# US 9,751,029 B2 · Headshaft > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,751,029 B2 - Document ID: US9751029B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/419,282 - Filed: 2013-03-15 - Published: 2015-07-30 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-08-09 - Assignees: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC - Applicants: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC - Inventors: William H. Selle - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751029B2 ## CPC - B01D 21/20: Driving mechanisms - B01D 21/04: with moving scrapers - B29C 70/06: Fibrous reinforcements only - F16C 3/02: Shafts; Axles - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - 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) - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Disclosed are apparatus and methods for treating wastewater. In one example there is provided a wastewater treatment system. The wastewater treatment system comprises a settling basin having a first sidewall and a second sidewall, a first headshaft mount disposed on the first sidewall, a second headshaft mount disposed on the second sidewall, a headshaft comprising a shaft extending between and engaging the first headshaft mount and the second headshaft mount and including a bull sprocket and a collector headshaft sprocket. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A settling basin of a wastewater treatment system, the settling basin comprising: a first sidewall and a second sidewall; a first headshaft mount disposed on the first sidewall; a second headshaft mount disposed on the second sidewall; a single piece headshaft including a composite shaft extending between and engaging the first headshaft mount and the second headshaft mount, a journal bearing disposed within the shaft proximate a first end thereof, and a key slot defined in the shaft, the key slot extending only partially into the journal bearing and extending between a bull sprocket and a collector headshaft sprocket mounted on the shaft; and a single key element configured to be retained in the key slot and to secure both the bull sprocket and the collector headshaft sprocket to the headshaft. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The settling basin of claim 1, wherein the shaft is hollow. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The settling basin of claim 2, wherein the first headshaft mount comprises a hollow stub post disposed within a bore of the journal bearing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The settling basin of claim 3, wherein the journal bearing is in direct contact with the hollow stub post. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The settling basin of claim 1, wherein the shaft is a solid shaft. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The settling basin of claim 5, further comprising journal bearings disposed within recesses formed at ends of the shaft. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The settling basin of claim 1, wherein the shaft has a cross sectional area which varies along a length of the shaft. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The settling basin of claim 7, wherein the shaft includes a central section with a cross sectional area less than that of an end section of the shaft. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The settling basin of claim 1, wherein the composite shaft comprises a polymer matrix composite with one of metal particles, polymer particles, or ceramic particles embedded in a polymer matrix. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The settling basin of claim 1, wherein the composite shaft comprises a nylon matrix composite. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The settling basin of claim 1, wherein the single key element is disposed within the key slot. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The settling basin of claim 11, further comprising a first fastener passing through a flange in the bull sprocket into the single key element and a second fastener passing through a flange in the collector headshaft sprocket into the single key element. ### Claim 13 A headshaft for a settling basin of a wastewater treatment system, the headshaft comprising a single piece shaft formed of a composite material and including a first end and a second end, the first end configured to engage a headshaft mount disposed on a first sidewall of the settling basin, the second end configured to engage a headshaft mount disposed on a second sidewall of the settling basin, the headshaft further comprising a journal bearing disposed within the shaft proximate the first end a key slot defined in the shaft, the key slot extending only partially into the first journal bearing and extending between a bull sprocket and a collector headshaft sprocket mounted on the shaft, and a single key element configured to be retained in the key slot and to secure both the bull sprocket and the collector headshaft sprocket to the headshaft. ### Claim 14 A method of facilitating installation of a headshaft in a settling basin of a wastewater treatment system, the method comprising: measuring the width of the settling basin; selecting a headshaft having a length appropriate for mounting within the width of the settling basin; providing the headshaft including a single piece shaft formed of a composite material and including a first end and a second end, the first end configured to engage a headshaft mount disposed on a first sidewall of the settling basin, the second end configured to engage a headshaft mount disposed on a second sidewall of the settling basin, the headshaft further comprising a journal bearing disposed within the shaft proximate the first end a key slot defined in the shaft, the key slot extending only partially into the first journal bearing and extending between a space for mounting a bull sprocket and a space for mounting a collector headshaft on the shaft, and a single key element configured to be retained in the key slot and to secure both the bull sprocket and the collector headshaft sprocket to the headshaft. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising mounting the bull sprocket and the collector headshaft sprocket on the shaft. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising installing the headshaft in the settling basin. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, comprising mounting both the bull sprocket and the collector headshaft sprocket on the shaft with the single key element.