Modular diffuser body and aeration system
AssigneeEnvironmental Dynamics International, Inc.
InventorsCharles E. Tharp, Randall C. Chann, Randy K. Hulsebus
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An aeration system for treating liquid contained in a vessel is provided. The aeration system includes a header pipe and a plurality of lateral pipes coupled to the header pipe. The lateral pipes each have one or more tubular diffuser membranes sleeved therearound. Also provided is a coupling for sealingly joining end portions of two adjacent pipes is provided. The coupling includes two saddle sections and a deformable gasket extending between the pipes. The coupling is adapted for enabling one pipe to be removed and replaced from a series of pipes without substantially moving any adjacent pipes.
Claims26
A coupling assembly for sealingly joining end portions of two adjacent pipes, said coupling assembly comprising:
- first and second saddle sections sized and shaped to cooperate to extend closely and substantially fully around said end portions of said pipes, said saddle sections forming a longitudinal axis when assembled together;
- a deformable gasket for directly contacting outer surfaces of said end portions of said pipes, said gasket being disposed between said saddle sections and said pipes for providing a generally airtight seal between said pipes;
- and
- at least one fastening device for holding said first and second saddle sections together and retaining said gasket in generally sealing relationship with said end portions of said pipes.
An aeration system for use in a treatment vessel having a floor, said aeration system comprising:
- at least two rigid lateral pipes connected to one another in series to form a diffuser assembly having a desired length, said lateral pipes each having first and second ends wherein the first end of a first lateral pipe is coupled with a header pipe and the second end of said first lateral pipe is generally sealingly joined with the first end of a second lateral pipe;
- at least one diffuser coupled to one of said lateral pipes;
- a cap sealingly coupled to the second end of the last lateral pipe in the series;
- a deformable gasket for sealingly joining said lateral pipes to one another;
- and
- a support having first and second clamp members for holding at least one of said lateral pipe first and second ends in place, one of said clamp members being movable with respect to said support such that at least one of said lateral pipes may be removed from said series of lateral pipes and replaced without substantially removing any adjacent lateral pipes.
An aeration system for treating liquid contained in a vessel, said aeration system comprising:
- a header pipe to which pressurized gas is supplied;
- and
- a plurality of lateral pipes coupled to said header pipe, said lateral pipes each having one or more tubular diffuser membranes sleeved therearound, said diffuser membranes being adapted for discharging said gas into said surrounding liquid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.