US4658757A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for improved aquaculture/mariculture
Assignee: OCEAN VENTURES Inc A CORP OF TEXAS
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Filing: 1985-11-14
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Granted: 1987-04-21
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Expires: 2005-11-14
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for controlling water temperature in a man-made pond includes means defining a closed loop raceway within the pond with at least a pump mounted to circulate the water in the raceway. At least a portion of the raceway is covered by a cover which will absorb heat and release a portion thereof into the water as it passes along the raceway below the cover. The pump is preferably arranged to draw cool water from the bottom of the raceway and eject it under the cover at the surface of the pond thereby assuring more uniform water temperature.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry L. Cook
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:02
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K63/00; A01K63/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of controlling the temperature of water in a closed pond used for aquaculture/mariculture, said method comprising the steps of: defining a closed circuit raceway in a closed pond; mounting in said raceway at least one pump adapted to circulate water about the raceway; and placing a cover over at least a portion of said raceway creating a greenhouse effect to warm the water passing thereunder by solar heating.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of controlling the temperature of water in a closed pond used for aquaculture/mariculture, said method comprising the steps of: defining a closed circuit raceway in a closed pond; mounting in said raceway at least one pump adapted to circulate water about the raceway; and placing a cover over at least a portion of said raceway creating a greenhouse effect to warm the water passing thereunder by solar heating.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said pump draws water from the bottom of the raceway and ejects it at its surface of the pond at the upstream end of said cover whereby the water passing under the cover will be heated to a substantially uniform temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of aerating said water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
An aquaculture/mariculture system comprising: means forming an impoundment for holding a volume of water; means disposed in said impoundment and defining a closed circuit raceway within said impoundment; means mounted in said impoundment to circulate water about said raceway; and means covering at least a portion of said raceway forming a greenhouse whereby solar heat is collected and transferred to said water passing thereunder to raise the temperature of the water to a controlled level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
An aquaculture/mariculture system comprising: means forming an impoundment for holding a volume of water; means disposed in said impoundment and defining a closed circuit raceway within said impoundment; means mounted in said impoundment to circulate water about said raceway; and means covering at least a portion of said raceway forming a greenhouse whereby solar heat is collected and transferred to said water passing thereunder to raise the temperature of the water to a controlled level.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system according to claim 4 wherein said impoundment defines a regular geometric shape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 4 wherein said means to circulate water comprises at least one air lift pump adapted to aerate the water as it is circulated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system according to claim 4 wherein said means to circulate water is adapted to draw cool water from the bottom of said raceway and eject it at the surface of the pool upstream of said cover whereby the water will be heated and circulated to a substantially uniform temperature in the pool.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
74 words
An aquaculture/mariculture system comprising: means defining a closed pool of water with substantially uniform depth; means to circulate water in said pool; and cover means overlying not more than half the surface of the pool and being closely spaced from the surface of the water whereby solar heat is collected and transferred to said water by day and radiant heat loss is reduced at night to keep the water at a fairly uniform temperature.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
74 words
An aquaculture/mariculture system comprising: means defining a closed pool of water with substantially uniform depth; means to circulate water in said pool; and cover means overlying not more than half the surface of the pool and being closely spaced from the surface of the water whereby solar heat is collected and transferred to said water by day and radiant heat loss is reduced at night to keep the water at a fairly uniform temperature.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system according to claim 8 wherein said means defining a closed pool of water comprises a plurality of intersecting dikes defining a rectangular pool.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system according to claim 8 further comprising impervious means lining said pool to prevent leakage of water from the pool and leaching of material from formations around the pool.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system according to claim 8 wherein said pool is approximately four feet deep with a substantially flat bottom.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system according to claim 8 wherein said means to circulate water further comprises means defining a closed loop raceway in said pool, said cover means overlying a portion of said raceway.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 8 wherein said means to circulate water includes means to aerate said water.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 8 wherein said means to circulate water is an air lift pump.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 8 wherein said means to circulate water circulates the water about said pool as well as from bottom to top of the water.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system according to claim 8 wherein at least one means to circulate water is adjacent an entry end of said cover means whereby cool water is circulated to the surface of the water to be heated as it passes under the cover.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system according to claim 8 wherein said cover means is cantilevered.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system according to claim 8 further comprising means supporting said cover means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-04-20 | 1990-10-20 | 1991-04-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-04-20 | 1994-10-20 | 1995-04-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-04-20 | 1998-10-20 | 1999-04-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |