OA17816A - Suctioning device for large artificial water bodies. - Google Patents

Suctioning device for large artificial water bodies. Download PDF

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Publication number
OA17816A
OA17816A OA1201600250 OA17816A OA 17816 A OA17816 A OA 17816A OA 1201600250 OA1201600250 OA 1201600250 OA 17816 A OA17816 A OA 17816A
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OA
OAPI
Prior art keywords
suctioning device
suctioning
brushes
ofthe
suction
Prior art date
Application number
OA1201600250
Inventor
Fernando Benjamin Fischmann Torres
Jorge Eduardo Prieto Dominguez
Original Assignee
Crystal Lagoons (Curaçao) B.V.
Filing date
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Application filed by Crystal Lagoons (Curaçao) B.V. filed Critical Crystal Lagoons (Curaçao) B.V.
Publication of OA17816A publication Critical patent/OA17816A/en

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Abstract

A suctioning device operates to suction flocs produced by flocculants or coagulants from a bottom of large artificial water bodies without centralized filtration systems. The suctioning device includes a flexible sheet for a structural frame, various brushes, suction points, safety wheels, collecting means, internal suction lines, and coupling means. A rate of bottom water flow entering the suctioning device is the same or higher than a rate of water flow suctioned by an external pumping system.

Description

SUCTIONING DEVICE FOR LARGE ARTIFICIAL WATER BODIES
TECHNICAL FIELD
The présent invention relates to a suctioning device for suctioning flocs from the soft bottom of large artificial water bodies, where the bottom surface ofthe large artificial water bodies can be irregularand sloped. U.S. Patent No. 8,518,269, No. 8,062,514, No. 8,070,942, No. 7,820,055, No. 8,454,838, No. 8,465,651, No. 8,518,269, No. 8,070,342, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20110110076, 20110108490, No. 20130240432, No. 20130264261, No. 20130213866, No. 20130306532, and No. 20110210076 are each hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
Today in the world, one can distinguish two different technologies for maintaining water bodies. On the one hand, one can distinguish conventional swimming pool water treatment technologies, which will be referred to as “Technology A”. On the other hand, one can distinguish an innovative water treatment technology for treating and maintaining large artificial water bodies, such as large artificial water bodies, which will be referred to as “Technology B”. Both technologies are very different in nature, operation, configuration, and size, and are directed at very different objectives and water body types, and therefore the suctioning devices used for each technology are completely different.
Technology A, which refers to conventional swimming pool treatment technology, is used in small and confined water bodies with spécifie characteristics and usually built out of concrète with plain, regular, and firm bottoms. Since swimming pools hâve low sizes, their régulations require filtering the complété water body between 1 and 6 times per day to maintain a suitable water quality for recreational purposes.
Technology B, on the other hand, allows treating and maintaining large water bodies that hâve irregular and soft bottoms built of out plastic liners, and where such water is treated though efficient flocculation that allows precipitating impurities, and afterwards removing the settled impurities and débris from the irregular and unfirm bottoms, especially the flocs that are formed in the water treatment process, thus avoiding the use of conventional centralized filtration Systems and conventional swimming pool technologies such as Technology A.
Swimming pools using Technology A generally use conventional swimming pool bottom cleaners, and there are many different types and models within the market, which hâve been specially designed to clean the bottom of relatively small recreational water bodies such as swimming pools, among other applications. Such pool cleaners are configured to clean small surfaces, and therefore their surface cleaning rates (i.e., the amount of bottom surface cleaned in a predetermined period of time) are low and would not be practical for cleaning the bottom of large artificial water bodies using the Technology B due to their large sizes.
Also, such cleaning devices are configured to clean smooth surfaces that do not présent irregularities or bumps. For example, typical swimming pools are built out of concrète, fiberglass, or other materials that may be coated to provide a firm, plain, regular, and smooth surface. Therefore, such surfaces can be easily cleaned by conventional pool bottom cleaning devices. These conventional pool bottom cleaning devices are therefore not designed to clean soft and irregular surfaces such as the bottom of large artificial water bodies using Technology B, as the operation would be extremely inefficient and may even damage the bottom.
It must also be noted that the conventional swimming pool cleaners generally are provided with small suction heads, usually with scrubbers. The scrubbers are typically moved from the perimeter ofthe pool by rods or pôles. This is possible due to the small surfaces that must be covered. These conventional cleaners are designed to remove the attached débris and stains found on the bottom and walls of the swimming pools. However, even though the small suction heads remove the débris from the bottom ofthe pool, the conventional centralized filtration system ofthe swimming pool must still be used to treatthe contaminations suspended in the water, where the conventional filtration system filters the complété water body from 1 to 6 times per day to purify the water.
Also, many of such devices for swimming pools using Technology A utilize rotating brushes, scrubbers or other Systems that may cause the flocs to disperse and/or re-suspend, and also may comprise filters attached to the suctioning devices, which is not applicable to large artificial water bodies using Technology B due to the large water volumes that must be fïltered.
Conventional pool cleaning devices are typically permanently supported by a sériés of wheels, which although hâve little or no impact on the bottom surface of conventional pools (typically formed from concrète, fiberglass, or other materials that may be coated to provide a firm, plain, regular, and smooth surface), can damage the bottom liner of water bodies using Technology B since the bottom has irregular surfaces and therefore the wheels could cause undesired stresses including, for example, stretching and folding ofthe material ofthe liner. Additionally, if a sharp object, such as a stick, rock or other débris is located above or below the plastic liners, the weight/pressure caused by the wheels could cause the liner to puncture, causing damage and leaking ofthe water.
Moreover, as a resuit ofthe irregular surfaces présent (i.e., areas or zones that hâve higher or lower depths), they cannot be cleaned properly through such conventional bottom cleaners.
Additionally, the conventional bottom suction cleaners used in Technology A cannot work at high speeds. As a sédiment cloud is lifted by such devices, suctioning ail of the bottom layer sédiments is nearly impossible. The sédiment cloud causes mixing and turbulence on the bottom layer of the water body, reducing sédimentation capacity and thus not allowing to properly treating the water body.
Table 1: Différences between Technology A and Technology B
Features Technoloqv A Small Swimming Pools Technoloqv B Large Artificial Water Bodies
Average Water Surface Generally 80 m2 Olympic Pool: 1,250 m2 Generally 30,000 m2 - 400,000 m2
Bottom material Concrète Natural terrain used as bottom, covered with plastic liners
Bottom surface Smooth, regular, plain, firm Irregular, soft, with protrusions
Water treatment Permanent high concentration of chemicals Efficient flocculation that allows precipitating impurities into the bottom
Uses flocculants Optional Mandatory
Filtration Use of conventional centralized filtration system Does not require a centralized filtration system
Use of suctioning device for treating the water No - small suctioning devices are just used for removing attached débris and stains Yes - the device allows removing the flocculated impurities from the bottom of the artificial water bodies
Cleaning Device Operation Slow operation due to the small sizes of swimming pools Use of fast propelling device due to the large areas that must be covered
Cleaning device Rotating parts and scrubbers to detach débris and stains No rotating parts in order to avoid resuspension of precipitated material
Large water bodies using Technology B can be used for recreational purposes, such as for practicing water sports, bathing, and many other activities that allow improving the lifestyle of people around the world. Large water bodies can also be used for industrial purposes, such as for cooling purposes, drinking water storage and treatment, raw water storage, seawater treatment for reverse osmosis and mining applications, and many other applications.
Such large water bodies using the Technology B typically hâve irregular and soft bottoms. This often results from the positioning of a liner, often plastic, directly on a natural surface. The water contained in the large water bodies is often treated though, efficient flocculation that allows precipitating impurities, and afterwards removing the settled impurities from the irregular and soft bottoms, especially the flocs that are formed in the water treatment process, thus avoiding the need for conventional centralized filtration Systems.
Conventional small devices for removing attached débris and stains from the bottom of conventional swimming pools using Technology A are not configured to clean large surface areas in short periods of time, and are also not configured to be propelled by a propelling device, such as a boat with an engine or a robotic system internally or externally connected to the device, since they are designed for small areas that do not présent surface cleaning difficulties as the bottoms of conventional swimming pools using Technology A are usually built with concrète and are very regular and smooth.
One conventional suction device for Technology A comprises a suction head that can be moved along the lower surface of a swimming pool by an articulated rod by hand (therefore limiting the covered area and velocity of the cleaning process). Such device improves the service life of conventional suction heads that comprise bristles that are easily removed in order to be replaced in case they are worn out. Therefore, such suction device aims to replace worn bristles with unworn bristles so that the suction head’s service life is no longer limited by the life of the occupied bristles. Another conventional system for Technology A includes a vacuum head with parallel rows of brushes with a predetermined advancing direction and flexible foam for containing the water within the device in order to be suctioned. This device is designed to clean small swimming pools and provide an efficient suction due to the lock comprising flexible foam. However, this vacuum head is designed to clean regular (i.e., fiat) bottoms of swimming pools, for example made of concrète, and not to cope with irregular bottoms as the ones from large artificial water bodies. Such a device includes a support plate to minimize the bending ofthe flexible foam, and a support wheel to provide stability to the device as it rolls along the surface to be cleaned.
Other devices include a suction head for conventional swimming pools using Technology A, having one central suction nozzle and an elongate main brush and auxiliary brushes to support the cleaning head, where the head is confîgured to move the débris into the central suction nozzle. This design causes re-suspension of débris since it has many openings within the suction head that just move and re-suspend the impurities instead. Such head is designed to be fitted into a conventional swimming pool vacuum cleaner, with a hand driven pôle for moving the head, and a system to suction and filter the suctioned water within the same swimming pool, and therefore could not be used for large applications or for cleaning large surface areas in short periods of time. Other types of vacuum heads for swimming pools using Technology A include a sphere-supported swimming pool suction head, comprising a plurality of rotatable spheres in base plate sockets to support the base plate above the pool floor. Therein, the suction head is maneuvered from the edge ofthe pool by a long pôle. Although the base plate is a rectangular and flexible plate, the device is supported on rotatable spheres to provide a low rolling friction to aid handling ease, which is completely directed to solving the maneuverability issues from the border ofthe swimming pools. As this system is driven by hand within the perimeter, it could not be used for large applications or for cleaning large surface areas in short periods of time. Also, the rotatable spheres do not allow handling protrusions or irregularities in the bottom of large artificial water bodies, since they could damage the coatings from such large artificial water bodies.
Therefore, it must be noted that none ofthe suction cleaners used for operation in swimming pools according to Technology A would be useful or efficient for suctioning the bottom of large artificial water bodies using Technology B.
However, a few spécifie suction devices hâve been developed for use in large artificial water bodies according to Technology B, where such suctioning devices hâve presented many limitations associated with suctioning device speed, reversibility, turning capacity, suctioning efficiency, operation in irregular surfaces, and operation in sloped bottoms, among others.
SUMMARY
In general terms, this invention is directed to a suctioning device for suctioning, inter alia, flocs produced by flocculants or coagulants and débris found in the bottom of water bodies using Technology B. In one possible configuration and by non-limiting example, the suctioning device is confîgured to operate at large artificial water bodies using the innovative water treatment Technology B that allows treating and maintaining large water bodies that hâve irregular and soft bottoms built of out plastic liners, and where such water is treated though efficient flocculation that allows precipitating impurities, and afterwards removing the settled impurities from the irregular and soft bottoms, especially the flocs that are formed in the water treatment process, thus avoiding the use of conventional centralized filtration Systems and conventional swimming pool technologies.
Various aspects are described in this invention, which include, but are not limited to, the following aspects.
One aspect is a suctioning device for suctioning flocs produced by flocculants or coagulants from a bottom of large artificial water bodies using the innovative water treatment Technology B that allows treating and maintaining large water bodies that hâve irregular and soft bottoms built of out plastic liners, and where such water is treated though efficient flocculation that allows precipitating impurities, and afterwards removing the settled impurities from the irregular and soft bottoms, especially the flocs that are formed in the water treatment process, thus avoiding the use of conventional centralized filtration Systems and conventional swimming pool technologies.
The suctioning device typically includes a flexible sheet configured to provide a structural frame; a plurality of first brushes, where in an embodiment the first brushes are V-shaped brushes configured to direct a bottom water flow into apexes ofthe V-shaped brushes; a plurality of middle brushes configured to redirect the bottom water flow into the first brushes; a plurality of latéral brushes configured to contain the bottom water flow within the suctioning device and avoid the resuspension ofthe bottom waterflow in the vicinity ofthe suctioning device; a plurality of suction points configured to concentrate suction capacity to increase suction power in the suction points; a plurality of safety wheels configured to provide secondary support and avoid damage to the suctioning device when the first brushes, the middle brushes, and/or the latéral brushes are worn out and cannot provide a proper support or suction height ofthe suctioning device; a plurality of collecting means configured to gatherthe suctioned bottom water flow and concentrate the suctioned bottom water flow into one or more external suction lines; a plurality of internai suction lines configured to conduit the suctioned bottom water flow from the plurality of suction points to the plurality of collecting means; and a plurality of couplers, connecting the internai suction lines and the collecting means. The suctioning device has a rate of the bottom water flow entering the suctioning device that is the same or higher than a rate of water flow suctioned by an external pumping system though the device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shows a schematic, top perspective view of an exemplary suctioning device.
Figure 2 shows a schematic, bottom perspective view ofthe suctioning device of Figure 1. Figure 3 shows a schematic, top view ofthe suctioning device of Figure 1.
Figure 4 shows a schematic, side view ofthe suctioning device of Figure 1.
Figure 5 shows a schematic, top perspective view of another exemplary suctioning device with latéral wheels.
Figure 6 shows a schematic, bottom view ofthe suctioning device of Figure 5.
Figure 7 shows exemplary V-shaped brushes and latéral brushes, showing the location of an apex where a suction point is located.
Figure 8 shows that the suctioning device is attached to a propelling means, an external pumping system and a filtration system.
Figure 9 shows an operation ofthe suctioning device, showing how an inletwaterflow enfers the device to be suctioned in an advancing direction.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limitthe scope ofthe claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this spécification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims.
The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. While embodiments ofthe invention may be described, modifications, adaptions, and other implémentations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the éléments illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed methods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the scope ofthe invention. While Systems and methods are described in terms of “comprising” various apparatus or steps, the Systems and methods can also “consist essentially of’ or “consist of’ the various apparatus or steps, unless stated otherwise.
As mentioned, currently one can distinguish two different technologies to maintain water bodies for recreational purposes, the first one referring to conventional swimming pool water treatment or Technology A, which are used in small water bodies with spécifie characteristics and usually built out of concrète with plain, regular, and firm bottoms and that require a centralized filtration system; and the second one referring to an innovative water treatment technology, or Technology B, that allows treating and maintaining large water bodies that hâve irregular and soft bottoms built of out plastic liners, and where such water is treated though efficient flocculation that allows precipitating impurities, and afterwards removing the settled impurities from the irregular and soft bottoms, especially the flocs that are formed in the water treatment process, thus avoiding the use of conventional centralized filtration Systems.
Very large artificial water bodies are typically built without centralized filtration Systems and using the aforementioned innovative water treatment Technology B, where such large artificial water bodies are constantly increasing in size, and therefore there is a need for providing low cost and efficient bottom cleaning devices for large water bodies, larger than 10,000 m2 in surface area. Such large artificial water bodies with surface area higher than 10,000 m2 can be artificial lakes, ponds, swimming pools, tanks, basins, lagoons, and similar water bodies. Regarding bottom cleaning Systems for maintaining the large artificial water bodies using the innovative Technology B of water treatment through efficient flocculation and without centralized filtration Systems, there are a few types of suction devices directed to cleaning the bottom of large artificial water bodies, larger than 10,000 m2. It must be noted that large swimming pools using Technology A generally hâve sizes of up to 1,250 m2, corresponding to Olympic sized swimming pools. Such innovative water treatment Systems, which do not require centralized filtration Systems, implement treatment by adding different oxidants, coagulants, and flocculants to allow précipitation of the flocs to the bottom of the large artificial water bodies. Therefore, devices for suctioning such precipitated impurities must be able to avoid re-suspension of the settled impurities and remove them, while at the same time being able to cover large surface areas in short periods of time. Such suctioning devices are used for cleaning the bottom of artificial water bodies, where generally the devices move through the bottom of the artificial water bodies suctioning the bottom water flow in order to remove the flocs, débris, and/or the solids found on the bottom. The challenge to such technologies is that the bottom cleaning devices that are being used for cleaning the large artificial water bodies hâve several limitations related to surface cleaning rates, avoiding re-suspension of settled particles, velocity, capacity to clean irregular surfaces, wheel support, suction capacity, reversibility, weight, costs, and turning capacity, among other characteristics.
In such bottom cleaning devices for large artificial water bodies, the suction power is commonly spread throughoutthe complété length ofthe device through a continuous long and thin suction opening which in turn causes that the floccules resulting from the water treatment methods tend to disperse and lift, creating sédiment clouds that generate cleaning and suctioning inefficiencies. Such suctioning devices for large artificial water bodies are supported over wheels and are very heavy in orderto avoid their lifting out ofthe bottom when pulled by a propelling device orto allow providing stability and adhérence to the bottom when using internai propelling Systems. However, such large weight causes difficulty in the maintenance ofthe suctioning device, as the device must be taken out of the water and put into the water to perform the maintenance and replacement of different pièces within the device, and also causes damage on the bottom due to the large weight over the wheel support. Also, the cost of such suctioning devices is expensive, and must be reduced in order to allow their application to more projects around the world.
Many large artificial water bodies throughout the world hâve irregular bottoms that are difficult to clean due to the requirement of being able to adapt the suction device into such irregularities, such as bumps, holes, different slopes, and other imperfections that may affect the evenly cleaning of the bottom surface. For example, small and conventional swimming pools using Technology A generally use manual cleaning methods for irregular surfaces, which could not be used efficiently in the large artificial water bodies.
Therefore, developed suctioning devices for large artificial water bodies using the innovative water treatment Technology B without centralized filtration Systems hâve many limitations to efficiently and rapidly suction the flocs resulting from the water treatment method since the suction opening is configured continuously along the complété bottom of the device, and also such devices tend to produce damage on the bottom membranes due to their rigidity, weight, that they are supported over wheels and other variables; and therefore there is a need to provide a suction device able to efficiently suction the flocs at high speed and over irregular bottoms.
Conventional swimming pool cleaning devices for Technology A, which are designed to suction large débris from the bottom, are not designed to suction small precipitated impurities produced at large artificial water bodies with bottoms covered with plastic liners that do not hâve centralized filtration Systems using Technology B. The suction configuration and requirements of devices for large artificial water bodies are very different from swimming pool cleaners that operate with conventional centralized filtration Systems.
A suctioning device according to an embodiment of the présent invention allows treating and maintaining large water bodies with surfaces larger than 10,000 m2 at low cost, using the innovative Technology B for water treatment through efficient flocculation and without requiring centralized filtration Systems. This new technology of the suctioning device is different than swimming pool technologies, in that efficient flocculation allow précipitation of impurities and removal of the settled impurities from the bottom of the large water bodies, especially the flocs that are formed in the water treatment process. In contrast, the swimming pool Technology A is applied to swimming pools, which hâve relatively low sizes. For example, Olympic swimming pools are generally the largest swimming pools and hâve surface areas of 1,250 m2 and volumes of 2,500 m3. On the other hand, the new technology of the suctioning device according to the présent invention is applied to very large water bodies, such as artificial water bodies, that in average hâve surface areas of between 1 to 40 hectares - from about 100,000 ft2 to about 4,000,000 ft2 or from about 2.5 to about 100 acres - (at least 20 times larger than the large-sized swimming pools). Such very large artificial water bodies may hâve different construction methods as conventional swimming pools. For example, the very large artificial water bodies are typically built with plastic liners over the natural terrain that may be covered with sand, clay, or compacted, which generates an irregular bottom that présents difficulties to be cleaned.
The présent invention relates to a flexible suctioning device for suctioning flocs from the bottom of large artificial water bodies with surfaces larger than 10,000 m2 and with bottoms covered with plastic liners that do not hâve centralized filtration Systems, and that is able to clean a bottom surface of large artificial water bodies at a surface cleaning rate of 325,000 ft2 per 24 hours (30,000 m2 per 24 hours) or more, where the bottom surface of the large artificial water bodies can be irregular and sloped, and where the suctioning device is réversible and is supported by a plurality of brushes, comprising first brushes, disposed to provide appropriate support to the suction device and minimize the dispersion and re-suspension of settled flocs. The suctioning device is designed in order to concentrate the suction power in a sériés of suction points, where the suctioning device is connected to an external filtration system that may not be attached to the suctioning device. The term “filtration system” or “filtration means” is used generally to indicate one or more filtering components, such as filters, strainers, and the like, or any combination thereof. The filtration system generally includes a pump to move water through the system.
Figures 1-7 illustrate an exemplary suctioning device. In particular, Figure 1 shows a schematic, top perspective view ofthe suctioning device. Figure 2 shows a schematic, bottom perspective view of the suctioning device of Figure 1. Figure 3 shows a schematic, top view of the suctioning device of Figure 1. Figure 4 shows a schematic, side view of the suctioning device of Figure 1. Figure 5 shows a schematic, top perspective view of another exemplary suctioning device with latéral wheels. Figure 6 shows a schematic, bottom view ofthe suctioning device of Figure 5. Figure 7 shows exemplary V-shaped brushes and latéral brushes, showing the location of an apex where a suction point is located.
A suction device according to the présent invention typically comprises a flexible sheet 1 that providesthe structural frame forattaching oraffixing the different pièces and parts ofthe device. Depending on the material ofthe flexible sheet, the different parts can be welded, hanged, screwed, nailed, or joined by any other attachment method that allows providing stability to the attached part.
The flexible sheet can be built out of polycarbonate, polypropylene, carbon fiber, polyethylene, polystyrène, PTFE, PVC, acrylic, and metals such as steel, and composites thereof. The materials are typically water résistant, as the suctioning device is designed and manufactured to operate underwater. For example, in the case of using steel, a 316 stainless steel can be used.
In some embodiments, the flexible sheet has a certain weight to maintain the device underwater and avoid being lifted from the bottom while driven by a propelling device. In other embodiments, additional weight can be added to the device by means of different fixing types.
The flexible sheet 1 has a plurality of first brushes 2 attached to the underside thereof. In some embodiments, the first brushes are independent parts that can be easily removed or exchanged when a replacement is required due to the wearing down ofthe brushes. However in other embodiments, the first brushes are permanently affixed to the sheet 1 to avoid the unintentional disconnection of one or more first brushes 2. In a preferred embodiment, the first brushes are Vshaped brushes. It is considered within the scope ofthe invention to vary the shape ofthe first brushes into other shapes, e.g., H-shaped, U-shaped or some other configuration having a converging pattern. Additionally, these brushes can be discontinuous, i.e., not one large brush, but formed of several smaller brushes. This configuration allows for replacement ofthe smaller brushes when necessary. Additionally, the flexible sheet may be provided with a number of affixing points allowing for re-configuration ofthe shape/orientation ofthe brushes along the plate. Moreover, while the ail of brushes of the invention are typically fixedly installed at a right angle to the plate, other angles are also possible, e.g., 80, 75, 70 or any angle down to 45 degrees. The brushes can also be moveably joined to the plate with, e.g., a hinge, allowing the brushes themselves (in addition to the bristles) to change the angle along with the motion ofthe device along the surface ofthe water body.
The flexible sheet can also be provided with a plurality of middle brushes 3, installed in between the First brushes. The middle brushes are typically oblique or sideways, which hâve an angle to allow distributing the sédiments as required. The middle brushes are designed to allow brushing and directing the sédiments in the way to suction points 4 (Figure 2). The middle brushes 3 are typically positioned to provide a brush section between the First brushes that would otherwise not be covered and therefore could not be cleaned. Such middle brushes allow redirecting the bottom waterflowfrom such area into the First brushes in orderto allow and efficient suction ofthe bottom waterflow. The geometry and strategie placement ofthe First brushes allow directing the bottom waterflow containing the settled impurities into apexes (17) (Figure 7) ofthe First brushes.
The placement ofthe First brushes (2) and the middle brushes (3) allowforthe suction device to be operated in both ways (12), .i.e., forward and backward along a minor axis defined by the flexible sheet 1 (Figure 3). As the device can be selectively operated in either direction, the time necessary to install and operate the device is reduced. Moreover, such a design allows for more even wearing ofthe brushes, by turning the suctioning device and changing its advance direction within predetermined periods of time. By turning the device according to predetermined periods of time, the brushes can be worn evenly, and therefore provide a more efficient action on the bottom of the large artificial water bodies.
The suction device can also include one or more of latéral brushes (5) positioned along one pair of extreme edges ofthe sheet, i.e., parallel to the direction of movement 12. The latéral brushes are configured and positioned to contain the suctioned water flow within the suction device to help to avoid re-suspension of a bottom water flow in the vicinity of the suction device. The position of the latéral brushes is selected to allow for an efficient flow there between, but to limit any exit of fluid from below the sheet along the sides.
Typically, the complété suctioning device is supported by the aforementioned brushes including the first brushes (2), the middle brushes (3), and the latéral brushes (5), which are strategically placed to provide an even support ofthe device’s weight and allow a smooth operation and movement through the bottom of the water body. In other words, the sheet is spaced from the bottom surface ofthe waterbody primarily by the brushes, i.e., without any rollers, spacers orotherfriction causing device. Such even distribution ofthe weight ofthe suctioning device through the brushes also allows avoiding the suctioning device from lifting from the bottom when it is driven by the external propelling means.
As the device is completely supported by the different brushes, and the structural frame is a flexible sheet (1), the device allows an efficient cleaning of bottom surfaces that may hâve irregularities, bumps, holes, different slopes, and other imperfections that may prevent even cleaning ofthe bottom surface. The irregularities can be caused by the natural terrain below the liner, the installation of liners, geo-membranes, or coatings that présent imperfections either due to the installation or the material itself. It must be noted that such imperfections may be accentuated over time, as terrain can settle or their properties can change. Such irregularities can be overcome by use ofthe brushes as the support ofthe device, allowing directing the waterflow containing impurities into the apexes ofthe First brushes.
Therefore, theflexibility ofthe suctioning device is achieved by the combination ofthe use of a flexible sheet as the structural frame and the support by the brushes that allow a cleaning flexibility through the bottom of large artificial water bodies.
The bristles ofthe brushes described above can be made from commercially available materials, such as polypropylene, nylon, animal haïr, végétal fiber, carbon fiber, polyester, peek, polyethylene, polycarbonate, polystyrène, PTFE, PVC, acrylic fibers, rubbers, or métal wire bristles, among others. The brushes from the suctioning device can include a combination of different types of bristles to allow proper cleaning ofthe bottom of large artificial water bodies. It is also considered within the scope ofthe invention to use different materials for different brushes, depending upon the desired performance parameters. For example, in one embodiment, the bristles on the latéral brushes can be formed from PVC, while the bristles ofthe First brushes are formed from polyester fibers. Additionally, ail the bristles of a single brush need not be formed from the same material. The suctioning device also allows cleaning a combination of different sloped-bottoms from large artificial water bodies, which has not been possible to perform with the devices currently found in the market. Since the structural frame is a flexible sheet, the sheet can bend to provide cleaning of different sloped-bottoms.
The flexible sheet includes a plurality of suction points (4) configured to concentrate the suction capacity of an external pumping system and therefore provide a higher suction power in such suction points. The suction points can be located atthe apexes (17) ofthe first brushes, such as VShaped brushes, in order to efficiently suction the bottom water flow that has been directed by the brushes into such suction points. The suction points additionally or alternatively may be located within the apexes of latéral brushes to provide even suctioning ofthe bottom waterflow. The First brushes can direct the bottom sédiments into a central suction point so that, for an equal external pumping power, the suction power is approximately 3 times higher than conventional cleaning devices.
As shown in Figure 5, the flexible sheet can also be provided with a plurality of safety wheels (6). In some embodiments, the safety wheels are installed at a level that is higher than the brush level, i.e., where the distance from the sheetto the end ofthe brushes is greaterthan the distance from the sheet to the most distal point ofthe wheels. In some embodiments, the safety wheels are not necessary for permanent operation of the suctioning device. Such safety wheels can be used when the brushes are worn out and cannot provide the required support or suction height ofthe suctioning device. In such case, the wheels may serve as secondary support while the brushes are fixed or replaced. The safety wheels are typically positioned such that a lower surface thereof is higher than the brushes but lower than the suction points. As a resuit, during normal operation of the device, only the brushes contact the lower surface of the water body. When the brushes become worn or damaged and the device moves doser to the surface being cleaned, the safety wheels corne in contact with the surface and prevent the suction points from pulling on the surface, getting stuck on the surface of otherwise being damaged by the surface. Typically, the safety wheels are evenly disposed about the perimeter of the sheet, but it is considered within the scope ofthe invention to varythe position and spacing. Moreover, it is considered within the scope ofthe invention to utilize eccentric wheels, e.g., where the wheels are not circular (for example, oval or substantially rectangular with rounded edges) or are mounted on the plate through an off-center axis. This construction can allow for different suction results.
The flexible sheet may also comprise latéral wheels (21) disposed aboutthe perimeter ofthe sheet, with their axles positioned parallel to the sheet (Figure 5). The latéral wheels are designed to provide protection to prevent damage to the sheet and/or the walls of the water body.
The suction height may be determined specifically for each large water body to be cleaned, provided that it is designed to allow the suctioning device to contain the bottom water flow containing bottom impurities and settled solids, and not contain clean water. In other words, although the distance between the bottom ofthe brushes and the suction points, i.e., the suction height, can be generic, it is considered within the scope ofthe invention to modifythe suction height, depending upon the particular characteristics ofthe water bodyto be cleaned. This can be accomplished by installing brushes with different lengths either ali together, orto vary the lengths of the brushes on the same device.
The safety wheels are typically made from materials that will not cause major damage the bottom surface ofthe large artificial water bodies when they need to be used. Examples ofthe materials include polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, rubbers, plastics, polystyrène, PTFE, and PVC, among others.
As depicted, the suctioned water flow is sent into a plurality of collectors (7) through internai suction lines (9). The internai suction lines and the collectors are typically connected through different couplers (10) such as elbows, flanges, shafts, sleeve-style couplings, clamped couplings, and beam couplings, among other rigid or flexible coupling components. During typical operation ofthe suctioning device, a négative pressure is created by a pump (not shown) leading to the collectors, creating suction therein. Because the collectors are in fluid communication with the couplers, this suction is distributed to the suction points (4) via the internai suction lines and couplers. Depending upon the desired effect ofthe resulting suction, different reducers and/or expanders can be utilized to adjust the suction force applied at each suction point. The suction force at each suction point can be the same or different.
Figure 8 shows that the suctioning device can be attached to a propelling device, an external pumping system and/or a filtration system. As depicted, the collecter (7) is often configured to concentrate the suctioned water flow from a sériés of suction connection points (4) into one or more external suction lines (8) that is configured to send the suctioned water flow into an external pumping system. The number of external suction lines is commonly less than the number of internai suction lines to provide an efficient distribution ofthe suctioned water flow and reduce the need of external suction lines for connection with an external pumping system (14). The suctioned water flow is typically sent to the external pumping system through one or more external suction lines (8).
The collecter (7) can include different concentration components, such as manifolds, multiple-inlet pipes, among others.
The connections between the different éléments ofthe suctioning device and the flexible sheet can be accomplished by any method, including, but not limited to welding, brazing, soldering, adhesive bonding, and mechanical assembly such as screws, bolts and fasteners, among others.
The flexible sheet may include one or more arm connectera or joints (11) configured to attach an external propelling device (13) through one or more connection arms (16) to provide the required driving force and allow the suctioning device to move through the bottom ofthe large artificial water bodies.
Figure 9 shows a typical operation ofthe suctioning device, showing how an inlet waterflow (18) can enter the device to be suctioned in an advancing direction. The suctioning device may be propelled by a propelling device. As shown in Figure 9, the device may be connected to the propelling device by one or more connecter arms (16) attached to the arm connectera (11) attached to the flexible sheet. As the suction device is propelled, it moves in a certain advancing direction (19) along the bottom ofthe large artificial lagoon, letting an inlet waterflow (18) into the suctioning device. The suctioning device allows suctioning of impurities and other settled material (20), thereby allowing thorough cleaning of the bottom surface. .
The term “propelling device” is used generally to describe a propelling device that provides movement, either by pushing or pulling another device. In some embodiments, the propelling device can include a boat or structure floating or positioned atop the surface ofthe water body with an engine, underwater robotic Systems, propellers, automatized means, or any system that allows providing the required driving force to the suctioning device. In some embodiments, the propelling device is included within the suctioning device, such as tracks. In some embodiments, the tracks can be caterpillar style tracks. In some embodiments, the propelling device is a catamaran type boat, with an engine, where the engine is located at the front of the boat in order to minimize mixing ofthe water below the boat and the re-suspension of settled impurities. In another embodiments, the propelling device is an underwater cart supported on a track system
The suctioning device may include, either in addition or in an alternative, different Systems and equipment to allow nocturnal operations and monitoring, such as underwater lights to illuminate the path ofthe suctioning device. The suctioning device may additionally hâve a caméra for providing still images or videos of the suctioning operation of the device, which can be permanently fixed thereto or be removable therefrom.
Due to the configuration of the suctioning device, significantly greater velocities can be achieved when compared to conventional suctioning devices. The suctioning device ofthe présent invention allows covering large irregular surfaces in short time without generating re-suspension or dispersion ofthe bottom impurities orflocs, as well as allowing cleaning the bottom and removing the bottom waterflow at high speeds. The device ofthe invention allows covering large surface areas in short time, and is able to move at a speed of about 25 ft per minute, 30 ft per minute, 40 ft per minute, 50 ft per minute, or about 60 ft per minute, or about 70 ft per minute. As the device moves through the bottom, it will be able to cover a surface area equal to the advancing speed times the length ofthe device.
In some embodiments, the device may hâve a length of 9.85 ft and a speed of 28,5 ft per minute, and therefore the surface area cleaning rate will be 28,5 ft/min x 9.85 ft = 281 ft2/min. Therefore, the total surface cleaning rate would equal to about 405,000 ft2 /24 hours (about 38,000 m2/day). However, it is expected that approximately 20% ofthe time is required for cleaning or maintenance or speed réduction forturning or other reasons. Therefore, the suctioning device can be able to clean an area of about 325,000 ft2 per 24 hours of operation (30,000 m2 per 24 hours of operation) or more.
It must be noted that conventional swimming pool cleaning devices that are designed and configured to be maneuvered by a person on the perimeter ofthe swimming pool cannot achieve the purpose of cleaning the large artificial water bodies as in the présent invention. Also, the conventional swimming pool cleaning devices are designed to remove débris that found on the bottom of concrète swimming pools that is fiat, firm, and plain, which is completely different from the irregular bottoms of large artificial water bodies covered with different coatings, such as plastic geomembranes. The resulting suction power of the suctioning device ofthe invention is typically greater than about 30 m3/hr, greater than about 40 m3/hr, greater than about 50 m3/hr, greater than about 75 m3/hr, and often on the order of about 90 m3/hr.
The suctioning device according to the présent invention is configured to treat and maintain large artificial water bodies without a centralized filtration system, and is different than swimming pool technologies. The suctioning device is used when the sédimentation of suspended solids and organic matter, among others, is formed, and the suctioning device opérâtes to remove the settled impurities from the bottom ofthe large artificial water bodies in orderto avoid filtration ofthe complété water body. Therefore, the suctioning device includes suction points to remove the bottom settled impurities from the water body avoiding dispersing and re-suspending the flocs. The settled floccules are very fragile and can easily disperse, which is completely different from impurities removed from conventional swimming pools, which are generaliy composed of dirt, rust, calcium carbonate, or débris that has attached to the pool bottom and needs to be removed.
The suctioning device according to the présent invention is able to achieve high speeds without causing re-suspension or dispersion ofthe fragile bottom impurities and settled solids in the vicinity of the suctioning device operation, and therefore does not affect the water quality or produce a sédiment cloud that would otherwise be caused when conventional suctioning devices are operated at high speed. Moreover, the suctioning device is configured to allow advancing at a speed of around 66 ft per minute while moving though irregular bottoms, while at the same time avoiding the damage to the bottom materials. Using the device according to the présent invention, the surface cleaning rate is more than 3 times higher than other available suctioning devices for large artificial water bodies without a centralized filtration system, and more than 4 times higher than conventional swimming pool cleaners.
For example, if suctioning devices hâve permanent fixed wheels to move across a lined bottom, irregularities on the bottom cannot be disregarded and the wheels may cause damage to the liner, causing it to tear apart, to fold, and to elongate, which affects its duration and will probably need to be replaced. Such damage to the bottom of large artificial water bodies may also cause considerably leaking, generating water losses and could cause environmental damage. Therefore, the suction device according to the présent invention is typically evenly supported over the brushes in order to avoid causing tension or damage to bottom materials. Moreover, as the device according to the présent invention is supported overthe brushes, turning ofthe device is done more smoothly, thereby protecting the bottom material ofthe large artificial water bodies when turning is necessary. In contrast, where fixed wheels are used, turning of a device causes the fixed wheels to slide over the bottom material, as opposed to rolling, and therefore can cause the bottom to rip or break, which must certainly be avoided.
The suctioned water volume is dépendent on the external pumping system and the load losses due to the piping distance and system configuration, among others. in some embodiments, the system is designed in order to allow that the effective volume introduced into the suctioning device is equal or higher than the amount of water suctioned by the external pumping system. The suctioning —$ device according to the présent invention is configured to hâve a certain advancing speed l^c, where the length Lsc ofthe suctioning Lscdevice is faced on the moving direction, and the device has a suctioning height of Hsc.
Therefore, the total water volume, or inlet water volume (18) that will be fed into the suctioning device in a predetermined period of time can be calculated as:
. —4
Qsc ~ VsC X ^sc Esc
s
The total suctioned water flow due to the suction power of the external pumping system is defined as Qps- And therefore, the following équation can be defined:
Qsc — Qps
Such relation can be explained as follows: To only suction and remove the water flow containing impurities and settled solids, the height of the suctioning device is defined to only suction such bottom water flow. As the suctioning devices advances, impurities will be captured within the brushes and suctioned through the suction points, as clean water passes through the device and is not suctioned. Therefore, the suctioned water flow from the external pumping system is configured to be lower than the water flow effectively entering the suctioning device, avoiding suctioning clean water that will be later purified and/or filtered. If the suction power from the external pumping system is higher than the water flow entering the suctioning device, the suction power could cause the device to stick to the bottom, not allowing its movement and potentially damaging the bottom material.
As shown in Figure 8, in some embodiments, the suctioned water flow is sent to a purification and/or external filtration system (15), which allows fiItering such suctioned water flow. The filtered water flow (16) can be later returned into the large water body. In some embodiments, the external filtration system is not part of the suctioning device, since given the large volumes of suctioned water due to the high advancing speed, a small filter attached to the suctioning device would not be sufficient to provide the required filtration of the suctioned water flow, or it would require a large filter that could not be attached to the suctioning device.
Example 1
The suctioning device according to the présent invention was manufactured and installed in a large water body of 3.7 acres.
The water body included a LLDPE (linear low-density polyethylene) liner installed over a sandy soil, producing an irregular bottom that has to be cleaned thoroughly to maintain a proper water color and tonality within the large water body. Other technologies cannot clean such large water body, and therefore the suctioning device according to the présent invention was developed and tested at such project.
The suctioning device included a flexible sheet built out of polycarbonate with a thickness of 10 mm to provide the required flexibility. The suctioning device had a surface area of about 3 m2, and with approximate dimensions of 3 meters long and 1 meter wide. The height of the suctioning device was approximately 6 cm, which allowed only suctioning the bottom water flow that contains the impurities and débris, and not suctioning clean water that renders the process inefficient.
The brushes were made from polyethylene with polypropylene bristles, which do not damage the bottom material and hâve the capacity to support the suctioning device in the bottom and adapt to the irregular bottom surface to provide thorough cleaning.
The safety wheels were built out of UHMW PE (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene), using the same materials as for some parts ofthe suctioning device, which allows reducing manufacturing and material costs.
Six suction points were located at the apexes ofthe First brushes, and two additional suction points were located at the apexes ofthe latéral brushes, to provide an even suctioning ofthe bottom water flow. The total eight suction points were connected into two separate manifolds, where each manifold allowed connecting four suction points through internai suction lines. The suction connection lines were manufactured of PVC with 316 stainless steel elbows, to provide durability underwater.
The suctioning device was installed on the bottom ofthe lagoon, and two external suction pipes were connected to an external pumping system positioned on the perimeter ofthe large water body. The suctioning device was attached to a boat with an engine through two métal arms, which allowed driving the suctioning devicethrough the bottom ofthe largewater body.
The device was operated at a surface cleaning rate of 3,76 ft2 per second (appx. 325,000 ft2 per 24 hours considering the 20% time loss), allowing cleaning the complété bottom surface (3.7 acres) of the large water body in about 12 hours. The réduction of operation time allows reducing overall operation costs.
The total water flow that enters the suctioning device was lower than the suctioned water flow from the external pumping system, as some clean water passed through the device while impurities and settled solids found on the bottom were retained in the brushes and later eliminated through the suction points.
A comparison between the suctioning device of Example 1 ofthe présent invention and a one type of device for cleaning large artificiai water bodies is shown in Table 2. can be made, where the first type of devices had limitations associated with suctioning device speed, reversibility, turning capacity, suctioning efficiency, operation in irregular surfaces, support over wheels, and operation in sloped bottoms, among others.
Table 2: Comparison between a first suction device for Technology B and the device from the présent invention used in Technology B
Parameter First Suction Device Developed for Technology B Suction Device developed for Technology B according to the Présent Invention
Dimensions (L x W x H) 9.8 ft. x 3.3 ft. x 0.33 ft. 9.8 ft. x 3.3 ft. x 0.16 ft.
Total Weight 300 kg 160 kg
Total Suction Power1 32,4 m3/h 60 m3/h
Total Manufacturing Cost USD 22,000 USD 10,000
Reversibility No Yes
Production time 1 month 2 weeks
Turning Capacity Limited Very Good
Efficiency in suctioning bottom settled material Regular, needs more than one pass to suction settled impurities Very good, suctions more than 90% of settled impurities in one pass
Operation in irregular surfaces Regular, may damage the bottom material Very good, can adaptto irregular bottoms
Weight Support Supported overwheels Supported over brushes
Suction efficiency Low due to continuous suction section at the bottom High due to use of suction points that concentrate the suction power
Operation in sloped bottom Regular Very good
1 Both devices are compared by connecting to the same external pumping system
As it can be noted, the suctioning device according to the présent invention is less expensive and can be easily installed in large artificial water bodies used either for recreational or industrial uses for cleaning the bottom of such large artificial water bodies using Technology B. By using the same 10 external pumping system, the suction power ofthe suctioning device is increased due to the suction efficiency ofthe configuration used in the présent device.
Example 2
The suctioning device according to the présent invention was manufactured and installed at a large water body of 20 acres. The large water body had a bottom covered with a LLDPE liner installed over a sandy soil, producing an irregular bottom that has to be cleaned thoroughly to maintain a proper water color and tonality within the large water body. Due to the recreational nature of this Project, the cleaning operations were performed during the night, and therefore the suctioning device and propelling device included spécial equipment, such as extra lights, and Systems, such as GPS, to achieve such purpose.
The suction device had a flexible sheet built out of 316 steel with a thickness of 5 mm to provide the required flexibility and also the required weight to maintain the device underwater and avoid its lifting from the bottom while being driven by a propelling device. By providing a steel sheet, the weight was distributed along the complété device, improving its stability. The suctioning device had a surface of about 3 m2, and with approximate dimensions of 3 meters long and 1 meter wide. The height ofthe suctioning device was approximately 4 cm, which allowed only suctioning the bottom water flow that contained the impurities, and not the suctioning clean water which would renderthe process inefficient.
The brushes were made from polyethylene with polypropylene bristles, which do not damage the bottom material and hâve the capacity to support the suctioning device in the bottom and adapt to the irregular bottom surface to provide thorough cleaning.
The safety wheels were built out of UHMW PE, using the same materials as for some parts ofthe suctioning device, which allows reducing manufacturing and material costs.
Six suction points were located atthe apexes ofthe first brushes, where the first brushes were Vshaped brushes, and two additional suction points were located atthe apexes ofthe latéral brushes, to provide an even suctioning of the bottom water flow. Eight total suction points were connected into two separate manifolds, where each manifold allowed connecting four suction points through internai suction lines. The suction connection lines were manufactured of PVC with 316 stainless steel elbows, to provide durability underwater, and were welded to the steel base plate. The suctioning device was installed in the bottom ofthe lagoon, and two external suction pipes were connected to the external pumping system located on the perimeter of the large water body. The suctioning device was attached to a boat with an engine through two métal arms, which allowed driving the suctioning device through the bottom ofthe large water body, and where an operator was in charge of driving the boat with an engine.
Two underwater lights were installed into the suctioning device, in order to allow its night-time operation. An underwater caméra was installed which permitted monitoring ofthe cleaning operation live from a remote location outside the water body and also for the operation driving the boat.
The device was operated at an average surface cleaning rate of 500 ft2 per minute, allowing cleaning about half ofthe bottom in about 12 hours, which operated within a period from 21:00 hrs to 09:00 hrs ofthe next day. In orderto be able to complété the cleaning ofthe entire lagoon in a single night, a second suctioning device was utilized.
As it can be noted, the suctioning device according to the présent invention is less expensive and 10 can be easily installed in large artificial water bodies used either for recreational or industrial uses for cleaning the bottom of such large artificial water bodies. Further, the suctioning device can also be operated during the night to avoid disturbing the recreational activities during the day.
The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the claims attached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope ofthe following claims.

Claims (40)

  1. What is claimed is:
    1. A suctioning device for suctioning a water volume from a bottom of large artificial water bodies, with surfaces larger than 10,000 m2, without centralized filtration Systems, where the suctioning device is capable of cleaning at a surface rate of 325,000 ft2 per 24 hours (30,000 m2 per 24 hours) or more, the device comprising:
    a flexible sheet configured to provide a structural frame;
    a plurality of first brushes depending from the sheet;
    a plurality of middle brushes configured to redirect the bottom water flow into the first brushes;
    a plurality of latéral brushes configured to contain the bottom water flow within the suctioning device and avoid the re-suspension ofthe bottom water flow in the vicinity ofthe suctioning device;
    a plurality of suction points configured to concentrate suction capacity to increase suction power in the suction points;
    a plurality of safety wheels configured to provide secondary support and avoid damage to the suctioning device when the first brushes, the middle brushes, and/or the latéral brushes are worn out and cannot provide a proper support or suction height ofthe suctioning device;
    a plurality of collectors configured to gather the suctioned bottom water flow and concentrate the suctioned bottom water flow into one or more external suction lines;
    a plurality of internai suction lines configured to conduit the suctioned bottom water flow from the plurality of suction points to the plurality of collecting means; and a coupling device connecting the internai suction lines and the collectors, wherein a rate of the bottom water flow entering the suctioning device is the same or higher than a rate of water flow suctioned by an external pumping system.
  2. 2. The suctioning device according to claim 1, wherein the first brushes are shaped to hâve an apex.
  3. 3. The suctioning device according to claim 2, wherein the suction points are located at the apexes of the first brushes and at apexes of the latéral brushes.
  4. 4. The suctioning device according to claim 1, wherein the first brushes are V-shaped brushes.
  5. 5. The suctioning device according to claim 1, wherein the bottom water flow entering the suction device comprises flocs produced by flocculants or coagulants.
  6. 6. The suctioning device according to claim 1, wherein the rate (Fc) of the bottom water flow entering the suctioning device is the same or higherthan the rate (Qps) ofthe waterflow suctioned by the external pumping system according to the following équation:
    ôsc
    m3 — Qps m3 s s
  7. 7. The suctioning device according to claim 6, wherein the rate (Ose) ofthe bottom waterflow entering the suctioning device is defined as:
    Q-SC ~ Fc —ï wherein Vsc is an advancing speed ofthe suctioning device, Fc is a length ofthe suctioning device that faces in a moving direction, and Fc is a height of the suctioning device that faces in the moving direction.
  8. 8. The suctioning device according to claim 1, wherein the first brushes, the middle brushes, and the latéral brushes are configured and placed in the flexible sheet to allow the suctioning device to operate both in a first direction and in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction.
  9. 9. The suctioning device according to claim 1, wherein the suctioning device is evenly supported by the first brushes, the middle brushes, and the latéral brushes in order to move through a water body and avoid the suctioning device to lift from a bottom surface ofthe water body.
  10. 10. The suctioning device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible sheet is made from a material selected from polycarbonate, polypropylene, carbon fiber, polyethylene, polystyrène, PTFE, PVC, acrylic, and metallic materials.
  11. 11. The suctioning device according to claim 1, wherein bristles ofthe first brushes, the middle brushes, and the latéral brushes are made from a material selected from polypropylene, nylon, animal haïr, végétal fiber, carbon fiber, polyester, peek, polyethylene, polycarbonate, polystyrène, PTFE, PVC, rubbers, acrylic fibers, and métal wire bristles.
  12. 12. The suctioning device according to claim 1, wherein the safety wheels are built out of a material selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, rubbers, plastics, polystyrène, PTFE, and PVC.
  13. 13. The suctioning device according to claim 1, wherein the safety wheels provide secondary support to the device.
  14. 14. The suctioning device according to claim 1, further comprising latéral wheels for providing a bumperto avoid damage to latéral walls.
  15. 15. The suctioning device according to claim 1, wherein the suctioning device is able to clean a combination of different sloped bottoms from large artificial water bodies.
  16. 16. The suctioning device according to claim 1, wherein the device is designed to clean irregular bottoms of sand or soil covered with plastic liners.
  17. 17. The suctioning device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling means comprise rigid or flexible coupling components selected from elbows, flanges, shafts, sleeve-style couplings, clamped couplings, and beam couplings.
  18. 18. The suctioning device according to claim 1, wherein the collecting means comprise different concentration components, such as manifolds, and multiple-inlet pipes.
  19. 19. The suctioning device according to claim 1, wherein éléments ofthe suctioning device are connected to the flexible sheet by means of welding, brazing, soldering, adhesive bonding, and/or mechanical assembly such as screws, bolts and fasteners.
  20. 20. The suctioning device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible sheet comprises one or more arm connectors configured to attach one or more connection arms.
  21. 21. The suctioning device according to claim 20, wherein the one or more connection arms are connected to propelling device to provide a required driving force and allow the suctioning device to move through the bottom ofthe large artificial water bodies.
  22. 22. The suctioning device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible sheet comprises one or more connections for connecting a propelling device.
  23. 23. The suctioning device according to claim22, wherein the propelling device comprises a boat with an engine.
  24. 24. The suctioning device according to claim 22, wherein the propelling device comprises a track system.
  25. 25. The suctioning device according to claim 22, wherein the propelling device comprises an automated system located within the suctioning device.
  26. 26. The suctioning device according to claim 25, wherein the automated system comprises a caterpillar system.
  27. 27. The suctioning device according to claim 1, wherein the bottom water flow entering the suctioning device is dépendent on an advancing speed, an advancing length and the suction height ofthe suctioning device.
  28. 28. The suctioning device according to claim 1, wherein the water flow suctioned by the external pumping system is sent to a filtration system and a purified water flow is returned into a large water body.
  29. 29. The suctioning device according to claim 28, wherein the filtration system is not attached to the suctioning device.
  30. 30. The suctioning device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of underwater lights in order to illuminate a path ofthe suctioning device.
  31. 31. The suctioning device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of caméras in order to provide images and/or video for monitoring an operation ofthe suctioning device.
  32. 32. A system for maintaining a large artificial water body of at least 10,000 m2, the system comprising:
    a plastic liner located along the bottom of the water body;
    a pumping system for suctioning water from the water body; and the suctioning device of claim 1, connected to the pumping system.
  33. 33. A suctioning device for suctioning flocs produced by flocculants or coagulants from a bottom of a water body, the device comprising:
    a structural frame comprising a sheet;
    a first brush having an apex therein depending from the sheet;
    a plurality of safety wheels depending from the sheet, such that the distance from the sheet to the lower-most portion ofthe wheels is less than the distancefrom the sheetto a distal end of the first brush.
  34. 34. The suctioning device of claim 33, further comprising:
    a middle brush confîgured to redirect the water flow into the first brush;
    a latéral brush confîgured to contain the water flow within the suctioning device and avoid the re-suspension ofthewaterflow in the vicinityofthe suctioning device; and a suction point confîgured to concentrate suction capacityto increase suction power ofthe suctioning device.
  35. 35. The suctioning device of claim 33, further comprising:
    a plurality of suction points in fluid communication with a collector, the collector confîgured to gather bottom water flow from the suction points and concentrate the suctioned bottom water flow into one or more external suction lines;
    an internai suction line confîgured to conduit the suctioned bottom water flow from the plurality of suction points to the collector; and a coupler connecting the internai suction lines and the collector, wherein a rate of the bottom water flow entering the suctioning device is the same or higher than a rate of water flow suctioned by an external pumping system.
  36. 36. The suctioning device of claim 33, wherein a rate ofthe waterflow entering the suctioning device is the at least as great as a rate of water flow suctioned by an external pumping system in fluid communication with the suctioning device.
  37. 37. The suctioning device of claim 33, wherein the sheet is flexible.
  38. 38. A system for maintaining a large artificial water body of at least 10,000 m2, the system comprising:
    a plastic liner located along the bottom ofthe water body;
    a pumping system for suctioning water from the water body; and the suctioning device of claim 33.
  39. 39. A method of operating a suctioning device, the method comprising: placing a suctioning device along a bottom surface of a body of water; providing suction to the suctioning device;
    allowing water to be directed into apexes formed in brushes, the brushes mounted on the undersurface ofthe suctioning device,
    5 moving the suctioning device along the bottom surface; and permitting only the brushes to contact the bottom surface.
  40. 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the suction of the providing step is provided by an external pumping system and wherein the resulting rate (Qsc) ofthe bottom waterflowentering the suctioning device is the same or higherthan the rate (Qps) ofthe waterflow suctioned by the 10 external pumping system according to the following équation:
OA1201600250 2014-11-12 Suctioning device for large artificial water bodies. OA17816A (en)

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OA17816A true OA17816A (en) 2018-01-09

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