Abstract: A collapsible sample collection device with a novel, collapsible 3D capture open affinity net dispersed throughout the volume of the container, said net with tethered affinity moieties, is designed to address the need for low-cost, simple harvesting and concentration of diagnostic analytes that generally does not require any ancillary equipment. The collection device generally permits analytes of interest to be efficiently harvested from body fluid samples, in one step, concentrated, collapsed into a flat mailing size, and protected from degradation without the need for traditional cold chain technologies. The concentration factor will increase sensitivity by several orders of magnitude when coupled with any type of downstream analyte measurement, including point of care testing. The collection device, in various embodiments, obviates the need for handling transport or storage of the fluid portion of the body fluid sample (e.g. blood, urine, saliva, etc.

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: Apparatus for collecting solids settling at the bottom of a liquid reservoir, the apparatus including: a plurality of suction head assemblies, each suction head assembly including a hollow suction head configured to cause agitation of solids settling in or around the suction head and draw the solids entrained in a liquid flow into one or more outlets of the suction head; a manifold including a body having one or more inlets coupled to the one or more outlets of each suction head to permit the collected solids entrained in the liquid flow to pass into the manifold and one or more discharge ports configured to expel the collected solids entrained in the liquid flow from the manifold; and a pumping arrangement that draws in liquid and entrained solids from the suction head assemblies via the manifold and discharges the liquid and entrained solids via a discharge pipe.

Abstract: An improved clarifier tank having a rake arm assembly with one or more rake arms, a rake arm driveshaft operatively connected to the rake arms and a rake arm drive, and a sump scraper driveshaft, operatively connected to a plurality of sump scrapers and a sump scraper drive.

Abstract: A clarifier having a suction-type sludge recovery system is provided with at least one trough extending across the top of the tank and partially submerged in the liquid and a plurality of suction pipes extending from the bottom of the tank to openings in the bottom of the trough. A flow control assembly associated with each of the suction pipes includes a bracket attached to the top of the trough, a damper plate slidable relative to the openings in the trough and a control arm, which is connected to the damper plate and supported by the bracket, for adjusting the orientation of the damper plate, and therefore the flow rate of sludge into the trough. The flow control assembly is offset from the central axis of the suction pipe, so that when the damper plate is open, the suction pipes can be rodded out to disperse clogs.

Abstract: Various examples are provided for electrokinetic dewatering of e.g., phosphatic clay suspensions. In one example, among others, a system includes a separation chamber including an anode and a cathode extending ends of the separation chamber and a power supply configured to energize the anode and the cathode to establish an electric field. An inlet at one end of the separation chamber can supply a dilute feed suspension and an outlet at another end of the separation chamber can remove supernatant water. The electric field can consolidate solids in the dilute feed suspension. Consolidated solids may be removed by a removal mechanism. In another example, a method includes supplying a dilute feed suspension including suspended solids, establishing an electric field to consolidate solids, and removing supernatant water.

Abstract: Disclosed, is a drive (101) for a sedimentation tank (1000) comprising a main ring gear (160) operatively connected to a cage (150) via a web portion (152). A bearing transfer ring (170) is provided to the web portion (152) such that a gap (172) is provided between the bearing transfer ring (170) and the main ring gear (160). The bearing transfer ring (170) is connected to a first bearing race (144) which communicates with a second bearing race (142) that is fastened to a base portion (136) of the drive (101). Torque (T) is delivered to the cage (150) to turn a rake assembly (1002). The gap (172) provides clearance for deflections, distortions, or deformations of the main ring gear (160) caused by bending stresses (B) in the main ring gear (160) may. The bearing transfer ring (170) absorbs stresses imparted to the main ring gear (160) and prevents fasteners (188) connected to stiff bearing races (144) from shearing.

Abstract: The circular clarifier cleaning system includes a mainframe to which all various components are attached for the prevention of growth and accumulation of the algae and debris. The components within the system include gravity-driven, horizontal and vertical sweeping chains. The outer trough wall, V-notch weirs, baffle plate wall, and inner baffle plate wall are all cleaned utilizing a rotating chain system device. Two main drag chains are used to clean the effluent trough and the overflow in the overflow wall after the V-notch weirs. An individual chain is utilized as a “garland” to clean to the V-notch weirs at the overflow. The circular clarifier cleaning system is driven by an existing skimmer arm found on all secondary clarifiers.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method and system for washing a sedimentation device in a water treatment system using ultrasonic waves. The system includes an ultrasonic transmitting device for transmitting the ultrasonic of a predetermined power and transmitting frequency to the sedimentation device, a carrying device positioned inside or outside of the water treatment system for moving the ultrasonic transmitting device over the sedimentation device. The carrying device may include an operation track, a moving car body erected over the operation track, a driving device, and a car body position detection and control device. The effects of the invention are greatly better than that of manual washing with high pressure water. The consumption of water, treatment reagents and manpower can be decreased, thereby decreasing effectively the cost of water production.

Abstract: A solid and liquid separation device, comprising: a housing, the housing having an inlet, a solid outlet and a liquid outlet, the liquid outlet located in a lower portion of the housing; a screen located within the housing, the screen positioned above the liquid outlet at an inclined angle, wherein a lower end of the screen is directly below the inlet; a conveying assembly, mounted in the housing located above the screen, and including two rotation shafts co-operating with two drive members, a plurality of connecting rods mounted between the two drive chains, each drive chain comprising at least one longitudinally flexible link, each connecting rod including a scraper, the scraper capable of contacting the screen for driving solids toward an upper end of the screen; and, a squeeze assembly, including a cylinder for supporting solids falling from the upper end of the screen, the cylinder provided with a threaded rod that is configured to be driven to rotate by a power member, the threaded rod capable of output

Abstract: A chip conveyer including an endless conveying member (18) that circulates in a predetermined direction for receiving chips discharged from a machine tool in a receiving zone, conveying the chips to a discharge position (E2) spaced from the receiving zone at a predetermined interval, and discharging the chips at the discharge position. A conveying member (18) travels along a forward route (R2) from an end (E1) of the receiving zone to a turning point (E2) of the conveying member (18), discharges the chips at the turning point (E2), and travels along a return route (R3) from the turning point (E2) to a return point (E3) where the conveying member (18) is returned to the receiving zone. The conveying member (18) enters the liquid reservoir (31) while moving along the return route (R3) such that the chips adhered to the conveying member due to an oil component are separated in liquid in the liquid reservoir (31). A liquid supply device supplies the liquid to the liquid reservoir (31).

Abstract: A chip conveyor includes an endless carrier that circulates in a predetermined direction such that chips discharged by machine tools are collected at a collecting position, are carried to a discharging position, which is spaced from the collecting position by a predetermined distance, and are discharged at the discharging position. The carrier follows an upper path from the collecting position to the discharging position and returns through a lower path from the discharging position to the collecting position. A reservoir tank is provided to correspond to the lower path of the carrier. The carrier passes through the reservoir tank, and chips attached to the carrier are separated from the carrier in a liquid in the reservoir tank.

Abstract: A lifting mechanism for a sedimentation tank is provided for vertically raising and lowering a rake assembly in such sedimentation tank. The lifting mechanism comprises one or more elongate members pivotally connected to certain structural elements of the assemblage, such as the rotary drive motor, rake assembly, column or bridge. The pivotal connections of the elongate members are positioned about a horizontal axis and are oriented to receive the torque forces imposed on the assemblage as the rake assembly rotates in the tank simultaneously with vertical lifting. The torque forces are translated into the pivotal connections and are able to counteract those forces to facilitate vertically raising and lowering the rake assembly while it is being rotated in the sedimentation tank.

Abstract: A lifting mechanism for a sedimentation tank is provided for vertically raising and lowering a rake assembly in such sedimentation tank. The lifting mechanism comprises one or more elongate members pivotally connected to certain structural elements of the assemblage, such as the rotary drive motor, rake assembly, column or bridge. The pivotal connections of the elongate members are positioned about a horizontal axis and are oriented to receive the torque forces imposed on the assemblage as the rake assembly rotates in the tank simultaneously with vertical lifting. The torque forces are translated into the pivotal connections and are able to counteract those forces to facilitate vertically raising and lowering the rake assembly while it is being rotated in the sedimentation tank.

Abstract: A retractable sediment collection device for use in settling tanks is disclosed which has means for collecting and removing sediment from the floor of the settling tank. The retractable sediment collection device is structured to move back and forth along the floor of a tank to remove the sediment therefrom. The retractable sediment collection device includes a lifting mechanism which engages a sediment collector and raises it from the floor of the tank. Although the retractable sediment collection device is suitable for use in any kind of settling tank, it is particularly suited for use in closed tanks where access to the interior of the tank is limited through a single opening. The retractable sediment collector may be raised from floor of the tank to the top of the tank where the operating mechanisms can be accessed for repair or maintenance without removing the entire sediment collector from the tank.

Abstract: A work member comprising a sludge scraping member is guided by a monorail guide so that the guide and work member can be constructed in the most simplified form, and the working performance can be made excellent at the same time. By simplification of the construction, the installation work can be made easily, and the running and maintenance costs become low.

Abstract: A circular clarifier includes a skimmer assembly mounted on a rotatable arm of the clarifier. The skimmer assembly includes a parallelogram linkage having a pair of end links pivotably connected between upper and lower intermediate links. The skimmer blade is mounted to one of the end links to skim the liquid containing volume of the clarifier. The parallelogram linkage is mounted to the rotating arm by a support assembly at upper and lower pivot connections. These pivot connections are positioned at central portions of the respective intermediate links such that both of the intermediate links extend outwardly on both sides of the respective pivot connection. Either a counterweight or a floatation element is mounted to the parallelogram linkage to bias the linkage for rotation about the pivot connections to position the skimmer blade in an upper position.

Abstract: An upper carriage floats on the surface of a settling pond or tank of liquid containing sedimentation settled out to form a bed of sludge in the bottom of the tank. A scraper assembly is suspended from the upper carriage by flexible cables or chains to a preselected depth in the tank. Scraper blades supported by the scraper assembly extend downwardly into contact with the sludge bed. The carriage is propelled on a looped cable across the surface of the tank and applies a tractive force through the suspension cables to the scraper assembly. As the submerged scraper assembly advances, the scraper blades apply a shear force to dislodge the sludge from the bed and direct the sludge to a pump carried on the submerged scraper assembly. The dislodged sludge is pumped through a hose from the tank.

Abstract: A peripheral traction unit for a thickener is ground-mounted on a circular support base, normally of concrete, extending circularly at ground level below and exterior of the vertical walls of an above-ground thickener tank. A continuous rail and rack are mounted on a sole plate and integral key embedded and grouted in a support base pocket. A wheel and pinion assembly is provided on a traction frame so that the wheel rolls on the rail and the pinion meshes with the rack. The bottom of a box beam is pin-connected to the traction frame and the top of the box beam is fixedly connected to a rake-driving rotatable truss extending radially or diametrically across and above the tank wall. All erection, adjustment and maintenance of the traction unit is done at ground level rather than at the elevation of the upper edge of the tank wall where heretofore peripheral drive units have been positioned.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing dendrites or other crystalline matter from the surface of a liquid in a matter transport process, and an electrolytic cell including such an apparatus. A notch may be provided to allow continuous exposure of the liquid surface, and a bore may be further provided to permit access to the liquid.

Abstract: Support of rake arms in a thickener is by sets of separate support cables and separate torque cables extending from outboard-of-the-center positions of rotating trusses extending radially of the sedimentation tank. The sets of support cables are attached in a vertical plane between spaced positions on a common point on the trusses to spaced radial positions along inner hinged rake arms so that the entire weight of the arms is taken up by the support cables. Torque cables extend from a single point on a truss generally midway of the truss but at a radially offset position from the center line of containing the support cable attachments on the truss or multiple trusses. The torquing or pulling action of the torque cables, also produces no thrust load along the rake arms. This eliminates the need of a heavy large center structure adjacent the rake arm hinges to absorb a rake arm thrust load against the hinges. The hinges are supported by relatively thin posts extending from the rotating trusses.

Abstract: A rake apparatus for use with a bar screen in a fluid channel that catches debris whereby the rake apparatus enters the channel with reciprocal movement to remove debris caught on the screen bars. The novel raking apparatus has the ability to encounter an obstruction in the bottom of the channel and remove all or part of the obstruction during each cycle of operation without damage to the raking structure. This is accomplished by forming the raking apparatus of an upper section, a midsection and a lower rake section wherein the midsection is rotatably attached to the upper section and weighted to provide a force on the midsection and its attached rake section in the direction of the bar screen. The rake section is pivotally attached to the midsection to allow the rake section to pivot backwards with respect to the midsection if it strikes an obstruction while allowing the midsection to continue its forward motion thereby protecting the apparatus from damage.

Abstract: A lifting mechanism for a raking structure in a solids-liquid separation tank comprising a fixed column adapted to extend vertically within the tank, a movable column being adapted to support a raking structure for the tank, and a lift device for raising and lowering said movable column telescopically with respect to said fixed column. The lift device includes an elongate flexible tension member; a first series of load points on the fixed column at spaced intervals on the fixed column; and a second series of lift points on the movable column below said first series of points and at spaced intervals on the movable column, the tension member being alternately threaded between load and lift points of said first and second series of points, with the tension member thus being led over one of said load points, down and below one of said lift points and back up and over the next load point.

Abstract: There is disclosed a nutsch filter having blades fitted to a central, vertically positioned hollow shaft by a hollow arm, the blades having a plough-like cutting edge and a spatula-like bottom surface acting in the opposite movement direction. A discharge pipe, arranged concentrically to the hollow shaft, is axially displaceable. The discharge pipe is moved upwards against a cover for sealing the filter casing. The filtration or resuspension or drying of the filter cake takes place in this position. In order to discharge the compressed filter cake, the upper edge of the discharge pipe is set by the blades to the level of the paring or skimming process. Paring of the filter cake and conveying of the pared mass into the central discharge pipe opening takes place in a single operation by means of the blades. On drying, hot air or a hot fluid is passed through the cavities of the arm as well as the parts connected thereto.

Abstract: A lifting mechanism for a rake arm and rake structure employed to move sediments settling out from a solids-liquid slurry in a sedimentation tank, includes a fixed center column (27) in the tank and a concentric movable column (28) in telescoping relation to the fixed column. A first series of sheave assemblies (40) are attached to or fixed with respect to the fixed column and a second series of sheave assemblies (51-55) attached to the movable column at a vertically displaced distance from the first series. The respective sheave assemblies may extend in part in an annulus (34) between the fixed and movable columns and are positioned around the peripheries of the respective columns. A continuous cable (45) extends alternately between individual sheaves in each series and the ends of the cable are attached to a vertical take-up drum (38).

Abstract: A forestream sample of a urine void is isolated from a subsequently collected midstream specimen by means of a valve controlled by material which swells to many times its original volume when exposed to urine. The material is disposed in a forestream receiving chamber having a normally open inlet aperture toward which void urine is directed by a funnel, or the like. Upon contact between the liquid and the material in the chamber, the material absorbs the liquid and swells to many times its original volume while forcefully urging a movable member against the aperture to block further entry of liquid into the chamber. Subsequently received liquid is redirected into a midstream specimen collection container. The void stream is initially received by a funnel having a discharge spout which terminates below the level of an overflow opening from which the subsequently received void portion is redirected into the midstream specimen container.

Abstract: Sterile urine specimen collection is achieved by collecting the initial or forestream portion of a void in a chamber and then directing the midstream overflow into a specimen container in which the chamber is partially disposed. Overflow from the specimen container is drained to ambient or to an overflow container. This specimen container is selectively disengageable from the apparatus and can be sealed with a sterile cap which is secured to the apparatus in a sterile manner before it is deployed on the specimen container. Collection of the forestream and terminal portions of the void eliminates dripping from the unit when the specimen container is removed. When the terminal portion is drained to ambient, the drain tube is provided with a drip prevention structure. Void urine is received in a funnel having an oval entrance and a discharge spout which projects into the forestream chamber to a level above overflow holes defined in the chamber.

Abstract: In a rectangular primary sedimentation tank having a transverse trough for sludge collection, a sludge shovel apparatus is provided for efficient removal of sedimentation. In one embodiment, a reciprocative trolley assembly, hoist linkage and latching means operate together to carry a sludge shovel in a scooping position from a drop end of the trough toward a sludge withdrawal end, to vertically lift the sludge shovel above the sedimentation level, to return the sludge shovel to its starting end and to drop it for continued scooping operation. Continuous and efficient sludge removal is thereby effected with minimal disturbance of the remaining sludge during the raising and lowering of the sludge shovel.

Abstract: A motorized lifting mechanism for the rake arms of a sedimentation tank which comprise spaced vertical pairs of pivot link arms interconnecting the rake arm frame to a main center rake arm drive cage and wherein the rake arm frame is in turn interconnected to a motorized jack lifting screw by means of a cable to raise the arm upon the pivoting of the pivot arms.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving and lifting the rake assembly in a sedimentation basin. An annular hub is mounted on the main gear member, such hub having slot means through which vertical edges of a vertically-extending rectangular torque-plate are slidably affixed. Torque is transmitted from the gear member, through the hub slot means, to the torque plate and to the rake assembly which is attached generally at the bottom of the torque plate. Side loads (horizontal unbalanced rake loads) are transmitted from the vertical edges of the torque plate through the hub slots to the main gear bearing in the drive. Means is also provided attached to the torque-plate to move the torque-plate upwardly through the slot means so as to raise and lower the rake assembly.

Abstract: Scraper apparatus for settling basins embodies a translatable bridge which is mounted above the basin and carries a pivot arm and a loading device that generates a return force for loading a scraper blade carried by the pivot arm into the scraping position. The loading device generates a return force which initially increases during upward pivotal movement of the scraper blade.

Abstract: The apparatus is suitably disposed within a circular tank and comprises a stationary bridge, a feeding bell, a scraper, driving means, and an optional foam scraping means. The apparatus is characterized in that it has a centrally suspended rotating scraper, mounted from a central vertical shaft and driven by a drive which travels along the rim of the tank, and additionally has at least one rotating drive arm. The drive arm is connected at one end to the drive and at its other end to the feeding bell, which is supported by the shaft of the scraper. The feeding bell is preferably capable of vertical adjustment. The scraper is preferably provided with at least one row of a plurality of vertical stick-like members. A foam scraper is optionally attached to the drive arm. The apparatus additionally contains means for automatically raising or lowering the scraper. depending on the relative rotary momentum between the scraper and the rim drive.

Abstract: A rotary rake structure for use in a settling tank comprises a torque transmitting member and a pair of rake arms. The torque transmitting member is mounted in the tank for rotation about a vertical axis. Each rake arm comprises one or more upper chords and one or more lower chords, the two rake arms being symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of the vertical axis of rotation along a transverse axis generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The upper and lower chords of each rake arm are fixedly positioned with respect to each other by truss members. The upper chords of both rake arms are attached to the torque transmitting member so as to permit pivotal motion of each rake arm in a plane containing the transverse axis and the vertical axis of rotation. Scraping devices depend from the lower chords for raking sediment at the bottom of the tank when the rake arms are rotated by the torque transmitting member. The end of each lower chord adjacent the axis of rotation terminates in a flange.

Abstract: In a sediment raking device with a centrally arranged rotated torque tube, radially arranged booms and rake arms between said booms at a lower level a link rod is provided between the rake arms and the torque tube which is connected to the rake arm by a hinge and to the torque tube by a universal joint (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A travelling precipitate collector in which a transversely travelling frame is movably provided on a longitudinally travelling frame body, striding over a plurality of sedimentation basins and an elevating frame is vertically movably, interposedly provided in a machine frame which is fixed at the transversely travelling frame body and a chain installed with a plurality of buckets is circulated through the machine frame and the elevating frame, and further, a scraper and a pressure detector are installed on the elevating frame.Owing to the above described structures, the travelling precipitate collector can be prevented defects which are caused from the precipitate clinging to a lower portion of the elevating frame and bending moment acting on the elevating frame can be detected and controlled to thereby protect component members.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for tanks of circular type, such as for example thickeners, sludge tanks, mixing tanks and the like, in which at least one scraper arm, mixing arm or the like is journalled, as well as mounted in the center of the tank so as to be raisable and lowerable, and in which there are drive means capable of imparting a sweeping motion to the arm and its scrapers over the bottom of the tank. According to the invention an element is arranged extending between the periphery of the tank and its center, which element is longitudinally movable in relation to the periphery of the tank and is sufficiently rigid to be capable of transferring active or reactive forces to an extent at least corresponding to the torque of the scraper-carrying arm or the like.

Abstract: A raking structure for moving settled solids to a discharge opening in the bottom of a sedimentation tank is disclosed herein. The raking structure consists of a rotatable member and a rake arm pivoted on the rotatable member along an inclined pivot axis with a counterweight connected to the rake arm through cable means so that the torque load required to cause the arm to pivot can be varied. The rake arm may also have means for varying the buoyancy of the rake arm and thereby vary the torque or moment compound required to pivot the rake arm with respect to the rotatable member.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to clarifiers for use in the gravity separation of suspended particles from liquids. A clarifier according to the invention includes a tank having a sludge outlet through which settled sludge can be removed and means for conveying settled sludge towards said outlet. A gantry is supported for movement above the surface of liquid in the tank. Gantry drive means are provided and are adapted to cause the gantry to perform repeated passes over said surface. A sludge conveyor device is submerged in liquid in the tank in use and is positioned at a clearance above the bottom of the tank. Conveyor drive means are coupled to the sludge conveyor device. The device is coupled to the gantry by support means arranged so that the device moves with the gantry and sweeps over the bottom of the tank as the gantry performs said repeated passes above the surface of liquid.

Abstract: A large sedimentation tank having a traction-driven composite sludge raking mechanism provided with lift capability, and comprising a rotary traction-driven drive arm of girder-like construction exposed above the liquid level, and draft-connected to an inner load yielding self-liftable rake arm operating in the central sludge accumulation zone in the tank, and also connected to an outer complementary rake structure operating in an outer annular zone to move sludge therefrom into the central accumulation zone.