Abstract: A water processing system provides prevention of scale formation in both interrupted and recirculating flow operations. The system includes an inlet for receiving an inlet water flow, a magnetizing chamber, and an outlet for providing an outlet water flow. The magnetizing chamber is included in a device that has at least one permanent rod/bar magnet at least partially disposed within the water flow. The magnet has an axis extending between the poles thereof in a direction perpendicular to the flow, so that the magnetizing chamber exerts a magnetic force on scale suspended within the inlet water flow, and so that the suspended scale remains in suspension in the outlet water flow.

Abstract: A heatable optical element for a compound lens, the optical element being adapted to (i) provide a focusing function for the compound lens and (ii) be heated by resistive heating upon application of electricity to the heatable optical element. The compound lens including the heatable optical element may be employed in a camera, with the heatable optical element being the most distal optical element from a light sensor of the camera. A method for operating such a camera comprises detecting a present condition of the distal-most element and controlling application of electricity to control heating of the distal-most element in response to the detected present condition of the distal-most element.

Abstract: A water filtration system and water filtration system head provide interchangeable water inlet and outlet ports, so that a direction of a flow of water through the water filtration system can be reversed by configuring a valve provided in the water filtration system head that attaches to a cartridge housing containing a water filter cartridge. The head has a first fluid channel communicating with a fluid volume between the cartridge housing and the outer surface of a water filter cartridge, a second fluid channel in communication with an inside of the cartridge, and a multi-position valve that either conducts inlet water from a first port to the first fluid channel and conducts outlet water from the second fluid channel to the second port, or conducts inlet water from the second port to the first fluid channel and conducts outlet water from the second fluid channel to the first port.

Abstract: A fluid purification system capable of removing lead from significant volumes of fluids also containing at least one of TOC and TTHM under low pressure conditions and at reasonable flow rates is provided. The system comprises a first fluid purification media comprising a rigid porous purification block. The rigid purification block includes a longitudinal first surface; a longitudinal second surface disposed inside the longitudinal first surface; and a porous high density polymer disposed between the longitudinal first surface and the longitudinal second surface. The system further includes a second fluid purification media, comprising a fibrous, nonwoven fabric disposed adjacent to the first surface of the first fluid purification media, the second surface of the first purification media, or both.

Abstract: A flow-directing water filtration system provides a flow of water through a cylindrical filter cartridge that is more uniform by inclusion of multiple water-directing ridges that form channels between them between the inner wall of the housing and an outside wall of the water filter cartridge for directing laminar flow of water along the outside wall of the water filter cartridge to improve distribution of water flow through the water filter cartridge along its length. The ridges may be formed on the inner wall of the housing, may have a half-circular profile and may be helical ridges that spiral along the extent of the cartridge and may taper in profile toward the bottom of the cartridge.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gravity fed purification system having a purification media having a layer of low ash catalytic carbon having a nominal particle size range of about 20 mesh to about 50 mesh, wherein the purification system is able to produce a flow rate of about 1000 to about 1500 cc/min with a pressure head of about 300 to about 350 cc.

Abstract: A fluid purification system, comprising a first fluid purification media comprising a first rigid porous purification block, comprising a longitudinal first surface; a longitudinal second surface disposed inside the longitudinal first surface; and a porous high density polymer disposed between the longitudinal first surface and the longitudinal second surface; a second fluid purification media, comprising a fluid purification material comprising a particulate oxidizing material disposed adjacent to the first surface of the first fluid purification media, the second surface of the first purification media, or both.

Abstract: A fluid purification system capable of removing contaminants from significant volumes of fluids under low pressure conditions and at reasonable flow rates is provided. The system comprises a first fluid purification media comprising a rigid porous purification block. The rigid porous purification block includes a longitudinal first surface; a longitudinal second surface disposed inside the longitudinal first surface; and a porous high density polymer disposed between the longitudinal first surface and the longitudinal second surface. The system further includes a second fluid purification media, comprising a fibrous, nonwoven fabric disposed adjacent to the first surface of the first fluid purification media, the second surface of the first purification media, or both.

Abstract: This invention relates to a modular purification system having a disposable sump assembly and an improved flow distribution plate. The system is readily adaptable to a variety of configurations without the need for repiping or replumbing of the installation, and lends itself to the use of multiple purification techniques.

Abstract: This invention relates to a modular purification system having a disposable sump assembly and an improved flow distribution plate. The system is readily adaptable to a variety of configurations without the need for repiping or replumbing of the installation, and lends itself to the use of multiple purification techniques.

Abstract: A fluid purification system capable of removing lead from significant volumes of fluids also containing at least one of TOC and TTHM under low pressure conditions and at reasonable flow rates is provided. The system comprises a first fluid purification media comprising a rigid porous purification block. The rigid purification block includes a longitudinal first surface; a longitudinal second surface disposed inside the longitudinal first surface; and a porous high density polymer disposed between the longitudinal first surface and the longitudinal second surface. The system further includes a second fluid purification media, comprising a fibrous, nonwoven fabric disposed adjacent to the first surface of the first fluid purification media, the second surface of the first purification media, or both.

Abstract: A flow connector adapted to connect a lug-type filtration sump to a screw-type filtration head, having a first portion for receiving a lug-type filtration sump, and a second portion receivable by a screw-type filtration head.

Abstract: A communication system including Satellite Communication apparatus providing communication services to at least a first set of communicants, the first set of communicants including a first plurality of communicants, wherein the communication services are provided to each of the communicants in accordance with a spectrum allocation corresponding thereto, thereby to define a first plurality of spectrum allocations apportioning a first predefined spectrum portion among the first set of communicants; and Dynamic Spectrum Allocations apparatus operative to dynamically modify at least one spectrum allocation corresponding to at least one of the first plurality of communicants without exceeding the spectrum portion.

Abstract: An ozone supply module for supplying ozonated water to an appliance that typically includes: an appliance module housing having a water inlet; a water outlet; and an electrical connection for receiving electrical power; a proton exchange membrane cell positioned within the housing; and a water conveying system within the module housing and operably connected to both the water inlet and water outlet. The water conveying system is typically configured to allow water to flow through the deionizing resin and into contact with the proton exchange membrane cell. The module and the proton exchange membrane cell receive electrical power from a home appliance when the module is operably connected to the appliance. The module produces water that contains (dissolved) ozone to be delivered to a chamber within the appliance when the module is in the engaged position with the appliance. The appliance is typically a residential appliance.

Abstract: A fluid purification system, comprising: a first fluid purification media comprising a rigid porous purification block, comprising: a longitudinal first surface; a longitudinal second surface disposed inside the longitudinal first surface; and a porous high density polymer disposed between the longitudinal first surface and the longitudinal second surface; a second fluid purification media, comprising a fibrous, nonwoven fabric disposed adjacent to the first surface of the first fluid purification media, the second surface of the first purification media, or both.

Abstract: A fluid purification system, comprising: a first fluid purification media comprising a rigid porous purification block, comprising: a longitudinal first surface; a longitudinal second surface disposed inside the longitudinal first surface; and a porous high density polymer disposed between the longitudinal first surface and the longitudinal second surface; a second fluid purification media, comprising a fibrous, nonwoven fabric disposed adjacent to the first surface of the first fluid purification media, the second surface of the first purification media, or both.

Abstract: A communication system including Satellite Communication apparatus providing communication services to at least a first set of communicants, the first set of communicants including a first plurality of communicants, wherein the communication services are provided to each of the communicants in accordance with a spectrum allocation corresponding thereto, thereby to define a first plurality of spectrum allocations apportioning a first predefined spectrum portion among the first set of communicants; and Dynamic Spectrum Allocations apparatus operative to dynamically modify at least one spectrum allocation corresponding to at least one of the first plurality of communicants without exceeding the spectrum portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gravity fed purification system having a purification media having a layer of low ash catalytic carbon having a nominal particle size range of about 20 mesh to about 50 mesh, wherein the purification system is able to produce a flow rate of about 1000 to about 1500 cc/min with a pressure head of about 300 to about 350 cc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a two-stage design for a water purification system, with water to be purified first passing through a first stage containing particulate filtration media, and a second stage containing a porous filtration block. The particulate filtration media can be the same as, or different from, material included in the porous block. Either material may be any material that removes contaminants from water by, e.g., absorption, adsorption, ion exchange, sequestration, or other mechanism, or any combination of these.

Abstract: The invention relates to a two-stage design for a water purification system, with water to be purified first passing through a first stage containing particulate filtration media, and a second stage containing a porous filtration block. The particulate filtration media can be the same as, or different from, material included in the porous block. Either material may be any material that removes contaminants from water by, e.g., absorption, adsorption, ion exchange, sequestration, or other mechanism, or any combination of these.