Liquid purification or separation – Flow – fluid pressure or material level – responsive – Float
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-28
2001-06-26
Upton, C. (Department: 1724)
Liquid purification or separation
Flow, fluid pressure or material level, responsive
Float
C210S170050, C210S242100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06251266
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to portable suction tube inlet devices which float in a body of water so that the suction tube may withdraw water from the body of water from a point which is just beneath the surface of the body of water. Additionally, the present invention relates to suction tube inlet devices which withdraw water from a body of water without causing a vortex or whirlpool effect on the surface of the water. Further, the present invention relates generally to suction tube inlet devices which withdraw water from a body of water while preventing the flow of water toward the inlet device from stirring up particulate matter and sediment from beneath the float and carrying it to the inlet device. This last point is particularly important in the later stages of draining a body of water, when the floating inlet device is near the bottom of the body of water.
The best way for withdrawing substantially clean water from a pond or other body of water containing substantial amounts of sediment and suspended solids is to withdraw water from the surface of the body of water. Gravity draws sediment and suspended solids, which have a higher specific gravity than water, downward toward the bottom of the pond. Thus, the water nearest the surface is the“cleanest” water; that is, it has the lowest concentration of sediment and suspended solids.
A variety of filtering devices for withdrawing substantially clean water from a body of water containing particulate matter, such as sediment ponds, trenches, and waste water ponds, have been described over the years. In 1879, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 222,140 disclosed a floating filter having a buoyant chamber and a filtration chamber. This system, however, does not effectively prevent formation of a vortex on the surface of the water, or protect the inlet of the filtration chamber from particulates. Over a century later, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,855, a method of using a float to support the end of a suction tube just beneath the surface of a body of water was described. The end of the suction tube was covered with a filter to prevent particulates from entering the tube. However, the suction tube in this device was connected to a pump for applying suction to the tube through an underground passage. This makes the device inconvenient to install. Additionally, the device, once installed, is not portable.
It is an object of the present invention to provide portable suction tube inlet devices which float just beneath the surface of a body of water so that the suction tube may withdraw water from the body of water without disturbing subsurface particulate matter. It is a further object of the present invention to provide suction tube inlet devices which withdraw water from a body of water without causing a vortex on the surface of the water. It is a third object of the present invention to provide suction tube inlet devices which prevent particulate matter and sediment from beneath the float from being carried to the suction tube inlet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These objectives are achieved by the present invention, which is a floating suction tube inlet featuring an upper anti-vortex plate; a lower scour guard plate; and at least one float connected to the upper plate. The float supports the upper plate in a body of water so that the upper plate is parallel to the surface of the body of water. The upper and lower plates are separated by a fixed distance, so as to allow water to flow between the upper and lower plates. A tube passes through a hole in the upper plate. The tube has a first open end above the upper plate which is adapted to connect to a suction hose and a second open end positioned between the upper and lower plates. A strainer covers the second open end of the tube. When the inlet is positioned in a body of water, the float supports the upper plate so that the strainer is positioned just below the surface of the water. The suction tube may then be used to draw water from the body of water. The upper anti-vortex plate prevents formation of a vortex on the surface of the water while suction is applied.
The present invention also provides a system for draining water from a body of water, featuring the a floating suction tube inlet described above; a suction hose which connects to the tube passing through the upper plate of the floating suction tube inlet; and a means for applying suction to the suction hose (i.e., a vacuum pump). Additionally, the invention may comprise an optional float adapted to prevent the suction hose from sinking beneath the surface of the water.
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Crane Sean P.
Gannon Joseph C.
Devnani, Esq. Papan
Shroff C. C.
Upton C.
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