# US 2019/0315641 A1 · Bubble generator > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0315641 A1 - Document ID: US20190315641A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/381,509 - Filed: 2019-04-11 - Published: 2019-10-17 - Earliest claimed: 2018-04-11 - Assignees: Pulsed Burst Systems, LLC - Applicants: Pulsed Burst Systems, LLC - Inventors: Charles Otis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190315641A1 ## CPC - C02F 3/201: {Perforated, resilient plastic diffusers, e.g. membranes, sheets, foils, tubes, hoses} - C02F 3/223: {using "air-lift"} - B01F 23/231262: {having disc shape} - B01F 33/406: {in receptacles with gas supply only at the bottom (B01F33/405 takes precedence)} - C02F 1/24: by flotation (C02F1/465 takes precedence) - C02F 3/1278: {Provisions for mixing or aeration of the mixed liquor} - B01F 23/231265: {being tubes, tubular elements, cylindrical elements or set of tubes} - B01F 23/237611: {Air} - B01F 2101/305: {Treatment of water, waste water or sewage} - C02F 2103/42: from bathing facilities, e.g. swimming pools - Y02W 10/10: Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage - Y02W 10/37: using solar energy - C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes) - B01F: MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING (mixing paints B44D3/06) - Y02W: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT ## Abstract A bubble generator including a container having a side wall and a top wall defining a cavity. An insert is located within the cavity defining a gas path with a trap portion. The gas path being in communication with an exit in the container. The cavity including an opening receiving a gas accumulating within the cavity, the gas path allowing the accumulating gas to escape through the exit once the accumulating gas reaches a predetermined level proximate the trap portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bubble generator comprising: a container including a side wall and a top wall defining a cavity; an insert located within the cavity defining a gas path with a trap portion, the gas path being in communication with an exit in the container; the cavity including an opening receiving a gas accumulating within the cavity, the gas path allowing the accumulating gas to escape through the exit once the accumulating gas reaches a predetermined level proximate the trap portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The bubble generator of claim 1, wherein a liquid path merges with the gas path at an acute angle between the trap region and the exit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The bubble generator of claim 1, wherein the sum of the cross-sectional area of the liquid path and the cross-sectional area of the gas path at the point of merger of the gas path and the liquid path is greater than a cross sectional area of the exit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The bubble generator of claim 1 wherein a portion of the insert is sealingly engaged to the container. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The bubble generator of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the liquid path is defined by the insert and an inner wall of the container. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The bubble generator of claim 1 the insert including two facing walls defining a gas path there between and wherein the two facing walls have a non-circular cross-section along a majority of the path. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The bubble generator of claim 6, wherein the two facing walls are spaced from one another, and further including a first path member and a second path member spaced from one another and extending between the two facing walls, wherein the gas path is defined by the region between the two facing walls and the first path member and second path member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The bubble generator of claim 2, wherein gas flows below the terminal bottom end of the insert into the liquid path when the gas path is blocked. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The bubble generator of claim 1, wherein the gas path is defined by two curved planer members. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The bubble generator of claim 7 wherein the second path member includes a portion defining a curved plane at the region most distal from the top wall. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The bubble generator of claim 7 wherein the second path member has a terminal free end having a radius of at least 0.125 inches. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The bubble generator of claim 1, further including a conduit having a diameter larger than the opening of the exit, the conduit having a lower terminal end at or below the exit opening, and an upper terminal end positioned above the exit opening, wherein the conduit covers the exit opening and extends radially beyond the outer wall of the container. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The bubble generator of claim 1, wherein the container includes an opening adjacent a lower edge of the container receiving gas from an aeration source spaced below and not in contact with the container, the gas from the aeration source entering the container through the opening free of any connecting conduit. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The bubble generator of claim 12 wherein liquid is drawn through the lower terminal end of the conduit toward the upper terminal end of the conduit during the escape of the accumulating gas in a large bubble event. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The bubble generator of claim 1 wherein an airlift pump is situated wholly within and formed by the container and insert. ### Claim 16 A bubble generator system comprising: a bubble generator providing intermittent pulsed air bubbles in large bubble events including a container having an opening adjacent a lower edge of the container receiving gas from an aeration source spaced below and not in contact with the container, the gas from the aeration source entering the container through the opening free of any connecting conduit; and a skirt extending outwardly from the container to guide gas from the aeration source into the opening of the container. ### Claim 17 A bubble generator system comprising: a large bubble generator accumulating a gas and intermittently releasing the majority of the gas, a sensor detecting the release of the large bubble event. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A sensor of claim 17 for use in wastewater treatment systems such as in aeration basins, or septic systems. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The bubble generator system of claim 17 wherein the sensor detects a large bubble events rising through a conduit. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The bubble generator system of claim 17 wherein a controller sends a signal to a relay to change a state of operation of a gas source.