Algae collection device using escalator-type lift

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12157980-B2
Application number	US-202017595114-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 27, 2020
Priority date	May 27, 2019
Publication date	Dec 3, 2024
Grant date	Dec 3, 2024

Abstract

The present invention relates to an algae collection device and, in particular, to an algae collection device using an escalator-type lift equipped with a screen having a level state. The present invention may collect algae using an escalator-type lift equipped with a screen having a level state while the algae do not move down. The present invention may effectively collect, into a collection box, the algae transported on the escalator-type lift by means of compressed air generated by a compressor.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An algae collection apparatus using an automatic escalator-type lift system, wherein the apparatus has one end located in water and an opposite end located above a water surface and is configured to collect floating matter including algae on the water surface and transport the collected floating matter including algae to an algae collection box located at the opposite end, wherein the apparatus comprises:
a plurality of lifts connected to each other in an escalator manner, wherein each lift of the plurality of lifts includes:
a screen for lifting up the floating matter from the water surface into a space above the surface;
a guide for supporting an edge of the screen; and
a riser for levelling the screen using elasticity;

a chain for moving the plurality of lifts;
a driver for driving the plurality of lifts via the chain;
a compressor for generating compressed air; and
a plurality of compressed air ejection nozzles for ejecting the compressed air generated from the compressor onto the lifts disposed at the opposite end, the plurality of compressed air ejection nozzles being arranged in a row and spaced apart from each other;
wherein the plurality of compressed air ejection nozzles are defined as a group of compressed air ejection nozzles, and a plurality of these groups are provided along the algae transport direction of the plurality of lifts, spaced apart from each other;
wherein an ejection force of the compressed air increases as the group of compressed air ejection nozzles approaches the algae collection box;
wherein an angle of the compressed air ejection nozzles increases progressively toward the center direction of the plurality of lifts as they move from the nozzles located at the center of the plurality of lifts toward the nozzles located at the edges of the plurality of lifts; and
wherein the group of compressed air ejection nozzles closest to the plurality of lifts has the compressed air ejection nozzles located at the edges of the lifts positioned closer to the plurality of lifts than the other compressed air ejection nozzles, in the algae collection apparatus using the automatic escalator-type lift system.

2. The algae collection apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises an algae collector disposed at the opposite end for pushing the floating matter out of a respective lift.

3. The algae collection apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the algae collector includes a roll-type brush.

Assignees

• Seoul Nat Univ R&Db Foundation
• Seoul National Univ R&Dbfoundation

Inventors

• Han Moo-Young
• Kim Tschung-Il
• Park Hyun-Ju

Classifications

• E02B15/103

  Rotary drums · CPC title

• E02B15/104 Primary

  Conveyors; Paddle wheels; Endless belts (E02B15/101 takes precedence) · CPC title