Abstract: Improved swimming pool apparatus includes contiguous, separate pool and secondary water chambers. The secondary chamber receives pool surface water via a skimmer weir regulated by the main pool water level, and via a pool main drain coupling. A cascaded, submersed filter and pump cleans and returns water to the pool.The apparatus need not be winterized and provides water recirculation and cleaning--even in the presence of surface ice; utilizes pump waste heat for water heating; and assures both pool and pool water cleaning during normal operation.

Abstract: The device of the present invention comprises a frame assembly having a trough frame and a float frame. The float frame includes a fluid removal device thereon with an inlet opening for taking in fluid in response to actuation of the removal device. The trough frame has a trough thereon. The float frame is movable with respect to the trough frame from a sealed position with the trough in sealed covering relation over the inlet opening of the removal device to an open position wherein the trough is spaced away from the inlet opening. The float frame has sufficient buoyancy to float at a predetermined level in the fluid with the inlet opening of the removal device positioned below the surface of the fluid.

Abstract: An environmental protection floating dredging system for removing material from the bottoms of bodies of water, separating it into liquid and semi-solid and solid components by the action of co-acting on-board centrifugal separators and dryers of the solid material dredged and a suction return system for collecting and recirculating the liquid component through the dredging system by way of the dredge head, thus minimizing disturbance of the bottom dredged and pollution by material discharged overboard, and eliminating pollution from dumping of separated solids, which are processed and stored aboard in light-weight dry form adapted for dry-landfill and for use in aggregate mixes in some cases.

Abstract: Improved swimming pool apparatus includes contiguous, separate pool and secondary water chambers. The secondary chamber receives pool surface water via a skimmer weir regulated by the main pool water level, and via a pool main drain coupling. A cascaded, submersed filter and pump cleans and returns water to the pool.The apparatus need not be winterized and provides water recirculation and cleaning--even in the presence of surface ice; utilizes pump waste heat for water heating; and assures both pool and pool water cleaning during normal operation.

Abstract: A system for optimizing operation of liquid filtration equipment having a first electric motor for periodically removing the layer of solid contaminants on the filter media through which the liquid passes, and a second electric motor which drives a centrifugal vacuum producer to remove air from an enclosed space beneath the filter media. The filtration system is of the type wherein contaminated liquid is supplied to a tank open to the atmosphere for passage through the media, whereon solid contaminants are collected, into the underlying, enclosed space. A drop in the level of liquid in the tank, e.g., in response to removal or reduction of the layer of contaminants, allowing excess air to enter the enclosed space below the media, causes a like drop in the position of a float which is connected by a linkage means to a throttling valve interposed between the enclosed space and the vacuum producer.

Abstract: Oil slicks on surface waters are dispersed by the exposure of the surface oils to ultrasonic energy to effectuate an homogenization of the oil and water to permit absorption of the oil within the total volume of water.

Abstract: The lower portion of an oil salvage intensity separation chamber is supported in a body of fluid, such as sea-water, upon which a contaminent, such as oil, is floating and in such a manner that there is relative movement between the chamber's lower portion and the oil contaminated sea-water; so that the contaminent oil moves into the chamber and, because of its lighter density the oil in globs or globlets, floats up through a column of sea-water collected in the chamber to be separated into a layer floating on top of the sea-water column. The relative movement is accomplished by mounting the chamber between the pontoons of a catamaran type vessel. A positionable scoop directs the oil into an inlet opening provided in the lower portion of the chamber; while a deflector directs the oil up into the column of sea-water. Positionable sea gates are provided to either open the bottom of the chamber to the sea-water, or to close same off therefrom.

Abstract: A filter is provided for removing particles entrained in a liquid, this filter comprising an endless fine mesh filter belt which is relatively short and which moves slowly over a supporting plurality of generally cylindrical rolls. This belt is a single layer of generally delicate woven metallic mesh and is provided with special means for moving and tracking the belt. This moving and tracking structure includes a link belt endless chain outside of each longitudinal side edge of the belt, these chains being rigidly attached over the adjacent edge of the belt. The belt can be held to its desired path around all of the supporting rolls and, preferably, over a suction box and past a cleaning point and returning to a starting point with no sensing devices, no special tracking rolls or tenter rolls, without powered devices, and with a minimum of close tolerance machining.

Abstract: A scum removal system for sewage settling tanks and the like employs a floating skimmer system which is lowered onto the surface of the liquid at one end of the tank and then moved toward the opposite end where floating materials collected by the skimmer are passed into a scum trough. At the trough end of the tank, the skimmer is raised from the surface of the liquid and returned to the first end while being held above the liquid surface. Continuous flow into the scum trough is prevented by a floating beach hinged to the scum trough. The beach is submerged as the skimmer approaches so that flow over the submerged beach carries the collected materials into the scum trough. Flow over the submerged beach is controlled by the depth as well as the length of time that the beach is held beneath the surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to improvements in or relating to vacuum belt filters. It relates further to suction boxes for such filters and to a method of operation of the filters. More particularly, the invention relates to the supporting of the belt of the filter about the suction box so as to minimize drag of the belt and to minimize friction between the belt and the suction box and still seal the suction box. This is accomplished by means of conduits that have deformable walls and are located along the edges of the suction boxes, fluid support cushions being formed in the conduits. This is also accomplished by controlling the fluid support cushion according to the drag on the suction box, the suction pressure in the suction box and the rate of flow of fluid into the conduits to form the support cushion.

Abstract: An oil pick up device for removing oil off the surface of water consists of a series of vertical plates driven from a central drive member. The plates pass through the oil/water surface and oil is picked up. Scrapers remove the oil and lead it away. There is also incorporated a pneumatic device for maintaining the pick-up device at the right level in the water.