US5126042A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Floating media biofilter
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1991-10-31
•
Granted: 1992-06-30
•
Expires: 2011-10-31
Abstract
Abstract A biofilter is provided, including a tank, having a bottom, a top and a sidewall having a lower portion which is inwardly sloping toward the bottom; floating filter media in the tank, the media forming a floating media pack when the tank is filled with liquid and the media are undisturbed, the media pack having a bottom and a top; a screen having openings adapted to prevent the floating filter media from passing therethrough, positioned in the tank between the bottom of the tank and the top of the tank; an agitator having a blade, the agitator being attached to the tank and adapted such that the blade is at least partially imbedded in the media pack when the tank is filled with liquid; an inlet line fluidly connected to the tank below the screen; a sludge drain line fluidly connected to the lower portion tank below the screen; a sludge valve, positioned in the sludge drain line; and an outlet line fluidly connected to the tank above the screen.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald F. Malone
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 02:16
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F3/00; C02F3/02; C02F3/06; C02F3/10; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W10/00; Y02W10/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A biofilter, comprising: a. a tank, having a bottom, a top and a sidewall having a lower portion which is inwardly sloping toward said bottom; b. floating media means in said tank for forming a floating media pack when said tank is filled with liquid and said media means are undisturbed, said media pack having a bottom and a top; c. a screen having openings adapted to prevent said media means from passing therethrough, positioned in said tank above said floating media means; d. an agitator having a blade, said agitator being attached to said tank and adapted such that said blade is at least partially imbedded in said media pack when said tank is filled with liquid; e. an inlet line fluidly connected to said tank below said screen; f. a sludge drain line fluidly connected to said tank below said screen; g. a sludge valve, positioned in said sludge drain line; and h. an outlet line fluidly connected to said tank above said screen.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
A biofilter, comprising: a. a tank, having a bottom, a top and a sidewall having a lower portion which is inwardly sloping toward said bottom; b. floating media means in said tank for forming a floating media pack when said tank is filled with liquid and said media means are undisturbed, said media pack having a bottom and a top; c. a screen having openings adapted to prevent said media means from passing therethrough, positioned in said tank above said floating media means; d. an agitator having a blade, said agitator being attached to said tank and adapted such that said blade is at least partially imbedded in said media pack when said tank is filled with liquid; e. an inlet line fluidly connected to said tank below said screen; f. a sludge drain line fluidly connected to said tank below said screen; g. a sludge valve, positioned in said sludge drain line; and h. an outlet line fluidly connected to said tank above said screen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A biofilter according to claim 1, further comprising a diffuser fluidly connected to said inlet line and positioned so as to be below said media pack when said tank is filled with liquid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A biofilter according to claim 1, wherein said lower portion of said sidewall is substantially conically-shaped.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
A biofilter according to claim 1, wherein said top is substantially dome-shaped.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A biofilter according to claim 1, wherein said floating media means includes a plurality of low density granular media pellets.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A biofilter according to claim 1, wherein said agitator includes a motor attached to said top of said tank, a shaft rotatably attached to said motor and extending into said tank to a point below said screen, said blade being fixedly attached to said shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A biofilter according to claim 1, wherein said blade is pitched so as to induce liquid flow toward said bottom.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A biofilter according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said blades are provided.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A biofilter according to claim 8, wherein a first said blade is positioned just below said top of said media pack.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
A biofilter according to claim 9, wherein three said blades are provided, and wherein a second said blade is positioned between said bottom of said media pack and said top of said media pack, and a third said blade is positioned just above said bottom of said media pack.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
A biofilter according to claim 1, further comprising a means for determining a pressure differential across said media pack and for controlling operation of said agitator depending upon said pressure differential, said means being connected to said tank and said agitator.
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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) | 1995-06-30 | 1995-12-30 | 1996-06-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-30 | 1999-12-30 | 2000-06-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-30 | 2003-12-30 | 2004-06-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |