Multipurpose Blower Assembly for Water Aeration and Ice Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling excessive aquatic vegetation and algae growth in water bodies are either labor-intensive, economically costly, or environmentally harmful, and fail to provide a long-term solution, posing health risks to humans and animals and compromising water quality.

Innovation Solution

A multipurpose blower assembly that uses a system controller to move a blower motor in a sweeping radial pattern and upward/downward motion to stimulate water circulation, aerate shallow waters, and prevent ice formation, equipped with auto-correction features and alerts for safe operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If traditional methods (harvesting, raking, cutting) are used to control aquatic vegetation, then vegetation growth is reduced, but labor intensity and operational complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaquatic vegetation growthVSAvoidlabor intensity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical methods (harvesting, raking, cutting) with an automated aeration system that uses air stones and diffused air flow to physically disrupt and control aquatic vegetation growth through mechanical agitation of the water column, eliminating the need for labor-intensive manual removal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service operation through automated timing controls and continuous aeration that maintains water circulation and oxygen levels without requiring manual intervention, allowing the water feature to self-regulate vegetation growth and maintain water quality autonomously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Object-generated harmful factors

If chemical treatments are applied to control algae and vegetation, then vegetation growth is suppressed, but environmental harm and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealgae and vegetation growthVSAvoidenvironmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of stagnant water (which promotes algae growth) into a beneficial condition by introducing aeration that creates oxygen-rich environments and water circulation patterns that naturally inhibit algae and vegetation growth without using harmful chemicals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces oxygen through aeration stones and diffused air flow, creating oxidizing conditions in the water that inhibit the growth of anaerobic algae and prevent vegetation proliferation, providing a chemical-free method of growth suppression through increased oxygen availability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

3Reliability

If aeration systems are used to prevent ice formation and improve water circulation, then water quality is maintained, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater qualityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic aeration cycles controlled by timers, where air stones are activated intermittently rather than continuously, providing sufficient water circulation and oxygenation to maintain water quality and prevent ice formation while minimizing energy consumption through strategic on/off scheduling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses multiple small air stones distributed throughout the water feature rather than one large aerator, providing adequate aeration through numerous small air streams that collectively achieve water circulation and oxygenation with lower total energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The blower assembly effectively mitigates undesirable aquatic growth, maintains water quality, and ensures safe operation, providing a cost-effective and durable solution for widespread water circulation and aeration.

Implementation Method 1

moving a powered blower motor in a sweeping radial pattern and upward and downward motion to effectuate widespread water circulation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid circulation: Convection

Implementation Method 2

facilitate aeration, prevent formation of ice upon surface waters

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAeration: Aeration

Data Source

PatentUS10392763B2Multipurpose blower assembly

Publication Date: 2019.08.27 DC LIEN

AI summary

A multipurpose blower assembly for stimulating flows in underwater environments, which includes a lower assembly connecting to an upper assembly by a rotating shaft and a mount post for connecting the blower assembly to a supportive structure near a water body and supporting the lower assembly below and the upper assembly above the water body's surface. The lower assembly includes a lower bracket for supporting a blower motor, whereas the upper assembly includes a top plate for mounting an electrical gear motor having an output shaft connecting to the rotating shaft and a system controller having a microcontroller communicatively coupled to logic circuits for controlling operation of the electrical gear motor for rotation of the lower assembly relative to the upper assembly and a linear actuator to move upward and downward the lower bracket to effect angular positioning of the blower motor.