With Pump, Gas Pressure Or Vacuum Source Patents (Class 210/258)
  • Patent number: 8778183
    Abstract: A filtering apparatus that sucks liquid in hollow portions (10) of the filtering elements (1) via suction pipes (3) so that liquid passes the filtering elements and is filtered. Each suction pipe has suction holes (4) connected to the hollow portions. The suction pipes are inserted into through holes (2) of the filtering elements. The filtering elements are arranged side by side and connected to the suction pipes. A ring-shaped packing is interposed between the filtering elements, and water-tightly seals the clearance between the filtering element and the suction pipe. The through holes are arranged at peripheral locations of each filtering element. The suction pipes are inserted into the through holes of each filtering element. The filtering elements are held at the peripheral locations by the suction pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: AWA Paper Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Nakagawa, Yoshifumi Kusaka, Daisuke Nii, Daisuke Fujieda
  • Patent number: 8771510
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Tamami Takahashi, Masao Shinoda, Masato Eguchi, Masanori Goto
  • Patent number: 8753505
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating a liquid includes a first flow generator having an outlet for generating a first flow stream and a reaction chamber positioned in proximity to the outlet of the first flow generator and having a cavity adapted to receive the first flow stream from the first flow generator and reverse its direction within the confined space of the cavity. The flow generator may be a cavitation generator for producing multiple cavitation bubbles in the first slow stream, or a nozzle for generating a flow stream devoid of cavitation bubbles. A method for treating a liquid includes directing the liquid into a first flow generator configured to generate a first flow stream of the liquid, and directing the first flow stream from the first flow generator into a cavity of a reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Fluid-Quip, Inc.
    Inventor: Allison Sprague
  • Patent number: 8747664
    Abstract: The present invention provides a water filtration and sterilization device comprising a container having an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit, a closure valve at said inlet conduit, a filter means upstream of said inlet conduit, a flow prevention means in said outlet conduit and an ultra violet radiation source within said container. The valve is adapted to be opened for a first time period to admit water into the container via the filter means. The ultra violet radiation source is operable for a second time period to sterilize water in said chamber. The first time period is shorter than said second time period. The flow prevention means is operable to deliver sterilized water on demand from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Applica Cosumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Dier
  • Patent number: 8747666
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for filtering contaminated water from an oil or gas well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventor: Robert L. Miller
  • Publication number: 20140151278
    Abstract: A high-pressure pump P1 that increases the pressure of raw water, a high-pressure reverse osmosis device including a high-pressure reverse osmosis membrane for concentrating a salt content in high-pressure feed water, a first drain valve mounted on a permeated water line for supplying the permeated water downstream and temporarily draining permeated water of an initial start-up from a discharge line, a low-pressure pump that is mounted on a permeated water line provided downstream of the first drain valve and reduces the pressure of the permeated water, a low-pressure reverse osmosis device including a low-pressure reverse osmosis membrane for concentrating a salt content in low-pressure feed water, and a second drain valve mounted on a discharge line at the concentrated water side of the low-pressure reverse osmosis device that temporarily discharges the low-pressure feed water of the initial start-up supplied to the low-pressure reverse osmosis device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Takeuchi, Yoshiaki Ito, Kenji Tanaka, Hideo Iwahashi, Katsunori Matsui, Takayoshi Hori
  • Patent number: 8733375
    Abstract: A water conducting household appliance, particularly a dishwasher or a washing machine, having a hydraulic circuit, in which cleaning fluid can be recycled and in which at least one further filter is provided for filtering recycled washing liquor. In an exemplary embodiment, the appliance includes a filter in the hydraulic circuit for filtering recycled washing liquor. The filter may be disposed in a region of the hydraulic circuit in which the recycled washing liquor is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Egbert Classen, Helmut Jerg, Hans-Peter Nannt, Kai Paintner, Thomas Wachinger
  • Patent number: 8731726
    Abstract: A method is provided for regulating fluid pump pressures by detecting an elevation differential between a fluid flow control device and the distal end of a fluid line in communication with the fluid flow control device. A fluid flow control device, for instance a peritoneal dialysis device, is at a first height, a distal end of a fluid line is at a second height, and a valved outlet, when open, affords communication between the fluid flow control device and the distal end of the fluid line. The elevation differential is correlatable with a pressure measurable during a calibration procedure provided as a part of the methodology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Larry B. Gray, Robert J. Bryant
  • Patent number: 8721884
    Abstract: Disclosed are hemodialysis and similar dialysis systems including fluid flow circuits. Hemodialysis systems may include a blood flow path, and a dialysate flow path including balancing, mixing, and/or a directing circuits. Preparation of dialysate may be decoupled from patient dialysis. Circuits may be defined within one or more cassettes. The fluid circuit and/or the various fluid flow paths may be isolated from electrical components. A gas supply may be provided that, when activated, is able to urge dialysate through the dialyzer and blood back to the patient. Such a system may be useful during a power failure. The hemodialysis system may also include fluid handling devices, such as pumps, valves, mixers, etc., actuated using a control fluid. The control fluid may be delivered to the fluid handling devices using a detachable external pump. The fluid handling devices may have a spheroid shape with a diaphragm dividing it into two compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Michael J. Wilt, Jason A. Demers, Kevin L. Grant, Brian D. Tracey, James D. Dale
  • Patent number: 8721879
    Abstract: Hemodialysis dialysis systems are disclosed. Hemodialysis systems of the invention may include a dialysate flow path including a balancing circuit, a mixing circuit, and/or a directing circuit. The circuits may be defined within one or more cassettes. The fluid circuits may be at least partially isolated, spatially and/or thermally, from electrical components of the system. A gas supply may be provided in fluid communication with the dialysate flow path and/or the dialyzer to, urge dialysate through the dialyzer and blood back to the patient. The hemodialysis systems may include fluid handling devices actuated using a control fluid, optionally delivered using detachable pump. Fluid handling devices may be generally rigid and of a spheroid shape, optionally with a diaphragm dividing the device into compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dirk A. van der Merwe, Michael J. Wilt
  • Patent number: 8715492
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a septic system such as an aerobic wastewater treatment plant connected to a drip irrigation system for dispensing wastewater from the septic system. The apparatus includes a pump having a pump outlet for a pumping treated wastewater from the septic system, a filter connected to the pump outlet, the filter having a first output for directing filtered water to the drip irrigation system and a second outlet for disposal of backwash water used to clean the filter. There is an accumulator or canister having a predetermined volume for receiving water from at least one of the drip irrigation systems and the second output of the filter. The accumulator has an outlet connected to a pressure actuated normally open flush valve, which closes in response to pressure from water in the accumulator and which moves to the normally open position when the pump is deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: Jerry L. McKinney
  • Publication number: 20140116964
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for disposing of drill cuttings includes collecting drilling mud from a wellbore, the drilling mud comprising liquid and solids, separating the liquid from the solids in a first separation step, separating the liquid from the solids in a second separation step, and transferring the solids to a container with a vacuum pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Griffin Bevan, Timothy Albert Rich, Justin Michael Roberts, Jonathan Michael Smith
  • Publication number: 20140116943
    Abstract: A water purification system has a closed water channel to circulate circulating water not containing substances causing fouling at the downstream side separated from the water to be treated with a semipermeable membrane. By performing reverse osmosis membrane treatment on the circulating water of a low concentration of organic substances after reclaiming water from the water to be treated containing organic substances to the circulating water through a forward osmosis membrane in which fouling is hard to occur, the substances causing fouling can be prevented from contacting onto the reverse osmosis membrane and thus fouling can be suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Keiko Nakano
  • Publication number: 20140110316
    Abstract: Using seawater as a benchmark of water with high TDS (total dissolved solids) Raw seawater can be instantly and significantly desalted just by passing a flow through adsorber (FTA) without applying electricity to the adsorbent therein. Various precursors may be converted to dual-functional adsorbents for the FTA. A cation-adsorbing group and an anion-adsorbing group are grafted onto the surface of the adsorbents by phosphorylation and amination, respectively. Based on the applications, the adsorbent may be configured as membrane form or packed bed in the FTA. When the adsorbent becomes saturated, it can be regenerated online using liquids cleaner than the intake. Besides seawater, the FTA may be utilized for treating other TDS-infested wastewaters at very minimal cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: ECO Watertech, Inc.
    Inventors: Lih-Ren Shiue, Dzung-Shi Chang, Rui-Yao Li
  • Patent number: 8702985
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dialysis machine having a coupling surface for the coupling of a fluid system, in particular for the coupling of a cassette, and having an actuator arranged on the coupling surface for the movement of an actuator region of the fluid system. In accordance with the invention, a heating element is now provided for the heating of the actuator, with the liquid being able to be heated via the actuator in the actuator region of the fluid system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Sven Sebesta, Ulrich Wernicke
  • Patent number: 8696897
    Abstract: The gray water recycling system includes a first holding tank for filtering and storing gray water from a washer. The processed water passes through an inline filter to a second holding tank. The second holding tank includes a first float switch operatively associated with a pump that shuts off power to the pump when the second tank contains less than a predetermined amount of processed water. An outlet pipe inside the second tank includes another filter to clean the processed water as the water passes through the outlet pipe. A second float switch activates the pump to pump the processed water to a toilet tank when the toilet tank water drains below a predetermined level. A battery power unit is operatively connected to the pump, providing power for selective operation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Lance M. Marugame
  • Patent number: 8685245
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for separating suspended matter from liquid includes a concentrator filter that draws the liquid out of the suspension while the filter kept unblocked by a sparging filter that allows scrubbing of the concentrator filter by gas bubbles. This invention can be used to replace cross-flow filtration and centrifugation in the bioprocess industry and to reduce the volume of suspensions to concentrate the yield of the end product in the chemical industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Therapeutic Proteins International, LLC
    Inventor: Sarfaraz Niazi
  • Patent number: 8685244
    Abstract: A disposable cartridge for use in a hemodialysis machine has a blood flow path for carrying a volume of blood to be treated in a dialyser and a dialysate flow path, isolated from the blood flow path, for delivering a flow of dialysate solution through the dialyser. The cartridge is received in an engine section of the machine. The engine section has first and second platens which close when the cartridge is inserted to retain the cartridge. Actuators and sensors arranged on the second platen control operation of the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Quanta Fluid Solutions Ltd.
    Inventors: Keith James Heyes, Hugh Christopher Bramley, Mark Reeves, Mark Jervis
  • Patent number: 8663474
    Abstract: A non-blocking filtration system wherein the suspension filtered continuously scrubs the filter, keeping it free of deposits of solid deposits while the filtrate is removed in a variety of biological and chemical applications, substantially reducing the cost of unit operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Therapeutic Proteins International, LLC
    Inventor: Sarfaraz K. Niazi
  • Patent number: 8663465
    Abstract: A filtration and dispensing system that is particularly suitable for underdeveloped parts of the world is provided for storing, filtering, and dispensing rainwater, surface water, or groundwater. The system includes a bank of ceramic filters, a water retention container for holding water to be dispensed by the system, and at least one header tank to which water supplied from the water retention container is fed. A pump is utilized to withdraw water from a lower portion of the water retention container and supplied to the header tank. The withdrawn water is distributed by way of piping from the header tank to individual ceramic filters in the bank of ceramic filters, and a collection tank receives filtered water discharged from the bank of ceramic filters. Trickle feed nozzles or other discharge elements are used to discharge the filtered water from the collection tank for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: ATOPIA Research
    Inventors: Jane Harrison, David Turnbull, Wole Soboyejo
  • Publication number: 20140048462
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a filtration skid configured to generate a filtrate through at least one of microfiltration and ultrafiltration. The apparatus further includes a desalination skid fluidly connected to the filtration skid. The desalination skid is configured to perform reverse osmosis desalination on the filtrate to generate a permeate, where the filtrate travels from the filtration skid to the desalination skid without traversing a storage tank. In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a controller, where the filtration skid and the desalination skid are integrated to provide self-adaptive operation of the filtration skid and the desalination skid in response to control by at least one of a supervisory controller and a local controller. In one embodiment, the control responds to at least one of temporal variability of feed water quality, a permeate production capacity target, and a permeate quality target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Yoram Cohen, Panagiotis D. Christofides, Anditya Rahardianto, Alex R. Bartman, Aihua Zhu, Han Gu, Larry Xingming Gao
  • Publication number: 20140042091
    Abstract: A method and system for processing a solution is provided. In at least one first membrane unit, a feed flow is separated into a permeate flow and a retentate flow. According to the invention, at least part of the retentate flow is fed to at least one second membrane unit. In the second membrane unit, retentate is located on one side of a membrane. Located on the other side is a solution in which the concentration of dissolved substances of which is lower than that of the retentate. Thus solvent of the solution passes through the membrane and thins the retentate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: KSB Aktiengeselldchaft
    Inventor: Hans Graf
  • Patent number: 8641897
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for an ozone-based treatment of polluted water are disclosed. The apparatus and the method generally comprise three stages. The first stage is an ozone treatment stage wherein the polluted water is treated with ozone gas. The second stage is a gas-liquid separation stage wherein excess non-dissolved gases, from the ozone treatment stage, are removed from the water whereby the water exiting the gas-liquid separation stage is substantially saturated with dissolved gases and substantially free of non-dissolved gases. The last stage is a membrane filtration stage wherein the gas-saturated water generally undergoes micro-filtration or ultra-filtration. Microbubbles formed during this final stage generally prevent the accumulation of particles and pollutants on the surface of the membranes and/or inside the openings or pores thereof; thereby acting as a self-cleaning mechanism for the membrane filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: 8452059 Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Maurice Lacasse
  • Patent number: 8640877
    Abstract: Marijuana and other raw plant material such as corn is processed via a water and ice agitation method. Small diameter mixtures of plant pollen and plant debris are filtered from eight various micron filters, the filters used are 220, 190, 160, 120, 90, 73, 45 and 25 micron. The agitator tub agitates screen bags holding raw plant material and ice, to break down various parts of the plant into a process water solution. This solution is pumped back and forth between two process reservoirs, each supports two strainer columns. Each strainer column has a pair of buckets. Each bucket has a different micron filter bag supported in it. An operator can recycle the solution any number of times to achieve a desired harvest of eight (or more or less) varying diameter pollen and debris product, using one agitator drain pump and three reservoir pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Elijah B. Pastorius
  • Patent number: 8640882
    Abstract: A compact fluid purification device includes a housing having an inlet for receiving unfiltered liquid and an open end and a first valve disposed within the inlet and being configured to only permit unfiltered liquid to flow into a hollow interior of the housing. The device has a plunger that is movable between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position. Movement of the plunger toward the fully extended position causes unfiltered liquid to be drawn into the interior of the housing and the device includes a second valve disposed within the outlet and being configured to only permit filtered liquid to be discharged from the plunger housing. The unfiltered liquid is filtered when the plunger is moved toward the fully retracted position causing the unfiltered liquid in the interior to flow into the inside of the filter elements and then across the filter elements and into the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Nephros, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory R. Collins, James Summerton
  • Patent number: 8634964
    Abstract: A method for the control of valves for flow path control, in particular in a medical treatment machine, having a plurality of processes for the manufacture of flow paths by control of a group of valves, with each process claiming a group of valves suitable for its carrying out for itself so that other processes cannot change the switching state of these valves and with each process itself making a decision on the release of the valves claimed by it. In addition, a method is provided for monitoring the then current and/or scheduled state of a plurality of valves in the flow path control, determining the connections resulting from the switching state of the valves, and comparing the resulting connections with a predetermined number of non-permitted connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Frank L. Hedmann, Stephan Klatte
  • Publication number: 20140014579
    Abstract: A water filtration device comprising a water pump for providing water, a first carbon filter that receives water from the water pump, a first ball valve having a first opening connected to the first carbon filter, a first ultrafiltration membrane that receives water from the first carbon filter after it passes through the first opening, a second ball valve having a second opening and connected downstream from the first ultrafiltration membrane, a second ultrafiltration membrane that receives water from the first carbon filter through the second opening, said second ultrafiltration membrane being positioned downstream said first carbon filter, wherein water can flow simultaneously through the first ultrafiltration membrane and the second ultrafiltration membrane from the first carbon filter, a second carbon filter connected downstream from the first and second ultrafiltration membranes that receives and filters water from the first and second ultrafiltration membranes, resulting in producing purified water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventor: AbdulRazaq Haruna
  • Patent number: 8623202
    Abstract: A method and system for wastewater treatment comprising a first treatment zone (11) fluidly connected to one or more further treatment zones (12, 13, 14), a membrane module (16) comprising a filter membrane positioned in or fluidly connected to the further treatment zone (14), a gravity settling device (15) fluidly connected to the first treatment zone (11) to receive overflow therefrom; and a flow control device (23) between the first treatment zone (11) and the gravity settling device (15) to control the flow of liquid therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Water Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Dennis J. Barnes
  • Patent number: 8623200
    Abstract: A water filtering system having its components contained within a single housing. The filter system uses a first filter pair of filters which can be first manually isolated from the water flow; and a second pair of filters which can also be manually isolated from the water flow. The two pairs of filters operate in parallel, thereby allowing one pair to be isolated for cleaning/repair without having to curtail operation since the other pair of filters remain operational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Green Water Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: David Williamson
  • Patent number: 8597507
    Abstract: The super oxidation, coagulation and flocculation system is applicable to water and wastewater chemical treatment in which oxidation, coagulation and flocculation processes take place in a single vessel. The apparatus and process can be used for treatment of domestic and industrial water and wastewater for removal of organic and inorganic contaminants. The oxidation process can be provided by several oxidizing chemicals such as ozone, hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate, chlorine and Ultra Violet Lights, and the coagulation process can be accomplished with several coagulants such as aluminum sulphide, ferric chloride, ferric sulphate. Selection of the chemicals depends on the quality of the water or wastewater to be treated and the treated water quality required, and it covers a wide range of impurities to be removed and specifically difficult to oxidize hydrocarbons and chlorinated organics, and iron, manganese, uranium, arsenic, cyanide, hydrogen sulphide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Inventor: Jan A. Korzeniowski
  • Patent number: 8591728
    Abstract: A conductive fluid detection apparatus for detecting moisture mixed into a coolant comprises: a filter unit having a tubular member through which a coolant can flow, mesh members made of stainless steel etc. and filter paper through which the coolant can pass, but which can hold moisture, the mesh members and the filter paper provided and stacked inside the tubular member, the filter paper interposed between the mesh members; a resistance value measurement circuit measuring the resistance value between mesh members; and a relay stopping the supply of power to the pump when the resistance value between the mesh members falls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Hideno, Seigo Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 8580110
    Abstract: A proposed blood treatment apparatus includes: a blood treatment unit, a pair of fluid pumps and a pair blood pumps. The blood treatment unit is configured to receive untreated blood and fresh blood treatment fluid, and emit treated blood and used blood treatment fluid. The fluid pumps are configured to pass blood treatment fluid through the blood treatment unit. The blood pumps are configured to extract untreated blood from a blood source, pass extracted blood through the blood treatment unit and deliver treated blood to a target vessel. Additionally, the fluid pumps are configured to control the operation of the blood pumps via the blood treatment fluid. Moreover, a flow control device is configured to control a trans-membrane flow between the blood side and the a fluid side of the blood treatment unit. Hence, for instance ultrafiltration can be adjusted to a desired level in a very straightforward manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Lennart Jönsson, Olof Jansson, Mattias Holmer, Jan Sternby, Anders Nilsson, Per Hansson
  • Patent number: 8568588
    Abstract: The apparatus for osmotic power generation and desalination using a salinity difference includes: a first osmotic membrane reactor having a first salt water position space and a third salt water position space separated by a first forward osmotic membrane; a second osmotic membrane reactor having a second salt water position space and a draw solution position space separated by a second forward osmotic membrane; a high pressure pump connected between the second salt water position space and the third salt water position space; a desalination unit obtaining fresh water by separating a draw solute from a draw solution diluted through a transmission of water in salt water of the second salt water position space by way of the draw solution position space; and a turbine driven by flow force of salt water discharged from the third salt water position space to produce electric energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials
    Inventors: Yu Chang Kim, Sang Jin Park, Young Kim, In-Seob Park, Byung-Ik Choi, Kong Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 8568585
    Abstract: A water distribution system including a water storage tank, a water treatment unit, a diverter valve, and interconnecting water conduits arranged so that the same water treatment unit can be used to treat water supplied from a fill port to the storage tank during a fill operation, as well as water leaving the storage tank for supply to one or more points of water use during a supply operation. A diverter valve is provided which is movable between a fill position wherein the water treatment unit is in fluid communication with the fill port and not the point of water use device, and a supply position wherein the water treatment unit is in fluid communication with the at least one point of water use device and not the fill port. When the diverter valve is in the fill position, water supplied to the fill port can thus flow through the diverter valve and to the water treatment unit for treatment then to the storage tank for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: International Water-Guard Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Daniel Nolan
  • Publication number: 20130277288
    Abstract: The current application is directed to cost-effective and efficient well-water treatment systems that employ both multi-layer filtration and aeration to remove undesirable gasses, such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, methane, radon, and volatile organic-compound gasses from input well water as well as particulate contaminants and soluble metal ions, including iron and manganese. The well-water treatment systems to which the current application is directed additionally remove many other types of well-water contaminants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: AQUA IP
    Inventors: Scott Borough, Larry Meek, Laren Meek
  • Patent number: 8562832
    Abstract: A three-stage separator system for separating the solids and liquids from a slurry includes a first stage having an inclined housing defining a liquid channel. A slot sieve is disposed over an open surface of the channel. A mechanical vibrator assembly imparts mechanical vibration to a vibration zone of the slot sieve. A slurry delivery apparatus delivers the slurry to the slot sieve. A second stage includes an inclined conveyer positioned to convey partially-separated solids and includes a drive mechanism driven at a speed to cause the partially-separated solids to tumble as they are transported up the conveyor. A third stage includes a press positioned to accept partially-separated solids passing out of the tunnel press restrictor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Inventor: Rejean Houle
  • Patent number: 8562828
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment apparatus (10) that treats the wastewater containing persistent substances, according to the present invention, includes a wastewater treatment bath (12) for treating a wastewater (11), an oxidizing reagent adding unit (14) for adding an oxidizing reagent (13) in the wastewater treatment bath (12), and an alkaline reagent adding unit (16) for adding an alkaline reagent (15) in the wastewater treatment bath (12). By making the wastewater in the wastewater treatment bath (12) in the alkaline condition, it is possible to completely decompose the persistent substances in the wastewater by the oxidation treatment using an oxidizing reagent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Tabata, Masaru Chiyomaru, Makoto Susaki, Yukiko Shirakusa, Kazuhide Kamimura, Tetsuya Ito, Hiroyuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8557116
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for separating particles and dissolved matter from a fluid stream. Specifically, the present invention includes a first pressure source which transports untreated 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 physics allowing the desired fluid to penetrate and pass into and through the filter media. The filtered fluid is then transported to a collection tank. The contaminant particulate matter retained by the filter media may be removed by the 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 a concentrator for further treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Tervita, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond Ford Johnson, Markley Dean Johnson, Rodney Grage
  • Patent number: 8557113
    Abstract: The cart comprises a lateral face by which it is adapted to be juxtaposed against another cart. It further comprises a first pump, a second pump disposed below said first pump and laterally offset relative thereto, and a tank adapted to receive a feed container provided to contain said biological liquid, said tank being disposed above said first pump and offset laterally relative thereto. The installation comprises one said cart, a filter and a second cart, juxtaposed against said first cart and of which the upper face supports said filter such that an outlet point of said first pump is situated substantially facing an inlet/outlet aperture of said filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Jean Luc Beulay, Virginie Buisson, Sebastien Cirou, Cecile Delbos, Marc Hlavacek, Frans Mels, Rene Reinbigler, Jean Louis Weissenbach
  • Patent number: 8551342
    Abstract: The present invention proposes a method of operating a blood treatment apparatus for the extracorporeal blood treatment of a patient, a blood volume monitor for monitoring an extracorporeal blood treatment of the patient by means of a blood treatment apparatus, and a blood treatment apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Moissl, Paul Chamney, Peter Wabel
  • Patent number: 8551331
    Abstract: An automatic filtering system for filtering a cooking medium in a fryer, includes a frypot; a filter manifold having removable filter; a pump, that supplies cooking medium from the filter manifold to the frypot; a pressure sensor that senses a pressure of the cooking medium supplied by the pump; and a controlling mechanism that controls an operation of the pump in response to the sensed pressure data. The control mechanism halts the operation of the pump after sensing a drop in the pressure of the cooking medium pressure that is greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure drop threshold. The systems and methods of the invention provide automatic filtering that may reduce or eliminate an incorrect refilling operation after the filtering of cooking medium, so that the filtering process may be performed correctly each time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Henny Penny Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas A. Burkett, Thomas Lee Gort, Gary L. Mercer
  • Patent number: 8551330
    Abstract: A carbon adsorption vessel for use in a CIP (carbon in pulp) or CIL (carbon in leach) process may be constructed. A slurry is obtained having dissolved (leached) precious metals. The slurry is brought into contact with carbon particles and is passed through a retention screen in the vessel. The dissolved precious metals adhere onto the carbon particles. An air lift pump provides the pressure differential necessary to drive the slurry through the retention screen, wherein the carbon particles are retained by the retention screen and the slurry passes through the retention screen. After passing through the retention screen, the slurry is received in to a receiving vessel that may be situated at, below or above the level of source vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: WesTech Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph A. Cutler, Jeffery H. Easton
  • Patent number: 8545698
    Abstract: Disclosed are hemodialysis and similar dialysis systems including fluid flow circuits. Hemodialysis systems may include a blood flow path, and a dialysate flow path including balancing, mixing, and/or a directing circuits. Preparation of dialysate may be decoupled from patient dialysis. Circuits may be defined within one or more cassettes. The fluid circuit and/or the various fluid flow paths may be isolated from electrical components. A gas supply may be provided that, when activated, is able to urge dialysate through the dialyzer and blood back to the patient. Such a system may be useful during a power failure. The hemodialysis system may also include fluid handling devices, such as pumps, valves, mixers, etc., actuated using a control fluid, The control fluid may be delivered to the fluid handling devices using a detachable external pump. The fluid handling devices may have a spheroid shape with a diaphragm dividing it into two compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Michael J. Wilt, Jason A. Demers, Kevin L. Grant, Brian D. Tracey, James D. Dale
  • Patent number: 8540872
    Abstract: A portable water treatment plant includes a membrane filter, a booster pump and a pressurized water tank. The membrane filter preferably receives water through a pump in a screen filter, but could receive water from other sources. The booster pump pumps water from an output of the membrane filter into the pressurized water tank. The water from the membrane filter is preferably pumped through at least one carbon filter for additional filtering. An air compressor is used to inject air into a backwash solution. An auxiliary inlet and an auxiliary outlet are created to receive a removable reverse osmosis filter. An electronic controller includes a touch screen monitor, which provides control of and displays various information concerning the portable water treatment plant. The electronic controller senses the insertion of the reverse osmosis filter into the portable water treatment plant. Chemicals in the cleaning solutions are neutralized before discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignees: Watertronics, LLC, World Water Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ryan, Andrew J. Castro, Daniel W. Eellers, III, Neal A. Verdegan
  • Patent number: 8540875
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for filling a container containing a dry powdered salt concentrate for use in dialysis with purified fluid and removing the trapped air or gases generated during the filling of the container, while maintaining the required fluid level in the container and without the need for evacuating gases from the container prior to filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holding, Inc.
    Inventors: Roland Levin, Wayne Raiford
  • Patent number: 8535536
    Abstract: A split thin-flow separations device can include a fluid channel having an inlet zone, an outlet zone, and a transport region between the inlet zone and outlet zone. The inlet zone includes a sample inlet and a carrier fluid inlet which are fluidly separated by an inlet splitter to minimize mixing of fluids from respective inlets in the inlet zone. The transport region can be a substantially open channel. Similar to the inlet zone, the outlet zone can include a sample outlet and a carrier outlet which are fluidly separated by an outlet splitter to segregate portions of a fluid into each of the two outlets as the fluid enters the outlet zone. A plurality of cross-flow inducers can also be oriented along a wall of the fluid channel in the transport region. The cross-flow inducers are oriented to form a cross-flow field across the transport region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Bruce K. Gale, Himanshu Sant, Venu Madhav, Srinivas Merugu
  • Patent number: 8535521
    Abstract: A hemofiltration system or method removes unwanted molecules from a flow of blood using cascaded first and second hemofilters. Filtration of the blood in first hemofilter raises hemoconcentration of unwanted protein-bound molecules. Combination of a substitution fluid with outflow from the first hemofilter creates a concentration differential between bound and unbound molecules that frees unwanted molecules from protein bonds. Filtration of the combined fluids in a second hemofilter removes the unwanted free molecules. A second substitution fluid may be added to the twice filtered blood fluid for return to a patient. Removal of inflammatory mediators, apoptotic mediators, and certain electrolytes may be effected, and the removal may be optimized by controlling fluid flows and transmembrane pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Lannoy
  • Patent number: 8529760
    Abstract: A device and method of using same, wherein the device includes a collimated light source operable to generate a collimated light source beam, the collimated light source beam comprising a beam cross-section. The device further includes at least one body defining a first channel in a first plane, the first channel comprising a first channel cross-section, the first channel being oriented to receive the collimated light source beam such that the beam cross-section completely overlaps the first channel cross-section. Optionally, the body defines a second channel in a second plane orthogonal to the first plane, wherein the body defines a third channel in a third plane orthogonal to the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Sean J. Hart, Alexander V. Terray
  • Patent number: 8529770
    Abstract: A portable UV-C purification system is provided that includes a current reduction technique for an electric pump to reduce power demands on an associated generator to thereby produce a light weight and efficient system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Water of Life, LLC.
    Inventor: Stephen A. Yencho
  • Patent number: 8529761
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis system includes a plurality of feed pumps each having a feed pump input and a feed pump output, an input manifold in fluid communication with the feed pump inputs and a membrane feed manifold in fluid communication with the feed pump output. The system also includes a plurality of membrane chambers each in fluid communication with the membrane feed manifold and generating a permeate output and a brine output, each brine output in fluid communication with a brine manifold. The system further includes a plurality of booster devices each having a turbine portion with a turbine input in fluid communication with the brine manifold and a pump portion having a booster device pump input and a booster device pump output, each booster device pump output in fluid communication with the membrane feed manifold. The system includes a pump input manifold in fluid communication with the booster device pump input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Fluid Equipment Development Company, LLC
    Inventor: Eli Oklejas, Jr.