Mechanized rotary brush cleaner for sedimentation tanks

Abstract

An arrangement for cleaning algae and other debris from the various surfaces within a sedimentation tank includes one or more mechanized rotating scrubbing brushes. In contrast to conventional arrangements that use rectangular, non-mechanized brushes, the rotational brush elements of the present invention are more effective and efficient at removing a larger quantity of material from the various interior wall surfaces (e.g., baffle, weir, spillway, etc.) within the sedimentation tank.

1 . An apparatus for cleaning algae and debris from a sedimentation tank including a revolving skimmer and a nominally circular weir, the apparatus comprising: 
 at least one support means;    at least one rotating brush assembly coupled to the at least one support means, the at least one brush assembly including at least one mechanized rotating brush element that rotates at a predetermined speed as the apparatus revolves around the sedimentation tank.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein at least one rotating brush element is disposed along the associated rotating brush assembly so as to contact an inside surface of the nominally circular weir.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein at least one rotating brush element is disposed along the associated rotating brush assembly so as to contact an outside surface of a scum baffle within the sedimentation tank.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein at least one rotating brush element is disposed along the associated rotating brush assembly so as to contact an inside surface of a scum baffle within the sedimentation tank.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein at least one rotating brush element is disposed along the associated rotating brush assembly so as to contact an inside spillway between the weir and a subsequent effluent trough.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein at least one rotating brush element is disposed along the associated rotating brush assembly so as to contact a wall of a effluent trough.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein at least one rotating brush element is disposed along the associated rotating brush assembly so as to contact the bottom of the effluent trough.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein at least one rotating brush element is removable from the associated rotating brush assembly so as to be moved from one cleaning surface to another.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one non-rotating brush element.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein the apparatus further comprises a mechanical device for moving at least one rotating brush element from one location to another.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1  wherein each rotating brush element includes a rotating element such that each brush element is capable of rotating at a different, predetermined speed as the apparatus revolves around the tank.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 11  wherein each rotating brush element rotates at the same speed.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 12  wherein the speed of the plurality of rotating brush elements is adjustable.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 11  wherein each separate rotating brush element is capable of rotating at a different speed.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 14  wherein the speed of each separate rotating brush element is adjustable.