Patents Assigned to KX Technologies, LLC
  • Patent number: 12145088
    Abstract: A gravity-fed filtration system and method of initiating flow from a filter cartridge to a holding reservoir for a gravity-fed filtration system. The method comprises providing a filter cartridge having a filter magnet, a holding reservoir for filtered fluid, and a first reservoir having a recess receiving cavity in a bottom surface thereof for receiving ingress fluid. Upon inserting the filter cartridge into the recess receiving cavity and moving the filter magnet to be in in magnetic communication with the carrier magnet, a magnetic force moves the carrier magnet from a first position which blocks fluid flow, to said second position which allows fluid flow to the holding reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: KX TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Robert Astle, Matthew W. Hartmann
  • Patent number: 12138567
    Abstract: A filtration system and method of using the same. The method comprises the steps of guiding, by alignment rail and mating boss, a filter cartridge into a manifold housing; aligning a filter magnet with a corresponding manifold magnet; rotating, by attractive magnetic forces, the manifold magnet upon rotation of the filter cartridge into an installed position; and actuating, by attractive magnetic forces, a manifold valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: KX TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Robert Astle, William Li, Bruno Chima
  • Patent number: 12083455
    Abstract: A filter assembly for fluid filtration having a push-activated lock and release mechanism. A push filter design activates a filter key lock upon insertion and extraction, where the filter key may be used simultaneously as a lock and as an identifier for particular filter attributes. The filter housing assembly may be attached to, and removed from, a filter base by a push-actuated release. Upon insertion, the filter key shifts the filter lock longitudinally to receive interlocking segments. Upon extraction, the same axial push shifts the filter lock further to align the interlocking fingers within gaps that allow for easy extraction. The specific key lock design allows a user to identify and match certain filter configurations received by the mechanical support, and reject other filter configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Stephen P. Huda, Michael J. Sherman, Steven J. Haehn, Erik R. Klimpel
  • Patent number: 12042752
    Abstract: A filter assembly for fluid filtration having a push-activated lock and release mechanism. A push filter design activates a floating key lock upon insertion and extraction, where the filter key may be used simultaneously as a lock and as an identifier for particular filter attributes. The filter base may be situated inline, and in fluid communication, with influent and effluent piping, such as within a refrigerator. The filter housing assembly may be attached to, and removed from, the filter base by a push-actuated release. Upon insertion, the filter key shifts the filter lock longitudinally to receive interlocking segments. Upon extraction, the same axial push shifts the filter lock further to align the interlocking fingers within gaps that allow for easy extraction. The specific key lock design allows a user to identify and match certain filter configurations received by the mechanical support, and reject other filter configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: KX TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Stephen P. Huda, Michael J. Sherman, Steven J. Haehn, Erik R. Klimpel
  • Patent number: 11992791
    Abstract: A combination gas and fluid filter housing for supporting said gas and fluid filter media, having a first subassembly for supporting the gas filter media, and a second subassembly for supporting the fluid filter media, the second subassembly having ingress and egress ports at an end opposite of the first subassembly attachable to a manifold, the first and second subassemblies removably attached to one another such that the first subassembly is removable from said second subassembly to facilitate gas filter media replacement without disconnecting the second subassembly ingress and egress ports from the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: KX TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Robert Roth, Blake Savoy, Jerome Barrillon
  • Patent number: 11958003
    Abstract: A filter housing assembly for fluid filtration which may be attached to, and removed from, a filter base by a push-actuated release. The filter housing assembly has a top portion with an ingress port and egress port extending therefrom, and a protrusion extending from the filter housing longitudinally axial center. The ingress and egress port are formed in an hourglass shape. A filter key having a base with a groove for mating with said projection, at least one finger extending from said base, and an electronic circuit component housing attached thereto for receiving a printed circuit board, is connected to the filter housing top portion by mating said top portion protrusion with the filter key groove. Both of said ingress and egress port have at least one cavity for the passage of fluid therethrough, where each cavity is exposed in a direction facing away from the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: KX TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Robert Astle, George Lauri, Stephen P. Huda, Michael J. Sherman, Steven J. Haehn, Erik R. Klimpel, Will Anniss, Willard Grant, Raony Barrios, William Small, Marcello Correa Machado, Thomas W. McCollough, Christopher Rousey, Ramesh Subramanian
  • Patent number: 11944924
    Abstract: An interconnection scheme between a filter cartridge and its corresponding manifold whereby a magnetic shear force is introduced to remove a blocking mechanism that would otherwise prohibit attachment. The magnetic shear force may also be employed to activate or deactivate a switch or valve, or engage or disengage an engagement mechanism relative to other components upon interconnection. The magnetic shear force is generated by complementary correlated magnet structures moved into close proximity to one another. The interconnection scheme may be a linear or rotational attachment of the filter cartridge with respect to the manifold. A valve assembly utilizing magnetic shear force may be employed to activate a bypass action between a manifold ingress port and egress port, thereby allowing water to flow when a filter cartridge is removed from the manifold and directing water to the filter cartridge when the valve assembly is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: KX TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Robert Astle, Matthew W. Hartmann
  • Patent number: 11931679
    Abstract: A filtration system interconnection structure includes a filter manifold and a filter cartridge in magnetic communication produced by two complementary correlated magnets capable of generating a magnetic force when in close proximity to one another. The filter magnet polarity transitions are aligned with the manifold magnet polarity transitions such that a repulsion force is generated between the magnets when the filter cartridge is inserted within the manifold sump. The magnetic repulsion force may be used to move a blocking mechanism or actuate a latch structure in the manifold to secure the filter cartridge within the manifold sump upon insertion, or to provide non-contacting actuation of a downstream valve so as to permit or prevent the flow of fluid. Utilizing correlated magnetism in a filter interconnect further provides enhanced authentication and/or anti-counterfeiting means to ensure that only authorized or OEM filter cartridges can be installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: KX TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Robert Astle, Matthew W. Hartmann, Garett Strandemo
  • Patent number: 11845025
    Abstract: A filter housing assembly for fluid filtration which may be attached to, and removed from, a filter base by a push-actuated release. The filter housing assembly has a top portion with an ingress port and egress port extending therefrom, and a protrusion extending from the filter housing longitudinally axial center. The ingress and egress port are formed in an hourglass shape. A filter key having a base with a groove for mating with said projection, at least one finger extending from said base, and an electronic circuit component housing attached thereto for receiving a printed circuit board, is connected to the filter housing top portion by mating said top portion protrusion with the filter key groove. Both of said ingress and egress port have at least one cavity for the passage of fluid therethrough, where each cavity is exposed in a direction facing away from the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: KX TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Robert Astle, George Lauri, Stephen P. Huda, Michael J. Sherman, Steven J. Haehn, Erik R. Klimpel, Will Anniss, Willard Grant, Raony Barrios, William Small, Marcello Correa Machado, Thomas W. McCollough, Christopher Rousey, Ramesh Subramanian
  • Patent number: 11845021
    Abstract: A filtration system interconnection structure having a filter manifold including a sump housing and a first correlated magnet located on or connected to a portion of the manifold, and a filter cartridge including a filter media, first and second end caps sealed to the filter media, and a second, paired correlated magnet located on or connected to the filter cartridge housing body. The first and second correlated magnets are interconnected via magnetic communication upon insertion of the filter cartridge into the sump housing, and upon movement of the filter cartridge into an alignment position, the correlated magnet located on or connected to the manifold is permitted to translate as a result of the magnetic communication. The polarity profiles of the paired correlated magnets are aligned such that a repulsion force is created when the filter cartridge is inserted within the manifold sump housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: KX TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Astle, William Li, Jason Morgan, Garett Strandemo, Matthew W. Hartmann
  • Patent number: 11794136
    Abstract: A filtration system interconnection structure having manifold with a rotatable manifold magnet of correlated magnets, a shroud with alignment tracks, an actuating valve for water ingress, and a filter cartridge having a rotatable filter magnet of correlated magnets, where the manifold magnet and the filter magnet are in magnetic communication with one another when the filter cartridge is inserted with the shroud, and are at least partially rotatably compatible, where the manifold magnet rotates with the filter magnet until the manifold magnet experiences a rotational stop beyond a predetermined rotation of the filter magnet, thus allowing the filter magnet to shift polarity with respect to the manifold magnet and present a repulsion force for removal of the filter cartridge from the shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Robert Astle, William Li, Bruno Chima
  • Patent number: 11779865
    Abstract: A gravity-fed filtration system interconnection structure comprising a reservoir for receiving ingress fluid, and a second, dispensing reservoir. A carrier or shuttle having a carrier magnet is connected to a sluice gate valve which normally blocks the opening to the second reservoir. A filter cartridge may be received by the reservoir and includes a housing body, and a filter magnet disposed within or fixedly connected to the housing body. The filter magnet and the carrier magnet are interconnected via magnetic communication upon insertion of the filter cartridge into the reservoir recess, to move the carrier and/or sluice gate valve as a result of shear force or rotational force generated between the magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: KX TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Robert Astle, Matthew W. Hartmann
  • Patent number: 11724216
    Abstract: A filtration system interconnection structure having manifold with a rotatable manifold magnet of correlated magnets, a shroud with alignment tracks, an actuating valve for water ingress, and a filter cartridge having a rotatable filter magnet of correlated magnets, where the manifold magnet and the filter magnet are in magnetic communication with one another when the filter cartridge is inserted with the shroud, and are at least partially rotatably compatible, where the manifold magnet rotates with the filter magnet until the manifold magnet experiences a rotational stop beyond a predetermined rotation of the filter magnet, thus allowing the filter magnet to shift polarity with respect to the manifold magnet and present a repulsion force for removal of the filter cartridge from the shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Robert Astle, William Li, Bruno Chima
  • Patent number: 11712645
    Abstract: A filtration system interconnection structure having a filter manifold including a sump housing and a first correlated magnet located on or connected to a portion of the manifold, and a filter cartridge including a filter media, first and second end caps sealed to the filter media, and a second, paired correlated magnet located on or connected to the filter cartridge housing body. The first and second correlated magnets are interconnected via magnetic communication upon insertion of the filter cartridge into the sump housing, and upon movement of the filter cartridge into an alignment position, the correlated magnet located on or connected to the manifold is permitted to translate as a result of the magnetic communication. The polarity profiles of the paired correlated magnets are aligned such that a repulsion force is created when the filter cartridge is inserted within the manifold sump housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Robert Astle, William Li, Garett Strandemo, Matthew W. Hartmann
  • Patent number: 11433327
    Abstract: A filter assembly for fluid filtration having a push-activated lock and release mechanism. A push filter design activates a filter key lock upon insertion and extraction, where the filter key may be used simultaneously as a lock and as an identifier for particular filter attributes. The filter housing assembly may be attached to, and removed from, a filter base by a push-actuated release. Upon insertion, the filter key shifts the filter lock longitudinally to receive interlocking segments. Upon extraction, the same axial push shifts the filter lock further to align the interlocking fingers within gaps that allow for easy extraction. The specific key lock design allows a user to identify and match certain filter configurations received by the mechanical support, and reject other filter configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Stephen P. Huda, Michael J. Sherman, Steven J. Haehn, Erik R. Klimpel
  • Patent number: 11426685
    Abstract: A filter housing assembly for fluid filtration which may be attached to, and removed from, a filter base by a push-actuated release. The filter housing assembly has a top portion with an ingress port and egress port extending therefrom, and a protrusion extending from the filter housing longitudinally axial center. The ingress and egress port are formed in an hourglass shape. A filter key having a base with a groove for mating with said projection, at least one finger extending from said base, and an electronic circuit component housing attached thereto for receiving a printed circuit board, is connected to the filter housing top portion by mating said top portion protrusion with the filter key groove. Both of said ingress and egress port have at least one cavity for the passage of fluid therethrough, where each cavity is exposed in a direction facing away from the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Robert Astle, George Lauri, Stephen P. Huda, Michael J. Sherman, Steven J. Haehn, Erik R. Klimpel, Will Anniss, Willard Grant, Raony Barrios, William Small, Marcello Correa Machado, Thomas W. McCollough, Christopher Rousey, Ramesh Subramanian
  • Patent number: 11376530
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis filter assembly for fluid filtration having a push-activated lock and release mechanism. A push filter design activates a floating key lock upon insertion and extraction, where the filter key may be used simultaneously as a lock and as an identifier for particular filter attributes. The filter base may be situated inline, and in fluid communication, with the raw water ingress, permeate egress, and reject water egress. The reverse osmosis filter housing assembly may be attached to, and removed from, the filter base by a push-actuated release. Upon insertion, the filter key shifts the filter lock longitudinally to receive interlocking segments. Upon extraction, the same axial push shifts the filter lock further to align the interlocking fingers within gaps that allow for easy extraction. The specific key lock design allows a user to identify and match certain filter configurations received by the mechanical support, and reject other filter configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Stephen P. Huda, Michael J. Sherman, Steven J. Haehn, Erik R. Klimpel, Sathyanarayana Jujaray, Vivek Kunwar Narendra Singh
  • Patent number: 11351491
    Abstract: A filter media having lignite-derived activated carbon, polyacrylic acid (PAA), a commercially available copper-zinc alloy, and polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PolyDADMAC) or Luviquat®, which is Poly[(3-methyl-1-vinylimidazolium chloride)-co-(1-vinylpyrrolidone)], combined and used as suitable replacement for TOG bituminous coal-based activated carbon, silver, and PolyDADMAC. Functional groups in lignite-based activated carbon interact with the polyacrylic acid. Functional groups such as calcium, iron, or aluminum oxide/hydroxide of lignite-based activated carbon interact with PAA, and help hold the PolyDADMAC in place. The additional presence of a copper-zinc alloy enhances the filter anti-microbiological performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Jinwen Wang, Meedia Kareem, Rezan Kareem, William Li, Bruce E. Taylor, Carol DeLandra, Frank A. Brigano
  • Patent number: 11326379
    Abstract: A filtration system interconnection structure having a filter manifold and a filter cartridge in magnetic communication with one another, such that a latching mechanism and latch blocking structure in the manifold secures the filter cartridge with a manifold sump when the filter cartridge is inserted within the manifold sump. The magnetic communication is formed between two complementary coded magnets capable of producing a magnetic shear force when in close proximity to one another. The magnetic shear force removes the latching blocking structure from interfering with the latch, allowing the latch to secure the filter cartridge. Movement of the latching blocking structure coded magnet relative to the filter cartridge coded magnet may be perpendicular or parallel with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: KX TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Robert Astle, Garett Strandemo, Jordan Robert Fuhs, Matthew W. Hartmann, Gregory Gene Hortin, Jason Morgan
  • Patent number: 11052333
    Abstract: A filtration system interconnection structure having manifold with a rotatable manifold magnet of correlated magnets, a shroud with alignment tracks, an actuating valve for water ingress, and a filter cartridge having a rotatable filter magnet of correlated magnets, where the manifold magnet and the filter magnet are in magnetic communication with one another when the filter cartridge is inserted with the shroud, and are at least partially rotatably compatible, where the manifold magnet rotates with the filter magnet until the manifold magnet experiences a rotational stop beyond a predetermined rotation of the filter magnet, thus allowing the filter magnet to shift polarity with respect to the manifold magnet and present a repulsion force for removal of the filter cartridge from the shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: KX Technologies LLC
    Inventors: William Li, Robert Astle, Bruno Chima