Abstract:
A method and system for filtering water in aquarium tanks comprising: a macerating/comminuting chamber with a continuously self-cleaning screen covering the discharge outlet that only allows, optimally sized, easily digestible, organic material to pass out of the macerating/comminuting chamber and into an, optionally self-cleaning, media containing denitrifying microbes. There are three different embodiments that use the method of the current invention. These comprise: a reverse flow under-gravel filter apparatus with the macerating/comminuting chamber and filter screen on the discharge side of the pump, a reverse flow under-gravel filter apparatus with the macerating/comminuting chamber and filter screen on the inlet side of the pump, and an external box filter apparatus with the macerating/comminuting chamber on the discharge side of the pump.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit under title 35 United States Code, Section ii 9(e) of U.S. provisional application No. 61/206,873 filed Feb. 5, 2009 entitled “Digesting filtration system with a comminuting chamber and self-cleaning inline micro-screen filtered chamber outlet”. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention generally relates to the field of filtration of aquarium water, and is specifically a continuously self-cleaning method and systems for treating organic waste in aquarium water by collecting, macerating, screening it to a digestible size, and subjecting it to denitrifying microbes within a media, to breakdown and digest the organic waste, before returning the treated water to the aquarium. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    There are many different systems and methods for breaking down or filtering waste material in aquarium water. Some of which contain similarities to the present invention in how they break down the waste, self-clean, screen the outlet material, and subject the waste to a denitrifying microbe media to complete the nitrogen cycle, or digest the waste. These similar systems include protein skimmers, aerating filters, fluidized bed filters, micro screen filters, self-cleaning filters, and under-gravel filters. Despite the variety of similar systems in the prior art, they are all deficient in being able to continuously go through a complete digestion cycle to remove organic waste from aquarium water for extended periods of time without complexity, or regular cleaning and maintenance. 
         [0006]    Protein skimmers, Fractionators, Aerating filters, and “water polishing filters” use bubbles to break down waste, and separate proteins from aquarium water. The most similar example to the present invention is U.S. Pat. No. 5,078,867 that discloses an aquarium filter with a protein skimmer, mechanical filter, and bio media wheel, in series. This design does not have the ability to macerate the incoming organic material into a size small enough to be readily digested by microbes. The mechanical filter that removes large particles does not self clean, and therefore, has to be frequently cleaned or replaced. 
         [0007]    Fluidized bed filters, bead bed filters, and bio media filters use comminution and biological microbe systems to break down waste products. Most are dependent on specific gravity to separate the treated fluid from the media. Some have screens to prevent the comminuting balls or beads for exiting the treatment chamber. However, none of them teach a macerating/comminuting chamber with a continuously self-cleaning screen covering the discharge outlet that only allows, optimally sized, easily digestible, organic material to pass out of the macerating/comminuting chamber and into a media containing denitrifying microbes. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,153,430 discloses a biological digestion method that uses a particle comminuting step to reduce the size of the treated material to less than 10 micrometers, before it is subjected to microbes. Tunnacliffe et al. teaches using cavitation, shear forces, high-speed stirrers, contra flow spiral baffles or vanes, contra-rotating paddles, and ball mills to reduce the size of the material to be treated. Tunnacliffe et al. also teaches the benefits of reducing the organic material to a size digestible by microbes. However, Tunnacliffe et al. does not teach a macerating/comminuting chamber with a continuously self-cleaning screen covering the discharge outlet that only allows, optimally sized, easily digestible, organic material to pass out of the macerating/comminuting chamber and into a media containing denitrifying microbes. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,080,304 teaches pumping water into a casing filled with fluidized pieces to clarify aquarium water. Gomi&#39;s device teaches us that, when the fluidized pieces are intended to be the substrate for denitrifying microbes, high speed impacts between the pieces should be minimized to keep from injuring the microbes and shearing them off of the fluidized pieces. This system would not be advantageous in a high speed macerating/comminuting chamber designed to pulverize organic material. The screen covering the outlet of Gomi&#39;s treatment chamber is only intended to keep the fluidized pieces from exiting. Gomi&#39;s system also teaches using a prefilter on the electric submersible inlet that requires regular cleaning. Gomi does not teach a macerating/comminuting chamber with a continuously self-cleaning screen covering the discharge outlet that only allows, optimally sized, easily digestible, organic material to pass into a media containing denitrifying microbes. 
         [0010]    Many filters use micro screens to filter out large particles, but most of these are subject to blockages and must be cleaned regularly. Some of the filter systems have self-cleaning or automatic cleaning features but these are predominantly back flush systems that require the system to shut off while fluid flows backwards through the filter. Clearly, the ability of the present invention to continuously self-clean without having to stop for a back flush cycle is a huge improvement. 
         [0011]    Reverse flow under-gravel filters become blocked when large waste particles become stuck in them. To prevent blockages and dead spots, they require some sort of pre-filter to keep large particles from entering and clogging the under-gravel filter media. Since the current invention only allows, optimally sized, easily digestible organic material to pass out of the macerating/comminuting chamber, the exiting organic material is small enough to pass into the bottom of the under-gravel filter bed and not clog the spaces between the gravel. 
         [0012]    It will be seen that the method and systems for digesting organic waste in aquarium water of the present invention provides a solution to the aforementioned and below described problems, by providing a continuously self-cleaning method and systems for treating organic waste in aquarium water by collecting, macerating, screening it to a digestible size, and subjecting it to denitrifying microbes within a media, to breakdown and digest the organic waste, before returning the treated water to the aquarium. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    Therefore the object of the present invention to provide a method and systems for filtering water in aquarium tanks comprising: a macerating/comminuting chamber with a continuously self-cleaning screen covering the discharge outlet that only allows, optimally sized, easily digestible, organic material to pass out of the macerating/comminuting chamber and into an, optionally self-cleaning, media containing denitrifying microbes. 
         [0014]    Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus that meet the diverse needs of aquarium users. To achieve this object, there are three different embodiments that use the method of the current invention. They are: a continuously self-cleaning reverse flow under-gravel filter apparatus with a macerating/comminuting chamber and micro filter screen on the discharge side of the pump; a continuously self-cleaning reverse flow under-gravel filter apparatus with a macerating chamber and micro filter screen on the inlet side of the pump; and a continuously self-cleaning external box filter apparatus with a macerating/comminuting chamber and micro filter screen on the discharge side of the pump. 
         [0015]    These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art, from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, showing the contemplated novel construction, combination, and elements as herein described, and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiments to the herein disclosed invention are meant to be included as coming within the scope of the claims, except insofar as they may be precluded by the prior art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate complete preferred embodiments of the present invention according to the best modes presently devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a front perspective view of the first embodiment of the filter system, an under-gravel filter with the waste grinder and micro screen on the discharge side of the pump; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  shows an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  shows a front perspective view of the second embodiment of the filter system, an under-gravel filter with the waste grinder and micro screen on the inlet side of the pump; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  shows an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the third embodiment of the filter system, an external box filter; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  shows an exploded perspective view of the third embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    In the accompanying drawings like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts in the several drawing figures. 
       Continuously Self-Cleaning Reverse Flow Under-Gravel Filter Apparatus With a Macerating/Comminuting Chamber and Micro Filter Screen on the Discharge Side of the Pump 
       [0024]    In the first embodiment of the invention  1 , water is drawn through a coarse pre-filter  4  that is mounted to the inlet  28  of an electric submersible pump  5 . The pre-filter  4  restricts particles, which are large enough to block the impeller, from entering the electric submersible pump. The electric submersible pump accelerates water into a high-velocity stream  16 , and adds ambient air to the stream with an air supply tube  11 , and a venturi eductor located in the stream nozzle. The amount of educted air is controlled by a valve  8  on the inlet of the air supply tube  11  that connects the submerged venturi eductor to ambient air outside the tank. The amount of air required, from 0 to 100% of capacity, depends on the needs of the user. The electric submersible pump can be mounted to the macerating/comminuting chamber top  13  by any method. The distance, that the pump outlet  29  penetrates into the inlet  30  of the macerating/chamber, can be set by spacers  12 . Additionally, the power cord  7  and supply tube  11  are held neatly in place by a clamp  10 , which hangs on the side of the aquarium  9 . 
         [0025]    The nozzle  29  of the pump  5  injects the stream  16  into a macerating/comminuting chamber  18 . The macerating/comminuting chamber is constructed of four parts, a removeable top  13 , an outer standard clear plastic tube, a bottom cap  19 , and an internal micro-screen filter  14 . The micro-screen cylinder  14  attaches by slipping over a nipple  34  in the center of the bottom cap  19 . The macerating/comminuting chamber contains spheres  17  with a slightly greater specific gravity than water. The specific gravity of the comminuting spheres can vary depending on the needs of the user. Additionally, the material and shape of the macerating/comminuting spheres  17 , or objects, can be changed depending on the needs of the user. The air infused injected stream creates an intense turbulent flow that fluidizes the spheres within an aerated froth. The turbulent flow and colliding spheres pulverize, or macerate, any organic particles. An orifice  15  at the top of the macerating/comminuting chamber allows excess air  6 , which collects on the top of the chamber, to be bubbled off. Optionally, proteins that collect at the top of the macerating/comminuting chamber can be bubbled out of the chamber, via a tube to the outside of the tank, and into a cup, for collection and removal. This option is not shown in the first embodiment. A 40-micron “micro-screen”  14  covers the outlet of the macerating/comminuting chamber. The size of the lattice of the micro-screen can vary with the needs of the user. Because the screen forms part of the inner wall of the macerating/comminuting chamber, the inlet side of the screen is subjected to constant impacts from the fluidized spheres  17 . The screen itself forms an anvil for the fluidized spheres to strike. This “hammer and anvil” process pulverizes or breaks free any large organic material that might block water flow through the screen  14 . In this manner, the micro-screen is continuously self-cleaned by the fluidized spheres. 
         [0026]    Organic particles smaller than the micro-screen filter lattice pass out of the chamber  18  into the filter down tube  23 . Located within the down tube is a brush and impeller assembly. This assembly consists of: a stiff bristled brush  31 , brush shaft  20 , impeller  21 , shaft spindle  32 , and spindle block  22 . When placed inside the down tube  23 , water flowing across the impeller  21  causes it to rotate on the spindle axle  32 , that is placed in a hole  33 , centered in the spindle block  22 . The stiff bristle brush reaches up inside the micro-screen cylinder  14  and is shaped to align with the inner surface of the micro-screen  14 . When spun by the impeller  21 , the spinning brush bristles continually impact and clean the discharge side of the micro-screen  14  with the same, previously stated, “hammer and anvil” process. The brush and impeller assembly is an optional assembly for slow velocity water flow. If the speed of the water flowing through the micro-screen  14  is fast enough, it automatically strips off attached flocks of bacteria and the micro-screen stays clean. 
         [0027]    After the water and micro particles pass through the brush and impeller assembly, it continues on to the reverse flow gravel bed  24 . The water, filled with micro particles, is carried via tubing  25  to the underside of the gravel and into under-gravel filter framework  27 . The under-gravel filter framework creates a void for the water and micro particles to pass through. The pressure of the water forces it up through the under-gravel filter outlets  26 . The water then passes into the gravel bed  24 . The gravel bed of the under-gravel filter forms a media that is filled with microbes that denitrify the organic waste. Bubbles that are infused in the treatment stream oxygenate the bacteria. Additionally, the bubbles make their way to the under-gravel filter outlets and force their way up through the gravel. This assists the reverse flow in self-cleaning the gravel bead by breaking up dead spots and lifting out blockages of material that have settled downward from the tank above the gravel. 
         [0028]    Finally, the treated and aerated water, with undesirable waste and by-products reduced, flows back into the tank, where it can repeat the cycle. 
       Continuously Self-Cleaning Reverse Flow Under-Gravel Filter Apparatus With a Macerating Chamber and Micro Filter Screen on the Inlet Side of the Pump 
       [0029]    In the second embodiment of the invention  2 , the macerating chamber  18 , 118  is moved from the outlet side of the pump, as it was in the first embodiment, to the inlet side of the pump. This location reduces the backpressure on the venturi eductor located in the discharge  129  of the electric submersible pump  105 , and thus, increases the potential amount of air that can be injected into the water stream. In this embodiment, water is drawn into the macerating chamber  118  through a coarse screen  104  on the chamber top cover  113 . The coarse screen is designed to stop large objects and prevent fish from entering the macerating chamber  118 . The macerating chamber  118  contains five major components: an inlet macerating multiple brush assembly  117 , a fixed 40-micron “micro-screen”  114 , an outlet macerating multiple brush assembly  131 , an impeller shaft  120 , and one or more impellers  121 ,  137 . Both multiple brush assemblies  117 ,  131 , when attached to the impeller shaft, rotate on a central axis formed by a hub opening in the center of the micro-screen disc  114 . The impeller shaft  120  forms an axle that the brush assemblies are fixed to with splines. On the impeller shaft  120  there is a fixed stopper  130  that supports all of the inlet end components. The macerating components are arranged on the inlet end of the shaft in the following order from the stopper out: first, a spring  134  that supplies constant adjustable force compressing the brushes against the micro-screen; second, is a washer  135 ; third, is the outlet macerating multiple brush assembly  131  that slides onto the splines of the impeller shaft  120 ; fourth, the micro-screen disc  114  slides onto impeller shaft and spins freely; fifth, the inlet macerating multiple brush assembly  117  slides onto the splines of the shaft; sixth, a washer  138  slides on; and finally, an adjustable lock nut  139 , screws onto the threads  136  on the end of the impeller shaft. On the discharge end of the impeller shaft  120  are multiple impellers  121 , 137  to add spinning force to the shaft, a shaft spindle  132 , and spindle block  122 . The shaft spindle fits into a hole  133  in the center of the spindle block  122 . The spindle block  122  is located in the filter down tube  123 , keeping the outlet end of the impeller shaft centered. When assembled, the micro-screen disc  144  is secured on its outer perimeter to the macerating chamber base  119 . The chamber is complete when the chamber top cover  113  is snapped onto the top of the chamber base  119 . When the macerating chamber is closed, the micro-screen is held secure and all of the other components can spin freely. The entire assembly is held in its position, in relation to the aquarium  9 , by clamp  110 . 
         [0030]    When water is drawn in by the electric submersible pump  105 , and flowing through this second embodiment of the invention, the vanes on the impellers  121 , 137  cause both, inlet  117  and outlet  131 , macerating brush assemblies to rotate, while the micro-screen  114  is held secure. The spring  136  keeps the brushes constantly pressing against the micro-screen. The stiff bristles of the multiple brushes continuously strike the micro-screen, and pulverize or macerate any organic material that collects on the screen in a “hammer and anvil” manner. The stiff brush tips work like pointed hammers and the screen works like an anvil. As with the previous embodiment, this process continuously cleans the inlet side and outlet side of the micro-screen. 
         [0031]    The water filled with micro organic material then passes down the filter down tube  123  and enters the inlet  128  of electric submersible pump assembly  105 . The filter down tube attaches by sliding over a flange  125  on the inlet  128  of the pump. The electric submersible pump accelerates water into a high-velocity stream and adds ambient air to the stream with a venturi located in the pump nozzle  129 . Two attached tubes, a ridged tube  147  and a flexible tube  111 , connect the pump eductor to ambient air outside the aquarium  9 . A valve  108 , located on the inlet of the air tube  147 , 111 , controls the amount of air injected into the water stream. The other end of the air tube connects to the pump air inlet  142 . The amount of air required, from 0 to 100% of capacity, depends on the needs of the user. The air tube and the power cord  107  for the pump are held secure by clamps  146  on the down tube and to the side of the aquarium by clamp  110 . The aerated water and micro organic particles then pass through the pump discharge  129 , down under the gravel  24 , to the underside of the under-gravel filter framework  127 . The under-gravel filter framework  127  sits on extension legs  140 , that create a 0.5-inch high void under the gravel  24 . The under-gravel framework fits over the pump as shown at location  141 . Attached to the discharge of the pump  129 , is a nozzle  143  and a nozzle oscillating mechanism  144 . The aerated discharge stream is swept across the bottom of the under-gravel framework by the nozzle and oscillating mechanism. This keeps the void clean and sprays bubbles  106  under the entire surface of the under-gravel framework. The pressurized water and bubbles  106  pass out of the under-gravel framework outlets  126  and up into the gravel bed  24 . The gravel of the under-gravel filter forms the media that is filled with denitrifying microbes that break down the organic waste. Bubbles that are infused in the treatment stream make their way into the under-gravel filter and force their way up through the gravel. This aerates the tank water while breaking up dead spots in the gravel bed, caused by waste products settling from the aquarium above. Finally, the treated water, with reduced undesirable waste and by-products, flows back into the tank. 
       Continuously Self-Cleaning External Box Filter Apparatus With a Macerating/Comminuting Chamber and Micro Filter Screen on the Discharge Side of the Pump 
       [0032]    In the third embodiment  3 , the invention is reconfigured to hang on the side of an aquarium  9  as a box filter unit. The method of the invention works the same whether it is configured for the inside or outside the aquarium  9 . 
         [0033]    In the box filter configuration, all of the components are contained within or connected to the main watertight filter box  250  in such a manner that any leaks in the system are directed away from the box sidewalls and across the overflow  252  back into the aquarium. The overflow structure also serves to form the hanger hook  251  for suspending the box on the side of the aquarium. 
         [0034]    Untreated water is first drawn into the system through a coarse pre-filter screen  204 . As with the previous embodiments, the coarse pre-filter screen  204  prevents large particles and fish from entering the electric submersible pump  205  impeller, yet, with large enough openings to allow sizeable organic waste particles to pass into filter system. The to-be-treated water is then drawn up through a pickup tube  249 , and into the inlet  228  of an electric submersible pump  205 . The electric submersible pump accelerates water into a high-velocity stream and adds ambient air  206  to the stream with a venturi located in the pump nozzle  229 . The amount of injected air is controlled by a valve  208  on the inlet of the air supply tube  211  that connects the submerged venturi eductor to ambient air, above the water surface in the external filter box  250 . The amount of air required, from 0 to 100% of capacity, depends on the needs of the user. The pump  205  sits in the bottom of the filter box  250 , below the location shown by  254 . The power cord  207  passes up through a conduit channel  210 , formed into the side of the filter box. Once clear of the box, the cord can then be extended to a power outlet. 
         [0035]    The outlet  229  of the pump  205  injects the pressurized and aerated  206  stream  216  into the inlet  230  of the macerating/comminuting chamber  218 . Spheres  217 , with a slightly greater specific gravity than water, are contained within the chamber  218 . The specific gravity of the comminuting spheres can vary depending on the needs of the user. Additionally the material and shape of the macerating/comminuting balls, or objects, can be changed depending on the needs of the user. The air infused injected stream  216  creates an intense turbulent flow that fluidizes the spheres within an aerated froth. The turbulent flow and colliding spheres pulverize, or macerate, any organic particles. 
         [0036]    Proteins that collect in the upper areas of the macerating/comminuting chamber  218  can be collected in a protein skimmer  213 , which also serves as the top of the macerating/comminuting chamber  218 . The proteins bubble up into the inlet  258  of skimmer  213 , which is covered by a screen to prevent the comminuting balls from exiting the chamber. The proteins continue by bubbling up the channel to the outlet  215  that has a spout extending into a protein collection cup  256 . The cup  256  is removeably mounted inside the filter box  250 , above the pump discharge tubing, at location  255 . The cup  256  can be pre-filled with a small amount of de-foaming agent, to instantly reduce the collected foam volume. Once the cup fills, it can be removed and emptied. If the cup should overfill, the overflow is contained within the filter box  250 , and simply flows back into the tank. A small amount of baby shampoo can be added to the aquarium to assist in creating the bubbles for the protein skimming process. A cap  257  covers the top of the cup and is notched at  258  for the skimmer discharge spout  215 . 
         [0037]    A 40-micron “micro-screen”  114  covers the main outlet of the macerating/comminuting chamber  218 . As with the previous embodiments, the user can choose the size of the screen lattice to meet specific filtration requirements. The removeable macerating/comminuting chamber  218  is shaped like a filter cartridge and takes up one third of the filter box compartment  253  when it is installed. Because the micro-screen forms part of the inner wall of the macerating/comminuting chamber, the inlet side of the screen is subjected to constant impacts from the fluidized spheres  217 . This “hammer and anvil” process pulverizes or breaks free any large organic material that might block the screen. The screen itself forms the anvil, and the fluidized spheres form the hammers. In this manner, the inside of the screen is continuously self-cleaned. 
         [0038]    Suspended air and organic particles smaller than the micro-screen filter lattice pass out of the chamber into a microbial digestion filter cartridge  224 . The cartridge  224  media is mounted on a frame and two internal axles. When the cartridge is inserted into the filter box, the lower axle aligns and connects to a geared drive and motor. The cartridge removeably mounts into one third of location  253  of the filter box  250 . When in use, the cartridge  224  slowly rotates. Part of the cartridge  224  extends above the water line of the filter box  250 . The rotating, flexing, and draining keeps the cartridge  224  porous, and aerated. Additionally, the cartridge rubbing against the outside of the micro-screen  114 , as it rotates, keeps the discharge side of the micro-screen clean. Therefore, both sides of the micro-screen, and the cartridge are self-cleaning. Since the processed waste is aerated and in micro particles, it additionally contributes to keeping the coarse matrix of the microbial digestion filter cartridge clear and unblocked. Denitrifying microbes living within the matrix of the microbial digestion filter cartridge  224  are able to feed on the oxygenated micro organic particles. 
         [0039]    The next inline cartridge component to treat the water is a variable module cartridge  248  that can be chosen from multiple functional optional embodiments by the user. The available options are: a second microbial digestion filter cartridge; a chemical filter cartridge (charcoal, resin beads, ammonia remover), or an additional super fine micro filter cartridge that can be optionally added for special applications like clearing cloudy water. When in use, the cartridge  248  is inserted into the final third of location  253  of the filter box. 
         [0040]    Treated water and excess air bubbles exit the filter box by flowing over a spillway  252  into the tank. Any remaining suspended air in the treated water spills into the tank to increase the oxygen levels in the aquarium. 
         [0041]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred. 
         [0000]    The foregoing exemplary descriptions and the illustrative preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained in the drawings and described in detail, with varying modifications and alternative embodiments being taught. While the invention has been so shown, described and illustrated, it should be understood by those skilled in the art, that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, and that the scope of the present invention is to be limited only to the claims except as precluded by the prior art. Moreover, the invention as disclosed herein may be suitably practiced in the absence of the specific elements, which are disclosed herein.