U.S. patent application number 11/224872 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-15 for mechanized rotary brush cleaner for sedimentation tanks.
This patent application is currently assigned to Envirodyne Systems Inc.. Invention is credited to Roy Shanafelter, Robert E. Sheker.
Application Number | 20070056134 11/224872 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37853571 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070056134 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sheker; Robert E. ; et
al. |
March 15, 2007 |
Mechanized rotary brush cleaner for sedimentation tanks
Abstract
An arrangement for cleaning algae and other debris from the
various surfaces within a sedimentation tank includes one or more
mechanized rotating scrubbing brushes. In contrast to conventional
arrangements that use rectangular, non-mechanized brushes, the
rotational brush elements of the present invention are more
effective and efficient at removing a larger quantity of material
from the various interior wall surfaces (e.g., baffle, weir,
spillway, etc.) within the sedimentation tank.
Inventors: |
Sheker; Robert E.; (Camp
Hill, PA) ; Shanafelter; Roy; (Lewisberry,
PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Wendy W. Koba
PO Box 556
Springtown
PA
18081
US
|
Assignee: |
Envirodyne Systems Inc.
|
Family ID: |
37853571 |
Appl. No.: |
11/224872 |
Filed: |
September 13, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/246.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D 21/0006 20130101;
B08B 9/0856 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/246.5 |
International
Class: |
F22B 37/48 20060101
F22B037/48 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for cleaning algae and debris from a sedimentation
tank including a revolving skimmer and a nominally circular weir,
the apparatus comprising: at least one support means; at least one
rotating brush assembly coupled to the at least one support means,
the at least one brush assembly including at least one mechanized
rotating brush element that rotates at a predetermined speed as the
apparatus revolves around the sedimentation tank.
2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one
rotating brush element is disposed along the associated rotating
brush assembly so as to contact an inside surface of the nominally
circular weir.
3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one
rotating brush element is disposed along the associated rotating
brush assembly so as to contact an outside surface of a scum baffle
within the sedimentation tank.
4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one
rotating brush element is disposed along the associated rotating
brush assembly so as to contact an inside surface of a scum baffle
within the sedimentation tank.
5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one
rotating brush element is disposed along the associated rotating
brush assembly so as to contact an inside spillway between the weir
and a subsequent effluent trough.
6. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one
rotating brush element is disposed along the associated rotating
brush assembly so as to contact a wall of a effluent trough.
7. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one
rotating brush element is disposed along the associated rotating
brush assembly so as to contact the bottom of the effluent
trough.
8. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one
rotating brush element is removable from the associated rotating
brush assembly so as to be moved from one cleaning surface to
another.
9. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the apparatus
further comprises at least one non-rotating brush element.
10. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the apparatus
further comprises a mechanical device for moving at least one
rotating brush element from one location to another.
11. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein each rotating brush
element includes a rotating element such that each brush element is
capable of rotating at a different, predetermined speed as the
apparatus revolves around the tank.
12. The apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein each rotating
brush element rotates at the same speed.
13. The apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein the speed of the
plurality of rotating brush elements is adjustable.
14. The apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein each separate
rotating brush element is capable of rotating at a different
speed.
15. The apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein the speed of each
separate rotating brush element is adjustable.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning arrangement for
a sedimentation tank, such as a water or wastewater treatment tank
and, more particularly, to a cleaning device that utilizes a
mechanized rotary brush arrangement to effectively remove algae and
other debris from various surfaces of the tank.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A typical wastewater treatment facility includes clarifiers
or settling tanks to accomplish separation of solids from liquid.
The settled solids are removed from the bottom of the tank as
sludge and the clarified liquid above is discharged into an
effluent trough or launder. Tank geometries and configurations vary
widely but are most commonly circular with the continuous flow of
influent water entering near the center of the tank and the
discharge of clarified effluent water occurring near the tank
periphery. Effluent troughs and launders are generally equipped
with weirs to control the flow of the clarified supernatant. In
tanks where surface scum is prevalent, scum baffle plates are often
provided adjacent to the weirs and the displaced water is forced to
flow under a baffle plate that blocks floating scum. Once over the
weir, the water flows in an effluent trough or launder to a
discharge pipe and on to the next unit in the treatment process.
Ultimately, the clean effluent water is disinfected and made
sufficiently safe to discharge into a river or stream.
[0003] As is known in the art, the outdoor exposure of the
treatment tanks in direct sunlight encourages the unwanted growth
of algae. This growth is most prevalent one the baffle, weir,
spillway and clean water flow channel areas of the treatment tank.
Disadvantageously, algae growth on these members inhibits the flow
of clean water from the tank. Further, the algae can be carried in
thick masses and high concentrations in the clean water being
discharged from the final treatment tank. When this occurs, large
concentrations of chlorine are required to kill the algae. Since
chlorine is relatively expensive, it is preferred to prevent the
buildup of algae.
[0004] Removing the algae from the baffle, weir, spillway and clean
water flow channel has primarily been accomplished in the past by
scrubbing the tank structure by hand with long-handled brushes.
Since the final treatment tanks are usually quite large, such a
cleaning process becomes considerably tedious and
labor-intensive.
[0005] One prior art apparatus for improving algae removal is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,748 issued to Ford W. Hall on May
16, 1989. The Hall cleaning apparatus comprises a series of
rectangular cleaning brushes that are attached through support arms
to a main frame member. The main frame member is attached to a
conventional skimmer blade. Since the skimmer blade is designed to
slowly revolve, the cleaning brushes will also move around the
tank. Thus, instead of a worker manually scrubbing algal growth
surfaces with a broom, an automated set of brooms essentially moves
around the surfaces of the tank. A self-propelled version of this
apparatus (for use in arrangements without a skimmer blade) is the
subject of U.S. Pat. No. 4,978,447, issued to Ford W. Hall on Dec.
18, 1990. A remaining problem with both of these arrangements,
however, is that the brushes are non-mechanized (i.e., a "static"
brush design), and a significant amount of algae and other debris
may build up on the brush surfaces, thus lessening the cleaning
ability of the system. Moreover, the rectangular brush design is
not considered as the most effective cleaning arrangement.
[0006] Thus, a need remains in the prior art for a mechanized
arrangement for effectively cleaning algae and other debris from
water and wastewater treatment tanks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The need remaining in the prior art is addressed by the
present invention, which relates to a cleaning arrangement for a
sedimentation tank, such as a water or wastewater treatment tank
and, more particularly, to a cleaning arrangement that utilizes a
mechanized rotary brush arrangement (i.e., a "dynamic brush") to
effectively remove algae and other debris from various surfaces of
the tank.
[0008] In accordance with the present invention, a sedimentation
tank cleaning apparatus comprises a single rotary brush or a series
of rotary brushes attached to a support arm. Each brush is
mechanized (either individually or as a group) to rotate at a speed
sufficient to effectively remove algae and other debris from the
various surfaces within the tank structure. Different sizes of
brushes may be used along various surfaces, as need be. Moreover,
different rotation speeds may be used for different brush
locations. For example, a faster rotation may be used along the
baffle and weir, where a larger amount of algae and debris will
collect. More aggressive scrubbing in these areas will serve to
prevent a significant amount of algae and debris from crossing the
spillway into the launder area.
[0009] Other and further embodiments and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent during the course of the following
discussion and by reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Referring now to the drawings, where like numerals represent
like parts in several views:
[0011] FIG. 1 contains a partial, cut-away isometric view of an
exemplary prior art tank cleaning apparatus;
[0012] FIG. 2 contains a partial, cut-away isometric view of an
exemplary rotary brush tank cleaning apparatus formed in accordance
with the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a cut-away side view of the arrangement of FIG.
2;
[0014] FIG. 4 is an enlarged illustration of an exemplary motorized
brush for use in the various embodiments of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present
invention, in a partial, cut-away isometric view; and
[0016] FIG. 6 is a cut-away side view of the arrangement of FIG.
5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Prior to describing the improvements in the cleaning of
water or wastewater treatment sedimentation tanks in accordance
with the present invention, it is considered helpful to review the
state-of-the-art cleaning apparatus. In particular, FIG. 1
illustrates an exemplary prior art apparatus 10, including a set of
non-mechanized or "static" scrubbing brushes that are used to
dislodge algae and other debris from surfaces within the tank. As
shown, prior art apparatus 10 includes a main frame member 12 that
is attached to a skimmer blade 14 by using a mounting bracket 16.
During operation, skimmer blade 14 slowly revolves around the water
treatment tank (as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1) so as to
direct any floating debris into a scum trough. In this prior art
arrangement, therefore, the scrubbing brushes that are attached to
main frame member 12 will revolve in a similar manner.
[0018] Water treatment tank 20 (which is nominally circular in
form, with only a portion being illustrated in FIG. 1) includes an
interior baffle 22 and a weir 24 that function as described above
to control the discharge of clarified water exclusive of surface
scum. As shown, weir 30 is contiguous with a spillway 26, where
spillway 26 is configured to include a downwardly sloping outer
wall 28. Ultimately, the fully treated water will flow into outer
clean water channel 30 of tank 20.
[0019] In operation of prior art apparatus 10, a first set of
brushes 32 is provided to scrub/clean baffle 22 and weir 24,
including individual brushes to clean the inner surface of baffle
22, the outer surface of baffle 22 and the inside surface of weir
24. A second set of brushes 34 is used to clean the outer surface
of weir 24 and spillway 26, including a brush mounted in a sloping
position to clean sidewall 28 of spillway 26. Lastly, a third set
of brushes is used to scrub clean water channel 30, with separate
brushes for the sidewalls and bottom surface of channel 30. As
mentioned above, while a degree of improvement is achieved with
this prior art apparatus (as compared to manual cleaning
processes), various amounts of algae and other debris may be lodged
against the static brushes, resulting in ineffective cleaning.
[0020] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a first embodiment of the present
invention that provides an improvement over prior art apparatus 10
as shown in FIG. 1. In particular, apparatus 40 is formed to
include mechanically-driven rotary brushes to more effectively
clean the various surfaces within the treatment tank. For the sake
of simplicity, the same treatment tank 20 as described above is
illustrated in FIG. 2, with the only change being the replacement
of prior art apparatus 10 with inventive cleaning apparatus 40
formed in accordance with the present invention. Referring to FIG.
2, cleaning apparatus 40 is illustrated as including a support
assembly 42, which extends outward from the center of the tank (not
shown) toward clean water channel 30. In the particular embodiment
of FIG. 2, assembly 42 includes a first support member 44 for
supporting and driving a first plurality of mechanically-driven
rotary brushes and a second support member 46 for supporting and
driving a second plurality of mechanized rotary brushes.
[0021] FIG. 4 contains an isometric view of an exemplary mechanized
rotary brush 100 that may be used in the exemplary embodiment of
the present invention as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown in
FIG. 4, brush 100 comprises a bristle assembly 110 disposed at the
termination thereof, with bristle assembly 110 configured to rotate
(in this case, in a counterclockwise direction). The rotation of
bristle assembly 110 is controlled by a motor 120 mounted directly
over and attached to bristle assembly 110. Motor 120 is sized so as
to provide the desired amount of torque required to provide the
rotational movement. A control signal for motor 120, as well as the
electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic power necessary to drive motor
120, are provided as inputs from a remote source (not shown). A
handle 130 may be used as a conduit and thereafter coupled to motor
120. In some embodiments of the present invention, the speed of
motor 120 is controllable, so as to adjust the rotational speed of
bristle assembly 110.
[0022] It is to be understood that the inclusion of motor 120 on
brush 100 is exemplary only. Various other arrangements may be used
that include the provision of a single, centralized motor that is
coupled to each separate bristle assembly through an
interconnection, such as a pulley system. While more efficient in
terms of the reduction of motors and power required, the
single-motor embodiment lacks the ability to modify the rotational
speed of the individual brushes. However, either arrangement may be
used in accordance with the present invention.
[0023] With this understanding of the particular brush assembly, it
is possible to understand the operation of the present invention by
reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. Referring again to FIG. 2, first
support member 44 is illustrated as providing power and movement to
a first plurality of mechanically-driven rotary brushes including
an inner baffle wall cleaning brush 50, an inner weir wall cleaning
brush 52, an outer weir wall cleaning brush 54, and a pair of clear
water channel floor cleaning brushes 56 and 58. It is to be
understood that this particular arrangement and distribution of
brushes along first support member 44 is exemplary only, and that
virtually any number and arrangement of mechanized brushes may be
used. In its simplest form, a single mechanized rotary brush may be
used alone or in combination with the "static" brushes of the prior
art. The rotary brush or brushes can also be moved manually from
one cleaning surface to another. Another embodiment of the present
invention (not shown) involves an additional automated mechanism to
move the brush or brushes from surface to surface.
[0024] In accordance with the present invention, the necessary
power and control signals are fed along first support member 44 and
into the individual motors 120 of each brush assembly 100. Elements
110, 120 and 130 of an exemplary brush (as discussed above in
association with FIG. 4), are particularly referenced in
association with brush 56 in FIG. 2. It is to be understood that
each individual brush in the arrangement of FIG. 2 contains similar
elements.
[0025] Second support member 46, as shown in FIG. 2, provides power
and movement to a second plurality of mechanized rotary brushes. In
this particular embodiment, second support member 46 is shown as
coupled to an outer baffle wall cleaning brush 60, a spillway
cleaning brush 62, an angled spillway brush 64 and a pair of
channel wall cleaning brushes 66 and 68.
[0026] The cut-away side view of FIG. 3 clearly illustrates the
location of the various individual mechanized rotary brushes with
respect to the various surfaces in water treatment tank 20.
Particularly evident in this view is the angular placement of brush
64, so as to accommodate the downwardly sloping face 28 of spillway
26. The utilization of the set of brushes 56, 58, 66 and 68 along
the surfaces of clear water channel 30 are considered to be more
than sufficient to remove any remaining algae and debris that
collects in this outermost region. As with the arrangement and
disposition of brushes along first support member 44, it is to be
understood that the various brushes included along second support
member 46 may vary, as need be. Indeed, it is to be understood that
various other support arrangements, using fewer or more support
arms, may be employed, as long as the entire assembly is capable of
rotational motion around the tank while providing rotational energy
to the various brushes.
[0027] Thus, in accordance with the present invention, the
application of electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic power signals
along first and second support members 44, 46 energizes the
individual motors associated with each of the illustrated rotary
brushes. Upon activation, the bristle assembly will rotate at a
predetermined speed to provide efficient cleaning. In one
embodiment, a common control/power signal is used for the entire
combination of brushes. Alternatively, different brushes may be
coupled to separate power/control leads so as to separately adjust
the rotational speed of each brush and tailor the scrubbing ability
of each brush for its particular use (i.e., scrubbing the weir vs.
scrubbing the clear water channel).
[0028] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the
present invention that utilizes an alternative orientation of the
brushes, resulting in the use of fewer brushes and requiring only a
single support arm. As with the embodiment discussed above,
separate motor elements (or a single motor with a pulley
arrangement) are used to provide rotational motion to each brush.
Referring to FIG. 5, inventive scrubbing arrangement 70 includes a
single support arm 72, with a plurality of separate brushing
elements disposed along support arm 72. In particular, a first
brush 74 is disposed to clean the inner wall of baffle 22. A second
brush 76 is disposed to clean both the outer wall of baffle 22 and
the inner surface of weir 24, where the scrubbing material of brush
76 is appropriately sized so as to contact both surfaces (see also
the cut-away side view of FIG. 6). A third brush 78 is used to
clean spillway 26, with an additional brush 80 used to scrub angled
surface 28 of spillway 26. Inasmuch as brush 80 is used to clean
only one surface, a traditional bristled brush may be used. Lastly,
a final brush 82 is disposed within clear water channel 30 and used
to clean the bottom surface, as well as the side surfaces, of the
channel. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, brush 82 is sized such that
the bottom surface of brush 82 will scrub the floor of channel 30,
with the outer periphery of brush 82 used to scrub the sidewalls of
channel 30. As with the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, each brush in
scrubbing arrangement 70 may include an individual motor to impart
rotational motion to the scrubbing elements. Further, the speeds
may be varied (as needed) to control the desired degree of
cleaning.
[0029] While this invention has been described fully and completely
with special emphasis upon preferred embodiments, it should be
understood that various modifications and alterations may be made
to the particular brush and/or support mechanism and remain within
the spirit and scope of the present invention. Since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, and
fall within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *