cage structure 18 so as to avoid potential entanglement and eventually contributing to achieve neutral buoyancy.

[0134] The cage structure 18 including the underwater device 23 may be deployed through the use of a further connection or rope operated by a separate winch. In that, the cage structure 18 may have appropriate fastening means for fixing a further connection or rope for deployment.

[0135] The underwater device 23, as shown in FIG. 11C may be further equipped with further sources of light located underneath the inlet openings, such as source of light 27 illuminating the area underneath the underwater device 23.

[0136] Cameras 25 and 26 may be located also in the area underneath the underwater device 23 so as to allow for inspection of the harvesting process.

[0137] The opening inlets, as shown in FIG. 11C, may have no filtering means, i.e. no grids to avoid potential clogging at the inlets.

[0138] FIGS. 12A and 12B are a cross section and a bottom view respectively of an underwater device according to some other embodiments of the invention.

[0139] FIGS. 12A and 12B show an harvesting system 28 in which the underwater device 29 is characterized by the presence of a single wide opening inlet 30 covering a large area of the bottom surface of the underwater device 29.

[0140] The opening inlet 30 may have a conical shape, thus reducing the opening size towards the manifold. The opening 30 may comprise a single or a series of sources of light located around the opening and/or within the opening.

[0141] The opening inlet 30 having conical shape may be coated with or produced using materials that are highly light reflective in the visible range or within the wavelength range of interest for attracting the correspondent zooplankton or mesopelagic fishes.

[0142] In that, the opening inlet 30 may comprise one or more sources of light, such as circular sources of light, such as blue lights, illuminating the area surrounding the inlet and/or the area within the inlet thereby directing the zooplankton or mesopelagic fishes within the inlet towards the manifold.

[0143] FIG. 13 is a flow-chart of a method according to some aspect of the invention.

[0144] The method of harvesting zooplankton or mesopelagic fishes comprises the steps of: [0145] (S1) lowering the underwater device into the sea; [0146] (S2) schooling zooplankton mesopelagic fishes towards an illuminated area; [0147] (S3) pumping the zooplankton or mesopelagic fishes-containing fluid to the surface vessel or on shore.

[0148] Once lowered, the underwater device may be moved towards and to the identified area of interest. The underwater device may be moved by further lowering the device into a deeper harvesting area of interest or by towing the device in a different area of interest.

[0149] The specific light emission used for schooling can be tuned so as to school a different species or to improve schooling.

[0150] The identification of the species to be harvested may occur by acoustic or visual inspection of the area surrounding the underwater device.

[0151] Acoustic inspection may be achieved via sonar or echo sounder devices. Identification and inspection of the zooplankton or mesopelagic fishes can be also achieved by pumping small sample to the surface vessel or on shore.

[0152] Potential control of bycatch can also be achieved by the use of visual inspection, pumping small samples or by using filtering means for selecting size of zooplankton or mesopelagic fishes entering the one or more inlets, such as mesh or net a woven wire having regular intervals.

[0153] Once on the surface vessel or on shore the zooplankton or mesopelagic fishes-containing fluid is processed.

[0154] Although the present invention has been described in connection with the specified embodiments, it should not be construed as being in any way limited to the presented examples. The scope of the present invention is set out by the accompanying claim set. In the context of the claims, the terms comprising or comprises do not exclude other possible elements or steps. Also, the mentioning of references such as a or an etc. should not be construed as excluding a plurality. The use of reference signs in the claims with respect to elements indicated in the figures shall also not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Furthermore, individual features mentioned in different claims, may possibly be advantageously combined, and the mentioning of these features in different claims does not exclude that a combination of features is not possible and advantageous.