Device for removing separated fluids and method for using same

Claim 1

A method for removing fluid from a reservoir, said reservoir of fluid having an upper surface level, an intermediate level below said upper surface level, and a bottom level below said intermediate level, a crust of partially decayed waste being formed at said upper surface level and a plurality of waste solids being at said bottom level, said method comprising: holding a frame assembly in an upper position above said fluid, said frame assembly comprising a float frame and a trough frame, said float frame having fluid removal means thereon with an inlet opening for taking in fluid in response to actuation of said fluid removal means, said trough frame having trough means thereon, said float frame being movably mounted relative to said trough frame for movement from a sealed position wherein said trough means is spaced below said inlet opening, said float frame having sufficient buoyancy to float at a predetermined equilibrium position in said fluid with said inlet opening submerged in said fluid to said intermediate level; moving said frame assembly downwardly from said upper position with said trough frame and said float frame in said sealed position until said float frame is in said equilibrium position; continuing to move said trough frame downwardly while said float frame remains in said equilibrium position whereby said trough frame will move to said open position relative to said float frame, thereby exposing said inlet opening to fluid from said intermediate level of said reservoir; actuating said fluid removal means to cause fluid from said intermediate level to be drawn into said inlet opening and removed from said reservoir.

Claim 2

A method for removing fluid from a reservoir, said reservoir of fluid having an upper surface level, an intermediate level below said upper surface level, and a bottom level below said intermediate level, a crust of partially decayed waste being formed at said upper surface level and a plurality of waste solids being at said bottom level, said method comprising: holding a frame assembly in an upper position above said fluid, said frame assembly comprising a float frame and a trough frame, said float frame having fluid removal means thereon with an inlet opening for taking in fluid in response to actuation of said fluid removal means, said trough frame having trough means thereon, said float frame being movably mounted relative to said trough frame for movement from a sealed position wherein said trough means is spaced below said inlet opening, said float frame having sufficient buoyancy to float at a predetermined equilibrium position in said fluid with said inlet opening submerged in said fluid to said intermediate level; moving said frame assembly downwardly from said upper position with said trough frame and said float frame in said sealed position until said float frame is in said equilibrium position; continuing to move said trough frame downwardly while said float frame remains in said equilibrium position whereby said trough frame will move to said open position relative to said float frame, thereby exposing said inlet opening to fluid from said intermediate level of said reservoir; actuating said fluid removal means to cause fluid from said intermediate level to be drawn into said inlet opening and removed from said reservoir.

Claim 7

A device for removing fluid from below the upper surface of a reservoir of said fluid, said device comprising: a trough frame having a trough means thereon, said trough frame being adapted to be connected to lifting means for lifting said trough frame from an upper position wherein said trough means is above said upper surface of said reservoir to a lower position wherein said trough means is submerged below said upper surface of said reservoir; a float frame having fluid removal means thereon and a horizontally disposed inlet opening for taking in said fluid horizontally in response to actuation of said fluid removal means, said float frame having sufficient buoyancy to float at a predetermined level in said reservoir with said inlet opening spaced below said upper surface of said reservoir; said float frame being movably mounted to said trough frame for vertical movement relative thereto from a sealed position wherein said trough means is in sealed covering relation over said inlet opening of said fluid removal means so as to prevent said fluid from entering said inlet opening to an open position wherein said float frame and said inlet opening are spaced upwardly from said trough means whereby said inlet opening is exposed to said fluid; the buoyancy of said float frame causing said float frame to move from said sealed position to said open position during movement of said trough frame from said upper position to said lower position.

Claim 8

A device for removing fluid from below the upper surface of a reservoir of said fluid, said device comprising: a trough frame having a trough means thereon, said trough frame being adapted to be connected to lifting means for lifting said trough frame from an upper position wherein said trough means is above said upper surface of said reservoir to a lower position wherein said trough means is submerged below said upper surface of said reservoir; a float frame having fluid removal means thereon and a horizontally disposed inlet opening for taking in said fluid horizontally in response to actuation of said fluid removal means, said float frame having sufficient buoyancy to float at a predetermined level in said reservoir with said inlet opening spaced below said upper surface of said reservoir; said float frame being movably mounted to said trough frame for vertical movement relative thereto from a sealed position wherein said trough means is in sealed covering relation over said inlet opening of said fluid removal means so as to prevent said fluid from entering said inlet opening to an open position wherein said float frame and said inlet opening are spaced upwardly from said trough means whereby said inlet opening is exposed to said fluid; the buoyancy of said float frame causing said float frame to move from said sealed position to said open position during movement of said trough frame from said upper position to said lower position.

Claim 9

A device for removing fluid from below the upper surface of a reservoir of said fluid, said device comprising: a frame assembly comprising a trough frame and a float frame, said float frame having fluid removal means thereon and an inlet opening for taking in fluid in response to actuation of said fluid removal means, said trough frame having trough means thereon, said float frame being movably mounted to said trough frame for movement from a sealed position wherein said trough means is below and in sealed covering relation over said inlet opening to prevent access of said fluid to said inlet opening to an open position wherein said trough means is spaced below said inlet opening so as to permit access of said fluid to said inlet opening; said float frame having sufficient buoyancy to float at a predetermined level in said fluid with said inlet opening spaced below said upper surface of said reservoir; lifting means connected to said frame assembly for moving said frame assembly from an upper position wherein said float frame is in said sealed position and said trough means is above said upper surface of said fluid, to a float position wherein said float frame is at said predetermined level in said fluid and is in said sealed position with respect to said trough means, to a lower position wherein said float frame is at said predetermined level in said fluid and said trough means has moved downwardly to said open position relative to said float frame, said buoyancy of said float frame preventing continued downward movement of said float frame below said float position.

Claim 10

A device for removing fluid from below the upper surface of a reservoir of said fluid, said device comprising: a frame assembly comprising a trough frame and a float frame, said float frame having fluid removal means thereon and an inlet opening for taking in fluid in response to actuation of said fluid removal means, said trough frame having trough means thereon, said float frame being movably mounted to said trough frame for movement from a sealed position wherein said trough means is below and in sealed covering relation over said inlet opening to prevent access of said fluid to said inlet opening to an open position wherein said trough means is spaced below said inlet opening so as to permit access of said fluid to said inlet opening; said float frame having sufficient buoyancy to float at a predetermined level in said fluid with said inlet opening spaced below said upper surface of said reservoir; lifting means connected to said frame assembly for moving said frame assembly from an upper position wherein said float frame is in said sealed position and said trough means is above said upper surface of said fluid, to a float position wherein said float frame is at said predetermined level in said fluid and is in said sealed position with respect to said trough means, to a lower position wherein said float frame is at said predetermined level in said fluid and said trough means has moved downwardly to said open position relative to said float frame, said buoyancy of said float frame preventing continued downward movement of said float frame below said float position.