Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02219~44 1998-09-30
WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM FOR CONTROL OF THE ZEBRA MUSSEL
Field of the invention
A water filtration system for controlling the spread of the zebra mussels into a
5 water system; the system has a water intake line extending into an aquatic
environment exposed to zebra mussels.
Back~round of the invention
In applicants' United States patent 5,525,222, a water filtration system for the
control of zebra mussels is described.
In particular, United States patent 5,525,222 describes a water filtration
device for preventing a Zebra Mussel from entering a water intake system
which has a water intake line extending into an aquatic environment exposed to
Zebra Mussels. The device contains an intake line connection for connecting
the filtration device to the intake line. The device also contains at least one
15 water collection line extending from the intake line connection. The device
also contains a water filter having a largest pore size that is small enough to
prevent passage of an egg or veliger of Zebra Mussels, operatively associated
with each of the collection lines such that any water passing through the
collection lines must pass through the filter and into the collection line. The
20 device also contains a copper screen surrounding the water filter, and a
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housing surrounding the filter and including a filter intake such that any water
entering the housing and passing through the filters enters through the filter intake.
The filtration system of United States patent 5,525,222, although substantially
superior to prior art systems, often became fouled by sediment from the aquatic
5 environment, and, consequently, sometimes would suffer from a substantial reduction
in the flow of water through it.
It is an object of this invention to provide a filtration system which is less
likely that the prior art filtration system of U.S. patent 5,525,222 to be fouled by
sediment from the aquatic environment in which it is situated.
It is another object of this invention to provide a filtration system which will
m~int~in a relatively high volume of water flow over extended periods of time.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a filtration system which is
relatively easy to connect to existing water lines.
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved filtration system which
15 is substantially easier to service and m~int~in than prior art filtration systems.
Summary of the invention
In accordance with this invention, there is provided a water filtration system
for preventing a zebra mussel from entering a water system. This filtration system has
a water intake line extending into an aquatic environment, an intake line connection, a
20 water collection line extending from the intake line connection, two water filters, a
copper screen surrounding each of the water filters, and a housing surrounding the
water filters.
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Brief description of the drawin~s
The present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the
following detailed description thereof, when read in conjunction with the attached
drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, and wherein:
Figure 1 is a side view of a water filtration system connected to an intake line;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a water filtration
system with a vertical intake line;
Figure 3 is a front cut away view of the filtration system of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a top cut away top view of the filtration system of Figure 2;
10 filtration system, with two filters;
Figure 5 is an end view of the filtration system of Figure 2;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the filter assembly of the filtration system of
Figure 2;
Figure 7 is side view of an extended stack which can be used in the assembly
15 of Figure 2;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a filtration system;
and
Figure 9 is a top view of the filtration system of Figure 8.
Description of the preferred embodiments
The water filtration system of the present invention is adapted to control the
spread of zebra mussels into a water system having a water intake line extending into
an aquatic environment exposed to Zebra Mussels. As used in this specification, the
term "aquatic environment" broadly encompasses any lake, stream river, pond, pool,
and any other collection of water that is capable of being invaded by zebra mussels,
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such as aquariums, shore wells, beach wells, or water surrounding an intake line. The
term "water system for a dwelling unit", as used herein, refers to a broad category of
light use water systems which are particularly amenable to the benefits of waterfiltration systems for the intake line.
Figure 1 is a side view of a water filtration device connected to the intake line
12 for a water system of a residential dwelling 14. Figure 2 is a perspective view of
one embodiment of a water filtration system 10 of the present invention with twofilters 16 and 18 positioned horizontally.
Referring to Figure 1, and in the pl~r~ d embodiment depicted therein, it will
10 be seen that filtration device 10 preferably is disposed on the bottom 15 of the aquatic
environment at a depth sufficient to cause water to flow through intake line 12.Generally, device 10 is disposed at least from about 6 to about ten feet below the
water surface 17. It is preferred that the device 10 be disposed at least ten feet below
water surface 17.
Referring to Figure 2, it will be seen that filtration device 10 is comprised ofan intake 20 cont~ining a recessed screen 22.
It will be seen that filtration device 10, in addition to intake 20, also comprises
connector 24 for connecting filtration device 10 to intake water line 12. In theembodiment depicted in Figure 1, connector 24 is substantially parallel to intake 20.
The intake 20 is adjustable, i.e., it can be rotated either clockwise or
counterclockwise in increments as small 5 degrees or less so that, e.g., it can face in
the same direction as connector 24. However, it is preferred that intake 20 always be
substantially parallel to connector 24 so that the direction of water flowing into intake
20 is substantially parallel to the direction of water flowing through connector 24. It
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will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the term "substantially parallel"
includes minor deviations of up to about 30 degrees from true parallel planes.
Referring to Figure 2, it will be seen that screen 22 is recessed from the faces26 of intake 20 by at least about 2.5 inches. Although not wishing to be bound to any
particular theory, applicants believe that this construction reduces clogging due to the
intake of sediment.
In one preferred embodiment, screen 22 is recessed from face 26 by at least
about 3.0 inches.
It is preferred that intake 20 have an internal diameter of from about 4 to 10
10 inches and, preferably, 5 to 7 inches. In one especially p~ ed embodiment, intake
20 has an internal diameter of about 6.0 inches.
Referring again to Figure 2, and in the preferred embodiment depicted therein,
it will be seen that connector 24 is a "quick connect" connector which allows ready
connection to the water line 12. These types of "quick connect" connectors are well
15 known and commercially available. Thus, one suitable connector 24 is sold as
"CAM-LOCK" by American Manufacturers, Inc. of M~n~cs~s, Virginia.
In another embodiment, not shown, a conventional thread connector 24 is
used.
Referring again to Figure 2, and in the embodiment depicted therein, it will be
20 seen that filtration system 10 is comprised of water filters 16 and 18, each of which
has a largest pore size that is small enough to prevent passage of an egg or veliger of
zebra mussels.
Referring to Figures 3 and 4, it will be seen that each of water filters 16 and 18
is operatively associated with the collection line 28 such that any water passing
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through the collection lines 28 must have passed though the filter 16 or the filter 18
and into the collection line 28.
Referring again to Figure 2, it will be seen that housing 30 surrounds the filters
16 and 18, each of which is encased in copper mesh. The housing 20 includes the
5 filter intake 20 such that any water entering the housing 30 and passing though the
filters 16 and/or 18 enters through the filter intake 20.
As indicated hereinabove, recessed screed 22 is part of intake 20. It is
preferred that screen 22 be a copper mesh screen. In one embodiment, the copper
mesh screen has approximately 44 mesh squares per square inch.
Referring again to Figures 3 and 4, and in the preferred embodiment depicted
therein, it will be seen that the filters 16 and 18 are preferably of sufficient surface
area to draw water through the water filtration system effectively under normal
operation of the water system. In one embodiment, it is preferred that each of filters
16 and 18 have at least about 100 square feet of surface area.
The water filtration system 10 preferably rests on the bottom 15 of the aquatic
environment, such that the filter intake 20 preferably extends at least 1.5 feet above
the bottom of the aquatic environment. In situations where the filtration system 10 is
used in shore wells or beach wells, the filter intake 20 may be small because excess
silt would not be a significant problem. The housing 30 can be shaped and positioned
20 to minimi7e the disturbing effects of a current on the aquatic environment. By
positioning the filters 16 and 18 in a horizontal position, the bulk of the filtration
system 10 is on the bottom and thus less likely to be disturbed by currents.
Referring again to Figures 3 and 4, it will be seen that copper screen 32 are
encased around filters 16 and 18 and thereby substantially reduce the need to service
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the system 10. The copper is believed to be toxic to the veligers, and the use of the
screens keeps the zebra mussels from growing on the filters 16 and 18. A copper
screen 22 is also preferably used over the filter intake 20 to keep mussels from
blocking the intake to the filtration system 10. The screen 22 on the filter intake 20 of
5 the housing 30 also prevents larger organisms and debris from fouling the filtration
system 10. In heavy silt environments, a series of screens could be employed. The
screen(s) 22 and/or 32 are generally much cheaper than the filters 16 and 18, so that
the screens can be added liberally to elongate the life of the filters.
The filters 16 and 18 should preferably be at least 40 microns or less, as
10 dictated by the current findings of the ability of eggs and veligers to pass through
various pore sizes. A 20 micron filter, e.g., also may be used. Filters of these pore
sizes are commercially available from various plumbing supply manufacturers such
as, e.g., the Pleato Electric and Filter Corporation, 113 Kean Street, West Babylon,
New York 11704. The filters 16 and 18 shown in Figures 3 and 4 are 100 square foot
15 filters. This results in a total of 200 square feet of filter surface area for the whole
filtration system 10. This has proved to be more than adequate for residential
dwellings.
Previously, the filters 16 and 18 were attached to the collection lines by a slip
sleeve connection. One may use such slip sleeve connection, and/or one may use
20 other conventional connector means such as, e.g., a thread slip connector. Other
connector means will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.
The filtration system's housing 30 can be constructed out of 6" polyvinyl
chloride (PVC) tubing as shown and end caps 34 are included. If these end caps 34
are removed either underwater of back at a service center, the filters 16 and 18 could
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be easily removed from the collection line 28. While 6" PVC tubing is suggested for
the embodiment shown, many different materials of various shapes and sizes cold be
used to implement the teachings of the present invention.
Many water systems use submersible pumps either in shore wells, beach wells,
5 or directly out in a lake. The intake line connection can be connected to a housing for
a submersible pump system such that the submersible pump is submerged entirely in
water passing through the filtration system. The housing should always be large
enough to allow enough filtered water to surround the pump to provide adequate
coolmg.
Referring again to Figures 3 and 4, and in the preferred embodiment depicted
therein, it is preferred that collection line 28 have an internal diameter of at least about
1.5 inches. Referring to Figure 6, the collection line 28 is adapted to be connected
within orifice or filter 16 or 18.
Referring to Figure 4, it will be seen that collection lines 28 communicate with
bulkhead connector 38, which also preferably has a 1.5" internal diameter.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, Figures 3 and 4 depict
conventional means of connecting various lines.
Figure 5 is an end view of the embodiment of Figure 2 and a side view of
intake 20.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of filter 18, which as will be appreciated by
those skilled in the art, is substantially identical to filter 16. Referring to Figure 6, it
will be seen that copper wire 40 can be used to secure copper mesh 32 around the
filter 18.
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Figure 7 is a side view of an intake stack 42 which can be used in place of the
intake stack 41 depicted in Figure 2. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art,
stack 42 contains an optional intake filter section 44 with a multiplicity of orifices
which communicate with copper screen 22. As will be apparent to those skilled in the
5 art, if for any reason intake 20 becomes obstructed, fluid can still flow into device 10
through orifices 46.
It is preferred to have at least 3 orifices 46, each of which has a diameter of at
least about 2Ø In one embodiment, at least about 4 orifices 46 are used, each of
which has a diameter of at least about 2.5 inches.
Referring again to Figure 7, it will be seen that optional intake filter section 42
preferably has a height 48 of from about 8 to about 12 inches and, more preferably,
from about 9.5 to abut 10.5 inches.
Figures 8 and 9 illustrate another filtration device which differs from the
device 10 of figures 1 -7 in that it has two intakes 20 rather than one, and only one
15 filter 18 rather than two. Furthermore, in the embodiment depicted, the housing 30
has a 4.0 inch internal diameter rather than 6.0 inches, and the bulkhead outlet internal
diameter is preferably 1.25 inches. The capacity of filter 18 is such that it has a
surface area of 18 square feet.
It is to be understood that the aforementioned description is illustrative only
20 and that changes can be made in the apparatus, in the ingredients and their
proportions, and in the sequence of combinations and process steps, as well as in
other aspects of the invention discussed herein, without departing from the scope of
the invention as defined in the following claims.
