Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to aeration system and aerators for aquaculture. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to intelligent electronic module design for multi-aerator (motor) control and protection within single module.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Water aeration is the process of increasing or maintaining the oxygen saturation of water in both natural and artificial environments. Aeration techniques are commonly used in pond, lake, and reservoir management to address low oxygen levels or algal blooms.
[0004] Water aeration is often required in water bodies that suffer from hypoxic or anoxic conditions, often caused by upstream human activities such as sewage discharges, agricultural run-off, or over-baiting a fishing lake. Aeration can be achieved through the infusion of air into the bottom of the lake, lagoon or pond or by surface agitation from a fountain or spray-like device to allow for oxygen exchange at the surface and the release of gasses such as carbon dioxide, methane or hydrogen sulfide.
[0005] For example, water aeration is often required in aquaculture or shrimp or fish farming, which has been steadily growing in India in recent years. India is one of the largest producers of fish globally, and aquaculture plays a significant role in the country’s fisheries sector. There has been growing emphasis on adopting modern aquaculture technologies and practices in India, such as improved feed management, water quality management, and disease control measures. Aerators (also referred to as “aerator pumps”) are used for increasing the dissolved oxygen and removing harmful gases from the ponds. An aerator pump is a device used to increase the oxygen levels in water by creating turbulence and agitation. The aerator pump can be used in a variety of applications, including aquariums, fish farms, wastewater treatment plants, and even in home ponds. The main purpose of the aerator pump is to prevent the buildup of harmful gases like carbon dioxide and ammonia, which can be lethal to aquatic life. The aerator pump not only aerate the pond water but also help in the circulation and mixing of water. This helps in breaking the stratification of water quality parameters such as DO, temperature, salinity, etc.
[0006] The aerator pump works by drawing in air and pumping it into the water, creating bubbles that release oxygen into the water and help to circulate it. The basic components of an aerator pump include a motor, an impeller, and an air stone or diffuser. The motor drives the impeller, which draws in air and mixes it with water, creating a flow of bubbles. The air stone or diffuser breaks the air into small bubbles, increasing the surface area and maximizing the oxygen transfer to the water.
[0007] Currently, in aquaculture farming (shrimp/prawns/fish), depending on pond size, running time, schedules of feed cycles and stage of farming there is a requirement of separate multiple aerators for breaking the stratification of water quality parameters. Accordingly, a number of aerator motors are required for each associated aerator. To drive the multiple aerators in the pond there is a requirement of a digital three phase controller with multi-motor controller with features of individual motor control, protections and shut OFF and ON of individual motors.
[0008] Presently a three-phase digital starter is used for pump control for running aerators in aquaculture. Presently, as shown in FIG. 1, a single starter is used with various other components like single phase protection, timers, miniature circuit breakers (MCBs), dry run protection as discrete components packaged in a conventional enclosure. However, the drawback is that the discrete components (like timers, MCBs, dry run and single-phase protection devices) have to be packaged in an enclosure and its maintenance and handling itself is an inconvenient for end customer. Also, multi-motors (aerators) are being controlled with a single starter i.e. if one of the motor / aerators fails entire system must be shut off and to be put under maintenance.
SUMMARY
[0009] To overcome this observation, this invention provides intelligent electronic module design for multi-aerator (motor) control and protection within single module. The implementation of the present invention i.e., a digital starter through the design of single electronics module, has following competitive features are inbuilt which were not the case with prior art and has to look for combination with various devices and that too not efficient.
[0010] More specifically, the present invention is able to achieve the following technical benefits:
[0011] Individual motor control and protection for multimotor application. The present invention is for multi-motor control e.g. for aquaculture wherein this is required, so single unit with multimotor control feasibility and individual motor can also be controlled. For instance if user wants to run only one motor out of 3 he can do that. This is specific application of aqua for fish and shrimp farming where aerators are used (for example refer FIG. 2A) wherein individual contactors and MCBs are there. Whereas in present solution as in (for example in FIG. 1), Multimotor feature is not there.
[0012] Cyclic timers with off time compensation for individual motors. Timer’s feature is used for scheduling pump ON and OFF. In case as per timer pump starts and suddenly electricity goes off, and when it comes back, it should make up for lost time and start again and continue.
[0013] Modular architecture for ease of serviceability. As there is a single electronics module in entire panel and individual contactors to on and off. So individual motor fault can be isolated and maintenance can be done.
[0014] Robust SMPS with wide voltage range. The power supply range is right from 150V AC till 650V AC so the variation in power supply is catered.
[0015] Protections for individual motors. As there is a single electronics module in entire panel and individual contactors to on and off. So individual motor fault can be isolated, protection and maintenance can be done.
[0016] Bypass of individual motors in case of electronics functions failure.
[0017] Auto / manual switch over for motor functionality. User can operate pump or aerator in Auto mode wherein pump will function as per timers or in manual mode wherein one can switch on/off manually.
[0018] The same solution can be extended for urban application wherein there is requirement of extra features like dry run protection and WLC (water level controller). User can operate pump or aerator in Auto mode wherein pump will function as per timers or in manual mode wherein one can switch on/off manually.
[0019] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and constitute a part of this invention, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods and systems in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings. Components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Some drawings may indicate the components using block diagrams and may not represent the internal circuitry of each component. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that invention of such drawings includes the invention of electrical components, electronic components or circuitry commonly used to implement such components.
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates existing modules having single aerator with an associated motor know in the prior-art.
[0022] FIGs. 2A-2E illustrates DC immunity test results before the invention is being implemented.
[0023] The foregoing shall be more apparent from the following more detailed description of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Various example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which only some example embodiments are shown. Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments. The present invention, however, may be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the example embodiments set forth herein.
[0025] Accordingly, while example embodiments of the invention are capable of various modifications and alternative forms, embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit example embodiments of the present invention to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures.
[0026] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments of the present invention. As used herein, the term “and/or,” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0027] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected,” or “coupled,” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected,” or “directly coupled,” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between,” versus “directly between,” “adjacent,” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.).
[0028] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the,” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the terms “and/or” and “at least one of” include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
[0029] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0030] Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper”, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, term such as “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein are interpreted accordingly.
[0031] The present invention provides intelligent electronic module design for multi-aerator (motor) control and protection within single module. The implementation of the present invention i.e., a digital starter through the design of single electronics module, has following competitive features are inbuilt which were not the case with prior art and has to look for combination with various devices and that too not efficient.
[0032] The present invention provides a feasible solution for multi-motor (aerator) control wherein individual motor can be controlled and isolated in case of fault and individual motor can be switched ON and OFF. Also features like dry run, cyclic timers, faults (like single phasing, reverse phasing, under voltage, overvoltage, overload etc.) are individually available for all the motors within a single solution through an intelligent electronics module.
[0033] Embodiments of the present invention are now explained with the help of FIGs. 2A-2E illustrates DC immunity test results before the invention is being implemented.
[0034] In an embodiment, an electronic module (100) for an aquaculture system is disclosed. The electronic module (100) includes one or more aerators (106-1, 106-2, 106-3, …. 106-N). Each of the one or more aerators (106-1, 106-2, 106-3, …., 106-N) has an associated controller (105-1, 105-2, 105-3, …., 105-N) to control aerator operations of the associated aerator (106-1, 106-2, 106-3, …., 106-N). Further, each associated controller (105-1, 105-2, 105-3, …., 105-N) of each of the one or more aerators are connected to a main motor (104) configured to control operations of each of the associated controller (105-1, 105-2, 105-3, …., 105-N).
[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, the main motor (104) is connected to an input power supply (102).
[0036] In an exemplary embodiment, the main motor (104) is a Digital TeleProtection Coupler (DTPC) motor.
[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the one or more aerators are interdependent from each other.
[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the one or more aerators are intradependent on each other.
[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, the electronic module (100) comprises a display screen (108) having a plurality of operating buttons (110-1, 110-2, 110-3, …., 110-N).
[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of operating buttons (110-1, 110-2, 110-3, …., 110-N) comprises one or more ON/OFF buttons, and wherein each of the one or more ON/OFF buttons is associated with a corresponding controller of each of the one or more aerators.
[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the one or more ON/OFF buttons are configured to control the working of corresponding controller.
[0042] In an exemplary embodiment, the controller is a motor.
[0043] In an exemplary embodiment, during fault in one of the controllers selected from the associated controller (105-1, 105-2, 105-3, …., 105-N), only the faulty controller is repaired without needing the electronic module to be switched off.
[0044] In an exemplary mode of working, if this system is to be installed at a pond and in the pond there are four motors/aerators and one of the motors is damaged or faulty, (please refer FIG. 2A) wherein one can individually isolate and bypass it, whereas in case of FIG. 1 it cannot be possible as a single controller would be powering all the motors, so there is no individual motor control and entire pond water pumping has to be stopped due to it as all the motors will be off in case of single motor fault.
[0045] What are described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are not to limit the present invention; any modification, equivalent replacement and improvement within the principle of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.
[0046] The example embodiment or each example embodiment should not be understood as a restriction of the invention. Rather, numerous variations and modifications are possible in the context of the present disclosure, in particular those variants and combinations which can be inferred by the person skilled in the art with regard to achieving the object for example by combination or modification of individual features or elements or method steps that are described in connection with the general or specific part of the description and are contained in the claims and/or the drawings, and, by way of combinable features, lead to a new subject matter or to new method steps or sequences of method steps, including insofar as they concern production, testing and operating methods.
[0047] References back that are used in dependent claims indicate the further embodiment of the subject matter of the main claim by way of the features of the respective dependent claim; they should not be understood as dispensing with obtaining independent protection of the subject matter for the combinations of features in the referred-back dependent claims. Furthermore, with regard to interpreting the claims, where a feature is concretized in more specific detail in a subordinate claim, it should be assumed that such a restriction is not present in the respective preceding claims.
[0048] Since the subject matter of the dependent claims in relation to the prior art on the priority date may form separate and independent inventions, the applicant reserves the right to make them the subject matter of independent claims or divisional declarations. They may furthermore also contain independent inventions which have a configuration that is independent of the subject matters of the preceding dependent claims.
[0049] Further, elements and/or features of different example embodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of this disclosure and appended claims.
[0050] Example embodiments being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the scope of the present invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.
, Claims:1. An electronic module (100) for an aquaculture system, the electronic module comprising:
one or more aerators (106-1, 106-2, 106-3, …., 106-N), wherein each of the one or more aerators (106-1, 106-2, 106-3, …., 106-N) having an associated controller (105-1, 105-2, 105-3, …., 105-N) to control aerator operations of the associated aerator (106-1, 106-2, 106-3, …., 106-N), wherein each associated controller (105-1, 105-2, 105-3, …., 105-N) of each of the one or more aerators are connected to a main motor (104) configured to control operations of each of the associated controller (105-1, 105-2, 105-3, …., 105-N).

2. The electronic module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main motor (104) is connected to an input power supply (102).

3. The electronic module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main motor (104) is a Digital TeleProtection Coupler (DTPC) motor.

4. The electronic module as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the one or more aerators are interdependent from each other.

5. The electronic module as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the one or more aerators are intradependent on each other.

6. The electronic module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic module (100) comprises a display screen (108) having a plurality of operating buttons (110-1, 110-2, 110-3, …., 110-N).

7. The electronic module as claimed in claim 7, wherein the plurality of operating buttons (110-1, 110-2, 110-3, …., 110-N) comprises one or more ON/OFF buttons, and wherein each of the one or more ON/OFF buttons is associated with a corresponding controller of each of the one or more aerators.

8. The electronic module as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of the one or more ON/OFF buttons are configured to control the working of corresponding controller.

9. The electronic module as claimed in claim 7, wherein the controller is a motor.

10. The electronic module as claimed in claim 1, wherein during fault in one of the controllers selected from the associated controller (105-1, 105-2, 105-3, …., 105-N), only the faulty controller is repaired without needing the electronic module to be switched off.