The patented Shellevator™ invention automates ascent and descent of containerized shellfish through the water column on scalable structures. T wo or more forward and aft lift tanks are mounted below a frame with containerized oysters attached to the topside. C ompressed air (compressor or air tank) is routed through a primary airline to a manifold that supplies secondary airlines connected to on top at front end of lift tanks. Opening the corresponding valve introduces compressed air and forces water out an exhaust port on bottom back end of the lift tank. Ascent is controlled by sequentially introducing compressed air to completely exhaust water and float forward lift tanks before floating aft tanks. Descent is achieved by completely exhausting air and flooding aft tanks before sinking forward tanks.
The Shellevator™ Express (Figure 1) is a repurposed 24’ pontoon boat submerged in shallow water. With >3000 Kg lift and >30,000 oyster capacity, the scale is 30-fold larger than manual gear, virtually immovable and hurricane ready in the grow position. It can be raised above the sea surface or tilted side to side in a few minutes for <$0.01 using a small 1200-watt compressor automating desiccation, tumbling and harvesting. Shellevator™ Express (Figure 2) is being towed >30Km/h and can be trailered at highway speeds to avoid harm or quickly relocate to areas for improved growth, quality and safety. Shellevator™ automation and agility eliminates most labor and represents a paradigm shift from farming to herding oysters that is needed to address the unprecedented challenges of an increasingly uncertain climate.