Apparatus for the continuous cultivation of aquatic macrophytes

• US 5,636,472 A
• Filed: 09/11/1995
• Issued: 06/10/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Greengold Corporation
• Original Assignee: Greengold Corporation
• Inventors: Skillicorn, Paul W., Spira, William M.
• Primary Examiner(s): FEYRER, JAMES
• Application Number:
  US08/526,077
• Time in Patent Office: 638 Days
• Field of Search: 47/1.4, 47/65, 210/602, 210/626, 210/629, 210/608, 210/150, 210/926
• US Class Current: 47/1.4
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 31/02 Special apparatus therefor self-acting watering devices A01G27/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/21 Dinitrogen oxide [N2O], e.g. using aquaponics, hydroponics or efficiency measures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 210/926 using oxidation ditch, e.g. carousel

Abstract

An apparatus for cultivating macrophytes grown on the water surface in a circular basin structure containing a channel of plant growth nutrients water spiraling from the basin structure periphery into the center of the basin structure and then back out again to the periphery. Two spiraling berms, constructed in parallel, define the single, continuous channel of water. A conveyor means is mounted on a rotatable arm that extends from the basin structure center to the basin structure periphery and rotates about the central support. The conveyor means moves laterally along the rotatable arm so as to remain in the center of the channel of water as that arm rotates. A portion of the floating macrophytes on the water surface is harvested one or more times each day and transported to beyond the periphery of the basin structure where the floating macrophytes are available for subsequent processing. The proportion of plant cover harvested can be controlled by adjustments to the conveyor means and by adjusting the speed at which the rotatable arm rotates. The rotatable arm contains a means for dispensing macrophytes with water jet heads that mix and redistribute the plant cover after the conveyor means has passed through.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the culture of aquatic macrophytes in water having plant growth nutrients, said apparatus comprising:

a. a basin structure of generally circular shape which presents a double path in a generally spiral shape, and said double path defines a single continuous channel of water from an inlet end at the periphery of the basin to the center of said basin and then back to an outlet end adjacent to the inlet end at the periphery of the basin;

b. a rotatable arm attached to a support central to said basin said rotatable arm extending beyond the periphery of said basin, said rotatable arm being fully rotatable around said central support, and said rotatable arm bearing a trough which extends beyond said berms;

c. a conveyor means which gathers macrophytes from the water and conveys the macrophytes onto said trough whereby the macrophytes are conveyed beyond said berms; and

,

d. means for dispersing said macrophytes over the surface of the water after a portion of said macrophytes has been harvested.

2. An apparatus for the culture of aquatic macrophytes as recited in claim 1, further comprising a pipe and pump fluidly communicating with said outlet end and said inlet end whereby the concentration of growth nutrients of said water through said channel can be controlled.

3. An apparatus for the culture of aquatic macrophytes as recited in claim 1, wherein said double path is defined by parallel berms.

4. An apparatus for the culture of aquatic macrophytes as recited in claim 3, wherein said berms being constructed of materials selected from a class consisting of earth, masonry, brick, stone, concrete aggregate, or any combination thereof.

5. An apparatus for the culture of aquatic macrophytes as recited in claim 3, wherein said berms include the root systems of vegetation and vegetation to create an effective wind break.

6. An apparatus for the culture of aquatic macrophytes as recited in claim 1, wherein said conveyor means comprises a harvester head, an auger and a tram.

7. An apparatus for the culture of aquatic macrophytes in water having a higher than desirable level of plant growth nutrients, said apparatus comprising:

a. a basin structure of generally circular shape which presents a defined double path in a generally spiral shape, said path defined by two substantially parallel berms, said berms define a single continuous channel of water from an inlet end at the periphery to an outlet end adjacent to the inlet end, and said double path allowing water to flow from the periphery of the basin to the center of said basin and then back to the periphery of the basin;

b. a pipe and pump fluidly communicating said outlet end and said inlet end whereby the rate of flow of said water through said channel can be controlled;

c. a rotatable arm attached to a support central to said basin said rotatable arm extending to beyond the periphery of said basin, said rotatable arm being fully rotatable around said central support, said rotatable arm bearing a trough which slopes downwardly toward a trough outlet, said trough outlet being outside said periphery;

d. a conveyor means which can gather macrophytes from said channel and convey them to said trough whereby they will slide to said trough outlet; and

,

e. means for dispersing said macrophytes over the surface of the water in said channel after a portion of said macrophytes has been harvested.