Spaced Filters Patents (Class 210/314)
  • Patent number: 6863183
    Abstract: A shale shaker for separating material, said shale shaker comprising a basket (100) for supporting a screen assembly and a collection receptacle, the basket comprising two side walls (102), an end wall (103) and an opening in the bottom of said basket (100), said basket (100) having means (109,110) to support screen assemblies for substantially covering said opening characterized in that said basket (100) further comprises separating means (104,105,106)in or on any of said walls (102,103) for separating material. Preferably, further comprising directing means for directing separated material therefrom into said collection receptacle. The invention also provides a method for separating material using the shale shaker of the invention, a basket of the shale shaker of the invention and screen assemblies used in the shale shaker of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Varco I/P, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Schulte, Charles N. Gridhar
  • Patent number: 6824695
    Abstract: A self-contained, portable water purification system, including (a) an ozone supply, (b) an ozone contact chamber mixing a contaminated or potentially contaminated water stream with ozone generated by such ozone supply, (c) an ozone destruction unit for destructing ozone contained in the water stream and converting said water stream into an oxygen-rich and ozone-depleted water stream, and (d) a downstream biologically active carbon filter, for receiving such oxygen-rich and ozone-depleted water stream and biologically destructing at least a portion of contaminants contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Inventor: Gerard F. Tempest, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040222141
    Abstract: A system to remove mercury and mercury-containing particles from waste water prior to entrance into a municipal sewage system. In one form, the system includes a housing having an interior chamber with an inlet and outlet in fluid communication in the chamber, and a filter inside the chamber. The filter, in one embodiment, includes a course filter, an abatement filter, and an ion exchange filter. The chamber and filter may be formed in a removable cartridge mounted in the housing to facilitate safe handling and disposal thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventor: Buddy Don Gray
  • Patent number: 6805729
    Abstract: A manifold assembly including a unitary manifold body including at least two component ports and an integral channel system connecting the component ports in series, and at least two fluid-treating components directly connected to the component ports in a substantially gas-tight manner. The fluid-treating components can include at least one of a coalescer, an adsorber, an absorber, a strainer, and a filter. At least one of the component ports includes an inner port section and an outer port section, the outer port section including a flow distributor arranged around and concentric to the inner port section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: H2Gen Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Kim Hong Lim, Franklin D. Lomax, Jr., John S. Lettow, Khalil M. Nasser
  • Publication number: 20040200769
    Abstract: A multi-stage filter, wherein the first stage of filtration comprises a coarse filter to remove the larger impurities. The second stage will remove the finer impurities from the liquid (oil) that have passed through the first stage (coarse filter.) The first and second stage filter shall reside within a single housing. The housing will have both an inlet port for receiving the unfiltered fluid (oil) and an discharge port for passing the filtered fluid (oil) back into the system. The first stage, or coarse filter element has an opening adjacent the inlet, such that fluid entering through the inlet will first pass through the coarse filter element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventor: Gary Hunsinger
  • Patent number: 6790352
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating water contaminated with metal sulfates and sulfuric acid such as acid mine drainage (AMD) which in part recycles high pH effluent from later steps in the process back to the earlier steps of the process. The recycled high pH effluent added with magnesium hydroxide to the entering AMD generates precipitates separable from the stream to leave sulfate ladened water. A tangential filtering process is used to separate the sulfate ladened water into one stream of pure water and a second stream containing sulfate. One portion of the second stream is treated with ammonia to yield a cake of ammonia sulfate and aqueous ammonia. Ca(OH)2 is added to another portion of the second stream to produce calcium sulfate cake and the high pH effluent that is recycled back to the first step in the cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen Ray Wurzburger, J. Michael Overton
  • Patent number: 6780334
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating from a liquid mixture, first and second liquid components such as oil and water, wherein the first liquid has a greater density than the second liquid, includes a vessel (10) having an inlet (13) through which the mixture is introduced into the vessel (10), and an outlet (14) through which separated first liquid is in use discharged, and there being a separating member (12) within the vessel (10), the mixture being constrained to contact the separating member (12), the separating member (12) including a material which adsorbs the second liquid component characterised in that the separating member (12) is adapted to move in the vessel (10) downwardly in response to an increase in the weight thereof as second liquid component is adsorbed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Inventors: John Andrew Timmins, John Timmins
  • Publication number: 20040149636
    Abstract: A serial-flow filtration device is provided with pressure-activated means for by-passing at least one of its constituent layer (or layers) of filtration material. The filtration device comprises a housing, a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and at least an upper and a rearmost filter layer. The upper filter layer divides the interior of the housing into an upstream zone and a downstream zone, with the rearmost filter layer residing in the downstream zone. The fluid inlet enables the introduction of fluid into said upstream zone. The fluid outlet enables releases of the fluid from said downstream zone. The upper filter layer, but not the rearmost filter layer, has integrated thereinto a pressure-activated means capable of allowing substantially non-selective passage of fluid from the upstream zone into the downstream zone upon the attainment of a predetermined pressure differential across said upper filter layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Kari A. Backes, Gregory S. Straeffer, Stephen J. Dzengeleski
  • Patent number: 6764598
    Abstract: The invention discloses an apparatus for filtration of water from hydrocarbons comprised of a fresh-feed inlet, a first dead end filter, having a filter medium that is hydrophobic, a second cross-flow filter, having a membrane that is hydrophobic, a common housing to contain both the first and second filters, a system for the recirculation of the retentate, a chamber for water settling, and an outlet for clean fuel permeate. This invention takes advantage of the properties of the functional groups of a surfactant, by using the surfactant to allow a hydrophobic medium to attract water, attach the water molecules to the hydrophobic medium, and then allow for agglomeration of the water molecules, which finally become large enough to detach and be swept away by the cross-flow. The hydrocarbon may then pass through the second membrane filter uncontaminated by water and be used as clean fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Filtration Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Guanghua Yu, Chang-Wei Jen, Montfort Thierry
  • Patent number: 6761822
    Abstract: A filter for filtering a fluid, such as lubricating oil for an engine, has a first element for trapping small particles and a second filter element for trapping sludge, the second filter element being stacked on the first filter element. A flow-deflecting element is disposed between the first filter element and second filter element to provide a spinning motion to oil flowing from the second filter element as that oil joins oil which is passed through the first filter element. The spinning motion of the oil from the bypass filter element encourages mixing of the oil from the second filter element with the oil filtered by the first element. A centrifugal separator is disposed in an annular space between the filter elements and filter housing for imparting a rotary motion to the fluid prior to the fluid passing through the filter elements. This removes large particles from the fluid by centrifugal force so that large particles do not add to the contaminant load in the filter elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Keith Rhyne, Mark Allen Roll, Willie Luther Stamey, Jr., Johnny Wong
  • Publication number: 20040055946
    Abstract: A multi-filtration system for sequential decontamination of fluid includes a plurality of filters operating at different rates of decontamination and rigidly interconnected with one another to filter contaminants of different sizes as the fluid is delivered to a fluid-consuming component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: SID HARVEY INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Richard Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6669844
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filtration device for deep-bed filtration which is easier to handle and enables filter modules(s) to be changed and disposed of easily. The filtration device has a casing with at least one filter module inserted in the casing with filter elements made from deep-bed filter materials stacked on top of each other. The filter elements have at least one internal structure formed by a perforation wherein the boundary surface of the perforation formed by the deep-bed filter materials creates a through-flow surface for filtrates or non-filtrates. At least one end plate has at least one inlet and/or outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Pall Corporation
    Inventors: Gerhard Strohm, Georg Schnieder, Wolfgang Hepp
  • Patent number: 6651825
    Abstract: A disposable net assembly is provided for a trap for collecting floatable debris in a waterway or combined sewer system. The net assembly includes a knitted bag-shaped mesh net having a frame surrounding the mouth of the net with the net secured around its rim to the frame. The net may be formed of an inner layer and an outer layer of mesh with the openings of the inner layer being substantially larger than the openings of the outer layer. The frame may be formed of a plastic molded material having side members tapered in the vertical direction to facilitate the changing of the netting assemblies and tapered in the downstream direction to lock into place under the force of the flow. Several embodiments of the frame members have projections thereon which cooperate with a clamping element to hold the net to the frame. Some embodiments of the members have parts that lock together with a post and hole construction while others employ a tension band to clamp the net to the projections on the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Fresh Creek Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard R. Turner, Jr., Robert Kircher, Dennis R. Moran
  • Publication number: 20030213739
    Abstract: A one-piece filter cartridge is formed by inserting an open ended cylindrical screen and an end screen for the cylindrical screen in a mold and overmolding with engineered resinous material to form spaced annular and axial support ribs for the screen material. The cartridge is suitable for use in an hydraulic circuit for filtering bi-directional and radial flow without backwashing trapped particles from flow in one axial direction. One of the ribs has an annular groove for a seal ring for sealing about the cartridge upon insertion in a flow passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Parker, Jorge A. Moreno, Chuck Chang, William J. Gorski
  • Patent number: 6627077
    Abstract: A multi-part filter combination is received in a stepped bore of a fluid-carrying component. A larger-diameter filter part is associated with a larger-diameter bore portion, and a smaller-diameter filter part is associated with a smaller-diameter bore portion. The two filter parts of the filter combination are connected by a connecting part. When the two filter parts are joined in their respective final position in the bore, this connecting part is detachable by means of a die to be introduced into the bore. The filter combination can be used in a valve block serving to receive a magnet valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Siegfried Fritsch, Guenther Schnalzger, Michael Krauter, Peter Zimmermann, Alexander Bareiss
  • Patent number: 6623631
    Abstract: There is disclosed a vacuum filtration device for aqueous media that includes a hydrophilic tubular filter element in a cylindrical housing and at least one hydrophobic gas-permeable membrane, coupled with a gas bleed-off valve to allow the escape of air entrained in the filtration medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Sartorius AG
    Inventors: Andreas Graus, Christian Schäfer
  • Publication number: 20030173286
    Abstract: A hydraulic filter includes a canister extending along the longitudinal axis. A closed end cap is at one end of the canister for closing one end thereof. A removable filter element is contained within the canister and a modular one-piece input end cap is at an end of the canister. The one-piece input end cap includes a hydraulic input chamber and a hydraulic output chamber which can be positioned in any one of three mutually perpendicular directions. The one-piece input end cap also allows for sensors to be positioned in any one of three mutually perpendicular directions. In addition, the one-piece input end cap can be utilized in base-ported or top-ported configurations while also allowing for side-to-side or side-to-end configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: Alco Industries, Inc. d/b/a Schroeder Industries
    Inventors: Steven R. Evanovich, Alexander D. Kiderman, Michael J. Schmitt, Justin Dow
  • Publication number: 20030136724
    Abstract: A water filtering device suitable for locally, under atmospheric pressure, purifying contaminated water, and which comprises a container that is provided with an inlet opening and an outlet opening, which container is provided with at least: a preliminary filtration element for the removal of particles, if present, of a particle size more than 10 micrometers; a filtration element provided with activated charcoal; and an ultrafiltration element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Johan Jan Scharstuhl, Eric Scharstuhl
  • Publication number: 20030089647
    Abstract: A filtration device is provided in which wastewater, in the form of a colloidal solution containing microparticles, is guided to tank, circulated, and filtrated using a second filter. The device includes a gel film that is formed by suction on the surface of a first filter. The suction pressure in this process is made extremely weak to maintain the filtration capacity while extending intervals prior to clogging of second filter 2. Furthermore, a filtration device is realized with which the gel film of second filter that becomes adsorbed onto the surface of first filter can be separated readily by stopping the suction and filtration can be continued again thereafter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Motoyuki Tsuihiji, Hirofumi Iinuma, Hiroyuki Umezawa, Masahiro Iseki
  • Publication number: 20030062295
    Abstract: A self-cleaning assembly has an enclosed casing with a movable member/piston and a filter therein, the casing having an inlet and a first outlet for liquid supplied thereto and a second outlet for removing liquid containing contaminant from the casing. The filter assembly is constructed and arranged to provide, in a normal operating mode, a liquid flow path through the filter in a first direction between the inlet and the outlet and, in a cleaning mode, to provide a liquid flow path in a second direction between the inlet and the second outlet. The movable member compresses the filter during the liquid flow in the second direction and contaminant is released therefrom for removal from the filter assembly via the second outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Steve Martin Brooks, Robert Ivan John Wiedemann, David Goodwin
  • Patent number: 6517719
    Abstract: A storage tank includes an oil and water separator in which the frontal area of the coalescers is increased relative to known arrangements of coalescers in oil and water separators. By arranging the coalescers such that the surface area of the coalescers is increased, the efficiency of the coalescers is increased. In some preferred embodiments, the coalescers are arranged in a bank with free flow fluid paths between the coalescers in the bank, each of the paths being closed by a baffle on one end and open on an opposite end, and the baffles are arranged such that the open and closed ends of paths alternate. In other preferred embodiments, the coalescers are arranged in a tubular fashion and fluid flows from the outside surface of the tube through the coalescers and out a central path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Xerxes Corporation
    Inventor: John Burwell
  • Patent number: 6511599
    Abstract: A filter filters fluid flowing along an axial flow direction and includes a plurality of concentric cylindrical pleated filter elements having a common axis. A plurality of annular radial gaps between filter elements provide additional flow axially through the filter, providing equalized flow and reducing restriction. In further embodiments, a central filter element is concentrically surrounded by a cylindrical pleated outer filter element and provides additional flow axially therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Nelson Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Tadeusz Jaroszczyk, Kent J. Kallsen, Jason E. Dorgan, Z. Gerald Liu, Stephen L. Fallon, James A. Debilzen, Larry T. Gunderson, Brad Henke, Jeffrey S. Morgan
  • Patent number: 6489132
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for qualitatively or quantitatively determining one or more analytes in matrices such as foods, biological fluids, etc. An embodiment for determination of a single analyte comprises a sample receiving vessel, a first membrane and a reagent-containing well. The prepared sample passes through the first membrane whereby extraneous matter is removed, and a filtrate enters the reagent-containing well to provide a filtrate-reagent admixture from which the analyte may be determined. An embodiment for determination for multiple analytes includes one or more additional membranes in series with the first membrane, each such additional membrane being operative to capture one or more analytes. Each of the additional analytes may then be eluted from the membrane upon which it has been captured, into a separate reagent-containing well to provide eluant-reagent admixture from which each desired analyte may be determined. Formulations for preparation additives are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Safety Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Virginia C. Gordon, John T. Sorensen, Soheila Mirhashemi, Michael Mittelstein, John F. Elias
  • Patent number: 6475071
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an apparatus and method for the cross flow filtration of polishing slurry compositions used in semiconductor wafer planarization. In one aspect, an apparatus according to the invention includes an elongated cylindrical filter element adapted to be rotated at predetermined angular velocities that is disposed within a cylindrical housing. The housing has an inlet that is fluidly connected to a source of polishing slurry through a pump, an outlet to provide filtered slurry to a planarization machine, and a bypass outlet that is fluidly connected to the source of polishing slurry to allow refiltration of the bypass fluid. A motor is also included to impart rotational motion to the cylindrical filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Joslyn
  • Patent number: 6464884
    Abstract: A portable water treatment unit is provided for purifying contaminated water, especially in the aftermath of a natural disaster that compromises a region's water supply. The treatment unit is configured to treat water drawn into the unit. The treatment unit comprises an inlet connected to a pump. The pump outlet is connected to a solid separator for removing larger particles such as sand and silt. A series of filters is connected to the pump outlet, the filters being arranged from coarsest to finest. The filters remove smaller particles from the water. The water from the filters eventually flows into an ultraviolet light disinfection unit configured to purify water by emitting ultraviolet light thereon. An outlet of the UV light disinfection unit is configured to expel purified water for drinking and other uses. Pressure gages are provided for monitoring the pressure drops across the filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Ashok J. Gadgil
  • Patent number: 6444121
    Abstract: A fuel filter system employs a first filter (12) to separate water from the fuel and a second filter (38) which receives the water portion from the first filter (12) and removes the water from the residual fuel with the use of hygroscopic material (42) and recycles the residual fuel back to the fuel tank (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Stanadyne Corporation
    Inventor: M. Craig Maxwell
  • Patent number: 6439392
    Abstract: A vibrating screen assembly having a tubular frame. The tubular frame includes a pair of opposed tubular sides and a pair of opposed tubular ends. An upstanding lip extending from each side and extending from each end forms a rim enclosure. A ledge extends inwardly from the opposed sides. A plurality of tubular cross supports and the opposed tubular ends rest on the ledge and are connected to the opposed sides. A perforated plate with a plurality of screen cloths thereon is positioned within the rim enclosure and secured to a planar surface of the frame. One of the ends includes an extending overhang while the other end includes a lower recess so that an overhang from one screen assembly will mate with a recess from another screen assembly to form a liquid tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Southwestern Wire Cloth, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry L. Baltzer
  • Patent number: 6409920
    Abstract: A filter device includes a cover secured on the upper portion of a filter housing and includes a water inlet and a water outlet. Two or more filter members are received in the filter housing and disposed between the water inlet and the water outlet of the cover for filtering the water. Various kind of filter members may thus be received in a single filter housing in order to form a simplified filter device. A pipe and a filter tube are received in the housing for receiving the filter members. A cap and a cup are secured on the filter tube for securing the tube in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: Tsung Hui Lee
  • Patent number: 6395184
    Abstract: Invention relates to methods for water removal from oil, oil products, gas condensate, and liquid hydrocarbons. The suggested invention aims at a more efficient water removal from the flows of hydrocarbons of different origin. Technical task of water removal is implemented via the selective filtration of hydrocarbons through a filtering element consisting of three tilted beds, wherein the first and the third beds are made of a porous-cellular metal or alloy with hydrophobic surface, while intermediate one is made of hydrophilic materials such as the porous-cellular metal or alloy with modified surface, celluloid foam or the cartridges filled with glass balls or glass fiber. The suggested method allows a high degree of water removal from the hydrocarbon medium under continuous regime without water phase settling. Apparatus for the implementation of this method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Obschestvo s Ogranichennoi Otvetstvennostju “Sibmetallservis”
    Inventors: Valery Ivanovich Bukhtiyarov, Vyacheslav Vladimirovich Erokhin, Vladimir Ivanovich Serbinenko, Vladimir Vladimirovich Serbinenko
  • Patent number: 6379564
    Abstract: A fluid filter increases the useful life of the filtered fluid by removing contaminants therefrom, and may optionally provide for in-line delivery of additives to the filtered fluid. The filter may be an oil filter, a fuel filter, or other fluid filter. The fluid filter includes a casing which defines a hollow space therein, a mechanically active filter element within that space, and a chemically active filter element also retained within the hollow space proximate the mechanically active filter element. The chemically active filter element includes a nonwoven web made up of a plurality of fibers. Each fiber has a longitudinally extending internal cavity formed therein, and a corresponding longitudinally extending slot opening from that internal cavity to the outer surface of the fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventors: Ronald Paul Rohrbach, Gordon William Jones, Peter D. Unger, Daniel E. Bause, Lixin L. Xue, Russell A. Dondero
  • Patent number: 6364120
    Abstract: A fryer system has a tub and a filter screen assembly located in the tub to filter cooking fluid. A filter pan or crumb catcher having a perforated surface is positioned above the tub to receive cooking fluid from a cooking vat of the fryer system. A pan is positioned between the filter pan or crumb catcher and the tub to receive cooking fluid and direct it to the tub, with the pan extending beyond outer edges of the filter screen assembly to substantially prevent the flow of cooking fluid from the filter pan or crumb catcher directly onto the filter screen assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Ultrafryer Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rosendo A. Sanchez, Albert C. McNamara, Jack E. Garner, Allen F. Clark
  • Patent number: 6360898
    Abstract: A filter and housing for waste water treatment includes a housing having a plurality of coaxially mounted vertically extending sections adaptable to receive a filter cartridge therein. An upper section is provided with an outlet consisting of at least two coaxially aligned rings of preselected diameters wherein the thickness of the rings and the spacing between the rings is sufficient to receive waste water treatment outlets of different diameters. The filter cartridge is comprised of a stacked arrangement of a plurality of disc-dam units wherein each disc-dam unit is provided with a serpentine configured first dam, the first dam extending upwardly from an upper surface of the disc-dam unit, the first dam having terminating ends spaced at outer terminating edges of the disc dam unit to define a cord segment therebetween. The terminating ends are connected by a second dam having a height less than the first dam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventors: Harry L. Nurse, Jr., John Christensen
  • Patent number: 6350379
    Abstract: A filter for filtering a fluid, such as lubricating oil for an engine, has a full flow filter element and a bypass filter element stacked on the full flow filter element. A flow-deflecting element is disposed between the full flow filter element and bypass filter element to provide a spinning motion to oil flowing from the bypass element as that oil joins oil which is passed through the full flow filter element. The spinning motion of the oil from the bypass filter element encourages mixing of the oil from the bypass filter element with the oil filtered by the full filter element. During operation of the engine this arrangement tends to provide cleaner lubricating oil and therefore reduces engine wear while increasing the time interval between scheduled maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Allen Roll, Gregory Keith Rhyne, Willie Luther Stamey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6346192
    Abstract: A bacterial fluid filter includes a filter element supported by a backing member. The filter element and backing member are sealed, e.g., with one or more o-ring seals, in a housing to provide a filter assembly capable of filtering fluid under relatively high pressure. In one embodiment, a filter element, backing member, and seal are disposed in a removable and disposable housing that is sized to fit within a filter housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: TherOx, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Buhr, Adib G. Daoud, Derek J. Daw, John E. Merritt
  • Patent number: 6319416
    Abstract: The present invention typically involves the use of a compressed blocking area to assist in sealing a filter element and avoiding channeling in a wound fibrous tissue filtering system. It may involve the use of multiple, spaced, interstitial rings. It may involve the intentional wasting of a portion of the filter element to create a compressed blocking area. It may also involve the use of different heights of the rings and may include the use of compression and secondary tapers on the rings. The heights and spacing of the rings with respect to the other ring or rings may vary in a certain ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Harvard Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis R. Morgan, Edd D. Gryder
  • Publication number: 20010040123
    Abstract: A filter system especially useful in the treatment of waste material, in particular liquid waste material which may include particulate matter therein. The filter system includes a series of filters of progressively finer porosity in order to selectively eliminate particulate (or semi-particulate) matters from a carrier material, typically, but not exclusively, of a fluid or liquid nature. The filters are mounted within a housing which includes one or more inlet ports and at least one outlet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Scott Beckham
  • Publication number: 20010037964
    Abstract: The filter has hollow fiber membranes which are spaced apart from each other and are held in a substantially linear fashion between a first bonded layer and second bonded layer. This allows the membranes to work effectively without having to be looped. This placement also avoids the kinking of the membranes and stretching in the membrane which in turn would undesirably increase the pore size. The filter thus has a plurality of porous membranes, each membrane having a hollow passage therein and having a first end and second end, and each end having an opening. The first bonded layer is affixed to the first ends so as to block fluid entry through the openings of the first ends. The second bonded layer is affixed to the second ends so as to leave the openings of the second ends exposed for fluid exit from the hollow fiber membranes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Applicant: WON JAY
    Inventors: JAY WON, ANDRE TREMBLAY, HENRY HUNSE
  • Patent number: 6270668
    Abstract: The present invention typically involves the use of a compressed blocking area to assist in sealing a filter element and avoiding channeling in a wound fibrous tissue filtering system. It may involve the use of multiple, spaced, interstitial rings. It may involve the intentional wasting of a portion of the filter element to create a compressed blocking area. It may also involve the use of different heights of the rings and may include the use of compression and secondary tapers on the rings. The heights and spacing of the rings with respect to the other ring or rings may vary in a certain ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Harvard Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis R. Morgan, Edd D. Gryder
  • Patent number: 6267926
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing entrained gases from a liquid by directing a liquid flow adjacent a substantially hydrophobic microporous membrane material and providing a negative pressure to one side of the membrane material to draw undissolved gas bubbles out of the liquid and through the membrane walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Celgard Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley W. Reed, Martin J. Weinstein
  • Patent number: 6251291
    Abstract: A reservoir-and filter system for receiving fluid and for removing impurities from fluid is provided in an embodiment of the invention. The system includes a housing with at least two cavities; a first cavity with at least one unfiltered-fluid inlet and a second cavity with at least one filtrate outlet. In this embodiment, a filter member is disposed so as to separate the cavities. In addition, a filtering trap is disposed so as to directly accept fluid as it enters the first cavity, filter it, and minimize clogging of the filter member. A coarse filter shroud providing a funnel shape at the opening of a cup-shaped trap is included in a preferred embodiment. In an embodiment, at least one gas outlet adaptable for connection to a vacuum source is associated with the second cavity. A method for removing impurities from blood within an extracorporeal circuit is also provided in a further embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Tranfusion Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: David G. Lamphere, Thomas D. Headley, Clair L. Strohl, Clifford Martin
  • Patent number: 6217754
    Abstract: A swimming pool filter including a casing having an opening and a filter cartridge arranged in the casing having an axial hollow core. The swimming pool filter also includes a top cover having means for securing the top cover to the casing in order to cover the opening of the casing and an opening substantially corresponding to the axial hollow core of the filter cartridge. The swimming pool filter further includes a plug structured and arranged to fit within the opening of the top cover and an accessory element arranged in the plug to complement the functions of the filter. The accessory element is structured and arranged to fit at least partially within the axial hollow core of the filter cartridge when the plug is fitted within the opening of the top cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Aplister, S.A.
    Inventor: Armand Puiggros Ros
  • Patent number: 6193883
    Abstract: A filtration apparatus for separating and/or enriching dissolved substances from a suspension or suspensions having at least one filter means through which flow takes place, there being arranged on the retentate side of the filter means a means for producing a shear field which produces a virtually homogeneous shear field and pressure gradient across the inflow cross-section of the filter means. The means for producing the shear field may be formed by a rotationally symmetrical rotor. There may be used as filter means matrices that are suitable for the adsorption of the dissolved substances to be separated off. There come into consideration for that purpose surface-modified membranes, for example affinity membranes. The filter apparatus may be one-tier, two-tier or multi-tier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Gesellscgaft fur Biotechnologische Forschung mbH (GRF)
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Kroner, Jens Vogel
  • Patent number: 6193895
    Abstract: A multipurpose vehicle coolant recycling device is described. The multipurpose vehicle coolant recycling device includes a pump for pumping coolant through said recycling device, a processing tank for receiving used coolant, a fresh coolant tank for receiving fresh coolant, a filter for removing particulates from coolant, a coolant outlet hose constructed for attachment to a cooling system of a motor vehicle, a coolant inlet hose constructed for attachment to a cooling system of a motor vehicle, and a plurality of control valves for directing flow of coolant through the recycling device. The plurality of control valves are adjustable between a first configuration, a second configuration, a third configuration, and a fourth configuration. The first configuration is constructed for directing coolant from the fresh coolant tank through the pump and through the coolant outlet hose, and directing coolant from a cooling system of a motor vehicle through the coolant inlet hose and into the processing tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Century Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: William S. Dea, Todd Moore
  • Patent number: 6149815
    Abstract: Femtoliter to milliliter volumes of one or a plurality of different liquids are accurately dispensed electrokinetically without any direct electrical contact with such liquid(s). This is accomplished with apparatus which creates an electric field over dispensing receptacles to discharge such liquid(s) into receiver reservoirs or scientific apparatus. Two electrically-conductive plates are insulated from each other so that a field polarizes the liquid and forces movement without faradaic processes or joule heating. One of the plates is charged, whereas the other is grounded. Liquid to be dispensed is placed between the two plates and is dispensed on applying the charge to the charged plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Andrew D. Sauter
  • Patent number: 6096201
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating bodies from a flowing liquid in which the apparatus includes a rotary conveyor helix (3) which is disposed at an angle with the horizontal and has a lower portion (10) which forms a screening device (40) and an upper portion where discharge takes place of material which has been displaced by the conveyor helix (3) from the screening device to the upper portion. At least one extra screening device (70) is disposed adjacent to the first screening device (40) for lateral transport to the first screening device of material which has been entrapped by the extra screening device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Spirac Engineering AB
    Inventor: Richard L. Bruke
  • Patent number: 6096206
    Abstract: Manufacturing equipment for drinkable water containing high oxygen includes at least an original water storing and feeding device, a filter device, a softening device, a deodorising device, a film filter device, a collecting and reacting device, an ozone sterilizing device, a sophisticated filter device, a liquid oxygen supply device, and a dispensing device combined together for producing the best quality drinkable water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventor: Wen-Tien Huang
  • Patent number: 6076450
    Abstract: A brewer device for brewing single servings of a beverage, while also functioning as a cup closure lid. The lid includes a filter assembly to hold a brew substance, such as coffee grounds, a lip to secure said device to the mouth of a cup, and a frangible tab to allow consumption of the beverage without removing the lid. To enhance the aroma of the beverage while it is being consumed, the brew substance is held on top of the lid just below the position of the consumer's nose. Other brew substances, such as tea, cocoa, bouillon, etc., may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Inventor: Joseph H. DiGiorgio, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6029479
    Abstract: A lint filter having a succession of mesh screens which are arranged in parallel in a tank which receives lint-containing water from a laundry facility. The mesh screens are positioned so that the lint-containing water must pass through the screens in order to leave the tank. The lint-containing water is sprayed evenly on one side of the tank and proceeds across the tank toward the mesh screens. The mesh screens are angled so that lint and particles contained in the lint-containing water are allowed to fall to the bottom of the tank. Multiple exits allow lint-filtered water to leave the lint filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Inventor: Harley J. Pattee
  • Patent number: 6013180
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mineral filtering apparatus in which the raw water is passed through a plurality of filtering processes, such as automatically filtrating without pressure, multiply filtering, ions exchange, sterilization, deodorizing, and releasing mineral substance. The filtering apparatus generally comprises a cover, an inlet water box, a first filtering unit, a filtering box, a second filtering unit, a storing reservoir, a mineral substance barrel that is disposed within the reservoir, an outlet filtering core that is disposed within the reservoir, a spout, a bottom bracket, and a water pan. The storing reservoir is provided with a mineral stone barrel with which the water soluble mineral substance is released. When the raw water flows from top to bottom, it can be treated with filtrating, deodorizing, ions exchange, sterilizing, magnetizing processes such that the treated water is clean and suitable for direct drinking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Inventor: Wei-Renn Wang
  • Patent number: 6013181
    Abstract: The water filtration system has nine filter elements serially arranged in a hollow cylinder housing with a water inlet end and water outlet end having pipe fittings, such as, 3/4 inches for installation in the main inlet water line of a household. For a normal household the housing is approximately 20 inches long and 4 inches in diameter. The first filter element on the water inlet end is a loose weave polyester fiber pad; the second filter element is multiple irregular polyethylene beads filling approximately 3 inches of the housing length; the third and seventh filter sections are a very fine plain wool filter floss; the fourth, sixth and eighth filter sections are one millimeter wool fibers impregnated with carbon to equal two thirds of the total weight of the fibers; the fifth filter element is multiple pharmaceutical grade carbon granules filling approximately 4 1/2 inches of the housing length; and the ninth filter element is a fine mesh nylon screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Inventor: Rick Thellmann