Systems and Methods for Filtering and Capturing Waterway Wastes

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The inventions disclosed and taught herein relate generally to systems and methods for filtering and capturing waterway waste. In one aspect, the invention relates to a system that includes a bottom section that is adapted to remain stationary irrespective of the height of a waterway surface in a waterway, a top section that can adjust in response to a change in the height of a waterway surface, a waste capture apparatus, and a floatation device. In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for filtering and capturing waterway wastes that includes the steps of providing a waterway waste capturing device, adjusting the height of a top portion of the waterway waste capturing device, and collecting waterway wastes on a first side of the waterway waste capturing device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Water pollution, debris, trash, and other wastes can have significant adverse effects on the surrounding ecosystem. This is especially true for waterways, such as rivers, channels, streams, canals, bayous, and other bodies of water that permit the flow of water from one point to another because these waterways can spread and diffuse this waste across vast areas (e.g., downstream, on riverbanks, or the like). The distribution of this waste can have serious effects on the environment. For example, liquid wastes, such as liquid hydrocarbons or oil byproducts can interfere with a waterway's ecosystem by polluting water containing both plant and animal life. Furthermore, solid wastes, such as paper, plastic bags, grass clippings, or other floatable trash can significantly affect the appearance and aesthetics of these waterways. Moreover, both liquid and solid wastes can contain pathogens, microbes, and other microorganisms that are at risk of being spread throughout the ecosystem if the wastes are permitted to travel along the waterways.

In the past, the collection and removal of waterway wastes and other debris has been largely a manual and time-consuming process that is often quite costly. In order to improve this process, other prior art solutions have been developed to improve the speed and efficiency in which these wastes can be collected and removed from waterways. For example, U.S. Patent Application No. 2002/0057944 to Adams et al. discloses a storm water inlet pollution trap. With this trap, the pollutants are captured at a particular point of entrance into a storm water runoff system, such as curb inlets. The drawback to this solution, however, is that in order to collect the debris, it must be captured at a single, localized point. Often trash, pollutants, and other debris enter waterways at points other than curb inlets and, therefore, a large percentage of trash can still enter the waterways by avoiding these curb inlet entry points.

Another prior art solutions addresses the problem by recovering the trash and other debris already disposed in the waterways. For example, U.S. Pat. No. RE 36,057 to Martin, Sr. discloses a reinforced net for recovering debris along a water bottom. The net apparatus contains a net portion and a rear bag portion. The recovery net portion can be interconnected at its rear wall to the bag portion containing a netting for receiving the debris collected in the recovery portion. The net can subsequently be pulled along the bottom of a body of water by a vessel. The drawback to this solution, however, is that the net only drags along the bottom of the waterways. Often waterway debris is in a solid form that is less buoyant than the surrounding water and thus it floats. Floatable wastes and other debris will not be efficiently collected and disposed of, therefore, by positioning a net along the lower portion of the waterways.

What is required, therefore, is a system that can capture and collect waterway waste and other debris, at its surface, that has previously entered a waterway to ensure that all wastes, including those less buoyant than water, are effectively and efficiently trapped and collected.

The inventions disclosed and taught herein are directed to systems and methods for filtering and capturing waterway wastes that overcomes the problems as set forth above.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Described are methods and systems for filtering and capturing waterway wastes. The system can include a bottom section that can remain stationary irrespective of the height of a waterway surface, a side section, a top section that adjusts in response to a change in the height of the waterway surface, a waste capture apparatus for collecting waterway waste, a floatation device, and a first mounting device. The method can include the steps of providing a waterway waste capturing device including top and bottom sections, adjusting the height of the top section based on the height of the waterway, and collecting waterway wastes. By filtering and capturing waterway wastes in accordance with the inventions provided herein, one can efficiently and effectively improve the manner in which wastes and other debris are removed from a waterway, thus mitigating the wastes' adverse environmental effects and significantly decreasing the cost of its removal.

The disclosure also provides a system for filtering and capturing waterway wastes that can include a bottom section that can be adapted to remain stationary irrespective of the height of a waterway surface in a waterway and a side section. The system can further include a top section that can adjust in response to a change in the height of the waterway surface, a waste capture apparatus that can be adapted to collect waterway wastes on a first side of the waterway waste capturing device, and a floatation device. The system can further include a first support that can provide support for the waste capture apparatus.

The top section can be coupled to a first expansion device adapted to facilitate an adjustment of the height of the top section based on the rise or fall of the waterway surface in the waterway. Additionally, a top portion of the waste capture apparatus can be coupled to the top section and a bottom portion of the waste capture apparatus can be coupled to the bottom section. The waste capture apparatus can further include a filter device that can be adapted to facilitate the flow of a liquid from a first side of the waste capture apparatus to a second side of the waste capture apparatus and a antimicrobial substance that can be coupled to the filter device. The system can further include a liquid waste filter device that can be adapted to filter and/or capture oil or liquid hydrocarbon wastes and further be adapted to be coupled to the bottom section.

The disclosure also provides a method for filtering and capturing waterway wastes that can include the steps of providing a waterway waste capturing device that can include a top section and a bottom section. The height of the bottom section can be adapted to remain stationary irrespective of the height of a waterway surface in a waterway. The method can further include the steps of adjusting the height of the top section based on the height of the waterway surface in the waterway, and collecting waterway wastes on a first side of the waterway waste capturing device. The step of adjusting the height of the top section can be at least partially controlled by the buoyancy of a floatation device.

The method can further include the step of filtering water of the waterway to facilitate the flow of a liquid from the first side of the waterway waste capturing device to a second side of the waterway waste capturing device. The filtering step can further include the step of inhibiting the growth and/or distribution of microbes or other microorganisms in the waterway. The method can further includes the step of filtering liquid wastes that can include oil or liquid hydrocarbon wastes and the step of adjusting the width of the waterway waste capturing device. Additionally, the method can include the step of coupling the waterway waste capturing device to at least one bank of the waterway and the step of limiting the maximum height of the top section of the waterway waste capturing device.

The disclosure also provides a system for filtering and capturing waterway waste that can include a bottom section that can be adapted to remain stationary irrespective of the height of a waterway surface in a waterway and a first mounting device that can be adapted to be coupled to at least one bank of the waterway. Further, the system can include a top section that can be adapted to be adjusted, a waste capture apparatus that can be adapted to collect waterway wastes on a first side of the waterway waste capturing device, and a lifting apparatus. The system can further include a lifting apparatus, such as a pulley, adapted to adjust the height of the top section and a support guide that can be adapted to provide additional support to the top section as the height of the top section adjusts. Accordingly, the systems and methods described herein can provide protection to waterways and storm water systems by preventing hydrocarbons, trash, waste, and other debris from entering natural watersheds and coastal waters while reducing the amount of bacteria in the waterways.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The following figures form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the present invention. The invention may be better understood by reference to one or more of these figures in combination with the detailed description of specific embodiments presented herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of a system for filtering and capturing waterway wastes.

FIG. 2 illustrates a section view of the system of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2.

FIG. 3 illustrates a section view of the system of FIG. 1 taken along line 3-3.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a second embodiment of a system for filtering and capturing waterway wastes.

FIG. 5A illustrates a section view of the system of FIG. 4 taken along line 5-5 illustrating a first embodiment of the waste capture apparatus.

FIG. 5B illustrates a section view of the system of FIG. 4 taken along line 5-5 illustrating a second embodiment of the waste capture apparatus.

FIG. 6A illustrates a section view of the system of FIG. 4 taken along line 6-6 illustrating the first embodiment of the waste capture apparatus.

FIG. 6B illustrates a section view of the system of FIG. 4 taken along line 6-6 illustrating the second embodiment of the waste capture apparatus.

FIG. 7A illustrates a section view of the system of FIG. 6 illustrating an increased height of a waterway surface of a waterway further illustrating the first embodiment of the waste capture apparatus.

FIG. 7B illustrates a section view of the system of FIG. 6 illustrating an increased height of a waterway surface of a waterway further illustrating the second embodiment of the waste capture apparatus.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a third embodiment of a system for filtering and capturing waterway wastes.

FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the system of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of the system of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of the system of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 illustrates a top view of a system for filtering and capturing waterway wastes employing the lifting apparatus.

FIG. 13 illustrates a flow diagram depicting an exemplary method of filtering and capturing waterway wastes.

While the inventions disclosed herein are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, only a few specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The figures and detailed descriptions of these specific embodiments are not intended to limit the breadth or scope of the inventive concepts or the appended claims in any manner. Rather, the figures and detailed written descriptions are provided to illustrate the inventive concepts to a person of ordinary skill in the art and to enable such person to make and use the inventive concepts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Further, the system can include a top section that can be adapted to be adjusted, a waste capture apparatus that can be adapted to collect waterway wastes on a first side of the waterway waste capturing device, and a lifting apparatus. The system can further include a lifting apparatus, such as a pulley, adapted to adjust the height of the top section and a support guide that can be adapted to provide additional support to the top section as the height of the top section adjusts.

Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of a system for filtering and capturing waterway wastes. FIG. 2 illustrates a section view of the system of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2. FIG. 3 illustrates a section view of the system of FIG. 1 taken along line 3-3. These figures will be described in conjunction with one another.

The system 10 can include a bottom section 12, a side section 14, and a top section 16. The bottom section 12 can be adapted to remain stationary irrespective of the height of a waterway surface 40 in a waterway 38. The system 10 can further include a first support 18, a filter device 20, a first mounting device 22, and a first mounting coupler 24. The system can further include a waste capture apparatus 28, an antimicrobial substance 29, a liquid waste filtering device 36, and an illumination device 44. The waste capture apparatus 28 can be adapted to collect waterway wastes, such as non-liquid wastes 42, on a first side of the waste capture apparatus 28.

The bottom section 12 can include a support, bar, frame, or any other structure providing bottom support of the waste capture apparatus 28. The bottom section 12 can be made from various building materials, such as, but not limited to non-corrosive metals, woods, plastics, fiberglass, and other corrosive or non-corrosive materials. For example, bottom section 12 can include a rail support made of a corrosive metal (with or without a protective coating, such as plastics or rubbers) that is adapted to be coupled to the bottom of a waterway 38. In one example, the bottom section 12 need not physically contact the bottom surface of waterway 38. In another example, the bottom section 12 can be coupled to at least a portion of the bottom of the waterway 38. The waterway 38 can include rivers, channels, streams, canals, bayous, and other bodies of water that permit the flow of water from one point to another, such as storm water systems.

The height of the bottom section 12 (as defined as the vertical depth of the bottom section 12 with respect to the waterway 38) can be adapted to remain stationary irrespective of the height of the waterway surface 40. By doing so, portions of the system 10 may rise and fall based on the height of waterway surface 40 while the height of the bottom section 12 remains constant. In one embodiment, the height of the bottom section 12 can also adjust depending on the height of the waterway surface 40. The bottom section 12 can be coupled to other elements of the system, including but not limited to, the waste capture apparatus 28 and side section 14.

The side section 14 can include a support, bar, frame, or any other structure for providing side support of the waste capture apparatus 28. The side section 14 can be embodied in a similar manner as the bottom section 12 as described above. For example, the side section 14 can be a rail/frame for providing side support to the waste capture apparatus 28 along the side of the waterway 38, such as a river bank. The side section 14 can be coupled to the side of waterway 38, such as with the aid of the first mounting device 22 and the first mounting coupler 24. Alternatively, the side section 14 can be coupled to the side of the waterway 38 in other manners, such as through physical contact, anchoring into the waterway 38 bank, or the like.

When coupled to waterway 38, only a portion of side section 14 can be coupled or, in the alternative, the entire side section 14 can be coupled to the waterway. As an example of the former, the first mounting device 22 and the first mounting coupler 24 can be employed in conjunction with one another to couple the side section 14 to the waterway 38. First mounting device 22 can include one or more brackets, braces, anchors, plates, stays, or any other feature for imparting support in coupling the side section 14 to the waterway 38. The mounting device 22 can be used in conjunction with the first mounting coupler 24 to provide additional support. The first mounting coupler 24 can include any screw, bolt, clip, clasp, hook, or any other fastener for further coupling the mounting device 22 to the waterway 38, such as the side of the waterway 38. The side section 14 can further be coupled to the waste capture apparatus 28 and the top section 16.

The top section 16 can include a support, bar, frame, or any other structure for providing top support of the waste capture apparatus 28. The top section 16 can be embodied in a similar manner as the bottom section 12 as described above. The height of the top section 16 can further be adapted to adjust in response to a change in the height of the waterway surface 40. For example, as the waterway surface 40 rises in a waterway 38, the top section 16 can move up to a greater vertical height with respect to the waterway 38 in order to prevent buoyant debris or wastes, such as non-liquid waste 42, from floating over the top section 16. Similarly, as the waterway surface 40 falls, the top section 16 can move to a lower height or depth accordingly. This movement up and down will similarly affect the height of the waste capture apparatus 28 because the top section 16 can be coupled to the waste capture apparatus 28 such that both elements move as a single monolithic piece. This movement can occur as a result of the natural buoyancy of the top section 16 and/or the waste capture apparatus 28 and/or with the aid of the floatation device 30 (as described in greater detail in connection with FIG. 3 or with the aid of a lifting apparatus 60 (as described in greater detail in connection with FIG. 10)).

The waste capturing apparatus 28 can include the first support 18 and the filter device 20. The waste capture apparatus 28 can be adapted to collect waterway wastes on a first side of the waste capture apparatus 28. For example, if water in a waterway 38 flows from north to south, the waste capture apparatus 28 can be configured such that is disposed between two banks of the waterway 38. In this configuration, the north end (first side) of the waste capture apparatus 28 can prevent the waste from traveling to the south side (second side) of the waste capture apparatus 28.

In an exemplary and non-limiting illustrative embodiment, the waste capturing apparatus 28 can be employed to filter and capture non-liquid waste 42. Non-liquid waste 42 can include glass, plastic, paper, naturally occurring debris (such as sticks, lawn clippings, and the like) or any other non-liquid type wastes. For example, non-liquid waste 42 can include waste, debris, or the like that is less buoyant than water.

This waste will, therefore, float on the top of waterway surface 40 and be more easily trapped by preventing the waste from traveling down the waterway 38 with the aid of the waste capturing apparatus 28 (serving to block and trap the waste on the same side as the source of the water flow along waterway 38). As waterway 38 surface rises and falls, the height of the waste capturing apparatus 28 can adjust accordingly thus preventing the waste from travelling over the waste capturing apparatus 28. The waterway surface 40 can include the top surface of the water at a particular location in a waterway 38 at a given time.

The waste capturing apparatus 28 can be made from various building materials such as those described in connection with the materials used to construct the bottom section 12. In an exemplary and non-limiting illustrative embodiment, the waste capturing apparatus 28 can made from a sheet of fiberglass in a rectangular or trapezoidal shape. In other embodiments, the waste capturing apparatus 28 can be custom shaped to fit a particular waterway 38. The waste capturing apparatus 28 can be coupled to, and disposed between, the bottom section 12, the side section 14, and the top section 16.

The waste capturing apparatus 28 can further include a filter device 20 that is adapted to facilitate the flow of a liquid from a first side of the waste capturing apparatus 28 to a second side. For example, the filter device 20 can include a grid coupled to, or formed as a single monolithic part of, the waste capturing apparatus 28. In an exemplary and non-limiting illustrative embodiment, the filter device 20 can be formed as a matrix of apertures or other openings in the waste capturing apparatus 28 to allow liquid to flow through the waste capturing apparatus 28 from a first side to a section side. This matrix of openings can include a regularly shaped grid with uniformly shaped openings of uniform sizes (such as squares), or in the alternative, as irregularly spaced, shaped, and sized openings throughout the waste capturing apparatus 28. In another example, the filter device 20 can include a net, strainer, sieve, mesh, grate, screen, expanded metals, or other permeable material such as fabric adapted to allow for at least a portion of a liquid to pass through. The filter device 20 can be coupled to, or in the alternative, formed as part of, the waste capturing apparatus 28.

The waste capturing apparatus 28 can further include a first support 18. The first support 18 can include any support structure, such as a rail, brace, bracket, or the like for providing additional support to the waste capturing apparatus 28. For example, the first support 18 can be a vertical structure for providing additional support for a waterway 38 that requires a particularly wide waste capturing apparatus (as measured between two banks or sides of the waterway 38). In another example, the first support can be disposed in a horizontal configuration an another non-orthogonal angle with respect to the top section 16. In one embodiment, the first support 18 can include more than one support 18. Furthermore, the first support can be used to provide additional support for the illumination device 44. In another example, the illumination device 44 can be coupled to the top section 14 or the waste capturing apparatus 28 without the aid of the first support 18.

The waste capturing apparatus 28 can further include an antimicrobial substance 29. The antimicrobial substance 29 can include any material for preventing, inhibiting, or reducing the amount of microbes in the waterway 38. For example, the antimicrobial substance 29 can include a spray, liquid, or power than can be applied to the surface of the waste capturing apparatus 28. Therefore, as wastes, such as non-liquid waste 42, accumulate on a first side of the waste capturing apparatus 28, the water filtered through to the other side can contain fewer microbes and/or other pathogens or microorganisms carried by the waste or the water in waterway 38. In another example, the antimicrobial substance 29 can include a fabric or other semi-permeable or permeable substance for filtering water through, while reducing the concentration of, microbes in the water.

The system 10 can further include a liquid waste filter device 36 and an illumination device 44. The illumination device 44 include one or more lights, illumination fixtures, or the like for providing additional illumination on the waterway 38 and any debris or wastes (such as non-liquid waste 42) captured by the system 10. In this example, the illumination device 44 can be disposed on the first side of the waste capturing apparatus 28 such that it illuminates the water on the side that captured the wastes. The illumination device 44 can include more than one illumination device, disposed either above and/or below the waterway surface 40, and may be powered by batteries, through solar power, or by other known means in which to provide alternating or direct current to power the illumination device 44.

The liquid waste filter device 36 can include one or more buoys, filters, balloons, bags, bladders, or any other device for capturing and/or filtering, liquid wastes, such as hydrocarbon wastes, oils, or the like. In an exemplary and non-limiting illustrative embodiment, the liquid filter device 36 can include several buoys disposed around the bottom section 12 and coupled to the bottom section 12 and/or waste capturing apparatus 28 with one or more couplers, such as zip ties, bands, other fasteners, or the like. The liquid filter device 36 can absorb and/or filter out liquid impurities in the waterway 38. For example, liquid filter device 36 can capture and/or filter oil in the water to prevent it from travelling from one side of the waste capture apparatus 28 to the other.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a second embodiment of a system for filtering and capturing waterway wastes. FIG. 5A illustrates a section view of the system of FIG. 4 taken along line 5-5 illustrating a first embodiment of the waste capture apparatus. FIG. 6A illustrates a section view of the system of FIG. 4 taken along line 6-6 illustrating the first embodiment of the waste capture apparatus. FIG. 7A illustrates a section view of the system of FIG. 6 illustrating an increased height of a waterway surface of a waterway further illustrating the first embodiment of the waste capture apparatus. These figures will be described in conjunction with one another.

FIGS. 4 and 5A-7A illustrate a second embodiment of the system for filtering and capturing waterway wastes. Several of the elements illustrated in these figures are similar to elements illustrated and described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-3. Accordingly, the descriptions, examples, and embodiments as forth in FIGS. 1-3 are applicable to similarly labeled elements in FIGS. 4 and 5A-7A. The description of FIGS. 4 and 5A-7A as set forth below, therefore, focus on the additional elements not explicitly illustrated in FIGS. 1-3.

In addition to the elements described above, the system 10 can further include a first expansion device 26, a floatation device 30, a first locking mechanism 32, and a second locking mechanism 34.

The floatation device 30 can include one or more buoys, balloons, bladders, bags, or the like for increasing the buoyancy of the waste capture apparatus 28. For example, the floatation device 30 can include four floatation devices disposed such that two pairs are located on opposite sides of the waste capture apparatus 28 adjacent to the side sections 14. In another example, more or fewer floatation devices can be used to increase the buoyancy of the waste capture apparatus 28. The floatation device 30 can be coupled to the top section 16, the waste capture apparatus 28, or both. As the waterway surface 40 rises and falls, the floatation device 30 can adjust automatically and accordingly to raise and lower the waste capture apparatus 28.

The raising and lowering of the waste capture apparatus 28 can further be facilitated with the use of the first expansion device 26. The first expansion device 26 can include a joint, such as a ball and socket hinge, that permits the top section 16 and/or the waste capture apparatus 28 from moving in a vertical direction. Alternatively, the first expansion device 26 can include an expansion joint or other lifting device, such as an expansion rod or the like, for allowing the waste capture apparatus 28 to increase or decrease in height, such as through a telescopic motion.

Furthermore, first expansion device 26 can be located or a pivot or other swivel-type device. This will permit the waste capture apparatus 28 to swing, pivot, or rotate according to the flow of water in the waterway 38. As the waterway surface 40 rises (as shown in FIG. 7A), the first expansion device 26 can expand thus raising the top section 16 and the waste capture apparatus 28, while allowing the bottom section 12 to remain stationary with respect to the height (i.e., depth) of the waterway surface 40.

To further aid the first expansion device 26, the system 10 can included a first locking mechanism 32 and a second locking mechanism 34. These locking mechanisms can, in one embodiment, be used in conjunction with one another. For example, in an exemplary and non-limiting illustrative embodiment, the first locking mechanism 32 can include a rod and the second locking mechanism 34 can include a pipe. In this embodiment, the rod can expand beyond, or recede within, the pipe as the waste capture apparatus 28 rises and falls with the waterway surface 40, respectively. In this example, the first locking mechanism 32 can be limited in the maximum and minimum amounts of expansion and contraction within the second locking mechanism 34 because the second locking mechanism 34 can include a stop or other lock-type device (not shown) to prevent movement beyond a user's desired maxima and minima expansion points.

These locking mechanisms, therefore, can prevent damage to the system 10 as a result of rapid increases or decreases in the waterway surface's 40 height. Additionally, the second locking mechanism 34 can be adapted to swivel, rotate, or otherwise pivot as well from side to side to allow the waste capture apparatus 28 to minimize the force and/or pressure on the first locking mechanism 32 and second locking mechanism 34. Alternatively the first locking mechanism 32 and second locking mechanism 34 can be replaced with a first height adjustment mechanism and a second height adjustment mechanism, respectively (not shown). These elements can be embodied in a similar manner as elements 32 and 34, respectively, without the ability to engage in a locking configuration.

FIG. 5B illustrates a section view of the system of FIG. 4 taken along line 5-5 illustrating a second embodiment of the waste capture apparatus. FIG. 6B illustrates a section view of the system of FIG. 4 taken along line 6-6 illustrating the second embodiment of the waste capture apparatus. FIG. 7B illustrates a section view of the system of FIG. 6 illustrating an increased height of a waterway surface of a waterway further illustrating the second embodiment of the waste capture apparatus. These figures will be described in conjunction with one another.

FIGS. 5B-7B illustrate a second embodiment of the system for filtering and capturing waterway wastes. Several of the elements illustrated in these figures are similar to elements illustrated and described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-4. Accordingly, the descriptions, examples, and embodiments as forth in FIGS. 1-4 are applicable to similarly labeled elements in FIGS. 5B-7B. The description of FIGS. 5B-7B as set forth below, therefore, focus on the additional elements not explicitly illustrated in FIGS. 1-3.

In addition to the elements described above, the system 10 can further include a waste capture apparatus 28 embodied in a different manner as depicted in FIGS. 5A, 6A, and 7A. For example, waste capture apparatus 28 can include two, at least partially overlapping, portions—top portion 28T and bottom portion 28B. In an exemplary and non-limiting illustrative embodiment, top potion 28T can be located on the “leading” side of the waste capture apparatus 28 (i.e., the side from which the source of the water in waterway 38 is flowing from). Although not shown in these figures, the system 10 can further include a top section 16 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1).

Additionally, the bottom portion 28B can be located on the “trailing” side of the waste capture apparatus 28 (i.e., the side of the waste capture apparatus 28 from which the water is flowing to). In this embodiment, the top potion 28T can overlap a portion of the bottom portion 28B such that top portion 28T can raise and lower as the height of the waterway surface 40 rises and falls while the bottom portion 28B remains at a height that is stationary with respect to the waterway surface 40 height or depth.

In another example, the top portion 28T can be located on the trailing side and the bottom portion 28B can be located on the leading side of the waste capture apparatus 28. The top portion 28T and the bottom portion 28B can be coupled to the top section 16 (as shown in FIG. 1) and the bottom section 12, respectively.

As the waterway surface 40 rises (as shown in FIG. 7B), the top portion 28T can rise accordingly in order to prevent wastes, such as non-liquid wastes 42 from overtaking or over spilling beyond the top portion 28T. The top portion 28T and bottom portion 28B can configured so that there is an overlap between the two even when the top portion 28T reaches its maximum height.

In another embodiment, the top portion 28T can flex from the bottom portion with the aid of a flexible mechanism (not shown). The flexible mechanism can allow for the adjustment of the angle of top portion 28T from its vertical rest position to the distance it is rotated towards the source of the water in the waterway 38. For example, the top portion 28T can hinge (e.g., at the point in which it is coupled to the bottom portion 28B) so that at least a portion of the top portion 28T bends back towards the leading side of the waste capture apparatus 28. This can provide an additional barrier to prevent the accumulated waste from flowing over the top portion 28T in case of a strong surge or other force that could rapidly cause an increase in the height of the waterway surface 40.

The angle can further be adjusted to control the amount of the top portion 28T that covers the accumulated or collected waste. In other examples, the flexible mechanism can include any joint, flexible piece, hinge, or other point of rotation for adjusting the angle of the top portion 28T and/or bottom portion 28B in a direction towards or away from the accumulated debris. Additionally, the flexible mechanism (not shown) can be included on the waste capture apparatus 28 as shown, for example, in FIG. 1, that does not include both a top portion 28T and bottom portion 28B.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a third embodiment of a system for filtering and capturing waterway wastes. FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the system of FIG. 8. FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of the system of FIG. 8. FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of the system of FIG. 8. FIG. 12 illustrates a top view of a system for filtering and capturing waterway wastes employing the lifting apparatus. These figures will be described in conjunction with one another.

The system 10 can further include a second support device 46, a second support assembly 48, a roller 50, and a support guide 52. Furthermore, the system 10 can further include a top section 54, a first support 56, a floatation coupling device 58, a lifting apparatus 60, and a linking device 62. The linking device 62 can be further coupled to a linking device coupler 64, a counterweight 66, and an adjustment device 68.

The system 10 depicted in FIGS. 8-12 illustrates a particular embodiment employing a pulley and roller system to raise and lower the waste capture apparatus 28. Referring specifically to the figures, the second support device 48 can include a one or more roller assemblies. These assemblies can include components necessary for permitting the waste capture apparatus to raise and lower in the water. The second support device 48 can be coupled with one or more rollers 50. The rollers 50 can include wheels, casters, or the like for providing a sliding and/or rolling motion along the second support device 48. To further assist this rolling and/or sliding motion, one or more support guides 52 can be employed to guide the rise and fall of the waste capture apparatus 28. The support guides preferably are disposed on the sides of the system 10 (e.g., adjacent to one or more side banks of waterway 38).

The system 10 can further include a top section 54 and a first support 56. These features can embodied in similar manner as the top section 16 and first support 18 as illustrated in FIG. 1 above. Additionally, the top section 54 can be arranged in one or more sections, coupled in a configuration such that each section or panel can be rotated, swiveled, or hinged with respect to the others. Furthermore, the first support 56 can include one or more supports, each being disposed between the hinged panels of top section 54. Waste capture apparatus 28 can be similarly divided into one or more sections or panels. When divided into separate panels, only a portion of the waste capture apparatus 28, or in the alternative, the entire waste capture apparatus 28, can be lifted and lowered in accordance with the description above.

The floatation coupling device 58 can be embodied in similar form as the bottom section 12 as illustrated in FIG. 1 above. Additionally, the floatation coupling device 58 can include one or more floatation devices, such as the floatation device 30 illustrated in FIG. 1. Furthermore, the floatation coupling device 58 can include, or be coupled with, a liquid waste filtering device (not shown), such as the liquid waste filtering device 36 as depicted in FIG. 1.

The system 10 can further include a lifting apparatus 60 that can be adapted to assist with the raising and lowering of the waste capture apparatus 28. The lifting device can include hydraulics, or in the alternative, a simple machine such as a pulley system or levers. In an exemplary and non-limiting illustrative embodiment, the lifting apparatus 60 can include a pulley that can be coupled to the linking device 62 and a linking device coupler 64. The linking device 62 can include a cable, rope, cord, or the like that can work in conjunction with the lifting apparatus (e.g., spool or wheel of the pulley system) and the linking coupler 64 can include an attachment or other coupler or fastener for coupling the lifting apparatus 60, the linking device 62, or any combination thereof. In this same example, the system 10 can include a counterweight 66 and an adjustment device 68 (e.g., a bar or other device for lifting a pulley). These elements can be used in connection with the lifting apparatus 60 to facilitate the raising and lowering of the waste capture apparatus 28.

Additionally, the system 10 can include a sensor (not shown) such as a water level sensor that can be adapted to measure the height of the water in waterway 38 in real-time. The sensor can communicate with a computer (not shown), either wirelessly (e.g., RF, WiFi, cellular signals, or the like) or through a wired configuration. The computer can include a computer readable medium (not shown) that can further include an application (not shown), such software, firmware, or other computer readable instructions. The application can include instructions for controlling the raising and lowering of the top section 54 based on inputs from the sensor. For example, as the waterway surface 40 rises, the sensor can input the level of the water to the computer. The computer controls the operation of the lifting apparatus 60 after the application processes the input information and, in accordance with one or more algorithms, instructs the computer to raise or lower the waste capture apparatus 28 a particular amount accordingly. The application can include any instructions that can be performed or executed by a computer or processing unit. The application can include executable, non-executable, assembly, machine, compiled, or uncompiled code, or any other instructions that can be read by a computer.

Furthermore, the computer readable medium can refer to any storage medium that may be used in conjunction with the application or other computer readable instructions. In an exemplary and non-limiting illustrative embodiment, the computer readable medium can include a computer readable storage medium. The computer readable storage medium can take many forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media and volatile media, floppy disks, flexible disks, hard disks, magnetic tape, other magnetic media, CD-ROMs, DVDs, or any other optical storage medium, punch cards, paper tape, or any other physical medium with patterns of holes. Computer readable storage media can further include RAM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, FLASH, combinations thereof (e.g., PROM EPROM), or any other memory chip or cartridge.

The computer readable medium can further include computer readable transmission media. Such transmission media can include coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics. Transmission media may also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio frequency, infrared, wireless, or other media comprising electric, magnetic, or electromagnetic waves.

FIG. 13 illustrates a flow diagram depicting an exemplary method of filtering and capturing waterway wastes. The method 100 can include the step 102 of providing a waterway waste capturing device that can include a top section and a bottom section. The method 100 can further include the step 104 of adjusting the height of waste capturing device based on the height of the waterway surface in the waterway, the step 106 of collecting waterway wastes on a first side of the waterway waste capturing device, and the step 108 of filtering water of the waterway to facilitate the flow of a liquid from the first side of the waterway waste capturing device to a second side of the waterway waste capturing device. The step 108 of filtering the water can further include the step 110 of inhibiting the growth and/or distribution of microbes or other microorganisms in the waterway.

Furthermore, the method 100 can further include the step 112 of filtering liquid wastes that can include oil or liquid hydrocarbon wastes, the step 114 of adjusting the width of the waterway waste capturing device, the step of 116 of coupling the waterway waste capturing device to at least one bank of the waterway, and the step 118 of limiting the maximum height of the top section of the waterway waste capturing device.

The step 102 of providing a waterway waste capturing device (“WWCD”) can include providing a waterway waste capturing device comprising a top section and a bottom section, wherein the bottom section can be adapted to remain stationary irrespective of the height of a waterway surface in a waterway. The step 102 of providing a WWCD can further include assembling the top section and the bottom section by welding, bolting, interlocking two or more components, or employing the use of adhesives or epoxies to secure each element of the WWCD. The step 102 of providing a WWCD can further include providing a waste capture apparatus, for example, ones described in conjunction with the figures above, (e.g., 28, 28T, and 28B of FIG. 6B).

The step 102 of providing a WWCD can include building a frame that includes at least the bottom section and the top section. The frame can be built to fit a waterway, such as a river, bayou, or channel, staring from a bottom portion of the bayou (e.g., across the sides from one bank to another). For example, first the bottom section can be built along the bottom and positioned such that its height can remain stationary with respect to the height of the waterway surface. The top section, such as a beam or other rail, can subsequently be built from the sides of the waterway, such as a top surface of each bank of a river or stream.

The step 102 of providing a WWCD can further include providing a first support. The first support can be adapted to provide additional support to the waste capture apparatus. Alternatively, the step 102 of providing a WWCD can include prefabricating the elements used to build the WWCD (e.g., bottom section, top section, waste capture apparatus, etc.) and positioning the WWCD in a waterway. The prefabricated WWCD can either be custom-built in accordance with one's preferred shapes, sizes, and features, or built to standards with adjustable features (such as width of the top and bottom sections) so that the WWCD is designed to be a “one-size fits all” solution. For custom-built solutions, measurements of the waterway can first be taken in order to frame a template. The template can then be copied to replicate the custom-sized template frame.

The step 104 of adjusting the height of the waste capturing apparatus can include adjusting the height of the top section based on the height of the waterway surface in the waterway. The height can adjust based on the natural buoyancy of the top section and/or waste capture apparatus, or through the aid of one or more floatation devices coupled to the WWCD. Furthermore, the height can be adjusted through the use of hydraulics, simple machines, such as pulleys, levers, or the like, or automatically through water-level sensors used in conjunction with computer readable media as described above. The step 104 of adjusting the height of the waste capturing apparatus can be further used to avoid damming of the WWCD by permitting it to rise with the surface of the waterway and release itself in order to release captured debris in case of a sudden surge or heavy rain.

The step 106 of filtering water can include employing a grate, screen, or other semi-permeable or permeable substance to permit the flow of water or other liquid from one side of the WWCD to the other. The step 106 of filtering water can include forming a device that is adapted to prevent waste, such as solid waste (e.g., paper, plastic, wood, or the like) from passing from one side of the WWCD to the other while still permitting the water in the waterway to flow through the WWCD (e.g., prevents clogging) The step 106 can further include the step 108 of inhibiting the growth of microbes by applying an antimicrobial substance to the WWCD. The antimicrobial substance can be coupled to the WWCD (such as a screen, fabric material, or the like), or it can be applied directly to the WWCD (such as a spray, or applied in a liquid form). Furthermore, the WWCD can be treated with an antimicrobial substance to further inhibit the growth of microbes, pathogens, and other microorganisms.

The step 112 of filtering liquid wastes can include filtering oil, petroleum, and other petro products, liquid hydrocarbons, or the like. For example, the step 112 of filtering liquid wastes can include coupling one or more buoys, balloons, bags, or the like to a portion of the WWCD. In one embodiment, a liquid filtering buoys can be disposed along the entire bottom surface of the WWCD such that each of the buoy's ends abut one another, and the sides of each buoy abuts the bottom surface or bank of the waterway. This can form a liquid-type seal for trapping the liquid wastes to prevent them from travelling to the other side of the WWCD. The step 112 of filtering liquid wastes can further include trapping or collecting the liquid wastes so that they may be disposed of at a later time. Furthermore, the step 112 of filtering liquid wastes can include coupling a liquid waste filtering device on other portions of the WWCD (such as the top, sides, middle, or any combination thereof) to collect, trap, and filter these liquid wastes.

The step 114 of adjusting the width of the WWCD can include shortening or lengthening the width of the WWCD to accommodate the widths of different waterways. The width of the WWCD can be measured as the distance from one side of waterway to another. A portion of the WWCD can be adjusted by sliding it in a direction orthogonal to the side banks running along a waterway. By doing so, the overall width of the WWCD can be increased or decreased to accommodate different sized waterways. Additionally, because the banks of waterways can erode over time, adjustments can be made to increase the overall width of the WWCD to prevent debris, waste, or the like from travelling around one or more sides of the WWCD.

The step 116 of coupling the WWCD to a bank can include can include anchoring the WWCD to at least one portion of the waterway, such as a bottom surface bank, or side bank. For example, the step 116 of coupling the WWCD to a bank can include anchoring it to a side bank such as by fastening it to the side through bolts, clips, screws, or the like. Alternatively, the 116 of coupling the WWCD to a bank can include coupling the WWCD to posts or plates, such as concrete slabs.

The step 118 of limiting the maximum height of the WWCD can include providing a mechanism, such as a lock, stopper, or the like for preventing the height of the WWCD from exceeding maxima values (either preset or variable based on a user's needs). For example, the step 118 of limiting the maximum height can include employing a joint that physically prevents the top section of the WWCD from expanding away from the bottom section with the aid of a lip or flange that can restrain the movement of the top section beyond a particular point. The step 118 of limiting the maximum height of the WWCD can further include providing a height-limiting device, preferably disposed on one or more of the side banks of the waterway, that restricts the height of the top section.

The height-limiting device, for example, can include a plate, rail, stopper, or other material disposed over the top section of the WWCD such that once the top section of the WWCD contacts to the bottom surface of the height-limiting device, the vertical motion of the top section is fully restrained. The step 118 of limiting the maximum height of the WWCD can include providing a mechanism to prevent it from exceeding minima values. In this example, the overall height of the top portion can be limited such that it can no longer adjust to a shorter height (e.g., to prevent the top portion from travelling below the waterway surface level).

The term “coupled,” “coupling,” “coupler,” and like terms are used broadly herein and can include any method or device for securing, binding, bonding, fastening, attaching, joining, inserting therein, forming thereon or therein, or otherwise associating, for example, mechanically, magnetically, electrically, chemically, operably, directly or indirectly with intermediate elements, one or more pieces of members together and can further include without limitation integrally forming one functional member with another in a unitary fashion. The coupling can occur in any direction, including rotationally.

The Figures described above and the written description of specific structures and functions below are not presented to limit the scope of what Applicants have invented or the scope of the appended claims. Rather, the Figures and written description are provided to teach any person skilled in the art to make and use the inventions for which patent protection is sought. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that not all features of a commercial embodiment of the inventions are described or shown for the sake of clarity and understanding. Persons of skill in this art will also appreciate that the development of an actual commercial embodiment incorporating aspects of the present inventions will require numerous implementation-specific decisions to achieve the developer's ultimate goal for the commercial embodiment. Such implementation-specific decisions may include, and likely are not limited to, compliance with system-related, business-related, government-related, and other constraints, which may vary by specific implementation, location and from time to time.

While a developer's efforts might be complex and time-consuming in an absolute sense, such efforts would be, nevertheless, a routine undertaking for those of skill in this art having benefit of this disclosure. It must be understood that the inventions disclosed and taught herein are susceptible to numerous and various modifications and alternative forms. Lastly, the use of a singular term, such as, but not limited to, “a,” is not intended as limiting of the number of items. Also, the use of relational terms, such as, but not limited to, “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” “down,” “up,” “side,” and the like are used in the written description for clarity in specific reference to the Figures and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention or the appended claims.

Particular embodiments of the invention may be described below with reference to block diagrams and/or operational illustrations of methods. It will be understood that each block of the block diagrams and/or operational illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or operational illustrations, can be implemented by analog and/or digital hardware, and/or computer program instructions. Such computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special purpose computer, ASIC, and/or other programmable data processing system. The executed instructions may create structures and functions for implementing the actions specified in the block diagrams and/or operational illustrations. In some alternate implementations, the functions/actions/structures noted in the Figures may occur out of the order noted in the block diagrams and/or operational illustrations. For example, two operations shown as occurring in succession, in fact, may be executed substantially concurrently or the operations may be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts/structure involved.

Computer programs for use with or by the embodiments disclosed herein may be written in an object oriented programming language, conventional procedural programming language, or lower-level code, such as assembly language and/or microcode. The program may be executed entirely on a single processor and/or across multiple processors, as a stand-alone software package or as part of another software package.

Other and further embodiments utilizing one or more aspects of the inventions described above can be devised without departing from the spirit of Applicant's invention. It should be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the techniques disclosed in the disclosed embodiments represent techniques discovered by the inventor(s) to function well in the practice of the invention, and thus can be considered to constitute preferred modes for its practice. However, those of skill in the art should, in light of the present disclosure, appreciate that many changes can be made in the specific embodiments which are disclosed and still obtain a like or similar result without departing from the scope of the invention. Discussion of singular elements can include plural elements and vice-versa.

In some alternate implementations, the functions/actions/structures noted in the Figures can occur out of the order noted in the block diagrams and/or operational illustrations. For example, two operations shown as occurring in succession, in fact, can be executed substantially concurrently or the operations can be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts/structure involved. For example, FIG. 13 illustrates one possible embodiment of a method for filtering and capturing waterway wastes. More specifically, FIG. 13 recites the step 112 of filtering liquid wastes before the step 114 of adjusting the width of the waste capturing device. Other embodiments can include performing step 114 before step 112. In some embodiments, some steps can be omitted altogether. Therefore, though not explicitly illustrated in the Figures, any and all combinations or sub-combinations of the steps illustrated in FIG. 13, or additional steps described in the Figures or the detailed description provided herein, can be performed in any order, with or without regard for performing the other recited steps.

The order of steps can occur in a variety of sequences unless otherwise specifically limited. The various steps described herein can be combined with other steps, interlineated with the stated steps, and/or split into multiple steps. Similarly, elements have been described functionally and can be embodied as separate components or can be combined into components having multiple functions.

The inventions have been described in the context of preferred and other embodiments and not every embodiment of the invention has been described. Obvious modifications and alterations to the described embodiments are available to those of ordinary skill in the art. The disclosed and undisclosed embodiments are not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the invention conceived of by the Applicants, but rather, in conformity with the patent laws, Applicant intends to fully protect all such modifications and improvements that come within the scope or range of equivalent of the following claims.

Systems and Methods for Filtering and Capturing Waterway Wastes

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