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: 10913014Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 4, 2016Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLCInventors: Dean T. Berkebile, John L. Geibel, Ivan Xuetang Zhu
-
Patent number: 10881989Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 16, 2018Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLCInventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Scott R. Cable, John L. Geibel, Robert J. Green, Howard J. Sweeney, Robert Lee Wiley, Jr.
-
Publication number: 20180333659Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2018Publication date: November 22, 2018Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Scott R. Cable, John L. Geibel, Robert J. Green, Howard J. Sweeney, Robert Lee Wiley, Jr.
-
Patent number: 10112128Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 27, 2015Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLCInventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Christopher J. Ball, Daniel E. Bruce
-
Patent number: 10052572Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 29, 2014Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: XYLEM WATER SOLUTIONS ZELIENOPLE LLCInventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Daniel E. Bruce, Christopher J. Ball
-
Patent number: 10022654Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 16, 2013Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: XYLEM WATER SOLUTIONS ZELIENOPLE LLCInventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Brian J. Bates, Robert J. Green
-
Publication number: 20160256800Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2016Publication date: September 8, 2016Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, John L. Geibel, Ivan Xuetang Zhu
-
Publication number: 20150343335Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2015Publication date: December 3, 2015Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Christopher J. Ball, Daniel E. Bruce
-
Publication number: 20150231534Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2015Publication date: August 20, 2015Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, John L. Geibel, JR., Robert Lee Wiley, JR.
-
Publication number: 20150196858Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Daniel E. Bruce, Christopher J. Ball
-
Patent number: 9072990Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 18, 2011Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLCInventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Daniel E. Bruce, Christopher J. Ball
-
Patent number: 8889003Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 3, 2011Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLCInventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Daniel E. Bruce, Christopher J. Ball
-
Publication number: 20140166593Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2013Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLCInventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Brian J. Bates, Robert J. Green
-
Publication number: 20130199990Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2011Publication date: August 8, 2013Applicant: XYLEM WATER SOLUTIONS ZELIENOPLE LLCInventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Daniel E. Bruce, Christopher J. Ball
-
Patent number: 8323514Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 18, 2009Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLCInventors: John L. Geibel, Eugene M. Vegso, Christopher J. Ball, Robert L. Laird, Thomas M. Getting, Dean T. Berkebile
-
Publication number: 20110174719Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2011Publication date: July 21, 2011Applicant: ITT WATER & WASTEWATER LEOPOLD, INC.Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Daniel E. Bruce, Christopher J. Ball
-
Publication number: 20100237025Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2009Publication date: September 23, 2010Applicant: 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: 5108627Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 1, 1991Date of Patent: April 28, 1992Assignee: F.B. Leopold Company, Inc.Inventors: Dean T. Berkebile, Gerald D. Wolfe