FISH LIFT ELEVATOR

ASCENSEUR A POISSONS

English Abstract

This invention relates to a structural device for the safe,
effortless, efficient and practical passage of migratory fish past dams
and other types of river obstructions by means of vertical transport with
water.

French Abstract

Cette invention concerne une structure conçue pour que les poissons migrateurs traversent en sécurité, sans effort, avec efficacité et de façon pratique les barrages et d'autres obstacles fluviaux en empruntant un système de transport vertical contenant de l'eau.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. An hydraulic lift-elevator and air drop vertical passage device adaptable to
the upstream side of a dam or river barrier and to be connected to a fish
by-pass tunnel, said device comprising an upright turret with closed base
and an open top, one or more turret sidewall inflow port-holes at least one
port-hole being located below the low-water level on the upstream side of
the dam, an open ended access gallery let into the lower side of turret
above the base connecting the turret to the tunnel, said gallery containing
a water level control baffle at the tunnel end of the gallery, an operable
gate on turret side of the gallery, and at least one ceiling light, said turret
having a downflow drainpipe with inlet end slightly below bottom port hole
and with cross section smaller than the at least one port hole so that the
water level inside turret is able to rise to level of the at least one port hole,
and an outlet end extending into the gallery on the tunnel side of the gate.
2. The device as claimed in Claim 1, which, when adapted to higher river
dams or other barriers, is improved upon by the addition of: adjustable slip-cover
doors for the inflow port holes, embrasures in top edge and with
transparent cover over the turret, a syphon pressure reducing valve and
drain system that prevents quick flushing of fish from bypass tunnel, a
sonar fish reader scope with switch that will command closure of the gate
for commencing a lift cycle, a lift water valve and connective piping at turret
base allowing water from upstream side of dam into the turret controlled by
the sonar switch for opening and a downflow pipe sensor for closing, and
a waterproof control station located near the gallery gate for containing
powered and automatic control systems for programmable and cyclic
operation of the valves and gate.

Description

'~132~3
,
Some presently operating fish by-pass systems are successfully
operating on lower level dams, but seem to be impractical, costly or
dangerous to install at high level locations.
This invention is a very simple solution to passage of fish in an
environmentally friendly structure that operates as an hydraulic lift-
elevator for spawners or, as a free air-drop passage for smolts. The main
feature of the device is an open-topped turret with ports, which has a
lower-level protruding gallery with passageway and control valve that
allows entry or exit of fish from or into a tunnel through, under or
around a river obstruction or a high dam. This innovative blending of
gallery, valve and turret, together with ingenious placement of pipes,
valves, controls, ports, lights, sensors and closure devices, offers a
safe and effortless transit for f;sh when placed on the upstream side of
a dam.
This invention relates to a structural device for the safe,
effortless, efficient and practical passage of migratory fish past dams
and other types of river obstructions by means of vertical transport with
water.
To this date, -providlng a method of encouraging and allowing
upstream migratory fish past high river dams has proved to be dangerous,
costly, difficult or fruitless. There is also great danger to small fish
migrating downstream toward the ocean, as they seem to be attracted into
penstocks or spillway gates where they come to harm or sudden death.
Existing by-pass systems for fish are of three general types and are
usually adapted to lower level river obstructions.
The first and most successful type is the fish ladder. It is a
proven system.
The second and partly successful by-pass is' the simple lock with
upper and lower gates at either end of a conduit pipe or open trough.
The third type of by-passing is by use of screen diversion,
trapping, bailing and some form of physically transporting fish to other
- side of dam hy truck or conveyor.

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By devising a vertical lift elevator turret with a minimum of
mechanical parts, and which may also be used as safe air-drop container
for small fish if ports and valve are left open, the natural energy of
stored river forebay water is used for transport of smolts and spawners,
thereby saving their strength and condition for ongoing migration. Other
advantages the invention offers include the following adaptations. It is
designed for easy pre-casting or manufacture, and adapting to existing
dams. It will connect to a horizontal tunnel through, under or around a
river barrier such as a dam. If the downstream opening of tunnel is the
top of a fish ladder, the turret gallery may be located higher up the
front face of a dam, and by so doing, would reduce the quantities of water
required to operate the turret cycles. The addition of dlversion screens
near the top ports would deflect more downstream migrants into the turret
from the forebay waters. The simpllcity of the structural shape allows
the turret to be formed from steel, concrete or other fabricating
material. It should be inexpensive to make or fabricate, and efficient in
operation.
In Figure 1, where the dotted lines represent the upstream side of
a dam and a tunnel through the dam, this invention is placed for
connecting up to the tunnel end.
In its most simple form, the preferred embodiment of the invention
consists of: a vertical round turret [1] with closed base and an open
top; a protruding access gallery [2] above the turret base shaped in cross
section to connect into the upstream end of a tunnel; a horizontally
topped baffle wall [3] at or near end of gallery for controlling interior
water level; a controllable gate or valve [4] secured within a fixed
housing [5] attached to the gallery interior; a rotatable crank shaft [6]
connected to and controlling the gallery valve, extending upward to above
water levels, and turnable by a top crank wheel [7] located on a platform
[8], accesslble by side ladder [9~ near or at the top of turret; inflow

Page 3 2132~63
portholes [10] or slots in upper sidewall of turret placed so that the top
hole or holes attract smolts for free-fall alr drop within the turret and
through open gallery valve at high spring water level, with lower hole or
holes placed for exit of spawners from turret into lower forebay waters
during later summer and fall, but inflow volume of water restricted to
less than can pass the open gallery valve without rising above it; a light
[11] or lights set in the gallery ceiling that will attract the spawners
from the tunnel through the gate or valve and into base of the turret;
and, a downflow pipe or tube [12] shaped and extended so that upper inflow
end is below the portholes and lower outflow end exits drain water on
tunnel side of gallery valve thereby causing forebay water to enter the
turret when full, and retain some flow of water through the tunnel while
lifted spawners exit through the ports. When operating to lift spawners
travelling upstream, the valve is closed when schools of fish enter the
turret, thereby causing them to be elevated by trapped water, and to exit
through the inflow ports into the river forebay reservoir. After
sufficient time is allowed for spawner exit, the gallery valve is slowly
opened so as not to flush any waiting fish out of the tunnel, and when
fully opened without head pressure, again can be closed after entry of
another gathering of spawners within the turret base. The cycle can then
be repeated.
In Figure 2, which illustrates innovative improvements to the basics
shown in Figure 1, the invention is automated and made adaptable to higher
lift locations. The access gallery [2] is shown part into and part
projecting from sidewall of turret [1], and with downflow pipe [12]
installed to inside of turret wall.
Other improvements include: a syphon drain [13] with controllable
pressure reducing valve [14] at base of turret that opens after time lapse
has allowed upstream migrant fish to leave turret, and which closes at
reduced head of water, thereby allowing easy opening of the gallery

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gate/valve ~4~ without flushing the waiting fish from the adjacent by-pass
tunnel; a sonar reader scope [15] with switch located in the fish
collection base of turret, that, upon sensing a collected school of
wa;ting spawners causes the gallery gate/valve ~4] to close and the
trapped turret water to risei a lift water valve [16] in base or lower
sidewall of turret, preferably with directional piping, that will open
when gallery gate/valve [4] closes, allowing forebay water into turret
under waiting spawners so as to cause them to be elevated to open ports
[10], and which lift valve closes when a sensor [17] in the downflow pipe
[12] signals that turret water is escaping therein; a control station [18]
above, below or to side of gallery gatejvalve [4] for installation of
automatic controls, switches, sensors, programs, power feed and command
contact; a transparent cover [19] over the turret top; embrasures [20] let
into the top edge of the turret so as to allow air breathing under a cover
or for periodic inspection or access to inside of turret; wall mounted
ladder [21] for access to base of turret; slip cover port hole doors [22]
in slotted guides with arrester stops, for adjusting water flow at ports,
or for safety inspections and maintenance within turret.
;; :. .....

Representative Drawing