US3822504A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aquaculture structure and method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-03-01
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Granted: 1974-07-09
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Expires: 1992-03-01
Abstract
Abstract Aquaculture housing pod and method of culture employing heated water from a power plant in which the water temperature is cooled to near ambient for safe discharge into the ambient ecology. The aquaculture housing pods are designed to cover large areas, on the order of 150 acres each, and comprise a column and cable structure supporting overhead sprinkler systems for discharge on hydroponic beds contained under the housing pod structure. A series of aqueducts and hydroponic planting beds are arranged underneath the structure. The method involves discharging hot water from a power plant into a first holding and distribution reservoir, withdrawing water from the reservoir and passing it through either or both the aqueducts and sprinkler system of the housing pods, collecting excess water from the housing pod, and returning it to a neutral temperature reservoir before either recycling the cooled water to the power plant or discharging it to the environment. The aquaculture housing pod is simple of construction and inexpensive, and the method provides for cooling the water and discharge to the environment without harming the ecology.
Inventors
- 👤 A Kuehn
- 👤 R Kuebler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 20:17
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G31/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
235 words
A large scale aquaculture housing pod module extending in a longitudinal direction comprising: a. a first pair of vertical support columns spaced from each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, b. a second pair of vertical support columns spaced form each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, c. said second pair of vertical support columns are aligned with and spaced apart from said first pair in said longitudinal direction, d. said columns having a base and a top, e. an upper cable supported from each of said column pairs proximate to said top, said cable being under tension and following a generally concave-up arcuate curve, f. a plurality of vertical cables attached to each of said upper cables, g. said vertical cables being laterally spaced from said columns and from each other along said upper cable, h. the length of said vertical cables being shortest at a point substantially midway between the first and second pairs of support columns, i. a first water distribution system suspended from said vertical cables for distribution of water primarily in the summer, j. a roof member suspended from said vertical cables a distance spaced above said column bases, k. aquaculture beds disposed in the area between said column pairs and below said first water distribution system, l. said beds including spaced apart water distribution aqueducts for distribution of water primarily in the winter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
235 words
A large scale aquaculture housing pod module extending in a longitudinal direction comprising: a. a first pair of vertical support columns spaced from each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, b. a second pair of vertical support columns spaced form each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, c. said second pair of vertical support columns are aligned with and spaced apart from said first pair in said longitudinal direction, d. said columns having a base and a top, e. an upper cable supported from each of said column pairs proximate to said top, said cable being under tension and following a generally concave-up arcuate curve, f. a plurality of vertical cables attached to each of said upper cables, g. said vertical cables being laterally spaced from said columns and from each other along said upper cable, h. the length of said vertical cables being shortest at a point substantially midway between the first and second pairs of support columns, i. a first water distribution system suspended from said vertical cables for distribution of water primarily in the summer, j. a roof member suspended from said vertical cables a distance spaced above said column bases, k. aquaculture beds disposed in the area between said column pairs and below said first water distribution system, l. said beds including spaced apart water distribution aqueducts for distribution of water primarily in the winter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
An aquaculture housing pod as in claim 1 wherein said roof is suspended from a track supported in a plane disposed substantially parallel to said upper cable, and includes meaNs for moving the roof along said track from an open position to a closed position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
An aquaculture housing pod as in claim 1 wherein said first water distribution system comprises a series of ducts supported from said vertical cables generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of said housing pod module, and includes means for carrying sprinkler heads on said ducts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
An aquaculture housing pod as in claim 1 wherein said water distribution aqueducts comprise U-shaped aluminum channels and said aquaculture beds includes a plant supporting material retained between said channels which overlies a water impervious membrane material secured to said channels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
An aquaculture housing pod as in claim 1 which includes track means for movably supporting said roof member secured to said vertical cables.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
An aquaculture housing pod as in claim 1 which includes: a. a source of water heated to a temperature above the ambient temperature of local natural sources, b. means for distribution of said heated water to said first water distribution system or to said water distribution aqueducts, c. means to collect excess water from said water distribution system or said aqueducts, d. means to return said excess water to said heated water source or to said natural source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
An aquaculture housing pod as in claim 6 wherein said heated water distribution system includes valve means for selectively distributing said heated water to said first water distribution system during warm weather, and to said aqueduct distribution system during cold weather, or to both systems, in amounts proportionate to growth needs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
An aquaculture housing pod as in claim 1 which includes a plurality of said column, cable, and water distribution system modules, said lateral column spacing being greater than said longitudinal column spacing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
128 words
An apparatus as in claim 1 for simultaneous aquaculture and cooling of excess heated water from a waste hot water producing source comprising: a. means for collecting said heated water from said source, b. a first, hot water reservoir connected to said collection means, c. an aquaculture housing pod adapted for growth, d. means for distributing said hot water from said first reservoir to said aquaculture housing pod to promote said growth and to cool said water. e. means for collecting a portion of said cooled water from said aquaculture housing pod, f. a second reservoir for said cooled water connected to said cooled water collection means, and g. means for redistribution of at least a portion of said cooled water from said second reservoir to said source.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said hot water distribution means, includes means for selectively distributing said hot water primarily to aqueducts in the winter and primarily to a sprinkler system in the summer in predetermined amounts in proportion to the growth needs.
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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) | 1977-07-08 | 1978-01-07 | 1978-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-08 | 1982-01-07 | 1982-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-08 | 1986-01-07 | 1986-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |