Plural Cylindrical Membranes All Connected For Parallel Flow Patents (Class 210/321.88)
  • Patent number: 11469428
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel cell membrane humidifier capable improving humidifying efficiency by controlling the flow direction of fluid, and the fuel cell membrane humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a hollow fiber membrane module for accommodating a hollow fiber membrane in which a first fluid and a second fluid perform moisture exchange while the first fluid flows therein and the second fluid flows on the outside thereof; and a housing part constituting the appearance of the membrane purifier, wherein a fluid guide part for uniformly guiding the flow of fluid is formed between the hollow fiber membrane and the housing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Inventors: Na-Hyeon An, Kyoung-Ju Kim, Young-Seok Oh, Jin-Hyung Lee, Woong-Jeon Ahn
  • Patent number: 11161077
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a device for a mass transfer between two fluids, wherein at least one hollow-fiber mat (9) is wound on an at least partly hollow core assembly (1, 1a, 1b, 2), and the formed coil is inserted into a housing (10). The assembly of the housing (10) and the coil is then sealed (10), in particular potted, with a sealant at the opposing axial ends in the regions between the hollow-fiber ends and the housing. The core assembly (1, 2) is made of at least two axially adjacent core parts (1, 1a, 1b, 2) arranged one behind the other, at least one (1, 1a, 1b) of which has a hollow design, and the core parts (1, 1a, 1b, 2) are kept in specified axial positions relative to each other, in particular at a distance to each other, by means of at least one aid element (7) at least over the period of the sealing process and preferably over the period of the winding process as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: ENMODES GMBH
    Inventors: Philine Ritter, Ralf Borchardt
  • Patent number: 10765992
    Abstract: A process for producing nitrogen-rich air by feeding high temperature air at 150° C. or more to an air separation membrane module is described. After being placed at 175° C. for two hours, the air separation module exhibits a shape-retention ratio of 95% or more in one embodiment. The nitrogen-rich air can be fed to a fuel tank for an aircraft, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: UBE INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka Kanetsuki, Nobuhiko Fukuda, Nozomu Tanihara, Tomohide Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10195568
    Abstract: A membrane separation apparatus includes: a shell, wherein an inner surface of the shell is an arc surface, and at least one medium inlet and at least one medium outlet used for discharging a medium that is separated are arranged on the shell; a rotor arranged inside the shell, wherein at least two contact ends that are always in slidably contact with the inner surface of the shell are arranged on an outer surface of the rotor, the outer surface of the rotor and the inner surface of the shell form sealed separate cavities between the adjacent contact ends, and an empty part inside the rotor is used as a medium storage chamber; and separation chambers arranged inside the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: IP TECH PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: XiaoShan Zhou, Ming Sun, Ji Lei
  • Patent number: 9795904
    Abstract: A filtering membrane module and a filtering apparatus having the same, which is capable of remarkably reducing a vibration of filtering membrane module during an aeration process for a maintenance cleaning of filtering membrane, and preventing a crack from occurring in the filtering membrane module by the vibration, wherein the filtering membrane module comprises a filtering membrane; a header, to which the filtering membrane is potted, including a first lateral side and a second lateral side opposite to the first lateral side; a first coupling unit provided at the first lateral side; and a second coupling unit provided at the second lateral side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: KOLON GLOBAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Moon Sun Kang, Chang-Hyo Ahn, Geon Tae Kim, Hee-Deung Park
  • Patent number: 9737857
    Abstract: Parallel membrane elements are arranged in parallel within a pressure vessel. A sealing body is disposed within the pressure vessel and is compressed against an inner surface of the pressure vessel to provide a leak-right seal in between a feed gas side of the sealing body and a non-permeate side of the sealing body. The sealing body may be slid within the pressure vessel without damaging the sealing body and in all cases without requiring mechanical assistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: AIR LIQUIDE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Sandeep K. Karode, Karl S. Beers
  • Patent number: 9556243
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating a solution rich in interleukin-1 receptor antagonist from a tissue comprising cytokine-producing cells. The apparatus can include a filter used with a separation system. The separation system can include a float.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Biomet Biologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Leach, Jennifer E. Woodell-May, Joel C. Higgins, Krista O'Shaughnessey
  • Patent number: 9427699
    Abstract: A hollow fiber module of a device for separating fluids has hollow fibers with walls that have partially permeable structures. The hollow fibers are positioned parallel to each other. At least one areal fluid-permeable spacer medium with a structure that is self-supporting an areal state of the at least one spacer medium is provided and arranged between the hollow fibers such that the at least one spacer medium surrounds at least partially circumferentially a first one of two neighboring hollow fibers at least on a side of the first hollow fiber that is facing the second one of the two neighboring hollow fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Inventors: Marcel Mayer, Michael Fasold, Hans-Werner Roesler, Ines Bettermann
  • Patent number: 9289726
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming a membrane holder for applying in a tube filter, by mutually connecting a number of cassettes of V-shaped cross-sectional form, wherein a plurality of cassettes are placed successively and connected to each other in longitudinal direction in a row. The V-shaped cross -section of each cassette can herein be defined by two walls and a bridge piece located therebetween, wherein each wall has a number of cut-away portions. The cassettes can be mutually connected such that a cut-away portion in a wall of the one cassette is bridged by a full wall part of the other cassette. The cassettes can be mutually connected close to the base of their V-shaped cross-section, for instance by being snapped together. The invention further relates to a membrane holder obtained by applying this method, to cassettes for use in the method and in the membrane holder, and to a tube filter in which such a membrane holder is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: NX Filtration Holdings B.V.
    Inventor: Hendrik Johan Ferdinand Berends
  • Patent number: 9283727
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a hollow fiber membrane sheet-like object including: a connecting process of forming a ring-shaped section by winding a hollow fiber membrane capable of being continuously supplied, around two or more rolls so as to surround the two or more rolls and connecting a leading end portion of the wound hollow fiber membrane and an adjacent hollow fiber membrane, or of putting a ring-shaped section created in advance, on two or more rolls, and connecting a leading end portion of a hollow fiber membrane capable of being continuously supplied, to the ring-shaped section; a winding process of winding the hollow fiber membrane around the rolls by moving the leading end portion of the hollow fiber membrane by rotating at least one roll of the two or more rolls; a fixing process of forming a fixed section by fixing the hollow fiber membrane wound around the two or more rolls, into the form of a sheet in a width direction; and a cutting process of performing cutting-ou
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Hattori, Makoto Ideguchi, Nobuyasu Ueno, Satoshi Suzuki, Yoshihito Nakahara, Taro Tsujimura
  • Patent number: 8974668
    Abstract: A membrane element consisting of a hollow fiber stack (HF stack) comprising a plurality of substantially equally spaced hollow fibers (HFs) comprising multiple alternate rows of HFs comprising first ends extending through and between contact structures comprising solid thermoset material, each HF consisting of a hydrophilic semipermeable membrane defining an elongated lumen, each HF comprising a portion that extends from one contact structure to an opposed contact structure, wherein the HFs in alternate rows are aligned with the spaces in adjacent rows, forming a hexagonal pattern comprising repeating adjacent and/overlapping hexagons, wherein each hexagon comprises a central hollow fiber (central HF) surrounded by six immediately adjacent HFs defining a hexagonal perimeter comprising six sides, the six immediately adjacent HFs being substantially equally spaced from one another and substantially equally spaced from the central hollow fiber, wherein the spacing is adapted to maintain a Reynolds' number of abo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventor: Maher Isaac Kelada
  • Patent number: 8961790
    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 one permeate exhaust conduit and at least one concentrate exhaust conduit. Each exhaust conduit defines an exhaust channel and one or more openings allowing fluid communication between an exterior surface of the exhaust conduit and the exhaust channel, said 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 one permeate carrier layer, and at least one membrane layer. 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 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Philip Paul Beauchamp, Michael Kent Cueman, Daniel Jason Erno, Todd Alan Anderson, Dean David Marschke
  • Patent number: 8956538
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for desalination of salt water based on an engineered acoustic field that causes constructive and destructive interference at pre-computed spatial positions. The engineered acoustic field can cause high-pressure and low-pressure regions where desalination membranes are located. The induced pressure from the acoustic field can force pure water through the membranes leaving ionic and dissolved molecular species behind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: FloDesign Sonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward A. Rietman, Bart Lipkens
  • Patent number: 8945387
    Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane element may be used in a pressure vessel similar to those used with spiral wound elements, optionally as a replacement for a spiral wound element. A connecting sleeve is used to connect the insides of adjacent elements to each other or to one or more fittings in communication with the outside of the pressure vessel. The element has hollow fiber membranes suspended between two potting heads spaced apart by a cross flow tube that is open at the outside faces of both potting heads. The potting heads are each adapted to slide into an end of a connecting sleeve. A module has one or more hollow fiber elements located inside of a pressure vessel. At least one port is provided in communication between the outsides of the one or more elements and the outside of the vessel. An aerator may be provided on the bottom of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Nicholas William H. Adams
  • Patent number: 8883008
    Abstract: A dialyzer composed of: first and second dialyzation chambers, and an intermediate chamber interposed between the first and second dialyzation chambers. Each dialyzation chamber has opposed first and second ends and contains a filter member that separates the chamber into a blood compartment and a dialysate compartment. Each of the compartments extends between first and second ends. Each of the chambers has a respective one of a blood inlet or outlet and a dialysate inlet or outlet arranged so that blood and dialysate flow in counter-current to one another in both chambers. The intermediate chamber is connected to form a dialysate-free blood flow passage between the blood compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Mirimedical, LLC
    Inventor: Gary Mishkin
  • Patent number: 8864990
    Abstract: Hollow fiber membranes are potted by injecting a liquid material into a substantially closed cavity (44) containing the fibers. The cavity may be formed in part by the interaction of a mold a permeate pan (52) and a layer of an adhesive pre-applied to a bundle of the membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Zenon Technology Partnership
    Inventors: Robert Szabo, Gabor Bakos, Attila Palinkas, Steven Kristian Pedersen
  • Patent number: 8852439
    Abstract: A liquid filtration method and device, for example a drinking straw with a mouthpiece, and a bundle of hollow fibres. The open ends of the fibres are embedded in a base and provided in a compartment between the base and a liquid outlet. Water or other liquid flows into the inner volume of the hollow fibres and from there through their filtering membrane walls and into the compartment before the liquid flows out through the liquid outlet, for example the mouthpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: LifeStraw SA
    Inventors: Daniel Frauchiger, Roelie Bottema, Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen
  • Patent number: 8834717
    Abstract: The invention relates to a head plate, fixing the end of a tube bundle with a number of, in particular, porous tubes with a membrane in sealing manner. The head plate is made from a metal or a metal alloy with a melting point lower than the lowest failure temperature for a tube material and/or the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Whitefox Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Robert Heggemann, Rolf Siekaup
  • Patent number: 8790586
    Abstract: The present application relates to a molecular exchange device (1) for use with an analysis and control apparatus and a method of manufacturing a molecular exchange device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Probe Scientific Limited
    Inventors: Mark Thomas O'Connell, Stewart Jeffrey Block
  • Patent number: 8771512
    Abstract: In a separation membrane module in a module main body, an upper horizontal partition plate forms an upper fluid channel, a lower horizontal partition plate forms a lower fluid channel, a plurality of vertical outer tubes are fixed between the upper horizontal partition plate and the lower horizontal partition plate, and vertical tubular membrane elements extend through the respective outer tubes with a gap. An upper end of the gap is in communication with the upper fluid channel and a lower end of the gap is in communication with the lower fluid channel. An upper end opening of each of the membrane elements is open to outside of the module main body and a lower end opening each of the membrane elements is closed. A vertical partition plate is provided in either the upper fluid channel or the lower fluid channel to form an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Zosen Corporation
    Inventors: Suguru Fujita, Yoshinobu Takaki, Yoshihiro Asari
  • Patent number: 8771513
    Abstract: The invention relates to a regeneratable filtering and adsorbing system, combining the properties of membrane filtration with those of particle-based adsorption in a closed housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Adexter GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Werner Heinrich, Peter Kruschke
  • Patent number: 8728314
    Abstract: A membrane element is provided between a pair of water collecting cases. Water collecting spaces in which permeate having penetrated through the membrane element is collected are formed in the water collecting cases. The water collecting case of one membrane module and the water collecting case of the other membrane module are coupled via coupling portions. The coupling portions have flow holes. The water collecting space of the water collecting case of the one membrane module and the water collecting space of the water collecting case of the other membrane module communicate with each other via the flow holes of the coupling portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Masutani, Yasunobu Okajima, Tomokazu Kitano
  • Patent number: 8702990
    Abstract: A fluid purification system, comprising: a first fluid purification media comprising a rigid porous purification block, comprising: a longitudinal first surface; a longitudinal second surface disposed inside the longitudinal first surface; and a porous high density polymer disposed between the longitudinal first surface and the longitudinal second surface; a second fluid purification media, comprising a fibrous, nonwoven fabric disposed adjacent to the first surface of the first fluid purification media, the second surface of the first purification media, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Selecto, Inc.
    Inventor: Ehud Levy
  • Patent number: 8696905
    Abstract: A concentrator is used for concentrating a fluid, particularly a plasma component out of blood, for treatment of a patient. The concentrator apparatus includes a main housing defining a centrifuge chamber, that also holds the filter. The concentrator allows viewing of the fluid after centrifuging, with an outlet port positionable at a height corresponding to the level of the fraction of the fluid to be further concentrated. Once the fluid is centrifuged, a portion of the fluid is drawn through the outlet, and then pressured past the filter to further concentrate the fluid using the same vessel as used for centrifuging. The same plunger is preferably used to draw centrifuged fluid from the centrifuge chamber as to pressure the centrifuged fluid past the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Circle Biologics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Coull, Matthew R. Kyle, Louis S. Kidder
  • Patent number: 8696909
    Abstract: A bioartificial kidney equivalent and a process for producing the bioartificial kidney equivalent. The hybrid bioartificial kidney comprises human proximal and distal renal tubule cells grown on particular synthetic membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: David Luttropp, Bernd Krause, Markus Neubauer, Andrea Schnell, Helmut Geiger, Juergen Bereiter-Hahn, Patrick Baer, Doris Deppisch
  • Patent number: 8696780
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an air cleaner for removing air pollutants from an air stream, for instance such as the cleaning exhaust/intake gas of an amusement machine, said air cleaner comprising a filter device including at least one filter layer (4a, 4b) held by a filter holder (5) in said airflow substantially perpendicular to a main flow direction thereof and including a plurality of preferably stick-shaped filter elements (6) neighboring each other. In accordance with the present invention, the filter device has no closed surrounding along the circumference of the filter layers, but provides for an open side along at least a portion of the periphery of the filter layer. At least one circumferential side section (7, 8) of the filter layer parallel to or tangential to the longitudinal axis of an outermost filter element is formed as an open side free of flow control elements surrounding the filter layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignees: Nonomatic AG, Dexwent USA LLC
    Inventors: Christoph Bichl, Heinz Winkler, Alois Homer, Erich Petein, Maximilian Vojta
  • Patent number: 8679337
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hollow fiber membrane module having fixing layers to which one or more hollow fiber membrane bundles each including a plurality of hollow fiber membranes are fixed at respective ends thereof using a casting resin, a hollow portion of each of the hollow fiber membranes being open at one or both of the ends, wherein the hollow fiber membrane bundle is divided into a plurality of small bundles at least one of the fixing layers on the open side of the hollow portion, and an outer circumference of each of the small bundles is covered with an elastic body near a filtration portion interface of the fixing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation
    Inventors: Yuzuru Ishibashi, Shuichi Nakata
  • Patent number: 8679338
    Abstract: A system is provided that includes one or more acoustic microfilters through which is flowed a mixture of a fluid and a particulate to selectively filter particles from the fluid. Also included are one or more phononic crystal units coupled to the acoustic microfilter(s) to further selectively filter particles from the fluid. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Flodesign Sonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward A. Rietman, Bart Lipkens, Jason Dionne
  • Patent number: 8657775
    Abstract: The present invention relates to high cut-off hemodialysis membranes for the treatment of chronic hemodialysis (CHD) patients, with the potential to improve long-term survival of these patients by reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, through down-regulation of monocyte activation in the blood. Monocytes are the major circulating blood cells involved in the progression of cardiovascular disease. High cut-off hemodialysis in chronic dialysis patients results in a sustained decrease in expression of monocyte cell-surface proteins that direct the movement of these cells from the blood to the walls of blood vessels, where they promote the progression of arterial disease (atherosclerosis) that leads to cardiovascular disease (CVD); heart disease, strokes and peripheral vascular disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Gambro Lundis AB
    Inventors: Colin Hutchison, Paul Cockwell, Hermann Göhl, Bernd Krause, Markus Storr
  • Patent number: 8636904
    Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane module, a hollow fiber membrane module unit, and a water treatment method. The module or the module unit enable the efficient contact of microorganisms on the surface of a membrane with a gas. The module and the unit have excellent durability. The hollow fiber membrane module is formed so that the end parts of sheet-form hollow fiber membranes are formed in a substantially rectangular shape and the end face of the anchoring member on a side where the hollow fiber membranes open is formed in a substantially circular shape. The hollow fiber membrane module unit is formed in such a manner that a plurality of modules is disposed. The water treatment method is used to purify treated water with the microorganisms adhered onto the outer surfaces of the hollow fiber membranes by using the module or the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Watari, Satoshi Takeda
  • Patent number: 8628662
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for filtering a liquid, in particular water, comprising membrane filtering modules, connected by pipes to valves for controlling the flows of liquid travelling towards the modules and coming from same, including a first block made up of an assembly (14a) of membrane filtering modules, a second block made up of a system of valves (14b), and a third block made up of a group of intermediate pipes (14c) comprising an interface between the system of valves (14b) and the assembly of modules (14), only the interface (14c) requiring to be changed when changing the type of filtering modules, while the system of valves (14b) and the assembly of modules (14a) remain unchanged, except when changing the type of modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Degremont
    Inventor: Frédéric Mirault
  • Patent number: 8540081
    Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane fluid transport device and its method of manufacture are disclosed wherein the fibers are comprised of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and the potting materials are comprised of fluorocopolymer and or fluoroterpolymer based materials. The potting method described herein, utilizes a compressed chemically resistant fluorocopolymer and or fluoroterpolymer film, allows for ease of manufacture without destruction of the PTFE hollow fibers, with high packing densities, and without the processing complexity of pre-melting, extruding, or chemical crosslinking of any polymeric adhesives. Furthermore, the PTFE hollow fibers can be treated with a fluoropolymeric solvent solution before the chemically resistant film is applied to enhance the adhesion of the PTFE fiber to the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Markel Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Edward Jerman, Cornelius Brown, Jr., Kenneth Donald Hobbs, Carlos Ruano, Charles Edward Wolanski
  • Patent number: 8524082
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for mechanical axial vibration in membrane separation treatment processes. The apparatus includes a separation membrane element having an axial dimension, a membrane support structure having the element therein, and means for vibrating the membrane element (hydrodynamically or using motors) in the axial dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Rockwater Resource LLC
    Inventors: Reginald A. Wiemers, Robert Kohlheb
  • Patent number: 8506806
    Abstract: A method of operating a membrane filtration module (5), the module (5) including one or more membranes (7) extending longitudinally between vertically spaced upper and lower headers (8, 9) into which the ends of the membranes (7) are potted. The membranes (7) have a permeable wall which is subjected to a filtration operation wherein feed containing contaminant matter is applied to one side of the membrane wall and filtrate is withdrawn from the other side of the membrane wall. At least one of the upper and/or lower headers (8, 9) has one or more openings (10) therein and the method including flowing the feed, at least in part, through the one or more openings (10) for application to the membrane wall. Apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas William Beck, Warren Thomas Johnson
  • Patent number: 8506808
    Abstract: A tubesheet, modules incorporating tubesheets and methods for making and using the same. In one embodiment the invention includes a tubesheet comprising: i) a plurality of aligned semi-permeable hollow fiber membranes each comprising a cylindrical porous structure surrounding a lumen and extending between a first and second end and further comprising a first segment located adjacent the first end and a second segment located adjacent to the second end and ii) a block of potting material including an interfacial surface. The first segment of the hollow fiber membrane is embedded within the block of potting material and the second segment extends from the interfacial surface of the block. The tubesheet further comprises a penetrating extension of potting material within the porous structure of the second segment of the hollow fiber membrane that extends along a length from the interfacial surface of the block to a distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Scott T. Burr, Peter E. M. Aerts, Gavin D. Vogel, David J. Moll
  • Patent number: 8501008
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing the number of leukocytes in blood through treating the blood in an arrangement of a plurality of fibers based on organic polymers, whereby the blood is channeled along the fibers and whereby the reduction in leukocytes from the blood occurs essentially through adsorption on the fibers, characterized in that the plurality of fibers based on organic polymers is fixed in a housing with an inlet arrangement and an outlet arrangement, and that the blood is channeled via the inlet arrangement into the housing, flows through the housing with the plurality of fibers made from organic polymers, and exits the housing via the outlet arrangement, that the arrangement of the fibers shows a high degree of order, that the blood flows along the external surface of the fibers, and that the fibers cause a generation of the complement activation product C5a in a concentration of at least 10 ?g per m2 of fiber surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Membrana GmbH
    Inventors: Horst-Dieter Lemke, Frank Wiese, Bodo von Harten, Martin König, Wolfgang Ramlow
  • Patent number: 8496118
    Abstract: A device for the tangential filtration of a fluid to be processed and intended to be divided into a filtrate and a retentate includes, in an outer case, a series of filtration elements of tubular form lying parallel to each other, at least one output for the filtrate, communicating with the filtrate collection receptacle, a first communication chamber in which are fitted the separation resources, communicating with respectively a first series and a second series of filtration elements forming the go and return circuits of a circulation loop for the fluid to be processed, where the separation resources include a turbine of a circulation pump. The input for the fluid to be processed opens into the first communication chamber of the outer case between the turbine of the circulation pump and the filtration elements of the series forming the return circuit of the circulation loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Societe Industrielle de la Vallee de l'Aigues—S.I.V.A.
    Inventor: Philippe Lescoche
  • Patent number: 8496826
    Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane type fluid treatment device having at least a body portion of tubular housing containing a hollow fiber membrane bundle. In the hollow fiber membrane type fluid treatment device, an inner surface of a body portion of the tubular housing at a side of a treatment liquid inlet has a body straight portion and an end tapered portion which increases in diameter toward an end face of the housing body portion, the hollow fiber membrane is arranged so that a distance between the hollow fiber membranes is gradually increased toward the end face on the treatment liquid inlet side along a taper of a tapered portion of the inner surface of the housing body portion, and a liquid to be treated flows within the hollow fiber membranes and a treatment liquid flows outside of the hollow fiber membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Medical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiko Uchi, Makoto Fukuda, Satoshi Uezumi, Hidetoshi Hidaka, Takayasu Fujimura
  • Patent number: 8480898
    Abstract: A membrane module for an immersed operation has a fiber bundle of hollow fiber membranes which are cast into a headpiece and in immersed operation are surrounded by a liquid to be filtered. The module has a permeate collection chamber connected to the headpiece with an outlet for permeate draining from the interior of the hollow fiber membranes, and a gas supply having a pipe guided by the headpiece. The pipe terminates in the interior of the fiber bundle and has a gas outlet for a gaseous medium, which after the transfer from the pipe to the liquid to be filtered rises as bubbles between the hollow fiber membranes. The fiber bundle is divided into sections and free spaces remain between the sections which extend from the pipe to the outer circumference of the headpiece and promote an inflow of the liquid into a foot area adjoining the headpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Koch Membrane Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Schäfer, Klaus Vossenkaul, Christoph Kullmann
  • Patent number: 8449772
    Abstract: A micro fluidic system comprising at least one tube (1), a membrane (3) and at least one fitting member (4). The fitting member (4) is positioned around the membrane (3) and an end part (2) of the tube(s) (1), thereby fitting the membrane (3) to the end part(s) (2). The fitting member(s) (4) is/are made from a shrinkable material, and it/they is/are fitted tightly around the membrane (3) end part(s) (2). This is obtained by causing the shrinkable material to shrink, e.g. by heating the material, while the fitting member (4) is positioned around the membrane (3) and the end part(s) (2). It is an advantage that the fitting member (4) is made from a shrinkable material because this provides the possibility of fitting the membrane (3) tightly to the end part(s) (2) in an easy and cost effective manner. The micro fluidic system is very suitable for use in a probe, such as a dialysis probe. Also claimed is a method of manufacturing the micro fluidic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Flowsion ApS
    Inventors: Holger Dirac, Per Brandt Rasmussen, Arne Briest
  • Patent number: 8404118
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter unit for purification of impure water, which could be seawater intended for ballast water, pool water, waste water or the like. The purification is performed by means of filter modules comprising filter means with dead end filter elements of a sintered material, and the filter unit facilitates alternating backwashing of the filter means at the same time as the filter unit may perform filtration of the impure water. The invention likewise relates to use of a dead end filter element in a de-gassing version, the filter element comprising a top end, a bottom end and a plurality of substantially parallel arranged channels with blockings in different ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: S R Light APS
    Inventor: Povl Kaas
  • Patent number: 8387804
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a diffusion and/or filtration device, such as a dialyzer, hemofilter, or ultra-filter, having improved flow characteristics. The invention also relates to an end cap for the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Reinhold Buck, Jürgen Eichinger, Roland Henle
  • Patent number: 8361317
    Abstract: A filter device for a motor vehicle has a filter element with a porous ceramic support body provided with one or more passages for receiving a liquid to be filtered and filter membranes formed on inner walls of the passages. The liquid to be filtered passes through the filter membranes into the support body and exits from the support body through a circumferential surface of the support body. At least one compensation element is arranged at an end face of the support body. The compensation element is elastically deformable for providing an additional liquid volume that is generated when the liquid expands due to freezing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Mann + Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Micke, Guenter Jokschas, Martin Weindorf, Dieter Schreckenberger, Elke Duerr
  • Patent number: 8333892
    Abstract: Multiple water purifier modules are stacked in a rack having manifolds for each of the various water filtration functions: feed, concentrate, and filtrate. Each module connects to the rack by a quick connect for each of the filtration tubes. The quick connects are of the self-sealing type. A handle on the end of the module away from the rack has a lever for causing the quick connects to release the module from the rack while the system remains in operation. The, module can then be totally removed from the rack for testing, service, or replacement while the overall system remains in operation. Each module contains complete filtration media. The water is passed into the feed tubes under pressure where it passes into an elongated cavity filled with elongated hollow fibers. Filtrate, such as purer water, passes through the walls of the hollow fibers to an outlet, while concentrate, which is fluid with a high percent of impurities, flows from the cavity into concentrate tubes to another outlet for disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Spintek Filtration, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Greene, Jason D. Gilmour
  • Publication number: 20120298583
    Abstract: A liquid filtration method and device, for example a drinking straw with a mouthpiece, and a bundle of hollow fibres. The open ends of the fibres are embedded in a base and provided in a compartment between the base and a liquid outlet. Water or other liquid flows into the inner volume of the hollow fibres and from there through their filtering membrane walls and into the compartment before the liquid flows out through the liquid outlet, for example the mouthpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: VESTERGAARD FRANDSEN SA
    Inventors: Daniel Frauchiger, Roelie Bottema, Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen
  • Patent number: 8307991
    Abstract: This invention provides a hollow fiber membrane module which can reduce pressure loss in discharging water within a module and can reduce operating power. A hollow fiber membrane bundle is disposed within a cylindrical case having in its side face an opening part for the inflow/outflow of water, and the end of the hollow fiber membrane bundle is bonded at an axially outer position with respect to the opening for the inflow/outflow of water. A distribution holes is provided axially inward of the opening for the inflow/outflow of water and so as to surround the outer periphery of the hollow fiber membrane bundle, and grooves and/or corrugated protrusions are provided on the inner face of the distribution cylinder so as to be in communication with each other among the distribution holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Toray Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Morikawa, Yuji Tanaka, Kenji Sakai, Hidetada Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8293107
    Abstract: New fluid separation devices and absorption materials are disclosed. Hollow fibers with an axial capillary slit act as very high efficiency absorption materials, as well as high-surface-area fluid separation devices. The hollow fibers with an axial capillary slit are constructed to preferentially absorb or repel different fluids and arranged to maximize that action over a plurality of fibers to separate different fluids. These separation devices can also function as injection devices and very effective micro-reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Alex Lobovsky, Wesley P. Hoffman, Phillip G. Wapner
  • Patent number: 8241502
    Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane module, a hollow fiber membrane module unit using the hollow fiber membrane module, and a water treatment method using the module or the module unit enable the efficient contact of microorganisms on the surface of a membrane with a gas, the module and the unit having excellent durability. The hollow fiber membrane module is formed in such a manner that the end parts of sheet-form hollow fiber membranes are formed in a substantially rectangular shape and the end face of the anchoring member on a side where the hollow fiber membranes open is formed in a substantially circular shape. The hollow fiber membrane module unit is formed in such a manner that a plurality of modules is disposed. The water treatment method is used to purify treated water with the microorganisms adhered onto the outer surfaces of the hollow fiber membranes by using the module or the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Watari, Satoshi Takeda
  • Patent number: 8240482
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for tangential filtration of a fluid to be treated and to be separated into a filtrate and a retentate, comprising at least one filtration element which comprises at least one inlet for a fluid to be filtered and at least one outlet for the retentate having circulated the filtration element, wherein said element is incorporated in a circulation loop so that at least a part of the retentate is reinjected into the fluid to be treated before being introduced into the filtration element. a module of filtration into which the circulation loop is integrated and realized by a series of filtration elements in forward direction and a series of filtration elements in backward direction, forming forward and backward circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Societe Industrielle de la Vallee de l'Aigues S.I.V.A.
    Inventor: Philippe Lescoche
  • Patent number: 8216473
    Abstract: Equipment, systems, processes and techniques for conducting reverse osmosis processing of solutions are described. The techniques can be applied to provide diluted solution (i.e. purified solvent), concentrate solution or each. A variety of specific equipment, example systems and processes are depicted and described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Solution Dynamics, LLC
    Inventor: Calvin Wade Wohlert