Coiled Membrane Patents (Class 210/321.74)
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Patent number: 12191028Abstract: The disclosure relates to a safeguarding module, a method, and a system for safeguarding an apparatus in the medical environment against an unauthorised operation of the apparatus, wherein the authorisation is dependent upon a linking event between two linking partners within the framework of an operation of the apparatus, wherein the apparatuses are connected via a network, and wherein one of the linking partners is an item which is used during the operation of the apparatus. The system comprises a plurality of apparatuses, wherein in each case an apparatus comprises a safeguarding module, comprising: a read-in interface for reading-in a first identifier and a second identifier; a processing unit which is designed to perform the safeguarding method; a memory for storing the calculated documentation value in a distributed ledger structure; and an interface to the network, via which the apparatuses exchange data.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2020Date of Patent: January 7, 2025Assignees: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH, Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaAInventors: Jonas Hellhund, Robert Lindemann, Arne Peters, Gerome Fischer
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Patent number: 12179154Abstract: The disclosure describes a porous membrane including the following: at least one polymeric feature on a surface of a porous membrane wherein the at least one polymeric features are bonded to the membrane using a nanoscale injecting molding device. Another aspect of the disclosure includes a porous membrane including the following: a first film layer; a second film layer; at least one polymeric feature between the first film layer and second film layer, wherein the at least one polymeric feature is bonded to at least the first film layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2016Date of Patent: December 31, 2024Assignee: ENTEGRIS, INC.Inventor: John Paul Puglia
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Patent number: 12157093Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide the integration of the function of the feed spacer, the permeate carrier, or both, as a part of the membrane sheet in a spiral wound membrane element.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2020Date of Patent: December 3, 2024Assignee: Aqua Membranes, Inc.Inventors: Rodney Herrington, Kevin Roderick
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Patent number: 11938430Abstract: A flow guide mesh has a water inlet side and a water outlet side opposite to each other, wherein a first water isolating material is provided on the water inlet side of the flow guide mesh to seal a part of the water inlet side, and an effective water inlet width is defined on the water inlet side, a second water isolating material is provided on the water outlet side of the flow guide mesh to seal a part of the water outlet side, and an effective water outlet width is defined on the water outlet side. In addition, the flow guide mesh has a comb-like structure comprising at least one comb tooth within the effective water outlet width of the water outlet side. Also disclosed are a membrane element and a filter assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2019Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignees: KEMFLO (NANJING) ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., KEMFLO INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.Inventor: Chen-Feng Chen
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Patent number: 11912968Abstract: A microcavity dish (10) for cultivating cells includes a dish body including a sidewall (16) that encloses a cell culture chamber within the dish body. The dish body has a top and a bottom (12). The bottom includes a cell culturing substrate comprising an array of microcavities (46). The sidewall includes a transition portion (30) that divides the sidewall into an upper portion and a lower portion that is offset inward relative to the upper portion defining a liquid medium delivery surface (26) that extends at least partially along an interior surface (28) of the sidewall and slopes toward the bottom.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2018Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATEDInventors: Gregory Roger Martin, Allison Jean Tanner
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Patent number: 11896933Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for the deposition of spacing elements for spiral wound elements that prevent nesting of adjacent spacer layers and occlusion of feed space during element rolling.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2021Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Aqua Membranes Inc.Inventors: Kevin Roderick, Rodney Herrington
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Patent number: 11850548Abstract: A gas separation element comprising a membrane sheet and a permeate spacer, wherein the membrane sheet comprises a porous support and a discriminating layer, CHARACTERISED IN THAT: (a) the porous support comprises less than 10 mg/m2 of monovalent metal ions; and (b) the discriminating layer has an average thickness of at least 0.7 ?m.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2020Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignees: Fujifilm Manufacturing Europe B.V., Fujifilm CorporationInventors: Anton Van Der Pluijm, Petrus Henricus Maria Van Kessel, Shigehide Itoh, Yujiro Itami, Davide Bocciardo
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Patent number: 11648341Abstract: Embodiments of the invention pertain to cartridges, systems and methods for performing hemodialysis and related extracorporeal blood treatment modalities and therapies, in which blood flows in the inter fiber space and dialysate flows in the lumens of hollow fibers. Appropriate connectors and fitting orientations may be provided. There may be provided orbital distributors, fanning of fibers, and features to promote uniformity of fiber spacing in the fiber bundle. Orbital distributors may contain contoured surfaces, flow redirectors, non-uniform-conductance flow elements, through-wall distributors, and other features. There may be subdivision of the fiber bundle into two groups of fibers with separate control fluid to each group. Appropriate systems may be provided for various therapies. Flow past the fibers may be parallel, transverse or other configuration.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2019Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Novaflux Inc.Inventors: Mohamed E. Labib, Stanislav S. Dukhin, Thomas Kelly, Peter Materna
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Patent number: 11478750Abstract: Provided is a feed spacer, in which angles of strands are differently formed in one feed spacer according to a flow direction of raw water, so that a differential pressure decrease region and a recovery increase region are separated to perform multiple functions, and a reverse osmosis filter module including the feed spacer.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2018Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.Inventors: Dae Hun Kim, Ayoung Lee, Kyunghoon Min, Bumjoo Kim, Ye Hoon Im
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Patent number: 11471577Abstract: A blood processing apparatus includes an optional heat exchanger and a gas exchanger disposed within a housing. In some instances, the gas exchanger can include a screen filter spirally wound into the gas exchanger such that blood passing through the gas exchanger passes through the screen filter and is filtered by the spirally wound screen filter a plurality of times.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2019Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Sorin Group S.r.l.Inventor: Stefano Reggiano
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Patent number: 11433356Abstract: Provided is a spiral membrane element that has a restricted outer diameter and is capable of being decreased in operation energy therefor. The element is a spiral membrane element including plural membrane leaves in each of which a permeation-side flow-channel member is interposed between opposed separation membranes a supply-side flow-channel member interposed between any two of the membrane leaves a perforated central pipe on which the membrane leaves and the supply-side flow-channel member are wound and a sealing part that prevents a supply-side flow-channel member from being mixed with a permeation-side flow-channel member. This element has an efficiency index E of 0.005 to 0.10, and the thickness of the supply-side flow-channel member is from 10 to 110 mil.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2017Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: Nitto Denko CorporationInventors: Mieko Nishi, Yasuhiro Uda
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Patent number: 11383199Abstract: A flue gas extraction system provides extraction, collection, cooling, enriching and distributing flue gas from a vent stack of a stationary flue gas generator to carbon dioxide consuming crops, orchards, and other photosynthetic organisms. The collected flue gas is processed through the system to achieve optimal temperature, pressure, flowrate, water content and carbon dioxide concentration for application to plants for increasing plant productivity and sequestering the carbon dioxide. The gas distribution network may have one or more membrane modules which receive a low pressure gas mixture, where the membrane modules are utilized to enrich the CO2 concentration and to separate out a nitrogen rich component from the flue gas.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2019Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Black Swan, LLCInventor: Brian Kolodji
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Patent number: 11358101Abstract: Provided are a spiral-wound gas separation membrane element, a manufacturing method therefor, a gas separation membrane module and a gas separation apparatus that include the element. The element includes a laminated body wound around a perforated central tube and including a separation membrane-flow channel member composite body. The composite body includes a gas separation membrane including a first porous layer and a hydrophilic resin composition layer. The gas separation membrane is folded with the first porous layer being located outside the hydrophilic resin composition layer. The composite body also includes a flow channel member that forms a gas flow channel, the flow channel member being sandwiched in the folded gas separation membrane. The flow channel member is provided with a first cover that covers one end portion of four end portions. The first cover is located closest to a turn-back part of the folded gas separation membrane.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2018Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITEDInventors: Tsutomu Tasaki, Kazuya Inamoto, Cui Liang, Shohei Kasahara
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Patent number: 11305237Abstract: Provided is a spiral membrane element that has a restricted outer diameter and is capable of being decreased in operation energy therefor. The element is a spiral membrane element including plural membrane leaves in each of which a permeation-side flow-channel member is interposed between opposed separation membranes a supply-side flow-channel member interposed between any two of the membrane leaves a perforated central pipe on which the membrane leaves and the supply-side flow-channel member are wound and a sealing part that prevents a supply-side flow-channel member from being mixed with a permeation-side flow-channel member. This element has an efficiency index E of 0.005 to 0.10, and the thickness of the supply-side flow-channel member is from 10 to 110 mil.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2017Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: Nitto Denko CorporationInventors: Mieko Nishi, Yasuhiro Uda
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Patent number: 11273414Abstract: Provided is a spiral membrane element that has a restricted outer diameter and is capable of being decreased in operation energy therefor. The element is a spiral membrane element including plural membrane leaves in each of which a permeation-side flow-channel member is interposed between opposed separation membranes a supply-side flow-channel member interposed between any two of the membrane leaves a perforated central pipe on which the membrane leaves and the supply-side flow-channel member are wound and a sealing part that prevents a supply-side flow-channel member from being mixed with a permeation-side flow-channel member. This element has an efficiency index E of 0.005 to 0.10, and the thickness of the supply-side flow-channel member is from 10 to 110 mil.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2017Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Nitto Denko CorporationInventors: Mieko Nishi, Yasuhiro Uda
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Patent number: 11083997Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for the deposition of spacing elements for spiral wound elements that prevent nesting of adjacent spacer layers and occlusion of feed space during element rolling.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2018Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Aqua Membranes Inc.Inventors: Kevin Roderick, Rodney Herrington
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Patent number: 11046886Abstract: A method for producing a liquid composition formed of a phosphorescent material and an organic solvent includes the steps of: dissolving a phosphorescent material in an organic solvent to prepare a mixed liquid, and filtering the mixed liquid by a filtering device. The filtering device is a housing or holder, a fluororesin membrane filter, and a filter support member. A material of a portion of the housing and holder in contact with the mixed liquid is a metal or a mixture of metal and at least one of glass, fluororesins, polyethylene not containing a phosphorus antioxidant, and polyethylene not containing an oxidized phosphorus antioxidant. A material of a portion of the filter support member in contact with the mixed liquid is at least one of metals, glass, fluororesins, polyethylene not containing a phosphorus antioxidant, and polyethylene not containing an oxidized phosphorus antioxidant.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2018Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITEDInventors: Sadamu Yoshida, Hidenobu Kakimoto, Hisaaki Miyamoto, Takahiro Ueoka, Nobuchika Iwata
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Patent number: 11040904Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to methods and systems for treating wastewater via forward osmosis. By way of example, the methods and systems disclosed herein may be used to filter one or more precipitated salts and/or other particles from wastewater generated by power plants such as flue gas wastewater, oil and gas wastewater, and other industrial processes. For example, the methods and systems disclosed herein may be used to filter one or more precipitated salts from a wastewater feed concentrate formed during the forward osmosis process that is recirculated through at least one membrane module to continue the forward osmosis process. Filtering the one or more precipitated salts from the wastewater feed concentrate helps limit clogging of open channel feed spacer(s) of the at least one membrane module.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2016Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: FLUID TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS (FTS), INC.Inventors: John Herron, Edward Gerard Beaudry
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Patent number: 10717050Abstract: A spiral wound membrane module adapted for hyperfiltration and including at least one membrane envelope and feed spacer sheet wound about a central permeate tube to form an inlet and outlet scroll face and an outer periphery, wherein the feed spacer sheet includes: i) a feed entrance section extending along the permeate collection tube from the inlet scroll face toward the outlet scroll face, ii) a feed exit section extending along the outer periphery from the outlet scroll face toward the inlet scroll face, and iii) a central feed section located between the feed entrance section and the feed exit section; and wherein the feed entrance section has a median resistance to flow in a direction parallel to the permeate collection tube that is less than 25% of the median resistance to flow of the central feed section in a direction perpendicular to the permeate collection tube.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2019Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: DDP SPECIALTY ELECTRONIC MATERIALS US, INC.Inventors: Steven D. Jons, Michael S. Koreltz, Luke Franklin
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Patent number: 10626033Abstract: There is described a bioreactor comprising a perforated tube for inputting wastewater therein, a textured wall, such as a geotextile membrane, and an oxygenating unit comprising a pressurized air bubble diffuser. The wall is spirally installed around the perforated tube, defining a passageway fluidly connected to the perforated tube and along which the wastewater inputted in the perforated tube is forced to travel. The membrane is adapted for hosting aerobic bacteria at a surface thereof. The oxygenating unit is provided at a bottom of the passageway for oxygenating the passageway. The bioreactor can be included in a treatment apparatus comprising primary treatment chambers and a decantation chambers, forming a standalone unit which is compact and easy to install.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2018Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: LES ENTREPRISES CHARTIER (2009) INC.Inventors: Leo-Michel Chartier, Michel Chartier
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Patent number: 10473010Abstract: Disclosed are: a separation element (20) of a liquid separator (10) for the separation of liquid from an aerosol; a separation medium (38); a liquid separator (10); and a method for producing a separation element. The separation element (20) has at least one separation medium (38) for separating at least the liquid, the separation medium being arranged circumferentially about an element axis (22) in at least one medium layer (40). The aerosol is able to flow through the separation element (20) radially relative to the element axis (22). At least one medium layer (40) has, on a radially inward circumferential surface, at least one channel-shaped indentation (42) extending axially to the element axis (22) to realize at least one channel (44) for separated liquid.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2016Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GmbHInventors: Thomas Grein, Markus Zuerker
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Patent number: 10335737Abstract: A filtration assembly including: a hyperfiltration assembly including: a high pressure vessel including a feed port, concentrate port and permeate port, and a plurality of serially arranged spiral wound hyperfiltration membrane modules; a bioreactor assembly including: a low pressure vessel comprising a first and second port, and a plurality of spiral wound bioreactors located within the low pressure vessel with each bioreactor comprising a flat sheet having two opposing bio-growth surfaces and a feed spacer spirally wound about an axis; and a fluid flow pathway extending from a fluid feed source: into the first port of the low pressure vessel, through the bioreactors and out the second port of the low pressure vessel, and into the feed port of the high pressure vessel, through the membrane modules and out of the concentrate port and permeate port.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2015Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Steven D. Jons, Jon E. Johnson, Steven Rosenberg
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Patent number: 10335739Abstract: A spiral wound membrane element and a method for cleaning a spiral wound membrane sheet are provided. The spiral wound membrane element comprising a perforated central tube; one or more membrane sleeves, each sleeve comprising two membrane sheets enclosed at two edges around a feed spacer sheet and wrapped around the central tube; a permeate carrier sheet attached to the central tube at a first edge opposite a second edge; and a seal on third and fourth edges of the permeate carrier sheet. The method comprises introducing two solution with different solute concentration to two sides of the spiral wound membrane sheet; establishing a concentration gradient between the first and second sides; communicating a first solvent from the first side to the second side to remove a foulant located on the second side of the membrane sheet; and collecting a waste stream that contains the foulant.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2012Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: BL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Chang Wang, Chen Wang
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Patent number: 10272387Abstract: To provide a modified forward osmosis (FO) membrane module for flow regime improvement, the FO membrane module includes but not limited to: a water inlet; a water outlet; a forward osmosis (FO) membrane; a frame; and folded plates for improving flow regime in which draw solution is introduced into the water inlet of membrane module, then flowed through flow channels composed by three opposite folded plates vertically arranged on upper and bottom portions of the frame alternatively along horizontal direction with equal space; and drawn out from the water outlet. The flow regime improvement is achieved by increasing number of flow-guide folded plate, which results in the decrease of internal concentration polarization and membrane fouling. Structure of frame is modified to improve flow regime and to satisfy requirement of convenient and reliable connections between numbers of membrane modules in the FO membrane system.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2016Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: TONGJI UNIVERSITYInventors: Qiaoying Wang, Jie Wang, Zhiwei Wang, Zhichao Wu, Yanqiang Ma, Xueye Wang, Chen Pan, Mei Chen, Zimeng Li, Kaili Yan
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Patent number: 10258928Abstract: A spiral wound membrane module adapted for hyperfiltration and including at least one membrane envelope and feed spacer sheet wound about a central permeate tube to form an inlet and outlet scroll face and an outer periphery, wherein the feed spacer sheet includes: i) a feed entrance section extending along the permeate collection tube from the inlet scroll face toward the outlet scroll face, ii) a feed exit section extending along the outer periphery from the outlet scroll face toward the inlet scroll face, and iii) a central feed section located between the feed entrance section and the feed exit section; and wherein the feed entrance section has a median resistance to flow in a direction parallel to the permeate collection tube that is less than 25% of the median resistance to flow of the central feed section in a direction perpendicular to the permeate collection tube.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2015Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Inventors: Steven D. Jons, Michael S. Koreltz, Luke Franklin
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Patent number: 10159938Abstract: A module includes a bonded portion in which the hollow-fiber-membranes are bonded and fixed together by potting material at least in an end portion of each of the hollow-fiber-membranes. Each of the hollow-fiber-membranes has a resin impregnation portion in which resin is impregnated into an outer surface side of each of the hollow-fiber-membranes at least in the end portion where each of the hollow-fiber-membranes is bonded and fixed together. In the end portion of the hollow-fiber-membranes, a leading edge of the resin impregnation portion toward the other end of each of the hollow-fiber-membranes is located closer to the other end than a leading edge of the bonded portion toward the other end. The thickness of the resin impregnation portion in the direction of the wall thickness of the hollow-fiber-membranes is 10 to 70% with respect to the thickness of the hollow-fiber-membranes.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2015Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: ASAHI KASEI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kohei Nakamoto, Naoyuki Shinohara
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Patent number: 10076620Abstract: An anesthetic circuit is provided for treating a patient. The anesthetic circuit includes a membrane having a plurality of hollow fibers. Also provided is a fluid separation apparatus connectable to an anesthetic circuit. In a further embodiment, a method is provided for anesthetic treatment of a patient.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2013Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: DMF MEDICAL INCORPORATEDInventors: Klaus Michael Schmidt, David Cecil Roach, Florentin Michael Wilfart
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Patent number: 9993776Abstract: The present invention relates to a separation membrane module including: a pressure vessel; a plurality of separation membrane elements which are provided in the pressure vessel and each includes: a wound membrane body in which a separation membrane, a liquid-to-be-treated channel member and a permeated liquid channel member are spirally wound around a permeated liquid collection tube; and anti-telescoping plates disposed on both ends of the wound membrane body; and a thrust load holding member which holds a thrust load generated when water passes through the separation membrane elements, in which a thrust load adjustment holding member which is capable of adjusting the thrust load by adjusting a total length of the separation membrane elements in the pressure vessel, is provided on at least one end of the thrust load holding member in an axial direction of the separation membrane elements.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2014Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Shinji Nishioka, Gentaro Horikawa, Koji Fujiwara, Kazuya Sugita
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Patent number: 9968889Abstract: A membrane envelope stack for gas separation comprising membrane envelopes bonded together by means of an adhesive having a tensile E-modulus of at least 1600 N/mm2 and/or an elongation at break of 20% or less and/or a Tg of at least 50° C.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2014Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignees: Fujifilm Manufacturing Europe B.V., Fujifilm CorporationInventors: Peter Jessen, Yujiro Itami
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Patent number: 9931597Abstract: A membrane envelope comprising a feed spacer, one or more membrane sheets and an adhesive, to give a glue line laminate having a tensile E-modulus of at least 1600 N/mm2 and/or an elongation at break of 13% or less.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2014Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignees: Fujifilm Manufacturing Europe B.V., Fujifilm CorporationInventors: Peter Jessen, Yujiro Itami
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Patent number: 9844625Abstract: Hydrophilic flat-sheet membrane based on a hydrophobic first polymer from the group consisting of aromatic sulfone polymers and a hydrophilic second polymer, wherein the membrane has a thickness in the range between 30 and 200 ?m, a first and a second surface and a supporting layer having a three-dimensional sponge-like network structure, wherein the supporting layer has a first cover layer on the side thereof facing the first surface and a second cover layer on the side thereof facing the second surface, which cover layers are formed integrally with the supporting layer, and wherein the first and second surfaces have approximately oval or circular openings which penetrate the first and second cover layers, respectively, and are connected to the supporting layer, wherein the average diameter of the openings in the surfaces differ by a factor of less than 2, wherein the three-dimensional network structure of the supporting layer is made up of thick branches and a continuous pore system, and the predominant proType: GrantFiled: March 29, 2012Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Frank Schneider, Martin Czernik, Walter Stripp, Ramona Tatsch
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Patent number: 9795925Abstract: A membrane separation unit can include a cartridge, at least one membrane disposed within the cartridge, at least one seal plate, and a sealing ring seated in an outer groove of the seal plate. The at least one seal plate can seal one end of the cartridge. The seal plate can have at least one venting hole that forms a passage between the interior of the cartridge and the outer groove. The sealing ring can have a cross-sectional shape that forms a circular venting path between the sealing ring and the seal plate. The sealing ring can include one or more grooves to allow fluid to vent into an annular space between a device housing and the membrane separation unit. The sealing ring can include an outer surface having, in cross-section, two flattened surfaces that form an angle of between 90° and 175° there between.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2012Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: LG NANOH20, INC.Inventors: Frederick K. Lesan, Nicholas Kordani
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Patent number: 9757669Abstract: A filtration element including a cylindrical housing enclosing a fluid filtration media extending along an axis (X) between opposing ends with a first and second end cap located at each end, wherein each end cap includes: i) an annular surface co-extensive with the housing, and ii) outer face laying in a plane perpendicular with the axis (X). The outer face of at least one end cap comprises an annular groove. A face seal including a base is located within the annular groove. A flexible lip extends axially from the base and axially beyond the outer face of the end cap and is adapted to engage with an abutting outer face of an end cap of an adjacently positioned filtration element.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2013Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLCInventors: Jon E. Johnson, Matthew D. Mittag
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Patent number: 9616390Abstract: A separation membrane includes a separation membrane main body having at least a substrate and a separation function layer; and a channel material having a composition different from that of the separation membrane main body and affixed to a substrate-side surface of the separation membrane main body, wherein the channel material is discontinuous in a first direction and continuous in a second direction from one end to another end of the separation membrane main body.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2012Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.Inventors: Hiroho Hirozawa, Masakazu Koiwa, Kentaro Takagi, Yoshiki Okamoto, Hiroyuki Yamada, Yasuo Seike, Tsuyoshi Hamada, Masahiro Kimura
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Patent number: 9579606Abstract: Parallel membrane elements are arranged in parallel within a pressure vessel. A sealing body is disposed within the pressure vessel and is compressed against an inner surface of the pressure vessel to provide a leak-right seal in between a feed gas side of the sealing body and a non-permeate side of the sealing body. The sealing body may be slid within the pressure vessel without damaging the sealing body and in all cases without requiring mechanical assistance.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2014Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Air Liquide Advanced Technologies U.S. LLCInventors: Sandeep K. Karode, Karl S. Beers
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Patent number: 9566553Abstract: A fluid separation assembly and method are provided. The assembly has a hollow fiber bundle with a plurality of hollow fiber membranes. The assembly further has a pair of tubesheets, each encapsulating respective ends of the hollow fiber bundle. The assembly further has a plurality of radial through openings formed along a circumference of one or both of the tubesheets and radially through a body portion in one or both of the tubesheets. The radial through openings include center connected radial through openings and partial radial through openings, and intersect each, or substantially each, of the hollow fiber membranes. The assembly further has a housing surrounding the hollow fiber bundle and the tubesheets. The housing has a feed inlet port, a permeate outlet port, and a non-permeate outlet port. The feed inlet port and the non-permeate outlet port are in parallel alignment with a longitudinal central axis of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2015Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignees: The Boeing Company, Porogen CorporationInventors: Brent Kenneth Theodore, Donald Ray Snow, Jr., James P. Huang, Michael J. Robinson, Ivana Jojic, Benjamin Bikson
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Patent number: 9492792Abstract: A piece of substrate material is formed under heat and pressure against a cavity into a shaped substrate sheet having one or more depressions. Two substrate sheets are bonded together to form a substrate wherein the one or more depressions form one or more interior channels. The substrate, if not formed with pre-coated substrate material, is coated with a dope and quenched to form a filtering membrane. A plurality of membranes may be placed side by side to form a bundle with permeating ends of the membrane, which are open to the one or more interior channels, separated by gaps or spacers. The bundle is connected to a header to produce a module. The module can be assembled into a cassette.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2011Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: FIBRACAST LTD.Inventors: Ionel Tomescu, Rafael Simon
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Patent number: 9452390Abstract: The present disclosure describes a spiral cross-flow filter. The spiral cross-flow filter includes a filter element having a continuous web of leaves formed by pleating a laminate filter element. The filter element may include a composite filter material including a first layer of a membrane material adjacent an outer shell, and a second layer of a permeate spacer material adjacent a permeate tube. The plurality of leaves wrap around the permeate tube in a uniform “spiral” configuration and may be separated by feed spacers.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2013Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Inventor: Scott P. Yaeger
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Patent number: 9381469Abstract: A radial seal is described for use in a filtration system having annular elements. The rings or annuli fit in a groove in an outer surface of a seal plate. Each annulus has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of a cylindrical housing of the filtration system. A gap in the annulus has a width selected to enable the annular element to deform sufficiently to permit insertion of the at least one annulus into the cylindrical housing. Two or more annuli can be configured such that the gaps of the annuli are misaligned when both annuli are installed in the groove, thereby minimizing leakage in operation. A registration system includes a registration element that cooperates with a registration element of the other annulus to ensure misalignment of the gaps of the pair of annuli.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2014Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Curtis J. Elwell, Frederick K. Lesan, Victor Verbeek, Peter F. Metcalfe
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Patent number: 9242213Abstract: A forward osmosis system using submerged hollow fiber membranes, a draw solution of superparamagnetic nanoparticles (preferably an iron oxide core with a silica shell that is chemically treated with a dispersant stabilizing it in a permanent suspension), that produces an osmotic pressure that drives fluid through the semipermeable membrane and a magnetic field produced by either a permanent magnet or solenoid-type electromagnet that is applied to either separate and reuse or to prevent the movement of the magnetic nanoparticles away from the membrane surface area. Since forward osmosis is independent of both the type of membrane (hyper, nano, ultra, or micro) and the fluid type (the fluid being processed can be oil or water-based), it can be widely applied to many fluid processes within the water treatment (wastewater treatment, demineralizing industrial cooling water, and seawater desalination) and non-water treatment industries such as the food and beverage, medical, and chemical industries.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2012Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Inventor: Terrence W. Aylesworth
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Publication number: 20150144560Abstract: There is provided a separation membrane unit wherein a plurality of separation membrane subunits (11a-c) communicate with raw water lines A (9a-c) that comprise raw water supply valves W (10a-c), water discharge lines B (12a-c) that comprise water discharge valves X (13a-c), raw water lines C (16a-c) that comprise first raw water communication valves Y (17a-c), raw water lines D (19a-c) that comprise second raw water communication valves Z (20a-c), and permeate water lines E (21a-c); and wherein the raw water lines A communicate with the water discharge lines B, the raw water lines C communicate with the raw water lines D, the raw water lines A communicate with a main raw water line 7, the water discharge lines B communicate with a main water discharge line 14, the raw water lines C and the raw water lines D communicate with a collection line 18, and the permeate water lines E communicate with a main permeate water line 22.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2013Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicant: TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Masahide Taniguchi, Kazunori Tomioka, Tomohiro Maeda
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Patent number: 8999162Abstract: Water treatment systems and methods are provided to minimize membrane fouling and the required maintenance that results therefrom. A water treatment system includes a pressure vessel with a plurality of spaced-apart membranes disposed therein, and an impeller or other means for circulating feed water through the interior of the vessel and past the membranes. Antifouling particles (such as diatomaceous earth or activated carbon) and/or pellets can be added to the feed water inhibit membrane fouling and extend the useful life of the membranes.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Econopure Water Systems, LLCInventors: Diem Xuan Vuong, Michael Sean Motherway, Curtis Roth
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Patent number: 8991027Abstract: The present invention is directed toward spiral wound modules along with methods for making and using the same. Several embodiments are described including methods for making spiral wound filtration modules using membrane sheet provided from a roll, wherein the membrane sheet is unrolled and assembled in a direction parallel to the permeate collection tube of the module.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2014Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLCInventors: Steven D. Jons, Allyn R. Marsh, III
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Patent number: 8968566Abstract: A novel separator assembly for a spiral flow reverse osmosis apparatus is provided. In one embodiment, the separator assembly comprises a central core element comprising at least two permeate exhaust conduits and not comprising a concentrate exhaust conduit. Each permeate exhaust conduit defines an exhaust channel and one or more openings allowing fluid communication between an exterior surface of the permeate exhaust conduit and the exhaust channel, said permeate exhaust conduits independently defining a cavity between said conduits. The cavity is configured to accommodate a first portion of a membrane stack assembly comprising at least one feed carrier layer, at least two permeate carrier layers, and at least two membrane layers. A first portion of the membrane stack assembly is disposed within the cavity, and a second portion of the membrane stack assembly is wound around the central core element and forms a multilayer membrane assembly disposed around the central core element.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2011Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Philip Paul Beauchamp, Michael Kent Cueman, Daniel Jason Erno, Todd Alan Anderson, Dean David Marschke
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Patent number: 8961790Abstract: A novel separator assembly for a spiral flow reverse osmosis apparatus is provided. In one embodiment, the separator assembly comprises a central core element comprising at least one permeate exhaust conduit and at least one concentrate exhaust conduit. Each exhaust conduit defines an exhaust channel and one or more openings allowing fluid communication between an exterior surface of the exhaust conduit and the exhaust channel, said exhaust conduits independently defining a cavity between said conduits. The cavity is configured to accommodate a first portion of a membrane stack assembly comprising at least one feed carrier layer, at least one permeate carrier layer, and at least one membrane layer. A first portion of the membrane stack assembly is disposed within the cavity, and a second portion of the membrane stack assembly is wound around the central core element and forms a multilayer membrane assembly disposed around the central core element.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2011Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Philip Paul Beauchamp, Michael Kent Cueman, Daniel Jason Erno, Todd Alan Anderson, Dean David Marschke
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Patent number: 8940169Abstract: A spiral wound module is suitable for use with high temperature water that is also very alkaline or has a high pH, for example SAGD produced water. The module uses a polyamide-based membrane with a polysulfone or polyethersulfone backing material. For other components, the module uses primarily one or more of, EPDM; polyamide; polyphenylene oxide; polyphenylene sulfide; polysulfone; polyethersulfone; polysulfonamide; polyvinylidene fluoride; mylar; fiberglass; and, epoxy. Polyester is not used. Polypropylene is not used for the feed spacer. For example, a module may use a PVDF feed spacer, a nylon permeate spacer and a polysulfone center tube. The center tube may be provided with 4 rows of 0.063? diameter holes and be rolled under high tension.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2011Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Phillip Goebel, David Olson, David M. Polizzotti, Abdul Rafi Khwaja
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Patent number: 8940167Abstract: The invention relates to a filter assembly for membrane filtration—of liquids, and more in particular a spiral wound filter assembly with improved filtration performance. Provided is a spiral wound filter assembly comprising a permeate channel (5; 305, 325) for transporting permeate to the permeate outlet (12), said permeate channel being provided with at least one flow restriction (13; 113, 120; 213; 333) in form of check or control valves or ridges, for increasing the pressure in at least part of the permeate channel. The invention further relates to an apparatus comprising such a filter assembly, and to methods for using this apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2008Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Friesland Brands B.V.Inventors: Albert van der Padt, Tjeerd Jongsma
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Patent number: 8911625Abstract: The invention includes a spiral wound module comprising at least one membrane sheet wrapped about a permeate collection tube wherein the membrane sheet (14) comprises a plurality of capillary channels in parallel arrangement with each other and which are in fluid communication with the permeate collection tube (12). Many additional embodiments are disclosed along with methods for making and using the module and corresponding components.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2010Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLCInventors: Gerald F. Billovits, Thomas E. Fisk, Steven D. Jons, David J. Moll
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Patent number: 8883007Abstract: A fluid separation system includes a separation membrane having a pattern of features thereon.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2009Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Aerojet Rocketdyne of DE, Inc.Inventors: Mark F. Buser, Alan B. Minick
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Publication number: 20140263025Abstract: The invention relates to membranes, membrane modules, and applications therefor. In particular, the invention relates to the construction of membranes and membrane modules for use in osmotically driven membrane processes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: OASYS WATER, INC.Inventors: Eric Maxwell, Inga B. Elkina, Nathan Hancock, Gary McGurgan