Particular Liquid Receiving Means Or Foraminous Bed Retainer Patents (Class 210/291)
  • Publication number: 20110177219
    Abstract: An impurity removal system for purifying wine removable from a wine source. The system includes a filtered wine container defined by a collection portion and having an opening for introducing the wine to the collection portion filtration device which is in operable communication between the wine source and the container, such that at least a portion of the wine introduced from the wine source is in fluid communication with the filtration device prior to collection in the collection portion of the filtered wine container. In operation, the wine is removed from the wine source, introduced to the system, passed through the filtration device and filtered wine flows into the collection portion of the filtered wine container. Vacuum-based and pressure-based filtration systems are also disclosed, as well as a method of removing impurities from wine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: Vinterus Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Robert G. Roodman, J. Michael Havelka, Jack D. Smiley
  • Patent number: 7943051
    Abstract: A settling tank for dewatering a thin slurry is provided in a lined portable container and with a disposable filtering means. A novel method of processing the slurry by settlement of the solid phase and removal of the liquid phase in cycles avoids the clogging of the filtering means. The settling tank can be easily transported and dumped without requiring the transferring of residue sludge or the cleaning of equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Inventor: David Douglas Dieziger
  • Publication number: 20110100895
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a membrane module including a first plurality of fibers capable of filtering fluids that are helically wound in layers creating a mono helix. Fluids to be treated can flow radially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the mono helix or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mono helix. The membrane module can further include a second plurality of fibers that are helically wound with the first plurality of fibers to create a dual helix. The second plurality of fibers can have different properties than the first plurality of fibers in order to achieve different filtering functionalities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Philip M. Rolchigo, John H. Burban, John Shanahan, Robert O. Crowder
  • Patent number: 7922903
    Abstract: A system and method for uniformly distributing fluids (e.g., washing and in-service) through a filter bed of a filter. The system and method of the present invention can be used with any type of filter that uses media to remove impurities from a fluid. The filter bed can include one or more layers of media. The media can be natural (e.g., sand, gravel, anthracite, etc.) or can be fabricated (e.g., plastic). The filter media can be supported by one or more layers of gravel. Alternatively, the filter media can be supported by a porous plate or other support designed to replace the gravel layers. The present invention includes a system having a distribution member configured to uniformly distribute a fluid through a filter bed of a filter. Preferably, the distribution member can be readily installed by relatively unskilled labor in both existing filters and new filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: RG Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Lee Roberts, Mark Kevin Addison
  • Publication number: 20110073549
    Abstract: A media retainer assembly for retaining filter media in a filter assembly includes a top plate for supporting the filter media, the top plate having a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of openings extending therethrough; a bottom plate having a top surface and a plurality of openings extending therethrough; and scouring media, the scouring media being adapted to abrade the surfaces of the top and bottom plates. The top plate is connected to the bottom plate such that the top surface of the bottom plate is spaced from the bottom surface of the top plate to define at least one chamber between the top plate and the bottom plate. The top surface of the top plate is in fluid communication with the chamber via the openings in the top plate. The scouring media is supported by the bottom plate within the at least one chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: ITT WATER & WASTEWATER LEOPOLD, INC.
    Inventors: John L. Geibel, Christopher J. Ball
  • Patent number: 7871528
    Abstract: The water filter including a container, which has a bottom and a cover, wherein several inlets are provided on the border of the cover and an outlet is provided in the centre of the bottom. A spiral channel is located in the container, through which the inlets are connected to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: elfo AG
    Inventors: Beat Aregger, Ruedi Gasser
  • Patent number: 7862713
    Abstract: A system for reuse of water stored in a reservoir by transfer of initially filtered water from the reservoir to a vertically stacked filtration system located onshore. A flexible filter screened, porous feeder line housed within a perforated carrier pipe extends into the reservoir and is supported above the bottom of the reservoir for transfer of filtered water to the vertically stacked filtration system. The flexible filter screened, porous feeder line includes a conveyance system for retraction and extension of the porous feeder line by two cables. The feeder line is movable from the perforated carrier pipe for cleaning or replacement of the porous feeder line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventor: Donald Justice
  • Publication number: 20100307967
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vacuum filter device (10) which includes a filter body (11) having two holders (12, 13) on opposite sides of a filter. Each holder contains a closed container (15, 16) in a fluid-tight, sealed relationship. The filter is retained by a compression sealing element that resiliently applies a sealing pressure to the upper surface of the filter. The sealing element is maintained in place by a compression element formed of a ring that applies a desired compressive force to the sealing element. The compression element is bonded to a portion of the body to hold it, the sealing element and filter in place and under a compression seal. Other aspects of the invention include provisions for forming a port in the compression element that can be aligned with the vent of the device. The invention also can provide for an alignment feature on the compression element that ensures the port is in alignment with the vent of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Phillip Clark, John Doyle
  • Patent number: 7833412
    Abstract: A stormwater treatment system, including a treatment container for treating stormwater through a bioretention mechanism. The treatment chamber includes an overflow/bypass system, including a flow distribution tray or flume that includes a distribution compartment or channel, an overflow dam or weir, and an overflow/bypass compartment. The stormwater distribution compartment or channel includes one or more openings for stormwater to be treated to fall onto the filter media located within the treatment container. When high flow rates are obtained that exceed the capacity of the unit, the overflow/bypass stormwater enters the overflow/bypass compartment where it is received by an overflow/bypass outlet pipe to be directed out of the container without such water being treated or further treated by the filter media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Americast, Inc.
    Inventor: James Ferguson Holtz
  • Patent number: 7820043
    Abstract: A filter system for filtering water and/or wastewater which includes an underdrain system having a plurality of laterals that are anchored to the floor of a filter by a hold-down assembly. Preferably, the hold-down assembly does not rely on grout or other substance that is applied in a viscous or semi-viscous state and subsequently hardened as the primary means for connecting the underdrain laterals to the floor of the filter. Preferably, the hold-down assembly includes hold-down clips that can move relative to an anchor assembly and corresponding underdrain blocks so that the hold-down clips can cooperate with any desired portion of the corresponding underdrain blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: RG Delaware Inc.
    Inventors: R. Lee Roberts, Mark Kevin Addison, Jason Samuel Schmoyer, Aleksandr Vladimirovich Ilyin
  • Patent number: 7799235
    Abstract: A system and related method for separating floating and nonfloating particulate and entrained, suspended, and/or dissolved contaminants from a fluid. The system includes a tank with a lower chamber spaced from an outlet or upper chamber by a confinement deck. The deck includes one or more sockets for receiving one or more filter units for fluid treatment. In addition, the lower chamber of the tank acts as a pretreatment sump to remove floating and nonfloating particulates, thereby reducing the load on the filter units. The filter units are configured for radial and/or upward flow of the fluid from the lower chamber. The filter units may include one or more filter media through which the fluid pass prior to exiting the tank. The filter units include a removable screening retainer for retaining the filter media and/or to screen relatively large contaminants. The filter unit may be removed for ease of tank maintenance and replacement of filter media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignees: Contech Stormwater Solutions, Inc., I.S.C. Environmental, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman L. Olson, Brian R. McLaughlin, Daniel P. Cobb, Vaikko P. Allen, II, Derek M. Berg
  • Patent number: 7771597
    Abstract: A filter system for clarifying water or wastewater. The filter system includes at least one filter compartment having at least one layer of filter media and an underdrain. The at least one layer of filter media removes impurities from the influent passing therethrough. An influent feed trough is operably associated with the filter compartment for directing influent to the filter compartment for subsequent filtration. Preferably, the influent feed trough is disposed outside of the filter compartment. Further, the influent feed trough preferably includes a bottom that is disposed above the at least one layer of filter media. A control member is provided to control the flow of liquid between the influent feed trough and the at least one filter compartment. The control member can be a weir plate or one of more chamfered surfaces. Alternatively, the control member could include both a weir plate and one or more chamfered surfaces operably associated with the weir plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: RG Delaware, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Kevin Addison
  • Publication number: 20100193442
    Abstract: In a fluidized bed method and apparatus for stimulating reaction between a particulate reactant material and a fluid flowing through the reactant material, the incidence of coalescing of particles of the reactant material is reduced by mixing the particulate material with a particulate abrasive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Ian Tyler Bell, Mengqi Peng, Steven Lloyd Siverns, Frederick James Dart
  • Patent number: 7758750
    Abstract: A flume for a filter system including at least one filter having a filter bed that is periodically washed with liquid, gas and/or a combination of liquid and gas. The flume includes a chamber having a top wall, a bottom wall, a left sidewall and a right sidewall. The chamber is adapted to receive a liquid, a gas and/or a combination of liquid and gas. Preferably, the flumes includes at least a first inner wall and a second inner wall. Each of the first inner wall and the second inner wall are preferably free of any orifices. The first inner wall is positioned relative to the second inner wall such that an open space is formed between the first inner wall and the second inner wall. The open space creates a first liquid/gas interface upstream of the first inner wall and the second inner wall and a second gas/liquid interface downstream of the first inner wall and the second inner wall when gas and liquid are present in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: RG Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Lee Roberts, Mark Kevin Addison
  • Patent number: 7736506
    Abstract: A system and method for uniformly distributing fluids (e.g., washing and in-service) through a filter bed of a filter. The system and method of the present invention can be used with any type of filter that uses media to remove impurities from a fluid. The filter bed can include one or more layers of media. The media can be natural (e.g., sand, gravel, anthracite, etc.) or can be fabricated (e.g., plastic). The filter media can be supported by one or more layers of gravel. Alternatively, the filter media can be supported by a porous plate or other support designed to replace the gravel layers. The present invention includes a system having a distribution member configured to uniformly distribute a fluid through a filter bed of a filter. Preferably, the distribution member can be readily installed by relatively unskilled labor in both existing filters and new filters. The distribution member is preferably configured to occupy only a small percentage of space in a distribution chamber (e.g., a flume).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: RG Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Lee Roberts, Mark Kevin Addison
  • Patent number: 7722766
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter cartridge (1), especially a suction filter cartridge, which is provided, in the outlet opening (20), with an inward-pointing, peripheral snap-on rim (22) which can be folded from a first lower snap position into a second upper snap position and vice versa. The invention also relates to a seat element (30) for such a filter cartridge, comprising a connection sleeve (33) which engages with the outlet opening (20) of the filter cartridge (1). Said connecting sleeve (33) comprises at least one actuator which displaces, when the filter cartridge (1) is placed on the rim, the snap-on rim from a first lower snap position to the second upper snap-on rim from a first lower snap position to the second upper snap positioning which the snap-on rim rests against the connecting sleeve (33) in a sealing and clamping manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Brita GmbH
    Inventor: Marc Namur
  • Patent number: 7718061
    Abstract: Apparatus for inhibiting fines carryover in the form of a settlement tank comprising: a filter which divides the tank into upper and lower portions; a fluid inlet in the lower portion for admitting into the tank a fluid with entrained solids; and a fluid outlet in the upper portion through which filtered fluid can leave the tank. The filter comprises filter media supported on a permeable wall, the wall including a filter media outlet which is normally closed, and opening means for opening the filter media outlet to allow the filter media to discharge into the lower portion of the tank. The invention also relates to a method of refilling the filter with filter media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: James Edward Delves, David John Parkinson, Simon Thomas Henry Brock
  • Patent number: 7708883
    Abstract: A box filter comprises of a casing and at least two filters, which are installed inside the casing and behind the influx channel and have a buffer gap between two adjacent filters; the influx channel, which is installed on the external wall of the box filter. In addition, more than one guide vane is installed at the inlet of the influx channel and the bottom of the guide vane leans against the filter so as to eliminate the clog that forms the channel and so as to stop backflow of the sewage into the aquarium or container of the sift device while the box filter or sift device is removed from the aquarium. The guide vane can effectively improve drawbacks of the box filter of a prior art as well as enhance the filtration effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Tommy Chi-Kin Wong
  • Patent number: 7699977
    Abstract: Wastewater and sewage filtering and adsorbing unit includes sewage reservoir, clean water reservoir, active coke powder storage, filtering and adsorbing tank, control cabinet, saturated active coke sludge settling tank, filtering and adsorbing material. The sewage reservoir and the clean water reservoir are on one side, and the filtering and adsorbing tank and the active coke powder storage are on other side. Active coke powder storage is above and connected to filtering and adsorbing tank by conduits; inlet pipes in rows and an outlet branch pipe are mounted into the filtering and adsorbing tank. Filtering and adsorbing material is active coke powder. The sewage reservoir is connected with the filtering and adsorbing tank. An active coke sludge discharge port and an active coke sludge conveyor, which are connected to the saturated active coke sludge settling tank by transporting pipelines, are at the bottom of the filtering and adsorbing tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Shenyang David Environmental Protection & Energy Saving Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dawei Zhang, Yanbin Guo
  • Publication number: 20100089814
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a filter module comprising a body of wound layers of a sheet material, said body having an inner and an outer peripheral surface delimiting the body with respect to an inner and an outer periphery, respectively, a first and a second end face, a winding axis and a passage extending along the winding axis of said body and in fluid communication with said inner peripheral surface, said sheet material having a plurality of openings formed therein, said openings forming at least two types of channels within the wound layers of sheet material of said body, said channels extending in a direction from the inner peripheral surface to the outer peripheral surface, a first type of channels being in fluid communication with the outer periphery at one end and closed at the other end located towards said inner peripheral surface, a second type of channels being in fluid communication with said inner periphery and said passage at one end and closed at the other end located towards said outer
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: PALL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wolfgang Diemer, Martin Zeiler, Dieter Mohn, Klaus Feifel
  • Patent number: 7695615
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filtering device for liquid filters, mainly for potable water jug-type filters. The filtering device consists of a body filled with a filtering material and is provided with at least one outlet in the base of thereof, a lid having a water inlet and an air outlet, and at least one fixing means disposed between the body and the lid, wherein the fixing means is provided with at least one valve. The technical result achieved by use of declared the present is improving reliability and operating characteristics of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: OOO “Aquaphor”
    Inventors: Marina Alekseevna Vinogradova, Valery Victorovich Goryunov, Alexei Leonidovich Kuzmin, Alexander Vsevolodovich Pimenov, Joseph Lvovich Shmidt
  • Patent number: 7691261
    Abstract: A granular filter media dry cell (or filter or bed) for dewatering a liquid composition of water and particulate solids. The liquid composition is applied to the granular filter media to remove water from the liquid composition by passing through the granular filter media with the particular solids collecting on top surface of granular filter media. Water is first allowed to fill from below to just above the top layer of the filter media. A non-porous liner is located on the inner, bottom surface of the container. A drain pipe, having small openings, is located on top of the liner in the valley. A porous layer of large filter media, with the drain pipe therein, is located in the bottom of the container. A grid having open passageways, with fine filter media therein, is located on top thereof. A layer of fine filtrate sand is located on top of the grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Inventor: Franklin David Deskins
  • Publication number: 20100059422
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a module for processing a fluid comprising a body of wound layers of a sheet material, said body having an inner and an outer peripheral surface, a first and a second end face and a passage extending along the winding axis of said body and in fluid communication with said inner peripheral surface, said sheet material having a plurality of openings formed therein, said openings forming at least three types of channels within the wound layers of sheet material of said body, said channels extending in a direction from the inner peripheral surface to the outer peripheral surface, a first type of channel(s) being open at one end at said outer peripheral surface of the body and closed at the other end located adjacent to said inner peripheral surface, a second type of channel(s) being open at one end at said inner peripheral surface of the body, in fluid communication with said passage and closed at the other end located adjacent to said outer peripheral surface, a third type of cha
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: PALL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Denis Hahn, John D. Miller, Wolfgang Diemer, Martin Zeiler, Klaus Feifel
  • Patent number: 7658841
    Abstract: An oil-water separator for use in a trench, which surrounds an oilfield. The separator is positioned in the ground such that an inlet conduit extends at about the same level as the bottom of the trench. The trench water is admitted into the housing, where it contacts a plurality of buoyant oil-absorbing members, causing the oil particles to adhere to the surface of the oil-absorbing members. An outlet conduit located downstream from the oil-absorbing members is connectable to a pump to cause the oil-free water to be pumped from the housing and diverted away from the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventor: Rene James Landry, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20090277849
    Abstract: A filter apparatus may be provided. The filter apparatus may include a multi-port valve; a strainer coupled in flow communication to the multi-port valve, wherein the strainer may include a conical portion and an attachment portion extending away therefrom; a diffusing column coupled to the strainer and coupled in flow communication to the multi-port valve; and an equalizer column coupled in flow communication to the strainer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: Seagate Filters, Inc.
    Inventor: Hung Hoang
  • Patent number: 7588686
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a filter unit for depleting or enriching a liquid or gas with substance(s) comprising i) providing a filter unit comprising at least one convective layer and at least one receiving layer adjacent one another, ii) passing the liquid or gas through the filter so that the main direction of flow is along the layers and the main flow of liquid gas is in the convective layer, allowing the substance(s) to: a) be transferred from a convective layer to a receiving layer, and b) be retained or otherwise modified or transferred within a receiving layer, or c) be provided by the receiving layer, and d) be transferred from the receiving layer to the fluid in the convective layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: University of Copenhagen
    Inventor: Marina B. Jensen
  • Patent number: 7578398
    Abstract: A bacteria growth device (1) for use with bacteria in a substantially liquid medium, the device (1) comprising at least one strip (5) having a surface area shaped and sized for receiving bacteria present in the substantially liquid medium and for allowing attachment of said bacteria onto the surface area of the at least one strip (5) so as to promote growth of the attached bacteria. The substantially liquid medium may be enclosed in a n aerobic environment, in which case the device (1) is used to promote the growth of aerobic bacteria. Alternatively, the substantially liquid medium may be enclosed in an anaerobic and/or anoxic environment, in which case the device (1) is used to promote the growth of corresponding anaerobic and/or anoxic bacteria. Also, described are an assembly including the above-mentioned device and the method associated thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Bionest Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Garfield R. Lord
  • Publication number: 20090166282
    Abstract: This invention relates to a photocatalysed oxidation purification device, comprising middle part, upper part and lower part which are divided by two transverse clapboards, wherein the upper clapboard is micropore plate and the lower clapboard is macropore plate, the middle part of said device is a fluidized bed chamber, the lower part of said device is a mixing chamber and the upper part of said device is a current regulating chamber, several ultraviolet lamps are placed in the said fluidized bed chamber with particles photocatalyst inside, the inlet pipe of said device is connected to the said mixing chamber and its running direction is oblique or tangential, the outlet pipe of said device is connected to the current regulating chamber and its running direction is radial. There is also an ozonizer on the device. This device possesses a higher purifying degree, a larger processing capacity and a relatively lower processing cost, which is suitable for locations requiring higher purified water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: Beijing Jinaohuarong Science and Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yubo Dong
  • Publication number: 20090101559
    Abstract: The present invention includes a microfluidic filter and concentrator that can separate a filtrate from a fluid containing components, e.g. a suspension of particles, to be removed from the fluid at least to some extent. The filter may employ principals of tangential flow filtration, also known as cross-flow filtration. In one aspect, a microfluidic filter described herein includes at least a first, main channel and one or more secondary, filtering channels that connect to the main channel. Filtration occurs when a fluid portion of a sample that is flowed through the main channel enters one or more of the filtering channels and at least some of the components in the sample do not enter or do not flow through the secondary, filtering channels. The secondary channels may be dimensioned to inhibit flow of components through them, and/or a porous material such as a layer may be positioned to inhibit flow of components through the secondary channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Anand Bala Subramaniam, Manouk Abkarian, Adrien Fabre, Marc Durand, Howard A. Stone
  • Patent number: 7520987
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus are provided for purging an adsorptive material of entrapped particulates. Methods, systems and apparatus rely upon a reverse loop for reversing the flow of medium within an adsorption material, allowing particulates caught within the adsorption material to be preferentially moved through and out of the adsorption material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: WRT International LLC
    Inventors: Charles S. Williams, Scott E. Heffner
  • Patent number: 7513993
    Abstract: Fluid filter devices include at least one porous body. In one example, the fluid filter device can be incorporated as part of a fluid filter apparatus. The fluid filter apparatus can include a container defining an interior area wherein the filter device is positioned within the interior area. Particulate can be positioned within the interior area to cover the porous body to enhance the filter capabilities of the fluid filter apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Michael Goodwin, Christopher R. Yahnker, Robert Frank Swindell, Bret Schaller, Shirley A. Bromley, legal representative, Arthur J. Bromley
  • Publication number: 20090071914
    Abstract: An apparatus for filtering water and/or wastewater including at least one underdrain lateral. The underdrain lateral is configured to receive a liquid during a filtration cycle and directs a washing fluid through a filter bed of one or more layers of filter media during a washing cycle. The filter can take any form including but not limited to an upflow clarifier, an upflow filter, a downflow clarifier, a downflow filter and a bi-flow filter. The filter media may be supported by one or more layers of gravel. Alternatively, a porous plate can be attached to the underdrain lateral in place of the gravel layers. The washing cycle can be a liquid only wash, a gas only wash, a combined liquid and gas wash or a combination of any of the aforementioned wash cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: R. Lee Roberts, Mark Kevin Addison
  • Patent number: 7470372
    Abstract: A device for the treatment of an influent with a porous media. The influent passes radially through the porous media and into an internal volume of the device. The treated influent then passes through an open check valve in the internal volume, and then to downstream equipment. During a backwash operation, a backwash fluid is passed into the internal volume of the device in a direction to close the check valve. The blocked path in the internal volume of the device causes the backwash fluid to pass radially outwardly into the porous media and fluidize the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Inventor: John D. Martin
  • Publication number: 20080314836
    Abstract: A device for dynamic filtration of a pharmaceutical product is provided. The device includes a resin configured to selectively retain one or more components from a mixture having the pharmaceutical product, where the resin is configured to be activated by a medium of the mixture. The device further includes at least one positioning material disposed adjacent to the resin, where the positioning material is configured to provide mechanical support to the resin to at least partially retain the resin in position. In certain embodiments, the device does not require conditioning immediately prior to filtration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew Michael Leach, Peter Miller, Eric Telfeyan, David Brandon Whitt
  • Patent number: 7468129
    Abstract: An oil-water separator for use in a trench, which surrounds an oilfield. The separator is positioned in the ground such that an inlet conduit extends at about the same level as the bottom of the trench. The trench water is admitted into the housing, where it contacts a plurality of buoyant oil-absorbing members, causing the oil particles to adhere to the surface of the oil-absorbing members. An outlet conduit located downstream from the oil-absorbing members is connectable to a pump to cause the oil-free water to be pumped from the housing and diverted away from the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Inventor: Rene James Landry, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20080264847
    Abstract: A water softener tank houses resin beads retained within an upper screen assembly and a lower screen assembly. The upper and lower screens are formed of material transparent to a given wavelength of a laser. The tank is formed of material that absorbs the given laser wavelength. The upper and lower screens are directly laser welded to the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: Wm. R. Hague, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Emerson, Christopher T. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20080237112
    Abstract: An analytical instrument fitting assembly for coupling first and second analytical fluid conduits is provided. The fitting assembly includes a first fitting defining a central passage adapted to receive a first fluid conduit defining an internal diameter of no greater than 0.040 inch and a second fitting. The second fitting defines a central passage extending between first and second ends and is in fluid communication with the first fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: OPTIMIZE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas W. Ford, Robert DeLine
  • Publication number: 20080223797
    Abstract: Multi-core solid profile filter media blocks include multiple sub-blocks, which may be formed by providing a block with multiple interior cavities extending deep into the block, to allow water to flow deep inside the filter block to access the media of the sub-block (in the case wherein the cavities are at the inlet to the block) or that allows water to be collected from each filtration sub-block (in the case wherein the cavities are at the outlet from the block). One or more indentations/spaces/gaps in the exterior surface of the block also may be provided to separate and extend between portions of the sub-blocks, so that substantially all of the filter media of a sub-block is accessible to fluid for filtration. This way, a filter block may include a large amount of media in a small cartridge or package volume, and the filter block may exhibit good flow distribution and low pressure drop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: OMNIPURE FILTER COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: ROGER P. REID, BRUCE D. SAASKI
  • Publication number: 20080190835
    Abstract: A filter system for clarifying water or wastewater. The filter system includes at least one filter compartment having at least one layer of filter media and an underdrain. The at least one layer of filter media removes impurities from the influent passing therethrough. An influent feed trough is operably associated with the filter compartment for directing influent to the filter compartment for subsequent filtration. Preferably, the influent feed trough is disposed outside of the filter compartment. Further, the influent feed trough preferably includes a bottom that is disposed above the at least one layer of filter media. A control member is provided to control the flow of liquid between the influent feed trough and the at least one filter compartment. The control member can be a weir plate or one of more chamfered surfaces. Alternatively, the control member could include both a weir plate and one or more chamfered surfaces operably associated with the weir plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: Mark Kevin Addison
  • Patent number: 7390408
    Abstract: A column apparatus containing a shallow bed of material between fluid transporting fractals of large active surface area results in highly efficient processing with small equipment size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Amalgamated Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael M. Kearney, Kenneth R. Peterson, Lawrence Valesquez
  • Publication number: 20080128365
    Abstract: This invention relates to a pipette tip or tube designed to perform biological or chemical sample preparation, purification or separation. The narrow end of the pipette tip is twisted in such a way that it forms a narrow spiral passage, which allows the retention of the chromatographic material in the pipette tip. The narrow spiral formed by twisting the capillary or the tube creates an opening that is large enough to permit the passage of fluids or smaller particles, but small enough to block the passage of solid materials or larger particles, The device described herein can be used for sample separation or purification using a vacuum, pressure, centrifugation, gravitation or other separation methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Ashok K. Shukla, Mukta Shukla
  • Patent number: 7374676
    Abstract: A high rate, upflow filtration system is described in which a compressible, fibrous lump filtration media is compressed to adjust the porosity and collector size of the media in the bed and to provide a porosity gradient within the bed proceeding from more porous to less porous in a direction opposite to the flow of fluid so that filtration proceeds in a direction from a more porous to a less porous filter bed. Larger particles are removed by the more porous media and successively smaller particles are removed as the filter bed becomes less porous. The system is capable of reducing the turbidity of influent municipal wastewater from about 8 NTU to about 2 NTU at a wastewater flow rate of from about 820 to 1230 L/m2·min (20 to 30 gal/ft2·min), at a bed compression ration of from about 15 to 40 percent, and at a backwash rate of from about 1 to 6 percent based on the total wastewater passing through the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Schreiber, LLC
    Inventor: William Frederick Dew, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20080099411
    Abstract: A system and method for uniformly distributing fluids (e.g., washing and in-service) through a filter bed of a filter. The system and method of the present invention can be used with any type of filter that uses media to remove impurities from a fluid. The filter bed can include one or more layers of media. The media can be natural (e.g., sand, gravel, anthracite, etc.) or can be fabricated (e.g., plastic). The filter media can be supported by one or more layers of gravel. Alternatively, the filter media can be supported by a porous plate or other support designed to replace the gravel layers. The present invention includes a system having a distribution member configured to uniformly distribute a fluid through a filter bed of a filter. Preferably, the distribution member can be readily installed by relatively unskilled labor in both existing filters and new filters. The distribution member is preferably configured to occupy only a small percentage of space in a distribution chamber (e.g., a flume).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: R. Lee Roberts, Mark Kevin Addison
  • Publication number: 20080099412
    Abstract: A system and method for uniformly distributing fluids (e.g., washing and in-service) through a filter bed of a filter. The system and method of the present invention can be used with any type of filter that uses media to remove impurities from a fluid. The filter bed can include one or more layers of media. The media can be natural (e.g., sand, gravel, anthracite, etc.) or can be fabricated (e.g., plastic). The filter media can be supported by one or more layers of gravel. Alternatively, the filter media can be supported by a porous plate or other support designed to replace the gravel layers. The present invention includes a system having a distribution member configured to uniformly distribute a fluid through a filter bed of a filter. Preferably, the distribution member can be readily installed by relatively unskilled labor in both existing filters and new filters. The distribution member is preferably configured to occupy only a small percentage of space in a portion of the filter system (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: R. Lee Roberts, Mark Kevin Addison
  • Publication number: 20080078720
    Abstract: A modularized phosphorous filter (P-filter) for installing into open flow channels, such as urban and rural drainage ditches, streams, rivers, bayous, swales, etc. In some embodiments, the P-filter includes a module formed from a container that contains a phosphorous-filtering mass of loose pieces of slag. The container has anchoring extensions for anchoring the P-filter into the sides of the channel into which it is installed. In other embodiments, the P-filter is made of a number of P-filter modules each including a container that contains a phosphorous-filtering mass of loose pieces of slag. The P-filter modules are stacked with, and/or otherwise arranged relative to, one another so as to form a modularized P-filter. Preferably, the P-filter modules are sized to be readily movable by one or more people and/or power equipment, such as a tractor having a backhoe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: The University of Vermont and State Agricultural College
    Inventors: Aleksandra Drizo, Hugo Picard
  • Patent number: 7344644
    Abstract: The disclosed methods and systems of water purification relate to burying an underdrain in situ under a filter media bed such as a particulate material bed, within a natural body of water. A pump is provided for withdrawing water from the underdrain at a sufficient rate to cause a complex biological matrix filter to proliferate on top of the filter media bed forming a portion of the floor of the body of the water. The filter media bed is positioned at a depth d of water between the water body surface and the water body floor so that the upper surface of the particulate material bed remains substantially undisturbed by wave motion or tidal action at the surface of the body of water to facilitate the proliferation of the biological matrix filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Inventor: Chris Haudenschild
  • Patent number: 7335299
    Abstract: A dual filter apparatus and a process of making a dual filter apparatus that minimizes disruption to the normal flow pattern through the filter apparatus by forming a porous medium suitable to carry a fluid activator and placing an activator proximate the porous filter medium for in situ fluid treatment and removal of debris from the fluid by screening action of the porous filter medium that entraps debris thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: King Technology, Inc
    Inventor: Joseph A. King
  • Patent number: 7303682
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid distributing device for distributing fluid into a column and to a fluid collecting device for collecting fluid from a column. The invention relates also to methods of using the devices of the present invention. The distributing device and/or the collecting device of the present invention can be used in fixed or fluidized bed reactors or columns, such as chromatographic separation columns, ion exchange columns, adsorption columns etc. A fluid distributing device comprises a) a first fluid conveying system; and b) a distributing plate, which comprises i) first means for fluid transfer for dividing the fluid flow coming from the delivering points into several partial fluid flows and for distributing the partial fluid flows into the column; and ii) first means for controlling of the partial fluid flows by differential pressure in the first means for fluid transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Finnfeeds Finland OY
    Inventors: Hannu Paananen, Heikki Heikkilä, Jari Lewandowski, Esko Varteva
  • Patent number: 7288194
    Abstract: An underdrain system having a bottom formed of concrete. The concrete bottom includes a plurality of depressions formed therein. A porous plate is operably associated with at least one of the depressions. An anchor assembly is provided for anchoring the porous plate to the concrete bottom in an efficient and cost effective manner. Preferably, the anchor assembly permits the porous plate to be readily replaced. An optional insert may be used to enhance the distribution of the flow of fluid through the porous plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: RG Deleware, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Lee Roberts, Mark Kevin Addison
  • Patent number: 7288193
    Abstract: A fluid distribution system for directing fluids through a filter system. The fluid distribution system ensures proper distribution of fluids during the process of filtering as well as the process of washing a filter bed. The fluid distribution system may be used with numerous filter systems including but not limited to an upflow filter, a downflow filter, a combined upflow/downflow filter and/or multiple downflow filters connected in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: RG Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Lee Roberts, Mark Kevin Addison