Abstract:
Multiple UV sterilizers may be connected in series in order to increase the microorganism kill rate. The UV sterilizers are rotatable with respect to other UV sterilizers so that the UV sterilizers may be combined in various configurations in order to adjust a level of UV sterilization and allow combination of UV sterilizers in various configurations. For example, a combination of two or more UV sterilizers may be configured in a first orientation if the UV sterilizers are to be placed in a narrow space, while combination of the same UV sterilizers may be adjusted to another orientation if the sterilizers are to be placed in a large, open space.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to devices and methods for sterilizing a body of water and, more particularly, to modular sterilization devices that may be used for sterilizing water from a fish pond. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Bodies of water, such as those that are found outdoors, including fish ponds, are prone to contamination by bacteria, microorganisms, and other particles that reduce the purity of the water. Accordingly, systems and methods have been designed for reduction of these microorganisms and other unwanted particles in water. Some filtration systems comprise one or more containers with filter media enclosed therein, wherein the pond water is moved through the container and the filter media is configured to attract bacteria and other waste. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,826, titled “Fish Pond Filter System,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, describes such a filtration system. Other systems that included light emitters, such as ultraviolet (UV) emitters have been proposed for treatment of water that contains unwanted microorganisms or other waste. Such systems emit light, such as UV light that is intended to kill the bacteria and other microorganisms within the water. 
     As those of skill in the art will recognize, each fish pond has unique filtering requirements depending on several factors unique to each pond. For example, the size of a fish pond may have a large impact on the amount of filtration needed to maintain the pond water at an acceptable sterilization level. In addition, the location of each pond may also have a significant effect on the types of microorganisms present in the pond and, thus, the specific sterilization needs for the pond. Accordingly, a single filter or sterilizer may not provide a sufficient level of sterilization for many fish ponds. Thus, a filtration system that allows a user to easily increase a sterilization level is desired. 
     As those of skill in the art will also recognize, the space available for placement of a pond filtration system varies from one pond to another. Accordingly, a typical sterilizering system may not be easily installed near certain pond locations. Thus, systems and methods for allowing a filtration system to be arranged in various physical configurations are desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     When a pond reaches a certain size, one UV sterilizer may not sufficiently remove and/or kill an acceptable level of bacteria. Thus, multiple UV sterilizers may be connected in series in order to increase the bacteria kill rate. In the past, connecting multiple UV sterilizers resulted in a cumbersome connection of sterilizers that often did not fit in the space available for the sterilizer. In one embodiment, improved UV sterilizers each comprise one or more coupling mechanisms that are rotatable with respect to other UV sterilizers. Accordingly two or more of the UV sterilizers may be combined in various configurations in order to adjust a level of UV sterilization. For example, a combination of two or more UV sterilizers may be configured in a first orientation if the UV sterilizers are to be placed in a narrow space, while combination of the same UV sterilizers may be adjusted to another orientation if the sterilizers are to be placed in a large, open space. Thus, according to the systems and methods described herein, combinations of multiple UV sterilizers may take on several configurations and, thus, may be adjusted for fitting in various spaces. 
     In one embodiment, a water sterilization system for an ornamental body of water comprise a pump configured to create a water flow through the filtration system so as to recirculate water out of the ornamental body of water into a filtration path of the sterilization system and then back to the ornamental body of water, and a plurality of sterilization elements configured to form at least a portion of the filtration path, each of the plurality of elements having an inlet and an outlet and defining an elongate space therebetween, wherein a sterilizing element is positioned within the elongate space so as to sterilize organic materials in the water flow as the water travels through the elongate space and wherein at least one of the inlet and outlet includes a coupling that permits interconnection to other ones of the plurality of filter elements such that the plurality of filter elements can be rotated with respect to each other to permit the plurality of filter elements to have a selectable configuration and such that the length of the filtration path can be adjusted by adding or removing one or more of the plurality of filter elements. 
     In another embodiment, a sterilizer comprises a first housing comprising a receiving opening configured to receive a fluid, the receiving opening oriented in a first direction, a second housing rotatably attached to the first housing, the second housing comprising a discharge opening configured to discharge a fluid, the discharge opening being oriented in a second direction, wherein a difference between the first and second directions may be adjusted by rotating the first housing with respect to the second housing around a first axis, an ultraviolet light source positioned inside at least one of the first and second housings, and a first coupling member substantially surrounding the receiving opening, the first coupling member being configured to rotatably couple the sterilizer with another sterilizer, wherein the sterilizer may be rotated with respect to the another sterilizer around a second axis, wherein the first and second axes intersect. 
     In another embodiment, a coupling is configured to substantially seal a connection between two sterilizers. In one embodiment, the coupling comprises a substantially cylindrical central body having a longitudinal axis extending along a length of the central body, a first moveable ring disposed around a first end of the central body, the first moveable ring being rotatable about the longitudinal axis and having internal threads configured to threadedly engage external threads of a first sterilizer, and a second moveable ring disposed around a second end of the central body, the second moveable ring being rotatable about the longitudinal axis and having internal threads configured to threadedly engage external threads of a second sterilizer. 
     In another embodiment, a combination of UV sterilizers comprises a plurality of UV sterilizers, each of the sterilizers having an intake and discharge opening, the position of the intake and discharge openings being rotatable around a first axis, and a plurality of couplers coupling the plurality of UV sterilizers in a series configuration, wherein the couplers allow adjacent UV sterilizers to be rotated with respect to one another around a second axis so that the combination of UV sterilizers may be arranged in multiple configurations. 
     In another embodiment, a combination of UV sterilizers comprises a first sterilizer housing a first UV emitter and being configured to receive a fluid from an ornamental pond in a first receiving opening and to discharge the fluid from a first discharge opening, a second sterilizer housing a second UV emitter and being configured to receive in a second receiving opening the fluid from the first discharge opening, and to discharge the fluid from a second discharge opening, wherein the first and second sterilizer each sterilize the water, a coupling configured to couple the first discharge opening with the second receiving opening so that the first and second sterilizers may be rotated with respect to one another without significantly affecting flow of the fluid through the sterilizers. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram of a fish pond having a sterilizing system coupled to the fish pond. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of an exemplary UV sterilizer. 
         FIG. 3A  is a side view of a sterilizer coupling mechanism. 
         FIG. 3B  is a side perspective view of the sterilizer coupling mechanism of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3C  is another side perspective view of the sterilizer coupling mechanism of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 4  is partially cut away side view of an exemplary UV sterilizer. 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the UV sterilizer illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of three UV sterilizers coupled in a first configuration. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of three UV sterilizers coupled in a second configuration. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of three UV sterilizers coupled in a third configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figures, wherein like numerals refer to like elements throughout. The terminology used in the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive manner, simply because it is being utilized in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include several novel features, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or which is essential to practicing the inventions herein described. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram of a filtering and sterilizing system  120  connected to sterilize water from a fish pond  110 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the fish pond sterilizing system  120  draws water from the fish pond  110 , filters and treats the water to remove waste  104 , and returns at least a portion of the water to the fish pond  110 . The fish pond  110  may be outside or placed within a building or other enclosed structure. In one embodiment, for example, the fish pond  110  is an open air, closed-system container of water. The fish pond  110  may be home to a plurality of live organisms  102 , including fish, crawdads, mud puppies, frogs, turtles, shrimps, or any other vertebrate or invertebrate animals suited to live at least partially in an aquatic environment. The organisms  102  generate waste  104 , which may be partially semi-solid biological waste material. Waste  104  shall be herein understood to also include other material that may be found in the fish pond  110 , such as leaves, vegetable matter, dirt, or insects, for example. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the fish pond sterilizing system  120  comprises a filter  122  that is positioned and adapted to screen out larger waste particles, such as those that may be larger than about ⅛″. The exemplary sterilizing system  120  also includes a pump  124  and a UV sterilizer  126 . The pump  124  is configured to displace water from the fish pond  110  and discharge the pond water into the filter  122 . The pump  124  may comprise any one of a plurality of water pumps that are well known in the art. The UV sterilizer  126  comprises an opening for receiving the water that has been filtered by the filter  122  and an opening for returning the water to the fish pond  110 . As described below, the UV sterilizer  126  may advantageously comprise one or more modular UV sterilizers that can be arranged in multiple configurations. The pond sterilizing system  120  is exemplary and is not intended as limiting of the configurations of similar sterilizing systems. For example, in another sterilizing system, the sterilizer  122  may not be included. In other embodiments, additional sterilizers and pumps may also be included. Additionally, while the UV sterilizers discussed herein are described with respect to an exemplary fish pond, they are intended for use with any body of water, such as ornamental bodies of water with, or without, fish, and may be used in any suitable sterilizing systems. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of an exemplary UV sterilizer  200  having a longitudinal body  230 , a first end  240 , and a second end  250 . In one embodiment, one or more UV emitters, such as UV lamps, are positioned inside the longitudinal body  230  of the UV sterilizer  200 . In an advantageous embodiment, the UV sterilizer  200  comprises a first coupling mechanism  210  and a second coupling mechanism  220 , wherein each of the coupling mechanisms  210 ,  220  are configured to couple with another sterilizer, such as another UV sterilizer similar to the ultraviolet sterilizer  200 . When the sterilizer  200  is coupled with an additional sterilizer via one or more of the coupling mechanisms  210 ,  220 , the sterilizing efficiency of the sterilizer combination may be improved. As described in further detail below, due to the configurability of the coupling mechanisms  210 ,  220 , multiple UV sterilizers  200  may be combined in various configurations. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the coupling mechanisms  210 ,  220  each comprise a hollow cylinder having threads on a portion of the exterior surface. In one embodiment, one of the coupling mechanisms  210 ,  220  couples with a water intake, such as from a pond, while the other coupling mechanism  210 ,  220  couples with a water output, such as tubing that returns the sterilized water to the pond or to another sterilizer, for example. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the UV sterilizer  200  comprises a first portion  252  and a second portion  254  that are coupled with a rotatable coupling  260 . In an advantageous embodiment, the rotatable coupling  260  allows the first and second portions  252 ,  254  to be rotated so that the relative orientations of the coupling mechanisms  210 ,  220  may be adjusted. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the coupling mechanisms  210 ,  220  are oriented in the same direction (downward in the drawing of  FIG. 2 ). However, the rotatable coupling  260  allows the first and second portions  252 ,  254  to be rotated with respect to one another so that the coupling mechanisms  210 ,  220  are oriented in different directions. For example, the first portion  252  may be rotated approximately 90 degrees so that the coupling mechanisms  210 ,  220  are oriented in perpendicular directions. Similarly, the first portion  252  may be rotated approximately 180 degrees so that the coupling mechanisms  210 ,  220  are oriented in opposite directions, e.g., the coupling mechanism  210  may face up while the coupling mechanism  220  remains facing down. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the first and second portions  252 ,  254  may be rotated in other amounts so that the axes of the coupling mechanisms  210 ,  220  are separated by between 0-360 degrees. As described in further detail below, because the coupling mechanisms  210 ,  220  are rotatable with respect to one another, additional sterilizers may be coupled to the sterilizer  200  so that the combination of sterilizers takes on countless configurations (see  FIGS. 6-8 , for example). 
     In one embodiment, the rotatable coupling  260  also provides an internal access mechanism that allows a user to access the inside of the longitudinal body  230 , which typically houses one or more UV emitters. In one embodiment, the rotatable coupling  260  comprises a threaded circular ring on one of the first and second portions  252 ,  254  and a threaded receiving portion on the other of the first and second portions  252 ,  254 . In this embodiment, the rotatable coupling engages the first and second portions  252 ,  254  of the UV sterilizer  200  by threadedly engaging male-oriented threads on one portion and female-oriented threads on the other portion thereby forming a substantially water tight connection between the first and second portions  252 ,  254 . In one embodiment, the male-oriented threads are formed on an outer surface of the first portion  252  of the UV sterilizer  200  while the female-oriented threads are formed on a circular ring that surrounds the second portion  254  of the UV sterilizer. Thus, by engaging the threads on the first and second portions  252 ,  254 , the first and second portions  252 ,  254  may be coupled together. As used herein, the term coupling mechanism refers generally to the coupling components disposed on respective portions of a UV sterilizer, which allows portions of the sterilizer to be rotated with respect to one another. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 2 , and  5 - 8 , the coupling mechanism  260  comprises male and female oriented threaded coupling components. However, those of skill in the art will appreciate that other coupling mechanisms may be used to couple portions of a sterilizer, such as portions  252 ,  254  of the UV sterilizer  200 . In an advantageous embodiment, the coupling mechanism allows portions of the sterilizer to be rotated with respect to one another. 
       FIG. 3A  is a side view of a coupling  300  configured to couple multiple UV sterilizers  200  so that water flows through multiple UV sterilizers and is treated by UV emissions within the multiple sterilizers. The coupling  300  comprises a central body  310  and rotatable circular rings  320  on each side of the central body  310 . A central axis  330  of the coupling  300  extends through the central body  310 . The circular rings  320  are rotatable around the central axis  330 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 3A , each of the circular rings  320  comprise threads on an inner circumference of the circular rings  320 . Advantageously, the circular rings  320  are sized so that the threaded inner circumference of the circular rings  320  threadedly engages with the coupling mechanisms  210 ,  220 . In one embodiment, the coupling  300  is attached to the UV sterilizer  200  by placing the threaded ring  320 A in contact with one of the coupling mechanisms  210 ,  220  and then rotating the circular ring  320 A around the central body  310  so that the threads on the circular ring  320 A engage the threads on the coupling mechanism  210 ,  220 . In one embodiment, the circular rings  320  comprise a washer, such as a rubber washer, on an inner circumference of the circular ring  320 , so that when engaged with a threaded cylinder, the coupling is sufficiently watertight. 
       FIGS. 3B and 3C  are side perspective views of the coupling  300  illustrated in  FIG. 3A . As shown in  FIG. 3B , the circular ring  320 A is rotatable around the central body  310 . More specifically, the circular ring  320 A is at an outer edge of the central body  310  in  FIG. 3C  and the central ring  320 A is near a center portion of the central body  310 A in  FIG. 3B .  FIGS. 3B and 3C  also illustrate a rubber washer  340  on the outer edge of the central body  310 . In one embodiment, when the coupling  300  is engaged with a coupling mechanism, such as coupling mechanism  210 ,  220 , the rubber washer  340  is preferably partially compressed by a surface of the coupling mechanism, thereby sealing the junction of the coupling  300  and the coupling mechanism and reducing water loss through the junction. 
       FIG. 4  is a partially cut-away side view of an exemplary ultraviolet sterilizer  400 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , an ultraviolet emitter  410  extends along much of the length of the ultraviolet sterilizer  400 . In one embodiment, the light source  410  is configured so that the wavelength and frequency of ultraviolet light emitted kills at least a portion of the bacteria and/or microorganisms that are typically found in a fish pond. The exemplary UV sterilizer  400  also comprises a cleaning mechanism  430  configured to clean an outer surface of the ultraviolet emitter  410 . More particularly, the cleaning mechanism  430  includes a cleaning ring  420  that is coupled around an outer surface of the ultraviolet emitter  410  so that when a plunger  432  is moved along a longitudinal axis of the ultraviolet emitter  410 , the ring wipes the outer surface of the ultraviolet emitter  410 . In one embodiment, the cleaning ring  420  comprises a wiper on the inner circumference of the cleaning ring  420 , wherein the wiper contacts the ultraviolet emitter  410 . In one embodiment, the wiper comprises a rubber material, such as the material used in squeegees, so that materials that are attached to the outer surface of the emitter  410  are substantially removed from the emitter  410  as the wiper is moved across the surface of the emitter  410 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an ultraviolet emitter  500 , including coupling mechanisms  510 ,  520 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the coupling mechanism  520  is coupled with a first circular ring  320 A of the coupling  300 . The second circular ring  320 B may be coupled to (a) a water input, such as from a pond, (b) another sterilizer, such as the UV sterilizer  300 , or (c) a water output, such as an output from the pond that returns sterilized water to the pond, for example. The coupling mechanism  510  may also be connected to a coupling  300 , which may then be connected to any of the above listed apparatuses. 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of a first combination of sterilizers  600  comprising three UV sterilizers  200 A,  200 B,  200 C coupled in a first configuration. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the UV sterilizers  200  are each coupled to one or more additional UV sterilizers  200  with a coupling  300 . Each of the UV sterilizers  200 A,  200 B,  200 C comprise respective coupling mechanisms  210 ,  220 . The sterilizers  200 A,  200 B,  200 C each include a rotatable coupling  260  that couples first and second portions  252 ,  254  of each sterilizer. In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the first and second portions  252 ,  254  of each of the sterilizers  200 A,  200 B,  200 C are rotated about the rotatable coupling  260  so that the coupling mechanisms  210 ,  220  of each sterilizer are oriented in opposite directions, e.g., an approximate 180 degree difference in the axes of the coupling mechanisms  210 ,  220 . With the coupling mechanisms  210 ,  220  of each sterilizer  200 A,  200 B,  200 C arranged in the configuration shown in  FIG. 6 , the combination of sterilizers  600  are substantially flat with the sterilizers  200 A,  200 B,  200 C being substantially parallel to one another. In this exemplary configuration, the combination of sterilizers  600  may be suitable for placement underground or in a narrow space. In one embodiment, each of the UV sterilizers  200  may have different physical dimensions, UV emitters and sterilizering characteristics. For example, each of the emitters  200 A,  200 B,  200 C may have UV emitters with different wavelengths and/or power levels. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the UV sterilizer  200 A is coupled to UV sterilizer  200 B with coupling  300 A, wherein the circular ring  320 A engages the coupling mechanism  220 A of the sterilizer  200 A and the circular ring  320 B engages the coupling mechanism  220 B of the UV sterilizer  200 B in the manner described above with respect to  FIG. 3 . In an advantageous embodiment, the coupling  300 A provides a channel between the UV sterilizer  200 A and the UV sterilizer  200 B so that water may flow between the UV sterilizers via the coupling  300 A with substantially no water loss in the transfer. 
     Similarly, the coupling  300 B couples the UV sterilizers  200 B and  200 C. Therefore, if water from a pond, or other water source, enters the combination of sterilizers  600  at the coupling mechanism  210 A, the fluid passes through the UV sterilizer  200 A, to the UV sterilizer  200 B via the coupling  300 A, through the sterilizer  200 B and then through the coupling  300 B and the UV sterilizer  200 C. Advantageously, each of the UV sterilizers  200 A,  200 B,  200 C provides UV emissions that are configured to destroy particles and/or microorganisms that may be found in a pond. In one embodiment, the combination of sterilizers  600  kills up to about three times the microorganisms as one of the UV sterilizers  200  alone. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a second combination of sterilizers  700 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , UV sterilizers  200 A,  200 B,  200 C are arranged in a step configuration for placement in an available opening having a similar configuration. As those of skill in the art will recognize, the available landscape for installing a filtering and/or sterilizing system may vary greatly from one installation to another. Accordingly, the ability to couple multiple UV sterilizers in various configurations provides an increased ability to install additional UV sterilizers and/or more adequately place a combination of sterilizers in a desired area. 
     In  FIG. 7 , the sterilizers  200  each include a rotatable coupling  260  that couples first and second portions  252 ,  254  of each sterilizer. In the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the first and second portions  252 ,  254  of each of the sterilizers  200 A,  200 B,  200 C are rotated about the rotatable coupling  260  so that the coupling mechanisms  210 ,  220  of each sterilizer are oriented in perpendicular directions, e.g., an approximate 90 degree difference in the axes of the coupling mechanisms  210 ,  220 . With the coupling mechanisms  210 ,  220  of each sterilizer  200 A,  200 B,  200 C arranged in the configuration shown in  FIG. 7 , the sterilizers  200 A,  200 B, and  200 C form a step configuration, where a microorganism kill rate may be increased by up to a factor of three when compared to a single UV sterilizer. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a third combination of UV sterilizers  800 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the same UV sterilizers  200 A,  200 B, and  200 C are coupled in yet another configuration that may be better suited for placement near a pond that is being sterilized. As noted above, the sterilizers  200  each include a rotatable coupling  260  that couples first and second portions  252 ,  254  of each sterilizer. In the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , the first and second portions  252 ,  254  of each of the sterilizers  200 A,  200 B,  200 C are rotated about the rotatable coupling  260  so that the coupling mechanisms  210 ,  220  of each sterilizer are oriented in opposite directions, e.g., an approximate 180 degree difference in the axes of the coupling mechanisms  210 ,  220 . In addition, the sterilizers are rotated about the couplings  300  so that the bodies of the sterilizers substantially extend away from one another, forming a long, narrow combination of sterilizers  800 . Similar to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the sterilizers  200 A,  200 B, and  200 C are in a series configuration that advantageously provides increased sterilization over a single UV sterilizer  200 . 
     As can be seen from the combinations of UV sterilizers  600 ,  700 , and  800 , multiple UV sterilizers  200  may be combined in countless configurations, depending on the constraints for placement of the combination of sterilizers. The relative orientations of the UV sterilizers may be adjusted by rotating portions of sterilizers about a rotatable coupling  260  and/or by rotating coupled sterilizers about a coupling  300  that couples the sterilizers together. Although each of the combinations of UV sterilizers  600 ,  700 , and  800  include three UV sterilizers  200 , fewer or more UV sterilizers may be combined using the coupling  300 , or a similar coupling. For example, in one embodiment six or more UV sterilizers  200  including first and second portions  252 ,  254  coupled with rotatable couplings  260  may be combined with couplings  300  connecting coupling mechanisms  220  of the UV sterilizers. 
     The foregoing description details certain embodiments of the invention. It will be appreciated, however, that no matter how detailed the foregoing appears in text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. As is also stated above, it should be noted that the use of particular terminology when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being re-defined herein to be restricted to including any specific characteristics of the features or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. The scope of the invention should therefore be construed in accordance with the appended claims and any equivalents thereof.