Ronald F Malone

US Patent:

6517724, Feb 11, 2003

Filed:

Oct 22, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/928697

Inventors:

Ronald F. Malone - Baton Rouge LA 70820

International Classification:

C02F 306

US Classification:

210618, 210786, 210151, 210274, 210279, 210793

Abstract:

The present invention provides a floating media biofilter having an economical structure which allows energy efficient and water conserving backwashing of the floating media. The biofilter includes a filter chamber fluidly connected to a charge chamber which is adapted for accumulating air. A trigger device positioned between the charge chamber and filter chamber selectively allows the flow of air from said charge chamber to said filter chamber. An air source is connected to the charge chamber and slowly supplies air thereto. The backwash cycle is initiated by the trigger device allowing air to escape from the charge chamber into the filter chamber and agitate the floating media. Simultaneously, water from the filter chamber flows into the charge chamber. After the trigger device closes, air again accumulates in charge chamber in preparation for another backwash cycle.

US Patent:

54457408, Aug 29, 1995

Filed:

Jan 13, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/182791

Inventors:

Ronald F. Malone - Baton Rouge LA

International Classification:

C02F 300

US Classification:

210618

Abstract:

A floating media biofilter is provided, comprising a tank having a bottom and a sidewall, the sidewall having a lower portion inwardly sloping toward the bottom. Floating media are present in the tank for forming a media pack when the tank is filled with liquid, and the media are retained by an upper screen positioned in the upper portion of the tank. An inlet line provides nonfiltered liquid to the tank from an aquaculture environment, while an outlet line above the upper screen delivers filtered liquid back to the aquaculture environment. A weir is employed between the upper screen and the outlet line to collect filtered liquid from the media pack. Backwashing is accomplished by a motorized blade system which causes the media to circulate within the tank with substantially no expansion of the media pack. The circulating media loosens filtered matter and sludge entrained therein so that the waste solids can be removed by a sludge line connected to the bottom of the tank. A bypass line connected between the weir and the inlet line divert liquid from the environment to provide an additional flow of liquid over the media during backwashing operations.

US Patent:

52325865, Aug 3, 1993

Filed:

Sep 25, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/951459

Inventors:

Ronald F. Malone - Baton Rouge LA

International Classification:

C02F 306

US Classification:

210151

Abstract:

A floating media filter is provided, comprising a tank having a filtration chamber and an expansion chamber, wherein the filtration chamber is above and fluidically connected with the expansion chamber; floating filter media in the tank for forming a floating media pack, having a top portion, in the filtration chamber when the tank is filled with liquid and the filter media are undisturbed; an upper screen having openings adapted to prevent the filter media from passing therethrough, positioned in the tank near the top portion of the floating media pack; an inlet line fluidically connected to the tank below the filtration chamber; a sludge line having an output end, fluidically connected to the tank below the lower screen; a sludge valve, positioned in the sludge line; an outlet line fluidically connected to the tank above the upper screen; a lower screen having openings adapted to prevent the filter media from passing therethrough, positioned in the tank below the filter media and above the sludge line; and an air inlet line fluidically connected to the tank for drawing air into the expansion chamber and disturbing the floating media pack inside the filtration chamber during backwashing of the biofilter.

US Patent:

51260425, Jun 30, 1992

Filed:

Oct 31, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/785942

Inventors:

Ronald F. Malone - Baton Rouge LA

International Classification:

C02F 306

US Classification:

210150

Abstract:

A biofilter is provided, including a tank, having a bottom, a top and a sidewall having a lower portion which is inwardly sloping toward the bottom; floating filter media in the tank, the media forming a floating media pack when the tank is filled with liquid and the media are undisturbed, the media pack having a bottom and a top; a screen having openings adapted to prevent the floating filter media from passing therethrough, positioned in the tank between the bottom of the tank and the top of the tank; an agitator having a blade, the agitator being attached to the tank and adapted such that the blade is at least partially imbedded in the media pack when the tank is filled with liquid; an inlet line fluidly connected to the tank below the screen; a sludge drain line fluidly connected to the lower portion tank below the screen; a sludge valve, positioned in the sludge drain line; and an outlet line fluidly connected to the tank above the screen.

US Patent:

47263210, Feb 23, 1988

Filed:

Jun 23, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/877213

Inventors:

Ronald F. Malone - Baton Rouge LA
Dudley D. Culley - Baton Rouge LA

Assignee:

Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College - Baton Rouge LA

International Classification:

A01K 6100

US Classification:

119 2

Abstract:

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the automatic farming f softshell aquatic crustaceans, e. g. , crabs and crayfish. The method and apparatus utilize the inability of molted crustaceans to achieve self-mobility in the presence of a fluid flow of a certain velocity.

US Patent:

57700800, Jun 23, 1998

Filed:

Apr 23, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/842241

Inventors:

Ronald F. Malone - Baton Rouge LA

International Classification:

C02F 306

US Classification:

210618

Abstract:

The present invention provides a floating media bioclarifier having an economical structure which allows energy efficient and water conserving backwashing of the floating media. The bioclarifier includes a filter chamber fluidly connected to a charge chamber which is adapted for accumulating air. A trigger device positioned between the charge chamber and filter chamber selectively allows the flow of air from said charge chamber to said filter chamber. An air source is connected to the charge chamber and slowly supplies air thereto. The backwash cycle is initiated by the trigger device allowing air to escape from the charge chamber into the filter chamber and adgitate the floating media. Simaltaneously, water from the filter chamber flows into the charge chamber. After the trigger device closes, air agains accumulate in charge chamber in preparation for another backwash cycle.

US Patent:

20180133624, May 17, 2018

Filed:

Dec 1, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/829433

Inventors:

Ronald F. Malone - Baton Rouge LA, US

International Classification:

B01D 24/28
B01D 24/46

Abstract:

A floating media filter including a filter housing with an influent conduit extending into the filter housing, the influent conduit having at least one outflow aperture positioned below an effluent outlet of the filter housing. A floating media is positioned in the filter housing and forms a media bed when the filter is in a filtration stage, the media bed having a lower surface and an upper surface defining a filtration zone between the lower and upper media bed surfaces during the filtration stage. A diffuser trough is positioned in the filter housing such that (i) the lower surface of the media bed, when the filter is in the filtration stage, is below an upper edge of the diffuser trough, and (ii) the outflow aperture of the influent conduit is positioned sufficiently close to a surface of the diffuser trough such that influent flow, during the filtration stage, is initially directed against and/or along the surface of the diffuser trough, and then redirected in a path into the media bed. Finally, the media filter includes a backwashing mechanism causing (i) lowering of the upper surface of the media bed to a point below the upper edge of the diffuser trough, and (ii) creation of an air space in a substantial portion of the filtration zone.

US Patent:

20170043282, Feb 16, 2017

Filed:

Oct 31, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/339219

Inventors:

Ronald F. Malone - Baton Rouge LA, US

International Classification:

B01D 24/46
B01D 24/04

Abstract:

A floating media filter including a filter housing having an influent inlet and an effluent outlet. A floating media is positioned in the housing and forms a static media bed when the filter is in a filtration stage. A diffuser trough is positioned in the filter housing such that the lower surface of the media bed, when the filter is in the filtration stage, is below the upper edge of the diffuser trough. A backwashing mechanism causes dispersion of the media bed during the backwashing stage.