Patents by Inventor Richard T. Coffey

Richard T. Coffey 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: 20090294381
    Abstract: The invention relates to the control of pH in water where hydroxyl ions are being produced by adding to the water an amount of transition metal salt sufficient to bind with hydroxyl into a slightly soluble or insoluble reaction product, thereby removing sufficient hydroxyl ion from the water to lower the pH thereof. This technique is particularly suitable for pH control in pool or spa water that is sanitized using chemical or electrolytic chlorination, where the sanitation process causes the pH in the water to rise. The invention also relates to apparatus for dispensing water treatment materials to water, and to methods for controlling phosphate levels and algae in water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: ZODIAC POOL CARE, INC.
    Inventors: Richard T. COFFEY, Robert HARNDEN
  • Publication number: 20090223903
    Abstract: The invention relates to the control of pH in water, preferably pool/spa water along with the control and/or removal of algal populations, by adding to the water a desired synergistic amount of a lanthanide-containing compound, a transition metal salt ions sufficient to bind with hydroxyl into a slightly soluble or insoluble reaction product, thereby removing sufficient hydroxyl ion from the water to lower the pH thereof, and copper and/or silver to act as an algicide and potential pH affecting compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Richard T. Coffey, Kenneth Jenke, Robert Harnden, Matthew R. Hodges, Luis Fernando DelCorral
  • Patent number: 7540966
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying water by dissolving one or more soluble metal salts in the water to provide corresponding metal ions, by dissolving hypohalite into the water, and by regulating the residence time, and thus hypohalite concentration in the device using a venturi nozzle disposed between the metal generator and the hypohalite generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Zodiac Pool Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Alvin Costa, Richard T. Coffey, Michael Pereira, Daniel Nelsen, Thomas Parent, Christopher Kampf
  • Publication number: 20080128363
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying water by dissolving one or more soluble metal salts in the water to provide corresponding metal ions, by dissolving hypohalite into the water, and by regulating the residence time, and thus hypohalite concentration in the device using a venturi nozzle disposed between the metal generator and the hypohalite generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Alvin Costa, Richard T. Coffey, Michael Pereira, Daniel Nelsen, Thomas Parent, Christopher Kampf
  • Patent number: 7320761
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying water by dissolving one or more soluble metal salts in the water to provide corresponding metal ions, by dissolving hypohalite into the water, and by regulating the residence time, and thus hypohalite concentration in the device using a venturi nozzle disposed between the metal generator and the hypohalite generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Zodiac Pool Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Alvin Costa, Richard T. Coffey, Michael Pereira, Daniel Nelsen, Thomas Parent, Christopher Kampf
  • Patent number: 7238278
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying water by forming in an electrolytic cell molecular halogen, hypohalic acid, hypohalite ions or combinations thereof, from halide ions dissolved in the water; and dissolving one or more soluble metal salts in the water to provide corresponding metal ions. The invention also relates to a system for purifying water, having an electrolytic cell comprising a plurality of electrodes sufficient to electrolytically convert halide ion in the water into molecular halogen, hypohalic acid, or hypohalite ions, or combinations thereof; and a metal generator, which provides concentrations of one or more metals to the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Zodiac Pool Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard T. Coffey, Alvin Costa, Raymond Albert Hin, Gary Andrew Kennedy, Christopher Kampf, Daniel Nelsen, Michael Pereira
  • Patent number: 7211176
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for electrolytic purification, comprising: (a) a pressure vessel having at least one access opening, at least one fluid flow inlet, and at least one fluid flow outlet, wherein the fluid flow inlet and fluid flow outlet are in fluid communication with a chamber inside the pressure vessel; (b) an removable electrode assembly, at least a portion of which is disposed within the chamber inside the pressure vessel, comprising: a plurality of substantially parallel spaced planar electrodes, an electrical coupling between the electrode plates and a voltage source, and a radially extending circumferential sealing plate substantially normal to the planes of the electrodes, disposed near the electrical coupling, adapted to prevent fluid flow from the chamber to the electrical coupling; (c) a removable locking ring, comprising: a proximal portion adapted to removably attach to the access opening of the pressure vessel and retain the radially extending circumferential sealing p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Zodiac Pool Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Albert Hin, Peter Baden Farrer, Gary Andrew Kennedy, Richard T. Coffey
  • Patent number: 7147786
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying water by dissolving one or more soluble metal salts in the water to provide corresponding metal ions, by dissolving hypohalite into the water, and by regulating the residence time, and thus hypohalite concentration in the device using a venturi nozzle disposed between the metal generator and the hypohalite generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Zodiac Pool Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Alvin Costa, Richard T. Coffey, Michael Pereira, Daniel Nelsen, Thomas Parent, Christopher Kampf
  • Patent number: 6982040
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying water by dissolving one or more soluble metal salts in the water to provide corresponding metal ions, by dissolving hypohalite into the water, and by regulating the residence time, and thus hypohalite concentration in the device using a venturi nozzle disposed between the metal generator and the hypohalite generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Zodiac Pool Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Alvin Costa, Richard T. Coffey, Michael Pereira, Daniel Nelsen, Thomas Parent, Christopher Kampf
  • Publication number: 20040206706
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying water by dissolving one or more soluble metal salts in the water to provide corresponding metal ions, by dissolving hypohalite into the water, and by regulating the residence time, and thus hypohalite concentration in the device using a venturi nozzle disposed between the metal generator and the hypohalite generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Alvin Costa, Richard T. Coffey, Michael Pereira, Daniel Nelsen, Thomas Parent, Christopher Kampf
  • Patent number: 6761827
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying water by forming in an electrolytic cell molecular halogen, hypohalic acid, hypohalite ions or combinations thereof, from halide ions dissolved in the water; and dissolving one or more soluble metal salts in the water to provide corresponding metal ions. The invention also relates to a system for purifying water, having an electrolytic cell comprising a plurality of electrodes sufficient to electrolytically convert halide ion in the water into molecular halogen, hypohalic acid, or hypohalite ions, or combinations thereof; and a metal generator, which provides concentrations of one or more metals to the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Zodiac Pool Care, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard T. Coffey
  • Publication number: 20040050781
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying water by forming in an electrolytic cell molecular halogen, hypohalic acid, hypohalite ions or combinations thereof, from halide ions dissolved in the water; and dissolving one or more soluble metal salts in the water to provide corresponding metal ions. The invention also relates to a system for purifying water, having an electrolytic cell comprising a plurality of electrodes sufficient to electrolytically convert halide ion in the water into molecular halogen, hypohalic acid, or hypohalite ions, or combinations thereof; and a metal generator, which provides concentrations of one or more metals to the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Richard T. Coffey, Alvin Costa, Raymond Albert Hin, Gary Andrew Kennedy, Christopher Kampf, Daniel Nelsen, Michael Pereira
  • Publication number: 20030080069
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying water by forming in an electrolytic cell molecular halogen, hypohalic acid, hypohalite ions or combinations thereof, from halide ions dissolved in the water; and dissolving one or more soluble metal salts in the water to provide corresponding metal ions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventor: Richard T. Coffey
  • Publication number: 20020187092
    Abstract: Vessels, or housings, and covers therefor are detailed herein. Loads and load-bearing surfaces exist principally at the periphery of the covers, by contrast with centralized loading utilized in other designs. In some versions of the vessels, a cover is sandwiched, at its periphery, between a cap assembly formed of both a jack ring and an upper component or cap and thus carried on and off the associated vessel when the cap is placed onto or removed from the vessel, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Alvin Costa, Richard T. Coffey
  • Patent number: D503770
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Zodiac Pool Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Alvin Costa, Richard T. Coffey, Raymond Albert Hin, Gary Andrew Kennedy, Christopher Kampf, Daniel Nelsen, Michael Pereira
  • Patent number: D496984
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Zodiac Pool Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Alvin Costa, Richard T. Coffey, Michael Pereira, Daniel Nelsen, Thomas Parent, Christopher Kampf, Ryan White