Combined Patents (Class 210/251)
  • Patent number: 8177966
    Abstract: A liquid storage and dispensing device with a filter for removing minerals and a UV light source for killing pathogens existing in a liquid. A liquid is introduced into the device via the inlet. The liquid passes through the filter into a collector. The filtered liquid flows from the collector through a thru passage into a UV chamber. The UV light source emits UV rays through a UV transmissive wall into the interior portion of the UV chamber. Exposure to the UV light kills pathogens present in the filtered liquid. Substantially purified liquid can then be dispensed from an outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Mr. Chiaphua Industries Limited
    Inventor: Ka Shing Wu
  • Publication number: 20120111800
    Abstract: A method for harvesting potable water and energy from waste that comprises the steps of collecting the waste, separating the waste into a water fraction, a solid fraction, and a gas fraction, sterilizing the water fraction, converting the solid fraction into an energy resource; and scrubbing the gas fraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Carol Ann Collins
  • Publication number: 20120111795
    Abstract: The present invention concerns human hepatocyte cell line cultures and their use in bioartificial liver (BAL) systems. These systems are used to treat subjects suffering from liver failure to temporarily compensate for loss of hepatocellular function and generally comprise a bioreactor loaded with functional liver cells. Until now, it has been problematic to acquire cells with a broad spectrum metabolic functionality, resembling that of freshly isolated human hepatocytes, to the extent that they are in fact suitable for successful clinical BAL application The present inventors have managed to develop human hepatocyte cell line cultures that display broad-spectrum metabolic functionality such as to render them particularly suitable for effective clinical BAL application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: ACADEMISCH ZIEKENHUIS BIJ DE UNIVERSITEIT VAN AMSTERDAM
    Inventors: Robert Antoine François Marie Chamuleau, Ruurdtje Hoekstra, Gerardus Adrianus Antonius Nibourg
  • Publication number: 20120111803
    Abstract: A water filter-pitcher includes a water pitcher with at least two chambers separated by at least one filter, and an ozone generator to generate ozone for sanitizing at least internal surfaces of said two chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Guy Daniely, Avraham Cohen
  • Publication number: 20120097595
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device for treating hydrogen peroxide water, the device being capable of carrying out continuous operation and stable efficient treatment even for drainage containing relatively highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide on the order of several percent and the device having a simple configuration and a relatively compact size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: KURITA WATER INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroto Tokoshima, Norito Ikemiya, Hideki Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20120061309
    Abstract: A seawater desalination system which can solve a problem of wear of a sliding member and can suppress mixing of concentrated seawater and seawater by making an energy exchange chamber no-piston configuration is provided. In a seawater desalination system for producing fresh water from seawater by passing the seawater pressurized by a pump through a reverse-osmosis membrane-separation apparatus (4) to separate the seawater into fresh water and concentrated seawater, an energy exchange chamber (20) for utilizing pressure energy of the concentrated seawater discharged from the reverse-osmosis membrane-separation apparatus (3) as energy for pressurizing part of the seawater is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Tamami Takahashi, Masao Shinoda, Masato Eguchi, Masanori Goto
  • Patent number: 8132501
    Abstract: A complex high-density soybean grinder comprises a first filter unit and a second filter unit; a suction unit having a feeding tube for supplying soybeans; a lateral side of the suction unit being installed with a blower and a sound canceller so that soybean can enter into the suction unit; a feeding unit connected to the suction unit and the first filter unit; an electric controller serving to control the feeding unit; a regeneration barrel set connected to the first filter unit and the second filter unit for mixing and agitating soybean dregs from the first filter unit with water; and then the mixed dregs and water being fed into the second filter unit; a reuse barrel set connected to the first filter unit for feeding liquid from the second filter unit to the regeneration barrel set and then to the first filter unit through a pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Inventors: Cheng-Feng Chen, Jui-Tai Cheng
  • Patent number: 8128812
    Abstract: This invention comprises a main rotating removal screen that catches floating materials such as big jellyfishes, wood chips, waste plastics and other things floating in water by endless rotation and including nets that move the floating materials caught to a position higher than the water surface, a receiving tray is provided for receiving the floating material caught by the main rotating removal screen and sending it to a discharge line, a secondary lifting device is provided that cooperates with above mentioned main rotating removal screen to lift and transfer the floating materials caught by the receiving tray, a water jet system is provided for dislodging any caught floating materials that is lifted higher than the receiving tray when it is hooked on the rotating removal screen and not released to the receiving tray, and a cutting water jet system is provided to cut oversized floating material into an acceptable size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: Norikata Takuma
  • Patent number: 8128820
    Abstract: A liquid storage and dispensing device with a filter for removing minerals and a UV light source for killing pathogens existing in a liquid. A liquid is introduced into the device via the inlet. The liquid passes through the filter into a collector. The filtered liquid flows from the collector through a passage into a UV chamber. The UV light source emits UV rays through a UV transmissive wall into the interior portion of the UV chamber. Exposure to the UV light kills pathogens present in the filtered liquid. Substantially purified liquid can then be dispensed from an outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Mr. Chiaphua Industries Limited
    Inventor: Ka Shing Wu
  • Publication number: 20120052164
    Abstract: Capsule and filter unit for the preparation of a nutritional product in a device adapted to supply liquid in the capsule. The capsule is constructed to have at least one compartment containing nutritional ingredients for the preparation of the nutritional product in combination with the supplied liquid, and a filter adapted for removing contaminants contained in the liquid. The filter is formed as a relatively rigid filter unit that includes a filter membrane and an outlet wall for supporting the filter membrane. The outlet wall has at least one liquid outlet communicating with the compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventors: Frédéric Doleac, Sophie Abraham, Yasmine Doudin, Yann Epars, Thierry Jean Robert Fabozzi, Heinz Wyss, Nicolas Bezet, Lucio Scorrano, Nihan Dogan, Alain ` Meier
  • Publication number: 20120043270
    Abstract: The present invention provides a ballast water treatment system, comprising a centrifugal separator, an ultrasonic sterilizer, and an ultraviolet sterilizer, wherein, the centrifugal separator is designed to separate large-particle of foreign matters from the ballast water by centrifugal separation by means of density difference; the ultrasonic sterilizer is arranged at the back of the centrifugal separator, and is designed to accomplish ultrasonic sterilization for the ballast water passing through the centrifugal separator; the ultrasonic sterilizer comprises a pipe that is used for sterilization of the ballast water and ultrasonic irradiation unit that perform ultrasonic irradiation for the ballast water passing through the pipe; the ultraviolet sterilizer accomplishes sterilization by means of ultraviolet irradiation for the ballast water passing through the ultrasonic sterilizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: Linxing Wang, Jong Hwan Oh
  • Publication number: 20110309020
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for desalination of salt water based on an engineered acoustic field that causes constructive and destructive interference at pre-computed spatial positions. The engineered acoustic field can cause high-pressure and low-pressure regions where desalination membranes are located. The induced pressure from the acoustic field can force pure water through the membranes leaving ionic and dissolved molecular species behind.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Edward A. Rietman, Bart Lipkens
  • Publication number: 20110309040
    Abstract: A wash separator (1) comprises a vessel (2) containing a first fluid (3) and a second fluid (4) whereby the second fluid (4) has a differentdensity from the first fluid (3). The first fluid (3) is immiscible with the second fluid (4) and the first and second fluids are separated from each other by an interface (5), wherein a feed stream (15, 24, 31, 61) is provided, the feed stream (15, 24, 31, 61) comprising a dispersion of the first and second fluid (3,4), such that the second fluid (4) is forming a dispersephase in the form of droplets which is distributed within the first fluid (3) forming a continuous phase. A distribution element (6) is provided in the vessel (2) to distribute the feed stream (15, 24, 31, 61) into the second fluid (4), wherein the feed stream (15, 24, 31, 61) after having discharged from said distribution element (6) has a retention time of at most 15 minutes in the feed second fluid in the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Van-Khoi Vu, Ansor Gäbler
  • Publication number: 20110303607
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an integrated desalination and salt plant for the production of a salt or slurry product of high purity. The reject stream from the desalination plant is used as the feed stream for the salt plant. The salt plant feed stream is filtered to effectively remove sulfate, which prevents scale formation in the salt plant equipment. The filtering may also reduce the level of calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, or other components of the feed which may also prevent scale formation in the salt plant equipment. The salt plant produces a high purity salt product without the use of chemical purification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Nishith Vora, Irving Elyanow, Giuseppe Chiappa, Giovanni Radice, Luca Mor
  • Publication number: 20110281255
    Abstract: Apparatus for the treatment of organic waste streams is disclosed, in which the organic waste stream is treated in order to reduce the average particle size prior to entry into a biological reactor. The use of a mechanical device to reduce this average particle size while simultaneously mixing the organic waste stream increases the efficiency of the biological reactor. The mechanical device is preferably one which causes attrition and reduction in the average particle size of the organic waste stream. This results in a lower viscosity feed to the biological reactor, and therefore a far more efficient process, which can therefore handle a feed stream of greater concentration than was previously thought to be possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: PMC BIOTEC COMPANY
    Inventor: Alan F. Rozich
  • Patent number: 8054932
    Abstract: A filter medium for strainers used in the emergency sump of a nuclear power plant ECCS. The filter medium is employed with double wall, concentric tube type strainer modules. The filter medium is preferably constructed of a woven or knitted stainless steel wire material and is shaped in a cylinder so that it can be inserted between two concentric strainer walls, concentric tube type strainer in such a manner that water that passes through the strainer must pass through and be filtered by the filter medium before the water can be pumped to the reactor core. The filter medium is inserted through the bottom of the strainer module and is held in place by an x-shaped retainer. The filter creates varied approach velocity of the fluid and results in non-uniform fibrous debris accumulation on the strainer, insuring acceptable strainer debris hydraulic head loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Enercon Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James Aaron Smith, Atul Harihar Patel, Louis Thomas Carr, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110266207
    Abstract: This invention uses existing technology in a novel way to create a production facility, which can be known as Synergy City, to provide a solution to three problems confronting the United States, and other nations as well: the need for safe, clean, renewable sources of electrical power; the need for adequate supplies of fresh water; and the need to dispose of trash in a responsible manner. A synergistic solution to these problems is presented without the use of nuclear fission, coal or oil. A prototype of Synergy Cities is conceived in which reside scientists, engineers, technicians and their families, and others as necessary to support a viable American city in the state in which it is located. Experience in planning, developing and operating the prototype facility is to be factored into the design and construction of succeeding cities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventor: Harold James Willard, JR.
  • Patent number: 8048319
    Abstract: A filter medium for strainers used in the emergency sump of a nuclear power plant ECCS. The filter medium is employed with double wall, concentric tube type strainer modules. The filter medium is preferably constructed of a woven or knitted stainless steel wire material and is shaped in a cylinder so that it can be inserted between two concentric strainer walls, concentric tube type strainer in such a manner that water that passes through the strainer must pass through and be filtered by the filter medium before the water can be pumped to the reactor core. The filter medium is inserted through the bottom of the strainer module and is held in place by an x-shaped retainer. The filter creates varied approach velocity of the fluid and results in non-uniform fibrous debris accumulation on the strainer, insuring acceptable strainer debris hydraulic head loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Enercon Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James Aaron Smith, Atul Harihar Patel, Louis Thomas Carr, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110253614
    Abstract: A versatile solar deployment system may provide one or more scalable solar deployment units. A solar deployment unit may include a chassis, a panel support provided by the chassis, and one or more solar panels coupled to the panel support, wherein the solar panels are folded together in an undeployed position, and the solar panels are unfolded in a deployed position. Alternatively, a solar deployment unit may include a rolling mechanism providing a rotating shaft and a flexible panel. One end of the flexible panel is secured to the rotating shaft, the flexible panel is rolled around the rotating shaft to retract the flexible panel into an undeployed position, and the flexible panel is unrolled to deploy the flexible panel into a deployed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: University of Houston
    Inventors: Seamus Curran, Nathaniel Morgan, Nigel Alley
  • Publication number: 20110247970
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a portable submersible pump and filter assembly for direct filtration of a body of water without the need for intake or discharge hoses or assemblies. The present invention is further directed to a pump and filter assembly that can be positioned at any depth within the water being filtered and can be easily removed after the desired filtration is complete. The present invention is further directed to a solar powered portable pump and filter assembly that operates while floating on fluid being filtered. The present invention is further directed to a highly efficient portable pump and filter assembly that is adapted to be directly coupled to and powered by various power sources including direct current and green energy supplies such as solar or wind power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Evingham
  • Patent number: 8033058
    Abstract: An apparatus for diverting rainwater includes a body having a top portion, a bottom portion, and a central portion. A diverter is disposed within the central portion, and has a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion of the diverter, together with one or more walls of the body, defines a containment configured to capture rainwater that enters through the top portion. An opening in at least one of the walls of the body is configured to divert rainwater from the containment. The body also includes a bypass flow area extending through the central portion adjacent to, and separate from, the containment, where the bypass flow area has a cross-sectional area that is substantially equal to or greater than a cross sectional area of the top and bottom portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Fiskars Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew P. Block
  • Publication number: 20110240564
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for purifying liquids, in particular for purifying ballast water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Uwe Mueller, Wilfried Riggers
  • Patent number: 8029667
    Abstract: The unit comprises a tubular filler, provided with an internal thread) suitable for coupling with a corresponding external thread of the mouthpiece of the tank, and with, internally, a plurality of essentially coplanar anchoring prominences which, in the fitted condition, rest on part of the top edge of the mouthpiece of the tank to which they are constrained by fixing elements in such a way as to prevent the unscrewing of the filler. The anchoring prominences have respective retention elements protruding radially towards the centerline of the filler and capable of being opened out elastically towards the outside. The unit also comprises a filter with, at the top, an annular flange protruding radially towards the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Rototech S.r.L.
    Inventor: Alvise Santinon
  • Publication number: 20110226681
    Abstract: A system for treatment of ballast water used in a ship includes a filtering unit which filters the ballast water taken into a ship; an ultraviolet treatment unit for sterilizing the ballast water filtered by the filtering unit by using ultraviolet rays; and a control unit for controlling the filtering unit and the ultraviolet treatment unit. The filtering unit includes a body having an inlet and an outlet, a filter for filtering the ballast water flowing along the inside of the body, an automatic washing unit for washing off foreign substances from the filter, and a pressure sensor for measuring pressures at the inlet and the outlet. The ultraviolet treatment unit includes a body having an inlet and an outlet, an ultraviolet lamp for irradiating ultraviolet rays to the ballast water flowing along the inside of the body, a sleeve washing unit, an ultraviolet intensity meter, and a temperature sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: PANASIA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Soo-Tae Lee, Tae-Sung Pyo, Hyun-O Kim, Sang-Gyu Cheon
  • Publication number: 20110210072
    Abstract: In production of ultrapure water by purifying primary pure water with a secondary pure water manufacturing apparatus and a tertiary pure water manufacturing apparatus, high-purity ultrapure water is produced, wherein generation of hydrogen peroxide is minimized and the concentrations of TOC, DO, and hydrogen peroxide are reduced to the limit. In an ultrapure water manufacturing system, each of the secondary pure water manufacturing apparatus and the tertiary pure water manufacturing apparatus includes an ultraviolet oxidation device and a deionization device, downstream therefrom, by using an ion exchange resin. UV light control is performed in such a way that the hydrogen peroxide concentration results in 1 to 30 ?g/L and the TOC concentration results in 1 to 10 ?g/L at the outlet of the ultraviolet oxidation apparatus of the secondary pure water manufacturing apparatus and, in addition, the TOC concentration results in 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: KURITA WATER INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventor: Hideki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8002979
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to waste disposal methods and systems. In one embodiment of the present invention, a waste disposal system is positioned under a sink in a building connected to a septic system for disposal of food waste and wastewater. The waste disposal system includes a grinding chamber, a centrifugal-pump chamber, and a straining chamber for separating food waste from wastewater. The straining chamber includes a filtration basket, and an outlet pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventor: Michael J. Bryan-Brown
  • Publication number: 20110198236
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing in the home hydrogen-dissolved drinking water that is suitable for drinking, has a high dissolved hydrogen concentration, and a long dissolved hydrogen life. A hydrogen-dissolved drinking water production apparatus includes an electrolytic cell through which water can pass for producing drinking water having a pH in a range of 2.5 to 8.5, and in particular, in a range of 5.8 to 8.5, and a dissolved hydrogen concentration of 0.1 ppm or more by supplying high-purity water having a conductivity of 50 ?S/cm or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Osao Sumita, Shin Gyo Yim
  • Publication number: 20110198275
    Abstract: A semi-portable water purification system utilizing, a foot actuated or air compressor pumping unit, a reverse osmosis unit, optional post filter for removing odor and color, and other contaminants from a water source. The foot/compressor operated pumping units feed compressed air into a high-pressure tank which source water has been fed into to supply the necessary water pressure for the reverse osmosis membrane. The system further prolongs the efficiency of the source water by simply recycling it a number of times prior to disposal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventor: Edwin M. Hayes
  • Publication number: 20110196814
    Abstract: Ballast water treatment apparatus and methods for preventing foreign aquatic invasive species form entering marine ecological zones by translocation in ship's ballast water. The apparatus includes a housing, a filter member, and UV water treatment chambers. Methods include use of a ship's fire hydrant system or ballast water discharge port for moving ballast water from the ship's ballast tanks into the apparatus for filtration and treatment. In-port service vessels and barges as well as dock-side service vehicles are equipped with the various treatment and filtration apparatus to provided in-port or dock-side ballast water treatment services. Related methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: MARENCO Technology Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Hap Nguyen, William Murray Fowler, Howard Roop, Ronald Yoshio Nishida
  • Patent number: 7992667
    Abstract: An adapter apparatus is provided for use in mounting two oil filter cartridges on an engine. The adapter apparatus includes a manifold for interconnecting the oil filters, and for allowing oil to flow in series through the oil filters and an engine. The manifold includes a metal manifold block having an outer face, an inner face, and at least one lateral edge with a plurality of cooling fins thereon. The manifold block has a plurality of hollow flow passages formed therein to route oil therethrough. Two sleeve fittings are attached to the manifold block, and each of the sleeve fittings has male threads formed on an outer surface thereof. Each of the sleeve fittings threadably receives one of the oil filters thereon. The apparatus also includes inlet and outlet tubes attached to the block body, for respectively routing oil to and away from the adapter apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: David Wayne Rennie
  • Publication number: 20110174717
    Abstract: A filter device having a liquid inlet, a liquid outlet, a filter housing, and at least one filter element. At least one water collection chamber is configured to collect water separated out of the fuel. A mechanism for suppressing biological activity is disposed in at least the water collection chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Michael Braunheim, Matthias Gänswein, Jörg Hrodek, Sven Siegle, Richard Wlassa, Nelly Klingspon
  • Publication number: 20110174742
    Abstract: With a method for renovating wastewater, the wastewater is fed into an electro flocculation cell (E) and is subject to electro flocculation. The electro flocculate (WF) processed in the electro flocculation cell is fed into a ripening tank (R) and remains there. The electro flocculate (WF) originating from the ripening tank is filtered in a filter (F). The device for renovating wastewater comprises an electro flocculation cell (E), a ripening tank (R) connected downstream of the electro flocculation cell (E), and a filter (F) connected downstream of the ripening tank. The electro flocculation cell (E) is provided with moveable electrodes. The ripening tank (R) comprises a ventilation element (R18) for feeding air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventor: Holger Blum
  • Publication number: 20110163017
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for separating particles and dissolved matter from a produced water fluid stream. Specifically, the present invention includes a first pressure source which transports untreated produced water or contaminated aqueous fluid into a separator annulus with a filter element disposed therein. The untreated fluid is placed under appropriate pressure sufficient to produce turbulent flow, increased particle kinetics and/or cavitation allowing the desired fluid to penetrate and pass into and through the, filter media. The treated fluid is then transported to a collection tank. The contaminant matter retained by the filter media may be removed by the nearly instantaneous reverse pressurization of the separator annulus by a second pressure source thereby removing the contaminant particles away from contact with the filter media, and which may then be transported to a waste collection tank or separator for further treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventor: Raymond Ford Johnson
  • Publication number: 20110158872
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a multi-component system for adsorbing contaminants and/or pollutants from a contaminated hot fluid by using a turbulent air stream, to adiabatically cool the temperature of the fluid, in association with one or more adsorbents. The system of the present invention can also be coupled to a recovery and recycling unit to recover and recycle the contaminant and/or pollutant and the adsorbent material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventor: Parisa A. Ariya
  • Patent number: 7964094
    Abstract: A solvent filtration and recovery system for filtration and recovery of a solvent-based liquid used in dry cleaning includes filtration tank having filter chamber with motor-driven spin filters which are selectively operated. A valve and conduit arrangement allows the liquid from dry cleaning to enter the filter chamber for filtering and flows out as filtered liquid while the spin filters are not rotating. The arrangement allows initial at least partial draining of the solvent-based liquid in the filter chamber after such filtration procedure. A recovery tank is in communication with the filtration tank through a main drain. A motor drives the spin filters during a recovery procedure, in which centrifugal force caused by the rotating spin filters for a predetermined amount of time removes by-product from the spin filters, which is drained off from the filtration tank. A reservoir stores the solvent-based liquid and receives the liquid from both the recovery tank and the filtration tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Jim's Formal Wear Co.
    Inventors: Todd Sudholt, Daniel Sims
  • Publication number: 20110136064
    Abstract: A method for filtering a fluid to obtain a fluid having a known purity is described. The fluid is filtered with a filtration system, and upstream of a final filtration stage of the filtration system, a purity of the fluid is measured. A purity of the fluid filtered by the filtration system is determined by correcting the measured purity with a filtration behavior of the final filtration stage. In an embodiment, the fluid comprises an ultra pure water for use as an immersion liquid in a lithographic apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Martinus Cornelis Maria Verhagen, Roelof Frederik De Graaf, Johannes Henricus Wilhelmus Jacobs, Hans Jansen, Marco Koert Stavenga, Jacobus Johannus Leonardus Hendricus Verspay
  • Publication number: 20110127207
    Abstract: An arrangement for use in a liquid treatment unit, which includes a generally tubular housing having a liquid inlet in one end and a liquid outlet in the opposite end, a generally tubular filter element arranged generally concentric inside the housing, through which liquid is fed from outside the filter to inside the filter, an elongated UV-generating element arranged inside the filter element, whose longitudinal direction generally corresponds to that of the filter element, material displaying catalytic properties and radiated by UV-light arranged on at least the inner surfaces of the filter element. The elongated UV-generating element extends a further distance than the generally tubular filter element, which extension is positioned adjacent the outlet, wherein the further distance ensures the flow of liquid, that has passed through the filter element, to flow a certain minimum distance along the elongated UV-generating element, thereby exposing the flow of liquid to UV-light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: WALLENIUS WATER AKTIEBOLAG
    Inventors: David Stenman, Eva Ålander
  • Patent number: 7947171
    Abstract: A cartridge-type ion removal filter 15 to remove ions from the cooling liquid in the cooling liquid circulation passage 20 is disposed in the middle of a cooling liquid circulation passage 20 to circulate the cooling liquid between a fuel cell stack 11 and a radiator 12. The ion removal filter 15 is disposed in the cooling liquid circulation passage so that an opening 26b of a vessel main body 26 is in a higher position than the highest level “H” of the cooling liquid in the reservoir tank 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichiro Takemoto
  • Publication number: 20110114545
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning sewage, having a housing (1) of substantially rectangular outline which is formed in the manner of a transportable container, wherein a plurality of compartments (C1, C2, C3, C4) are provided one behind the other along a longitudinal direction of the outline, wherein a first compartment (C1) contains at least two treatment basins (B1, B2, B3, B4) and an adjoining, second compartment (C2) contains a tank (7) with a lamellar separator (8) and a clarifying basin (9) arranged one after the other downstream of it. In order to improve the cleaning efficiency, it is proposed according to the invention that the clarifying basin (9) be arranged between the lamellar separator (8) and the first compartment (C1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: INVENT UMWELT-UND VERFAHRENSTECHINK AG
    Inventors: Marcus Hoefken, Walter Steidl, Peter Huber
  • Patent number: 7938959
    Abstract: A system for fryer oil usage has at least one fryer having a vat and a valved drain, a first oil storage container having an oil delivery line connected with the vat, a second oil storage container connected with the valved drain and vat of the fryer, both containers having an inert gas blanket in a vapor space thereof, a first filter connected with the valve of the drain of the fryer, a pump connected with the first filter and the second oil storage container and in valved communication with the vat, a polishing line connected with the pump and with the first filter, and a three-way valve movable to a first position for blocking the flow of oil, a second position for allowing the flow of oil to the second oil storage container, and a third position for allowing the flow of oil to the vat of the fryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Inman Restaurant Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Ronald C. Inman, Joseph N. Judice, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110100885
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a ballast water treatment device. The device includes a filtering unit filtering ballast water introduced into a ship using a filter, a vortex generating unit generating an artificial vortex in the ballast water filtered by the filtering unit, and an ultraviolet treatment unit having an ultraviolet lamp which sterilizes the ballast water discharged from the vortex generating unit using ultraviolet rays, thus preventing secondary contamination resulting from by-products, preventing a ballast tank from becoming contaminated, affording effective maintenance, and making it convenient to control. Further, an artificial vortex is formed in the ballast water when it is mixed, thus allowing a large quantity of ultraviolet rays to be radiated onto the ballast water passing through the ultraviolet treatment unit, therefore improving a sterilization effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: PANASIA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Soo-Tae LEE, Tae-Sung PYO, Sang-Gyu CHEON, Hyun-O KIM, Su-Kyu LEE
  • Publication number: 20110100896
    Abstract: The invention relates to a connection of belt connectors embodied as wire hooks (1) to one end of a plastic belt (16), wherein each wire hook has shanks (2, 3) arranged on both sides of the belt (16), and furthermore has hook ends (5) adjoining the shanks (2, 3), the hook ends (5) being pressed into the belt (16), and each wire hook (1) also has a coupling loop (4) connecting the two shanks the connection is furthermore to a flat cover element (10) on both sides of the belt for the hook arrangement, and the cover element extends across the width of the belt and has a carrier material and a coating applied thereto that is on its side facing the belt and that is made of a thermoplastic or an adhesive for attaching the cover element to the belt. With such a connection it is inventively proposed that the belt is embodied as a filtering belt and the applied coating passes at least partially through spaces in the filtering belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Wolfgang Herold
  • Publication number: 20110100895
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a membrane module including a first plurality of fibers capable of filtering fluids that are helically wound in layers creating a mono helix. Fluids to be treated can flow radially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the mono helix or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mono helix. The membrane module can further include a second plurality of fibers that are helically wound with the first plurality of fibers to create a dual helix. The second plurality of fibers can have different properties than the first plurality of fibers in order to achieve different filtering functionalities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Philip M. Rolchigo, John H. Burban, John Shanahan, Robert O. Crowder
  • Publication number: 20110084006
    Abstract: A liquid storage and dispensing device with a filter for removing minerals and a UV light source for killing pathogens existing in a liquid. A liquid is introduced into the device via the inlet. The liquid passes through the filter into a collector. The filtered liquid flows from the collector through a thru passage into a UV chamber. The UV light source emits UV rays through a UV transmissive wall into the interior portion of the UV chamber. Exposure to the UV light kills pathogens present in the filtered liquid. Substantially purified liquid can then be dispensed from an outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventor: Ka Shing Wu
  • Publication number: 20110073550
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a filter apparatus together with a method for the filtration of liquids, such as, in particular, water, with a housing with an inlet and a filtrate outlet for filtered liquid, with a filter means which is arranged in the flow path of the liquid between the inlet and the filtrate outlet for filtering out particles from the liquid, and with a dirt discharge via which filtered-out particles can be discharged from the housing, the filtrate outlet being assigned an outlet valve and the dirt discharge being assigned a discharge valve. According to the disclosure, the outlet valve and the discharge valve are coupled in such a way that the discharge valve opens the dirt discharge only when the outlet valve has at least partially shut off the filtrate outlet, in order thereby to generate a cleaning pulse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventor: Karsten Cartarius
  • Publication number: 20110062063
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a power recovery apparatus used in a desalination apparatus including a reverse osmosis membrane which extracts fresh water from seawater and ejects concentrated water includes a pressure conversion section and a seawater supply section to collect energy of the concentrated water. The pressure conversion section includes a movable part dividing inside of the conversion section into first and second spaces, moves the movable part by causing the first space to receive the concentrated water, and pushes out seawater filled in the second space by the movable part to output the seawater. The seawater supply section merges the seawater from the pressure conversion section with the seawater supplied to the reverse osmosis membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Ryoichi TAKAHASHI, Fumihide Nagashima, Koichi Matsui, Futoshi Kurokawa, Hideaki Yamagata
  • Publication number: 20110062071
    Abstract: The system has a storage tank and two or more arc whirl devices disposed in a top of the storage tank. Each arc whirl device includes: (a) a pump volute or hydrocyclone, (b) a throat connected to the pump volute or hydrocyclone head, (c) a parabolic reflector having a vertex, a focus and an opening at the vertex, wherein the opening is connected to the throat such that the vertex and focus are axially aligned with the central axis and the focus is not located within the throat, and (d) a wave energy source that irradiates the liquid using a first electrode within the pump volute or hydrocyclone head that extends into the throat along the central axis of the throat, and a second electrode extending into the parabolic reflector proximate to the focus wherein the second electrode is spaced apart and axially aligned with first electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: Foret Plasma Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Foret
  • Patent number: 7887872
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for separating impurities from the machine circulation of a processing agent of a processing station used in processing paper or board, in which method the processing agent is led from a reservoir (1) to the processing station (2), where it is spread on the surface of the web being processed, and the excess processing agent led to the processing station (2) agent is led back to the reservoir (1). The flow of processing agent coming from the processing station (2) is led to at least one pressure sieve (6), which is located below the level of the processing station (2), in such a way that the feed pressure of the processing agent is created on the basis of the difference in height between the station (2) and the pressure sieve (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Markku Viitanen, Ilkka Roitto
  • Publication number: 20110031178
    Abstract: The invention described herein provides an embedded wireless device such as a RFID tag molded into separate housing formed of any thermoplastic material compatible to that of the plastic material as the device to which the housing is to be attached. Subsequently, the housed tag assembly can be thermally bonded onto the device through many means which are well known and accepted in the industry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: MILLIPORE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Aaron Burke, Joseph William Muldoon
  • Patent number: 7882715
    Abstract: In a method for cleaning the foreign materials filtering, foreign materials collected in a foreign materials filtering space can be easily removed under a filter unit is separated from or is mounted at a filter cover unit. As a result, can be solved the conventional problems that a net filter has to be kept inside out at the time of a cleaning process to cause a user's hands to become dirty, and there is a difficulty in removing foreign materials from the net filter due to a fibrous characteristic of the net filter. Accordingly, a cleaning operation for the foreign materials filtering apparatus can be facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang-Hee Yoo, Jong-Deuk Bae, Bo-Young Chang, Young-Bae Park, Ji-Maeng Kim, Soo-Jin Jung, Ae-Na Jo