Abstract: A pump diaphragm that is composed of two different shore-hardness materials of the same base polymer. The diaphragm includes a strong layer that will withstand hydraulic pressures and one or more soft layers that can be shaped into desirable sealing configurations. The diaphragm is constructed by first injecting a first thermoplastic material, with a relatively lower percentage of rubber filler, into a mold cavity and allowing the first material to cure. The hardened first material is then placed into a second mold cavity. A second thermoplastic material which contains the same base polymer but a relatively higher percentage of rubber filler is then injected into the second cavity. The first and second material utilize the same base polymer and thus will have the same melt temperature, as well as a strong propensity to bond to each other when molten. The second material is introduced to the cavity at a temperature that melts the interface of the first material.

Abstract: A solenoid valve for a water purification system. The solenoid valve contains a fluid valve which can move between an opened position and a closed position, and a coil which moves the valve to the open position when a first voltage is supplied to the coil and maintains the valve in the open position as a second voltage is supplied to the coil. The coil is coupled to a control circuit which initially supplies the first voltage to the coil when the valve is to be opened, and then reduces the first voltage to the second voltage after the valve is in the open position.

Abstract: A pump diaphragm that is composed of two different shore-hardness materials of the same base polymer. The diaphragm includes a strong layer that will withstand hydraulic pressures and one or more soft layers that can be shaped into desirable sealing configurations. The diaphragm is constructed by first injecting a first thermoplastic material, with a relatively lower percentage of rubber filler, into a mold cavity and allowing the first material to cure. The hardened first material is then placed into a second mold cavity. A second thermoplastic material which contains the same base polymer but a relatively higher percentage of rubber filler is then injected into the second cavity. The first and second material utilize the same base polymer and thus will have the same melt temperature, as well as a strong propensity to bond to each other when molten. The second material is introduced to the cavity at a temperature that melts the interface of the first material.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis water purification system which has a tank coupled to an osmotic membrane so that the water within the tank flushes the osmotic membrane. The tank has an opening that is in fluid communication with a source of feed water and an osmotic membrane. The tank may also have a lower level switch and an upper level switch that are coupled to a pump that pumps water through the membrane. When the tank water falls to the level of the lower switch, the pump is activated and purified water is pump into the tank. When the tank water reaches the level of the upper switch the pump is deactivated. The opening is located at an elevation above the membrane, so that when the water level within the tank reaches the height of the opening, the feed water pump turns off and the tank water provides a hydrostatic pressure that drives the water back through the membrane to flush the same. The upper switch is located above the opening so that a sufficient amount of water flows back through the membrane.

Abstract: A solenoid valve for a water purification system. The solenoid valve contains a fluid valve which can move between an opened position and a closed position, and a coil which moves the valve to the open position when a first voltage is supplied to the coil and maintains the valve in the open position as a second voltage is supplied to the coil. The coil is coupled to a control circuit which initially supplies the first voltage to the coil when the valve is to be opened, and then reduces the first voltage to the second voltage after the valve is in the open position.

Abstract: A pump diaphragm that is composed of two different shore-hardness materials of the same base polymer. The diaphragm includes a strong layer that will withstand hydraulic pressures and one or more soft layers that can be shaped into desirable sealing configurations. The diaphragm is constructed by first injecting a first thermoplastic material, with a relatively lower percentage of rubber filler, into a mold cavity and allowing the first material to cure. The hardened first material is then placed into a second mold cavity. A second thermoplastic material which contains the same base polymer but a relatively higher percentage of rubber filler is then injected into the second cavity. The first and second material utilize the same base polymer and thus will have the same melt temperature, as well as a strong propensity to bond to each other when molten. The second material is introduced to the cavity at a temperature that melts the interface of the first material.

Abstract: A booster pump for a reverse osmosis water purification system. The booster pump has a spring return piston that is stroked by the pressure of feedwater. The pump also has a pair of solenoid control valves that control the flow of feedwater into and out of the pump to move the piston between stroke and return positions. The control valves are switched by a detector switch which detects when the piston reaches the fully stroked and return positions.

Abstract: A monitor for a beverage processing system that can sense a characteristic of the system, compare the characteristic to a threshold value to determine if a component of the system is not operating properly, and transmit the characteristic to a remote site. The monitor includes a controller coupled to a number of sensors that sense various system characteristics such as the water pressure and resistance at various locations of the system. The processor compares the outputs of the sensors with threshold values to determine if the various components are operating properly. The monitor also has a visual display unit which can output the various characteristic values along with processor generated messages that identify a component(s) that is not operating properly or needs preventive maintenance. The monitor transmits data via a modem to a computer located at a remote site. The computer can store and display the characteristics and other processor outputs.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis water purification system that incorporates a high torque low speed motor to drive a pump, such that the pump can continuously pump water from a source of water to an osmotic membrane The system may have a reservoir to store the purified water as it is pumped through the osmotic filter. The system can also have a transformer and rectifier to convert and rectify an alternating electrical power source to 24 volt DC power for the motor. The transformer having a higher impedance than the motor such that the transformer acts as a current limiter in the event the motor stalls. The pump has an internal pressure relief valve Operatively connected to the inlet of the pump housing. The relief valve opens when the output pressure of the diaphragm piston reaches a predetermined valve. The relief valve allows the high pressure water to flow back into the housing inlet creating a flow loop from the inlet back to the water source.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis water purification system that incorporates a high torque low speed motor to drive a pump, such that the pump can continuously pump water from a source of water to an osmotic membrane. The system may have a reservoir to store the purified water as it is pumped through the osmotic filter. The system can also have a transformer and rectifier to convert and rectify an alternating electrical power source to 24 volt DC power for the motor. The transformer having a higher impedance than the motor such that the transformer acts as a current limiter in the event the motor stalls. The pump has an internal pressure relief valve operatively connected to the inlet of the pump housing. The relief valve opens when the output pressure of the diaphragm piston reaches a predetermined valve. The relief valve allows the high pressure water to flow back into the housing inlet creating a flow loop from the inlet back to the water source.