Patent · US Expired

Methods and systems for removing floating solid waste from the surface of a watercourse

US7314571B2 · kind B2 · utility

7Cited by
43References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 21, 2006
Grant dateJan 1, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 13, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC02F2103/007
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A floating pond skimmer is coupled by a fluid conduit to a remote filter/aerating apparatus. The skimmer sucks a mixture of solids and water, grinds/chops the solids, and pumps the reduced solids and water through the conduit to the filter/aerating apparatus which separates the solids from the mixture and aerates the water from the mixture. The floating skimmer preferably includes a vortex chamber, an on-board pump with a grinding impeller, an adjustable ballast, and an anchor. The filter/aerating apparatus includes an inclined screen and a drain tray beneath the inclined screen coupled to a water discharge conduit. Optionally, an aeration pump is coupled to the discharge conduit. Also optionally, a removable solid waste hopper is located at the lower end of the inclined screen. Otherwise the solid waste simply falls into a compost pile at the bottom of the inclined screen.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.