With Pump, Gas Pressure Or Vacuum Source Patents (Class 210/258)
  • Publication number: 20130230808
    Abstract: A process for producing a printing plate, includes feeding a developing solution to an exposed photosensitive resin composition layer; passing the developing solution, in which a photosensitive resin composition is dispersed, through a dispersing-object-filter and flocculating the photosensitive resin composition dispersed in the developing solution by the dispersed-object-filter, and removing a flocculated photosensitive resin composition from the developing solution passed through the dispersing-object-filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: ASAHI KASEI E-MATERIALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji SUZUKI, Masafumi SHIBANO
  • Patent number: 8524086
    Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments concern systems and methods of preparing dialysate for use in a home dialysis system that is compact and light-weight relative to existing systems and consumes relatively low amounts of energy. The method includes coupling a household water stream to a dialysis system; filtering the water stream; heating the water stream to at least about 138 degrees Celsius in a non-batch process to produce a heated water stream; maintaining the heated water stream at or above at least about 138 degrees Celsius for at least about two seconds; cooling the heated water stream to produce a cooled water stream; ultrafiltering the cooled water stream; and mixing dialysate components into the cooled water stream in a non-batch process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignees: State of Oregon acting by and through the State Board of Higher Education on behalf of Oregon State University, Home Dialysis Plus, Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard B. Peterson, James R. Curtis
  • Patent number: 8518259
    Abstract: An apparatus for de-aering, oxygenating and controlling a temperature of blood in an extracorporeal blood circuit. The apparatus includes a housing, a manifold body, a heat exchanger, and an oxygenator. A blood inlet tangentially directs blood into a first chamber of the housing. The manifold body is disposed in a second chamber, and includes a core and a plurality of vanes that define channels. The heat exchanger is arranged around the manifold body, and the oxygenator around the heat exchanger. The channels are open to the heat exchanger. An established blood flow path includes rotational flow within the first chamber to separate air from the blood, generally longitudinal flow from the first chamber and along the channels, and generally radial flow through the heat exchanger and the oxygenator. With this construction, gross air removal occurs prior to the blood passing through the heat exchanger and oxygenator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Cloutier, Robert Olsen, Stephen Roller, Chris Plott, Al McLevish, Ming Li, Michael Laxen, John Knoll, Gregory Hake
  • Patent number: 8518252
    Abstract: The present invention provides a new and improved system for on-site and on-demand production of sterile water for injection (SWFI) from potable water or water that meets the EPA drinking water quality upon preconditioning, in conjunction with reconstitution of IV fluids using dry chemicals or concentrate pre-filled bags, suitable for use at a site under non-clean room environment conditions, and capable of adjusting feed water temperatures. The present invention includes a water temperature conditioning module, a water preconditioning module, a hydrothermal processor, a fluid staging compartment, and combinations and variations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Research Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Lixiong Li
  • Patent number: 8512565
    Abstract: A solid-liquid separator prevents wear of a self-priming liquid pump connected to a cyclone mechanism and a solid-liquid mixture can be purified at low cost. The separator separates sludge in the liquid by a cyclone in a separation portion directly or indirectly connected to a suction of the upstream side of the pump. The separation portion has a first and second cyclones with the first cyclone disposed in said second cyclone coaxially. A tank disposed under the cyclones collects separated from the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: World Chemical Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Yoji Mori, Yoji Karasawa, Yasuichi Haga, Koji Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 8512576
    Abstract: A system for the production or handling of heavy oil comprises means (18) for introducing an immiscible viscosity-reducing fluid into the heavy oil at an upstream end of a flow line (10,22) to create a dispersion of oil and viscosity-reducing fluid, and means (24,30) for separating the viscosity-reducing fluid at least partially from the oil at a downstream end of the flow line. The separating means comprises a cyclonic fluid conditioning unit (24) connected receive the dispersion of oil and viscosity-reducing fluid from the downstream end of the flow line (22), said cyclonic fluid conditioning unit being constructed and arranged to subject the dispersion to a cyclonic conditioning process; and a gravity separator unit (30) connected to receive the conditioned dispersion from the cyclonic fluid conditioning unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Caltec Limited
    Inventors: Mahmood Mir Sarshar, Ali Najam Miraz Beg, Carl Wordsworth
  • Patent number: 8506819
    Abstract: A system and method of filtering metalworking fluid is disclosed. A particle filter is provided in fluid communication with a sump of machining equipment to filter particles from a metalworking fluid. The metalworking fluid is filtered using the particle filter to remove metal filings and debris from the metalworking fluid. A tramp oil filter is provided in fluid communication with the particle filter to remove tramp oil, wherein the tramp oil filter includes hydrophobic material to absorb oil. The oil-free metalworking fluid may then be re-circulated back to the machining equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Inventor: Gary Major
  • Patent number: 8506905
    Abstract: The present invention provides simple and an accurate apparatuses for forming bilayer membranes by the contact of amphipathic monolayers. In one apparatus, amphipathic monolayers are brought into contact and fused by controlling the pressure of liquids introduced from microchannels forming an intersection containing a chamber. In another apparatus, the chamber includes a number of compartments and at least one construction portion. In this apparatus, a droplet is formed within each compartment and contact of amphipatic monolayers is accomplished by adjusting the size of the droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: The University of Tokyo
    Inventors: Shoji Takeuchi, Hiroaki Suzuki, Kei Funakoshi
  • Publication number: 20130196375
    Abstract: A bio factory apparatus capable of Up-Stream production of biologic material products or biologics products in a liquid volume and processing of biologic or biologic material products Down-Stream, comprising at least one first Up-Stream producing capsule and at least one second Down-Stream processing capsule, said capsules capable of being stacked in any order and any number within a column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: STROBBE TECH A/S
    Inventor: Per Strobbe
  • Patent number: 8496815
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the recovery of iodine are described. In particular, recovery systems and methods produce an iodine complex from an aqueous brine containing iodide. A head tank for maintains a supply of the brine, a pH controller acidifies brine received from the head tank and an oxidizer converts iodide in the acidified brine to elemental iodine. At least one activated carbon contactor module is removably inserted into a stream of the oxidized brine provided by the oxidizer and binds the molecular iodine to form the iodine complex. A container may enclose the head tank, the pH controller and the oxidizer in order to facilitate transportation of the system and performance of the methods and processes in proximity to a brine source. The brine may be employed or associated with oilfield operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Iofina Natural Gas, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry Brix, James Reynolds
  • Patent number: 8496806
    Abstract: Provided is a dehydrator that requires no excessively large apparatus structure and achieves cost-saving while maintaining suction efficiency at a desired level by use of suction means. A dehydrator 100 for separating water from a target liquid 13 includes at least two water separation membrane units 1a and 1b which are provided in series in a flow direction of the target liquid 13. The water separation membrane unit 1a on an upstream side out of the water separation membrane units 1a and 1b is connected to suction means 7 for sucking a gas phase containing water through one condenser 4, and the one condenser 4 condenses water in the gas phase and thereby separates the water. The gas phase sucked by the suction means 7 from the one condenser 4 is transferred to at least one downstream condenser 8 provided downstream of the one condenser 4, and the downstream condenser 8 condenses water in the gas phase and thereby separates the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Yukumoto, Hiroyuki Osora, Yoshio Seiki, Haruaki Hirayama, Yukio Tanaka, Hideo Kashiwagi, Katsufumi Inoue
  • Publication number: 20130189668
    Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and methods to consistently separate and concentrate selected blood components. The system includes, e.g., a computerized fluid handling system to transfer blood components between a centrifugal blood separation disc, containers and a concentrator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: BIOMET BIOLOGICS, LLC
    Inventor: BIOMET BIOLOGICS, LLC
  • Patent number: 8491273
    Abstract: The present embodiments relate to ballast systems for marine structures. The ballast system comprises a ballast tank and a pump. The pump comprises a low side and a high side and the ballast system comprises a first inlet conduit assembly adapted to provide a fluid communication between the ballast tank and the low side. The ballast system is adapted to provide a first operating condition in which first operating condition a fluid is pumped from the low side to the high side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: GVA Consultants AB
    Inventor: Lars-Olof Liberg
  • Publication number: 20130180918
    Abstract: A water filtration device for the production of medical grade water for injection from a potable water source is provided including only the following two filter components: 1) a mixed ion bed resin filter and 2) a semi-permeable reverse osmosis membrane filter. This device provides a low cost, onsite method of purifying potable water into medical grade water for injection satisfying United States Pharmacopeia Water For Injection (USP WFI) standards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: Philip J. Scarpa, Wolfgang Scheuer
  • Publication number: 20130180907
    Abstract: A dual stage filter assembly for use in a fluid cleaning and sludge removal operation. An upper stage centrifugal separator incorporated into a first vessel. A lower stage baffle filter is incorporated into a second vessel, such that a dirty fluid flow delivered to the upper stage separator includes a clean outlet along with a separate dirty outlet which is delivered to an inlet of the lower stage filter for subsequent filtering and outflow. A convex collection element facilitates delivery of dirty fluid to the lower stage filter and includes a cone shaped separator element and can be either fixed or removable relative to the upper stage separator. An ascending pipe from the upper separator evacuates a clean fluid flow resulting from a negative pressure created within the upper separator concurrent with the dirty outlet from the upper stage being directed through the baffle filter in the lower stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: JK Industries, LLC
    Inventor: JK Industries, LLC
  • Patent number: 8465641
    Abstract: A dialysis liquid circuit with conduits for conducting dialysis liquid and elements for detecting air in the dialysis liquid. The elements includes at least one gas sensor traversed continuously by the dialysis liquid, which is configured such that it measures at least one property of the dialysis liquid which depends on the presence of air bubbles in the dialysis liquid, and which is arranged downstream of a region to be monitored of the dialysis liquid circuit. During operation of the dialysis liquid circuit a negative pressure exists with respect to atmospheric pressure, and the elements includes an evaluation unit which is connected with the gas sensor and which is configured such that the property measured by means of the gas sensor is evaluated with regard to the presence of air bubbles in the dialysis liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Maierhofer, Alfred Gagel, Malte Gross
  • Publication number: 20130140233
    Abstract: A fresh water producing apparatus for producing fresh water from raw water containing solutes is disclosed. The fresh water producing apparatus comprises a first semipermeable membrane unit and a second semipermeable membrane unit. A first raw water supply line for supplying the raw water is connected to the first semipermeable membrane unit. A second raw water supply line for supplying the raw water is connected to the second semipermeable membrane unit. The first semipermeable membrane unit and the second semipermeable membrane unit are connected by a concentrated water line for supplying concentrated water of the first semipermeable membrane unit to the second semipermeable membrane unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventors: Masahide Taniguchi, Tomohiro Maeda
  • Publication number: 20130140243
    Abstract: A method of purifying raw water comprises the steps of supplying the raw water to a generally vertical, open-ended inlet cylinder (23) in a reservoir (20), exposing the water in the inlet cylinder (23) to air for accomplishing oxidizing of matter, such as iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulphide in the water and/or agitation of the water, allowing the oxidized matter to fall down by gravity to the bottom of the reservoir (20), allowing the purified water to flow upwards past the inlet cylinder (23) and through a distribution disc (24) in the reservoir (20), and removing the purified water from the upper part of the reservoir (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventor: Bert Gustafsson
  • Publication number: 20130126405
    Abstract: The invention relates to an oil/water separating device (20) comprising a main filter (30) for removing oil-containing components from an oil/water mixture. The device is characterized by an additional mechanical separating device for removing slimy substances from the oil/water mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: BEKO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Holger Weitze, Johannes Sinstedten, Herbert Schlensker
  • Publication number: 20130118978
    Abstract: A water treatment system combines a microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane system with a downstream reverse osmosis membrane system. The MF or UF system has multiple trains of immersed membrane modules. The trains are connected to a common permeate pump. The permeate pump discharges directly into the inlet of an RO feed pump. The membrane trains are each subjected to the same suction. The permeate pumps are operated to provide the required flow to the RO feed pump at or above the minimum inlet pressure of the RO feed pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin Simon Joseph DUFRESNE, Denis Joel Marie GUIBERT
  • Publication number: 20130112603
    Abstract: This invention relates to a fresh water separator including a dilute draw solution chamber, at least one first membrane contactor which receives a fluid fed from the dilute draw solution chamber so that gas and fresh water can be separated from the fluid, a second membrane contactor which enables the separated gas to be dissolved in a fluid flowing in the second membrane contactor so that the separated gas is re-concentrated, and a vacuum pump which cooperates with the first membrane contactor and the second membrane contactor, and to a forward osmotic desalination device including the fresh water separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: STX HEAVY INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung Mo Koo, Sang Jin Lee, Sung Min Shim
  • Publication number: 20130112629
    Abstract: A medical functional device, provided and designed for single use in a method for extracorporeally treating the blood of a patient, includes at least one process fluid circuit or sections thereof, each provided for receiving a process fluid, at least one first filter device arranged within the process fluid circuit or a section thereof and at least one second filter device arranged within the process fluid circuit or a section thereof. The present invention further relates to a process fluid and a medical treatment apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Brandl, Michael Herrenbauer, Wolfgang Wehmeyer
  • Patent number: 8425771
    Abstract: A portable device for filtering and purifying water comprised of an outer chamber and an inner chamber that is slidable within a section of the outer chamber, and a small pore size pre-filter, whereby water is drawn through the pre-filter into the first container section of the outer chamber where it is isolated and treated with a disinfectant agent, then is drawn out of the first container section and into the second container section, and then into the inner chamber, where it is passed across another filtering material such as an activated carbon bed, removing any remaining contaminants before the potable water exits through a mouthpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Miracle Straw Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. O'Brien, Mogens Engel
  • Patent number: 8425779
    Abstract: In a method for converting fluctuating energy into a stable energy supply, the fluctuating energy is derived from the group of solar energy, wind power, waves or water currents, this energy being delivered to a first pump being integrated in a pressure circuit for delivering stable energy and the pressure circuit comprising a pressure amplifier with a double-cone device being driven by the liquid flow circulated by the first pump. This allows the stabilization of fluctuating energy to be used e.g. in desalination plants without supplemental storage energy and without reverting to electric current conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: DCT Double-Cone Technology AG
    Inventor: John Stark
  • Patent number: 8425780
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to dialysis venting devices and related methods. In some aspects, a dialysis system includes a fluid inlet line, a venting device in fluid communication with the fluid inlet line, and a fluid outlet line in fluid communication with the venting device. The venting device can include a housing defining a fluid chamber, a valve member disposed above the fluid chamber between a lower seat and an upper seat, and a pump that is operable to draw fluid into the fluid chamber from the fluid inlet line and to force fluid out of the fluid chamber into the fluid outlet line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael James Beiriger
  • Patent number: 8425767
    Abstract: A connecting device comprises a buffer chamber (2), a first connecting line (3) between a liquid source (4) and an inlet (5) of the buffer chamber, a second connecting line (9) between an outlet (10) of the buffer chamber and the medical treatment apparatus (11), two valves (7, 8) arranged in series on the first connecting line, a pump (12) on the second connecting line, two liquid level sensors (15, 16) operating in the buffer chamber, a vent valve (18) connected to the buffer chamber. The liquid source is a centralized distribution plant of dialysate, while the medical treatment apparatus is a dialysis apparatus. The invention prevents back-contamination of the centralized plant with disinfectant sourced from the dialysis apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Massimo Fava, Salvatore Rinaldi
  • Patent number: 8419935
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for separating particles and dissolved matter from an untreated fluid stream. Specifically, the present invention includes a first pressure source which transports untreated fluid 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 a separator for further treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Tervita, LLC
    Inventor: Raymond Ford Johnson
  • Patent number: 8414768
    Abstract: The present invention constitutes dialysate formulations that are suitable for use in preparing dialysate solutions for use in batch and/or proportioning systems and for improving dialysis efficiency by reducing or preventing clotting of the dialysis flow paths. The dialysate chemical formulations for one batch of dialysate comprise an acid concentrate stored in a first vessel, and a citrate-containing bicarbonate concentrate stored in a second vessel. The contents of the first and second vessels are emptied into a dialysate preparation tank and mixed with water to form a batch quantity of dialysate solution. Alternately, a dry acid and/or a dry citrate-containing base concentrates are dissolved separately in measured quantities of water to form liquid concentrates which are then used in conjunction with a proportioning machine to generate on-line a final dialysis solution stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Dilip H. Shah, Todd Ing
  • Patent number: 8413817
    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: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Therapeutic Proteins International, LLC
    Inventor: Sarfaraz Khan Niazi
  • Patent number: 8398859
    Abstract: Device for haemodiafiltration, which comprises a first circuit for a dialysis solution and a second circuit for blood, so that the toxic substances from the blood flow pass into the dialysis liquid within a haemofilter (11), a liquid pump (20) located upstream of the haemofilter (11) in the first dialysis liquid circuit, is adapted for injecting replacement liquid into the dialysis solution flow after a blood pump (15) finishes pumping blood to the interior of the haemofilter (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Fundacion Para la Investigacion Biomedica del Hospital Gregorio Maranon
    Inventor: Juan Francisco Del Cañizo López
  • Patent number: 8394268
    Abstract: A portable device for filtering and purifying water comprised of an outer chamber and an inner chamber that is slidable within a section of the outer chamber, and a small pore size pre-filter, whereby water is drawn through the pre-filter into the first container section of the outer chamber where it is isolated and treated with a disinfectant agent, then is drawn out of the first container section and into the second container section, and then into the inner chamber, where it is passed across another filtering material such as an activated carbon bed, removing any remaining contaminants before the potable water exits through a mouthpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Miracle Straw Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. O'Brien, Mogens Engel
  • Patent number: 8394270
    Abstract: A system and method for the treatment of a fluid comprising at least two of the fractions solid particles, liquid and/or gas is described having at least one inlet portion and two or more outlet portions, and being arranged to separate solid particles over a predetermined size from the liquid by at least one screening apparatus and then carrying the fractions out of the system. The system (1) being substantially fluid-tight between the at least one inlet and outlet inlet portions and being provided with at least one underpressure-generating device arranged to provide an underpressure in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Cubility AS
    Inventors: Jan Kristian Vasshus, Trond Melhus
  • Publication number: 20130056403
    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: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: Nephros, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory R. Collins, James Summerton
  • Patent number: 8388836
    Abstract: A waste separator apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a first screen assembly for screening fluids from a waste stream where the first screen assembly defining an enclosure. A second screen assembly is provided for screening fluids from the waste stream and is disposed closely spaced-apart within the enclosure of the first screen assembly. A waste stream pathway is defined between the first screen assembly and the second screen assembly. A first separated fluids stream pathway is defined outwardly of the first screen assembly. A second separated fluids stream pathway is defined inwardly of the second screen assembly. One or more blades extends inwardly from the first screen assembly or outwardly from the second screen assembly for advancing the waste stream through the waste stream pathway. A related system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Emerald Waste Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Lewis Morris Fetterman, III, Durwood Nelson Renfrow, James Eulen Sinclair, Jr., Angela Denise Schroeder, Claude Decator Pyatte, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8388833
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system includes independent wastewater treatment facilities. Each of the facilities has a number of wastewater treatment subsystems. A wastewater collection subsystem holds wastewater to be treated. A pump subsystem moves wastewater from a wastewater collector to a filtration subsystem having a bioreacting filter. The filter has a sump and a fluidized-bed filter therein and supports the filter upright. The filter has an upwardly expanding, hollow, conical filter body with filter media. A monitoring subsystem measures wastewater process parameters. Control devices receive control commands and, dependent upon the command received, alter parameters of the wastewater treatment subsystems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Biofilter Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Mark B. Robertson, David O'Keefe, John D. Cox, Daniel T. White
  • Publication number: 20130048572
    Abstract: A self-contained water polishing system includes at least a first containment basin that has an inlet for inflow of water from a collection source and contains calcium carbonate for treatment of water flowing through the system; at least a first polishing basin in communication with the containment basin and that contains at least a first pollutant collection substrate for treatment of water flowing through the system; and a vacuum pumping system in fluid communication with the containment and polishing basins that draws water through the polishing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventor: Wayne R. HAWKS
  • Patent number: 8377302
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis system and method for operating the same includes a pressure tank having a first end and a second end, the pressure tank has a first volume adjacent to the first end and a second volume adjacent to the second end and a third volume between the first volume and the second volume and a fluid passage fluidically coupling the second volume to the first volume. The reverse osmosis system also includes a plurality of membranes disposed within the third volume generating permeate and a permeate manifold receiving permeate from the membranes and fluidically communicating permeate out of the pressure tank. A feed line couples feed fluid into the pressure tank. A first pump pressurizes the feed line. A second pump is disposed within the tank and circulates brine fluid from the second volume through the fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Fluid Equipment Development Company, LLC
    Inventor: Eli Oklejas, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130032533
    Abstract: Integrated membrane treatment systems for treatment of an aqueous solution. In embodiments, components, such as an MBR, are integrated with means to recover energy from the system, for example from an RO concentrate, to operate the other components. In embodiments including biological treatment, RO is integrated with other components, such as an MBR with the ROs ability to remove inorganic nitrogen enabling biological treatment to be performed with only partial nitrification and the MBR operated without active pH control. In embodiments, RO is integrated with a chlorine generator to convert chlorides present in the RO concentrate for an in-situ source of oxidizing biocides for disinfection purposes. Chloramines may be generated in-situ from residual ammonia and chlorides in the RO reject. In embodiments, carrier media is employed in a membrane tank to enhance removal of residual organics by the MBR and to also improve effectiveness of membrane scouring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventors: Vyacheslav Libman, Boris Eliosov
  • Patent number: 8366655
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus and sensor apparatus system for use in conjunction with a cassette-based peritoneal dialysis system is described, including a disposable cassette. In some embodiments, the cassette includes a thermal well for permitting the sensing of various properties of a dialysate. The thermal well includes a hollow housing of a thermally conductive material. In other embodiments, the cassette includes sensor leads for sensing of various properties of a dialysate. The thermal well has an inner surface shaped so as to form a mating relationship with a sensing probe. The mating thermally couples the inner surface with a sensing probe. In some embodiments, the thermal well is located on a disposable portion and the sensing probe on a reusable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, N. Christopher Perry, Jason A. Demers, Brian Tracey
  • Patent number: 8349174
    Abstract: A fuel-cell powered medical fluid processing machine or dialysis machine is disclosed. The machine is intended for remote or rural areas where standard household or utility power is not available or is subject to interruption. The fuel cell is powered by hydrogen or other source of protons, or may instead be powered by methanol or ethanol, such as a direct methanol fuel cell. The fuel cell may be operated directly, as in powering a portable, wearable dialysis device, or may be operated indirectly, to generate and store power in an electric power storage device of the medical fluid or dialysis device. The medical fluid processing machine or dialysis machine may include circuitry allowing for use by household or utility power while also including a fuel cell for use when other power is not available. A catalytic heater may be used to warm the dialysis fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: John A. Bedingfield, Richard E. Kienman, Brian C. Lauman
  • Publication number: 20120325749
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic filter unit includes an inlet channel connected to a fluid chamber, into which a fluid including a target material is introduced, and a plurality of outlet channels connected to the fluid chamber, through which the fluid is discharged. A filtering method includes introducing a fluid including a target material into the hydrodynamic filter unit through the inlet channel, capturing the target material in the hydrodynamic filter unit, and discharging a remaining part of the fluid outside of the hydrodynamic filter unit through an outlet channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Minseok S. KIM, Won-ho LEE, Sun-soo KIM, Jin-hoon KIM, Jeong-gun LEE, Tae-seok SIM
  • Patent number: 8333888
    Abstract: A microfluidic system including: a substrate, one surface of which is covered with electrodes configured to move, under effect of an electric field, microdrops of a liquid phase including at least one functionalized ionic liquid; and capillaries for introducing a liquid extraction fluid onto the surface and for extracting the liquid extraction fluid from an orifice by forced convection, to obtain an extraction bath located on the surface for extraction of at least one chemical or biological compound from the liquid phase, and the bath is open to a surrounding space on at least two of its opposite sides, for moving, in contact with the surface, the microdrop upstream and downstream of the bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Guillaume Delapierre, Nicolas Sarrut, Gilles Marchand
  • Patent number: 8329030
    Abstract: A hemodialysis system includes (i) blood tubing; (ii) a peristaltic blood pump contacting the blood tubing to pump blood through the blood tubing; (iii) a dialyzer in fluid communication with the blood tubing; (iv) first and second peristaltic dialysate pumps; (v) a dialysate heater; (vi) a plurality of pinch valves; and (vii) a cassette including a rigid structure, a heating portion, first and second dialysate pumping tubes, and a plurality of incoming tubes, the rigid structure when the cassette is mounted for operation orienting (a) the heating portion adjacent to the dialysate heater so that dialysate can be heated by the dialysate heater, (b) the first and second dialysate pumping tubes adjacent to the first and second peristaltic dialysate pumps, and (c) the plurality of incoming tubes adjacent to the plurality of pinch valves to enable the tubes to be individually closed by the pinch valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Robert W. Childers, Thomas D. Kelly, Rodolfo Roger
  • Patent number: 8323492
    Abstract: A hemodialysis system including (i) an instrument; (ii) first and second peristaltic dialysate pumps operated by the instrument; (iii) a cassette including a rigid structure and first and second dialysate pumping tubes carried by the rigid structure; and (iv) a mechanism configured to initially allow the cassette to be accepted by the dialysis instrument after which the mechanism engages the first and second dialysate pumping tubes for operation with the first and second peristaltic dialysate pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Robert W. Childers, Thomas D. Kelly, Rodolfo Roger
  • Patent number: 8323482
    Abstract: An extracorporeal blood therapy control unit housing has a first and second manually mounted panels and spring loaded components configured for releasably engaging and tensioning the said panels against a side of said housing. The first and second panels have arch-shaped tubing segments mounted on the interior side of said respective panels. Each of the tubing segments are held in operational engagement with a different peristaltic pump rotor by the panel engaging and tensioning components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: B. Braun Avitum AG
    Inventors: Harold Peters, Adam Heintzelman, Jacob Kearns, Tommy Cooper
  • Patent number: 8318011
    Abstract: A portable water disinfecting and purification apparatus comprising a first chamber into which water to be purified may be drawn by suction or negative pressure, a second chamber into which the water from the first chamber can be forced by a pumping action or positive pressure, whereby the water is initially passed across a pre-filter secured over the inlet to the first chamber and having a very small pore size and an inner cavity in which a disinfecting agent is place to filters most contaminants before the water is drawn into said filtering device, and once in the first holding chamber the water is isolated and may be further treated with a disinfectant agent, and then is passed though at least additional filtering substance including an activated carbon or nano-filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Miracle Straw Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. O'Brien, Mogens Engel
  • Patent number: 8308937
    Abstract: A grey water diversion system is provided. An interceptor includes an inlet, a filter, an outlet, and an orifice. The filter is located along a bottom of a water flow path from the inlet to the outlet and delivers water to the orifice as filtered water. A gas pump, connected to a filter stem, delivers gas to the filter via the stem when the system detects the presence of the water. The gas rises through the filter to raise debris from the filter to the water flow path. A water overflow delivers the debris to the outlet. A suction manifold, including a sensor, receives the filtered water from the orifice. The sensor detects the presence of the filtered water. A water pump receives the filtered water from the manifold, activates when the sensor detects the presence of the filtered water, and delivers the filtered water into a water usage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Waste Water Systems
    Inventor: Samandar Milani
  • Patent number: 8303806
    Abstract: Fluid processing apparatuses and systems are disclosed. In some embodiments the fluid processing apparatuses include a movable enclosure, a plurality of filter housings disposed substantially within the movable enclosure, and a stand disposed within the enclosure. The filter housings are in fluid communication with one another. Each filter housing defines an elongate path and is configured to support a respective filter along the elongate flow path to filter a substantially continuous flow of fluid. The stand supports each filter housing such that the elongate flow path of each filter housing is substantially parallel to a vertical axis, wherein each filter housing is independently rotatable, relative to the stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Planar Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Saeed H. Mohseni, Deepak Mahulikar
  • Patent number: 8303810
    Abstract: A device for concentrating ethanol from an ethanol water solution yielded from lignocellulose is equipped with a water separation membrane, an ethanol water solution storing unit and a depressurizing container provided so as to sandwich the water separation membrane, a dry gas cylinder for supplying dry gas to an ethanol vapor residing unit above the ethanol water solution storing unit, a pump for sucking in the interior of the ethanol vapor residing unit, and a cold trap for collecting the concentrated ethanol by condensing the ethanol vapor sucked in by the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Kagawa, Pu Qian, Akihisa Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8303824
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for filtering contaminated water from an oil or gas well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventor: Robert L. Miller