Fish ejector system

Claim 2

A fish ejector system, comprising: a defined zone of water normally in communication with a first moving stream of water; said zone being relatively quiet with respect to the water in the first moving stream for causing fish in said first stream to move according to their natural instincts to said defined zone; means preventing quiet zones in the first moving stream of water, said means including a channel defining said first stream, said channel tapering from its inlet end with said defined zone being adjacent the narrow end of said channel thereby providing an increased flow rate of said first stream between said channel inlet and said defined zone; means for enclosing said defined zone with respect to said first stream and thereby trapping the fish from said first stream of water therein; and means to discharge from said enclosed defined zone fish trapped therein.

Claim 3

The fish ejector system of claim 1, wherein said means for enclosing said defined zone comprises a gate.

Claim 4

THe fish ejector system of claim 1, wherein said discharge means includes a weir and means to fill said enclosed defined zone to raise the water level above said weir.

Claim 5

The fish ejector system of claim 3 wherein means are provided to force fish trapped in said defined zone up to said weir.

Claim 6

The fish ejector system of claim 3, wherein said filling means comprises a pump.

Claim 7

The fish ejector system of claim 1, wherein said discharge means includes a gate, said gate adapted to provide communication between said otherwise enclosed defined zone and a second stream of water.

Claim 8

The fish ejector system of claim 6, wherein means are provided to force fish trapped in said enclosed defined zone through said gate and into said second stream.

Claim 9

A fish ejector system, for removing fish from a flow stream, comprising: conduit means defining said flow stream and in communication with said flow stream source, said conduit means preventing quiet zones in said flow stream; a compartment normally open to said conduit means for communication thereto of water from said flow stream; a defined zone of water in said compartment which is relatively quiet with respect to the water in said flow stream to attract fish by their natural instincts from said flow stream into the water in said compartment; said conduit means including a channel tapering from its inlet end with said defined zone being adjacent the narrow end of said channel thereby providing an increased flow rate of said flow stream between said channel inlet and said defined zone; means to close said compartment with respect to said conduit means and thereby trap in the water confined therein the fish attracted thereto; means for selectively providing a path between the confined water in said compartment and a discharge stream; and means to force the trapped fish into said discharge stream from the confined water in said compartment and prevent a return thereto.

Claim 10

A fish ejector system, for removing fish from a flow stream, comprising: conduit means defining said flow stream and in communication with said flow stream source, said conduit means preventing quiet zones in said flow stream; a compartment normally open to said conduit means for communication thereto of water from said flow stream; a defined zone of water in said compartment which is relatively quiet with respect to the water in said flow stream to attract fish by their natural instincts from said flow stream into the water in said compartment; said conduit means including a channel tapering from its inlet end with said defined zone being adjacent the narrow end of said channel thereby providing an increased flow rate of said flow stream between said channel inlet and said defined zone; means to close said compartment with respect to said conduit means and thereby trap in the water confined therein the fish attracted thereto; means for selectively providing a path between the confined water in said compartment and a discharge stream; and means to force the trapped fish into said discharge stream from the confined water in said compartment and prevent a return thereto.

Claim 11

The fish ejector system of claim 8, wherein said discharge stream is adapted to return fish therein to said flow stream source.

Claim 12

A fish ejector system for removing fish from the water intake and thereafter returning the fish to the water intake source, comprising: means preventing quiet zones in the water intake flow stream; a compartment adjacent and normally open to the water intake flow stream and defining therein a zone of water; means to cause fish to move because of their natural instincts, from the water intake flow stream into said defined zone of water, including a zone of water in said compartment which is relatively quiet with respect to the water in said flow stream; said means preventing quiet zones including a channel tapering from its inlet end, with said defined zone being adjacent the narrow end of said channel thereby providing an increased flow rate of said first stream between said channel inlet and said defined zone; means for closing said compartment with respect to the water intake flow stream and thereby trap the fish caused to move to said defined zone; and means for removing the trapped fish from said defined zone to a discharge flow stream having a greater head as compared with the intake flow stream.

Claim 13

A fish ejector system for removing fish from the water intake and thereafter returning the fish to the water intake source, comprising: means preventing quiet zones in the water intake flow stream; a compartment adjacent and normally open to the water intake flow stream and defining therein a zone of water; means to cause fish to move because of their natural instincts, from the water intake flow stream into said defined zone of water, including a zone of water in said compartment which is relatively quiet with respect to the water in said flow stream; said means preventing quiet zones including a channel tapering from its inlet end, with said defined zone being adjacent the narrow end of said channel thereby providing an increased flow rate of said first stream between said channel inlet and said defined zone; means for closing said compartment with respect to the water intake flow stream and thereby trap the fish caused to move to said defined zone; and means for removing the trapped fish from said defined zone to a discharge flow stream having a greater head as compared with the intake flow stream.

Claim 14

The system of claim 10, wherein said compartment includes a weir and said means for removing the trapped fish includes means for raising the water level within said compartment above said weir and above the water level of the intake flow stream.

Claim 15

The system of claim 11, wherein said means for raising the water level comprises pump means for pumping water into said compartment.

Claim 16

The system of claim 11, wherein a screen is provided to force the trapped fish up to said weir.

Claim 17

The system of claim 10, wherein a well in communication with the discharge flow stream is provided adjacent said compartment with means for providing communication therebetween when said compartment is closed with respect to the intake flow stream.

Claim 18

The system of claim 14, wherein means are provided to force the trapped fish first into said well and then into the dishcarge flow stream.

Claim 19

The system of claim 10, wherein said compartment is contained within a closed conduit carrying the discharge flow stream.