Patent ID: 6966079
Filing Date: 2005-11-22
Classification: E04H

Abstract:
1. A skimmer system attached to a tank having fluid therein, the fluid in the tank defining a tank fluid surface, the system comprising: a) a reservoir to receive fluid from the tank, the fluid in the reservoir defining a reservoir fluid surface, the level of the reservoir fluid surface being maintainable below the level of the tank fluid surface; b) an inlet defining an inlet edge, an inlet surface and a fluid transfer rate, the inlet being positioned adjacent to the tank, the inlet edge being located below the level of the tank fluid surface, the inlet surface declining away from the tank, the inlet surface being positioned above the reservoir to transfer the fluid from the tank to the reservoir; c) a reservoir pump connected to the reservoir to transfer fluid from the reservoir to the tank, the reservoir pump having a fluid transfer rate greater than the inlet fluid transfer rate; d) a filter between the inlet and the reservoir to retain particulate within the fluid; e) a weir defining a weir edge, the weir edge being substantially below the level of the tank fluid surface to allow particulate in the fluid to pass under the weir when the reservoir pump is activated and to prevent particulate on the fluid from passing under the weir when the reservoir pump is deactivated; f) a fluid level regulator which monitors the reservoir fluid surface and controls the reservoir pump to maintain the level of the reservoir fluid surface sufficiently below the level of the tank fluid surface wherein the fluid level regulator activates the reservoir pump when the level of the reservoir fluid surface is not substantially below the level of the tank fluid surface.