Patents by Inventor Brian E. Butters
Brian E. Butters has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240050904Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to methods of marker based direct integrity testing of at least one membrane comprising: (a) dosing a feed fluid of a loop with at least one marker comprising at least one challenge particle, the loop comprising: the feed fluid; a pump comprising an outlet stream; a membrane module comprising the at least one membrane and a membrane module outlet stream, wherein the membrane module is in fluid communication with the outlet stream; a marker recycle stream in fluid communication with the membrane module outlet stream and the pump; and a means to measure particle concentrations; (b) circulating the feed fluid through the membrane module at least once to produce a filtrate comprising a filtered at least one marker; (c) measuring a filtrate particle concentration of the filtered at least one filtered marker in the filtrate to produce a filtrate concentration measurement; and (d) calculating a log removal value from the filtrate concentration measuremenType: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2023Publication date: February 15, 2024Inventors: Anthony L. Powell, Brian E. Butters
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Patent number: 11833476Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to methods of marker based direct integrity testing of at least one membrane comprising: (a) dosing a feed fluid of a loop with at least one marker comprising at least one challenge particle, the loop comprising: the feed fluid; a pump comprising an outlet stream; a membrane module comprising the at least one membrane and a membrane module outlet stream, wherein the membrane module is in fluid communication with the outlet stream; a marker recycle stream in fluid communication with the membrane module outlet stream and the pump; and a means to measure particle concentrations; (b) circulating the feed fluid through the membrane module at least once to produce a filtrate comprising a filtered at least one marker; (c) measuring a filtrate particle concentration of the filtered at least one filtered marker in the filtrate to produce a filtrate concentration measurement; and (d) calculating a log removal value from the filtrate concentration measuremenType: GrantFiled: October 26, 2020Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: 1934612 ONTARIO INC.Inventors: Anthony L Powell, Brian E. Butters
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Publication number: 20230294048Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to systems, apparatus, and methods for fluid purification (e.g., water) with a ceramic membrane. For example, the present disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to a cross-flow fluid filtration assembly comprising (a) membrane housing comprising a plurality of hexagonal prism shaped membranes (b) an inlet configured to receive the contaminated fluid and to channel a contaminated fluid to the first end of the plurality of hexagonal prism shaped membranes, and (c) an outlet configured to receive a permeate released from the second end of the plurality of hexagonal shaped membranes. The present disclosure also relates to a cross-flow fluid filtration module comprising a fluid path defined by a contaminated media inlet chamber, a fluid filtration assembly positioned in a permeate chamber and a concentrate chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2023Publication date: September 21, 2023Inventors: Anthony L. Powell, Brian E. Butters
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Patent number: 11697097Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to systems, apparatus, and methods for fluid purification (e.g., water) with a ceramic membrane. For example, the present disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to a cross-flow fluid filtration assembly comprising (a) membrane housing comprising a plurality of hexagonal prism shaped membranes (b) an inlet configured to receive the contaminated fluid and to channel a contaminated fluid to the first end of the plurality of hexagonal prism shaped membranes, and (c) an outlet configured to receive a permeate released from the second end of the plurality of hexagonal shaped membranes. The present disclosure also relates to a cross-flow fluid filtration module comprising a fluid path defined by a contaminated media inlet chamber, a fluid filtration assembly positioned in a permeate chamber and a concentrate chamber.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2021Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: 1934612 ONTARIO INC.Inventors: Anthony L. Powell, Brian E. Butters
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Patent number: 11572286Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a system for treating an intake fluid comprising a contaminant, the system comprising a strainer configured to receive the intake fluid and separate the intake fluid into a first retentate and a strained filtrate; a filtration unit connected to the strainer through a strained fluid connector, the strained fluid connector configured to facilitate transfer of the strained filtrate from the strainer to the filtration unit, wherein the filtration unit is configured to separate the strained filtrate into a second retentate and a filtration unit filtrate; a fixed film biological filter connected to the filtration unit through a filtrate connector, the filtrate connector configured to facilitate transfer of the filtration unit filtrate from the filtration unit to the fixed film biological filter, wherein the fixed film biological filter is configured to reduce a biological oxygen demand of at least one of the filtration unit filtrate and a contaminant concentratType: GrantFiled: February 22, 2019Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: 1934612 ONTARIO INC.Inventors: Anthony L. Powell, Brian E. Butters
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Publication number: 20230001335Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to methods, systems, and apparatuses for dewatering solid particles in a liquid mixture, such as those, for example, comprising receiving a liquid mixture, the liquid mixture including solid particles; suspending a filter in the liquid mixture; agglomerating, at the filter, solid particles in the liquid mixture, the agglomerating including potentiating passage of liquid in the liquid mixture through the filter and potentiating accumulation of solid particles in the liquid mixture to collect and agglomerate at the filter; and applying a shockwave to the filter, the applied shockwave operable to remove the agglomerated solid particles from the filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2022Publication date: January 5, 2023Inventors: Anthony L. Powell, Brian E. Butters
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Patent number: 11041565Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to systems, apparatus, and methods for fluid filtration (e.g., water) with a ceramic membrane having a seal. For example, the present disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to a cross-flow fluid filtration assembly comprising (a) an elongate ceramic membrane filter having a first filter end, a second filter end, at least one filter side, and at least one interior channel spanning the length of the filter, (b) a first filtration seal gasket fixed to the first filter end forming a fluid-tight seal therebetween, and (c) a second filtration seal gasket fixed to the second filter end forming a fluid-tight seal therebetween. The present disclosure also relates to a cross-flow fluid filtration module comprising a fluid path defined by a contaminated media inlet chamber, a fluid filtration assembly positioned in a permeate chamber, and a concentrate chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2013Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: 1934612 Ontario Inc.Inventors: Brian E. Butters, Anthony L. Powell, John D. Pearce
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Publication number: 20210146314Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to systems, apparatus, and methods for fluid purification (e.g., water) with a ceramic membrane. For example, the present disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to a cross-flow fluid filtration assembly comprising (a) membrane housing comprising a plurality of hexagonal prism shaped membranes (b) an inlet configured to receive the contaminated fluid and to channel a contaminated fluid to the first end of the plurality of hexagonal prism shaped membranes, and (c) an outlet configured to receive a permeate released from the second end of the plurality of hexagonal shaped membranes. The present disclosure also relates to a cross-flow fluid filtration module comprising a fluid path defined by a contaminated media inlet chamber, a fluid filtration assembly positioned in a permeate chamber and a concentrate chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2021Publication date: May 20, 2021Inventors: Anthony L. Powell, Brian E. Butters
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Patent number: 10940443Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to systems, apparatus, and methods for fluid purification (e.g., water) with a ceramic membrane. For example, the present disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to a cross-flow fluid filtration assembly comprising (a) membrane housing comprising a plurality of hexagonal prism shaped membranes (b) an inlet configured to receive the contaminated fluid and to channel a contaminated fluid to the first end of the plurality of hexagonal prism shaped membranes, and (c) an outlet configured to receive a permeate released from the second end of the plurality of hexagonal shaped membranes. The present disclosure also relates to a cross-flow fluid filtration module comprising a fluid path defined by a contaminated media inlet chamber, a fluid filtration assembly positioned in a permeate chamber and a concentrate chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2016Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: 1934612 Ontario Inc.Inventors: Anthony L. Powell, Brian E. Butters
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Publication number: 20210046427Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to methods of marker based direct integrity testing of at least one membrane comprising: (a) dosing a feed fluid of a loop with at least one marker comprising at least one challenge particle, the loop comprising: the feed fluid; a pump comprising an outlet stream; a membrane module comprising the at least one membrane and a membrane module outlet stream, wherein the membrane module is in fluid communication with the outlet stream; a marker recycle stream in fluid communication with the membrane module outlet stream and the pump; and a means to measure particle concentrations; (b) circulating the feed fluid through the membrane module at least once to produce a filtrate comprising a filtered at least one marker; (c) measuring a filtrate particle concentration of the filtered at least one filtered marker in the filtrate to produce a filtrate concentration measurement; and (d) calculating a log removal value from the filtrate concentration measuremenType: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Inventors: Anthony L. Powell, Brian E. Butters
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Patent number: 10814284Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to methods of marker based direct integrity testing of at least one membrane comprising: (a) dosing a feed fluid of a loop with at least one marker comprising at least one challenge particle, the loop comprising: the feed fluid; a pump comprising an outlet stream; a membrane module comprising the at least one membrane and a membrane module outlet stream, wherein the membrane module is in fluid communication with the outlet stream; a marker recycle stream in fluid communication with the membrane module outlet stream and the pump; and a means to measure particle concentrations; (b) circulating the feed fluid through the membrane module at least once to produce a filtrate comprising a filtered at least one marker; (c) measuring a filtrate particle concentration of the filtered at least one filtered marker in the filtrate to produce a filtrate concentration measurement; and (d) calculating a log removal value from the filtrate concentration measuremenType: GrantFiled: March 7, 2018Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: 1934612 Ontario Inc.Inventors: Anthony L. Powell, Brian E. Butters
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Publication number: 20190263676Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a system for treating an intake fluid comprising a contaminant, the system comprising a strainer configured to receive the intake fluid and separate the intake fluid into a first retentate and a strained filtrate; a filtration unit connected to the strainer through a strained fluid connector, the strained fluid connector configured to facilitate transfer of the strained filtrate from the strainer to the filtration unit, wherein the filtration unit is configured to separate the strained filtrate into a second retentate and a filtration unit filtrate; a fixed film biological filter connected to the filtration unit through a filtrate connector, the filtrate connector configured to facilitate transfer of the filtration unit filtrate from the filtration unit to the fixed film biological filter, wherein the fixed film biological filter is configured to reduce a biological oxygen demand of at least one of the filtration unit filtrate and a contaminant concentratType: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2019Publication date: August 29, 2019Inventors: Anthony L. Powell, Brian E. Butters
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Patent number: 10315935Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to systems, apparatus, and methods for fluid purification (e.g., water) with a ceramic elements configured to remove solids (e.g., particles) and charged particles (e.g., dissolved salts). For example, the present disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to a cross-flow fluid ceramic element comprising (a) an elongate ceramic membrane filter having a first filter end, a second filter end, at least one filter side, and at least one interior channel spanning the length of the filter, (b) a first ion removal unit comprising a first substrate having a first net polarity (e.g., innately or upon application of a current) configured to reversibly bind ions of opposite polarity, and (c) a second ion removal unit comprising a second substrate having a second net polarity (e.g., innately or upon application of a current) configured to reversibly bind ions of opposite polarity, wherein the first and second polarity are opposite of each other.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2015Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: 1934612 Ontario Inc.Inventors: Anthony L. Powell, Brian E. Butters
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Publication number: 20180257040Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to methods of marker based direct integrity testing of at least one membrane comprising: (a) dosing a feed fluid of a loop with at least one marker comprising at least one challenge particle, the loop comprising: the feed fluid; a pump comprising an outlet stream; a membrane module comprising the at least one membrane and a membrane module outlet stream, wherein the membrane module is in fluid communication with the outlet stream; a marker recycle stream in fluid communication with the membrane module outlet stream and the pump; and a means to measure particle concentrations; (b) circulating the feed fluid through the membrane module at least once to produce a filtrate comprising a filtered at least one marker; (c) measuring a filtrate particle concentration of the filtered at least one filtered marker in the filtrate to produce a filtrate concentration measurement; and (d) calculating a log removal value from the filtrate concentration measuremenType: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2018Publication date: September 13, 2018Inventors: Anthony L. Powell, Brian E. Butters
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Patent number: 10071927Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to apparatus, systems, and methods for reduction and/or removal of one or more contaminants (e.g., heavy metals, chromium, phosphorous, phosphorous compounds, nitrogen, nitrogen compounds) from a feed composition (e.g., a fluid). Apparatus, systems, and methods, in some embodiments, may be operable to decontaminate a fluid with comparatively little or no contaminant containing waste fluid.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2013Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: 1934612 Ontario Inc.Inventors: Brian E. Butters, Anthony L. Powell, John D. Pearce
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Patent number: 10005686Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to systems and methods of fluid treatment systems. Fluid treatment systems and methods thereof may be operable to remove contaminants and optionally reduce hardness. A fluid treatment system may comprise a feed stream configured to provide a contaminated fluid, a concentrate tank configured to receive the contaminated fluid from the feed stream, a filtration unit configured to receive the contaminated fluid from the concentrate tank, and a permeate stream operable to receive a treated fluid from the filtration unit. A concentrate tank may be operable to reduce hardness of the contaminated fluid. A filtration unit may be operable to filter contaminants from the contaminated fluid.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2013Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: 1934612 Ontario Inc.Inventors: Anthony L. Powell, Brian E. Butters
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Publication number: 20170144109Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to systems, apparatus, and methods for fluid purification (e.g., water) with a ceramic membrane. For example, the present disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to a cross-flow fluid filtration assembly comprising (a) membrane housing comprising a plurality of hexagonal prism shaped membranes (b) an inlet configured to receive the contaminated fluid and to channel a contaminated fluid to the first end of the plurality of hexagonal prism shaped membranes, and (c) an outlet configured to receive a permeate released from the second end of the plurality of hexagonal shaped membranes. The present disclosure also relates to a cross-flow fluid filtration module comprising a fluid path defined by a contaminated media inlet chamber, a fluid filtration assembly positioned in a permeate chamber and a concentrate chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2016Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: Anthony L. Powell, Brian E. Butters
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Publication number: 20170072344Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to methods, systems, and apparatuses for dewatering solid particles in a liquid mixture, such as those, for example, comprising receiving a liquid mixture, the liquid mixture including solid particles; suspending a filter in the liquid mixture; agglomerating, at the filter, solid particles in the liquid mixture, the agglomerating including potentiating passage of liquid in the liquid mixture through the filter and potentiating accumulation of solid particles in the liquid mixture to collect and agglomerate at the filter; and applying a shockwave to the filter, the applied shockwave operable to remove the agglomerated solid particles from the filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventors: Anthony L. Powell, Brian E. Butters
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Patent number: 9259502Abstract: The disclosed principles employ a UV reactor design for photo-based treatment of contaminated fluid media using a concentric single light source/single sleeve design, with multiple such concentric light source/sleeve units placed in parallel. In one embodiment, such a reactor may comprise an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold, and a plurality of tubular chambers connecting the inlet manifold to the outlet manifold. A plurality of such irradiating units are located within corresponding ones of the tubular chambers such that a fluid path is provided between each of the transparent sleeves and its corresponding tubular chamber where the contaminated fluid is irradiated as it passes through the chambers. The inlet ends of all of the chambers are connected to a single fluid intake manifold. This design allows the contaminated fluid pressure and flow to be evenly distributed among all of the fluid chambers via the intake manifold.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2010Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Inventors: Brian E. Butters, Anthony L. Powell
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Publication number: 20150284271Abstract: The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to systems, apparatus, and methods for fluid purification (e.g., water) with a ceramic elements configured to remove solids (e.g., particles) and charged particles (e.g., dissolved salts). For example, the present disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to a cross-flow fluid ceramic element comprising (a) an elongate ceramic membrane filter having a first filter end, a second filter end, at least one filter side, and at least one interior channel spanning the length of the filter, (b) a first ion removal unit comprising a first substrate having a first net polarity (e.g., innately or upon application of a current) configured to reversibly bind ions of opposite polarity, and (c) a second ion removal unit comprising a second substrate having a second net polarity (e.g., innately or upon application of a current) configured to reversibly bind ions of opposite polarity, wherein the first and second polarity are opposite of each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2015Publication date: October 8, 2015Inventors: Anthony L. Powell, Brian E. Butters