Patents by Inventor Dean T. Berkebile

Dean T. Berkebile 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).

  • 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: 10881989
    Abstract: An underdrain block for filtering water includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side walls connecting the top wall to the bottom wall to define an internal chamber. The bottom wall contains a plurality of orifices that allow liquid and solid materials to enter and exit the internal chamber. An underdrain filtering system can be formed by securing an underdrain lateral, which is formed from one or a plurality of underdrain blocks, to a filter floor. Also included is a method of preparing an underdrain lateral for providing even distribution of backwash water along the underdrain lateral and a method of validating even distribution of backwash water across an underdrain lateral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLC
    Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Scott R. Cable, John L. Geibel, Robert J. Green, Howard J. Sweeney, Robert Lee Wiley, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20180333659
    Abstract: An underdrain block for filtering water includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side walls connecting the top wall to the bottom wall to define an internal chamber. The bottom wall contains a plurality of orifices that allow liquid and solid materials to enter and exit the internal chamber. An underdrain filtering system can be formed by securing an underdrain lateral, which is formed from one or a plurality of underdrain blocks, to a filter floor. Also included is a method of preparing an underdrain lateral for providing even distribution of backwash water along the underdrain lateral and a method of validating even distribution of backwash water across an underdrain lateral.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Scott R. Cable, John L. Geibel, Robert J. Green, Howard J. Sweeney, Robert Lee Wiley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10112128
    Abstract: An underdrain filter block for use in draining and backwashing a filtering media in a filter bed including a top wall, a pair of side walls extending from the top wall, a bottom wall extending between the pair of side walls, and a transverse wall extending from one of the pair of side walls to the other of the pair of side walls. The top wall, the pair of side walls, and the bottom wall define an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion includes a grout chamber positioned between the bottom wall and the transverse wall and at least one of the bottom wall and said side walls contains an opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLC
    Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Christopher J. Ball, Daniel E. Bruce
  • Patent number: 10052572
    Abstract: An underdrain filter block includes a top wall, a pair of side walls extending from the top wall, a bottom wall extending between the pair of side walls, first and second ribs, and a wall segment extending between the first rib and the second rib to define a grout chamber configured to receive grout during installation of the underdrain filter block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: XYLEM WATER SOLUTIONS ZELIENOPLE LLC
    Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Daniel E. Bruce, Christopher J. Ball
  • Patent number: 10022654
    Abstract: A method of distributing gas and liquid through an underdrain system includes: a) positioning an underdrain system on a filter floor, the underdrain system comprising at least one underdrain block and filter media positioned on top of the underdrain block; b) distributing gas sufficiently evenly through the underdrain system at a rate of less than 2 scfm/ft2 by distributing a liquid at a rate of less than 2 gpm/ft2 concurrently with the gas; c) increasing the distribution rate of the liquid, or increasing the distribution rate of the liquid and the distribution rate of the gas; d) stopping the distribution of gas; e) further increasing the distribution rate of the liquid; and f) decreasing the distribution rate of the liquid. A method of distributing gas and liquid during an upflow filtration mode is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: XYLEM WATER SOLUTIONS ZELIENOPLE LLC
    Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Brian J. Bates, Robert J. Green
  • Publication number: 20160256800
    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: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, John L. Geibel, Ivan Xuetang Zhu
  • Publication number: 20150343335
    Abstract: An underdrain filter block for use in draining and backwashing a filtering media in a filter bed including a top wall, a pair of side walls extending from the top wall, a bottom wall extending between the pair of side walls, and a transverse wall extending from one of the pair of side walls to the other of the pair of side walls. The top wall, the pair of side walls, and the bottom wall define an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion includes a grout chamber positioned between the bottom wall and the transverse wall and at least one of the bottom wall and said side walls contains an opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Christopher J. Ball, Daniel E. Bruce
  • Publication number: 20150231534
    Abstract: A flush apparatus for a filter underdrain system can include a fluid connection member having a body with a first end and a second end, the first end adapted to connect to a fluid source; a top plate connected to the second end of the fluid connection member; and a bottom plate opposing the top plate and adapted to engage a top portion of an underdrain system, the bottom plate having orifices that distribute fluid to the underdrain system to transport materials through the underdrain system. A system for cleaning unwanted materials from a water or waste water treatment filter and a method of transporting unwanted materials through an underdrain system are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, John L. Geibel, JR., Robert Lee Wiley, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150196858
    Abstract: An underdrain filter block includes a top wall, a pair of side walls extending from the top wall, a bottom wall extending between the pair of side walls, first and second ribs, and a wall segment extending between the first rib and the second rib to define a grout chamber configured to receive grout during installation of the underdrain filter block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Daniel E. Bruce, Christopher J. Ball
  • Patent number: 9072990
    Abstract: An underdrain filter block for use in draining and backwashing a filtering media in a filter bed includes a top wall, a pair of side walls extending from the top wall, a bottom wall extending between the pair of side walls, and a transverse wall extending from one of the pair of side walls to the other of the pair of side walls. The top wall, the pair of side walls, and the bottom wall define an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion includes a grout chamber positioned between the bottom wall and the transverse wall and at least one of the bottom wall and said side walls contains an opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLC
    Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Daniel E. Bruce, Christopher J. Ball
  • Patent number: 8889003
    Abstract: An underdrain filter block for use in draining and backwashing a filtering media in a filter bed includes a top wall, a pair of side walls extending from the top wall, and a bottom wall extending between the pair of side walls. The top wall, the pair of side walls, and the bottom wall define an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion includes a grout chamber having a plurality of openings defined by at least one of the bottom wall and the pair of side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLC
    Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Daniel E. Bruce, Christopher J. Ball
  • Publication number: 20140166593
    Abstract: A method of distributing gas and liquid through an underdrain system includes: a) positioning an underdrain system on a filter floor, the underdrain system comprising at least one underdrain block and filter media positioned on top of the underdrain block; b) distributing gas sufficiently evenly through the underdrain system at a rate of less than 2 scfm/ft2 by distributing a liquid at a rate of less than 2 gpm/ft2 concurrently with the gas; c) increasing the distribution rate of the liquid, or increasing the distribution rate of the liquid and the distribution rate of the gas; d) stopping the distribution of gas; e) further increasing the distribution rate of the liquid; and f) decreasing the distribution rate of the liquid. A method of distributing gas and liquid during an upflow filtration mode is also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLC
    Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Brian J. Bates, Robert J. Green
  • Publication number: 20130199990
    Abstract: An underdrain filter block for use in draining and backwashing a filtering media in a filter bed includes a top wall, a pair of side walls extending from the top wall, a bottom wall extending between the pair of side walls, and a transverse wall extending from one of the pair of side walls to the other of the pair of side walls. The top wall, the pair of side walls, and the bottom wall define an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion includes a grout chamber positioned between the bottom wall and the transverse wall and at least one of the bottom wall and said side walls contains an opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: XYLEM WATER SOLUTIONS ZELIENOPLE LLC
    Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Daniel E. Bruce, Christopher J. Ball
  • Patent number: 8323514
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a method and system for cleaning a media support structure in a filter cell in a liquid filter system, wherein a cleaning solution does not significantly enter a filter media zone. The method comprises supplying a cleaning solution to a filter cell to a level sufficient to submerge the media support structure, but not to significantly enter the filter media zone. Additionally, the cleaning solution level is monitored to ensure the cleaning solution does not significantly enter the filter media zone. Alternatively, the cleaning solution may be continuously recirculated and reintroduced to the filter cell during the cleaning operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLC
    Inventors: John L. Geibel, Eugene M. Vegso, Christopher J. Ball, Robert L. Laird, Thomas M. Getting, Dean T. Berkebile
  • Publication number: 20110174719
    Abstract: An underdrain filter block for use in draining and backwashing a filtering media in a filter bed includes a top wall, a pair of side walls extending from the top wall, and a bottom wall extending between the pair of side walls. The top wall, the pair of side walls, and the bottom wall define an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion includes a grout chamber having a plurality of openings defined by at least one of the bottom wall and the pair of side walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: ITT WATER & WASTEWATER LEOPOLD, INC.
    Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Daniel E. Bruce, Christopher J. Ball
  • Publication number: 20100237025
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a method and system for cleaning a media support structure in a filter cell in a liquid filter system, wherein a cleaning solution does not significantly enter a filter media zone. The method comprises supplying a cleaning solution to a filter cell to a level sufficient to submerge the media support structure, but not to significantly enter the filter media zone. Additionally, the cleaning solution level is monitored to ensure the cleaning solution does not significantly enter the filter media zone. Alternatively, the cleaning solution may be continuously recirculated and reintroduced to the filter cell during the cleaning operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: ITT WATER & WASTEWATER LEOPOLD, INC.
    Inventors: John L. Geibel, Eugene M. Vegso, Christopher J. Ball, Robert L. Laird, Thomas M. Getting, Dean T. Berkebile
  • Patent number: 5108627
    Abstract: A filter block having a plurality of exterior and interior walls defining a plurality of interior chambers, said chambers including at least a first and second conduits parallel to the longitudinal axis of said block, one disposed above the other, with a third conduit provided to supply gas under pressure to the upper conduit; a top exterior wall of the block having a plurality of apertures distributed thereover. The interior chambers comprise separate conduits for both gas and liquid backwash flows. The interior walls defining the conduits are disposed to provide even distribution of the backwashing gas and to provide bearing support for the top wall of the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: F.B. Leopold Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Gerald D. Wolfe