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).

  • Publication number: 20150108007
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Gary C. Ganzi, Li-Shiang Liang, Frederick C. Wilkins
  • Patent number: 8864971
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Anil D. Jha, Frederick C. Wilkins, Evgeniya Freydina, Aytac Sezgi, Reshma Madhusudan
  • Publication number: 20130256135
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventors: Anil D. Jha, Frederick C. Wilkins, Evgeniya Freydina, Aytac Sezgi, Reshma Madhusudan
  • Publication number: 20130015135
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventors: Gary C. Ganzi, Evgeniya Freydina, Anil D. Jha, Li-Shiang Liang, Frederick C. Wilkins
  • Publication number: 20130008791
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventors: Gary C. Ganzi, Evgeniya Freydina, Anil D. Jha, Li-Shiang Liang, Frederick C. Wilkins
  • Patent number: 8277627
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary C. Ganzi, Evgeniya Freydina, Anil D. Jha, Li-Shiang Liang, Frederick C. Wilkins
  • Patent number: 8182693
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick C. Wilkins, Anil Jha, Gary C. Ganzi
  • Patent number: 8114259
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Zuback, Gary C. Ganzi, Evgeniya Freydina, Anil D. Jha, Li-Shiang Liang, Frederick C. Wilkins
  • Patent number: 8114260
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick C. Wilkins, Evgeniya Freydina, Aytac Sezgi, Reshma Madhusudan, Anil Jha
  • Publication number: 20110180477
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: SIEMENS WATER TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
    Inventors: Gary C. Ganzi, Li-Shiang Liang, Frederick C. Wilkins, Swee Hoe Chua
  • Publication number: 20100282689
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Gary C. Ganzi, Li-Shiang Liang, Frederick C. Wilkins
  • Patent number: 7744760
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Water Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Frederick C. Wilkins, Anil D. Jha, Gary C. Ganzi
  • Publication number: 20100089756
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: SIEMENS WATER TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
    Inventors: Frederick C. Wilkins, Anil Jha, Gary C. Ganzi
  • Publication number: 20080067125
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Frederick C. Wilkins, Anil D. Jha, Gary C. Ganzi
  • Patent number: 7329358
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Water Technologies Holding Corp.
    Inventors: Frederick C. Wilkins, Anil Jha, Li-Shiang Liang
  • Publication number: 20070284252
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: Gary C. Ganzi, Evgeniya Freydina, Anil D. Jha, Li-Shiang Liang, Frederick C. Wilkins
  • Publication number: 20070284251
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: Joseph E. Zuback, Gary C. Ganzi, Evgeniya Freydina, Anil D. Jha, Li-Shiang Liang, Frederick C. Wilkins
  • Patent number: 6607647
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: United States Filter Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick C. Wilkins, Li-Shiang Liang, Anthony Giuffrida
  • Publication number: 20030079992
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Frederick C. Wilkins, Li-Shiang Liang, Anthony Giuffrida
  • Patent number: 5925240
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: United States Filter Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick C. Wilkins, Li-Shiang Liang, Herbert Bendlin, Stephane Dupont, Achim Brust, Felix Nussbaum