Plural Elements Controlled Patents (Class 210/134)
  • 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: 8246818
    Abstract: A syphon filtration system is a low head, small foot print, long operating cycle, gravity filtration system for treatment of water and wastewater, with one-stage or two-stage filtration in one vessel with different filtration media of sand, anthracite, granular activated carbon or other proprietary filtration media. The one-stage filtration system removes suspended solids or dissolved impurities and the two-stage filtration system removes suspended solids and dissolved impurities. In the two-stage filtration system, each filtration stage can be backwashed independently or both stages can be backwashed simultaneously. Novel syphon piping and controls design extend the filtration operating cycle and reduce the filter apparatus headroom, and the filter backwash water volume requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventor: Jan A. Korzeniowski
  • Patent number: 8231791
    Abstract: A water softening system including a first treatment tank having a first water capacity, a second treatment tank in parallel with the first treatment tank and having a second water capacity that is less than the first water capacity, a flow meter connected to the first and second treatment tanks, the flow meter configured to determine a demand flow rate of water entering the system and a controller in communication with the flow meter, the controller configured to direct the water into the first treatment tank when the demand flow rate is greater than a designated flow rate, and to direct the water into the second treatment tank when the demand flow rate is equal to or less than the designated flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Culligan International Company
    Inventor: Kerry Quinn
  • Patent number: 8231787
    Abstract: A system, method and device are disclosed for bio-processing a feed stream providing a constant output by operating a continuous single-pass tangential-flow process. Embodiments are operated without large circulation pumps. Other embodiments use components which can be disposed after a single use. The system, method and device can also be used to provide constant output diafiltration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: SPF Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Leon Mir, Gaston de los Reyes
  • Patent number: 8221617
    Abstract: An apparatus for reclaiming hot process water from a animal processing facility includes a screen portion, a filtration portion and optionally a UV sterilization portion. The screen portion receives dirty hot process water and removes macroscopic debris to produce raw tank water. Raw tank water is pumped through the filtration portion at relatively high pressure in order to remove substantially all solids to produce a permeate side stream. The permeate is optionally passed through a very intense ultra-violet field in order to produce uncontaminated reclaimed hot process water which may be safely reintroduced as hot scald water for the poultry cleaning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: American Water Purification, Inc.
    Inventors: Danny E. Gates, James E. Loewen, Aron T. Wilde
  • Patent number: 8216452
    Abstract: A dialysis system includes a first fluid heater, a second fluid heater, a supplemental power source and a logic implementer. The logic implementer is configured to use the supplemental power source such that when the first and second heaters are powered simultaneously, a collective current draw does not exceed a maximum allowable current draw of a branch power source powering the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Justin Rohde, William W. Han
  • Patent number: 8206578
    Abstract: A dialysis system includes: a water purification unit; a dialysate generation unit configured to use water purified by the water purification unit; a dialysate delivery unit configured to deliver dialysate prepared by the dialysate generation unit; a supplemental power source; and electronic circuitry including: (i) a first electrical connection configured to electrically connect a branch power source with at least one of the water purification unit, the dialysate generation unit and the dialysate delivery unit, and (ii) a second electrical connection configured to electrically connect a supplemental power source with at least one of the water purification unit, the dialysate generation unit and the dialysate delivery unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Justin Rohde, William W. Han
  • Patent number: 8202421
    Abstract: In a small-volume reverse osmosis system with a reverse osmosis module, a concentrate line leading from the reverse osmosis module to an outlet line, a permeate line leading from the reverse osmosis module to a storage tank, as well as a permeate pump connected to the concentrate line and to the permeate line with a displacement unit and two control channels, the invention proposes that two valves that are alternately switched by the displacement unit (12) depending on the position be integrated into a joint control slide and control channel opening combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Wapura Trinkwasserreinigungs GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Wolbers
  • Patent number: 8163173
    Abstract: A well water treatment system includes a first ozonation tank that receives pressurized well water and introduces ozone into that well water. The ozone causes impurities to precipitate, which settle to the sides and bottom of the first tank. Remaining water is delivered by gravity flow to a second supply tank wherein the ozone is allowed to largely if not entirely dissipate from the water. When a household or other destination requires treated water, a pump in the supply tank operates to deliver water from the tank to that destination. The pump is operably positioned within the supply tank at an intermediate water level below precipitates floating on the surface and above precipitates that have settled in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventors: Steven F. Dellecave, Frank J. Scherer
  • Patent number: 8137539
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for purifying water containing soluble species capable of forming one or more sparingly soluble salts or minerals, said process comprising feeding a pressurized water stream into a treatment zone having one or more membranes disposed therein, passing said stream along said membrane(s) to recover a permeate and to withdraw a concentrate therefrom while periodically reversing the direction of the flow of said stream in said treatment zone, wherein the periodicity of the flow reversal is such that said one or more membranes are exposed to supersaturation conditions evolving in said water stream for a period of time which is less then the time required for said supersaturated water stream to precipitate one or more of said sparingly soluble salts and/or minerals therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Research and Development Authority
    Inventors: Jack Gilron, Eliyahu Korin
  • Publication number: 20120024766
    Abstract: A wastewater reuse system has a wastewater treatment system connected to a dwelling for receiving wastewater therefrom. The wastewater treatment system has a pump tank with an outlet that can be connected to a central wastewater collection system. There can be a pump in the pump tank for pumping water from the pump tank to a use recipient of treated wastewater such as an irrigation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Jerry L. McKinney
  • Patent number: 8105258
    Abstract: A hemofiltration system and method for pumping blood from a patient's blood stream into an access line, introducing an anticoagulant solution into the pumped blood, filtering the pumped blood and delivering it to a return line, introducing a substitution fluid into the pumped blood, introducing a calcium and magnesium solution into the blood traveling through the return line, and returning the blood back to the patient's blood stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Lannoy
  • 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: 8034235
    Abstract: A dialysis system includes: a water purification unit; a dialysate generation unit configured to use water purified by the water purification unit; a dialysate delivery unit configured to deliver dialysate prepared by the dialysate generation unit; a supplemental power source; a first electrical connection configured to electrically connect a branch power source with at least one of the water purification unit, the dialysate generation unit and the dialysate delivery unit; and a second electrical connection configured to electrically connect the supplemental power source with at least one of the water purification unit, the dialysate generation unit and the dialysate delivery unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Justin Rohde, William W. Han
  • Patent number: 8034244
    Abstract: The disclosed invention is a fixed bed ion exchange water purification system. It employs a combination of electronically controlled process steps and specific systems configurations to duplicate the effects of moving resin beds from one operating position to another as is required in moving bed ion exchange water purification systems. The invention combines features of single fixed bed ion exchange systems with those of a moving bed system. The invention applies to the treatment of water having typical industrial and drinking water concentrations of various ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Envirogen Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter L. Jensen, Gerald A. Guter, Dan Ziol
  • Patent number: 8017002
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement and a device for filtering a fluid, particularly for plastic processing plants, wherein the pressure drop, or the flow rate reduction, created by the withdrawal of material from the process is sensitively balanced in that pressure constancy and flow rate constancy are achieved at the discharge duct (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Kreyenborg Verwaltungen und Beteiligungen GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Stefan Woestmann
  • Patent number: 8017003
    Abstract: In a processing waste liquid treating apparatus, a housing includes a bottom wall, an upper wall, a left lateral wall, a rear wall and an opening/closing door for opening/closing a front opening. A waste liquid tank is disposed on the bottom wall and close to the rear wall. A clear water storage tank is disposed adjacently to the waste liquid tank and at the central portion of the bottom wall. A pure water generating unit is disposed on the bottom wall adjacently to the clear water storage tank and close to the front opening. A waste liquid filtering unit is disposed above the pure water generating unit. A pure water temperature adjusting unit is disposed above the waste liquid tank. A control unit and a console panel are disposed above the waste liquid filtering unit and the console panel is disposed on the front side of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Disco Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Furonaka, Miki Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20110198290
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis system and method of operating the same includes a first pump receiving feed fluid at a first pressure and increasingly pressurizing the feed fluid to a second pressure higher than the first pressure. A membrane housing having an inlet, a membrane, a permeate outlet and a brine outlet. The inlet receiving feed fluid. A hydraulic energy management integration system (HEMI) having a turbine portion, a pump portion and a motor. The brine outlet fluid is in fluid communication with the turbine portion. The reverse osmosis system also includes a second pump and a controller controlling the motor to retard rotation of the HEMI while the first pump increasingly pressurizes the feed fluid to the second pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: FLUID EQUIPMENT DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Eli Oklejas, JR.
  • Patent number: 7981280
    Abstract: An extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus includes a blood treatment unit, a treatment fluid circuit, and a blood circuit. The treatment fluid circuit has a treatment fluid pump for circulating treatment fluid around the treatment fluid circuit and through the blood treatment unit. The blood circuit has a dual chamber blood pump for circulating blood around the blood circuit and through the blood treatment unit. An arterial line withdraws blood from a patient and delivers the withdrawn blood to the blood treatment unit. A venous line returns the treated blood to the patient. The arterial and venous lines can be switched between a first condition in which they are connected to the patient and a second condition in which they are disconnected from the patient and connected to each other for recirculation of blood through the blood circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Renal Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Carr, Stephen R. Ash
  • Patent number: 7981278
    Abstract: This present invention provides a gasoline-ethanol separation apparatus which is used for an internal combustion engine, and can separate a mixture fuel formed of mixed gasoline and ethanol into gasoline and ethanol. The gasoline-ethanol separation apparatus 1 includes a fuel tank 2 for accommodating a mixture fuel, a separation tank 4 for separating the mixture fuel supplied from the fuel tank 2 into the gasoline (A) and an ethanol-water mixture liquid (B), by mixing water supplied by water-supply means 3 with the mixture fuel, and storing the separated mixture liquid (B); pressurizing means 5 for pressurizing the mixture liquid (B) to be supplied into the separation tank 4; gasoline-taking-out means 6 for taking the gasoline (A) out of the tank from an upper part of the interface between the gasoline (A) and the ethanol-water mixture liquid (B) first valve 62; and ethanol-taking-out means 7 for taking the ethanol-water mixture liquid (B) out of the separation tank 4 through a second valve 72.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Kamio, Yasuyuki Kubo
  • Publication number: 20110168614
    Abstract: An extracorporeal blood treatment device including a filter having a primary and a secondary chamber separated by a semi-permeable membrane, a withdrawal line connected to the primary chamber and associated to a first pump, a return line at the outlet of the primary chamber, a first pre-infusion line (109) connected to a citrate container on the withdrawal line (106), associated to a second pump, a first post-infusion line connected to a calcium solution container and to the return line, and associated to a third pump, an effluent line from the secondary chamber connected to a drain pipe and associated to a fourth pump, a CPU including first means programmed to receive the signal output by the pumps and second means programmed to control the third post-infusion pump (121) as a function of the input flow rate, effluent liquid flow rate, and anticoagulation liquid flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: GAMBRO LUNDIA AB
    Inventors: Dominique Pouchoulin, Jacques Chevallet
  • Publication number: 20110163049
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a system and method for treating wastewater in a filter media apparatus having a draft tube system. The filter media may be walnut shell media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: Siemens Water Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Chad L. Felch, Michael Howdeshell, Eric A. Lorge, Bryan J. Kumfer, Stuart J. Munson, Matthew Patterson
  • Publication number: 20110147285
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reverse-osmosis water desalination plant comprising: a reverse-osmosis membrane unit (TP); at least one high-pressure pump (HP); a pressure-exchange-type energy collector (SRE) capable of transferring pressure from the concentrate leaving the membrane unit to a portion of the water to be treated; sensors for various operating parameters, in particular pressure, flow rate, temperature and salinity level, said sensors being provided at suitable locations; and control loops so that the various adjustable elements are maintained at a setpoint value. The plant also includes a secondary control system (D) comprising calculation means (26) programmed to determine, on the basis of the operating conditions of the plant supplied by the sensors, a combination of setpoint values for the flow rate of the high-pressure pump, the mixing ratio of the energy collector and the conversion ratio, which combination minimizes the energy consumption of the high-pressure pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: DEGREMOUNT
    Inventors: Véronique Bonnelye, Eric Fievez
  • Publication number: 20110147284
    Abstract: A water purification unit to purify potentially contaminated water is provided. The water purification unit is in fluid communication with a water source and has a pump to draw water from the water source. The water is passed through at least a main filter to purify the water and dispensed through an outlet. Power is provided to the water purification unit by a battery bank and a non-grid power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Jack E. Barker, Carmen L. Barker
  • Patent number: 7964103
    Abstract: A water treatment system is provided having an encapsulate manifold with a reverse osmosis cartridge and one or more filter cartridges. The filter cartridge includes a detent for being received within a slot in the manifold head for secure locking engagement. The water treatment system further includes a single probe conductivity monitoring system for monitoring the performance of a reverse osmosis membrane. The water treatment system is also provided in a modular arrangement wherein manifold heads are physically and fluidly coupled together via a clip which interfaces with the modular manifold heads. The water treatment system also allows for a retrofit application to include a permeate pump. The cartridges are also designed to provide a minimum annular inlet gap to minimize spillage during changing of the cartridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: EcoWater Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Kennedy, David Sinkula, Jeffrey Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 7955503
    Abstract: A pure water producing apparatus prevents fluctuations in the amount of produced pure water without requiring a heat exchanger. Raw water is filtered with an activated carbon filtration device, sent through a water supply pump to the reverse osmosis device, and demineralized. Demineralized water output from the reverse osmosis device contacts a water quality sensor including a water temperature sensor, is sent to an electrodeionization device, and subjected to electrodeionization. Water subjected to electrodeionization contacts a water quality sensor having a water temperature sensor, and is taken out as treated water. A sensing signal output from the water temperature sensor is input to a pump control circuit to control an amount of the water supplied from the pump so that an amount of water passing through the reverse osmosis device is maintained constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Kurita Water Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichi Onota, Masayuki Miwa
  • Patent number: 7947181
    Abstract: An apparatus for purifying water according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a feed line fluidically connected to a reverse osmosis module containing a semipermeable membrane. The semipermeable membrane produces purified water and a concentrate. A drain line is also connected to the reverse osmosis module configured to transport concentrate. A product line is connected to the reverse osmosis module for transporting purified water. Operatively associated with the product line and drain line is a shut-off mechanism containing a pressure sensor operatively associated with an appliance configured to activate the shut-off mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: The Good Water Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Cartwright
  • Patent number: 7947180
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the air-free filling of the blood side of a hemodialysis apparatus with a physiological electrolyte solution and for the venting of the blood side of a hemodialysis apparatus during operation includes using a chamber in a blood-removing line system. The blood-removing line system, including the chamber arranged therein, is filled with a physiological electrolyte solution, with a valve arranged above the chamber and connected thereto being opened to fill the chamber completely with the physiological electrolyte solution until it comes into contact with a hydrophobic filter arranged above the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Joern Apel, Max Fischer
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20110089013
    Abstract: An apparatus of produced water treatment, to be adopted in an in-situ recovery method of producing bitumen from oil sand, the apparatus capable of removing the oil from produced water, the produced water of being left by separating the bitumen from bitumen-mixed fluid having been recovered from the oil sand, the apparatus having: a vessel for receiving the produced water; a submerge type filtration membrane module, installed in the vessel, for filtering the produced water in the condition of the membrane being submerged in the produced water; and a bubble generator for generating bubbles to be forwarded toward the submerged filtration membrane in the produced water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Masaaki Sakurai, Hiroaki Ikebe, Hiroshi Yokohata, Toru Morita, Kiyoshi Ida
  • Publication number: 20110088800
    Abstract: A drain system and method for draining a first liquid, including a collection vessel having a first chamber arranged to receive the first liquid, a second chamber, and higher and lower valves positioned between the first and second chambers. When the valves are open, liquids can pass between the chambers. When the pressure in the second chamber exceeds that in the first chamber by more than a first predetermined amount, the valves are closed. A first outlet to the second chamber allows liquids to flow from the second chamber. In a first mode, the first inlet supplies a second liquid at a pressure higher than that of the first liquid in the first chamber such that the valves are closed. In a second mode, the first inlet stops supplying the second liquid such that the pressure in the second chamber reduces relative to the first chamber allowing the valves open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventor: Phillip R. Core
  • Patent number: 7927082
    Abstract: A highly efficient fluid pump and pumping method are disclosed. The pump includes a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder defining a first and second volume in the cylinder, and a motive actuator for driving reciprocatively a rod attached to the piston at a rate of substantially sinmx for x=0 to ?, where m is a number greater than one, during a power stroke of that piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: GTH Water Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Chris Haudenschild
  • Patent number: 7918994
    Abstract: A system for removing contaminant from sulfur to a level that allows re-processed sulfur to reenter a supply chain. The system melts contaminated sulfur, filters the molten sulfur, and then dispenses the less contaminated sulfur after filtering it. More specifically, solid contaminated sulfur enters a settling tank, while heated molten sulfur circulates through the system and the settling tank. The circulation of the molten sulfur assists in the melting process of the solid sulfur, allowing the solid sulfur to melt efficiently. In preferred embodiments of the system, the system uses steam jacked sulfur lines and steam tracing to maintain temperatures for melting the solid sulfur and maintaining the molten state of the sulfur circulating through the system. Furthermore, the system comprises a programmable logic controller, which controls motors, pumps, valves, and environment monitoring instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Brimrock International Inc.
    Inventors: Leslie Lloyd Leroy Lang, Paul Roy Larson, John Alexander MacDonald
  • Patent number: 7913856
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cleaning a fuel storage tank are disclosed. One system includes a plurality of filter elements mounted within a portable housing, and a hose in fluidic connection to at least some of the filter elements, the hose extendable from the portable housing and into an interior of a fuel storage tank, the hose having a nozzle including an inlet. The system also includes a pump in fluidic connection with one or more of the filter elements and configured to draw contents of the fuel storage tank into the hose and forward the contents through the one or more filter elements. The system further includes a video camera configured to capture video images of the interior of the fuel tank in an area proximate to the nozzle of the hose during cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: PetroResOne, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell H. Hilsman, Douglas James Mohler
  • Patent number: 7892423
    Abstract: A dialysis system includes a first fluid heater, a second fluid heater, and a logic implementer configured to synchronize the duty cycles of the first and second heaters so that (i) power is not supplied to the first heater when power is supplied to the second heater and (ii) power is not supplied to the second heater when power is supplied to the first heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Justin Rohde, William W. Han
  • Patent number: 7875168
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for calculating blood flow and to an apparatus for extracorporeal blood treatment provided with the device. The device includes a memory for receiving and storing either a first datum relating to a blood flow removed from the patient Qb, or a second datum relating to a flow of liquid Qt crossing a tract of the extracorporeal circuit, and a third datum relating to a flow of infusion liquid Qinf flowing through the infusion line. The device also comprises a control unit able to calculate the first datum or the second datum as a function of the third datum relating to the flow of infusion liquid Qinf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Jean Louis Fressinet, Massimo Zaccarelli, Gianluca Artioli, Jeffrey J. Letteri
  • Patent number: 7871521
    Abstract: A system for regulating a reverse osmosis system to obtain zero wastewater includes a fresh water supply, a reverse osmosis apparatus, a concentrate storage tank and a permeate storage tank, a concentrate solenoid valve and a permeate solenoid valve, a permeate heater, an institutional dishmachine and a control system. The reverse osmosis apparatus filters water from the fresh water supply into a concentrate rinse stream and a permeate rinse stream. The concentrate storage tank and the permeate storage tank are downstream of the reverse osmosis apparatus and receiving the concentrate rinse stream and the permeate rinse stream, respectively. The concentrate solenoid valve and the permeate solenoid valve control the flow of the concentrate rinse stream and the permeate rinse stream, respectively, from their respective storage tank. The permeate heater heats the permeate rinse stream to a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Lee J. Monsrud, Adrian E. Hartz
  • Patent number: 7862784
    Abstract: A flow through aqueous liquid sterilization apparatus which employs substantially fixed temperatures and pressures and variable flow rates through the apparatus for controllably processing aqueous liquids to achieve predetermined values of SALs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventor: John Guy Bowen
  • Patent number: 7862710
    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: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 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
  • Publication number: 20100326917
    Abstract: A water treatment system including a reverse osmosis module and a control valve controlling communication between a water source and the module. A feedwater biased storage tank stores permeate and its pressurization by feedwater is controlled by a feedwater control valve. Flow of signal pressure to a signal pressure chamber of the feedwater control valve is restricted to reduce the rate at which a fluid generated force is applied. A check valve in parallel with the restriction allows relatively unrestricted flow out of the signal chamber when signal pressure is terminated. A tank pressurization control valve controls the operation of the feedwater control valve and controls the pressurization of a feedwater biasing chamber in the storage tank. Per-meate is stored in an accumulator for flushing the reverse osmosis module when the storage tank reaches a predetermined limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Stuart Park, Stephen Goff, Steven Hoopes, Peter Halemba
  • Patent number: 7857976
    Abstract: A multipurpose hemofiltration system and method are disclosed for the removal of fluid and/or soluble waste from the blood of a patient. The system continuously monitors the flow rates of drained fluid, blood, and infusate. When necessary, the pumping rates of the infusate, drained fluid and blood are adjusted to remove a preselected amount of fluid from the blood in a preselected time period. A supervisory controller can monitor patient parameters, such as heart rate and blood pressure, and adjust the pumping rates accordingly. The supervisory controller uses fuzzy logic to make expert decisions, based upon a set of supervisory rules, to control each pumping rate to achieve a desired flow rate and to respond to fault conditions. An adaptive controller corrects temporal variations in the flow rate based upon an adaptive law and a control law.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Children's Hospital Medical Center
    Inventors: John J. Bissler, Marios M. Polycarpou, Nat Hemasilpin, Efrain O. Morales
  • Patent number: 7842121
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing aqueous stream purification services. The system includes at least one separation unit. Each separation unit may include a mechanical vapor recompression separator, a steam stripper, and a secondary recovery heat exchanger. The system for wastewater purification may receive water from a waste water storage, purify the water, and return the purified water to a purified water storage. The system may include a controller. The controller may include an operating conditions module configured to interpret at least one operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Capital Corporation
    Inventors: Larry D. Sanderson, James W. Schleiffarth, Leslie D. Merrill, Bradford M. Rohwer
  • Patent number: 7837768
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for purifying a waste fluid stream. The system includes a recirculation pump having an inlet for a recirculation stream and an outlet to expel a pressurized stream. The system includes a compressor having an inlet for an evaporation stream and an outlet for a pressurized evaporation stream. A primary heat exchanger has inlets for the pressurized stream and the pressurized evaporation stream, an internal surface area for heat transfer from the evaporation stream to the pressurized stream, and outlets for a cooled product stream and a heated pressurized stream. The heated pressurized stream is formed by heating the pressurized stream and the cooled product stream is formed by cooling the evaporation stream. The system includes an evaporation unit having an inlet for the heated pressurized stream and outlets for an evaporation stream and the recycled liquid bottoms stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Capital Corporation as Administrative Agent
    Inventors: Larry D. Sanderson, James W. Schleiffarth, Leslie D. Merrill, Bradford M. Rohwer
  • Patent number: 7828971
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis system that includes a housing having an inlet port, a permeate port and a concentrate port. A membrane element is within the housing. The reverse osmosis system further includes (i) a first connector that is connected to the inlet port; (ii) a second connector that is connected to the permeate port; and (iii) a third connector that is connected to the concentrate port. A key is inserted between each of the first, second and third connectors. The key is configured such that the key cannot be inserted between the first, second and third connectors unless each of the first, second and third connectors is properly connected to the respective inlet, permeate and concentrate ports. In some embodiments, the key is configured such that the key cannot be removed from between each of the first, second and third connectors when there is pressure at the inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    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: 7799214
    Abstract: A filtration device for a surface treatment liquid, in which deposited precipitates can be quickly transferred regardless of the magnitude of the diameter, material, and the like, of particles contained in a used surface treatment liquid. Further, the precipitates are not influenced by the flow caused by the transfer, so that such a situation that the deposited precipitates rise to flow into a surface treatment tank can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Japan Field Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahide Uchino
  • Patent number: 7785463
    Abstract: A system, program product and method continuously optimize an ultrafiltration rate during an extracorporeal renal replacement process by modeling physiological and actual rate data. The system maps the sensed, physiological data to a mathematical model to assess the data in terms of the ultrafiltration rate. The model provides parameters used to predict where the treatment is headed based on current conditions. The system processes the parameters in terms of preset criteria to generate the optimized ultrafiltration rate. Where the system is networked, communication of the data may be accomplished using remote and online communication techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Children's Hospital Medical Center
    Inventors: John J. Bissler, Nat Hemasilpin, Marios M. Polycarpou
  • Patent number: 7776209
    Abstract: A modular water treatment system includes a plurality of water treatment components including selected from a group of a particulate filter component, a taste and odor filter component, a lead and mercury filter component, a water softener component, and a water disinfection component. A plurality of interfaces are provided for coupling to the selected water treatment components. Plumbing lines provide flow communication between the selected water treatment components, and the plumbing lines include a system water inlet and a system water outlet. A controller is configured to control the flow of water through the system, and a sensor is configured to transmit a signal to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Samuel Vincent Duplessis, Kyran P. Hoff, Craig R. Vitan, Laurence H. Fish, Jonathan D. Nelson, John Steven Holmes, Almir Begovich, Erik J. Matusek, Timothy G. Hooker, Dennis J. Dicken
  • Patent number: 7754076
    Abstract: A reactor for washing sand contaminated with hydrocarbons comprises a vessel having an aperture in a bottom portion thereof. A steam cleaning device is located near a top of the vessel for receiving contaminated sand and cleaning the contaminated sand as it is introduced into the vessel. A rinsing device is positioned below the steam cleaning device for rinsing the sand with water. A sand conveying device comprising an air injection device is positioned in the bottom portion of the vessel for urging sand out of the aperture using compressed air, such that the sand is partially dewatered as the sand is urged out of the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Inventor: Paul Costinel
  • Publication number: 20100170857
    Abstract: An apparatus for filtering water has a valve head and a filtration/purification canister removably mountable thereon. Connecting the canister to the valve head automatically opens a check valve in the valve head to permit water to flow from the valve head into and through the canister, and then back to and through the valve head to an outlet port. Disconnecting the canister from the valve head automatically closes the check valve, stopping the flow of water. A bypass valve is provided in the valve head to permit a sanitizing solution to flow through the valve head and along the lines of the water distribution system to sanitize the system, while bypassing the canister. The outlet port may be directly connected to an appliance that uses water, to eliminate possible contamination that may occur when water is brought indirectly from the outlet port to the appliance instead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Richard T. Williams, Carl Beiswenger
  • Patent number: 7722760
    Abstract: Filtration of water to provide cleansed water, using an assembly that monitors the volume of water cleansed and back-flushes the filtration media based on that volume. The assembly includes a control valve that monitors the amount of water that has been processed, controls the addition of water and oxygen to the assembly, and thus affects the overall operation of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Griesbach Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas G. Griesbach