Level Sensing Patents (Class 210/744)
  • Patent number: 11892442
    Abstract: A comprehensive system for potential risk identification and pollution prewarning of groundwater comprises a cable laying device, a monitoring cable, and an electromagnetic retrieving device which are located in groundwater between two adjacent wells, wherein the two adjacent wells comprise a first well and a second well, the second well is located at a lower water level of the first well and communicates with the first well, the electromagnetic retrieving device is located in the second well, a plurality of sensors are arranged on the monitoring cable, and one end of the monitoring cable is connected to the cable laying device. The cable laying device comprises a device body, an anchoring module arranged at a bottom of the device body, and an electromagnetic adsorption module arranged on the device body. The monitoring cable is connected to the cable laying device after passing through the anchoring module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Technical Centre for Soil, Agriculture and Rural Ecology and Environment, Ministry of Ecology and Environment
    Inventors: Yu Wang, Chunsheng Lv, Qijia Lou, Quanli Liu, Kuo Tang, Danqing Liu, Zhenyu Zhong, Xueting Shao, Jing Li, Dongdong Wang, Ke Li, Wei Wang, Zengguang Yan, Guanlin Guo, Hao Wu
  • Patent number: 11619184
    Abstract: A method for determining an air mass in an air separator of a water direct injection system for injecting a water/fuel mixture into a combustion chamber of an engine of a motor vehicle. The air separator is disposed between a water pump for delivering water of the water/fuel mixture and a high-pressure pump for feeding the water/fuel mixture to a high-pressure injector for injecting the water/fuel mixture into the combustion chamber. The method includes increasing a pressure of the water from a first pressure value to a second pressure value by the water pump, determining a water volume delivered by the water pump during the increasing of the pressure of the water by the water pump, and determining the air mass in the air separator on a basis of the determined water volume delivered by the water pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Bruhn, Bjoern Hussmann, Marco Landwehr, Dirk Linse, Stefan Schott
  • Patent number: 11577204
    Abstract: A water treatment membrane washing apparatus includes two ozone dissolving tanks for storing filtrate generated by filtering raw water through a water treatment membrane and gas aspirators provided for the respective ozone dissolving tanks, for mixing the filtrate with ozone gas supplied from an ozone supply unit to generate ozone gas containing filtrate, and is configured such that waste ozone gas generated in one of the ozone dissolving tanks is aspirated by the gas aspirator provided for the other ozone dissolving tank. After the filtrate from the raw water is pretreated by being mixed with the waste ozone gas in the aspirator, the pretreated filtrate is mixed with the ozone gas in the other ozone dissolving tank until it reaches a predetermined concentration. The ozone gas containing filtrate is supplied from the secondary side of the water treatment membrane to the primary side thereof to wash the eater treatment membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromichi Koga, Koichi Tokimori, Nozomu Yasunaga
  • Patent number: 11524270
    Abstract: A method of mixing a pharmaceutical solution including adding a gas into an interior compartment of a mix bag to form a headspace. The interior compartment of the mix bag includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The headspace adjacent to the top portion contains gas. The method includes adding a solvent into the mix bag, and establishing a bubble column in the interior compartment by activating a recirculation assembly. The recirculation assembly includes a connecting pathway operably coupled to a recirculation pump. A first end of the connecting pathway is coupled to a top gas recirculation port and a second end is coupled to a bottom gas recirculation port of the mix bag such that the recirculation pump draws the gas from the headspace and delivers the gas to the interior compartment via the bottom gas recirculation port. The method includes adding a solute into the mix bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignees: BAXTER INTERNATIONAL INC., BAXTER HEALTHCARE SA
    Inventors: William Spencer Hurst, Kent Alan Williams, Donald A. Smith, Michael P. Wehrli, Luis Ernesto Criales Escobar, Jessica Tam, Joseph Edward Bigalke, Gert Najdeni, Karan Kerwell, Lushan Zhou, Michael Imeobong Essien
  • Patent number: 11479959
    Abstract: The invention relates to a separation device for removing objects from a water flow, comprising a separation screen and a channel which forms an inlet and an outlet for the separation screen, wherein, during operation, a head water having a head water level can be provided in the inlet upstream of the separation screen and a tail water having a tail water level can be provided in the outlet downstream of the separation screen, wherein the outlet comprises an outlet cross-section for the water flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: JUERGEN KUHN UND MICHAEL KUHN GRUNDSTUECKSVERWALTUNGS—UND VERPACHTUNGS GBR
    Inventors: Michael Kuhn, Stefan Blaha
  • Patent number: 11293241
    Abstract: A system and method for recovering drilling fluid from shaker tailings includes a hopper and a cover that is pivotable between a first position in which the hopper is uncovered and a second position in which the hopper is covered. In the first position, the hopper receives the tailings, which are pumped via a low shear pump to a centrifuge. The drilling fluid extracted in the centrifuge is stored in a holding tank. In the second position, the cover is angled with respect to the direction of gravity so as to divert shaker tailings from being received in the hopper. Some fluid from the holding tank is sprayed into the hopper through nozzles to convey the deposited tailings toward the pump. A level detector senses the level of the mixture in the hopper, and an associated control system controls the pump speed and the cover position to control the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, LP
    Inventors: Rennie K. Zazula, Dean M. Bird, Mike R. Olson, Neil P. Mackley
  • Patent number: 11235263
    Abstract: A separation system and method, of which the system includes a separation device comprising a mixed fluid inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet, a tank coupled to the second outlet and configured to receive a solid from the separation device via the second outlet, and a solids-level sensor extending through the tank and positioned at an elevation above a bottom of the tank. The solids-level sensor is configured to detect a viscosity of a material within the tank at the elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: ENERCORP ENGINEERED SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Nikolay Spiridonov, Rory Nagge, Tien Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11105164
    Abstract: A system and method for separating two or more materials, such as a solid from a liquid, or a solid from a slurry, are provided. An exemplary system and method for separating drill cuttings from drilling fluids are provided, as well as a system and method of processing such separated drill cuttings. In another implementation, a system and method is provided for separating gold (or another mineral, element, or solid) from a slurry or liquid that includes mining cuttings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: FLOWBACK FLUIDS LLC
    Inventor: Terry Gordon Culver
  • Patent number: 11090580
    Abstract: A method of dewatering a hydrocarbon storage tank carrying a first fluid layer that includes a first hydrogen concentration and a second fluid layer that includes a second hydrogen concentration includes receiving, from a sensor and by a processor communicatively coupled to the sensor, a value representing an amount of backscattered neutrons sensed by the sensor. The sensor is attached to a surface of a wall of the tank adjacent a fluid outlet of the storage tank. The sensor is configured to sense neutrons backscattered from the first fluid layer and an interface layer. The method includes comparing, by the processor, the value to a threshold, and actuating, by the processor, a valve fluidically coupled to the outlet of the storage tank to drain the first fluid layer from the storage tank while preventing the interface layer from leaving the storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Taher L. Al-Jundi, Aziz U. Rehman, Fadhel H. Asfoor, Isa H. Al-Mudaibegh
  • Patent number: 11041469
    Abstract: A discharge control device for a filter system and a filter system for filtering a media flow of a first and a second medium is provided with a collecting chamber that collects the second medium separated from the media flow. A sensor arrangement with a first sensor unit, a second sensor unit, a first shut-off valve having a closure body, and a second shut-off valve is provided. The first sensor unit is operatively connected to the first shut-off valve. The first sensor unit has a float that purely mechanically actuates the closure body of the first shut-off valve. The second shut-off valve is arranged in series in flow communication with the first shut-off valve. The second shut-off valve has an electromagnetically actuatable valve controlled by the second sensor unit as a function of a fill level of second medium in the collecting chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GmbH
    Inventors: Idriss Razgani, Christoph Baumann, Dietmar Talmon-Gros, Michal Tuma, Jan Svoboda
  • Patent number: 11014022
    Abstract: A fuel dehydrator, including a control panel, a fuel pump electrically connected to the control panel, the fuel pump including a first inlet fluidly connected to a fuel supply, and a first outlet, a fuel filter including a second inlet fluidly connected to the first outlet and a second outlet, a water separator, including a third inlet fluidly connected to the second outlet, a third outlet fluidly connected to a fuel return, and an automatic water drain valve fluidly connected to a water drain and electrically connected to the control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Power Drives, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley R. Gates, Kevin W. O'Neal, Sean R. Jackson, Brandon Schwartz
  • Patent number: 10962290
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-efficiency air water system for a tropical climate, including a filtration system, in which an evaporator is provided in an internal accommodating space of a main body, and a condenser is installed in a perforated portion formed passing through a side wall of the main body, so that air cooled in the main body is used to dissipate heat generated in the condenser so as to improve dehumidification efficiency. The configuration of the high-efficiency air water system comprises: an air suctioning unit that suctions and supplies external air; a water generating unit that condenses moisture from the air supplied from the air suctioning unit to generate water; and a water purifying unit that filters and purifies the water generated by the water generating unit to a drinkable or usable state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: AIR WATER KOREA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jae Il Nam
  • Patent number: 10704345
    Abstract: A system and method for recovering drilling fluid from shaker tailings includes a hopper and a cover that is pivotable between a first position in which the hopper is uncovered and a second position in which the hopper is covered. In the first position, the hopper receives the tailings, which are pumped via a low shear pump to a centrifuge. The drilling fluid extracted in the centrifuge is stored in a holding tank. In the second position, the cover is angled with respect to the direction of gravity so as to divert shaker tailings from being received in the hopper. Some fluid from the holding tank is sprayed into the hopper through nozzles to convey the deposited tailings toward the pump. A level detector senses the level of the mixture in the hopper, and an associated control system controls the pump speed and the cover position to control the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventors: Rennie K. Zazula, Dean M. Bird, Mike R. Olson, Niel P. Mackley
  • Patent number: 10603605
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a float member and an output line. The float member is configured in contacting adjacency to first and second liquids contained in a container. The first liquid is less dense than the second liquid such that the first liquid floats on top of the second liquid. The float member may have a specific gravity selected responsive to the first and second liquids. When the second liquid is pulled from the container through the output line to a predetermined level, the float member occludes the output line. The specific gravity of the float member may be selected based on the fluid in the container previously, currently, or in the future, or some combination of the three. The specific gravity of the float member may be adjusted by changing material within the float member or changing the float member itself from a plurality of float members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Guardian Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Brent A Mills, Cody Cook, Joel H Young, Justin Mark Snodgrass
  • Patent number: 10508421
    Abstract: A system for reclaiming water from moisture-laden building exhaust exiting a building through a vent is described herein, where the system can include one or more porous metal organic frameworks (MOFs) disposed downstream of the building exhaust vent for adsorbing water from the exiting moisture-laden building exhaust. The adsorped water can be desorped from the MOF, either naturally or aided by cooling the MOF. The desorped water can optionally be collected or directed elsewhere for use or collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventor: John James Wlassich
  • Patent number: 10487600
    Abstract: A system and method for separating two or more materials, such as a solid from a liquid, or a solid from a slurry, are provided. An exemplary system and method for separating drill cuttings from drilling fluids are provided, as well as a system and method of processing such separated drill cuttings. In another implementation, a system and method is provided for separating gold (or another mineral, element, or solid) from a slurry or liquid that includes mining cuttings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: FLOWBACK FLUIDS LLC
    Inventor: Terry Gordon Culver
  • Patent number: 10442405
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a system and method for processing fluid captured from a vehicle surface and routing the fluid to one or more fluid reservoirs of the vehicle. The system includes one or more reservoirs for storing captured fluid and one or more reservoirs for storing chemical based fluids such as antifreeze fluids. The system is operationally configured to convey chemical based fluid to the captured fluid reservoir(s) according to one or more preset ambient temperatures of the system prior to routing fluid to one or more fluid reservoirs of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: BRIMTECH, LLC
    Inventor: James K Weigle
  • Patent number: 10266441
    Abstract: A water treatment apparatus capable of sterilizing a storage tank and a sterilizing and cleansing method thereof are disclosed. The water treatment apparatus includes: a filter unit purifying raw water; a storage tank connected to the filter unit and storing purified water which has been filtered through the filter unit; an electrolytic sterilizer installed between the filter unit and the storage tank, electrolyzing only purified water which has been filtered through at least a portion of the filter unit to generate sterilization water, and supplying the sterilization water to the storage tank; a drain unit connected to the storage tank and discharging water accommodated in the storage tank; and a control unit controlling a water purification mode of the filter unit and a sterilization mode through the electrolytic sterilizer and the drain unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Coway Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Soo-Young Lee, Jung-Gyu Jang, Ui-Son Hwang, Claude Kwon, Jung-Hwan Lee, Chul-Ho Kim, Min-Suk Chang, In-Gyue Choi
  • Patent number: 10117987
    Abstract: In the removal of white blood cells from blood, the efficiency of white blood cell removal by a filter is improved. Centrifugal force is applied to blood placed in a blood bag by centrifugal separation to form a plurality of separation layers having a concentration gradient of white blood cells. The separation layers are passed through a filter in ascending order of white blood cell concentration to remove the white blood cells from the separation layers. The separation layers from which the white blood cells have been removed are received in a first blood component bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: ASAHI KASEI MEDICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shuichiro Inadome, Nobukazu Shimada, Tomohisa Yokomizo
  • Patent number: 9962478
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing a therapeutic red blood cell exchange procedure are disclosed. In one aspect, a system includes a first flow path for flowing whole blood from a patient. A separator communicates with the first flow path for separating at least red blood cells from plasma. Second and third flow paths communicate with the separator for respectively flowing the separated plasma and red blood cells from the separator. A flow controller is associated with the flow paths to control fluid communication between the flow paths. The controller is configured to perform the procedure to achieve a target fraction of patient cells remaining, target hematocrit, and a target patient fluid volume change at the completion of the procedure based on data input by the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Boggs, Kyungyoon Min, Lan T. Nguyen, John T. Foley, Brian C. Case
  • Patent number: 9844473
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleansing wounds in which irrigant fluid from a reservoir connected to a conformable wound dressing and wound exudate from the dressing are recirculated by a device for moving fluid through a flow path which passes through the dressing and a means for fluid cleansing and back to the dressing. The cleansing means (which may be a single-phase, e.g. microfiltration, system or a two-phase, e.g. dialytic system) removes materials deleterious to wound healing, and the cleansed fluid, still containing materials that are beneficial in promoting wound healing, is returned to the wound bed. The dressing and a method of treatment using the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Patrick Lewis Blott, Bryan Greener, Edward Yerbury Hartwell, Tina Michelle Walker, Derek Nicolini, Julian Lee-Webb
  • Patent number: 9834451
    Abstract: Implementations of this disclosure are directed to systems, devices and methods for monitoring parameters associated with a body of liquid. In one embodiment, a device includes a container configured to be partially submerged in a liquid and includes sensors disposed within a submerged portion of the container to measure parameters associated with the liquid. An electronic component disposed within an unsubmerged portion of the container transmits information related to the parameters based upon which one or more actions related to treatment of the body of liquid are suggested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: ConnectedYard, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Miller, Mark Janes, Josh Kennedy, Scott Eklund
  • Patent number: 9663931
    Abstract: A marine sanitizing and deodorizing device comprises a reservoir for containing sanitizing fluid, a dose controllable pump for discharging a predetermined dose of sanitizing fluid from the reservoir into a water inlet conduit of a marine toilet system, a flow detector for detecting the flow of water within the water inlet conduit, and a controller for controlling the dose controllable pump upon flow detection by the in use flow detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Inventor: Derek Withrington
  • Patent number: 9661732
    Abstract: A plasma generation apparatus includes a flow path tube through which a liquid flows and which includes a concave portion and/or a convex portion on an internal wall surface thereof, a liquid feed device, a first electrode, a second electrode, a power source, and a control circuit which controls the liquid feed device and the power source. The concave portion and/or the convex portion causes, when the liquid flows therethrough, a pressure difference to be generated between at least part of the inside of the flow path tube and the external space, allowing a gas to be introduced into the liquid from the external space through a gas introduction path. The power source applies a predetermined voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode in a state in which a bubble containing the gas is generated in the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shin-Ichi Imai
  • Patent number: 9605417
    Abstract: A system for harvesting rainwater for use in a skirt building. The skirt building includes a main building and a podium supporting the main building. The system includes: a standpipe; a buffer channel; a filter channel; and a green roof. The green roof includes a vegetation region including a baffled diversion corridor, and a bottom filtering layer including a drainage pipe. The standpipe is arranged on the main building and is connected to the buffer channel where the energy of rainwater flowing out of the standpipe is dissipated. The buffer channel, the filter channel, and the green roof are arranged on the podium, and the buffer channel communicates with the filter channel. The filter channel is connected to the green roof. The filter channel is divided into a plurality of sections respectively filled with different matrix materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignees: CHONGQING UNIVERSITY, Promotion Centre of Science and Technology Development, Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People's Republic of China
    Inventors: Hongxiang Chai, Feng Zhang, Weijie Wang, Yanrong Bao, Luwei Guo, Shen Li, Hua Zhao
  • Patent number: 9393359
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing a therapeutic red blood cell exchange procedure are disclosed. In one aspect, a system includes a first flow path for flowing whole blood from a patient. A separator communicates with the first flow path for separating at least red blood cells from plasma. Second and third flow paths communicate with the separator for respectively flowing the separated plasma and red blood cells from the separator. A flow controller is associated with the flow paths to control fluid communication between the flow paths. The controller is configured to perform the procedure to achieve a target fraction of patient cells remaining, target hematocrit, and a target patient fluid volume change at the completion of the procedure based on data input by the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Boggs, Kyungyoon Min, Lan T. Nguyen, John T. Foley, Brian Case
  • Patent number: 9302207
    Abstract: A process separates out and removes water present in liquid fuels. The fuel supplies an internal combustion engine by a fuel delivery pump (12). Water is separated out at a filter (5) having a collecting space (27) for collecting separated water and connected upstream of the suction side (11) of the fuel delivery pump (12). The pump suction action counteracts outflow of water from the collecting space (27). Depending on the amount of water collected, the pump suction action is negated, and an outlet valve at an outflow orifice (37) of the collecting space (27) is opened by a discharge (43, 53) producing a pressure gradient enabling the discharge of water from the collecting space (27) over a discharge period when the fuel delivery pump (12) is operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: HYDAC FILTERTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Viktor Lauer, Martin Hager
  • Patent number: 9295924
    Abstract: Water decontamination systems including one or more of an aerator module, a separator tower, and a contamination gas treatment system are described herein. Such systems are capable of removing contaminants, including volatile organic compounds, from the water. Certain volatile organic contaminants can be removed at high efficiencies. The systems may be automated to remove the contaminants and produce cleaned water on a continuous basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Liquid Separation Technologies and Equipment, LLC
    Inventor: David S. Drewelow
  • Patent number: 9005451
    Abstract: Method and device for treating a liquid effluent, in which this effluent enters a vessel. An intermediate level of liquid in the vessel is detected; an influx of a dilution liquid into the vessel is instigated; a high level of liquid in the vessel is detected; the influx of dilution liquid is stopped and a discharge of the fluid is instigated; a low level of liquid in the vessel is detected; the discharge of the liquid is stopped; and, while it is being discharged, the discharged liquid is exposed to light radiation in at least one treatment channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Sud est Eau Pure
    Inventor: Alain Picard
  • Patent number: 8999170
    Abstract: A biological wastewater treatment system includes an equalization tank for sending a defined first portion of the wastewater to a submerged membrane filter. When the quantity of the received wastewater exceeds the defined first portion, a second portion of wastewater, formed from the wastewater that exceeds the defined first portion, is sent to a filtration process. The filtration process includes adding a flocculating agent to the second portion entering filtration, filtering the second portion, thereby producing retentive waste including flocculated material, and then sending the retentive waste to the submerged membrane filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Ovivo Luxembourg S.Ã¥.r.l.
    Inventor: Dennis Livingston
  • Publication number: 20150090659
    Abstract: An upflow continuous backwash deep bed sand filter (UCBF) having a recycle line for returning carbonaceous denitrifying bacteria attached to biomass to the influent of the UCBF. The recycle line returns the biomass to the treatment process at a location upstream of the upflow continuous backwash filter. Further, a liquid level control unit is provided that reduces fluctuations and significant drop in the liquid level upstream of the upflow continuous backwash filter, thereby avoiding or minimizing flow turbulences, air induction, and undesirable wastewater aeration resulting in the need to dose excessive carbon source to remove dissolved oxygen in the aerated wastewater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: John H. Reid, Wade Tanner
  • Patent number: 8968580
    Abstract: A pumpbox apparatus includes a reservoir volume having a first inlet for receiving a feedstock stream and a second inlet for receiving a water stream, the reservoir volume being in communication with a discharge outlet disposed to discharge accumulated liquid from the reservoir volume. The reservoir volume is operable to accumulate the feedstock stream and the water stream in the reservoir volume while withdrawing a discharge stream through the discharge outlet to cause a flow of liquid through the pumpbox. The first inlet defines a first flow velocity region between the first inlet and the second inlet and a second flow velocity region between the second inlet and the discharge outlet. The first flow velocity is lower than the second flow velocity to facilitate flotation of a low specific gravity portion of the feedstock through the first region toward an upper surface of the liquid accumulated in the reservoir volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Charles Hann, William Nicholas Garner
  • Patent number: 8926843
    Abstract: A disc filter is provided having a controller for controlling effluent surges that are produced by the disc filter. The method entails sensing one or more process variables that are a function of the effluent, and based at least in part on the sensed process variables, the disc filter controls the flow of effluent in order to control or minimize effluent surges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Support
    Inventors: Michael Baker, Matt Stalter, Luke Wood, Mark Stewart
  • Patent number: 8920651
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a wastewater treatment system may reduce contaminants in water. A system may include one or more bioreactors which include a substrate that supports a biofilm. The bacteria used to form the biofilm may be selected to maximize the reduction of contaminants in water. Various components of the wastewater treatment system may be optimized to improve the efficiency and energy consumption of the wastewater system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sam Houston University
    Inventor: Michael D. Rainone
  • Publication number: 20140339174
    Abstract: A method of monitoring a low water volume within of a water circulation system is disclosed that includes detecting an auxiliary measurement associated with an ancillary device fluidly coupled with a reservoir of water in a water circulation system and then determining whether the ancillary device is performing under a low water volume operation. The low water volume operation is based upon a comparison between at least the detected auxiliary measurement of the ancillary device and a condition associated with a performance of the ancillary device under the low water volume operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: Eugene Bright
  • Patent number: 8889404
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing biogas from organic matter including a container (1) which is charged with fermentation substrate by a delivery system (13), and at least two stirring mechanisms (2) arranged in the container, the stirring mechanisms having propellers (3) which are rotated and generate mostly horizontal currents of the fermentation substrate in the container. The propeller diameters, the propeller geometries, and the positions of the propellers in the container are selected such that a shared mixing zone of the medium is generated in the container. Data for determining the mean speed and/or the viscosity of the medium in the mixing zone are detected and transmitted to a control unit (4) which varies actuating variables which modify the power input of the stirring mechanism into the mixing zone and/or the composition and/or the flow behavior of the container contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: KSB Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Kai Rostalski, Peer Springer
  • Patent number: 8889007
    Abstract: The present invention is a wastewater treatment system utilizing a recirculating filter system comprising sand, gravel, or synthetic media. Septic effluent is continuously, or approximately continuously, dosed under pressure to the treatment media through pressure compensating drip irrigation emitters. The system comprises a commonly known septic tank and recirculation tank. Septic tank effluent is collected in the recirculation tank, from which it is continually dosed by means of a pump to the top of the treatment media of the recirculating filter through pressure compensating drip emitters. Continuous dosing of diluted residential septic tank effluent through drip irrigation emitters provides a slow consistent application of liquid rich in organic material and pathogens over the treatment media. The treated effluent is then recirculated if water is low or went to final disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventors: David Mark Lowe, Richard D. Eldredge
  • Publication number: 20140326678
    Abstract: A method for filling and venting a device for extracorporeal blood treatment is disclosed, such as a patient module in a heart-lung machine, without attached patient. A filling liquid from a filling liquid container located higher than the device flows by gravity via a venous side of the system into a reservoir and flows onwards into a blood pump located at the lower end of the reservoir, wherein a first controllable valve (HC1) for a venting line of a filter is opened and, after the response of an upper filling level sensor in the reservoir, is closed. An upper level of the filter is positioned higher than the upper filling level sensor, and a start-stop motion of the blood pump is performed, as a result of which a stepped flooding of the filter is made providing for an advantageous de-airing of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: Zoll LifeBridge GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Arzt, Gerhard Brieske
  • Patent number: 8865002
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a system and method for processing fluid captured from a vehicle surface to provide a desired fluid product. The system includes sensors and control circuitry to determine system fluid volume levels and/or the ambient temperature of the system to safeguard the system against non-requested activation or deactivation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Brimtech, LLC
    Inventors: James K Weigle, Ben A Hammock, II, Robert Tupper
  • Publication number: 20140305879
    Abstract: A method of supplying water using a natural water pipeline includes withdrawing impaired water from an impaired water body connected to a waterway and treating the impaired water from the impaired water body to produce treated water. The method also includes discharging the treated water into the waterway and conveying the treated water via the waterway to one or more locations proximate to one or more remote operational facilities that withdraws water from the waterway at the one or more locations. The method further includes receiving a monetary value from one or more operational entities operating the one or more remote operational facilities and providing at least a portion of one or more water access rights to the one or more operational entities in exchange for the monetary value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Hydration Company of PA LLC
    Inventors: Brad J. Domitrovitsch, William A. Formica, III
  • Publication number: 20140284283
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for treating a liquid containing impurities may include a filtering chamber configured to permit granular media to interact with liquid containing impurities, thereby removing impurities from the liquid to produce filtrate; a filtrate section for receiving the filtrate; a gas supplying system for delivering gas to the granular media in the filtering chamber for transport of a portion of the granular media to a granular media washer; a reject section in fluid communication with the granular media washer for receiving a reject mixture comprising liquid and impurities from the granular media washer; and a control unit that is configured to determine whether the portion of the granular media is being transported properly based on an amount of reject mixture in the reject section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Parkson Corporation
    Inventors: Adrian STRENG, Brett H. Boyd
  • Patent number: 8828192
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed toward a novel pressurized vapor cycle for distilling liquids. In an embodiment of the invention, a liquid purification system is revealed, including the elements of an input for receiving untreated liquid, a vaporizer coupled to the input for transforming the liquid to vapor, a head chamber for collecting the vapor, a vapor pump with an internal drive shaft and an eccentric rotor with a rotatable housing for compressing vapor, a condenser in communication with the vapor pump for transforming the compressed vapor into a distilled product, and an electric motor with motor rotor and magnets hermetically sealed within the fluid pressure boundary of the distillation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Jason A. Demers, Scott A. Leonard, Kingston Owens
  • Patent number: 8794449
    Abstract: A device and a method for operating a fuel filter (1) with a diaphragm (16) for cleaning water separated from the fuel, comprising a collecting chamber (9) for the water geodetically arranged at the bottom in a housing (2) of the fuel filter (1), are proposed, comprising at least one sensor (10, 11) each for the maximum (10) and for the minimum (11) water level in the collecting chamber (9), by means of which a valve (13) for discharging the water from the collecting chamber (9) arranged between the collecting chamber (9) and a water purification device (14) containing the diaphragm (16) is controllable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Mann+Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Micke, Holger Schwarz
  • Patent number: 8784668
    Abstract: In a regenerative dialysis system, in a method for controlling a regenerative dialysis system, and in a controller for a regenerative dialysis system, an embodiment of the system comprises an input pump that pumps fresh dialysate fluid into a dialyzer at an input rate. An output pump pumps used dialysate fluid from the dialyzer at an output rate. An ultrafiltration rate of the system is related to the output rate relative to the input rate. A sorbent cartridge filters the used dialysate fluid to generate the fresh dialysate fluid. A controller controls the ultrafiltration rate of the system in response to a flow rate of the dialysate fluid through the sorbent cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J Beiriger
  • Patent number: 8764975
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for the separation of solids from a biowaste slurry before heat treatment, and for heat treatment of the separated solids. The device comprises a chamber with a main inlet port for feeding slurry, and outlet ports. A unit for separating solids is adapted to an outlet port so, that liquid leaving the chamber has passed through the separation unit. A second outlet port is provided directly from the chamber to allow removal, following sterilization, of solids collected in the chamber. The sterilization is secured by temperature monitoring at representative locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Steris Europe, Inc. Suomen Sivuliike
    Inventors: Mauri Salmisuo, Juha Mattila, Teppo Nurminen
  • Publication number: 20140166596
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a vehicle including an engine and a fuel system. In one embodiment, a water drainage system for a fuel system comprises a fuel tank, a fuel-water separator in fluid communication with the fuel tank, and a purge tank in fluid communication with the fuel-water separator and the fuel tank, the purge tank separate from the fuel tank. The water drainage system further includes a fuel property sensor for detecting a presence of water and a purge line in fluid communication with the purge tank for removing fluid from the purge tank, a flow of the fluid from the purge tank controlled by a check valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventors: Larry Gene ANDERSON, Sivanaga Venu Varma Dantuluri, Dennis Shea, Morse N. Taxon
  • Publication number: 20140144849
    Abstract: The invention is a Swimming Pool Chemical Mixer in which swimming pool water circulates from a swimming pool into an induction tank which contains calcium hypochlorite tablets. The tablets dissolve while sitting on a tray positioned just under the water level in the tank. The tank's tray has holes it that are sized to allow the calcium hypochlorite tablets to proceed past the tray and back into the swimming pool when they have sufficiently dissolved, leaving the tank through a gravity-fed outlet pipe affixed to the tank at one end, with the other end of the outlet pipe affixed to the recirculation pipes leading back to the swimming pool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Inventor: Andrew D. Wojtaszczyk
  • Publication number: 20140138308
    Abstract: An automatically controlled wastewater treatment process can include automatically controlling nitrification and denitrification capacity in a water source. The nitrification and denitrification capacity can be automatically controlled simultaneously. In addition, the wastewater treatment process can also include automatically controlling solids retention time (SRT) and biological phosphorus removal in a water source as well as automatically controlling the removal of water from a containment device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Xylem Water Solutions U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Sarah Olivia Elger, Asa Helena Goransdotter Henriksson, John Edward Koch, III
  • Publication number: 20140116957
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a floating filter module installed in a water treatment apparatus, such as in a public water treatment plant, a village water supply facility, a public sewage treatment plant, a wastewater treatment plant, or a village sewage treatment plant, in order to remove contamination particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: DAEWOONG ECOSYSTEMS AND SOLUTION
    Inventors: Kwang Jae Woo, Yeon Gil Kim, Wan Jung Kim
  • Patent number: RE46183
    Abstract: An appliance for sealing elastic hoses with a sleeve, which is plastically deformable and slipped onto the hose, has two jaws which are movable towards and away from each other. One jaw has two straight bars which project towards the other jaw and extend transversely of the sleeve to make two transverse indentations in the sleeve and the hose when the jaws are moving towards each other. The same jaw has a cutting edge which projects towards the other jaw and is directed transversely of the sleeve, the cutting edge making a substantially transverse cutting indication in the sleeve and the hose when the jaws are moving towards each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Merck Chemicals and Life Science AB
    Inventor: Liv Arthun