Water circulation systems for ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water

• US 7,789,553 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2007
• Issued: 09/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ixom Operations Pty Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Medora Environmental, Inc.
• Inventors: Tormaschy, Willard R., Simnioniw, Corey M., Bleth, Joel J., Kudrna, Gary A., Obritsch, Tait J.
• Primary Examiner(s): SOOHOO, TONY GLEN
• Application Number:
  US11/953,551
• Publication Number:
  US 20080087610A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,002 Days
• Field of Search: 366/262, 366/264, 366/348, 261/777, 261/93, 261/92, 261/91, 261/120, 261/121.1, 210/242.2
• US Class Current: 366/262
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/23341 with tubes surrounding the stirrer
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/23421 the stirrers rotating about a vertical axis
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 27/213 characterised by the connection with the drive
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/503 Floating mixing devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/32005 Type of drive
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/32055 by using solar energy
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/006 Water distributors either inside a treatment tank or directing the water to several treatment tanks; Water treatment plants incorporating these distributors, with or without chemical or biological tanks for settling tanks B01D21/24
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/009 Apparatus with independent power supply, e.g. solar cells, windpower, fuel cells for electrolysis apparatus C02F2201/46165
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/008 comprising telecommunication features, e.g. modems or antennas
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/22 O2
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/38 Gas flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/40 Liquid flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/14 Maintenance of water treatment installations
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 3/16 the aerator having a vertical axis
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 3/30 Aerobic and anaerobic processes
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 7/00 Aeration of stretches of water
• CPC Class Codes: E02B 1/003 Mechanically induced gas or liquid streams in seas, lakes or water-courses for forming weirs or breakwaters; making or keeping water surfaces free from ice, aerating or circulating water, e.g. screens of air-bubbles against sludge formation or salt water entry, pump-assisted water circulation moving sediments E02B3/023; for ice breakers B63B35/08; aerating or circulating water in fish-tanks A01K63/042; purification of waste water with addition of air C02F; distributing gases in liquids in general B01F23/20
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/212 Solar-powered wastewater sewage treatment, e.g. spray evaporation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/10 Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/37 using solar energy

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.

Claims

1. A method for operating a circulation system for a body of water to aid in reducing surface plant growth, said method including the steps of:

(a) providing a flotation platform, a dish, an impeller, and a draft tube extending downwardly from said flotation platform and having upper and lower end portions,

(b) operating the impeller for a period of time to draw water and plant growth adjacent the surface of the body of water downwardly through the impeller into the depths of the body of water and outwardly of the flotation platform wherein step (b) includes the further limitation of rotating the impeller for said first period of time in a first direction about an axis, and

(c) rotating said impeller about said axis in a direction opposite to said first direction after said first period of time wherein step (c) draws water from adjacent the lower end portion of said draft tube up through said draft tube to said dish and said method includes the further limitation of maintaining said dish completely submerged under the surface of the body of water during step (c).

2. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) includes the further limitation wherein said dish has a central opening therethrough and wherein step (c) moves water from adjacent the lower end portion of said draft tube up through said draft tube, up through the central opening of said dish, and outwardly over said dish.

3. The method of claim 1 including the further limitation of maintaining said dish completely submerged under the surface of the body of water during step (b).

4. A method for operating a circulation system for a body of water to aid in reducing surface plant growth, said method including the steps of:

(a) providing a flotation platform, a dish, and an impeller,

(b) operating the impeller for a period of time to draw water and plant growth adjacent the surface of the body of water downwardly through the impeller into the depths of the body of water and outwardly of the flotation platform wherein step (b) includes the further limitation of rotating the impeller for said first period of time in a first direction about an axis, and

(c) rotating said impeller about said axis in a direction opposite to said first direction after said first period of time wherein step (c) includes the further limitation of maintaining said dish completely submerged under the surface of the body of water during step (c).

5. The method of claim 4 including the further step of repeating steps (b) and (c).

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said axis is substantially vertical.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein said axis is substantially vertical.

8. The method of claim 4 including the further limitation of maintaining said dish completely submerged under the surface of the body of water during step (b).