Abstract: A wall-mounted, retrievable diffusor system for aerating water in a tank includes a guide rail assembly mounted to a tank wall and extending from the tank floor to an upper edge of the wall; a retrievable mounting frame assembly releasably mounted on the guide rail assembly; and a plurality of aeration elements secured to the retrievable mounting frame assembly. The retrievable diffusor system is configured to be raised or lowered into or out of the tank either manually or via a motorized winch. In one aspect, the diffusor system includes guide rollers for guiding the mounting frame along a central guide rail. Swivel rollers engage the central guide rail and enable the mounting frame to be pivoted out of a position perpendicular to the tank wall and into a position over a platform of the tank for maintenance or replacement of the aeration elements when the frame is pulled from the tank.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for water aeration in a tank or other body of water that a specialized coupling assembly and flexible hose connectors rather than the commonly used rigid connector elements. The coupling assembly and flexible hose connectors utilized in the aeration grid system provide a more cost effective and flexible system that allows almost limitless configurations of the diffuser elements, depending on the intended application. Further, the coupling assembly and flexible hose connectors enable use with a wide variety of air supply pipe diameters without the necessity of providing a fitting or adapter for each pipe opening. The capability of the aeration system to be readily adapted to different sizes of treatment tanks or ponds, for example, allows the installation and use of a more flexible, prefabricated, or modular, and ultimately more efficient aeration system.

Abstract: A method for aerating water in a treatment basin includes positioning at least one bridge above an upper surface of the water in the basin; providing a retrievable mounting frame assembly; securing a guide rail assembly to the bridge; transporting the mounting frame assembly on a transport device to a selected position on the walkway near the guide rail assembly; securing a transfer crane to the walkway proximate the guide rail assembly; transferring the mounting frame assembly from the transport device for connection to the a one guide rail assembly; connecting the mounting frame assembly to the guide rail assembly to provide a supply of air to the first air distribution conduit; moving the retrievable mounting frame assembly from a first position above the upper surface of the water to a second position below the water; and initiating a flow of air to the first air distribution conduit.

Abstract: A water treatment system for aeration of water in a treatment tank includes at least one bridge extending above an upper surface of the water in the tank; a retrievable mounting frame assembly, including a frame, a plurality of aeration elements, a plurality of mounting brackets to secure the aeration elements to the frame, a control arm having secured to the frame at the first end, and a first air distribution conduit coupled to the aeration elements for supplying an air flow to the aeration elements; at least one guide rail system secured to the bridge assembly and extending to the floor of the tank, the guide rail system having at least one or multiple parallel guide rails, a second air distribution conduit coupled to the first air distribution conduit, and an actuatable push-rod positioned between the guide rails and connected to the control arm's second end.

Abstract: A method for aerating water in a treatment basin includes positioning at least one bridge above an upper surface of the water in the basin; providing a retrievable mounting frame assembly; securing a guide rail assembly to the bridge; transporting the mounting frame assembly on a transport device to a selected position on the walkway near the guide rail assembly; securing a transfer crane to the walkway proximate the guide rail assembly; transferring the mounting frame assembly from the transport device for connection to the a one guide rail assembly; connecting the mounting frame assembly to the guide rail assembly to provide a supply of air to the first air distribution conduit; moving the retrievable mounting frame assembly from a first position above the upper surface of the water to a second position below the water; and initiating a flow of air to the first air distribution conduit.

Abstract: A water treatment system for aeration of water in a treatment tank includes at least one bridge extending above an upper surface of the water in the tank; a retrievable mounting frame assembly, including a frame, a plurality of aeration elements, a plurality of mounting brackets to secure the aeration elements to the frame, a control arm having secured to the frame at the first end, and a first air distribution conduit coupled to the aeration elements for supplying an air flow to the aeration elements; at least one guide rail system secured to the bridge assembly and extending to the floor of the tank, the guide rail system having at least one or multiple parallel guide rails, a second air distribution conduit coupled to the first air distribution conduit, and an actuatable push-rod positioned between the guide rails and connected to the control arm's second end.

Abstract: An aeration element for gasification or aeration of liquids includes an essentially flattened, rigid support element having a substantially oval cross-section and corrugated outer surfaces, the corrugated outer surfaces including ridges defining grooves therebetween; a threaded opening for receiving a cooperating fitting for connection to an air supply; and a flexible membrane of elastomeric material disposed around the support element. An assembly bracket includes upper and portions that can be cooperatingly attached to one another about the aeration element for securing the aeration element to a floor of a tank or pool. The assembly bracket includes through-going passages for enabling water to circulate around the bracket and reduce buoyancy of the assembly.

Abstract: An aeration element for gasification or aeration of liquids includes an essentially flattened, rigid support element having a substantially oval cross-section and corrugated outer surfaces, the corrugated outer surfaces including ridges defining grooves therebetween; a threaded opening for receiving a cooperating fitting for connection to an air supply; and a flexible membrane of elastomeric material disposed around the support element. An assembly bracket includes upper and portions that can be cooperatingly attached to one another about the aeration element for securing the aeration element to a floor of a tank or pool. The assembly bracket includes through-going passages for enabling water to circulate around the bracket and reduce buoyancy of the assembly.

Abstract: An aeration element for gasification or aeration of liquids includes an essentially flattened, rigid support element having a substantially oval cross-section and corrugated outer surfaces, the corrugated outer surfaces including ridges defining grooves therebetween; a threaded opening for receiving a cooperating fitting for connection to an air supply; and a flexible membrane of elastomeric material disposed around the support element. An assembly bracket includes upper and portions that can be cooperatingly attached to one another about the aeration element for securing the aeration element to a floor of a tank or pool. The assembly bracket includes through-going passages for enabling water to circulate around the bracket and reduce buoyancy of the assembly.

Abstract: An aeration element for gasification or aeration of liquids includes an essentially flattened, rigid support element having a substantially oval cross-section and corrugated outer surfaces, the corrugated outer surfaces including ridges defining grooves therebetween; a threaded opening for receiving a cooperating fitting for connection to an air supply; and a flexible membrane of elastomeric material disposed around the support element, The membrane has a plurality of slits, and wherein compressed gas is introduced between the support element and the membrane, the gas can escape via these slits into the surrounding liquid. A retaining clamp holds the membrane around at least one end of the support element. A check valve assembly prevents backflow of liquid, particles, sludge or debris into the interior of the support element.

Abstract: An aeration element for gasification or aeration of liquids includes an essentially flattened, rigid support element having a substantially oval cross-section and corrugated outer surfaces, the corrugated outer surfaces including ridges defining grooves therebetween; a threaded opening for receiving a cooperating fitting for connection to an air supply; and a flexible membrane of elastomeric material disposed around the support element. An assembly bracket includes upper and portions that can be cooperatingly attached to one another about the aeration element for securing the aeration element to a floor of a tank or pool. The assembly bracket includes through-going passages for enabling water to circulate around the bracket and reduce buoyancy of the assembly.

Abstract: An aeration element for gasification or aeration of liquids includes an essentially flattened, rigid support element having a substantially oval cross-section and corrugated outer surfaces, the corrugated outer surfaces including ridges defining grooves therebetween; a threaded opening for receiving a cooperating fitting for connection to an air supply; and a flexible membrane of elastomeric material disposed around the support element, The membrane has a plurality of slits, and wherein compressed gas is introduced between the support element and the membrane, the gas can escape via these slits into the surrounding liquid. A retaining clamp holds the membrane around at least one end of the support element.

Abstract: A pet toy having a first part with internal threads, and a second part having external threads. When the first and second parts are threaded together by interengagement of their internal and external threads, they cooperate frictionally with one another to prevent, or at least to make difficult, an unintentional unthreading of the two parts from one another, wherein the threaded-together parts form a pet toy. To make unintentional unthreading even more difficult, additional engagement means can be provided on the first part and additional cooperating second engagement means can be provided on the second part.

Abstract: A toy for people or animals, especially for dogs, is provided. The disc-shaped or component ring toy has a body having optional recesses on an outer surface thereof. The body comprises a ring core of a first, hard polymeric material, and a covering of a second, soft polymeric thermosetting material, natural rubber, or mixture of a thermosetting and non-thermosetting material which may be frictionally connected, thermally and chemically bonded, or otherwise mechanically interconnected to the first polymeric material.