Patents by Inventor Frederick C. Wilkins
Frederick C. Wilkins 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: 20150108007Abstract: A low energy water treatment system and method is provided. The system has at least one electrodialysis device that produces partially treated water and a brine byproduct, a softener, and at least one electrodeionization device. The partially treated water stream can be softened by the softener to reduce the likelihood of scale formation and to reduce energy consumption in the electrodeionization device, which produces water having target properties. At least a portion of the energy used by the electrodeionization device can be generated by concentration differences between the brine and seawater streams introduced into compartments thereof. The brine stream can also be used to regenerate the softener.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2014Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventors: Gary C. Ganzi, Li-Shiang Liang, Frederick C. Wilkins
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Patent number: 8864971Abstract: A treatment system provides treated or softened water to a point of use by removing at least a portion of any undesirable species contained in water from a water source. The treatment system can be operated to reduce the likelihood of formation of any scale that can be generated during normal operation of an electrochemical device. The formation of scale in the treatment system, including its wetted components, may be inhibited by reversing or substituting the flowing liquid having hardness-causing species with another liquid having a low tendency to produce scale, such as a low LSI water. Various arrangements of components in the treatment system can be flushed by directing the valves and the pumps of the system to displace liquid having hardness-causing species with a liquid that has little or no tendency to form scale.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2013Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLCInventors: Anil D. Jha, Frederick C. Wilkins, Evgeniya Freydina, Aytac Sezgi, Reshma Madhusudan
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Publication number: 20130256135Abstract: A treatment system provides treated or softened water to a point of use by removing at least a portion of any undesirable species contained in water from a water source. The treatment system can be operated to reduce the likelihood of formation of any scale that can be generated during normal operation of an electrochemical device. The formation of scale in the treatment system, including its wetted components, may be inhibited by reversing or substituting the flowing liquid having hardness-causing species with another liquid having a low tendency to produce scale, such as a low LSI water. Various arrangements of components in the treatment system can be flushed by directing the valves and the pumps of the system to displace liquid having hardness-causing species with a liquid that has little or no tendency to form scale.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.Inventors: Anil D. Jha, Frederick C. Wilkins, Evgeniya Freydina, Aytac Sezgi, Reshma Madhusudan
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Publication number: 20130015135Abstract: Water treatment systems including electrically-driven and pressure-driven separation apparatus configured to produce a first treated water suitable for use as irrigation water and a second treated water suitable for use as potable water from one of brackish water and seawater and methods of operation of same.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2012Publication date: January 17, 2013Applicant: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.Inventors: Gary C. Ganzi, Evgeniya Freydina, Anil D. Jha, Li-Shiang Liang, Frederick C. Wilkins
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Publication number: 20130008791Abstract: An electrically-driven separation apparatus can be utilized to desalinate seawater and/or brackish water to provide irrigation water having a desired sodium adsorption ratio (SAR).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.Inventors: Gary C. Ganzi, Evgeniya Freydina, Anil D. Jha, Li-Shiang Liang, Frederick C. Wilkins
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Patent number: 8277627Abstract: An electrically-driven separation apparatus can be utilized to desalinate seawater and/or brackish water to provide irrigation water having a desired sodium adsorption ratio (SAR).Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2006Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventors: Gary C. Ganzi, Evgeniya Freydina, Anil D. Jha, Li-Shiang Liang, Frederick C. Wilkins
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Patent number: 8182693Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying water are provided. A feed water such as seawater can be fed to a filter such as a microporous or nanofiltration membrane to produce a permeate that can, in turn, be fed to an electrodeionization system to produce fresh water.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2009Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventors: Frederick C. Wilkins, Anil Jha, Gary C. Ganzi
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Patent number: 8114259Abstract: An electrically-driven separation apparatus can be used with a pressure-driven separation apparatus to provide potable water having a desired total dissolved solids (TDS).Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2006Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventors: Joseph E. Zuback, Gary C. Ganzi, Evgeniya Freydina, Anil D. Jha, Li-Shiang Liang, Frederick C. Wilkins
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Patent number: 8114260Abstract: A water treatment system provides treated or softened water to a point of use by removing a portion of any hardness-causing species contained in water from a point-of-entry coming from a water source, such as municipal water, well water, brackish water and water containing foulants. The water treatment system typically treats the water containing at least some undesirable species before delivering the treated water to a point of use. The water treatment system has a controller for adjusting or regulating at least one operating parameter of the treatment system or a component of the water treatment system to optimize the operation and performance of the system or components of the system. A flow regulator regulates a waste stream flow to drain and can be operated to recirculate fluid through electrode or concentrating compartments of an electrochemical device and can opened and closed intermittently according to a predetermined schedule or based on an operating parameter of the water treatment system.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2009Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventors: Frederick C. Wilkins, Evgeniya Freydina, Aytac Sezgi, Reshma Madhusudan, Anil Jha
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Publication number: 20110180477Abstract: A low energy system and process for seawater desalination wherein the system has at least an electrodialysis apparatus that produces partially desalinated water and a brine by-product, an ion exchange softener, and at least one electrodeionization apparatus. The softener treats the partially desalinated water stream to remove or reduce the amount of scaling material in order to maintain deionization apparatus efficiency and reduce energy consumption. The softener has the capability of removing a higher ratio of calcium ions to magnesium ions than is in the partially desalinated stream, thereby reducing softener size and energy use. The deionization apparatus produces product water of the desired properties. The brine stream may be used to regenerate the softener.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2009Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: SIEMENS WATER TECHNOLOGIES CORP.Inventors: Gary C. Ganzi, Li-Shiang Liang, Frederick C. Wilkins, Swee Hoe Chua
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Publication number: 20100282689Abstract: A low energy water treatment system and method is provided. The system has at least one electrodialysis device that produces partially treated water and a brine byproduct, a softener, and at least one electrodeionization device. The partially treated water stream can be softened by the softener to reduce the likelihood of scale formation and to reduce energy consumption in the electrodeionization device, which produces water having target properties. At least a portion of the energy used by the electrodeionization device can be generated by concentration differences between the brine and seawater streams introduced into compartments thereof. The brine stream can also be used to regenerate the softener.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2008Publication date: November 11, 2010Inventors: Gary C. Ganzi, Li-Shiang Liang, Frederick C. Wilkins
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Patent number: 7744760Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying water are provided. A feed water such as seawater can be fed to a filter such as a nanofiltration membrane to produce a permeate that can, in turn, be fed to an electrodeionization system to produce fresh water.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2006Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: Siemens Water Technologies Corp.Inventors: Frederick C. Wilkins, Anil D. Jha, Gary C. Ganzi
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Publication number: 20100089756Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying water are provided. A feed water such as seawater can be fed to a filter such as a microporous or nanofiltration membrane to produce a permeate that can, in turn, be fed to an electrodeionization system to produce fresh water.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2009Publication date: April 15, 2010Applicant: SIEMENS WATER TECHNOLOGIES CORP.Inventors: Frederick C. Wilkins, Anil Jha, Gary C. Ganzi
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Publication number: 20080067125Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying water are provided. A feed water such as seawater can be fed to a filter such as a microporous or nanofiltration membrane to produce a permeate that can, in turn, be fed to an electrodeionization system to produce fresh water.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2006Publication date: March 20, 2008Inventors: Frederick C. Wilkins, Anil D. Jha, Gary C. Ganzi
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Patent number: 7329358Abstract: A system and process for treating water are described. Water may be purified by passing feed water through an electrochemical deionization device. The water may be suitable for cooking, washing, and beverage production.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2004Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignee: Siemens Water Technologies Holding Corp.Inventors: Frederick C. Wilkins, Anil Jha, Li-Shiang Liang
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Publication number: 20070284252Abstract: An electrically-driven separation apparatus can be utilized to desalinate seawater and/or brackish water to provide irrigation water having a desired sodium adsorption ratio (SAR).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2006Publication date: December 13, 2007Inventors: Gary C. Ganzi, Evgeniya Freydina, Anil D. Jha, Li-Shiang Liang, Frederick C. Wilkins
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Publication number: 20070284251Abstract: An electrically-driven separation apparatus can be used with a pressure-driven separation apparatus to provide potable water having a desired total dissolved solids (TDS).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2006Publication date: December 13, 2007Inventors: Joseph E. Zuback, Gary C. Ganzi, Evgeniya Freydina, Anil D. Jha, Li-Shiang Liang, Frederick C. Wilkins
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Patent number: 6607647Abstract: An electrodeionization apparatus and method of use includes an expanded conductive mesh electrode. The expanded conductive mesh electrode may be formed from any conductive material that is dimensionally stable and may be coated with conductive coating. The expanded conductive mesh electrodes typically have a diamond-shaped pattern of any size that provides support for an adjacent ion-permeable membrane while allowing an electrode or fluid stream to flow through. The conductive mesh electrode may also be placed against an endblock having fluid channels. These channels may be serpentine or parallel channels, which allow fluid flow to wash away any accumulation. The electrodeionization apparatus may have a protective ion-permeable membrane adjacent the electrode. The electrodeionization apparatus may also have a spacer, such as a fabric, a screen or a mesh, positioned adjacent the electrode.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2001Date of Patent: August 19, 2003Assignee: United States Filter CorporationInventors: Frederick C. Wilkins, Li-Shiang Liang, Anthony Giuffrida
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Publication number: 20030079992Abstract: An electrodeionization apparatus and method of use includes an expanded conductive mesh electrode. The expanded conductive mesh electrode may be formed from any conductive material that is dimensionally stable and may be coated with conductive coating suitable for use in anode or cathode service. The expanded conductive mesh electrodes are formed by slitting a sheet of metal and pulling its sides in a direction perpendicular to the slits. The fabricated mesh may be flattened after stretching. The expanded conductive mesh electrodes typically have a diamond-shaped pattern of any size that provides support for an adjacent ion-permeable membrane while allowing an electrode or fluid stream to flow through. The mesh size typically has a long-wise dimension and a short-wise dimension. The conductive mesh electrode may also be placed against an endblock having fluid channels. These channels may be serpentine or parallel channels, which allow fluid flow to wash away any accumulation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2001Publication date: May 1, 2003Inventors: Frederick C. Wilkins, Li-Shiang Liang, Anthony Giuffrida
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Patent number: 5925240Abstract: A water treatment system having dosing control for providing treated water having very low organic and ionic contamination, that can be accurately dispensed. The water treatment system having dosing control includes a water inlet hydraulically connected to a pump having a variable speed motor. At least one water treatment device is hydraulically connected downstream of the pump, at least one outlet valve is hydraulically connected downstream of the water treatment unit, and a recirculation line is hydraulically connected from the outlet valve to the pump. The output of the pump is controlled by a regulating device connected to the variable speed motor. The system provides for lower electrical current usage and reduced acoustical disturbances.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1997Date of Patent: July 20, 1999Assignee: United States Filter CorporationInventors: Frederick C. Wilkins, Li-Shiang Liang, Herbert Bendlin, Stephane Dupont, Achim Brust, Felix Nussbaum