Abstract: A debris separating pool skimmer having a chamber. The chamber includes wet and substantially dry cavities. The first wet cavity has an inlet in fluid communication with the pool and a water outlet disposed on a bottom. The second substantially dry cavity is disposed behind the wet cavity. An upstanding wall extends from a bottom wall of the chamber to separate the wet and dry cavities and prevents water in the wet cavity from flowing into the substantially dry cavity. A separator is disposed within the chamber that transports debris and/or animals from the wet cavity into the dry cavity such that debris and/or animals are stored in the dry cavity and are prevented from blocking the water outlet of the wet cavity.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a pool filter backwash assembly is described that comprises a pool filter extension configured to be connected to a backwash outlet of a pool filter and a backwash shower head configured to convert a backwash stream from the backwash outlet to a spray directed away from the pool filter. In some embodiments, the pool filter backwash assembly further comprises a backwash shower extension and an angled adapter. In addition, a method of backwashing a pool filter is described in which a pool filter backwash assembly is attached to a backwash outlet of a pool filter.

Abstract: A portable fluid-sanitizing system and assembly configured for personal use are provided. The system and assembly combine mechanical and electrical methods for removing and/or deactivating harmful chemicals, molecules, atoms, ions, and even microorganisms from fluid. The system and assembly comprise a hand-holdable container that is sized to receive a filter, such as an activated carbon block capable of adsorbing or otherwise capturing a variety of undesirable contents from the fluid. Ultraviolet lights may be disposed along an inner or outer portion of the container and placed so that their emissions penetrate any fluid contents of the container. Finally, means for electrically powering the lights may be provided. The means may be mechanically operated, such as by mechanically inducing a current in a coiled wire, or by hand-cranking a dynamo in electrical communication with the lights. Thus harmful or undesirable contents may be physically filtered and further irradiated to provide potable water.

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.

Abstract: Self-cleaning swimming pool filter apparatus having a hollow cylindrical filter in a filter housing and a cleaning tube rotatable with respect to the filter, with a plurality of filter cleaning orifices, a pump connected to circulate swimming, pool water through the filter in the operational filtering mode and through the cleaning tube and filter cleaning orifices in the filter cleaning mode, according to the setting of directional valves.

Abstract: Provided is a backwash valve comprising a body including a central tube extending along a length of the body, a first pool port and first filter port axially aligned at a first position along the body length, a second pool port and second filter port axially aligned at a second position along the body length, and a waste port; and a sliding gate including a stem connected to a gate body, the gate body including first and second chambers separated by an internal wall; the sliding gate movable between a filter position wherein fluid communication is provided among the first filter port, first chamber, and first pool port, and a backwash position wherein fluid communication is provided among the first filter port, second fluid chamber, and second pool port, and between the second filter port and waste port.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a membrane (6) in a membrane filtration system by flowing gas bubbles past the surfaces of the membrane (6) to scour accumulated solids therefrom. The method includes flowing a liquid past a supply of gas; creating a reduced pressure within the liquid flow to cause a flow of gas from the supply of gas (9) into the liquid flow and form gas bubbles therein and then flowing the liquid containing the gas bubbles past the surfaces of the membrane (6) to scour the surfaces thereof. Apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane separation method and a relevant equipment, in particular to a method and an equipment for membrane separation utilizing concentration polarization during membrane filtration process, especially, to a concentration process and equipment and a drawer special for drawing a concentration polarization layer. The direct removal of the concentration polarization layer from membrane surface not only decreases the adverse influence of concentration polarization on membrane separation but also obtains concentrated retention components, thereby significantly improving the ability to maintain membrane flux, solving the twinborn problems concerning concentration polarization and membrane fouling during the membrane separation process, and achieving a high-efficiency concentration for retention components.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pumping system for moving water of a swimming pool, including a water pump and a variable speed motor. In one example, a target volume amount of water and an operational time period is provided, and the operational time period is altered based upon a volume of water moved. In another example, operation of the motor is altered based upon the volume of water moved. In addition or alternatively, a target flow rate of water to be moved by the water pump is determined based upon the target volume amount and a time period. In addition or alternatively, a plurality of operations are performed on the water, and a total volume of water moved by the pump is determined. In addition or alternatively, an optimized flow rate value is determined based upon power consumption.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane separation method and a relevant equipment, in particular to a method and an equipment for membrane separation utilizing concentration polarization during membrane filtration process, especially, to a concentration process and equipment and a drawer special for drawing a concentration polarization layer. The direct removal of the concentration polarization layer from membrane surface not only decreases the adverse influence of concentration polarization on membrane separation but also obtains concentrated retention components, thereby significantly improving the ability to maintain membrane flux, solving the twinborn problems concerning concentration polarization and membrane fouling during the membrane separation process, and achieving a high-efficiency concentration for retention components.

Abstract: A pool filter for use in pool piping or other fluid conveyance system. The pool filter may include a housing defining a fluid chamber for receiving one or more filters. Multiple openings may be defined in the housing for receiving and removing fluid from the fluid chamber. The openings may be approximately the same size and may be located on the housing at similar elevations and/or radial sectors. One or more footings may be joined to the housing. Each footing may include a base portion for receiving anchor members to anchor the housing to a support surface. The footings may be designed to transfer to the support surface predetermined lateral or other forces imposed upon the pool filter by events such as earthquakes and hurricanes. The footings may be separate components joined to the housing by tabs and/or mechanical fasteners.

Abstract: An improved filter capable of operating in a backwash mode that creates an upward swirling flow in the hollow interior of the pool filter container. During the backwash cycle, water or air and water are injected into the pool filter container at an angle. In the preferred embodiment, a mixture of water and air are injected into the filter container through exit jets located within the hollow interior of the filter container proximate to the bottom of the filter container. This causes the filter media to swirl upward mixing thoroughly with the backwash water promoting the separation of the mineral deposits from the filter media.

Abstract: A variable speed pumping system and an associated method for moving water of an aquatic application. The variable speed pumping system includes a water pump for moving water in connection with performance of an operation upon the water. A variable speed motor is operatively connected to drive the pump. A sensor senses a parameter of the operation performed upon the water. A controller controls speed of the motor in response to the sensed parameter of operation.

Abstract: A pool filter for use in pool piping or other fluid conveyance system. The pool filter may include a housing defining a fluid chamber for receiving one or more filters. Multiple openings may be defined in the housing for receiving and removing fluid from the fluid chamber. The openings may be approximately the same size and may be located on the housing at similar elevations and/or radial sectors. One or more footings may be joined to the housing. Each footing may include a base portion for receiving anchor members to anchor the housing to a support surface. The footings may be designed to transfer to the support surface predetermined lateral or other forces imposed upon the pool filter by events such as earthquakes and hurricanes. The footings may be separate components joined to the housing by tabs and/or mechanical fasteners.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pumping system for moving water of a swimming pool, including a water pump and a variable speed motor. In one example, a target volume amount of water and an operational time period is provided, and the operational time period is altered based upon a volume of water moved. In another example, operation of the motor is altered based upon the volume of water moved. In addition or alternatively, a target flow rate of water to be moved by the water pump is determined based upon the target volume amount and a time period. In addition or alternatively, a plurality of operations are performed on the water, and a total volume of water moved by the pump is determined. In addition or alternatively, an optimized flow rate value is determined based upon power consumption.

Abstract: A turbomachine includes a compressor portion having an intake and a filtration system having an interior and an exterior. The filtration system is arranged upstream of the intake and includes a drain capable of fluid communication with the exterior of the filtration system. The drain includes a one-way valve that allows liquid separated from air flowing through the interior of the filtration system to pass through the drain to the exterior of the filtration system in a first direction, and substantially limits a flow of unfiltered air from entering the intake from the exterior in a second direction.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel floating debris removing skimmer for swimming pool and other similar bodies of water. The skimmer comprises a generally rectangular enclosure which comprises an inlet opening coupled to a flow control door or flapper. The skimmer further comprises a conveyor assembly which comprises a pair of cylinders around which is disposed a conveyor belt. The first cylinder is located at the top generally on the side opposing the inlet opening. The second cylinder is located near the inlet opening and preferably under the water level when the skimmer is installed. One of the cylinders is motorized so that when a debris, carried by the water through the inlet opening, is pushed against the conveyor belt, it is carried by the belt toward the top of the enclosure and ultimately outside the enclosure. The conveyor belt does not extend above the skimmer.

Abstract: A pool filter backflush trap comprising a filter member having an opening for receiving water and contaminants from a backflush discharge tube. The filter member forming an enclosure about the backflush discharge tube and having a surface area of sufficient size to allow water to pass through the filter member at a flow rate at least equal to the flow rate of the water entering the opening of the filter member. After backflushing, the trap can be disposed of appropriately in a waste receptacle thereby preventing diatomaceous earth and contaminants from being dispensed in the environment.

Abstract: A filtration installation for a swimming pool (2) comprising a filter vessel (4) containing a filter bed (5), an inlet pipe (6) extending between the pool and the filter vessel, a return pipe (8) extending between the filter vessel and the pool, a reversible pump (9) enabling to generate, in a backwashing state, an upward flow of water through the filter bed, and a drain pipe (11) arranged for removing the water pumped by the pump in its backwashing state through the filter bed. In order to reduce the required controls of the installation and to make it easier for unskilled persons to maintain it, the upper portion (12) of the filter vessel is in liquid communication through the inlet pipe (6) with the water in the pool and the inlet pipe is provided with a one-way valve (10).

Abstract: A pool/spa skimmer includes a housing, a face plate, and a flexible weir gate. The housing and plate are dimensioned to allow water to flow in a vertical column. The interior of the housing has a curved wall so that when a column of water passes through the open gate and into the housing, a whirlpool effect is realized. A vertical filter cartridge is mounted on a rotational bearing so that it can spin about its axis. The inlet of a pump is coupled to the cartridge via the bearing and is also coupled to a second water inlet via a vacuum operated valve. The outlet of the pump is also coupled to a water jet which is arranged to enhance the whirlpool effect.