With Alarm, Indicator, Register, Recorder, Signal Or Inspection Means Patents (Class 210/85)
  • Publication number: 20130292309
    Abstract: A rigid tubular piece and a cassette assembly for extracorporeal blood circulation having the rigid tubular piece are disclosed. The rigid tubular piece is used for submitting fluid circulating therein to measurements and includes a protrusion or a recess in correspondence of at least an end connector. A blood treatment medical apparatus using the cassette assembly is also disclosed. The apparatus is able to detect if the right rigid tubular piece is in proper position before authorizing measurements of a blood property.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Francesco FONTANAZZI, Luca CALEFFI, Marco PARALUPPI, Giacomo GRANDI
  • Publication number: 20130292334
    Abstract: A water desalination mechanism, including: a running pipe, for fresh water; a venturi arrangement, having a first venturi nozzle, a second venturi nozzle and a branch between; the first and second nozzles; a container divided by a reverse osmosis membrane into a first side and a second side and having: a first side inlet, for contaminated water; a first side outlet, for remaining salts and/or minerals; and a second side outlet, for desalinated water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventor: Uri Rapoport
  • Publication number: 20130292310
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter device, in particular for fluids contaminated with water admixtures, such as diesel oil, comprising a filter housing (1), which can hold at least one filter element (9), the fiber medium (11) of which separates an untreated side (13) from a treated side (19) during the filtration process in the filter housing (1), wherein a water collecting unit (5) is provided, which holds separated water on the treated side, wherein said filter device is characterized in that water that has been separated on the untreated side (13) also reaches the collecting unit (5) and in that mutually separated collecting chambers (61, 67) are present in the collecting unit (5) for the water that is discharged both at the treated side (19) and at the untreated side (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Richard Eberle, Micha Kreibig, Thomas Scholl, Markus Dewes, Sven Brall
  • Patent number: 8574430
    Abstract: A fluid filter for assembly includes an upright housing having a base portion and a cover to allow viewing of a fluid level. The base portion has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A filter element has a filter media for filtering the fluid, a bottom end cap connected to the fluid outlet, and a top end cap positioned above the bottom end cap. A mounting member is formed on the top end cap, and a vent passage extends through the mounting member for fluid communication between an interior and an exterior of the filter element. An interface structure is connected to cover the upright housing and is removably engageable with the mounting member of the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Davco Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Zdzislaw Chajec
  • Patent number: 8568586
    Abstract: The present invention provides automated systems and methods for monitoring column performance in process chromatography, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, column performance is monitored by generating a plurality of process values such as, for example, conductivity values or pH values with a detector during a chromatography step transition between a first mobile phase liquid and a second mobile phase liquid. The process values are transformed to form transformed process values in which noise present in the process values is suppressed. Column performance parameters are calculated based on the transformed process values and displayed during movement of the second mobile phase liquid through the chromatography column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Biogen Idec MA Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Cunnien, Joydeep Ganguly, Basav Ghosh, Asif Ladiwala, Robert Song, Jorg Thommes
  • Patent number: 8568595
    Abstract: A method for determining or predicting the adequacy parameters that will be achieved at the end of a kidney substitution treatment during said kidney substitution treatment wherein the kidney substitution treatment is provided by a machine, which has an extracorporeal blood system pumping the patient blood through the blood chamber of a dialyzer, wherein the dialyzing fluid collects the waste products from the patient after flowing through the dialyzing fluid chamber of the dialyzer and wherein a device able to measure a adequacy parameter is coupled with the kidney substitution treatment machine and wherein the slope of a preferable linear guideline for the adequacy parameter is compared to the slope of the delivered adequacy parameter and if the slope of both are equal a linearization is performed to determine or predict the adequacy parameter at the end of the kidney substitution treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: B. Braun Avitum AG
    Inventor: Alex Castellarnau
  • Publication number: 20130270159
    Abstract: An expandable modular ultra pure water machine has a shell, a water manifold integration device, a control module, at least one water tank and multiple water treating modules. The water manifold integration device, the control module and the water treating modules are mounted in the shell. The control module actuates the machine and controls the water flow in the water manifold integration device. The water treating modules are connected to the water manifold integration device via connectors so that the amount of them are variable to perform different functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventor: Ying-Chen Lin
  • Publication number: 20130264250
    Abstract: A first connector of a connector assembly of a sterile batch container can be unsealed. The connector assembly can be attached to a filling port of the sterile batch container and can have a sterile filter arranged between the filling port and the first connector. The first connector can be coupled so as to receive produced purified water. A transmembrane pressure can be monitored across the sterile filter while flowing the purified water through the connector assembly into the sterile batch container so as to provide a sterile fluid stored therein. The connector assembly can be detached from the filling port of the sterile batch container. After the detaching, the sterile batch container can be coupled to the blood treatment system. In response to a change in the transmembrane pressure exceeding a predefined level, an alarm signal can be generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: James M. BRUGGER, Jeffrey H. BURBANK, Brian C. GREEN
  • Patent number: 8551331
    Abstract: An automatic filtering system for filtering a cooking medium in a fryer, includes a frypot; a filter manifold having removable filter; a pump, that supplies cooking medium from the filter manifold to the frypot; a pressure sensor that senses a pressure of the cooking medium supplied by the pump; and a controlling mechanism that controls an operation of the pump in response to the sensed pressure data. The control mechanism halts the operation of the pump after sensing a drop in the pressure of the cooking medium pressure that is greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure drop threshold. The systems and methods of the invention provide automatic filtering that may reduce or eliminate an incorrect refilling operation after the filtering of cooking medium, so that the filtering process may be performed correctly each time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Henny Penny Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas A. Burkett, Thomas Lee Gort, Gary L. Mercer
  • Patent number: 8551342
    Abstract: The present invention proposes a method of operating a blood treatment apparatus for the extracorporeal blood treatment of a patient, a blood volume monitor for monitoring an extracorporeal blood treatment of the patient by means of a blood treatment apparatus, and a blood treatment apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Moissl, Paul Chamney, Peter Wabel
  • Publication number: 20130255634
    Abstract: A barrier system is disclosed which is fitted to the filler opening (12) of a fuel tank (10). The system comprises an outer sleeve (34) in the form of a coil spring (36) and lining (38) which is of a material that permits fuel to flow through it but which retains water and solid contaminants A valve (52, 54) is provided at the lower of the sleeve (34) for enabling accumulated water and solid contaminents to be drained from the sleeve (34).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventor: John Edgar Scragg
  • Patent number: 8545698
    Abstract: Disclosed are hemodialysis and similar dialysis systems including fluid flow circuits. Hemodialysis systems may include a blood flow path, and a dialysate flow path including balancing, mixing, and/or a directing circuits. Preparation of dialysate may be decoupled from patient dialysis. Circuits may be defined within one or more cassettes. The fluid circuit and/or the various fluid flow paths may be isolated from electrical components. A gas supply may be provided that, when activated, is able to urge dialysate through the dialyzer and blood back to the patient. Such a system may be useful during a power failure. The hemodialysis system may also include fluid handling devices, such as pumps, valves, mixers, etc., actuated using a control fluid, The control fluid may be delivered to the fluid handling devices using a detachable external pump. The fluid handling devices may have a spheroid shape with a diaphragm dividing it into two compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Michael J. Wilt, Jason A. Demers, Kevin L. Grant, Brian D. Tracey, James D. Dale
  • Publication number: 20130248451
    Abstract: A chromatography system for separation of a biopolymer is described, comprising at least one feed tank, at least one hold tank, at least one elution buffer tank, at least one eluate tank, at least two packed bed chromatography columns and for each packed bed chromatography column at least one pump and at least one outlet detector both connected to said each packed bed chromatography column, wherein the feed tank, the hold tank(s), the elution buffer tank and the eluate tank are each connected to the packed bed chromatography columns via a system of valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: GE HEALTHCARE BIO-SCIENCES AB
    Inventors: Martin Hall, Karol Lacki
  • Patent number: 8540875
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for filling a container containing a dry powdered salt concentrate for use in dialysis with purified fluid and removing the trapped air or gases generated during the filling of the container, while maintaining the required fluid level in the container and without the need for evacuating gases from the container prior to filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holding, Inc.
    Inventors: Roland Levin, Wayne Raiford
  • Publication number: 20130240418
    Abstract: A filter includes a replaceable filter element cartridge in a housing. A valve is actuatable between a first condition passing dirty fluid from the housing inlet to the filter cartridge for filtration, and a second condition blocking passage of the dirty fluid from the inlet to the filter cartridge. The filter cartridge and the valve engage in keyed relation, with the keying feature utilizing an identifier, e.g. a brand, a logo, etc., verifying authenticity of the filter cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventor: Amit Dhingra
  • Patent number: 8535522
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dialysis system with a disconnection monitor for determining if a blood line connection to a patient has been disconnected. It includes a blood circuit in fluid communication with a patient and a dialysis circuit, a pressure transducer for generating a signal indicative of a pulse signal in the blood circuit, a cardiac reference signal generator for generating a signal indicative of the patient's pulse and a disconnection monitor. The disconnection monitor includes a pressure transducer data receiver for receiving the signal indicative of the pulse signal in the blood circuit, a cardiac reference signal receiver for receiving the signal indicative of the patient's pulse, and a processor for cross-correlating the signal indicative of the pulse signal in the blood circuit and the signal indicative of the patient's pulse to generate data indicative of a disconnection of the blood line connection to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Neil Fulkerson, James R. Braig
  • Publication number: 20130228530
    Abstract: A method of exchanging fluids with suspended particles includes providing a microfluidic device with a first inlet channel operatively coupled to a source of particles and a second inlet channel operatively coupled to an exchange fluid. A transfer channel is connected at a proximal end to the first inlet channel and the second inlet channel. First and second outlet channels are connected to a distal end of the transfer channel. The source of particles is flowed at a first flow rate into the first inlet channel while the exchange fluid is flowed at a second flow rate into the second inlet channel wherein the ratio of the second flow rate to the first flow rate is at least 1.5. Particles are collected in one of the first and second outlet channels while fluid substantially free of particles is collected in the other of the first and second outlet channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventors: Dino Di Carlo, Daniel R. Gossett, Henry T.K. Tse
  • Publication number: 20130220899
    Abstract: A filter cartridge monitor (1) includes a body (2), a shaft (3) extending downward from the body, a circuit board (23) installed in the body (2), an indicator (21) electronically connected to the circuit board (23), a floating component (4) that can move along the shaft (3), and at least one sensor (31) installed on the shaft (3) that is electronically connected to the circuit board (23). When water is poured into the inner jug (52), the floating component (4) will float and move due to its buoyancy in the water. The movement of the floating component (4) can be regarded as the volume of water that passes through the filter cartridge (53), which can be recorded by the circuit board (23) of the monitor (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Shin-Wei Lin, Sheng-Nan Lin
  • Publication number: 20130220932
    Abstract: A method is described that is particularly effective for the filtration of an aquarium by means of a filtration unit wherein a cartridge containing activated carbon is cyclically replaced by a cartridge containing material for the removal of nitrate and/or phosphate ions. A plurality of mechanical filters may also be alternately replaced, so that a colony of nitrifying bacteria is always preserved on one of the filters. Also described is a filtration unit that allows the application of the method and a replacement kit containing both the cartridge containing activated carbon and the cartridge containing material for the removal of nitrate and/or phosphate ions, and preferably also one of the mechanical filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: ASKOLL HOLDING S.R.L.
    Inventor: Elio MARIONI
  • Publication number: 20130220900
    Abstract: A filter, and a system, such as an engine, that uses the filter are described. A wireless tag, such as an IEEE 1902.1 wireless tag, that communicates using long wave magnetic waves is mounted on the filter head or on the filter. The wireless tag is used to communicate data such as filter identifier and status to a data acquisition system. Further, the data acquisition system can interface to an engine control module or other controller to allow specific control action or diagnostics/fault reporting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: CUMMINS FILTRATION IP, INC.
    Inventor: CUMMINS FILTRATION IP, INC.
  • Patent number: 8518246
    Abstract: A device for continuously, periodically monitoring water for microbial germs, comprising a reactor and at least one reagent feed line into the reactor and at least one metering device for reagents as well as at least one measuring device for detecting the presence of microorganisms, wherein the reactor comprises a reactor chamber and a filtrate chamber, which is separated from said reactor chamber by means of a filter, a water feed line as well as a reagent feed line empty into the reactor chamber and at least one water discharge line leads out of the filtrate chamber, and a controller is set up to use pump/valve means to lead a predefinable quantity of water into the reactor chamber and through the filter as well as to introduce a predefinable quantity of reagent into the reactor chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: mbOnline GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Lendenfeld
  • Patent number: 8518262
    Abstract: A method of integrating individual water treatment assemblies into a seamless water treatment control system. A Reverse Osmosis assembly contains a controller wherein all other pretreatment and post-treatment assemblies are electrical coupled thereto. The controller is preprogrammed for use in recognizing the coupling of the pretreatment and/or post treatment assemblies wherein and for receiving all control commands for operation thereof. The controller employs cells that allows and installer to interconnect assemblies by coupling low voltage control signal wiring having predefined inputs, set up as PnP, or by use of a personal wireless network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Scott Watkins, Raymond Perdue
  • Publication number: 20130213865
    Abstract: A fresh water generator utilizing air (100) comprises a main body bracket (114), a water making system, a water purifying system and a water distributing device (126). Both sides and the rear side of the main body bracket (114) are provided with panels, on which ventilating grilles (116, 132, 134) are provided for sucking and exhausting air. The water making system is arranged inside the main body bracket (114) and particularly comprises a condenser/evaporator unit (118), an exhaust fan (140) and a water collecting tank (120), wherein the water collecting tank (120) is arranged on the main body bracket (114) and positioned at the lower end of the condenser/evaporator unit (118), and the exhaust fan (140) is arranged between the condenser/evaporator unit (118) and the ventilating grates (116, 132, 134). The water purifying system is arranged inside the main body bracket (114) and particularly comprises a pump (122) and a filtration device (192).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: Henry Hsu, Chi Hung Jimmy Wan
  • Publication number: 20130213884
    Abstract: A chromatography system with a main column comprising a chromatography resin, a first guard column and a second guard column, wherein the first guard column is connected to a first end of the main column, the second guard column is connected to a second end of the main column and the bed volumes of said first and second guard columns are each less than about 50% of the bed volume of the main column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: GE HEALTHCARE BIO-SCIENCE AB
    Inventor: Karol Lacki
  • Patent number: 8512553
    Abstract: A dialysis system includes: (i) a dialysate pump; (ii) a patient line having a connector configured to be attached to a peritoneal patient part; (iii) an extracorporeal circuit; (iv) a blood pump in fluid communication with the extracorporeal circuit; (v) a blood filter in fluid communication with the extracorporeal circuit; and (vi) a control unit configured and arranged to selectively perform a therapy which (a) the blood pump is deactivated and the dialysate pump is caused to pump dialysate through the patient line or (b) the blood pump is activated to pump blood to the blood filter and the dialysate pump is caused to pump dialysate to the filter/extracorporeal circuit and/or remove fluid from the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Gino Cicchello, Christian Bernard, Robert W. Childers, Anthony Simiele
  • Patent number: 8512552
    Abstract: A mat for cleaning a liquid spill on a surface has a flexible, liquid-permeable outer shell having a top side, a bottom side, and a peripheral edge. The top and bottom sides are mutually fastened at a fastening area so that an interior space is segregated into a plurality of compartments, each compartment retaining an absorbent material therein. The absorbent material is preferably a powdered polyurethane foam material. In one embodiment, the absorbent material within each compartment is contained within a rectangular substantially flat inner section having a top surface, a bottom surface and a peripheral edge, such that the mat is foldable between such inner sections but not easily folded across each inner section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas R. Rossi
  • Publication number: 20130206653
    Abstract: A cartridge for chromatography separations comprises a housing; at least a first and a second chromatography column at least partially passing through the housing, each chromatography column comprising a first and a second end fitting operable to connect the chromatography to external tubing of a chromatography system. Connection fittings protruding outside of the housing at each end of each column enable fluidic connection to a chromatograph plumbing system and/or mass spectrometer detector. The cartridge may comprise heaters and temperature sensors and optional sensors to monitor fluid flow rate or pH. A passive identification feature, e.g., a barcode or RFID module may identify the cartridge and its associated chromatography methods to external software.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventor: John E. Brann
  • Publication number: 20130206654
    Abstract: An apparatus has a hub including a water inlet for receiving source water, a water outlet for discharging ozonated water, and an interface between the water inlet and the water outlet. The apparatus also has a cartridge including an electrolytic cell for ozonating the source water. The electrolytic cell has a cathode, an anode comprising diamond, and a membrane between the cathode and the anode. The electrolytic cell is configured to flow source water through both the cathode and the anode. The cartridge further includes at least one cartridge port for removably coupling with the interface on the hub. The at least one cartridge port and the interface are configured to flow source water from the hub into the electrolytic cell and to flow ozonated water from the electrolytic cell into the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: ELECTROLYTIC OZONE INC.
    Inventors: Carl David Lutz, Jeffrey D. Booth, Donald J. Boudreau, Nicholas R. Lauder, Hossein Zarrin, William Roster, Richard A. Federico, Brian Arena
  • Publication number: 20130206693
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for supporting an operator in operating a medical device, comprising a signaling device (2, 20, 26, 9) for signaling a necessary operation of a component to be operated of the medical device, preferably by emitting a signal from the component to be operated and/or by orienting a signal onto the component to be operated. The invention further relates to a method for supporting an operator in operating a medical device, comprising the signaling of a necessary operation of a component to be operated of the medical device by emitting a signal from the component to be operated and/or by orienting a signal onto the component to be operated. Further, the invention relates to a single-use item for a medical device, preferably a single-use item for the medical device, with a component to be operated by an operator, wherein the component to be operated comprises a signaling device for emitting an optical, acoustical, and/or haptical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Martin THYS
  • Patent number: 8506810
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus for low-emission storage of biodegradable materials by means of aeration, without aerobic conditions materializing in the material, permits a more consistent feed of the downstream stages in the process. Aeration inhibits methanogenesis and the risk potential of an explosive gas mixture forming in the storage vessel or in the components of the system exhausting waste gas. Closed loop control of the aeration adapts the rate of aeration to the biological activity in the stored material and minimizes air input so as to minimize the loss of methanogenesis potential by aerobic conversion of the matter whilst minimizing the energy required for aeration. The process is characterized in that controlling the aeration in the storage vessel inhibits relevant methanogenesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: BTA International GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Kuebler, Roland Carra, Margarita Nimmrichter
  • Patent number: 8506797
    Abstract: Large-scale downstream processing of secreted recombinant proteins is provided in a single device, wherein the contents of a plurality of bioreactors are combined simultaneous to their harvesting and purification resulting in significant savings of time and the cost of manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Therapeutic Proteins International, LLC
    Inventor: Sarfaraz Khan Niazi
  • Patent number: 8506799
    Abstract: A system for characterizing suspended particles in a water treatment facility is disclosed. The system uses an imaging array to take multiple images of the particles in a sample volume. These images are then processed to determine geometrical properties of individual particles in the sample. These geometric properties can then be used to identify properties of the sample volume such as particle volume concentration, particle number concentration, computed particle diameter, gravitational settling velocity, mass concentration, and computed particle volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: ClearCorp
    Inventors: Roger M. Jorden, John W. English, Daniel J. Bodenstein
  • Publication number: 20130199998
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the performance of kidney replacement therapy having or using a dialyzer, control components, sorbent cartridge and fluid reservoirs configured to be of a weight and size suitable to be worn or carried by an individual requiring treatment are disclosed. The system for performing kidney replacement therapy has a controlled compliance dialysis circuit, where a control pump controls the bi-directional movement of fluid across a dialysis membrane. The dialysis circuit and an extracorporeal circuit for circulating blood are in fluid communication through the dialysis membrane. The flux of fluid moving between the extracorporeal circuit and the dialysis circuit is modified by the rate at which the control pump is operating such that a rate of ultrafiltration and convective clearance can be controlled. The system provides for the monitoring of an inlet and outlet conductivity of the sorbent cartridge to provide a facility to quantify or monitor the removal of urea by the sorbent cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Kelly, SuPing Lyu, Bryant J. Pudil, Thomas E. Meyer
  • Patent number: 8501004
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a ballast water treatment device. The device includes a filtering unit filtering ballast water introduced into a ship using a filter, a vortex generating unit generating an artificial vortex in the ballast water filtered by the filtering unit, and an ultraviolet treatment unit having an ultraviolet lamp which sterilizes the ballast water discharged from the vortex generating unit using ultraviolet rays, thus preventing secondary contamination resulting from by-products, preventing a ballast tank from becoming contaminated, affording effective maintenance, and making it convenient to control. Further, an artificial vortex is formed in the ballast water when it is mixed, thus allowing a large quantity of ultraviolet rays to be radiated onto the ballast water passing through the ultraviolet treatment unit, therefore improving a sterilization effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Panasia Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soo-Tae Lee, Tae-Sung Pyo, Sang-Gyu Cheon, Hyun-O Kim, Su-Kyu Lee
  • Publication number: 20130193038
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system includes independent wastewater treatment facilities. Each of the facilities has a number of wastewater treatment subsystems. A wastewater collection subsystem holds wastewater to be treated. A pump subsystem moves wastewater from a wastewater collector to a filtration subsystem having a bioreacting filter. The filter has a sump and a fluidized-bed filter therein and supports the filter upright. The filter has an upwardly expanding, hollow, conical filter body with filter media. A monitoring subsystem measures wastewater process parameters. Control devices receive control commands and, dependent upon the command received, alter parameters of the wastewater treatment subsystems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: BIOFILTER SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventor: Biofilter Systems, LLC
  • Patent number: 8496806
    Abstract: Provided is a dehydrator that requires no excessively large apparatus structure and achieves cost-saving while maintaining suction efficiency at a desired level by use of suction means. A dehydrator 100 for separating water from a target liquid 13 includes at least two water separation membrane units 1a and 1b which are provided in series in a flow direction of the target liquid 13. The water separation membrane unit 1a on an upstream side out of the water separation membrane units 1a and 1b is connected to suction means 7 for sucking a gas phase containing water through one condenser 4, and the one condenser 4 condenses water in the gas phase and thereby separates the water. The gas phase sucked by the suction means 7 from the one condenser 4 is transferred to at least one downstream condenser 8 provided downstream of the one condenser 4, and the downstream condenser 8 condenses water in the gas phase and thereby separates the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Yukumoto, Hiroyuki Osora, Yoshio Seiki, Haruaki Hirayama, Yukio Tanaka, Hideo Kashiwagi, Katsufumi Inoue
  • Patent number: 8496824
    Abstract: A method and a device for supply of a dialyser in a dialysis unit with dialysis fluid is disclosed. At least one dialysis fluid concentrate is mixed with water to produce the dialysis fluid. The dialysis fluid concentrate is prepared in a reservoir unit in a given amount. A control and arithmetic unit calculates the dialysis fluid rate (Qd) such that, after a given treatment time (TB) has passed, a given residual amount of dialysis fluid concentrate or no residual amount remains in the reservoir unit. It is preferable to empty the reservoir unit by the end of treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Gerard Remkes, Gerhard Wiesen
  • Patent number: 8496817
    Abstract: A dechlorinator for dechlorinating a stream of water comprises a housing comprising an inlet and an outlet. The housing defines a flow path between the inlet and the outlet. A filter is operatively supported in the housing and located in the flow path. At least one dechlorinating tablet is operatively supported in the housing and located in the flow path downstream of the filter for dechlorinating water flowing from the filter to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Inventor: Erwin Just
  • Patent number: 8496807
    Abstract: A hemodialysis apparatus includes a dialysis device, a detecting device, an evaluation device and a memory device. The dialysis device dialyzes and ultrafiltrates blood of a patient according to an ultrafiltration volume based on an estimated dry weight while performing hemodialysis treatment on the blood circulating extracorporeally. The detecting device obtains time series data by measuring a parameter related to concentration of the blood circulating extracorporeally at a plurality of points in time series in a process of the hemodialysis treatment by the dialysis device. The evaluation device evaluates appropriateness of the hemodialysis treatment by evaluating whether the estimated dry weight approximates to a dry weight after the hemodialysis treatment by the dialysis device. The memory device stores a plurality of time series data when the hemodialysis treatment is evaluated to be appropriate by the evaluation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Nikkiso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Mori, Masahiro Toyoda
  • Publication number: 20130180899
    Abstract: A filtering element for filtering devices, comprising a filtering material (5) which defines a filtering space and is intended for the filtration of fluids, and at least one water indicator (13, 19, 23) which is provided at a location coming into contact with fluid during the filtration mode and indicates the presence of water in the fluid in a visually recognizable manner, is characterized in that the at least one water indicator (13, 19, 23) is provided on an end cap (7, 9) for mounting at one end of the filtering material (5), and/or is at least partially part of the end cap (7, 9), and/or is provided on a fluid-permeable supporting structure (21) surrounding the filtering material (5), and/or is at least partially part of the supporting structure (21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: Edwin Koch, Matthias Schwender, Andreas Schmitz
  • Publication number: 20130183743
    Abstract: Transgenic microbes with an altered electrogenic efficacy, biofilms comprising such microbes, and microbial fuel cells comprising such microbes are provided. The microbial fuel cells can be operated as monitors, filtration devices, and sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicants: University of Cincinnati, Bacterial Robotics, LLC
    Inventors: Bacterial Robotics, LLC, University of Cincinnati
  • Publication number: 20130180900
    Abstract: An oil spill cleanup device is described. The device includes a container and at least one flexible hollow elongated member extending from the container. The device floats in water and can be used to collect and separate oil from the contaminated water. Water is collected by the elongated member, which has several exterior one-way valves that allow contaminated water to enter the member. The contaminated water is pushed towards and into the container by the wave motions of the surrounding water. The elongated member has internal one-way valves that help to direct the contaminated water towards the container. Once in the container, the contaminated water can separate into water and oil due to differences in specific gravity. Multiple devices can be connected together to form a barrier for containing the contaminated water within a limited area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Gary J. Mason
  • Publication number: 20130180898
    Abstract: A fluid filter assembly having a filter cartridge and housing interface to indicate whether a replacement filter cartridge is proper and desirable for the fluid filter assembly. A substantially cylindrical interface is connected to and extends from the filter cartridge and is matingly received by a bore provided in a boss of a housing of the fluid filter assembly. A means for indicating at least one characteristic of the filter cartridge is provided to ensure the replacement filter cartridge is proper and desirable for the fluid filter assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: DAVCO TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Zdzislaw W. Chajec, Michael J. Centlivre, Brian J. Terry, Carey A. Curt
  • Patent number: 8480882
    Abstract: The present invention is a water filter pitcher equipped with a removable, replaceable filter cartridge and means to count the number of times the pitcher is filled with water, and also means to notify the user when the pitcher has filtered enough water to exhaust the filtering capacity of the filter cartridge so that the user can replace the filter cartridge when necessary but does not have to remember to change the cartridge at a specific interval or count the number of gallons filtered manually, and instead can rely on the water filter pitcher to track the amount of water filtered and inform the user when to change the filter cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Protect Plus LLC
    Inventors: Glenn Cueman, Bob Beckmann
  • Publication number: 20130168302
    Abstract: A hot-water supply system includes a switching valve (35) which has a bypass circuit which bypasses the water softening device (30) by directly connecting the water supply pipe (P1) and the inlet pipe (P3) of a hot-water supply device to each other, and a control unit (50). The control unit (50) includes a switching valve drive circuit which switches the switching valve (35) to the mode in which water is supplied from the water supply pipe (P1) to the hot-water supply device (1) via the bypass circuit, based on the determination of the timing of salt replenishment, and a display drive circuit which displays intention, in which salt replenishment is needed, on a display portion (51) of a remote controller (RC).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: RINNAI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Fumio Ogai
  • Publication number: 20130161243
    Abstract: A high-pressure fluorescence flow cell comprises a cell body made of a light-transmissive material, wherein the cell body is penetrated by a straight-line flow path for a high-pressure fluid, wherein the flow path is formed with a cross section of 0.1 mm2 to 5 mm2, both inclusive, orthogonal to its longitudinal direction, wherein the ratio t/d of the wall thickness t (mm) to the width d (mm) of the flow path satisfies formula (1) below, t d ? 1 2 × [ ? + P ? - P - 1 ] × 1.5 ( 1 ) where ? indicates the tensile stress (MPa) of the material of the cell body, and P indicates the withstand pressure (MPa) of the cell body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: JASCO CORPORATION
    Inventor: JASCO Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130161242
    Abstract: A seal is brought into contact with a filter media, a filter pump is operated to start filtration, and a signal from a pressure sensor is received. When a predetermined value is exceeded by the signal from the pressure sensor, the filter pump is stopped, the seal is separated from the filter media, and take-up of one section of the filter by a filter collection roll is started. In finishing filter supply from a filter supply roll, drive of a motor is stopped, and an alarm signal is transmitted. If the supply is not to be finished, one section of the filter is taken up by the filter collection roll, and the next stage of filtration is entered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hirotsugu KASAI
  • Publication number: 20130161265
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for monitoring and controlling a real-time oxidation-reduction potential in a hot water system to inhibit corrosion in the hot water system. The method includes defining one or more operational protective zones in the hot water system. One or more of the operational protective zones includes an oxidation-reduction potential probe that is operable to measure a real-time oxidation-reduction potential in the hot water system at operating temperature and pressure. The probe transmits the measured real-time potential to the controller, which assesses and interprets the transmitted potential to determine whether it conforms to an oxidation-reduction potential setting. If the measured potential does not conform the oxidation-reduction potential setting, the controller is operable to feed or remove one or more active chemical species into or from the hot water system and further operable to change at least one system parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: NALCO COMPANY
    Inventor: NALCO COMPANY
  • Publication number: 20130153473
    Abstract: In one aspect the invention provides a system for treating a wastestream, particularly a radwaste, for safe disposal and, in final processing converting it into one or both forms including an aqueous form for safe discharge to the environment and a solidified form for safe disposal. In another aspect the invention provides the capacity to employ a step where a specific target element strategy can be set up synchronizing sorbent substance choices and multiple recycle options to remove target substances from wastestream as a part of its Sorption or Powder Sorbent Isotopic Reduction step (II). Other steps cooperate with Sorption step (II) including Oxidation (I), Solid-Liquid separation (III), and Selective Ion Exchange (IV) to deliver the wastestream to final processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: Diversified Technologies Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis A. Brunsell, Charles E. Jensen, Larry E. Beets
  • Publication number: 20130153510
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for treating an aqueous stream having a first flow rate and containing solid matter exhibiting first settling properties, the method comprising adding a modifying agent to the aqueous stream at an addition rate sufficient to change the first settling properties of the aqueous stream to obtain a modified aqueous stream having solid matter exhibiting second settling properties different from the first settling properties; taking batchwise samples of the modified aqueous stream to a settling vessel having a volume; determining a settling property of the solid matter of the samples in the settling vessel; and conducting the modified aqueous stream to a separation unit in which solid matter is separated from the modified aqueous stream. The invention provides a convenient way of monitoring and/or controlling aqueous streams conducted for example to purification processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: KEMIRA OYJ
    Inventors: Kaj Jansson, Iiris Joensuu, Marjatta Piironen, Jukka-Pekka Sirviö, Tapio Yrjänäinen