# US 12,179,238 B2 · Debris clearing system and method

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- Number: US 12,179,238 B2
- Document ID: US12179238B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/452,650
- Filed: 2023-08-21
- Published: 2024-02-22
- Granted: 2024-12-31
- Earliest claimed: 2022-08-22
- Assignees: Watershed Systems, LLC
- Applicants: Watershed Systems, LLC
- Inventors: Allen H. Sturgill
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12179238B2

## CPC

- B08B 1/32: using rotary cleaning members
- E04D 13/0409: {Drainage outlets, e.g. gullies}
- A46B 13/02: power-driven {carriers}
- A46B 15/0004: {with a controlling means}
- A46B 15/0055: {Brushes combined with other articles normally separate from the brushing process, e.g. combs, razors, mirrors}
- B01D 29/33: arranged for inward flow filtration
- B01D 35/02: Filters adapted for location in special places, e.g. pipe-lines, pumps, stop-cocks, (B01D35/05 takes precedence; {water pipe system filters E03B3/18, E03B7/07; dirt catchers in sewers E03F; filters or strainers for pipe-lines in general B08B, E03F; object or dirt catching devices in sinks or the like E03C1/26; suction strainers or filters for pumps F04B53/005, F04D29/70})
- B01D 41/04: of rigid self-supporting filtering material
- B08B 1/12: Brushes
- B08B 13/00: Accessories or details of general applicability for machines or apparatus for cleaning
- A46B 2200/3073: Brush for cleaning specific unusual places not otherwise covered, e.g. gutters, golf clubs, tops of tin cans, corners
- B01D 2201/08: Regeneration of the filter
- E04D 13/0404: {Drainage on the roof surface}
- E04D 2013/0413: {Strainers for drainage outlets}
- B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
- E04D: ROOF COVERINGS; SKY-LIGHTS; GUTTERS; ROOF-WORKING TOOLS (coverings of outer walls by plaster or other porous material E04F13/00)
- A46B: BRUSHES (handles not integral with brushware B25G)
- B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28)

## Abstract

A debris clearing system for clearing debris from a drain strainer includes a base member having at least one attachment coupler configured to removably attach the base member to the drain strainer, a support frame rotatably coupled to the base member, at least one arm assembly coupled to the support frame, a clearing member coupled to a distal end of the at least one arm assembly. The clearing member being adjacent the exterior surface of the drain strainer when the base member is coupled to the drain strainer. The system includes a drive unit coupled to the support frame to rotate the support frame and the at least one arm assembly relative to the base member. The clearing member clears debris from the exterior surface of the drain strainer when the drive unit rotates the support frame and the at least one arm assembly.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of clearing a drain strainer coupled to a roof drain on a roof, comprising:
providing a debris clearing system mounted to the drain strainer, the debris clearing system including:
at least one arm assembly;
a clearing member coupled to a distal end of the least one arm assembly, the clearing member positioned adjacent an exterior surface of the drain strainer;
a water diverting member coupled the distal end, the water diverting member being sized and shaped to divert water away from the drain strainer as the at least one arm assembly rotates about the drain strainer, wherein the water diverting member leads the clearing member as the at least one arm assembly rotates about the drain strainer; and
a drive unit operatively coupled to the at least one arm assembly
operating the drive unit so as to rotate the at least one arm assembly and the clearing member about the exterior surface of the drain strainer; and
clearing debris from the exterior surface of the drain strainer as the clearing member moves adjacent to the exterior surface.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the debris clearing system further includes a moisture sensor operatively coupled to the drive unit, the method further comprises:
sensing moisture with the moisture sensor; and
operating the drive unit when the moisture sensor detects a predetermined amount of moisture.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
stopping the drive unit after a predetermined amount of time.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the step of operating the drive unit is initiated after a predetermined amount of time of nonoperation.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the drive unit rotates the at least one arm assembly one rotation in about 1 to 30 seconds.