Air grid for underdrains and similar systems
First Claim
1. In a fluid flow apparatus having a section for containing a quantity of liquid and having a bottom structure, an air grid comprising:
- an air supply header disposed above the bottom structure;
one or more connecting tubes extending downwardly from the air supply header;
one or more header pipes connected to and supported only by at least one of the connecting tubes; and
a plurality of air laterals connected to each of the header pipes, wherein each of the air laterals includes a plurality of orifices for distributing air, and wherein the air laterals are connected to the header pipes by a spreader conduit disposed within the header pipe at a location displaced from a central axis of the header pipe,whereby the header pipes and air laterals are disposed above the bottom structure without any supporting connection therebetween.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Air grid systems for distributing a gas within treatment systems such as underdrain filters and contact clarifiers is disclosed. The air grid is supported from above so that it can be lowered into position and thus modified or repaired. Additionally, this feature permits retrofitting an air grid into an existing system, such as an underdrain filter, in which the bed of media overlying the underdrain is not upset by the installation. Thus, methods of installing or retrofitting air grid systems are also disclosed. In another aspect of the present invention, the air grid is comprised of an air manifold connected to air laterals by a spreader conduit that is inserted through a smooth bore in the walls of the manifold, thereby providing a simple and easy to manufacture structure that avoids problems found in prior art components.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. In a fluid flow apparatus having a section for containing a quantity of liquid and having a bottom structure, an air grid comprising:
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an air supply header disposed above the bottom structure; one or more connecting tubes extending downwardly from the air supply header; one or more header pipes connected to and supported only by at least one of the connecting tubes; and a plurality of air laterals connected to each of the header pipes, wherein each of the air laterals includes a plurality of orifices for distributing air, and wherein the air laterals are connected to the header pipes by a spreader conduit disposed within the header pipe at a location displaced from a central axis of the header pipe, whereby the header pipes and air laterals are disposed above the bottom structure without any supporting connection therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification