Aerator Patents (Class 119/263)
  • Patent number: 11528887
    Abstract: A watering bowl for small animals includes a reservoir having a base and a wall extending from the base to an opening. The wall is tapered between the base and the opening, such that the opening has a diameter that is smaller than the base. The watering bowl includes an air conduit for conveying pressurized air into the reservoir and aerating the water within the reservoir to create a mist that rises to the opening and then onto an outer surface of the watering bowl to create water droplets for drinking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Inventor: Charles Edward Nicoud
  • Patent number: 11219866
    Abstract: A gas sparger produces an intermittent flow of bubbles even if provided with a continuous gas flow. The sparger has a housing to collect a pocket of gas and a conduit to release some of the gas from the pocket when the pocket reaches a sufficient size. Optionally, a cover over an outlet from the conduit may break up or distribute the released gas. A large sparger for use with a commercial membrane module can comprise a plurality of smaller units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: BL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Ronald Cumin, Henry Behmann, Yongseck Hong, Reid Bayly
  • Patent number: 10392775
    Abstract: The liquid pump includes an inner and an outer tube. The inner tube can have a distal end that is positioned within an interior volume of the outer tube. A conical filter is on the distal end of the inner tube. A gas pump provides compressed air which is output through a plurality of inner tube holes on an inner surface of the inner tube on a distal portion of the inner tube and a plurality of annular space holes which are adjacent to an annular space between the inner tube and the outer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Fort Lewis College
    Inventors: Ryan N Smith, Michael Fitzpatrick
  • Patent number: 9539550
    Abstract: An apparatus is presented that includes a body and a membrane. The body defines an externally hemispherical body portion with an orifice, as well as a channel passing through the body and terminating in the orifice. The membrane is formed at least in part of an elastomeric material and overlies a portion of the externally hemispherical body portion. The membrane defines a plurality of holes therein, and a plug that is inserted into the orifice and the channel. When submerged at the bottom of a wastewater treatment tank and in gaseous communication with a distribution conduit providing compressed gas, the apparatus may function to release bubbles into the wastewater. When the compressed gas is turned off, the apparatus acts as a check valve that stops water from entering the diffuser and the distribution conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas E. Frankel, Seoungil Kang, Todd D. Ritter
  • Publication number: 20140311416
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a recirculating aquaculture system for aquatic life. The system includes a culture tank, a sensor configured to measure a current dissolved oxygen level in the culture tank, a variable speed pump configured to circulate water through the culture tank, and a controller in communication with the sensor and the variable speed pump. The controller is configured to retrieve a dissolved oxygen threshold level and a maximum gas to liquid ratio in the culture tank, retrieve the current dissolved oxygen level, compare the current dissolved oxygen level with the dissolved oxygen threshold level, and automatically increase one of a current water flow rate and a current oxygen flow through the system when the current dissolved oxygen level is less than the dissolved oxygen threshold level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, JR., Dennis P. DeLong, Thomas Losordo
  • Publication number: 20140311417
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a recirculating aquaculture system for aquatic life. The system includes a culture tank, a plurality of sensors configured to control parameters in the system, a variable speed pump configured to circulate water through the culture tank, and a controller in communication with the plurality of sensors and the variable speed pump. The controller is configured to prioritize the plurality of control parameters based on a hierarchy list, select a highest priority control parameter, determine potential actions for each of the plurality of control parameters, and select a highest priority action based on at least one of the hierarchy list, the highest priority control parameter, a current power consumption of the variable speed pump, time of day, feeding cycle of the aquatic life, and resting cycles of the aquatic life. The controller is also configured to execute the highest priority action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, JR., Dennis P. DeLong, Thomas Losordo
  • Publication number: 20140245962
    Abstract: A problem with conventional rearing apparatuses for deep-sea organisms was difficulty in supplying dissolved gas into water in an appropriate amount. A dissolved gas supplying device 1 for supplying dissolved gas such as hydrogen sulfide, methane and hydrogen to water in a water tank, includes: a circulation path 11 to take out the water from the water tank A and return it to the water tank; a pressure pump 12 to allow the water to flow through the circulation path 11; a gas cylinder 13 filled with gas to be dissolved; a dissolved gas supplying means 14 that is disposed in the circulation path 11 to allow the water to pass through it and to dissolve the gas of the gas cylinder 13 in the water; and a gas regulating valve 16 to open/close a gas channel 15 that connects the gas cylinder 13 to the dissolved gas supplying means 14. With this configuration, the device can supply the dissolved gas into the water in an appropriate amount according to need.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: JAPAN AGENCY FOR MARINE-EARTH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: Tomoo Watsuji
  • Publication number: 20140209034
    Abstract: An aquarium landscape system that includes an aquarium that contains a combination of one or more aquatic animals and water, a base gravel mold with a top surface with 4 corners and a plurality of eye hooks that each have a threaded vertical insert portion and a circular eye portion that expose the circular eye portion of the eye hooks above the top surface of the base gravel mold. The system also includes one or more air hose connector valves that perpendicularly protrude from the top surface of the base gravel mold, a plurality of air valves that perpendicularly protrude from the top surface of the base gravel mold, the air valves emit the incoming air received by the air supply source into the aquarium and a pair of removable handles to remove the system from the aquarium for cleaning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventor: Betty June Lockwood
  • Patent number: 8707988
    Abstract: The invention relates to a water inlet arrangement for the use in fish tanks in aquaculture, including a pipe to feed water into the tank, the pipe having a plurality of openings and, for a better adjustment of the flow, a surrounding second element having a plurality of openings and/or a fixed or adjustable shield are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Karsten Glomset, Kenneth Glomset, Ove Gjelstenli
  • Publication number: 20130333627
    Abstract: An inexpensive, easily manufactured aquaculture apparatus featuring a water temperature control feature, useful for studying the effect of water temperature changes on the viability of aquatic species. The apparatus is useful to, for example, study the potential effect of global warming and rising ocean water temperatures on various aquatic species.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventor: Naomi POHL
  • Publication number: 20130263792
    Abstract: A method for keeping fish in a live and healthy condition, wherein the fish are placed in an endless flow fish tank, which occupies relatively little space, yet allows instinctively swimming fish to swim comfortably. Aerated water is pumped in one direction through a swim chamber, and water returns through a space between inner and outer container, through return flow piping, or through a second swim chamber which also serves as a return flow chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas Joseph Vento
  • Patent number: 8487836
    Abstract: A multi-dimensional image rendering device for displaying multi-dimensional images by layering 2D physical pixel configurations featuring a plurality of tubes in a tank, the inner cavities of the tubes are each filled with a liquid medium such that an air pocket is disposed at the first end of each tube; displacement components slidably disposed in the inner cavity of each tube that can slide between a down position and an up position; a tube aperture disposed in each tube; and a moving means operatively connected to each displacement component functioning to systematically move the respective displacement component a fixed distance creating uniform air bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas A. Bodine
  • Patent number: 8268166
    Abstract: Protein skimmers having an upright housing including an open topped body with a manually removable foam collection cup for sealing mounting on the body. The foam collection cups encircle a foam collection duct except for a recessed inspection window for exposing an area of the foam collection duct's exterior surface for enabling an aquarist a generally horizontal line of sight to continuously inspect the foam collection duct's interior. The protein skimmers have a canister-like configuration with a front control panel including a main inlet, a main outlet and at least one aspirating pump for circulating an air/water mixture. The protein skimmers include a disperser for dispersing an incoming flow of organic loaded water peripherally downward into a reaction chamber in a substantially uniform manner. The protein skimmers include a washing mechanism for periodically washing their foam collection ducts without having to remove their foam collection cups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Red Sea Fish Pharm Ltd.
    Inventors: Neil H. Marks, Sharon Ram
  • Publication number: 20110287404
    Abstract: Reactors that allow mixing and gasification by converting the entire floor of the reactor vessel to a sparge filter is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: Therapeutic Proteins Inc.
    Inventor: Sarfaraz K. Niazi
  • Publication number: 20110239951
    Abstract: An aquarium pump having LED lamps, wherein the coil unit of a motor unit in the pump housing is used as a primary coil unit, and a first insulating layer is used to envelop the primary coil unit, then a secondary coil unit is used to wind the primary coil unit; taking advantage of induction of the secondary coil unit to the primary coil unit to generate a low voltage for using by the LED illuminating lamp set. Kinetic energy during rotation of an internal magnet of a motor for the pump is used as induction potential, this is the energy required that can get an effect of energy saving and carbon reducing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventor: Yu-Chin WANG
  • Publication number: 20110209667
    Abstract: An apparatus for storing aquatic animals comprises a tank for receipt of the aquatic animals, and an arrangement to create a foam environment in the interior of the tank such that at least a majority of the aquatic animals when stored in the tank are submerged in foam. The arrangement to create a foam environment may be configured to deliver a synthetic foam to the interior of the tank, or may be configured to generate the foam, preferably from the natural proteins of the aquatic animals. A fluid recirculation arrangement may recirculate fluid to generate the foam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Jacqueline Rachel Day, Alistair Renfrew Jerrett
  • Publication number: 20110067643
    Abstract: I am Wu Zheng Yi, have invented AIR VENT TUBE FOR AQUARIUM AND FISH TANKS SPECIAL USEGE AND STRENGTHEN (Air Vent tube). This invention, Air Vent Tube (AVT), is for aquarium products and fish tanks using and strengthen. This Air Vent Tube is the best suitable for aquariums and fish tanks to increase air and oxygen in the water in fish tank, because fishes in the fish tanks need more oxygen in the water. The structure of Air Vent Tube is the idea created at least two surfaces and three surfaces, which are formed right angle shape and triangle shape. There is a long hole in the Air Vent Tube and the long hole connects with the short outflow hole in the large surface of the Air Vent tube. Along the Air Vent Tube length extension and view as long shape. These invented AVT can be made of glass material or other materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventor: Zhengyi Wu
  • Patent number: 7910001
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel arrangement of denitrification reactors for removal of nitrate compounds in a recirculating aquaculture system. The novel arrangement of an aquaculture system of the present invention includes positioning one or more anaerobic denitrification reactors upstream of aerobic nitrification and degassing processes. One aspect of the present invention includes a flow of aqueous medium from aquatic species rearing tanks towards one or more denitrification reactors. Another aspect of the present invention includes flow of aqueous medium from aquatic species rearing tanks to a solids removing filter or mechanical filtration means for removal of solid waste matter or biomass prior to flow of aqueous medium towards one or more denitrification reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Mote Marine Laboratory
    Inventors: James T. Michaels, II, Heather J. Hamlin, William H. Dutt, William Graham, Peter Steinbach, Brian Babbitt, Brian A. Richards, II
  • Patent number: 7785476
    Abstract: A protein skimmer having a water column chamber and a fixed deflector. The fixed deflector including a plurality of blades that impart a swirling action on water flowing through the deflector. The deflector further providing an even distribution of bubbles within the water column chamber during protein filtering operation. The deflector including a central hub that aids in maintaining the velocity of water flowing through the deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Tetra Holding (US), Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel A. Newman
  • Publication number: 20100206240
    Abstract: An endless flow fish tank, which occupies relatively little space, yet allows instinctively swimming fish to swim comfortably. Aerated water is pumped in one direction through a swim chamber, and water returns through a space between inner and outer container, through return flow piping, or through a second swim chamber which also serves as a return flow chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: KEEPALIVE, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas Joseph Vento
  • Publication number: 20100154717
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for supplying gas into water in sea cages, tanks or ponds with a pump and a dissolver for contacting the gas with the water. For higher efficiency and better handling the pump is a submerged pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Karsten Glomset, Kenneth Glomset, Ove Gjelstenli, Per Rekkedal
  • Patent number: 7682504
    Abstract: A recirculated marine aquaculture system for growing crustaceans within a body of water includes a wholly submerged chamber situated in the body of water having a filtering wall connecting the chamber floor and ceiling permitting water to flow from the water body into the first chamber while excluding particulate materials. A second chamber is situated above the first chamber having a plurality of water outlets below the body of water upper surface, and a top having an air inlet above the body of water upper surface. A stand pipe has an open lower end opening into the first chamber and a plurality of laterally directed openings into the top of the second chamber. An impeller coupled to the stand pipe moves filtered water from the first chamber through the laterally directed openings into the second chamber adjacent to the air inlet, the water exiting the second chamber into the body of water through the plurality of water outlets after mixing with air drawn in through the air inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Aqua Manna, LLC
    Inventors: James E. Bradley, Jeremy L. Bradley
  • Patent number: 7682503
    Abstract: An improved and more efficient design for an air driven algae filtration system is achieved because there are no moving parts other than an air pump, and the air is used twice. After using air to circulate water through a filtration unit, the air, still under pressure, is separated from the water. The air is then plumbed to other apparatuses or used for cooling. This allows the filter to be utilized using less electricity. The water is de-gassed before reaching the algae filter. Therefore, no splash guard is necessary to prevent water from splashing the lights. With no splash guard, lower wattage lights can be used to illuminate the algae. This also increases the efficiency of this system. This filter also lends itself to maintaining a reef aquarium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Inventor: Joe Norris
  • Patent number: 7681529
    Abstract: An aquarium aerator unit includes an anchor that is weighted by an aquarium bedding material. The anchor includes a lower portion that has a defined edge and spaced-apart side sections proximate to the lower portion. An inner space is formed between the side sections above the lower portion. The defined edge provides a shovel edge that eases the lower portion into the bedding material and the inner space storing the bedding material to enhance stability and aesthetics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: J.W. Pet Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Willinger, Peter Ragonetti
  • Publication number: 20100043718
    Abstract: A submerged motor for use in an aquarium is disclosed to include a housing one or water input ports and two water output ports, a driving mechanism having a left-sided water pumping device and a right-sided water pumping device for pumping water through the water input ports and the water output port in different directions, and an electric controller electrically connected with the driving mechanism for controlling operation of the left-sided water pumping device and the right-sided water pumping device to change direction and flowing speed of the pumped water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventor: Chi-Der Chen
  • Publication number: 20090159010
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for aquaculturing marine life forms such as coral utilizing a rotating tray that exposes the marine life forms to variable water flow conditions during each revolution of the tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventor: Karen R. Spartz
  • Publication number: 20090139458
    Abstract: An aerating device for an aquarium includes a carrier, a pumping device attached to the carrier and having a motorized impeller for pumping a water and for minimizing the air in the water into a number or reduced air bubbles, a siphon tube coupled to the pumping device and having a tube member engaged into the aquarium for allowing the water to be drawn into the siphon tube and drawn into the carrier by the impeller, and a partition engaged into the carrier and having a passage for collecting the bubbles, and a receptacle disposed above the passage of the partition for receiving and collecting the bubbles and the dirt or protein carried by the bubbles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: Hsueh Lee Tsai
  • Publication number: 20090134532
    Abstract: A water aerating device for an aquarium includes a carrier, a pumping device attached to the carrier and having a motorized impeller for pumping a water, a siphon tube coupled to the pumping device and having a tube member engaged into the aquarium for allowing the water to be drawn into the siphon tube and drawn into the carrier by the impeller, and a number of rods disposed in the carrier for agitating the water and for minimizing an air contained in the water into smaller air bubbles. One or more air minimizing devices or helical spring members may further agitate the water and minimize the air contained in the water for supplying the reduced air bubbles to the water plants or the water weeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventor: Hsueh Lee Tsai
  • Publication number: 20090056638
    Abstract: An “aquarium apparatus” comprises an aquarium and a hood, wherein, a partition panel and an porous filter substrate separate the internal cavity of the aquarium into three partitions, namely first foreground compartment for aqua-cultivating zone, second background compartment for accommodating heating rod, filter device, biochemical ball, adjustment of the water quality and enhanced filtration vat as well as underwater aerating pump; third partition is formed beneath the porous filter substrate to include a water regulator, a filtering grille tray with plural ceramics rings and a set of IR LEDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: Shao-Chieh TING
  • Patent number: 7472895
    Abstract: An air diffuser has a wood block with two end-grain faces at opposite ends and an elongated air chamber extending substantially parallel to and equidistant from the end-grain faces. Air under pressure is supplied to the air chamber. The air chamber is otherwise closed to cause air under pressure in the air chamber to travel through the wood block to the end-grain faces and diffuse into surrounding water when the diffuser is immersed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Inventor: Ronald D. Watt
  • Publication number: 20080251029
    Abstract: An aquarium aerator unit includes an anchor that is weighted by an aquarium bedding material. The anchor includes a lower portion that has a defined edge and spaced-apart side sections proximate to the lower portion. An inner space is formed between the side sections above the lower portion. The defined edge provides a shovel edge that eases the lower portion into the bedding material and the inner space storing the bedding material to enhance stability and aesthetics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: JW PET COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan Willinger, Peter Ragonetti
  • Patent number: 7363878
    Abstract: A waste extraction system (10) for an aquaculture tank (12) includes a first conduit (18) having a first end (20) and a distant second end, with a second conduit (22) disposed within the conduit (18). The second conduit (22) has a first end (24) which is co-terminus with the end (20) of the first conduit (18). A plate (26) extends transversely across the ends (20, 24) and laterally of the first conduit (18). An axial hole (28) is formed in the plate (26) to provide fluid communication with the second conduit (22), but the plate (26) otherwise closes off or seals the end (20) of the first conduit (18). Legs (30) are formed on an underside of the plate (26) to space the plate (26) from a bottom wall (16) of the tank (12). Apertures (34) are formed in the conduit (18) near its first end (20) to allow water to flow into a flow chamber (36) created between an inner surface of the conduit (18) and an outer surface of the conduit (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventor: Ian McRobert
  • Patent number: 7232519
    Abstract: A fish tank powerhead holding device is taught, the device comprising a first magnetic assembly with a first permanent strong magnet and a non-stick surface adhered to one side, a second magnetic assembly with a second permanent strong magnet that is magnetically attracted to the first magnetic assembly and a non-stick surface adhered to one side, and a commercially available powerhead that is permanently affixed to said first magnetic assembly opposite from said non-stick surface such that the powerhead can be positioned to effectively aerate a fish tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventor: Philip Anthony Bluteau
  • Patent number: 7213537
    Abstract: A method of altering airflow of an aquarium air supply by placing a bottle over the air supply thus, altering the airflow. The method can be accomplished using a decorative attachment assembly that covers an air stone in an aquarium. The assembly includes a bottle having at least a first hole and a second hole, wherein the first hole is capable of accepting an aerating device, and the second hole is sized to allow air to flow from the aerating device into the aquarium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Inventor: Justin Sabbaugh
  • Patent number: 7162831
    Abstract: A fish bait system includes a fish compartment and a filter compartment for maintaining bait fish in a healthy condition for prolonged periods prior to use. The fish bait system allows water to be pumped from the fish compartment through a filter having a standard non-woven reusable media whereby the filtered water is returned through an air infuser to the fish compartment. The infuser is mounted on the wall separating the fish and filter compartments and saturates the filtered water with oxygen to insure the fish are provided with an adequate oxygen supply. The removable filter media can be easily extracted from the filter housing, rinsed or replaced and returned to the filter in a quick and efficient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Inventors: Timothy L. Morton, Richard H. Hinson
  • Patent number: 7134403
    Abstract: An aquarium overflow system includes a standpipe with snap-fit mounting constructions, an air vent, air and water apertures, and an adjustable height version.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: All Glass Aquarium Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Brad L. Mihlbauer
  • Patent number: 7094340
    Abstract: An exit elbow for an aerated aquarium lift tube, designed so that by the combination of a top-most air release baffle and a submerged release jet, that the inevitable water spray from the implosion of aeration bubbles is contained within the exit elbow itself and not released into the atmosphere in the proximity of the tank's water surface or the lighting hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Inventor: Thomas G. Steketee
  • Patent number: 7081198
    Abstract: An aquarium includes a bottom tank which has a pump circulate water via a first pipe and a first drainage pipe provided on top of the bottom tank to maintain water level in the bottom tank in a predetermined level, a middle tank mounted on top of the bottom tank and having a filtering box, a collecting pipe, a receiving box, a lid to cover the inlet of the collecting pipe and a funnel in communication with the lid via a conduit and a top tank having a filtering plate mounted on top of the bottom to cover the through hole and having multiple apertures, a top board to cover the top tank, an illuminating device to illuminate the top tank and a feeding device mounted on top of the top board for distributing food to fish in the top tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Inventor: Fu-Sheng Weng
  • Patent number: 7033506
    Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for treating water by skimming, the apparatus comprising: a reaction chamber (8); injector means (4) for delivering the water for treatment via an injection orifice into the reaction chamber; means (20) for forming microbubbles of gas in the water to be treated; and condensation means (10) for collecting the resulting foam, the apparatus being characterized by the fact that the microbubbles are injected into the reaction chamber (8) together with the water for treatment. The invention also provides a method of treating water by skimming, in which: the water for treatment is injected into a reaction chamber (8); microbubbles of gas are formed in the water for treatment; and the foam that is produced is separated from the water for treatment, the method being characterized by the fact that the microbubbles are injected into the reaction chamber (8) together with the water for treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Institut Francais de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer - IFREMER
    Inventor: Armand LeJeune
  • Patent number: 7033491
    Abstract: An aquarium filter to increase dissolved oxygen and improve water quality comprised of a box containing a segregated water inlet tank, a water collection tank, and multiple filtration tanks; water introduced into the water inlet tank being pumped by a submerged motor and mixed with air introduced from the ambient to be flushed to the water collection tank; the water being bumped against bio-filtration balls in filtration tank for the beneficial microbes to get attached to the filtration balls to consume hazardous microbes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Hi-Q Bio-Tech International, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yung-Sheng Chang
  • Patent number: 7022227
    Abstract: A multifunctional filtering device for an aquarium mainly includes a filter box for being suspended at an aquarium. The filter box includes a pump motor for producing mixture of water and air and a vortex flow generator disposed at the center of the inner side of the bottom thereof and in communication with a water outlet disposed at the pump motor. A bubble collector is disposed at the top of the vortex flow generator. The filter box may be suspended inside or outside the aquarium. The filter box includes a water input pipe unit and a water output pipe unit which may be differently configured in accordance with the suspension position of the filter box. The water output pipe unit may be further disposed with a heating rod or ultraviolet sterilization lamp for heating or sterilizing breeding water in the aquarium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: Shih-Hui Liao
  • Patent number: 7011748
    Abstract: A water aerating device for an aquarium includes a housing having a chamber to receive a guide device which is arranged between an inlet and an outlet of the housing, a paddle wheel is rotatably attached onto the guide device, and a pumping device may be used to pump the water and to force the water to actuate the paddle wheel and to generate eddy current. Fresh air or carbon dioxide may be selectively pumped into the housing. A barrel may be used to adjustably attach the housing to the aquarium. A casing may be disposed on the barrel, to receive and collect dirt or protein carried by air bubbles that may be generated by the eddy current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Inventor: Ting Feng Tsai
  • Patent number: 7000568
    Abstract: An aquarium overflow system includes a standpipe with snap-fit mounting constructions, an air vent, air and water apertures, and an adjustable height version.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: All-Glass Aquarium Company Inc.
    Inventor: Brad L. Mihlbauer
  • Patent number: 6966982
    Abstract: An aquaculture water quality ecology system to improve water quality in an aquaculture pond by guiding water into a physical filtration tank at the top of the system, then flow into a sedimentation tank to rid of algae, pathogenic bacteria, and parasites before being dripped down to a separately provided ecology process tank containing bio-filtration balls; drops being broken into even smaller drops by the filtration balls; air blower on one side and an exhaustion pipe on the other side to blow away hazardous gases to the ambient leaving the clean water after the final filtration to flow into the aquaculture pond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Hi-Q Bio-Tech International Ltd.
    Inventor: Yung-Sheng Chang
  • Patent number: 6912972
    Abstract: A water aerating device for an aquarium includes a container having an entrance and an exit, a pipe attached to the entrance of the container, a hose coupled to the pipe, to supply air into the pipe, and a pump may pump the water from the pipe into the container via the entrance of the container, to force the water and the air to flow out through the exit of the container. The single pump may thus be simultaneously used to pump the air into the aquarium, or to generate air bubbles, and to circulate the water in the container. A tube may be attached to the exit of the container, and a fan device may be rotatably attached to a port of the tube, for being rotated by the water flowing out of the outlet of the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Inventor: Ting Feng Tsai
  • Patent number: 6869530
    Abstract: An internal marine aquarium filter that provides within a single enclosure protein skimming, biological, mechanical and chemical filtration where the unit creates direct adjustable current for the aquarium independent of the activities of filtration and uses one interchangeable pump which can be of different size and manufacture. The unit is comprised of an outer casing with dedicated areas for biological, mechanical and chemical filtration, a removable protein skimmer with collection cup and lid, a removable plumbing assembly connected to a submersible pump, which performs filtration, protein skimming and creates a direct adjustable water current inside the aquarium independent of all other functions, and has sponge filters that provide a place for biological activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Inventor: Alberto J. Venezia
  • Patent number: 6857392
    Abstract: An aquarium includes a pump disposed in a chamber of a container to circulate water and having a spindle. An air supplying device is coupled to the spindle of the pump and driven by the spindle of the pump, to pump air into the water contained in the chamber of the container. The pump may thus be used to pump or circulate the water in the aquarium, and to simultaneously supply air into the water contained in the aquarium. The air supplying device includes a valve housing having two check valve members disposed in a recess and a depression, and a membrane attached to the valve housing and forced by the pump to actuate the check valve members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Inventor: Shin Fa Shyu
  • Patent number: 6808625
    Abstract: The aquarium protein skimmer utilizes a re-circulating water pump to create a re-circulating flow of water within the skimmer's reaction chamber. The re-circulating water flow retains air bubbles within the reaction chamber for a longer period of time, increasing the capacity of the air bubbles to attract waste material and remove the waste material from the aquarium. Additionally, the re-circulating water flow causes air bubbles to break down into a greater number of smaller sized bubbles, further increasing the skimmer's efficiency. In a preferred embodiment, the aquarium protein skimmer utilizes a single water pump both to create a re-circulating flow of air-bubble laden water within the reaction chamber and to circulate aquarium water through the protein skimmer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Inventor: Chen-Yang Wu
  • Patent number: 6796273
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a water director for distributing a surge or flow of water to one or more of a plurality of output ports, which can vary in shape, size, and number, typically for use in marine and fresh water aquariums. Water pumped through a conduit into the hermetically sealed Switching Current Water Director (SCWD), powers an internally mounted gear driven fluid motor, which turns a rotational valve, alternately opening and closing a plurality of water outlet ports. When mounted externally to an aquarium, proper placement of output nozzles, which are connected to a water conduit attached to the various SCWD outlet ports, provides the desired opposing, or switching back and fourth currents. Depending on the inlet and outlet port configuration, the SCWD can be adapted to suit many applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventor: Paul Michael Muscarella
  • Publication number: 20040149234
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method comprising same to supply oxygen having a purity of 30% or greater into containment vessels for the aquaculture of marine animals such as shrimp. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system comprises a plurality of oxygen generators in fluid communication with a plurality of oxygen injectors to supply the containment vessels having an aqueous medium and marine animals contained therein with oxygen to maintain the dissolved oxygen content above a certain level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Ashok N. Mathur, Michael Yankovoy, Pingping Ma, Xiaoyi He