System, apparatus, and method for trawl handling

{
  "publication_number": "US11382318B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "System, apparatus, and method for trawl handling",
  "abstract": "A catch handling system includes a catch collection system. The catch collection system includes one catch handling depot; one or more trawls; and a catch transport system, where the catch transport system includes a transport system, and where the transport system includes a transport node. The transport node includes a releasable connection to a catch handling fleet carrier drone and to one or more units of a catch handling fleet.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A catch handling system comprising: at least one catch collection system comprising: a catch handling depot, one or more trawls, and at least a catch transport system, wherein said catch transport system comprises at least a transport system, wherein the transport system comprises a transport node comprising means for releasable connection to a catch handling fleet carrier drone, such that the catch handling fleet carrier drone can be released from the transport node and via a releasable cable attachable to fastening means on the catch handling fleet carrier drone to be connected to remote units, wherein a trawl vessel pulls the trawl, wherein a cod end comprises means for releasable connection to the transport node, and wherein said means for releasable connection to the transport node is a remotely controlled dump valve at the back of the cod end.",
    "2. The catch handling system according to claim 1, wherein the catch transport system further comprises a catch handling fleet carrier drone.",
    "3. The catch handling system according to claim 2, wherein the catch handling fleet carrier drone is configured to carry the transport system and to be releasably connected with the transport system.",
    "4. The catch handling system according to claim 1, wherein said catch handling depot is at least one of a trawl vessel, a factory ship, a fish reception facility, or a recovery bag.",
    "5. The catch handling system according to claim 1, wherein said catch handling system further comprises a recovery bag.",
    "6. The catch handling system according to claim 1, wherein said transport system further comprises a transport bag.",
    "7. The catch handling system according to claim 6, wherein said transport node includes means for releasable connection to said transport bag.",
    "8. The catch handling system according to claim 1, wherein said catch handling fleet carrier drone comprises means for carrying said transport node.",
    "9. A catch collection system comprising: at least a catch handling depot, one or more trawls, and at least a catch transport system, said catch transport system comprising at least a transport system, said transport system comprising a transport node comprising means for releasable connection to a catch handling fleet carrier drone, such that the catch handling fleet carrier drone can be released from the transport node and via a releasable cable attached to fastening means on the catch handling fleet carrier drone connected to remote units, wherein the catch handling fleet carrier drone further comprises at least one of a side rudder, at least one thruster/propeller for providing propulsion in a Z direction, at least one thruster/propeller for providing propulsion in an X direction, at least one buoyancy element, at least one elevator, and at least one means for controlling the catch handling fleet carrier drone.",
    "10. The catch collection system according to claim 9, wherein the catch handling fleet carrier drone is configured to carry the transport system and to be releasably connected with the transport system.",
    "11. The catch collection system according to claim 9, wherein said catch collection depot is storage means of a vessel, the vessel being at least one of a trawl vessel, factory ship for receiving catch, or a pair trawl vessel.",
    "12. The catch collection system according to claim 9, wherein said catch handling system further comprises a recovery bag.",
    "13. The catch collection system according to claim 12, wherein said recovery bag comprises means for releasable connection to one or more units of the catch collection system.",
    "14. The catch collection system according to claim 13, wherein said means for releasable connection is arranged at a first end of the recovery bag and is configured for releasable connection to said transport bag in order to receive catch from said transport bag.",
    "15. A catch handling fleet carrier drone comprising: means for releasably carrying a transport node; one or more navigation means for navigating the catch handling fleet carrier drone; one or more propulsion means for propelling the catch handling fleet carrier drone; and one or more means for releasably and physically connecting the catch handling fleet carrier drone to units at a distance from the catch handling fleet carrier drone, wherein the catch handling fleet carrier drone further comprises at least one of a side rudder, at least one thruster/propeller for providing propulsion in a Z direction, at least one thruster/propeller for providing propulsion in an X direction, at least one buoyancy element, at least one elevator, and at least one means for controlling the catch handling fleet carrier drone.",
    "16. The catch handling fleet carrier drone according to claim 15, wherein the catch handling fleet carrier drone further comprises one or more propellers for providing propulsion and positioning."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to a catch handling fleet comprising units for collecting, transporting and processing catch.\n\nIn conventional trawling, regardless of whether the vessel or vessels (in case of pair trawling) is/are towing one or more trawls, all gear and operating time in fishing relies on that the trawl(s) is/are hauled into the vessel to collect the catch gathered in the cod end. The time spent on such hauling is time during which the machinery of the ship runs idle not performing active fishing. Also, each hauling causes considerable wear to the trawling gear.\n\nThe size of the equipment and the number of trawls used for fishing are limited by the fact that each trawl has to be able to be pulled onboard the towing vessel to enable the catch to be collected.\n\nThis imposes a limitation on the number of hauls in a 24-hour period to avoid an unnecessary long operating time with no fishing, but also to reduce wear and improve the safety of the deck crew. As a consequence of this, a substantial part of the catch eventually pulled onboard has spent a considerable amount of time at the bottom of the cod end, increasing the risk of dead and pressure injuries to the individuals of the catch caught at the beginning of the cycle. The quality of the catch is further deteriorated by pulling the cod end dry and compacted up the slip at the stern of the vessel. The catch can be left on the slip for several minutes before it is introduced into reception tanks awaiting processing.",
  "cpc": [
    "A01K 73/02",
    "A01K 75/00",
    "A01K 79/00",
    "B63G 2008/002",
    "B63G 2008/007",
    "B63G 8/001",
    "B63G 8/42",
    "G05B 13/00"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A01K 73/02",
    "B63G 8/00",
    "B63G 8/42"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Sto Technology As"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Pål Arne Roaldsnes",
    "Jan Børge VIK"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2018-04-27",
  "publication_date": "2022-07-12",
  "grant_date": "2022-07-12",
  "priority_date": "2017-07-24",
  "application_number": "US-201816633669-A",
  "family_id": "64607277",
  "cited_by_count": 2,
  "citations": [
    "US2890543A",
    "FR1399321A",
    "US3987745A",
    "WO1982002645A1",
    "NO162211B",
    "US6138397A",
    "JP2000217465A",
    "US20050160656A1",
    "RU2275021C2",
    "WO2010015254A1",
    "US20130305975A1",
    "WO2017048134A1"
  ]
}