Patent Application
20240064456
The present invention relates to apparatus and methods of using acoustic signals to deter animals and, more specifically, to using engineered acoustic signals to reduce the spread of invasive carp species.
This section introduces aspects that may help facilitate a better understanding of the invention. Accordingly, the statements of this section are to be read in this light and are not to be understood as admissions about what is prior art or what is not prior art.
The United States Government through a collaboration of the United States Geological Survey and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently installed an underwater acoustic deterrent system (uADS) at Lock and Dam 19, in Keokuk, Iowa, to evaluate how engineered signals may be able to reduce the spread of invasive carp species (including Asian carp). A prior study of the fish community near and in Lock and Dam No. 19 indicated that invasive carps and native fishes commonly use the lock for upstream passage. The invasive carp are considered harmful because they grow quickly and aggressively compete with native fish for food and habitat. The only continuous connection between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins is the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS) and thus it poses the greatest potential risk for the transfer of aquatic nuisance species.
Currently, and beginning with the installation of an initial electric dispersal demonstration barrier in 2002, a series of additional electric barriers have been installed in the CAWS near Romeoville, Illinois to prevent the movement of Bigheaded carps (bighead carp [Hypophthalmichthys nobilis] and silver carp [H. molitrix]), hereinafter Asian carp (AC), from the Illinois River into southern Lake Michigan. The electric barriers are one control technology in a broad interagency Asian carp prevention effort. Although the electric barrier system is considered effective as a deterrent to AC, supplemental non-structural deterrents to the electric barrier are highly desired. The use of multiple barrier technologies would likely decrease the probability that AC would move through multiple high head dams and controlled river reaches into the Great Lakes through redundancy. Increasing the number of deterrents would also create a “buffer zone,” where AC are nonexistent or in low numbers, thus providing greater confidence in their containment.
Due to the large-scale impacts in the Mississippi River Basin and associated basins, coordinated efforts have prompted research and development management tools reduce AC expansion. Significant work has been done to identify potential biological and physical techniques that are candidates for non-structural deterrents that may serve to discourage the movement of bigheaded carps, while allowing passage of native fish, and allow for commercial shipping to continue without interference or inconvenience caused by a non-structural fish deterrent of any type. One candidate is underwater sound. Previous studies have indicated that both AC species react negatively to sound. Asian carp and other members of the superorder Ostariophysi possess a calcified connection between the inner ear and swim bladder, known as a Weberian apparatus, which enhances their hearing ability. Asian carp have a broader hearing range for freshwater fish, detecting frequencies above 3 kHz as opposed to hearing generalists which tend to be limited to frequencies of 50 Hz to 1 kHz, at relatively high sound intensities (greater than 80 dB re 1 μPa). This hearing range may allow for selectively deterring invasive carps, with few impacts to non-target species. Prior studies have indicated that the bigheaded carp (Hypophthalmichthys spp.) will repeatedly respond to complex sound, such as 100 Hp boat motor engine, while many native fish respond little to the signal. In addition to low environment and ecological impacts, underwater acoustics deterrents are minimal risk for humans and navigation safety, and have low costs for installations, and long-term operations and maintenance (O&M).
The present invention was developed to address the desire for a long-term underwater acoustic deterrent system for use in a riverine system. Multiple factors are considered in achieving effective long-term acoustic deterrents. The use of sound frequencies (Hz), sound pressure levels (SPL, dB re 1 μPa), and speaker design and placement to repel Asian Carp (AC) while preventing injury to native aquatic species are desirable. Also desirable is the determination of the efficacy of acoustic deterrents to contain, herd, and capture AC. For both these elements, it is desirable to assess these acoustic deterrents in the field on motivated fish (spawning, feeding, etc.). Moreover, there is a need to critically evaluate the efficacy of underwater acoustic deterrent technology when deployed on a large scale, such evaluation of the underwater acoustic deterrent to continue over time and as the work broadens in scope (reevaluation), and re-deployment and further testing in new environments or locations, as necessary. Finally, it is further desirable to develop tools that predict movement based on Lock & Dam operations and long-term remote monitoring of fish and acoustic deterrent systems.
An aspect the present invention is directed to an engineered acoustic signal for keeping an animal away from one or more specific areas. The engineered acoustic signal has deterrence stimulus evaluated to maximize effectiveness in keeping animals away from specific areas based on at least one of: ability of the deterrence stimulus to initiate a behavioral response of the animal to keep the animal from the one or more specific areas; duration of the behavioral response; and magnitude of the behavioral response.
In some embodiments, evaluating the deterrence stimulus of the engineered acoustic signal to maximize effectiveness comprises deploying the deterrent acoustic array or engineered acoustic signal in an aquatic environment to deter Asian carp; and observing the behavioral response of the Asian carp which comprises experimentally observing presence or absence of at least one of the following response factors: rapid onset of sound; irregular patterns of sound; sound that increases in amplitude of a frequency range; sound that does not decrease in frequency or loudness; sound that is greater than 140 dB re 1 μPa; and sounds that overlap with the Asian carp's hearing range, which tend to create stronger behavioral responses of the Asian carp.
Another aspect of the invention is directed to a sound bar for producing engineered acoustic signals for keeping an animal away from one or more specific areas. The sound bar comprising: a weldment having a weldment top, a weldment bottom, a front weldment side, and a rear weldment side; a plurality of speakers disposed inside the weldment and spaced from each other; at least one acoustic doppler current profilers (ADCP) disposed inside the weldment; at least one hydrophone disposed inside the weldment; and a mounting mechanism configured to be attached to a discharge lateral, the mounting mechanism including a plurality of bottom supports spaced from each other to support the weldment bottom at a plurality of locations and position the weldment top below a top surface of the discharge lateral and position the rear weldment side adjacent a front side of the discharge lateral.
Another aspect of the invention is directed to a method of producing engineered acoustic signals for keeping an animal away from one or more specific areas. The method comprises: attaching to a discharge lateral using a mounting mechanism, a weldment having a weldment top, a weldment bottom, a front weldment side, and a rear weldment side, the mounting mechanism including a plurality of bottom supports spaced from each other to support the weldment bottom at a plurality of locations and position the weldment top below a top surface of the discharge lateral and position the rear weldment side adjacent a front side of the discharge lateral; disposing a plurality of speakers inside the weldment which are spaced from each other; disposing at least one acoustic doppler current profilers (ADCP) inside the weldment; and disposing at least one hydrophone inside the weldment.
Embodiments of the invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements.
Detailed illustrative embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments of the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein. Further, 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. It further will be understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,” specify the presence of stated features, steps, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, or components. It also should 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.
Embodiments of the present invention provide long-term underwater acoustic deterrent system and method to repel Asian Carp (AC), while preventing injury to native aquatic species. Research has been conducted to determine the efficacy of acoustic deterrents to contain, herd, and capture AC. The research critically evaluates the efficacy of underwater acoustic deterrent technology when deployed on a large scale. The research has led to embodiments of designed deterrent acoustic array, which provide an effective deterrence for repelling AC. The mechanism of deployment may be an underwater sound transmission and amplification apparatus.
An important initial step in the process of deploying engineered signals into an aquatic environment is the development of an acoustic propagation model suitable for, e.g., a particular Lock & Dam. Such a propagation model may be used for similarly designed locks, with modifications, to effect re-deployment of engineered signals in additional locations and minimize future efforts and associated cost in Lock sound propagation characterization. To this end, in developing the systems and methods of generating and deploying engineered signals into an aquatic environment: (i) the output of the sound projector array elements and interaction between elements are measured; (ii) the ambient levels of sound in the approach channel of the subject Lock & Dam are measured; (iii) the sound propagation in subject Lock and Dam approach channel is measured; (iv) a determination of the appropriate classes of propagation model(s) to use at the subject Lock & Dam is completed; and (v) an acoustic propagation model is developed for the subject Lock & Dam approach channel using the model that best predicted the collected data.
Projector performance testing is conducted to ensure that all equipment (cables, connectors, speakers, amplifiers) meet vendor specifications. Projectors are designed to produce sound within specified frequency bands. Matching the sound producing capabilities of the projectors to the desired sounds and propagation of those sounds is paramount to success of the sound production system. The system produces the required sound levels in the needed frequency bands with acceptable power consumption and functional lifetime. In addition, beam pattern forming from the speakers are measured to examine and evaluate any distance needed between speakers to reduce transmission losses. When sounds combine, the phase of the sound is important. In phase, sounds add constructively; out of phase they add destructively, forming a beam. By adjusting the phase, beams can be steered. Sound waves interact with their environment, so consideration is given to distance from a sound source. Small distances from the sound source have low or no interaction, while conical spreading occurs at greater ranges. Reflected sound rays interact in a similar fashion to surface water waves reflecting from a pool wall. The Lock & Dam environment may comprise cement on three sides and water on the fourth side. Accordingly, the approach lock becomes a highly reflective domain which may lead to increased transmission loss. Projector array designs implicate interference patterns from the beam forming sources and should be taken into consideration for a particular engineered channel configuration. Additional projector array design considerations are ambient noise, native and invasive fish hearing, coverage, obstructions, and sound profiles & sound levels.
It is desirable in evaluating and designing a particular array for a specific Lock & Dam location to add an additional vessel and swivel arms on each vessel to accommodate navigation thereby having mobile sound and playback vessels, as opposed to having one vessel recording sound from the lock doors down the channel. Various fixed sound receiver locations may be selected where ambient and playback sounds (e.g., engineered tones) are monitored, e.g., over a 7-day period; and as stated using 2 vessels, 2 projectors, and several hydrophones may be placed on the vessel and along the channel to capture sound in 3D and particle motion. Multiple source locations are desirable (e.g., 10-15 source locations) or in certain embodiments of the invention, 12 source locations may be used.
A 3D Parabolic Model with range-dependent parameters (i.e., sediment characteristics, bathymetry) and out-of-plane reflections may be used to model transmission loss at a Lock & Dam location. Decibel loss (dB)—that is transmission loss (TL)—is largely if not entirely due to the reflective surfaces in the Lock & Dam environment. Study of this phenomena in connection with developing an acoustic model in accordance with embodiments of the invention shows that such loss is greater at 3500 Hz when compared to 500 Hz because of the refraction of sound and shorter wavelength at 3500 Hz.
Many configurations are possible with respect to the manner in which engineered signals may be deployed in a Lock & Dam environment. In embodiments of the invention, there may be a first speaker array comprising 2 rows having speakers spaced 10′ apart and rows spaced 20′ apart. In further embodiments of the invention a second speaker array may comprise 12 speaker rows having speakers spaced 10′ apart and rows spaced 20′ apart. The number of speakers may be reduced without impacting coverage in embodiments of the invention by using engineered signals that have limited frequency and amplitude range, and speakers may be redesigned to increase amplitude and ability to spread sound. In embodiments of the invention speaker arrays may be designed to provide coverage to a mix of walls and floor surfaces.
Development of test tones for a particular Lock & Dam Sound propagation model may include using a signal that covers the hearing range of Asian carp (0 Hz to 8000 Hz) and overlapped with the 100 Hp playback.
The characterization is 35 s in duration, frequency range of 10 Hz to 23,999 Hz, an amplitude that increases from 0.15V to 1V and returns to 0.18V, asymmetric between two channels, and the second channel has a digital signature of filtration. As may be studied in connection with long-term ambient spectra, a majority of energy in over a 7-day period at a selected Lock & Dam may be between 60 and 1000 Hz. This includes the ambient noise generated by water movement around the hydrophone (e.g., splashing), local biologically produced sounds, and nearby transportation noise. The majority of power (dB re 1 μPa) of the 100 hp signal is in the frequency range (100-1000 Hz) which overlaps with most native and non-native species hearing sensitivities. In addition, the noise produced by some commercial vessels commonly using lock approaches also has the greatest power in the (10-1000 Hz). It would be desirable to produce signals where the majority of the sound wave (time per frequency) was outside of this frequency range, or with specific patterns within it, so that any generated engineered signal does not have to be “louder” than navigation, i.e., a commercial tow. The loudest section of the 100 hp playback signal would be masked by passing tows (based on long-term spectra for the selected Lock & Dam configuration).
This research includes analysis of ambient noise generated by navigation. As may be shown in a detailed study of sound generated by navigation at a Lock & Dam location, the main sound generation elements (opening lock doors, draining the lock, tow vessel noise) have a majority of energy (loudness; dB re 1 μPa) in the 100-1000 Hz range (x-axis).
Knowing the range and thresholds of invasive carp hearing is critical to define “effective” sound playbacks that will elicit behavioral responses for the acoustic deterrent array. Phonotaxis (movement of an organism in relation to a sound source) is response that implies the sound used to elicit the response was within the hearing range of the fish. The lack of phonotaxis, however, does not mean that the fish could not hear the cue. Not all acoustic cues will initiate a behavioral response, and some may initiate a range of responses from subtle movements that are transient to more intense movements. Salient movements and movement patterns provide spatio-temporal information needed to design deterrent arrays and maximize their effectiveness in keeping animals away from specific areas. Three elements are critical when evaluating deterrence stimuli: 1) the ability of the stimulus to initiate a behavioral response, 2) the duration of the behavioral response, and 3) the magnitude on the behavioral response.
Informing the invention of engineered signals to deploy in aquatic environments to deter invasive carp included several experimentally observed response factors: Bighead carp respond to (1) rapid onset of sound, (2) irregular patterns of sound, (3) sound that increases in amplitude of a frequency range, (4) sound that does not decrease in frequency or loudness, (5) sound that is greater than 140 dB, and (6) sounds that overlap in the upper and lower ends of their hearing which tend to create stronger responses. Also, other inventive factors are contemplated in the discovery of engineered signals effective to deter Invasive Carp (IC). While certain sounds may initially appear to be promising, there may be a queue for the IC to return back to normal behavior by which is meant they are ultimately not deterred.
The evaluation of the specific hearing range of the individual IC species (in other words, what engineered signals are audible to a certain or all species of invasive carp to be deterred) is a factor, i.e., certain sounds may be more effective to deter certain species of invasive carp due to their hearing range or other undetermined factors.
Further, if effective sounds are discovered but are masked by navigation sounds or noises, as discussed above, it may be possible to create an engineered signal that is increased in decibels in the appropriate frequency range such that it may still act so as to deter the invasive carp. Attention is given to the possibility that invasive carp may habituate or “adapt” to the navigation background noise patterns present in the given environment.
It has been unexpectedly discovered that invasive carp may be susceptible to the Doppler like-effect, wherein if the sound is perceived to be approaching the invasive carp may be deterred, but a sound that is perceived as receding or increasing in distance from the fish may not be perceived as a threat and therefore not an effective deterrent or not as effective as approaching sound. “Doppler-like effect” is described as a noticeable gain and drop of pitch as noise as it approaches and passes by the subject or the carp.
While some studies of the 100 hp outboard motor have included as a part of the recorded sound pattern of splashing originating in all probability from wave action on the recording platform or raft, water lapping and splashing noises are not a component of the engineered signals in accordance with the invention. The primarily reason for exclusion is that when invasive carp forage, they may “roll” on the surface of the water, creating water lapping or splashing sounds. Water lapping, and splashing, then, could scare fish but it also could excite fish thus resulting in a misinterpretation of the engineered signal intent.
A quantitative measure of deterrence has been developed called “distance travelled” and measured in units of length, e.g., cm. It is an indication of how far an invasive carp will continue to travel when subjected to a sound. The 100 hp outboard motor sound pattern believed to be somewhat effective and studied, as indicated and discussed above, has a rejection rate of 110,000 cm which includes fish behavior where fish do not reverse direction and may even return to their prior direction of travel.
In a surprising and unexpected discovery, the engineered signals according to embodiments of the present invention have a dramatically improved distance travelled of 20,000 cm or less, which is over five times better than the 100 hp outboard motor sound pattern. Additionally, the observed behaviors of the fish when subjected to the engineered signals in accordance with embodiments of the invention include possible reversal of direction, freezing, or seeking shelter.
As referenced above, a recently installed underwater acoustic deterrent system (uADS) at Lock and Dam 19, in Keokuk, Iowa, is being used to evaluate how engineered signals may be able to reduce the spread of Asian carp (AC) species.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a novel sound bar device is one of a kind and has been designed to be unique in modularity by which is meant that individual components (such as speakers, amplifiers) may be acquired from various sources, and it is not necessary to have custom-manufactured components. Many vendors offer proprietary technology designs for a cost. A fully functional sound bar device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is intended to avoid such a need for custom proprietary devices.
The design is such that the sound bar in accordance with embodiments of the invention fits directly and fully across and into the discharge lateral of a Lock & Dam facility. It is extremely durable and able to survive the hazards of normal Lock & Dam operations, navigation, and high-flow river conditions for significant time periods. Barge traffic may have too much draft and can contact portions of the sound bar, the pressure and debris from the propellors of the vessels are known to be damaging, dredge or work platform spuds have been known to be a factor, and any manner of large debris may become entrained or entangles in barge navigation and caused to impact the sound bar in accordance with the invention or even damage to the Lock and Dam structure itself is not uncommon.
The design embodies safety and reduction of risks associated with normal lock operations, sound generation, surrounding community, and local ecology. The weldment holds the speakers with materials that meet the following criteria as cited in AISC Steel Construction Manual (14th edition): ASTM A500 FY=46 KSI; ASTM A36, FY=36 KSI, ASTM F1554 Grade 55, FY=55; ASTM A325. The J-hangers 820 are configured to secure the weldment to the top and side of the lateral and allow for the weldment to hang down into the lateral discharge. This reduces the risk of strike by navigation or debris and becoming dislodged causing potentially catastrophic events (loss of life, damage to the lock, and consequently impact on the US economy) at a lock. In addition, the positioning of the weldment deployed in the discharge lateral reduces the transfer of sound through structural mediums (mechanical coupling). Sound transmission into the air rather than the water column is undesirable as more audible noise could disrupt navigation communication (between staff) and add additional noise stress on local communities. An example of a non-desirable location would be speakers placed on miter gates where the energy (in this case sound) would move from the speaker into the miter gate. As the speaker vibrates, the water and the miter gate (and components of the miter gate) would vibrate accordingly. Because the miter gate is both in the water and in the air, the noise would disperse into the air, thus the miter gate transfers noise acting like an in-air speaker. This would directly (or indirectly) create sound that navigation and the public would be able to hear, thereby presenting a potential health hazard. The secondary impacts of mechanical coupling on structures that allow for transfer of energy between water and air mediums could disrupt of navigation communication between operators could result in catastrophic events (loss of life, damage to the lock, and consequently impact on the US economy) at a lock; and likelihood of disruption of the surrounding community and local ecology (such as the overwintering of bald eagles long the buffer zone of the train tracks and lock facility). This design reduces these risks by placement of the soundbar in water column, below a depth where vessels could strike it (assuming these abide by draft regulations), in a location and on materials that reduce the likelihood of mechanical coupling, and thus, reduces the sound transfers into air.
This design embodies the need to ensonify the lock approach with the engineered deterrence signals for the AC deterrence, but also the area below the discharge lateral where fish can congregate.
In this challenging environment, the sound bar in accordance with an embodiment of the invention has been shown to perform extremely well, resist damage, remain operational, and achieve the needed sound levels for AC deterrence in the course of operation.
The speaker cover 1140 detachably covers a speaker opening on the weldment to each speaker. The molded HPDE cover 1140 protects each speaker for accessibility in water or in air. HPDE is considered acoustically opaque. As such, the HPDE cover 1140 reduces a relatively small portion of the signal transmission. HPDE is a tough material that would absorb some impacts thereby protecting the speakers.
A mounting mechanism, which may be the J-hangers mechanism 1120, is configured to be attached to the discharge lateral. The mounting mechanism includes a plurality of bottom supports spaced from each other to support the weldment bottom at a plurality of locations and position the weldment top below a top surface of the discharge lateral and position the rear weldment side adjacent a front side of the discharge lateral. The bottom supports may include multiple pairs of J-shaped brackets 1130 configured to support the weldment bottom, front weldment side, and rear weldment side of the weldment. The mounting mechanism may further include an upper member 1160 which is detachably connected to each pair of J-shaped brackets 1130 to be disposed above the weldment and the pair of J-shaped brackets 1130. As seen in
When a decision has been made to use a certain acoustic profile and one or more engineered signals as described above, the novel sound bar is tunable to deliver the engineered signal to the entirety of the Lock & Dam approach channel or chamber environment and its unique configuration and characteristics in the instance where that is the design goal for AC deterrence.
As described above, the number of transducers used to emit the engineered signal into the underwater environment may vary, and in embodiments of the invention the number of transducers may be 10-15, 15-20, or more than 20. The Lock No. 19 facility employs 16 transducers in the sound bar in accordance with the invention.
A flange plate 1426 is used for fastening the HDPE speaker cover 1140 to the weldment in a continuous weld and has predrilled holes that fit the stainless 7/16-inch bolts and nuts.
In the concept of operation hydrophones are placed throughout the Lock & Dam to assist with initial startup, tuning and operational monitoring of the sound bar device in accordance with embodiments of the invention, such that the engineered signal is sufficient to deter AC in the particular application.
In embodiments of the invention, each of the 16 transducers have dedicated, individual amplifiers computer controlled to effectuate the transmission of the engineered signal at the correct intensity to deter AC yet not use an excessive amount of power. Not only do the hydrophones interact with the sound bar during initial startup and tuning wherein the individual transducers have a calibrated output, afterwards in routine and extended operation, but the computer-controlled system has the capability to monitor the operation of the entire sound bar such that any malfunction of an individual component of the sound bar can be detected and corrected.
In embodiments of the invention, Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) may be installed in the sound bar to provide accurate readings of flow and velocity of the current over the sound bar. The knowledge gained from the ADCP can help to gain not only the flows passing over the sound bar, which is of interest to managing AC and to managing navigation approach.
Embodiments of the invention can be manifest in the form of methods and apparatuses for practicing those methods.
Unless explicitly stated otherwise, each numerical value and range should be interpreted as being approximate as if the word “about” or “approximately” preceded the value or range.
Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as molecular weight, percent, ratio, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about,” whether or not the term “about” is present. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present disclosure. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the disclosure are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
It will be further understood that various changes in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts which have been described and illustrated in order to explain embodiments of this invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from embodiments of the invention encompassed by the following claims.
In this specification including any claims, the term “each” may be used to refer to one or more specified characteristics of a plurality of previously recited elements or steps. When used with the open-ended term “comprising,” the recitation of the term “each” does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or steps. Thus, it will be understood that an apparatus may have additional, unrecited elements and a method may have additional, unrecited steps, where the additional, unrecited elements or steps do not have the one or more specified characteristics.
It should be understood that the steps of the exemplary methods set forth herein are not necessarily required to be performed in the order described, and the order of the steps of such methods should be understood to be merely exemplary. Likewise, additional steps may be included in such methods, and certain steps may be omitted or combined, in methods consistent with various embodiments of the invention.
Although the elements in the following method claims, if any, are recited in a particular sequence with corresponding labeling, unless the claim recitations otherwise imply a particular sequence for implementing some or all of those elements, those elements are not necessarily intended to be limited to being implemented in that particular sequence.
All documents mentioned herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety or alternatively to provide the disclosure for which they were specifically relied upon.
Reference herein to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments necessarily mutually exclusive of other embodiments. The same applies to the term “implementation.”
The embodiments covered by the claims in this application are limited to embodiments that (1) are enabled by this specification and (2) correspond to statutory subject matter. Non-enabled embodiments and embodiments that correspond to non-statutory subject matter are explicitly disclaimed even if they fall within the scope of the claims.
The application is a nonprovisional of and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/324,635, filed on Mar. 28, 2022, entitled SOUND BAR FOR DETERRENCE OF ASIAN CARP, the entire disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Under paragraph 1(a) of Executive Order 10096, the conditions under which this invention was made entitle the Government of the United States, as represented by the Secretary of the Army, to an undivided interest therein on any patent granted thereon by the United States. This and related patents are available for licensing to qualified licensees.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63324635 | Mar 2022 | US |
