Responsive To Fluid Flow Patents (Class 210/87)
  • Patent number: 11964089
    Abstract: A blood purification apparatus that includes a blood circuit including an arterial blood circuit and a venous blood circuit and having a flow route that allows a patient's blood to extracorporeally circulate from a distal end of the arterial blood circuit to a distal end of the venous blood circuit; a blood purifier connected to a proximal end of the arterial blood circuit and to a proximal end of the venous blood circuit and that purifies the blood flowing through the blood circuit; an air-trap chamber connected to the blood circuit and that traps bubbles contained in liquid flowing in the flow route of the blood circuit; and a blood pump provided to the arterial blood circuit and being capable of delivering the liquid within the blood circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Nikkiso Company Limited
    Inventor: Shingo Ikuma
  • Patent number: 11813390
    Abstract: An extracorporeal blood filtering machine can include a blood circuit, an effluent circuit, and a source fluid circuit and can be controlled by a controller. The extracorporeal blood filtering machine can also include access ports for connecting the source fluid circuit to the blood circuit, as well as blood sensors to detect possible issues with the extracorporeal blood filtering machine. The extracorporeal blood filtering machine can include density sensors and flow sensors that enable it to be more accurate and to operate while being transported. The extracorporeal blood filtering machine can further include a user interface and can display fluid inflow/outflow information. A medical fluid container can automatically empty after being filled. An apparatus for supporting a medical fluid container can include a hanger and an attachment member with the apparatus able to adjust to ensure the medical fluid container remains properly oriented directly under a medical fluid container scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: NUWELLIS, INC.
    Inventors: Vitaliy Gennad'yevich Epshteyn, Steven Daniel Sandoval, Kalley Francis Berg, Franz Willems Ulrich
  • Patent number: 11707078
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing single cell protein, wherein a thermophilic fungus is grown a fermentable carbon-rich feedstock at a high temperature and at an acidic pH. This allows for a cost effective fermentation process that can to be run under non-sterile conditions and without additional cooling requirements. The process can be used to convert by-products or waste from agriculture or food production, or organic fractions of municipal solid waste into valuable single cell protein that can be applied as dietary source of protein or protein supplement in human food or animal feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: The Protein Brewery B.V.
    Inventors: Wilhelmus Theodorus Antonius Maria de Laat, Joan Sebastian Gallego Murillio
  • Patent number: 11345610
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an artificial intelligence water purifier includes a storage device and a control unit. The storage device is configured to store discharge information that includes an amount of beverage discharged from the water purifier in a time slot of a predetermined period of time. The control unit is configured to analyze the discharge information, set the time slot in a power-saving schedule based on analysis of the discharge information, and control the water purifier to perform a power-saving operation based on determining that an operation time is within the time slot set in the power-saving schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kiwon Yu, Jongho Park
  • Patent number: 11266758
    Abstract: The present application relates to a method for disinfection of a temperature control device for human body temperature control during extracorporeal circulation which temperature control is conducted by use of a heat exchanger and a temperature control liquid circulating through the heat exchanger and the temperature control device. According to the present application, the temperature control device is connected to a temperature control liquid supply and, during operation of the temperature control device for human body temperature control, a disinfectant is selectively added to the temperature control liquid supply upstream of the temperature control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: LivaNova Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Schreyer, Erwin Knott, Olivier Wolfgramm
  • Patent number: 11234552
    Abstract: The system may be a device that allows for mixture of an additive to a substance in a line of flow. The system may include a hydration pack with a reservoir that may contain a first substance, such as water. The system may include a cartridge with an additive that is mixed to the line of flow through a Venturi which may include a rolling seal that is manipulated with a dial a user manipulates to adjust the amount of additive added to the line of flow. The mixed liquid may then be accessed through a hose from the system to a mouth piece. The system may be modular to allow a user to replace the cartridge by disengaging a first component and a second component of the system through a buckling mechanism and replacing the cartridge within the second component. The cartridges may be reusable, recyclable or disposable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Infuze, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Noall, Nathan Erickson, Shane McKenna
  • Patent number: 11148080
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a water circulation system and a replaceable water filter. The refrigerator includes a sensor that determines if a water filter is present, and a user interface that prompts a user to purge a water filter upon installation of a new water filter in the refrigerator. The water filter may include a memory storage device that stores information concerning the allowable life of the water filter, the remaining life of the water filter, and other information. Information concerning the remaining life of the water filter and other information can be displayed or otherwise communicated to a user by the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Melissa M. Bippus, Ronald W. Guess, John A. Laine, Li Y. Situ, Keith A. Snyder, Dennis J. Staley
  • Patent number: 11152102
    Abstract: A display apparatus for a user interface of a medical instrument avoids erroneous input of numerical values when a user inputs information. A display apparatus includes a numerical value information input section, a selectable target information display section, and a target selection section. A plurality of the setting information selection sections are displayed to be associated with corresponding selectable target information, and a plurality of pieces of selectable target information are arranged so as to be adjacent to each other based on a same standard. The numerical value information input section corresponding to the selected target selection section is displayed simultaneously on a same screen. A range of the selectable target information is changed visually and displayed in response to the numerical value information which is input to the numerical value information input section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomoki Utsugida
  • Patent number: 11072543
    Abstract: A water disinfection chamber includes one or more UVC LEDs. The chamber is constructed of Teflon or employs a Teflon PTFE liner to increase UV reflections through the volume of the chamber. LEDs are positioned in specific locations to both provide maximum UV intensity in the main fluid flow path and an angle to allow enough reflections to fill the chamber with UV light to disinfect the fluid flowing through the chamber. The chamber is scalable in size and in the number of LEDs employed including the number of rings where LEDs are located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Canopus Water Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Souheil Benzerrouk
  • Patent number: 11052334
    Abstract: A water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a housing accommodating components for generating cold water and/or hot water; a water cock which protrudes from a front surface of the housing, the water cock being configured to discharge the cold water or the hot water; a control panel which is provided so as to input a command for discharging the cold water or the hot water; a sterilization module which is detachably mounted on the water cock, the sterilization module being configured to emit ultraviolet rays for sterilizing the inside of the water cock; and a fastening part which is formed on the water cock and the sterilization module, respectively, so that the sterilization module can be attached to and detached from the water cock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Youngjin Kim, Myounggon Kim, Kowoon Baek
  • Patent number: 11033893
    Abstract: A continuous resin regeneration system includes a process by which resin in need of being recharged is continuously recharged and cleaned with a plurality of two-set filtration columns so that resin regeneration and the flow of influent is continuous and interrupted. Downstream filtration columns also undergo this cycling but at slower and related rates as the first column with the dirtiest water will naturally degrade resin faster than the downstream columns. Contaminated influent is cleaned by the continuously recharged resin in multiple column sets. The degree of cleaning of earlier filtration columns affects the resin flow rate of later filtration columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Inventors: Jay Vanier, Russell D. Pool
  • Patent number: 10960381
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for disinfecting, recharging, and conditioning zirconium phosphate in a reusable sorbent module. The systems and methods provide for reuse of a zirconium phosphate sorbent module after dialysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryant J. Pudil, Christopher M. Hobot
  • Patent number: 10913662
    Abstract: A monitoring system for distributed utilities. A generation device is provided for converting an available resource to a desired utility; the resource may be water, in which case the generator is a purifier for providing potable water, or, alternatively, the generator may convert a fuel to electrical power. In either case, an input sensor is provided for measuring input to the generation device, while an output sensor is provided for measuring consumption of output from the generation device. The monitoring system has a controller for concatenating measured input and consumption of output on the basis of the input and output sensors. Measured parameters are telemetered to a remote site where utility generation and use are monitored and may also be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Jason A. Demers, Kingston Owens
  • Patent number: 10913017
    Abstract: A manifold for domestic water purification systems having flow paths that can be redirected without having to change the physical structure of the manifold or water purification system—a structure to assist with proper installation of specific filter cartridges, a memory reader for processing data relating to the state of the filter cartridges, a hinge system to allow for easier installation/removal of new and replacement filter cartridges, and a flow path structure to assist in adding accessories to the water filtration system without requiring a modification to the manifold structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Marmon Water (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Vivek Kunwar Narendra Singh, Sathyanarayana Jujaray, Rajesh K N
  • Patent number: 10843104
    Abstract: A chromatography system for separation of a biopolymer is described, comprising at least one feed tank, at least one hold tank, at least one elution buffer tank, at least one eluate tank, at least two packed bed chromatography columns and at least one pump and at least one outlet detector both fluidically connected to said each packed bed chromatography column, wherein the feed tank, the hold tank(s), the elution buffer tank and the eluate tank are each fluidically connected to the packed bed chromatography columns via a system of valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Cytiva Sweden AB
    Inventors: Karol Lacki, Martin Hall
  • Patent number: 10758662
    Abstract: The application is directed to an extracorporeal blood processing system capable of using dialysate to prime the system. A plastic molded compact manifold supports molded blood and dialysate fluidic pathways along with relevant sensors, valves and pumps. The compact manifold is also disposable in one embodiment and can be detachably installed in the dialysis machine. A two-way valve in the manifold is used to direct the dialysate flow through the blood circuit to prime the circuit for use in treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, Martin Hering, Frank Isackson
  • Patent number: 10662627
    Abstract: A water dispensation system includes a water dispenser including a water conduit defining a water channel between a water inlet and a water outlet. A light emitter is coupled to the water conduit proximate to the water outlet. The light emitter is configured to emit sanitizing light into water that passes out of the water outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Karen L. Hills, Daniel Robert Keenan, Stephen I. Philips, Richard K. Simms, Douglas Alan Brown
  • Patent number: 10472254
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for analyzing an influence variable on membrane fouling of a seawater desalination system, wherein influence variables other than variables having a low degree of influence, among variables affecting the membrane, are selected, and the influence thereof on membrane fouling is used to derive an equation. The apparatus includes a variable storage unit configured to store variables affecting membrane fouling of a seawater desalination system, a dominant variable selection unit configured to select at least one dominant variable among the variables through at least one algorithm, and an equation derivation unit configured to derive a specific equation based on a correlation between the selected dominant variable and the membrane fouling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries Contstruction Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Seongjoon Kim, Jonghyuk Moon, Sungju Park, Juwon Hwang
  • Patent number: 10471375
    Abstract: A water filter assembly is provided. The assembly includes an outer shell and a filter disposed inside the outer shell. The filter has an upstream portion constructed from a first media and a downstream portion constructed from a second media. A fluid flow meter is located downstream of the filter. An electronic processor is electronically connected to the fluid flow meter and is adapted to transmit a wireless signal to a remote electronic device to display flow information from the fluid flow meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Tern Water, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohamed Zerban, Connor White
  • Patent number: 10240593
    Abstract: Controlling the operation of a jockey pump in a fire pump system including a jockey pump controller which includes an electronic circuit board configured to receive a signal indicating a pressure value, and compares the pressure value to a threshold for initiating operation of the jockey pump. The jockey pump controller may further include memory configured to store event statistics indicating information regarding past operation of the jockey pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: ASCO Power Technologies, L.P.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Stephens
  • Patent number: 10186169
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for assessing and improving an infant's oral feeding skills. The system comprises a “smart” baby feeding device comprising an instrumented baby bottle with a removable, battery-powered monitoring module wirelessly connected to a remote device (e.g., smart phone, tablet, laptop, PC). The purpose of the remote device is to monitor (in real time) and measure the frequency and quality of feedings of new-born babies to help optimize feeding development by providing real-time feeding performance information back to the caregiver. The information collected is of assistance in minimizing feeding difficulties and correcting feeding deficiencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventor: Chantal Lau
  • Patent number: 10132096
    Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatuses for improving pool skimmers. In some embodiments, the apparatus is a pool skimmer basket system that includes a skimmer basket, a first tube that is attached to the skimmer basket, and a second tube that is adjacent to and rotatable relative to the first tube. The first tube includes a longitudinal slot that feeds water into the skimmer basket. Without being bound by any particular theory, it is believed that the slot increases the velocity of water flowing into the basket and that the system increases the debris-holding capacity and allows one to avoid having to reach through dirty water to remove the skimmer basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Totally New Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Ronnie E. Smith
  • Patent number: 9968725
    Abstract: The application is directed to an extracorporeal blood processing system capable of using dialysate to prime the system. A plastic molded compact manifold supports molded blood and dialysate fluidic pathways along with relevant sensors, valves and pumps. The compact manifold is also disposable in one embodiment and can be detachably installed in the dialysis machine. A two-way valve in the manifold is used to direct the dialysate flow through the blood circuit to prime the circuit for use in treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, Martin Hering, Frank Isackson
  • Patent number: 9937991
    Abstract: A sealing system for sealing a shaft located under water includes a bush mountable on the shaft and fixed to the shaft, a housing fixed with respect to the bush and surrounding a first portion of the bush, a lubricant chamber and an air chamber in the housing and open to the bush, the lubricant chamber being sealed with respect to the air chamber by a seal ring, a mechanical seal outside the housing and surrounding a second portion of the bush, an air supply line and an air discharge line connected to the air chamber, and a quantity of lubricating oil in the lubricant chamber, the lubricating oil being in fluid communication with a lubricant tank via at least one oil line, wherein an air pressure in the air chamber is greater than an oil pressure in the lubricant chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: SKF MARINE GmbH
    Inventors: Carlos Fangauf, Joerg Brand
  • Patent number: 9874468
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for measuring and processing fuel meter measurements, such as rotary gas meter volume measurements, are generally disclosed herein. At least some aspects of the systems, devices, and methods can allow a fuel meter body to perform all processing regarding an amount of fuel dispensed from the fuel meter body and can allow the fuel meter body to provide results of the processing to an accessory configured to display data to a user. At least some aspects of the systems, devices, and methods can allow processing at the fuel meter body to be provided using one or more modules each configured to be removably and replaceably coupled to the fuel meter body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Dresser, Inc.
    Inventor: Roman L. Artiuch
  • Patent number: 9783430
    Abstract: A water filtration housing containing a pressure vessel configured to receive a water filter cartridge; a ring enclosure attachable to an open, top end of the housing enclosure; an interface tower including a user interface; a lid assembly removably attachable to the ring enclosure, the lid assembly including (i) a pressure cap and gasket for maintaining a given pressure in said pressure vessel and (ii) a rotatable lever for disengaging the pressure cap from the pressure vessel thereby releasing pressure therein. A mating system between the lid assembly and ring enclosure prevents the lid assembly from being attached to the ring enclosure in a misaligned fashion. RFID technology may be used for identifying the water filter cartridge installed therein and wireless communication technology (e.g., Wi-Fi) to transmit collected system data (e.g., water usage) to a central location for analysis such that the customer is provided with, for example, operational suggestions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Multipure International
    Inventor: Zachary Rice
  • Patent number: 9429246
    Abstract: A faucet includes a faucet body, a switch unit and a monitoring device. The switch unit is coupled rotatably to the faucet body. The monitoring device is mounted to the switch unit and includes an angle detector, a microprocessor and an alert unit. The angle detector is for detecting angular rotation of the switch unit, and is for generating angle information. The microprocessor is for receiving the angle information, for recording a cumulative time period within which the switch unit is in an open state, and for calculating an outflow value accordingly. The microprocessor generates an alert signal for the alert unit upon determining that the outflow value has reached a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Inventors: Jui-Chien Chen, Jui-Ching Chen
  • Patent number: 9366388
    Abstract: A refrigerator appliance and a method for monitoring a water filter assembly within the same are provided. The method includes monitoring signal communication between an RFID tag of the water filter assembly and an RFID reader of the refrigerator appliance and terminating a flow of water to the water filter assembly if the signal communication between the RFID tag of the water filter assembly and the RFID reader of the refrigerator appliance is lost or disrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andrew Reinhard Krause, Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Jonathan Charles Crosby, Tyler James Doering
  • Patent number: 9345827
    Abstract: Prior to each treatment session for an individual patient, a machine controller in a dialysis machine obtains from a logic device a set of current control settings of the machine-related parameters to be applied in the treatment session. In generating the control settings, the logic device obtains a set of therapeutic targets comprising a target value that represents part of a desired status of the patient after the treatment session, in terms of one or more physiological parameters for the patient. The logic device also obtains status data that represents the current status of the patient prior to the treatment session, and computes the set of current control settings of the machine-related parameters, as a function of the set of therapeutic targets and the status data and at least partly based on a predictive model, which estimates the physiological response of the patient to the machine-related parameters during the treatment session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventor: Thomas Hertz
  • Patent number: 9333453
    Abstract: An air filter comprises a rigid, hollow body that may be spherical, cylindrical, rectangular or shaped to conform to available, typically underhood, space. If spherical, it may be assembled from a first, lower hemisphere and a second, upper hemisphere which are secured together about their edges, by, for example a press or interference fit, an O-ring received within complementary, edge adjacent channels, an adhesive or autogenous bonding. Other shapes and configurations may be assembled from a body with, for example, a solid bottom and attachable lid, top or cover. The hollow body is filled with activated carbon filter media or passive fibrous filter media. The upper hemisphere, lid or cover includes an outlet and cap which reduces the possibility of ingesting water into the filter. The lower hemisphere or body includes an inlet fitting to which a hose leading to an outlet or vent in the powertrain component is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth C. Tesner
  • Patent number: 9320993
    Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus includes a base portion, a medium or media, and an elongated support portion. The base portion has a first end, a second end, and a side with an exterior surface. The first end has an inlet and outlet for receiving and dispensing a water flow, respectively. The medium or media is spaced within the base portion and receives fluid through the inlet, treats the fluid, and dispenses the fluid through the outlet. The elongated support portion extends from the second end of the base portion and has a sidewall. The sidewall has an exterior facing surface that is substantially aligned with the exterior surface of the side. The elongated support portion maintains a latch assembly location for engaging a filter head assembly and is configured to withstand torsional forces applied by the user for engagement and alignment with an elongated receiving cavity of an appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ginger Elayne Patera, Steven John Kuehl, David P. Cooper
  • Patent number: 9314742
    Abstract: The present invention can include a reverse osmosis unit, a control system, a display, and/or a memory. The reverse osmosis unit can include a filtration unit, a liquid utilization system, and/or an instrumentation system. The filtration unit includes a plurality of filter banks which each have a plurality of filter unit. The filtration unit receives a feed liquid and generates permeate and concentrate. The permeate is sent to the liquid utilization system, while the concentrate is removed. The instrumentation system can include a plurality of sensors to detect operational data of the feed liquid, permeate, and/or concentrate. Using the operational data and equations, the control unit can calculate the normalized permeate flow rate indicating whether the filters should be cleaned and/or replaced. The operational data and the equations can be used to determine whether the pressure and/or flow can be manipulated without damaging the filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Goodfellow
  • Patent number: 9295772
    Abstract: The application is directed to an extracorporeal blood processing system capable of using dialysate to prime the system. A plastic molded compact manifold supports molded blood and dialysate fluidic pathways along with relevant sensors, valves and pumps. The compact manifold is also disposable in one embodiment and can be detachably installed in the dialysis machine. A two-way valve in the manifold is used to direct the dialysate flow through the blood circuit to prime the circuit for use in treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, Martin Hering, Frank Isackson
  • Patent number: 9173986
    Abstract: The housing of the blood treatment unit according to the invention holds both a blood pump and a semi-permeable membrane. The blood pump is an impeller pump. The impeller of the impeller pump is surrounded by a partition which divides the housing into two chambers. The semi-permeable membrane forms at least a part of the partition. It is therefore possible for an exchange of matter to take place between the blood which flows through the first chamber of the housing and the dialysis fluid which flows through the second chamber of the housing. The blood treatment unit is intended for an extra-corporeal blood treatment apparatus and has a particularly compact construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Heide, Christoph Wiktor, Arne Peters
  • Patent number: 9126851
    Abstract: A UV water treatment plant having at least one module which contains a number of elongated UV lamps in a bracket, wherein the lamps are orientated in parallel to one another, wherein a base having at least one guide connected firmly to the base and at least one guide rail connected to the bracket are provided, wherein the guide rail is mounted to be displaceable in the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Xylem Water Solutions Herford GmbH
    Inventors: Leroy Jack Morningstar, Jr., Sven Kämmerer, Madhukar Rapaka, Friedhelm Krüger, Daniel Raymond
  • Patent number: 9114345
    Abstract: Low power water filter monitoring systems and methods of operation thereof are provided. An example water filter includes a water flow signal receiver configured to receive a water flow signal from a refrigeration appliance. The refrigeration appliance provides the water flow signal whenever water is flowing through the water filter. The water filter can monitor its lifespan based on a total amount of time the water flow signal has been received. Another example water filter includes an ambient light sensor and one or more water filter status indicators. The one or more water filter status indicators are only operated when the ambient light sensor is receiving ambient light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Tae Hoon Lim, Seokki Yun, Dong Soo Shin, Oliver William Staton
  • Patent number: 9074355
    Abstract: A domestic water recycling system using a combination of an optical detector to detect certain smaller sized (non-filtered) contaminants and a filter to remove larger sized (filtered) contaminants provides an efficient wastewater recycling system. Optical detection of contaminants determines whether water is discharged or filtered and recycled. The optical detection system can use several discrete optical wavelengths that are passed through the fluid, and can determine a relative presence of the contaminants based on the resulting wavelength response. A recycling shower using optical detection, an electronically actuated directional device and pump and a controller allows for automatic recycling or discharging of water without requiring user input. The system may include a turbulence reduction baffle in a collection chamber, and a disinfection unit for the recycled water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: REVEECO INC.
    Inventors: Romain Jallon, Sebastien Blais-Ouellette, Antoine Valette
  • Patent number: 9045851
    Abstract: A method of operating a laundry treating appliance by capturing and reusing at least a portion of the liquid supplied during a cycle of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy N. Aykroyd, Dennis L. Kehl, Andrew E. Leitert, Karl David McAllister, Tremitchell Wright
  • Publication number: 20150144542
    Abstract: A module for optionally recharging sorbent materials in-line, including zirconium phosphate, with an optional bypass and conduits for a sorbent cartridge. The sorbent cartridge can have one or more modules contained therein having connectors connecting each of the modules. One or more of the modules can be reusable and the sorbent materials therein recharged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryant J. PUDIL, Martin T. GERBER, David B. LURA, Thomas E. MEYER
  • Patent number: 9011677
    Abstract: The invention relates to a static decanter (D) for prethickening liquid sludge in a water treatment plant, in particular wastewater, comprising an inclined bottom (8), the decanter being provided with a liquid sludge supply pump (13), a device for injecting a polymer in the liquid sludge, an overspill discharge (23) and a pump (26) for extracting the prethickened sludge from the decanter. The decanter further includes a means for accelerating the sludge decantation, a means (M) for adjusting the concentration of suspended material in the prethickened sludge at the outlet, and capable of maintaining the concentration of the prethickened sludge extracted from the decanter at a substantially constant level despite the concentration variations at the inlet, and a means (M3) for adjusting the level of the sludge blanket (V) and capable of maintaining said level at the lowest possible level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Degremont
    Inventors: Patrick Descamps, Claude Prevot, André Haubry
  • Publication number: 20150096937
    Abstract: A portable water purification system is disclosed. The system can have a water storage receptacle, a reverse osmosis filter, a pump, and a solar panels array group. The reverse osmosis filter can be configurable to convert source water into drinkable water, and the pump can be configurable to provide the source water from a water source to the reverse osmosis filter. The array group can have at least one bi-fold solar panel array, and the array group can be configurable to provide power for the pump. The water storage receptacle can be configurable to contain the drinkable water in one configuration and configurable to contain at least one component of the purification system for storage in another configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: Kevin E. Munro
  • Patent number: 8974663
    Abstract: A collection valve for use in a water reclamation system is provided. The collection valve comprises (i) a drain pipe connectable to a drain line in which gray water flows, the drain pipe comprising an inlet pipe, a medial pipe, and an outlet pipe; the medial pipe having a first opening rotatable from a first position to a second position; (ii) a valve plug pipe, surrounding the medial pipe, having an second opening; and (iii) an actuator assembly for rotating the medial pipe between the first and second positions. Rotating the medial pipe to the first position causes the first opening to be in alignment with the second opening causing gray water to drain into a tank. Rotating the medial pipe to the second position misaligns the first and second opening causing fluid passing through the medial pipe or drain to a sewer or septic tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Aquaverde, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter G. Aylward, Brian Leto, Darryl Mack, Jon Dannenberg
  • Publication number: 20150060339
    Abstract: A filter outer cylinder container is a hollow container, and a filter medium is mounted in the container. Fluid passage holes, opened in a side surface member of the filter outer cylinder container, are located at or above a fixed height from a bottom portion of the filter outer cylinder container, whereby a machining liquid is stored in the filter outer cylinder container, so that the filter medium can be always submerged in the machining liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Hirotsugu KASAI
  • Patent number: 8961781
    Abstract: A filter status module for use with a container based filtration device includes a dispensing sensor and a user interface communicatively coupled to a processing unit. The processing unit counts a number of dispensing events, duration and/or angle of tilt signaled by the dispensing sensor and outputs a filter status on the user interface as a function of the number of dispensing events, duration and/or angle of tilt. The processing unit may further track an elapsed period of time from insertion of a new filter and output the filter status as a further function of the elapsed period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Brita LP
    Inventors: Benjamin Ma, Rick T. Nishijima, John W. Jamieson, Edward M. Buckley, Teruo Hishiki, David Dycher, Ho Pun Chung
  • Publication number: 20150041415
    Abstract: A filtration system is configured to provide clean fuel to a running combustion engine. The filtration system may be configured to be connected to a main fuel tank for storing contaminated fuel, and to be connected to a fuel supply of a combustion engine. A filtration circuit may include at least one filter, a first auxiliary fuel tank for containing fuel, and a first fuel pump configured to pump the fuel from the first auxiliary fuel tank through the filtration circuit back to the first auxiliary fuel tank. A second auxiliary fuel tank may be connectable to said first auxiliary fuel tank for receiving fuel from the first auxiliary fuel tank via a transfer valve. A control unit may be configured to control the transfer valve such that the first auxiliary tank is fluidly connected to the second auxiliary fuel tank only if fuel of a desired contamination level is contained in the first auxiliary tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR MOTOREN GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Troy D. Cope, Robert Graumuller
  • Patent number: 8945376
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for resuspending and/or collecting blood and/or other types of cells in solution. In one embodiment, cells may be recovered from used surgical sponges and/or other types of surgical articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: All Cell Recovery LLC
    Inventor: Michael C. Cordisco
  • Publication number: 20150021245
    Abstract: Blood treatment/dialysis systems are disclosed. The systems include a water treatment unit, preferably of the reverse osmosis type, whose outlet has connected thereto a water supply line provided with a number of branch connections having fluidly coupled thereto blood treatment/dialysis machines in a selective manner, and a drain line through which exhausted blood treatment fluid can be discharged from fluidly coupled blood treatment/dialysis machines. Also disclosed is a machine-external heat exchanger, which is connected to the water supply line upstream of the branch connections on one side and to the drain line on the other side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: ALEXANDER ROHDE, Siegmar Rott, Bjoern Broeker
  • Patent number: 8926834
    Abstract: A water treatment sensor includes a housing having a bottom with an exterior surface in contact with a flow path of a fluid and an interior surface. First and second probes spaced from one another extend from the exterior surface and into the flow path. A first circuit electrically connects the first and second probes and determines a conductivity from a measured resistivity between the probes. First and second temperature sensors are spaced from one another and are coupled to the interior surface. The first sensor determines a temperature of the fluid. A temperature elevated by a heat source and determined by the second sensor is maintained above the temperature of the fluid. A second circuit determines a flow rate of the fluid based on adjustments to the heat source. Communication circuitry communicates the conductivity, the temperature, and the flow rate of the fluid to a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. West, Taylor M. Goon, Terry Tincher
  • Publication number: 20150001158
    Abstract: A cleaning system that includes a meter operatively connected to a cleaning device, and where the flow of waste water activates the cleaning device, and which device removes contaminates from the meter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Rodolfo E. Valladares, Suyana Villarroel, David B. Montfort
  • Publication number: 20140360935
    Abstract: For treatment of ballast water, on uptake of ballast water into a ship, equilibrium peracetic acid and catalase are added to the ballast water, wherein equilibrium peracetic acid is added in an amount of from 5 to 50 mg/l peracetic acid and catalase is added in an amount which within 120 h breaks down the content of the hydrogen peroxide introduced with the equilibrium peracetic acid to less than 2 mg/l in the ballast water. For treating the ballast water, a device is suitable that comprises a ballast water tank, a conduit for filling the ballast water tank and a conduit for emptying the ballast water tank, wherein metering devices for equilibrium peracetic acid and catalase are connected to the conduit for filling the ballast water tank, and a metering device for a reducing agent is connected to the conduit for emptying the ballast water tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: EVONIK INDUSTRIES AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Meier, Frank Dieter Kuhn, Sven Siebenlist