Water circulation systems for ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water with adjustable solar panels
First Claim
1. A circulation system for a body of water, said system including a flotation platform extending about a substantially vertical first axis, a dish, an impeller, and a drive motor operably connected to the impeller, said system further including at least one solar panel for supplying power to the drive motor, said solar panel being mounted to said floatation platform for pivotal movement relative thereto about a substantially vertical second axis spaced from the first vertical axis of said flotation platform between at least first and second positions.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Circulation systems for ponds, lakes, or other bodies of water using a flotation platform, dish, and impeller. One embodiment has a connecting arrangement between the drive motor and the impeller that permits the two to be easily and quickly coupled and uncoupled. The connecting arrangement also is designed to accommodate slight misalignments between the shafts. An arrangement to adjust and calibrate the depth of the inlet to the draft tube is disclosed. The system further includes solar panels that can be pivotally swung outwardly to open positions, angularly adjusted about a horizontal axis, and mounted to face toward the central axis of the flotation platform rather than away from it. Arrangements are further provided to monitor and control the components of the system including remotely from shore.
-
Citations
13 Claims
- 1. A circulation system for a body of water, said system including a flotation platform extending about a substantially vertical first axis, a dish, an impeller, and a drive motor operably connected to the impeller, said system further including at least one solar panel for supplying power to the drive motor, said solar panel being mounted to said floatation platform for pivotal movement relative thereto about a substantially vertical second axis spaced from the first vertical axis of said flotation platform between at least first and second positions.
-
13. A circulation system for a body of water, said system including a flotation platform extending about a substantially vertical first axis (13), a dish, an impeller, and a drive motor operably connected to the impeller, said system further including at least one solar panel for supplying power to the drive motor, said solar panel having a main body with a substantially planar face (136) and a support arrangement for mounting the main body of said solar panel to said flotation platform for movement relative to a second axis (152) spaced from and substantially perpendicular to said first axis (13) of said flotation platform to adjust the angle (A) of the planar face to a horizontal plane (H),
the main body of said solar panel having side portions (140′ - ,142′
) and said support arrangement including members (158) respectively adjacent the side portions of the main body of said solar panel, said support arrangement for the main body of the solar panel further including first and second slotted tracks (155,157) in at least one of said members (158) extending away from each other at an obtuse angle (B), the main body of said solar panel having at least two pins (159) on at least one side portion thereof, said pins being respectively received in said first and second slotted tracks wherein movement of the main body of said solar panel relative to said support arrangement moves said pins along said slotted tracks to adjust the angle of the planar face of said solar panel relative to said horizontal plane.
- ,142′
Specification