WO2010102672A1

WO2010102672A1 - Carbon dioxide generator particularly for aquariums and the like

Info

Publication number: WO2010102672A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/052933
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paolo Pettenon; Giancarlo Baron; Federico Carraro
Original assignee: Sicce SpA
Current assignee: Sicce SpA
Priority date: 2009-03-12
Filing date: 2009-03-12
Publication date: 2010-09-16
Anticipated expiration: 2011-09-12

Abstract

A carbon dioxide generator (10), particularly for aquariums and the like, comprising - a box-like body (11) for accommodating electrolysis electrodes (12, 13), of which an anode (12a) comprises carbon, - a support (15), accommodated within the box-like body (11), for means (16) for the electric power supply of the electrodes (12, 13), - a support (18) for the mutually adjacent electrodes (12, 13), which is accommodated in the box-like body (11) and is juxtaposed on the support (15), - a screen (19), which is arranged adjacent to the support (18) and can be interposed at least partially between the electrodes (12, 13) and is also accommodated in the box-like body (11), - a knob (20) for turning the screen (19) to interpose it or extract it between the electrodes (12, 13) respectively to hinder or not hinder the electrolysis of the anode (12a), - means (21) for recirculating the water of the aquarium through the box-like body (11) to enrich the water with carbon dioxide generated by electrolysis at the anode (12a).

Description

CARBON DIOXIDE GENERATOR PARTICULARLY FOR AQUARIUMS AND THE LIKE Technical Field

The present invention relates to a carbon dioxide generator particularly for aquariums and the like.

In particular, the present invention relates to a device for generating and diffusing CO₂, particularly for aquariums, ponds and the like. Background Art

The importance of the diffusion of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in fresh- water aquariums is now universally acknowledged; the beneficial effect that it has on the ecosystem of the aquarium, directly on the fertilization of plants and indirectly on fish, is in fact known.

Substantially three alternative sources of CO₂ are currently used to enrich the water of an aquarium or pond with it: - a bottle of gaseous CO₂,

— fermentation, and

- electrolysis.

A bottle of CO₂ arranged close to the aquarium is connected, by means of a hose provided with a pressure reduction unit, to a gas diffuser arranged inside the tank of the aquarium.

Generally, commercially available CO₂ bottles designed for this use are of the disposable type and the pressure reduction unit is provided with an electric valve that is usually connected to a timer that controls it, to the full detriment of the low cost of this solution. Another drawback of this solution is that since an aquarium is generally appreciated for its aesthetic impact on the environment in which it is placed, the presence of the bottle in its vicinity is generally scarcely appreciated, since it is acknowledged that it disturbs its aesthetic presence.

The second currently known solution uses fermentation of sugar by means of yeasts as a source for the generation of carbon dioxide. The reagents are contained in a container that lies outside the tank and is connected to a diffuser that is arranged inside the tank.

One drawback of this solution is that the fermentation process is not stable in time, varying according to the temperature and in general according to the environmental conditions.

Moreover, this CO₂ generation process cannot be suspended temporarily, and the quantity of CO₂ that is produced is limited to the quantity that can be obtained from a bottle, according to the first solution, which has a comparable space occupation. The third listed solution, which is currently increasingly widespread, provides for the generation of CO₂ by electrolysis between a steel cathode and a carbon anode immersed in the water of the aquarium.

Currently, systems provided according to this solution provide for a component equipped with the two electrodes which is immersed in the tank and a circuit for supplying it with power, which comprises a transformer arranged outside the tank and intended to supply the electrodes with a low- voltage direct current.

During the operation of this device, the water is split into hydrogen, which is attracted by the negative steel electrode, and oxygen, which is attracted by the positive carbon electrode.

The oxygen oxidizes the carbon, producing CO₂ directly in the water of the aquarium.

Although this CO₂ generation system is widespread and appreciated for its effectiveness and low cost, it has a drawback, which is that the carbon electrode is eroded by electrolysis preferentially in its portion that is adjacent to the region where it is connected to the electrical contacts for supplying it with power.

One effect of the concentrated erosion of the carbon electrode is to reduce rapidly its effectiveness in the production of CO₂, requiring its replacement before its actual generation potential is depleted. Moreover, during erosion fragments of the carbon anode separate from it and are dispersed in the aquarium, dirtying it.

The adjustment of the quantity of carbon dioxide that is generated occurs by means of a potentiometer that is connected to a transformer. The electrolysis process is modulated by varying the voltage across the electrodes. Disclosure of the Invention

The aim of the present invention is to provide a carbon dioxide generator particularly for aquariums and the like that obviates the above- mentioned drawbacks, avoiding the concentration of the erosion of the carbon anode in the direct vicinity of its power supply contact.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a device that is compact, can be accommodated completely within the tank of the aquarium and does not require auxiliary devices arranged outside the aquarium except for the cables for its electric power supply.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device that requires a smaller number of accessories for its operation and of electrical components with respect to currently known devices.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carbon dioxide generator that is structurally simple and easy to use and can be manufactured with relatively low costs.

This aim and these and other objects, which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a carbon dioxide generator, particularly for aquariums and the like, which comprises a box-like body for accommodating electrolysis electrodes, of which an anode comprises carbon, means being provided for fixing said box-like body within an aquarium tank, characterized in that it comprises

— a support, accommodated within said box-like body, for electric power supply means which are connected to said electrodes by means of electrical contacts, - a support for said mutually adjacent electrodes, which is accommodated in said box-like body and is juxtaposed on said support,

- a screen, which is arranged adjacent to said support and can be interposed at least partially between said electrodes and is accommodated in said box-like body,

- means for readjustment of a mutual position of said electrodes and of said screen that can be interposed between them, which can be actuated on command by the user for the interposition of at least one portion of said screen between said electrons, in contrast with the electrolysis of said anode, and as an alternative for extraction of said screen from between said electrodes,

- means for recirculating the water of the aquarium through said box- like body to enrich said water with carbon dioxide generated by electrolysis at said anode. Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the carbon dioxide generator according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of the carbon dioxide generator according to the invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a detail of the carbon dioxide generator according to the invention; Figure 3 is a partially sectional diagram of the carbon dioxide generator according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a partially sectional view of a carbon dioxide generator according to the invention, in the operating configuration. Ways of carrying out the Invention It is noted that anything found to be already known during the patenting process is understood not to be claimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer.

With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 10 generally designates a carbon dioxide generator, particularly for aquariums and the like, which comprises a box-like body 11 for accommodating electrodes 12 and 13 for electrolysis, of which an anode 12a comprises carbon, means being provided for fixing the box-like body 11 inside an aquarium tank, conveniently suckers 14.

The device 10 according to the invention comprises: - a support 15 for electric power supply means 16 which are connected to the electrodes 12 and 13 by way of electrical contacts 17, which is accommodated in the box-like body 11 ,

- a support 18 for the electrodes 12 and 13, which are mutually adjacent, accommodated in the box-like body 11 and juxtaposed with the support 15,

- a screen 19, which is adjacent to the support 18 and can be interposed at least partially between the electrodes 12 and 13 and is accommodated in the box-like body 11,

- readjustment means, which advantageously comprise a knob 20 that is adapted to be actuated by the user to readjust the mutual position of the electrodes 12 and 13 and of the screen 19 that can be interposed between them,

- means 21 for recirculating the water of the aquarium through the box-like body 11 in order to enrich it with carbon dioxide generated by electrolysis at the anode 12a.

Such readjustment means, particularly the knob 20, can be actuated on command by the user to interpose at least one portion of the screen 19 between the electrodes 12 and 13, so as to contrast the electrolysis of the anode 12a, when the electrodes 12 and 13 are supplied with electric power, or as an alternative to extract the screen 19 from between the electrodes 12 and 13, so as to reduce the contrast to electrolysis that the presence of the screen 19 interposed between the electrodes 12 and 13 causes.

Advantageously, the knob 20 for rotation of the screen 19 is associated therewith and faces externally the box-like body 1 1 in order to allow its easy actuation by the user.

Conveniently, the screen 19 comprises

- a first part 22, which surrounds a first electrode 12, of the electrodes 12 and 13, and is interposed between such first electrode and the second electrode 13 of the electrodes 12 and 13, proximate to their part that is connected to the electrical contacts 17,

- a second part 23, which surrounds the first electrode 12 only partially.

Preferably, the first part 22 is annular and the second part 23 is substantially shaped like a cylindrical sector and is blended with the first part 22.

The screen 19 conveniently can be rotated substantially coaxially around the first electrode 12 for progressive and reversible interposition of the second part 23 of the screen 19 between the first electrode 12 and the second electrode 13. Preferably, the first electrode 12 is the anode 12a and is provided by means of a bar made of resin and carbon, the second electrode 13 being a cathode provided by means of a lamina made of stainless steel, which is shaped like a cylindrical sector and partially surrounds the anode 12a.

Therefore, the user defines the extent to which the screen 19 is interposed between the electrodes 12 and 13 by turning it by means of the knob 20, and accordingly when they are supplied with electric power he/she modulates the electrolysis effect of the anode 12a and the consequent production of carbon dioxide.

The recirculation means 21 preferably comprise slots 24 for connection between the inside and the outside of the box-like body 1 1, which are formed thereon in order to allow therein the recirculation of water of the aquarium.

Moreover, the recirculation means 21 conveniently comprise a recirculation pump 25, which is accommodated in the box-like body 1 1 and is provided with a centrifugal impeller 26, which is driven by an electric motor 27 that is connected electrically to the electric power supply means

16.

Conveniently, the electric power supply means 16 comprise an electrical transformer 28 and an AC-DC rectifier, which are connected to each other and, by means of the electrical contacts 17, to the electrodes 12 and 13, the electrical transformer 28 and the current rectifier being accommodated in the box-like body 11.

Advantageously, in an alternative embodiment that is not shown in the figures, the electric transformer has a primary winding that is connected to a stator winding of the electric motor, thus constituting therewith a single electrical component of the carbon dioxide generator according to the invention.

As an alternative, with reference to the embodiment shown by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying figures, the electric transformer 28 is an element that is separate from the electric motor 27.

The support 18 conveniently comprises means 29 for reversible interlocking in the box-like body 1 1, a compartment 30 being formed therein to accommodate the electrical contacts 17 which can be closed substantially hermetically by the support 18 that is interlocked reversibly in the box-like body 11 by way of the reversible interlocking means 29.

Conveniently, the reversible interlocking means 29 comprise a collar

31 that can be inserted in a contoured seat 32 that is provided in the box-like body 11 at an opening of the compartment 30, a sealing gasket 33 being associated selectively externally with the collar 31 or internally with respect to the seat 32 so as to seal them mutually when the collar 31 is inserted in the seat 32.

Conveniently, the sealing gasket 33 is an "O-ring" that is accommodated in a perimetric slot 34 that lies outside the collar 31.

The support 18 is advantageously overmolded on the electrodes 12 and 13, so as to constitute an easily replaceable component of the device 10, according to the invention.

Indeed, thanks to this structure, a device 10 according to the invention allows replacement of the electrodes 12 and 13 simply by disengaging the support 18 from the box-like body 1 1 and replacing it with a support that supports new electrodes.

Further, the sealing gasket 33, when the support 18 is interlocked with the collar 31 in the seat 32, allows to keep the compartment 30 substantially hermetic, so as to avoid the infiltration of aquarium water therein, which would cause the oxidation of the contacts 17 accommodated therein.

Conveniently, the generator 10 comprises an element 35 that surrounds the electrodes 12 and 13 to contrast the dispersion in water of the aquarium of fragments of the anode 12a.

More particularly, at least one passage port 36 for water and/or carbon dioxide from and to the anode 12a is provided on the surrounding elements 35.

Moreover, the surrounding element. 35 conveniently comprises two concentric cylinders 37 and 38, of which:

- a first cylinder 37 is associated with the box-like body 1 1 , and has the passage port 36 thereon,

- a second cylinder 38 of the cylinders 37 and 38 is associated with the support 18.

The cylinders 37 and 38 are joined at a free end so as to surround the electrodes 12 and 13, substantially enclosing them. Advantageously, outside the box-like body 1 1 there are indicators 39, which are visible to the user, for indicating the degree of interposition of the second part 23 of the screen 19 between the first electrode 12 and the second electrode 13.

Conveniently, such indicators are arranged perimetrically with respect to the knob 20.

The recirculation means 21 preferably comprise, inside the box-like body 11, a duct 40 for directing the water of the aquarium, propelled by the centrifugal impeller 26 of the pump 25, toward the electrodes 12 and 13.

With particular reference to Figure 4, such figure designates by the reference letters A and B, by way of non-limiting example, respectively the streams of water A of the aquarium, which is propelled by the centrifugal impeller 26 along the duct 38, and the stream of carbon dioxide B generated by electrolysis, when the electrodes 12 and 13 are powered by electric current. Advantageously, on the box-like body 11 there are holes 41 for discharging gases accumulated therein.

In this manner, part of the carbon dioxide C that stagnates in the main body 11 , which does not diffuse in the water that skims it, exits from the main body 1 1 through the discharge holes 41. In practice it has been found that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, by providing a carbon dioxide generator, particularly for aquariums and the like, that avoids the concentration of erosion of the carbon anode in the direct vicinity of its power supply contact; the first annular part of the screen is in fact interposed between the electrodes just at that region, hindering thereat the electrolysis of the anode.

Further, a carbon dioxide generator according to the invention has a reduced space occupation, since it can be accommodated completely within the tank of the aquarium without requiring additional devices, arranged outside the aquarium, except for the cables for its power supply. The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

In practice, the materials used, so long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A carbon dioxide generator (10), particularly for aquariums and the like, comprising a box-like body (1 1 ) for accommodating electrolysis electrodes (12, 13), of which an anode (12a) comprises carbon, means being provided for fixing said box-like body (1 1) within an aquarium tank, characterized in that it comprises

- a support (15), accommodated within said box-like body ( 1 1), for electric power supply means (16) which are connected to said electrodes ( 12, 13) by means of electrical contacts (17), - a support (18) for said mutually adjacent electrodes (12, 13), which is accommodated in said box-like body ( 1 1) and is juxtaposed on said support (15),

- a screen (19), which is arranged adjacent to said support ( 18) and can be interposed at least partially between said electrodes ( 12, 13) and is accommodated in said box-like body ( 1 1),

- means for readjustment of a mutual position of said electrodes (12, 13) and of said screen (19) that can be interposed between them, which can be actuated on command by the user for the interposition of at least one portion of said screen (19) between said electrodes ( 12, 13), to contrast the electrolysis of said anode ( 12a), and as an alternative for extraction of said screen (19) from between said electrodes ( 12, 13),

- means (21 ) for recirculating the water of the aquarium through said box-like body (1 1) to enrich said water with carbon dioxide generated by electrolysis at said anode (12a).

2. The carbon dioxide generator according to claim 1 , characterized in that said recirculation means (21 ) comprise slots (24) for connection between the inside and the outside of said box-like body (1 1), which are formed thereon in order to allow recirculation of aquarium water therein.

3. The carbon dioxide generator according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said recirculation means (21 ) comprise a recirculation pump (25), which is accommodated within said box-like body (1 1) and is provided with an electric motor (27) that is connected electrically to said electric power supply means (16).

4. The carbon dioxide generator according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said electric power supply means (16) comprise an electrical transformer (28) and an AC-DC rectifier, which are connected to each other and, by means of said electrical contacts ( 17), to said electrodes (12, 13), said electrical transformer (28) and said current rectifier being accommodated in said box-like body (11).

5. The carbon dioxide generator according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said electrical transformer comprises a primary winding that is connected to a stator winding of said electric motor (27).

6. The carbon dioxide generator according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said support (18) comprises means

(29) for reversible interlocking in said box-like body (11), a compartment

(30) being formed in said box-like body (1 1) to accommodate said electrical contacts (17) and being closable, in a substantially hermetic mariner, by said support (18), which is interlocked reversibly in said box-like body (1 1) by way of said reversible interlocking means (29).

7. The carbon dioxide generator according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said reversible interlocking means (29) comprise a collar (31) that can be inserted in a contoured seat (32), which is provided in said box-like body (1 1) at an opening of said compartment (30), a sealing gasket (33) being associated selectively outside said collar (31 ) or inside said seat (32) to mutually seal them when said collar (31) is inserted in said seat (32).

8. The carbon dioxide generator according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an element (35) that surrounds said electrodes (12, 13), to contrast the dispersion in the water of the aquarium of fragments of said anode ( 12a).

9. The carbon dioxide generator according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one port (36) for the passage of water and/or carbon dioxide from and toward said anode (12a) is provided on said surrounding element (35).

10. The carbon dioxide generator according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said surrounding element (35) comprises two concentrical cylinders (37, 38), of which:

- a first cylinder (37) is associated with said box-like body ( 1 1) and has thereon said passage port (36),

- a second cylinder (38) is associated with said support (18), said cylinders (37, 38) joining each other so as to surround and substantially enclose said electrodes (12, 13).

1 1. The carbon dioxide generator according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said screen (19) comprises:

- a first part (22), which surrounds a first electrode (12) of said electrodes (12, 13), interposing itself between said first electrode (12) and the second electrode (13) of said electrodes (12, 13), proximate to their part connected to said electrical contacts (17), — a second part (23), which surrounds said first electrode (12) only partially.

12. The carbon dioxide generator according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said readjustment means comprise a knob (20) for the rotation of said screen ( 19), which is associated therewith and faces externally said box-like body ( 1 1 ) for its actuation by the user, said screen ( 19) being rotatable, substantially coaxially around said first electrode (12), for the progressive and reversible interposition between said first electrode (12) and said second electrode (13) of said second part (23) of said screen (19). 13. The carbon dioxide generator according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises indicators (39) of the degree of interposition of said second part (23) between said first and second electrodes (12,

13), which are provided outside said box-like body (1 1) and are exposed to the view of the user.

14. The carbon dioxide generator according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said recirculation means (21) comprise, inside said box-like body (1 1), a duct (40) for directing the water of the aquarium, which is pushed by said pump (25), towards said electrodes (12, 13).

15. The carbon dioxide generator according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said support (18) is overmolded on said electrodes (12, 13).

16. The carbon dioxide generator according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that holes (41) for discharging gases accumulated in said box-like body (1 1) are provided thereon.