Patents Examined by Richard C Gurtowski
  • Patent number: 11110376
    Abstract: In a gravity fluid filtration system, upper and lower fluid reservoirs may be mated together. Unfiltered fluid may be supplied to the upper reservoir. One or more filters provide fluid communication between the upper and lower fluid reservoirs. Fluid may pass through the filters into the lower fluid reservoir. The weight of the fluid in the gravity filtration system may be monitored to maximize the fluid flow rate without loss of fluid by supporting the fluid reservoirs on a moveable platform interconnected to a stationary base by a force reactive linkage. Automatic fill components may be provided for automatically actuating a fluid supply valve connected to an unfiltered fluid source. As filtered fluid is withdrawn from the lower reservoir, actuation of the fluid supply valve to an open position may permit unfiltered fluid to be supplied to the upper reservoir. Supply of unfiltered fluid to the upper reservoir may be stopped upon actuation of the fluid supply valve to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Inventor: Joseph D Maresh
  • Patent number: 11103815
    Abstract: An apparatus for filtering a liquid includes a filter housing, at least one filter element arranged in the filter housing, and at least one sensor unit. The at least one sensor unit includes at least one sensor and a radio module. The at least one sensor is configured to detect an operating parameter representative of a state of at least the at least one filter element or the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Patric Brand, Adrien Mouaffo Tiadjio, Jochen Mueller, Peter Rehbein, Peter Stachnik, Sebastian Vornwald, Thomas Inderwies
  • Patent number: 11097958
    Abstract: Implementations of this disclosure are directed to systems, devices and methods for monitoring parameters associated with a body of liquid. In one embodiment, a device includes a container configured to be partially submerged in a liquid and includes sensors disposed within a submerged portion of the container to measure parameters associated with the liquid. An electronic component disposed within an unsubmerged portion of the container transmits information related to the parameters based upon which one or more actions related to treatment of the body of liquid are suggested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: ConnectedYard, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Miller, Mark Janes, Josh Kennedy, Scott Eklund
  • Patent number: 11090580
    Abstract: A method of dewatering a hydrocarbon storage tank carrying a first fluid layer that includes a first hydrogen concentration and a second fluid layer that includes a second hydrogen concentration includes receiving, from a sensor and by a processor communicatively coupled to the sensor, a value representing an amount of backscattered neutrons sensed by the sensor. The sensor is attached to a surface of a wall of the tank adjacent a fluid outlet of the storage tank. The sensor is configured to sense neutrons backscattered from the first fluid layer and an interface layer. The method includes comparing, by the processor, the value to a threshold, and actuating, by the processor, a valve fluidically coupled to the outlet of the storage tank to drain the first fluid layer from the storage tank while preventing the interface layer from leaving the storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Taher L. Al-Jundi, Aziz U. Rehman, Fadhel H. Asfoor, Isa H. Al-Mudaibegh
  • Patent number: 11090587
    Abstract: A system (10) for moving a fluid (12) includes a flow-circuit element (30) and a control system (32) that monitors an operational condition of the flow-circuit element (30). The control system (32) includes a first sensor (82) that monitors a first sensed condition, and a second sensor (84) that monitors a second sensed condition that is different from the first sensed condition. Further, the control system (32) includes a processor (76) that analyzes the first sensed condition and the second sensed condition to monitor the operational condition of the flow-circuit element (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Inventor: Takashi Nagata
  • Patent number: 11084071
    Abstract: The invention relates to a suction unit for a wastewater tank, comprising a suction channel extending from a suction adapter designed for attachment to a suction port in the wastewater tank, a connection coupling extending from the suction adapter, wherein said connection coupling and said suction channel are arranged so that the suction channel extends into the wastewater tank, a suction pump connected fluid-tightly to the connection coupling, and a pump control unit in signal communication with the suction pump. A flushing channel extends from a flush adapter designed for attachment to a flushing hole in the wastewater tank, the pump control unit being configured to extract wastewater from the wastewater tank through the suction channel, the connecting line and the suction pump by means of the suction pump, and wastewater is flushed from the wastewater tank through the flushing channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: VOGELSANG GMBH & CO KG
    Inventor: Martin Heinrichs
  • Patent number: 11083832
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a system and method for detection of a transient air bubble in an arterial blood flow path during dialysis (e.g., hemodialysis). The system uses measurements from an optical sensor to remove one or more effects of common factors affecting the absorbance of the light incident on the arterial tubing. These factors include color of medium within the arterial tubing, tubing color, angle of illumination, and temperature of the optical detector. A variance of the measurements from the optical sensor are used to determine whether an air bubble is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Mohammad M. Khair
  • Patent number: 11078096
    Abstract: A sensor is configured to sense a parameter of an aqueous liquid. The sensor has an analog output port configured to provide an analog signal indicative of a sensed parameter, and a calibration memory device storing individual digital information indicative of a calibration of the sensor. A digital output port provides a digital signal indicative of the digital information. A treatment system and method is matched to the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Digital Concepts of Missouri, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Greenwood, Christopher Seay Green, Kenneth W. Law
  • Patent number: 11078090
    Abstract: A manifold for domestic water purification systems having flow paths that can be redirected without having to change the physical structure of the manifold or water purification system—a structure to assist with proper installation and stabilization of specific filter cartridges, a memory reader for processing data relating to the state of the filter cartridges, a hinge system to allow for easier installation/removal of new and replacement filter cartridges, and a flow path structure to assist in adding accessories to the water filtration system without requiring a modification to the manifold structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Marmon Water (Singapore) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Vivek Kunwar Narendra Singh, Sathyanarayana Jujaray, Rajesh K N, Narendra Pratap Singh
  • Patent number: 11065560
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a liquid container monitoring and maintenance system. In an aspect, the liquid container monitoring and maintenance system (LCMMS) is a self-contained system that is compatible to monitor and maintain various liquids stored in various types and sizes of containers. In such aspects, the LCMMS is an all in one solution for monitoring and maintaining the liquid within the container. The LCMMS is configured to be an external system that can couple to various storage containers via various access ports. The LCMMS is configured to automatically monitor and maintain the liquid contained within the container. In an aspect, the LCMMS can be remotely controlled, as well as provide reporting to various users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: WILKES SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Chan Wilkes, Alex Lopez
  • Patent number: 11059731
    Abstract: A condensate neutralizer for connection to an appliance that discharges an acidic condensate liquid includes a reservoir containing a neutralizing media. An input conduit receives the acidic condensate liquid, and is connected to a reservoir inlet and a reservoir outlet is connected to a drain such that acidic condensate liquid flowing through an operating path flows through the neutralizing media to the drain. A bypass path connects the appliance directly to the drain such that acidic condensate liquid does not flow through the neutralizing media when flow through the operating path is restricted. A float is configured to move to a raised position where the float provides an alert visible to an operator when the acidic condensate liquid flows through the bypass path, and a float lock is operative to lock the float in the raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Axiom Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Kirk Nagus, Ian Slinger
  • Patent number: 11052182
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for checking a dialyzer for the presence of a leak in the semipermeable membrane of the dialyzer, wherein the membrane divides the inner dialyzer space into a least one blood chamber and into at least one dialyzate chamber, wherein the blood chamber is flowed through by blood in the operation of the dialyzer and is in fluid communication with a blood-side line system and the vascular system of the patient, and wherein the dialyzate chamber is flowed through by dialysis fluid in the operation of the dialyzer and is in fluid communication with a dialyzate-side line system, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) emptying the blood chamber or the dialyzate chamber of blood and of dialysis fluid respectively and keeping the fluid (blood or dialyzate) in the non-emptied dialyzate chamber or blood chamber; b) building up a test pressure by means of a gas, in particular by means of air, in the emptied blood chamber or in the emptied dialyzate chamber; and c)
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Reiner Spickermann, Gerhard Wiesen
  • Patent number: 11046590
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring deposit formation in a process having an aqueous flow is provided. According to exemplary embodiments, a feed flow of an aqueous liquid is provided onto a receiving surface to be monitored. At least part of a receiving surface is illuminated with at least one light source. Visual data is collected across the receiving surface and analyzed. The quality and type of deposition attached to the receiving surface is classified based on information obtained from the analyzed visual data, and a quantitative scaling and/or fouling indication is computed based on the classification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: KEMIRA OYJ
    Inventors: Marjatta Piironen, Iiris Joensuu, Mehrdad Hesampour, Jaakko Ekman
  • Patent number: 11046599
    Abstract: A method of automatically controlling chloramine concentration in a body of water contained in a reservoir includes: (a) determining residual chloramine concentration in a first water sample obtained from the body of water; (b) automatically engaging a supply of chlorine to add chlorine to the body of water when the residual chloramine concentration in the first water sample is determined to be below a residual chloramine concentration set-point or a first chloramine concentration percentage; (c) determining residual chloramine concentration in a second water sample obtained from the body of water after step (b); and (d) automatically engaging a supply of ammonia and the supply of chlorine to add both ammonia and chlorine to the body of water if the residual chloramine concentration in the second water sample is determined to be below the residual chloramine concentration in the first water sample or a second chloramine concentration percentage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: UGSI Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Brent A. Simmons
  • Patent number: 11040891
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for dosing reagents in water disinfection plants, wherein said method comprises adding said reagents in said plants in amounts defined on the basis of a parameter established a priori as a function of the following parameters: plant volume and/or frequency of use of the plant and/or characteristics of the fresh water introduced therein, said amounts being corrected with a correction factor established following a comparison carried out between the levels of said reagents as actually measured in circulation and reference values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: SANIPUR S.R.L.
    Inventors: Gianfranco Garusi, Francesco Garusi, Stefano Melada
  • Patent number: 11034595
    Abstract: The present invention is a water purification system and method including a treatment tank with a water inlet, a chlorine source, and a heating element; at least one storage tank with at least one treated water outlet between the treatment tank and the storage tank(s) through which treated water passes therebetween, and a final water outlet(s) through which treated water leaves the system for the benefit of the end user. A power source powers all elements that require power, such as the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Inventor: Leon John Davidson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11007310
    Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating the post-treatment ultrafiltration rate of a patient are provided. A medical device can be configured to determine an estimated post-treatment ultrafiltration rate based on one or more values associated with a patient prepared to undergo treatment with the medical device. The medical device can also be configured to compare the estimated post-treatment ultrafiltration rate with one or more threshold values. The medical device can be configured to have an alert module, which can be activated when the estimated post-treatment ultrafiltration rate exceeds the one or more threshold values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Singer, Shawn Sobelman, Robert Kossmann, Martin Joseph Crnkovich, Roland Levin
  • Patent number: 10990115
    Abstract: A chemical controller for an aquatic application comprising an output relay. The chemical controller further includes a current detection circuit configured to detect current on an output of the output relay and a current fault detection device configured to output a current fault signal when a current fault condition has occurred. A relay latch of the chemical controller receives the relay enable signal and the current fault signal and decouples the relay enable signal from a corresponding output when a current fault condition has occurred. A relay drive circuit receives a signal from the corresponding output to responsively activate and deactivate the output relay. A watchdog timer circuit causes the output relay to be deactivated in response to detecting a hung processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Lewis, Greg Lyons
  • Patent number: 10988392
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for optimization of coagulation and/or flocculation in a water treatment process. According to exemplary embodiments, samples are taken from an aqueous liquid and the samples are monitored with an imaging device to capture visual data of particles dispersed or suspended in the liquid. The particles are classified into particle types based on the visual data and a particle size distribution indication is computed for each classified particle type. The particle size distribution indication is then compared to a predetermined particle size distribution value, and in response to a difference detected, dosage of at least one coagulation and/or flocculation agent in the water treatment process can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: KEMIRA OYJ
    Inventors: Marjatta Piironen, Iiris Joensuu, Mehrdad Hesampour
  • Patent number: 10987671
    Abstract: Reservoir-based management of volumetric flow rates in fluidic systems is generally described. Inventive systems and methods for liquid-liquid separations and/or liquid-gas separations are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Zaiput Flow Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Andrea Adamo, Robert Andrew Butters, Trevor Charles Murray