One Unit Supports Another Patents (Class 210/261)
  • Patent number: 10625274
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing particles from a fluid includes a pressure vessel having an inlet and an outlet. A centrifuge is disposed in the pressure vessel. The centrifuge is configured to remove a first portion of particles from the fluid. A cyclone separator is also disposed in the pressure vessel, such that the centrifuge extends around the cyclone separator. The cyclone separator includes an array of cyclones configured to remove a second portion of particles from the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: ENERCORP SAND SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Nikolay Spiridonov, Ryan Thomas Bowley, Rory Nagge
  • Patent number: 10583382
    Abstract: An effluent processing apparatus is provided for a vehicle air brake charging system. The effluent processing apparatus has an inlet port through which effluent from a purge valve of an air dryer can be received and an outlet port. The effluent processing apparatus further has a quadric surface defining an effluent flow chamber that is connected in fluid communication between the inlet port and the outlet port. The quadric surface is provided for extracting contaminants from an effluent stream as the effluent stream flows from the inlet port along the quadric surface to the outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Howe, David W Perry, Gregory R Ashley, Fred W Hoffman
  • Patent number: 10481150
    Abstract: A microfluidic device, method and kit for assaying and/or culturing cells are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
    Inventors: Craig Simmons, Oleg Chebotarev
  • Patent number: 8956543
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a fluid distribution apparatus. The fluid distribution apparatus has a housing including an inlet configured to receive a drilling material, a first outlet configured to direct a first portion of the drilling material onto a first separatory surface, and a second outlet configured to direct a second portion of the drilling material onto a second separatory surface. The fluid distribution apparatus further includes a screen disposed within the housing and configured to separate solids from the second portion of the drilling material directed through the second outlet onto the second separatory surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Brian S. Carr, John Fedders
  • Patent number: 8906230
    Abstract: An integrated unit operations for the treatment of a waste stream, such as spent caustic, is provided in a single vertical vessel having at least three separate zones: a mixing, a settling, and a mass transfer zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Merichem Company
    Inventors: Tom Varadi, Marie-Cecile Medine, Arturo Ramon Puigbo, Ramiro G. Vazquez, Tiejun Zhang, James F. McGehee
  • Patent number: 8715498
    Abstract: A polymer-free method and self-draining self-cleaning apparatus for treatment of water with high total dissolved solids including optional pretreatment, precipitation/flocculation, and separation. The pH is raised by addition of caustic soda and/or soda ash. In a vertical clarifier silo, the feed is gently mixed to cause dissolved solids to precipitate and agglomerate to form suspended flocculates. The clarifier includes an internal mixer surrounded by a cylindrical tube diffuser. Rotation of the mixer provides gentle dual circulation patterns within the clarifier that allow for flocculates of a predetermined size to settle from suspension. The clarifier may also include one or more vertical recirculation lines to recirculate some of the heavier flocculates at the bottom of the vessel into the mixer chamber to enhance precipitation via the seeding effect. The suspended flocculates are stripped from the feed water in a centrifugal separator. The clarifier silo may be trailer mounted for rapid deployment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Tervita Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph M. Bly, Jr., Melvin O. Stacy, Enrique M. ProaƱo
  • Patent number: 8685235
    Abstract: An integrated sewage biochemical treatment plant containing mechanical treatment devices, a sewage-and-sludge mixing chamber with a circulation pump and a combined biological treatment device, includes a plane feed biofilter, a spray line, collecting trays and drain collectors connected to water-jet aeratic columns sunk in the aeration zones, and aftertreatment devices. The combined biological treatment device whose capacity is 5 to 15,000 m3/day has a biofilters spray line that includes trays with emptying fittings and reflecting disks, the distance from the trays emptying fittings upper ends to the disk reflectors is 0.8 to 2 m, and the distance between the trays centers and the distance between the trays fittings axes is 0.6 to 1.8 m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Vladimir Petrovich Kolesnikov
  • Patent number: 8652327
    Abstract: A fluid filter providing several degrees of filtering is designed to be receivable in a filter container that is closable by a cover. The filter itself includes both an annular main filter element, through which fluid to be filtered can pass radially to undergo primary filtration, and a supplemental filter element, to which fluid discharged from the main filter element passes to provide supplemental filtration additional to the primary filtration. The main filter element, the supplemental filter element, or both may be oblong or circular in cross section. At least one of a pair of end caps disposed on opposed ends of the main filter element carries the supplemental filter element as well as one end of the main filter element. That end cap may or may not be permanently secured to the one filter element end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL Purolator Filters LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Lucas
  • Patent number: 8617391
    Abstract: A component (5) for filters (10) comprising a plate (50) provided with at least a through-opening (54) in a thickness thereof and a perimeter edge to which a seal (51) is fixed, which seal (51) is destined to be interposed between a beaker-shaped body (21) and a cover (22) of a casing (20) of a filter (10), and a flat filter wall (55) fixed to the plate (50) in such a way as to intercept the at least a through-opening (54) and a hollow shank (53) suitable for accommodating the end of a pipe (56) for removal of the water accumulated on the bottom of the beaker body (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: UFI Filters S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giorgio Girondi
  • Patent number: 8603337
    Abstract: A water heater and purifier has a membrane element and employs an exothermic and pressure-generating chemical reaction. The exothermic reaction heats water, and the gaseous reaction products pressurize an enclosure and force water through a membrane filter for purification. Disinfection of the water is achieved using heat, filtration, and optionally a chemical disinfectant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Mainstream Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Paul E. Yelvington, Robert A. Damitz, Samantha J. Roman, Ian T. McCarrell
  • Patent number: 8585895
    Abstract: A transportable water treatment system includes: a lower cage housing a water purifying apparatus, a middle cage housing a first water storage tank, and an upper cage housing a second water storage tank. The transportable water treatment system has a footprint approximate to the area of the lower cage. A chlorinator may be used in the water purifying apparatus that includes a bowl having an inlet at the bottom and an outlet on its side. A channel is around the inlet forcing fluid to flow to the top of the channel and over its edges. A flow diverter is positioned above the inlet adapted to transfer the flow of fluid to a substantially horizontal direction. A platform is positioned within the channel being adapted to position a single chlorine tablet within the channel. The lid is adapted for holding a plurality of chlorine tablets above the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Water Missions International
    Inventors: George C. Greene, III, Bruce M. Okkema
  • Patent number: 8585900
    Abstract: In accordance with particular process, method and system aspects there is provided a biological manner of treating water/wastewater. Treatment is undertaken in bioreactor configured to treat the water/wastewater through a first process of denitrification followed by a second process of biological phosphorus removal. The bioreactor may be defined by multiple stages arranged in compact vertical alignment, for example, to reduce a footprint of the bioreactor and to feed the water/wastewater between the stages using gravity. The stages may comprise, in order, a Deaeration stage, an Anoxic stage, an Anaerobic stage, and an Aerobic stage. Continuous vacuum operation in the Deaeration stage enhances the physical removal of oxygen and other dissolved gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventors: Manuel Alvarez-Cuenca, Maryam Reza
  • Patent number: 8561220
    Abstract: A device (20) for improving drainline clearance for use with an ultra low flushing volume toilet (24). The device (20) includes a centrifuge separator means (30), for separating liquids (L) and solids (S), and a reservoir (42). The separator means (30) has a substantially horizontal inlet (32), adapted for connection to the outlet (26) of a toilet pan (24), an outlet (36) primarily for solids (S) and an outlet (38) primarily for liquids (L). The reservoir (42) is beneath the separator means (30) and has an inlet (38) in fluid communication with the liquids outlet (38) of the separator means (30). The reservoir (42) is adapted to syphonically empty substantially all of its contents into a sewerage drainline (22) after at least 2 flushes of the toilet (24). Further, the separator means (30) and the reservoir (42) have a combined vertical dimension less than the maximum height of the toilet pan outlet for installation adjacent the toilet (24) and substantially above the floor level (F) of the toilet (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Caroma Industries Limited
    Inventor: Stephen John Cummings
  • 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
  • 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: 8486265
    Abstract: A stackable modular ultra pure water machine has at least one water tank module, at least one terminal processing module, at least one purification module, at least one water outlet module and a control module that connected together in a stack. The control module has an LED display and a faceplate. Therefore, it is convenient to add or remove modules with different functions to form a customizable ultra pure water machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventor: Ying-Chen Lin
  • Patent number: 8470175
    Abstract: A fuel filter, such as a filter for filtering gasoline or diesel fuel to be supplied to an internal combustion engine, includes an annular main filter element through which fluid to be filtered can pass radially, and a supplemental fluid processing element disposed within the main filter element to which fluid discharged from the main filter element passes. The filter also has end caps, between which opposite ends of both the main filter element and the supplemental fluid processing element are disposed, and to which the opposite ends of both the main filter element and the supplemental fluid processing element are secured. Fluid is discharged from a central volume of the filter through one of the end caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Purolator Filters NA LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Lucas
  • Patent number: 8372284
    Abstract: Disclosed are a wastewater treatment plant and a wastewater treatment method. The wastewater treatment plant includes: a reactor including a gas outlet, a treated water outlet, and an inlet through which wastewater and gas are supplied, through which the wastewater is introduced, to perform aeration and denitrification; a sludge separation means including plural reaction unit bodies stacked inside the reactor to divide the interior of the reactor into upper and lower sides and separating sludge in a aeration process by forming a gas hold-up space for collecting the gas rising from a lower portion of the reactor; and a aeration unit introducing gas into the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ecodays Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hong Bok Choi
  • 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: 8298429
    Abstract: An integrated unit operations for the treatment of a waste stream, such as spent caustic, is provided in a single vertical vessel having at least three separate zones: a mixing, a settling, and a mass transfer zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Merichem Company
    Inventors: Tom Varadi, Marie-Cecile Medine, Arturo Ramon Puigbo, Ramiro G. Vazquez
  • Publication number: 20120199524
    Abstract: A polymer-free method and self-draining self-cleaning apparatus for treatment of water with high total dissolved solids including optional pretreatment, precipitation/flocculation, and separation. The pH is raised by addition of caustic soda and/or soda ash. In a vertical clarifier silo, the feed is gently mixed to cause dissolved solids to precipitate and agglomerate to form suspended flocculates. The clarifier includes an internal mixer surrounded by a cylindrical tube diffuser. Rotation of the mixer provides gentle dual circulation patterns within the clarifier that allow for flocculates of a predetermined size to settle from suspension. The clarifier may also include one or more vertical recirculation lines to recirculate some of the heavier flocculates at the bottom of the vessel into the mixer chamber to enhance precipitation via the seeding effect. The suspended flocculates are stripped from the feed water in a centrifugal separator. The clarifier silo may be trailer mounted for rapid deployment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: JOSEPH M. BLY, JR., Melvin O. Stacy, Enrique M. ProaƱo
  • Publication number: 20120067829
    Abstract: A water treatment feed device includes a hopper and a receptacle. The hopper has a granule-receiving compartment defined by an upper hopper portion and a lower V-shaped hopper portion connected to the upper hopper portion. The lower V-shaped hopper portion is fabricated from a porous material having a plurality of pores sized to at least substantially retain conventional water treatment granules therein. The receptacle has a water-receiving compartment with a weir disposed therein to divide the water-receiving compartment into a water inlet sub-compartment and a water outlet sub-compartment with the water inlet sub-compartment sized to receive the hopper loaded with conventional water treatment granules. A water treatment feed system and a method for dissolving conventional water treatment granules in water are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: EVAPCO, INC.
    Inventors: John W. LANE, Sarah Ferrari
  • Patent number: 8114286
    Abstract: Prior water treatment equipments have several water clarifying process filters, water purifier and water reservoir separated from each other, occupying too much space to install under a water tank and resulting inconvenient installment. The water treatment equipments for home cannot be received in water tanks, and thus water clarifier and water purifier are disposed in the water tanks while the water reservoir is disposed separately. Water pipes are connected in between. Therefore, water clarifying processors, water reservoir and water purifier utilizing RO membrane may be integrated to eliminate unnecessary space in existing systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Yoichi Kawakami
  • Patent number: 8101077
    Abstract: A device for separating platelets from a fluid suspension comprises a mixing chamber operable to receive and mix fluid suspensions and an aggregating agent to form platelet aggregates and residual fluid components. A filter can be configured to be in fluid communication with the mixing chamber and can be further configured to collect platelet aggregates and allow residual fluid components to pass therethrough. The mixing chamber and the filter are operable by a user without input from an external energy source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Inventors: Sivaprasad Sukavaneshvar, S. Fazal Mohammad
  • Patent number: 8080161
    Abstract: Dialysis treatment devices and methods for removing urea from dialysis waste streams are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a dialysis treatment device including: 1) a first filter having a filtration membrane, 2) a urea removal unit having urease and in fluid communication with the first filter, and 3) a second filter having an ion rejection membrane and in fluid communication with the first filter and the urea removal unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Yuanpang Samuel Ding, Ying-Cheng Lo
  • Patent number: 8062528
    Abstract: A method and components for heating and hydrating foods and beverages using an exothermic and pressure generating chemical reaction are described. The exothermic reaction can be initiated by water, spark, electrical impulse, squib, friction, or shock to heat non-potable water and force the water through a membrane filter, thereby producing heated, potable water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Mainstream Engineering Corp.
    Inventors: Dwight D. Back, Lawrence R. Grzyll, Deborah Stewart, legal representative, Robert P. Scaringe, R. Paul Roth
  • Patent number: 8048298
    Abstract: Plant comprising a homogenization tank (100) equipped with a stirrer (120) and with a pumping unit (140), a connecting pipe (300) leaving the pumping unit (140) comprising an injector of reagents (310) and a static mixer (320), a second chamber (200) surmounted by a mixing tank (210) into which the connecting pipe (300, 320) opens tangentially and comprising a flocculation pan (220) above the sludge pit (230) and surmounted by a filtration chamber (240), a pipe (270) leading down to the bottom (222) of the flocculation pan (220) and a bypass pipe (160).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventor: Bernard Beaulieu
  • Patent number: 7897045
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: MARENCO Technology Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Hap Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7883623
    Abstract: A dispenser system that takes high pressure fluid such as a high pressure water source and reduces the volume flow of the high pressure water as it flows into a dispenser with the dispenser having a low pressure outlet, which offers negligible fluid resistance in comparison to the inlet fluid resistance to the dispenser, thereby ensuring that if a dispenser cap is accidentally removed from the dispenser while the unit is in operation the water will not spray out into and onto the user. The dispensing system includes a removable cartridge carrier with adjustable openings and a dispenser housing that one can maintain a uniform flow pattern under different flow rates to provide for a predicable control of a dispersion rate from a dispersant located in the system and a method of predictably changing the dispersion rate of a dispersant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: King Technology
    Inventors: Joseph A. King, Jeffery Johnson, Marlin Frank
  • Patent number: 7866485
    Abstract: A Platelet Rich Plasma separator assembly is disclosed. The assembly can include a cylindrical outer wall closed at the top by an upper plate and closed at the bottom. A bottom plate having an upper surface sloped down to a central opening. The top edge of the inner wall terminates at a distance from the upper plate to define an annular erythrocyte passageway therebetween. The inner wall has an outer surface and an inner surface that slopes radially inward from its top edge to its bottom at an angle of from 0.2 to 5 degrees with a central axis of the inner wall. A cylindrical depth filter is positioned between the inner surface of the outer wall and the outer surface of the inner wall in communication with the inner wall through the erythrocyte passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignees: Hanuman, LLC, Biomet Biologics, LLC
    Inventors: Randel Dorian, Michael D. Leach
  • Patent number: 7857974
    Abstract: A filter cartridge for use in filtering fluids, for example fuel, lubrication, hydraulic and other liquids, as well as air. The filter cartridge is a filter-in-filter design with an inner filter and an outer filter. The inner filter and the outer filter, for example the bottom end plates thereof, are connected to each other via a snap fit connection mechanism. During manufacture, the inner filter can be inserted into the outer filter, with the snap fit connection mechanism retaining the inner filter in the outer filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventor: Zemin Jiang
  • Publication number: 20100320152
    Abstract: A combination filtration and ion exchange system is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a valve rotor, a carbon treatment tank, an ion exchange treatment tank and a valve. The valve rotor having a source water inlet, a service water outlet, a water treatment outlet, a water treatment inlet and a drain outlet. The carbon treatment tank having a service inlet and a service outlet, the service inlet coupled to the water treatment outlet. The ion exchange treatment tank having a service inlet and a service outlet, and the service outlet is coupled to the water treatment inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: ECOWATER SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: David T. BARDWELL, Steven J. HAEHN
  • Patent number: 7846332
    Abstract: A method and components for heating and hydrating foods and beverages using an exothermic and pressure generating chemical reaction are described. The exothermic reaction can be initiated by water, spark, electrical impulse, squib, friction, or shock to heat non-potable water and force the water through a membrane filter, thereby producing heated, potable water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Mainstream Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Dwight D. Back, Lawrence R. Grzyll, Deborah Stewart, legal representative, Robert P. Scaringe, R. Paul Roth
  • Patent number: 7828962
    Abstract: An integrated unit operations for the treatment of a waste stream, such as spent caustic, is provided in a single vertical vessel having at least three separate zones: a mixing, a settling, and a mass transfer zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Merichem Company
    Inventors: Tom Varadi, Marie-Cecile Medine, Arturo Ramon Puigbo, Ramiro G. Vazquez
  • Publication number: 20100133196
    Abstract: This is a method and apparatus for combined gravity separation-filtration for conducting physical, physical-chemical, chemical, and biological processes in solid-liquid systems; including but not limited to separation of dispersed solids from liquids, separation of alkalinity from the liquid stream, chemical acid-base interactions, chemical oxidation-reduction, chemical dissolution-precipitation, physical chemical adsorption, ion exchange, mass transfer in any combinations of multiple liquid-solid-gas phases, biological oxidation-reductions, biological growth, and combinations of these processes; gravity separation steps can be conducted in rectangular horizontal unidirectional flow clarifiers, rectangular or circular radial flow clarifiers, rectangular or circular vertical flow clarifiers, lamella clarifiers, suspended sludge blanket clarifiers, fluidized bed separators, and combinations thereof, wherein the filtration step is disposed in the upper portion of the combined process or side-by-side with clarifi
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventor: Boris Mikhail Khudenko
  • Publication number: 20100065486
    Abstract: An assembly including a first filter element; and a filter element assembly connected to the first filter element. The filter element assembly includes a second filter element located between a first plate and a second plate. The second plate includes a liquid outlet into a center open area of the first filter element. The first and second plates are directly fixedly connected to each other to retain the second filter element therebetween. The second plate is located at an end of the first filter element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventor: Norbert M. Assion
  • Patent number: 7638047
    Abstract: A water filter for filtering raw water into potable water having a series of media layers in the following order: 1) sand to gravel or coarse silica; 2) zeolite; 3) activated carbon; 4) a second layer of sand to gravel or coarse silica; and 5) a second layer of zeolite is disclosed. Optionally, the filter further has a ceramic media layer, which may have a reactive coating such as calcium hypochloride. Further options include ferruginous latertic clay spheres (FLCS) or iron oxide brick particles, at least one grid, which may be charged, and/or at least one sand arch. The media layers are contained within at least one vessel. A water filtration system and methods for filtering raw water into potable water are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Cardinal Resources LLC
    Inventor: Kevin R. Jones
  • Patent number: 7608185
    Abstract: A membrane module comprising an outer casing having an interior region, a seal disposed within the outer case, thereby dividing the interior region into a first chamber and a second chamber, and a plurality of hollow fiber membranes extending through the first chamber and the second chamber, where at least a portion of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes have first segments located within the first chamber and second segments located within the second chamber, the first segments being configured to allow vapor transmission therethrough, and the second segments being configured to substantially prevent vapor transmission therethrough, and further configured to allow transmission of thermal energy therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Xiaohong Liao, Zidu Ma, James R. Irish
  • Publication number: 20090236295
    Abstract: A filter unit includes at least one ceramic filter and at least one mounting that liquid-tightly secures the filter in the mounting in such a way that a filtrate outflow via an interior portion of the filter through the mounting is provided, the filter being secured in the mounting by adhesive bonding with an adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: ITN NANOVATION AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Braun, Eric Belieres, Kay Gunther Gabriel, Manfred Volz
  • Patent number: 7591951
    Abstract: A fuel filter for cleaning fuel, particularly for engines of motor vehicles, having a filter housing (10) with an inlet (14), an outlet (15), and a filter element (16) for cleaning the fuel situated between the inlet (14) and the outlet (15). A collecting space (20) for water separated from the fuel additionally is provided in the filter housing (10), and a water discharge device (23) having a housing (24) is also arranged in the filter housing. Discharge device housing (24) has an inlet (33) and an outlet (28), between which a membrane (25) that is permeable for water molecules is situated, and the water-permeable membrane (25) has channel structures (26) which are closed in a sealed manner at their upper ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Linhart, Michael Micke, Michael Fasold
  • Patent number: 7553410
    Abstract: The present invention generally includes a septage treatment system comprising: (a) a primary treatment process system comprising: (1) a receiving station to pump the septage from a vehicle; (2) equalization tank(s) to receive septage from the receiving station; and (3) two or more mixing and odor control tanks to generate waste activated sludge; (b) a primary settling tank to generate waste activated sludge; (c) a secondary treatment process system comprising: (1) aeration tank(s) to receive waste activated sludge from the primary treatment process system and to generate water effluent; and (d) a tertiary treatment process system comprising: (1) wetland ditch(es) to receive water effluent from the aeration tank and to generate filtered water effluent; (2) wetland pond(s) to receive filtered water effluent from the wetland ditch(es) and to generate filtered water effluent; and (3) an aquaculture hydroponics and sand bed greenhouse to generate filtered water effluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Eastwood Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Derrick O. Chennault
  • Patent number: 7524415
    Abstract: The invention concerns a plant comprising, on a vertical axis, a homogenizing vessel (1) followed by a settling vessel (2) and a flocculating vat (3). The homogenizing vessel (1) is fed by tangential intake (92) of the effluent and the input (611) and the output (612) of the upper tube (61) comprise a helical guide (613, 614) for driving the effluent in rotation. The lower tube (62) of larger diameter than that of the upper tube (61) is terminated by an outlet in the form of an upside-down cone (622) with reduced cross-section (621). The lower portion (31) of the flocculation vat (3) is truncated, with an apex angle, smaller than that of the upper portion (32), said lower portion (31) being parallel to the cone of the outlet of the lower tube (62), and anti-backflow cones (7, 8) surround the conduit (6) in the settling vessel (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Inventor: Bernard Beaulieu
  • Patent number: 7510654
    Abstract: A separation module and method are disclosed for processing a liquid sample and providing high conversion by operating a single-pass tangential-flow process without a recirculation loop. In one embodiment, the separation module includes three reservoirs and has at least one long, thin channel with a large ratio of channel membrane area to: channel void volume; volume of a sample feed reservoir; and volume of the feed sample. In another embodiment, the separation module includes two reservoirs and a hydrophobic vent. The single-pass process provides high conversion while operating with relatively low pressure sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: SPF Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Leon Mir, Gaston de los Reyes
  • Patent number: 7507331
    Abstract: A dispenser system that takes high pressure fluid such as a high pressure water source and reduces the volume flow of the high pressure water as it flows into a dispenser with the dispenser having a low pressure outlet, which offers negligible fluid resistance in comparison to the inlet fluid resistance to the dispenser, thereby ensuring that if a dispenser cap is accidentally removed from the dispenser while the unit is in operation the water will not spray out into and onto the user. The dispensing system includes a removable cartridge carrier with adjustable openings and a dispenser housing that one can maintain a uniform flow pattern under different flow rates to provide for a predicable control of a dispersion rate from a dispersant located in the system and a method of predictably changing the dispersion rate of a dispersant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: King Technology
    Inventors: Joseph A. King, Jeffery Johnson, Marlin Frank
  • Patent number: 7507217
    Abstract: A device for exchanging and/or docking functional modules (1, 2), and used for the extracorporeal circulation of bodily fluids, is provided. Each functional module (1, 2) includes at least one conduit (3; 4) comprising an inlet (5; 7) and an outlet (6; 8). The aim of the invention is to exchange the functional modules of an extracorporeal circuit as rapidly as possible, without detaching tubular connections and without having to establish a new connection. The invention is provided with elements (9, 10; 11, 12) for connecting the conduit (3) of a first functional module (1) to the inlet (5) and the outlet (6) of a second functional module (2). The connection is established in such a way that the first functional module (1) is bypassed by means of the second functional module (2) to maintain the flow and the bodily fluid is diverted through the second functional module (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: PPA Technologies AG
    Inventor: Markus Ferrari
  • Patent number: 7494803
    Abstract: An apparatus for bio-composting domestic waste from residential dwellings, comprised of a tank, a multi-chambered liner and a separator. Domestic waste influent enters one end of a sluice, which has ribs on its surface directing the influent onto the upper section of an inclined sieve. The inclined sieve is angled downward and is permeable. The influent waste flows down the inclined sieve, and free water drops downward through the sieve while separated waste solids slide off the lower edge of the inclined sieve. The multi-chambered liner is set inside the tank under its lid. The multi-chambered liner is partitioned into a first chamber running the length of the liner on one half its wide, which the other half its width is subdivided into a series of smaller sub-chambers running the length of the liner. The chambers are separated by permeable partitions. The walls of the liner are permeable, as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Inventor: Danny R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20080116133
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for mixing a liquefied hydrocarbon gas extracting a flow of hydrocarbon containing water. The method involves; a) introducing the liquefied hydrocarbon gas extracting into the water to provide water having entrained droplets of the extract and/or the hydrocarbon; b) subjecting the water to a first pressure drop to fragment the entrained droplets c) optionally, mixing the water and the liquefied hydrocarbon gas to promote distribution of the liquefied hydrocarbon gas in the water; and d) subsequently subjecting the water having entrained droplets to a second pressure drop, to coalesce the entrained droplets. The invention also provides a method for extracting contaminants involving the mixing method and apparatus suitable for carrying out the methods of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventor: Inge Brun Henriksen
  • Patent number: 7368054
    Abstract: A separator to separate oil and debris from an aqueous fluid includes a container with a cover, the top portion of which includes a control panel access door. The separator draws an aqueous fluid with one or a plurality of skimmers that float on the aqueous fluid inside one or a plurality of corresponding reservoirs. When the separator is operating, the surface portion of the aqueous fluid is drawn into each corresponding skimmer hose and transferred to the separator by a pickup hose. The separator separates oil, debris and any sludge that may be in the aqueous fluid to provide a substantially filtered aqueous fluid. The substantially filtered aqueous fluid is then returned to the reservoirs through an exit hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Porter, Christopher Barmore, Martin Lucassen
  • Patent number: 7296640
    Abstract: A mobile solids control system for the processing of drilling fluids. The solids control system includes a suction tank skid, a suction platform skid, a shaker tank skid, and an equipment platform skid. The suction tank skid and shaker tank skid include the drilling fluid storage tanks, pumps to effectuate the flow of fluid through the system, and agitators to circulate fluid within the tanks. The pumps are preferably centrifugal pumps mounted vertically within notches or recesses built into the sides of the tank skids. The suction platform skid and the equipment platform skid are installed on top of the tank skids, and include solids control equipment used to process the drilling fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: National-Oilwell, L.P.
    Inventor: Tab Tettleton
  • Patent number: 7285209
    Abstract: The invention discloses an apparatus for filtration of water from hydrocarbons comprised of a fresh-feed inlet, a first dead end filter, that is hydrophobic, a second sweeping-flow filter, that is hydrophobic, a common housing containing both the first and second filters, a system for the recirculation of the retentate, a chamber for water settling, and an outlet for clean fuel permeate. This invention takes advantage of the properties of the functional groups of a surfactant, by using the surfactant to allow a hydrophobic medium to attract water, attach the water molecules to the hydrophobic medium, and then allow for agglomeration of the water molecules, which finally become large enough to detach and be swept away by the sweeping-flow. This invention can thus be used to remove high concentrations of water, up to 5%, in hydrocarbons, while allowing a high flow rate by preventing blockage of the final filter by water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Inventors: Guanghua Yu, Chang-Wei Jen, Montfort Thierry