Patent ID: 7028992

Claim:
An aerator for mixing an ambient gas with a liquid and for agitating the liquid, the aerator comprising: a motor having a motor shaft; a central shaft having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion operatively coupled to the motor shaft such that the central shaft rotates in response to operation of the motor; an aerator housing at least substantially enclosing the central shaft; a propeller operatively coupled to the second end portion of the central shaft, the propeller configured to rotate with the central shaft; a first bearing defining a first bearing aperture and rigidly connected to the aerator housing proximate the first end portion of the central shaft; a second bearing defining a second bearing aperture and rigidly connected to the aerator housing proximate the second end portion of the central shaft; a third bearing defining a third bearing aperture and rigidly connected to the aerator housing between the first and second bearings; and a bearing support tube attached to the first and third bearings to at least partially seal at least a portion of the third bearing, the central shaft rotatably mounted in the first, second, and third bearing apertures.