With Separator Inlet Control Patents (Class 210/110)
  • Patent number: 11389748
    Abstract: Methods and systems for removing gases and/or pressure formed during the sterilization, e.g., the gamma irradiation, of prepacked chromatography systems (column plus attached tube and valve set) are described. The methods include purging the gas and/or pressure through specially designed tube and valve sets without breaching the sterility of the prepacked sterile chromatography system. The systems include a sterile or aseptic pre-packed chromatography column including a column having an inlet and an outlet, a tubing and valve set attached to the inlet and the outlet, and a pump configured to pump sterile or aseptic liquid from the fluid source along the tubing and valve set, into the column tube inlet and out of the column tube outlet along a first flow path, thereby removing any entrapped gas and/or pressure from the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Repligen Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Kit Ho Chan, James Ronald Peyser
  • Patent number: 11236298
    Abstract: A consumable container for filling with a fluid in a bioprocessing process. The container comprises one or more sealable, removable portions, such that one or more samples of the fluid may be taken by sealing and removing one or more of said portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: TTP Plc
    Inventors: Edwin Stone, Peter Crossley
  • Patent number: 11207505
    Abstract: A balloon catheter device with a fluid management system includes a source of balloon fill media and a balloon catheter in fluid communication with the source of balloon fill media. A first conduit is provided for delivering the balloon fill media from the source to the balloon catheter for inflation of a balloon of the catheter device. A second conduit is provided for returning the balloon fill media from the balloon catheter to the source for deflating the balloon. A first pump is disposed along one of the first conduit and the second conduit for pumping the balloon fill media through the respective conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: CARDIOFOCUS, INC.
    Inventors: Gerald Melsky, Brian Estabrook, Lincoln Baxter
  • Patent number: 11035484
    Abstract: The invention provides a water purification and dispensing system, preferably for producing ultrapure water and offering the purified water at one or more dispensing sites in a desired volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Pascal Roitel, Christophe Paragot, Laurent Moreau
  • Patent number: 10851899
    Abstract: Disclosed is a reversing valve. The reversing valve controls the position change of a valve element thereof under the joint action of the total changing pressure from a piston side thereof and a compression spring side thereof to make connection and disconnection between different chambers in the reversing valve, so that the reversing valve can control connection and disconnection of relevant waterways. The reversing valve adopts a purely mechanical design and has characteristics of high reliability and fast switching. Also disclosed is a household water purifier including the reversing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Biyong Qui
  • Patent number: 10835871
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a water purifier and a water production method thereof, relating to the technical field of water processing, the water purifier comprising: a reverse osmosis membrane device comprising a raw water port, a purified water port and a waste water port; a water storage device which is provided therein with a first chamber of which a volume can be adjusted, the first chamber being communicated with the raw water port and the purified water port, respectively; in the cleaning mode, the first chamber is disconnected from the purified water port, the first chamber is communicated with the raw water port, and the purified water flows into the first chamber from the raw water port of the reverse osmosis membrane device and is discharged from the waste water port of the reverse osmosis membrane device; in the water production mode, and the first chamber is communicated with the purified water port, the first chamber is disconnected from the raw water port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Shi Shuai, Haifeng Zhang, Zhaoshan Cheng, Yaohua He
  • Patent number: 10751730
    Abstract: A particle separating system for supplying a cam shaft phase adjuster with cleaned lubricating oil. The phase adjuster includes a stator, a rotor connectable to a cam shaft, and a control valve for hydraulically adjusting the rotational angular position of the rotor relative to the stator. The particle separating system includes an oil separator arranged in the flow of the lubricating oil, upstream of an oil gallery of an engine supplied with the lubricating oil, exhibiting a separation efficiency of at least 50% for particles having a size P1 and a separation efficiency of at least 90% at a size P2>P1; a particle separator arranged downstream of the oil separator and upstream of the phase adjuster or control valve, to clean the lubricating oil for the phase adjuster. The particle separator exhibits a separation efficiency of 50% at a size P3, where P1<P3<100 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Schwäbische Hüttenwerke Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Meinig, Jürgen Bohner
  • Patent number: 10647596
    Abstract: The improved water purification system includes a water purification unit having a tap water inflow port for receiving a tap water inflow from a water supply system to produce relatively purified water and a brine water outflow having impurities concentrated therein. An RO filter having an RO membrane separates relatively unfiltered water flow into purified water and the brine water outflow. A flush flow activation chamber fluidly coupled to the brine water outflow includes a plunger for substantially occluding brine water outflow through the brine outflow port when seated, and substantially permits brine water outflow to exit the purification unit through the brine outflow port when unseated. Accordingly, the activation chamber generates back pressure within the water purification system to flash flow tap water inflow into the purification unit and through the RO membrane when the plunger moves from being seated to unseated, thereby substantially refreshing said RO membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: DS SERVICES OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Bruce D. Burrows
  • Patent number: 10562794
    Abstract: The water purification system for flow-coupled installation with a tap water inflow for producing a relatively purified water outflow includes a purification unit having a tap water inlet port for receiving tap water inflow and a purified water outlet port for dispensing purified water outflow from said purification unit. A particulate catalyst retained within the purification unit is in flow through relation relative to the water inflow and purified water outflow and catalyzes contaminants as the tap water inflow travels through the purification unit. An electrically induced particulate agitator associated translates vibration to the particulate catalyst for substantially preventing channeling therein during relatively slow tap water inflow through the purification unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: DS SERVICES OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Bruce D. Burrows
  • Patent number: 10562795
    Abstract: The water purification system for flow-coupled installation with a tap water inflow for producing a relatively purified water outflow includes a purification unit having a tap water inlet port for receiving tap water inflow and a purified water outlet port for dispensing purified water outflow from said purification unit. A particulate catalyst retained within the purification unit is in flow through relation relative to the water inflow and purified water outflow and catalyzes contaminants as the tap water inflow travels through the purification unit. A sound wave particulate agitator associated translates vibration to the particulate catalyst for substantially preventing channeling therein during relatively slow tap water inflow through the purification unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: DS SERVICES OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Bruce D. Burrows
  • Patent number: 10258907
    Abstract: A grid bar for a screen grid of a screen includes a multiple number of grid bars arranged next to each other and spaced apart from each other, which serves the purpose of separating screening material from a flowing liquid, such as wastewater flowing in a sewer channel. The grid bar includes a plastic reinforced with fibers, whereas at least a part of the fibers extend in a longitudinal direction of the grid bar. A screen includes such a screen grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: HUBER SE
    Inventors: Oliver Rong, Nikica Starcevic, Simon Abt
  • Patent number: 10101187
    Abstract: Provided are a flowmeter that can measure a flow rate of a liquid with high accuracy and that is easy to carry and handle, and a dialysis machine and a medicinal solution injection device that employ the flowmeter. A flowmeter includes a tube connection member and a measurement instrument body. The tube connection member includes a tube-shaped body, a plurality of resonators that are arranged with gaps there between on an inner wall surface of the body, resonator-side antennas that are connected to the plurality of resonators and a heating element that is arranged between the pluralities of resonators. The measurement instrument body includes measurement-instrument-side antennas, temperature measurement units that are connected to the measurement-instrument-side antennas and measure a temperature, and a flow rate calculation unit that calculates a flow rate on the basis of the temperatures measured by the temperature measurement units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Nobuhiro Kondo
  • Patent number: 10059606
    Abstract: The improved water purification system includes a water purification unit having a tap water inflow port for receiving a tap water inflow from a water supply system to produce relatively purified water and a brine water outflow having impurities concentrated therein. An RO filter having an RO membrane separates relatively unfiltered water flow into purified water and the brine water outflow. A flush flow activation chamber fluidly coupled to the brine water outflow includes a plunger for substantially occluding brine water outflow through the brine outflow port when seated, and substantially permits brine water outflow to exit the purification unit through the brine outflow port when unseated. Accordingly, the activation chamber generates back pressure within the water purification system to flash flow tap water inflow into the purification unit and through the RO membrane when the plunger moves from being seated to unseated, thereby substantially refreshing said RO membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: DS Services of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce D. Burrows
  • Patent number: 10022755
    Abstract: A pipe treatment system for a supply unit is provided. The pipe treatment system comprises a fresh water inlet pipe, a tap for fresh water, a controllable tap valve, and a control device for the pipe treatment control system. The controllable tap valve is arranged between the fresh water inlet pipe and the tap for fresh water. The control device for the pipe treatment control system is connected to the controllable tap valve so as to place the controllable tap valve in a pipe treatment state when there is a pipe treatment signal at the control device, so as to provide a more reliable pipe treatment system, for example for disinfection or descaling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Reiss, Ole Becker
  • Patent number: 10004839
    Abstract: A sorbent cartridge comprising one or more detachable modules. The sorbent cartridge can have one or more modules contained therein having connectors connecting each of the modules. One or more of the modules can be reusable and the sorbent materials therein recharged. The sorbent cartridge can include a module containing an anion exchange resin, such as zirconium oxide, downstream of zirconium phosphate in the sorbent cartridge to recapture phosphate anions that leach out of the zirconium phosphate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryant J. Pudil, Christopher M. Hobot
  • Patent number: 9950298
    Abstract: Described are water-on-water valves for use in reverse osmosis filtration systems. The water-on-water valves are regulated by the pressure in a product line, which contains fluid from a product line of the filter module and/or the product side of a water-on-water storage tank. Exemplary valves are shuttle valves that are regulated by the pressure downstream of the product side of a reverse osmosis filter module. The valves may comprise a piston within a housing, and an end of the piston may have an enlarged diameter relative to the maximum diameter of the remainder of the piston. The body of the piston may have sections of differing diameters, where the smaller diameter sections form flow channels, or the body may a diameter that is substantially the same along its length in conjunction with gratings and flow channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Laurence W. Bassett, Dian Zheng, David A. Carbo
  • Patent number: 9925320
    Abstract: A renal therapy machine includes a blood filter including a plurality of porous fibers; a blood circuit in communication with the blood filter; and a dialysate circuit in communication with the blood filter and operable with at least one pump, wherein the renal therapy machine is configured to perform a priming sequence in which a physiologically compatible solution, other than dialysate, primes the blood circuit and is flowed within the fibers and through pores in the fibers of the blood filter, and the pump of the dialysate circuit vents air from the blood filter into the dialysate circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare SA
    Inventors: Robert W. Childers, Thomas D. Kelly, Rodolfo Roger
  • Patent number: 9919091
    Abstract: A dialysis system including a housing, a dialysate pump disposed in the housing, and a dialysate line configured to be operatively connected to the dialysate pump such that the dialysate pump can pump dialysate through the dialysate line when the dialysate line is in fluid communication with a dialysate source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael James Beiriger, Robert Dale Parks, Ryan Christopher Kaintz
  • Patent number: 9820607
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for brewing a beverage from precursor particulates. The apparatus comprises a liquid delivery system for delivering liquid into a brewing basket. The liquid delivery system comprises a showerhead disposed above at least a portion of the brewing basket. The showerhead has a plurality of outlet openings through which liquid flows outward from the showerhead into the brew basket. At least two of the outlet openings are oriented to direct the flow of liquid out of the showerhead at least in part transversely of the brew basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Warner Marschke, Kurt Ryan Rottier, Daniele Rosati, John S Reback, Dave William Everett
  • Patent number: 9814822
    Abstract: Embodiments for a blood plasma and red blood cell generation device are disclosed. The device may operate as an alternative modality of the dialysis machine, as part of the dialysis machine and/or as an add-on module. The fluid handling components of the plasma generation system may be integrated with a microprocessor unit for controlling and executing generation of plasma, or a control unit of the dialysis machine may be adapted to control the plasma generation aspects of the treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Doyle, Alexander Joseph Brown
  • Patent number: 9802518
    Abstract: A pneumatic adjustment arrangement for a vehicle seat. The pneumatic adjustment arrangement has at least one chamber or bladder, which can be filled with a pressure medium, as an adjustment element. Furthermore, the pneumatic adjustment arrangement has a fluid line for the filling and/or evacuation of the chamber. Additionally, the pneumatic adjustment arrangement has a valve device which is provided in the fluid line for volume flow regulation. Finally, the pneumatic adjustment arrangement has a noise absorber which is likewise arranged in the fluid line in order to absorb noise generated in the fluid line. In this way, it is possible to create a pneumatic adjustment arrangement for a vehicle seat, in particular for comfort functions, such that objectionable noises during the execution of the comfort fiction are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Steinberger, Stefan Weickmann, Marco Zehndbauer
  • Patent number: 9702124
    Abstract: A high purity water delivery system has a reservoir (40) of purified water. A distribution line (42) extends downstream from an outlet (44) of the reservoir to a return (46) of the reservoir. A plurality of delivery stations each include an outlet (54?) and a diverter (102; 102?; 102?; 102??). The diverter has an upstream inlet port (104) along the distribution line and a downstream outlet port (106) along the distribution line. The diverter has a supply port (108) downstream of the inlet port and a return port (110) downstream of the supply port. The diverter has a flow restriction (112; 112?; 216) between the supply port and the return port. Each delivery station includes a flow control valve (56?) between the outlet on the one hand and the supply port and return port on the other hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Georg Fischer LLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Sixsmith
  • Patent number: 9561315
    Abstract: A miniaturized cardiopulmonary bypass circuit for a mouse comprises at least one venous catheter connected to a patient, a dual channel peristaltic pump having one channel to move the blood by tubing from the patient, an oxygenator that removes gases from the blood and mixes the blood with fresh gases to oxygenate the blood, the blood being moved from the oxygenator to the arterial catheter by the dual channel peristaltic pump, and an arterial catheter. The blood is pumped by a two-channel roller pump into an inlet nozzle, where the flow of blood is transformed from tubular flow to planar flow. Gas exchange occurs inside the case while the blood flows down the central component. Blood then flows down the central component into the arterial reservoir. The arterial reservoir is connected to the second channel of the pump, and returned to the patient through a cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Inventors: Jay Vincelli, David McClatchy, Stephanie Wolf, Ryan J. Halter
  • Patent number: 9550150
    Abstract: The inventions relate to purifying water and can be used in domestic water purification systems. The claimed filtered water storage unit for the storage device of a water purification system includes a housing, an elastic chamber for filtered water, and a region for pressurizing untreated water. The water purification system includes a reverse osmosis membrane, a clean water discharge pipe, an overflow into a drain, a clean water tap, and a storage device having a filtered water storage unit and a hydro-automatic unit. The outlet of the controlled chamber of a valve is associated with the water pressurizing region in the housing of the water storage unit, and the input of the controlling chamber of a valve is associated with the clean water discharge pipe upstream of the tap, wherein the valve for controlling water pressurization is normally open and the valve for controlling drainage is normally closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Electrophor, Inc.
    Inventors: Sergey Victorovich Smirnov, Vadim Nikolaevich Knizel, Nikolay Yakovlevich Gorohov, Joseph Lvovich Shmidt
  • Patent number: 9533089
    Abstract: Centrifugation systems and methods are provided for separating blood into its constituent parts. Inner and outer walls of a centrifuge each include a projection which extends toward the other wall. A separation chamber is received in the centrifuge between the walls, with the chamber including an inlet port for flowing blood into the chamber, a plasma outlet port for flowing plasma out of the chamber, and a red cell outlet port for flowing red blood cells out of the chamber. With the chamber received in the centrifuge between the walls, the first projection extends into the path of separated blood components flowing toward the plasma outlet port and prevents cellular blood components from flowing into the plasma outlet port. The second projection extends into the path of separated blood components flowing toward the red cell outlet port and prevents plasma from flowing into the red cell outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyungyoon Min, Richard I. Brown, John T. Foley, Brian C. Case
  • Patent number: 9504777
    Abstract: Dialysis systems and methods are described which can include a number of features. The dialysis systems described can be to provide dialysis therapy to a patient in the comfort of their own home. The dialysis system can be configured to prepare purified water from a tap water source in real-time that is used for creating a dialysate solution. The dialysis systems described also include features that make it easy for a patient to self-administer therapy. For example, the dialysis systems include disposable cartridge and patient tubing sets that are easily installed on the dialysis system and automatically align the tubing set, sensors, venous drip chamber, and other features with the corresponding components on the dialysis system. Methods of use are also provided, including automated priming sequences, blood return sequences, and dynamic balancing methods for controlling a rate of fluid transfer during different types of dialysis, including hemodialysis, ultrafiltration, and hemodiafiltration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: OUTSET MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Edward Hogard, Gopi Lingam, Dean Hu, Balaji M. Maniam, James Ritson, Andy H. Uchida, John David Stienmier, Paul David McGregor
  • Patent number: 9422173
    Abstract: A water filtration systems may comprise an under the sink RO water filtration system that is plumed into a building's water supply. For example, the water filtration systems may include an RO device at least partially installed underneath a sink, with the tap water connection plumbed directly to the sink cold water supply line, and a waste water drain line connected directly to the sink drain, such as the p-trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: AQUA TRU, LLC
    Inventors: Peter G. Spiegel, Michael A. Pedersen
  • Patent number: 9409795
    Abstract: A water distribution system having a dual use water treatment unit. The same water treatment unit can be used to treat water supplied from a fill port to a storage tank during a fill operation, as well as water leaving the storage tank for supply to one or more points of water use during a supply operation. When a diverter valve is in a fill position, water supplied to the fill port can flow through the diverter valve and to the water treatment unit for treatment then to the storage tank for storage. When the diverter valve is in a supply position, the water from the storage tank can be delivered using means for pressurizing water to the same treatment unit for treatment, then through the diverter valve and to a point of water use device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL WATER-GUARD INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Peter Daniel Nolan
  • Publication number: 20150136668
    Abstract: An oil separating apparatus includes a preliminary separator and a main separator. The preliminary separator is for collecting wastewater. The main separator has a main separating chamber, a wastewater exit channel and a communicating channel. The main separating chamber communicates with the preliminary separator, and has upper and lower openings. The communicating channel communicates the wastewater exit channel and the lower opening. A distance between the upper and lower openings ranges from 300 millimeters to 3000 millimeters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Chin-Lun Chang
  • Patent number: 8951418
    Abstract: A method of operating hydrocyclone comprising a separation chamber which in use is arranged to generate an internal air core for affecting a material separation process, comprises measuring both a vibrational parameter of the separation chamber and a stability parameter of the internal air core during operation of the hydrocyclone. The measurements are compared against predefined corresponding parameters which are indicative of a stable operation of the hydrocyclone and an operational parameter of the hydrocyclone is adjusted dependent on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Vulco S.A.
    Inventor: Eduardo Francisco Olivares Castro
  • Publication number: 20140374329
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sewage treatment system which is capable of treating a large amount of sewage, has a compact structure, and improves sewage treatment capacity in an eco-friendly manner by using an electrolysis unit and a reducing agent supply device. The sewage treatment system according to the present invention comprises a first system (S1) and a second system (S2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Chan Hoo Park
  • Publication number: 20140326665
    Abstract: An apparatus, for use with a reverse osmosis system comprising a feed input, a concentrate output, and a permeate output, includes (i) at least one pressure sensor operative to measure a pressure of at least the permeate output of the reverse osmosis system and to generate a signal indicative of the pressure of at least the permeate output of the reverse osmosis system and (ii) at least one controller operative to adjust a speed of at least a first pumping mechanism based at least in part on the signal indicative of the pressure of at least the permeate output of the reverse osmosis system. The first pumping mechanism comprises at least one of: (i) a fluid input coupled to at least the permeate output of the reverse osmosis system; and (ii) a fluid output coupled to at least the feed input of the reverse osmosis system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: Crestron Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: George Feldstein
  • Publication number: 20140263079
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods of wastewater treatment that rely primarily on the use of water treatment chemicals to clean wastewater without the need to use filtration mechanisms. The present invention generally provides a system that is less complex and less expensive to operate than wastewater treatment systems in the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: DuBois Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: Brent K. McCurdy
  • Patent number: 8834711
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an upstream ozone contact tank for removing residual ozone. The upstream ozone contact tank includes an inlet through which purified raw water flows, at least one contact chamber, at least one reaction chamber, an upstream contact chamber, and an outlet that discharges ozone-treated raw water. Especially, the invention provides an upstream contact chamber between the reaction chamber and outlet, wherein the upstream contact chamber includes carbonaceous filter media mounted on a porous plate. An openable gate unit is installed at the lower part of a panel partitioning a final reaction chamber and the upstream contact chamber and controls flow rate. Additionally, the invention enables upstream flow of the raw water flowing into the upstream contact chamber from the final reaction chamber so that the raw water may pass through the carbonaceous filter media upwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Seoul Metropolitan Government
    Inventors: Woo Hyeun Joe, Young Ae Baek, Gang-Seok Baek, Byeong-Eui Hong, Byeong-Chul Jang, Mun-Ho Son, Young Jun Choi, Sang Tae Han
  • Publication number: 20140197084
    Abstract: A seawater desalination unit is disclosed, which comprises: a frame, an exit filtration part, and a water drawing part. The frame is configured with a reservoir, a water intake pipe and a water discharge pipe in a manner that the water intake pipe is connected to the reservoir respectively via one end thereof, while allowing a first check valve to be disposed at a position between the reservoir and the water intake pipe, and the water discharge pipe is connected to the second filtration part and the reservoir respectively via two opposite ends thereof, while allowing a second check valve to be disposed at a position between the high-pressure reservoir and the water discharge pipe. Moreover, the water drawing part is arranged in fluid communication with the water intake pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: YUNG-JEN CHENG, HUNG-CHENG YEN
  • Publication number: 20140110319
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing haemodialysis on a patient comprises: first blood transfer means (3) for selectively withdrawing blood from a patient and storing it in a first storage portion (5); second blood transfer means (11) for removing filtered blood from a filtration device (7) and storing it in a second storage portion (13); and a fluid measurement system (51a, 51b) for periodically measuring the respective volumes of blood in the first and second storage portions; adding the volume of blood in the first storage portion to the volume of blood in the second storage portion at that time in order to calculate the total volume of blood within the first and second storage portions at that time; and comparing the total measured volumes of blood within the first and second storage portions measured over a predetermined time interval to calculate the volume of fluid removed from the blood during that predetermined time interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: THE NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
    Inventors: Malcolm Coulthard, Michael Whitaker, Clive Griffiths, Michael Drinnan
  • Publication number: 20140102985
    Abstract: Described are water-on-water valves for use in reverse osmosis filtration systems. The water-on-water valves are regulated by the pressure in a product line, which contains fluid from a product line of the filter module and/or the product side of a water-on-water storage tank. Exemplary valves are shuttle valves that are regulated by the pressure downstream of the product side of a reverse osmosis filter module. The valves may comprise a piston within a housing, and an end of the piston may have an enlarged diameter relative to the maximum diameter of the remainder of the piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Laurence W. Bassett, Dian Zheng
  • Patent number: 8696895
    Abstract: A percolation filtering system comprises a flow path of the water to be filtered including a filter cartridge seat (4) for removably receiving a filter cartridge (5) so that said flow path extends through said filter cartridge when said filter cartridge is inserted into said seat, characterized in that it comprises recognition means and counter-means of the suitability of said cartridge, respectively on said cartridge and said seat, suitable for reciprocal interaction when the cartridge is inserted in the seat to enable operation of the filtering system following the cartridge's suitability recognition, or to disable it or signal the suitability/unsuitability respectively of the cartridge if the cartridge is recognized/ not recognized respectively by the recognition means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Laica S.p.A.
    Inventor: Olga Alexandrou
  • Patent number: 8568585
    Abstract: A water distribution system including a water storage tank, a water treatment unit, a diverter valve, and interconnecting water conduits arranged so that the same water treatment unit can be used to treat water supplied from a fill port to the storage tank during a fill operation, as well as water leaving the storage tank for supply to one or more points of water use during a supply operation. A diverter valve is provided which is movable between a fill position wherein the water treatment unit is in fluid communication with the fill port and not the point of water use device, and a supply position wherein the water treatment unit is in fluid communication with the at least one point of water use device and not the fill port. When the diverter valve is in the fill position, water supplied to the fill port can thus flow through the diverter valve and to the water treatment unit for treatment then to the storage tank for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: International Water-Guard Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Daniel Nolan
  • Patent number: 8377292
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a low pressure water filter and dispenser system for use in a refrigerator which enables an effluent from said system exhibiting a log 6 bacteria reduction and a log 4 virus reduction with pressures as low as 0.35 kg/cm2 (5 psi). The system can be located in various places, for example it can sit on the shelf, it can be mounted to the ceiling of the refrigerator, or it can be attached to the wall or other internal components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ginger Patera, Donald Bretl, Dave Emmons, John Tanner, Juan José Ramos Alvarez, Mario Togawa Aparicio, Daniel Esparza Cano
  • Patent number: 8354029
    Abstract: A control device for a filtration unit for filtering a fluid, the control device comprising an integrity test unit for performing an integrity test for checking the functional integrity of the filtration unit, and a reaction unit for determining a reaction based on a result of the integrity test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Seccua GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Hank
  • Patent number: 8262910
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention relate to a reverse osmosis (RO) system that includes a housing and a pre-filter within the housing such that feed water flows into the housing and enters the pre-filter. The reverse osmosis (RO) system further includes a membrane element within the housing such that the pre-filtered water flows from the pre-filter and enters the membrane element and permeate exits the membrane element through the housing. In some embodiments, the housing includes a first end cap at one end and a second end cap at an opposing end such that feed water flows through the first end cap into the pre-filter and pre-filtered water flows from the pre-filter into the first end cap. In addition, the pre-filtered water may flow from the first end cap to the membrane element such that permeate exits the membrane element through the first end cap in order to exit the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: G.E. Osmonics—Pentair Joint Venture
    Inventors: Steven D. Kloos, Philip M. Rolchigo, Christopher J. Kurth, Chia Kung, Thomas J. Cartwright, Richard M. Reckin, Kenneth J. Sieth
  • Patent number: 8166998
    Abstract: A valve assembly for reducing water loss from a leak from a water device. The valve assembly includes a first passage through which water flows from a water source to the water device and a second passage through which water flows from the water device. A first valve is in fluid communication with the first passage and the second passage. The first valve is operable for obstructing the first passage in response to a change in pressure differential between water in the first passage and water in the second passage resulting from a leak of water from the water device. The valve assembly also includes a second valve in fluid communication with the first passage. The second valve is responsive to the obstruction of the first passage to close the first passage and thereby stop water from flowing from the water source to the water device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Pollectric International Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Peter Clappison
  • Patent number: 8137538
    Abstract: A compact point of use water purifier intended for both urban and rural areas of developing countries. The purifier is a spigot with an integrated UV radiation source 18 adjacent to an outlet orifice 19 to selectively on demand expose untreated water when the spigot valve 15 is activated to dispense water for consumption. The valve includes a user-activated handle 154 and is configured such that upon initial movement of the handle the ultraviolet radiation source is activated and upon continued movement of the handle the valve is opened. The water purifier is connectable to an electric power source, either 110V/220V AC or 12VDC, via a transformer unit to deliver the appropriate voltage to the spigot unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventors: Florence Cassassuce, Dan Matthews
  • Publication number: 20110303606
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes: a recycle line that brings a part of salt-enriched membrane separation concentrated water 26 back to the rear flow side of a pretreatment apparatus 12; a water discharge line that discharges the remained concentrated water into a sea area; and a control apparatus 31 that controls to adjust the ratio between the discharging amount of the discharging membrane separation concentrated water to be discharged into a sea area and the supplying amount of supplying seawater. A pH is set to be equal to or less than 7.3 by adding acid 21. The salt 18 is obtained from the dryer 19, and produced water (fresh water) 29 is obtained by combining evaporated water 28 supplied from the evaporator 16 with the permeated water 24 supplied from the reverse osmosis membrane apparatus 25.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Takeuchi, Yoshiaki Ito, Hidemasa Kakigami, Hideo Iwahashi, Katsunori Matsui, Kenji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8052865
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention relate to a reverse osmosis (RO) system that includes a housing and a pre-filter within the housing such that feed water flows into the housing and enters the pre-filter. The reverse osmosis (RO) system further includes a membrane element within the housing such that the pre-filtered water flows from the pre-filter and enters the membrane element and permeate exits the membrane element through the housing. In some embodiments, the housing includes a first end cap at one end and a second end cap at an opposing end such that feed water flows through the first end cap into the pre-filter and pre-filtered water flows from the pre-filter into the first end cap. In addition, the pre-filtered water may flow from the first end cap to the membrane element such that permeate exits the membrane element through the first end cap in order exit the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: GE Osmonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven D. Kloos, Philip M. Rolchigo, Christopher J. Kurth, Chia Kung, Thomas J. Cartwright, Richard M. Reckin, Kenneth J. Sieth
  • Patent number: 8038879
    Abstract: A fluid strainer device is disclosed. The device includes a housing which defines an open chamber, the chamber having both at least one fluid input port and at least one fluid outlet port. A plurality of spaced strainer baskets are disposed within the chamber. Each basket has a pair of spaced perforated side panels, a perforated rear panel, a perforated top panel and an open front portion in fluid communication with the chamber fluid input port. Finally, each strainer basket is aligned within the chamber for fluid flow from the chamber input port into the basket's open front portion and out through the perforations thereof to filter debris from the fluid while preventing substantial fluid pressure drop between the input and outlet ports substantially independent of debris buildup within the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Inventor: Wayne Kraft
  • Publication number: 20110215037
    Abstract: A compact point of use water purifier intended for both urban and rural areas of developing countries, consisting of a spigot with integrated UV radiation source adjacent to an outlet orifice to selectively on demand expose untreated water when the spigot valve mechanism is activated to dispense water for consumption. The water purifier is connectable to an electric power source, either 110V/220V AC or 12 VDC, by means of a transformer unit delivering the appropriate voltage to spigot unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: FLORENCE CASSASSUCE
  • Publication number: 20110180465
    Abstract: A high efficiency reverse osmosis system which utilizes a tuned injector in fluidic communication with a reverse osmosis membrane. The tuned injector includes an injector housing, an injector nozzle, a mixing chamber and an injector throat. The tuned injector utilizes line hydrostatic pressure to inject raw water with an injector nozzle into the mixing chamber to mix with recirculated concentrate water drawn into the mixing chamber by venturi effect and hydrostatic pressure to form feed water. The feed water is then discharged through the injector throat across a reverse osmosis membrane to produce permeate water using the line hydrostatic pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas E. Richetti
  • Patent number: 7938956
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for purifying water whereby: the water to be purified is pressurized (13); a pressurized flow of said water is directed onto at least one selective permeability membrane to divide (11) the flow of pressurized water into a permeate flow and a retentate flow; the permeate flow is electrodeionized (12) to produce a flow of purified water consisting of the electrodeionized permeate flow; the flowrate of the retentate flow (19) is reduced; a substantially constant predetermined pressure (21) is maintained on the selective permeability membrane(s); and a substantially constant predetermined permeate flowrate is maintained. It also relates to a tangential filtration module suitable for the above kind of system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Millipore Corporation
    Inventor: Yves Gaignet