Bubble generating device

Details Bubble generating device Bubble generating device

2000-03-23

2001-08-21

Bushey, C. Scott (Department: 1724)

Gas and liquid contact apparatus

Fluid distribution

Pumping

C261S064100, C261S122200, C261S124000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06276669

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a bubble generating device for a water tank, more particularly to a bubble generating device which is capable of intermittently controlling the emission of bubbles in the water tank.
2. Description of the Related Art
Bubble generating devices are commonly installed in a water tank, such as an aquarium tank, for aerating the water received therein so as to increase oxygen content in the water. A conventional bubble generating device includes a bubble emission member disposed in the tank, and an air pump connected fluidly to the bubble emission member for providing pressurized air to the bubble emission member such that bubbles can be emitted from the bubble emission member. However, when the conventional bubble generating device is in use, bubbles are continuously emitted from the bubble emission member while the air pump is activated. The scene created by the continuously emitted bubbles in the water tank is relatively monotonous. It is desirable to provide a bubble generating device that provides a varying waterscape in a water tank to result in an enhanced aesthetic effect.
In co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/474,689, the Applicant disclosed a bubble generating device for use with a water tank so as to provide the water tank with a varying waterscape. The bubble generating device disclosed in the aforementioned patent application includes a bubble emission member adapted to be disposed in a water receiving chamber of the water tank and formed with a plurality of bubble emission holes, an air pump for providing pressurized air, air passage means for fluidly communicating the air pump and the bubble emission member to permit flow of the pressurized air from the air pump to the bubble emission member, and a control unit for intermittently controlling air flow through the air passage means so as to intermittently control the amount of bubbles emitted from the bubble emission holes of the bubble emission member.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The main object of the present invention is to provide a modified bubble generating device of the type disclosed in the aforementioned patent application.
Accordingly, the bubble generating device of the present invention is to be used with a water tank which has a water receiving chamber to hold water therein, and includes a bubble emission member, an air pump, a first air passage tube, a second air passage tube, and a control unit. The bubble emission member is adapted to be disposed in the water receiving chamber of the water tank, and is formed with a plurality of bubble emission holes. The air pump provides pressurized air. The first air passage tube has a first end connected to the air pump for receiving the pressurized air provided by the air pump, and an opposite second end. The second air passage tube has a first end connected to the bubble emission member, and an opposite second end. The control unit includes a cam wheel, a valve seat, a spring-loaded piston rod and a drive unit. The cam wheel is rotatable about a rotary axis, and has a peripheral cam surface. The valve seat is formed with an air chamber, an air inlet communicated fluidly with the air chamber and connected to the second end of the first air passage tube for fluidly communicating therewith, and an air outlet communicated fluidly with the air chamber and connected to the second end of the second air passage tube for fluidly communicating therewith. The piston rod has a first end portion extending toward the peripheral cam surface of the cam wheel, and a second end portion which extends into the air chamber of the valve seat and which is disposed between the air inlet and the air outlet. The second end portion of the piston rod is provided with a valve piece. The piston rod is biased to move toward the cam wheel to keep the first end of the piston rod in contact with the peripheral cam surface of the cam wheel. The drive unit is coupled to the cam wheel for driving rotation of the cam wheel so as to permit the cam surface to intermittently push the piston rod toward the air chamber to enable the piston rod to move intermittently between a blocking position, in which air flow from the air inlet to the air outlet is blocked by the valve piece on the second end portion of the piston rod, thereby preventing air flow from the first air passage tube to the second air passage tube so as to prevent emission of bubbles via the bubble emission body, and a non-blocking position, in which the valve piece ceases to block the air flow from the air inlet to the air outlet, thereby permitting air flow from the first air passage tube to the second air passage tube and permitting emission of bubbles via the bubble emission body.


REFERENCES:
patent: 1792285 (1931-02-01), Curry et al.
patent: 2376733 (1945-05-01), Testin
patent: 3664647 (1972-05-01), Snow et al.
patent: 3920550 (1975-11-01), Farrell, Jr. et al.
patent: 4029581 (1977-06-01), Clough, Jr. et al.
patent: 5167877 (1992-12-01), Pai

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