CA1243267A - Fish lift - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for transporting live fish, of the cable car type comprising one or more transport tanks driven by an aerial tractor cable between a trapping station which communicates with a watercourse and in which the fish are trapped. and an unloading station at which the fish are released. Typically, this system is used to allow obstacles to be crossed on rivers by migratory fish.

Description

The present invention relates to a system for transporting live fish plus particularly, to a cable car type system aiming at the ascension of fish over obstacles on a stream.

According to fisheries science, it is known that migratory fish go upstream of water in order to lay their eggs to reproduce.
In order to allow a rapid increase in the fish population it is important to allow the circulation of these on rivers and rivers. However, very often natural obstacles such as falls or waterfalls, or artificial like dams, impede the free movement of fish.
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To overcome this problem, different devices have been developed in the past for allow obstacle clearance on courses of water by the fish. The systems known to date are summarize as follows:
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; a) hydraulic fishways, too called pond-type fish scales successive, with overhanging thresholds with vertical slits, holes, pass DENIL;

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b) BORLAN type fish locks, Soviet and multi-level suitable for various types of dams;

c) mechanical type fish lifts;

d) land transport devices (e.g.
truck); and e) fish trolleys.

Although these systems are satisfactory for particular applications, they require major investments for their realization which is a significant drawback. In short, all of these devices have limitations on the map technical and economical.

An object of the present invention is a live fish transport device, which is both inexpensive and flexible, adaptable to the majority of conditions.

Another object of the invention is the system of transport of live fish, which ensures the catching and unloading of fish by telemanlpulation ie automatic ia ~ on.

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The fish transport arrangement according to the invention is of the cable car type comprising one or several tanks circulating between a trapping station which communicates with a watercourse and in which the fish are trapped, and an unloading station at which the fish are released. Typically, the trapping station is located downstream of a certain obstacle to cross, such as falls, rapids, waterfalls, hydroelectric dam, nuclear power plant or other, the unloading station being upstream of the obstacle. This mode of transport by telepherage, i.e. by mobile aerial tractor cable along from which one or more transport bins have left, is easily adjustable according to the species of fish, the size of the river, the drop, the slope and the distance to reach the top of the obstacles according to a river or land journey. Unlike the ~
other known devices which have limits of construction, the system offered is flexible and very flexible.

, Bins mounted on the mobile tractor cable are of particular construction and are important for the success of the invention. Each bin, when passage in the trapping station, tilts in order to collect fish and a certain amount of water necessary for the survival of fish during transport.

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32 ~ 7 Preferably, a cover is also mounted on each tray to prevent fish from escaping when transport.

When the ferry reaches the station unloading, it is emptied of its contents (water and fish) by a mechanical device. In particular embodiment, the mechanical device is a guidance system in which the tank comes engage and switch to unload its content on a : ~ slide that leads to the river.

Thus, the present invention comprises general terms, a cable car system for the transport of live fish, said system cable car including:
- a fish trapping stati.on communicating with a watercourse;
; - a fish unloading station;
- a mobile aerial tractor cable between said trapping station and said : unloading; and - at molns a transport bin on said mobile tractor cable, said bin being entered; born by said mobile towing cable to move between said trapping station and said unloading, said tank being intended to pass into '~

said trapping station to collect fish there as well as a certain amount of water and to discharge the fish and water preleves at said station unloading.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail using the drawings appendices in which:

10- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a telepherical system for transporting fish;

- Figure 2 illustrates schematically the cable car trapping station according to the present invention;

- Figure 3 illustrates schematically ;: the unloading station of the cable car system according to the present invention;

- Figure 4 is a plan view of the trapping station;

- Figure 5 is an enlarged view of a tank transport in a position for the removal of fish from the trapping station;

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- Figure 6 illustrates a transport container in horizontal position;

- Figure 7 is a plan view of a tank transport;

- Figure 8 illustrates schematically a movable door installed at the outlet of the trapping; and , 10 - Figure 9 illustrates schematically a variant of a transport bin.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the ropeway system for transporting fish ; living has a mobile aerial tractor cable 10 ~; ~ endless on which are mounted by means of rods - suspension 11 of the transport containers 12 for transporting ;; fish from a trapping skation 14 in 20 downstream of an obstacle to be crossed, to a station unloading land 16, upstream of the obstacle.
; Trapping stations 14 and unloading stations 16 can be located directly in the stream just like on earth. In the latter case, a means :
any such channel is provided for ~ Communicate each station with the stream.

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The mobile tractor cable lO is mounted around two large pulleys 18 and 20 fixed to carrier structures placed respectively upstream (unloading station 16) and downstream ( trapping 14) of the obstacle to be crossed. One of the pulleys is tractor in order to rotate the cable lO, the other serves as a rolling pulley. A system of small pulleys 22 fixed to wooden pylons, steel, concrete or other materials distributed over the trace serves as support and guide for the towing cable 10 between trapping station 14 and the unloading 16. A particular set of pulleys 24 is installed at the level of the trapping station 14 making so that the cable 10 follows a shape similar to the bottom profile of the trapping station 14, above of it.

'' ~; ~ The mobile tractor cable 10 is actuated by an electrical or mechanical system (not shown in the drawings) depending on energy availability offered at the installation site.

A counterweight 26 retained at one of the large pulleys maintain the desired tension in the cable.

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preferably made of steel braid, however, may consider using a cable in the form of a chain or rope. So under the term "cable"
we design the braided steel cable, the chalne, the rope or any other equivalent means for training the transport trays 12 between the pulleys 18 and 20.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 4, the trapping station 14 consists of three elements in particular, a water supply basin 30, a fish catch and retention basin 32 as well that a catch basin 34, located between the two.

Typically, the trapping station is installed in a stream brought up by fish.
The water supply basin 30 communicates by means ; a water supply system, such as a canal or a proper conduct (not shown in the drawings) with the stream in order to create a water flow sufficient in the trapping station 14, in the ~: ~ direction identified by arrow 36. The pelvis water supply 30 is provided with a ; ~ tranquilization with a turbulence system located on the floor or on the sides of the basin with a system ~ ~ 25 of current diffusion and deceleration 31, such a : ~ mobile grid system, located between the pool ~ ~ water supply 30 and the trapping basin 34, .

3 ;;: ~ i'7 g for a calm and diffused entry of water into the trapping basin 34. The mobile grid system adjusts the opening between the pool of water supply 30 and the catch basin 34 in order to vary the water flow between these two basins. I, geometry of the water supply basin 30 and its various components are based on species of fish and the flow of entry into the intake system and dimensions of the structure.
The catch basin 34 is intended specifically for trapping fish. This basin, illustrated in section, in Figure 1 along the section plane AA in Figure 4, has a pair of rails guide 38 placed in the basin. The rails 38 are used to guide the trays 12 during their passage in the catch basin 34.

The call and retention basin 32 is supplied with water directly from the catch basin 34. An output component adapted to each species of fish and each stream creates the current call required to attract fish to the call and retention basin 32.
The call and retention basin 32 serves also retention or stabilization basin for ;:

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1 o fish before entering the catch basin 34 ~ To do this, a special device activates a mobile door 40, illustrated in Figures 4 and 8, which serves to control the passage of fish to the capture 34. This device reduces the risk of accidental mortality of fish during the passage of tanks 12 in the catch basin 34 Plus in particular, the movable door 40 includes a perforated sliding panel 42 which is mounted by means of a sliding system in an opening formed on ; the wall that separates the call and retention basin 32 of the catch basin 34. The opening and ; sliding panel 42 is closed by means of a lever and cable system activated by the tanks 1.5 12 when passing through the catch basin 34.
More particularly, a right lever 44 is connected to one of its ends at the sliding panel 42 and is connected at its other end by means of a joint to a rocker 46. The latter is mounted by means a pivot 48 to the wall which separates the catch basin and retention 32 of the catch basin 34. A cable 50 connected at one end to the sliding panel 42 is installed on a set of pulleys 52 and is connected to ~ '; its other end to second a flip-flop 54 which is : ~ 25 mounted by means of a pivot 55 to the wall between the call and retention basin 32 and the ~ capture 34.
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Now referring to Figure 3, the unloading stati.on 16 includes a slide 56 (if necessary) with smooth walls on which the fish and water transported in tanks 12 son-t discharged. In the upper part of slide 56 is installed a guidance system 58 in which the bins 12 engage to tip in order to dump their :loading. Preferably, the slide 56 is provided a 60 mesh to prevent fish from jump outside during their descent into the water.

The cable car system according to the invention is also fitted with a braking device 15 at the station unloading 16 which dampens the swinging of the tanks 12 when the latter are disengaged from the guidance 58, before bypassing the unloading 16 and undertake their descent to the trapping station 14. The brake device does not will not be described in detail since it is not part of the present invention and, moreover, the construction as well as the development of such a system are at the scope of a man versed in art.

'' ~: Referring to Figures 5 and 6, each tray 12 is preferably provided with a part - ~ semi-cylindrical 29 or an equivalent shape, such as triangular or rectangular shape in which the : ~.

L32 ~ i ~ 7 fish and water are transported. A vo] and frontal 33 placed on the front of the tank 12 facilitates the sampling of fish during the passage of tray 12 in the trapping station 14 as well as the unloading of fish on slide 56. In contrast, a flap rear 60 is mounted in tank 12. The rear flap 60 plays an important role in achieving the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 7. In the purpose of reducing the stress that fish can experience during their stay in the catch basin 34, it it is important that the passage of tanks 12 in this basin is done gently. To this end, the rear flap 60 is perforated allowing water to pass through the flap 60 during the passage of the tank 12 in the basin of capture 34 and avoid a large wave be created. In addition, the rear flap 60 allows limit the amount of water carried in the tank avoiding thus overloading the cable 10.

Ribs 62 are raised to avoid ~; ~ lateral water losses and to maintain a current ; directional in tray 12 when picking up Pisces. In addition, the container 12 is provided with a cover hinged mobile 64 pivoting from the rear of the tank 12, which protects fish during transport. The cover 64 is provided with a mechanism to pendulum 66 allowing its opening and closing ::
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3 ~ 2 ~ t7 gradual according to the degree of inclination of tank 12. For facilitate the opening and closing maneuver, the cover 64 also has an adjustable counterweight 68 which allows the weight of the cover 64 to be balanced.
horizontal position, the pendulum mechanism 66 acts also as a cover fixing system 64 for avoid accidental opening by wind or jumping fish during transport.

On the tank 12 are also mounted a series of rollers 70 intended to engage in the system of guidance 38 of the trapping station 14 as well as in the guidance system 58 installed in the station unloading 16.

Depending on the fish to be transported, the cover 64 can be of the fully openwork type, semi-openwork or closed. In the latter case, a door : casement can be fixed on the rear part of the ;; ~ 20 cover allowing the passage of water during ~ capture and closure during transport. Such ; hinged door is fixed by means of a pivot on the ; cover 64 so that it can be opened under the effect ~ of its own weight when the cover is in the . ~ 25 position illustrated in Figure 5. Similarly, : ~ when the cover 64 is closed for the journey between trapping station 14 and unloading station ; ;:

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; 16, the hinged door remains closed.

~ No variant of the trays 12, illustrated at Figure 9 presents a form of funnel which allows expand the catch basin 3 ~ if necessary (example strong rise in fish) without causing substantial overloads on the tractor cable 10 due to an increase in the volume of water.

The bin illustrated in Figure 9 is equipped with a suspension arm 72 with spring, of the telescopic type.
: In this way, the bin is suspended from the cable 10 elastically which allows operation in smoothness of the system, especially during the passage of the tanks ~; in the trapping station 14 and in the station unloading 16. Obviously, the suspension arm 72 can also be used with 12 described bins previously.

ZO Functioning of the cable system 10 according to the inventlon is as follows.

Depending on how the appliance is turned on, the tanks 12 are driven by the mobile tractor cable 10 and successively engage in the station of trap 14 to take fish and water.
~; ~; Referring to Figures 2 and 8, at the entrance to the , . ~, . '' . ~.

Z ~ 7 catch basin 34 each tank 12 is in position generally horizontal so that the rollers 70 engage in the rail 38 placed on the bottom of the catch basin 34. The shape of the rail 38 as well as the set of pulleys ~ 4 ensure that when traveling from from tank 12 in catch basin 34, the latter gradually tilts allowing the cover 64 to gradually open so that tray 12 can fill with fish and water. During his exit from the basin 34 the tank 12 returns to the position horizontal allowing the cover 64 to close.

To prevent the passage of fish from retention and call basin 32 to the ~; lS capture 34, the sliding panel 42 is held in closed position when each bin 12 passes through the catch basin 34. For this purpose, when each tank 12 enters the catch basin 34, the scale 46 is lowered, pulling the right lever 44 which closes the sliding panel 42. When leaving the tank 12 of the catch basin 34, the lever 54 is raised, pulling on the cable 50 which has the effect open the sliding panel 42.

At the unloading station 16, the rollers 70 of each bin 12 engage on the system of guide 58 which has the effect of suddenly tilting ~.

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'7 tray 12 which dumps water and fish onto the slide 56.

After the spill, the bin 12 takes the return path being previously stabilized by the braking system 22.

Several modifications can be envisaged for the telephone transport system without however departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, in order to increase the transport capacity of the telepherical system it is possible to install at the trapping station as well that at the release station a movable cable ; secondary with a container transfer device 12 from the main cable 10 to the secondary cables.

The main cable is fed at a speed high while secondary cables are being driven at a relatively low speed. This kind of cable car allows fish to be taken and spill of containers 12 smoothly, due to the low speed of secondary cables, and fast transport tanks 12 between the trapping station 14 and the unloading station 16 thanks to the high speed of the main cable. In the same order of ideas, it is `.

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possible to just use a chain or a any conveyor to drive tanks 12 to through the trapping station 14, which during their station outputs would hang on cable 10 to quickly go up to the unloading station 16.

In addition, one could consider providing each tray 12 of automatic doors mounted on the bottom of the tank activated by a spring mechanism thus allowing the contents of bin 12 to be dumped simply on the slide or directly in the course opening the doors and without having to tilt the bac. Thus, the guide system 58 and the slide 56 in the unloading station 16 can be omitted.
The automatic doors are controlled by means of a latch mounted on the tank. When the latter passes into the unloading station a stationary rod engages the latch to open the discharge doors.
When the water and fish have been spilled, the ,. , doors are closed by the springs so that lock the latch preventing as well as the doors open under the weight of water and fish when the tank 12 is refilled.
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In addition, for low installations capacity, it is possible to use a tank which back and forth between the station . ~
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r '''' ~ 2 ~ x3 ~ 7 trapping and unloading station. In this Indeed, the bin is mounted on a cable entrainé in a direction or in the other depending on the station towards which the bin is directed.

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The description of an achievement preferential of the invention given above should not not be interpreted as limiting but rather from point of view of an example that aims to facilitate understanding of the invention and it is quite obvious that several changes can be made to this preferential realization without however going out of the scope of the invention.

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Claims (29)

The achievements of the invention about of which an exclusive right of ownership or privilege is claimed, are defined as follows: 1. A cable car system for transport aerial of live fish, said cable car system comprising;
- a fish trapping station communicating with a watercourse;
- an unloading station;
- a mobile aerial tractor cable is extending from said trapping station to said unloading station; and - at least one transport container mounted on said audit mobile tractor cable to move between said trapping station and said unloading station, said transport container being intended to pass into said trapping station for taking fish there and a certain amount of water allowing survival said fish in said tank during transport and to dump the fish and water taken from said station unloading. 2. A system as defined in the claim 1, further comprising a system of guidance in said trapping station, said transport engaging in said guidance system during its passage through said trapping station. 3. A system as defined in the claim 2, further characterized in that said trapping station has a basin in which finds fish to transport to said station unloading said guidance system including a rail which follows the bottom of said basin, said tank of transport being provided with a roller device intended for engage with said rail. 4. A system as defined in the claim 1, further characterized in that said trapping station has a basin for receiving and retain fish to be transported to said station unloading said system further comprising a means cooperating with said transport container for tilt the said transport tray as it passes in said basin. 5. A system as defined in the claim 4, further characterized in that said means comprises a guide rail mounted in said basin, said transport container being intended for engage with said guide rail. 6. A system as defined in the claim 5, further characterized in that said means includes a set of pulleys located above said guide rail, the pulleys of said set of pulleys being located in relation to each other in such a way said mobile towing cable has a shape generally similar to that of said guide rail above it. 7. A system as defined in the claim 4, further characterized in that said tray has a movable cover. 8. A system as defined in the claim 7, further characterized in that said transport container is provided with means for opening said cover when said container is inclined. 9. A system as defined in the claim 7, further characterized in that said means includes a pendulum device connected to said cover and allowing the gradual opening of said cover according to the degree of inclination of said tank. 10. A system as defined in the claim 7, further characterized in that said cover is perforated. 11. A system as defined in the claim 7, further characterized in that said cover is of the closed type. 12. A system as defined in the claim 1, further characterized in that said bin has a front flap. 13. A system as defined in the claim 1, further characterized in that said bin has a rear flap. 14. A system as defined in the claim 13, further characterized in that said rear flap is perforated. 15. A system as defined in the claim 7, further characterized in that said cover has a hinged door at the back as well as a means allowing the opening of said swing door when said cover is open, and closing said hinged door when said cover is closed. 16. A system as defined in the claim 1, further characterized in that said trapping station includes:
- a communicating water supply basin with said watercourse;

- a pool of call and retention of fish communicating with said watercourse; and - a catch basin communicating with said fish catch and retention basin and with said water supply basin. 17. A system as defined in the claim 16, further characterized in that it includes a movable door between said call basin and fish retention and said catch basin, as well as a mechanism cooperating with said door mobile and with said transport bin to close said movable door when said transport bin is in said trapping station and to open said movable door when said transport bin is out of said trapping station. 18. A system as defined in the claim 17, characterized in that said door mobile is provided with a means allowing the water to pass through said door. 19. A system as defined in the claim 18, characterized in that said door mobile is perforated. 20. A system as defined in the claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a means for the discharge of water and fish from said transport bin to said station unloading. 21. A system as defined in the claim 20, further characterized in that said means comprises a guide member mounted in said unloading station, said transport bin being intended to engage with said guide member for bow and dump the fish and water taken from said trapping station. 22. A system as defined in the claim 1, further characterized in that said unloading station is terrestrial and is equipped with a slide leading to said stream on which the fish and the water from said transport container is discharged. 23. A system as defined in the claim 20, characterized in that said means includes a movable door mounted to said tank. 24. A system as defined in the claim 1, further characterized in that said mobile tractor cable is an endless cable. 25. A system as defined in the claim 1, comprising several bins of transport. 26. A system as defined in the claim 1, characterized in that the movement of said aerial tractor cable is reversible. 27. A system as defined in the claim 16, further comprising means for water deviation between said supply basin water and said call and retention basin of Pisces. 28. A system as defined in the claim 1, further comprising:
- a first means of driving said tank in said trapping station;
- a second means for driving said tank in said unloading station;
a means of transferring said tank between said first drive means and said movable cable; and a means of transferring said tank between said second drive means and said movable cable. 29. A system as defined in the claim 1, characterized in that said station trapping is terrestrial.