US3747904A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for aerating water
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-07-02
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Granted: 1973-07-24
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Expires: 1991-07-02
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for raising and harvesting fish utilizes a closed loop for confining a body of water and a paddle wheel to create an artificial current in the body of water of sufficient magnitude to induce fish in the water to swim against the current. Feeding mechanism disposed adjacent the paddle wheel is operable to introduce feed into the water. The artificial current created by the paddle wheel induces fish in the water to swim against the current and toward the food supply. A plurality of air-gathering buckets on the paddle wheel aerate the water to assure an adequate supply of oxygen for the fish. A portion of the closed loop defines an open ended container which is periodically operated to confine a number of fish when the latter have gathered to partake of the food. The container has a curved surface defining its bottom and rotatable structure is disposed longitudinally of the container for rotation over the curved surface to remove any fish confined within the container.
Inventors
- 👤 W Gross
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:50
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K63/00; A01K63/04; A01K63/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
250 words
Apparatus for aerating a body of water comprising: rotatable means partially submerged in said body of water and extending above and below the surface of the latter with the axis of rotation of the rotatable means being located above the surface level of said body of water; air entrapping means carried by said rotatable means for rotation with the latter, said entrapping means including a plurality of substantially imperforate, horizontally disposed bucket means each having an open extremity and a closed extremity, said bucket means being disposed in relatively closely spaced relationship within an annular zone generally circumscribing said axis of rotation of said rotatable means and spaced from said axis sufficiently for each bucket means to move repeatedly between positions above and below said surface as said rotatable means is rotated, there being a plurality of said bucket means in each quadrant of said annular zone, said bucket means being similarly oriented with respect to said axis and one arcuate direction of rotation of said rotatable means, with said open extremities of said bucket mEans facing in said one direction of rotation; and means operably coupled with said rotatable means for driving the latter to rotate the same in said one direction of rotation, whereby, as said rotatable means is thus rotated, said bucket means will successively and repeatedly entrap air therein while above said surface, will carry said entrapped air beneath said surface, and will release said entrapped air beneath said surface to aerate said body of water.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
250 words
Apparatus for aerating a body of water comprising: rotatable means partially submerged in said body of water and extending above and below the surface of the latter with the axis of rotation of the rotatable means being located above the surface level of said body of water; air entrapping means carried by said rotatable means for rotation with the latter, said entrapping means including a plurality of substantially imperforate, horizontally disposed bucket means each having an open extremity and a closed extremity, said bucket means being disposed in relatively closely spaced relationship within an annular zone generally circumscribing said axis of rotation of said rotatable means and spaced from said axis sufficiently for each bucket means to move repeatedly between positions above and below said surface as said rotatable means is rotated, there being a plurality of said bucket means in each quadrant of said annular zone, said bucket means being similarly oriented with respect to said axis and one arcuate direction of rotation of said rotatable means, with said open extremities of said bucket mEans facing in said one direction of rotation; and means operably coupled with said rotatable means for driving the latter to rotate the same in said one direction of rotation, whereby, as said rotatable means is thus rotated, said bucket means will successively and repeatedly entrap air therein while above said surface, will carry said entrapped air beneath said surface, and will release said entrapped air beneath said surface to aerate said body of water.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
In apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said driving means includes a prime mover independent of any movement of water within said body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
In apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein is provided water agitating paddle means carried by said rotatable means outwardly of said bucket means from said axis, whereby water adjacent the regions where said entrapped air is released beneath said surface is agitated to enhance aeration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
In apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bucket means each have opposed horizontal edges defining a part of said open extremity thereof, said edges of each bucket means being oriented to substantially simultaneously contact said surface of the body of water as a respective bucket means enters the water during rotation of said rotatable means, and the bucket means being located in relative dispositions causing the space between adjacent bucket means to be less than the effective depth of each proximal pair thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-23 | 1977-01-22 | 1977-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-23 | 1981-01-22 | 1981-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-23 | 1985-01-22 | 1985-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |