Patents Assigned to UGSI Solutions, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11964887
    Abstract: A method of automatically controlling chloramine concentration in a body of water contained in a reservoir includes: (a) determining residual chloramine concentration in a water sample obtained from the body of water; (b) determining at least one of the following when the residual chloramine concentration is below a predetermined target chloramine concentration level: (i) an average rate of change in total chlorine concentration; and (ii) an average rate of change in oxidation-reduction potential; and (c) automatically engaging a supply of ammonia and a supply of chlorine to add both ammonia and chlorine to the body of water at a weight ratio of chlorine to ammonia of 5:1 or less when the average rate of change in total chlorine concentration is below a set rate of change and/or the average rate of change in oxidation-reduction potential is above a set rate of change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: UGSI Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Robin Giguere
  • Patent number: 11932562
    Abstract: A method of automatically controlling chloramine concentration in a body of water contained in a reservoir includes: (a) determining residual chloramine concentration in a first water sample obtained from the body of water; (b) automatically engaging a supply of chlorine to add chlorine to the body of water when the residual chloramine concentration in the first water sample is determined to be below a residual chloramine concentration set-point or a first chloramine concentration percentage; (c) determining residual chloramine concentration in a second water sample obtained from the body of water after step (b); and (d) automatically engaging a supply of ammonia and the supply of chlorine to add both ammonia and chlorine to the body of water if the residual chloramine concentration in the second water sample is determined to be below the residual chloramine concentration in the first water sample or a second chloramine concentration percentage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: UGSI Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Brent A. Simmons
  • Patent number: 11851353
    Abstract: A water treatment system is disclosed having an electrolytic cell for liberating hydrogen from a base solution. The base solution may be a solution of brine for generating sodium hypochlorite or potable water to be oxidized. The cell has first and second opposing electrode end plates held apart from each other by a pair of supports such that the supports enclose opposing sides of the end plates to form a cell chamber. One or more inner electrode plates are spaced apart from each other in the cell chamber in between the first and second electrode plates. The supports are configured to electrically isolate the first and second electrode plates and the inner electrode plates from each other. The first and second electrode plates are configured to receive opposite polarity charges that passively charge the inner electrode plates via conduction from the base solution to form a chemical reaction in the base solution as the base solution passes through the cell chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: UGSI Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent A. Simmons, Gunnar T. Thordarson, James C. Robertson
  • Patent number: 11827533
    Abstract: A method of determining a disinfectant composition of a municipal water supply from a water sample that includes: (a) obtaining a water sample from a water source at a sampling location; (b) adding a chlorine-containing material to the water sample in the presence of an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) measurement device; (c) generating a plurality of ORP measurements during addition of the chlorine-containing material to the water sample; (d) estimating a concentration of one or more of free ammonia, fully combined ammonia, monochloramine, or a mixture of dichloroamine and trichloroamine in the water sample in which the estimation is derived from the relationship between the added chlorine material and the plurality of ORP measurements; and (e) determining a disinfectant composition of the water source at the water sampling location from the concentration calculation. A method of determining free ammonia composition is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: UGSI Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Giguere, Peter Fiske
  • Patent number: 11377378
    Abstract: A water treatment system is disclosed having electrolytic cell for liberating hydrogen from a base solution. The base solution may be a solution of brine for generating sodium hypochlorite, or potable water to be oxidized. The cell has first and second opposing electrode end plates held apart from each other by a pair of supports such that the supports enclose opposing sides of the end plates to form a cell chamber. One or more inner electrode plates are spaced apart from each other in the cell chamber in between the first and second electrode plates. The supports are configured to electrically isolate the first and second electrode plates and the inner electrode plates from each other. The first and second electrode plates are configured to receive opposite polarity charges that passively charge the inner electrode plates via conduction from the base solution to form a chemical reaction in the base solution as the base solution passes through the cell chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: UGSI Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent A. Simmons, Gunnar T. Thordarson, James C. Robertson
  • Patent number: 11332385
    Abstract: A system for reducing an amount of volatile organic compounds which includes: a water-storage tank having a tank containing water, a roof positioned over the tank, and a headspace region formed between the roof and a surface of the water contained in the tank; an air exchange system positioned at least partially in the headspace region that is configured to exchange air exterior to the tank with air inside the tank; and a water conveyance device located at least partially in the water of the water-storage tank and which is configured to convey water in a manner that produces a surface flow velocity. A method reducing an amount of volatile organic compounds is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: UGSI Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Giguere, Peter Fiske, Ethan Brooke
  • Patent number: 11286176
    Abstract: A method of determining a disinfectant composition of a municipal water supply from a water sample that includes: (a) obtaining a water sample from a water source at a sampling location; (b) adding a chlorine-containing material to the water sample in the presence of an oxidation reduction potential (ORP) measurement device; (c) generating a plurality of ORP measurements during addition of the chlorine-containing material to the water sample; (d) estimating a concentration of one or more of free ammonia, fully combined ammonia, monochloramine, or a mixture of dichloramine and trichloramine in the water sample in which the estimation is derived from the relationship between the added chlorine material and the plurality of ORP measurements; and (e) determining a disinfectant composition of the water source at the water sampling location from the concentration calculation. A method of determining free ammonia composition is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: UGSI Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Giguere, Peter Fiske
  • Patent number: 11118275
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of cleaning electrolytic cells that includes: (a) directing a base solution comprising water into an array of electrolytic cells; and (b) removing contaminants from at least one of the electrolytic cells with air turbulence provided by an injection of compressed air into the electrolytic cell. The injection of compressed air is provided by an air sparging system in fluid communication with an inlet portion of the at least one electrolytic cell. A self-cleaning electrolytic cell system is further included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: UGSI Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Billie Fritz, Brent A. Simmons
  • Patent number: 11046599
    Abstract: A method of automatically controlling chloramine concentration in a body of water contained in a reservoir includes: (a) determining residual chloramine concentration in a first water sample obtained from the body of water; (b) automatically engaging a supply of chlorine to add chlorine to the body of water when the residual chloramine concentration in the first water sample is determined to be below a residual chloramine concentration set-point or a first chloramine concentration percentage; (c) determining residual chloramine concentration in a second water sample obtained from the body of water after step (b); and (d) automatically engaging a supply of ammonia and the supply of chlorine to add both ammonia and chlorine to the body of water if the residual chloramine concentration in the second water sample is determined to be below the residual chloramine concentration in the first water sample or a second chloramine concentration percentage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: UGSI Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Brent A. Simmons
  • Patent number: 10975479
    Abstract: An electrolytic cell includes: a cartridge assembly including: a plurality of bipolar electrode plates spaced apart and guide members formed on both sides of the plurality of bipolar electrode plates; a cell body having: a first side; a second side opposite the first side; an opening that extends through the first and second sides to form a housing that receives the cartridge assembly; a first end having an inlet that allows liquid to enter the housing of the cell body and a second end having an outlet that allows liquid to exit the housing of the cell body; a first terminal cap that connects to the first side of the cell body and which has a cathode plate; and a second terminal cap that connects to the second side of the cell body and which has an anode plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: UGSI Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Billie Fritz, Gary Turner, Mark Kushman, Chris Levash
  • Patent number: 10836659
    Abstract: A method of automatically controlling chloramine concentration in a body of water contained in a reservoir includes: (a) determining residual chloramine concentration in a water sample obtained from the body of water; (b) determining at least one of the following when the residual chloramine concentration is below a predetermined target chloramine concentration level: (i) an average rate of change in total chlorine concentration; and (ii) an average rate of change in oxidation-reduction potential; and (c) automatically engaging a supply of ammonia and a supply of chlorine to add both ammonia and chlorine to the body of water at a weight ratio of chlorine to ammonia of 5:1 or less when the average rate of change in total chlorine concentration is below a set rate of change and/or the average rate of change in oxidation-reduction potential is above a set rate of change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: UGSI Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Robin Giguere
  • Patent number: 10800682
    Abstract: A water treatment system is disclosed having electrolytic cell for liberating hydrogen from a base solution. The base solution may be a solution of brine for generating sodium hypochlorite, or potable water to be oxidized. The cell has first and second opposing electrode end plates held apart from each other by a pair of supports such that the supports enclose opposing sides of the end plates to form a cell chamber. One or more inner electrode plates are spaced apart from each other in the cell chamber in between the first and second electrode plates. The supports are configured to electrically isolate the first and second electrode plates and the inner electrode plates from each other. The first and second electrode plates are configured to receive opposite polarity charges that passively charge the inner electrode plates via conduction from the base solution to form a chemical reaction in the base solution as the base solution passes through the cell chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: UGSI Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent A. Simmons, Gunnar T. Thordarson, James C. Robertson
  • Patent number: 10800685
    Abstract: A method of automatically controlling chloramine concentration in a body of water contained in a reservoir includes: (a) determining residual chloramine concentration in a water sample; (b) automatically engaging a supply of chlorine to add chlorine when (i) the residual chloramine concentration in the water sample is determined to be below a predetermined residual chloramine concentration set-point or (ii) below a chloramine concentration percentage of a predetermined residual chloramine concentration set-point; (c) determining residual chloramine concentration in one or more additional water samples after step (b); (d) determining the rate of change in chloramine concentration; and (e) if the rate of change in chloramine concentration is below a set rate of change in chloramine concentration (i) automatically engaging a supply of ammonia and the supply of chlorine to add both ammonia and chlorine to the body of water, or (ii) stopping the supply of chlorine after step (d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: UGSI Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Billie Fritz, Mark Kushman
  • Patent number: 10766796
    Abstract: A method of automatically controlling chloramine concentration in a body of water contained in a reservoir includes: (a) determining residual chloramine concentration in a first water sample obtained from the body of water; (b) automatically engaging a supply of chlorine to add chlorine to the body of water when the residual chloramine concentration in the first water sample is determined to be below a residual chloramine concentration set-point or a first chloramine concentration percentage; (c) determining residual chloramine concentration in a second water sample obtained from the body of water after step (b); and (d) automatically engaging a supply of ammonia and the supply of chlorine to add both ammonia and chlorine to the body of water if the residual chloramine concentration in the second water sample is determined to be below the residual chloramine concentration in the first water sample or a second chloramine concentration percentage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: UGSI Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Brent A. Simmons
  • Patent number: 10730767
    Abstract: A method of automatically controlling chloramine concentration in a body of water contained in a reservoir includes: (a) determining residual chloramine concentration in a first water sample obtained from the body of water; (b) automatically engaging a supply of chlorine to add chlorine to the body of water when the residual chloramine concentration in the first water sample is determined to be below a residual chloramine concentration set-point or a first chloramine concentration percentage; (c) determining residual chloramine concentration in a second water sample obtained from the body of water after step (b); and (d) automatically engaging a supply of ammonia and the supply of chlorine to add both ammonia and chlorine to the body of water if the residual chloramine concentration in the second water sample is determined to be below the residual chloramine concentration in the first water sample or a second chloramine concentration percentage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: UGSI Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Brent A. Simmons
  • Patent number: 10640394
    Abstract: A system for reducing an amount of volatile organic compounds which includes: a water-storage tank having a tank containing water, a roof positioned over the tank, and a headspace region formed between the roof and a surface of the water contained in the tank; an air exchange system positioned at least partially in the headspace region that is configured to exchange air exterior to the tank with air inside the tank; and a water conveyance device located at least partially in the water of the water-storage tank and which is configured to convey water in a manner that produces a surface flow velocity. A method reducing an amount of volatile organic compounds is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: UGSI Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Giguere, Peter Fiske, Ethan Brooke
  • Patent number: 10584888
    Abstract: Devices are provided for ventilating and/or removing volatile chemicals from liquid (e.g. water) stored in a liquid-containing storage tank (e.g. water-storage tank). The devices include a first fluid flow path that is physically isolated from a second fluid flow path and a convection device for moving a first fluid along the first fluid flow path toward at a desired destination and for exhausting the first fluid at the desired destination at a desired velocity. Methods are also provided for ventilating and/or removing volatile chemicals from liquid (e.g. water) stored in liquid-containing storage tanks (e.g. water-storage tanks). The methods involve blowing a first fluid through a ventilation device into a liquid-containing storage device at a velocity sufficient to achieve a desired mass transfer rate of volatile chemicals from the liquid in the liquid-containing storage device to air in the headspace and flowing the contaminated air back through the ventilation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: UGSI Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Fiske, Robin Giguere, Ethan Brooke