US5078869A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Clarifier cleaning apparatus
Assignee: Baker Hughes Holdings LLC
•
Filing: 1990-04-18
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Granted: 1992-01-07
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Expires: 2010-04-18
Abstract
Abstract The apparatus of the present invention is a cleaning system to be employed in the clarifier. A track is mounted to opposing sides of the clarifier. A scraping blade spans the two rails. A mechanism connects the two ends of the blade to the tracks and provides for stepwise movement of the blade bidirectionally within the clarifier. Movement of the blade over slots found in the clarifier bottom results in displacement of sludge from the clarifier back into the orbital ditch. The moving mechanisms are preferably located adjacent the clarifier floor. The scraping blade moves in stepwise motion over each of the slots, displacing sludge through such slots. At the same time a suction header, with inlets on both sides of the blade, allows some of the sludge to be suctioned from the bottom of the clarifier and removed from the orbital ditch system.
Inventors
- 👤 David DiGregorio
- 👤 Brent C. Black
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 01:26
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F3/00; C02F3/02; C02F3/12; C02F3/1236; C02F3/1257; B; B01; B01D; B01D21/00; B01D21/0003; B01D21/0024; B01D21/003; B01D21/0039; B01D21/0042; B01D21/02; B01D21/24; B01D21/2405; B01D21/2488; B01D21/30; B01D21/302; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W10/00; Y02W10/10; Y10; Y10S; Y10S210/00; Y10S210/918; Y10S210/926
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
An apparatus for removal of materials from an enclosure through at least one opening thereon, comprising: moving means for moving material within the enclosure towards the opening; reciprocating driving means within said enclosure connected to said moving means to drive said moving means in a stepping manner defined by movement of a portion of said driving means relative to another portion of said driving means; said moving means comprises a plow spanning over at least a portion of the enclosure; a framework substantially spanning across the enclosure to support said plow; and said driving means is connected at each end of said framework, close to the bottom of the enclosure, for positively driving said ends of said framework in tandem.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
120 words
An apparatus for removal of materials from an enclosure through at least one opening thereon, comprising: moving means for moving material within the enclosure towards the opening; reciprocating driving means within said enclosure connected to said moving means to drive said moving means in a stepping manner defined by movement of a portion of said driving means relative to another portion of said driving means; said moving means comprises a plow spanning over at least a portion of the enclosure; a framework substantially spanning across the enclosure to support said plow; and said driving means is connected at each end of said framework, close to the bottom of the enclosure, for positively driving said ends of said framework in tandem.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: suction means connected to said plow for selectively removing material from the enclosure through a location other than the opening to which the material is moved by said plow.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: said suction means is operable independently of said driving means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein: said plow moves sequentially over a plurality of openings as said driving means drives said plow between opposed ends of the enclosure.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claims 1, 2, or 4, further comprising: brake means connected to said drive means of preventing movement of said moving means and said rive means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said drive means comprises: braking means for preventing movement of a portion of said drive means with respect to another portion of said drive means; and a track or cable along which the apparatus moves.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said brake means comprises: clamping means for receiving a pressurized fluid, said clamping means being held in said drive means and changing in volume to clamp portions of said drive means against the track or cable to prevent movement of said portions of said drive means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said clamping means comprises: a bar having an opening; a diaphragm surrounding said bar and having an opening aligned with said bar opening; and a brake pad adjacent said diaphragm which engages said track or cable to prevent movement of said portions of said drive means whenever a pressurized fluid is provided to said diaphragm through said opening thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said clamping means further comprises: a bellows having an opening for receiving a pressurized fluid, upon receipt of said pressurized fluid, said bellows changing in volume for use in preventing movement of said portions of said drive means.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claims 1, 2, or 4, wherein said drive means provides only linear motion.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
127 words
The apparatus of claims 1, 2, or 4, wherein said drive means further comprises: a first body member; a second body member connected to said first body member; a third body member connected to said second body member; first means for connecting said first body member to said second body member, at least portions of said first means being extendable relative to said second body member in a first direction to move said first body member relative to said second body member; and second means for connecting said second body member to said third body member, at least portions of said second means being extendable relative to said second body member in a second direction to move said third body member relative to said second body member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein: translation is defined by the movement of said first and third body members relative to said second body member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein: said translation is defined by the movement of said second body member relative to said first and third body members.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein: at least portions of said first means is retractable with respect to said second body member to move said second body member relative to said first body member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
108 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said first means comprises: cylinder means having opposing ends and connected to said second body member, said cylinder means having an opening adjacent each of said ends for receiving a pressurized fluid; rod means connected to each of said ends of said cylinder means for reciprocating movement inwardly and outwardly of said cylinder means; and piston means within said cylinder means and connected to each of said rod means so that, when pressurized fluid is provided to said cylinder means through at least one of said cylinder means openings, said piston means and said rod means are driven in a predetermined direction.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
262 words
The apparatus of claims 1, 2, or 4, wherein said drive means further comprises: a first body member including a slide member positioned on the track, said slide member having an opening to receive a pressure brake line for carrying pressurized fluid, said first body member further including clamping means connected to said pressure brake line; a second body member including a slide member positioned on the track, said slide member having an opening to receive a pressure brake line for carrying pressurized fluid, said second body member further including clamping means connected to said pressure brake line; a third body member including a slide member positioned on the track, said slide member having an opening to receive a pressure brake line for carrying pressurized fluid, said third body member further including clamping means connected to said pressure brake line; a first cylinder having two ends and being fastened to said second body member and a second cylinder having two ends and being fastened to said second body member, each of said first and second cylinders having a pair of openings adjacent said ends of said first and second cylinders, each of said first and second cylinder openings receiving pressure drive lines for carrying pressurized fluid, said first body member being moved relative to said second body member after pressurized fluid is provided to said second body member clamping means through said pressure brake line thereof and when pressurized fluid is provided through one of said pressure drive lines to said first and second cylinder openings located adjacent said third body member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: said plow moves sequentially over a plurality of openings as said driving means drives said plow between opposed ends of the enclosure.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said moving means moves sequentially over a plurality of openings as said driving means drives said moving means, between opposed ends of the enclosure, and said drive means is mounted within the enclosure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
193 words
In combination with an orbital ditch comprising a pair of upstanding sidewalls spacedly separated by a upstanding partition and forming a pair of parallel channels for circuitous flow of mixed liquor; means for forming an elongated top-facing notch in said partition; a clarifier vessel positioned in said notch, said vessel having upstanding sidewalls and a bottom forming a vessel interior and separating said vessel interior from said channels; said clarifier further comprising; moving means for moving sludge found in the mixed liquor out of said clarifier and back into said orbital ditch through at least one opening in said clarifier; reciprocating driving means within said clarifier connected to said moving means to drive said moving means in a stepping manner defined by movement of a portion of said driving means relative to another portion of said driving means; said moving means comprises a plow spanning over at least a portion of the enclosure; a framework substantially spanning across the enclosure to support said plow; and said drive means is connected at each end of said framework, close to the bottom of the enclosure, for positively driving said ends of said framework in tandem.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
193 words
In combination with an orbital ditch comprising a pair of upstanding sidewalls spacedly separated by a upstanding partition and forming a pair of parallel channels for circuitous flow of mixed liquor; means for forming an elongated top-facing notch in said partition; a clarifier vessel positioned in said notch, said vessel having upstanding sidewalls and a bottom forming a vessel interior and separating said vessel interior from said channels; said clarifier further comprising; moving means for moving sludge found in the mixed liquor out of said clarifier and back into said orbital ditch through at least one opening in said clarifier; reciprocating driving means within said clarifier connected to said moving means to drive said moving means in a stepping manner defined by movement of a portion of said driving means relative to another portion of said driving means; said moving means comprises a plow spanning over at least a portion of the enclosure; a framework substantially spanning across the enclosure to support said plow; and said drive means is connected at each end of said framework, close to the bottom of the enclosure, for positively driving said ends of said framework in tandem.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising: suction means connected to said moving means for selectively removing material from the clarifier through a location other than the opening to which the material is moved by said moving means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein: said suction means is operable independently of said driving means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein: said plow moves sequentially over a plurality of openings as said driving means drives said plow between opposed ends of the clarifier.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claims 19, 20, or 22, further comprising: brake means connected to said drive means for preventing movement of said moving means and said drive means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said drive means comprises: braking means for preventing movement of a portion of said drive means with respect to another portion of said drive means; and a track or cable along which the apparatus moves.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said brake means comprises: clamping means for receiving a pressurized fluid, said clamping means being held in said drive means and changing in volume to clamp portions of said drive means against the track or cable to prevent movement of said portions of said drive means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said clamping means comprises: a bar having an opening; a diaphragm surrounding said bar and having an opening aligned with said bar opening; and a brake pad adjacent said diaphragm which engages said track or cable to prevent movement of said portions of said drive means whenever a pressurized fluid is provided to said diaphragm through said opening thereof.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said clamping means further comprises: a bellows having an opening for receiving a pressurized fluid, upon receipt of said pressurized fluid, said bellows changing in volume for use in preventing movement of said portions of said drive means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 19, 20, or 22, wherein said drive means provides only linear motion.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
127 words
The apparatus of claim 19, 20, or 22, wherein said drive means further comprises: a first body member; a second body member connected to said first body member; a third body member connected to said second body member; first means for connecting said first body member to said second body member, at least portions of said first means being extendable relative to said second body member in a first direction to move said first body member relative to said second body member; and second means for connecting said second body member to said third body member, at lest portions of said second means being extendable relative to said second body member in a second direction to move said third body member relative to said second body member.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein: translation is defined by the movement of said first and third body members relative to said second body member.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein: said translation is defined by the movement of said second body member relative to said first and third body members.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein: at least portions of said first means is retractable with respect to said second body member to move said second body member relative to said first body member.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
108 words
The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said first means comprises: cylinder means having opposing ends and connected to said second body member, said cylinder means having an opening adjacent each of said ends for receiving a pressurized fluid; rod means connected to each of said ends of said cylinder means for reciprocating movement inwardly and outwardly of said cylinder means; and piston means within said cylinder means and connected to each of said rod means so that, when pressurized fluid is provided to said cylinder means through at lest one of said cylinder means openings, said piston means and said rod means are driven in a predetermined direction.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
258 words
The apparatus of claims 19, 20, or 22, further comprising: a first body member including a slide member positioned on the track, said slide member having an opening to receive a pressure brake line for carrying pressurized fluid, said first body member further including clamping means connected to said pressure brake line; a second body member including a slide member positioned on the track, said slide member having an opening to receive a pressure brake line for carrying pressurized fluid, said second body member further including clamping means connected to said pressure brake line; a third body member including a slide member positioned on the track, said slide member having an opening to receive a pressure brake line for carrying pressurized fluid, said third body member further including clamping means connected to said pressure brake line; a first cylinder having two ends and being fastened to said second body member and a second cylinder having two ends and being fastened to said second body member, each of said first and second cylinders having a pair of openings adjacent said ends of said first and second cylinders, each of said first and second cylinder openings receiving pressure drive lines for carrying pressurized fluid, said first body member being moved relative to said second body member after pressurized fluid is provided to said second body member clamping means through said pressure brake line thereof and when pressurized fluid is provided through one of said pressure drive lines to said first and second cylinder openings located adjacent said third body member.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein: said plow moves sequentially over a plurality of openings as said driving means drives said plow between opposed ends of the clarifier.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein: said moving means moves sequentially over a plurality of openings as said driving means drives said moving means, one between opposed ends of the clarifier, and said drive means is mounted within the clarifier.
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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) | 1995-01-06 | 1995-07-08 | 1996-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-01-06 | 1999-07-08 | 2000-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-01-06 | 2003-07-08 | 2004-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |