Having Membrane Patents (Class 210/257.2)
  • Patent number: 11970408
    Abstract: An embodiment of this disclosure provides a liquid treatment device, including: a housing 10 having a housing body 16 and a cover body 11, wherein the housing body 16 is open at one end in a length direction and is close at the other end, the cover body 11 is matched with the one end of the housing body 16 for sealing the one end, and the cover body 11 is provided with an inlet 13 for a liquid to flow into the cover body 11; a reverse osmosis membrane unit 20 located in an accommodation space enclosed by the housing body 16 and the cover body 11, the reverse osmosis membrane unit 20 including a reverse osmosis membrane 24 for performing reverse osmosis treatment on the liquid, a collector tube 27 collects a purified liquid obtained by the reverse osmosis treatment, and a support rod 22 supporting the reverse osmosis membrane 24, wherein the reverse osmosis membrane 24 includes a liquid inlet 21 at one end in the length direction; and a filter 30 arranged in the cover body 11 and located between the liquid inl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Canpro Water Treatment Inc.
    Inventor: Yiu Chau Chau
  • Patent number: 11951443
    Abstract: Described is a method for concentration and extraction of gas field chemicals. The method includes collecting produced water from a gas oil separation plant, treating the produced water to remove oil, and receiving a feed solution containing a gas field chemical and water. The treated produced water is used as a draw solution to concentrate and absorb water from the feed solution using a forward osmosis chamber. A concentrated feed solution containing the gas field chemical and a diluted draw solution is produced. The concentrated feed solution is extracted and stored for injection into gas wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Mohamed A. Soliman
  • Patent number: 11952262
    Abstract: Dispenser (10), for the dispensing of drinking water and/or other beverages, comprising: —a cabinet (100); —a user interface (112); —a dispensing compartment (113) having a support surface (1130) for a container (9) to be filled; —at least one nozzle (114) for the dispensing of drinking water and/or other beverages, positioned over said support surface (1130); —a washing compartment (1) for said container (9), said washing compartment (1) comprising: —a washing device for dispensing one or more washing fluids inside said container (9), —a drain (60) for draining one or more washing fluids outside said washing compartment (1), wherein said washing compartment (1) for said container (9) comprises: a basket (11) adapted to contain said container (9) to be washed in an upside down setup, said basket (11) being movable between: —a first operating position, wherein said basket (11) is completely inserted inside said washing compartment (1) to enable to wash the container (9) contained therein, —and a second operati
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Blupura S.R.L.
    Inventor: Gianni Grottini
  • Patent number: 11926551
    Abstract: Provided is a water treatment system 50 having: a first unit 100 having a dirty water generation source; a second unit 200 designed to purify water, the second unit 200 having at least one of a purification tank, a solid-liquid separation tank, and an oil separation tank, and conducting a primary treatment of contaminated water that is received; and a third unit 300 having a contaminated-water inlet, a primary reception tank, an intermediate treatment tank, a reserve treatment tank, a circulation treatment tank, a concentrated water and impurity tank, and an aseptic drainage tank. Each of the first to third units is equipped with a sensor and a valve. The third unit is furthermore equipped with a control device and at least one of a pump, a sterilization device, a disinfection device, and a sterilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Oxum, Inc.
    Inventors: Kageto Imahashi, Isao Ishida
  • Patent number: 11878917
    Abstract: A ruggedized portable water treatment system having a protective exoskeleton that supports and enshrouds the principle operating components of the water treatment system. In one embodiment, the water treatment system includes a water pump and one or more water treatment components that are disposed within the protective confines of the exoskeleton. In one embodiment, the exoskeleton includes top and bottom plates that are joined by a central support and a plurality of external supports. The principle operating components of the water treatment system, such as the water pump and the water treatment components, are mounted to the central support and are fully contained within and protected by the external supports. The external supports are disposed outwardly of the water pump and the water treatment components to form a rigid cage configured to protect the internally positioned components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Blu Technology, LLC
    Inventors: John E. Sztykiel, Timothy A. Gerber, Shabtai C. Hirshberg
  • Patent number: 11851222
    Abstract: A method for producing sterile solution product bags includes positioning a manifold assembly onto a filling machine. The manifold assembly includes a plurality of bags, a first filter, and a connection line in fluid communication with the first filter. Each of the plurality of bags includes a bladder and a stem in fluid communication with the bladder and with the connection line. The method includes activating a pump and at least partially filling one or more of the bladders by pumping fluid through the feed line, the first filter, and the connection line. The method includes sealing the stem of each of the filled product bags at a location between the connection line and the bladder, thereby creating one or more at least partially filled and sealed product bags. The method includes separating each of the at least partially filled and sealed product bags from the connection line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignees: BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC., BAXTER HEALTHCARE SA
    Inventors: Joseph John Kircher, Karl Hans Cazzini, James Mitchell White, Julien Beauquet
  • Patent number: 11840469
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for providing potable water, which apparatus comprises a plurality of components linked in series to provide a flow path through the apparatus, wherein the plurality of components comprises: (i) an inlet (4) for a stream of contaminated water requiring purification; (ii) a centrifugal separator (20) for separating the contaminated water stream into a partially purified water stream and a contaminant stream; (iii) a pre-filter pump (26); (iv) a pre-filter pressure sensor (30); (v) a first filter assembly (32) comprising one or more filter modules for removing particles of a predetermined size and/or removing organic contaminants from the partially purified water stream; (vi) a post-filter pressure sensor (38); (vii) a post-filter pump (40); (viii) a second filter assembly comprising one or more reverse osmosis filters (48); (ix) a UV steriliser unit (52); and (x) an outlet (6) for purified potable water; and wherein the apparatus further comprises an electronic controller (
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: GM INNOVATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Gerard Melling, Alan Suttie, Brian Loudon, John Elliot
  • Patent number: 11788312
    Abstract: A water quality management system for a water installation containing water. In some embodiments, the system includes a water quality measurement module adapted to monitor the water quality of the water in the water installation and to send water quality information to a controller; a chemical dispensing module adapted to dispense chemicals directly into the water installation in response to signals from the controller; and a communication mechanism configured to provide communication among the controller, the water quality measurement module, the chemical dispensing module and a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: WaterGuru Inc.
    Inventors: Tadmor Shalon, Richard A. Falk
  • Patent number: 11767678
    Abstract: A system for the removal of volatile products resulting from the disinfection of water in a swimming pool, including a main channel arranged at an edge of a swimming pool and to collect overflowing water from the pool, air suction holes distributed along the main channel, the suction holes facing the internal volume of the main channel and being arranged at a height above the free water surface in the main channel, ventilation device configured to generate a suction flow of air from the suction holes. The system includes an air insufflation device arranged in the main channel at a height below the free surface of the water in the main channel, the air insufflation device generating a flow of air to strip the gases dissolved in the water in the main channel, from the liquid phase to the gaseous phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: A & T EUROPE S.P.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Colletto
  • Patent number: 11693434
    Abstract: A water quality monitoring system is provided, including several sensors, several actuators, and an embedded system. The sensors sense environmental parameters and separately output a plurality of sensing signals including the environmental parameters. The actuators change the environmental parameters. The embedded system includes a storage module, a data collection module, a data analysis module, and a control module. The storage module stores a plurality of normal parameter ranges that correspond to the respective environmental parameters. The data collection module is connected to the sensors for receiving the sensing signals. The data analysis module is connected to the storage module and the data collection module to determine whether the sensing signals are abnormal according to the normal parameter ranges and output a determination result. The control module is connected to the data analysis module to control the actuators or output a warning signal according to the determination result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Wang-Shen Ni, Wen-Yu Chuang, Hao-Chieh Chang
  • Patent number: 11617381
    Abstract: The bottling system herein provides for dispensing water with added ingredients into a container. The bottling system includes a distillation station for distilling a flow of the water, an ionization station for raising the pH of the flow of water, one or more ingredient injection stations to add the ingredients into the flow of water, and a filling station for filling the container with the flow of water with the added ingredients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
    Inventors: Nilesh Bansilal Karava, Kevin LaFrance, Juliana Fritts, Mark Andrew LeGrett, Michael Etters, Jay S. Hamme
  • Patent number: 11608282
    Abstract: Provided are hybrid electrochemical and membrane-based systems for removing silica from water stream to achieve ultra-pure water. The silica concentration of a feed water stream may dictate the most effective and economical variation of disclosed hybrid processes to use. For example, for a feed water stream having a silica concentration of 1-30 ppm, a hybrid system for treating the feed water includes an electrodialysis reversal unit, the electrodialysis reversal unit comprising an inlet stream and a product outlet stream; a reverse osmosis unit, the reverse osmosis unit comprising an inlet stream and a product outlet stream, wherein the inlet stream of the reverse osmosis unit comprises the product outlet stream of the electrodialysis reversal unit; and an electrodeionization unit, the electrodeionization unit comprising an inlet stream and a product outlet stream, wherein the inlet stream of the electrodeionization unit comprises the product outlet stream of the reverse osmosis unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Magna Imperio Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Michael James Connor, Jr., Amanda Yoshino
  • Patent number: 11597669
    Abstract: An apparatus for the mineralization of drinking water has a housing with an inlet and an outlet, a filter positioned in the housing, a container receptacle assembly affixed to or formed on the housing, a pump cooperative with the container receptacle assembly, and a manifold connected to an outlet of the pump and to an outlet of the filter. The filter is connected to the inlet of the housing and adapted to filter contaminants. The container receptacle assemblies adapted to connect with a bottle containing a mineral or supplement therein. The pump is adapted to pass the mineral or supplement in a measured amount from the bottle. The manifold is adapted to mix the mineral or supplement with the filtered water so as to discharge a mineralized drinking water through the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Inventor: Patrick Gwen
  • Patent number: 11555302
    Abstract: A heated and chilled water dispenser comprising: a housing; an input port fast with the housing for connection to a mains pressure water supply; at least one chilled water container arranged to receive water from the input port; a water chilling assembly arranged to cool said at least one chilled water container; at least one hot water tank including a heating element and a water receiving arrangement to receive water from the input port, the water receiving arrangement including an inlet valve responsive to water level; an inlet plenum associated with the inlet valve, the plenum being coupled with the input port to receive water, the plenum further comprising a fill pipe coupled to the hot water tank for supplying water to the hot water tank; a thermostat coupled to said at least one hot water tank for controlling the heating element and thus temperature of water within the hot water tank; a two way outlet tap configured for dispensing hot water from the hot water supply or chilled water from the chilled wat
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: XPRS Systems Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Trevor John Kop
  • Patent number: 11540661
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method are provided for preparing water for human consumption. Water from a public or other source is input to the system or apparatus and is filtered internal or external to the system/apparatus. A temperature adjustment may be applied, such as cooling or heating the water to a specific or approximate temperature. One or more water enhancements may be added to the water, in specified amounts or proportions. Enhancements potentially include flavoring agents, sweeteners, vitamins, nutrients, minerals, carbonation, and so on. A given combination of enhancements and corresponding amounts, and possibly other characteristics (e.g., the temperature, a quantity of water to prepare), may be saved as a recipe. The system, apparatus and method operate in association with an application or online service for creating, sharing, and preparing recipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventor: Wendell D. Brown
  • Patent number: 11524262
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to tangential flow filters, membranes, and ultrafiltration membranes, for various applications, including bioprocessing and pharmaceutical applications, systems employing such filters, and methods of filtration using the same. In an aspect, an alternating tangential flow system for continuous processing may include a feed line containing a fluid. A retentate line may be in fluid communication with the feed line. A first diaphragm may be at an inlet of the retentate line configured to pump fluid toward an outlet of the retentate line. A second diaphragm may be at the outlet of the retentate line configured to pump fluid toward the inlet of the retentate line. A membrane may be in fluid communication with the retentate line between the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm. A retentate pump may be at the retentate outlet configured to pump the fluid out of the retentate line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: REPLIGEN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mark A. Perreault
  • Patent number: 11498852
    Abstract: An ultrapure water (UPW) generation and verification system can include a cleaning chemical station, a cleanup column, a conductivity verification station, and a holding reservoir, in fluid communication with one another. The cleaning chemical station can be configured to selectably permit a flow of water to pass therethrough to the cleanup column or to block the flow of water and instead deliver a cleaning chemical to the cleanup column. The conductivity verification station can be configured to selectably perform at least one of the following: permit water to flow from the cleanup column to the holding reservoir; direct fluid to waste; or test the conductivity of the water for a purity level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Elemental Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Wiederin, Mason Spilinek, Tyler Yost, Michael Volkmar
  • Patent number: 11446418
    Abstract: A dialysate solution container includes a flexible first bag body. The dialysate solution container further includes a second bag body which has a mixing region for mixing a first powdered pharmaceutical agent and water at a lower end portion of a second interior. The second bag body further has a communication pipe that places the exterior of the second bag body and the second interior in communication, and a first filter which is in communication with a first interior of the first bag body. A first end of the communication pipe is capable of being connected to a dialysis circuit, and a second end thereof is disposed within the mixing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Nikkiso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nimura, Masato Fujiwara, Takayoshi Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 11230479
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and process for treating a feedwater wherein the system includes at least one RO or nanofiltration unit that receives a feed under high pressure and produces a concentrate that is directed to and held at low pressure in a concentrate accumulator. Generally the permeate or the inlet feedwater is maintained at a constant flow rate. Periodically the system is switched from a mode 1 or normal operating process to a mode 2 where the concentrate is drained from the concentrate accumulator. However, in mode 2, the feedwater is still directed into the system and through the RO or nanofiltration unit which produces the permeate and the concentrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Support
    Inventors: Bernard Roy Mack, Dale L. Wynkoop
  • Patent number: 10875986
    Abstract: Graphene fibers made from a graphene film formed into an elongated fiber-like shape and composite materials made from the graphene fibers. The graphene film has amine groups formed on at least an outer surface of the graphene film and epoxide groups formed on at least one edge of the graphene film. The amine groups are formed in a functionalized area on the outer surface of the graphene film that is within about 10 microns from the at least one edge of the graphene film, or the functionalized area may extend the entire width of the graphene film. The graphene film may also have holes formed through the graphene film. The elongated fiber-like shapes may be the graphene film in a rolled spiral orientation or the graphene film in a twisted formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Keith Daniel Humfeld, Kenneth H. Griess
  • Patent number: 10874786
    Abstract: A dialysis device implantable in a patient for dialysis includes a filtration unit. The filtration unit includes at least one dialysis chamber for containing and/or circulating dialysate; and at least one blood chamber for containing and/or circulating blood of the patient, disposed on at least one dialysis chamber and being in communication with the at least one dialysis chamber. Each of the at least one dialysis chamber and the at least one blood chamber comprise at least one inlet for circulating fluid into and/or out of the at least one dialysis chamber and the at least one blood chamber. The at least one dialysis chamber and the at least one blood chamber are configured such that the blood in the at least one blood chamber and the dialysate in the at least one dialysis chamber operably interact with each other for dialysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: NEPHRODITE LLC
    Inventors: Hiep Nguyen, Nikhil Shah, Julie Wilderman
  • Patent number: 10634591
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a medical-sample filtration device includes: a container including at least one wall forming an internal surface, a first aperture adjacent to a first end of the wall, and a second aperture adjacent to a second end of the wall; a movable insert positioned within the container and including an external surface of a size and shape to reversibly mate with the internal surface of the container; a positioning unit affixed to the internal surface close to the second aperture; a filter unit affixed to the second aperture; a sample conduit affixed to the filter unit; a valve unit attached to the sample conduit; and a connector operable to close the valve when the movable insert is in a predefined position relative to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Tokitae LLC
    Inventors: John Thomas Connelly, Stephen Paul Harston, Bernhard Hans Weigl, Ozgur Emek Yildirim
  • Patent number: 10549240
    Abstract: A water filtration system (100) includes a filter cartridge assembly (10), a water-inlet conduit (20), a purified-water conduit (30), a pure-water conduit (40) and a waste-discharge conduit (50). The filter cartridge assembly (10) has a water inlet (110), a purified-water outlet (120) and a purified-water outlet (140). The water-inlet conduit (20) is in communication with the water inlet (110). The pure-water conduit (40) is in communication with the pure-water outlet (140). The purified-water conduit (30) is in communication with the purified-water outlet (120) and has a first valve body (320) configured to control on and off of the purified-water conduit (30). The waste-discharge conduit (50) is in communication with the purified-water conduit (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignees: FOSHAN SHUNDE MIDEA WATER DISPENSER MFG. CO., LTD., MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Lyu Yang
  • Patent number: 10449280
    Abstract: Disclosed are hemodialysis and similar dialysis systems including fluid flow circuits. Hemodialysis systems may include a blood flow path, and a dialysate flow path including balancing, mixing, and/or a directing circuits. Preparation of dialysate may be decoupled from patient dialysis. Circuits may be defined within one or more cassettes. The fluid circuit and/or the various fluid flow paths may be isolated from electrical components. A gas supply may be provided that, when activated, is able to urge dialysate through the dialyzer and blood back to the patient. Such a system may be useful during a power failure. The hemodialysis system may also include fluid handling devices, such as pumps, valves, mixers, etc., actuated using a control fluid. The control fluid may be delivered to the fluid handling devices using a detachable external pump. The fluid handling devices may have a spheroid shape with a diaphragm dividing it into two compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Michael J. Wilt, Jason A. Demers, Kevin L. Grant, Brian D. Tracey, James D. Dale
  • Patent number: 10322361
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a water purifying system, including: a raw water tank configured to store raw water; a filter unit configured to include a plurality of filtration modules for purifying the raw water and a plurality of valves for feeding or cutting off the raw water; a raw water pump configured to feed the raw water from the raw water tank to the filter unit; and a backwash module configured to feed backwash water to the filter unit, in which some of permeate water permeated by the filter unit is fed to the backwash module to be used as the backwash water and a feed pressure of the backwash water is fed by the raw water pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries Construction Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Woo Nyoung Lee, Sung Won Park
  • Patent number: 10272238
    Abstract: An electrode sheet attachable to living tissues is provided. The electrode sheet includes a hydrogel, a non-metallic conductive filler dispersed in the hydrogel, and a pharmaceutical or cosmetic transdermal component dispersed in the hydrogel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsumi Yamabe
  • Patent number: 10259724
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating water or liquids in general, including a reverse osmosis filtration device provided with at least one inlet associated with a line for supplying the liquid to be treated, at least one outlet of the permeate associated with a line for dispensing the treated liquid and at least one concentrate outlet associated with a line for discharging the waste. The particularity of the present invention resides in that it includes, downstream of the filtration device, at least one tank that forms inside it two adjacent chambers with a mutually variable volume, in which one chamber is connected to the delivery line while the other chamber is connected to the discharge line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: FEELFREE SRL
    Inventor: Franco Carlotto
  • Patent number: 10094096
    Abstract: A water storage tank built for a reverse osmosis water purifying system deploys multi water flow passages of purified water and drainage water, allocated a soft bladder unit receiving purified water encompassed by the waste water in the tank. When the water tank unit is fully filled with water, the water pressure activates the auto-shut-off valve or solenoid valve to stop operation of the reverse osmosis water purifying system. When the dispensing faucet is turned on, the drainage water swells to squeeze the soft bladder unit to deliver the purified water out from the soft bladder unit to the dispensing faucet, and the drainage water flushes the reverse osmosis membrane as well. The technique enables the tank to take the least water pressure resistance to hold water and drain water which results in energy saving and water saving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Maxtec Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Shih Ping Lee
  • Patent number: 9963369
    Abstract: A portable power generation and water filtration unit includes a first pump system, a second pump system, a power system, and an enclosure for housing and support. The first pump system consists of an inlet, outlet, and pump unit that is capable of connecting and pumping water from a source to a destination such as a plumbing fixture. The second pump system also includes a filter system, reverse osmosis treatment unit, and alkaline treatment unit. In addition to pumping water, the second pump is used to create sanitized water which is safe and healthful for human use and consumption. In order to supply the necessary electricity for the pump systems, a solar panels and convert sunlight to energy for storage in batteries. The batteries are then electrically connected to pumps and other electrical components, allowing the apparatus to be used off the electrical grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Inventor: Steven J. Meunier
  • Patent number: 9833748
    Abstract: A fluid deionizer includes at least one graphene sheet perforated with apertures dimensioned to allow a flow of fluid and to disallow at least one particular type of ion contained in the flow of fluid. A purge valve is placed in an open position so as to collect the at least one particular type of ion disallowed by the graphene sheet so as to clean off the at least one graphene sheet. Another embodiment provides a deionizer with graphene sheets in cylindrical form. A separation apparatus is also provided in a cross-flow arrangement where a pressurized source directs a medium along a path substantially parallel to at least one sheet of graphene from an inlet to an outlet. The medium flows through the plural perforated apertures while a remaining portion of the medium and the disallowed components in the medium flow out the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: John B. Stetson, Jr., Jonathan Mercurio, Alan Rosenwinkel, Peter V. Bedworth, Shawn P. Fleming, Aaron L. Westman
  • Patent number: 9616388
    Abstract: A water filtering system including an inlet, an outlet and a filter positioned between the inlet and the outlet, where feed water enters the inlet and passes through the filter, and filtered water exits the through the outlet. A measurement device is connected to at least one of the inlet and the outlet measures a concentration of Total Dissolved Solids in at least one of the inlet and the outlet. A bypass valve is connected between the inlet and the outlet, and moves between a closed position and an open position, where the filtered water moves from the outlet to the inlet. A controller communicates with the measurement device and the bypass valve and automatically moves the bypass valve to a position between the closed position and the open position based on the concentration of the Total Dissolved Solids in the filtered water measured by the measurement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: CULLIGAN INTERNATIONAL COMPANY
    Inventors: Christian Pimentel, Kerry Quinn, Doug Anderson, Zach Schroeck
  • Patent number: 9517438
    Abstract: Functionalized membranes for use in applications, such as electrodeionization, can be prepared simply and efficiently by associating a first element of a specific binding pair to a membrane surface and binding a second species comprising the second element of the specific binding pair and at least one functional group to form a complex on the membrane surface. Such membranes may be reversibly modified by disassociating the complex, thereby, providing a fresh surface which may be re-modified according to the preceding methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Seth Adrian Miller
  • Patent number: 9388448
    Abstract: A system and method for processing samples. The system can include a loading chamber, a detection chamber positioned in fluid communication with the loading chamber, and a fluid path defined at least partially by the loading chamber and the detection chamber. The system can further include a filter positioned such that at least one of its inlet and its outlet is positioned in the fluid path. The method can include positioning a sample in the loading chamber, filtering the sample in the fluid path to form a concentrated sample and a filtrate, removing the filtrate from the fluid path at a location upstream of the detection chamber, moving at least a portion of the concentrated sample in the fluid path to the detection chamber, and analyzing at least a portion of the concentrated sample in the detection chamber for an analyte of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Kurt J. Halverson
  • Patent number: 9017551
    Abstract: A side access tank facility including an enclosure for containing water therein. The enclosure has an opening disposed in a side wall thereof. A cover covers the opening in a water sealing engagement with the enclosure. The side access tank facility further comprises an in-tank equipment holding structure for holding in-tank equipment at a predetermined position inside the enclosure. A moving mechanism is provided for moving the in-tank equipment holding structure between a position inside the enclosure and a position outside the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Newterra Group Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert J. Kennedy, Jeff J. Kempson, Paul C. Brake
  • Publication number: 20150108056
    Abstract: The invention provides microfluidic devices and methods of using such devices for filtering solutions, such as blood.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2015
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph I. Charest, Jeffrey T. Borenstein, M. Amin Arnaout
  • Publication number: 20150096937
    Abstract: A portable water purification system is disclosed. The system can have a water storage receptacle, a reverse osmosis filter, a pump, and a solar panels array group. The reverse osmosis filter can be configurable to convert source water into drinkable water, and the pump can be configurable to provide the source water from a water source to the reverse osmosis filter. The array group can have at least one bi-fold solar panel array, and the array group can be configurable to provide power for the pump. The water storage receptacle can be configurable to contain the drinkable water in one configuration and configurable to contain at least one component of the purification system for storage in another configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: Kevin E. Munro
  • Patent number: 8980087
    Abstract: A system and method for filtering is disclosed, which is capable of accomplishing a filtering operation at a high recovery rate of 96% or more, and realizing a compact and simplified system structure, the system comprising a water bath including an inlet and a discharging hole, wherein feed water to be treated is supplied to the inside of the water bath through the inlet, and concentrated water is discharged out through the discharging hole; and plural membrane cassettes including first and second membrane cassettes submerged into the feed water contained in the water bath, wherein the first membrane cassette is positioned nearest to the inlet, and the second membrane cassette is positioned nearest to the discharging hole, wherein the first membrane cassette treats the feed water with a first impurity concentration; the second membrane cassette treats the feed water with a second impurity concentration; and the first impurity concentration is smaller than the second impurity concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Kolon Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Kwang-Jin Lee
  • Publication number: 20150041395
    Abstract: A micro flow filtration system comprises a fluid circuitry (3) and a first reservoir (1) outside the circuitry (3) suitable for containing a fluid. The fluid circuitry (3) comprises a tangential flow filtration module (10) capable of separating the fluid sample into a retentate stream and a permeate stream upon passage of the fluid sample into the tangential flow filtration module (10) through an inlet feed (18). The fluid circuitry (3) further comprises a second reservoir (2) integrated in the fluid circuitry (3), a pump (5) for creating and driving a fluid flow, optionally at least one pressure sensor (6, 7 or 8) for acquiring and detecting data about the fluid sample, optionally a pressure regulator (9) for regulating the flow in the fluid circuitry (3) and a plurality of conduits (22) forming the fluid circuitry (3) together with the second reservoir (2), the TFF-module (10), the pump (5), the pressure sensor (6, 7 or 8) (if present) and the pressure regulator (9) (if present).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.
    Inventors: Norbert Oranth, Nadine Losleben, Sascha Lutz, Adelbert Grossmann
  • Patent number: 8925738
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a water treatment membrane having high chlorine resistance and high permeability, the method including: forming an aqueous amine solution layer on a porous support, using an aqueous amine solution including a fluorine compound having an epoxy group in a terminal thereof and an amine compound; and forming a polyamide layer containing the fluorine compound by bringing an organic solution containing acyl halide into contact with the aqueous amine solution layer, and a water treatment membrane manufactured using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Hong Kim, Young-Hoon Ko, Chong-Kyu Shin
  • Publication number: 20140360937
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis treatment device includes: a first pressure vessel for treating an untreated water to produce a primarily treated water and a first permeated water; a second pressure vessel for treating the primarily treated water to produce a secondarily treated water and a second permeated water; a first cleaning solution tank for storing a first cleaning solution for cleaning the first pressure vessel; and a second cleaning solution tank for storing a second cleaning solution for cleaning the second pressure vessel. Each of the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel has therein a reverse osmosis membrane element having a reverse osmosis membrane. The first cleaning solution tank is connected to the first concentrate outlet pipe of the first pressure vessel, and the second cleaning solution tank is connected to the inlet pipe for the primarily treated water of the second pressure vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Kotaro Kitamura, Shinichi Yoshikawa, Hiroki Miyakawa
  • Publication number: 20140342446
    Abstract: Described are filtration systems that can be referred to as Pneumatic Alternating Cell Separators (PACS), useful components thereof in the form of assemblies or kits of parts that can be used to build the system, and use of the system for filtering fluids, for instance, in cell culture perfusion systems comprising a filter-containing chamber, an expansion chamber and a gas flow controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Alain PRALONG, Hans Ulrich Dellenbach
  • Patent number: 8883006
    Abstract: A fluid treatment system for treating feed water includes a first tubular member having first and second ends, at least one second tubular member having first and second ends, a pump positioned within the first tubular member, a filtering membrane positioned within the second tubular member, a first end cap for receiving the first ends of the first and second tubular members, and a second end cap for receiving the second ends of the first and second tubular members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Kinetico Incorporated
    Inventors: Jerome Kovach, Stuart L. Park, Peter R. Halemba
  • Patent number: 8882997
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for separating particles and dissolved matter from a produced water fluid stream. Specifically, the present invention includes a first pressure source which transports untreated produced water or contaminated aqueous fluid into a separator annulus with a filter element disposed therein. The untreated fluid is placed under appropriate pressure sufficient to produce turbulent flow, increased particle kinetics and/or cavitation allowing the desired fluid to penetrate and pass into and through the, filter media. The treated fluid is then transported to a collection tank. The contaminant matter retained by the filter media may be removed by the nearly instantaneous reverse pressurization of the separator annulus by a second pressure source thereby removing the contaminant particles away from contact with the filter media, and which may then be transported to a waste collection tank or a separator for further treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Tervita Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond Ford Johnson
  • Publication number: 20140326666
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for removing solids from wastewater. The apparatus may include a dissolved solids removal system including a first membrane stack for removing a first portion of dissolved solids from wastewater, the first membrane stack having a first rejection rate and including at least one first membrane having a first operating pressure rating. A first solution unit may be included downstream of the at least one first membrane, the first solution unit being configured to maintain a differential pressure over the at least one first membrane below the first operating pressure rating. The dissolved solids removal system may also include a final membrane stack for removing a final portion of dissolved solids from the wastewater, the final membrane stack being located downstream of the first membrane stack and having a final rejection rate higher than the first rejection rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: HYSSOP BRANCH, LLC
    Inventors: Bob R. Drew, David Potter
  • Patent number: 8877064
    Abstract: A system for separating solids from fluid including a solid-laden fluid including a base fluid, a first separator configured to receive the solid-laden fluid and separate the fluid into a solids portion and an effluent, and a membrane separator configured to receive the effluent and separate the effluent into a permeate and a concentrate is disclosed. A method for separating solids from fluid including obtaining a solid-laden fluid, wherein the solid-laden fluid comprises a base fluid, feeding the solid-laden fluid through a centrifuge, removing at least a portion of high gravity solids from the solid-laden fluids, flowing the solid-laden fluid through a membrane separator, removing at least a portion of low gravity solids from the solid-laden fluid, and collecting a permeate from the membrane separator is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Rahul Dixit, Mukesh Kapila
  • Publication number: 20140305197
    Abstract: A blood separation device that is adapted to receive a multi-component blood sample is disclosed. After collecting the blood sample, the blood separation device is able to separate a plasma portion from a cellular portion. After separation, the blood separation device is able to transfer the plasma portion of the blood sample to a point-of-care testing device. The blood separation device also provides a closed sampling and transfer system that reduces the exposure of a blood sample and provides fast mixing of a blood sample with a sample stabilizer. The blood separation device is engageable with a blood testing device for closed transfer of a portion of the plasma portion from the blood separation device to the blood testing device. The blood testing device is adapted to receive the plasma portion to analyze the blood sample and obtain test results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Gary D. Fletcher, Daniel J. Marchiarullo, Jamieson W. Crawford
  • Patent number: 8852438
    Abstract: A membrane filtration device has a multiplicity of hollow fiber membranes, or fibers, unconfined in a shell of a module; a first header and a second header disposed in vertically spaced-apart relationship; said first header and said second header having opposed ends of each fiber sealingly secured therein, all open ends of said fibers open to a permeate-discharging face of at least one header; permeate collection means to collect said permeate, sealingly connected in open fluid communication with a permeate-discharging face of at least one of said headers; means to withdraw said permeate; said fibers, said headers and said permeate collection means together forming an integrated combination wherein said fibers are essentially vertically disposed and ends of individual fibers are potted in closely spaced-apart relationship in cured resin; with opposed faces at a fixed distance; each of said fibers having a length from 0.1% to less than 5% greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Zenon Technology Partnership
    Inventors: Mailvaganam Mahendran, Henry Behmann, Steven Kristian Pedersen, Carlos Fernando F. Rodrigues
  • Patent number: 8852439
    Abstract: A liquid filtration method and device, for example a drinking straw with a mouthpiece, and a bundle of hollow fibres. The open ends of the fibres are embedded in a base and provided in a compartment between the base and a liquid outlet. Water or other liquid flows into the inner volume of the hollow fibres and from there through their filtering membrane walls and into the compartment before the liquid flows out through the liquid outlet, for example the mouthpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: LifeStraw SA
    Inventors: Daniel Frauchiger, Roelie Bottema, Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen
  • Patent number: 8852433
    Abstract: Device (5) for filtering blood including a filter unit (7) having a blood filter, an inlet (8) for blood to be filtered and being connectable to an artery of a patient and a blood outlet (9) for filtered blood and being connectable to a vein of the patient, and having a filtrate container (6,14), that encloses the filter unit (7), for receiving filtrate (12) passing through the blood filter during a filtering process and that the filtrate container (6,14) is a closed container, which in a filled state is arranged to establish a counter-pressure over the blood filter, whereby the filtering process is interrupted. The invention also concerns a system including the above device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventor: Anders Nilsson
  • Patent number: 8852432
    Abstract: An induced symbiotic osmosis pump (ISOP) (and method of using same) comprising: a closed loop comprising a riser pipe and a downpipe having substantially the same length fluidly communicating at a base with an induced osmosis semipermeable membrane and fluidly communicating at an opposed end with a brine pump fluidly communicating with a pressure exchanger fluidly communicating with a reverse osmosis membrane, the downpipe comprising a check valve; the induced osmosis semipermeable membrane of the closed loop fluidly communicating with an initial reverse osmosis module fluidly communicating with a brine pump fluidly communicating with a source of fluid having an initial salinity; the brine pump electronically communicating with an electrical source; and, the reverse osmosis membrane fluidly communicating with a storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventor: Maher Isaac Kelada