Patents Examined by Christopher Upton
  • Patent number: 11371234
    Abstract: A grit removal unit including a cylindrical grit removal chamber above a grit storage chamber, with an opening to the grit storage chamber through the grit removal chamber bottom. At least one layer plate is an inverted truncated cone around the center axis which is spaced from the grit removal chamber vertical wall to allow fluid flow therebetween. Concentric inverted truncated cone lamella plates are supported in the grit removal chamber above the layered plates, with the lamella plates radially spaced from one another relative to the center axis. An influent opening in the grit removal chamber vertical wall below the layered plates allows fluid and grit into the grit removal chamber, and an effluent opening in the grit removal chamber vertical wall above the lamella plates allows fluid to exit the grit removal chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Smith & Loveless Inc.
    Inventors: Lilunnahar Deju, John K. Kelly, Alexander P. Zuzelski, Rodney S. Mrkvicka
  • Patent number: 11371233
    Abstract: A pop-up emitter includes a conduit, a cover plate, a pop-up lid, and a clip. The conduit defines a flow channel configured to establish fluid communication with a drainage system. The cover plate protrudes radially outward from a top end of the conduit and about the flow channel. The cover plate defines a slot along a top surface of the cover plate. The pop-up lid has a horizontally extending pin protruding outward therefrom. The pin is disposed within the slot. The pop-up lid is configured to pivot about the pin to transition between a first position where the plate covers the flow channel along the top end and a second position where the flow channel is exposed such that water is emitted therefrom. The clip is disposed within the slot and engages the pin such that the clip retains the pin within the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Inventor: Robert Sherwood
  • Patent number: 11371201
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods useful for collecting debris from a body of water on a vessel having at least one cargo compartment and at least a first pump fluidly coupled to at least one cargo compartment and configured to concurrently draw water and debris from the body of water into, and remove water from, the cargo compartment(s) include at least a second pump, distinct from the first pump and configured to remove debris from at least one cargo compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Ocean Cleaner, LLC
    Inventors: Russell S. Covington, Kim Michael Folse
  • Patent number: 11371203
    Abstract: A storm water runoff and erosion control device includes a rigid frame covered by a layer of mesh material. The frame defines an interior space that is filled with filtration material. The device may be configured as a wattle having an elongated frame with a triangular cross-section. The wattle may be extended along the contour of a hill to reduce erosion, or it may be placed at the entrance to a drainage inlet to slow the velocity of, and filter sediment and contaminants from, water entering the inlet. Alternatively, the device may be a compact filter that is a cube, cylinder, sphere, or other suitable geometry. A plurality of these compact filters may be placed in the basin of a storm water drain, and piled sufficiently high to cover the outlet from the basin. Thus, all the water in the basin must pass through the compact filters before exiting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Inventor: Juan Banuelos
  • Patent number: 11363763
    Abstract: A plant growing system has a number of modular units arranged together on a flat surface in side of a growing room. The modular units have rigid boxes therein with vertical holes therethrough inside of which is located a growing soil. Water and nutrients are pumped from a reservoir to a distributor located in a growing soil of the rigid boxes as called for by moisture sensors, which activates a controller to turn ON a delivery pump. When moisture and nutrients need to be removed from an impermeable flexible liner located below the modular units, the controller turns ON a return pump, which pumps the excess water and nutrients back to the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: R.T.D. Enterprises
    Inventors: Troy W Emery, Robbie W Emery, Karl V Krotzer, Jacob L Baumler
  • Patent number: 11365131
    Abstract: A fluid management system including an inlet configured to receive pre-processed fluid is provided. The system includes a filtering apparatus configured to remove contaminants from the pre-processed fluid. The filtering apparatus includes a plate having a first opening. A first manifold pipe is disposed on the plate and includes one or more perforations and a second opening at least partially aligned with the first opening. A second manifold pipe is disposed on the plate and includes one or more perforations. Filter media is disposed between the first manifold pipe and the second manifold pipe and is configured to separate the contaminants from the pre-processed fluid. The system also includes an outlet coupled to the second manifold pipe to receive processed fluid from the filtering apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: ADVANCED DRAINAGE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Figola, Bo Liu, Thomas E. Pank, Ronald R. Vitarelli, Erik K. Hartwell
  • Patent number: 11359362
    Abstract: A strainer for a ligature resistant floor drain and a ligature resistant floor drain incorporating a strainer. The strainer includes a top plate with two sets of openings forming rings. A cylindrical extension extends from the top plate at a location between the rings. Also provided are two series of webs, each web of which is located between an adjacent pair of openings in one of the rings. Optionally, a strainer plate is attached to the cylindrical extension and extends at least one of radially inward and outward relative from the cylindrical extension. The floor drain further includes a strainer frame having a receptacle into which the strainer is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventor: Darryl M. Boeltl
  • Patent number: 11358073
    Abstract: A wastewater dissolved-air floatation apparatus combined with a precipitation tank having sloped plates is proposed. The apparatus can reduce a transfer load according to the discharge of sludge, when the sludge is discharged through a discharge screw which is a discharge means, so as to enable sludge discharge efficiency to be maximized, has a cleaning means so as to enable components provided therein to be easily cleaned, maintained and managed through cleaning when the inside thereof is required to be cleaned, can control the discharge level of wastewater, which has been treated while sludge precipitation and suspended particle floatation are stably performed thereon inside a separation tank to which microbubbles are supplied, selectively blocks the supply of the microbubbles into the separation tank so as to use the separation tank as a precipitation tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventor: Jong Seok Yun
  • Patent number: 11346095
    Abstract: A floor sink configured to be installed in a support surface includes a body including a first end, and a second end opposite the first end and configured to receive a pipe. The floor sink further includes a cavity extending through the body, and a flange coupled to the first end of the body and extending away from the cavity. The flange is configured to engage the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: ZURN INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Say, Lisa A. Barker
  • Patent number: 11339548
    Abstract: A system for cleaning rivers and waterways in general includes one or more floating modules, each having a floating body and a rotating body provided with projecting elements configured to be positioned on the water surface, so that, when the rotating body rotates due to the thrusting action of the water current, the projecting elements move floating debris in a direction determined by its rotation direction towards an accumulation or recovery area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Inventors: Andrea Citton, Alex Citton
  • Patent number: 11332918
    Abstract: A storm water capture and filtration system may secure in a catch basin or other area subject to flows of water from streets, channels, and the like as a result of run off from storms. A filter system may include a capture portion including attachment mechanisms, a funnel, various supports, and a filter hanger designed and calculated to capture all water entering a storm water inlet and directing it toward a bag filter. A gap is provided between a funnel and filter hanger in order to provide accommodation for overflow, while an anti-backflow skirt on the filter bag resists flushing of captured pollution out of the bag in overflow condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: FROG CREEK PARTNERS, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Deurloo, Thomas James Stypula
  • Patent number: 11331601
    Abstract: In a wastewater treatment system, a clarifier has a submerged effluent launder, with a sloped, submerged plate that allows clarified liquid to exit through submerged openings. The sloped surface tends to accumulate solids, which can lead to algae growth. Typical internal scum collection system equipment prevents any efficient way to clear the accumulated sludge off the launder surface because of interferences. As disclosed here, a scum discharge area or box is placed external to the clarifier in one embodiment. Scum is wiped from a vertical surface of the launder assembly, above the sloped launder surface, and swept over a scum beach at one position in the clarifier, to drop into a lower trough and the flow out through the clarifier wall to a drop out box or scum discharge area. This allows for a rake-attached, sweeping launder wiper to be moved with the clarifier's rake to remove the accumulation of sludge from the launder's submerged surface, without elaborate moving parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Ovivo Inc.
    Inventors: Tyson Beaman, Garret Beaman, Ryan Clark, John Vorwaller, Robert E. Hanford
  • Patent number: 11332383
    Abstract: A modular porous swale. The modular porous swale may comprise a porous concrete block and filtration joint. The porous concrete block may snugly fit within a trench having a lower portion filled with an absorption media. The absorption media may include gravel, activated alumina, bone char, or an activated alumina and bone char mixture. The porous concrete block may have a top surface inwardly-sloped to a nadir. The filtration joint may be disposed within the porous concrete block and along the nadir. The liner may cover one or more sides of the porous concrete block. The perforated pipe may be located within the absorption media. The filtration joint may substantially align above a portion of the perforated pipe when the modular porous swale is installed within the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Gary Anguiano, Dennis How, Mark Foreman
  • Patent number: 11326325
    Abstract: An engineering system for collecting and utilizing regional rainwater includes a rainwater collection system, a water quality treatment system, and a control and allocation system. The rainwater collection system includes a rainwater collection ditch for a hardened underlying surface, a barrier and a water storage tank. The water quality treatment system includes a filter system. The control and allocation system includes a water quality monitoring device, a water level monitor, a control gate and a water pump. The filter system is connected to the underlying surface through the rainwater collection ditch, and the filter system is connected to the water storage tank. The control gate is disposed between the filter system and the water storage tank. The water quality monitoring device and the water level monitor are disposed within the water storage tank. The water pump is used to drain water from the water storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: NANJING HYDRAULIC RESEARCH INST., STATE KEY LAB OF HYDROLOGY-WATER RESOURCES & HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    Inventors: Xiaojun Wang, Jianyun Zhang, Feng Chen, Qin Huang, Xiaoqing Tian
  • Patent number: 11326336
    Abstract: An underground stormwater management system comprising a sediment settling chamber, a plurality of stormwater management cells, and a trash capturing net. The sediment settling chamber has a sediment settling chamber floor and a discharge port located at a higher elevation than the sediment settling chamber floor. The plurality of stormwater management cells are located adjacent each other, and each cell comprises a body portion and an internal region, and is adapted to permit passage of stormwater into and out of the internal region of such cell. The plurality of stormwater management cells combine to form a stormwater management chamber downstream of the sediment settling chamber and in fluid communication with the sediment settling chamber. The trash capturing net is at least partially located within the stormwater management chamber and is adapted and configured to capture trash and debris in stormwater discharged from the discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Pre-Con Products
    Inventor: David Zarraonandia
  • Patent number: 11319247
    Abstract: A fine grit classifier for removing grit from a milk of lime slurry includes a settling tank for receiving the milk of lime slurry, means for creating turbulence inside the tank to promote grit settling, a launder for collecting milk of lime slurry from an upper portion of the settling tank and directing milk of lime slurry to an outlet, and an auger for transporting settled grit from the lower portion of the settling tank and discharging the settled grit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: RDP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Christy
  • Patent number: 11312647
    Abstract: A stormwater collection, treatment, and aquifer replenishment installation includes a stormwater drain for receiving surface stormwater, a dry well downwardly extending underground to an outlet proximate to a water table over an aquifer, a tank structure at least partially disposed underground and coupled with the stormwater drain and the dry well in stormwater communication, a stormwater treatment system enclosed within the tank structure between the stormwater drain and the dry well for converting surface stormwater into treated stormwater, the tank structure for conducting surface stormwater to the stormwater treatment system between the stormwater drain and the dry well, and the dry well for receiving and gravity feeding treated stormwater from stormwater treatment system to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Inventor: Daniel L. Wensel
  • Patent number: 11299879
    Abstract: An inlet filter and method of use are disclosed. In one aspect, the inlet filter comprises a frame, filter material, a feed stream inlet, and a filtrate outlet. The frame is configured so an exterior of the frame is shaped like a wedge. In another aspect, the method comprises inserting an inlet filter into a storm sewer inlet. The inlet filter can be one of a plurality of inlet filters inserted into the storm sewer inlet, the filters cooperating to filter a feed stream entering the storm sewer inlet. In a third aspect, a system comprises a plurality of inlet filters configured to be coupled together to filter a feed stream to a storm sewer inlet. The system can be configured so that the width of the plurality of filters is adjustable. For example, a first inlet filter and second inlet filter can be slidably engaged with a connecting filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Texas Erosion Supply, L.P.
    Inventors: Kyle Wayne Sheets, Brian Westbrook Ralph, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11293171
    Abstract: A two-stage filtering drain cover that can be retrofitted to an existing, original construction, areaway drain cover. The filtering drain cover of the invention inhibits the accumulation of debris on the existing drain cover, and passage of debris into the drain, and helps to prevent clogs and flooding. The outer cover member of the device is configured with passages that permit liquid flow through the outer cover while filtering larger size debris particles that may be entrained in the passing liquid. A perimeter wall on the outer cover and with similar liquid flow passages stops larger debris from passing the outer cover. An inner filter member fits within the outer cover and is configured with relatively smaller passages to obstruct smaller sized debris that may have penetrated the outer cover from passing into the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Inventor: Steven Berry
  • Patent number: 11286670
    Abstract: A cover for a drain. The cover may be used with roof drains or other drains and allow for fluid collection into the drain even with buildup of debris around or on the cover. The cover may have a lower flange or skirt portion with a large area and extending outwardly in an arcuate or polygonal configuration and having openings for fluid flow. The lower portion may be oriented at a positive, zero, or negative angle with respect to the horizontal. The lower portion may be wider than a drain body over which the cover is used. An upper portion may be connected to the lower portion and may be more vertically-oriented than the lower portion and having openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Roofguard Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: Donald G. Huber