Cylindrical Membrane Patents (Class 210/321.87)
  • Patent number: 8623215
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a membrane module including a first plurality of fibers capable of filtering fluids that are helically wound in layers creating a mono helix. Fluids to be treated can flow radially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the mono helix or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mono helix. The membrane module can further include a second plurality of fibers that are helically wound with the first plurality of fibers to create a dual helix. The second plurality of fibers can have different properties than the first plurality of fibers in order to achieve different filtering functionalities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Porous Media Corporation
    Inventors: Philip M. Rolchigo, John H. Burban, John Shanahan, Robert O. Crowder
  • Publication number: 20130319084
    Abstract: A flush pump feature on a liquid purifying filter includes a segment of flexible tubing containing a small bulb pump is described. Two check valves are positioned upstream and downstream of the bulb pump which then terminates with a simple manually operated open/closed valve. The addition of this flush pump feature enables the filter unit to be easily purged of air at first use and also will make the filter easier to clean and maintain without the need to remove it from a hydration carrier. In addition, the flush bulb feature can also be used to perform a simple visual integrity test of filter while out in a remote location and also can be used to effectively remove bulk water from the filter for lighter storage when not in use which also minimizes freeze related damage when used in a cold environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Nephros, Inc.
    Inventor: Nephros, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8591739
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for separating particles and dissolved matter from a fluid stream. Specifically, the present invention includes a first pressure source which transports untreated fluid into a separator annulus with a filter element disposed therein. The untreated fluid is placed under appropriate pressure sufficient to produce turbulent flow, increased particle kinetics and/or cavitation physics allowing the desired fluid to penetrate and pass into and through the filter media. The filtered fluid is then transported to a collection tank. The contaminant particulate matter retained on the exterior of the filter media may be removed by the instantaneous reverse pressurization of the separator annulus by a second pressure source thereby removing the contaminant particles away from contact with the filter media, and which may then be transported to a waste collection tank or a concentrator for further treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Tervita, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond Ford Johnson, Markley Dean Johnson, Rodney Grage
  • Patent number: 8584535
    Abstract: Highly efficient and rapid filtration-based concentration devices, systems and methods are disclosed with sample fluidic lines and a filter packaged in a disposable tip which concentrate biological particles that are suspended in liquid from a dilute feed suspension. A sample concentrate or retentate suspension is retained while eliminating the separated fluid in a separate flow stream. The concentrate is then dispensed from the disposable tip in a set volume of elution fluid. Suspended biological particles include such materials as proteins/toxins, viruses, DNA, and/or bacteria in the size range of approximately 0.001 micron to 20 microns diameter. Concentration of these particles is advantageous for detection of target particles in a dilute suspension, because concentrating them into a small volume makes them easier to detect. All conduits by which the disposable tip attaches to the instrument are combined into a single connection point on the upper end of the tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Innova Prep LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Edward Page, Zachary A. Packingham, David Scott Alburty, Alec D. Adolphson
  • Patent number: 8540079
    Abstract: A sludge filtration apparatus has a sludge tank configured to store sludge and at least one filter assembly. The filter assembly includes a filtration membrane for filtering the sludge and a pipe insertable in the filtration membrane to supply air to a secondary side of the filtration membrane for dislodging the sludge from the filtration membrane. The pipe has a plurality of holes for discharging gas, namely air, to an area in which the filtration membrane inclines downwardly with the secondary side thereof. The sludge filtration apparatus can prevent thickened sludge from remaining in an upper portion of the filter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Metawater Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Yoshida, Mikimasa Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20130228518
    Abstract: A separation membrane module and fluid separation method are disclosed. A plurality of tubes are arranged in a body. A first chamber on a first fixed plate at an opposite side where the tubes are attached, comprising a plurality of rooms divided by at least one divider. A second chamber on a second fixed plate at an opposite side where the tubes are attached, comprising a plurality of rooms divided by at least one divider. The tubes are connected in series in terms of fluid path. A operation in which mixed fluid containing two or more types of fluid that flows into one of the rooms within one of chambers flows within one of the tubes, flows into one of the rooms within another chamber, and flows into another of the tubes by way of one of the rooms within the another chamber is repeatedly carried out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi ITO, Masaaki OBATA
  • Publication number: 20130213875
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of high flux hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane prepared from poly(acrylonitrile-co-methacrylic acid), (polysulfone and poly(acrylonitrile-co-methacrylic acid)) and (polysulfone and ion exchange resin (sulfonated polystyrene-divinyl benzene copolymer)) blend and the point-of-use filtration unit there from for water purification and disinfection. The produced membrane has an active layer with pore size which effectively rejects pathogens and other bacteria from contaminated water while allowing the passage of water to produce biologically pure water for drinking. Therefore, the present invention relates to development of hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane that delivers biologically pure water at a desirable rate, that is at a rate 25-200 liters/m2.h. The membrane performance in terms of flux and rejection efficiency is dependent on polymer material type and surface properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: COUNCIL OF SCIENTIFIC & INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH
    Inventors: Alamuru Venktarami Reddy, Paramita Ray, Puyam Sobhindro Singh, Parashuram Kallem, Sandipkumar Maurya, Jitendra Jaydevprasad Trivedi
  • Publication number: 20130206673
    Abstract: A wet spinning process for forming a tubular fiber membrane is provided. The tubular fiber membrane has a nanoporous skin layer and a microporous lumen layer. The skin layer defines an outer surface of the fiber membrane and the lumen layer defines a lumen surface of the fiber membrane. The pores in the skin layer may have an average pore size of less than about 7 nm, and pores in the lumen layer may have an average pore size of from about 0.5 to about 3 ?m. The fiber membranes may be used in artificial renal proximal tubules, artificial kidneys, bioreactors, or fiber cartridges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: Jackie Y. Ying, Rensheng Deng, Min Hu, Ming Ni
  • Patent number: 8496826
    Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane type fluid treatment device having at least a body portion of tubular housing containing a hollow fiber membrane bundle. In the hollow fiber membrane type fluid treatment device, an inner surface of a body portion of the tubular housing at a side of a treatment liquid inlet has a body straight portion and an end tapered portion which increases in diameter toward an end face of the housing body portion, the hollow fiber membrane is arranged so that a distance between the hollow fiber membranes is gradually increased toward the end face on the treatment liquid inlet side along a taper of a tapered portion of the inner surface of the housing body portion, and a liquid to be treated flows within the hollow fiber membranes and a treatment liquid flows outside of the hollow fiber membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Medical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiko Uchi, Makoto Fukuda, Satoshi Uezumi, Hidetoshi Hidaka, Takayasu Fujimura
  • Patent number: 8480898
    Abstract: A membrane module for an immersed operation has a fiber bundle of hollow fiber membranes which are cast into a headpiece and in immersed operation are surrounded by a liquid to be filtered. The module has a permeate collection chamber connected to the headpiece with an outlet for permeate draining from the interior of the hollow fiber membranes, and a gas supply having a pipe guided by the headpiece. The pipe terminates in the interior of the fiber bundle and has a gas outlet for a gaseous medium, which after the transfer from the pipe to the liquid to be filtered rises as bubbles between the hollow fiber membranes. The fiber bundle is divided into sections and free spaces remain between the sections which extend from the pipe to the outer circumference of the headpiece and promote an inflow of the liquid into a foot area adjoining the headpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Koch Membrane Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Schäfer, Klaus Vossenkaul, Christoph Kullmann
  • Patent number: 8460542
    Abstract: A suction filter may comprise a bag-shaped filter member and a passage member. The passage member is disposed in an internal space of the filter member. The passage member has a fuel passage and a plurality of openings, and guides fuel from the internal space to the outside of the internal space. The openings communicate the internal space of the filter member to the fuel passage. When the passage member is cut along a surface thereof perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the passage member in each of the openings, a position on an outer circumferential surface of the passage member in the cut surface, in which the distance between the outer circumferential surface and the filter member is the smallest, is distant in a circumferential direction from a position on the outer circumferential surface where the opening is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihide Oku, Tetsuya Hara, Yoshinobu Kato
  • Publication number: 20130140236
    Abstract: A hollow fiber type reverse osmosis membrane including cellulose acetate, characterized in that the filtration rate and the salt rejection rate when an aqueous solution having sodium chloride concentration of 1,500 mg/L is filtered from outer side to inner side of the hollow fiber type reverse osmosis membrane at 25° C. and 1.5 MPa pressure are 180 to 350 L/m2/day and 90.0 to 99.0%, respectively and the outer diameter, the inner diameter and the hollow rate of the hollow fiber type reverse osmosis membrane are 100 to 280 ?m, 50 to 200 ?m and 24 to 42%, respectively. The hollow fiber type reverse osmosis membrane preferably has a dense layer near the outer surface, and thickness of the dense layer is 0.1 to 7 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOBO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinobu Tokimi, Toshiyuki Yagi, Yuji Ito
  • 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: 8414766
    Abstract: A serviceable device for filtering lubricating oil includes an inlet and an outlet, a first filtering element and an absorption filtering element. The absorption filtering element is configured to absorb a fluidic contaminant present in the lubricating oil when in contact with the absorption filtering element. A flow path for the lubricating oil is from the inlet, through the first filtering element, and out the outlet. The flow path further includes lubricating oil contact with the absorption filtering element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Mordukhovich, James L. Linden, Andrew M. Mance
  • Patent number: 8414686
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to degassing devices for dialysate circuits. One embodiment has a first housing and a second housing positioned within the first housing in an annular relationship. A second embodiment comprises a dialysate regeneration system with urease, a dialyzer, and a housing with an external wall, where the external wall is exposed to atmosphere and comprises a material that passes gas but does not pass liquid and where the housing is positioned between the urease and dialyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Gura, Carlos Jacobo Ezon, Masoud Beizai
  • Patent number: 8388842
    Abstract: A filtration device having a tubular pressure vessel and a tubular filter assembly is provided. The tubular filter assembly is housed within the tubular pressure vessel and includes a filter element and a split ring seal circumscribing the filter element. The split ring seal has an annular body that includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end and slidably engaged with the first end, and an opening extending through the annular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hydranautics
    Inventors: Irving Shelby, Craig R. Bartels, Dirk Dewinter
  • Publication number: 20130020250
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a filter module and to a method of manufacturing a hollow fiber membrane bundle having at least two concentrically arranged filter stages. The present invention furthermore relates to a method of manufacturing a hollow fiber membrane bundle, to a disposable and to a blood treatment apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: Fresenius Medical Care Duetschland GmbH
    Inventors: Torsten KELLER, Franz Kugelmann, Wolfgang Wehmeyer
  • Patent number: 8354026
    Abstract: A center tube is disclosed which allows a draw solution to flow through all membrane elements in a membrane system in parallel. The center tube may include a cylindrical wall with two open ends and a barrier element there between separating an upstream chamber and a downstream chamber within the cylindrical wall. At least one non-perforated bypass tube may be located substantially within the cylindrical wall, which extends a length of the downstream chamber and/or the upstream chamber so that the upstream chamber is configured to communicate with a second upstream chamber of a second center tube and/or the downstream chamber is configured to communicate with a second downstream chamber of the second center tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Hydration Systems, LLC
    Inventor: John R. Herron
  • Patent number: 8329037
    Abstract: A filtration apparatus including an annular filter surrounding a waste treatment chamber, a first turbine drawing liquid up within the chamber and a second turbine driving liquid outwardly through the filter. In the method of treating organic waste, the chamber includes an ultraviolet lamp and a cylindrical baffle surrounding the chamber having a mirrored surface. The disclosed apparatus further includes anodic and cathodic plates surrounding the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventor: E. Bayne Carew
  • Patent number: 8261919
    Abstract: A fluid filter module including an end cap assembly disposed about at least one end of a tubular-shaped housing. The end cap assembly includes a base, fluid port and handle which may optionally comprise an integrally molded structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Scott T. Burr, Matthew D. Mittag, Matthew J. Turpin, Gavin D. Vogel
  • Patent number: 8257590
    Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane module characterized by having a tubular module case; a bundle of a multiplicity of hollow fiber membranes housed in the module case; adhesively fixing parts for fixing both side edge portions of the bundle in the module case in such a fashion that raw fluid can pass through the interior of the hollow fiber membranes; a permeated fluid communication part adapted for passable connection between both end faces outside the adhesively fixing parts by a pipe of diameter significantly larger than that of the hollow fiber membranes; and a raw fluid distribution supply part capable of feeding the raw fluid into the module case at one of the adhesively fixing parts, wherein the raw fluid distribution supply part has multiple raw fluid introduction holes made in hollow fiber membrane interspaces so as to be able to supply the raw fluid along the longitudinal direction of the hollow fiber membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation
    Inventors: Tohru Taniguchi, Yuzuru Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 8246827
    Abstract: A hollow-fiber membrane assembly having the function of preventing the membrane filaments from cracking, which comprises: hollow-fiber membrane filaments (1), protective film(s) (2) and fastening material (3), wherein the protective film (2) enwraps the outside of the hollow-fiber membrane filament(s) (1) near the end head (5), and a portion of the protective film (2) is immobilized in the fastening material (3), while the rest portion of the protective film (2) outside of the fastening material (3) is left free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Suzhou Litree Purifying Technology Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Lianggang Chen, Man Chen, Qing Chen
  • Patent number: 8216466
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a new multi component counter top water filtration system having two filtration media cartridges, one media cartridge being replaceable at least twice before the second media cartridge exceeds its useful life and requires replacement and includes a mechanism for disengaging the o-rings associated with the operative connection of the inner filter media cartridge with the outer filter media cartridge without rotation thereof during replacement of the inner filter media cartridge and includes the separation of the plumbing and electronic components wherein the lower housing unit houses the plumbing components such as the water filtration pressure vessel, tubing and flow indication signaling device and the upper unit houses the electronics component and filtration methods related thereto and methods of operating same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Laurence W. Bassett, Timothy B. Carney, Robert E. Astle, Hemang R. Patel, Dian Zheng
  • Patent number: 8197684
    Abstract: Device designed to desalinate brackish water which performs said function by the combined action of magnetic fields generated inside the device and ion-selective membranes, thus obtaining two separate water currents, one with a low salt concentration and the other reject current with a high salt concentration. It comprises an external cylindrical body of magnetized iron (1), an inner body also cylindrical and made of the same material (2) and an intermediate chamber (3) in which are placed a series of ion-selective membranes (6 and 7) arranged radially around the axle common to all of the bodies, and placed alternately such that each negative-ion selective membrane has a positive-ion selective membrane on either side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Inventors: Pedro Penas Ballester, Francisco Javier Abad Garrido
  • Patent number: 8192618
    Abstract: In the present invention, dialysis tubing is placed in a chamber, where an ultrasonic or a other mist producer is present. The ultrasonic mist producer will produce mist and small water droplets will be attached to the surface of dialysis membrane (sheet or tubing) and will condense and the water drops will fall back in the solution tank, where the ultrasonic probe produces the mist. When the droplet is attached to the membrane surface, the dialysis will take place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventors: Ashok Kumar Shuklla, Mukta Misra Shukla, Kavita M. Shukla
  • Patent number: 8187476
    Abstract: A spin column device, which contains a rigid porous filter that retains its shape during centrifugation, chromatography methods using the device to isolate a desired substance, e.g., a biological molecule, from other substances in a mixture, and kits containing the device with one or more reagents for use in the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: BioVentures, Inc.
    Inventor: Elliott P. Dawson
  • Patent number: 8153008
    Abstract: Device (5) for filtering blood including a filter unit (7) having a blood filter, an inlet (8) for blood to be filtered and being connectable to an artery of a patient and a blood outlet (9) for filtered blood and being connectable to a vein of the patient, and having a filtrate container (6,14), that encloses the filter unit (7), for receiving filtrate (12) passing through the blood filter during a filtering process and that the filtrate container (6,14) is a closed container, which in a filled state is arranged to establish a counter-pressure over the blood filter, whereby the filtering process is interrupted. The invention also concerns a system including the above device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventor: Anders Nilsson
  • Patent number: 8147685
    Abstract: A container (10) for liquids is provided, in which pressurization of the container is used to force the liquid through one or more membranes to an output. The membranes are disposed across substantially an entire length of the container, and pass liquid in preference to air. As a result, the liquid may be extracted from the container in any orientation. A particular use for this kind of container is as a portable water bottle containing a filter (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Pritchard
  • Publication number: 20120048795
    Abstract: A fluid filter module including an end cap assembly disposed about at least one end of a tubular-shaped housing. The end cap assembly includes a base, fluid port and sealed boss which may optionally comprise an integrally molded structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Scott T. Burr, Matthew J. Hallan, Matthew D. Mittag, Matthew J. Turpin, Gavin D. Vogel
  • Publication number: 20120048796
    Abstract: A fluid filter module including an end cap assembly disposed about at least one end of a tubular-shaped housing. The end cap assembly includes a base, fluid port and handle which may optionally comprise an integrally molded structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Scott T. Burr, Matthew D. Mittag, Matthew J. Turpin, Gavin D. Vogel
  • Patent number: 8119005
    Abstract: A desalination system and method are based on the biological mechanism occurring in the mammalian kidney which utilizes colloid osmotic pressure and hydrostatic pressure to recover diluted salt solution from a concentrated one. The desalination system includes fluidly connected chamber compartments, one of which is filled with a charged substance, for example, a charged colloid polymer, to form a colloid salt solution when filled with the concentrated salt solution. Peripheral chamber compartments are filled with the concentrated salt solution. A system of semi-permeable membranes, not permeable to the charged substance, separate the chambers one from another. The system operates in the filling, equilibration, dilute, and collecting cycles which are controlled by opening and closing of the semi-permeable membranes. Desalination is based on the transfer of water due to osmotic pressure gradient across the membranes and is driven by hydrostatic pressure, thus providing energy efficient process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventor: Gabriel George Pinter
  • Patent number: 8114199
    Abstract: A membrane dryer includes a shell having an inner tube and an outer tube and a bundle of hollow fibers supported in the shell. A dryer air inlet into the hollow fibers and a sweep air outlet from the inner tube are at a first end of the shell. A dryer air outlet into the hollow fibers and a sweep air inlet from the inner tube are at a second end of the shell. The inner tube has a first set of circumferential openings into the sweep air space adjacent the first end of the shell and a second set of circumferential openings into the sweep air space adjacent the first end of the shell; and a second plug is in the inner tube between the first and second set of openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventor: Randall W. Nichols
  • Patent number: 8069990
    Abstract: The invention provides a sealing gasket for mounting in a passage (5) of a support plate (4) to surround the end of a tubular-shaped filter element (3) provided with at least one fluid flow channel (31), the channel lying within a flow section Sc, the gasket being constituted in the form of a sleeve: possessing a height h not less than the height hps of the passage (5) in the support plate (4); and presenting an overlap bore (15) for the filter element (3) defined between one end (16) of the sleeve and a shoulder (17) which co-operates with the other end of the sleeve to define a channel bore (19) for the fluid, the shoulder (17) possessing a surface for acting as an abutment for the terminal portion of the filter element and presenting dimensions that are adapted to extend outside the flow section Sc so as to avoid impeding fluid circulation, the overlap bore (15) being provided with a groove (28) adjacent to the shoulder (17) in order to allow the gasket to creep.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Technologies Avancees & Membranes Industrielles
    Inventors: André Grangeon, Philippe Lescoche, Michel Millares
  • Patent number: 8066801
    Abstract: A membrane dryer includes a shell having an inner tube and an outer tube and a bundle of hollow fibers supported in the shell. A dryer air inlet into the hollow fibers and a sweep air outlet from the inner tube are at a first end of the shell. A dryer air outlet into the hollow fibers and a sweep air inlet from the inner tube are at a second end of the shell. The inner tube has a first set of circumferential openings into the sweep air space adjacent the first end of the shell and a second set of circumferential openings into the sweep air space adjacent the first end of the shell; and a second plug is in the inner tube between the first and second set of openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventor: Randall W. Nichols
  • Patent number: 8062533
    Abstract: A spin column device, which contains a rigid porous filter that retains its shape during centrifugation, chromatography methods using the device to isolate a desired substance, e.g., a biological molecule, from other substances in a mixture, and kits containing the device with one or more reagents for use in the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: BioVentures, Inc.
    Inventor: Elliott P. Dawson
  • Publication number: 20110278224
    Abstract: A solid-liquid separation system for chemically-precipitated heavy metal wastewater having a membrane module disposed in a filter zone of a chemical reaction tank, a water outlet pipe of the membrane module, a pressure gauge with electric contact, a suction pump, a water inlet pipe of the suction pump, a backwashing pump, and a backwashing pipe. The membrane module, the water outlet pipe of the membrane module, the pressure gauge with electric contact, the water inlet pipe of the suction pump, and the suction pump are directly connected in sequence to form a membrane module water production system. The water outlet pipe of the membrane module, the pressure gauge with electric contact, the backwashing pipe, and the backwashing pump are directly connected in sequence to form a backwashing system. A method for treating chemically-precipitated heavy metal wastewater using the separation system is also provided. The separation effect is very good.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventor: Zhimin LIAO
  • Patent number: 8034242
    Abstract: This invention discloses dialysis devices, related housings, related membranes, related kits, and related methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Linden Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Tai-Nang Huang
  • Patent number: 8034161
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to degassing devices for dialysate circuits. One embodiment has a first housing and a second housing positioned within the first housing in an annular relationship. A second embodiment comprises a dialysate regeneration system with urease, a dialyzer, and a housing with an external wall, where the external wall is exposed to atmosphere and comprises a material that passes gas but does not pass liquid and where the housing is positioned between the urease and dialyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Gura, Carlos Jacobo Ezon, Masoud Beizai
  • Publication number: 20110192783
    Abstract: A membrane module includes at least one hollow fibre membrane; a first resin layer formed around an end of the at least one hollow fibre membrane; and a second resin layer chemically bound to the first resin layer, wherein the second resin layer is of greater flexibility than the first resin layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: David John Cox, Georg Schnieder, Fufang Zha, Joachim Muller, Cinzia Lea
  • Patent number: 7943045
    Abstract: A device for the thermal separation of water into hydrogen and oxygen, including a closed reaction chamber (1) containing water and, in said reaction chamber: —a heating system including one or several heat source elements (4,11), —one or several membranes (3), essentially impermeable to gas, to permit the selective passage of oxygen, —one or several membranes (2), essentially impermeable to gas, to permit the selective passage of hydrogen and —a mechanism (5) to permit the passage of water into said reaction chamber. According to the invention, —said heat source(s) (4, 11) is(are) placed in the water inside said reaction chamber (1), and, —said selective membranes (3) for oxygen are placed in said zones at high temperatures, —said selective membranes (2) for hydrogen are placed in said zones at lower temperatures. Preferably, the heating system is comprised of one or several concentrators (8, 9) of solar rays focusing the rays toward the inside of the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: H2 Power Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Klaus Rohrich, Harald Wirth, Nils Kongmark
  • Patent number: 7935254
    Abstract: We disclose a device for the production of hydrogen from water using heat. The device employs thermal water splitting and works essentially without electricity. It is based on the concept of a membrane reactor with two kinds of membranes allowing the separation of hydrogen and oxygen simultaneously in stoichiometric quantities from the reactor volume. The device has a special geometry resulting in a temperature distribution inside the reaction chamber to accommodate the use of hydrogen selective membranes. The device will help to reduce the need for hydrogen transport and storage as it will be rather compact for on-site use in households, small factories or gas stations. The use of the device in mobile applications is conceivable. The heat source of the device as described is combustion of a hydrocarbon using porous burner technology; however the device can be modified to exploit any other heat source, especially solar radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: H2 Power Systems Ltd
    Inventors: Nils Kongmark, Klaus Röhrich, Harald Wirth
  • Patent number: 7931805
    Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane filter unit for liquid or gaseous media, comprising a bundle of capillary membranes which are open on at least one front surface side and which are cast in an area which is close to the end of the open membrane ends, in a sealing layer forming a hardened head part. The open membrane ends protrude on the outer side of the sealing layer. The sealing layer is arranged on a spacer element which has a layer which is penetrated by the capillary membranes and which is non-permeable in relation to the casting material which hardens in order to form the sealing layer. The invention also relates to a method for the production of a membrane filter unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Koch Membrane Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Schäfer, Klaus Vossenkaul, Christoph Kullmann, Andreas Kruse
  • Patent number: 7926666
    Abstract: A rotary filtration apparatus for filtering a feed fluid into permeate is provided. The rotary filtration apparatus includes a container that has a feed fluid inlet. A shaft is at least partially disposed in the container and has a passageway for the transport of permeate. A disk stack made of a plurality of filtration disks is mounted onto the shaft so that rotation of the shaft causes rotation of the filtration disks. The filtration disks may be made of steel components and may be welded together. The shaft may penetrate a filtering section of the container at a single location. The rotary filtration apparatus may also incorporate a bellows seal to prevent leakage along the shaft, and an around the shaft union rotary joint to allow for removal of permeate. Various components of the rotary filtration apparatus may be removed as a single assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: David T. Herman, David N. Maxwell
  • Publication number: 20110062074
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hollow fiber membrane module having fixing layers to which one or more hollow fiber membrane bundles each including a plurality of hollow fiber membranes are fixed at respective ends thereof using a casting resin, a hollow portion of each of the hollow fiber membranes being open at one or both of the ends, wherein the hollow fiber membrane bundle is divided into a plurality of small bundles at least one of the fixing layers on the open side of the hollow portion, and an outer circumference of each of the small bundles is covered with an elastic body near a filtration portion interface of the fixing layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: ASAHI KASEI CHEMICALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuzuru Ishibashi, Shuichi Nakata
  • Publication number: 20110024345
    Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane module (200) and a puller (300) used therefore is disclosed, wherein each individual hollow fiber membrane module can be easily pulled out from a filtering apparatus provided with a plurality of hollow fiber membrane modules if it is required to be replaced or repaired. At this time, the hollow fiber membrane module (200) comprises a hollow fiber membrane (220); and at least on header (210) to which the hollow fiber membrane is potted, wherein the header (210) includes a first lateral side to which the hollow fiber membrane is potted and a second lateral side opposite to the first lateral side; and wherein an engaging plate (213) is formed at the second lateral side. Also, the puller (300) comprises a main body (310) and a hooking member (320), extending from an end of the main body, formed in a shape suitable for being caught in the engaging plate (213).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventor: Kwang-Jin Lee
  • Patent number: 7875176
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a membrane module including a first plurality of fibers capable of filtering fluids that are helically wound in layers creating a mono helix. Fluids to be treated can flow radially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the mono helix or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mono helix. The membrane module can further include a second plurality of fibers that are helically wound with the first plurality of fibers to create a dual helix. The second plurality of fibers can have different properties than the first plurality of fibers in order to achieve different filtering functionalities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Porous Media Corporation
    Inventors: Philip M. Rolchigo, John H. Burban, John Shanahan, Robert O. Crowder
  • Publication number: 20100307965
    Abstract: A filter module comprising a pressure pipe and a membrane disposed therein, having connections for a fluid to be fed, preferably untreated water, and for filtrate and retentate to be discharged, characterized by a functional/connection unit which is fastened in one end of the pressure pipe and has an upper part and a lower part, wherein all of the connections are provided on the upper part, and flow ducts which are in communication with the connections pass through the lower part, wherein the pressure pipe and the membrane have provided thereinbetween an open annular space through which the fed fluid flows to the bottom side of the membrane, and wherein the pressure pipe has a closed bottom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventor: Manfred Volker
  • Patent number: 7820046
    Abstract: A filter assembly is provided for obtaining a filtered liquid sample from slurry, such as a liquid process stream that contains liquid, dissolved matter and solids. A housing defines a cavity. A rod is arranged in the cavity and supports a filter. A cartridge comprises the filter, and is arranged between the housing and the rod. Furthermore, there is a helicoidal passage for a slurry defined by the housing and the cartridge. There is also a cavity defined by the rod and the cartridge. The slurry has velocity that generates scouring and cleaning action on the filter media thus preventing cake formation on the filter. The filtering apparatus of the present invention provides reliable and continuous on-line sample delivery for an analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventor: Voitto Saarinen
  • Publication number: 20100258496
    Abstract: It is intended to provide a porous hollow fiber membrane for treating blood which suffers from little mechanical damage in the course of production, transfer or handling and shows excellent fractionation properties though it is a thinned polysulfone-based hollow fiber membrane. A porous hollow fiber membrane for treating blood which comprises a polysulfone-based polymer and polyvinylpyrrolidone and has a gradient porous structure with an increase in pore size from the inside to the outside along the membrane thickness direction, characterized in that the porous structure has a membrane thickness of 25 ?m or more but less than 40 ?m, and fibrils having an average diameter of from 100 to 200 ?m are provided in such a manner that the ratio (To/Ti) of the average outside diameter (To) along the membrane thickness direction to the average inside diameter (Ti) is adjusted to not more than 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: ASAHI KASEI KURARAY MEDICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Hidaka, Takahiro Ichi
  • Patent number: 7799560
    Abstract: A versatile compartmentalized cell culture device, with a selectively permeable membrane separating the compartments, provides many attributes relative to traditional devices. It can be configured for high-density cell culture, co-culture, and sample dialysis while rolling or standing still. It can also be configured for continuous movement of liquid between compartments. The wide combination of attributes not found in other membrane based cell culture and bioprocessing devices includes more cell capacity, more cell secreted product capacity, higher cell and product density, increased medium capacity, minimized use of exogenous growth factors, compatibility with standard cell culture equipment and protocols, increased scale up efficiency, capacity to function when rolling or standing still, capacity for perfusion without the need for pumps, and more efficient sample dialysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Wilson Wolf Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Wilson, Daniel P. Welch, Alison Robeck, Douglas A. Page