Abstract:
A method and apparatus for a flotatable aerator system that includes a concaved surface at the top of a fluid uptake chamber for diverting aerated fluid behind a chassis of the system. The chassis is supported by floats and includes a bank of fluid outlets created by a plurality of parallel baffle walls. The baffle walls add structural support to the chassis. Elongated end baffle walls create a semi-enclosed area for the discharge of the aerated fluid.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to aerators and, more particularly, is concerned with a method and apparatus for a floatatable aerator system for use in waste water treatment systems, ponds and sewage systems. 
     Aerator systems are well known but are problematic for small farmers and small industrial industries. Most water reservoir aerator systems are complex to use, costly to operate, and require large amounts of space to install. 
     As will be seen more fully below, the present invention is substantially different in structure, methodology and approach from that of known aerator systems. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Aerators have been described in the prior art. However, none of the prior art discloses the unique features of the present invention. While these aerators may be suitable for the purposes in which they were designed, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as hereinafter described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The preferred embodiment of the floatatable aerator system of the present invention solves the aforementioned problems in a straight forward and simple manner. 
     Broadly, the present invention contemplates a method and apparatus for a floatatable aerator system comprising a hollow chamber supported by floats, the chamber having a concaved rear surface, a fluid intake chamber having a fluid inlet and a top aerated fluid diverter created by the concaved rear surface; a fluid aerator assembly for injecting air into fluid received through the fluid inlet to form aerated fluid; and, a bank of lateral outlet ports for expelling the diverted aerated fluid funneled along the concaved rear surface. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a floatatable aerator system that is compact. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a floatatable aerator system that includes a pair of elongated end walls that semi-enclose an area of fluid in a pond, reservoir, etc., where the aerated fluid is channeled. 
     A feature of the present invention is to provide a floatatable aerator system that is relatively simple structurally and thus easy to manufacture. 
     The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the drawings, the description given herein, and the appended claims. 
     The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration-specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the floatatable aerator system in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the floatatable aerator system in accordance with the present invention submerged and floating in water. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the floatatable aerator system in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the floatatable aerator system in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the floatatable aerator system in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a back view of the floatatable aerator system in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of the floatatable aerator system in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the present invention along the plane  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention taken along a plane similar to  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     With regard to reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the drawings.
           10  present invention     12  fluid     20  aerator chassis     22  top hollow chamber     22   a  top wall     22   b  front wall     22   c  concaved back wall     24   a  end baffle wall     24   b  end baffle wall     24   c  baffle wall     24   d  baffle wall     30  fluid uptake chamber     32  inlet port     34   a  discharge port     34   b  discharge port     34   c  discharge port     50  aerating system     52  air inlet port     54  primary tube     56  air splitter     58   a  secondary tube     58   b  secondary tube     60   a  vertical side tube     60   b  vertical side tube     62  elongated tubular members     64  spaced apart apertures     70  flotation device     72   a  exterior float member     72   b  exterior float member     74  front float member       

     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following discussion describes in detail at least one embodiment of the present invention. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments since practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For a definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to the appended claims.  FIGS. 1-9  illustrate the present invention wherein a floatatable aerator system is disclosed. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 1-8 , the floatatable aerator of the present invention is generally referenced by the numeral  10 . Therein is shown the present invention  10  generally comprised of a floatatable aerator chassis  20  having an aerating system  50  coupled thereto, the aerating system  50  aerating fluid  12  flowing through the aerator chassis  20 . 
     The floatatable aerator chassis  20  has a side profile that resembles a “T”-shape (see  FIG. 4 ) and a top view that resembles a “U”-shape (see  FIG. 3 ). The flotatable aerator chassis  20  comprises a top hollow chamber  22  bounded by a top wall  22   a,  front wall  22   b,  a concaved back wall  22   c,  and a bottom wall  22   d.  The hollow chamber  22  is supported by a plurality of baffle walls  24   a,    24   b,    24   c  and  24   d.  The two end baffle walls  24   a,    24   b  serve as side walls for the hollow chamber  22  and extend past both the length and depth of the hollow chamber  22 . The interior baffle walls  24   c,    24   d  extend the length of the hollow chamber  22 . 
     The aerator chassis  20  further includes a fluid uptake chamber  30  having a fluid intake port  32  for intaking fluid  12  and a bank of discharge ports  34   a,    34   b,    34   c  located between the plurality of baffle walls  24   a,    24   b,    24   c  and  24   d.  The opening of the fluid uptake chamber  30  is displaced approximately 90 degrees with respect to the openings of the discharge ports  34   a,    34   b,    34   c.    
     The bank of discharge ports  34   a,    34   b,    34   c  share the concaved back wall  22   c  of the hollow chamber  22  to funnel or divert water behind the hollow chamber  22  between the two end baffle walls  24   a,    24   b.  The concaved back wall  22   c  provides approximately a 90 degree elbow for the flow of aerated water in the uptake chamber  30  directly to the bank of discharge ports  34   a,    34   b,    34   c,  as best seen in  FIG. 8 . Arrow B in  FIG. 8  shows the water discharge. 
     As can be readily seen the extended end baffle walls  24   a,    24   b  create a semi-enclosed area or pool wherein aerated water collects thereinbetween. 
     The aerator system  50  comprises an air inlet port  52  coupled to the front wall  22   b  of hollow chamber  22 . The inlet port  32  is adapted to be coupled to a flexible hose (not shown) which is coupled to an air or other oxygen source. The air inlet port  52  is coupled to a primary tube  54 . The primary tube  54  is coupled to an air splitter  56  which divides and diverts the air flow to opposite ends of a pair of secondary tubes  58   a,    58   b  where air flows out of the hollow chamber  22  and down vertical side tubes  60   a,    60   b  to a plurality of spaced-apart, elongated tubular members  62 . Each elongated tubular member  62  has a plurality of spaced-apart apertures  64  forming air jets which force air directly in the path of fluid  12 . 
     The aerating system  50  receives fluid or water  12  up through the inlet port  32  (As shown by Arrows A on  FIG. 8 ) where it is subjected to air jet streams from aerator tubular members  62 . The fluid or water  12  is thus aerated and forced upward to the top of the uptake chamber  30  where a fluid diverter (concaved back wall  22   c ) funnels or diverts the aerated fluid out through a bank of discharge ports  34   a,    34   b,    34   c.    
     In the preferred embodiment, the uptake chamber  30  is approximately in the center of the length of the two end baffle walls  24   a,    24   b.    
     The flotatable aerator  10  further includes a flotation device  70  for suspending the aerator in water so that an upper portion of the hollow chamber  22  remains above water and, preferably, the inlet port  32  remains above the subterranean earth disposed on the bottom of, e.g., a pond or like water body. 
     The flotation device  70  comprises a pair of exterior float members  72   a,    72   b  extending along the baffle walls  24   a,    24   b  exterior to the hollow chamber  22 . The opposite ends of each of the exterior float members  72   a,    72   b  couple to the baffle walls  24   a,    24   b.  The forward end of float members  72   a,    72   b  couple to a front float member  74  that extends between baffle walls  24   a,    24   b.    
     The float members  72   a,    72   b  and front float member  74  may be hollow or made of a buoyant material. 
     By way of general explanation, the present invention requires an anchoring system to maintain its position on the surface of the water, otherwise it could move in the water. Its floating capability may be due to lightweight floatatable PVC, top hollow chamber, or a flotation device. 
     Turning to  FIG. 9 , therein is shown an alternative embodiment of the present invention  10  having oppositely disposed dual water discharges at Arrows BB, however, in most other respects this embodiment is similar to the previous embodiments. Arrows AA show the water inlet. Also shown are centrally disposed hollow chamber  22 , fluid  12 , two concaved walls  22   c,  two baffle walls  24   b,  two inlet ports  32 , two fluid uptake chambers  30 , two aerating systems  50 , two sets of elongated tubular members  62 , spaced apart apertures  64  and air inlet  52 . 
     Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught and because many modifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.