Patents by Inventor Richard L. Sheriff

Richard L. Sheriff has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9392775
    Abstract: The fish culturing system includes a culture tank for raising fish, a multi-stage filter system to clean the water in the culture tank, and an air manifold supplying air to the whole system. A water return manifold substantially surrounds the upper portion of the culture tank and a waste output manifold substantially surrounds the lower portion of the culture tank. Water flowing through the water return manifold exits through a plurality of openings into the culture tank and an air diffuser assembly aerates and induces opposing flows in the water in the culture tank. Waste material in the culture tank is drawn through the waste output manifold and directed through the multi-stage filter system to remove solid waste and reduce toxic levels of ammonia. At least one clean-out port communicates with the water return manifold and the waste output manifold for respective cleaning. An adjustable overflow pipe regulates water levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Inventor: Richard L. Sheriff
  • Patent number: 9374986
    Abstract: The shrimp culturing system includes a culturing tank and a clarifier tank. A plurality of shrimp cubes are suspended in the culture tank by set pairs of support bars. Each shrimp cube includes a plurality of stacked frames set at predetermined intervals. Each frame supports a mesh therein providing living space for the shrimp, and each stack is interconnected by ropes, which connect to the support bars to be suspended thereby. The shrimp cubes provide maximal space for culturing shrimp. The waste water from the culture tank cycles into the clarifier tank, which nurtures a biofloc to consume the waste and assimilate nitrogen, thereby producing their own waste that can be consumed by the shrimp. Excess solid waste drains via a solids removal manifold, and clarified water is airlifted back into the culture tank. A post-larval tank can be stacked onto the clarifier tank to introduce new batches of shrimp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Inventor: Richard L. Sheriff
  • Publication number: 20150342156
    Abstract: The shrimp culturing system includes a culturing tank and a clarifier tank. A plurality of shrimp cubes are suspended in the culture tank by set pairs of support bars. Each shrimp cube includes a plurality of stacked frames set at predetermined intervals. Each frame supports a mesh therein providing living space for the shrimp, and each stack is interconnected by ropes, which connect to the support bars to be suspended thereby. The shrimp cubes provide maximal space for culturing shrimp. The waste water from the culture tank cycles into the clarifier tank, which nurtures a biofloc to consume the waste and assimilate nitrogen, thereby producing their own waste that can be consumed by the shrimp. Excess solid waste drains via a solids removal manifold, and clarified water is airlifted back into the culture tank. A post-larval tank can be stacked onto the clarifier tank to introduce new batches of shrimp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventor: Richard L. Sheriff
  • Publication number: 20150342161
    Abstract: The fish culturing system includes a culture tank for raising fish, a multi-stage filter system to clean the water in the culture tank, and an air manifold supplying air to the whole system. A water return manifold substantially surrounds the upper portion of the culture tank and a waste output manifold substantially surrounds the lower portion of the culture tank. Water flowing through the water return manifold exits through a plurality of openings into the culture tank and an air diffuser assembly aerates and induces opposing flows in the water in the culture tank. Waste material in the culture tank is drawn through the waste output manifold and directed through the multi-stage filter system to remove solid waste and reduce toxic levels of ammonia. At least one clean-out port communicates with the water return manifold and the waste output manifold for respective cleaning. An adjustable overflow pipe regulates water levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventor: RICHARD L. SHERIFF
  • Patent number: 6065430
    Abstract: A fish culturing system including a fish culture tank using opposed water flows, and including a water purification unit using only compressed air to power the system. The fish culture tank uses two opposing flows of water which enable solids to be removed continuously by a waste manifold at the base of the tank on two elongated sides, as well as at the surface of the water by a central overflow manifold. Water flow is developed by use of air diffusers located just above the waste manifolds in conjunction with the opposed water flows generated by two water returns. Waste water flows to a water purification unit having a clarifier, a biofilter, and air uplift tube system. The clarifier has a plurality of baffles in a lower sloped region that slows water velocity, allowing for settling of suspended solids. A lower screen further facilitates this settling. A middle settling region, topped by another screen, completes the settling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Inventor: Richard L. Sheriff
  • Patent number: D325488
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Inventor: Richard L. Sheriff