Elevator Patents (Class 405/82)
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Patent number: 11692322Abstract: A spur dike type fishway inlet includes an upstream flow block wall, an extra water supply nozzle, and an artificial fish reef. The upstream flow block wall is arranged upstream of a fishway inlet; the starting end of the upstream flow block wall is connected with the upstream side wall of the fishway inlet through a connecting shaft and a hydraulic strut. The extra water supply nozzle is installed in the fishway inlet and is connected to the upstream of a power station through a pipeline to directly supply water to a high water head. The artificial reef is set up within the shielding range of the upstream flow block wall.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2022Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: NANJING HYDRAULIC RESEARCH INSTITUTEInventors: Xiaogang Wang, Long Zhu, Tao Wang, Zhonghua Li, Shilong Li, Yongzeng Huang, Kaixiao Chen, Biao Wang, Guoxiu Shang, Zhe Wang, Hongze Li, Qiaoyi Hu, Yifei Gao, Feifei He
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Patent number: 8262317Abstract: A device to provide a bypass for fish from an upstream reservoir behind a dam, to a lower elevation downstream reservoir. The device employs a flow separation apparatus for separating aquatic life entering the device and communicated to the downstream reservoir, from a portion of fluid flow communicated to the dam intake. The moving fluid within the device creates turbulence to provide a cushioning effect to protect the fish from impacts, while directing water streams to urge fish to an upper portion of the device distant from the water being communicated to the dam in the lower portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2011Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Inventor: Paul Jensen
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Patent number: 7670083Abstract: A fish passage system is provided that includes a first weir and a second weir upstream of the first weir. The first and second weirs are each moveable between a deflated condition and an inflated condition. The fish passage system further includes a controller to move the first and second weirs between the inflated and deflated conditions to create at least one pool between the first and second weirs so that fish can migrate upstream and/or downstream of the system without having to jump the first and second weirs.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2006Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Inventor: William W. McWha
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Patent number: 7300572Abstract: A traveling water screen comprising an endless foraminous belt with flights. The foraminous belt forms a water screen extending from a lower end in a flowing stream to an upper end above the surface of the stream. The stream flows through openings in the foraminous screen. The flights, which may be scoops, are arranged in spaced apart relation on the outer surface of the water screen. The water screen is driven in a direction so that its upstream portion advances upward and its downstream portion downward. The flights form inclined surfaces across the width of the screen from a point of highest elevation to one or more points of lowest elevation at one or both side edges of the screen. As the screen moves, the flights lift fish toward the surface. As a flight breaks the surface, fish slide down the inclined flights toward one or both side edges of the screen to be diverted safely.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2006Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: Joseph M. DePaso, Omair Zubair, Kyle J. Sedlacek
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Patent number: 7249915Abstract: A fishladder (10) for use along a waterway includes a channel having a bottom wall (16), a pair of opposing, up-wardly extending sidewalls (18a, b) and opposing open ends. A series of projections (20) are disposed along the channel between the opposing walls (18a, b), and a series of baffles (22) are also disposed along the channel adjacent the series of projections. The baffles (22) define a sheltered side (28), having sheltered areas with a low water flow rate in which fish can rest, and a flow side capable of carrying water having a higher water flow rate and along which fish can advance up the fish ladder. A passage (30) extends through the battles, which allows water to flow through the sheltered areas at a rate capable of preventing the build-up of sediment in the same sheltered areas, but which does not significantly impede the ability of fish to rest in these areas.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2002Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Inventor: Randall L. Tucker
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Patent number: 7048850Abstract: A traveling water screen comprising an endless foraminous belt with flights. The foraminous belt forms a water screen extending from a lower end in a flowing stream to an upper end above the surface of the stream. The stream flows through openings in the foraminous screen. The flights, which may be scoops, are arranged in spaced apart relation on the outer surface of the water screen. The water screen is driven in a direction so that its upstream portion advances upward and its downstream portion downward. The flights form inclined surfaces across the width of the screen from a point of highest elevation to one or more points of lowest elevation at one or both side edges of the screen. As the screen moves, the flights lift fish toward the surface. As a flight breaks the surface, fish slide down the inclined flights toward one or both side edges of the screen to be diverted safely.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2004Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: Joseph M. DePaso, Omair Zubair, Kyle J. Sedlacek
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Patent number: 6905287Abstract: A fish ladder for incorporation between ends of a water structure that includes at least a pair of separate sleeves that are each formed from a puncture resistant flexible material, contain a volume of water and may have a closed end or ends for resting on edge portions of a flat base plate of the fish ladder. The flat base plate includes a pair of parallel spaced apart upstanding side walls that are individually extend across the flat base plate. The upstanding side walls each include pairs of spaced apart channels extending from the side walls, with the pairs align to receive flat rectangular dam sections fitted therein, forming interior dams that a flow of water, as travels through the fish ladder, fills between as pools that fish, traveling up stream, jump between, to travel up the fish ladder and exit into a body of water that is contained by the water structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2003Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Inventor: David Doolaege
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Publication number: 20040247395Abstract: A fish ladder for incorporation between ends of a water structure that includes at least a pair of separate sleeves that are each formed from a puncture resistant flexible material, contain a volume of water and may have a closed end or ends for resting on edge portions of a flat base plate of the fish ladder. The flat base plate includes a pair of parallel spaced apart upstanding side walls that are individually extend across the flat base plate. The upstanding side walls each include pairs of spaced apart channels extending from the side walls, with the pairs align to receive flat rectangular dam sections fitted therein, forming interior dams that a flow of water, as travels through the fish ladder, fills between as pools that fish, traveling up stream, jump between, to travel up the fish ladder and exit into a body of water that is contained by the water structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2003Publication date: December 9, 2004Inventor: David Doolaege
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Patent number: 6715959Abstract: The present invention is a safe and effective fish ladder for assisting fish in overcoming dams, especially in the upstream direction. The ladder comprises a series of relatively vertical open pools, which decrease in size in the upstream direction, the pools being conveniently spaced apart a vertical distance which may be easily jumped by the particular fish species of interest. By being arranged relatively vertically, so that the downstream perimeter of one pool is substantially within the downstream perimeter of the pool directly beneath the one pool, the fish ladder does not need to be long and expensive if the dam to overcome is high. Also, by being relatively vertical, the ladder may be conveniently built onto already existing vertical components on the downstream side of a dam, for example, onto the support structure for the discharge flume for downstream migrating fish in the apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,913 (Boylan).Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2002Date of Patent: April 6, 2004Assignee: BGA Limited PartnershipInventor: Delmer Boylan
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Publication number: 20040018057Abstract: The present invention is a safe and effective fish ladder for assisting fish in overcoming dams, especially in the upstream direction. The ladder comprises a series of relatively vertical open pools, which decrease in size in the upstream direction, the pools being conveniently spaced apart a vertical distance which may be easily jumped by the particular fish species of interest. By being arranged relatively vertically, so that the downstream perimeter of one pool is substantially within the downstream perimeter of the pool directly beneath the one pool, the fish ladder does not need to be long and expensive if the dam to overcome is high. Also, by being relatively vertical, the ladder may be conveniently built onto already existing vertical components on the downstream side of a dam, for example, onto the support structure for the discharge flume for downstream migrating fish in the apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,913 (Boylan).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2002Publication date: January 29, 2004Inventor: Delmer R. Boylan
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Publication number: 20030219311Abstract: A fish-safe screened water diversion apparatus having an input and diverted and non-diverted outputs. Water or other fluid is directed substantially downward under the screen at the input and preferably flows under the screen in a substantially unimpeded manner to the non-diverted output or substantially upwardly and/or diagonally through the screen to the diverted output. Various diversion apparatus and screen embodiments are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2003Publication date: November 27, 2003Inventors: Tod A. Hildstad, Timothy T. Annala
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Publication number: 20030133754Abstract: A fish ladder is used at a water way outlet of a water way which is higher than a body of water. The fish ladder reduces jump heights for fish entering the water way outlet from the body of water. The fish ladder is a series of tiers installed below and up to the water way outlet, thereby reducing the jump height between the water way outlet and the body of water. The fish ladder is a modular design which can be altered to fit the needs of a particular site based on the size of the body of water, jump height and water way outlet size. The height, length and width of the tiers, as well as the number of tiers, is specific to the site of the installation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2002Publication date: July 17, 2003Inventor: Kevin J. Barnett
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Patent number: 6347908Abstract: A series of disturbed (or rippled) air-water interface regions contiguously arranged guide anadromous fish in a selected direction. Artificial or natural light, diffusely refracted by passage through the disturbed regions, establishes an aura-dominated passage that elicits a learned response from fish which have a “silver underbody” perceive the passage being safe. Accordingly, a fish guidance system in accordance with the present invention may include shower assemblies or nozzles for spraying a fluid, such as water, onto the surface of a body of water, and light assemblies for illuminating disturbed air-water interface regions created by the sprayed fluid. A dark, light absorbing surface beneath the aura-dominated passage enhances its effectiveness as do darkened regions created alongside of and complementing that passage. The darkened regions may also be advantageously exploited for guiding dark, catadromous fish.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1999Date of Patent: February 19, 2002Inventor: Sherif Safwat
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Patent number: 6187184Abstract: A basket for a traveling water screen which includes a top rail with a pair of spaced apart end members at opposite ends of the top rail which are joined to the top rail. A water screen extends between the end members and includes an upper edge portion supported by the top rail, and a lower edge portion opposite the upper edge portion, and opposite edges supported by the spaced apart end members. A lower channel rail extends between the spaced apart end members and supports the lower edge portion of the water screen with the lower channel rail defining an internal channel having a smooth arcuate inner surface. An insert in the form of an elongated member is positioned in the bottom, back downstream side of the channel and forms a quiescent condition in the bottom of said channel when the basket is exposed to a flowing water stream.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1999Date of Patent: February 13, 2001Assignee: Niagara Mohawk Power CorporationInventors: Wesley A. Reetz, William J. Hartson, Steven L. Barfuss
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Patent number: 5540521Abstract: An aqua culture facility and method using a pneumatic pump for displacement of water or other liquid located in a confined space having rigid bottom and side walls which form an interior surface of the space, with a flexible liner having the same contour as the space in which the liquid is confined. The confined space is a culture chamber and open at the top side, such as a fish pond. The flexible liner is comprised of two or more flexible membranes which are in sealing engagement at their edge portions to form a sealed compartment. There is an air inlet-outlet means through which gas or liquid can be introduced to inflate and then to exhaust the air from the sealed compartment. The flexible liner has a flexible membrane in contact with the rigid bottom and side walls of the confined space and is larger then the interior surface of the confined space. The placed flexible membrane liner is covered with water and seeded with organisms to create the culture chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1994Date of Patent: July 30, 1996Inventor: Robert W. Biggs
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Patent number: 4904114Abstract: A device for assisting fish to circumnavigate obstacles such as dams is provided with a system of chambers within each of which is disposed an inclined, water permeable, floating screen movable up and down depending on the level of water in the chamber. The level of water is controlled by a system of strategically located gates and valves. The lowermost chamber is provided with a siphon-like arrangement assisting the draining of the chamber, without the need for a pump. The invention simplifies the overall arrangement and its operation.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 1988Date of Patent: February 27, 1990Assignee: Warner Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Warner, James Schjelderup
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Patent number: 4431340Abstract: A means and method for transporting fish from a lower body of water to a higher body of water. The means comprises a tubular lock with a gated entrance below the level of the lower body of water through which fish may enter the lock and a discharge passage above the level of the upper body of water. The fish raising means in the lock is a crowder pulled upward by a surface float as water from the upper body of water gravitationally flows into the closed lock filling it to the level of the upper body. Water is then pumped into the lock to raise the level to the discharge passage. The crowder is then caused to float upward the remaining distance through the water to the level of the discharge passage by the introduction of air into a pocket on the underside of the crowder. The fish are then automatically discharged from the lock into the discharge passage by the out of water position of the crowder.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1981Date of Patent: February 14, 1984Assignee: Lakeside EngineeringInventors: Jonathan Truebe, Michael S. Drooker
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Patent number: 4415462Abstract: A self-cleaning screen and method for screening water for hydraulic turbine intake diversions is disclosed. A check dam is established across a river on the downstream side of a side channel weir which is at a lower elevation than the dam. A fish transport trough is laterally spaced from the weir at a lower elevation and has an inlet upstream of the weir and an outlet downstream of the dam. A screen having a concave profile is connected between the weir and the trough to remove debris from water flowing over the weir. Water flowing through the screen enters a separate channel under the screen for diversion to a hydraulic turbine inlet water application. Intermittent surges of water over the weir flush debris off the edge of the screen into the trough to clean the screen.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1982Date of Patent: November 15, 1983Inventors: Harvey E. Finch, James J. Strong
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Patent number: 4260286Abstract: A system for use at dams, diversion canals, and the like includes a fish ladder for enabling fish to travel both upstream and downstream without injury past man-made obstacles such as dams. The fish ladder comprises a series of dish-like compartments to which water is made to flow from top to bottom. Auxiliary water input to each dish in the series is maintained to create the desired turbulence and flush debris from the ladder. Also included is a power predator seine chamber at the bottom of the fish ladder for chumming predator fish from the waters at the bottom of the fish ladder. The predator fish can be sorted out when the seine is raised. Repetitive traveling screens move through the water and allow the removal of water from a body of water without removing or damaging fish therein. The screen's rotation, size of the screen material, and the angle of the screen to primary water flow allow the migrating fish to keep moving in the desired direction while large volumes of water are diverted.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 1979Date of Patent: April 7, 1981Inventor: Robert R. Buchanan
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Patent number: 4199453Abstract: Apparatus for protecting aquatic life carried by water passing through a vertical traveling band screen unit having inwardly opening screening baskets. Each basket carries a longitudinally extending, inwardly projecting baffle adjacent its trailing side with the portion thereof adjacent the basket being imperforate. The area along the length of each basket at the inner side of the baffle is imperforate and defines with the baffle a pocket for receiving water and aquatic life carried thereby upon upward movement through the water and is adapted to discharge the water and aquatic life carried thereby upon movement of the pocket to a predetermined elevation. A low pressure stream of water transfers the aquatic life from the pocket to a discharge trough located inwardly of the screening unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1978Date of Patent: April 22, 1980Assignee: Passavant CorporationInventors: Robert McCawley, Kenneth R. Siddle