Abstract: A water filter system with a filter housing, a filter media, a filter coupling, and a dynamic seal. The filter housing has a top plate and a bottom plate which are both water-permeable, as well as a cavity between the top plate and the bottom plate. The filter media is within the cavity of the filter housing and extends through the bottom plate of the filter housing. The filter coupling extends upward from the top plate and is configured to attach to a float with at least one air chamber. The dynamic seal is coupled to the filter housing along a perimeter of the filter housing and is configured to extend beyond a perimeter of the float, maintain contact with a wall of a water container, and restrict water from passing between the dynamic seal and the wall of the water container.

Abstract: A modular support assembly for a solar power system includes a plurality of base units each of which includes a base frame having first and second tube members, and a plurality of connection units each of which interconnects two adjacent ones of the base units. Each connection unit includes two sleeve members and a plurality of fasteners. Each sleeve member has a tubular portion sleeved on one end of the second tube member of one of the two adjacent ones of the base units, and a blind flange connected to the tubular portion and closing the one end of the second tube member. The blind flanges abut against each other and are fastened by the fasteners.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a highly-available and fault-tolerant solar tracking system and the process required to manage such a system. A fleet of multiple, redundant mobile robots managed by a task coordinator is deployed to track solar panels in a solar farm in alignment with the sun. Each robot has a control unit for engaging with a coupler connected to one or multiple solar panels and adjusting their orientation, as well as communicating with the task coordinator to receive tasks. The task coordinator senses various events such as robot failure/deterioration, as well as various environmental conditions, and sends tasks reconciled with event types. The system is highly-available and fault-tolerant as it remains operational as long as there is one operational robot. The task coordinator assigns tasks to the mobile robots so as to optimize battery life or other factors, such as, e.g., overall maintenance costs across the fleet.

Abstract: An anti-icing apparatus for use with an aerator or other in-water device is disclosed. The anti-icing apparatus uses perforated tubes to introduce ambient air into a body of liquid. Anti-icing tubes are positioned near the lower periphery of the sides of the aerator housing. A blower is used to supply ambient air to the anti-icing tubes. The anti-icing tubes produce a blanket of air bubbles around the housing and thus prevent the formation of ice around the aerator. The anti-icing apparatus may be used to protect various devices that must remain in a body of water during sustained periods of below-freezing temperatures.

Abstract: A water circulation pump pre-filter unit (PFU). The PFU is submerged and provides structure to camouflage the system to give a natural and aesthetic look. The PFU comprises at least two cleaning systems: (1) biological cleaning mechanism; and (2) an internal self-cleaning mechanism. Specifically, the PFU comprises several filtering surfaces that form a repository for pond debris on which fish and other aquatic creatures feed, i.e., the biological cleaning mechanism. These filtering surfaces of the PFU also provide a protective barrier that prevents large debris from entering the circulation pump. The internal self-cleaning mechanism is a spray wash water source mechanism used to clean the PFU without removing the PFU or fish from the pond or entering the water. Together these features improve the quality of the water in the pond and extend the life of a pump.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a filter system for ornamental ponds and stock tanks that has a housing defining an internal chamber. A number of feet are located on a lower flat surface of the housing, which hold the housing off of the bottom of the pond. A filter slot in the lower surface holds a filter. A pump is inside the internal chamber of the housing and has an inlet inside the internal chamber and an outlet outside the internal chamber of the housing. When the filter system is submerged, the pump draws water in along the bottom of the body of water through the filter. As a result, the debris on the bottom of the body of water is drawn into the filter. Once the debris is drawn into the filter, microbes in the filter are able to break down the debris.

Abstract: An aeration and microbial reactor system for use in decontaminating water including a housing adapted to float within the medium such that a top portion thereof remains adjacent a top surface of the contaminated water while the bioreactor containing inoculated carrier media is attached below. Beneficial microbial populations thrive and spread throughout the liquid medium, and consume or fix the contaminant such that the contaminant is removed from the water.

Abstract: Reactors that allow mixing and gasification by converting the entire floor of the reactor vessel to a sparge filter is described.

Abstract: Included herein is a carbon dioxide delivery system. The system may include any of the following: (1) a body of a liquid; (2) a carbon dioxide recapture element in communication with the body; (3) a carbon dioxide generator in communication with the recapture element; and (4) a carbon dioxide effluent line exiting the generator and in communication with the body. Also included is a process of delivering carbon dioxide. The process includes capturing a first gas having a measurable amount of carbon dioxide from a body of liquid. The method also includes transmitting the first gas to a carbon dioxide generator and delivering a carbon dioxide enriched gas to the liquid.

Abstract: A mechanical and biological filter system where in use water entering into a housing first contacts the mechanical filter covering access to the biological filter. As the water travels through the mechanical filter before reaching the biological filter, the water has been processed and cleaned by the mechanical filter, preventing the mechanically filtered elements from being disposed on the biological filters, to improve the reliability of the biological filter. The filtering of the water first through the mechanical filter provides for maximum use of the surface area of the biological filter for their intended purposes of fostering beneficial bacteria growth. The two stages of filtered water ultimately exits out of the housing through a housing outlet.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a filter system for ornamental ponds and stock tanks that has a housing defining an internal chamber. A number of feet are located on a lower flat surface of the housing, which hold the housing off of the bottom of the pond. A filter slot in the lower surface holds a filter. A pump is inside the internal chamber of the housing and has an inlet inside the internal chamber and an outlet outside the internal chamber of the housing. When the filter system is submerged, the pump draws water in along the bottom of the body of water through the filter. As a result, the debris on the bottom of the body of water is drawn into the filter. Once the debris is drawn into the filter, microbes in the filter are able to break down the debris.

Abstract: An aerator system for an artificial pond comprising an aerator housing defining an aerator chamber, filter media arranged within the aerator chamber, and a control valve assembly. The aerator housing defines first, second, and third aerator housing ports. The filter media defines first and second portions of the aerator chamber. The first aerator housing port is in direct fluid communication with the first portion of the aerator chamber, and the second and third aerator housing ports are in to direct fluid communication with the second portion of the aerator chamber. The control valve array is operatively connected to the first and second aerator housing ports and may be configured in a first mode to allow a portion of the water flowing through the aerator housing to bypass the filter media.

Abstract: A process for fish farming includes holding fish within a fish pond and pumping water from the pond. Dividing the pumped water into two streams, a main stream and a secondary stream. Oxygenating the water of the secondary stream by diffusing micro bubbles of oxygen into the water. The method further includes combining the oxygenated water in the secondary stream with the water in the mainstream and returning a substantial portion to the fish pond.

Abstract: An aquatic extraction and filtration device, comprising a portable frame, a screen enclosing the portable frame for blocking solids, and piping coupled within the enclosed portable frame for extracting water. The aquatic extraction and filtration device filtering and moving of water at a first flow rate by a pump, and moving the filtered water through a set of openings at a second flow rate, greater than the first flow rate by the pump. Finally, extracting water through the set of openings at a substantially equal flow rate to that of a third flow rate of water that moves through the pump.

Abstract: Submerged media useful with or without aeration and/or mixing to enhance an aquatic environment by promoting and retaining biogrowth. The media takes the form of a cluster of individual flexible elements having free ends. The media are submerged in a liquid such as a water or wastewater treatment basin or an aquaculture environment. The media are characterized by the ability to promote and retain microbial growth. The media clusters have substantial flow through thicknesses to provide a three dimensional effect along with baffling for increased contact with the liquid being treated. The media may be thin strips constructed to avoid sticking together to allow maximum exposed surface area. The media clusters can create oxic, anoxic and anaerobic environments for maximum treatment during flow through the media cluster. The flexibility of the media elements and their free ends automatically dislodges excessive biomass buildup to avoid clogging of the media.

Abstract: A system is described for collecting, filtering and removing dirt, debris, detritus, active organic materials, chemicals and toxins from water in fish ponds and general aqua-culture applications. This system includes a filter tank with supporting base containing biological filtration media, a multi-port valve, a strainer, a diffuser head, and a quick drain assembly. The filter tank is fabricated using transparent material allowing for visual inspection of the mechanical and biological activities inside the filter tank. The strainer and diffuser head are slotted so as to capture debris, retain filter media, and maintain unrestricted water flow. The quick drain is a vertical tube covered by drainage slots. The top end of the tube is capped. The bottom end of the tube extends through the filter tank wall to the exterior where a drain valve is attached.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a system and method that intensely oxidizes water as it navigates through a system and accurately, controllably neutralizes the oxidation by-products before the water exits the system.

Abstract: In an aspect of the invention, a device for purifying water in a water water garden or fish pond comprises a filter medium configured to clean the water flowing through the device, and a housing configured to contain the filter media. The housing includes a wall configured to whirl the water flowing through the device to remove suspended particulates from the flow. Liquid flows into the housing, is turned by the wall to whirl the water about an axis, and exposed to elements held by the filter medium for cleaning the liquid. The liquid then flows out of the housing. Cleaning the medium is performed by opening a drain port and adding water to the chamber.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the instant invention, there is provided herein a new solids separator which will preferably be used in conjunction with a skimmer/filter combination of the sort traditionally utilized in ornamental ponds. According to a second aspect of the instant invention, there is provided herein an aerator for use with an ornamental pond or the like. Finally, in still another preferred embodiment there is provided a diffuser which is designed to provide a smooth flow of fluid therefrom when it is used as, for example, a waterfall feature.

Abstract: A waterfall spillway is provided and has a front wall with a top portion and a bottom portion as well as a back wall substantially parallel with the front wall and having top, central, and bottom portions. A base wall is also included and connects the bottom portion of the front wall with the bottom portion of the back wall. A cavity is formed between the front wall and the back wall. A shelf extends from the top portion of the front wall, and is substantially parallel with the base wall. One or more of the side spillways may also be included.

Abstract: A filter system includes a filter compartment enclosing a filtering media, a downward-facing intake into the filter compartment, the intake submerged below the surface of the fluid and elevated above the floor of the fluid container, and an outlet in the filter compartment for connection to a suction source, so that fluid is drawn upward into the downward-facing intake and through the filtering media.

Abstract: A filtration system comprises a filtration container housing filter media treated to reduce waste in water pumped into the filtration container. An impeller is mounted on the filtration container and forces water and filter media within the container to move within the container. Advantageously, movement within the container, and interaction between, the water and filter media within the container are increased through use of the impeller. The impeller may also cause the water and filter media within the container to move in a substantially non-repeating path within the container so that interaction of the water with the filter media is further increased.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aeration device for use in a liquid medium. The device includes a housing adapted to float within the medium such that a top portion thereof remains above a top surface of the medium. The housing has a bottom portion and an open side portion. The device further includes a hose affixed to the bottom portion of the housing substantially parallel to the surface of the liquid medium. The hose has a wall with a plurality of pores formed therein. The device further includes a gas-supplying pipe affixed to the hose and means for supplying a gas to the pipe such that the gas passes through the pipe and into the hose.

Abstract: A filter unit for filtering particulates and other foreign matter from a water supply, comprising a filtering chamber. At least a portion of an exterior of the filtering chamber being provided with filtering chamber in use. The mesh being sized to filter particulates and other foreign matter from the water. The filter unit further comprising an outlet through which filtered water exits the filter unit, and a rotatable member located within the filtering chamber, the rotatable member having at least one outlet spaced from an internal face of a mesh. The axis of rotation of the rotatable member being such that the at least one outlet traverses at least a substantial portion of the internal face of a mesh.