Autonomous wave-powered vessels and fleets for managing fish stock
First Claim
1. A fleet configured for fish stock assessment, the fleet comprising:
- (a) a plurality of autonomous wave-powered monitor vessels, each comprising;
one or more observational sensor(s) configured for recognizing and monitoring fish in a body of water in which the vessel is situated;
a positional sensor configured to determine the geographical location of the vessel; and
a transmitter configured to transmit data wirelessly from the observational and the positional sensors to a central control unit;
(b) said central control unit, which is configured and programmed to communicate with each of the monitor vessels to direct navigation and to receive and compile data regarding fish being monitored by the monitor vessel; and
(c) one or more autonomous wave-powered substance distribution vessels, wherein each of the substance distribution vessels is configured to distribute fish food in a body of water in which the substance distribution vessel is situated under command of the central control unit, in accordance with data received from the monitor vessels.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This disclosure provides wave-powered vessels equipped for fish stock management. The vessels have observational sensors for monitoring fish, a positional sensor to determine the geographical location of the vessel, and a transmitter for sending data to a central control unit. The observational sensors may be deployed on a tow body pulled behind the vessel, or the tow body may relay information from sensors located on a separate unit on the bottom or at a defined depth. The control unit communicates with each of the monitor vessels to direct navigation and obtain data from the sensors. Substance distribution vessels in the fleet are equipped to distribute fish food in target area for the purpose of fish farming.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A fleet configured for fish stock assessment, the fleet comprising:
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(a) a plurality of autonomous wave-powered monitor vessels, each comprising; one or more observational sensor(s) configured for recognizing and monitoring fish in a body of water in which the vessel is situated; a positional sensor configured to determine the geographical location of the vessel; and a transmitter configured to transmit data wirelessly from the observational and the positional sensors to a central control unit; (b) said central control unit, which is configured and programmed to communicate with each of the monitor vessels to direct navigation and to receive and compile data regarding fish being monitored by the monitor vessel; and (c) one or more autonomous wave-powered substance distribution vessels, wherein each of the substance distribution vessels is configured to distribute fish food in a body of water in which the substance distribution vessel is situated under command of the central control unit, in accordance with data received from the monitor vessels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A fleet configured for fish stock assessment, the fleet comprising:
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(a) a plurality of autonomous wave-powered monitor vessels, each comprising; one or more observational sensor(s) configured for recognizing and monitoring fish in a body of water in which the vessel is situated; a positional sensor configured to determine the geographical location of the vessel; and a transmitter configured to transmit data wirelessly from the observational and the positional sensors to a central control unit; and (b) said central control unit, which is configured and programmed to communicate with each of the monitor vessels to direct navigation and to receive and compile data regarding fish being monitored by the monitor vessel; wherein the monitor vessels comprise at least one sensor that detects an identifying ingredient of fish food in the form of pellets or powders containing food palatable and nutritious to fish.
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17. An autonomous wave powered vessel configured for fish stock assessment, the vessel comprising:
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a float that is buoyed to travel on or near the surface of a body of water; a swimmer that is weighted to travel in the water below the float, the swimmer comprising fin surfaces that mechanically provide forward thrust when actuated by rising and falling of the swimmer in the water; and one or more tethers connecting the float to the swimmer, arranged so that the swimmer pulls the float by way of the tether(s) when the vessel is in wave-bearing water; a positional sensor configured to determine the geographical location of the vessel; a tow body configured to be attached to and pulled behind the swimmer, upon which is deployed an observational sensor configured to recognize and monitor or assess fish in a body of water in which the vessel is situated and to monitor or assess the fish, or a modem configured to receive data from such a sensor that is deployed on a stationary unit at or near the bottom of the body of water or suspended at a defined depth; and a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit to a central control unit data from the observational sensor regarding fish being monitored by the vessel, and data from the positional sensor regarding the geographical location of the vessel; wherein the tow body is configured to contain and release fish food.
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18. A fleet configured for fish stock assessment, the fleet comprising:
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(a) a plurality of autonomous wave-powered monitor vessels, each comprising; one or more observational sensor(s) configured for recognizing and monitoring fish in a body of water in which the vessel is situated; a positional sensor configured to determine the geographical location of the vessel; and a transmitter configured to transmit data wirelessly from the observational and the positional sensors to a central control unit; and (b) said central control unit, which is configured and programmed to communicate with each of the monitor vessels to direct navigation and to receive and compile data regarding fish being monitored by the monitor vessel; wherein the central control unit is programmed to compile data from the monitor vessels, and to determine therefrom how much fish food is to be dispensed and where vessels distributing fish food should travel. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification