Gas diffuser

Claim 2

A gas diffuser for liberation of gas below the surface of a liquid comprising a hollow conically-shaped body member having an upper base portion and a lower apex portion, said base portion having a cap closing off said base portion and said apex portion having an opening formed therethrough, a hydrostatic leg extending downward from said apex opening having an upper open end in communication with said apex opening and a lower open end spaced therebelow, said base portion having a plurality of gas diffusing outlet openings formed therein about the outer periphery thereof, said cap having an inlet opening centrally formed therein to receive a supply of gas from a gas supply header and said lower open end of said hydrostatic leg being spaced a sufficient distance below said gas diffusing outlet openings to prevent gas from exiting therethrough.

Claim 3

A gas diffuser of the type secured to a gas header pipe for the liberation of gas near the bottom of a sewage treatment tank, comprising: a hollow conically-shaped body member having an upper base portion and a lower apex portion, said base portion having a cap closing off the upper end thereof, said cap having an inlet opening centrally formed therein in fluid communication with the underside of said header pipe, said apex portion having an opening formed therethrough; a hydrostatic leg extending downward from said apex opening having an upper open end in communication with said apex opening and a lower open end spaced therebelow; and a plurality of gas diffusing outlet openings formed about the outer periphery of said base portion said lower open end of said hydrostatic leg being spaced a sufficient distance below said gas diffusing outlet openings to prevent gas from exiting therethrough during normal operation of the gas diffuser.

Claim 4

A gas diffuser of the type secured to a gas header pipe for the liberation of gas near the bottom of a sewage treatment tank, comprising: a hollow conically-shaped body member having an upper base portion and a lower apex portion, said base portion having a cap closing off the upper end thereof, said cap having an inlet opening centrally formed therein in fluid communication with the underside of said header pipe, said apex portion having an opening formed therethrough; a hydrostatic leg extending downward from said apex opening having an upper open end in communication with said apex opening and a lower open end spaced therebelow; and a plurality of gas diffusing outlet openings formed about the outer periphery of said base portion said lower open end of said hydrostatic leg being spaced a sufficient distance below said gas diffusing outlet openings to prevent gas from exiting therethrough during normal operation of the gas diffuser.

Claim 5

The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said gas diffusing outlet openings are of a substantially square shape.

Claim 6

The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said gas diffusing outlet openings are of a substantially rectangular shape and said cap includes a downwardly projecting annular flange which is positioned to block off the upper portions of said gas diffusing outlet openings at the inner surface thereof so as to define gas diffusing outlet openings that are effectively of a substantially square shape.

Claim 7

The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said cap includes connecting means associated therewith for connecting said gas diffuser to said header pipe.

Claim 8

The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said connecting means includes a tubular latching member having a first open end secured to said cap in fluid communication with the interior thereof and a second open end in fluid communication with the interior of said header pipe, said second open end having latch means associated therewith for securely connecting said top portion to said header pipe.

Claim 9

The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said cap includes annular seat means positioned about said latching member and sealing means being provided between said seat means and said header pipe.

Claim 10

The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said latch means includes a plurality of semi-rigid connecting lugs formed from said tubular connecting members, said lugs having outwardly extending fLanges formed integral with the upper ends thereof for contacting the inner surface of said header pipe and thereby securing said gas diffuser in place.

Claim 11

A gas diffuser of the type secured to a gas header pipe for the liberation of gas near the bottom of a sewage treatment tank, comprising: a hollow conically-shaped body member having an upper base portion and a lower apex portion, said base portion having a cap closing off the upper end thereof, said cap having an inlet opening centrally formed therein in fluid communication with the underside of said header pipe, said apex portion having an opening formed therethrough; a hydrostatic leg extending downward from said apex opening having an upper open end in communication with said apex opening and a lower open end spaced therebelow; a plurality of rectangular gas diffusing outlet openings formed about the outer periphery of said base portion, said cap having an annular flange associated with the underside thereof positioned to close off a portion of said outlet openings so as to effectively form outlet openings of a substantially square shape, said lower open end of said hydrostatic leg being spaced a sufficient distance below said gas diffusing outlet openings to prevent gas from exiting therethrough during normal operation of the gas diffuser; connecting means associated with said cap for connecting said gas diffuser to said header pipe, said connecting means including a tubular latching member having a first open end secured to said cap in fluid communication with the interior thereof and a second open end in fluid communication with the interior of said header pipe, said second open end having latch means associated therewith for securely connecting said top portion to said header pipe; and annular seating means positioned about said latching member for compressing sealing gasket between said seating means and said header pipe.

Claim 12

A gas diffuser of the type secured to a gas header pipe for the liberation of gas near the bottom of a sewage treatment tank, comprising: a hollow conically-shaped body member having an upper base portion and a lower apex portion, said base portion having a cap closing off the upper end thereof, said cap having an inlet opening centrally formed therein in fluid communication with the underside of said header pipe, said apex portion having an opening formed therethrough; a hydrostatic leg extending downward from said apex opening having an upper open end in communication with said apex opening and a lower open end spaced therebelow; a plurality of rectangular gas diffusing outlet openings formed about the outer periphery of said base portion, said cap having an annular flange associated with the underside thereof positioned to close off a portion of said outlet openings so as to effectively form outlet openings of a substantially square shape, said lower open end of said hydrostatic leg being spaced a sufficient distance below said gas diffusing outlet openings to prevent gas from exiting therethrough during normal operation of the gas diffuser; connecting means associated with said cap for connecting said gas diffuser to said header pipe, said connecting means including a tubular latching member having a first open end secured to said cap in fluid communication with the interior thereof and a second open end in fluid communication with the interior of said header pipe, said second open end having latch means associated therewith for securely connecting said top portion to said header pipe; and annular seating means positioned about said latching member for compressing sealing gasket between said seating means and said header pipe.

Claim 13

The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said latch means includes a plurality of semi-rigid connecting lugs formed from said tubular connecting member, said lugs having outwardly extending flanges formed integral with the upper ends thereof for contacting the inner surface of said header pipe and thereby securing said gas diffuser in place with said sealing gasket compressed between said seating means and said header pipe.