With Time Control Patents (Class 210/138)
  • Patent number: 9358311
    Abstract: A gas sterilization apparatus comprises a housing with a sterilizing unit and a power device. An ozone generator and an air purifying device are provided in the housing. The power device is operated to allow air to pass through the ozone generator and flow into the sterilizing unit so as to perform sterilization. After being sterilized, the air in the sterilizing unit can be drained via the purification of the air purifying device. The gas sterilization apparatus can sterilize the air by use of ozone, thus it is applicable for articles and materials which can be sufficiently soaked by ozone to achieve the sterilization effect, and it can reduce the denaturation of biological materials, so it has wide application. The gas sterilization apparatus can sterilize the articles and materials in simple and convenient ways for user, so it is beneficial to use in the industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: NATIONAL CHENG KUNG UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Ling-Huei Huang
  • Patent number: 9120039
    Abstract: There is provided method and apparatus for creating a longitudinally disposed, sharp pulse of liquid, useful for pulseback renewal of liquid-entry faces of a panel-bed liquid filter or a panel-bed liquid-powder contactor. Perforations are disposed along the wall of a tank in a path generally parallel to the tank's axis. Stoppers are provided for stoppering the perforations. With the perforations so stoppered, a liquid is introduced at high pressure into the tank. Thereafter, a quick unstoppering of the perforations releases the liquid from the tank in form of a longitudinally disposed, sharp pulse of liquid moving in a direction perpendicular to the tank's axis. If the tank is placed vertically alongside or within a space that in normal operation receives liquid from a panel bed, the sharp pulse can effectively pulseback the panel bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Arthur M. Squires Irrevocable Trust
    Inventor: Arthur M. Squires
  • Publication number: 20150122745
    Abstract: A method for performing pasteurization cycles in a hot water system according to a time-temperature profile is provided. The hot water system includes a plurality of temperature sensors configured to measure temperatures of at least one fluid in the hot water system. The time-temperature profile is stored. A predefined modification criteria is stored. Fluid temperature data associated with the plurality of temperature sensors is determined. A determination is made whether the fluid temperature data meets a predefined modification criteria. The time-time temperature profile for performing a next pasteurization cycle is modified based at least in part on the determination that the fluid temperature data meets the predefined modification criteria. The next pasteurization cycle is performed in accordance with the modified time-temperature profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Bristol STICKNEY, Fredric MILDER
  • Publication number: 20150090668
    Abstract: A mobile water treatment facility may include, in one example operation, receiving used, dirty and/or waste water from a well or other source. The water may then be prepared for a treatment cycle by modifying the water and applying a voltage to the water inside an electrode array in order to remove the sediment from the water to provide recycled water for continued use. The process may be performed by a full capacity device or via a mobile treatment and testing unit that operates by cycling the water at a smaller volume and rate for analysis and testing purposes prior to engaging a full flow-rate treatment device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventor: HOWARD SCHACHTER
  • Publication number: 20150083665
    Abstract: A flow filtration system (1) for concentration of components contained in a fluid sample comprises a fluid channel (2) being formed by two conduits (4, 5) allowing a bidirectional flow of the fluid sample through the fluid channel (2), a tangential flow filtration module (3) and at least two pairs (8, 9) of piston pumps (6) each having two piston pumps (6), wherein the piston pumps (6) having a piston swept volume forming a reservoir being able to contain the fluid for volumes of up to 100 ml. The tangential flow filtration module (3) is located in the fluid channel (2) so that a fluid flowing through the channel (2) passes through the filtration module (3). At each end (10, 11) of the channel (2) one piston pump (6) of each pair (8, 9) of piston pumps (6) is located in such a manner that the piston pumps are fluidically connected in parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Norbert Oranth, Nadine Losleben, Sascha Lutz, Adelbert Grossmann
  • Publication number: 20150075494
    Abstract: A filter device is provided with a housing and an absorption material received in the housing. The absorption material absorbs and stores a water fraction of a liquid being passed through the absorption material. A bypass is arranged in the housing so that the absorption material can be bypassed. A throttling device correlated with the bypass controls flow through the bypass. The throttling device is a passive throttling element or an adjustable valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Sascha Bauer, Markus Beylich, Karlheinz Muenkel
  • Patent number: 8961797
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a twin tank-type water treatment system includes and a tank selector valve assembly that includes first and second rotary selector valves driven in concert with another by a reversible electric motor. The motor drives the first and second selector valves between (a) a first position in which an untreated water inlet and a treated water outlet of the valve assembly are coupled to a first resin tank, and a second resin tank is connected to a regeneration valve, and (b) a second position which the untreated water inlet and the treated water outlet of the valve assembly are coupled to the second resin tank, and the first resin tank is connected to a regeneration valve. The rotary valves may be disks that rotate relatively rapidly on a common shaft driven by the electric motor through an arc of 180° or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Clack Corporation
    Inventor: Don Vaughan
  • Patent number: 8961781
    Abstract: A filter status module for use with a container based filtration device includes a dispensing sensor and a user interface communicatively coupled to a processing unit. The processing unit counts a number of dispensing events, duration and/or angle of tilt signaled by the dispensing sensor and outputs a filter status on the user interface as a function of the number of dispensing events, duration and/or angle of tilt. The processing unit may further track an elapsed period of time from insertion of a new filter and output the filter status as a further function of the elapsed period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Brita LP
    Inventors: Benjamin Ma, Rick T. Nishijima, John W. Jamieson, Edward M. Buckley, Teruo Hishiki, David Dycher, Ho Pun Chung
  • Publication number: 20150034569
    Abstract: Locally backwashing portions of filter media allows a simple and effective design of intake and pretreatment units, as well as their integration. An enclosure is used to limit portions of filter media and backwash them locally by suction, utilizing filtered water from adjacent filter media as the back wash water. Wastewater is produced at small amounts that allows efficient sludge treatment. This design enables water pretreatment at the intake unit, simplifying overall plant design and preventing damage to organisms living outside the intake unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Boris Liberman, Amnon Levy, Henrikh Rojanskiy, Vitaly Levitin, Maya Ilevicky Ozel, Gal Greenberg, Miriam Faigon, Shimon Amar, Josef Spivak
  • Patent number: 8945377
    Abstract: An installation-free water purifying device comprises a raw/waste water common container and a filtering body. This raw/waste water common container is separated by a partition into an upper space and a lower space. The filtering body has a storing space, a purified water container, a filtering unit, and a flowing controller. Raw water is initially stored in the raw/waste water common container 10. Next, raw water in the upper space is pumped to the filtering unit for water filtering and then guided as purified water into the purified water container. Waste water generated from the filtering unit is guided into the vertical guiding portion so as to push the raw water in the lower space moving upward. In which, it does not require any complicated installing work. Waste water can be recycled. The user can start to use it quickly by an electric plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Puricom Water Industrial Corporation
    Inventor: Chung-Hsiang Yang
  • Publication number: 20140367339
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing solids and particulates from fluid by magnetic separation. First and second spaced rotatable drums move a closed loop belt. A portion of the belt is disposed in contact with the fluid flowing through a fluid passage disposed adjacent to a circumferential portion of the first rotatable drum where solids and particulates in the fluid are attracted to the belt by magnetic attraction from a magnetic source within the first rotatable drum. A wiper scrapes the solids deposited on the belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Hesham Ahmed Awadalla
  • Patent number: 8914156
    Abstract: A method is provided for the control of valves for flow path control, in particular in a medical treatment machine, having a plurality of processes for the manufacture of flow paths by control of a group of valves, with each process claiming a group of valves suitable for its carrying out for itself so that other processes cannot change the switching state of these valves and with each process itself making a decision on the release of the valves claimed by it. In addition, a method is provided for monitoring the then current and/or scheduled state of a plurality of valves in the flow path control, determining the connections resulting from the switching state of the valves, and comparing the resulting connections with a predetermined number of non-permitted connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Frank L. Hedmann, Stephan Klatte
  • Publication number: 20140339170
    Abstract: Adsorptive bed devices include a scaffold in housing having a stress absorbing rigid structure and open cells filled with adsorptive beads. The scaffold restricts movement of the plurality of adsorptive beads, absorbs compressive stress induced by a hydraulic pressure gradient along a direction of liquid flow and transfers a portion of the induced compressive stress to the housing. In one embodiment the adsorptive bed in packed into a chromatography column, and in another embodiment the adsorptive bed is sealed in a monolithic block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: Gaston de los Reyes
  • Patent number: 8888997
    Abstract: A centralized supply system for electrolyzed oxidizing water comprises a water softener (1), several parallel electrolyzed oxidizing water generators (2) connected, liquid storage tanks (3, 4) and delivery pumps (5, 6). A central controller (10) implements independent control over the several parallel electrolyzed oxidizing water generators (2). Liquid level sensors (9) are mounted in the liquid storage tanks (3, 4) and are connected with the central controller (10) via data collection cables (12). With the detection, determination and calculation for the liquid level signal in the liquid storage tanks (3, 4) using the central controller (10), the volume magnitude and the rate of change of the volume for the liquid in the liquid storage tanks (3, 4) can be exactly obtained in time. The electrolyzed oxidizing water generators (2) are effectively controlled based on above data. An intelligent control method for the system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Global Resource Envi-Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dunjie Zhang, Xiangbing Kong
  • Publication number: 20140326681
    Abstract: A system and method for treating flowing water systems with a plasma discharge to remove or control growth of microbiological species. The system and method protect other components of the water system from being damaged by excess energy from the electrohydraulic treatment. The system and method also recycle ozone gas generated by a high voltage generator that powers the plasma discharge to further treat the water. A gas infusion system upstream of or inside a plasma reaction chamber may be used to create fine bubbles of ozone, air, or other gases in the water being treated to aid in plasma generation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: NCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Adrian J. Denvir, David F. Vela, Matt M. Holloway
  • Publication number: 20140319053
    Abstract: A method and a substance treatment system for reducing a ratio of Glycogen-Accumulating Organisms relative to the total amount of Glycogen-Accumulating Organisms and Polyphosphate-Accumulating Organisms in a substance. A controller for controlling a waste water treatment system in accordance with the method. Use of the method according to control a waste water treatment system in accordance with the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: VEOLIA WATER SOLUTIONS & TECHNOLOGIES SUPPORT
    Inventors: Per Halkjær Nielsen, Jes Vollertsen, Kim Helleshøj Sørensen
  • Publication number: 20140311973
    Abstract: A lightweight, bioplastic, mobile, floating oil spill mechanical/biological recovery system is dimensionally compact, and quick to assemble. The floating platform can be readily positioned within any waterborne oil/contaminant spill area. After assembly, this platform or apparatus can be directed by either a hand-held digital radio control transmitter or GPS directed mechanism. A lower, multi-roller slip-on belt is designed to be mounted over a circular base support aeration hub assembly with alternating/spaced slotted ring water drainage separators. The belt and aeration assemblies dip bioaugmentation product into the contaminant site thereby exposing microorganisms to both oxygen and target contaminant for treatment and metabolism. Various mechanisms for enhancing metabolic activity of the bioaugmentation product operate in tandem with the primary belt and aeration assemblies to promote effective contaminant metabolism and overall treatment regimes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventor: Walter J. Wasseluk
  • Patent number: 8864985
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating on skimmed oil/water picked up from a body of water to separate the oil from the water and discharge the oil-free water back into the body of water, first feeds the skimmed oil/water into a gravity settling tank wherein the oil tends to settle above the water, removing relatively oil-free water from the bottom of the tank and measuring its oil content with an oil concentration sensor, and either returning the oil/water flow to the settling tank for further processing if the measured concentration of oil exceeds predetermined limits or discharging the water back into the body of water if the oil concentration is measured to be less than the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: David Usher
  • Publication number: 20140291257
    Abstract: A water treatment device and related method of operation may include receiving used, dirty and/or waste water from a well or other source of water. The water may then be prepared for a voltage treatment by injecting a gas into the water, treating the water with pH adjustments and then applying a voltage to the water in order to remove the sediment from the water to provide a recycled water for continued use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventor: HOWARD SCHACHTER
  • Patent number: 8845887
    Abstract: A water purifier determining an appropriate discarded water quantity includes: a purified water supply; an integrated flow quantity measuring part; and a control and calculation part. The control and calculation part is configured to determine whether purified water is unsuitable for use based upon the integrated flow quantity measured for a period of time from when the supply is started. A value of water quantity Qti at the Nth time is determined based on a length of time from when the purified water supply stops the supply at the (N?1)th time up to when the purified water supply starts the supply at the the Nth time; and a difference between a quantity of water measured for a period of time from when the supply at the (N?1)th time is started to when the supply at the (N?1)th time is stopped and a value of Qti at the (N?1)th time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Morisue
  • Publication number: 20140263046
    Abstract: A sludge treatment plant includes an extended floor with a work surface for receiving a mass of spread-out sludge and a movable carriage positioned transversely above the work surface. The movable carriage includes a displacement tool designed to carry the sludge towards a terminal part of the work surface. A withdrawal tool is provided in order to transfer the sludge towards an outlet channel. The outlet channel includes a screw conveyor associated with a rotational drive system and equipped with a heating element. A controller is fitted in order to adjust the temperature in this screw conveyor substantially to a predetermined value between 90° C. and 100° C., while adjusting the rotational drive of the screw conveyor in order to obtain a residence time of the sludge within this screw conveyor substantially to a predetermined value of greater than 4 hours.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: AQUALTER DEVELOPPEMENT
    Inventors: Loic Darcel, Olivier Bernat
  • Publication number: 20140262997
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electric top bottom cleaner for pools or spas that includes internal pumps for suction and propulsion purposes. The pool cleaner includes a housing having a front end, a rear end, a first side, a second side, a bottom wall, and a top wall, with a first aperture extending through the bottom wall and a second aperture extending through the top wall. A tube extends through the housing between the first aperture and the second aperture. A debris retention mechanism is connectable to the housing. A first pump, a second pump, and a third pump are positioned within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Benoit Joseph Renaud, David John Hardy
  • Publication number: 20140216999
    Abstract: A device for separating components of a mixture, particularly industrial fluids but also gases including air, allows for targeted components of the mixture to be attached onto a separating bar and removed from the mixture. The separating bars traverse a track formed within the body of the separating device and through respective tank, cleaning, free roll, and compression regions in a controlled cleaning system. The separating bars are detached from one another and allowed to move through the separating device independently of one another. The device removes the use of chains to connect cleaning bars traversing through a cleaning system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: EXACTRATION, LLC
    Inventors: Richard E. Fogel, Brent D. Terrell
  • Publication number: 20140216998
    Abstract: The dewatering system for oil storage tanks includes a dewatering pipe or line extending from the bottom of the oil tank, and a recirculation or return line teed into the dewatering pipe and extending back to the tank. The return line may include multiple branches to the tank, which permit return flow across the bottom of the tank to flush scale, sediment, and/or other residue from the bottom of the tank. A sensitive oil/water sensor is installed at the tee. When a minute fraction of oil is detected in the water, a valve downstream of the tee and sensor is automatically closed to return the oil and water mix back to the tank before any oil can leave the system. The system may include a timer mechanism to operate the recirculation system automatically on a periodic basis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventors: LUAI M. AL-HADHRAMI, AFTAB AHMAD
  • Publication number: 20140183137
    Abstract: A control device for a sample separation apparatus, the sample separation apparatus including a first separation unit and a second separation unit downstream of the first separation unit and supplied with the fluidic sample after treatment by the first separation unit. A control device is configured for controlling the first separation unit to execute a primary separation sequence within a time interval for separating the fluidic sample into fractions, and for controlling the second separation unit to execute secondary separation sequences within the time interval for further separating the separated fractions into sub-fractions, wherein the secondary separation sequences form part of a common sample separation method defined by a common specification of the sample separation involving a set of parameters, and adjusting, over a progress of the primary separation sequence, at least one parameter according to which at least one of the plurality of secondary separation sequences is executed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Klaus Witt
  • Patent number: 8747664
    Abstract: The present invention provides a water filtration and sterilization device comprising a container having an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit, a closure valve at said inlet conduit, a filter means upstream of said inlet conduit, a flow prevention means in said outlet conduit and an ultra violet radiation source within said container. The valve is adapted to be opened for a first time period to admit water into the container via the filter means. The ultra violet radiation source is operable for a second time period to sterilize water in said chamber. The first time period is shorter than said second time period. The flow prevention means is operable to deliver sterilized water on demand from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Applica Cosumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Dier
  • Patent number: 8734645
    Abstract: A system for producing high purity water, and particularly for the production of water that is suitable for injection, as well as method of using the same, are disclosed. The system includes a unique combination of known water purification methods that is particularly well-suited to the production USP purified water and USP water that is suitable for injection. The system minimizes potential for organism growth within the system by providing multiple means of organism destruction and removal and by not utilizing any standard water treatment media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: Christopher Heiss
  • Patent number: 8721875
    Abstract: A hot-water supply system includes a switching valve (35) which has a bypass circuit which bypasses the water softening device (30) by directly connecting the water supply pipe (P1) and the inlet pipe (P3) of a hot-water supply device to each other, and a control unit (50). The control unit (50) includes a switching valve drive circuit which switches the switching valve (35) to the mode in which water is supplied from the water supply pipe (P1) to the hot-water supply device (1) via the bypass circuit, based on the determination of the timing of salt replenishment, and a display drive circuit which displays intention, in which salt replenishment is needed, on a display portion (51) of a remote controller (RC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Rinnai Corporation
    Inventor: Fumio Ogai
  • Patent number: 8721876
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating water stored in a reservoir to remove contaminants has a feed line for receiving water and a by-pass valve that controls the flow of water through the feed line. A venturi valve responds to the rate of flow of water through a flow line by creating a vacuum in a supply line from an ozone generator, the extent of the vacuum created being dependent on the rate of flow, to add ozone at a controlled rate to the water to be treated. A sensor probe measures the oxidation reduction potential of the water, to supply hydrogen peroxide to the water at a controlled rate dependent on the oxidation reduction potential level. The ozone and the hydrogen peroxide are mixed with the water in a multicyclone unit to allow a peroxone reaction to occur that treats the water, and the treated water is returned to the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Waterco Limited
    Inventor: Nicholas James Briscoe
  • Patent number: 8716025
    Abstract: A control device for a sample separation apparatus, the sample separation apparatus including a first separation unit and a second separation unit downstream of the first separation unit and supplied with the fluidic sample after treatment by the first separation unit. A control device is configured for controlling the first separation unit to execute a primary separation sequence within a time interval for separating the fluidic sample into fractions, and for controlling the second separation unit to execute secondary separation sequences within the time interval for further separating the separated fractions into sub-fractions, wherein the secondary separation sequences form part of a common sample separation method defined by a common specification of the sample separation involving a set of parameters, and adjusting, over a progress of the primary separation sequence, at least one parameter according to which at least one of the plurality of secondary separation sequences is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Klaus Witt
  • Publication number: 20140110320
    Abstract: A continuous flow dryer system according to various embodiments can include a source for supplying a material to be treated having a high moisture content, such as a distiller wet grain, a profile screw compression dryer, a profile screw, and a drive coupled to the profile screw for axially rotating the profile screw. The profile screw compression dryer includes an inlet for receiving the material for drying, which is fed therein in a controlled manner. The profile screw is provided within the housing of the dryer. The profile screw has a diameter that increases in dimension in a direction away from the inlet for increasing the compressive force applied to the material to assist with drying as the profile screw rotates and moves the material longitudinally along the profile screw to produce a final product, for example, a distiller dried grain for use as an animal feed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140097143
    Abstract: A filtration unit contains a plurality of filter housings, each filter housing having a cylindrical shell with a lower port, an upper port, and a filter element. The lower and upper ports direct fluid through the filter housing in a first direction during a filtering cycle and direct fluid through the filter housing in a second direction during a backwashing cycle. The unit also includes a diverter and a servomechanism that rotates the diverter to selectively connect the filter housing to a drain port for the backwashing cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Roland Clements, John Henry Burczyk, Craig James Annable
  • Publication number: 20140083936
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for selecting, retaining or bioaugmenting solids in an activated sludge process for improving wastewater treatment using screens. The screens can be used to separate and retain solids based on size, compressibility or shear resistance. The screens are used to separate and select slow growing organisms, faster settling organisms, or materials added to absorb, treat or remove constituents in the activated sludge process. A swapping screen arrangement provides another means of selecting various particles. The exposed shear rate or time, particle compression, or SRTs can be adjusted manually and/or automatically in response to detected readings from an instrument such as a spectrophotometer or other optical approaches to optimize selection of organisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: D.C. Water & Sewer Authority
    Inventors: Sudhir N. Murthy, Eugenio Giraldo, Norman D. Dockett, Haydee De Clippeleir, Bernhard Wett, Walter F. Bailey, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140076788
    Abstract: A sewage treatment system, includes a solid-liquid separating apparatus having a first filtering medium packed layer packed with a predetermined filtering medium, configured to separate sewage to be treated into solid components and filtered water by passing the sewage through the first filtering medium packed layer upward, and configured to reversely wash the first filtering medium packed layer by passing the filtered water through the first filtering medium packed layer downward at a predetermining timing; and a trickling filter installed on a latter stage of the solid-liquid separating apparatus, having a second filtering medium packed layer packed with a filtering medium attached with microorganisms, and configured to allow the filtered water to fall into the second filtering medium packed layer by trickling the filtered water onto an upper part of the second filtering medium packed layer to flow out treated water acquired by biotreating the filtered water by the microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: METAWATER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi MIYATA, Shigeki TAKEDA, Tetsutarou KURUMA
  • Publication number: 20140054222
    Abstract: The present invention relates to water purification systems and uses thereof In particular, the present invention relates to the use of water filtration systems to combat Legionella bacterial contamination of industrial and commercial water systems, such as grocery store misting systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Total Water Treatment Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Clark, Skip Heffernan
  • Patent number: 8656728
    Abstract: An assembly for filtering water includes a housing and a water inlet for supplying unfiltered water to the housing. A water filter includes an outer casing attached to the housing in communication with the water inlet and a filter medium within the outer casing. The outer casing has at least one portion that is at least partially translucent. The water filter filters the unfiltered water through filter medium to provide filtered water. A water outlet is attached to the housing for transferring filtered water from the outer casing to a device via the housing. An illumination device is mounted adjacent to the outer casing for selectively illuminating the portion of the outer casing that is at least partially translucent. Related refrigeration appliances incorporating such devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Alan Joseph Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20140034562
    Abstract: A control unit for a swimming pool electrolytic cell. The control unit includes a housing containing a logic module. An electrical connection is provided to connect the logic module to an electrical supply to receive power therefrom. An electrical connection is provided to connect the logic module to electrodes of the cell. A data outlet is provided to send control signals from the logic arrangement to a variable speed pump. The logic module is configured to: selectively supply power to the electrodes to energize the electrodes; and control the output of the pump, when the pump is active, to suit electrolytic chlorination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: ASTRAL POOL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
    Inventor: Astral Pool Australia Pty Ltd
  • Patent number: 8634964
    Abstract: A method for the control of valves for flow path control, in particular in a medical treatment machine, having a plurality of processes for the manufacture of flow paths by control of a group of valves, with each process claiming a group of valves suitable for its carrying out for itself so that other processes cannot change the switching state of these valves and with each process itself making a decision on the release of the valves claimed by it. In addition, a method is provided for monitoring the then current and/or scheduled state of a plurality of valves in the flow path control, determining the connections resulting from the switching state of the valves, and comparing the resulting connections with a predetermined number of non-permitted connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Frank L. Hedmann, Stephan Klatte
  • Patent number: 8617393
    Abstract: A method and a device for supply of a dialyser in a dialysis unit with dialysis fluid is disclosed. At least one dialysis fluid concentrate is mixed with water to produce the dialysis fluid. The dialysis fluid concentrate is prepared in a reservoir unit in a given amount. A control and arithmetic unit calculates the dialysis fluid rate (Qd) such that, after a given treatment time (TB) has passed, a given residual amount of dialysis fluid concentrate or no residual amount remains in the reservoir unit. It is preferable to empty the reservoir unit by the end of treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Gerard Remkes, Gerhard Wiesen
  • Publication number: 20130343953
    Abstract: Provided are devices, device systems, and methods to intercept and kill fluid borne cancer cells to slow or prevent metastases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eric V. Kline
  • Publication number: 20130334138
    Abstract: A blood treatment system includes: (i) a dialysate circuit; (ii) a blood filter in fluid communication with the dialysate circuit; and (iii) an extracorporeal circuit in fluid communication with the blood filter, the extracorporeal circuit including a blood pump, a downstream line from the blood pump, an upstream line to the blood pump, a first patient access line, a second patient access line, a first valve arrangement fluidly communicating the first and second patient access lines to the downstream line, and a second valve arrangement fluidly communicating the first and second patient access lines to the upstream line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicants: Baxter Healthcare S.A., Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Gino Cicchello, Christian Bernard, Robert W. Childers, Anthony Simiele
  • Publication number: 20130327713
    Abstract: An apparatus for extra-corporeal blood treatment and a method of presetting an initial mode of treatment in the opening phase of an extra-corporeal blood treatment are controlled based on the opening phase of a haemodiafiltration, in which particularly fast removal of electrolytes such as potassium or of urea occurs. The apparatus has a control and computing unit for presetting an initial mode of treatment, in which over a preset interval of time, substituate is fed to the extra-corporeal blood circuit, dialysis fluid is not fed through the dialyser and instead only ultrafiltrate is withdrawn from the dialyser and, on expiry of the preset interval of time, dialysis fluid is fed through the dialyser. Alternatively, dialysis fluid is provided during the preset interval of time through the dialyser at a dialysis fluid flow rate that is smaller than the dialysis fluid flow rate after the preset interval of time has elapsed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Tomas Jirka, Joerg Jonas, Volker Nier, Wolfgang Wehmeyer
  • Publication number: 20130327687
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a magnetic-separation filter device that removes contaminants of fine ferromagnetic particles from a fluid containing such contaminants, comprising: a substantially cylindrical housing; two partition plates that are disposed in an inside of the housing so as to extend in a vertical direction of the housing, dividing the inside of the housing by being disposed in parallel to each other; a filter medium that includes a fine amorphous-alloy wire bundle filled in a first region defined by the housing and the two partition plates; and plural permanent magnets that are provided on both sides of the first region outside the housing, wherein the contaminants of fine ferromagnetic particles are adsorbed on the filter media by flowing the fluid containing such contaminants through the first region in which the magnetic field has been formed by these plural permanent magnets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: NIPPON STEEL & SUMIKIN ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuki Murahashi, Kentarou Morita, Yuzuru Kato, Atsushi Murata
  • Patent number: 8597505
    Abstract: The specification discloses a portable dialysis machine having a detachable controller unit and base unit. The controller unit includes a door having an interior face, a housing with a panel where the housing and panel define a recessed region configured to receive the interior face of the door, and a manifold receiver fixedly attached to the panel. The base unit has a planar surface for receiving a container of fluid, a scale integrated with the planar surface, a heater in thermal communication with the planar surface, and a sodium sensor in electromagnetic communication with the planar surface. Embodiments of the disclosed portable dialysis system have improved structural and functional features, including improved modularity, ease of use, and safety features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, Russell Thomas Joseph, James Roswell Braig, Victor Gura, David J. Mishelevich, Thomas Robinson, Charles Clemens, Milan Trcka, Clark Berg Foster, Daniele Ghidoli, Martin Hering, Frank Isackson, Jan Brian Zwierstra, Mark Forrest Smith
  • Publication number: 20130270163
    Abstract: Provided is a fluid filtration unit including a housing accommodating a stationary cylindrical filter element, defining a raw fluid chamber extending between an inlet of the housing and raw fluid face of the cylindrical filter element, and a filtered fluid chamber extending between a filtered fluid face of the filter element and an outlet from the housing. A flushing and backspraying assembly includes at least one flushing pipe coupled to a lower pressure source and extending within the raw fluid chamber, and configured with a plurality of flushing nozzles disposed in close proximity with the raw fluid face of the filter element, and at least one backspraying arm coupled to a pressurized fluid source and extending within the filtered fluid chamber and configured with an array of backspraying nozzles disposed in close proximity with the filtered fluid face of the filter element, and a driving mechanism for selectively imparting the flushing and backspraying assembly with rotary and linear motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Boaz Zur, Rudulph Kaner, Ruven Shtekelmacher, Yitzhak Sabag
  • Publication number: 20130264279
    Abstract: A renewable energy microgeneration system is disclosed. The system comprises one or more portable containers that include a plurality of small holding tanks that are configured to perform at least one of pasteurization and thermophilic anaerobic digestion on waste, a large holding tank that is configured to perform mesophilic anaerobic digestion on the waste after at least one of pasteurization and thermophilic anaerobic digestion is performed, and a de-watering unit that is configured to dry what remains of the waste after mesophilic anaerobic digestion is performed. The system further comprises a controller for automatically moving the waste between the plurality of small holding tanks, the large holding tank, and the de-watering unit as required to facilitate mesophilic anaerobic digestion in the large holding tank. Further, the portable containers are configured to be transported to a site and placed in fluid communication with each other at the site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventor: Nicolas W. SASSOW
  • Publication number: 20130220933
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing target chemicals from water includes a reaction chamber, a source of an aqueous solution of the target chemicals that can be supplied on demand to the reaction chamber, a timer that times a reaction between the particles and the target chemicals such that a concentration of the target chemicals in the aqueous solution reaches a predetermined low level in a desired time, and elements for removing the aqueous phase from the reactor while keeping the particles entrained inside the reactor using a microfilter configured to be back flushed, adding aqueous solution to the reactor from the source and continuing cycles until the particles are saturated, removing and replacing the particles in a final cycle of a particle charge lifetime, and recovering the target chemicals from the particles such that the particles can be reused.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: William A. Farone, Shane L. Palmer, Miguel Rivera, Dwayne C. Chong
  • Publication number: 20130213891
    Abstract: A dialysis system comprising: a sorbent cartridge in fluid communication with at least one of a patient or a dialyzer, the sorbent cartridge including a housing having a zirconium phosphate layer followed by at least one of a urease layer, a zirconium oxide layer, or a carbon layer; a storage container in fluid communication with the sorbent cartridge; a pump in fluid communication sorbent cartridge and the storage container; and a control unit in operable communication with the pump, wherein the control unit is programmed to cause the pump to pump a dialysis fluid to flow (i) in a first direction through the sorbent cartridge, wherein the zirconium phosphate layer is contacted by the dialysis fluid before the at least one of the urease layer, zirconium oxide layer or carbon layer and (ii) in a second direction, reverse from the first direction, through the sorbent cartridge wherein the at least one of the urease layer, zirconium oxide layer or carbon layer is contacted by the dialysis fluid before the zircon
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicants: Baxter Healthcare S.A., Baxter International Inc.
    Inventor: Sujatha Karoor
  • Publication number: 20130213865
    Abstract: A fresh water generator utilizing air (100) comprises a main body bracket (114), a water making system, a water purifying system and a water distributing device (126). Both sides and the rear side of the main body bracket (114) are provided with panels, on which ventilating grilles (116, 132, 134) are provided for sucking and exhausting air. The water making system is arranged inside the main body bracket (114) and particularly comprises a condenser/evaporator unit (118), an exhaust fan (140) and a water collecting tank (120), wherein the water collecting tank (120) is arranged on the main body bracket (114) and positioned at the lower end of the condenser/evaporator unit (118), and the exhaust fan (140) is arranged between the condenser/evaporator unit (118) and the ventilating grates (116, 132, 134). The water purifying system is arranged inside the main body bracket (114) and particularly comprises a pump (122) and a filtration device (192).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: Henry Hsu, Chi Hung Jimmy Wan
  • Patent number: 8512554
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an automated peritoneal dialysis (“APD”) machine includes at least one pump, a logic implementer storing a plurality of therapy prescriptions by which to operate the at least one pump, each therapy prescription pre-approved for a particular patient, and an input device operating with the logic implementer to allow the patient to select one of the therapy prescriptions for a particular therapy. In another embodiment, the input device operating with the logic implementer allows a doctor/clinician to select or approve one of the therapy prescriptions to be run on the APD machine. In a further embodiment, the logic implementer is programmed to select or suggest one of the therapy prescriptions to be run on the APD machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Anping Yu, Robert W. Childers, Borut Cizman