Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
In a tank having a bottom containing a liquid with a varying surface level, an apparatus for aerating said liquid which tends to froth and for controlling the froth thickness in said tank, said apparatus comprising: rotating blade means, immersed in said liquid, for mixing air and said liquid forming a froth, said rotating blade means including an outlet; funnel-shaped air supply means for conducting air to said blade means, said air supply means coaxially located above said rotating blade means and having a buoyancy means for automatically maintaining an inlet to said air supply means a predetermined distance above said varying surface level, said distance corresponding to a desired froth thickness said funnel-shaped air supply means further having a wide portion of said funnel-shape defining said inlet; and liquid supply means for conducting said liquid to said blade means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
In a tank having a bottom containing a liquid with a varying surface level, an apparatus for aerating said liquid which tends to froth and for controlling the froth thickness in said tank, said apparatus comprising: rotating blade means, immersed in said liquid, for mixing air and said liquid forming a froth, said rotating blade means including an outlet; funnel-shaped air supply means for conducting air to said blade means, said air supply means coaxially located above said rotating blade means and having a buoyancy means for automatically maintaining an inlet to said air supply means a predetermined distance above said varying surface level, said distance corresponding to a desired froth thickness said funnel-shaped air supply means further having a wide portion of said funnel-shape defining said inlet; and liquid supply means for conducting said liquid to said blade means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus further includes holder means for joining said rotating blade means, said air supply means, and said liquid supply means into an integral unit, said integral unit including means for permitting vertical but not rotational movement of the unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said liquid supply means is coaxial with said air supply means and said rotating blade means is disposed therebetween, said liquid supply means further including a liquid inlet means, immersed in said liquid, for directing liquid into said liquid supply means, said liquid inlet means comprising a further portion of said integral unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said rotating blade means comprises: blade wheel means for mixing said liquid with air forming froth upon rotation; and drive motor means for rotating said blade wheel means, said motor means disposed within and supported by said liquid supply means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said liquid inlet means includes support means for maintaining said apparatus in a spaced relationship away from said tank bottom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said liquid inlet means comprises a generally bell-shaped housing in coaxial alignment with said liquid supply means, said housing including extensions protruding therefrom and spacing said housing away from said tank bottom.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flotation means comprises a floating belt disposed around said funnel-shaped housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said air supply means further includes an auxiliary air intake for continually supplying a predetermined quantity of air to said rotating blade means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said auxiliary air intake forms a vertical guide for said apparatus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said air supply means further includes check valve means for preventing flow of said liquid into said auxiliary air intake.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said rotating blade means includes guide means, attached to said outlet for directing said froth away from said apparatus.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said guide means comprises a turbulence pipe.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said turbulence pipe has an outlet located in a lower third of said tank.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus further includes a counterweight means for offsetting at least a portion of the weight of said integral unit.