US3756418A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Skimming apparatus for clarification tank
Assignee: FMC Corp
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Filing: 1972-01-12
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Granted: 1973-09-04
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Expires: 1992-01-12
Abstract
Abstract A skimming apparatus for a liquid clarification tank that has an inlet for supplying liquid with suspended matter and an outlet for receiving clarified liquid and in which the outlet consists of longitudinally extending transversely spaced weir boxes that receive clarified liquid. The skimming apparatus is supported on a traveling bridge that is reciprocated between extreme positions along a path parallel to the weir boxes and extends transversely of the path of travel. The skimming apparatus consists of first and second portions that are respectively aligned with the weir boxes and the areas between the weir boxes. The first portions of the skimming apparatus are deflectable from a first position to a second position when the bridge traverses the area of the tank occupied by the weir boxes. The skimming apparatus is pivoted between operative and inoperative positions on the bridge and the first portions consist of elements pivoted to adjacent ends of the second portions that are rigid plates. The elements are biased to a first position and have camming members on the free ends for engaging tapered ends on scum baffles surrounding the weir boxes to move the elements from the first position when the bridge traverses the area of the weir boxes.
Inventors
- 👤 H Pentz
- 👤 C Parkhani
- 👤 F Majeron
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 14:08
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D21/00; B01D21/10; B01D21/12; B01D21/18; B01D21/183; B01D21/24; B01D21/2433; B01D21/245
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
340 words
Liquid clarification apparatus comprising: a longitudinal tank having an inlet for supplying liquid having entrained solids and outlet means for discharging clarified liquid from said tank, said outlet means including a plurality of longitudinally extending weir boxes spaced apart from one another transversely across the width of said tank, each of said weir boxes including a bottom wall and upwardly extending sidewalls, said outlet means further including conduit means communicating between the interior of said weir boxes and the exterior of said tank; vertically arranged baffle structure surrounding each weir box with an upper edge thereof above the level of the upper edge of the sidewall of its associated weir box and with the lower edge thereof above the bottom of the tank; bridge means supported on said tank and positioned above said weir boxes and baffle structures, said bridge means being arranged for reciprocating travel back and forth along the length of the tank; drive means for reciprocating said bridge means; skimming means carried by said bridge means and including a plurality of skimming blades having an upper portion located above the level of the upper edge of the sidewalls of the weir boxes and a lower portion located below the level of the upper edge of the sidewaLls of the weir boxes, whereby said skimming blades transport scum longitudinally of said tank when said bridge means is reciprocated toward said weir boxes, said skimming blades including a deflectable first portion aligned with a weir box and a second portion aligned with the transverse spaces between the baffle structures and the baffle structure and the sidewall of the tank, connection means between said deflectable first portions and the second portions to permit each skimming blade deflectable first portion to be deflected relative to the second portion of the skimming blade by engagement with the baffle structure when the skimming means in travelling toward one end of said tank engages a baffle structure; and means for receiving scum from said skimming means and for discharging scum externally of said tank.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
340 words
Liquid clarification apparatus comprising: a longitudinal tank having an inlet for supplying liquid having entrained solids and outlet means for discharging clarified liquid from said tank, said outlet means including a plurality of longitudinally extending weir boxes spaced apart from one another transversely across the width of said tank, each of said weir boxes including a bottom wall and upwardly extending sidewalls, said outlet means further including conduit means communicating between the interior of said weir boxes and the exterior of said tank; vertically arranged baffle structure surrounding each weir box with an upper edge thereof above the level of the upper edge of the sidewall of its associated weir box and with the lower edge thereof above the bottom of the tank; bridge means supported on said tank and positioned above said weir boxes and baffle structures, said bridge means being arranged for reciprocating travel back and forth along the length of the tank; drive means for reciprocating said bridge means; skimming means carried by said bridge means and including a plurality of skimming blades having an upper portion located above the level of the upper edge of the sidewalls of the weir boxes and a lower portion located below the level of the upper edge of the sidewaLls of the weir boxes, whereby said skimming blades transport scum longitudinally of said tank when said bridge means is reciprocated toward said weir boxes, said skimming blades including a deflectable first portion aligned with a weir box and a second portion aligned with the transverse spaces between the baffle structures and the baffle structure and the sidewall of the tank, connection means between said deflectable first portions and the second portions to permit each skimming blade deflectable first portion to be deflected relative to the second portion of the skimming blade by engagement with the baffle structure when the skimming means in travelling toward one end of said tank engages a baffle structure; and means for receiving scum from said skimming means and for discharging scum externally of said tank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
Liquid clarification apparatus as defined in claim 1, in which said second portions include rigid plates extending along said bridge means with adjacent ends of said plates spaced from each other, and in which said first portions each include first and second elements respectively carried by the adjacent ends of adjacent plates and means normally maintaining said elements in a first position to span the area between said adjacent ends.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
Liquid clarification apparatus as defined in claim 2, in which said baffle structures each have at least one end tapering to a point; and camming means on free ends of said elements for engaging the tapered ends and moving said elements from said first position when said bridge traverses the area of said weir boxes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
Liquid clarification apparatus as defined in claim 3, in which said elements cooperate to define a V-shaped member between adjacent ends of said plates with the base of said V-shaped member longitudinally aligned along said weir boxes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
Liquid clarification apparatus as defined in claim 2, in which said elements are rigid and are pivoted on the adjacent ends of said plates.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
Liquid clarification apparatus as defined in claim 5, further including biasing means normally maintaining said rigid elements in said first position and accommodating movement from said first position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
Liquid clarification apparatus as defined in claim 2, further including means for pivoting said skimming means on said bridge means between operative and inoperative positions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
Liquid clarification apparatus as defined in claim 2, in which said first and second portions are located in a substantially common plane extending perpendicular to the path of travel of said bridge means when said elements are in said first position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
70 words
Liquid clarification apparatus as defined in claim 1, in which said skimming means is supported for pivotal movement between operative and inoperative positions on said bridge means and further including solids removal means carried by the bridge means and having a deflecting plate pivoted between first and second positions adjacent the bottom of said tank; and means for simultaneously moving said skimming means and said deflecting plate between said positions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-03 | 1977-03-05 | 1977-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-03 | 1981-03-05 | 1981-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-03 | 1985-03-05 | 1985-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |