Submersible Filter System for Bottom Debris Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter systems for stock tanks and ornamental ponds fail to effectively remove debris accumulating at the bottom of the water body, requiring manual removal and often involving costly separate tanks and water wastage.
Innovation Solution
A submersible filter system with a housing and feet that holds it off the bottom, featuring a pump that draws water from the bottom through a filter, allowing microbes to break down debris, and optionally includes a heater for temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter system draws water with a pump, then water is filtered, but debris at the bottom of the pond is not removed
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of drawing water from the surface or mid-water level, the pump is positioned at the bottom of the tank with the inlet facing downward, inverting the typical water intake orientation. This allows the pump to directly draw water and debris from the bottom surface where debris accumulates, rather than allowing debris to settle and requiring manual removal.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If manual removal of debris is performed by draining the stock tank, then debris is removed, but water is wasted and time is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The filter system performs self-service by continuously circulating water and automatically removing debris through the pump and filter mechanism. The pump continuously draws water from the bottom, passes it through the filter media, and returns cleaned water to the tank, eliminating the need for manual draining and debris removal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter system operates continuously to maintain water quality, with the pump running constantly or on a timer to circulate water through the filter. This continuous operation prevents debris accumulation and eliminates the periodic need for manual draining and cleaning, providing ongoing debris removal without water loss.
3Reliability
If a second separate tank is used for filtration, then filtering capability is provided, but cost increases and debris at bottom is not solved
Solution Approach 1:
The filter system merges the filtration function directly into the stock tank by positioning the pump and filter media at the bottom of the existing tank. This eliminates the need for a separate second tank, as the filterę§½ and pump assembly are integrated into the bottom structure of the original tank, providing both filtration and bottom debris removal in a single unified system.
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
Effectively removes debris from the bottom of stock tanks and ornamental ponds, maintaining water quality without manual intervention and offering an optional heating solution to prevent freezing.
Implementation Method 1
the pump draws water in along the bottom of the body of water through the filter
Implementation Method 2
Once the debris is sucked into the filter, microbes in the filter are able to break down the debris
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to a filter system for ornamental ponds and stock tanks that has a housing defining an internal chamber. A number of feet are located on a lower flat surface of the housing, which hold the housing off of the bottom of the pond. A filter slot in the lower surface holds a filter. A pump is inside the internal chamber of the housing and has an inlet inside the internal chamber and an outlet outside the internal chamber of the housing. When the filter system is submerged, the pump draws water in along the bottom of the body of water through the filter. As a result, the debris on the bottom of the body of water is drawn into the filter. Once the debris is drawn into the filter, microbes in the filter are able to break down the debris.