Abstract:
A buoyant force pump and surge apparatus is disclosed. A material which is buoyant relative to a non-solid material is used to cause a movable surface to move thereby causing the non-solid material to be pumped in surges. One use of the device is to create water surges in aquariums through the use of conventional low pressure, low volume air pumps and without the need for mechanical pumps or control electronics. A second use of the device is to move non-solid material in hazardous conditions.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is well known that some aquatic lifeforms such as coral and algae grow better when they are subjected to an intermittent flow of water. This intermittent flow of water is known as surge and is representative of the random ebb and flow of water in the natural environment such as a coral reef or water tumbling over a rock in a stream. Another advantage of surge is the introduction of both oxygen and CO 2  into the water and maintenance of those levels for healthy growth of aquatic lifeforms. The former is required for respiration of many lifeforms and the second establishes an equilibrium between the atmospheric CO 2  and its partial pressure in the water. CO 2  is reactive with water in that it produces carbonic acid which establishes a chemical equilibrium with the carbonates to produce a desirable pH. A lack of sufficient air/water exchange in a marine aquarium can lead to an environmental imbalance which is detrimental to the health of lifeforms in the aquarium. 
     Apparatus exist for creating this surge. One apparatus (U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,096) is the rotatable asymmetric “dump bucket” which is a container usually placed above an aquarium and shaped and configured such that as it is filled with water, the center of gravity shifts from one side of the axis of rotation to a second side of the axis of rotation. When the center of gravity is displaced in this manner, it causes a sudden rotation of the dump bucket further moving the center of gravity to the unstable side and thereby causing the dump bucket to release its contents with high velocity into the aquarium. This sudden dumping of water into the aquarium causes a large, rapid movement of water in the aquarium which mimics the surge of normal ocean water movement as well as produces desirable aeration of the water. 
     A second apparatus for producing a surge of water in an aquarium is to have an external tank which has a siphon arrangement (U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,137) and a fill rate sufficient to cause a siphon action to start through a large diameter pipe which empties the external tank faster than the inflow can supply fluid. When the level in the tank drops below the inflow level of the siphon, the siphon action is broken and the external tank starts to fill again. 
     A third apparatus for producing surge is to utilize an external tank whose outlet is obstructed by a flapper (such as that which is used in a flush toilet) to which a float is attached. When the water level reaches a threshold, the buoyant forces on the flapper valve suddenly cause it to rise and release the water in the external tank. This release of water into the aquarium causes a surge. 
     All three of these well known methods have a significant disadvantage and that disadvantage is the method by which the water is pumped from the aquarium into the external tank. The normal method is to use an impeller pump. Impeller pumps kill all or selectively kill some types of microorganisms (plankton) which are a typical food of some aquatic lifeforms. 
     There are at least two means for pumping water which do not have the disadvantage of killing plankton and these are air-lift pumps (U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,672,790, 4,035,298, 6,857,392, 4,060,574) and the Archimedes screw, however they are both inefficient at moving fluids. 
     Surge has also been generated (U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,657) by using compressed air to cause water to flow at a reduced rate from a submerged chamber. The electronic actuation of an air valve through a large air orifice exit port allows the pressurized air to rapidly escape, thereby allowing the displaced water to rapidly return to the submerged chamber. This rapid refilling of the chamber creates a surge. The disadvantage of this method of creating surge is that it requires a volume of air equal to the volume of water to be initially displaced in the surge. It also requires sensing circuitry and an electrically actuated valve. It has the further disadvantage of not aerating the water while performing its function and requiring high pressure compressed air. 
     Another method of making waves on the surface but which could be adapted for underwater generation of surges (U.S. Pat. No. 4,170,898) is the use of mechanical motor driven wave makers. This method does not aerate the water but only causes water motion and requires large mechanical forces and a great expenditure of energy. 
     What is needed is in an aquarium environment is an apparatus for creating surge while minimizing the required power, eliminating control circuitry, minimizing the detrimental effects on microfauna life, and increasing air and sea surface gas exchange. 
     What is needed in hazardous pumping environments is an apparatus for moving non-solid materials utilizing forces which do not cause the non-solid material to become unstable. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1A  through  FIG. 1D  are cross sectional drawings of a cylindrical or rectangular embodiment of a buoyant force pump showing the several states of its operation. 
         FIG. 2A  through  FIG. 2D  are cross sectional drawings of a cylindrical or rectangular embodiment of a buoyant force pump with inlet and outlet check valves showing the several states of its operation. 
         FIG. 3A  through  FIG. 3C  are cross sectional drawings of a submerged, asymmetric, inverted dump bucket which shows the intermittent storage of buoyant material and movement of the container and attached movable surface to cause a surge of non-solid material. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional drawing of a submerged, asymmetric, inverted dump bucket in which the buoyant force is generated by a reactive material or an active biological material such as an algae mat. 
         FIG. 5A  through  FIG. 5E  are cross sectional drawings of a non-solid material pump which has two stable positions and baffles internal to the housing to enhance and direct the flow of non-solid material. The sequence of drawings shows the operation of the movable container and attached surface in response to the introduction of buoyant material. 
         FIG. 6A  through  FIG. 6E  are cross sectional drawings of a non-solid material pump with an alternative non-solid material outlet configuration to that shown in  FIG. 5A  through  FIG. 5E . The sequence of drawings shows the operation of the movable container and attached surface and container in response to the introduction of buoyant material. 
         FIG. 7A  through  FIG. 7E  are cross sectional drawings of a non-solid material pump with an alternative container baffle configuration to that shown in FIG.  5 A through  FIG. 5E . The sequence of drawings shows the operation of the movable container and attached surface in response to the introduction of buoyant material. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross sectional drawing of a non-solid material pump as in  FIG. 5A  through  FIG. 5E  with the addition of a restraining member consisting of magnets and magnetic force adjustment screws. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross sectional drawing of a non-solid material pump as in  FIG. 5A  through  FIG. 5E  with an internal baffle removed. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 5A  through  FIG. 5E . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Throughout this description, the preferred embodiment and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than as limitations on the present invention. The present invention is an apparatus for moving non-solid materials using a buoyant force and more specifically for moving relatively large amount of fluid to create an aerating surge while at the same time not using conventional fluid pumps which injure marine microfauna, nor electronic controllers, nor high pressure air. 
     The buoyant force actuated material mover and surge apparatus, hereinafter referred to as the surge pump, or pump, consists of a movable surface which is in contact with a non-solid material that one wants to move. The movable surface, and consequently the non-solid material, is caused to move when the movable surface is displaced by a force. The force which causes the movable surface to move is the result of filling a container with a material that is buoyant relative to the non-solid material. More specifically, by properly configuring the movable surface, container, and method of releasing the buoyant material subsequent to movement of the movable surface, the mass and velocity of the material being moved can be controlled and directed. The desired movement is intermittent and large, thereby resulting in a surge of non-solid material. This large intermittent movement can be urged to flow by the slow and low average power used to introduce the buoyant material into an asymmetrical container and the buoyant material can even be produced by a reactive material or a biological process such as algae respiration. A throttling mechanism or hydraulic accumulator can be used to smooth out the surges if that is desired but these methods are well known and not detailed here. 
     The surge apparatus can be made of a variety of materials which are resistant to degrading effects of the non-solid and buoyant materials. It is the particular geometry of the movable surface, the movable surface&#39;s center of rotation or axis of movement, and the container which causes the desired surge of non-solid material. The surge pump&#39;s functioning is not dependent on particular construction materials. Conceptually, one embodiment of the mechanism can be viewed as a special case of an inverted dump bucket with significant enhancements to cause the desired action. A second conceptual embodiment is that of a constrained container which is automatically recycled to effect repeated movement of non-solid materials. The notional material for construction is acrylic or polycarbonate sheet. 
     DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL EMBODIMENTS 
     Throughout this description, the embodiment and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than as limitations on the present invention. The embodiment which will be described here is directed towards the production of a surge of water in an aquarium. By its very nature, a surge is intermittent and of large volume, however there is no limitation to the application of this buoyant force pump to other uses and its intermittent nature can be overcome by hydraulic accumulators acting on the moving non-solid material. 
     A simple embodiment of a linear configuration in circular or rectangular cross section will be discussed first followed by a simple embodiment of a rotational configuration and then more complex embodiments. With reference to  FIG. 1A , the surge pump is submerged in a non-solid material  112 . A support structure  113  contains the movable surface  115  and the buoyant material container  116 . A buoyant material  114  is introduced so that it is substantially contained by the buoyant material container  116 . An opening  117  in the container  116  is substantially obstructed by the housing  113 . The housing  113  has an opening  118  through which the non-solid material  112  and subsequently the buoyant material  114  exit the pump. 
       FIG. 1B  shows the initial movement of the movable surface  115  in response to a sufficient amount of buoyant material  114  having been introduced into and substantially contained by the buoyant material container  116  and the housing  113 . As a result of this buoyant force and the rising movable surface  115 , the non-solid material  112  is forced through an opening  118  in the housing  113 . Non-solid material  112  also enters the lower portion of the housing through a second opening  124  to fill the increasing volume below the buoyant material  114  in the container  116  as the container  116  moves upward. 
       FIG. 1C  shows the extreme and unstable position of the movable surface  115  and the container  116  relative to the housing  113 . In this position an opening  117  in the container  116  substantially aligns with an opening  118  in the housing  113  thereby allowing the buoyant material  114  to exit into the non-solid material  112 . Release of this buoyant material from the container  116  causes the weight of the container  116  to overcome the substantially reduced buoyant force.  FIG. 1D  shows the container  116  returning to its initial position of  FIG. 1A  after which the pumping cycle repeats itself. 
     A variation on the linear pump of  FIG. 1A  through  FIG. 1D  is shown in  FIG. 2A  through  FIG. 2D . The operation is as shown in  FIG. 1  with the addition of an inlet check valve  222  and an outlet check valve  223 .  FIG. 2A  shows the initial configuration.  FIG. 2B  shows inlet check valve  222  closed and the non-solid material  212  exiting the pump through exit check valve  223  on the upward stroke of the movable surface  215  in response to the buoyant force created by the buoyant material  214  in container  216 .  FIG. 2C  shows the buoyant material  214  exiting through opening  217  in container  216  and through the outlet check valve  223 . On the downward stroke of the movable surface  215  and container  216  to their initial positions shown in  FIG. 2D , outlet check valve  223  is closed and inlet check valve  222  is open thereby allowing non-solid material  222  to enter into the housing  213 . 
     A second simple embodiment will be discussed to explain a rotational embodiment. A support structure  313  contains an axle, hinge, or fulcrum  335  about which the movable surface  315  and container  316  rotate. Buoyant material  314  in the form of moderately compressed air from a conventional aquarium trade air pump enters through inlet orifice  336  to produce bubbles of compressed air  314  which are substantially captured by container  316 . The rest or stable position is shown in  FIG. 3A . As buoyant material  314  is introduced from input orifice  336 , the compressed air  314  accumulates in the container  316  and slowly displaces the non-solid material  312 , in this case water, which is already present.  FIG. 3B  shows the movable surface  315  and container  316  starting to move due to the imbalance of buoyant forces produced by the buoyant material  314  and the asymmetrical shape of the movable surface  315  and container  316 . As the movable surface  315  and container  316  start to move, the movable surface  315  causes the displacement of a large quantity of non-solid material  312 , in this case water, and the movable surface  315  and container  316  move. As the asymmetrical movable surface  315  and container  316  reach an approximately horizontal orientation in  FIG. 3C , captive air  314  is released due to its buoyant force and an additional surge of water  312  occurs. Once the buoyant material  314  is released from the movable surface  315  and container  316 , the imbalance in the gravitational forces on the asymmetrical movable surface  315  and container  316  about the movable support  335  cause it to return to its original rest position where the cycle begins again. Note that the amount of non-solid material  312  displaced can be much larger than the volume of the buoyant material  314 . Note also that the orifice  336  does not need to be immediately below the container  316 , but can be in such a position and orientation that the pressure of the buoyant material  314  when leaving the orifice  336  causes a usable portion of the buoyant material  314  to be captured by the container  316 . 
     It can also be seen in  FIG. 4  that an orifice is not essential if the container  416  is placed over a man-made reactive surface or a naturally occurring release of buoyant material  448  such as gases created by decomposing biota, buoyant hot fluids over deep sea vents, or respiration products of underwater algae. That is, biological production can create the buoyant materials  414  and no external source of man-made energy is required to cause the pumping action to occur. 
       FIG. 5A  through  FIG. 5E  are cross-sectional drawings of another configuration of a pump in which there are two stable states and the housing  513  is configured so as to contain and direct the flow of non-solid material  512 .  FIG. 5A  shows the configuration of components at a first stable configuration in which the buoyant material  514  is entering through input orifice  536  and buoyant material  514  is being substantially captured in container  516  between right baffle  561  and center baffle  590 . There is a separation between baffle  561  and the center baffle  590  and container  516  at the top allowing later release of contained buoyant material  514 . Shown in outline form as part of container  516  are the front and back sides which serve to contain the lateral motion of buoyant material  514 . In  FIG. 5A  the buoyant material  514  entering the container  516  between the right baffle  561  and center baffle  590  produces a buoyant force to the left of axle  535  which insures the completion of the previous pump half-cycle. This left side force causes the movable surface  515  to more substantially complete its movement to an extreme clockwise position as a result of the previous transition from the second stable position to the first stable position. The entire pump is immersed in a non-solid material  512 . 
       FIG. 5B  shows the motion of buoyant material  514  as it overflows the volume between the right baffle  561  and center baffle  590  thereby filling the rest of the container  516 . The buoyant force to the right of movable surface axle  535  does not yet overcome the buoyant force to the left of the axle  535 .  FIG. 5C  shows the initial motion of the movable surface  515  in response to the buoyant material  514  contained to the right of axle  535  producing a buoyant force sufficient to overcome the buoyant force to the left of axle  535 . This imbalance of forces urges the container  516  with attached movable surface  515  to rotate counterclockwise about axle  535 . In so moving, the non-solid material  512  is contained between the housing  513  and front and back sides which are shown in outline form and the movable surface urging the non-solid material to flow to and through opening  581  in the not shown near side of the housing  513 . In a reverse manner, non-solid material is urged to flow into housing opening  580 . 
       FIG. 5D  shows the near completion of the transition between a first stable position and a second stable configuration. The buoyant material  514  is being released from the container into the upper portion of the housing  513 . The upper portion of the housing  513  acts as an accumulator to slow the release of the buoyant material  514  through exit orifice  511  into the non-solid material  512 , thereby reducing the deleterious effect of a large bubble of buoyant material  514  rapidly rising to the surface of the non-solid material  512 . As the buoyant material  514  exits the housing  513  through exit orifice  511 , non-solid material enters through housing opening  571  to replace the buoyant material  514 .  FIG. 5D  also shows the volume between the container  516  walls and the left baffle  560  and center baffle  590  beginning to fill with buoyant material  514 , thereby urging the movable surface  515  to complete its movements to its second stable state. Baffle  551  serves to contain the buoyant material  514  in the container  516  to provide a longer duration for the application of the buoyant force since the container  516  is open on the bottom side. 
       FIG. 5E  shows the completion of the first half cycle in which the accumulator portion of housing  513  to the right of the axle  535  is substantially empty of buoyant material  514  and the container to the left of the axle  535  is beginning to contain buoyant material  514  for the start of the second half of a complete cycle. The second half of a complete cycle behaves essentially as the mirror image of  FIG. 5A  through  FIG. 5E  about the vertical axis through axle  535 . 
       FIG. 6A  through  FIG. 6E  are cross-sectional drawings of another pump configuration in which there are two stable states and housing  613  is configured so as to contain and direct the flow of non-solid material  612  through housing opening  690  and housing opening  691 .  FIG. 6A  shows the configuration of components at a first stable configuration in which the buoyant material  614  is entering through input orifice  636  and being substantially captured in the container  616  between right side baffle  661  and center baffle  690 . There is a separation between baffle  661  and the center baffle  690  and the container  616  at the top allowing later release of contained buoyant material  614 . Shown in outline form are the front and back sides of the container  616  which serve to contain the lateral motion of buoyant material  614 . In  FIG. 6A  the buoyant material  614  entering the container  616  between the baffles produces a buoyant force on the left side of the mechanism which is the completion of the previous pump half cycle. This force causes the movable surface  615  to more substantially complete its movement to an extreme position. The entire pump is immersed in a non-solid material  612 . 
       FIG. 6B  shows the motion of buoyant material  614  as it overflows the volume between the right baffle  661  and center baffle  690  thereby filling the rest of the container  616 . The buoyant force to the right of movable surface axle  635  does not yet overcome the buoyant force to the left of the axle  635 .  FIG. 6C  shows the initial motion of the movable surface  615  in response to the force produced by the buoyant material  614  contained to the right of axle  635  producing a buoyant force sufficient to overcome the buoyant force to the left of axle  635 . This imbalance of forces urges container  616  with attached movable surface  615  to rotate counterclockwise about axle  635 . In so moving, the non-solid material  612  is contained between the sides of housing  613  and the movable surface urging it to flow to and through opening  691  in the right side of housing  613 . In a reverse manner, non-solid material is urged to flow into housing opening  690  on the left side of housing  613 . 
       FIG. 6D  shows the near completion of the transition between a first stable position and a second stable configuration. The buoyant material  614  is being released from the container  616  into the upper portion of the housing  613 . The housing acts as an accumulator of buoyant material  614  to slow the release of the buoyant material  614  through right exit orifice  611  into the non-solid material  612 , thereby reducing the deleterious effect of a large bubble of buoyant material  614  rapidly rising to the surface of the non-solid material  612 . As the buoyant material moves towards the right exhaust orifice  611 , the non-solid material contained by the housing is urged towards the housing opening  691 . When the buoyant material is substantially contained in the accumulator portion of the housing, non-solid material reenters the housing through housing opening  671  to replace the buoyant material as it exits through right exit orifice  611 . Baffle  651  serves to contain the buoyant material  614  in the container  616  to provide a longer duration buoyant force since the container is open on the bottom side.  FIG. 6E  shows the pump after the surge of non-solid material through housing opening  691  and the completion of the first one half cycle of the pump. Buoyant material  614  is now filling the volume between left baffle  660  and center baffle  690  beginning the second half of the cycle which is essentially the same as the first half cycle but in the opposite rotational direction. 
       FIG. 7A  through  FIG. 7E  show cross-sectional drawings of another pump configuration in which there are two stable states and the housing  713  is configured so as to contain and direct the flow of non-solid material  712 .  FIG. 7A  shows the configuration of components in a first stable configuration in which the buoyant material  714  is entering through input orifice  736  and being substantially captured in the container  716  between center baffle  790  and right baffle  761 . Note that baffle  760  and baffle  761  are in a different configuration from the previously presented figures and there is no opening between baffle  760  and baffle  761  and center baffle  790  and the container  716 . Baffle  760  and baffle  761  are configured so as to contain the buoyant material  714  in such a manner so as to provide a buoyant force to urge the completion of the movable surface  715  motion from one stable state to the next stable state while substantially releasing all buoyant material  712  near the end of each half cycle. Shown in outline are front and back sides of the container  716  which serve to contain the lateral motion of buoyant material  714 . In  FIG. 7A  the buoyant material  714  entering the container  716  between the right baffle  761  and center baffle  790  produces a buoyant force on the left side of the mechanism which is the completion of the previous pump cycle. This left side force causes the container  716  and attached movable surface  715  to more substantially complete their movement to an extreme position of the previous half cycle. The entire pump is immersed in a non-solid material  712 . 
       FIG. 7B  shows the motion of buoyant material  714  as it overflows the volume between right baffle  761  and center baffle  790  thereby starting to fill the rest of the container  716 . The buoyant force to the right of movable surface axle  735  does not yet overcome the buoyant force to the left of the movable surface axle  735 .  FIG. 7C  shows the initial motion of the container  716  and attached movable surface  715  in response to the force produced by buoyant material  714  contained to the right of axle  735  producing a buoyant force sufficient to overcome the buoyant force to the left of axle  735 . This imbalance of forces urges the container  716  with attached movable surface  715  to rotate counterclockwise about axle  735 . In so moving, the non-solid material  712  is contained between the housing  713  and the movable surface urging it to flow to and through opening  781  in the not shown near side of the housing  713 . In a reverse manner, non-solid material is urged to flow into housing opening  780 . Housing opening  780  and housing opening  781  can be in either the near or far sides of housing  713  depending on the desired direction of non-solid material flow. 
       FIG. 7D  shows the near completion of the transition between a first stable configuration and a second stable configuration. The buoyant material  714  is being released from the container into the upper portion of the housing  713 . The upper portion of the housing acts as an accumulator to slow the release of the buoyant material  714  through right exit orifice  711  into the non-solid material  712 , thereby reducing the deleterious effect of a large bubble of buoyant material  714  rapidly rising to the surface of the non-solid material  712 . As the buoyant material  714  exits the housing  713  through right exit orifice  711 , non-solid material enters through housing opening  781  to replace the buoyant material  714 .  FIG. 7D  also shows the volume between the container  716  walls and the left baffle  760  and center baffle  790  beginning to fill with buoyant material  714 , thereby urging the container  716  and movable surface  715  to complete its movement to its second stable state. Baffle  760  serves to contain the buoyant material  714  in the container  716  to the right of the axle of rotation  735  to provide for the application of a longer duration buoyant force since the container  716  is open on the bottom side. Note also that the configuration of right baffle  761  is such that the buoyant material is substantially released when the movable surface  715  substantially reaches its second stable state. 
       FIG. 7E  shows the completion of the half cycle in which the upper portion of housing  713  acting as an accumulator to the right of the axle  735  is substantially empty of buoyant material  714  and the container  716  to the left of axle  735  is beginning to contain buoyant material  714  for the start of the second half of a complete cycle. The second half of a complete cycle behaves essentially as the mirror image of the operation shown in  FIG. 7A  through  FIG. 7E  about axle  735 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a cross section drawing of an alternative pump configuration in which there is adjustable restraining member  820  and  830  and adjustable restraining member  821  and  831 . In this example, restraining members are made of magnetic material  830  and screw adjustable ferromagnetic material  820  and magnetic material  831  and screw adjustable ferromagnetic material  821 . The functioning of the pump is essentially as has been described in the other figures with the addition of the restraining member providing for more buoyant material  814  to be captured by container  816  before the restraining force is overcome by the buoyant force and the movable surface  815  moves. The result of the application of this restraining force is an increase in the quantity and velocity of non-solid material  812  which is moved as a result of a more complete filling of the container  816  with buoyant material  814 . Restraining member component  820  and restraining member component  821  are fitted with screw or other adjustment method to allow the predetermined amount of restraining force to be adjusted so as to allow the container  816  to substantially fill with buoyant material  814  before it starts to move. 
       FIG. 9  is a cross sectional drawing of an alternative configuration in which two internal baffles of the housing  913  have been removed. The operation of the pump is as has been previously described. 
     While an embodiment has been described for producing surge in an aquarium, there is no limitation on the pumping mechanism other than that the driving material be buoyant relative to the non-solid material. In particular, variations of this apparatus may be suitable for pumping hazardous fluids or pumping in hazardous environments since the entire pump can be constructed of non-sparking, non-conductive, or non-flammable material and inert gasses may be used as the buoyant material. It can also be seen from these figures that the housing and baffles can be implemented in various configurations and combinations without affecting the basic operation of the pump. The pump is also suitable for remote, unattended operation without the need for man-made power supplies since its buoyant force can be supplied by naturally occurring biological or geophysical processes. 
     While the operation of the pump has been described as if it were submerged in non-solid material, it is equally capable of operating with proper connection of hoses to the various orifices of the housing which provide and receive buoyant materials and non-solid materials. 
     The Operation 
     The surge pump is self starting once it is either submerged in the non-solid fluid or the various orifices appropriately connected to the non-solid fluid reservoir. Detailed operation of the pump has been described in the previous section with reference to the figures.