The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 31, 2026
Filed:
Aug. 29, 2024
Howard Day, Houston, TX (US);
Howard Day, Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
An automated skimmer system includes a skimmer mouth comprising a conveyor ledge, a conveyor at least partially disposed under the conveyor ledge having a paddle wheel and a water-porous conveyor belt disposed about the paddle wheel, a conveyor debris collector disposed lower than the conveyor at a discharge end of the conveyor having a vacuum connection port, and a vacuum fluidly connected to the vacuum connection port. Water entering the skimmer mouth falls off the conveyor ledge, through the conveyor belt, onto the paddle wheel causing the paddle wheel to rotate and the conveyor belt to direct debris toward the conveyor debris collector for automated removal. The vacuum may be activated according to a predetermined interval, a predetermined schedule, or based on level sensor data to ensure that the automated skimmer system does not become clogged, without requiring manual intervention.