Importance

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Abstract

A fish pump is described for pumping live fish in water from one location to another. The pump is designed specifically for pumping live fish without injuring the fish. Of special significance is the pump rotor. It includes symmetrical helical-spiral passages that lead from a single open axial intake to peripheral open outlets at an enlarged rotor discharge end. The passages are open only at the intake and outlets and are smoothly curved to prevent damage to the fish. The passages and all other areas through which the fish pass are of cross-sectional dimension that is at least equal to one half the length of the longest fish to be pumped. Furthermore, the pitch of the helical-spiral passageways varies from the rotor opening to the outlet to influence the pumping efficiency without endangering the fish. The rotor, when in operation, produces a vortex at its intake end that tends to align the fish with the axis of rotation of the pump rotor. The fish will therefore enter the rotor passages easily and will not be injured by the rotor edges. To further minimize damage, the rotor is provided with an axial recess that spans the open intake.

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First Claim