Underwater deterrent system
US5602799A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 12, 1995 |
| Grant date | Feb 11, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 12, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01M29/00
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A deterrent system is provided for repelling selected species of aquatic animals from an underwater deterrence zone, for example, from the opening of a municipal or industrial water intake. A conduit for fluid, generally water, has an outlet at the deterrence zone. Intermittent flow means cause one-way fluid flow through the conduit, visiting at the outlet as pulses of fluid alternating with periods of insubstantial fluid flow. The pulses have a volume and flow rate sufficiently in excess of the insubstantial fluid flow to repel the selected aquatic animals from the deterrence zone. The conduit outlet does not serve also as a substantial fluid inlet to the conduit and, rather, the system provides substantial net positive outflow from the conduit outlet over one or more full cycles of the aforesaid pulsed fluid flows alternating with periods of insubstantial fluid flow. Volumetric displacement of water from the deterrence zone can be accomplished without generating a current through the use of an optional inflatable boot or bladder to capture the fluid pulses from the outlet for subsequent recirculation or remote discharge.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.