Responsive To Prefilt Accumulation Or Filter Clogging Patents (Class 210/111)
  • Patent number: 11786936
    Abstract: A device, which serves to separate particles of a bulk material, which is deliverable at an input location and is removable processed in different or at least approximately unitary particle sizes at an output location, includes at least one separating element, which has a metal separating plate with through-openings provided therein, which separating element can be provided with ultrasonic energy and for this purpose is connected to an ultrasonic transducer and which is held by a holding device. The holding device is a mounting shaft, which is held at one end or at both ends fixedly or movably, in particular rotatably and/or axially displaceable, and which at one end or at both ends is connected to an ultrasonic transducer, by means of which ultrasonic energy is couplable via the mounting shaft into the separating element, which is designed to be dimensionally stable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: A O IDEAS GMBH
    Inventor: César Carrasco
  • Patent number: 11772956
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling a fuel delivery system to limit acidic corrosion. An exemplary control system includes a controller, at least one monitor, an output, and a remediation system. The monitor of the control system may collect and analyze data indicative of a corrosive environment in the fuel delivery system. The output of the control system may automatically warn an operator of the fueling station of the corrosive environment so that the operator can take preventative or corrective action. The remediation system of the control system may take at least one corrective action to remediate the corrosive environment in the fuel delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: FRANKLIN FUELING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Schultz, James Novak, Bill Nelson, Randall Boucher, Martin Turnidge, George Risch, Todd Breuer
  • Patent number: 10667475
    Abstract: An irrigation filter system and method is provided. The system may have a body and a filtration subsystem and may separate fluid from detritus carried by the fluid. The fluid may be released onto a crop, while the detritus is collected by the filtration subsystem. A drain fixture may be operated to release the detritus from the irrigation filter system in response to at least one of the pressure of the fluid flowing in the system and gravity. In this manner, the detritus may be released without requiring the system to be shut down and/or disassembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: E-Z Flush Filters, LLC
    Inventors: Garf Ivory, Michael O'Neill
  • Patent number: 10060116
    Abstract: A self-cleaning filter device adaptable to the volume of rainwater and a method for its use are described. The self-cleaning filter device adaptable to the volume of rainwater comprises a body including a rainwater inlet, a debris outlet, at least one filtered rainwater outlet, a filter element provided inside the body and comprising a flexible element having a filter means involving and secured to it and whose upper end is connected to said rainwater inlet and whose lower end is connected to said debris outlet, said filter element being provided with an upper portion, a central portion and a lower portion, and a regulating device provided inside the body and connected to the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Inventor: Wadih Antonio Garios
  • Patent number: 8974662
    Abstract: An apparatus for and method of filtering hydrocarbon contaminated water, which is used in a system requiring a pump to lift low lying hydrocarbon contaminated liquids from said pump through a filtration system which lifts and completely filters all debris and hydrocarbons from said liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventor: William J Gannon
  • Patent number: 8951411
    Abstract: A multi-step press apparatus for sludge dewatering and waste water filtration comprising: a tank, an inflatable membrane, a level sensor, and a nozzle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Eitan Sharir
  • Patent number: 8758603
    Abstract: A plasma purifying device is provided that is capable of recovering blood and plasma remaining within the plasma purifying device easily and without risk of coagulation, following completion of plasma purification therapy. The plasma purifying device has a control unit controls flow rates of the air pump and a plasma pump so that a pressure of the filtration side space of the plasma separator is higher than a pressure of the blood side space while delivering blood to the blood side space of the plasma separator by continuing to operate a blood pump without stopping following completion of plasma purification and then delivers plasma remaining in a filtration side space of a plasma separator to a blood side space of the plasma separator or to a plasma circuit by supplying air from an air pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Medical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Soichiro Okazaki
  • Patent number: 8353409
    Abstract: A gas hydrate slurry dewatering apparatus adapted to feed a raw as into a cylindrical main body of dewatering column so gas to attain pressuriation and so suction any gas from the interior of a drainage chamber disposed around the cylindrical main body so as to attain depressurization. An internal tube (8) as a constituent of a dewatering apparatus (6) in which the gas hydrate slurry (S) is introduced is provided with a separating section (7). A drainage chamber (10) is formed by the internal tube (8) and, disposed with a given spacing therefrom, an external tube (9). An exhaust blower (B2) and a drainage pump (P2) are connected to the drainage chamber (10). A gas feed blower (B3) for a raw gas (G1) is connected to the internal tube (8). A differential pressure detector (x1) is provided for detecting any pressure difference between the interior of the internal tube (8) and the interior of the drainage chamber (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuro Murayama, Kiyoshi Horiguchi, Takashi Arai, Toru Iwasaki, Hidenori Moriya
  • Publication number: 20120152862
    Abstract: A non-blocking filtration system wherein the suspension filtered continuously scrubs the filter, keeping it free of deposits of solid deposits while the filtrate is removed in a variety of biological and chemical applications, substantially reducing the cost of unit operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Therapeutic Proteins International LLC
    Inventor: Sarfaraz K. Niazi
  • Patent number: 7910004
    Abstract: A monitoring system and a method for monitoring a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane in an RO unit is capable of detecting the formation of mineral salt crystals on the surface of the RO membrane. The monitoring system includes a reverse osmosis monitoring cell coupled to the RO unit so as to receive a sample stream taken from either the feed stream to, or the concentrate stream from, the RO unit. The cell has a visually observable RO membrane that is visible to an imaging system that creates and collects images of the visually-observable RO membrane, and that conveys an image data signal to a data processing system that is operable to translate the image data signal into visual images for display, and to correlate the data in the image data signal with a scaling condition on the RO membrane in the RO unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Yoram Cohen, Michal Uchymiak
  • Publication number: 20100126932
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for treatment of contaminated liquid are provided including an integrated ultra-filtration and clarification apparatus, and an optional integrated electrocoagulation capability. The integrated apparatus comprises an outer tank, an inner casing, and a plurality of ultra-filtration filters contained within the inner casing. Clarification of liquid occurs in the gap between the casing and tank. Solid matter settles, and aggregates in the bottom portion of the tank. The accumulated solid material acts as a secondary filter by pre-filtering the liquid prior to contact with the ultra-filtration filters. Clarified liquid is retained in a chamber of the casing, and the clarified liquid is drawn through the ultra-filtration filters as initiated by a source of vacuum communicating with the ultra-filtration filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventor: Scott W. Powell
  • Publication number: 20090321334
    Abstract: A variable wash flow filter assembly includes a wash velocity control cone movable between a minimal position and a maximum position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Kevin Gibbons, Francis P. Marocchini, Tomas R. Leutwiler
  • Publication number: 20090294341
    Abstract: A filter for use with overhead sprinkler irrigation systems is disclosed. The filter includes a body, a removable screen, and a manually-actuated plunger adjacent the screen. A water hammer table is partitioned in the body and located above the plunger. The plunger is positioned for reciprocal movement through a debris outlet between an open, debris-discharging position, and a closed filtering position. The plunger defaults to the closed filtering position by pressurized water flowing through the body. The water is simultaneously filtered through the screen and passes out a clean water outlet while debris accumulates within the body. The plunger may be manually retracted to the open, debris-discharging position at any time, whereby accumulated debris is flushed out of the body through the debris outlet by residual water flowing therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: AMERICAN AGRICULTURE PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald Beer, Michael Woodford Freitas
  • Publication number: 20090283461
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus (1) for filtering fluids comprising channelling means (2), a main body (3) connected to the channelling means (2) and defining internally a housing cavity (4) provided with an access mouth (5), and at least one filter element or device (6) housed in the housing cavity (4), the apparatus (1) comprising a base (7) suitable to support the main body (3) and coupling means (8) suitable to position the main body (3) above the base (7), the coupling means (8) also including a main hinge (10) suitable to allow rotation and overturning of the main body (3) with respect to the base (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventor: Vittorio FERRARESI
  • Patent number: 7520977
    Abstract: A fluid pollution prevention system for preventing the discharge of hazardous waste from a bilge of a marine vessel, and removal of the same from the bilge. The system includes an absorber for absorbing hazardous waste from a fluid in the bilge. The system further includes a pump that locates the absorber in a predetermined orientation relative to the pump to prevent the discharge of hazardous waste from the bilge. In one embodiment of the invention, the pump includes a housing having an outside surface that is adapted for disposition within an enclosed area defined by the absorber. According to this characterization, the absorber is movable along the outside surface of the pump housing as a function of the bilge fluid level to absorb hazardous waste from the fluid and isolate an inlet of the bilge pump from receipt of the same. In a further characterization, the fluid outlet vertically exits the pump housing such that the fluid outlet does not interference with the movement of the absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Inventor: Paul Arthur Clukies
  • Patent number: 7410568
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating sludge, comprises a press for dewatering the sludge, a compaction device for receiving and compacting sludge dewatered by the press, a shredder for receiving and shredding sludge compacted by the compaction device, and a tube conveyor for conveying shredded sludge from the shredder. The press is controlled to vary the flow rate of the sludge in response to at least one sensed operational parameter of the press, such as the momentary power for operating the press, pressure in the sludge in the press, sludge concentration in the press, sludge feed flow to the press or separated water flow from the press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Nordic Water Products AB
    Inventor: Jesper Christopherson
  • Patent number: 7204930
    Abstract: An oxidation filtration system for cleaning groundwater, the system having an aeration tower and a filtration tank. Within the filtration tank is an upper chamber and a lower chamber. Contained within the lower chamber is a plurality of Styrofoam™ filter media. Separating the upper chamber from lower chamber is a filter media mash which keeps the filter media from entering into the upper chamber. The aerated water from the aeration tower enters into the base of the lower filter chamber and rises through the filter media into the upper filter chamber. As the water passes through the filter media, the dissolved solvents fallout of the groundwater and attach themselves to the Styrofoam™ media. An automated back flushing and clarifying process is also provided using a back flush port and a clarification port, a higher level water sensor in the aeration tower and a programmable logic controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Skagit Farmers Supply
    Inventor: William Nightingale
  • Patent number: 6998038
    Abstract: A system for removing material from a flowing liquid, where the system includes one or more cartridges, where each cartridge has an outer permeable wall and an inner permeable wall that form a media region between the walls, where a media is disposed within at least part of the media region to remove at least a portion of the material from the flowing liquid, the cartridge also having an inner cartridge lumen in communication with the inner permeable wall, and a cartridge outlet in communication with the inner cartridge lumen; a cartridge chamber having a treatment region that houses the one or more cartridges, where the cartridge chamber also includes a chamber inlet to accept the flowing liquid, and a chamber outlet to discharge treated liquid; and an actuatable valve positioned outside the one or more cartridges, where the valve controls a flow rate of the flowing liquid within the treatment region by actuating in response to a change in a level of the liquid in the treatment region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: CDS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Howard
  • Patent number: 6797158
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for acoustically enhanced particle separation uses a chamber through which flows a fluid containing particles to be separated. A porous medium is disposed within the chamber. A transducer mounted on one wall of the chamber is powered to impose on the porous medium an acoustic field that is resonant to the chamber when filled with the fluid. Under the influence of the resonant acoustic field, the porous medium is able to trap particles substantially smaller than the average pore size of the medium. When the acoustic field is deactivated, the flowing fluid flushes the trapped particles from the porous medium and regenerates the medium. A collection circuit for harvesting the particles flushed from the porous medium is disclosed. Aluminum mesh, polyester foam, and unconsolidated glass beads are disclosed as porous media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Case Western Reserve University
    Inventors: Donald L. Feke, Sanjay Gupta, Zenon Mandralis
  • Publication number: 20040035767
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing the opposed side edges of a fluid treating belt filter (3) by employing an inflatable elastic tube (18). Opposed sealing surfaces are spaced apart from each other defining a gap there between which can be brought into sealing relationship by activation of the tube (18). The tube (18) being tested prior to and during sealing. Fluid that bypasses the seal are collected for rycycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Brian W. Pahl, Frank M. Croket, Richard L. Duncum
  • Patent number: 6270659
    Abstract: A fuel filter for an engine includes a housing having an interior space and is assembled into a fuel flow path between a source of fuel and the engine. The housing includes a passageway which has an inlet aperture which is used to control the delivery of fuel to either the engine or back to the source of fuel. The housing also includes a return-fuel passageway which is in flow communication with the interior space and is adapted to couple to the source of fuel. A filter cartridge is installed within the housing and includes an end cap with an air vent tube having an inlet opening. The air vent tube is designed so as to assemble into the passageway, so as to plug the inlet aperture. Once the inlet aperture is plugged by the air vent tube, the flow entrance to the passageway is raised from the inlet aperture to the inlet opening of the air vent tube. The plugging of the inlet aperture by the air vent tube allows fuel to be delivered to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Ismail Bagci, Byron A. Pardue, Paul D. Miller, Charles W. Hawkins, Wayne N. Harrington
  • Patent number: 6224754
    Abstract: A liquid filter assembly comprises a filter cartridge and a filter head in fluid communication with the filter housing. A filter media construction is positioned within the housing. The filter media construction, in combination with the housing, defines an unfiltered liquid volume and a filtered liquid volume. The filter head includes an inlet for conveying liquid to the unfiltered liquid volume, a first outlet for conveying liquid from the filtered liquid volume, and a second outlet. A first valve assembly is provided which is constructed and arranged to selectively permit passage of liquid from the unfiltered liquid volume through the second outlet, in response to a first selected liquid pressure level within the unfiltered liquid volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Angelo Schiavon, Johan Fobe
  • Patent number: 6120683
    Abstract: A filter includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet. A filter core including a filter media is movably disposed within the housing with the inlet and the outlet in fluid communication with opposite sides of the core and a pressure responsive surface in fluid communication with said inlet. The filter also includes a valve supported on the filter core and moveable into a sealing position to prevent fluid from passing to the outlet when said core moves within said housing response to fluid pressure acting against said pressure responsive surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Central Illinois Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: David Reinhart, A. Richard Ayers
  • Patent number: 6099739
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for a magnet filter and a method of cleaning a magnetic filter. The magnetic filter is disposed in a circular passage for processing a cleaning fluid. The cleaning apparatus includes sensors for determining when the magnetic filter should be cleaned, which prevents a loss of effectiveness of the cleaning fluid due to detached metal powder falling off of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mikio Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6039877
    Abstract: A device for treatment of blood by extracorporeal circulation comprises a dialysis liquid circuit having a supply tube (9a, 9b) on which is arranged a filter (21) having a first chamber and a second chamber (22, 23) which are separated by a filtering membrane (24), the supply tube having a first portion (9a) connecting a dialysis liquid source (10) to an inlet of the first chamber (22), and a second portion (9b) having an end connected to an outlet of the second chamber (23) of the filter (21) and another end which can be connected to an inlet of a compartment (3) of an exchanger (1) with semipermeable membrane (4). A feedback tube (25) connects the inlet of the first chamber (22) of the filter (21) to the outlet of the first chamber (22). A flushing pump (26) is arranged on the feedback tube (25) for circulating liquid in the first chamber (22) of the filter (21) and causing cleaning of the membrane (24) by tangential flushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Hospal Industrie
    Inventors: Jacques Chevallet, Jean-Claude Riquier
  • Patent number: 6024869
    Abstract: A filter head for use in cooperative engagement with an associated liquid filter comprises a block member having a bypass valve assembly, and a back pressure flow valve assembly. The block member defines an inlet port; an inlet channel positioned for fluid communication between the inlet port and the associated liquid filter; a first outlet port; a second outlet port; and an outlet channel positioned for fluid communication between the associated liquid filter and the first and second outlet ports. When in an open orientation, the bypass valve provides fluid communication between the inlet channel and the outlet channel. When in a closed orientation, the bypass valve blocks fluid communication between the inlet channel and the outlet channel. The back pressure flow valve assembly, when in an open orientation, provides fluid communication between the outlet channel and the second outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack Stifelman
  • Patent number: 6003684
    Abstract: A device for dewatering solid-liquid suspensions, in particular pulp suspensions, in which the suspension is dewatered between two belts and a dewatering zone is formed in the shape of a wedge between the two belts. The wedge height at its end closest to the outlet is adjustable over the entire belt width by an adjusting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Andritz-Patentverwaltungs-Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Karl Eickhoff, Peter Scheucher, Georg Reck
  • Patent number: 5879552
    Abstract: A self-purifying filter apparatus comprising (1) a filter having a first surface and a second surface; (2) flow control means, such as a vacuum pump, for causing a stream of fluid interspersed with solid particulates to pass from the first surface to the second surface through the filter, thereby removing some of the solid particulates from the first stream of fluid and depositing them on the first surface; and (3) a purging device, such as a small reservoir of water (potentially formed, in part, by water previously filtered by the filter), for causing a second stream of fluid to pass from the second surface to the first surface through the filter without substantially changing the position of the filter, thereby rinsing and removing from the first surface at least some of the solid particulates that were deposited there.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Michael T. Bradfield
  • Patent number: 5876611
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for salvaging a patient's own blood during intraoperative surgical procedures and reinfusing the blood, washed and filtered, to the patient substantially continuously, on-line and in real-time. The apparatus comprises suction means, admixing means for admixing aspirated blood with a washing fluid, filtering means for filtering the admixture through an emboli filter, monitoring means for measuring the amount of cellular component volume in the aspirated, filtered blood, filtration means for removing excess fluid and impurities from the blood, and reinfusion means for introducing the washed and filtered blood to the patient free of emboli. The apparatus is structured to introduce washing fluid to the aspirated blood in proportion to the measured hematocrit level of the blood that is aspirated. Methods are disclosed for priming of the system, cleaning and flushing the apparatus of blood clots and debris by means of reverse filtration and filtration of blood for reinfusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Inventor: U. Ramakrishna Shettigar
  • Patent number: 5833766
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a conditioning system for regenerating replacement filters, a stackable transport container for use in such a system, and a replacement filter for regeneration by such a method. The following method steps are proposed for this purpose: removal of fluid residues from the replacement filter, flushing the filter element with a flushing agent opposite the direction of flow through the replacement filter when in use, removing the flushing medium residue from the replacement filter, measuring the flow resistance of the filter element, and comparing the measured flow resistance with one or more preset limit values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventors: Mark Osterwald, Marco Hein, Ralf Utermohlen
  • Patent number: 5804072
    Abstract: A water filter having a strainer mounted on the inside for straining water, and a reciprocating device controlled by a pressure differential controller to reciprocate a disk-like scraper in the strainer, causing it to scrape out dirt from the strainer, the disk-like scraper having a center water hole and a check valve mounted in the center water hole for permitting water to flow downwards in the strainer through the center water hole and stopping water from flowing upwards in the strainer through the center water hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventor: Chi-Hua Yang
  • Patent number: 5766449
    Abstract: A fuel filter assembly that provides a constant level of least restricted fuel flow through the fuel filter assembly during the useful life of the filter media by utilizing the least possible amount of filter media to provide the least possible pressure differential over the filter media while also providing a constant level of fuel additive by exposing an amount proportional to the filter media required for the least possible restricted fuel flow. The fuel filter assembly utilizes a vertically upward housing that houses a filter media and a fuel additive. The fuel level slowly rises in the housing as the filter media becomes obstructed with contaminants and as the fuel additive dissolves over the life of the filter media. The top portion of the housing is made of a transparent material so that the level of fuel level may be easily determined, thereby allowing for an accurate and simple assessment of the useful life of the filter media and the fuel additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Davco Manufacturing L.L.C.
    Inventor: Leland L. Davis
  • Patent number: 5672281
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating an effluent into a filtered liquid component and a concentrated sludge component are described. A screen for filtering the effluent is positioned to divide a chamber into two compartments, one for concentrating sludge and one for receiving filtered liquid. The screen is curved in an arc that extends away from the liquid outlet, and a spray arm is mounted for arcuate motion to conform to the curvature of the screen to dispense a fluid against the screen to dislodge attached sludge, to unclog the screen apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Walt Disney World Co.
    Inventors: Ivey Lee Burns, William Glenn Ham, Rory Dean Harvick, Charles Leroy Holzman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5670038
    Abstract: A filter system for a liquid, usually water, is disclosed. The system includes two filters, each having a housing and a filter medium located in the housing through which the liquid flows in one direction to be filtered. A pressure operated distributing valve alternates the flow of water from one to the other of the filters and pressure regulators and check valves or pressure regulators alone divert a portion of the filtered water to backwash the filter medium in the other filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Inventor: Jerry L. McKinney
  • Patent number: 5591347
    Abstract: A simplified single cell apparatus and method for removal of suspended impurities in liquids using gas flotation and filtration is provided wherein the method and apparatus are preferably directed to induced gas flotation separation of suspended impurities in combination with a filter media for filtration removal of remaining suspended impurities. A filter media is contained within the single cell apparatus such that liquid exiting the vessel must pass through the filter media after having been subjected to flotation treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Unicel, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Cairo, Jr., John A. Young
  • Patent number: 5575913
    Abstract: A filtration apparatus and method having a housing, a filter element, an inlet, a first discharge outlet and a second discharge outlet. The housing includes a bottom and an upwardly extending surrounding wall. The filter element is disposed in the housing and spans the surrounding wall with the filter element spaced above the bottom of the housing to define an upper chamber and a lower chamber, and the filter element being angled, preferably 45 degrees from the horizontal, so that one end of the filter element is lower relative to the other end. The inlet is in fluid communication with the upper chamber for receiving waste water containing particulate contaminants. A first discharge outlet is in fluid communication with the lower chamber for discharging filtered waste water. The second discharge outlet is in fluid communication with the upper chamber adjacent the lower end of the filter element for discharging filtered particulate contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Inventor: James P. Sharkey
  • Patent number: 5516434
    Abstract: A simplified single cell apparatus and method for removal of suspended impurities in liquids using gas flotation and filtration is provided wherein the method and apparatus are preferably directed to induced gas flotation separation of suspended impurities in combination with a filter media for filtration removal of remaining suspended impurities. A filter media is contained within the single cell apparatus such that liquid exiting the vessel must pass through the filter media after having been subjected to flotation treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Unicel, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Cairo, Jr., John A. Young
  • Patent number: 5460715
    Abstract: In a process for filtering plasma by separating blood into blood cells and plasma by a primary filter and filtering the separated plasma by a secondary filter to remove macromolecules from the plasma as harmful components, the loss of plasma to be discarded from the system by a procedure for eliminating plugging of the secondary filter can be diminished by opening an inner chamber of the secondary filter to the atmosphere to thereby lower the internal pressure of the chamber every time increase of the pressure to an upper limit value due to an increasing plugging tendency of the secondary filter is detected, and washing the interior of the secondary filter from the inner and outer chamber sides after the internal pressure has lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Akio Kawamura, Motoki Yonekawa, Eiji Sakashita, Hiroshi Kamogawa
  • Patent number: 5417850
    Abstract: A band filter for the removal of foreign material particles from liquid baths, including a tub filled with liquid, guide rollers for a filter band arranged within the tub bath, the band being introduced into the tub from one side, guided with a spacing above the bottom of the tub and subsequently again conveyed out of the tub towards the top. The filter band being configured as a powered endless screen tissue band or as a filter fleece which is placed upon a support belt that is also driven in an endless manner. The filter fleece can in this case be unwound or reeled off a roller arranged outside of the tub, and a negative pressure chamber receiving the filtered liquid is arranged beneath the filter band. The faces of the filter band facing the bottom of the tub lie on a plurality of support faces extending transversely to the guidance direction of the filter band so as to be spaced from each other and parallel next to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: SMS Schloemann-Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Werner Schimion, Joachim Kuhlmann, Karl J. Bertrand, Hubert Jung
  • Patent number: 5401396
    Abstract: A self-cleaning stationary basket strainer has a housing with an inlet adjacent the top and an outlet adjacent the bottom, with a stationary strainer basket contained therein spaced from the wall of the housing. A flush discharge opening and a backwash discharge opening and provided in the closed bottom of the housing. A hollow backwash conduit is provided adjacent the inner surface of the strainer basket, adapted to move about the inner periphery thereof, and has a passage in the wall thereof communicating with a chamber in the conduit. A discharge section on the hollow backwash conduit communicates with the backwash discharge opening in the housing, the backwash discharge opening sealable when not in use. A scraper blade and extension member are provided on the hollow backwash conduit forming a channel which communicates with the passage. A rotatable brush may also be used which moves about the inner periphery of the strainer basket and brushes the inner surface of the strainer basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: GA Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Lescovich, Warren L. Huggins
  • Patent number: 5401397
    Abstract: A system for filtering a liquid stream, typically drinking water from a natural source. The system includes a plurality of filter stations, each of which receives at least a portion of the influent liquid flow, passes the flow through a filter and passes the filtered liquid to an affluent line. When the filter has reached its capacity for removing particulate material from the liquid flow, preferably as determined by measurements of pressure drop across the filter media, a small quantity of the clean affluent liquid is passed through the filter in a reverse direction to back flush the filter media, with the flush liquid directed to a waste water line. Back flushing can be accomplished automatically under microprocessor control, using signals from a filter media pressure sensor. With a plurality of parallel filter arrangements, continuous flow to the affluent line is easily maintained, since the back flush cycle is short and all filter sets would not be in the back flush mode at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Automatic Control
    Inventor: Jack Moorehead
  • Patent number: 5389244
    Abstract: A pressure and vacuum filtration and washing device adapted for the processing and handling of hazardous materials without releasing hazardous chemical vapors includes a microporous filter medium which is contained within a pressurized filter vessel. A pump and static mixer, interconnected with the filter vessel by suitable piping means, allow circulation and reslurrying of the filter cake until the wash solvent is properly free of contaminants. The device any be operated under an inert atmosphere. A heated nitrogen gas cake drying means may be associated with the filter medium and contained within the filter. Automatic failsafe control valves are strategically disposed in the device, and the piping means, which interconnect the filter medium, the drying means, and the valves, are fabricated from materials compatible with the flow streams, such as teflon and borosilicate glass,. The device is totally enclosed and self contained, insuring complete operator isolation from hazardous chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Inventor: Michael T. Cranston
  • Patent number: 5370791
    Abstract: A backwashable self-cleaning strainer has a vertical housing containing a rotatable strainer basket. The housing has an inlet adjacent the top thereof and an outlet adjacent the bottom wall, with a flush discharge opening in the bottom wall. Components for rotating the strainer basket are located outside the flow of water containing particulates that enters the housing. A hollow backwash conduit with a passage through the sidewall is positioned adjacent the inner surface of the strainer basket and communicates with a sealable aperture in the wall of the housing. Upon opening of the aperture, cleaned water flows through the side wall of the strainer basket, removing particulates therefrom, and out the hollow backwash conduit. An intermittently rotatable brush is also provided to brush the inner surface of the strainer basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: G A Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Lescovich, Warren L. Huggins
  • Patent number: 5269912
    Abstract: A recovery system for precious metal particles in wash solutions includes a pair of filter elements and a pump mounted within a closed tank. The first filter is of relatively large pore size, and traps layer particles. The prefiltered liquid is collected within the tank. A pump is mounted within the tank, and drives the collected liquid and remaining particles through the second filter, which is of a small pore size chosen to trap the remaining particles. After passage through the second filter the wash water may be discarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Inventor: Peter S. Shor
  • Patent number: 5160428
    Abstract: The device is the dual functional filter of the slurry, scraping of the filtered cake, compression the scraped cake and discharging the compressed cake, continuously. The device is composed of both the filter part and the cake compression part. While the filter part is positioned upward holding the filtrate room, the slurry chamber and the filter medium in between, the lower cake compression part contains the screw blade attached to the shaft stationed from the top of the filter part to the end of the cake compression part. The filter cake piled on the filter medium during the filtration of the slurry fed under pressure, is scraped by the scraping blades attached to the shaft or, if necessary, peeled off by the pressure flashings of the back wash liquid through the cake on the filter medium. Precipitated cakes from the above is compressed in the compression part by the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: Kuri Chemical Engineers, Inc.
    Inventor: Setsuya Kuri
  • Patent number: 5149433
    Abstract: Apparatus for the supply of decontaminated fuel to a diesel engine including two filtering stages, the first being a spiral wound, cross flow ultrafiltration unit and the second being a spiral wound deadheaded ultrafiltration unit with a pressure operated alarm connected to respond to the build-up of contaminants in said second stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Desalination Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry A. Lien
  • Patent number: 5147552
    Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for tangential filtration with filter cleaning in which a fluid to be filtered forms a liquid loop and circulates tangentially to one surface of a membrane at a pressure Ph in which a filtrate flows from the other surface of the membrane through a pipe, provided with a flow meter and a first valve, to a tank at atmospheric pressure Pa, filtration taking place by virtue of a positive transmembranal pressure Ph - Pa. In the filtration phase, the hydrodynamic pressure Ph is adjusted by means of a second regulable valve. During the filter cleaning phase the first valve is closed and at the same time the second valve is slightly opened, the second valve is suddenly opened, the first valve is opened and the second valve is progressively closed. The method and apparatus in particularly suited to the filtration of corrosive liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Le Carbone Lorraine
    Inventors: Marc Hlavacek, John Dodds, Jean-Michel Bauer
  • Patent number: 5122264
    Abstract: A liquid fuel dispensing system with improved means of preventing water and particulate contamination employing an underground fuel storage tank, a pump for moving fuel from the fuel storage tank to a pump fuel outlet, an underground enclosed sump in which at least a portion of the pump is located, a filtration vessel within the sump having a fuel inlet connected to the pump fuel outlet and a fuel outlet, a filter element in the filtration vessel in series with fuel flow therethrough, the filter element having a filter media which intercepts particulate contaminants and which absorbs water to thereby prevent particulate and water contaminants from passing therethrough, a fuel shut-off device in conjunction with the filter element which is moved to the closed position when a predetermined pressure differential develops across the filter media as water is absorbed, the shut-off device serving to, upon actuation, completely block the flow of fuel through the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: Facet Quantek, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirby S. Mohr, Thomas F. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5118411
    Abstract: A system for the filtering of liquids with suspended particles in which the settling tank is divided into a first and a second tank (9.sub.1), (9.sub.2) with communication (41) between them at a low level, the washing/rinsing pipe (42) delivering to the first tank (9.sub.1) which in turn communicates with the dirty liquid tank (7), with a fork (13') in the clean liquid pipe (13) being provided at the outlet from the valve assembly (6) and leading to the dirty liquid tank (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Inventor: Fernando Martinez-Mugica
  • Patent number: RE37165
    Abstract: A fuel filter assembly that provides a constant level of least restricted fuel flow through the fuel filter assembly during the useful life of the filter media by utilizing the least possible amount of filter media to provide the least possible pressure differential over the filter media while also providing a constant level of fuel additive by exposing an amount proportional to the filter media required for the least possible restricted fuel flow. The fuel filter assembly utilizes a vertically upward housing that houses a filter media and a fuel additive. The fuel level slowly rises in the housing as the filter media becomes obstructed with contaminants and as the fuel additive dissolves over the life of the filter media. The top portion of the housing is made of a transparent material so that the level of fuel may be easily determined, thereby allowing for an accurate and simple assessment of the useful life of the filter media and the fuel additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Davco Manufacturing L.L.C.
    Inventor: Leland L. Davis