Abstract: A cross flow plate separator of the type having an assembly of parallel plates inclined to the horizontal plane in a container between a supply chamber and a discharge chamber, and at least one collecting chamber above or below the plate assembly for collecting components separated from liquid flowing between the plates from the supply to the discharge chambers, and wherein transverse dividing baffles extend the collecting chambers to a depth below a collected sediment layer or into a floating layer as the case may be, is improved by provision of auxiliary transverse baffles in the collecting chamber between the larger dividing baffles, the auxiliary baffles each having one edge in contact with the plate assembly and extending into said collecting chamber a distance substantially short of either sediment or floating layers, to suppress liquid flow exterior to the plate assembly between the dividing baffles.

Abstract: A precast concrete, plastic-jacketed filter underdrain block for downflow or upflow filter units is disclosed. The plastic jacket additionally functions as a mold for the concrete. The plastic molds become an integral part of the finished filter underdrain block. Thus, relatively lightweight, inexpensive plastic molds can be fabricated and shipped to the filter construction site where they are filled with concrete, cured, and then placed in the filter unit to provide an underdrain system. The underdrain blocks may be equipped with handholds to facilitate the handling and placement of the blocks in the filter vessel.

Abstract: A system and method for removing waste and debris from an aquarium tank and from the water supply therein without having to empty the tank or remove the fish therefrom. The apparatus comprises a movable cleaning means positioned adjacent the bottom surface of the tank, means for expelling waste and debris from adjacent the bottom surface of the tank and means for moving the cleaning means along the bottom surface of the tank so that the movable cleaning means dislodges waste and debris deposited thereon and directs the dislodged waste and debris generally toward the expelling means to be expelled thereby. The cleaning means preferably comprises a barrier structure having a metallic element incorporated therein, and the moving means preferably comprises a magnetic source, such as a hand-held permanent magnet, positioned externally of the tank beneath the underside thereof to move the barrier structure along the bottom surface by magnetic attraction.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for treatment of flowing slurries of particulate material mixed in liquid employ a wide, elongated downwardly-slanted, metal tray with upturned edge flanges, cable-suspended for unrestrained vibratory flexing and undulation. The tray is provided with a plurality of ultrasonic transducers mounted on its underside, and the flowing slurry is delivered to the upper tray end, flowing lengthwise down the tray in a shallow flowing sheet. Ultrasonic vibratory energy coupled through the tray to the flowing slurry has a "microscopic scrubbing" action on all particles and agglomerates, breaking the surface tension on the particle, cleaning particle surfaces, and separating different constituent particles and coatings of gels, slimes, algae, clay or mud. Mixtures of fine particles of coal or other valuable minerals with ash, clay, rock or sand particles are separated with unexpected efficiency by these techniques.

Abstract: An improved automatic air pressure relief and check valve assembly which may be used in combination with a swimming pool filter tank or a swimming pool separation tank. The valve assembly includes a normally open lower valve which communicates with the inside of the tank and is responsive to the tank's being full of pressurized water for closing the lower valve. The valve assembly further includes a normally closed upper valve communicating with the lower valve and the outside of the tank, the upper valve being responsive to air being expelled from the tank through the open lower valve, when water is filling the tank, for opening the upper valve to permit the air being expelled to exit through the upper valve. Cooperating with the upper and lower valve of the improved valve assembly is means for precluding both the upper and the lower valves from being simultaneously maintained in their closed conditions.

Abstract: A composite, microscopically transparent, porous membrane is formed from a porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane having desired bulk properties on which is directly coated a cross-linked polymer having desired surface properties. The composite membrane retains the porosity of the porous polymeric membrane.

Abstract: A cleaner for an aquarium including a filter, a water pump, a waste-pipe with one end connecting to the water pump, an air compressor, a hose with one end connecting to the air compressor, and a base assembly. The base assembly includes a rectangular box having a top sieving plate, a V-shaped gatherer disposed in the box, a cylinder clamped in the box between the sieving plate and the gatherer, a rotatable cleaning brush rotatably disposed in the cylinder, and an actuating paddle wheel fixed to one end of the rotatable cleaning brush. A number of sieving slits are provided on the sieving plate. A hole is provided on the cylinder for receiving the other end of the waste-pipe, and another hole is also provided on the cylinder at its lower surface near one of its ends for receiving the other end of the hose, and a number of notches are formed on the lower surface of the cylinder for passing the depositing impurities.

Abstract: Skimmer apparatus, for a recreational pool of the type where a housing of the skimmer is mounted outside the pool and has a port opening in sealed relation to a pool sidewall opening, is provided with an assembly, including a special gasket frame and a face plate, for fastening the housing to the pool sidewall for normal use, and further including a cover panel adapted to sealably mount over the face plate by gripping sealing engagement with a peripheral flange of the gasket frame to effectively close off the chamber of the skimmer housing for non-use or storage disposition.

Abstract: A pluri-tubular aerator includes a vertical central tube member, at least one outer tube member disposed concentrically around said central tube member, and at least one of an diffuser and an air tank disposed on an lower end of the aerator for delivering externally supplied air into the central tube member or a space between the central and outer tube members. The diffuser produces a continuous stream of fine air bubbles while the air tank intermittently produces a bulky air bubble of either a spherical shape or a ring-shape. Preferably, the diffuser and the air tank are used concurrently.

Abstract: This is a water aerating unit which is particularly adapted for aerating bodies of water adjacent the shoreline and is readily transportable from one location to another. A suitable transporting vehicle is provided such as a tractor having a power take-off and hydraulic system for providing the driving power water for the propeller as well as the air blower mounted on the unit. The unit is supported on a wheeled frame by which the elevation of the lower submerged end thereof may be adjustably varied by a hydraulic system.

Abstract: A porous polymeric medium having a low affinity for amide group-containing materials is provided comprising a porous polymeric substrate and a surface-modifying polymeric material having a low affinity for amide group-containing materials formed in situ at and covalently bonded to the surface of the porous polymeric substrate, the surface-modifying polymeric material being formed from a monofunctional monomer having at least one hydroxyl group.

Abstract: A skimmer-diverter assembly for use with swimming pools having water filtration and circulation systems. The skimmer-diverter assembly includes an elongated arm positioned adjacent the skimmer intake of the spool filtration and circulation system. A flow augmenting apparatus is used with the elongated arm to direct an augmented current flow along the arm to enhance the entrainment of debris and direct the debris toward the side wall of the pool and skimmer intake.

Abstract: A filter which is particularly useful with biological material is formed of porous piezoelectric material such as PZT or Polyvinylidene fluoride. By an application of a voltage to the piezoelectric material, the filter body is caused to vibrate so as to inhibit fouling. In a modification, the piezoelectric material is not itself porous but is bonded to a filter membrane such that vibrations of the piezoelectric material are transmitted to the membrane. Through suitable control of the vibration, the selectivity of the filter can be controlled. In other modifications the vibratory movement of the filter membrane can be produced in other ways such as electro-mechanically.

Abstract: In the cleansing especially of cooling water for a heat exchanger the installation of rotationally symmetric filter bodies in the cooling water feeder pipe and suction of sediments across a suction nozzle rotating on the windward side. Difficulties result therein in the production of a required back-flow through the filter and the avoidance of lateral airfluxes in front of the filter surface, as a certain gap is necessary between filter and suction nozzle for holding the sediments.

Abstract: A device for reducing the amount of particulate contaminant in a liquid is provided which includes a hollow elongate member having first and second openings and filter means, preferably depth filter means, positioned in the elongate member, the filter means in combination with the elongate member defining a reservoir between the filter means and the first opening. The device is intended to be used with means associated with the first opening for generating a pressure differential between the interior of the elongate member and the exterior thereof whereby a liquid containing particulate contaminant may be introduced into the reservoir in the elongate member through the second opening, particulate contaminant being trapped within the filter means and a liquid with a reduced particulate contaminant may be removed from the elongate member through the second opening.

Abstract: There is disclosed a water recirculation system for a swimming pool including assemblies installed in the drain openings in the skimmer and lower end of the pool for shredding leaves solely in response to the circulation of water through them.

Abstract: The pump mounting includes vertical guide tracks and horizontal supports whereby a pump can be lowered in a filtration tank along the vertical guide tracks to connect its axial inlet port with an inlet conduit and rotated to connect its radial discharge port with an outlet conduit. Positive pump displacement means are provided to rotate the pump into its operative position in the tank and to release the pump from its operative position for removal from the tank. Cams cooperate between the tracks and the pump mounting frame to rotate to the pump to disconnect its radial discharge port and the outlet conduit in response to lifting the pump from the tank.

Abstract: A cleaner for removing floating debris from the surface of pools has a floating body with a central chamber within which is positioned a screen. An impeller at the front of the cleaner propels water rearward into the chamber, and propels the cleaner. The water passes through the screen and exits from the chamber. In one example the screen is mounted in a removable support structure, which can be removed through the rear of the body for emptying. The impeller is driven by a motor powered by a solar cell array and batteries.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new technique and device for mass transport operation and physical separation, being substantially quantitative and involving selective barriers. According to the new technique, the mass transport through the selective barrier and physical separation are carried out in the same device. The device consists of a mixing-reservoir into which is fitted snugly a mixer-separator, having a channel in the vertical axis of the mixer-separator, the mixer-separator being provided with means for accumulating a gas pocket to decrease the pressure exerted on the barrier. The completely solid-free liquid passing through the selective barrier is removed by pushing in the mixer-separator, said liquid being accumulated in a collecting container. Typical examples of such selective barriers are: membrane, bed of adsorbent material, paper, plastic, glass and metal filters or any other porous material, and hollow fibers.

Abstract: A filtering device includes a water suction case having a plurality of water suction ports connected to water flow passages formed therein so as to make gravel spreaded over the bottom of a water basin perform the filtering operation. The case is buried in the gravel, and a pumping means is connected to the water suction case so as to circulate water in the passage to the upper portion of the water basin.