US4741825A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mobile vortex shield
Assignee: US Bank NA
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Filing: 1987-07-02
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Granted: 1988-05-03
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Expires: 2007-07-02
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for use with propeller type aspirating aerators for preventing the formation of vortices near an aerator propeller in a substance in which the propeller is driven. The device comprises a mobile floatable shield which floats on the aerated substance and eliminates a vortex by being drawn into one by the vortex's own swirling motion and contacting the vortex. The shield may be flexibly attached to a frame which also houses the aerator. Because the shield is not connected to the aerator, floats on the surface and is mobile, many of the problems faced with the prior art devices have been eliminated: the shield is easier and cheaper to manufacture; material does not wedge between the aerator and the shield; any problems with the shield are visible; the shield stops virtually all vortices; and vibration problems are eliminated.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan G. Schiller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:40
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; B01F23/2333; B01F23/2366; B01F33/00; B01F33/50; B01F33/503; C02F7/00; B01F23/231; B01F23/23105; B01F23/2311; B01F23/23112; B01F23/231121; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W10/00; Y02W10/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A mobile vortex shield apparatus for use with a propeller type aspirating aerator, for preventing the formation of vortices near the aerator propeller in a substance in which the propeller is driven comprising: a support system for supporting the propeller type aspirating aerator; a floatable shield which floats on the surface of the aerated substance, said floatable shield being separate from the aerator and flexibly connected to said support system to be moveable on the surface of the aerated substance relative to the aerator and said support system; and at least one flexible elongated member attaching said floatable shield to said support system to enable said floatable shield to float freely on the substance within a defined area over the propeller of the aerator and relative to the propeller such that said floatable shield will contact and eliminate all vortices created by the aerator propeller by being drawn towards a vortex by the vortex's own swirling motion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
A mobile vortex shield apparatus for use with a propeller type aspirating aerator, for preventing the formation of vortices near the aerator propeller in a substance in which the propeller is driven comprising: a support system for supporting the propeller type aspirating aerator; a floatable shield which floats on the surface of the aerated substance, said floatable shield being separate from the aerator and flexibly connected to said support system to be moveable on the surface of the aerated substance relative to the aerator and said support system; and at least one flexible elongated member attaching said floatable shield to said support system to enable said floatable shield to float freely on the substance within a defined area over the propeller of the aerator and relative to the propeller such that said floatable shield will contact and eliminate all vortices created by the aerator propeller by being drawn towards a vortex by the vortex's own swirling motion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A mobile vortex shield in accordance with claim 1 wherein said flexible elongated member comprises a chain and connecting hooks.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
156 words
A aeration apparatus comprising: a propeller type aspirating aerator for inducing the flow of atmospheric air at high velocity below the surface of a substance so as to allow oxygen to freely and quickly transfer into the substance; a support system for supporting the propeller type aspirating aerator; a floatable shield which floats on the surface of the aerated substance, said floatable shield being separate from the aerator and flexibly connected to said support system to be moveable on the surface of the aerated substance relative to the aerator and said support system; and flexible elongated members attaching said floatable shield to said support system so as to enable said floatable shield to float freely on the aerated substance within a defined area over the propeller of aerator such that said floatable shield will contact and eliminate all vortices created by the aerator propeller by being drawn towards a vortex by the vortex's own swirling motion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
156 words
A aeration apparatus comprising: a propeller type aspirating aerator for inducing the flow of atmospheric air at high velocity below the surface of a substance so as to allow oxygen to freely and quickly transfer into the substance; a support system for supporting the propeller type aspirating aerator; a floatable shield which floats on the surface of the aerated substance, said floatable shield being separate from the aerator and flexibly connected to said support system to be moveable on the surface of the aerated substance relative to the aerator and said support system; and flexible elongated members attaching said floatable shield to said support system so as to enable said floatable shield to float freely on the aerated substance within a defined area over the propeller of aerator such that said floatable shield will contact and eliminate all vortices created by the aerator propeller by being drawn towards a vortex by the vortex's own swirling motion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 or 3 wherein said support system comprises at least one vertical support and at least one first horizontal support attached to said vertical support and extending from said vertical support in a first direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said support system further comprises at least one second horizontal support attached to said first horizontal support and extending transversely therefrom.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said flexible elongated member is flexibly attached to said second horizontal support.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A mobile vortex shield in accordance with claim 5 wherein said at least one flexible elongated member comprises a plurality of flexible elongated members all of which are flexibly attached to said second horizontal support.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
76 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said support system is a floatation system and said vertical support includes at least two floats spaced from one another, said first horizontal support includes at least one support bar extending between said floats for supporting the aerator between said floats, and said second horizontal support includes at least one other support bar extending transversely from said first mentioned support bar in the area for supporting the aerator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said support system is a floatation system and said vertical support includes at least two floats spaced from one another, and said first horizontal support includes at least one support bar extending between said floats.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said flexible elongated member is flexibly attached to said first horizontal support.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said flexible elongated member is flexibly attached to said vertical support.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said at least one flexible elongated member comprises a plurality of flexible elongated members at least one of which is flexibly attached to said first horizontal support and at least one of which is flexibly attached to said vertical support.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein said support system is a floatation system and said vertical support includes at least two floats spaced from one another, and said first horizontal support includes at least one support bar extending between said floats.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
A mobile vortex shield in accordance with claim 4 wherein said at least one flexible elongated member comprises a plurality of flexible elongated members all of which are flexibly attached to said vertical support.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said support system is a wall mount system, said vertical support including the wall and said horizontal support including at least one support bar extending from said wall for supporting both the aerator and said shield.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
57 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said support system is a wall mount system, said vertical support including the wall, and said horizontal support including at least one first support bar extending from the wall for supporting the aerator and at least one other separate support bar, extending from the wall for supporting said shield.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-05-03 | 1991-11-02 | 1992-05-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-03 | 1995-11-02 | 1996-05-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-03 | 1999-11-02 | 2000-05-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |