Air stone
US5034165A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 26, 1990 |
| Grant date | Jul 23, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 26, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01F23/231265
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An air stone suitable for use in aerating water in an aquarium is formed of a body of porous material permeable to air. Included within the body is a central chamber having an inlet port for receiving a connector, the chamber extending beyond the port to form a plenum for distribution of air throughout the air stone. In an embodiment of the air stone constructed with a circular cylindrical configuration, the plenum is enclosed by a cylindrical wall of porous material and closed off by an end wall of porous material. The cylindrical wall has uniform thickness equal to the thickness of the end wall. The connector includes a nipple extending into the chamber to make a press fit for securing the stone to the connector. A similar nipple directed in the opposite direction secures the connector to an air-supply tube. The uniform distribution of air within the stone provides for a uniform distribution of bubbles formed throughout the outer surface of the stone, which distribution of bubbles is useful for conveying water through a lift tube in an aquarium. A spider formed of a plurality of radially extending arms may be formed on the connector to center the air stone within the lift tube.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.