Mobile vortex shield
AssigneeAeration Industries, Inc.
InventorAlan G. Schiller
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for use with propeller type aspirating aerators for preventing the formation of vortices near an aerator propeller in a substance in which the propeller is driven. The device comprises a mobile floatable shield which floats on the aerated substance and eliminates a vortex by being drawn into one by the vortex's own swirling motion and contacting the vortex. The shield may be flexibly attached to a frame which also houses the aerator. Because the shield is not connected to the aerator, floats on the surface and is mobile, many of the problems faced with the prior art devices have been eliminated: the shield is easier and cheaper to manufacture; material does not wedge between the aerator and the shield; any problems with the shield are visible; the shield stops virtually all vortices; and vibration problems are eliminated.
Claims16
A mobile vortex shield apparatus for use with a propeller type aspirating aerator, for preventing the formation of vortices near the aerator propeller in a substance in which the propeller is driven comprising:
- a support system for supporting the propeller type aspirating aerator;
- a floatable shield which floats on the surface of the aerated substance, said floatable shield being separate from the aerator and flexibly connected to said support system to be moveable on the surface of the aerated substance relative to the aerator and said support system;
- and
- at least one flexible elongated member attaching said floatable shield to said support system to enable said floatable shield to float freely on the substance within a defined area over the propeller of the aerator and relative to the propeller such that said floatable shield will contact and eliminate all vortices created by the aerator propeller by being drawn towards a vortex by the vortex's own swirling motion.
A aeration apparatus comprising:
- a propeller type aspirating aerator for inducing the flow of atmospheric air at high velocity below the surface of a substance so as to allow oxygen to freely and quickly transfer into the substance;
- a support system for supporting the propeller type aspirating aerator;
- a floatable shield which floats on the surface of the aerated substance, said floatable shield being separate from the aerator and flexibly connected to said support system to be moveable on the surface of the aerated substance relative to the aerator and said support system;
- and
- flexible elongated members attaching said floatable shield to said support system so as to enable said floatable shield to float freely on the aerated substance within a defined area over the propeller of aerator such that said floatable shield will contact and eliminate all vortices created by the aerator propeller by being drawn towards a vortex by the vortex's own swirling motion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.