Patents by Inventor Roy W. Kuennen
Roy W. Kuennen 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: 20020189986Abstract: The present invention is directed to a point-of-use water treatment system (WTS) unit (20) for filtering and treating contaminants in water. WTS unit (20) may include a first primary coil (74) located in a base unit (22) which inductively power a secondary treatment device such as a UV lamp assembly (24). A filter assembly (26) is used which has a filter block (90) and an inner sleeve (92) which extends inside filter block (90). Inner sleeve (92) defines a chamber in which the secondary treatment device (24) may be disposed. First and second valves and seals may be interposed between the filter assembly (26), secondary treatment device (24) and base unit (22) to allow the filter assembly (26) and secondary treatment device (24) to be independently replaceable. Secondary treatment device (24) may be a lamp assembly (24) which includes a condensing element (84) to condense mercury in a bulb in the arc path between filaments (444).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2002Publication date: December 19, 2002Applicant: Amway CorporationInventors: Roy W. Kuennen, David W. Baarman, Terry L. Lautzenheiser, Scott A. Mollema, Eric K. Bartkus, Kenneth E. Conrad, Greg Snyder
-
Patent number: 6491868Abstract: The present invention is directed to a point-of-use water treatment system (WTS) unit (20) for filtering and treating contaminants in water. WTS unit (20) may include a first primary coil (74) located in a base unit (22) which inductively power a secondary treatment device such as a UV lamp assembly (24). Secondary treatment device (24) may be a lamp assembly (24) which includes a condensing element (84) to condense mercury in a bulb in the arc path between filaments (444). Maintaining the condensed mercury between filaments (444) serves to reduce the time needed for lamp assembly (24) to produce light emissions of a predetermined intensity upon subsequent energization as compared to allowing the mercury to condense outside the arc path. A reflector assembly (402) may be used in lamp assembly (24) to focus radiation upon conduits (80) carrying water therethrough and away from returning to a bulb assembly (82) from which the radiation was originally emitted.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2001Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: Access Business Group International LLCInventors: Roy W. Kuennen, Eric K. Bartkus, David W. Baarman, Kenneth E. Conrad, Terry L. Lautzenheiser, Scott A. Mollema
-
Publication number: 20020162779Abstract: The present invention is directed to a point-of-use water treatment system (WTS) unit (20) for filtering and treating contaminants in water. WTS unit (20) may include a first primary coil (74) located in a base unit (22) which inductively power a secondary treatment device such as a UV lamp assembly (24). A filter assembly (26) is used which has a filter block (90) and an inner sleeve (92) which extends inside filter block (90). Inner sleeve (92) defines a chamber in which the secondary treatment device (24) may be disposed. First and second valves and seals may be interposed between the filter assembly (26), secondary treatment device (24) and base unit (22) to allow the filter assembly (26) and secondary treatment device (24) to be independently replaceable. Secondary treatment device (24) may be a lamp assembly (24) which includes a condensing element (84) to condense mercury in a bulb in the arc path between filaments (444).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2002Publication date: November 7, 2002Applicant: Amway CorporationInventors: Roy W. Kuennen, Eric K. Bartkus, David W. Baarman, Kenneth E. Conrad, Terry L. Lautzenheiser, Scott A. Mollema
-
Patent number: 6451202Abstract: A water treatment system 20 for filtering and treating contaminants in water includes a UV lamp assembly 24 coaxially received within a filter assembly 26. A valve system prevents water from being spilled from the filter assembly when the filter assembly is removed from the base unit 22 and the lamp assembly so that the lamp and filter assemblies are independently replaceable. The valve system includes a check valve 102 controlling flow between the lamp and filter assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2000Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Access Business Group International LLCInventors: Roy W. Kuennen, Eric K. Bartkus, David W. Baarman, Kenneth E. Conrad, Terry L. Lautzenheiser, Greg Synder, Scott A. Mollema
-
Patent number: 6436299Abstract: A fluid treatment system is disclosed that includes a control unit that controls the overall operation of the fluid treatment system. A ballast circuit is coupled with an electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly. In the preferred fluid treatment system, the ballast circuit is inductively coupled with the electromagnetic radiation assembly. The inductively coupled ballast circuit inductively energizes an electromagnetic radiation emitting device that is located in the electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly in response to a predetermined electric signal from the control unit. In addition, the fluid treatment system includes a radio frequency identification system that is used to monitor various functional and operational aspects of the electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly and a filter assembly used in the fluid treatment system.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2000Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Amway CorporationInventors: David W. Baarman, Roy W. Kuennen, Dennis J. Denen, Terry L. Lautzenheiser, Ronald C. Markham, Scott A. Mollema
-
Patent number: 6368504Abstract: An activated carbon block filter including a unique bonded carbon mixture. The carbon mixture preferably includes a mean particle diameter in the range of about 60 microns to about 80 microns and a particle size distribution having less than 10% by weight of particles larger than 140 mesh and less than 10% by weight of particles smaller than 500 mesh. More preferably, the carbon mixture includes a mean particle diameter in the range of about 65 microns to about 75 microns. Even more preferably, the carbon mixture includes a mean particle diameter of about 70 microns and a particle size distribution having less than 7% by weight of particles larger than 140 mesh and less than 7.5% by weight of particles smaller than 500 mesh.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2000Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Alticor Inc.Inventors: Roy W. Kuennen, Karen J. VanderKooi, Roy M. Taylor, Jr., Kenneth E. Conrad
-
Publication number: 20020014461Abstract: The present invention is directed to a point-of-use water treatment system (WTS) unit (20) for filtering and treating contaminants in water. WTS unit (20) may include a first primary coil (74) located in a base unit (22) which inductively power a secondary treatment device such as a UV lamp assembly (24). A filter assembly (26) is used which has a filter block (90) and an inner sleeve (92) which extends inside filter block (90). Inner sleeve (92) defines a chamber in which the secondary treatment device (24) may be disposed. First and second valves and seals may be interposed between the filter assembly (26), secondary treatment device (24) and base unit (22) to allow the filter assembly (26) and secondary treatment device (24) to be independently replaceable. Secondary treatment device (24) may be a lamp assembly (24) which includes a condensing element (84) to condense mercury in a bulb in the arc path between filaments (444).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2001Publication date: February 7, 2002Applicant: Amway CorporationInventors: Roy W. Kuennen, Eric K. Bartkus, David W. Baarman, Kenneth E. Conrad, Terry L. Lautzenheiser, Scott A. Mollema
-
Publication number: 20020011434Abstract: The present invention is directed to a point-of-use water treatment system (WTS) unit (20) for filtering and treating contaminants in water. WTS unit (20) may include a first primary coil (74) located in a base unit (22) which inductively power a secondary treatment device such as a UV lamp assembly (24). A filter assembly (26) is used which has a filter block (90) and an inner sleeve (92) which extends inside filter block (90). Inner sleeve (92) defines a chamber in which the secondary treatment device (24) may be disposed. First and second valves and seals may be interposed between the filter assembly (26), secondary treatment device (24) and base unit (22) to allow the filter assembly (26) and secondary treatment device (24) to be independently replaceable. Secondary treatment device (24) may be a lamp assembly (24) which includes a condensing element (84) to condense mercury in a bulb in the arc path between filaments (444).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2001Publication date: January 31, 2002Applicant: Amway CorporationInventors: Roy W. Kuennen, Eric K. Bartkus, David W. Baarman, Kenneth E. Conrad, Scott A. Mollema
-
Patent number: 5853572Abstract: A point of use water purification system for home use is provided comprising a carbon block filter housed in a self-contained disposable pressure vessel for removing particulates and organic contaminants from water. The filter is provided with a pore-size distribution, a binder and a flow path which optimizes filtration performance and enhances microbiological kill rates obtained in a source of radiant energy which is used to kill microorganisms in the filtered water. The source of radiant energy comprises an ultraviolet discharge lamp having an elongate central axis and a diverter for providing a spiral plug flow of water about the discharge lamp. A flow regulator adjusts flow through the system for varying line pressure conditions to ensure adequate exposure of microorganisms to ultraviolet energy. A lamp control circuit conserves power and optimizes ultraviolet output.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 1997Date of Patent: December 29, 1998Assignee: Amway CorporationInventors: Roy W. Kuennen, Robin M. Dykhouse, Dennis J. Kool, Ronald C. Markham, Bradley J. Pippel, Dennis E. Kidd, Merlin G. Tiede
-
Patent number: 5698091Abstract: A point of use water purification system for home use is provided comprising a carbon block filter housed in a self-contained disposable pressure vessel for removing particulates and organic contaminants from water. The filter is provided with a pore-size distribution, a binder and a flow path which optimizes filtration performance and enhances microbiological kill rates obtained in a source of radiant energy which is used to kill microorganisms in the filtered water. The source of radiant energy comprises an ultraviolet discharge lamp having an elongate central axis and a diverter for providing a spiral plug flow of water about the discharge lamp. A flow regulator adjusts flow through the system for varying line pressure conditions to ensure adequate exposure of microorganisms to ultraviolet energy. A lamp control circuit conserves power and optimizes ultraviolet output.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1996Date of Patent: December 16, 1997Assignee: Amway CorporationInventors: Roy W. Kuennen, Robin M. Dykhouse, Dennis J. Kool, Ronald C. Markham, Bradley J. Pippel, Dennis E. Kidd, Merlin G. Tiede
-
Patent number: 5536395Abstract: A point of use water purification system for home use is provided comprising a carbon block filter housed in a self-contained disposable pressure vessel for removing particulates and organic contaminants from water. The filter is provided with a pore-size distribution, a binder and a flow path which optimizes filtration performance and enhances microbiological kill rates obtained in a source of radiant energy which is used to kill microorganisms in the filtered water. The source of radiant energy comprises an ultraviolet discharge lamp having an elongate central axis and a diverter for providing a spiral plug flow of water about the discharge lamp. A flow regulator adjusts flow through the system for varying line pressure conditions to ensure adequate exposure of microorganisms to ultraviolet energy. A lamp control circuit conserves power and optimizes ultraviolet output.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 1993Date of Patent: July 16, 1996Assignee: Amway CorporationInventors: Roy W. Kuennen, Robin M. Dykhouse, Dennis J. Kool, Ronald C. Markham, Bradley J. Pippel, Dennis E. Kidd, Merlin G. Tiede