System and method for controlling fish flow with jet device

Abstract

A system and method for controlling the flow of fish. The system includes a vessel containing water and having an exit aperture. The system also includes a sensor configured to sense a first fish moving through the exit aperture. In addition, the system includes a jet device in communication with the sensor. The jet device is positioned adjacent to the exit aperture and is configured to spray a jet to prevent a second fish from moving through the exit aperture. In one embodiment, the system also includes a gate positioned at the exit aperture, the gate being normally closed and configured to be pushed open by a fish moving through the exit aperture. The system may be employed for providing spacing between fish or may be employed to provide a single fish on demand.

1 . A system for controlling the flow of fish comprising: 
 a vessel containing water and having an exit aperture;    a sensor configured to sense a first fish moving through the exit aperture; and    a jet device in communication with the sensor, the jet device positioned adjacent to the exit aperture and configured to spray a jet to prevent a second fish from moving through the exit aperture.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a gate positioned at the exit aperture, the gate being normally closed and configured to be pushed open by a fish moving through the exit aperture.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the gate has one end attached to the vessel and a second end that is free to be moved by the fish.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the gate includes a pair of oppositely disposed gate portions.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the gate includes a plurality of compliant wires.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the compliant wires are made of stainless steel.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel includes a tunnel.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the sensor is positioned adjacent to the second end of the gate.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the jet device is configured to spray the jet until the sensor senses that the first fish has moved fully through the exit aperture.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the jet device is configured to spray the jet for a predetermined period of time.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a flow generation device for generating a flow in the vessel in a direction away from the exit aperture.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a fish stimulation device for stimulating fish in the vessel to move through the exit aperture.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the fish stimulation device provides positive stimulation to attract fish in the vessel towards the exit aperture.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the fish stimulation device includes the jet device.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the fish stimulation device provides negative stimulation to repel fish in the vessel towards the exit aperture.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the fish stimulation device includes at least one of an illumination device, an acoustic device, a vibrational device, an odorous device, a chemical introduction device, an electrical device and a visual stimuli.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to provide spacing between fish.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to provide a single fish on demand.  
   
   
       19 . A method for controlling the flow of fish in a vessel containing water and having an exit aperture, the method comprising the steps of: 
 sensing a first fish moving through the exit aperture;    spraying a jet into the vessel to prevent a second fish from moving through the exit aperture.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of disposing a gate at the exit aperture, the gate being normally closed and configured to be pushed open by a fish moving through the exit aperture.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the disposing step includes attaching a first end of the gate to the vessel and allowing a second end to be free to be moved by the fish.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the disposing step includes disposing a pair of gate portions.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the disposing step includes disposing a plurality of compliant wires.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the disposing step includes disposing a plurality of compliant stainless steel wires.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the method includes the step of disposing the fish in a tunnel.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising positioning the sensor adjacent to the second end of the gate.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the steps of: 
 sensing that the first fish has moved fully through the exit aperture; and    in response, discontinuing the spraying of the jet until the sensor senses that another fish is moving through the exit aperture.    
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of continuing to spray the jet for a predetermined period of time.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of generating a flow in the vessel in a direction away from the exit aperture.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of stimulating fish in the vessel to move through the exit aperture.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of providing spacing between fish.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of providing a single fish on demand.