| 摘要 |
A feeder for larval and juvenile fishes is capable of delivering an adjustable dose of microparticulate feed to selected locations, via pneumatic conveyance and control. A source of low-pressure dry gas is used to blow microparticulate feed through a manifold and into a selected one of a number of tubes. In order to adjust the portion dispensed by the feeder, an adjustable portion control is provided. Instead of a fixed sized ration cup a threaded recess is provided. Within the recess is provided a mating nylon set screw with an Allen hex head socket. By screwing the set screw in, or out, a user may increase, or decrease the volume of each dose. |
| 主权项 |
1. A microparticulate diet fish feeder, comprising:
a dispenser including:
a sealed feed hopper holding the microparticulate fish feed;a housing having a substantially cylindrical portion, attached to the sealed feed hopper, having an inlet opening for accepting the microparticulate fish feed, a carrier gas port accepting a lower-pressure compressed carrier gas, and an exit port for discharging the microparticulate fish feed;a rotating component, located within the substantially cylindrical portion of the housing, and rotatable within the cylindrical portion of the housing, the rotating component having an adjustable volume chamber formed on the perimeter of rotating component 170 and an L-shaped passage having one end connected to the chamber, such that when rotating component 170 is in a first position, the chamber is aligned with the inlet opening and the chamber is filled with the microparticulate fish feed, and when rotating component 170 is in a second position, the chamber is aligned with the exit port and another end of the L-shaped passage is aligned with the carrier gas port, such that the lower-pressure compressed gas forces the microparticulate fish feed through the exit port; a manifold, having one input attached to the exit port, and a plurality of outputs, the manifold contiguous between the one input and the plurality of outputs; a plurality of output tubes, each having one end connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of outputs of the manifold; a plurality of terminal valves, each coupled to another end of a corresponding one of the plurality of output tubes, each of the plurality of terminal valves being selectively activated to disperse the microparticulate fish feed when the lower-pressure carrier gas forces the microparticulate fish feed through the exit port; and a controller, coupled to the dispenser and the plurality of terminal valves, controlling the dispenser and the plurality of terminal valves. |
