US3836130A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid aerating apparatus
Assignee: SOLEM MACHINE CO
•
Filing: 1972-06-23
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Granted: 1974-09-17
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Expires: 1992-06-23
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for aerating liquid including an upwardly extending throat having an impeller for pumping liquid upwardly through the throat and a diffuser overlying the upper end of the throat to direct the liquid outwardly in an annular spray pattern, a motor mounted above the diffuser for driving the impeller, and an electrical heater extending around the outer periphery of the diffuser for inhibiting formation of ice on the aerator. The heater is in the form of a ring that overlies the upper side of the diffuser outwardly of the motor and preferably extends outwardly of the periphery of the diffuser at a level to limit the height of the liquid spray pattern.
Inventors
- 👤 J Johnson
- 👤 J Earhart
- 👤 J Crocker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:35
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F3/00; C02F3/02; C02F3/12; C02F3/14; C02F3/16; B; B01; B01F; B01F23/00; B01F23/20; B01F23/23; B01F23/234; B01F23/2342; B01F23/23421; B01F35/00; B01F35/90; B01F2035/99; B01F27/00; B01F27/05; B01F27/11; B01F27/113; B01F27/80; B01F33/00; B01F33/50; B01F33/503; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W10/00; Y02W10/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
In a mechanical surface aeration apparatus including housing means having an upright tubular throat adapted for immersion in a body of liquid at its lower inlet end and a liquid flow diffuser overlying the upper end of the tubular throat with the outer periphery of the diffuser spaced above the upper end of the throat to define an annular outwardly directed liquid discharge opening, means for supporting the housing with the lower inlet end of the thraot immersed in a body of liquid and with the outer periphery of the diffuser above the surface of the body of liquid, a motor mounted on the housing above the diffuser inwardly of the periphery thereof and having a shaft extending downwardly through the diffuser into said throat, and an impeller on the shaft for pumping liquid upwardly through said throat for discharge through said annular discharge opening in an annular spray pattern, the improvement comprising electrical heater means extending around said flow diffuser adjacent the outer periphery thereof and in heat conducting relation thereto for heating the outer periphery of the diffueser to inhibit formation of ice thereon, said heater means extending outwardly from the outer periphery of the diffuser at a level to deflect the liquid passing from the annular discharge opening and lower the spray pattern of the aeration apparatus, and means for energizing said electrical heater means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
228 words
In a mechanical surface aeration apparatus including housing means having an upright tubular throat adapted for immersion in a body of liquid at its lower inlet end and a liquid flow diffuser overlying the upper end of the tubular throat with the outer periphery of the diffuser spaced above the upper end of the throat to define an annular outwardly directed liquid discharge opening, means for supporting the housing with the lower inlet end of the thraot immersed in a body of liquid and with the outer periphery of the diffuser above the surface of the body of liquid, a motor mounted on the housing above the diffuser inwardly of the periphery thereof and having a shaft extending downwardly through the diffuser into said throat, and an impeller on the shaft for pumping liquid upwardly through said throat for discharge through said annular discharge opening in an annular spray pattern, the improvement comprising electrical heater means extending around said flow diffuser adjacent the outer periphery thereof and in heat conducting relation thereto for heating the outer periphery of the diffueser to inhibit formation of ice thereon, said heater means extending outwardly from the outer periphery of the diffuser at a level to deflect the liquid passing from the annular discharge opening and lower the spray pattern of the aeration apparatus, and means for energizing said electrical heater means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
Amechanical surface aeration apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for supporting the housing comprises an annular float disposed outwardly of said throat and below the outer periphery of the diffuser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
229 words
In a mechanical surface aeration apparatus including housing means having an upright tubular throat adapted for immersion in a body of liquid at its Lower inlet end, the housing means having a diffuser overlying the upper end of the throat with the outer peripheral portion of the diffuser spaced above the upper end of the throat to define an annular outwardly directed discharge opening, means for supporting the housing with the lower inlet end of the throat immersed in a body of liquid and with the outer periphery of the diffuser above the surface of the body of liquid, a motor mounted on the housing above the diffuser inwardly of the periphery thereof and having a shaft extending downwardly through the diffuser into said throat, and an impeller on the shaft for pumping liquid up through the throat for discharge through said annular discharge opening in an annular spray pattern, the improvement comprising an annular heater unit having electrical resistance type heating elements therein overlying the upper side of said diffuser outwardly of said motor, said annular heater unit extending outwardly from the outer periphery of the diffuser at a level to deflect the liquid passing from the annular discharge opening and lower the spray pattern of the aeration apparatus, and means for energizing said heater unit to inhibit formation of ice on the upper side of the diffuser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
229 words
In a mechanical surface aeration apparatus including housing means having an upright tubular throat adapted for immersion in a body of liquid at its Lower inlet end, the housing means having a diffuser overlying the upper end of the throat with the outer peripheral portion of the diffuser spaced above the upper end of the throat to define an annular outwardly directed discharge opening, means for supporting the housing with the lower inlet end of the throat immersed in a body of liquid and with the outer periphery of the diffuser above the surface of the body of liquid, a motor mounted on the housing above the diffuser inwardly of the periphery thereof and having a shaft extending downwardly through the diffuser into said throat, and an impeller on the shaft for pumping liquid up through the throat for discharge through said annular discharge opening in an annular spray pattern, the improvement comprising an annular heater unit having electrical resistance type heating elements therein overlying the upper side of said diffuser outwardly of said motor, said annular heater unit extending outwardly from the outer periphery of the diffuser at a level to deflect the liquid passing from the annular discharge opening and lower the spray pattern of the aeration apparatus, and means for energizing said heater unit to inhibit formation of ice on the upper side of the diffuser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A surface aeration apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said means for supporting said housing includes an annular float disposed outwardly of the throat and below the outer periphery of the diffuser.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A surface aeration apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said housing means includes means supporting said motor with its underside spaced above said heater means to substantially avoid heating of the motor by said heater means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A surface aeration apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said annular heater unit includes two semicircular sections each having said electrical resistance elements therein, and means detachably mounting said semicircular sections on the diffuser.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A surface aeration apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the electrical resistance elements in one semicircular section are connected electrically in series with electrical resistance elements in the other semicircular section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A surface aeration apparatus according to claim 6 including an electrical junction box mounted on said motor, and conductor means extending from said junction box to said sections of said body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A surface aeration apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said means for energizing said heater means includes means for sensing atmospheric temperature, and means responsive to said temperature sensing means for controlling energization of said electrical heater means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A surface aeration apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said annular heater unit comprises an annular body of heat-resistant plastic having said electical resistance type heating elements embedded therein.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3128321A
Cited
US3606273A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-16 | 1978-03-18 | 1978-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-16 | 1982-03-18 | 1982-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-16 | 1986-03-18 | 1986-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |