ROTATING BIOLOGICAL AQUARIUM FILTER SYSTEM

Abstract: An aquarium filter system having a rotatably mounted filter body (32). The filter body is structured such that when mounted with a portion of the filter body submerged in moving water, rotational movement is imparted to the filter body by the moving water. As a result of the rotational movement at least a portion of the filter body is alternately exposed to the water and the atmosphere. This fosters the growth of aerobic bacteria on the surface of the filter body. The aerobic bacteria reduces the level of toxins within the aquarium water.

Description: ROTATING BIOLOGICAL AQUARIUM FILTER SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to aquarium filter systems, in particular, to aquarium filter systems having rotating biological filter elements. 2. Description of Related Art Under ideal conditions, a home aquarium will act as a substantially self-contained ecosystem. That is, except for the need of the aquarium operator to provide food to the fish within the aquarium, the ideal aquarium should maintain itself as an environment suitable to sustain and foster the healthy growth of the aquatic life which it contains. However, the aquatic life within the aquarium will typically release wastes and other byproducts into the aquarium water. In time, the buildup of undesirable wastes and pollutants can reach toxic levels and eventually poison the aquatic life within the aquarium. As a result, it is necessary for an aquarium to include a system for filtering and purifying the aquarium water to eliminate undesirable wastes and toxins and to maintain a healthy environment. Typical aquarium filters rely on mechanical filtration to remove detritus from the aquarium water. Such a mechanical filter can be one of several types. For example, in under gravel type filtration systems, a pump circulates the aquarium water through a bed of gravel supported on a suitable structure. The gravel bed, which is typically located within the aquarium, traps and removes solid wastes and detritus from the water as it flows through the bed. In other mechanical filtration systems, a pump removes aquarium water from the aquarium and circulates the water through a filter element and back into the aquarium. Like the gravel bed, the filter element traps and removes harmful detritus from the circulating aquarium water. In addition to mechanical filtration, chemical filtration can be used to maintain a healthy, life- supporting environment within an aquarium. Chemical filtration systems typically circulate the aquarium water through a chemical filter element, such as activated carbon. This type of filtration is helpful in removing dissolved organic compounds and carbon dioxide and can help to maintain a stable pH within the aquarium. However, neither mechanical nor chemical filtration techniques are typically effective in removing such waste byproducts as ammonia, nitrites, or nitrates. Some of these nitrogen based contaminants, particularly ammonia, can be extremely harmful to the types of aquatic life typically found in aquariums. An effective method of removing such contaminants is biological filtration. Biological filtration relies on the presence of aerobic bacteria to convert some water born toxic wastes, particularly ammonia, to nontoxic or less toxic substances. It is possible for aerobic bacteria to grow, to a limited extent, on mechanical filter elements. Thus, there may be some biological filtration along with the mechanical filtration described above. However, typically, the aerobic bacteria which grows on the mechanical filter elements, or the under gravel bed, must rely on the dissolved oxygen present in the water for its growth. As a result of the limited availability of oxygen, coupled with reduced water flow as the filter becomes plugged, the amount of aerobic bacteria, and hence the degree of biological filtration, associated with mechanical filter elements or under gravel beds is inherently limited. Further, as mechanical filter elements become plugged with detritus they must be replaced in order to maintain water flow. Each time a filter element is replaced, any aerobic bacteria which may have colonized the filter element are removed from the aquarium and the colonization must restart on the new filter element. During the recolonization period, the environmental balance within the aquarium may be jeopardized by the absence of sufficient amounts of aerobic bacteria. Trickle filters have been devised as one method of fostering the growth of aerobic bacteria and increasing the efficiency of the biological filtration process. In trickle filters, water is typically removed from the aquarium and allowed to trickle over a bed of lava rock, plastic balls, or the like. Because the filter bed is not submerged, there is more oxygen available for the growth of aerobic bacteria. However, trickle filters can take up a relatively large area and usually require dedicated plumbing and pump fixtures. As a result, such filters can be expensive and impractical in most applications and are not particularly useful for the average home aquarium. Large scale wastewater treatment facilities frequently use rotating biological contactors in an effort to promote the growth of aerobic bacteria. Rotating biological contactors typically include a number of partially submerged filter elements, frequently disc shaped, mounted along a central shaft. The central shaft is driven to rotate the elements such that at least a portion of each filter element is alternately submerged and exposed to the air. In this manner, the growth of aerobic bacteria on the surface of the filter elements is promoted by the intermittent exposure to the oxygen in the air and the biological filtration of the wastewater is promoted by the intermittent submersion of the bacteria bearing surfaces. However, rotating biological contactors from wastewater treatment facilities are not readily compatible for use with home aquarium systems. In part, this is due to their large size, the need for a separate drive mechanism, and the lack of an appropriate location for such a device within the aquarium. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an aquarium filter system which effectively reduces the quantity of toxic substances, particularly ammonia, in aquarium water. A further object of the invention is to provide an aquarium filter system which is reliable and easily manufactured. Another object of the invention is to provide an aquarium filter system which is compact, easy to install, and simple to use. In accordance with these and other objects, an aquarium filter system in accordance with the present invention comprises a rotatably mounted filter body. The filter body is structured such that when mounted with a portion of the filter body submerged in moving water, rotational movement is imparted to the filter body by the moving water, thereby exposing at least a portion of said filter body alternately to the water and the atmosphere. Other objects and aspects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description of the invention which is presented by way of example and not as a limitation of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a filter system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a partially exploded view of the embodiment of Figure 1. Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the filter body from the system of Figure 1. Figure 4 shows a filter system in accordance with an - alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 shows the filter body of Figure 4. Figure 6 is a partially exploded view of the filter body of Figure 2. Figure 7 is a module of a filter body in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Figure 8 is a module of a filter body in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Figure 9 is a module of a. filter body in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Figure 10 shows a filter system in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Figure 11 shows the embodiment of Figure 10 with the filter system lid pivoted to the open position. Figure 12 shows another embodiment of the rotating biological filter element in another embodiment of the filter system. Figure 13 shows a top view- of the embodiment of Figure 12. Figure 14 shows another embodiment of a filter system in accordance with the present invention. Figure 15 shows a side view of the embodiment of Figure 14. Figure 16 shows a further embodiment of a filter system in accordance with the present invention. Figure 17 shows a side view of the embodiment of Figure 16. DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT An aquarium filter system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is indicated in Figure 1 as reference numeral 20. In the illustrated filter system 20, water is drawn from the aquarium 22 and into the rear portion of a filter box 24 through an intake tube 26 by an impeller assembly (not shown) . The aquarium water then flows through the mechanical filter cartridge 28 (seen best in Figure 2) , into the front portion of filter box 24, and over the discharge lip 30 back into the aquarium. A biological filter element 32 is rotatably mounted over the discharge lip 30 and partially submerged within the flowing aquarium water. The flowing aquarium water impinging on the biological filter element 32 causes the biological filter element 32 to rotate, alternately exposing a portion of the biological filter element to the air and the aquarium water to foster the growth of aerobic bacteria on the surface of the biological filter element and to bring the aerobic bacteria into contact with the aquarium water. In this manner, the aerobic bacteria on the surface of the biological filter element can remove toxins, including ammonia, from the aquarium water. As best seen in Figure 2, the biological filter element 32 includes a filter body 33 mounted on a shaft 38. The filter body 33, is a turbine formed from a pleated sheet 48 of porous filter material held in a cylindrical shape between two disks 50. The pleats 52 each extend radially from the center of the cylinder and axially between the disks 50 to serve as paddles. The disks 50 may be of molded elastomeric or polymeric material and may be formed with a stub shaft 38 extending outwardly therefrom. Alternatively, as seen in Figure 3, each disk 50 may be provided with an aperture 54 for receiving a central shaft 38. It is also possible to use extruded porous polymer or injection molded porous polymer instead of the pleated sheet 48. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the biological filter element 32 is disposed above the discharge lip 30 of a power filter system. In the illustrated embodiment, a saddle 40 is provided to support the biological filter element. The saddle 40 is shaped to straddle triangular elements 31 on each side the discharge lip 30. Each end of the saddle is provided with a retaining recess 29 into which a bearing 35 is snap fit. Each bearing 35 is provided with an aperture 37 for receiving an end of shaft 38. The aperture 37 is sized so as to allow free rotation of the shaft 38 therein. Each retaining recess 29 is configured to loosely support the bearing 35 after it has been snapped into place so as to allow the bearing to align itself with the shaft 38. In this manner the filter body 33 is rotatably suspended above the discharge lip 30. The filter body 32 is suspended with only a slight clearance, approximately 0.03-0.06 inches in the illustrated embodiment, above the discharge lip 30. As a result, water flowing over the discharge lip 30 and back into the aquarium impinges on the filter body, causing the biological filter element to rotate. Because of the configuration and location of the filter body, the filter system of the present invention does not require a separate drive means for the rotating biological filter element. This substantially reduces the cost and complexity of the filter system and makes it ideal for use by the aquarium hobbyist. The slight clearance between the filter body 33 and the discharge lip 30, also allows for filter body 33 to be submerged to the maximum depth within the flowing water. Ideally, the filter body and the discharge lip should be dimensioned such that in normal operation approximately 40-50% of the biological filter element is submerged, or wetted, at any time and substantially all of the biological filter element is alternately exposed to the atmosphere and the water. This utilizes substantially the entire surface of the biological filter element for the growth of aerobic bacteria and maximizes the contact of the aerobic bacteria with both the impinging water and the atmosphere. In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the saddle 40 can be easily removed from the discharge lip 30. This allows for simple removal of the biological filter element during maintenance of the other elements of the filter system and also allows for easy adaptation and installation of the rotating biological filter element for use in existing power filter systems. However, it should be understood that there are a variety of other satisfactory methods, some of which are described subsequently, for mounting the biological filter element within an aquarium filter system. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should not be limited by those methods expressly described herein. In an alternative embodiment, illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the filter body 33 has a number of disks 34 maintained in an axially spaced relation by paddles 36. A shaft 38 extends axially from each end of the filter body 33. In the embodiment of Figure 5, the shaft 38 extends through the center of the filter body 33 from one end of the filter body to the other. However, in other embodiments, it may be desirable to provide a stub shaft on each end of the filter body rather than a single shaft extending through the entire filter body. As illustrated in Figure 6, the filter body 33 may be modular in construction. In Figure 6, each module 46 comprises a disk 34 with a plurality of radially oriented paddles 36 extending from one side of the disk 34. An aperture 44 for receiving the shaft 38 is provided in the center of the disk 34. The filter body 33 is comprised of a number of modules received on the shaft 38. The modules may be coupled to one another by means of an adhesive, a snap fit, a friction fit, or any other manner well known to those skilled in the art. Modular construction of the filter body can greatly simplify manufacture of the filter body because a variety of filter bodies having different dimensions can be produced merely by varying the number of modules and the length of the shaft. Further, it may be easier to mold the individual modules than to mold the entire filter body at one time. The paddles 36 increase the efficiency of the rotation of the filter body by the flowing water. In addition, the paddles allow for improved biological filtration by increasing the wetted surface area available for growth of the aerobic bacteria and contact with the water. In alternative embodiments, it may be desirable to further increase the surface area by texturing the surfaces of the modules and paddles. Although the modules of Figure 6 each have eight uniformly spaced radially oriented paddles, the optimum number and orientation of the paddles may vary depending on the particular dimensions of the biological filter body and the discharge lip. In some embodiments it may also be desirable to loosely pack the hub area of each module between the shaft and the paddles with a porous filter media to increase the surface area available for the growth of aerobic bacteria. In other embodiments it may be desirable to have the paddles extend all the way to the shaft. Preferably, the structure of the filter body should be such that, in combination with the surface tension of the water, the water tends to well up into the hub area to maximize the wetted area. This is particularly desirable in shallow water applications where the filter body may be less than half submerged. Alternative module configurations are shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9. In Figure 7, paddles 36a extend from each side of disk 34a. In Figure 8, the paddles 36b are angled slightly from the radial orientation of Figure 6. Depending on the direction of flow as the water moves over the discharge lip, such a configuration may be more efficient than that of Figure 6. In Figure 9, a multitude of projections 36c extend perpendicularly from disk 34c. Such a configuration greatly increases the surface area of the module. However, if the projections are spaced too closely, water may become trapped between the projections and prevent the efficient exposure of the surface of the filter body to the air. It should be appreciated that there are a variety of other filter body and module configurations which could be incorporated into the biological filter of the present invention. It is within the contemplation of the present invention that the biological filter body could be made of any combination of one or more of the possible configurations. Figures 10 and 11 show an alternative embodiment of the present invention adapted for use with a power filter system. In this embodiment, the power filter system 20 is provided with a lid pivotally mounted along the top of the rear wall of the filter box 24. The front of the lid 56 is provided with a cut out section in the region 58 over the discharge lip 30. The side walls 60 of the cut out region 58 are each provided with journals 62 for rotatably receiving the ends of shaft 38. In this manner, when the lid is closed as in Figure 10, the biological filter element 32 is suspended over the discharge lip 30 in a position to be rotated by water flowing over the discharge lip. When the lid is pivoted to the open position, shown in Figure 11, the biological filter element is removed from the space over the discharge lip to allow ready access for maintenance or repair of the remaining elements of the filter system. The journals 62 can be provided with detents, or some other mechanism, to prevent the biological filter 32 from falling out when in the open position. Alternatively, bearings of the type described above may be used in place of the journals 62. Of course, any of the alternative filter bodies described above could be used in the embodiment of Figures 10 and 11. Figures 12 and 13 show another embodiment of the present invention adapted for use with a power filter system. As shown in Figure 12, biological filter element 32a includes a filter body 33a and a supporting cage 64. The filter body 32a comprises a single disk 65 with a plurality of radially extending paddles 66. The disk 65 is centrally mounted on shaft 68 which is rotatably supported by the cage 64. The cage 64 is configured to fit within the filter box 24 behind the filter cartridge 28. The cage 64 supports the filter body 33a in a plane generally parallel to the filter cartridge 28. As best seen in Figure 13, the paddles 66 are positioned such the water leaving the impeller housing (not shown) impinges on the paddles 66 to cause the filter body to rotate. The present invention can also be adapted for canister or other types of filter systems as shown in Figures 14 and 15. As seen in Figure 14, the outlet tube 70 from the canister filter system, or other type of external filtration system, outlets into holding reservoir 72. The holding reservoir 72 is provided with a discharge lip 74 similar to the discharge lip 30 of the power filter system 20. Water within the reservoir 72 flows over the discharge lip 74 and into the aquarium. A biological filter element 32 is positioned over the discharge lip 74 such that the flowing water imparts rotational movement to the biological filter element 32. The discharge lip 74 can straddle the edge of the aquarium to support the reservoir 72. In another embodiment, illustrated in Figures 16 and 17, the biological filter element 32 is partially submerged directly in the aquarium water. The biological filter element is supported by journals 80 provided in support brackets 76. The support brackets 76 are maintained in position within the aquarium by means of hooks 78 which overhang a wall of the aquarium 22. Rotational movement is imparted to the biological filter element 32 by water flowing from the spray bar 82 which is also supported by the brackets 76-. The spray bar may be connected to the outlet tube 84 of a pump or similar aquarium device. This configuration is particularly well suited for applications requiring a large filter body because the filter body can extend substantially along an entire wall of the aquarium. A wide variety of filter bodies have been described herein. It should be appreciated that to a large degree, these filter bodies are interchangeable. Accordingly, the fact that a particular filter system is illustrated using a particular type of filter body should not be taken to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Rather, the different filter bodies described, as well as variations thereof, may be applied to a large number of filter systems. The particular filter body for each application is to a large degree a matter of choice and may be based on factors such as expense, availability, ease of manufacture, and the like. Further, submersion of the* filter body to rotate and wet the filter may be accomplished in a variety of manners, such as directing a flow of water over the filter such that it falls onto the filter or spraying a flow of water onto a portion of the filter body. This detailed description is set forth only for purposes of illustrating examples of the present invention and should not be considered to limit the scope thereof in any way. Clearly numerous additions, substitutions, and other modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims and equivalents thereof. .

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A filter element for an aquarium filter system comprising: a filter body; and means for rotatably mounting said filter body with a portion of said filter body submerged in moving water, wherein rotational movement is imparted to the filter body by the moving water to expose at least a portion of said filter body alternately to the water and the atmosphere. 2. A filter element for an aquarium filter system comprising: a filter body; a plurality of blades attached to the filter body, each blade having a surface defining a plane; and means for rotatably mounting said filter body with at least one of said blades at least partially submerged in moving water, wherein the plane of the submerged blade is oriented such that the action of the moving water on the blade imparts rotational movement to the filter body to alternately expose and submerge at least a portion of the filter body. 3. The filter element of claim 2 wherein the plane of the submerged blade is generally perpendicular to the direction of water movement. 4. A filter element for an aquarium filter system in which aquarium water is circulated through a filter system, the filter element comprising: a filter body; and means for rotatably mounting said filter body with a portion of said filter body submerged in the circulating aquarium water, wherein rotational movement is imparted to the filter body by the circulating water to expose at least a portion of said filter body alternately to the water and the atmosphere. 5. The filter element of claim 4 wherein the filter body comprises a disc shaped portion with a plurality of blades extending from the disk shaped portion. 6. A filter element for an aquarium filter system in 5 which aquarium water is removed from the aquarium and flows through a filter system and back into the aquarium, the filter element comprising: a filter body having a disk shaped portion and a plurality of blades extending from the disk shaped 10 portion; and means for rotatably mounting said filter body and at least one blade partially submerged in the flowing aquarium water, wherein rotational movement is imparted to the filter body by the flowing water impinging on the 15 submerged blade to expose at least a portion of said filter body alternately to the water and the atmosphere thereby fostering the growth of aerobic bacteria on the surface of the filter body. 7. The filter element of claim 6 wherein at least 2.0 a portion of the filter body is textured to increase the surface area available for bacteria growth. 8. The filter element of claim 6 wherein at least a portion of the filter body is made of a porous material to increase the surface area available for bacteria 25 growth. 9. A filter system for an aquarium comprising: means for circulating the aquarium water; . a filter body; means for rotatably mounting said filter body 0 partially submerged within the circulating water such that action of the circulating water on the submerged portion of the filter body imparts rotational movement to the filter body to alternately expose at least- a portion of the filter body to the aquarium water and the atmosphere. 10. The filter element of claim 9 wherein the filter body comprises a disk shaped portion with a plurality of radially oriented blades extending from the disk shaped portion. 11. The filter element of claim 10 wherein at least a portion of the filter body is textured. 12. The filter element of claim 10 further comprising a second disk shaped portion wherein the plurality of blades are formed of a porous material and extend from the first disk portion to the second disk portion. 13. A filter system for an aquarium comprising: means for circulating the aquarium water in a defined path; a filter screen situated in said path to remove detritus from the circulating aquarium water; and a rotating filter element situated in said path, said filter element being partially submerged in the aquarium water such that a portion of the filter element is alternately exposed to the aquarium water and the air to foster the growth of aerobic bacteria on the surface of the filter element, wherein said aerobic bacteria ' biologically remove impurities from the aquarium water. 14. The filter system of claim 13 wherein the rotating filter element further comprises a disk shaped portion and a plurality of radially oriented blades extending from the disk shaped portion. 15. The filter system of claim 14 wherein the blades are made of a porous material. 16. The filter system of claim 14 wherein the disk shaped portion is rotatably mounted on a central axle. 17. The filter system of claim 16 wherein the circulating water impinging on the blades causes the filter element to rotate. 18. A filter system for filtering aquarium water comprising: a filter box; a filter screen dividing said filter box into a first compartment and a second compartment; means for circulating aquarium water from the aquarium to the first compartment said water flowing through the filter screen from the first compartment and into the second compartment; a discharge lip through which water can flow from the second compartment into the aquarium; and a rotatable filter element adjacent to the discharge lip, said filter element being positioned to be partially submerged in the aquarium water such that rotational movement is imparted to the filter element by the flowing water, wherein at least a portion of the rotatable filter element is exposed alternately to the aquarium water and the air to foster the growth of aerobic bacteria on the surface of the filter element. 19. The filter system of claim 18 wherein the ' rotating filter element comprises a filter body having a disk shaped portion with a plurality of radially oriented blades extending therefrom and said filter body is mounted on a central axle. 20. The filter system of claim 18 wherein the filter element comprises a portion of porous material. 21. The filter system of claim 21-further comprising a second disk shaped portion wherein the blades are made of a sheet of pleated porous material extending from the first disk to the second disk. 22. A method of filtering aquarium water comprising the steps of: circulating the aquarium water; partially submerging a rotatable filter body within the circulating aquarium water such that the circulating water imparts rotational movement to the filter body alternately exposing a portion of the filter body to the aquarium water and the air to foster the growth of aerobic bacteria on the surface of the filter body. 23. The method of claim 22 wherein the filter body comprises a disk shaped portion which is rotatably mounted on an axle extending through the center of the disk shaped portion. 24. The method of claim 23 wherein the filter body further comprises a plurality of radially oriented blades extending from the disk shaped portion. 25. In an aquarium filtration and aeration system having a flow of aquarium water, the improvement comprising: a partially submerged turbine positioned in the flow of water which imparts a rotational movement to the turbine to alternately submerge and expose to ambient air a portion of the turbine so as to promote the growth of aerobic bacteria on the turbine portion. 26. A biological filter for an aquarium system having water, a containment vessel for the water, and a flow of water, the filter comprising: a turbine; and means coupled to the containment vessel for partially submerging the turbine in the water and positioning the turbine in the flow of water so that the flow of water imparts rotational movement to the turbine which alternately submerges and exposes to ambient air a portion of the turbine so as to promote the growth of aerobic bacteria on the turbine portion. 27. A method of biologically filtering aquarium water comprising the steps of: (a) rotating a turbine to submerge a portion of the turbine in the water of the aquarium; (b) further rotating the turbine to expose the turbine portion to ambient air; and (c) directing a flow of aquarium water toward the turbine to effect rotation of the turbine to thereby cyclicly repeat steps (a) and (b) above so as to promote the growth of aerobic bacteria on the turbine portion.

Inventors: BUSSING JOSEPH SCOTT, FUERST CHARLES OTTO, SNYDER WILFRED PHILIP, BUSSING, JOSEPH, SCOTT, FUERST, CHARLES, OTTO, SNYDER, WILFRED, PHILIP
Applicants: AQUARIA INC, AQUARIA, INC.
Application year: 1991
Main classification: C02F3
IPC codes: A01K63, C02F3