APPARATUS FOR KEEPING HYDROBIONTS Russian patent published in 1996 - IPC

FIELD: aquaculture. SUBSTANCE: apparatus has a lower horizontal frame with pontoons of a variable buoyancy and guide rope, upper frame with members which form a conical framework, hopper for fodder, fodder distributor, and caisson chamber, all these mounted on the upper part of the framework. The upper frame is formed by interconnected constant-buoyancy pontoons, has ballast tanks secured eccentrically underneath to pontoon connectors, and containers disposed in the upper part of said connectors and serving as constant-buoyancy members, or with additional ballast tanks whose diameter and height are selected so as to ensure a constant area of water line when the apparatus is being submerged or surfaced at a certain preset pitching angle. The caisson chamber accommodates elements of control system, feed distributing mechanism, ballast tank ventilation valves with a mechanism for their manual closing, a means for casting the emergency buoy when fodder delivery or functioning of feed distributing mechanism are stopped. Access to the elements accommodated inside is through an easily-removable upper part of the caisson chamber fastened to the wall by a pressuretight joint. The emergency buoy is secured outside of the caisson chamber. It is practicable that assembly and maintenance work be facilitated by making the ballast tank and containers of a removable construction. Frames are interconnected by slings which form, jointly with the frames, a framework with a netting chamber suspended inside for hydrobiont. EFFECT: sufficient stability, high safety and excellent operating characteristics. 7 cl, 3 dwg