Jerry L Erickson

US Patent:

20030217969, Nov 27, 2003

Filed:

Jan 22, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/349677

Inventors:

Jerry Erickson - Bainbridge Island WA, US

Assignee:

SOILSOUP INC.

International Classification:

B01D047/16
C02F003/02

US Classification:

210/620000, 261/093000

Abstract:

A compost aerator for aerating a compost/liquid mixture. The aerator has a aerator pump located downstream from a liquid inlet. The aerator pump has a plurality of impellers mounted on a rotor which spins within a circular channel though which the liquid flows. The liquid is propelled through the channel by the impellers and, as the area of the channel decreases downstream from the impellers caused by the increase in diameter of the rotor, the velocity of the liquid increases. Air enters the channel upstream from the impellers and is drawn with the liquid through the channel. The diameter of the rotor then decreases significantly thereby causing the area of the liquid carrying channel to increase suddenly downstream of the widest portion of the rotor. Turbulence occurs in this area and bubbles are formed which are released from the outlet of the compost aerator into the compost/liquid mixture to perform aeration for bacterial breakdown.

US Patent:

20040032032, Feb 19, 2004

Filed:

May 9, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/435599

Inventors:

Jerry Erickson - Bainbridge Island WA, US

Assignee:

SOILSOUP INC.

International Classification:

B01F003/04

US Classification:

261/093000, 071/006000

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for producing a liquid compost material. A starter compost material is added to water within a first tank and nutrients are further added. The materials are aerated for a first known time period to facilitate bacterial breakdown until the formation of the liquid compost material or tea is complete whereupon a portion of the tea is removed. Water is added together with nutrients to the remaining tea in the tank and aeration continues for a second and much smaller time period. Liquid compost material is again formed in the tank within the second time period.

US Patent:

6520490, Feb 18, 2003

Filed:

Sep 23, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/405288

Inventors:

Jerry Erickson - Bainbridge Island WA

Assignee:

Soilsoup Inc. - Shoreline WA

International Classification:

B01F 304

US Classification:

261 93, 261 91

Abstract:

A compost aerator for aerating a compost/liquid mixture. The aerator has a aerator pump located downstream from a liquid inlet. The aerator pump has a plurality of impellers mounted on a rotor which spins within a circular channel though which the liquid flows. The liquid is propelled through the channel by the impellers and, as the area of the channel decreases downstream from the impellers caused by the increase in diameter of the rotor, the velocity of the liquid increases. Air enters the channel upstream from the impellers and is drawn with the liquid through the channel. The diameter of the rotor then decreases significantly thereby causing the area of the liquid carrying channel to increase suddenly downstream of the widest portion of the rotor. Turbulence occurs in this area and bubbles are formed which are released from the outlet of the compost aerator into the compost/liquid mixture to perform aeration for bacterial breakdown.