Patents Examined by Robert J. Popovics
  • Patent number: 10926201
    Abstract: Locally backwashing portions of filter media allows a simple and effective design of intake and pretreatment units, as well as their integration. An enclosure is used to limit portions of filter media and backwash them locally by suction, utilizing filtered water from adjacent filter media as the back wash water. Wastewater is produced at small amounts that allows efficient sludge treatment. This design enables water pretreatment at the intake unit, simplifying overall plant design and preventing damage to organisms living outside the intake unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: IDE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: Boris Liberman, Vitaly Levitin, Gal Greenberg
  • Patent number: 10927347
    Abstract: A fat sizing device includes a first filter element and a second filter element. The first filter element has an exterior formed from a ceramic such as titanium nitride. The second filter element is positioned in series with the first filter element and has an exterior formed from an organic polymer such as a parylene. The first filter element has a first mesh size and the second filter element has a second mesh size different than the first mesh size and may be less than the first mesh size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Black Tie Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Mary L. Pilkington, Mariano C. Riego de Dios
  • Patent number: 10913014
    Abstract: A filtration system has at least one underdrain lateral, a flume, and at least one metering plate. The metering plate includes a plate member with at least one opening configured to receive liquid or gas therethrough at a first flow rate during a backwash function and is configured to receive liquid or gas therethrough at a second, lower flow rate during filtration. A method of metering gas into a filtration system with a metering plate is also disclosed. The metering plate allows gas to flow into each underdrain lateral at two very different flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLC
    Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, John L. Geibel, Ivan Xuetang Zhu
  • Patent number: 10913667
    Abstract: A media clarifier may have a passageway, an inlet, an outlet above the inlet, a screen, and a media bed with both compressible and incompressible media. The screen may span the passageway. The media bed may be adjacent to the screen when the media clarifier is in an operational state. Particulate matter is removed from a water stream as it passes through the media bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: WesTech Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Darin Lynn St. Germain, Jonathan Bay Farrell, Brian Lee Primrose, Darrell Wayne Christianson
  • Patent number: 10905973
    Abstract: A device for processing of a liquid that includes a device-input for receiving the liquid to be processed at an input-pressure, a device-output for returning the processed liquid at an output-pressure, a process chamber having a chamber-inlet and a chamber-outlet with the chamber-inlet being connected to the device-input via a feed-line, and the chamber-outlet being connected to the device-output via a discharge-line. The feed-line includes a pump for increasing the pressure of the liquid from the input-pressure to a feed-pressure at the chamber-inlet, and the discharge-line includes a back-pressure mechanism adapted to maintain a discharge-pressure at the chamber-outlet upstream of the back-pressure mechanism at an excess-pressure above the output-pressure, and to reduce the pressure of the liquid from the discharge-pressure to the output-pressure downstream of the back-pressure mechanism. The pump in the feed-line is a first stage of a multiple-stage gear pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: C.C. JENSEN A/S
    Inventors: Carl Aage Jensen, Henning Buch
  • Patent number: 10905981
    Abstract: A backwash header for a cloth filter includes a body having a length, a diameter, first and second ends, a longitudinal axis, and an exterior surface, the body defining at least one internal cavity. The body includes at least one suction slot sized to allow fluids and solids to enter the internal cavity from outside of the exterior surface. A structure is attached to a portion of the exterior surface of the body around and extending away from the suction slot to form an open-ended chamber defined by the structure and a portion of the exterior surface near the suction slot. The structure allows fluids and solids to enter the open-ended chamber and then the suction slot and cavity from a material being cleaned. Cloth filters and methods of treating water and wastewater using the backwash headers and cloth filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventor: Charles G. Dannemann
  • Patent number: 10905984
    Abstract: The invention is related to a method and vibratory apparatus for the improved solid-liquid filtration of filter cakes, especially for dewatering finely divided thixotropic filter cakes, with the aid of a vibratory apparatus. Further, the invention relates to a filtration apparatus having a vibratory apparatus as described herein, and to the use of the vibratory apparatus for the solid-liquid filtration of filter cakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Inventors: Frank Landwehr, Mitja Medved, Thomas Pierau
  • Patent number: 10905976
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of controlling the water flow in a water filtration system in which the filtering system may be connected to a variety of possible outside sources and pre-filtering systems, in order to ensure a continuous flow of water, eliminating the need of continual user surveillance. A combination of float valves and seals regulate water levels and prevent leakage and overflow. Ambient pressure is maintained by venting a lower chamber. Additional chamber(s) may be integrated to expand the capacity of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: WellspringPure, LLC
    Inventors: Valdean Allen Johnson, Celia Roberts Johnson
  • Patent number: 10907461
    Abstract: A water hydration system for disposing of the water content of production fluid generated by a hydrocarbon well. The production water is processed to remove particulate matter, and then to separate the water from crude oil. The water is heated and pressurized and passed through a nozzle to produce a spray which flashes into steam in a duct carrying fresh air. The water vapor hydrates the air that is forced through the duct by a high capacity fan which blows the hydrated air into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Inventor: Raymond C. Sherry
  • Patent number: 10905985
    Abstract: A thread-based filter comprising: a thread-based medium comprising multiple threads; and a tube, wherein the tube at least partially houses the thread-based medium with the threads oriented lengthwise along the length of the tube, and wherein the thread-based medium is configured to trap impurities present in a fluid flowing substantially lengthwise along the threads during a filtration mode, and wherein the thread-based medium is configured to release impurities into a fluid flowing substantially lengthwise along the threads during a washing mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: MAAGAN DESALINATION LTD.
    Inventors: Nir Oz, David Zur
  • Patent number: 10905979
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for treating liquid utilizing primary and secondary treatment mechanisms positioned on a portable sled, the primary treatment mechanism of the system being a filter bag used in conjunction with a secondary treatment mechanism including a straw bale layer positioned on a base of the sled. Liquid entering the filter bag exits the bag as filtrate which passes through the secondary treatment mechanism and flows by gravity to the environment. The system is transportable to different locations where filtering may continue utilizing the same filter bag. The filter bag is flexible and removable via a porous lift frame positioned below the filter bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Precision Dewatering, LLC
    Inventor: Steven Grice
  • Patent number: 10898836
    Abstract: The invention features a filtration segment having a top seal, a bottom seal and a primary filter core and the method of filtering with the design of the filtration segment. The primary filter core is operatively coupled to at least one opening which is located either on the top seal or on the bottom seal. The filtration segment also includes one or more interior filters surrounding the primary filter core. Each interior filter includes a filter material surrounding a secondary core which is operatively coupled to at least one opening which is located either on the top seal or on the bottom seal. Each filter may optionally include a retaining medium enclosing the filter material. The filtration segment has one or more layers of an exterior filter media which operatively surround the interior filters and are operatively coupled to the top seal and the bottom seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: FILTRATION TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: John R. Hampton, Greg P. Wallace
  • Patent number: 10888806
    Abstract: A filter is provided including a vessel having an input positioned near the top of the vessel for contaminated fluid; the vessel containing media; a drain screen; a propeller rotatable on a drive shaft extending downwardly from the top of the vessel; a deflector plate below the drain screen to impel media outwardly from the center of the vessel; a plurality of baffles positioned on side walls of the vessel; and a drain to remove fluid from the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Inventor: William Bloomfield
  • Patent number: 10888807
    Abstract: According to various aspects and embodiments, a system and method for two-stage filtration is provided. The system includes an inlet fluidly connectable with wastewater, a first stage filter assembly that is fluidly connectable with the inlet and has a rotary drum with a filter surface configured for radially inward fluid flow, a second stage filter assembly that is fluidly connectable with the first stage filter and has a plurality of filter discs configured for radially outward fluid flow, and an outlet fluidly connectable with filtrate generated by the second stage disc filter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Harden, Harry Bryant
  • Patent number: 10864465
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved methods for conducting a wash cycle in a filtration unit. The methods may be used alone or in combination with one another to achieve the improvements described herein. Filtration units adapted for carrying out the novel methods are also provided. Through the use of the methods and filtration units described, significant economic benefits are obtained without a significant increase in the costs of the filtration unit or in the costs of operation of the filtration unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: SCHREIBER, LLC
    Inventors: Howard Carmichael Boyd, William Frederick Foreman, III
  • Patent number: 10857489
    Abstract: A cooking oil disposal assembly includes a pot for receiving used cooking oil. A filter is removably positionable in the pot and the filter is comprised of a fluid permeable material to filter particles from the used cooking oil. A cover is hingedly coupled to the pot and the cover is positionable between a closed position and an open position. A bowl is removably positionable in the cover and the bowl is comprised of a fluid impermeable material to capture the used cooking oil. The bowl is disposed of when the bowl is removed from the pot to facilitate the used cooking oil to be disposed without pouring the used cooking oil down sewer pipes. A blower is coupled to the cover and the blower urging air upwardly onto the bowl when the blower is turned on to cool the used cooking oil in the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventor: Linda Lackey
  • Patent number: 10857490
    Abstract: A process for the separation of the components of a solid/liquid mixture. The process Includes the use of a rotary pressure filter apparatus having improved capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Bartos, Anders Bitsch-Larsen, Timothy Keyes
  • Patent number: 10857488
    Abstract: A system for separating solids from a fluid includes a containment vessel having a V-shaped tank in fluid communication with an agitated overflow tank. Baffles within the V-shaped tank provide a series of zones where the fluid is deposited for processing. A shaftless auger at the bottom of the V-shaped tank transfers solids to an area where they are pumped to a first hydrocyclone assembly associated with a first shaker. Overflow from the hydrocyclone assembly and underflow from the first shaker is further processed by a second hydrocyclone assembly associated with a second shaker. Overflow from the second hydrocyclone assembly and underflow from the second shaker are deposited into overflow tank which contains the cleaned fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: DEL Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Kulbeth
  • Patent number: 10807023
    Abstract: A method and a plant for the treatment of water or wastewater having impurities by filtration of the water through two granular media filter stages of the moving bed type operated in series. The method includes the steps of feeding the water/wastewater as a first influent to first stage granular media filters; filtration of the first influent in the first stage granular media filters to produce a first effluent; feeding the first effluent as a second influent to second stage granular media filters; and filtration of the second influent in the second stage granular media filters to produce a second effluent. The second stage granular media filters are operated with intermittent washing of the granular filter media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Nordic Water Products AB
    Inventor: Hans F. Larsson
  • Patent number: 10807295
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter device comprising an inlet chamber, an outlet chamber, a filter system which separates the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber. The filter device is characterised in that the inlet chamber comprises at least one liquid supply line and at least one liquid discharge line and the outlet chamber does not comprise a liquid supply and comprises at least one liquid discharge line. The invention also relates to a corresponding filter method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Next Generation Analytics GmbH
    Inventor: Friedrich Kastner