Water movement system and method for controlling water breeding insect populations
11612158 · 2023-03-28
Assignee
Inventors
- Nathaniel J. Martin (Carmel Valley, CA, US)
- Glen Babcock (Missoula, MT, US)
- Wendy Babcock Garrett (Missoula, MT, US)
- James M. Martin (Pacific Grove, CA, US)
- Frank S. Martin (Pacific Grove, CA, US)
Cpc classification
Y02A50/30
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
A01M1/023
HUMAN NECESSITIES
International classification
Abstract
A water movement system and method configured to eradicate and/or control mosquito or insect populations that lay eggs in treated, stagnant water environments. The system is comprised of a water pump configured to function in cooperation with an underwater insect attractant device. The insect attractant device is suitably constructed to generate carbon dioxide for attracting insects to a water extermination zone or trap. In one embodiment, the underwater insect attractant device contains organisms such as mycelia for generating the carbon dioxide. Insects are attracted by the carbon dioxide generation device to reproduce in the water extermination zone, using the treated water to lay eggs, and grow larvae and pupae for the subject insects. A solar-powered water pump device is configured to direct the flow of water from the water extermination zone toward filters of the water pump device to trap and kill insect progeny including eggs, larvae, and pupae.
Claims
1. An insect-controlling water movement system, the system comprising: an underwater insect attractant device for generating carbon dioxide in a water extermination zone, wherein the underwater insect attractant device lures insects to cultivate future insect generations in the water extermination zone for pre-terrestrial, insect stages; and a water pumping device having a portable solar-powered pump, a plurality of plumbing parts and at least one filter configured to function in cooperation with the underwater insect attractant device, the portable solar-powered pump further comprising: an intake chamber, an outflow nozzle, and a pump housing; the plurality of plumbing parts further comprising: a drain vent fitting having at least one intake end and one coupling end, at least one atrium grate; wherein the at least one intake end of the drain vent fitting is coupled to the intake chamber of the solar-powered pump and the one coupling end of the drain vent fitting is coupled to the at least one atrium grate with the at least one filter is enclosed within the coupling of the at least one atrium grate at the at least one intake end, wherein a configuration of the plurality of plumbing parts provides a water-tight interference fit, whereby the water-tight interference fit is press or friction fit and wherein the water pumping device is configured to operate during daylight and shut down at dusk, thereby preventing mosquitoes from detecting the water pump at night, and wherein the water pumping device directs flow of water containing the future insect generations from the water extermination zone to the at least one filter of the water pumping device or to a desired location.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the underwater insect attractant device contains mycelia.
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the solar-powered pump is further comprised of at least one solar panel remotely located and coupled by a solar panel connector, wherein the solar panel connector is an MC4 connector, and wherein the at least one solar panel is a monocrystalline solar panel.
4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the intake chamber has a diameter larger than the outflow nozzle, and substantially equal to the pump housing.
5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the underwater insect attractant device further comprises: a bladder configured to hold a mass of organisms and food; an external shell for receiving and protecting the bladder; and a minimum of one gaseous interchange portal between a body of water and the mass of organisms and food, the gaseous interchange portal permitting movement of gases and preventing water from reaching the mass of organisms and food.
6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the gaseous interchange portal occurs in the bladder, wherein the external shell has at least one hole to allow the movement of water and air between the bladder and the body of water.
7. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the underwater insect attractant device is secured below the surface of the water.
8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the underwater insect attractant device is comprised of: a double-bag container sealed by one or more seals; a population of organisms disposed within the double-bag container; a food substrate to feed the population of organisms disposed in the double-bag container; a breather patch located on each bag of the double-bag container, the breather patch having sufficient filtering capabilities to allow carbon dioxide molecules to leave the double-bag container and oxygen molecules to enter the double-bag container; and wherein the device is installed in an underwater environment to generate carbon dioxide within the water extermination zone, thereby attracting insects to lay their eggs therein.
9. A method of eradicating insect populations using the system of claim 1, the method comprising the steps of: forming the water extermination zone in an area that stores a volume of water; introducing carbon dioxide to the water extermination zone with the underwater insect attractant device to attract insects that lay eggs in the water extermination zone to reproduce insect progeny; pumping the volume of water containing the insect progeny through the at least one filter of the water pumping device; and controlling said insect populations by trapping and drowning the insect progeny.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the volume of water is stagnant.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Introduction
(13) The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out various embodiments of the invention in which said embodiments can be carried out independently and/or in combination. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made for at least the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
(14) In one embodiment of the present invention, one or more water movement systems are provided for eradicating and/or controlling insect populations. The water movement system is comprised of a water pump configured to function in cooperation with one or more underwater insect attractant devices; the insect attractant device is configured to generate carbon dioxide in an area that stores water for luring insects to lay their eggs on the surface of a water extermination zone or trap, the extermination zone or trap containing the eggs, larvae or pupae from said insects; and the water pump is advantageously configured to control insect populations by directing the flow of water from the water extermination zone or trap containing the eggs, the larvae or the pupae of said insects to the filters of the pump.
(15) In another embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for eradicating and/or controlling insect populations. The method comprises the steps of: forming a water extermination zone or trap by generating carbon dioxide in an area that stores water; attracting insects that lay eggs in water or moist environments to the water extermination zone or trap via the CO.sub.2 generation for luring said insects to lay their eggs on the surface of the water extermination zone or trap; at a time apart from the egg-laying times, pumping the water containing the eggs, larvae or pupae of the insects with a water pump; and eradicating and/or controlling said insect populations by pumping the water containing the eggs, larvae or pupae to the filters of the water pump.
Detailed Description
(16) Referring now to the drawings,
(17) Referring still to
(18) A second atrium grate 42 is coupled to the third end of the drain vent fitting 54 by the water-tight interference fit as shown in
(19) Optionally, a third filter 48 (
(20) In this disclosure, the terms “second end” and “third end” refer to, but are not limited to, the at least one intake end. Also, the term “first end” refers to, but is not limited to, coupling end. Moreover, while two intake ends are shown, more than two intakes can be used. In certain applications only one intake may be needed. Accordingly, it is anticipated in this disclosure that the discharge output adapter may have one coupling end, previously referred to as the first end, and any number of intake ends, previously referred to as the second and third ends.
(21) In an alternative embodiment, drain vent fitting 50 has a coupling end, connected to the intake chamber 15 by means of a water-tight interference fit (e.g. see
(22) The water-tight interference fit (also known as tight interference fit) provides a sufficiently tight seal for keeping the plurality of plumbing parts securely connected to each other. As shown in
(23) As shown in
(24) Alternatively, one embodiment of the invention provides a new solar water pumping device/system 100 having a discharge output adapter 25 connected to the water outflow nozzle 20 of the pump 10 or bilge pump 10 to allow the solar water pumping device/system 100 to be directly connected to various fittings 29 for pumping and/or moving water from one place to another as depicted in
(25) A further embodiment of the invention includes at least one monocrystalline solar pv panel. The optional parameters of the panel are: maximum power: 60 watts; output tolerance: +/−1%; vmp: 18.2 volts; Imp: 3.3 amps; Voc: 22.2 volts; Isc: 3.6 amps; maximum system voltage: 1000 volts; fuse rating max.: 15 amps; weight:/tank 15 Kg; and dimensions of 630 mm (H)×670 mm (L)×30 mm (W).
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(27) Alternately, one embodiment is comprised of a soft-shelled bladder 203 holding a mass of beneficial organisms and food 67, an external shell 201 for receiving and protecting the soft-shelled bladder 203, a minimum of one gaseous interchange portal 65 between the body of water and the mass of organisms and food. The gaseous interchange portal 65 prevents water from reaching the organisms and the food. Optionally, the organisms are mycelia 60 of the white rot variety or of the Turkey Tail fungus strain. The gaseous interchange portal 65 preferably occurs on the soft-shelled bladder. In this disclosure, the mycelia 60 is comprised of organisms and food.
(28) In the external shell variations, single or double bag embodiments may be utilized as the soft bladder, but the device still includes a minimum of one gaseous interchange portal between a body of water and the respirating mass preventing water from reaching the respirating mass. The organism and food 67 must stay dry to avoid contamination and organism death.
(29) In another embodiment shown in
(30) In the present invention, positioning the breather patch 65 below the level of mycelia 60 is preferred because the mycelia 60 and food source in the container will float. The suspension of the mycelia 60 above the level of the patch 65 will enhance the ability of the heavier carbon dioxide molecules to fall or sink and escape through the breather patch. The benefits of the device 200 are still realized even if the mycelia mass 60 are placed below the breather patch in the container 200. In use, the device/container/bladder 200 will be anchored in a water reservoir or holding device as represented in
(31) Each embodiment of the present invention provides an all-natural solution of generating carbon dioxide that does not require regulators or the use of electricity. The present invention also advantageously generates enough CO.sub.2 for the entire duration of the mosquito season, requires no mixing or maintenance and poses no fire danger.
(32) In another embodiment, the CO.sub.2 delivery device 200 is advantageously installed with a water movement system to supplement carbon dioxide in an underwater environment by an attachment mechanism. As illustrated in
(33) As the organisms 60 carries on its respiration, carbon dioxide leaves the sealed container 200, and flows into the water reservoir/source 700/800 (see
(34) In a further embodiment, an ExHale® brand bag is used for the present invention. The ExHale® brand bag includes a special mixture of mycelia and a food substrate for that mycelia. In the ExHale® brand bags, the mycelia are provided with all the food required to feed their survival for up to 6 months, the duration of the mosquito breeding season in most climates. In addition to food, mycelia require oxygen to survive. Even when the bag is placed underwater, mycelia can access the oxygen needed to survive through the breather patch 65. Optionally, mycelial respiration is assisted if the water is circulated at least once a day.
(35) In one embodiment, the present invention is suitably configured to be applied to still bodies of water in order to prevent the breeding and birthing of disease bearing mosquitos. Because the present invention is solar-powered, the solar-powered pump is naturally designed to disengage in the evening and night, coinciding with the period in which female mosquitos are most active. The body of water to which the present invention is applied will appear to be still-water during the night, and will attract mosquitos to breed. During the sunlight hours, the solar-powered pump will be reengaged, and any spawned mosquito eggs or larva will be destroyed in the pump mechanisms or any added filters by drowning or suffocating those life forms as they are trapped underwater.
(36) In use, one or more water movement systems 700/800 are suitably configured to eradicate and/or control insect populations (see
(37) In an additional embodiment, the water pumping device 100 is portable, solar-powered and includes a plurality of plumbing parts having a water-tight interference fit. The plumbing parts are configured to be manually coupled and uncoupled without the need of tools for use in many types of environments to combat mosquito and other insect type breeding in still water.
(38) In use, there can be one or more extermination zones 705 containing the eggs, larvae or pupae 707 from said insects as shown in
(39) In use, the water pumping device 100 will cause the eggs, larvae or pupae 707 to traverse from the extermination zone or trap 705 by the movement of the water 3 which will cause said eggs, larvae or pupae to be drowned and/or eradicated when collected by said filters 44/46/48.
(40) The water extermination zone or trap 705 of the present invention is formed by submerging an insect attractant device 200 under water as illustrated in
(41) Insects such as mosquitoes generally lay their eggs in the evening after the sun has gone down. The solar-powered water pumping device 100 of the present invention is suitably configured to operate during the day and advantageously shut down at dusk. This advantageous feature prevents mosquitoes and other insects from detecting the portable water pumping device 100 at night with their infrared sensors. Thus, the insect will not sense the trap during the egg laying process. Once the eggs have been laid in the extermination zone or trap 705, the water pumping device 100 will turn on during the day and cause the water 3 containing the eggs 707 to circulate and then traverse (i.e., be pumped) to the filters 44/46/48 of the water pump 100 for extermination as illustrated in
(42) The use of the insect-attracting underwater carbon dioxide delivery system may alternatively comprise steps which include preparing a container having a gaseous exchange portal as an indoor growing environment for mycelia, sealing the container but for gaseous exchange portal, and placing the device underwater.
(43) A method of supplementing carbon dioxide in an underwater environment to attract insects is set forth comprising the steps of acquiring a sealed container having a combination of respirating organisms 60, a food source 66, and a waterproof gaseous access 65, and fastening the sealed container underwater. The method finds commercial application in underwater environments such as in controlling breeding grounds for mosquito populations. The method may further comprise the steps of placing the sealed container in a protective housing and/or replacing the sealed container when the respirating organism stops producing carbon dioxide.
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(45) At block 910, the method comprises the step of attracting insects that generally lay eggs in water or moist environments to the water extermination zone via the CO.sub.2 generation from an insect attractant device for luring said insects to lay their eggs on the surface of the water extermination zone or trap.
(46) At block 915, the method comprises the step of moving, traversing or pumping the water containing the eggs, larvae or pupae of the insects with a solar water pump.
(47) At block 920, the method comprises the step of controlling said insect populations by pumping the water containing the eggs, larvae or pupae to the filters of the solar water pump.
(48) The method of the present invention further includes the step 907 of producing the CO.sub.2 via an underwater insect attractant device comprised of a container that holds mycelia suitably configured to produce the CO.sub.2 in the water extermination zone or trap 705.
(49) It should be understood that the foregoing relates to various embodiments and uses of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It should also be understood that the present invention is not limited to the designs mentioned in this application and the equivalent designs in this description, but it is also intended to cover other equivalents now known to those skilled in the art, or those equivalents which may become known to those skilled in the art in the future.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
(50) The invention pertains to a method and system for eradicating and/or controlling insect populations such as mosquitoes, that lay eggs in stagnant water environments which may be of value or importance to various industries/nations such as, but not limited to, governmental disease and control organizations, public-health organizations, and similar agencies in nations around the world.