Automatic Control Patents (Class 210/143)
  • Publication number: 20130105403
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling chlorinators for pools and spas are provided. A controller communicates with a processor positioned within a replaceable cell cartridge of a chlorinator, to allow for remote control and diagnosis of the chlorinator and/or cell cartridge. The cell cartridge stores, in non-volatile memory on board the cartridge, one or more parameters associated with the cartridge. The controller can obtain this information from the processor of the cell cartridge, and can use same to configure operation of the chlorinator. Information relating to remaining cell life can be updated by the controller and stored in the non-volatile memory of the cell cartridge. Electrical and software-based mechanisms are provided for ensuring operation of only compatible cell cartridges with the chlorinator. A system for remotely diagnosing errors associated with the chlorinator is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Patrick Chen, Douglas Sawyer, Michael Nilsson, Raymond Denkewicz
  • Patent number: 8419933
    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: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignees: Baxter International, Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Justin Rohde, William W. Han
  • Patent number: 8420013
    Abstract: Pure water is sucked from an acid adding flow line into a syringe and discharged from a drain flow line to clean the acid adding flow line, and then a carrier gas from a gas pipe is supplied to the acid adding flow line by the syringe to dry the acid adding flow line. A sample water collecting flow line is also cleaned and dried in the same manner. A TOC measurement flow line is cleaned with cleaning water sucked from a cleaning water flow line into the syringe, then a carrier gas from the gas pipe is supplied to the TOC measurement flow line by the syringe to clean and dry a flow line through which sample water flows in an organic matter oxidative decomposition unit from the TOC measurement flow line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Shinsuke Inoue
  • Patent number: 8419936
    Abstract: A drive mechanism for back pressure regulator used in liquid chromatography, supercritical fluid chromatography, or supercritical fluid extraction allows very fine automated control over a very wide range of pressures by combining a linear actuator compressing a spring, pushing a pin. The nozzle assembly of the regulator comprises a flow through chamber containing a diaphragm and a seat, in which the pin pushes the diaphragm against the seat, together with an upstream pressure sensor and electronic feedback control to the motor of the actuator. The BPR of the embodiments exhibits high pressure stability and extremely low pressure noise, even at moderate to high pressures. The exemplary BPR can be use at either constant pressure or to generate pressure programs where the pressure is varied versus time. Further, the nozzle assembly has a field-replaceable head, requiring no mechanical adjustment on replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry A. Berger, Samuel Colgate, Michael Casale
  • Publication number: 20130086981
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for discontinuous filtration of a liquid, having a filter station for filtration, a feed line for supplying the liquid to the filter station, and a filter medium movable relative to the station, the filter medium comprising at least two different membranes, which together in the filter station effect multistage filtration. The invention additionally relates to a method for discontinuous filtration of a liquid or for filtering isolated quantities of liquid, comprising: providing a filter station for filtration, the filter station comprising a chamber in which filtration is carried out; moving or transporting a filter medium from a stock into the filter station, the filter medium comprising at least two membranes which are arranged next to one another in the chamber; and supplying the liquid to the chamber, such that the liquid is subjected to multistage filtration through the membranes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: BAYER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Steigmiller, Karsten Sommer, Christoph Knappe
  • Patent number: 8414768
    Abstract: The present invention constitutes dialysate formulations that are suitable for use in preparing dialysate solutions for use in batch and/or proportioning systems and for improving dialysis efficiency by reducing or preventing clotting of the dialysis flow paths. The dialysate chemical formulations for one batch of dialysate comprise an acid concentrate stored in a first vessel, and a citrate-containing bicarbonate concentrate stored in a second vessel. The contents of the first and second vessels are emptied into a dialysate preparation tank and mixed with water to form a batch quantity of dialysate solution. Alternately, a dry acid and/or a dry citrate-containing base concentrates are dissolved separately in measured quantities of water to form liquid concentrates which are then used in conjunction with a proportioning machine to generate on-line a final dialysis solution stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Dilip H. Shah, Todd Ing
  • Patent number: 8414770
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing anaerobic digestion of biomaterials using a clarifier, a batch reactor, and/or a digester are disclosed. The clarifier performs pretreatment processing of biomaterial to improve anaerobic digestion. The batch reactor and/or the digester are coupled to the clarifier and are configured to digest the processed biomaterial. A control system for an anaerobic digestion process includes a flow control system, a temperature control system, and a totalization system. The flow control system controls the flow of biomaterial and the delivery of chemical agents to the biomaterial based on conductivity, temperature, pressure, and/or composition of the biomaterial. The temperature control system includes a heat source and heat exchangers that control the temperature of the biomaterial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Epcot Crenshaw Corporation
    Inventor: Charles Satish Smith
  • Publication number: 20130081983
    Abstract: A filtration device is disclosed. The device includes a filter inlet, a filter outlet, and a filter flow path from the filter inlet to the filter outlet. A filter in the filter flow path filters contaminants from lubricant flowing from a lubricant supply to a lubricant destination. A bypass flow path bypasses the filter in the event the filter becomes clogged. The bypass flow path has a bypass inlet in fluid communication with the filter flow path at a location upstream from the filter and a bypass outlet separate from the filter outlet and not in fluid communication with the filter outlet. The bypass outlet is normally closed to permit flow along the filter flow path and opens if the filter becomes clogged so that lubricant is directed along the bypass flow path and through the bypass outlet for disposal without going to the lubricant destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: LINCOLN INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul G. Conley, Canlong He, Craig J. Fraser
  • Publication number: 20130075314
    Abstract: The invention relates to the balancing of fluid streams in a dialysis system. In particular the invention relates to a cassette for conveying a first and a second fluid stream in a dialysis system, wherein the first and the second fluid streams can be medical fluid streams such as for example dialysate streams or blood streams, wherein the cassette has a sensor as a device for balancing the first and the second fluid stream, and wherein the sensor has a first channel for the first fluid stream and a second channel for the second fluid stream. The invention further relates to a dialysis system, which is configured to accommodate at least one cassette which is configured as described above. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an arrangement by which two channels for the first and the second fluid streams are formed. In addition, the invention relates to a method for construction of the two channels or the arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Dejan Nikolic, Alexander Heide
  • Patent number: 8404121
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a separation process. An aerated inlet mixture of fluid and solids is fed to a flotation separation vessel and is separated into an upper float layer and a lower clarified layer. The upper float layer is withdrawn from the vessel when the height of the upper float layer exceeds the height of an overflow conduit and forms a concentrated solids effluent. The lower clarified layer is withdrawn from the separation vessel as a clarified fluid effluent. The separation process is performed continuously using a control process that maintains a relatively stable distribution between the lower clarified layer and the upper float layer. The control process is a closed loop process that monitors the instantaneous height of the vessel contents and computes an error function based on the instantaneous height and a set-point height. The error function is used to periodically adjust the outlet flowrate of the clarified fluid effluent. The resulting process has improved stability (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Anaergia Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Bias, Brian Ross
  • Patent number: 8404109
    Abstract: A method of inverting sucrose, including (i) determining an initial solids concentration of an aqueous sucrose solution, an initial bed volume of a sucrose inversion resin system, a minimum target inversion percentage, a maximum target inversion percentage, a target maximum hydroxymethylfuran (HMF) concentration, a minimum target pH, or a maximum target pH; (ii) contacting the sucrose inversion resin system with the aqueous sucrose solution under conditions of aqueous solution flow rate and aqueous solution temperature to produce an inverted sucrose solution having an inversion percentage, an HMF concentration, and a pH; (iii) observing an instantaneous inversion percentage, an instantaneous HMF concentration, or an instantaneous pH of the inverted sucrose solution; and, if appropriate; (iv) changing at least one of the aqueous solution flow rate or the aqueous solution temperature to yield a product having a desired inversion percentage, HMF concentration, and/or pH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: European Sugar Holdings S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Robert Jansen, John Kerr, Anthony Baiada
  • Patent number: 8398859
    Abstract: Device for haemodiafiltration, which comprises a first circuit for a dialysis solution and a second circuit for blood, so that the toxic substances from the blood flow pass into the dialysis liquid within a haemofilter (11), a liquid pump (20) located upstream of the haemofilter (11) in the first dialysis liquid circuit, is adapted for injecting replacement liquid into the dialysis solution flow after a blood pump (15) finishes pumping blood to the interior of the haemofilter (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Fundacion Para la Investigacion Biomedica del Hospital Gregorio Maranon
    Inventor: Juan Francisco Del Cañizo López
  • Publication number: 20130062283
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the regulation of at least one filtration value in a machine for the treatment of a medical fluid, in particular in a blood treatment machine, having at least one centrifugal pumping means, to a hemodialysis machine and to a method and to a use therefor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Arne Peters, Alexander Heide, Christoph Wiktor
  • Patent number: 8393167
    Abstract: A water dispensing system for a refrigerator comprising a refrigeration compartment includes a manifold assembly, a monitoring device coupled to the manifold assembly and including at least one sensor, and a filter assembly including a filter housing removably mounted to the manifold assembly. The filter assembly is configured to be compatible with a plurality of suitable filter media. At least two indicators are in signal communication with the at least one sensor when the filter housing is mounted onto the manifold assembly. A controller is operatively coupled to the monitoring device. The controller is configured to identify the filter assembly and the filter medium based on a signal received from the at least one sensor and operate the water dispensing system based on the identification of the filter assembly and the filter medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andrew Krause, Ramesh Janardhanam, Steven Root, Abdel Hamad
  • Publication number: 20130056418
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the dialysate flow in a dialysis device. A change of the value of a control factor, caused by a variation of a property of the dialysate or of the blood or by a change of the dialysate flow, is determined in order to control the dialysate flow. The control factor is a measure for the exchange of substances via the dialyzer and thus the effectiveness of the dialyzer. If the change of the value of the control factor exceeds a limit, the dialysate flow is increased. On the other hand, the dialysate flow is reduced if the change of the value of the control factor falls short of the limit range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Pascal KOPPERSCHMIDT, Alfred GAGEL
  • Patent number: 8388833
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system includes independent wastewater treatment facilities. Each of the facilities has a number of wastewater treatment subsystems. A wastewater collection subsystem holds wastewater to be treated. A pump subsystem moves wastewater from a wastewater collector to a filtration subsystem having a bioreacting filter. The filter has a sump and a fluidized-bed filter therein and supports the filter upright. The filter has an upwardly expanding, hollow, conical filter body with filter media. A monitoring subsystem measures wastewater process parameters. Control devices receive control commands and, dependent upon the command received, alter parameters of the wastewater treatment subsystems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Biofilter Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Mark B. Robertson, David O'Keefe, John D. Cox, Daniel T. White
  • Patent number: 8382992
    Abstract: An apparatus for disinfecting a fluid has a fluid-containing structure; an inward-facing first electrically conductive cylindrical body contained within said fluid-containing structure; an outward-facing electrically conductive-second cylindrical body disposed within said first cylindrical body, in mutually facing parallel and coaxial relation thereto, and spaced apart therefrom to define a fluid-occupiable cavity; a power supply electrically coupled between said first cylindrical body and said second cylindrical body, said power supply producing therebetween an electric field, said field comprising a waveform approximating a series of alternating square wave pulses of opposite polarity, said pulses having a maximum absolute value of approximately 60 volts per centimeter, a complete cycle of said waveform, comprising a first pulse and a succeeding pulse of opposite polarity, recurring with a frequency of between about 2 kHz: and about 5 kHz and providing about 2 amps to about 4 amps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Bio Concept, LLC
    Inventor: Sven Mierswa
  • Patent number: 8377294
    Abstract: A sono-molecular-conversion device and method for treating waste water including (a) feeding the waste water containing organic matter through a first sono-molecular conversion device including a plurality of ultrasound transducers; (b) applying ultrasonic energy to the waste water containing the organic matter by the sono-molecular conversion device to ultrasonically collapse microsized bubbles with transient cavitation in said waste water containing organic matter to effect mineralization of the organic matter into ammonia therein by sono-molecular-conversion; (c) feeding the waste water containing the ammonia through a second sono-molecular conversion device including a plurality of ultrasound transducers; and (d) applying ultrasonic energy to the waste water containing the ammonia by the sono-molecular conversion device to ultrasonically collapse microsized bubbles with transient cavitation in said waste water containing the ammonia to effect nitrification of the ammonia into nitrates and nitrites therein
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Inventor: Robert Edward Vago
  • Patent number: 8372288
    Abstract: A method that identifies common peaks among unidentified peaks in the data from different LC-MS or LC-MS/MS runs is provided. The method employs an algorithm, herein referred to as “Precision Peak Matching (PPM).” The different runs can be from different laboratories, instruments, and biological samples that result in a significant variability in the data. PPM allows estimation and control of precision, defined as the fraction of truly identical peptide pairs among all pairs retrieved, in the matching process. PPM finds the maximal number of peptide pairs at a prescribed precision, thereby allowing quantitative control over the trade off between the number of true pairs missed, and false pairs found. PPM finds common peptides from a database of LC-MS runs of heterogeneous origins, and at the specified precision. PPM fills a much-needed role in proteomics by extracting useful information from disparate LC-MS databases in a statistically rigorous and interpretable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Peicheng Du, Frank Suits
  • Patent number: 8372262
    Abstract: A process for the simultaneous determination of chlorine and chlorate in sodium hypochlorite. First and second streams of sodium hypochlorite are provided. The first stream is treated to generate iodine indicative of chlorine. The second stream is treated to generate iodine indicative of chlorine and chlorate. The iodine of the first stream is subjected to an amperometric measuring cell to generate a first current proportional to a chlorine concentration of the first stream. The iodine of the second stream is subjected to an amperometric measuring cell to generate a second current proportional to the chlorine and chlorate concentration in the second stream. The first current is subtracted from the second current to determine an amount of chlorate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Anthony Foster
  • Patent number: 8366938
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for purifying liquid effluents, in which water is separated from substances by performing, in a single vertical enclosure (3), a vertical bubbling in the effluents fed at a flow rate d. The enclosure has a free surface and includes at least two compartments (4, 5, 6, 7) communicating together for enabling a circulation between the compartments successively from the top to the bottom and from the bottom to the top between the lower portion thereof and a medium level at a flow rate D at least three times higher than the flow rate d. The supernatant phase is continuously discharged and a hydraulic or gaseous chemical oxidation of said effluents is simultaneously carried out in the same enclosure, the chemical oxidation rate and the bubble flow rate and size being selected in order to progressively obtain a separation of the solid/liquid and liquid/liquid phases at the surface of the enclosure for obtaining a COD below a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Orege, Societe a Responsabilite Limitee
    Inventors: Patrice Capeau, Michel Lopez, Pascal Gendrot
  • Publication number: 20130030344
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for removing gas accumulations from a component of an extracorporeal blood circuit, a control device for executing a method according to the present invention, a medical treatment apparatus which comprises at least one control device and/or stands in signal transmission or is connected for signal transmission with it, a digital storage medium, a computer program product as well as a computer program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Soeren Gronau, Dejan Nikolic, Joachim Noack
  • Publication number: 20130026098
    Abstract: A device and method for monitoring the connection of a blood treatment unit to a fluid system of an extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus are described, in which the blood treatment unit includes an inlet and an outlet for connection to the fluid system and the fluid system includes a line system with a first line segment connected to the inlet and a second line segment connected to the outlet. An extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus includes a device for monitoring the connection of the blood treatment unit to the fluid system. The device and method for monitoring the connection of the blood treatment unit to the fluid system is based on measurement of pressure in the fluid system of the blood treatment apparatus. Solely on the basis of the pressure measurement, it is ascertained whether the connection of the blood treatment unit to the fluid system is correct or incorrect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Juergen Haecker, Soeren Gronau
  • Publication number: 20130030357
    Abstract: A dialysis system includes: a dialysis machine; and at least one of a blood pressure sensor and a weight sensor in wireless communication with the dialysis machine, wherein the dialysis machine is so positioned and arranged relative to the at least one blood pressure sensor or weight sensor that the dialysis machine is discoverable by the at least one blood pressure sensor or weight sensor when the at least one blood pressure sensor or weight sensor, respectively, is powered, and such that the at least one blood pressure sensor or weight sensor becomes paired automatically with the dialysis machine for secure wireless communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicants: BAXTER HEALTHCARE S.A., BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
  • Publication number: 20130019809
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems related to water containers for household pets that have a mechanism for circulating water. For example, one embodiment disclosed herein is a water container for pets comprising: a bowl region on an upper surface of the water container, the bowl region comprising one or more apertures in fluid communication with an interior region of the water container; a pump outlet region on the upper surface of the water container, the pump outlet region comprising a pump outlet aperture, the pump outlet region being located adjacent to the bowl region and joined to the bowl region by a channel configured to transport fluid from the pump output aperture into the bowl region; and a water circulating system, the water circulating system comprising a pump configured to pump water from the interior region of the water container to the pump outlet aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Scott D. McCallum, Daniel S. McCallum
  • Publication number: 20130015133
    Abstract: The system and method reduces volatile organic compound concentration in a water distribution system using pressurized diffused aeration. The system and method is used in-line in a water distribution system. The system and method can be used at the ends of the distribution system where volatile organic compounds, including trihalomethanes, are more likely to persist. The system and method of pressurized, diffused aeration reduces volatile organic compounds from groundwater remediation systems as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: Ethan Brooke, Michael Robin Collins, John Michael Zwerneman
  • Publication number: 20130008858
    Abstract: Systems and methods for process stream treatment. The treatment system may generally include an oxidation unit coupled to a downstream demineralization unit. The oxidation unit may oxidize organic and reduced sulfur contaminants in the process stream to facilitate downstream treatment. The demineralization unit may convert a product of the oxidation unit to generate a mineral stream. In some examples, the process stream may be a spent caustic stream from an industrial operation, such as an ethylene production facility or a petroleum refinery. A fresh caustic stream, such as a sodium hydroxide stream, may be isolated in the demineralization step and returned to the industrial operation for use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Howdeshell, Clayton B. Maugans, Chad L. Felch, Evgeniya Freydina, Li-Shiang Liang, Joseph D. Gifford
  • Patent number: 8349174
    Abstract: A fuel-cell powered medical fluid processing machine or dialysis machine is disclosed. The machine is intended for remote or rural areas where standard household or utility power is not available or is subject to interruption. The fuel cell is powered by hydrogen or other source of protons, or may instead be powered by methanol or ethanol, such as a direct methanol fuel cell. The fuel cell may be operated directly, as in powering a portable, wearable dialysis device, or may be operated indirectly, to generate and store power in an electric power storage device of the medical fluid or dialysis device. The medical fluid processing machine or dialysis machine may include circuitry allowing for use by household or utility power while also including a fuel cell for use when other power is not available. A catalytic heater may be used to warm the dialysis fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: John A. Bedingfield, Richard E. Kienman, Brian C. Lauman
  • Patent number: 8348624
    Abstract: A method for controlling the motor of an air handling system to provide a desired output of flowing air therefrom while minimizing the power used by the motor, including operationally connecting a switched reluctance electric motor to a blower, operationally connecting an electronic controller to the switched reluctance electric motor, operationally connecting at least one sensor to the electronic controller, measuring at least one environmental parameter with the at least one sensor, inputting the desired air flow into the electronic controller, calculating the minimum motor speed necessary to provide the desired air flow, and sending a control signal from the electronic controller to the motor to control the motor to the minimum motor speed necessary to provide the desired air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Universal Blower Pac, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Carl Frey, Andrew Martin Placek
  • Publication number: 20120312726
    Abstract: Method and device for checking on the delivery performance of at least one first and/or second delivery means of a device for extracorporeal blood treatment by measuring the pressure in a closed container filled at least partially with air by a first pressure measurement, delivering a first liquid volume into the container with the first delivery means, measuring the pressure in the container by a second pressure measurement after delivering the first liquid volume, delivering a second liquid volume out of the container with the second delivery means, measuring the pressure in the container by a third pressure measurement after delivering the second liquid volume out of the container, and evaluating at least the measured values of the first pressure measurement and the third pressure measurement as a criterion for the deviation in the delivery performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventor: Alfred Gagel
  • Publication number: 20120312756
    Abstract: A water treatment system is provided including a tank having a top, a control valve, and an air inlet. The control valve is positioned on the top of the tank and in fluid communication with the tank. The control valve includes a plurality of orifices in fluid communication with a source of untreated water, a treated water outlet, a drain, and a source of sterilizing fluid. The air inlet is in fluid communication with the tank and with a first venturi. The control valve is operative to control the flow of untreated water through the first venturi to draw air through the air inlet and into the tank. The control valve includes a sterilizer valve that is operative to open and close at least one passage in fluid communication between the control valve and the source of sterilizing fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: CHANDLER SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: William D. Chandler, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120312750
    Abstract: A water treatment system is provided that includes a control valve. The control valve includes a plurality of orifices and a piston. Movement of the piston is operative to change the flow of water through the orifices. A brine tank is in operative connection with the control valve. The brine tank includes a pump. A resin tank is in operative connection with the control valve and includes an ion exchange resin bed. At least one controller is operatively configured to cause the pump to operate to push brine from the brine tank through the control valve and into the resin tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: CHANDLER SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: William D. Chandler, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120312725
    Abstract: Dosing chambers, for use with pressurised water filters of the type used with ponds, require isolation before accessing to prevent water egress. The invention comprises a chamber in which dosing substances may be placed, a water inlet and a water outlet, a lid for sealingly closing the chamber, a valve for closing the water inlet and an interlock means for operating the valve to close the water inlet as the lid is removed, so that when dosing substances are placed into the chamber pressurised water is prevented from issuing through the inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: INTERPET LTD
    Inventor: Andrew Paxton
  • Publication number: 20120312749
    Abstract: A water treatment system is provided that includes a brine tank and a resin tank and a control valve in operative connection with the tanks. The control valve includes a piston that is operative by a first motor to move between different positions to change the flow of water through orifices in the control valve, and a brine valve that is operative by a second motor to open and close the passage between the brine tank and resin tank. The second motor operates the brine valve independently of the operation of the piston by the first motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: CHANDLER SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: William D. Chandler, JR.
  • Patent number: 8329030
    Abstract: A hemodialysis system includes (i) blood tubing; (ii) a peristaltic blood pump contacting the blood tubing to pump blood through the blood tubing; (iii) a dialyzer in fluid communication with the blood tubing; (iv) first and second peristaltic dialysate pumps; (v) a dialysate heater; (vi) a plurality of pinch valves; and (vii) a cassette including a rigid structure, a heating portion, first and second dialysate pumping tubes, and a plurality of incoming tubes, the rigid structure when the cassette is mounted for operation orienting (a) the heating portion adjacent to the dialysate heater so that dialysate can be heated by the dialysate heater, (b) the first and second dialysate pumping tubes adjacent to the first and second peristaltic dialysate pumps, and (c) the plurality of incoming tubes adjacent to the plurality of pinch valves to enable the tubes to be individually closed by the pinch valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Robert W. Childers, Thomas D. Kelly, Rodolfo Roger
  • Patent number: 8323503
    Abstract: This patent application relates generally to processing devices in the medical device area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Roland Levin, Martin Joseph Crnkovich, Fei Wang, Michael Emmanuel Kotsos, Gregg Eric Fuhriman
  • Patent number: 8323498
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically controlling aeration and mixing processes are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: EnviroMix, LLC
    Inventors: Theodore K. Jenkins, Robert Elliott Locklair, Stuart F. Humphries
  • Publication number: 20120298592
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for destroying organic contaminants in a fluid. At least one oxidant is added to a contaminated fluid, which is then irradiated with ultraviolet radiation. The oxidant is preferably chlorine-based and generated on-site. The intensity of the radiation is higher than typical AOP processes. Various process parameters, such as the pH and/or flow rate of the contaminated fluid, and/or the relative intensities of various UV wavelength sources, are varied in response to measuring quality indicators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: MIOX Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew K. Boal, Susan Rivera, Justin Sanchez, Wesley Bradford
  • Patent number: 8318016
    Abstract: An orbital wastewater treatment system includes a tank assembly, at least one impeller, a flow-diversion mechanism, an actuator, optionally at least one sensor disposed in the tank assembly, and a control unit. The tank assembly has an anoxic zone and an aerobic zone and passages between the two zones. The impeller is disposed in the tank assembly for aeration and for moving mixed liquor under process about the tank assembly. The flow-diversion mechanism is disposed at at least one of the passages between the aerobic and the anoxic zone. The actuator is operatively connected to the gate for regulating the flow state or configuration thereof in response to a signal generated by the control unit at least partially pursuant to a predetermined schedule and/or at least partially in accordance with input from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Ovivo Luxembourg S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Leland, Frederick M. Riser, Peter W. Reko
  • Patent number: 8318896
    Abstract: A method for multi-dimensional chromatography of a polyolefin polymer, comprising introducing a solution of the polyolefin polymer into a liquid flowing through a first liquid chromatography stationary phase or a field flow fractionation device and subsequently flowing the solution through a second liquid chromatography stationary phase, the second liquid chromatography stationary phase comprising graphitic carbon, the polyolefin polymer emerging from the liquid chromatography stationary phase with a retention factor greater than zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: William L. Winniford, Rongjuan Cong, Theodore M. Stokich, Jr., Randy J. Pell, Matthew D. Miller, Abhishek Roy, Freddy Van Damme, Alexander W. Degroot, John W. Lyons, David M. Meunier
  • Patent number: 8313642
    Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis system includes an automated peritoneal dialysis (“APD”) machine including a logic implementer and a wireless interface receiver. The system also includes at least one of a scale or a blood pressure monitor including a wireless interface transmitter. The scale or blood pressure monitor is operable to send at least one of patient blood pressure data and patient weight data wirelessly, respectively, to the wireless interface receiver. The logic implementer is configured to store the patient blood pressure data or patient weight data. A server computer is configured to communicate with the logic implementer to receive the stored at least one patient blood pressure data and patient weight data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Anping Yu, James Grayson, Robert W. Childers
  • Patent number: 8313650
    Abstract: A system for regulating a reverse osmosis system to obtain zero wastewater. A reverse osmosis apparatus filters water from the fresh water supply into a concentrate rinse stream and a permeate rinse stream. A concentrate storage tank and a permeate storage tank are downstream of the reverse osmosis apparatus and receive the concentrate rinse stream and the permeate rinse stream, respectively. A concentrate solenoid valve and a permeate solenoid valve control the flow of the concentrate rinse stream and the permeate rinse stream from their respective storage tank. An institutional dishmachine receives the concentrate rinse stream and the permeate rinse stream during a rinse cycle of the institutional dishmachine. A control system is operatively connected to the concentrate solenoid valve and the permeate solenoid valve and control flow of the rinse streams into the institutional dishmachine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Lee J. Monsrud, Adrian E. Hartz
  • Publication number: 20120279920
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system is provided comprising a first biological reaction zone, a second biological reaction zone and a membrane operating system. The first biological reaction zone is constructed and arranged to receive and treat the wastewater. The second biological reaction zone includes a separation subsystem and is constructed and arranged to receive effluent from the first biological reaction zone. A suspension system for adsorbent material is provided in the second biological reaction zone. The membrane operating system is located downstream of the second biological reaction zone and is constructed and arranged to receive treated wastewater from the second biological reaction zone and discharge a membrane permeate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: William G. Conner, Mohammed A. Al-Hajri, Thomas E. Schultz, Michael Howdeshell, Chad L. Felch, Matthew Patterson, Samuel Shafarik, Curt Cooley
  • Patent number: 8303809
    Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis machine includes an enclosure; dialysate pump located within the enclosure; a graphical user interface allowing a patient to program a treatment including at least one patient fill performed by the dialysate pump, at least one dwell, and at least one drain performed by the dialysate pump; and the GUI further programmed to provide an alert when it is time to begin the treatment so as to complete the at least one patient fill, dwell and drain by a prescribed time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: John A. Biewer, Andrey Kopychev, Merrick F. Kossack, Philip J. D'Almada Remedios
  • Patent number: 8303817
    Abstract: A nitrification carrier having made nitrifying bacteria dominant therein and a denitrification carrier having made anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria dominant therein are mixed in a treatment tank. Both of a nitrification reaction with the nitrification carrier and a denitrification reaction with denitrification carrier are allowed to proceed in the treatment tank to decompose ammonium nitrogen in wastewater to nitrogen gas. The ratio of the bacterial loads of the nitrifying bacteria and the anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria can be easily controlled by immobilizing the nitrifying bacteria and the anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria on different carriers from each other (nitrification carrier and denitrification carrier) and by controlling the volume ratio (ratio of the feeding amounts) of the nitrification carrier and the denitrification carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Plant Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuichi Isaka, Yuya Kimura, Tatsuo Sumino
  • Patent number: 8303807
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dialyser having a blood-pressure measuring unit assigned to the dialyser, a pulse-wave-transit-time measuring system assigned to the dialyser and an evaluation unit, the evaluation unit being configured such that a signal representing the blood pressure can be derived from this pulse wave transit time; the parameters describing the relationship between the pulse wave transit time and the blood pressure can be determined from a plurality of measurements made by the blood-pressure measuring unit and simultaneous measurements made by the pulse-wave-transit-time measuring system, it being possible to determine at least two of these pairs of measured values at times when the absolute and/or the relative pulse-wave-transit-time deviation is above a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Wei Zhang
  • Patent number: 8298429
    Abstract: An integrated unit operations for the treatment of a waste stream, such as spent caustic, is provided in a single vertical vessel having at least three separate zones: a mixing, a settling, and a mass transfer zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Merichem Company
    Inventors: Tom Varadi, Marie-Cecile Medine, Arturo Ramon Puigbo, Ramiro G. Vazquez
  • Patent number: 8298427
    Abstract: A method for controlling an apparatus for treating blood outside the human body, with a view to improving the operation of the apparatus, the apparatus including a semi-permeable membrane carrying out an exchange of solutes, referred to as dialysis, and of liquid, referred to as ultrafiltration, with the blood, the method including at least one iteration of the following steps: determination of a so-called instantaneous value, of an ultrafiltration coefficient corresponding to the ratio of an ultrafiltration flow rate to a difference in pressure, the so-called transmembrane pressure, on either side of the semi-permeable membrane, comparison of the instantaneous value with at least one previously determined characteristic value; and control of the treatment apparatus to reach a maximum value of the ultrafiltration coefficient, the control including a variation of the ultrafiltration flow rate up to a value corresponding to the maximum value of the ultrafiltration coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: RD Nephrologie
    Inventors: Alain Ficheux, Angel Argiles Ciscart
  • Publication number: 20120267295
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a horizontal rod-supported, pore-controllable fiber media filter comprising: a fiber support comprising fixing supports to stand at both sides thereof and a plurality of horizontal rods which are coupled rotatably to the fixing supports in a zigzag pattern at intervals in a lengthwise direction of the fixing supports; a fiber media which hangs on the horizontal rods of the fiber support in a zigzag pattern, in which the lower end of the fiber media forms a fixed end attached to the lower end of the fiber support, and the upper end of the fiber media forms a free end at the upper end of the fiber support; and an actuator which is coupled to the free end of the fiber media to pull or relax the fiber media supported by the fixed end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventor: Kyu Tae Kim
  • Publication number: 20120261338
    Abstract: Formation of scale in a wastewater treatment system upstream of a struvite precipitation reactor is inhibited by injection of one or more of CO2 and H3PO4. The injection may be performed at multiple locations. Injection may be controlled based on one or more of pH, fluid flow and fluid pressure. Scale may be inhibited while maintaining production of precipitated struvite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Matt Kuzma, Robert James Baur, Ram Prasad Melahalli Sathyanarayana