CRAWFISH AQUACULTURE TRAP AND FLUSH SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

A crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system and method of crawfish farming on flooded fields, providing multiple baited crawfish traps connected via a pipe system through which crawfish are flushed to a collection hopper. Crawfish traps having sealable entryways and a sealable baiting riser allow entry of crawfish into the traps, attracted by bait, during an unpressurized phase, and subsequent application of water pressure at a pump end of the system, which seals the entryways and baiting riser and flushes trapped crawfish through the piping and other traps toward a collection hopper at a collection end of the system. This crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system and method does not require manual harvesting, does not require a boat and boat operator, and does not cause boat-related damage to the fields.

Claims

1. A crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system of crawfish farming on a flooded field, the crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system comprising: (i) a plurality of trap boxes arrayed upon the flooded field, each adapted to accept a flow of water from an in-port end to an out-port end, the trap box comprising: (a) a trap bottom; (b) a trap top; (c) a trap-starboard slanting side having at least one opening for entry of crawfish; (d) a trap-port slanting side having at least one opening for entry of crawfish; (e) an in-port side having an opening adapted for an inflow of water; (f) an out-port side having an opening adapted for an outflow of water; (g) a plurality of flap seals arrayed upon inner surfaces of said trap-starboard slanting side and said trap-port slanting side at each opening for entry of crawfish, each said flap seal having a flap hinge, each said flap seal being adapted to fall into an open position in the absence of a pressure differential within and without said trap box, and move into a closed position in the presence of higher pressure within said trap box; (h) a baiting riser affixed through an opening in said trap top; (i) a riser flap seal having a flap hinge, adapted to fall into an open position in the absence of a pressure differential within and without said trap box, and move into a closed position in the presence of higher pressure within said trap box; (ii) a water pump adapted to supply a flow of water under pressure; (iii) a collection hopper adapted to collect crawfish from a flow of water; (iv) a plurality of pipe segments arrayed so as to distribute water from said water pump to the in-port side of each said trap box, through the out-port side of each said trap box to said collection hopper; where, in use, with no pressure supplied by said water pump, each said trap box is supplied with bait through said baiting riser, crawfish enter said trap box through the openings in said trap-starboard slanting side and said trap-port slanting side, water pressure is supplied by said water pump, said flap seals and riser flap seal move into a closed position, the flow of water under pressure flushes the crawfish out of said trap box and through said pipe segments toward said collection hopper, which collects the crawfish.

2. The crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system of claim 1, where said pipe segments are arrayed in series, so as to connect said water pump to the in-port side of a first said trap box, and connect the out-port side of said first trap box to the in-port side of a second said trap box, repeating until connecting the out-port side of a last said trap box to said collection hopper.

3. The crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system of claim 1, where said pipe segments are arrayed in parallel as manifolds.

4. The crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system of claim 1, where said water pump is further adapted to draw water from the flooded field.

5. The crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system of claim 1, where said water pump is further adapted to draw water from a supply outside the flooded field.

6. The crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system of claim 1, further comprising: (i) a plurality of trap sensors, each adapted to sense the presence of crawfish in a given said trap box, and transmit a corresponding signal; and (ii) a pump controller adapted to collect signals from said trap sensors and to activate or deactivate said water pump as appropriate.

7. The crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system of claim 1, further comprising: (i) a plurality of bait feeders, each adapted to receive transmitted signals, and to hold bait and to release bait into said baiting riser upon receipt of a corresponding signal; and (ii) a feeder controller adapted to transmit signals to said bait feeders as appropriate.

8. The crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system of claim 1, further comprising: (i) a plurality of bait feeders, each adapted to receive and transmit, to hold bait and to release bait into said baiting riser upon receipt of a corresponding signal, and to transmit signals corresponding to the supply of bait remaining within each said bait feeder; and (ii) a feeder controller adapted to transmit and receive signals to and from said bait feeders.

9. The crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system of claim 1, further comprising: (i) a plurality of bait feeders, each adapted to receive and transmit, to hold bait and to release bait into said baiting riser upon receipt of a corresponding signal, and to transmit signals corresponding to the supply of bait remaining within each said bait feeder; and (ii) a feeder controller adapted to transmit and receive signals to and from said bait feeders, and to generate reports indicating the bait supply of each said bait feeder.

10. The crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system of claim 1, further comprising: (i) a plurality of trap sensors, each adapted to sense the presence of crawfish in a given said trap box, and transmit a corresponding signal; (ii) a plurality of bait feeders, each adapted to receive and transmit, to hold bait and to release bait into said baiting riser upon receipt of a corresponding signal, and to transmit signals corresponding to the supply of bait remaining within each said bait feeder; (iii) a pump controller adapted to collect signals from said trap sensors and to activate or deactivate said water pump; and (iv) a feeder controller adapted to transmit and receive signals to and from said bait feeders, to receive signals from said trap sensors, and to transmit and receive signals to and from said pump controller; where said pump controller and said feeder controller provide information each to the other, and avoid activation of said water pump too soon after a release of bait, and avoid release of bait too soon before an anticipated activation of said water pump.

11. A crawfish aquaculture trap and flush method of crawfish farming on a flooded field, the crawfish aquaculture trap and flush method: (i) providing a plurality of trap boxes arrayed upon the flooded field, each adapted to accept a flow of water from an in-port end to an out-port end, the trap box comprising: (a) a trap bottom; (b) a trap top; (c) a trap-starboard slanting side having at least one opening for entry of crawfish; (d) a trap-port slanting side having at least one opening for entry of crawfish; (e) an in-port side having an opening adapted for an inflow of water; (f) an out-port side having an opening adapted for an outflow of water; (g) a plurality of flap seals arrayed upon inner surfaces of said trap-starboard slanting side and said trap-port slanting side at each opening for entry of crawfish, each said flap seal having a flap hinge, each said flap seal being adapted to fall into an open position in the absence of a pressure differential within and without said trap box, and move into a closed position in the presence of higher pressure within said trap box; (h) a baiting riser affixed through an opening in said trap top; (i) a riser flap seal having a flap hinge, adapted to fall into an open position in the absence of a pressure differential within and without said trap box, and move into a closed position in the presence of higher pressure within said trap box; (ii) providing a water pump adapted to supply a flow of water under pressure; (iii) providing a collection hopper adapted to collect crawfish from a flow of water; (iv) providing a plurality of pipe segments arrayed so as to distribute water from said water pump to the in-port side of each said trap box, through the out-port side of each said trap box to said collection hopper; where, in use, with no pressure supplied by said water pump, each said trap box is supplied with bait through said baiting riser, crawfish enter said trap box through the openings in said trap-starboard slanting side and said trap-port slanting side, water pressure is supplied by said water pump, said flap seals and riser flap seal move into a closed position, the flow of water under pressure flushes the crawfish out of said trap box and through said pipe segments toward said collection hopper, which collects the crawfish.

12. A marine-animal aquaculture trap and flush system for underwater farming, comprising: (i) a plurality of trap boxes arrayed under water, each adapted to accept a flow of water from an in-port end to an out-port end, the trap box comprising: (a) a trap bottom; (b) a trap top; (c) a trap-starboard slanting side having at least one opening for entry of marine animals; (d) a trap-port slanting side having at least one opening for entry of marine animals; (e) an in-port side having an opening adapted for an inflow of water; (f) an out-port side having an opening adapted for an outflow of water; (g) a plurality of flap seals arrayed upon inner surfaces of said trap-starboard slanting side and said trap-port slanting side at each opening for entry of marine animals, each said flap seal having a flap hinge, each said flap seal being adapted to fall into an open position in the absence of a pressure differential within and without said trap box, and move into a closed position in the presence of higher pressure within said trap box; (h) a baiting riser affixed through an opening in said trap top; (i) a riser flap seal having a flap hinge, adapted to fall into an open position in the absence of a pressure differential within and without said trap box, and move into a closed position in the presence of higher pressure within said trap box; (j) a water pump adapted to supply a flow of water under pressure; (k) a collection hopper adapted to collect marine animals from a flow of water; (l) a plurality of pipe segments arrayed so as to distribute water from said water pump to the in-port side of each said trap box, through the out-port side of each said trap box to said collection hopper; where, in use, with no pressure supplied by said water pump, each said trap box is supplied with bait through said baiting riser, marine animals enter said trap box through the openings in said trap-starboard slanting side and said trap-port slanting side, water pressure is supplied by said water pump, said flap seals and riser flap seal move into a closed position, the flow of water under pressure flushes the marine animals out of said trap box and through said pipe segments toward said collection hopper, which collects the marine animals.

13. The marine-animal aquaculture trap and flush system of claim 12, where said pipe segments are arrayed in parallel as manifolds.

14. The marine-animal aquaculture trap and flush system of claim 12, where said water pump is further adapted to draw water from the immediate environment.

15. The marine-animal aquaculture trap and flush system of claim 12, where said water pump is further adapted to draw water from a supply outside the immediate environment.

16. The marine-animal aquaculture trap and flush system of claim 12, further comprising: (i) a plurality of trap sensors, each adapted to sense the presence of marine animals in a given said trap box, and transmit a corresponding signal; and (ii) a pump controller adapted to collect signals from said trap sensors and to activate or deactivate said water pump as appropriate.

17. The marine-animal aquaculture trap and flush system of claim 12, further comprising: (i) a plurality of bait feeders, each adapted to receive transmitted signals, and to hold bait and to release bait into said baiting riser upon receipt of a corresponding signal; and (ii) a feeder controller adapted to transmit signals to said bait feeders as appropriate.

18. The marine-animal aquaculture trap and flush system of claim 12, further comprising: (i) a plurality of bait feeders, each adapted to receive and transmit, to hold bait and to release bait into said baiting riser upon receipt of a corresponding signal, and to transmit signals corresponding to the supply of bait remaining within each said bait feeder; and (ii) a feeder controller adapted to transmit and receive signals to and from said bait feeders.

19. The marine-animal aquaculture trap and flush system of claim 12, further comprising: (i) a plurality of bait feeders, each adapted to receive and transmit, to hold bait and to release bait into said baiting riser upon receipt of a corresponding signal, and to transmit signals corresponding to the supply of bait remaining within each said bait feeder; and (ii) a feeder controller adapted to transmit and receive signals to and from said bait feeders, and to generate reports indicating the bait supply of each said bait feeder.

20. The marine-animal aquaculture trap and flush system of claim 12, further comprising: (i) a plurality of trap sensors, each adapted to sense the presence of crawfish in a given said trap box, and transmit a corresponding signal; (ii) a plurality of bait feeders, each adapted to receive and transmit, to hold bait and to release bait into said baiting riser upon receipt of a corresponding signal, and to transmit signals corresponding to the supply of bait remaining within each said bait feeder; (iii) a pump controller adapted to collect signals from said trap sensors and to activate or deactivate said water pump; (iv) a feeder controller adapted to transmit and receive signals to and from said bait feeders, to receive signals from said trap sensors, and to transmit and receive signals to and from said pump controller; where said pump controller and said feeder controller provide information each to the other, and avoid activation of said water pump too soon after a release of bait, and avoid release of bait too soon before an anticipated activation of said water pump.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system and method of the present invention in use;

[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system and method of the present invention under conditions of no pressurized flow of water;

[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system and method of the present invention under conditions of a pressurized flow of water;

[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective section view of the crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system and method of the present invention under conditions of no pressurized flow of water;

[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective section view of the crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system and method of the present invention under conditions of a pressurized flow of water;

[0023] FIG. 6 is a section view of he crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system and method of the present invention under conditions of no pressurized flow of water;

[0024] FIG. 7 is a section view of the crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system and method of the present invention under conditions of a pressurized flow of water;

[0025] FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway top view of the crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system and method of the present invention under conditions of no pressurized flow of water;

[0026] FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway top view of the crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system and method of the present invention under conditions of a pressurized flow of water;

[0027] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of the crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system and method of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of the crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system and method of the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a third embodiment of the crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system and method of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Referring to FIG. 1 and all of the figures generally, the crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system 50 of the invention is shown. The crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system 50 provides several trap boxes 10 connected by pipe segments 20, with a water pump 30 supplying water under pressure to the system on one end, and a collection hopper 40 at the opposite end. A serial arrangement of trap boxes 10 and pipe segments 20 is illustrated. A parallel arrangement, using manifolds, is also possible, as is a mixed serial and parallel arrangement.

[0031] The trap boxes 10 are mostly submerged under the approximately one foot of water covering the field, with only the top portion of a baiting riser being above the water line. The water pump 30 as illustrated is above the water line, although a submersible pump can also be used. The collection hopper 40 is mostly above the water line, with legs or other support extending underwater to the ground.

[0032] The water pump 30 can draw water directly from the flooded field, as illustrated, or can draw water from an outside supply if it is desired to add water and raise the water level on the field. The collection hopper 40 can have perforations for drainage of water, or can be unperforated, since excess water will spill over the sides and back into the flooded field. Crawfish in the several trap boxes 10 will be flushed out and through the pipe segments 20 by the flow of water under pressure from the water pump 30, ultimately to the collection hopper 40 where they will be retained, while the water returns to the flooded field.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 2, each trap box 10 has a trap bottom 1, a trap-starboard slanting side 2, a trap-port slanting side 3, an in-port side 4, and out-port side 5, and a trap top 6, through which extends a baiting riser 7. The trap-starboard side 2 and trap-port side 3 have openings of an appropriate size to allow the entry of crawfish into the trap box 10. The baiting riser 7 extends up above the waterline, and provides for the supply and re-supply of bait to the trap box 10. Portions of the baiting riser 7 can be provided with perforations in order to better allow crawfish to detect the presence of the bait.

[0034] Referring additionally to FIG. 3, water flows from a pipe segment 20 into the in-port side 4, through the trap box 10, and out of the out-port side 5 into another pipe segment 20. A hinged riser flap seal 8 is provided in or on the baiting riser 7 to allow bait to be dropped down the riser, but to prevent the pressurized flow of water from escaping through the riser. Hinged flap seals 9 are provided at each opening in the slanting sides 2, 3. The hinges are placed on the in-port side of each opening. Because of the slant of the slanting sides 2, 3, the flap seals 9 will fall away from, or be easily pushed away from, the openings, when there is no pressure differential between the interior and exterior of the trap box 10. Therefore the trap-starboard and trap-port sides 2, 3 will be open an allow the entry of crawfish into the trap box 10. When water under pressure flows through the trap box 10, the flow of water will push the flap seals 9 toward a closed position, and the pressure differential will hold the seals closed, preventing the escape or ejection of crawfish through any opening other than the opening in the out-port side 5 of the trap box 10.

[0035] FIGS. 4 through 10 illustrate these operating principles in section, cutaway, and schematic views.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 11, a second embodiment of the crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system 50 additionally provides a trap sensor 11 for each trap box 10. The trap sensor 11 senses the presence or absence of crawfish inside the trap box 10. This sensing can be done by a variety of methods known in the art, such as passive motion detection or passive infrared detection, or by active methods so long as any emitted signal does not repel the crawfish. The trap sensors 11 transmit signals to a pump controller 12 which activates the water pump 30 when a threshold number of trap sensors 11 indicate the presence of crawfish.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 12, a third embodiment of the crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system 50 additionally provides a bait feeder 13 on the baiting riser 7 of each trap box 10. The bait feeder 13 contains a store of bait, portions of which can be released into the baiting riser 7 upon activation of the bait feeder 13. The bait feeder 13 also provides the ability to transmit and receive signals, and can be instructed to release bait, and optionally can report an out-of-bait condition or a percent-empty status. A feeder controller 14 transmits instruction signals to the bait feeders 13, either to individual bait feeders 13 or as a broadcast, general instruction. Optionally, the feeder controller 14 can also receive, analyze, and report out-of-bait or percent-empty status for each trap box 10.

[0038] With appropriate modifications, this crawfish aquaculture trap and flush system 50 can be applied to marine-animal aquaculture more generally, in farmed and in wild environments.

[0039] Many other changes and modifications can be made in the system and method of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. I therefore pray that my rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.