U.S. patent application number 15/975350 was filed with the patent office on 2018-09-13 for aquatic organism treatment method and apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is JOHN A. PAOLUCCIO, JOHN J. PAOLUCCIO. Invention is credited to JOHN A. PAOLUCCIO, JOHN J. PAOLUCCIO.
Application Number | 20180255761 15/975350 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63446207 |
Filed Date | 2018-09-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180255761 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PAOLUCCIO; JOHN J. ; et
al. |
September 13, 2018 |
AQUATIC ORGANISM TREATMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS
Abstract
An apparatus and the associated method which includes means for
controlling an invasive organism. The means including a trolling
apparatus, for attachment to an associated vehicle. The trolling
apparatus is pulled through a body of water in response to movement
of the associated vehicle. The housing carries a plurality of UV-C
light sources for producing UV-C light at a wavelength of
substantially 254 nm, whereby invasive organisms proximate to light
emanating from at least one of said UV-C light source whereby
invasive organisms are exposed to UV-C light at a wavelength of
substantially 254 nm resulting in controlling an invasive organism.
Other embodiments, attract organisms such as mosquitos and then
expose them to UV-C light. The invention facilitates reduced use of
herbicide.
Inventors: |
PAOLUCCIO; JOHN J.;
(MODESTO, CA) ; PAOLUCCIO; JOHN A.; (MODESTO,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PAOLUCCIO; JOHN J.
PAOLUCCIO; JOHN A. |
MODESTO
MODESTO |
CA
CA |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
63446207 |
Appl. No.: |
15/975350 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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15358067 |
Nov 21, 2016 |
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15975350 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01M 21/043 20130101;
A01M 1/226 20130101; A01M 21/04 20130101; A01M 21/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A01M 21/04 20060101
A01M021/04; A01M 1/22 20060101 A01M001/22 |
Claims
1. An apparatus which comprises: means for controlling an invasive
aquatic organism, said means including a trolling apparatus for
trolling through a body of water, for attachment to an associated
vehicle, said trolling apparatus having a housing having a means
for attachment to an associated vehicle, such that the housing is
pulled through a body of water in response to movement of the
associated vehicle, said housing further including a surface; a
plurality of UV-C light sources for producing UV-C light at a
wavelength of substantially 254 nm, carried on said surface whereby
invasive organisms proximate to light emanating from at least one
of said UV-C light source whereby invasive organisms are exposed to
UV-C light at a wavelength of substantially 254 nm resulting in
controlling an invasive organism.
2. An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said trolling
apparatus has a surface that is elongated and dimensioned and
disposed for movement in a direction that is aligned with the
direction of elongation thereof.
3. An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said trolling
apparatus has a surface that is flexible enough to at least
partially conform to an irregular surface on which an invasive
organism is disposed whereby the increased effectiveness of the
UV-C light is achieved because of the greater proximity.
4. The trolling apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said
plurality of UV-C light sources are LED devices.
5. The trolling apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said
means for attachment cooperates with an associated hoist to
facilitate lifting of said surface, followed by lateral movement
and depositing said surface in a different part of a virtual grid
defined on a body of water.
6. A method which comprises: providing means for controlling an
invasive aquatic organism, providing means for controlling that
includes a trolling apparatus, providing an attachment for an
associated vehicle, providing the trolling apparatus with a housing
having a means for attachment to an associated vehicle, whereby the
housing is pulled through a body of water in response to movement
of the associated vehicle, providing the housing with a surface;
and providing a plurality of UV-C light sources for producing UV-C
light at a wavelength of substantially 254 nm, including providing
the light sources on the surface whereby invasive organisms
proximate to light emanating from at least one of said UV-C light
source whereby invasive organisms are exposed to UV-C light at a
wavelength of substantially 254 nm resulting in controlling an
invasive organism.
7. The method as described in claim 6 wherein the step of providing
a trolling apparatus includes providing a surface that is elongated
and dimensioned and disposed for movement in a direction that is
aligned with the direction of elongation thereof.
8. The method as described in claim 6 wherein the step of providing
a trolling apparatus includes providing the apparatus with a
surface that is flexible enough to at least partially conform to an
irregular surface on which an invasive organism is disposed whereby
the increased effectiveness of the UV-C light is achieved because
of the greater proximity.
9. The method as described in claim 6 wherein the step of providing
a plurality of UV-C light sources includes providing LED light
sources.
10. The means as described in claim 6 as described in claim 6
wherein the step of providing means for attachment cooperates with
an associated hoist to facilitate lifting of said surface, followed
by lateral movement and depositing said surface in a different part
of a virtual grid defined on a body of water.
11. A method which comprises: providing means for controlling
mosquitos, which comprises providing means for attracting mosquitos
with UV-C light and means for controlling mosquitos that includes
utilizing UV-C light as well as any larval proximate to the
mosquitos.
12. A method as described in claim 11 further including providing a
solar collector to power the UV-C light.
13. A method as in claim 12 further including providing means for
storing electrical power, provided by the solar collector, and
selected from the group consisting of a battery and a
capacitor.
14. A method which comprises: providing means for controlling
mosquitos, which comprises providing means for attracting mosquitos
with movement of physical structure and means for controlling
mosquitos that includes utilizing UV-C light exposure as well as
utilizing UV-C light exposure to the boxes any larval proximate to
the mosquitos.
15. A method as described in claim 14 further including providing a
solar collector to power the UV-C light.
16. A method as in claim 15 further including providing means for
storing electrical power, provided by the solar collector, selected
from the group consisting of a battery and a capacitor.
17. A method which comprises: providing means for controlling
mosquitoes which comprises: means for attracting mosquitoes
selected from the group consisting of providing UV light, dark
colors including but not limited to black, CO.sub.2, a particular
scent, body heat, warm temperatures, object movement, and air
motion; means for controlling mosquitos that are attracted that
includes exposing the attracted mosquitoes to UV-C light as well as
exposing any larval proximate to the mosquitos to UV-C light.
18. The method as described claim 17 further including providing a
solar collector to power the UV-C light.
19. A method as in claim 18 further including providing means for
storing electrical power, provided by the solar collector, selected
from the group consisting of a battery and a capacitor.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation in part application of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/358,067 filed on Nov. 21, 2016
now U.S. Pat. No. ______ issued on ______. This application
contains subject matter which is related to U.S. Pat. No. 9,622,465
dated Apr. 18, 2017 which matured from U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 15/184,367 filed on Jun. 16, 2016 entitled Short-Wavelength
Ultraviolet Light Array for Aquatic Invasive Weed Species Control
Apparatus and Method having the same inventive entity and
ownership. That application and patent is hereby incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention is generally directed to remediation
of invasive aquatic organisms. The term "Aquatic" as used herein
means relating to water and/or living in or near water or taking
place in water.
[0003] The term "organism" as used herein means any individual
living thing including but not limited to plants, animals,
bacterium, microbes, fungus, mussels, mussel larval, mosquitos,
mosquito larval, insects, microorganisms, species and other living
organisms. An organism has a body made up of smaller parts that
work together. There are many different organisms. It is estimated
are there to be as many as 100,000 different organisms on Earth.
Sometimes organisms are grouped by the environment they live in.
For example, aquatic organisms live in or near a body of water.
[0004] The term "body of water" as used herein includes oceans,
ponds, lakes, marshes, seasonal streams, cisterns, vaults, basins,
or other containment area with standing or flowing water.
[0005] The term "invasive organism" as used herein means an
organism that spreads prolifically and undesirably or harmfully and
are thus desirably controlled. Accordingly, the term "invasive
aquatic organism" means an organism as defined in this paragraph
that lives in a body of water as defined herein and the organism
spreads prolifically and undesirably or harmfully. The term
"trolling" as used herein will be understood to include movement
over a surface or train any of various rates of travel including
fast rates and slow rates and variable rates as well as
intermittent steps and incremental steps that may be uniform,
periodic or variable.
[0006] Recent outbreaks of mosquito borne illnesses, including the
Zika Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Fever have
led to the need for new treatment methods to help control these and
other pests and larva where they congregate for long term unmanned
control especially in shallow ponds and hidden areas like pits and
basins with standing water.
[0007] Embodiments of the present application relate to the
description in Applicants' U.S. patent application Ser. No.
15/358,067 describing the use of the invention to control invasive
Zebra mussels and clams and other Mollusca pests. That application
expressly states, "Although the description herein prominently
refers to remediation of milfoil it will be understood that the
present invention has application to other aquatic invasive weed
species as well as mussels, clams, plants and still other aquatic
species." The term "organism" as used herein will be understood to
include, but not be limited to, such organisms.
[0008] Embodiments of the present invention treat aquatic organisms
with Ultra Violet light that includes light rays in the C range
(UV-C). Some of such embodiments utilize a biocide in addition to
UV-C light. Others utilize only the biocide in a manner that
minimizes the distribution of the biocide throughout the body of
water in which the invasive organism is found.
[0009] Other embodiments of the present invention are directed to
the use of a herbicide to destroy invasive weeds and particularly
to provide a practical way of using a herbicide in a manner that
minimizes the amount of herbicide that is necessary and thereby
minimizes the cost and environmental impact of a herbicidal
approach to resolve the impact of invasive weeds. Although the
description herein prominently refers to remediation of milfoil it
will be understood that the present invention has application to
other aquatic invasive weed species as well as mussels, clams,
plants and still other aquatic species and organisms. Those skilled
in the art will recognize that other biocides will be appropriate
for other organisms. The term "biocide" is defined as a chemical
substance or microorganism intended to destroy, deter, render
harmless, or exert a controlling effect on any harmful organism by
chemical or biological means. The term "means for controlling" as
used herein means any means for destroying, deterring, rendering
harmless, or exerting a controlling effect on any harmful organism
including but not limited to chemical or biological means.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The manner of utilizing a remediation agent is dependent on
the nature of the specific organism and the specific change agent.
Although UV-C light has been used to sterilize water, the
utilization of UV-C in large bodies of water is complicated by the
depth and clarity of the water as well as the irregularity of the
surfaces on which various organisms are found and the effectivity
of UV-C light in controlling the target organism.
[0011] There are several methods used for treating aquatic weeds
such as milfoil. These include mechanical harvesters, manual weed
pulling and removal, herbicides and floor screens, barriers or
large mats. The use of UV-C light waves is also a potential
treatment method as described in the incorporated patent
application. The teachings of that application led to this
application to expand the number and types of treatment methods to
battle the growing global environmental problems caused by invasive
aquatic species. The infestation of aquatic plants in lakes, ponds
and waterways is growing rapidly and prior art methods have not
been effective or practical and new and better treatment methods
are needed. Some embodiments of the present invention offer an
alternate treatment method that isolates and treats the aquatic
plants in a small containment volume of the chamber where
herbicides, chemicals or even UV-C light waves can be used to
destroy the contained plants. The UV-C ultraviolet light wave
treatment method incorporated by reference in this application
describes in greater detail may be combined with the apparatus
described herein.
[0012] Prior art aquatic weed remediation apparatus and methods
include mechanical harvesters, mowers, hand pulling, smothering or
barrier mats and herbicides are the primary aquatic plant treatment
and control methods currently used. One of the above current
methods used to treat and kill milfoil (aquatic plants) is barrier
mats that cover and smother the plants. Divers swim out to an
infected area and submerge a large plastic, or rubber, or fabric
mat on top of the milfoil. Some mats are in large rolls that are
unrolled underwater. They add weights to hold the mats in place at
the floor of the body of water. (The term "floor" used herein
refers to the land mass that supports a body of water.) The mat may
have slits or vents to allow air and built up gases produced by
decaying material to escape. The covered plants are eventually
killed by the smothering action of the mats. The mats may remain
over the plants for three (3) months before divers retrieve the
mats. The retrieved mats need to be cleaned and decontaminated
after use. They are usually rolled up for storage until ready for
use. Herbicides are also used for treatment and may be applied by
surface sprays or by hose directly under water.
[0013] The prior art methods an apparatus involve complications.
For example, mechanical harvesting methods leave behind large
quantities of plant fragments that end up growing and causing
additional infestations. Barrier mats require several divers to
swim to an infested milfoil plant area and lower the mats over the
milfoil. The divers then must add weights to prevent the mats from
drifting away due to water currents. After 3 months, the divers
need to return and remove the weights and the mats. Installation
and removal is a very time consuming and extremely costly
operation. It is also considered dangerous work for the divers.
While such mats sit on the floor of the body of water for months,
some plants will grow through the vent slits and sediment will
settle on top of the mats making removal and cleaning of the mats
very difficult.
[0014] Prior art herbicide use requires large amounts of costly
herbicide to obtain the concentrations needed in open bodies of
water for treating surface and submerged plants. The herbicide
quickly mixes with the water initially forming very high
concentrations followed by very low concentration as the herbicide
becomes diluted with water. The dilution of the herbicide greatly
limits effectiveness. It is virtually impossible to obtain and
control the proper concentration for effective treatment. Only a
very small fraction of the herbicide ever encounters the plants.
Concerns about water pollution and health effects with drinking
water contaminated with herbicides along with plants becoming
resistant to the applied herbicide and high cost of the herbicide
severely limit its use. Allowing large amounts of herbicide to mix
and become diluted in open bodies of water facilitates the plants
becoming resistant to the herbicide. Once fully diluted the entire
body of water is contaminated with herbicide and that can upset the
ecosystem. Many unforeseen environmental problems can result.
[0015] From the above, it is therefore seen that there exists a
need in the art to overcome the deficiencies and limitations
described herein and above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] It has now been found that these and other objects of the
invention include an apparatus which includes means for controlling
an invasive aquatic organism, the means including a trolling
apparatus for trolling through a body of water, and for attachment
to an associated vehicle. The trolling apparatus has a housing
having a means for attachment to an associated vehicle, such that
the housing is pulled through a body of water in response to
movement of the associated vehicle, the housing further carrying a
plurality of UV-C light sources for producing UV-C light at a
wavelength of substantially 254 nm, whereby invasive organisms
proximate to light emanating from at least one of the UV-C light
sources are exposed to UV-C light at a wavelength of substantially
254 nm resulting in controlling the invasive organism.
[0017] In some forms of the apparatus the trolling apparatus has a
surface that is elongated and dimensioned and disposed for movement
in a direction that is aligned with the direction of elongation
thereof. Other forms of the invention include a trolling apparatus
that has a surface that is flexible enough to at least partially
conform to an irregular surface on which an invasive organism is
disposed whereby the increased effectiveness of the UV-C light is
achieved because of the greater proximity. The trolling apparatus
may have a plurality of UV-C light sources that are LED devices.
Other embodiments use mercury vapor or other UV-C light
sources.
[0018] Some embodiments of the trolling apparatus include a means
for attachment that cooperates with an associated hoist to
facilitate lifting of the surface, followed by lateral movement and
depositing the surface in a different part of a virtual grid
defined on a body of water.
[0019] Other embodiments of the invention include the method which
includes providing means for controlling an invasive aquatic
organism, providing means for controlling that includes a trolling
apparatus, providing an attachment for an associated vehicle,
providing the trolling apparatus with a housing having a means for
attachment to an associated vehicle, whereby the housing is pulled
through a body of water in response to movement of the associated
vehicle, providing the housing with a surface; and providing a
plurality of UV-C light sources for producing UV-C light at a
wavelength of substantially 254 nm, including providing the light
sources on the surface whereby invasive organisms proximate to
light emanating from at least one of the UV-C light source whereby
invasive organisms are exposed to UV-C light at a wavelength of
substantially 254 nm resulting in controlling an invasive
organism.
[0020] Some embodiments of the method include the step of providing
a trolling apparatus that includes providing a surface that is
elongated and dimensioned and disposed for movement in a direction
that is aligned with the direction of elongation thereof. The
method may include the step of providing a trolling apparatus that
includes providing the apparatus with a surface that is flexible
enough to at least partially conform to an irregular surface on
which an invasive organism is disposed whereby the increased
effectiveness of the UV-C light is achieved because of the greater
proximity.
[0021] The method may include the step of providing a plurality of
UV-C light sources includes providing LED light sources. The method
may include the step of providing means for attachment that
cooperates with an associated hoist to facilitate lifting of the
surface, followed by lateral movement and depositing the surface in
a different part of a virtual grid defined on a body of water.
[0022] An object of some embodiments of the present invention is to
provide an improved method of treating and destroying aquatic
plants such as milfoil with apparatus that produces the desired
result while minimizing the cost and quantity of herbicide
utilized.
[0023] Additional objects of some embodiments of the present
invention eliminate the need for divers, to substantially reduce
the use of herbicides to a small fraction of present use, to reduce
costs, to reduce pollution, to speed up the treatment process and
to improve safety. In lieu of treating the milfoil plants in open
water some embodiments of the present sinks a containment chamber
over organism that is to be controlled.
[0024] For example, if the organism to be controlled is milfoil, a
containment chamber is dropped over the tall growing milfoil plants
and consolidates them in a densely packed area within the chamber
at the floor surface. This small contained treatment chamber volume
is then treated with herbicide, and or other additives, when the
exposure time is complete the herbicide mix is recycled back into a
storage bladder for reuse or it is filtered through an activated
carbon filter back into the water. The chamber method also allows
for use of UV-C ultraviolet light waves alone or in combination
with herbicide or other chemicals to control aquatic organisms. It
will be understood that the chamber in most preferred embodiments
has an open bottom. The open bottom facilitates in some cases
movement of the chamber over aquatic vegetation. In accordance with
conventional patent claim drafting practice, that is reluctant to
claim empty space, it will be understood that the structure
involved which might also be called cup shaped, bell shaped,
inverted pan or bowl shaped, or an inverted chamber may also be
described as a housing having a concave cavity. The term "concave"
will be understood to include the inner surface of a bowl or
sphere. Those skilled in the art will recognize that this
terminology reads on the structure described herein. Additional
features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the
present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention
are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the
claimed invention.
[0025] The recitation herein of desirable objects which are met by
various embodiments of the present invention is not meant to imply
or suggest that any or all these objects are present as essential
features, either individually or collectively, in the most general
embodiment of the present invention or in any of its more specific
embodiments.
[0026] Objects of some embodiments of the present invention are
achieved in a method for remediation of aquatic vegetation disposed
at least partially in a body of water such as a lake, pond, river
or ocean having a floor which includes providing a housing having a
concave cavity having a periphery; orienting said housing with the
concave cavity facing downward; providing a remediation agent
selected from the group consisting of chemicals, microorganisms and
a source ultraviolet light in the "C" range; moving the housing
with the concave cavity facing downward over the aquatic vegetation
to be remediated; and positioning a quantity of remediation agent
within the concave cavity whereby the distribution of the
remediation agent in the body of water is limited by the concave
cavity.
[0027] In some embodiments of the present invention the remediation
agent is selected from the group consisting of herbicides,
insecticides, and microbes. The method may include moving the
housing with the concave cavity facing downward over the aquatic
vegetation to be controlled. The step of providing a housing may
include providing a housing having a peripheral seal extending
along substantially the entire periphery of said concave cavity and
which limits entry of water from the body of water into the concave
cavity. The step of providing a remediation agent may include the
step of providing a reservoir containing an herbicide. The method
may further include providing a reservoir containing herbicide and
the reservoir is disposed within the concave cavity within the
housing.
[0028] Some embodiments of the method in accordance with the
present invention includes the step of providing UV-C ultraviolet
light generating apparatus within the housing to further augment
destruction of undesired vegetation. The method may further include
the step of trolling the housing through a body of water as well as
positioning the housing in substantially sealing relationship with
the floor underneath the body of water. The method may include the
step of filtering water within the concave cavity to extract
herbicide therein as well as the step of returning herbicide to the
reservoir upon removal from the water within the concave cavity.
The method may further include the step of providing a reservoir
having a variable volume the outer envelope of the reservoir
changes dimensions with increase or decrease of the quantity of
herbicide disposed therein.
[0029] Some embodiments of the method in accordance with the
present invention further include the step of providing remote
controls for the elevation of the housing as well as the latitude
and longitude thereof. The method may further include providing
flotation chambers attached to the housing to facilitate
elevational changes of the housing. Some embodiments include the
step of adding or removing air from the flotation chambers to
impact the elevation of the housing. In some cases, filtration of
the water in the concave cavity is achieved with an activated
carbon filter.
[0030] The method may include the use of a vacuum pump to deflate
flotation members to cause the housing to move to a lower elevation
within the body of water. The method may include intentionally
causing the housing and the concave cavity to compact weeds below
the concave cavity and in some cases to push the periphery of the
concave cavity against the floor of the body of water. Some
embodiments of the method further include the step of providing an
air cylinder and selectively adding air to the flotation chambers
to impact the elevation of the housing.
[0031] The method may further include the step of providing at
least one pump to move herbicide between the concave cavity and the
reservoir as well as the step of providing a dose dispensing
cylinder to determine the quantity of herbicide deposited in the
concave cavity. Other embodiments of the method may include
apparatus for controlling a position of the housing from a
boat.
[0032] Some embodiments of the present invention include a method
which includes providing means for controlling mosquitos, which
comprises providing means for attracting mosquitos with UV-C light
and means for controlling mosquitos that includes utilizing UV-C
light as well as any larval proximate to the mosquitos.
[0033] In some embodiments the method includes providing a solar
collector to power the UV-C light. Furthermore, the method may
further include providing means for storing electrical power,
provided by the solar collector, and selected from the group
consisting of a battery and a capacitor.
[0034] Some embodiments of the present include a method which
includes providing means for controlling mosquitos, which comprises
providing means for attracting mosquitos with movement of a
physical structure and means for controlling mosquitos that
includes utilizing UV-C light as well as any larval proximate to
the mosquitos.
[0035] The method may further include providing a solar collector
to power the UV-C light. The method may further include providing
means for storing electrical power, provided by the solar
collector, selected from the group consisting of a battery and a
capacitor.
[0036] The means for controlling mosquitoes may comprise means for
attracting mosquitoes selected from the group consisting of
providing UV light, dark colors including but not limited to black,
CO.sub.2, a scent, body heat, warm temperatures, object movement,
and air motion; and the means for controlling mosquitos utilizing
UV-C light exposure may further include exposing the attracted
mosquitoes to UV-C light as well as exposing any larval proximate
to the mosquitos attracted by the UV-C light.
[0037] The method may further include providing a solar collector
to power the UV-C light. The means for storing electrical power,
provided by the solar collector, may be selected from the group
consisting of a battery and a capacitor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of
the invention will be apparent from the following more particular
description of illustrative embodiments of the invention, as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference
characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views.
The drawings are not necessarily to scale; emphasis instead being
placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Those
skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methods
specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments. The features
illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary
embodiment can be combined with the features of other embodiments.
Such modifications and variations are intended to be included
within the scope of the present invention.
[0039] The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is
particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding
portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to
organization and method of practice, together with the further
objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference
to the following description taken in connection with the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0040] FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation cut-away view of the
preferred embodiment of the chamber invention with herbicide mix
storage bladder and deflated floatation tubes resting on the floor
surface forming a containment volume surrounding densely packed
milfoil being treated with herbicide.
[0041] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the chamber on the water surface
with pumps and filtration system.
[0042] FIG. 3 is a schematic elevation view of the chamber on the
water surface with inflated floatation tubes and the storage
bladder filled with herbicide mix.
[0043] FIG. 4 is a schematic elevation view of the chamber, as
shown above, sinking after the floatation tubes are deflated.
[0044] FIG. 5 is a schematic elevation view of the chamber, as
shown above, resting on the floor over deflected milfoil plants to
be treated.
[0045] FIG. 6 is a schematic elevation view of the chamber, as
shown above, resting on the floor over deflected milfoil plants.
The herbicide mix is shown transferred from the storage bladder and
into the chamber area thereby treating the milfoil plants.
[0046] FIG. 7 is a schematic elevation view of the chamber, as
shown above, resting on the floor over the deflected milfoil plants
after being treated. The herbicide mix is shown transferred from
the containment chamber area back into the storage bladder. The
floatation tubes are still shown deflated.
[0047] FIG. 8 is a schematic elevation view of the chamber, as
shown above, rising in the water toward the surface after the
floatation tubes are inflated.
[0048] FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of a variation of the
chamber, without the storage bladder, on the surface of the water,
with the herbicide cylinder, filter pump and activated carbon
filter.
[0049] FIG. 10 is a schematic elevation view of a variation of the
chamber, without the storage bladder, on the surface of the water,
with the herbicide cylinder, filter pump and activated carbon
filter. The flotation tubes are shown inflated.
[0050] FIG. 11 is a schematic elevation view of the above variation
of the chamber sinking, with the flotation tubes deflated.
[0051] FIG. 12 is a schematic elevation view of a variation of the
chamber, as it rests on the floor over the milfoil plants to be
treated. The flotation tubes are shown deflated.
[0052] FIG. 13 is a schematic elevation view of a variation of the
remote-controlled chamber, after a dose of herbicide is introduced
into the chamber providing the selected herbicide mix to treat the
milfoil plants. The flotation tubes are shown deflated.
[0053] FIG. 14 is a schematic elevation view of a variation of the
remote-controlled chamber, after the milfoil plants are treated and
the herbicide mix is being pumped through an activated carbon
filter.
[0054] FIG. 15 is a schematic elevation view of a variation of the
remote-controlled chamber, after the milfoil plants are treated and
filtration tubes are inflated, and the chamber is rising toward the
surface.
[0055] FIG. 16 is a schematic elevation view of a variation of the
chamber with the flotation tubes are inflated and the chamber back
on top of the water surface.
[0056] FIG. 17 is a schematic plan view of a variation of the
remote-controlled chamber with a deflector so the chamber can be
moved in a continuous manner treating the milfoil plants along the
floor.
[0057] FIG. 18 is a schematic plan view with multiple chambers
fastened together to form a larger chamber treatment area.
[0058] FIG. 19 is a schematic elevation view of a variation of the
remote-controlled chamber with an herbicide dosing cylinder and a
compressed air cylinder with remote operated fill and air release
valves.
[0059] FIG. 20 is a schematic elevation view of a variation of the
remote-controlled chamber on the surface of the water to treat
surface aquatic plants. This includes an herbicide spray cylinder.
The aerosol herbicide is sprayed directly into the containment
volume to treat the surface aquatic plants. An optional circulating
fan, shown dashed, can be used to cause more turbulence of the
herbicide spray on the plant surfaces for improved efficiency.
[0060] FIG. 21 is a schematic elevation view of a variation of the
remote-controlled chamber on the floor to treat submerged aquatic
plants. UV-C lights are used to treat the consolidated aquatic
plants within the containment volume.
[0061] FIG. 22 is a schematic elevation view of a variation of the
remote-controlled chamber on the surface of the water to treat
surface aquatic plants. UV-C ultraviolet lights are used to treat
the surface aquatic plants within the containment volume.
[0062] FIG. 23 is a schematic elevation view of a variation of the
remote-controlled chamber propelled by powered wheels for chamber
movement along the floor to treat submerged aquatic plants. UV-C
lights are used to treat the consolidated aquatic plants within the
containment volume.
[0063] FIG. 24 is a schematic elevation view of a variation of a
stationary chamber suspended within a cistern or water containing
basin with standing water. LED type UV-C light is used in a
chamber/housing to attract and control mosquitos and mosquito
larvae.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0064] Applicants' U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/358,067
describes the use of the invention to control invasive Zebra
mussels and clams and other Mollusca pests. The term "organism" as
used herein will be understood to include but not be limited to
such organisms.
[0065] Embodiments of the present invention treat aquatic organisms
with Ultra Violet light that includes light rays in the C range
(UV-C). The technology enables treatment despite irregular contours
of surfaces on which the organisms are located as well as the
enormity of the ambient in which the organisms are found. The many
millions of mussel eggs and young larval produced can be quickly
treated by trolling the UVC Apparatus over them. By eliminating the
light sensitive mussel eggs and larval, even the free swimming
larval, the high rate of regrowth is limited, and massive
infestations are eliminated or controlled.
[0066] The apparatus will treat mussels on various irregular
surfaces. The apparatus will expose the mussels and their eggs and
larval to a lethal dose of UVC rays. The young mussel larval with
thin shells and light sensitive eggs would quickly succumb to the
high-level radiation and die. Periodic treatments shortly after
mussels lay their eggs will control the mussels to acceptable
levels. With subsequent treatments the mussel population will drop
to a lower level with each treatment.
[0067] In a preferred embodiment for treatment of mussels, for
example, utilizes a semi-flexible UV-C light that enables the
apparatus to conform to the surface where the mussels are disposed.
The flexibility helps to maintain the lethal distance between the
UV lamp surface and the mussels. When remediating tall flexible
plants (for example, Milfoil plants that may even be 8' tall, the
apparatus consolidates the plants as the apparatus is lowered to
within a foot from the bottom. Mussels on the other hand are rigid
and cannot be consolidated. Mussels are typically disposed on
irregular surfaces such as rocks, piers and columns. Accordingly, a
flexible mat apparatus that includes a plurality of UV-C emitting
lamps is particularly useful on these irregular surfaces.
[0068] The incorporated by reference U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 15/184,367 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,622,465) include embodiments in
FIGS. 13 and 14 (as well as the respective descriptions thereof)
that are particularly advantageous for remediation of mussels and
similarly disposed organisms. In addition, FIG. 3 discloses a
flexible enclosure embodiment and FIG. 17 discloses a drag mat
embodiment (as well as the respective descriptions thereof) that
are also particularly advantageous for remediation of mussels and
similarly disposed organisms.
[0069] As noted in application Ser. No. 15/358,067, a variation of
the invention includes a large semi-flexible chamber with
floatation tubes in the form of a large flexible sheet with a rigid
portion to hold certain components can be provided. For example,
the chamber may be 12' wide by 24' long and have floatation tubes
to keep the chamber afloat when the tubes are inflated. Thus, the
chamber will sink when the tubes are deflated. The chamber is
remote controlled or towed into position in some embodiments. When
the chamber is used with microbes, the chamber will remain on the
floor for longer periods to give the microbes a better chance of
digesting the decaying plants.
[0070] As also noted in application Ser. No. 15/358,067, one form
of the apparatus includes a Floatation Containment Chamber 11. The
chamber 11 may for example be built in a modular design that can be
joined together to make for a large treatment unit. The preferred
chamber module size may be 4' wide by 8' long. The chamber may have
a solid, semi-solid or flexible top surface with at least a portion
that is 1/2'' thick high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or other
durable material to support other items to such as pumps, weights
14 filter, area lights, video cameras and other items. The
perimeter skirt of the chamber may have a 2'' high angle where it
connects to the chamber top surface, so it forms a 4'.times.8' by
2'' high inverted chamber volume that is called the containment
volume 24. Once the containment volume 24 is on the floor 23 it
will occupy a volume of 5.33 cubic feet or 40 gallons. The
selection of 2'' height is for example purposes only and the
bladder height may be best determined by the floor 23 terrain and
milfoil 38 plant densities. The top of the chamber 11 may have
one-way vent 16 ports that allow for any trapped air within the
containment volume 24 to escape.
[0071] Various embodiments of the Chamber 11 are rigid,
semiflexible, flexible, opaque, clear, and of any size and shape
suitable for the specific application. The shape of the container
may be concave shaped, irregular shaped, a drag mat or
semi-contained. In use the chamber 11 may be towed, lowered and
raised, powered, trolled, stationary, or positioned in such a way
as to accommodate any species to be treated.
[0072] Application Ser. No. 15/358,067 further states that the
reference number 37 refers to "Milfoil 37. Milfoil. This term is
used to include all aquatic species of plants including Eurasian
watermilfoil (Microphyll spicatum). Although the description uses
this term it will be understood that the apparatus and method of
the present invention have application to other aquatic plants
including surface plants and other species such as invasive Zebra
mussels and clams and other Mollusca pests that are subject to
treatment and eradication." Similarly, the application makes
express reference to the trolling unit 39.
[0073] The apparatus in accordance with the present invention is an
effective and practical tool for treating mussels and similar
organisms. This technology can be applied to all surfaces where
mussels grow and where eggs and larval occur. This includes piers,
pilings, structures in the water, boat hulls, rocks and bottom
sediment. It can also treat free swimming larval in the UVC
treatment exposure chamber area. The apparatus provides a low cost
and fast method of treatment with no residual chemicals and useful
wherever mussels are accessible to the lethal light rays of the
apparatus.
[0074] Embodiments of the present invention have many advantages
over the prior art apparatus and method. The present invention
allows for remote operation and requires no divers to deploy or
remove the apparatus. The chamber method allows for rapid herbicide
treatment of concentrated milfoil plants within the containment
volume that takes only minutes versus months with barrier mats. The
isolated treatment volume of the containment volume of the chamber
is a small fraction of the full height water column volume above
the chamber from prior art herbicide treatment, thus allowing for a
minimum of herbicide use only in the containment volume that may
only be 1% or prior art herbicide use. This allows for precise
herbicide concentration control for treatment and means are
provided for herbicide reuse and or filtration. This method is
faster, safer, easy to control, less costly, more effective, and
less polluting than prior art herbicide methods.
[0075] Many embodiments of the present invention include a
containment volume where treatment of organisms occur. In various
embodiments the treatment may be with herbicides, pesticides,
chemicals, microbes and enzymes scents, ultraviolet light including
UV in the C range, vibration, electric shock (like a bug zapper),
sound waves or any combination of such approaches. The treatment
mechanism will be systemic or surface control of living tissue by a
herbicide, damage to the cells and DNA by UV-C light rays,
attraction of organisms by scent or UV light, disorientation,
damage to the organisms senses such as sight, or disruption of
breeding or growth cycle.
[0076] Mosquitos are attracted by UV light, dark colors, namely
black, CO2, certain scents, body heat and certain warm
temperatures, object movement, air motion, and other conditions
especially when in combination of at least several of the above
attractants.
[0077] UVC lamps provide a high level of control by directly and
quickly exposing the mosquitos to a lethal dose of UV-C rays. In
certain applications, UV-C rays can be used as a mosquito or insect
attractant where a pesticide and other means help provide
control.
[0078] For small water containing basins that become an ideal
habitat for mosquitos, control can be obtained where solar or
battery power is used to energize a LED type UVC light. This may
mainly be suitable as an attractant type control apparatus where
damage to the mosquitos may also be by chemicals or pesticides. The
Aquatic Species Treatment Apparatus could be used on a cistern,
drain water vault or any other pit or water holding structure that
allows standing water to exist, thereby, allowing an ideal habitat
for mosquitos and their larva to become a health and nuisance
problem.
[0079] Background information what attracts mosquitoes to human
beings and means for disruption of mosquito perception of human
beings is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,616,557 entitled Air Mixing
Device and Method for Preventing Insects from Finding Human Beings
issued to John A. Paoluccio, a coinventor of the present
application. That patent is incorporated by reference herein.
[0080] Referring now to FIG. 24 there shown a schematic elevation
view of a variation of a stationary chamber suspended within a
cistern or water containing basin with standing water. An LED type
UV-C light 67 is used in a chamber/housing 66 to attract and
control mosquitos and mosquito larvae. FIG. 6 illustrates a Cistern
or water containing basin with grate and with standing water 65 and
an Apparatus chamber 66 having a housing having a black color. A
UV-C lamp LED 67 is provided within the apparatus chamber 66 to
both attract and control mosquitos as well as to kill mosquito
larvae. A pesticide, chemical or scent 68 is provided at the
chamber/housing 66 to provide additional help to control mosquitoes
and mosquito larvae. A tag or flag 69 that moves due to any air
movement or from warm air from the surface of the UV-C lamp 67 is
provided to further attract mosquitoes. A wire and support 70 is
provided for suspending the chamber/housing 66. A solar collector
71 with a capacitor or battery is disposed under the grate. An
attachment clip 72 is provided for supporting the chamber/housing
66. Disposed at the bottom of the cistern or water containing basin
65 is standing water 73. In the typical manner where standing water
exists mosquito are by 75 will be disposed in the standing water 73
and mosquitoes 74 will be present above the standing water.
[0081] As a further example, an application for a small water
containing structure that has a drain grate that occasionally has
some standing water at the bottom is a common ideal habitat example
of a location where mosquitos can flourish. To treat this type
application; a small apparatus it is hung from a hook under the
drain grate. The apparatus could be a small partially open chamber
with a LED type UVC light that is powered by a battery or by a
small solar collector at the grate. The heat from the UVC light
could cause the air adjacent to the warm lamp to rise and that air
motion can be used to cause a lightweight unbalanced small tag or
flag to move in a random fashion. In some variations certain
chemicals or scents could be added as an attractant.
[0082] The UVC light, in combination with heat from the light,
movement of the tag, the color black, movement of the air, and any
other attractants will attract the mosquitos where they will be
exposed to UV light in the C range where they will be disorientated
by the UVC damage to their body cells and eyes. This can cause them
to fall or interrupt breeding cycle. If certain pesticides are in
the Apparatus this exposure could further control the mosquitos.
The larva, that are further from the UVC light can be damaged by
long term exposure to the UVC rays, especially as the move to the
surface above the water.
[0083] Newer herbicides are being developed that have a shorter
half-life and should be safer for the environment. Embodiments of
the present invention utilize other additives within the treatment
chamber to kill plants. In some embodiments microbes are disposed
within the chamber to help digest the dead plants. The
remote-control module for the chamber may be located on a boat,
dock or on land. A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a
storage bladder or other variable volume device to store the
herbicide mix and allows reuse of the herbicide. Other variable
volume devices include bellows apparatus or a balloon having an
interior space as well as inlet and an outlet or a combination
inlet/outlet. As shown in FIG. 1 a storage bladder 20 allows for
minimizing the overall use of herbicide. More specifically the
herbicide used with the apparatus and method of the present
invention may be less than 1% of the quantity used when the
herbicide is merely added to essentially the entire body of water
being treated in prior art herbicide treatment methods. The chamber
method without the storage bladder 20 as shown in FIG. 9 through
FIG. 17 will still reduce the amount of herbicide to approximately
1% or 2% of prior art use. Filtration of the herbicide mix after
treatment may also be provided. The chamber method may also be used
for treating submerged plant and surface aquatic plants as shown in
FIG. 20. The herbicide use in this variation will be much higher
than chamber methods on the floor but still much less than prior
art surface spray methods. Recirculating the herbicide spray with a
fan as shown in FIG. 20 will be more effective for certain
applications, however, the herbicide may be sprayed directly into
the containment volume without a fan.
[0084] Another variation of this remote controlled floatation
chamber invention is the use of UV-C ultraviolet light waves alone
or in combination with herbicides or other additives within the
containment volume to treat submersed and surface aquatic species
as shown in FIG. 21, FIG. 22, and FIG. 23.
[0085] The chamber in the preferred embodiment has a rigid or
semi-rigid top surface and an open lower extremity. The top surface
may also, for example, be flexible with a rigid portion such as a
sheet of 1/2'' thick HDPE for attaching various devices. A
perimeter skirt with a weighted lower extremity forms the flexible
containment walls of the chamber. When the perimeter floatation
ribs or tubes are inflated the top surface of the chamber may be
above the water surface. A tow rope or a small propulsion system
that is remote controlled is used is used in some embodiments to
maneuver the chamber to any desired location over an infestation of
aquatic plants.
[0086] When the floatation ribs or tubes are deflated the chamber
sinks over a milfoil site and deflects the tall flimsy plants
downward. When the chamber comes to rest on the floor, the
perimeter skirt forms a seal with the floor thereby forming a
containment volume or chamber with densely packed milfoil plants.
The isolated containment chamber volume is a small fraction of the
full height water column volume above the chamber. If the water
depth is 10' and the containment chamber height is 2'' that is only
1.67% of the full height that needs to be treated. This allows for
activating a small dose of herbicide into the containment chamber
to treat the milfoil. Provisions for reuse or filtering of the
herbicide can then occur. In many embodiments of the present
invention the chamber height may be less than 2''.
[0087] Once the floatation tubes or ribs on the chamber are
deflated the chamber sinks over the treatment area. The fixed
support pads and the weighted flexible skirt around the perimeter
of the chamber form a containment volume over the aquatic milfoil
plants. A rigid support frame at the skirt attachment to the
chamber perimeter keeps the height of the chamber approximately 1''
to 2'' above the floor. The preferred embodiment of the invention
includes an herbicide mixes storage bladder that is located under
the top surface of the chamber. This provides a means of displacing
the water in the containment volume with the storage bladder
containing the proper herbicide concentration mix. When the storage
bladder is full of herbicide mix, it will press against the plants
and occupy most of the volume within the containment volume when at
rest on the floor.
[0088] The herbicide mix is then pumped out of the storage bladder
with the discharge pump and into the containment volume to treat
the plants. Since the volume of the herbicide mix equals the volume
of the containment volume, virtually no open water enters the
containment volume during treatment. After the treatment exposure
time is complete, a fill pump is used to transfer the herbicide mix
water in the containment volume back into the storage bladder for
reuse. Ideally with perfect displacement back and forth of the
herbicide mix between the containment volume and the storage
bladder, most of the herbicide is reused multiple times at other
treatment areas. However, leakage of water in and out of the
containment volume will occur so a small amount of herbicide will
need to be dosed or added to maintain the proper herbicide
concentration for treatment.
[0089] At the end of the day after multiple milfoil sites have been
treated the chamber can be returned to base, dock or boat. In this
context, the term "boat" includes a barge or any floating object
having sufficient buoyancy to support the required apparatus. In
some embodiments of the invention the object may itself be remotely
operated whereby both the object and the chamber are remotely
controlled. The remaining herbicide mix in the storage bladder can
then be pumped through an activated carbon filter with the Filter
Pump thereby resulting in a very small amount of herbicide from
entering the open water after multiple treatments.
[0090] By only treating the milfoil plants in the isolated
containment volume the herbicide concentration only occurs within
the small water volume in the containment volume for fast and
effective treatment of the milfoil. This minimizes the overall use
of herbicide to a small fraction of open water treatment methods.
The herbicide acts quickly to damage the cell tissue of the densely
positioned milfoil plants. Those skilled in the art will recognize
that milfoil plants naturally grow multiple plants closely spaced
together and thus densely disposed or positioned.
[0091] Once the treatment exposure time is completed, and that may
only be a few minutes to hours, depending on the type and
concentration of the herbicide used, plant type, temperature and
other factors, the treatment water is pumped out of the containment
volume and back into the storage bladder or through an activated
carbon filter to remove the herbicide. The cleaned and treated
water is then discharged into the open water. The small fraction of
herbicide used may be less than 1% of prior art methods. The
preferred embodiment of the invention includes a storage bladder
that allows for water displacement and reuse of the herbicide.
[0092] After treatment is completed the floatation ribs or tubes on
the chamber are remotely inflated and the chamber apparatus floats
to the surface. As an option, the herbicide mix in the storage
bladder is pumped to a storage vessel on the boat or dock for
future storage, treatment and or disposal. This above method may
result in a reduction of well over 99% of herbicide use. The
chamber with a bladder treats multiple sites in one day in some
embodiments. The overall cost of milfoil treatment with this method
will be a small fraction of prior art methods. Subsequent treatment
later can be made with a different herbicide to minimize the chance
of the milfoil developing a resistance to the herbicides. It is
best to treat the plants when they are young.
[0093] In a variation of the chamber invention, as shown in FIG. 9
through FIG. 18, the chamber is fitted with an herbicide cylinder,
discharge pump and a filter. No bladder, fill pump or discharge
pump are used. This variation still reduced the herbicide use but
not quite as much as the chamber with a storage bladder. The
advantage of this variation is the simplicity and lower costs. FIG.
19 is another variation that also eliminates the filter pump and
filter. All these variations substantially reduce the amount of
herbicide use and the selection of each variation depends on many
factors including specific application, degree of infestation,
location, operator experience, costs and other factors.
[0094] In a variation of the invention a large semi-flexible
chamber with floatation tubes in the form of a large flexible sheet
with a rigid portion to hold certain components can be provided.
For example, the chamber may be 12' wide by 24' long and have
floatation tubes to keep the chamber afloat when the tubes are
inflated. Thus, the chamber will sink when the tubes are deflated.
The chamber is remote controlled or towed into position in some
embodiments. When the chamber is used with microbes, the chamber
will remain on the floor for longer periods to give the microbes a
better chance of digesting the decaying plants.
[0095] For surface aquatic plant treatment, the chamber will remain
on the water surface with the containment volume that may be, for
example, 8'' to 12'' high, forming a small volume of space above
the aquatic plants portion above the surface of the water as shown
in FIG. 20. The herbicide is sprayed into the containment volume
where it effectively encounters the plant surfaces above the water.
An optional fan may be used to help circulate the herbicide spray
in the containment volume.
[0096] A preferred embodiment of the Aquatic Plant Floatation
Treatment Chamber 10 invention hereinafter referred to as the
chamber 11 and includes a remote control module 32 for controlling
all operations for the chamber 11 for inflating and deflating the
floatation tubes 12, 13 or ribs, operating remotely the pumps 21,
22, 25 and herbicide dosing cylinder 19 and filter 26 along with
operating the pumps, area lighting 41, cameras 40 and other
items.
[0097] The specific remote-controlled items are described more
fully as follows:
[0098] Remote Control Module 32: This includes operations with
different optional variations.
[0099] This unit is located on the boat 43 or dock and includes an
electric power generator 45, air compressor 46, and vacuum unit 47,
controller that is much like the remote controller for drones. It
contains a computer 48 that monitors, controls and switches various
apparatus for remotely controlling apparatus including:
[0100] Control all control valves and switches 27.
[0101] Inflating the floatation tubes 12 on the chamber to keep it
on the water surface.
[0102] Deflating the floatation tubes 13 on the chamber so is sinks
to the floor.
[0103] Trolling unit 39 for piloting, steering and moving the
chamber with remote operation.
[0104] Controls for administering a small pre-determined dose of
herbicide into the chamber.
[0105] Controls for administering a dose of herbicide 34 into the
storage bladder 20.
[0106] Controls for administrating a dose of herbicide mix 34 into
the chamber containment volume 24 to start treatment exposure time
cycle for the aquatic plants.
[0107] Control for sensors 28 that indicate the concentration of
herbicide within the chamber.
[0108] Filter Pump 25 for pumping the herbicide mix or after
treatment water through the activated carbon filter 26.
[0109] Controls for sensors 28 that indicate the concentration of
herbicide after the activated carbon filter 26.
[0110] Discharge pump 21 for pumping the herbicide mix from the
storage bladder into the containment volume.
[0111] Fill Pump 22 for pumping the herbicide mix from the
containment volume into the storage bladder.
[0112] Controls 32 for pumping the herbicide mix in the storage
bladder to a boat storage vessel.
[0113] Controls 32 for activating area lighting to view the area
near and under the chamber.
[0114] Controls 32 for activating video cameras to view the area
near and under the chamber.
[0115] Computer 48 including monitoring screen to view and record
plants and terrain near and under the chamber.
[0116] Record above and date, time, air and or water 36
temperature.
[0117] Remotely activate switches 27 and other devices on the
chamber equipment.
[0118] Remotely activate compressed air cylinders 53 on a variation
of the chamber invention.
[0119] Remotely activate herbicide sprayer for treatment of surface
aquatic plants.
[0120] Remotely activate and control incidental or added items. In
some embodiments, the remote-control aspect of the apparatus also
controls the location of the remote-control module 32:
[0121] Several support items to the invention such as batteries 30,
remote control devices, steering, pumps, fans and automatic valves
27 and controls may be off-the shelf items and many variations of
each may be utilized.
[0122] Umbilical cord 42: An umbilical cord extends between the
boat 43 and chamber 11 that contains flexible air tubing or hoses
for delivering compressed air and or vacuum, electric power and
control wirings for area lights and camera and sensing wire to
herbicide concentration sensors, plus pumping operations, and other
valves and control devices. A safety cable and or tow rope 50 is
also included to retrieve the chamber should the floatation tubes
be punctured or other equipment problem.
[0123] Floatation Containment Chamber 11: The chamber 11 may for
example be built in a modular design that can be joined together to
make for a large treatment unit. The preferred chamber module size
may be 4' wide by 8' long. The chamber may have a solid, semi-solid
or flexible top surface with at least a portion that is 1/2'' thick
high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or other durable material to
support other items to such as pumps, weights 14 filter, area
lights, video cameras and other items. The perimeter skirt of the
chamber may have a 2'' high angle where it connects to the chamber
top surface, so it forms a 4'.times.8' by 2'' high inverted chamber
volume that is called the containment volume 24. Once the
containment volume 24 is on the floor 23 it will occupy a volume of
5.33 cubic feet or 40 gallons. The selection of 2'' height is for
example purposes only and the bladder height may be best determined
by the floor 23 terrain and milfoil 38 plant densities. The top of
the chamber 11 may have one-way vent 16 ports that allow for any
trapped air within the containment volume 24 to escape.
[0124] Floatation tubes 12, 13 or ribs: The chamber perimeter has
inflatable floatation tubes or ribs for buoyancy. These tubes may
be 8'' diameter when inflated. Allowing an overall perimeter length
of 20' the buoyant force will be over 400 pounds. The tubes are
remotely inflated and deflated by the remote-Control Module Unit 32
with compressed air or vacuum. The floatation tubes 12, 13 may be
in two separate systems in case one system should be torn or
damaged. Each floatation tube system is sized to ensure that it has
sufficient buoyant force to lift the weighed chamber 11 to the
water 36 surface should the other floatation tube fail for any
reason. When the floatation tubes are inflated the chamber and all
attached components will float to the surface of the water 36. When
the floatation tubes are deflated, the weighed chamber will sink to
the floor 23. The material of fabrication may be vinyl covered
nylon fabric or other durable puncture resistant material that is
UV resistant.
[0125] Weights 14 can be added, steel plates or pipes that attach
to the top of the chamber that add weight and help cause it to sink
and help deform and concentrate the flimsy milfoil 37 plants
against the floor 23 when the floatation tubes 13 are deflated. The
weights 14 may also form part of the top surface of the
chamber.
[0126] The top surface or ceiling of the chamber 11 which may be,
for example, be may be a sheet of 1/2'' thick HDPE, may also br,
for example, be solid, semi-solid or flexible with a solid support
section such as the HDPE weight 14 to fasten or hold a number of
support items including pumps, herbicide cylinder with dose
dispensing device, activated carbon filter, herbicide transfer
pumps, area lighting, video cameras, vibrators, and markers that
are attached by cord to each corner of the chamber that float to
the surface to indicate where the chamber is.
[0127] Skirt: The perimeter of the chamber has a flexible rubber or
plastic skirt 6'' to 12'' wide with a 1'' to 2'' rigid portion
where it connects to the chamber top surface and weighted lower
extremity that in some embodiments is a chain within a hem on the
lower extremity of the flexible skirt. This allow the skirt to form
a seal on the irregular floor 23 surface. The seal may not be
watertight but should be substantially tight to minimize open water
movement into the containment volume.
[0128] Floatation position markers: The floating position markers
31 may have LED flashing lights with a fluorescent color. The
markers may also have an antenna 29 attached for receiving signals
51 from the remote-control module 32 to activate the various
control devices 27.
[0129] Herbicide storage bladder: The bladder 20 may be attached to
the underside of the chamber 11 top surface and occupy most of the
containment volume 24 volume when full of herbicide mix 34 as shown
on FIG. 1 through FIG. 8. For illustrative purposes, without any
intent to constrain the size of the chamber 11 in all embodiments,
a chamber 11 that measures 4'.times.8'.times.2'' height chamber 11
will be used to illustrate certain features. The nominal size of
the bladder 20 may be slightly less than the volume of the
containment volume and fit within containment volume 24. This can
allow for a displacement volume of close to 40 gallons of herbicide
mix or water. The material of fabrication may be vinyl covered
nylon fabric or other durable puncture resistant material that is
UV resistant. Built in ribs in the bladder help maintain the 2''
height when full. Fill and empty tubes are attached to the bladder
that extend through the top surface of the chamber and connect to
the fill pump, discharge pump and Filter Pump on top of the
chamber. In a variation of the chamber 11 invention with a flexible
top surface the storage bladder 20 and floatation tubes 13 may be
formed as an integral part of the flexible top surface chamber
material.
[0130] The storage bladder 20 is filled with an appropriate
herbicide mix 34 when the chamber 11 is first launched. When the
chamber 11 sinks to the floor 23 and covers the milfoil 38 it
presses the delicate plants against the floor 23. The chamber under
ideal conditions rests on a flat floor over the plants where the
bladder displaces most of the open water that was under the
chamber. Then to start the treatment mode the discharge pump 21
will pump the herbicide mix 34 out of the storage bladder 20 and
into the containment volume 24 of the chamber 11. If the perimeter
skirt 15 forms a tight seal the herbicide mix 34 will fill the
containment volume 24 of the chamber 11 as the volume of the
storage bladder 20 decreased from full to empty. The better the
seal the less open water 36 will mix and dilute the herbicide mix
34. The storage bladder 20 chamber 11 methods facilitate providing
a predetermined concentration of herbicide mix 34 to treat the
contained milfoil 38 plants in the containment volume 24. Unlike
open water herbicide treatment methods where the concentration
varies widely even with tremendous amounts of herbicide 33 being
used, the chamber 11 method allows for fast and accurate herbicide
mix 34 concentration control with fast and efficient treatment of
the milfoil 37 plants. The treatment time with this close control
will in some cases be only a few minutes to introduce sufficient
herbicide on and into the milfoil plants tissue to cause them to
die. Even though the milfoil 37 plants may have received a lethal
dose of herbicide it may take a few days or weeks for them to show
the signs of dying, especially in cold water. After the milfoil
plant exposure treatment time is completed the fill pump 22 will
draw the herbicide mix 34 waters out of the containment volume 24
and pump it back into the storage bladder 20. It should be noted
that as the storage bladder 20 is filled or emptied while the
chamber is at rest on the floor, no open water should enter the
containment volume. However, assuming a 10% to 20% average loss or
dilution of herbicide mix 34 during and after treatment, a dose of
concentrated herbicide 33 is dispensed back into the storage
bladder 20 to maintain the proper concentration. This is controlled
by sensors 28 that measure certain parameters relating the
herbicide mix 34 concentrations in some embodiments. The chamber 11
can then be raised and or moved to an adjacent or remote treatment
area 54 where the treatment process can be repeated. The entire
treatment cycle from setting the chamber 11 on the floor 23 to
moving it to an adjacent treatment area 54 site may only take 20 to
30 minutes. The chamber 11 may also be slowly towed over an
infested milfoil site for continuous flow treatment. This cycle of
moving the chamber 11 and treating multiple treatment area 54 sites
can continue. When all treatment area 54 sites are completed, or
when desired, the Filter Pump 25 can be energized to pump the
herbicide mix 34 from the storage bladder 20 through an activated
carbon filter 26 that is designed to capture and filter out the
herbicide 33. This allows for the discharge water from the system
to be virtually herbicide free or greatly reduced. A sensor 28
measures the concentration of herbicide exiting the filter in some
embodiments.
[0131] The storage bladder 20 may be a vinyl coated nylon material
that is biased when full to be 2'' thick by the length and width
that may be, for example, within 4'.times.8' for example. In this
case the containment volume 24 volume will be 5.33 cubic feet or 40
gallons. Partial ribs or deformations on the bladder surface allow
for flow to occur between the top surface of the chamber 11 and the
top of the storage bladder 20. Fill and empty tubes on the bladder
extend through the top surface of the chamber 11 to the various
pumps. The fill pump and discharge pump are electrically operated
in some embodiments and be high flow low and pressure type, for
example 10 gallons per minute at 10' head. Accordingly, filling or
empty the bladder can occur in 4 minutes. The filter pump
preferably has a higher output pressure and lower flow pump that
may be, for example, 4 gpm at 60' head to accommodate the filter 26
pressure drop. This will filter the 40 gallons of herbicide mix 34
water in 10 minutes. The above example is based on 2'' of bladder
height. If this height were 1'' the volume will be 20 gallons and
filtering time will be 5 minutes. In practice, it is desired to
keep the containment volume 24 volume to a minimum and that will
depend on floor terrain, size, type and density of plants and other
factors.
[0132] One variation of the chamber 11 invention excludes the
storage bladder 20 and transfer pumps as shown on FIG. 9 through
FIG. 17. In areas where herbicide 33 use is more acceptable this
variation will substantially reduce the amount of herbicide 33 used
to treat aquatic milfoil plants 37 but not as much as with the
storage bladder 20 method. This bladder free containment volume 24
method will be less expensive and less complicated to operate.
[0133] This embodiment of the chamber 11 invention allows for the
herbicide 33 to be mixed directly into the containment volume 24 of
the chamber for treatment when the chamber 11 is on the floor 23.
An herbicide cylinder 19 with a dose dispensing mechanism is used
at each treatment area site. Once the chamber 11 is in place over a
milfoil plant 38 area to be treated a small dose of herbicide 33 is
injected into the containment volume 24 that may be 40 gallons of
volume. At 100 ppm herbicide concentration, the dose will be less
than 1 ounce per 40 gallons. Typically, 6 to 12 sites or more will
be treated in one 8-hour day. After the milfoil treatment exposure
time with herbicide mix 34 is completed in the containment volume
the treated water with herbicide is pumped by the Filter Pump 25
into and through an activated carbon filter 26 that reduces the
herbicide concentration to a fraction of the starting
concentration. It is estimated that the overall herbicide volume
that enters the waterway with this invention may be less than 1% of
prior art herbicide treatment methods.
[0134] An alternative embodiment of the chamber 11 excludes the
storage bladder 20, pumps 21, 22, 25 and filter 26 as shown on FIG.
19. In areas where herbicide 33 use is much more acceptable this
variation will still substantially reduce the amount of herbicide
33 used to treat aquatic milfoil plants 37 than prior treatment
methods. Embodiments of this type utilize a much larger flexible
chamber resulting in apparatus and a method that has less operating
costs and it is less complicated to operate.
[0135] The chamber 11 method may also be used for control of
surface aquatic plants 55 as shown in FIG. 20. Prior art surface
sprays of herbicide 33 use low pressure and large orifices in the
spray nozzles to generate large droplet sprays 57. This is to
prevent or minimize drift of the spray 57 that may extend for long
distances and cause herbicide 33 to land where it is not wanted.
This chamber 11 method with its containment volume 24 allows for
the use of higher spray pressures and smaller orifices in nozzles
that can produce very fine spray droplets or a mist and no
herbicide 33 drift outside of the containment volume 24. All the
spray 57 is contained and not exposed to ambient air. The finer the
spray 57 the greater the herbicide 33 coverage on the plant 55
surfaces and that insures more efficient plant treatment. In this
variation an herbicide sprayer 56 dispenses a fine spray 57 or mist
of herbicide 33 directly into the containment volume 24. An
optional circulating fan 58 and ductwork 59 can also be used to
enhance the contact between the plant 55 surfaces and the fine
herbicide spray 57 as shown dashed in FIG. 20. The circulating fan
58 circulates the airborne herbicide spray 57 or mist through the
ductwork 59 and into the containment volume 24 where a diffuser
plate 60 is used to more evenly distribute the airborne herbicide
spray 57 over the surface of the aquatic plants 55. A screen 61
prevents plants 55 and plant fragments from blocking the inlet to
the optional circulating fan 58. Re-circulating the spray 57 over
and over helps keep the spray 57 airborne and helps obtain through
spray coverage for all the plant 55 surfaces above the water
36.
[0136] All the above variations of this invention employ a chamber
11 with a containment volume 24 where controlled herbicide
treatment of aquatic milfoil plants 37 can efficiently be provided.
The variation selected will most likely be based on the degree of
opposition to herbicide 33 use. Certain pristine lakes that supply
drinking water may have very strong opposition to the use of any
herbicide 33 use but may consider the chamber invention 10 with
bladder 20 and filter 26. Where lakes serve mainly recreational and
agricultural use the chamber invention with only the filter 26
feature may be more acceptable. Where herbicide 33 use at certain
lakes is readily acceptable and where cost is a major concern, the
chamber method with herbicide dose dispensing cylinder 19 may be
the preferred choice. All these chamber 11 treatment variations are
included in this treatment chamber invention 10.
[0137] UV-C Chamber Method: The chamber 11 method with UV-C 62
light wave treatment can be used on submersed or surface aquatic
plants 38. The remote-controlled floatation chamber 11 can be
directed to a site by the trolling unit 39. For submersed plants 37
the floatation tubes 13 will be deflated so the chamber 11 sinks to
the floor 23, forming a containment volume 24 over the aquatic
plants 38 to be treated. Support posts 64 under the chamber
maintain a certain selected height of the containment volume 24.
For surface aquatic plants 37 the containment volume 24 is the
space between the water surface 36 and the top surface of the
chamber 11. The height of the containment volume 24 is determined
by the height of the floatation tubes 12 above the surface of the
water 36 and the top surface of the chamber 11. The UV-C 62 lights
are remotely activated and remain "on" for the exposure period that
may be 5 to 10 minutes or more. A perimeter light shield 63 stops
stray UV-C 62 light from escaping the containment volume 24. In
some applications, the use of UV-C 62 lights and herbicides 33 may
be used together to treat aquatic species 37.
[0138] Buoyancy: The treatment chamber 11 in a 4'.times.8' size for
example may only weight 50 pounds but once fitted in the field with
all the attachments and weights it may reach 200 pounds. The
buoyant force of two sets of floatation tubes 13 may have a buoyant
force of 300 pounds each for a total of 600 pounds lifting force.
This standby and excess buoyant force helps insure that the chamber
11 will float to the surface when the tubes 13 are fully inflated
even with some milfoil plants 37 or sediment that may drape on or
cover the chamber 11 and even if one section of the floatation
tubes 13 are damaged.
[0139] This chamber invention 10 solves most of the problems
associated with prior art herbicide 33 treatment application
methods that can cause numerous health, safety and largely unknown
environmental problems along with high costs. This Remote Operated
Milfoil Treatment Floatation Containment Chamber invention 10 can
automatically treat densely packed milfoil plants 38 within the
containment volume 24 quickly and efficiently. This chamber method
reduces the milfoil treatment volume to the containment volume 24
and not the volume of the nearby entire open water 36 area. This
proximity treatment method of milfoil should result in a reduction
of approximately 99% of herbicide 33 use over prior art application
methods.
[0140] There are a few herbicides 33 that are used in open water
applications to treat aquatic plants including milfoil 37. These
include herbicides, such as Imazamox.RTM., Harvester.RTM. Liquid,
Fluridone.RTM. Liquid, Clearcast.RTM. and many others. DMA 4IVM
contains the active ingredients Dimethylamine.RTM. salt of 2,4-D
and the label shows excellent control of Eurasian Water Milfoil.
The label shows it safe for drinking water when the concentration
is less than 70 ppb. Since virtually all herbicide labels show
recommendation concentration of use in open waters, a much higher
herbicide mix concentration within the containment volume 24 should
greatly speed up the treatment control of the plants 38 within the
containment volume. Some herbicides are effective at concentrations
of 100 to 200 ppm (parts per million) and some are rated in ppb
(parts per billion). Manufactures list restrictions and terms of
use when added to open water 36. Some have a very short half-life
and new herbicides are being introduced that appear to be much
safer to use even in lakes that provide water for drinking.
[0141] A description of the Environmental Protection Agency
filtration recommendations is published on the World Wide Web by
Pure Water Products, LLC of Denton Texas at
http://www.purewaterproducts.com/articles/carbon. The EPA's
pesticides category lists 14 familiar poisons such as Aldicarb,
Chlordane, Heptachlor, and Lindane. In all 14 cases, activated
carbon is the only recommended filtration treatment. Of the 12
herbicides listed (2,4-D, Atrazine, etc.), activated carbon is the
only filter treatment recommended. For Organics, Pesticides, and
herbicides, the standard treatment, and in most cases the
recommended treatment is activated carbon. An activated carbon
filter is ordinarily used in the apparatus and method of the
present invention although other medias and additives may be used
or in combination with activated carbon.
[0142] Imazamox.RTM. herbicide 33 at a concentration of 100 ppm was
selected for use in evaluating the method and apparatus of the
present invention because that herbicide can be removed or filtered
with the activated carbon filter 26 that is part of this invention
10. A few other approved herbicides may be used where allowed and
with various concentrations and treatment times. All the herbicides
labels list concentrations based on type of aquatic weeds in open
water where the herbicide is diluted fast. This chamber 11 method
can use most of these herbicides but may use a much higher
concentration for a shorter exposure time to effectively treat the
milfoil plants 38. Some of the listed herbicides show
concentrations of 50 to 150 ppm and some in ppb. If these rates
were doubled, less than one ounce or herbicide 33 will be used in
the 40-gallon containment volume. Then with the reuse by the
bladder 20 feature and the activated carbon filter 26 the amount of
herbicide 33 that will remain in the open water 36 is negligible
compared to any prior art herbicide application method.
[0143] Example of prior art method to a chamber 11 method use on
submerged plants with an 8'.times.16' treatment area 54: This
compares the amount of herbicide that may be used for treatment as
compared to this invention. The treatment area is 8'.times.16'.
This is the area for four (4) 4'.times.8' chambers 11
connected.
[0144] Calculation Prior Art Herbicide Method:
[0145] Submerged plants are treated by underwater hose distribution
of herbicide that allows for the herbicide to mix with the full
height of water from floor to the surface as it becomes fully
diluted. Even though the prior use of herbicide is used to treat
large open areas and cannot be restrained within the treatment area
the use of only the treatment area for general example areas to
demonstrate the dramatic difference in the amount of herbicide
needed between prior art and the chamber method. In this example,
there is an 8'.times.16' area that is 10' deep that is to be
treated with herbicide.
[0146] This prior art method needs to treat a minimum of the
8'.times.16'.times.10' deep.times.7.5 gallons per CF=9,600 gallons
of water 36. This volume of water should have an average herbicide
concentration of 100 ppm. This will require the use of 9,600
gallons.times.100 ppm/1,000,000 ppm=0.96 gallon or 123 ounces of
herbicide 33. This is a very rough relative estimate and may vary
widely but may be reasonable for comparison purposes.
[0147] Calculation Chamber Method:
[0148] The volume of water in the 2'' high containment volume that
needs to be treated is a fraction of that required by prior art
methods and apparatus. In one embodiment of the present invention
an 8'.times.16' chamber is lowered to 2'' above floor covering the
milfoil. That is 8'.times.16'.times.2''/(12''/ft)=21.3 cubic feet
that corresponds to 160 gallons within the containment volume 24.
At 100 ppm: The concentration will be 160 gallons.times.100 ppm
1,000,000 ppm=0.016 gallons=2 ounces herbicide 33.
[0149] Comparison of the above treatment methods is a comparison of
2 ounces versus 123 ounces or 1.6% of prior art herbicide needed.
In this case, prior art allows 123 ounces of herbicide 33 to remain
in the body of water. By comparison, this invention only allows 2
ounces to remain in the water. However, by using the storage
bladder 20 feature and or the activated carbon filter 26 the actual
amount of herbicide 33 that remains in the body of water may be
less than 1% a negligible. It should be noted that the herbicide
treatment method for surface aquatic plants as shown in FIG. 20
will not significantly reduce the amount of herbicide use. However,
the method of the present invention does reduce the loss and drift
of herbicide spray away from the treatment area.
[0150] Reducing the amount of herbicide needed to treat aquatic
weeds by 50% is a substantial improvement over the prior art.
Reducing the amount of herbicide to 10% or less it is a major
improvement over the prior art. The chamber treatment method in
accordance with the present invention uses a negligible amount of
herbicide and furthermore allows geographic areas that do not
presently allow herbicide use to consider the method of treatment
in accordance with the present invention.
[0151] Some embodiments of the present invention utilize filtration
of containment volume herbicide mix after treatment. In such
embodiments once the milfoil treatment exposure time is completed,
and that depends on the time and concentration, for example 100
ppm, of the herbicide used, the 160 gallons of herbicide mix 34 in
the containment volume 24 is pumped through an activated carbon
filter 26. The filtered herbicide mix 35 leaving the filter should
have a very low concentration of herbicide as it is discharged into
the open water. The chamber water may also recycle several times
through the activated carbon filter to reduce the herbicide to an
even lower concentration. When filtering is complete the remaining
herbicide 33 in the water may be far less than 1% of what would be
used with the prior art approach. Even without any filtration, the
amount of herbicide 33 remaining in the water from this chamber
method may be less than 2% of what would have been used with the
prior art approach.
[0152] The overall size of one chamber 11 may be 4'.times.8', or 32
square feet and may utilize a rigid sheet of 1/2'' HPDE. This
modular size may be practical due to weight and ease of handling
for areas that may have small amounts of aquatic plants found near
marinas. However, any size chamber may be used. Large chambers may
be made of a lightweight flexible fabric with reinforcing ribs that
may also be the floatation tubes when inflated. Rigid sheets that
act as weights and supports for connecting items to can be added.
The chamber in some embodiments is fitted with edge connectors that
allow for any number of chambers to be quickly attached together at
the water treatment site. The collective size of, for example, 12
such chambers, where each chamber is 4'.times.8', tied together
covers a 12'.times.32' area, or 384 square feet. Thus, the
utilization of a plurality of such chambers results in an apparatus
and method that is scalable from a very small to almost any large
size. Each chamber in some embodiments are constructed whereby the
entire chamber may be rolled up in a cylindrical roll for transport
and unrolled at a work site. The floatation tubes may be formed as
part of the chamber top surface and when inflated give it a rigid
shape on the surface of the water. The size may be 20' wide by 80'
long or any other desired size. Weights made of HDPE sheets can
then be added to provide weight and a rigid surface for securing
items to.
[0153] Sequence of Operation for a Preferred Embodiment of the
Invention.
[0154] The Remote Operated Milfoil Treatment Floatation Chamber 10
is delivered to a boat 43 dock, beach or site for launching and
treatment of aquatic milfoil plants 37. A Remote-Control Module
Assembly 32, 48 located on the boat 43 is used for all control and
operation of all the components including electric power generator
45, air compressor 46, vacuum pump 47, computer, monitor, controls
panel and recorders 48, some with wireless technology devices. The
floatation tubes 12 are inflated prior to placing the chamber 11 in
the water.
[0155] Support items can be provided on a rigid attachment 18
portion on top of the chamber 11 and may include pumps, filters,
cylinders, and other items. Weights 14 can be added to allow the
chamber 11 to sink when the floatation tubes 13 are deflated. The
storage bladder 20 is filled with herbicide mix 34 prior to
launching the chamber 11 to the treatment site 54.
[0156] The control module 32 activates a remote-controlled trolling
unit 39 and directs the chamber 11 to the selected treatment site
54. Once the chamber 11 is over the selected treatment site 54 the
control module 32 can deflate the floatation tubes 13. The chamber
11 will then sink over the treatment area 54 and cover the aquatic
plants 37 in the containment volume 24. A perimeter skirt 15 helps
form a seal with the floor 23 to minimize and transfer of water 36
or herbicide mix 34 in or out of the containment volume 24. The
deflected aquatic milfoil plants 37 are pressed against the floor
23 by the underside of the storage bladder 20. The control module
32 can then active the discharge pump 21 that pumps the herbicide
mix 34 out of the storage bladder 20 and into the containment
volume 24. As the displacement storage bladder 20 is emptied
virtually no water 36 enters or leaves the containment volume 24.
This helps insures that very little loss of herbicide mix 34
occurs. This is the point where herbicide mix 34 treatment occurs.
The treatment exposure time may vary depending on many factors but
may be 5 to 10 minutes or more. After the treatment exposure time
the remote-control module 32 can activate the Fill pump 22. This
will pump the herbicide mix 34 in the containment volume 24 back
into the storage bladder 20 for future use. The control module can
then active and inflate the floatation tubes 12 that cause the
chamber 11 to rise to the water 36 surface. With the area lights 41
and remote operated video cameras 40 the operator can control the
chamber 11 position to partial height in the water 36 or to the
surface by use of the remote-controlled trolling unit 39 and
floatation tubes 12, 13. In many cases the chamber 11 may be
directed in a grid pattern over a large infestation of milfoil
plants 37. In this case the chamber 11 may only be lifted a short
height and repositioned over the milfoil 37 until the entire
treatment area 54 has been treated. On each corner of the chamber
11 floatation position markers 31 attach to the chamber with nylon
rope. The flotation markers float to the surface. The markers show
on the surface of the water 36 where the chamber 11 is located
underwater.
[0157] The treatment chamber 11 method in another variation may
replace prior art barrier mats that are labor intensive and remain
on the floor for months. For application where it is not desired to
allow the decaying plants to reintroduce their 24 contained
nutrients back into the water, microbes can be used within the
containment volume after treatment. The chamber with a dose
dispensing cylinder of microbes setting on the covered infested
plants may first kill the plants by herbicide, chemical or
non-chemical means. Then the dispensing cylinder can introduce
microbes, bacteria and or enzymes into the chamber that will digest
the decaying plants, including phosphorus, ammonia and nitrates.
Microbes digest and break down the decaying organic matter into
harmless water and carbon dioxide. This is a much slower process
than herbicide use alone but may be preferred in certain
applications. See FIG. 19 for this variation. One biological
treatment product for example is NT-MAX Biological Digester
Treatment.
[0158] Several compressed air cylinders may be attached to the top
of chamber. Each cylinder may hold over 100 standard cubic feet of
compressed air. Each compressed air cylinder is fitted with a
manual shut-off valve, air pressure regulated and an automatic open
or close control valve. These are used to inflate the floatation
tubes or other air operated items.
[0159] Batteries: The use of totally submersible batteries such as
the Bluefin 1.5 kWh Subsea Batteries that are rechargeable
lithium-polymer type can be used for electric power to the transfer
pumps, trolling unit, lighting and other devices.
[0160] The fill pump and discharge pump are a high flow rate, low
head submersible pumps.
[0161] The battery is sized to power a trolling unit that moves the
chamber to any desired location. The remote controls, power and
steering system will be much like a prior art model boat described
at http://www.myrctopia.com/sbme/
[0162] Known herbicide utilization information includes the use of
a Harvester.RTM. Landscape & Aquatic Herbicide liquid for
floating and marginal weeds as well as for submersed weeds.
Submersed weeds, for example are treated by applying the herbicide
in water at a rate of 0.5-2.0 gallons per surface acre (per 4-foot
water depth). For severe weed infestations, the 2.0 gallon per
surface acre rate is utilized and the application is repeated as
necessary at 14-21-day intervals. A chart describing a plurality
respective herbicides in the limitations on use of such herbicides
with respect to human, animal and irrigation applications appears
at:
http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0206/8486/t/2/assets/WUR2015.pdf.
[0163] The US Environmental Protection Agency website
https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/final-
ization-guidance-incorporation-water-treatment describes the use of
activated carbon for removal of herbicides from water. The EPA's
Pesticides category lists 14 familiar poisons such as
Aldicarb.RTM., Chlordane.RTM., Heptachlor.RTM., and Lindane.RTM..
In all 14 cases, activated carbon is the only recommended
treatment. Of the 12 herbicides listed (2,4-D, Atrazine, etc.),
activated carbon is the only treatment recommended. For Organics,
Pesticides, and herbicides, the standard treatment, and in most
cases the only treatment recommended, is activated carbon. Other
filtration media is used in other embodiments.
REFERENCE NUMERAL LISTING
[0164] 10. Invention. Remote Operated Aquatic Plant Treatment
Floatation Containment Chamber (Chamber). [0165] 11. Chamber: This
is also referred to as the invention or top surface of the
containment volume. [0166] 12. Floatation tubes or ribs inflated.
These are used to raise the chamber when inflated. [0167] 13.
Floatation tubes or ribs deflated. These are used to sink the
chamber when deflated. [0168] 14. Weights. These may be HDPE sheets
or steel plates or pipes that add weight to the chamber to help
make it will sink when the tubes are deflated. The HDPE sheets may
be 1/2'' to 3/4'' thick. In addition to adding weight, they may
also form part of the chamber top surface portion. These flat
plastic plates on top of chamber can also act as a support platform
for attaching items to. [0169] 15. Skirt. This is the pliable
rubber, plastic or fabric on the outer perimeter of the chamber
that helps form a seal between the chamber top surface and the
irregular floor surface to isolate the water and plants within the
containment volume of the chamber. The skirt has a chain like
weight at the lower extremity to help form a seal between the
irregular floor and the lower extremity of the skirt to form a
containment volume. The frame of the skirt will in some embodiments
provide a 1'' to 2'' height that helps insure a minimum design
volume of the containment volume. [0170] 16. Vents. These are
one-way flap type vents on top of the chamber that relieve any air
trapped in the containment volume. [0171] 17. Grommets. These are
located on the perimeter of the chamber and are used to attach
guide or tow lines, markers and for joining multiple chambers
together to form a large chamber. [0172] 18. Attachments. These are
connection devices such as straps, fasteners or clamps on top of
chamber for securing pumps, cylinders, filters, batteries and other
items. [0173] 19. Herbicide cylinder. This stores the concentrated
herbicide on top of the chamber. The cylinder includes shut off
valve, remote control valve, pressure regulator and dose dispenser.
It is remotely activated to provide a pre-determined dose of
concentrated herbicide into a storage bladder or the chamber area.
Although the present description refers to a "herbicide cylinder"
It will be understood that other embodiments may instead dispense a
pesticide, chemical, microbes or other selected additive. [0174]
20. Storage bladder. This is used to hold the herbicide mix. It
includes connection hoses or tubes to pumps and filter. It will
hold approximately the same volume as the containment volume. The
herbicide mix can then be transferred into the containment volume
and back into the storage bladder in a displacement manner, so no
fluid enters or leaves the containment volume to the surrounding
water. The pumps and other items are remotely controlled. [0175]
21. Discharge pump: This pumps herbicide mix out of the storage
bladder: This is used to transfer herbicide mix from the storage
bladder into the containment volume. Sometimes referred to as a
transfer pump. Remotely controlled. [0176] 22. Fill Pump This pumps
herbicide mix from the containment volume into the Storage Bladder:
Sometimes referred to as a transfer pump. Remotely controlled.
[0177] 23. Floor. This is the bottom ground surface area supporting
the body of water. [0178] 24. Containment volume. This is the space
within the perimeter skirt between the chamber top surface and the
floor surface when the chamber is on the floor. It contains the
densely packed flimsy milfoil plants. Most of the water will be
displaced by the storage bladder. The height between the bottom and
top surface of the chamber depends of the milfoil density and the
floor terrain. The height may be less than 1'' to over 4'' but 2''
is the average height used for estimating purposes. The containment
volume may also be above the water to the chamber top surface when
aquatic surface plants are treated. In this case the height of the
containment volume may be 8'' to 12' or more depending on plant
height and other conditions. [0179] 25. Filter Pump: This pumps the
herbicide mix from the storage bladder or containment volume
through the activated carbon filter assembly. The pump is remotely
controlled. [0180] 26. Activated carbon filter. This is used to
filter the herbicide from the treated water herbicide mix from the
containment volume or storage bladder upon completion of the
milfoil treatment and prior to release of the filtered water to the
open water. [0181] 27. Remote control solenoid valves and switches.
These solenoid valves and switches individually serve compressed
air and vacuum lines for inflating the flotation tubes, deflating
the flotation tubes; controlling flow into and out of storage
bladder; controlling the transfer and filtration pumps; and
controlling the herbicide dose dispensing or herbicide spray.
[0182] 28. Sensors: These sense certain parameters relating to the
concentration of herbicide in the herbicide mix or before and after
the activated carbon filter. The sensors transfer information back
to the control panel. [0183] 29. Antenna. This may be connected to
a floatation marker line and remain partially above the water
surface to provide a stronger remote single to the activation
devices and equipment on the chamber. [0184] 30. Battery: In lieu
of delivering electric power from the control assembly on the boat,
dock or land a submersible power battery may be provided for pumps,
fans, trolling unit, herbicide spray, area lighting and other
items. [0185] 31. Position markers. A floatation position marker is
attached to each corner of the chamber. The bright color marker
float, LED light and battery with attachment cord is connected to
the chamber. This shows the position of the chamber when deployed
underwater and can alert boaters to avoid the area near the
chamber. [0186] 32. Remote control module. This boat or dock based
automatic control module contains all the remote control single
devices, much like a drone controller, to activate all the control
devices and equipment for inflating and deflating the floatation
tubes, a trolling unit for moving and steering the chamber, pumping
and transferring herbicide mix, and pumping the used treated water
with herbicide to the activated carbon filter. This also controls
the area LED lighting and the video cameras. The control module
unit includes an electric power generator, transformer, air
compressor, vacuum unit, monitor and recorder and other support
items. [0187] 33. Herbicide. This is concentrated herbicide before
being mixed with water. It is stored in the herbicide cylinder or
tank. [0188] 34. Herbicide mix. This is the herbicide and water
mixture at the desired concentration for use in treatment. It is
also called treatment water. It may be stored in the storage
bladder or placed in the containment volume to treat aquatic
plants. [0189] 35. Filtered herbicide mix. This is the filtered
herbicide mix leaving the activated carbon filter. [0190] 36.
Water. This is the body of water in the lake, pond or waterway.
[0191] 37. Milfoil. This term is used to include all aquatic
species of plants including Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum
spicatum). Although the description uses this term it will be
understood that the apparatus and method of the present invention
have application to other aquatic plants including surface plants
and other species such as invasive Zebra mussels and clams and
other Mollusca pests that are subject to treatment and eradication.
[0192] 38. Milfoil plants under chamber in containment volume
subject to herbicide treatment. [0193] 39. Trolling unit: This may
be a remote controlled underwater trolling motor that has features
such as the Aqua-Vu Trolling Motor Camera described at
www.aquavu.com. It may also be a jet stream operated unit. It may
also be a battery-operated fan powered unit in applications and
methods of the present invention used to treat aquatic surface
plants. [0194] 40. Video camera. This is the remote-controlled
camera that may be similar to the Aqua-Vu Trolling Motor camera.
See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8PhMbrfaeQ. [0195] 41. Area
lights. These may be LED lights to illuminate the area near and
under the chamber to allow for improved viewing of the aquatic
milfoil plants and terrain. [0196] 42. Umbilical cord. This
includes the compressed air tube, vacuum tube, electrical wires,
sensing cables, control wiring and safety cable plus any other line
type items between the control module and the remote operated
chamber. [0197] 43. Boat: This may be the boat, raft, dock or land
where the remote-control module is located. [0198] 44. Screen. This
strains out debris and plant tissue from entering the pump suction.
[0199] 45. Electric power generator. This is in the boat or on the
dock. [0200] 46. Air compressor for inflating the floatation tubes.
This is in the boat or on the dock. [0201] 47. Vacuum unit for
deflating floatation tubes. This is in the boat or on the dock.
[0202] 48. Computer, monitor, control panel and remote controller
for all control operations. [0203] 49. Winch assembly for umbilical
cord and safety cable or tow rope. [0204] 50. Tow rope. This may be
a rope or cable that is used to help guide and position the chamber
or retrieve the chamber if the floatation tubes fail. [0205] 51.
Single wave between remote control module and the device or item to
be activated that may be a trolling unit, pump, fan, filter, valve
or activation device on chamber. [0206] 52. Deflector. The
deflector is a curved form on the leading edge of the chamber and
helps deflect the standing milfoil plant downward and into the
containment volume as the chamber is towed and moved along the
floor. [0207] 53. Compressed air cylinder. This is used on a
variation of the invention where the chamber is remotely controlled
to inflate the floatation tubes. [0208] 54. Treatment area. This is
an area that has milfoil plants that are to be treated with the
chamber herbicide mix treatment method. [0209] 55. Surface aquatic
plants. These are the aquatic surface plants that have parts of the
plant above the water surface as shown in FIG. 20. [0210] 56.
Herbicide sprayer for use in treating surface aquatic plants. This
includes shut off valve, control valve and discharge tube into the
containment volume. [0211] 57. Airborne herbicide spray. The
airborne herbicide spray comes in contact and treats the aquatic
surface plants in the containment volume above the surface of the
water. [0212] 58. Circulating fan. This optional fan, shown dashed
in FIG. 20, circulates the herbicide spray through ductwork and
into the containment volume and over the surface of the aquatic
plants for improved coverage. The herbicide spray may be dispensed
directly into the containment volume without the fan. [0213] 59.
Ductwork. This optional ductwork, shown dashed in FIG. 20, conveys
the airborne herbicide spray to and from containment volume to
treat surface aquatic plants. [0214] 60. Diffuser Plate. This plate
or diffuser helps distribute the airborne circulating herbicide
spray over the surface aquatic plants in the containment volume.
The diffuser plate helps direct the spray pattern in a horizontal
direction for improved contact of herbicide spray with the plant
surfaces. [0215] 61. Screen. This prevents plants and plant
fragments from blocking the return flow of airborne herbicide spray
from the containment volume into the inlet of the circulating fan
when treating surface aquatic plants. [0216] 62. UV-C. Ultra Violet
Light in the "C" range. [0217] 63. Light shield. This shield
prevents stray UV-C light waves from escaping from the containment
volume. [0218] 64. Support post. This post keeps the chamber top
surface a fixed minimum distance from the floor that maintains
several inches clearance to the UV-C lights.
[0219] All publications and patent applications mentioned in this
specification are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled
in the art to which this invention pertains. All publications and
patent applications are herein incorporated by reference to the
same extent as if each individual publication or patent application
was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by
reference.
[0220] Although the description above contains many specifics,
these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the
invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the
presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus, the scope
of this invention should be determined by the appended claims and
their legal equivalents. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the
scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments
which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the
scope of the present invention is accordingly to be limited by the
appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular
is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless explicitly so
stated, but rather "one or more." All structural, chemical, and
functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described
preferred embodiment that are known to those of ordinary skill in
the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are
intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is
not necessary for a device or method to address each and every
problem sought to be solved by the present invention, for it to be
encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element,
component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to
be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element,
component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims.
* * * * *
References