Articulating Diffuser Device, System, and Method

Abstract

A diffuser is disclosed and claimed that can be used in multiple applications, which will sink and operate in the location where it is desired and has the ability to be maneuvered around obstacles. According to one aspect of the invention, a device for aeration of septic tanks is provided. In at least one example, the device comprises: a system of articulating gas-transporting joints; a plurality of porous sections; a bifurcating joint connecting said system of articulating joints to said porous sections; a plurality of weights; and a plate connected to said weights, said bifurcating joint, and said porous sections.

Claims

1. A device for aeration of septic tanks, the device comprising: a system of articulating gas-transporting joints; a plurality of porous sections; a bifurcating joint connecting said system of articulating joints to said porous sections; a plurality of weights; a plate connected to said weights, said bifurcating joint, and said porous sections.

2. A device as in claim 1 wherein said system of articulating joints comprises a plurality of rotating joints capable of rotating three hundred and sixty degrees on a plane of rotation, and each said plane of rotation being parallel to each other plane of rotation.

3. A device as in claim 2 wherein said plurality of rotating joints comprises two rotating joints separated by a straight tube such that an axis of rotation of each joint is approximately six and one quarter inches apart from each other.

4. A device as in claim 2 wherein said rotating joints each comprises a resistance to rotation of approximately 13 inch-pounds.

5. A device as in claim 1 wherein said system of articulating joints comprises a connection to an incoming supply of air.

6. A device as in claim 5 wherein said connection to an incoming supply of air comprises at least one of male threaded connection.

7. A device in claim 5 wherein said porous sections have a porosity sufficient to manipulate said incoming supply of air into a plurality of small bubbles, said incoming air comprises a septic air compressor, septic aerator, and/or septic air pump, said porous sections have a porosity sufficient to create bubbles that are large enough to allow said septic air compressor to function properly and said porous sections comprises a plastic material.

8. A device as in claim 1 wherein said weights comprise; a hollow tube; a plurality of caps; and a dense filler material filling said hollow tube.

9. A device as in claim 8 wherein said caps are placed at the ends of said hollow tube to contain said dense filler material within said hollow tube, said dense filler material comprises sand, and said caps and said hollow tube are constructed out of a plastic material.

10. A device as in claim 1 wherein, said septic tank comprises an anticipated depth of sediment, said weights have a dimension substantially perpendicular to said plate that is greater than the anticipated depth of said sediment, said bifurcating joint splits said incoming supply of air into a plurality of symmetrical streams of air by directing said incoming supply of air through a plurality of elbows that provide a change to the direction of said symmetrical streams of air, said bifurcating joint comprises a plurality of female threaded connections connecting said system of articulating joints and said porous sections to said bifurcating joint.

11. A device as in claim 1 wherein said plate comprises a plastic material including a plurality of holes sufficient to reduce a torque on the said system of articulating joints, wherein said torque is provided by water in the septic tank pressing on said plate during instillation, wherein said plate comprises a plurality of holes perpendicular to a surface of said plate whereas said surface faces water/air interface, and said surface of said plate measures approximately eight- and one-half inches in width by approximately fourteen inches in length, wherein said surface of said plate comprising a surface area of approximately one hundred and nineteen square inches when said holes are ignored.

12. A device as in claim 11 wherein said holes reduce the surface area of said surface of said plate facing said water/air interface by approximately 25.5 square inches.

13. A process for installing an articulating diffuser in a septic tank having water therein, the process comprising: connecting of a tube to a system of articulating joints; manipulation of said system of articulating joints such that the articulating diffuser is configured into an instillation angle; maneuvering the articulating diffuser; inserting the articulating diffuser into said septic tank; maneuvering the articulating diffuser around at least one obstacle; manipulating the system of articulating joints such that said articulating diffuser is configured into an operation angle; maneuvering said articulating diffuser to a final location; and resting said articulating diffuser at said final location.

14. A system for installing a diffuser assembly in a septic tank having water therein, the system comprising: means for creating a connection between a system of articulating joints and a pipe or tube; means for manipulating said system of articulating joints; means for raising said articulating diffuser; means for inserting said articulating diffuser into said septic tank; and means for maneuvering said articulating diffuser.

15. A process for oxygenating water in a septic tank therein, the process comprising: compressing an amount of ambient air; conveying compressed said amount of ambient air as a stream of compressed air; bifurcating said stream of compressed air to create a plurality of symmetrical air streams; manipulating said symmetrical streams of air into a multitude of small bubbles; and dissolving an amount of oxygen available in said multitude of small bubbles into said amount of water.

16. A system for oxygenating a septic tank and an amount of water therein, the system comprising: means for compressing an amount of ambient air; means for conveying a stream of compressed air; means for bifurcating said stream of compressed air into a plurality of symmetrical air streams; means for manipulating said symmetrical air streams into a multitude of small bubbles; and means for dissolving an amount of oxygen available in said multitude of small bubbles into said water.

17. A system as in claim 16 wherein said means to dissolve an amount of oxygen comprises said multitude of small bubbles having a concentration of oxygen that is greater than said water and causes said amount of oxygen to naturally diffuse into said water.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] For a thorough understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which reference numbers designate like or similar elements throughout the several figures of the drawing. Briefly:

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an example of the invention.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of an example of the invention.

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of an example of the invention.

[0038] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of an example of the invention.

[0039] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an example of the invention.

[0040] FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of an example of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF THE INVENTION

[0041] In the following description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity, and examples. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom and such terms are used for descriptive purposes only and are intended to be broadly construed. The different apparatus, systems and method steps described herein may be used alone or in combination with other apparatus, systems and method steps. It is to be expected that various equivalents, alternatives, and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

[0042] As seen in FIG. 1, according to an aspect of the invention, a device (100) is provided for aeration of a septic tank (300), seen in FIG. 3. In the illustrated example, as seen in FIG. 1 and in an expanded view in FIG. 2, the device (100) includes a system of articulating joints (200) wherein a plurality (in this example, there are two) of rotating joints (201a-202b) allows device (100) to be configured into a plurality of orientations. Further, a bifurcating joint (202) is connected to the system of articulating joints (200) to split compressed air (308), seen in FIG. 3, into multiple streams. A plurality (here, two) of porous sections (204a-204b) is connected to the bifurcating joint (202) that allow bubbles (306) (see FIG. 3) to escape into septic tank (300). Referring again to FIG. 2, a plate (206) is connected to the porous sections (204a & 204b), the bifurcating joint (202), and a plurality of weights (208a & 208b). The plate (206) connect all of the components.

[0043] In at least one example, screws (218a-218c) and clamps (224a-224c) connect the bifurcating joint (202) and porous sections (204a & 204b) to plate (206). Additionally, nuts (220a-220d), bolts (226a-226d) and washers (222a-222h) connect weights (208a-208b) to plate (206).

[0044] In at least one example, (e.g. FIG. 3), the septic tank (300) contains water (302) sufficiently deep to submerge porous sections (204a & 204b). Referring again to FIG. 2, in at least one such example, at least one of the rotating joints (201a & 201b) is capable of rotating three hundred and sixty degrees. In a further example, the system of articulating joints (200) is constructed of a plastic material (for example polypropylene) with a plurality of male threaded connections (210a & 210b). In a further example, joints (201a & 201b) and male threaded connections (210a & 210b) are about one-half inch in diameter. In a further example, plurality of rotating joints (201a & 201b) are separated from each other by about six and one quarter inches. In a further example, rotating joints (201a & 201b) each possesses a resistance to rotation of approximately 13 inch-pounds. Referring again to FIG. 3, in a further example, threaded male connection (210a) connects device (100) to an air supply pipe (304).

[0045] In a further example, as seen in FIG. 2, porous sections (204a & 204b) are approximately nine and seven eighths’ inches long, and porous sections (204a & 204b) comprise male threaded connections (212a & 212b), which are plugged at an end that is opposite of threaded connections (212a & 212b). In a further example, male threaded connections (212a & 212b) are about one-half inch in diameter. In a further example, porous sections (204a & 204b) comprises an outside diameter of approximately one inch and porous sections (204a & 204b) allow a multitude of small bubbles (306) to leave device (100), having a porosity sufficient to manipulate compressed air (308) into multitude of small bubbles (306). Referring again to FIG. 3, compressed air (308) is provided by an air compressor (310) functioning according to the following performance specification: between about 2.4 and about 4.5 cubic feet of air per minute at about 2.13 pounds per square inch. Referring again to FIG. 2, in a further example, porous sections (204a & 204b) are constructed of a plastic material (e.g., polypropylene).

[0046] In yet another example, plurality of weights (208a & 208b) include material (e.g. sand) that is denser than water.

[0047] In a further example, as seen in FIG. 3, in septic tank (300), there is an anticipated depth of sediment (312), and weights (208a-208b) have a dimension substantially perpendicular to plate (206) that is greater than the anticipated depth of sediment (312) to keep plate (206) above the sediment (312). Maintaining plate (206) above the sediment prevents bubbles (306) from disturbing sediment (312) and prevents sediment (312) from leaving septic tank (300). In at least one such example, weights (208a & 208b) are positioned on the same face of plate (206) but at opposite ends of plate (206).

[0048] Referring again to FIG. 2, in still another example, bifurcating joint (202) splits compressed air (308) into a stream for each of porous sections (204a & 204b), bifurcating joint (202) comprises a plurality of female threaded connections (214a-214c), and female threaded connections (214a-214c) connect the system of articulating joints (200) and porous sections (204a & 204b) to bifurcating joint (202).

[0049] In a further example, plate (206) comprises a plastic material (e.g. polypropylene) and a plurality of holes (216) that reduce a torque on the system of articulating joints (200). Torque is provided by water (302) flowing around plate (206) during instillation. In a further example, a combined height of plate (206) and weights (208a-208b) is sufficient to prevent small bubbles (306) from significantly disturbing the sediment (312). In a further example, plate (206) has dimensions such that plate (206) possesses a width of approximately nine inches, a length of approximately fourteen inches, and a height of approximately one and one quarter inches.

[0050] FIG. 5 depicts two rotating joints (500a & 500b). Rotating joints (500a & 500b) allow alternate states of joints (201a & 201b), which, in the illustrated example joints (201a & 201b) are capable or rotating 360 degrees. Rotated joints (500a & 500b) show one possible configuration of joints (201a and 201b).

[0051] FIG. 6 depicts device (100) within a septic tank with a clarifier (600). Some aerobic septic tanks only have access to their aerobic chamber (606) through an access port (608) in clarifier (600). Rotating joints (201a & 201b), seen in FIG. 2, allow device (100) to be maneuvered around the clarifier walls (604). Thus, device (100) can aerate aerobic camber (606) and leave clarifier (600) undisturbed. Clarifier (600) should remain undisturbed to ensure contaminants settle out of the water (602).

[0052] As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, according to a further aspect of the invention, a process is provided for installing an articulating diffuser device (100) in a septic tank (300) having water (302) therein, the process comprising: connecting a pipe (402) to a system of articulating joints (200); manipulating system of articulating joints (200) to configure device (100) into an instillation angle θ and operation angle β.

[0053] In a further example, the connecting comprises threading a pipe (402) to male threaded connection (210a) the manipulating (404) comprises a rotation of the system of articulating joints (200), instillation angle θ is approximately 90 degrees, and operation angle β is approximately zero degrees. The mentioned angles measure how much the uppermost surface of the plate deviates from being horizontal.

[0054] As seen in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, according to a further aspect of the invention, a system is provided for installing an aerobic diffuser device (100) in a septic tank (300) having water (302) therein, the system comprising: means for connecting device (100) and pipe (304); and means for manipulating device (100) into an installation angle θ and operation angle β.

[0055] In a further example, wherein the means for connecting comprises a male threaded connection (210a) on device (100) and a female threaded connection (336) on pipe (304).

[0056] In a further example, means for manipulating (316) device (100) comprises pipe (304) and plate (206). An individual installing device (100) pushes on plate (206) and pipe (304) to rotate joints (201a & 201b) in to the position angle θ and is then lowered through path 406 where it contacts bottom 410, further application of pressure through the connections to articulating joints (201a and 201b) cause device (100) to rest on the bottom 410 of the septic tank and the individual installing the device pushes on pipe (304), causing the system of articulating joints (200) to rotate to operation angle β.

[0057] As seen in FIG. 3, according to yet another aspect of the invention, a process for oxygenating a septic tank (300) and water (302) is provided. In at least one example, the process comprises: compressing air; bifurcating a stream of compressed air (308); manipulating compressed air (308) into a multitude of small bubbles (306); and dissolving oxygen available in the multitude of small bubbles (306) into water (302).

[0058] In a further example, the compressing increases the pressure of the air until it is sufficient to overcome the hydrostatic pressure of water (302).

[0059] In a further example, dissolving occurs at the interface of water (302) small bubbles (306).

[0060] As seen in FIG. 3, according to a further aspect of the invention, a system is provided for oxygenating a septic tank and water (302) therein, the system comprising: means for compressing ambient air into compressed air (308); means to bifurcate compressed air (308); means for manipulating compressed air (308) into a multitude of small bubbles (306); and means for dissolving oxygen into water (302). In at least one such example, the means for compressing (328) ambient air (330) comprises air compressor (310). In some examples, air compressor (310) comprises a septic aerator, linear diaphragm aerator, piston aerator, or another type of air compressor capable of moving between 2.4 and 4.5 cubic feet of air per minute at 2.13 pounds per square inch.

[0061] In a further example, the means for manipulating compressed air (308) into a multitude of small bubbles (306) comprises porous section (204a & 204b).

[0062] In a further example, the means for dissolving oxygen comprises the multitude of small bubbles (306) that possess a higher concentration of oxygen than water (302). The difference between the concentrations of oxygen in the multitude of small bubbles (306) and water (302) causes oxygen to naturally diffuse from bubbles (306) to water (302).

[0063] As seen in FIG. 3, according to a further aspect of the invention, a process is provided to accelerate the diffusion of oxygen into a septic tank (300) and water (302) therein, the process comprising: compressing ambient air (330) into compressed air (308); bifurcating compressed air (308); manipulating compressed air (308) into a multitude of small bubbles (306); dissolving oxygen (326) into water (302). In at least one such example, compressing of ambient air (330) increases air pressure until it is greater than the hydrostatic pressure of water (302); the dissolving oxygen (326) comprises providing multitude of small bubbles (306) that possess a higher concentration of oxygen than water (302). The difference between the concentrations of oxygen in multitude of small bubbles (306) and water (302) causes oxygen to naturally diffuse from bubbles (306) to water (302). In a further example, the multitude of small bubbles (306) accelerate the rate at which oxygen dissolves into water (302), because the multitude of small bubbles (306) (e.g., between about 200 and 350 microns in diameter) provide a larger surface between air and water (302) than would occur naturally. The increase in surface area increases the rate at which oxygen diffuses into water (302).

[0064] As seen in FIG. 3, according to a further aspect of the invention, a process is provided for circulating water (302) in a septic tank (300), the process comprising: compressing ambient air (330) into compressed air (308); and releasing compressed air (308) below the surface of water (302). In at least one such example, the compressing of ambient air (330) increases its pressure so that it is of a higher pressure than the hydrostatic pressure of water (302); releasing of compressed air (308) causes an imbalance of pressure within water (302), and water (302) will move to reach a stable state.

[0065] As seen in FIG. 3, according to a further aspect of the invention, a system is provided for circulating water (302) in a septic tank (300), the system comprising: means for compressing ambient air (330) into compressed air (308); and means for releasing compressed air (308) in water (302). In at least one such example, the means for compressing ambient air (300) comprises air compressor (310). In a further example, the means for releasing compressed air (308) comprises porous section (204a & 204b).

[0066] As seen in FIG. 3, according to a further aspect of the invention, a process is provided for promoting the proliferation of aerobic bacteria and limiting the proliferation of anaerobic bacteria in a septic tank (300) and water (302) therein. In at least one example, the process comprises: compressing ambient air (330) into compressed air (308) and manipulating the compressed air into a multitude of small bubbles (306). In one such example, the compressing of ambient air (330) increases its pressure so that it is of a higher pressure than the hydrostatic pressure of water (302). In a further example, the multitude of small bubbles (306) naturally dissolve oxygen into water (302). Furthermore, the dissolved oxygen is sufficient to support aerobic bacteria and disrupt the cellular function of anaerobic bacteria.

[0067] As seen in FIG. 3, according to a further aspect of the invention, a system is provided for promoting the proliferation of aerobic bacteria and limiting the proliferation of anaerobic bacteria in a septic tank (300) and water (302) therein, the system comprising: means for compressing ambient air (330) into compressed air (308); means for manipulating compressed air (308) into a multitude of small bubbles (306); and means for dissolving oxygen (326) into water (302). In at least one example, the means for compressing (328) ambient air (330) comprises an air compressor (310). In a further example, the means for manipulating compressed air (308) into small bubbles (306) comprises plurality of porous sections (204a & 204b). In a further example, the means for dissolving oxygen (326) comprises the multitude of small bubbles (306) that possess a higher concentration of oxygen than water (302). The difference between the concentrations of oxygen in the multitude of small bubbles (306) and water (302) causes oxygen to naturally diffuse from bubbles (306) to water (302). The dissolved oxygen will then disrupt cellular functions of anaerobic bacteria and promote the proliferation of aerobic bacteria.

[0068] Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments as well as alternative embodiments of the invention will become apparent to persons skilled in the art.... It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments that fall within the scope of the invention.