US3810548A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Floating apparatus for liquid composting
Assignee: Fairfield Engineering and Manufacturing Co
•
Filing: 1973-01-26
•
Granted: 1974-05-14
•
Expires: 1993-01-26
Abstract
Abstract A floating apparatus for aerating and circulating animal waste material for use preferably in a realtively deep reservoir and comprising an outer float assembly for floatingly supporting the apparatus on the surface of the material in the reservoir, a roatable hollow shaft extending downwardly into the material, the lower end of which is adapted to permit air to exit therefrom, and axial thrust propeller rigidly attached to the lower end of the shaft, drive means for rotating the shaft and propeller to draw air downwardly out of the lower end of the shaft and generate a plurality of small bubbles and propel them downwardly into the material. The apparatus also has a barrier including a hollow cylinder concentrically surrounding the shaft, the barrier being adapted to prevent foaminated material from surrounding the drive means and shutting off the supply of air at the upper end of the hollow shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 R Blough
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 15:34
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F3/00; C02F3/02; C02F3/12; C02F3/20; C02F3/205; C02F3/207; B; B01; B01F; B01F23/00; B01F23/20; B01F23/23; B01F23/233; B01F23/2331; B01F23/23311; B01F23/2336; B01F23/23363; B01F33/00; B01F33/50; B01F33/503; B01F27/00; B01F27/05; B01F27/11; B01F27/113; B01F27/80; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W10/00; Y02W10/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
Apparatus for aeration and circulation of liquified animal waste material in a reservoir, comprising, in combination: a float assembly adapted to floatingly support the apparatus on the surface of the material in the reservoir; a rotatable hollow shaft extending downwardly from the float assembly and into the material with the upper end thereof projecting above the material and including means therein for permitting air to enter the shaft; an axial thrust propeller rigidly secured to the lower end of the shaft, the shaft having one or more openings in the lower end thereof adapted to permit air to exit adjacent the propeller; drive means for rotating the shaft and propeller to draw air downwardly through the shaft and out of the openings in the lower end thereof to generate a multitude of small bubbles and propel them downwardly through the material; and barrier means attached to the float assembly for preventing the bubbles from rising upwardly within the apparatus including a vertically positioned hollow cylinder generally concentrically surrounding the shaft and extending downwardly into the material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
Apparatus for aeration and circulation of liquified animal waste material in a reservoir, comprising, in combination: a float assembly adapted to floatingly support the apparatus on the surface of the material in the reservoir; a rotatable hollow shaft extending downwardly from the float assembly and into the material with the upper end thereof projecting above the material and including means therein for permitting air to enter the shaft; an axial thrust propeller rigidly secured to the lower end of the shaft, the shaft having one or more openings in the lower end thereof adapted to permit air to exit adjacent the propeller; drive means for rotating the shaft and propeller to draw air downwardly through the shaft and out of the openings in the lower end thereof to generate a multitude of small bubbles and propel them downwardly through the material; and barrier means attached to the float assembly for preventing the bubbles from rising upwardly within the apparatus including a vertically positioned hollow cylinder generally concentrically surrounding the shaft and extending downwardly into the material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the barrier means includes a generally flat sheet extending across the float assembly and having an aperture in the center thereof (adapted to permit the rotatable shaft to extend therethrough), the hollow cylinder generally fitting the aperture in the sheet and being attached to the sheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including an upwardly extending enclosure adapted to cover the drive means and including at least one aperture in the upper portion thereof for communicating a supply of air to the interior thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3 including an upward cylindrical extension attached to the enclosure and surrounding the aperture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the float assembly is hollow and filled with a lightweight bouyant material adapted to displace fluid and thereby ensure that the float assembly will floatingly support the apparatus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the bouyant material is foamed styrene plastic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 provided with securing means including a flexible tether for confining the apparatus in a predetermined area during operation in the reservoir and for preventing downward movement of the apparatus in the event the elevation of the material in the reservoir decreases to prevent the propeller from striking the bottom of the reservoir and damaging the apparatus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the hollow shaft extends downwardly into the material approximately 2 feet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the drive means comprises an electric motor carried by the float assembly with the motor drive shaft being downwardly directed and having secured thereto an annular collar fitting having a number of axial passages therein adapted to communicate air therethrough, the outer surface of the collar fitting engaging the inside surface of the hollow rotatable shaft, and the collar fitting including means for removably securing the hollow shaft thereto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein the hollow rotatable shaft has an annular flange extending radially outwardly therefrom with the interior surface of the flange being inwardly tapered in the downward direction and the outside diameter of the collar fitting being cooperatively tapered so that tightening of the securing means will draw the collar fitting and flange together.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein the securing means includes a number of threaded first bolts adapted to pass through oversized apertures in the collar fitting and engage threaded apertures within the flange and adapted to urge the collar fitting and flange toward one another when tightened.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 11 including a number of threaded second bolts adapted to engage threaded apertures in the collar fitting and abut the flange to forcibly separate the collar fitting and flange upon rotation of the second bolts in a predetermined direction, provided the first bolts are sufficiently loosened.
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) | 1977-05-13 | 1977-11-12 | 1978-05-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-13 | 1981-11-12 | 1982-05-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-13 | 1985-11-12 | 1986-05-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |