Flow, Fluid Pressure Or Material Level, Responsive Patents (Class 210/97)
  • Patent number: 8906240
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to early detection of low bicarbonate level. In certain aspects, a method includes receiving a first signal from a conductivity detector connected to a line through which a solution of salt concentrate and fluid flows and determining a first conductivity of the solution based on the first signal. The method also includes receiving a second signal from the conductivity detector at a time after receiving the first signal, determining a second conductivity of the solution based on the second signal, and determining whether the second conductivity is less than the first conductivity by at least a threshold amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Joseph Crnkovich, Aiyuan Wang, Fei Wang
  • Patent number: 8900448
    Abstract: A treatment device for stormwater is provided that comprises a container which in use contains a growing medium and a hydrodynamic separator located within the container. The hydrodynamic separator comprises a separation chamber, an inlet duct extending from the outside of the container to the separation chamber, a solids outlet; and a liquid outlet that opens into the container. In use, liquid flow containing solids enters the separation chamber through the inlet duct and is caused to swirl within the separation chamber, thereby causing solids to exit the separation chamber through the solids outlet and liquid to exit the separation chamber through the liquid outlet and to flow into the growing medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Hydro International PLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Fink, Andrew Pearson Nancollis, Robert Yaw Gyamfi Andoh, Keith Garry Hutchings
  • Publication number: 20140339174
    Abstract: A method of monitoring a low water volume within of a water circulation system is disclosed that includes detecting an auxiliary measurement associated with an ancillary device fluidly coupled with a reservoir of water in a water circulation system and then determining whether the ancillary device is performing under a low water volume operation. The low water volume operation is based upon a comparison between at least the detected auxiliary measurement of the ancillary device and a condition associated with a performance of the ancillary device under the low water volume operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: Eugene Bright
  • Publication number: 20140342446
    Abstract: Described are filtration systems that can be referred to as Pneumatic Alternating Cell Separators (PACS), useful components thereof in the form of assemblies or kits of parts that can be used to build the system, and use of the system for filtering fluids, for instance, in cell culture perfusion systems comprising a filter-containing chamber, an expansion chamber and a gas flow controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Alain PRALONG, Hans Ulrich Dellenbach
  • Patent number: 8888996
    Abstract: A filter (1) to purify the water distributed by a dispenser, fitted with a special sanitizing device incorporated therein. Inside of the said filter (1), below the water chamber (3), is a disinfectant chamber (4) that contains the solution designed to sanitize the said dispenser. A mechanism causes the sanitizing solution to flow into the water chamber (3) of the filter (1) and into the piping, for performing the subsequent sanitizing action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Blupura SRL
    Inventor: Gianni Grottini
  • Patent number: 8888998
    Abstract: A head for a water filter system having a filter element including a three-way valve member movable between a first position, a second position, and a third position. When the valve member is in the first position, incoming water is directed to the filter element to remove sediment and impurities from the water. When the valve member is in the second position, the incoming water is blocked from passing through the filter element and the valve member. Lastly, when the valve member is in the third position, the incoming water passes through the valve member and not the filter element so that the filter element can be removed and replaced without interrupting the incoming water flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Paragon Water Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: David Swain
  • Patent number: 8883006
    Abstract: A fluid treatment system for treating feed water includes a first tubular member having first and second ends, at least one second tubular member having first and second ends, a pump positioned within the first tubular member, a filtering membrane positioned within the second tubular member, a first end cap for receiving the first ends of the first and second tubular members, and a second end cap for receiving the second ends of the first and second tubular members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Kinetico Incorporated
    Inventors: Jerome Kovach, Stuart L. Park, Peter R. Halemba
  • Patent number: 8883000
    Abstract: A water purification apparatus comprising at least: (a) one or more water purification components to provide a purified water stream, preferably having a conductivity of less than 1 ?S/cm; and (b) a stepper motor (35) to control the dispense of the purified water stream (28) from the water purification apparatus. Stepper motors can provide very fine and accurate control of the dispense of the purified water stream from the water purification apparatus, which control is unaffected by the flow or flow rate of the purified water stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: VWS (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Lee Underwood, Matthew Dobson
  • Patent number: 8877061
    Abstract: An apparatus for purifying body fluid with solution including a casing having first and second input and output ports and dual safety or check valves monolithically formed with the casing that operate in conjunction with a dialysis machine or other apparatus used in hemodialysis is disclosed. The dual safety valves are configured at the input and output ports of a dialyzer such that the apparatus allows body fluid to move in one direction. This configuration prevents the reverse flow of body fluid back into the apparatus. A method for purifying body fluid with solution using an apparatus is further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Inventor: Gloria Lovell
  • Patent number: 8871084
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid filter (1) comprising a collecting chamber (10) for a liquid which is separated from the fluid, in addition to a filter insert (4) which comprises a filter medium which is permeable to the fluid. The collecting chamber is arranged below the filter medium (5), and a liquid sensor (19) is arranged above the deepest point of the collecting chamber (10) and the liquid sensor (19) is protected from the liquid, at least sectionally, by means of a protective wall (18, 20). Said protective wall (18, 20) extends laterally and/or below the liquid sensor (19) and a liquid permeable connection is provided from the collecting chamber (10) to the fluid sensor (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Hengst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Richard Eberle, Burkhard Kubsch
  • Publication number: 20140311970
    Abstract: A rotating screen has one or more panels arranged into a cylinder, or drum. The panels have openings in a micro-screening range, for example 100 microns or less. Wastewater to be screened is fed to the interior of the drum. The drum rotates constantly but the rotation may be discontinuous and the speed of rotation may be variable. The drum may be cleaned by an air knife. If the wastewater contains oil and grease, a short hot water spray may be provided before cleaning with the air knife. Optionally, an internal auger conveys solids down the length of the drum to an outlet. The rotating screen may be used for primary treatment of wastewater. The rotating screen may be used produce screenings with a dried solids concentration of 5% or more, for example 6-7%. The primary sludge may be treated in an anaerobic digester.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Michael David Theodoulou, Juan Carlos Josse
  • Publication number: 20140305853
    Abstract: An automatic screen changer device for use on systems and equipments for the manufacturing, processing, recycling and treatment of thermoplastic materials, is placed downstream of an extruder device and includes a frame (12), two opposite side plates or shoulders secured to the frame and provided, respectively, with an inlet opening (18) and a pair of inlet channels (30), with an outlet opening (20) and with a pair of outlet channels (32), the inlet channels allowing a flow and a screening of contaminated molten material in the direction of the outlet channels through a pair of stacked screening units; the device likewise includes movable sealing and locking/unlocking elements of a screening support or band for the screening of the molten material in each screening unit with the latter movable reciprocally with temporary interruption of the flow of molten material through one of the same screening units during the screen change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: ALFATECH S.R.L.
    Inventor: Luigi PANEBIANCO
  • Publication number: 20140299552
    Abstract: A process for disinfecting a treatment fluid is disclosed, including the step of admixing an aqueous solution comprising two or more oxidants generated via electrolysis of a salt solution with a treatment fluid. The mixed oxidants may be generated on site, using a containerized system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Colin Stewart, Mukesh Kapila, James R. Fajt, Perry Lomond, Daniel Gallo, Richard Bingham, Alan McKee
  • Publication number: 20140299555
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for recycling domestic greywater. Greywater is drawn from a greywater waste pipe through an overflow pipe of a sanitary fixture, thereby, permitting greywater to be collected for reuse without the need for complicated and expensive retrofitting and/or reconfiguration of existing plumbing infrastructure. The system and method of the present invention can easily operate independently or be integrated with domestic utility systems to supply these utility systems with greywater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventor: MARRETT ALEXANDER GREEN
  • Patent number: 8852443
    Abstract: Various “no filter, no run” fuel filtration designs are described that include a variable restriction orifice (VRO) designed to vary the amount of fluid, for example fuel, that reaches a fluid outlet. The VRO has a fully open position at which a maximum non-zero fluid flow is permitted, and a fully closed position at which a limited amount of fluid can flow to the outlet. In the case of diesel fuel, the amount of fuel flow permitted at the fully closed position provides lubrication of downstream fuel system components, for example the fuel pump, but is insufficient to permit engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Forrest, J. Bruce Schelkopf, Ted S. Loftis, Barry Verdegan, Wassem Abdalla, Mark Wieczorek, Gérard Malgorn, Charles W. Hawkins, Chad Thomas, Joe Saxon, Mark Johnson, Naren Shaam
  • Publication number: 20140284279
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus that can be used to connect a flash chromatography instrument to a fraction collector and a mass detector to perform mass-directed flash chromatography.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: BIOTAGE AB
    Inventors: Anders WARNGREN, Anders WESSMAN, Erik HALLIN, Lars JOHNSSON
  • Publication number: 20140262984
    Abstract: A method of assessing biofilm thickness in a membrane supported biofilm reactor (MSBR) of the type comprising a lumen containing a gas phase, a liquid phase, and a gas permeable membrane providing an interface between the gas and liquid phases, the method comprising the steps of charging the lumen with an inert gas, closing the lumen to establish an initial elevated pressure in the lumen, measuring the rate of change of pressure within the lumen, and correlating the rate of change of pressure (dP/dt) with biofilm thickness. The step of correlating dP/dt with biofilm thickness involves correlating dP/dt with the rate of diffusion of the inert gas (dn/dt), correlating dn/dt with an overall mass transfer coefficient (K), correlating K with the mass transfer coefficient of the biofilm (ICB), and correlating k? with the biofilm thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: University College Dublin, National University of Ireland, Dublin
    Inventors: Eoin Casey, Eoin Syron, Barry Heffernan
  • Publication number: 20140262992
    Abstract: Various water basins and systems are described that include a first basin having a longitudinally upward extending tower, a first side, a second side, and a plurality of supports. The plurality of supports are adjustable from the first side of the first basin. The system includes at least a water system having a pump and a water line that extends from the pump to the second side of the first basin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Hearth Products Controls
    Inventors: Michael S. Adkins, Patrick W. Schatz, Gregory T. Steck
  • Publication number: 20140262991
    Abstract: A corrosion and contamination preventing apparatus and subsystem including a conduit forming a watermaker flush-water flow path between a potable water supply and a feed water entry portion of a watermaker system, a filter/ion-generator component disposed along the flush-water flow path, a valve means for opening and closing the flush-water flow path, and a controller for sensing flush-water flow in the flow path, and in response thereto applying electrical power to an ion-generating element of the filter/ion-generator component. The filter/ion-generator component also includes a filter which filters undesirable chemicals from the potable water before the ion-generating element introduces copper and/or silver ions into the flush-water. The valve means may be manually operated or be controlled by a watermaker system shut down controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SPECTRA WATERMAKERS, INC.
    Inventor: William J. EDINGER
  • Patent number: 8834712
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a seawater desalination system includes a membrane filtering pump, a first to third flowmeter, a filtering membrane, a high-pressure pump, a pressure gauge, a reverse osmosis membrane, a discharge valve and a control module. The membrane filtering pump outputs seawater according to a first control signal. The first flowmeter measures flow rate Q1. The high-pressure pump outputs filtered water from the filtering membrane according to a second control signal. The first pressure gauge measures pressure P1. The reverse osmosis membrane desalinates the filtered water into fresh water. The second flowmeter measures flow rate Q2. The third flowmeter measures flow rate Q3. The discharge valve discharges a high-concentration salt water according to a third control signal. The control module performs first, second, and third flow rate control with reference to the flow rate Q1, Q2 and Q3 and the pressure P1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kyosuke Katayama, Takeshi Matsushiro, Futoshi Kurokawa, Takanori Fukagawa, Kazuhiko Kimijima, Koichi Matsui
  • Patent number: 8828222
    Abstract: A wearable or portable intermittently operable hydration system includes a purification module that contains one or more solid state light emitting devices that are positioned in the path of hydrating fluid, or water, flow through the hydration system to a mouthpiece. The light emitting devices illuminate a photocatalytic material disposed within the flow path in order to react and create fluid-purifying hydroxyls. The lights are instant on devices with essentially no ramp-up required, and a sensor or the opening of a push-pull valve controls the turning on of the lights. The fluid flow path may run from a bladder in a backpack worn by the user, a sports bottle worn by or carried by the user or may be through a water filtration system that a user operates via a pump. The power for the purification module may come from batteries, solar cells, fuel cells, or power converted from pumping, winding, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Hydro-Photon, Inc.
    Inventor: Miles Maiden
  • Patent number: 8821718
    Abstract: Automated fluid handling system comprising a housing (20) and two or more fluid handling units (26) arranged as interchangeable modular components with an external fluidics section (30) and an internal non fluidics section (32), and wherein the housing (20) comprises a liquid handling panel (22) with two or more of component positions for receiving said interchangeable modular components (26) such that the external fluidics section (30) is separated from the non fluidics section (32) by the liquid handling panel (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences AB
    Inventors: Johan Blomberg, Mats Lundkvist
  • Publication number: 20140238910
    Abstract: The initially cold water streams of a household hot water plumbing circuit are accumulated in a storage container to be thereafter drained off with the cold water stream, at various flow restricted levels, thereby conserving water use. This accumulate may be adjustably admixed into the waste products of a household drinking water purification system, thereby diluting it to acceptable levels that may be useful for washing and the like. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the fresh water stream may be admixed into the water purification waste water stream. Each of these water conserving functions is conformed to be combined in a stepwise manner, thereby accommodating budgetary and use growth constraints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: NITROWORKS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven M. Greenthal, Neal W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20140231358
    Abstract: A magnetic separator separates magnetic and/or magnetisable particles from a fluid with a rotatable drum, at least one magnet arrangement arranged in an interior of the drum and a separation zone through which the fluid can be conducted. The separation zone is formed by an interspace between the drum and a fluid conduction arrangement. It is possible to modify at least locally a distance between the drum and the fluid conduction arrangement and/or a width of the separation zone during the operation of the magnetic separator. A measuring apparatus captures at least one fluid parameter of the fluid. The distance and/or the width can be modified dependent on the at least one fluid parameter. A method operates such a magnetic separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Argun Gökpekin, Ralph Oliver Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20140231319
    Abstract: A device removes first pulses in a pressure signal of a pressure sensor which is arranged in a fluid containing system to detect the first pulses, which originate from a first pulse generator, and second pulses, which originate from a second pulse generator. The first pulse generator operates in a sequence of pulse cycles, each pulse cycle resulting in at least one first pulse. The device repetitively obtains a current data sample, calculates a corresponding reference value and subtracts the reference value from the current data sample. The reference value is calculated as a function of other data sample(s) in the same pressure signal. The fluid containing system may include an extracorporeal blood flow circuit, e.g. as part of a dialysis machine, and a cardiovascular system of a human patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: GAMBRO LUNDIA AB
    Inventors: Bo Olde, Kristian Solem, Mattias Holmer, Jan Sternby
  • Publication number: 20140216997
    Abstract: The invention concerns a filter element (1), in particular of a fuel filter for motor vehicles. The filter element (1) is received in a filter housing (2) and comprises a filter body (3) with a filter material (5) that is arranged in folds (4). Between two folds (4) a heater installation space is provided and configured to receive a heating element (6) for the fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: MANN+HUMMEL GMBH
    Inventors: Andre Roesgen, Guenter Jokschas
  • Publication number: 20140217035
    Abstract: This disclosure includes a device for producing sodium hypochlorite or hypochlorous acid for water treatment, the device including: a cylinder for storing salt in solid form, adapted for being fed directly via a pressurized water pipe, and including one or more tubes that form one or more electrolytic chambers; one or more electrolytic cells received in the electrolytic chambers; the tubes of the cylinders being perforated to allow the contacting of the electrolytic cells with the salt-saturated water while preventing the electrolytic cells from being short-circuited by the solid salt. This produces sodium hypochlorite or hypochlorous acid from salt-saturated water in a cylinder, connected directly to the pipe of the water to be treated without the latter being loaded with salt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: MP TECHNIC
    Inventor: Michel Poyet
  • Publication number: 20140216994
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus having a heating function for hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration, hemofiltration or peritoneal dialysis, wherein the apparatus includes at least one of pipe for transferring at least one fluid of blood and dialsate, and a heating unit for heating at least one fluid of blood and dialsate, wherein the fluids to be heated by the heating unit are substances to be injected into human body; and the heating unit is arranged for measuring flow rates of the fluids to be heated, and injecting temperatures related with the flow rate to heat the fluids to be heated. The heating unit comprises: flow passages through which the fluids to be heated are flowed; a heater formed as a part of the flow passages, for generating heat; and a cover means including a first connection portion through which the fluids enter the flow passages, and a second connection portion through which the fluids come out from the flow passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: WOODYOUNG MEDITECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ho Youn Ki
  • Patent number: 8795517
    Abstract: A machine-readable medium with instructions for pumping blood from a patient's blood stream into an access line, introducing an anticoagulant solution into the pumped blood, filtering the pumped blood and delivering it to a return line, introducing a substitution fluid into the pumped blood, introducing a calcium and magnesium solution into the blood traveling through the return line, and returning the blood back to the patient's blood stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Nikkiso Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Lannoy
  • Patent number: 8784668
    Abstract: In a regenerative dialysis system, in a method for controlling a regenerative dialysis system, and in a controller for a regenerative dialysis system, an embodiment of the system comprises an input pump that pumps fresh dialysate fluid into a dialyzer at an input rate. An output pump pumps used dialysate fluid from the dialyzer at an output rate. An ultrafiltration rate of the system is related to the output rate relative to the input rate. A sorbent cartridge filters the used dialysate fluid to generate the fresh dialysate fluid. A controller controls the ultrafiltration rate of the system in response to a flow rate of the dialysate fluid through the sorbent cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J Beiriger
  • Patent number: 8758603
    Abstract: A plasma purifying device is provided that is capable of recovering blood and plasma remaining within the plasma purifying device easily and without risk of coagulation, following completion of plasma purification therapy. The plasma purifying device has a control unit controls flow rates of the air pump and a plasma pump so that a pressure of the filtration side space of the plasma separator is higher than a pressure of the blood side space while delivering blood to the blood side space of the plasma separator by continuing to operate a blood pump without stopping following completion of plasma purification and then delivers plasma remaining in a filtration side space of a plasma separator to a blood side space of the plasma separator or to a plasma circuit by supplying air from an air pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Medical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Soichiro Okazaki
  • Publication number: 20140166498
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems and methods for purifying fluids, such as water. In some embodiments, the water is first filtered by known filtering methods, such as by reverse osmosis or distillation. Once a flow is sensed in the fluid, electrolyte is added to the filtered fluid. Oxygen and hydrogen gas is then formed in the electrolytic filtered fluid via electrolysis to provide a treated fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventors: John J. Orolin, Barbara A. Orolin
  • Publication number: 20140166582
    Abstract: Embodiments of a water treatment system, a water treatment method, and an ozone kit for a water treatment system are provided. The water treatment system includes an ozone gas source; a regenerating fluid source; a water tank; a manifold having a first port in fluid communication with the regenerating fluid source, a second port in fluid communication with an outlet of the ozone gas source, and a third port in fluid communication with the water tank via a venturi nozzle; and a control system configured to: cause regenerating fluid to be drawn through the venturi nozzle into the water tank; and cause ozone gas to be drawn through the venturi nozzle into the water tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventor: Peter Strain
  • Patent number: 8753518
    Abstract: In one aspect the invention provides a system for treating a wastestream, particularly a radwaste, for safe disposal and, in final processing converting it into one or both forms including an aqueous form for safe discharge to the environment and a solidified form for safe disposal. In another aspect the invention provides the capacity to employ a step where a specific target element strategy can be set up synchronizing sorbent substance choices and multiple recycle options to remove target substances from wastestream as a part of its Sorption or Powder Sorbent Isotopic Reduction step (II). Other steps cooperate with Sorption step (II) including Oxidation (I), Solid-Liquid separation (III), and Selective Ion Exchange (IV) to deliver the wastestream to final processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Diversified Technologies Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis A. Brunsell, Charles E. Jensen, Larry E. Beets
  • Publication number: 20140158589
    Abstract: A blood purification apparatus has a blood circuit with an arterial blood circuit (1) and a venous blood circuit (2). Blood is extracorporeally circulated from a tip of the arterial blood circuit (1) to a tip of the venous blood circuit (2). A dialyzer (3) is interposed between the arterial blood circuit (1) and the venous blood circuit (2) to purify the blood. The blood purification apparatus can substitute the blood inside the blood circuit during returning of the blood after treatment. An air circulation line is connected to a predetermined portion in the blood circuit to circulate air. An air pump (18) supplies the air into the blood circuit, via the air circulation line. A control device (19) controls the air pump (18) to supply the air into the blood circuit during returning of the blood.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Tomohiro FURUHASHI, Akira SUGIOKA, Masahiro TOYODA
  • Patent number: 8747663
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for monitoring the supply of substitution fluid upstream or downstream of a dialyser or filter arranged in an extracorporeal blood stream. One embodiment provides, for the detection of predilution or postdilution, for measuring the pressure in the blood stream downstream of the dialyser or filter, predilution or postdilution being recognized on the basis of the change in pressure following the shutting off and/or starting up of the substituate pump provided for conveying the substitution fluid. Another embodiment provides for recognizing predilution or postdilution on the basis of the comparison of the oscillating pressure signal attributable to the substituate pump to a characteristic reference signal. The characteristic reference signal to which the pressure signal of the substituate pump is compared is preferably the oscillating pressure signal of a blood pump arranged in the blood stream for conveying the blood upstream of the dialyser or filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Pascal Kopperschmidt
  • Patent number: 8746003
    Abstract: A water filter assembly, and a refrigerator and a water purifier having the same, including: a manifold having a inflow path through which raw water flows in and an outflow path through which filtered water flows out; a case supporting the manifold; and a filter cartridge coupled to a lower side of the case such that it is separable and connected with the outflow port of the manifold, wherein a fluid flow control unit is installed between the manifold and the filter cartridge and rotates according to a rotation of the filter cartridge, the center of the rotation is the same as the center of an outlet of the filter cartridge, and the fluid flow control unit includes a disk having a connection hole allowing the raw water inflow path and an inlet of the filter cartridge to communicate only at a certain position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: WINIMAX Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chul Min Yoon
  • Publication number: 20140144822
    Abstract: A filtration system for an appliance includes a water source coupled with the appliance to provide an intake water flow. A filter unit is coupled with water source to receive the intake water flow and dispense a filtered water flow. An isolation valve is coupled between the water source and the filter unit and movable between a first position and a second position. A distribution valve is coupled with an ice maker and a water dispenser of the appliance. The distribution valve receives the filtered water flow when the isolation valve is in the first position, and the distribution valve receives the intake water flow via a bypass line when the isolation valve is in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark M Senninger, Gregory G Hortin, Verne H Myers, Joseph R Peters
  • Patent number: 8728327
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the controlled application of ultrasonic energy for conditioning of mixtures of gas and liquids by evolving and/or agglomerating gas bubbles existing with or in a liquid or for coalescing droplets of liquid dispersed in another liquid. The invention in preferred embodiments thereof comprises a coalescing apparatus for increasing the droplet size of a mixture formed as a liquid dispersed in another liquid, and a de-gassing apparatus arranged to evolve and/or agglomerate gaseous bubbles in a gas/liquid mixture. In the apparatuses, ultrasonic transducers are used to impart vibrational energy to the mixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Cyclotech Limited
    Inventors: David Hadfield, Alastair Sinker, Ian Charles Smyth
  • Patent number: 8721879
    Abstract: Hemodialysis dialysis systems are disclosed. Hemodialysis systems of the invention may include a dialysate flow path including a balancing circuit, a mixing circuit, and/or a directing circuit. The circuits may be defined within one or more cassettes. The fluid circuits may be at least partially isolated, spatially and/or thermally, from electrical components of the system. A gas supply may be provided in fluid communication with the dialysate flow path and/or the dialyzer to, urge dialysate through the dialyzer and blood back to the patient. The hemodialysis systems may include fluid handling devices actuated using a control fluid, optionally delivered using detachable pump. Fluid handling devices may be generally rigid and of a spheroid shape, optionally with a diaphragm dividing the device into compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dirk A. van der Merwe, Michael J. Wilt
  • Publication number: 20140116962
    Abstract: A method and a modular system for performing a sterilising treatment of ballast waters (12) onboard of a ship (10), for reducing and/or removing the contents of invasive living micro-organisms. A water loading pump (13) and a water preliminary filtering stage (14) are operatively connected to a plurality of ballast water storing tanks (11); a UV sterilising apparatus (18) for the ballast water is submerged into the ballast water in each water storing tank (11), and is operatively connected to a local control unit (QE). Each UV sterilising apparatus (18) comprises a UV radiation source (28). The ballast water (12) inside each storing tank (11) is recirculated although the UV radiation source (28), for a required time and mixed with the ballast water inside the water storage tank (11) to enable the living micro-organisms to be substantially reduced or eliminated, during the navigation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: ARTES INGEGNERIA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Pasquale Punzo, Giuseppe Balzano
  • Publication number: 20140116957
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a floating filter module installed in a water treatment apparatus, such as in a public water treatment plant, a village water supply facility, a public sewage treatment plant, a wastewater treatment plant, or a village sewage treatment plant, in order to remove contamination particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: DAEWOONG ECOSYSTEMS AND SOLUTION
    Inventors: Kwang Jae Woo, Yeon Gil Kim, Wan Jung Kim
  • Publication number: 20140110352
    Abstract: A non-dissolvable immersible dispensing puck in the shape of a dissolvable halogen puck when the dissolvable halogen puck is in an undissolved state with the non-dissolvable immersible dispensing puck physically interchangeable with a dissolvable halogen puck when placed in a dispenser for normally holding only a set of halogen pucks to enable a single dispersant dispenser to be converted to a dual dispersant dispenser without changing the structure of the single dispersant dispenser by placing a dispenser within a dispenser wherein only one of the dispensers may be provided with adjustable water ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventor: Joseph A. King
  • Publication number: 20140102989
    Abstract: A power plant which operationally combines a downstream turbine unit (7) and an upstream grating assembly (8), includes a grating (16), a supporting structure (17), and an element (18) for associating the grating (16), which has a structure that enables movement of at least the upper portion of the grating (16) between an upright position for the debris-stopping function and a folded-down position for discharging the floating debris stopped by the grating (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventor: Jacques Fonkenell
  • Publication number: 20140102963
    Abstract: One or more dilution tubes for increasing the dilution of pulp as it enters a thickener are provided. One or more pipes, referred to here as dilution tubes, can be added to sides of a feed pipe of a thickener. One end of a dilution tube can open to a tank of the thickener, and the other end can open into the feed pipe. As pulp flows through the feed pipe, low pressure suction can be created that pulls water from the tank, through the dilution tube, and into the feed pipe. The water pulled in through the dilution tube can increase the dilution of the pulp. A highly diluted pulp can contact a flocculent efficiently and lead to a high settling rate in a thickener. Accordingly, the use of dilution tubes can increase the efficiency of a thickener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Summit Mining International
    Inventor: David Warren King
  • Patent number: 8696893
    Abstract: There is a water enhancement system coupled to a water conduit, wherein the water enhancement system is configured to enhance a water supply. The water enhancement system includes a filtration system coupled to a water conduit, configured to filter water flowing therethrough. The water enhancement system also includes an enhancement system coupled to the filtration system, configured to treat water flowing therethrough by dispensing a fluid therein. The enhancement system includes a plurality of cartridge sockets and matching cartridges configured to selectably couple together and contain enhancing fluid. The water enhancement system further includes a treatment bracket coupled about the water conduit and to the enhancement system. The water enhancement system additionally includes a treatment device coupled about the treatment bracket and configured to alter a characteristic of the water flowing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: David Hall
  • Publication number: 20140091043
    Abstract: A separator system for separating feed material into a liquid component and a solids component. The separator system has a roller system supported adjacent to a feed chamber. The roller system comprises a base roller and a press roller. Base perforations are formed in the base roller. The base roller is supported such that a first portion of the base roller is in contact with the feed material within the feed chamber such that a liquids portion of the feed material may flow through the perforations in the base roller. The base roller is rotated such that the base roller removes a solids portion of the feed material from the feed chamber in a solids mat on the surface of the base roller. The press roller engages the solids mat on the base roller to force liquids in the solids mat through the base perforations in the base roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: DARITECH, INC.
    Inventor: Daritech, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8673139
    Abstract: A dialysis machine, in particular a peritoneal dialysis machine, to which a fluid system having a multi-chamber container with at least two chambers with individual solutions separated by a partition arrangement to be opened mechanically can be coupled includes a controller and at least one sensor for the determination of a measured variable in the fluid system. The controller has an apparatus for the automatic checking of the proper opening of the partition arrangement with reference to the measured variable determined by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Hedmann, Sven Sebesta
  • Patent number: 8668868
    Abstract: A method for abating effluent from an electronic device manufacturing process is provided, including abating the effluent in a thermal abatement tool to form abated effluent; determining whether the abated effluent contains one or more chemical species of interest; and changing one or more operating parameters of the thermal abatement tool based upon the determination. Numerous other embodiments are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ho-Man Rodney Chiu, Daniel O. Clark, Shaun W. Crawford, Jay J. Jung, Youssef A. Loldj, Robbert M. Vermeulen
  • Patent number: 8658031
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for treating a liquid containing impurities may include a filtering chamber configured to permit granular media to interact with liquid containing impurities, thereby removing impurities from the liquid to produce filtrate; a filtrate section for receiving the filtrate; a gas supplying system for delivering gas to the granular media in the filtering chamber for transport of a portion of the granular media to a granular media washer; a reject section in fluid communication with the granular media washer for receiving a reject mixture comprising liquid and impurities from the granular media washer; and a control unit that is configured to determine whether the portion of the granular media is being transported properly based on an amount of reject mixture in the reject section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Parkson Corporation
    Inventors: Adrian Streng, Brett H. Boyd