System and method for clam farming

Abstract

A system and method for clam farming includes a supply ship coupled to a clam planter via a supply tube bundle having a plurality of individual tubes. The supply ship has a separation station configured for introducing individual clams into the individual supply tubes at a periodic interval. The clam planter includes an underwater vehicle and a plurality of row components that are slideably engaged with the underwater vehicle. Each of the row components is coupled to one of the individual tubes. As the underwater vehicle travels in a forward direction, the row components plow furrows and transport the individual clams into the furrows as they exit the individual tubes according to the periodic interval. A clam farm results having rows of clams near node points spaced from one another by node and row separation distances.

1 - 11 . (canceled)  
   
   
       12 . A clam planter comprising: 
 an underwater vehicle configured to travel along a portion of the Earth's surface below the surface of the body of water, the underwater vehicle including a member and configured to travel in a forward direction; and    a plurality of row components, each slideably engaged with the underwater vehicle member and spaced from one another at least in a direction substantially perpendicular to the forward direction of travel of the underwater vehicle, each of the plurality of row components including: 
 a shaft sized to slideably engage with a complementary opening in the underwater vehicle member, the shaft having a longitudinal dimension so positioned in a substantially vertical orientation, the shaft further including first and second ends and an internal cavity running from the first and second ends along the longitudinal dimension and so sized to receive at the first end clams having a desired size for planting and to receive transport water;  
 at least one weight coupled to the shaft;  
 a plow coupled toward the second end of the shaft, the plow shaped and positioned to produce a furrow, having a bottom, when the underwater vehicle travels in the forward direction;  
 a deposit tube having first and second ends, the first end coupled to the cavity of the shaft at the second end of the shaft, the deposit tube so shaped to orient the second end of the deposit tube substantially facing opposite the forward direction of travel and to position the second end of the deposit tube substantially at a predetermined depth substantially adjacent the bottom of the furrow; and  
 a ski coupled toward the second end of the shaft, the ski sized and positioned to maintain the position of the plow such that the bottom of the furrow remains substantially a predetermined depth.  
   
   
   
       13 - 15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . A system for planting clams in part of the Earth having a surface below a surface of a body of water, the system comprising: 
 means for introducing an individual clam into an opening of a first end of a tube;    means for exposing a portion of the part of the Earth below its surface to a predetermined depth; and    means for positioning a second end of the tube with respect to the exposed portion of Earth to allow the clam to enter the exposed portion of Earth.    
   
   
       17 . A system for planting clams in part of the Earth having a surface below a surface of a body of water, the system comprising: 
 means for introducing individual clams into an opening of a first end of a tube at substantially an determined interval;    means for plowing a furrow at a certain speed in a portion of the part of the Earth, the interval of introducing individual clams being determined according to the certain speed of plowing; and    means for positioning a second end of the tube to allow the clams to enter the furrow spaced within a tolerance region by a node separation distance.