Abstract: The invention provides secondary sulfonamide polymers, wherein some, most, or all of the sulfonamido protons have been replaced with a substituent other than hydrogen. The invention also provides methods for preparing such polymers as well as devices (e.g. composite membranes) incorporating such membranes.

Abstract: A method of continuously producing a melt-blown polymer filament mass includes producing a first set of melt-blown polymeric filaments, collecting the first set of filaments on a rotating collection device to form a tubular filament mass having a plurality of layers, and applying a second set of melt-blown polymeric filaments to the filament mass. The first set is produced generally in-line along an axis generally parallel to the collection device. The second set is deposited on the filament mass such that filaments of the second set extend through and engage a plurality of layers of the filaments of the first set. The method further includes urging the filament mass along the collection device to create a tubular filament mass of indefinite length with a first major surface and a second major surface. In one embodiment, the second set are applied in a sweeping motion.

Abstract: A method of continuously producing a melt-blown polymer filament mass includes producing a first set of melt-blown polymeric filaments, collecting the first set of filaments on a rotating collection device to form a tubular filament mass having a plurality of layers, and applying a second set of melt-blown polymeric filaments to the filament mass. The first set is produced generally in-line along an axis generally parallel to the collection device. The second set is deposited on the filament mass such that filaments of the second set extend through and engage a plurality of layers of the filaments of the first set. The method further includes urging the filament mass along the collection device to create a tubular filament mass of indefinite length with a first major surface and a second major surface. In one embodiment, the second set are applied in a sweeping motion.

Abstract: A non-woven depth filter cartridge includes a cylindrical mass of essentially continuous melt-blown polymer filaments and an essentially continuous traversing melt-blown polymer filament extending through the mass. The mass has a depth dimension, a longitudinal dimension, and a circumferential dimension. The mass includes a plurality of layers, each of the plurality of layers being generally oriented in the longitudinal and circumferential dimensions. The traversing filament is generally oriented in the depth dimension and extends through one or more layers of the mass. In one embodiment, the layers of the mass comprise concentric zones. The traversing filament is intentionally deposited and positioned to improve the physical properties of the filter cartridge.

Abstract: A non-woven melt-blown filament medium includes a mass of essentially continuous melt-blown polymer filaments and an essentially continuous traversing melt-blown polymer filament extending through the mass. The mass has a depth dimension, a longitudinal dimension, and a latitudinal dimension. The mass includes a plurality of layers, each of the plurality of layers being generally oriented in the longitudinal and latitudinal dimensions. The traversing filament is generally oriented in the depth dimension and extends through at least one layer of the mass. In one embodiment, the mass is cylindrical in shape and the layers comprise concentric zones. The traversing filament is intentionally deposited and positioned to improve the physical properties of the mass.

Abstract: A flowmeter includes a conduit having an elbow portion and a straight section downstream of the elbow. A turbine is mounted inside the conduit in the straight section adjacent the elbow portion. The turbine occupies less than the entire cross section of the conduit and is disposed adjacent the side of the conduit which receives the laminar flow exiting from the elbow portion. A permanent magnet is mounted on the turbine, the rotation of which is picked up by a Hall-effect sensor mounted in a cavity in a wall of the conduit.

Abstract: A non-cracking hydrophilic polyether sulfone membrane is prepared by (a) directly coating the entire surface of a hydrophobic polyethersulfone membrane with an aqueous solution of a polyalkylene oxide polymer and at least one polyfunctional monomer, and (b) polymerizing the monomer over the entire surface of the membrane under conditions which cause the resulting polymer to attach to the polyethersulfone membrane and the polyethylene oxide to form a non-extractable surface which does not crack when the membrane is folded to form a pleated cartridge.

Abstract: A new non-woven depth filter cartridge is formed by insertion of a core into filter mass formed in a continuous process. A mass of very fine diameter polymer filaments is overlaid by mass of larger diameter polymer filaments. The filaments are continuously accumulated on a spinning mandrel and advanced along and off of the mandrel by a press roller. An inner cylindrical surface of the cumulative filament mass forming the depth filter element is calendered, which facilitates insertion of a core member.

Abstract: A new non-woven depth filter element is formed in a continuous process whereby a mass of very fine diameter polymer filaments overlaid by mass of larger diameter polymer filaments are continuously accumulated on a spinning mandrel and advanced along and off of the mandrel by a press roller. An inner cylindrical surface of the cumulative filament mass forming the depth filter element is calendered, which facilitates insertion of a core member.

Abstract: The invention concerns a fluid pumping apparatus including a pump unit having an inlet housing, a plurality of pumping stages, and a discharge housing, surrounded by a continuous layer of waterproof material. The waterproof layer is further surrounded by a structural shell. Moreover, the pump unit is threadably engaged to a motor adapter, and no tools are required for the attachment of the pump unit to, or removal of the pump unit from, the motor adapter. The motor adapter is designed so that the mechanical seal is easily accessible.

Abstract: A non-cracking hydrophilic polyether sulfone membrane is prepared by (a) directly coating the entire surface of a hydrophobic polyethersulfone membrane with an aqueous solution of a polyalkylene oxide polymer and at least one polyfunctional monomer, and (b) polymerizing the monomer over the entire surface of the membrane under conditions which cause the resulting polymer to attach to the polyethersulfone membrane and the polyethylene oxide to form a non-extractable surface which does not crack when the membrane is folded to form a pleated cartridge.

Abstract: A method for making a skinless essentially symmetrical hydrophobic polysulfone microporous membrane by the steps of (a) forming a casting solution containing (i) a dissolved polyethersulfone polymer, (ii) a solvent for the polyethersulfone polymer, and (iii) a lower aliphatic glycol; (b) coating a substrate with the casting composition; (c) exposing the coated substrate to atmospheric conditions; (d) passing the exposed coated substrate into a precipitation bath to precipitate the membrane, the precipitation bath containing a lower aliphatic glycol and water; (e) rinsing the membrane; and (f) drying the membrane.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of fabricating a printing medium that is suitable for use with ink jet printing. The method includes preparing a polymeric dope solution. The polymeric dope solution is metered onto a substrate. A porous coating layer is formed on the substrate from the polymeric dope solution using a phase inversion technique. At least one component of an ink solution placed upon the porous coating layer is drawn into the porous coating layer to cause the ink solution to dry on the porous coating layer.

Abstract: A bellows for use in fluid control devices includes a head, a shoulder, a blind hole extending from an opening in the shoulder to the head, and a hollow compressible neck between the head and the shoulder, through which the blind hole extends. The neck includes a thin-walled, circumferential band located between the shoulder and the head. The bellows is formed by forming, in a body of thermoplastic material, an inner bore having an inner diameter. Next, at least one thin-walled circumferential band is formed between the head and the shoulder. Finally, the body is deformed to cause each circumferential band to bow.

Abstract: A depth filter formed of a plurality of substantially continuous intertwined filaments including a central support zone formed of support filaments having a first diameter and a filter zone formed of filtration filaments having filaments of a second diameter in which the diameters are different or the filaments are constructed of different materials. The invention also relates to an apparatus and a method for making such a depth filter element.

Abstract: A multi-tube ozone generator which includes a plurality of ozone generating tubes packed or nested in a close proximity to one another to provide a compact and nested configuration while still providing sufficient cooling passages between the tubes. Each of the tubes is provided with a central portion and an enlarged, flared hexagonal configured end portion which are joined to adjacent flared ends along their mating edges. The present invention also relates to a method for making such an ozone generator.

Abstract: A flow control device for use in connection with a fluid separation system of the type having a pressure feed, a fluid separation portion and a flow control passage in which the flow control device includes a fixed orifice plate with one or more orifices, a movable orifice plate with one or more orifices which are adjustably and selectively movable for alignment with the orifices in the fixed plate. The flow control device also includes a mechanism for providing adjustment movement of the movable orifice. A further aspect of the present invention is the incorporation of the flow control mechanism into a fluid separation system.

Abstract: A bellows-type pump having a support ring positioned interiorly within the coil of the plastic bellows. The support ring is initially coiled to a diameter smaller than the normal bellows coil diameter. The free ends of the support ring have a telescopic relationship so that, when expanded to form a complete loop for supportive engagement within the bellows coil, the oppose free ends of the loop circumferentially engage one another and are positively held in telescopic engagement due to the circumferential hoop stress of the support ring.

Abstract: A bellows-type pump has a plastic bellows interiorly supported by interior pressure. The interior pressure is supplied by a fluid source which passes through a pressure regulator to control the amount of interior pressure exerted on the bellows. A fiber-optic leak detector can be inserted into the plastic bellows to detect the leakage of process fluid therein.

Abstract: A cross-flow filtration membrane test unit having a bottom cell body, a top cell body and a pair of laterally spaced O-rings forming a seal therebetween. The bottom cell body is provided with a feed spacer cavity and the top cell body is provided with a permeate carrier cavity. A mechanism for receiving a test sample of membrane enables the membrane performance and characteristics to be tested in a manner which closely simulates actual full-scale operation.