JP2008512116A - Aquarium filter (AQUARIUMFILTER) - Google Patents

Abstract

An internal marine aquarium filter is disclosed that provides protein scooping, biological, mechanical and chemical filtration. The filter creates a directly adjustable water flow for the aquarium that is independent of the filtration operation and uses a pump (4). The filter is a selectively removable protein skimmer comprising an outer casing (1) with a dedicated area for biological, mechanical and chemical filtration, a collection cup (24) and an optional lid (25). skimmer) (2), and selectively removable plumbing assembly (3) connected to the pump. An optional surface debris filtering function is also disclosed.

Description

  This application is related to US Pat. No. 6,869,530, issued March 22, 2005.

  The present invention relates generally to filtration and water movement for marine aquariums. More particularly, the invention relates to an aquarium filter for debris removal and protein skimming.

  There are many devices and methods to help keep seawater fish and invertebrates in the aquarium for enthusiasts and for researchers alike. For example, to successfully maintain a well of salt water tanks, several criteria must be met. The water used must be natural seawater or pure water with an appropriate amount of salt. The aquarium must be maintained within the proper temperature range, have proper light, and have proper water movement, water flow, and water filtration. Filtration methods should include biological, chemical, mechanical and protein scooping. In order to maintain life in a saltwater aquarium, there must be a place where biological behavior takes place. This is where nitrifying bacteria convert ammonia and other waste to nitrite and then to nitrate, a less toxic compound. This process is known as the nitrogen cycle. Regular water changes replenish nutrients, stabilize water and prevent nitrate buildup in the aquarium system.

  The present invention relates to filtration and production of a direct and adjustable water flow and current in a saltwater aquarium. Prior art techniques, methods, and apparatus are associated with these particular problems and inefficiencies that produce the present invention.

In the prior art search, no patents that directly correspond to the claims of the present invention were disclosed; however, for purposes and indicators of prior art background related to the present invention, References may be made to the patent:

US Patent Number Issue Date Inventor Class / Subclass 5,171,438 December 15, 1992 Korez 210/169
5,385,665 January 31, 1995 Neuhaus 210/169
5,518,611 May 21, 1996 Bresolin 210/169
5,832,870 November 10, 1998 Lin 119/261
5,901,663 May 11, 1999 Reinke 119/259
6,303,028 October 16, 2001 Marks et al. 210/169
6,659,043 December 9, 2003 Huska 119/226
6,732,675 May 11, 2004 Liao 119/259

  For filtration and the production of a direct and adjustable water stream, the basic equipment common in the prior art is a canister filter, a wet-dry or sump system basic filter, It consists of a protein skimmer and the use of a submersible or external pump. The canister filter and the basic filter operate inside or outside the aquarium. They receive water from the aquarium, pass the water through the filter media, and then send the filtered water to the aquarium. The wet dry or sump filter receives water from the aquarium, filters the water biologically, chemically, mechanically, or via protein scooping, and then returns the filtered water back to the aquarium. A protein skimmer is a unit that requires a means to mix water and air in a chamber and a means to allow the extracted waste to be expelled from the aquarium system. It can function inside or outside the aquarium, or can be installed inside or outside a wet dry or sump filter. Individual submersible or external pumps are used to generate a direct and adjustable water flow inside the aquarium.

  There are problems and inefficiencies in the design and function of canister filters or basic filters. The performance of these filters is limited to basic biological, mechanical, and chemical filtration. These filters simply draw water from below the surface of the water, leaving floating waste and debris that accumulate on the surface of the aquarium. Even if they function inside or outside the aquarium, the waste accumulated in the filter will contaminate the system water until it is removed. The water that passes through the filter and returns to the tank is not independent of the function of filtration; therefore, it is not a direct dedicated water flow source for the aquarium. As waste and debris accumulate in the filter, the flow of water back to the aquarium slows and may put additional load on the pump and water utilization system. In addition, the simple nature of their functions complicates the manufacture of units and their parts.

  The use of wet dry or sump filters is a common method used in salt water tanks. Experimentation reveals problems and inefficiencies associated with this system. Wet dry or sump filters require piercing the aquarium to install pre-filters or rely on siphons to remove water from the aquarium if they function outside the aquarium Requires the use of an overflow box. These required situations are complex, expensive to make and add many causes of failure to the system. If wet dry works inside the aquarium using the trickle method of filtration, it evaporates due to limited space and the requirement to accurately maintain different levels of water in the system Is a problem. Due to the fact that wet dry or sump systems operate adjacent to each other and perform functions in their filtration mode within the outer casing, the overall size of the units is detrimental and these units are It will be located under the aquarium and will get in the way inside the aquarium.

  The wet dry or sump system requires three pumps for performing filtration, protein scooping, and generating a direct, independent and dedicated water stream inside the aquarium. An external wet dry or sump system using a trickle method of filtration adds additional surface area to the aquarium system, which leads to excessive evaporation. When a wet dry or sump system uses a protein skimmer, the water directed to the skimmer has already passed several filtration preconditions. This event dramatically reduces the skimming effect. In addition, wet dry or sump systems generate excessive unwanted noise, which is complex (based on its size and the degree of functional requirements compared to the amount of water it must hold). Manufacturing can be expensive.

  Prior art protein skimmers are units having means for mixing air and water. This form of filtration is known as foam separation. Some problems and inefficiencies associated with protein skimmers are that it requires its own pump for one function, and that manufacturing is complicated (due to the nature of that function). In addition, if it functions outside of the aquarium, it causes a leak failure. If it functions inside the aquarium, it draws water from below the surface, leaving the organic waste that accumulates on the aquarium surface. When in the aquarium, protein skimmers will remove the aesthetic nature of the marine environment. Some models are functioning inside or outside a wet dry or sump system. However, the problem is that the water led to the skimmer has already been filtered through wet dry or sump. This event dramatically reduces the skimming effect. The most efficient protein skimmer draws raw, unfiltered water from the aquarium water surface and below the water surface, giving the water the opportunity to remove organic waste, and other filter media remaining in the system Water will be taken out of the system before being trapped. In addition, stand-alone units outside the wet dry or sump require additional plumbing for installation and cause possible leak failures.

  In the prior art, pumps that cooperate with individual submersible pumps or filter systems installed in the aquarium are used to create a water stream within the aquarium. These methods have problems associated with them and inefficiencies in their functions. Individual submersible pumps in the aquarium add excessive heat to the system, require additional power, add extra expense, and cause additional failure. The pump is located inside the aquarium and is difficult to hide aesthetically and may pose a threat to small fish and invertebrates near the water intake.

  In the prior art, when it comes to creating a water stream in the aquarium, the pump that cooperates with the filter system is inefficient in its function in various ways. The primary function of the pump is to pass filtered water and this main event determines the size of the pump and the characteristics of the water flow. This departs from the point of view of the current creating requirement of the function, which depends on what pumps work correctly with the filter. One example of this problem is trying to create a water flow in a tank equal to 400 gallons per hour with the pumps required to run 40 gallons of filtered water per hour. Certain marine invertebrates require fast water flow, regardless of the requirements for the velocity of the filtered water flow. Direct water flow generation is most efficient when the filtration activity is independent. Another example of this is during feeding. If the aquarium system has a water flow that is faster than the rate of filtration, more nutrients are consumed by the animal and less remaining nutrients remain as waste in the filter. This leads to more efficient feeding, reduced costs and a reduced number of contaminating microorganisms added to the system.

  The aquarium filter unit according to one aspect of the present invention is a direct independent for aquarium as well as protein scooping and biological, mechanical and chemical filtration all in the outer casing. Have a water flow of The protein skimmer may be fully adjustable, and the protein skimmer may also be a side wall of the outer casing near the bottom of the outer casing, as well as pulling water on the water surface through the opening at the top front of the outer casing. It operates to draw raw, unfiltered water below the water level of the aquarium through an opening in the tank. All functions of the unit are driven by submersible pumps. A protein skimmer above the outer casing of the unit and comprising a collection cup and lid may be easily removable for cleaning.

  A plumbing assembly with a pump is located below the protein skimmer. The removable pump is surrounded by an outer casing with a biological filter sponge and connected to the bottom of the piping assembly located below it. The entire piping assembly can be easily removed for cleaning and maintenance. This combination of situation and function among others makes the sound of the unit quiet, easy to maintain and multi-functional and unobtrusive in the aquarium. The design, function, and arrangement of the unit's elements are all known limitations, problems of prior art basic filters and canister filters, prior art wet dry or sump systems, prior art individual submersible pumps and protein skimmers Overcome inefficiencies.

  By using this unit, the aquarium water never leaves the aquarium. The unit does not need to be pierced with a prefilter installed, nor does it use an overflow box, siphon or drainage. No additional piping is required. This eliminates many sources of failure, eliminates the need for additional equipment, reduces costs, and requires all the necessary filtration, protein scooping, and modem seawater flow requirements. While providing, it is easy to install and maintain.

  In one embodiment, the aquarium filter includes five elements: an outer casing (1), a protein skimmer (2), a piping assembly (3) with a removable pump (4), a lower sponge (5), and an upper Sponge (6). They perform the functions of biological and mechanical filtration. The outer casing (1) is made of 3/8 inch thick black acrylic plastic. It is formed from four sides and a bottom and is open from the top. The outer casing has a rear hanger (7), which can be held inside any of the four walls of the aquarium. It has a substantially flat bottom (8) that can be positioned upright anywhere on the inner bottom of the aquarium. The outer casing has a plurality of openings towards the bottom on both sides (9). The plurality of openings allows water below the water surface of the aquarium to enter the outer casing. On the front panel of the outer casing there is an opening (10) located in the upper center, which allows water on the water surface to enter and the piping assembly is suspended inside the outer casing. (Suspended) location. The two inner regions of the outer casing are shown as an upper region (11) above the first sponge and a lower region (12) below the first sponge.

  Protein skimmers are preferably made from clear acrylic plastic, and more particularly from 3/16 inch acrylic sheets and acrylic tubes. The upper riser (13) is formed by heating and may be formed by widening the mouth at one end to form a funnel. The parts are then secured together with acrylic cement to form a watertight bond.

  The plumbing assembly with the removable pump is composed of PVC parts and is preferably 1/2 inch in diameter and has an injector (14), part of hose (15), small plastic air valve (16) And consists of a removable submersible pump. An injector is a device that creates a vacuum of air that is drawn through a syringe barb (17) through which pressurized water passes. The hose is attached to the barge and a small plastic air valve is connected to the other end. The valve controls how much air is allowed into the injector, resulting in complete control of the amount of waste removed from the protein skimmer. The pump is submersible. The only requirement for the pump is that it fits in the lower area of the outer casing, can be connected to the piping assembly, and its flow rate meets the requirements of the required application.

  The two sponges that provide a place for biological activity are the same type of rigid and porous filter sponges. The upper sponge is located between the protein skimmer and the pump. The lower sponge is located at the bottom of the outer casing.

  When the unit is arranged in the entire water tank, water enters the outer casing through a plurality of openings in the outer casing. Water rises inside the outer casing until the height of the water level in the outer casing is equal to the height of the water outside the outer casing in the aquarium. In this regard, the piping assembly and pump, the two sponges and the lower chamber of the protein skimmer are submerged in the outer casing.

  Once the pump is active, water is drawn from the pump intake (18) and routed through the piping assembly. Water is drawn into the interior from a plurality of openings near the front top of the outer casing and the bottom of the side walls. When the pump pushes the water through the piping assembly, the water travels out through the main shaft return and is discharged into the aquarium to create a water stream and the injector Through it, it is discharged into the lower chamber of the protein skimmer for protein scooping. The internal opening in the injector is smaller in diameter than the inside of the rest of the piping assembly, so back pressure that sends a larger volume of water back to the aquarium to create a water flow independent of protein skimmer activity Is generated. This water diversion from one pump to perform foam separation or individual scooping of protein, independent direct water flow generation, other modes of filtration, for aquarium Separate and distinct water streams with variable pressures, speeds, and volumes that are adjustable in the prior art have not been achieved in the prior art.

  The water leaving the main shaft (20) can be adjusted by rotating the return port of the main shaft or turning the lower shaft (21) from left to right. This allows the user to adjust the direction of the direct water flow in the aquarium.

  The water pumped through the injector pulls a vacuum of air through the syringe return and hose. The volume of incoming air is adjusted by a plastic air valve. When this water jet and air are mixed, it exits through the top of the injector and also hits the T-tee (22) of the injector and then the T-shaped Exit from both sides and hit the inner wall of the lower chamber (23) of the protein skimmer. This effect results in the fine air bubbles being mixed roughly with salt water, resulting in foam separation.

  Organic waste is drawn to the area of the surface of the fine air bubbles contained within the lower chamber of the protein skimmer. When certain water is ejected from the T-shaped part of the injector, the aquarium water loses its organic waste to all foam surfaces. The foam becomes black with waste, pushed up to the lower chamber of the protein skimmer, then pushed up to the upper riser and finally pushed up to the collection chamber (24). The amount of skimmer overflow is controlled by an air valve and collected in a collection chamber under the removable lid (25) until removed. If the skimmer waste overflow fills the capacity of the overflow chamber, the additional waste overflow will spill into the protein skimmer's lower chamber without spilling out of the aquarium system. When the water leaving the injector loses its organic waste, the remaining cleaner water flows out of the bottom of the protein skimmer's lower chamber, where the water is inside the outer casing and the space outside the lower chamber. In that space, the water can be further filtered biologically, mechanically and chemically by using a filter medium installed in this interior space.

  In the prior art, the arrangement, method and function of protein skimming and direct adjustable water movement and flow generation independent of protein skimmers, biological, mechanical and chemical filtration in the aquarium are separate. This is achieved by using the apparatus. Protein skimmers are used inside the aquarium, but do not create a directly adjustable water stream that is independent of the water returned from the skimmer to the aquarium. The water that falls from the skimmer is saturated with fine air bubbles. In addition, if an overflow skimmer is directed to the aquarium to affect the water flow, the aquarium will be filled with very fine air bubbles. If the bubbles are diverted or buffered, direct water flow will be minimized. Therefore, the purpose of the spilled skimmer is not to create a direct adjustable water flow for the aquarium, but simply to allow the skimmer to function.

  Other filter systems return the water to the aquarium to finish the filtration and create a water stream. Given this limitation, other filter systems cannot create water streams that are independent of filtration requirements.

  The present invention diverts water from a single pump into the aquarium to create a direct adjustable water stream in the aquarium to create a water stream with separate, different and adjustable pressures, speeds and volumes Perform a well-defined function and divert the protein skimmer through the injector to perform the protein scooping function and then into the internal space where further biological, mechanical and chemical filtration takes place divert. These functions are separate, independent of each other and can be achieved by using a single pump. The water returned to the aquarium is independent of the water sent through the injector and the water sent to the lower chamber of the protein skimmer, where it is sent through filtration.

  FIGS. 4-6 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a filtering system that includes debris scooping features. In accordance with this aspect of the invention, the rear wall (26) of the outer casing (1) has a height H that is slightly higher than the height h of the front wall (27) or the opposite side wall (28).

  The apex (29) of the rear wall (26) is attached to the rear hanger (7). In the position example, the rear hanger (7) is mounted integrally with the rear wall (26). The rear hanger (7) includes a downwardly extending lip (30) associated with the rear wall (26) that defines the width (W) of the rear hanger (7). The width (W) of the rear hanger (7) is such that when the lip (30) is positioned above the tank wall (31) of the aquarium, the slight gap passageway (32) can be placed between the rear wall (26) and the tank of the aquarium. It is slightly wider than the width (w) of the tank wall (31) of the aquarium so as to be formed between the wall (31).

  The rear wall (26) further includes one or more filtering openings (9 ') formed to extend through the rear wall (26). The filtering opening (9 ') is located on the upper part (33) of the rear wall (26) so that at least a part of the filtering opening (9') is located above the water level of the aquarium tank.

  The piping assembly (3) has two returns operatively connected to the pump (18). The first return path (19) extends beyond the opening 10 and back to the aquarium, as described above. The second return channel (34) has its drain (35) directly open to the filtering opening (9) so that the filtered water exits through the passage (32) around the outer casing (1). ') Is placed to be located.

  During operation, water from the tank of the aquarium passes through the opening 10 located in the front wall (27), just as it passes through the opening on the lower part (12) of the outer casing (1). Enter (1). Debris collected on the water surface also flows through the opening 10 to the outer casing (1). The walls (26, 27 and 28) of the outer casing (1) cooperate to capture water surface debris in the outer casing (1). In addition, the first and second return paths (19, 34) ensure that clean and filtered water is returned to the aquarium. Indeed, the second return path 34 actually restricts surface debris from returning to the outer casing (1) by its location before the filtering opening (9 ').

  While the foregoing description has been directed to preferred embodiments of the invention, the invention has been described and illustrated in full detail and is not limited to such embodiments or details. Because many variations and modifications may be affected without departing from its spirit and scope. The present invention is described to cover any and all modifications, forms, and conventions that may be included within the language and scope of the appended claims.

1 is a general perspective view of an aquarium filter according to one embodiment of the present invention. It is the schematic of the aquarium filter of FIG. It is an illustration figure of the water tank filter of FIG. 1 installed in the water tank. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an aquarium filter according to another embodiment of the present invention. It is the schematic of the aquarium filter of FIG. It is a perspective view of the outer casing of the water tank filter of FIG. It is the schematic of the water tank filter of FIG.

Claims (24)

A single filtration system for an aquarium,
A protein skimmer,
A water pump,
A plumbing assembly having a pipe operably connecting the pump and the protein skimmer, allowing a flow of water and air to enter the protein skimmer, and returning filtered water to the aquarium; ,
An outer casing substantially surrounding the protein skimmer, the pump and the piping assembly and having at least one opening for receiving water to be filtered from the aquarium;
A system characterized by comprising. A skimmer collection chamber connected to the outer casing and in communication with the protein skimmer;
The system according to claim 1. The protein skimmer comprises a first open end and a second open end,
The first open end defines a first enclosure, the second open end defines a second enclosure, and the second enclosure is smaller than the first enclosure;
The system according to claim 1. The piping assembly comprises at least one spindle return;
The return port discharges the water flow from the filtration system and returns it to the aquarium.
The system according to claim 1. At least one spindle return is selectively rotatable to change the direction of water flow back to the aquarium;
The system according to claim 4. The pipe of the plumbing assembly includes an injector tube having a reduced diameter for generating a back pressure and a vacuum of air within the plumbing assembly;
The system according to claim 1. The plumbing assembly further comprises a barb member connected to a part of the pipe;
The barb is recessed, communicates with the interior of the pipe and receives one end of an air supply tube;
The system according to claim 1. The piping assembly further comprises a pipe element that feeds water and air into the protein skimmer,
The pipe element has at least one opening located in the protein skimmer;
The system according to claim 1. The pipe element comprises at least two openings;
Each of the openings faces the inner wall of the protein skimmer,
The system according to claim 8. The outer casing comprises at least one opening adjacent to the pump;
Water is drawn into the outer casing and the pump,
The system according to claim 1. The outer casing further comprises at least one opening at a location adjacent to the top of the outer casing such that water from the top surface of the aquarium is received within the outer casing.
The system according to claim 1. Further comprising at least one sponge for biological and mechanical filtering of water within the outer casing;
The system according to claim 1. The at least one sponge has an outer periphery defined by a size and shape corresponding to the size and shape of the outer casing such that the at least one sponge contacts the inner wall of the outer casing. ,
13. The system according to claim 12, wherein: It also has two sponges,
The first sponge is located above the water pump and the second sponge is located below the transmission pump;
13. The system according to claim 12, wherein: A positioning member connected to a portion of the filtration system for placing the filtration system against the aquarium,
The system according to claim 1. Located at the top portion of the outer casing such that at least one of the at least one filtering opening extends beyond the surface of the water so as to allow filtered water to exit the outer casing when installed in the aquarium. One of the walls of the outer casing comprises the at least one filtering opening.
The system according to claim 1. The piping assembly
A first spindle return that drains the water flow from the filtration system and returns it to the aquarium;
A second spindle return located to face at least one filtering opening to allow filtered water from the outer casing to follow the water surface of the aquarium;
Further comprising
The system of claim 16. The rear wall of the outer casing has a height that is longer than the height of the remaining walls of the outer casing;
The system of claim 16. The positioning member is connected to the rear wall and has a width longer than the width of the side wall of the aquarium,
The system of claim 18. A method for filtering water in a tank,
A plumbing assembly, a protein skimmer, and a pump, wherein an outer casing of a single filtration system substantially supplies the single filtration system surrounding the plumbing assembly, the protein skimmer, and the pump And steps to
Drawing unfiltered water from the aquarium and passing it to the outer casing, simultaneously drawing water from the water surface and water from below the water surface;
Drawing unfiltered water received in the outer casing through the pump intake of the pump;
Diverting water drawn through the pump intake in first and second directions through use of the piping assembly;
Scooping water diverted in the first direction through use of the protein skimmer;
Supplying a water flow from water deflected in the second direction through a return of a main shaft connected to the piping assembly;
A method comprising: Diverting water drawn through the pump intake in the first and second directions includes diverting water through first and second passes of the piping assembly;
The method according to claim 16. Supplying the water flow through the return of the main shaft selectively adjusts the water flow by rotating the main shaft;
The method according to claim 16. The scooping step further includes generating air bubbles and trapping organic waste in the collection chamber;
The method according to claim 16. Collecting the surface debris of the aquarium in the outer casing;
The method according to claim 16.

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