Level-compensating surface skimming device
OwnerMarlin Sheltoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for skimming the top surface of a pool of fluid with a constant flow rate regardless of level changes of the fluid. A storage tank and a suction port are positioned at opposite ends of a conduit that connects the tank and the port. The conduit pivots about a pivot point such that the storage tank elevation follows the fluid level, which allows the suction port to be positioned at the surface of the fluid. In various embodiments, the pivot for the conduit is attached to a pump resting on the bottom of the tank, is formed by a pair of floats, is a pivot mechanism attached to a wall penetration of a tank, or is a flexible hose that allows the conduit to move.
Claims13
An apparatus for skimming liquid from a surface, said apparatus comprising:
- a suction port having an open end configured to receive a fluid;
- a conduit having a first end and a second end, said first end of said conduit in fluid communication with said suction port;
- a storage tank in fluid communication with said second end of said conduit, said storage tank separated from said suction port by said conduit, said storage tank configured to receive said fluid from said suction port, said storage tank having an opening that prevents a differential pressure from developing between an inside and an outside of said storage tank, said storage tank configured to be partially submerged in said fluid with said suction port adjacent to a surface of said fluid;
- an outlet in fluid communication with said conduit, said fluid flowing by gravity into said outlet from said suction port and said storage tank;
- and
- a pivot mechanism attached to said conduit adjacent a pivoting axis whereby said storage tank moves in a substantially vertical direction and said suction port moves in an opposite vertical direction when said conduit pivots, said pivot mechanism configured to position said pivoting axis below said surface of said fluid when said suction port is adjacent said surface of said fluid, and a location of said pivoting axis being immovable relative to said surface of said fluid such that said location of said pivoting axis does not change when a level of said surface of said fluid changes.
An apparatus for skimming liquid from a surface, said apparatus comprising:
- a first member having a fluid passage between a first end and a second end, said second end having an opening configured to receive a fluid;
- a conduit having a first conduit end and a second conduit end, said first conduit end in fluid communication with said first end of said first member, said conduit having an outlet between said first conduit end and said second conduit end;
- a second member having a fluid passage between a first end and a second end, said first end of said second member in fluid communication with said second conduit end, said second member substantially parallel to said first member whereby said first member, said conduit, and said second member have a generally U-shape, said second end of said second member disposed a greater distance from said conduit than said second end of said first member;
- a pivot mechanism attached to said conduit, said pivot mechanism including a bushing and a sleeve, said bushing rotatably received by said sleeve, said bushing having an axis of rotation that is coaxial with a pivoting axis of said conduit;
- and
- whereby said pivot mechanism and said conduit are configured to be disposed in said fluid with said second end of said first member positioned adjacent a surface of said fluid and said second end of said second member positioned above said surface, and said second end of said first member receiving said fluid, which flows into said second member and said outlet, said pivot mechanism configured to position said pivoting axis below said surface of said fluid when said second end of said first member is adjacent said surface of said fluid, and a location of said pivoting axis being immovable relative to said surface of said fluid such that said location of said pivoting axis does not change when a level of said surface of said fluid changes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.