US3771492A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water circulation system for fresh water fish husbandry
Assignee: Marine Protein Corp
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Filing: 1970-03-30
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Granted: 1973-11-13
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Expires: 1990-03-30
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates in general to a system and method for handling the large quantities of water required in the raising of fresh water fish in an artificial environment and more particularly to a technique for economically handling and treating the water so that it can be reused.
Inventors
- 👤 W Doherty
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:03
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K63/00; A01K63/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of high density, fish husbandry at an inland, surface location, spaced above an aquifer, the method comprising in sequence the steps of: bringing water to the surface through at least one well extending down into the aquifer; passing the water through at least one region in which fish are confined at high density; entraining into the water during its passage through the region, waste products associated with the fish including solid wastes and ammonia in solution; delivering the water to a settling tank dug in the surface of the earth at a rate generally equal to the combined rate at which water is lost from the settling tank by evaporation and by downward percolation of water through the underlying earth strata back to the aquifer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of high density, fish husbandry at an inland, surface location, spaced above an aquifer, the method comprising in sequence the steps of: bringing water to the surface through at least one well extending down into the aquifer; passing the water through at least one region in which fish are confined at high density; entraining into the water during its passage through the region, waste products associated with the fish including solid wastes and ammonia in solution; delivering the water to a settling tank dug in the surface of the earth at a rate generally equal to the combined rate at which water is lost from the settling tank by evaporation and by downward percolation of water through the underlying earth strata back to the aquifer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method as defined in claim 1 including a step of configuring the settling tank to be relatively shallow to maximize the surface area of water in the tank exposed to atmosphere and sunlight thereby increasing the rate at which ammonia escapes to atmosphere and is degraded in solution by the action of sunlight.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as defined in claim 1 including the additional step of lining the settling tank with oyster shells to cause the growth thereon of bacteria which break down ammoniated products in the water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method as defined in claim 1 including the steps of: positioning the region within which the fish are confined generally centrally above the aquifer; and configuring the settling tank as a moat extending about the confined region, above and within the borders of the aquifer to ensure that a major portion of the water percolating downwardly through the earth strata from the settling tank is returned to the aquifer.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
136 words
A system for high density, fish husbandry at an inland surface location spaced above an aquifer, the system comprising: well means extending into the earth communicating with the aquifer for bringing water therefrom to the surface; container means mounted on the surface of the earth for containing fish in high density, said container means being in fluid communication with said well means receiving a continuous, high volume flow of water; a settling tank dug in the surface of the earth in fluid communication with said container means to receive water leaving said container means, said settling tank causing water to percolate downwardly through the underlying earth strata back to the aquifer, whereby the solid wastes are removed from the water and the ammoniated products are broken down by naturally occurring soil bacteria in the earth strata.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
136 words
A system for high density, fish husbandry at an inland surface location spaced above an aquifer, the system comprising: well means extending into the earth communicating with the aquifer for bringing water therefrom to the surface; container means mounted on the surface of the earth for containing fish in high density, said container means being in fluid communication with said well means receiving a continuous, high volume flow of water; a settling tank dug in the surface of the earth in fluid communication with said container means to receive water leaving said container means, said settling tank causing water to percolate downwardly through the underlying earth strata back to the aquifer, whereby the solid wastes are removed from the water and the ammoniated products are broken down by naturally occurring soil bacteria in the earth strata.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system as defined in claim 5 wherein: said settling tank is relatively shallow to maximize the surface area of water exposed to atmosphere and sunlight, thereby increasing loss of ammonia by evaporation and degradation of ammoniated products by the action of sunlight.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system as defined in claim 6 further including: a layer of oyster shells lining the bed of said settling tank, said oyster shells being covered with a layer of bacteria for breaking down the ammoniated products in the water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system as defined in claim 7 wherein: said settling tank is configured as a moat encircling said container means and positioned generally centrally of, above and within the borders of the aquifer to ensure that a major portion of the water percolating downwardly from said tank returns to the aquifer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-12 | 1977-05-14 | 1977-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-12 | 1981-05-14 | 1981-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-12 | 1985-05-14 | 1985-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |