Gas diffusing mechanism

Claim 2

Apparatus for diffusing gas in a liquid medium contained in a tank comprising: an elongated gas distribution main positioned in said tank below the liquid level therein and adapted to receive gas from a source, said main having a plurality of access means at spaced intervals along its length, said access means including closure means biased towards a closed position; a gas diffusion header assembly including a header having a channel adapted to be inserted into said access means and open said closure means to provide communication between said header and said main; said channel having support means for supporting said header on said main.

Claim 3

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said positive closure means includes a spring-loaded valve located in each access means.

Claim 4

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said header support means includes a radially-extending flange positioned on said channel and spaced from the lower end thereof, and said access means includes a corresponding flange whereby said header assembly is supported by said flanges.

Claim 5

Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, further including sealing means between said flanges to prevent gases from escaping between said flanges.

Claim 6

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further including means for sealingly engaging said channel with said access port.

Claim 7

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further including swing-type linkage means attached to and extending upwardly from said header, whereby said header may be raised and lowered into said access means.

Claim 8

Apparatus for diffusing gas in a liquid medium contained in a tank comprising: an elongated gas distribution main positioned iN said tank below the liquid level therein and adapted to receive gas from a source, said main having a plurality of access means extending upwardly therefrom at spaced intervals along its length, each said access means including an upwardly facing tube having a swing-type check valve positioned therein, and a radially extending horizontal flange at its upper end; a gas diffusion header assembly including a header having a downwardly-facing channel adapted to be inserted in said tube and open said check valve to provide communication between said header and said main; a radially extending flange position on said channel and spaced from the lower end thereof, said access means flange being adapted to bear against said channel flange when said channel is fully inserted in said tube whereby said header assembly is supported thereon.

Claim 9

Apparatus for diffusing gas in a liquid medium contained in a tank comprising: an elongated gas distribution main positioned iN said tank below the liquid level therein and adapted to receive gas from a source, said main having a plurality of access means extending upwardly therefrom at spaced intervals along its length, each said access means including an upwardly facing tube having a swing-type check valve positioned therein, and a radially extending horizontal flange at its upper end; a gas diffusion header assembly including a header having a downwardly-facing channel adapted to be inserted in said tube and open said check valve to provide communication between said header and said main; a radially extending flange position on said channel and spaced from the lower end thereof, said access means flange being adapted to bear against said channel flange when said channel is fully inserted in said tube whereby said header assembly is supported thereon.

Claim 10

Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 further comprising: a service structure located on said tank above the liquid level therein; pivoting means positioned on said structure above said access means for raising said diffusion headers; swing-type linkage means attached to said header and being of sufficient length to extend upwardly to said pivoting means when said header channel is inserted in said tube; and means for coupling the upper end of said linkage means to said pivoting means, said linkage means including two pivotally end-to-end connected links of substantially the same length whereby said diffusion header assembly will be moved to a position adjacent said service structure when said pivoting means moves said links to a raised position.

Claim 11

Apparatus for diffusing gas in a liquid medium contained in a tank comprising: an elongated gas distribution main positioned in said tank below the liquid level therein and adapted to receive gas from a source, said main having access means, said access means including closure means biased towards a closed position; a gas diffusion header assembly including a header having passage means adapted to be disposed in communication with said access means; sealing means for preventing the escape of gas as it flows between said access means and said passage means, said header having means for opening said closure means during the communication of said passage means with said access means whereby gas may flow to said header from said main.

Claim 12

Apparatus for diffusing gas in a liquid medium contained in a tank comprising: an elongated gas distribution main positioned in said tank below the liquid level therein and adapted to receive gas from a source, said main having access means, said access means including closure means biased towards a closed position; a gas diffusion header assembly including a header having passage means adapted to be disposed in communication with said access means; sealing means for preventing the escape of gas as it flows between said access means and said passage means, said header having means for opening said closure means during the communication of said passage means with said access means whereby gas may flow to said header from said main.