Coiled Membrane Patents (Class 210/321.83)
  • Patent number: 11944109
    Abstract: This disclosure describes methods to separate solids from liquids in a production facility. A process separates components in the process stream by applying non-condensable media to create density differences and then using a mechanical device to separate the solids from the liquids based on the density difference. The process produces the liquids and solids, which may be further processed to create valuable animal feed products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: ICM, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles C. Gallop, Christopher Riley William Gerken
  • Patent number: 11911552
    Abstract: A combined bio-artificial liver support system, includes branch tubes that are connected in sequence: a blood input branch tube, an upstream tail end, a first plasma separation branch tube comprising at least a first plasma separator, a non-biological purification branch tube comprising at least a plasma perfusion device and a bilirubin adsorber, a biological purification branch tube comprising at least a hepatocyte culture cartridge assembly, and a plasma return branch tube, a downstream tail end of which is set as a blood output end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Southern Medical University Zhujiang Hospital
    Inventors: Yi Gao, Mingxin Pan, Lei Feng, Yang Li, Lei Cai, Guolin He, Jun Weng, Qing Peng
  • Patent number: 11826706
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis filtration system includes a set of two or more reverse osmosis pressure vessels coupled in series, each pressure vessel having one or more reverse osmosis membrane elements, a feed inlet, a retentate outlet, a permeate outlet. The pressure vessels are coupled so that each successive pressure vessel has (a) its feed inlet coupled to the retentate outlet of its preceding pressure vessel and (b) its permeate outlet coupled to the permeate outlet of its preceding pressure vessel. The permeate outlet of at least one pressure vessel includes a front permeate outlet and the permeate outlet of at least one other pressure vessel includes a back permeate outlet. The back permeate outlet of one pressure vessel is coupled to the front permeate outlet of a successive pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Copenhagen A/S
    Inventor: Ronan K. McGovern
  • Patent number: 11779887
    Abstract: A full-effect reverse osmosis membrane element includes a central tube and a reverse osmosis membrane assembly wound around the central tube. The reverse osmosis membrane assembly includes a pair of reverse osmosis membranes attached at front surfaces thereof and wound around the central tube. A water feed channel has a water inlet formed at front edges of the reverse osmosis membranes and a water outlet formed at rear edges of the reverse osmosis membranes. A water division structure is arranged in the water feed channel, and includes a first water division band forming a preset space with the central tube when the reverse osmosis membranes are in an unfolded state. The first water division band divides the water feed channel into a first flow channel having a gradually decreasing cross-section and a second flow channel in communication with the first flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: SHENZHEN ANGEL DRINKING WATER INDUSTRIAL GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guoping Li, Kai Zhao, Jing Lei, Juan Wang
  • Patent number: 11745144
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide replacements for a continuous layer of feed spacer mesh in spiral-wound reverse osmosis elements and replacing such mesh with discrete regions of feed spacer supporting the inlet and outlet ends of the element and a stiffening bridge feature to bridge between these regions at the tail end of each membrane leaf comprising the element during the element rolling process. The stiffening bridge feature prevents inward deflection of the inner layer of the membrane leaf during rolling, facilitating proper sealing of the adhesive through the permeate carrier to the adjacent membrane film using known membrane rolling techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Aqua Membranes Inc.
    Inventors: Kendall Weingardt, Rodney E Herrington, Kevin Roderick
  • Patent number: 11712664
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, flow dividing strips are used in the construction of the spiral wound element to segregate and direct feed to reject flow of a reverse osmosis element Flow dividing strips isolate the flow of fluid through distinct regions of the spiral-wound element. The flow dividing features can also be used to direct flow within the element in order to create a longer flow path for the fluid through the element, enabling even higher recovery in some applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Aqua Membranes, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Roderick, Rodney Herrington, Kendall Weingardt
  • Patent number: 11673095
    Abstract: Helical separation membranes, helical separation assemblies including one or more helical separation membranes, and separation technologies that include one or more helical membrane assemblies are described. In embodiments the helical membrane assemblies include one or more one or more helical membrane leaves. Methods of making helical separation membranes, helical membrane assemblies, helical membrane modules that include one or more helical membrane assemblies are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: CROSSTEK MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Bruce Bishop, Job Omweno
  • Patent number: 11617987
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis apparatus for a seawater desalination system is provided. The reverse osmosis apparatus includes a barrel in which a plurality of vessels receiving reverse osmosis membrane units are arranged, a feed tank provided in an intermediate portion of the barrel and connected to a seawater inlet, a first water tank provided inside a first end portion of the barrel and connected to a plurality of first vessels connected to a first side of the feed tank, and a second water tank provided inside a second end portion of the barrel and connected to a plurality of second vessels connected to a second side of the feed tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: DOOSAN ENERBILITY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong Hae Park, Wee Kwan Kang, Hye Ryun Ahn, Young Geun Lee
  • Patent number: 11369924
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane separation system including a plurality of separation membrane elements connected to one another, each of the separation membrane elements including a plurality of separation membrane pairs, each separation membrane pair including separation membranes each having a feed-side surface and a permeate-side surface and disposed such that the feed-side surfaces face each other, in which the plurality of separation membrane elements include a first separation membrane element and a second separation membrane element, and at least one first separation membrane element serves as a stage preceding the second separation membrane element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Akshay Garg, Yoshiki Okamoto, Shinichiro Yoshidomi, Shigehisa Hanada, Norihiro Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 11198098
    Abstract: A spiral wound module assembly including: a plurality of spiral wound modules aligned within a pressure vessel with a first module located adjacent the first end and a second module located adjacent the second end, a flow plate including opposing first and second sides positioned within the pressure vessel between the first spiral wound module and the first end of the pressure vessel with the first side facing the first spiral wound module and the second side facing the first end, and wherein the flow plate includes a plurality of holes passing from the first side to the second side which create a pressure drop in fluid passing from the first spiral wound module and the closer of the feed inlet port and concentrate outlet port; and a differential pressure sensor adapted to measure differences in pressure between fluid located on the opposing sides of the flow plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: DDP SPECIALTY ELECTRONIC MATERIALS US, LLC
    Inventors: Steven D. Jons, Luke Franklin
  • Patent number: 11040311
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for the deposition of spacing elements on both opposing surfaces of either an entire folded membrane sheet or portions thereof in combination with features deposited on portions of the same sheet to create spacing geometries not otherwise achievable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Aqua Membranes Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Roderick, Rodney Herrington, Kendall Weingardt
  • Patent number: 10874993
    Abstract: Provided are an inexpensive, high-quality, permeation-side flow path material that is suitable for use in spiral membrane elements and enables the improvement of productivity, a method for producing such a permeation-side flow path material, and a membrane element having such a permeation-side flow path material. Provided are (a) a permeation-side flow path material for use in a spiral membrane element, the permeation-side flow path material comprising a resin sheet comprising a plurality of ridge portions 31 formed parallel to one another; and a plurality of openings 32 formed between each pair of the ridge portions 31, (b) a method for producing such a permeation-side flow path material, and (c) a membrane element having such a permeation-side flow path material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Uda
  • Patent number: 10792619
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for curing adhesives used in the manufacture of membrane modules containing polymeric membranes, particularly polyimide based membranes used for the nanofiltration or ultrafiltration of solutes dissolved in organic solvents using microwaves. To maximise the chemical resistance of the adhesive used in these organic solvent applications, it must be as fully reacted and crosslinked (“cured”) as possible. Typically, thermal processing (heating) of the entire membrane module is used to cure the adhesives. However, the time and temperature required to achieve this high degree of completion of reaction may damage the separation performance of the membrane contained within the membrane module. In one particular aspect, this process utilises microwaves to preferentially promote the curing of epoxy adhesives over the general heating of the membrane module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Fui Wen Lim, Andrew Guy Livingston, Andrew Timothy Boam
  • Patent number: 10583400
    Abstract: Membrane elements that use multiple membrane leaves may have a limited total active membrane area due to an increased diameter at the ends of the element. Membrane leaves may comprise a permeate carrier positioned between one or more membrane sheets. Adhesive may be used to seal one or more edges of the membrane leaf. The membrane sheets, permeate carrier and the adhesive contribute to the thickness of the edges of the membrane leaf and the diameter at the ends of the element. A reduced thickness of the edges of the permeate carrier may reduce the diameter at the ends of an element. Another permeate carrier sheet may also be used that is distanced from at least one edge of the membrane sheet so the permeate carrier sheet does not contribute towards the increased diameter at the ends of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: BL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Prashant Vishwanath Shrikhande, Steven John Harrold, Cha Moua, Phillip Goebel, Yatin Tayalia, Prasanna Rao Dontula
  • Patent number: 10576018
    Abstract: A system is provided for storage and reconstitution of IV solutions. The system may include one or more storage and reconstitution devices each configured to store and manipulate IV solution containers containing IV solutions in crystalline form that include hydration chemicals and therapeutic drugs. Crystalline hydration chemicals may include crystalline salts and sugars. The containers may be dimensionally precise enough for mechanical manipulation and configured such that sharp objects such as needles are not needed for fluid delivery to or from the container. Each storage and reconstitution device may store stacked containers and may include components for retrieval of a container from the storage and for reconstitution of the contents therein using a sterile water source within the device. IV doses may be manufactured, under appropriate standards, that can be mechanically reconstituted to produce high-quality doses in real time on the patient care unit or in the pharmacy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Anthony Tribble, Thomas Utech
  • Patent number: 10532941
    Abstract: The water filtration system may include a support base. A first receptacle may be detachably disposed on the support base and configured to store source water. A second receptacle may be detachably disposed on the support base and configured to store supply water. A filter system may be disposed between the first receptacle and the second receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Aqua Tru LLC
    Inventors: Peter G. Spiegel, Michael A. Pedersen
  • Patent number: 10391451
    Abstract: An osmosis element comprising a central permeate tube and a membrane element, the membrane having a first part and a second part, the first part having a top edge for location adjacent the central tube, the second part being disposed at the opposite edge, the first part comprising a material to allow water to flow therethrough, the second part comprising at least two adjacent permeate spacers extending from the first part to allow water to flow therethrough, the permeate spacers having a semi-permeable membrane attached to opposed faces of the two adjacent permeate spacers, the first part comprising a barrier extending from the vicinity of the top edge, the central tube comprising an external wall and a longitudinally extending internal separator defining a first channel and a second channel each extending longitudinally of the central permeate tube, at least one first aperture extending from the first channel though the external wall and at least one second aperture extending from the second channel through
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: I.D.E. TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventor: Boris Liberman
  • Patent number: 10099179
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis system comprises a permeate collection tube which is connected at one end to a distribution system for permeate which comprises at least one device for cleaning and/or disinfection. The permeate collection tube, the cleaning and/or disinfection device and a circulation pump are arranged in a circulation circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Vivonic GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Volker
  • Patent number: 10040031
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-flux forward osmosis membrane assembly and a forward osmosis module using the same, and more specifically, to a forward osmosis membrane assembly capable of improving the flux inside an osmosis membrane and simultaneously promoting uniform flux along a fluid flow route by forming more channels inside the osmosis membrane in order to allow an osmotic action to be smoothly performed even if formed in a spiral wound shape, and minimizing the separation, which could occur, of a different osmosis membrane adhering to each other by minimizing the concentration polarization on the surface of the forward osmosis membrane by increasing the flux on the surface of the osmosis membrane through the promotion of turbulence along the channels and simultaneously forming separate channels inside the osmosis membrane, and a forward osmosis module in which the active area of a separation membrane capable of performing a smooth osmotic action and forming an osmotic pressure gradient is max
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Toray Chemical Korea Inc.
    Inventors: Cheong Hee Kim, Jong Hwa Lee
  • Patent number: 9962629
    Abstract: The instant application relates to a high pressure spiral-type hollow fiber membrane fabric-containing module or contactor, comprising: a high pressure module housing or vessel; a pair of end caps; liquid end ports and at least one gas port; and at least one membrane cartridge, wherein each module or contactor has one or more shims, spacers, protrusions, and/or the like on a cartridge shell exterior, on a module housing interior, on the cartridge shell exterior and on the module housing interior, and/or between the shell and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gareth P. Taylor, Elmer Wayne Bouldin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9943807
    Abstract: Disclosed is a spiral wound membrane element that provides two permeate streams through a permeate carrier sheet. The spiral wound membrane element is sealed such that the only communication with the permeate carrier is through a membrane sleeve. The first permeate stream flows spirally inward and the second permeate stream flows in the opposite direction, spirally outward. The permeate carrier sheet is sealed at two edges so that the permeate streams can only discharge from opposite, unsealed edges of the permeate carrier sheet. The first permeate stream may be collected in a central collection tube and the second permeate stream may be collected in a peripheral region of the membrane element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Inventors: Chen Wang, Chang Wang
  • Patent number: 9926854
    Abstract: A spiral mist elimination system includes a container with an inlet and a layered assembly in fluid communication with the inlet. The layered assembly contains a spiral shape and is concentric with a central axis of the container. The layered assembly imparts centrifugal motion in the engine bleed air as the engine bleed air travels spirally inward. The first portion of the layered assembly receives the first set of droplets. The layered assembly also includes a mesh matrix that collects a second set of droplets. The second set of droplets impacts the mesh matrix and coalesces to form a third set of droplets. A perforated tube is disposed along the central axis of the container. The perforated tube collects the engine bleed air from the layered assembly. Gravity draws the first and third sets of droplets into a reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Haralambos Cordatos
  • Patent number: 9889407
    Abstract: A device, which is suitable for the processing of at least one fluid, is provided with at least one elongated foil, which is formed in a number of reciprocating foil layers. Between two opposite layers of foil, a spacer is situated that is permeable at least parallel to the foil layers. The foil layers and interposed spacers extend spirally around a central axis, wherein folding lines between two foil layers extend substantially parallel to the central axis. Each spacer is coupled to at least an end near the central axis with a support extending parallel to the central axis where, of the supports near the central axis, first supports are situated between two foil layers, which foil layers are connected to one another near the central axis, whereas second supports are situated between two successive first supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: AKA Patenten B.V.
    Inventors: Bert Johan Nelemans, Jochem Franciscus Edith Lahaije
  • Patent number: 9873088
    Abstract: Described are wrapped fluid treatment elements, comprising: a composite material; an interleaf; and an inner core; wherein the composite material and the interleaf form layers wrapped around the inner core. The composite material and interleaf may be wrapped in a spiral configuration around the inner core. The invention also relates to a method of separating a substance from a fluid, comprising the step of placing the fluid in contact with an inventive device or element, thereby adsorbing or absorbing the substance to the composite material contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Natrix Separations Inc.
    Inventors: Dharmeshkumar M. Kanani, Navneet Sidhu, Bradley A. Kachuik, Charles H. Honeyman
  • Patent number: 9834471
    Abstract: A sealing agent for ion transport membranes (ITMs) includes a composition having a glass powder and a ceramic powder. The ceramic powder can include Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3?? (BSCF) or La2NiO4+? (LNO). The ceramic powder can be identical to the ceramic powder from which the ITM is made. The glass powder can include PYREX glass. The sealing agent can be in the form of a paste. The sealing agent can be used to attach an ion transport membrane to one or more support tubes. The sealing agent includes from about 10 wt. % to about 40 wt. % glass powder and from about 60 wt. % to about 90% wt. % (BSCF) ceramic powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Khaled Mezghani, Mohammed Abdel-Aziz Mostafa Habib, Amir Hamza
  • Patent number: 9795924
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a central core element for a reverse osmosis separator assembly, the central core element comprising a pair of central core element components, each of said core element components comprising at least one porous exhaust conduit and at least one friction coupling, the friction couplings being configured to join said core element components to form a central core element defining a cavity configured to accommodate a first portion of a membrane stack assembly; wherein each core element component comprises a first section defining an exhaust cavity and a second section comprising a porous exhaust conduit, wherein said porous exhaust conduit comprises a removable wall member configured to form a substantial portion of a porous exhaust conduit wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Jonathan Sebastian Janssen, Philip Paul Beauchamp, Todd Alan Anderson, Mohammed Mounir Mahmoud Shalaby, Wenpeng Liu, Anubhav Kumar
  • Patent number: 9636446
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, apparatus, and method for separating components of a fluid, e.g. blood, which eliminates the need for expensive hardware and produces a stabilized waste product. The system comprises an apparatus or device (V) for separating components of a fluid (15?) comprising a container (5?) having at least one separation or filtration member (10?) capable of selectively separating or filtering at least one component from the fluid, and a superabsorbent material (20?) capable of absorbing the at least one component separated from the fluid, and thereby providing a processed fluid free or substantially free of said at least one component; and agitation means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: University of Strathclyde
    Inventor: Terence Gourlay
  • Patent number: 9604179
    Abstract: A spiral membrane element that can reduce the dimension increase in the length direction is provided. Also, a method for producing a spiral membrane element is provided having a step of forming a fiber reinforced resin layer having a reinforcing fiber layer and a strengthening fiber layer. The spiral membrane element is provided with a cylindrical wound body in which a separation membrane, a feed-side channel material, and a permeate-side channel material in a laminated state are wound in a spiral form around a center tube having a hole, and a sealing part for preventing feed-side fluid and permeate-side fluid from being mixed with each other, wherein a fiber reinforced resin layer having a reinforcing fiber layer and a strengthening fiber layer enclosed and buried with the same resin is provided on an outer circumferential side of the cylindrical wound body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi Chikura, Yuuji Nishida, Yasuhiro Uda
  • Patent number: 9597640
    Abstract: A spiral separation membrane element includes a water collection tube; a separation membrane wound around the water collection tube, having a feed-side surface and a permeate-side surface, and including a band-shaped region on at least one end of the feed-side surface in an axial direction of the water collection tube; and a channel material fused to the band-shaped region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Masakazu Koiwa, Kentaro Takagi, Hiroho Hirozawa, Yoshiki Okamoto, Masahiro Kimura
  • Patent number: 9522363
    Abstract: Membrane elements that use multiple membrane leaves may have a limited total active membrane area due to an increased diameter at the ends of the element. Membrane leaves may comprise a permeate carrier positioned between one or more membrane sheets. Adhesive may be used to seal one or more edges of the membrane leaf. The membrane sheets, permeate carrier and the adhesive contribute to the thickness of the edges of the membrane leaf and the diameter at the ends of the element. A reduced thickness of the edges of the permeate carrier may reduce the diameter at the ends of an element. Another permeate carrier sheet may also be used that is distanced from at least one edge of the membrane sheet so the permeate carrier sheet does not contribute towards the increased diameter at the ends of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Prashant Vishwanath Shrikhande, Steven John Harrold, Cha Moua, Phillip Goebel, Yatin Tayalia, Prasanna Rao Dontula
  • Patent number: 9403130
    Abstract: A simple method of manufacturing a silica membrane which has high separation performance and high permeation flux is provided. The method is a method for manufacturing a silica membrane by depositing a silica sol on a porous substrate, drying the silica sol by air blowing which has a dew point of -70 to 0° C., and then firing the same thereafter to produce the silica membrane. Further, the silica sol is preferably dried by air blowing at an air velocity of 5 to 20 m/sec.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryujiro Nagasaka, Tatsuya Hishiki, Ichiro Wada
  • Patent number: 9370751
    Abstract: A water-treatment separating membrane includes a polyamide active layer formed on999 a porous support. The ratio of a maximum value with respect to a minimum value of a ratio of a peak height of a C?O double bond of a carboxyl group (—COOH) with respect to a peak height of a C?O double bond combined with an amide group (—CONH—) is from 1.2 to 4, when measured after acid treating the polyamide active layer and by using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Young-Hoon Ko, Jae-Hong Kim, Chong-Kyu Shin, Phill Lee
  • Patent number: 9308476
    Abstract: A fluid filter device is described, where a flow attachment member provides a unique interface between the filtering element and a filter head. The fluid filter described herein generally provides a flow structure that is localized and sealed. The flow attachment member is configured to communicate fluid into and out of the fluid filter, and is configured to localize fluid flow both into and out of the fluid filter within a separating structure of the flow attachment member. The flow attachment member further includes a seal structure configured to substantially prevent or at least confine leakage to a localized area away from proximity of the edges of the housing. A composite filter head is described that has integrally molded inlet and outlet fittings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: CUMMINS FILTRATION IP, INC.
    Inventors: Harold R. Martin, Rahul Kallurwar, James L. Eickhoff, Ismail C. Bagci, Jeffrey A. Husband, Aaron M. Wells, Kevin C. South
  • Patent number: 9283503
    Abstract: A filter element includes a media pack and a gasket member. The gasket member includes first and second gasket regions separated by a channel. One or more filter elements are usable in a dust collector. One example dust collector includes a collector housing having a dirty air inlet, a clean air outlet, and a tube sheet dividing the housing between an unfiltered air volume and a clean air volume. At least one filter element is removably mounted and sealed within the tube sheet. A gasket member secured to the element includes first and second gasket regions separated by a channel. At least one projection angled relative to a plane of the tube sheet extends into the channel of the gasket member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Raether, Brian Zauner, Jim C. Rothman
  • Patent number: 9259691
    Abstract: A water-treatment separating membrane includes a polyamide active layer formed on a porous support. When the polyamide active layer is dyed using a 5% aqueous solution of Rhodamine B, at least a curve pattern formed by connecting two or more arcs is formed in at least a partial area of the polyamide active layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-Hoon Ko, Jae-Hong Kim, Chong-Kyu Shin, Phill Lee
  • Patent number: 9244021
    Abstract: A microwave imaging sensor is disclosed for continuously monitoring the condition and status of an in situ reverse osmosis membrane that forms a semi-permeable barrier between a region of water containing a dissolved salt and a region of water which is intended to be substantially free of the dissolved salt. A device according to embodiments of the invention can be used to monitor the condition of the membrane, i.e., the ability of the membrane to filter water by reverse osmosis; and to detect failures in the membrane such as leaking saline water into the output stream. The results of the monitoring can be used to determine in real time whether or not the membrane should be replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: VAYYAR IMAGING LTD.
    Inventor: Raviv Melamed
  • Patent number: 9233525
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for fabricating a separator assembly. The method comprises: providing a central core element comprising at least one concentrate exhaust conduit and at least one permeate exhaust conduit; disposing a first portion of a membrane stack assembly comprising a permeate carrier layer, a membrane layer, and a feed carrier layer within the central core element such that the concentrate exhaust conduit and permeate exhaust conduit are separated by the first portion of the membrane stack assembly; radially winding a second portion of the membrane stack assembly around the central core element; and sealing the wound assembly comprising two opposing end surfaces made of the membrane stack assembly by applying an adhesive on both end surfaces of the wound assembly; and applying a negative pressure inside the central core element so that the adhesive penetrates into the membrane stack assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Chen Wang, Todd Alan Anderson, Su Lu, Hua Li, Zhen Liu, Jie Huang, Anubhav Kumar
  • Patent number: 9211509
    Abstract: To provide a reverse osmosis membrane where both salt rejection rate and water permeability required for wastewater treatment are achieved in a high level in spite of using the materials having excellent resistance to chemicals (resistance to alkali and to chlorine). A reverse osmosis membrane for wastewater treatment comprising a sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) polymer containing a constituting component represented by the following formula [I], characterized in that, in a proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum where water molecules in the membrane are measured using the reverse osmosis membrane in a water-containing state, the relation between the chemical shift A (ppm) of spectral peak top derived from bound water and the chemical shift B (ppm) of spectral peak top derived from bulk water satisfies (B?0.36)?A<(B?0.30): wherein X is H or a univalent cationic species and n is an integer of 10 to 50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOBO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masao Higashi, Junsuke Morita, Tooru Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 9211488
    Abstract: A fluid filter device is described, where a flow attachment member provides a unique interface between the filtering element and a filter head. The fluid filter described herein generally provides a flow structure that is localized and sealed. The flow attachment member is configured to communicate fluid into and out of the fluid filter, and is configured to localize fluid flow both into and out of the fluid filter within a separating structure of the flow attachment member. The flow attachment member further includes a seal structure configured to substantially prevent or at least confine leakage to a localized area away from proximity of the edges of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin C. South, Ismail Bagci
  • Patent number: 9050564
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter module having one or more spirally wound flat filter elements comprising permeate outlet openings on one or two edges, a method for the production of the filter module, and a filtration system formed from one or more filter modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: MN Beteiligungs GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Meyer-Blumenroth, Reinhard Voigt
  • Publication number: 20150144547
    Abstract: A spiral flow water treatment apparatus including: a core collector comprising a first portion and a second portion; a spacer spirally wound around the core collector; a separator spirally wound around the core collector and alternately with the spacer; a first spiral flow conduit located outside the separator, connected with the first portion, and decreasing in volume thereof from far to close to the core collector; and a second spiral flow conduit located within the separator, in fluid communication with the first spiral flow conduit, and connected to the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Chen WANG, Su LU, Hua LI, XueLian GONG
  • Publication number: 20150144559
    Abstract: A membrane separation device includes a separation membrane unit A that has a separation membrane unit component 8, feed stream side lines F1 and F2, and a permeate stream line P, and a unit for feeding a stream-to-be-treated, wherein a stream-to-be-treated sealing material is provided in the perimeter of an anti-telescoping plate of the separation membrane element, wherein the separation membrane elements can be moved within a cylindrical pressure vessel substantially in either direction, wherein the separation membrane unit is configured to feed the stream-to-be-treated through one of the feed stream side lines F1 and F2 and to discharge the concentrate stream through the other of the feed stream side lines, and wherein the separation membrane unit includes a mechanism that can switch the flow between the feed stream side lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Masahide Taniguchi, Kazunori Tomioka, Tomohiro Maeda
  • Patent number: 9023207
    Abstract: Disclosed is a spiral wound carbon membrane and preparation method thereof. The spiral wound carbon membrane is composed of one or more integral and windable membrane layers composed of a porous support and carbon materials containing fillers filled in the surface, pores and gaps thereof. The spiral wound carbon membrane has a developed ultramicropore porous structure with superior mechanical strength and toughness, and can be directly used to separate a gas mixture with different molecular sizes or liquid mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignees: Dalian University of Technology, Yingkou Huarui Xiangsheng Chemical Technology Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Tonghua Wang, Lin Li
  • Publication number: 20150101987
    Abstract: A composite filter membrane cartridge, including a housing with a raw water inlet and a filtered water outlet is disclosed. The housing may be equipped with one or more filter layers, including a prefilter assembly and a second filter portion, wherein the prefilter is connected to the membrane filer either via a water line or by direct stacking. The prefilter assembly may include multiple layers comprising a carbon filter and polypropylene cotton filter, wherein the locations of the filters are interchangeable. The prefilter may include granular activated carbon situated between two portions of polypropylene cotton filter cloth. The perimeter of the activated carbon filter and polypropylene cotton filter may be substantially sealed around the inner wall of the housing providing a snug fit. The second filter portion of the composite filter membrane cartridge may include nanomembrane spiral wound filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Edward Yeh, Joseph Wang, Yongming Zhang
  • Publication number: 20150096930
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a separation membrane module in which a plurality of spiral-type separation membrane elements for use in separating and removing ingredients present in a fluid to be treated are loaded. The present invention provides a separation membrane module in which a plurality of spiral-type separation membrane elements are loaded in a cylindrical pressure-resistant vessel and which allows easy loading and removal of the separation membrane elements while maintaining sealing property even when high-hardness foreign particles are present on sealing surfaces and fully achieving its performance, thereby ensuring reductions in maintenance time and labor, and provides a replacement method for such separation membrane elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Masahide Taniguchi, Tomohiro Maeda
  • Patent number: 8999162
    Abstract: Water treatment systems and methods are provided to minimize membrane fouling and the required maintenance that results therefrom. A water treatment system includes a pressure vessel with a plurality of spaced-apart membranes disposed therein, and an impeller or other means for circulating feed water through the interior of the vessel and past the membranes. Antifouling particles (such as diatomaceous earth or activated carbon) and/or pellets can be added to the feed water inhibit membrane fouling and extend the useful life of the membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Econopure Water Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Diem Xuan Vuong, Michael Sean Motherway, Curtis Roth
  • Patent number: 8991027
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward spiral wound modules along with methods for making and using the same. Several embodiments are described including methods for making spiral wound filtration modules using membrane sheet provided from a roll, wherein the membrane sheet is unrolled and assembled in a direction parallel to the permeate collection tube of the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Steven D. Jons, Allyn R. Marsh, III
  • Publication number: 20150060359
    Abstract: A spiral wound membrane element and a method for cleaning a spiral wound membrane sheet are provided. The spiral wound membrane element comprising a perforated central tube; one or more membrane sleeves, each sleeve comprising two membrane sheets enclosed at two edges around a feed spacer sheet and wrapped around the central tube; a permeate carrier sheet attached to the central tube at a first edge opposite a second edge; and a seal on third and fourth edges of the permeate carrier sheet. The method comprises introducing two solution with different solute concentration to two sides of the spiral wound membrane sheet; establishing a concentration gradient between the first and second sides; communicating a first solvent from the first side to the second side to remove a foulant located on the second side of the membrane sheet and collecting a waste stream that contains the foulant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Chang Wang, Chen Wang
  • Patent number: 8968566
    Abstract: A novel separator assembly for a spiral flow reverse osmosis apparatus is provided. In one embodiment, the separator assembly comprises a central core element comprising at least two permeate exhaust conduits and not comprising a concentrate exhaust conduit. Each permeate exhaust conduit defines an exhaust channel and one or more openings allowing fluid communication between an exterior surface of the permeate exhaust conduit and the exhaust channel, said permeate exhaust conduits independently defining a cavity between said conduits. The cavity is configured to accommodate a first portion of a membrane stack assembly comprising at least one feed carrier layer, at least two permeate carrier layers, and at least two membrane layers. A first portion of the membrane stack assembly is disposed within the cavity, and a second portion of the membrane stack assembly is wound around the central core element and forms a multilayer membrane assembly disposed around the central core element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Philip Paul Beauchamp, Michael Kent Cueman, Daniel Jason Erno, Todd Alan Anderson, Dean David Marschke
  • Patent number: 8940171
    Abstract: A system for treating wastewater including at least one water-treatment pathway having at least one wastewater inlet, at least one oxygen-permeable, water-impermeable wall, separating an interior of the pathway from outside air, and at least one treated wastewater outlet and arranged for at least aerobic treatment of the wastewater as it flows from the at least one wastewater inlet to the at least one treated wastewater outlet, at least one wastewater supply conduit, supplying the wastewater to the at least one wastewater inlet of the water-treatment pathway and at least one treated wastewater conduit, supplying treated wastewater from the at least one treated wastewater outlet of the at least one water-treatment pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Emefcy Limited
    Inventors: Ronen Itzhak Shechter, Lior Eshed, Eytan Baruch Levy, Tamar Ashlagi Amiri