Fish sorting apparatus and method
US4934537A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 27, 1989 |
| Grant date | Jun 19, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 27, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S209/939
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Fish sorting apparatus comprises a lighted viewing conveyor belt arranged to receive fish seriatim and a video camera mounted above the viewing belt and directed downwardly for receiving images of fish on the belt. A second, sorting, conveyor belt is arranged to receive fish from the viewing belt, and a divider wall above the sorting conveyor belt, which extends parallel to the sorting conveyor belt axis, divides a rear exit portion thereof into separate channels. A movable deflector is mounted in front of the divider wall for deflecting fish on the sorting conveyor belt into one of the channels, this deflector being moved in response to signals from an electronic circuit connected to the video camera so that the fish are deflected into one or other of the channels according to the image received on the video camera. The deflector forms an angle of less than 45 degrees with the divider wall, the whole apparatus being arranged so that the fish are sorted into separate receivers without substantial re-orientation or abrupt path changes. Other special features of the apparatus include the use of a translucent conveyor belt as the viewing belt, and the use of driven outlet conveyor bel…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.