Patents by Inventor Donald F. Solomon

Donald F. Solomon 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).

  • Publication number: 20040164022
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis system includes a reverse osmosis filter apparatus in communication with a pressure conversion apparatus. The reverse osmosis filter is connected to a high pressure pump that provides feed water at a high pressure to the reverse osmosis filter. The pressure conversion apparatus is in communication with a low pressure water supply and the reverse osmosis filter apparatus. The pressure conversion apparatus receives low pressure water from the low pressure water supply and high pressure brine from the reverse osmosis filter apparatus. The pressure conversion apparatus is structured to convert the low pressure water contained in the pressure conversion apparatus to high pressure water without separately generating forces on the low pressure water. Methods of filtering water are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventor: Donald F. Solomon
  • Patent number: 5468387
    Abstract: A storage tank comprising a container having an interior space and a pressure responsive wall defining a fluid storage chamber. The pressure responsive wall is displaceable as fluid is supplied to the storage chamber to increase the volume of the storage chamber. The storage tank also includes a variable volume chamber and movement of the pressure responsive wall to increase the volume of the storage chamber reduces the volume of the variable volume container. A compressible medium under pressure is provided in the variable volume container and the change in volume of the fluid storage chamber for a given displacement of the pressure responsive wall is greater than the change in volume of the variable volume container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Inventor: Donald F. Solomon
  • Patent number: 5380428
    Abstract: A hot water system comprising a hot water heater and conduit means coupled to feedwater under pressure for conducting water to and from the hot water heater. The system also includes an injector pump and a reverse osmosis module which has an inlet port, a product water port and a brine outlet port. The injector pump has an inlet coupled to the feedwater under pressure, a brine port coupled to the brine outlet port of the reverse osmosis module and a discharge port coupled to the conduit means. The injector pump includes a first valve operated by the injector pump for opening and closing the inlet of the injector pump. A second valve is provided between the reverse osmosis module and the brine port. The injector pump provides water to the inlet port of the reverse osmosis module and increases the pressure of the brine at the discharge port of the injector pump to greater than the pressure of the feedwater so that the brine can be injected into the hot water system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Product Research & Development
    Inventor: Donald F. Solomon
  • Patent number: 5244361
    Abstract: A pump connectible to fluid under pressure comprising a housing having a cavity and a differential area piston reciprocable in the cavity on pumping and reset strokes and dividing the cavity into an inlet chamber, an outlet chamber and a reversing chamber. The housing has an inlet port communicating with the inlet chamber and connectible to the fluid under pressure, a water port communicating with the outlet chamber and a reversing port communicating with the reversing chamber. The piston has a passage leading from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber. A first valve opens and closes the passage and a second valve is provided in the housing. A cam assembly opens and closes the first and second valves as a function of the position of the piston in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Product Research and Development
    Inventor: Donald F. Solomon
  • Patent number: 5232591
    Abstract: A storage tank comprising a container having an interior space and a pressure responsive wall defining a fluid storage chamber. The pressure responsive wall is displaceable as fluid is supplied to the storage chamber to increase the volume of the storage chamber. The storage tank also includes a variable volume chamber and movement of the pressure responsive wall to increase the volume of the storage chamber reduces the volume of the variable volume container. A compressible medium under pressure is provided in the variable volume container and the change in volume of the fluid storage chamber for a given displacement of the pressure responsive wall is greater than the change in volume of the variable volume container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Inventor: Donald F. Solomon
  • Patent number: 5193988
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis system including a reverse osmosis filter with a reverse osmosis membrane and having an inlet port coupled to a source of feed water under predetermined pressure via a feed water inlet conduit, a product water outlet port for filtered outlet product water, and a brine outlet port for brine. A pump coupled into the feed water inlet conduit between the source of feed water and the inlet port of the filter and driven by the feed water under pressure. The pump increases the pressure of the feed water so that the reverse osmosis filter receives feed water at an increased pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Product Research And Development
    Inventor: Donald F. Solomon
  • Patent number: 5154820
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis system comprising a reverse osmosis filter having an inlet port connectible to a source of feedwater under pressure via a feedwater inlet conduit, a product water outlet port for filtered product water and brine outlet port for brine. First and second pressure intensifiers are coupled to the feedwater inlet conduit between the source of feedwater and the inlet port of the reverse osmosis filter. Each of the pressure intensifiers includes a pumping member having a pumping stroke and a return stroke. A control valve in the feedwater inlet conduit controls which of the pressure intensifiers receives feedwater under pressure. The control valve is driven by particular fluid pressures in the first and second pressure intensifiers so that feedwater is alternately supplied to the first and second pressure intensifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Product Research and Development
    Inventor: Donald F. Solomon
  • Patent number: 5009777
    Abstract: A water system comprising a hot water system, including a hot water heater and a conduit coupled to feedwater under pressure for conducting water to and from the hot water heater. An injector pump is coupled to the feedwater under pressure and has a water port coupled to an inlet port of a reverse osmosis module and a brine port coupled to a brine outlet port of the reverse osmosis module and to the conduit. The injector pump provides water to the water port of the injector pump and increases the pressure of the brine at the brine port of the injector pump to greater than the pressure of the feedwater so that the brine can be injected into the hot water system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Inventor: Donald F. Solomon
  • Patent number: 5000845
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis system including a reverse osmosis filter with a reverse osmosis membrane and having an inlet port coupled to a source of feed water under predetermined pressure via a feed water inlet conduit, a product water outlet port for filtered outlet product water, and a brine outlet port for brine. A pump coupled into the feed water inlet conduit between the source of feed water and the inlet port of the filter and driven by the feed water under pressure. The pump increases the pressure of the feed water so that the reverse osmosis filter receives feed water at an increased pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Product Research and Development
    Inventor: Donald F. Solomon
  • Patent number: 4995793
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis system including a reverse osmosis filter with a reverse osmosis membrane and having an inlet port coupled to a source of feed water under predetermined pressure via a feed water inlet conduit, a product water outlet port for filtered outlet product water, and a brine outlet port for brine. A pump coupled into the feed water inlet conduit between the source of feed water and the inlet port of the filter and driven by the feed water under pressure. The pump increases the pressure of the feed water so that the reverse osmosis filter receives feed water at an increased pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: Product Research and Development
    Inventor: Donald F. Solomon
  • Patent number: 4976857
    Abstract: An improved filter assembly of the type having a housing with an inlet, an outlet,and a passage in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet, a filter media disposed within the passage, and at least a first filter element mounted on the housing which includes a porous member extending transversely across the passage adjacent a first end portion of the filter media. The porous member is pleated in order to provide increased surface area for a given cross sectional area of the passage. The filter element includes an annular support member having an opening and a pleated porous member mounted on the support member so that a plurality of pleats extend transversely across the support member. A method of fabricating the filter element includes providing the annular support member, forming the pleated porous member, and mounting the porous member in a position extending across the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: Newport Filters, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald F. Solomon
  • Patent number: 4917847
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis water purification module has an enclosed cylindrical housing in which at least twelve purification elements are mounted in a uniform, spaced parallel fashion. Each element consists of a long flat member having a thermoplastic sheet backing formed into a slightly curved cross section and having a semi-permeable membrane disposed thereon. The backing has three-dimensional porosity for purified water such that water passing through the membrane portion of the element travels along the backing member to an end. The ends of the module are mounted in a collection manifold which is sealed off from the remainder of the housing interior. A method of manufacturing the elements continuously is also provided wherein a continuous length of flexible backing material is fed sequentially through a heater, a forming die to impart a curved cross-section to the backing material, an extruder wherein membrane forming fluid is extruded around the periphery of the backing, a chill bath and a heating bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Wetco of Delaware, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald F. Solomon
  • Patent number: 4844805
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis water purification module has an enclosed cylindrical housing in which at least twelve purification elements are mounted in a uniform, spaced parallel fashion. Each element consists of a long flat member having a thermoplastic sheet backing formed into a slightly curved cross section and having a semi-permeable membrane disposed thereon. The backing has three-dimensional porosity for purified water such that water passing through the membrane portion of the element travels along the backing member to an end. The ends of the module are mounted in a collection manifold which is sealed off from the remainder of the housing interior. A method of manufacturing the elements continuously is also provided wherein a continuous length of flexible backing material is fed sequentially through a heater, a forming die to impart a curved cross-section to the backing material, an extruder wherein membrane forming fluid is extruded around the periphery of the backing, a chill bath and a heating bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Wetco of Delaware, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald F. Solomon
  • Patent number: 4836924
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis system including a reverse osmosis filter with a reverse osmosis membrane and having an inlet port coupled to a source of feed water under predetermined pressure via a feed water inlet conduit, a product water outlet port for filtered outlet product water, and a brine outlet port for brine. A pump coupled into the feed water inlet conduit between the source of feed water and the inlet port of the filter and driven by the feed water under pressure. The pump increases the pressure of the feed water so that the reverse osmosis filter receives feed water at an increased pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Inventor: Donald F. Solomon
  • Patent number: 4714546
    Abstract: A potable water filter comprising a housing having an inlet and first and second outlets, a tube in the housing having a peripheral wall, a passage extending through the tube, and an opening in the peripheral wall leading to the passage, a tubular pleated filter element surrounding the tube and a carbon filter element within the tube. Some of the water from the inlet flows through the tubular filter element and the carbon filter element to the second outlet. Another portion of the water from the inlet flows along the tubular filter element to flush the tubular filter element and then flows out the first outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Assignee: Newport Filters, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald F. Solomon, Romona L. Solomon, Charlie J. Good
  • Patent number: 4552656
    Abstract: A purified water storage system for a reverse osmosis purification unit has a container containing an interior chamber defined in part by a flexible wall member, such as a bladder or diaphragm, for receiving and containing purified water. A second chamber for containing pressurized air exists on the opposite side of the flexible wall member. The second chamber is at least 75%, preferably 80%, and still more preferably 100% of the maximum volume of the water-containing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1985
    Assignee: Wetco, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald F. Solomon
  • Patent number: 4422768
    Abstract: A paint can shaker including a frame adapted to be supported on a supporting surface and a paint can carrier mounted on the frame and adapted to receive and support a paint can. The frame includes springs acting between the frame and a supporting surface to enable the carrier to undergo rolling vibratory motion relative to the supporting surface. The paint can is supported on the carrier by first and second jaws, one of which is movable on the carrier. A motor is mounted on the carrier and drives an unbalanced member to impart vibratory motion to the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1983
    Assignee: Roy Brodshy
    Inventor: Donald F. Solomon
  • Patent number: 4257507
    Abstract: A torque wrench having an elongated hinge terminating in a ratchet ring with interiorally directed teeth has a work head for turning a workpiece and a pawl for selectively rotating the workpiece with rotational movement of the hinge. The pawl is provided with a lip directed radially outward from the axis of rotation of the work head. A corresponding annular groove is defined in the interior wall of the ratchet ring to receive the lip. Tilting or misalignment of the pawl within the cavity defined within the ratchet ring is thereby prevented. In its preferred embodiment, the pawl is equipped with a plurality of ratchet teeth with the lip extending outwardly from the generally convex surface into which the teeth are formed midway between the longitudinal extremities of the pawl perpendicular to the plane of the ratchet ring. The corresponding annular groove in the ratchet ring likewise divides the ratchet teeth into separate portions on either side of the pawl lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1981
    Assignee: JO-Line Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald F. Solomon
  • Patent number: 4173984
    Abstract: A fluid amplifier comprising a housing having a cavity therein and a diaphragm in the housing dividing the cavity into first and second chambers. First and second supply passages lead to the first and second chambers, respectively, and terminate in first and second supply ports. The diaphragm is movable in the cavity to selectively substantially seal off the first and second supply ports. First and second control passages extend between the first and second supply passages and the first and second chambers. First and second signal passages are provided in the housing and terminate in the first and second chambers, respectively. The first and second control passages are in communication with the first and second signal passages through the first and second chambers regardless of which of the supply ports is sealed off by the diaphragm. First and second output passages terminate in the first and second supply passages, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1979
    Assignee: S/P Product Design, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald F. Solomon
  • Patent number: 4126062
    Abstract: A torque wrench is provided with a unique interconnection between the hinge, pivot and plunger. Both the hinge and plunger are channeled entirely across the width of their interfaces with the pivot normal to the plane of application of torque. A pivot retainer is provided to laterally constrain movement of the pivot. The pivot retainer may take the form of a flat disk with a rectangular aperture centrally located therein, it may be embodied in restraining pins extending transversely across the channel in the plunger face or it may include an axial guide rod extending through the plunger to engage and restrain the pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1978
    Assignee: JO-Line Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald F. Solomon