Material Level Or Thickness Responsive Patents (Class 210/86)
  • Publication number: 20100193414
    Abstract: A particle collector for a dynamic cyclone placed on the ocean bottom for separation of particles in a fluid is described, where the dynamic cyclone comprises a tank (2) which is equipped with an upper inlet opening (25) and an upper and lower outlet opening (26, 32) for outflow of fluid and particles, respectively. Furthermore, the tank comprises a shaft (5) which is equipped with a number of vanes or blades (6) and which is arranged to be driven by an adjoining motor (1), where a centrally placed piece of pipe (4) with a number of slits is arranged around the shaft (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Anders Mathias Arefjord
  • Publication number: 20100187168
    Abstract: A percolating filter system (1) comprises: a first (7) and a second (8) reservoir, for collecting the water to be filtered and for collecting the filtered water respectively; a passage (9) between the first and the second reservoir (7, 8), a replaceable filter cartridge (12) removably inserted into the passage (9), sensor means (14a-c) for detecting the water level in at least one of the reservoirs (7, 8), comprising at least one capacitive field-effect sensor positioned in at least one of the reservoirs (7, 8) at a predetermined filling level calculating means (13) connected to the sensor means (14a-c) in order to calculate the total quantity of water introduced into at least one of the reservoirs (7, 8) in successive fillings of the reservoirs (7, 8), and consequently to determine the state of efficiency of the cartridge (12) in order to indicate its exhaustion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventor: Maurizio Moretto
  • Patent number: 7763168
    Abstract: A method of controlling a centrifuge of the type having a rotating perforated basket on whose inner peripheral wall a liquids/solids slurry is caused to collect in use, with separated liquid being collected via the basket perforations. The method comprising taking depth measurement of the material in the rotating basket continuous or at repeated intervals, over a basket cycle from commencement of slurry feed to discharge of solids, using at least one laser unit adapted to direct a beam of coherent light energy towards said inner peripheral wall of the basket of solids. The depth measurements can be made using at least one laser unit (30) adapted to direct a beam of coherent light energy towards said inner peripheral wall of the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Thomas Broadbent & Sons Ltd
    Inventor: Geoffrey Clive Grimwood
  • Publication number: 20100181235
    Abstract: A connecting device comprises a buffer chamber (2), a first connecting line (3) between a liquid source (4) and an inlet (5) of the buffer chamber, a second connecting line (9) between an outlet (10) of the buffer chamber and the medical treatment apparatus (11), two valves (7, 8) arranged in series on the first connecting line, a pump (12) on the second connecting line, two liquid level sensors (15, 16) operating in the buffer chamber, a vent valve (18) connected to the buffer chamber. The liquid source is a centralised distribution plant of dialysate, while the medical treatment apparatus is a dialysis apparatus. The invention prevents back-contamination of the centralised plant with disinfectant sourced from the dialysis apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: GAMBRO LUNDIA AB
    Inventors: Massimo Fava, Salvatore Rinaldi
  • Patent number: 7754076
    Abstract: A reactor for washing sand contaminated with hydrocarbons comprises a vessel having an aperture in a bottom portion thereof. A steam cleaning device is located near a top of the vessel for receiving contaminated sand and cleaning the contaminated sand as it is introduced into the vessel. A rinsing device is positioned below the steam cleaning device for rinsing the sand with water. A sand conveying device comprising an air injection device is positioned in the bottom portion of the vessel for urging sand out of the aperture using compressed air, such that the sand is partially dewatered as the sand is urged out of the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Inventor: Paul Costinel
  • Patent number: 7749435
    Abstract: An oxygenator which helps avoid bubbles in the blood from being discharged through the blood outlet port of the oxygenator includes a housing, a hollow fiber membrane bundle in the housing and formed by a multiplicity of hollow fiber membranes serving for gas exchange, gas-inlet and gas-outlet ports communicating with gas passages of the hollow fiber membranes, and a blood-inlet and blood-outlet ports. A filter member is provided on a side closer to the blood outlet port of the hollow fiber membrane bundle and serves to catch bubbles in blood. The blood outlet port projects from the housing and a passage enlargement is provided in a vicinity of the end of the blood outlet port closer to the housing and having an increased passage cross-sectional area. The blood passed the filter member is allowed to reach the blood outlet port by being decelerated in the passage enlargement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Ogihara, Hidetaka Nakayama, Kazuhiro Mizoguchi
  • Patent number: 7741617
    Abstract: There is disclosed a fluid treatment device comprising a housing for receiving a flow of fluid. The housing comprises a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a closed fluid treatment zone disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. Disposed in the housing is at least one elongate radiation source assembly having a longitudinal axis disposed in the fluid treatment zone substantially parallel to a direction of the flow of fluid through the housing. The radiation source assembly comprises an elongate radiation source disposed in a protective sleeve to define a substantially annular passageway. The protective sleeve has opposed open ends configured to permit heat to exit the passageway and the housing through at least one of the opposed open ends of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Trojan Technologies
    Inventors: Brent Matthews, Jason Cerny, Bradley Pusching
  • Publication number: 20100133154
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for removing and treating contaminated materials on a bottom of a body of water and introducing growth packets to revitalize the treated bottom of the body of water. The structure may comprise a vessel with an open face. The vessel may be lowered down to the bottom of the body of water with the face facing down. As a result, the vessel and the bottom form an isolated space. The structure may comprise at least one agitating device(s) for stirring up the materials inside the vessel so as to form a mixture containing the sediment materials which in turn contain the contaminants. Multiple at least one pipe(s) may be coupled to the vessel for transporting the mixture out of the vessel for processing (filtering, treating with chemicals, etc.) so as to neutralize or eliminate the contaminants in the mixture. Then, the treated mixture can be returned to the inside of the vessel via the at least one pipe(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas Kryzak
  • Publication number: 20100126940
    Abstract: There is provided an underwater pulse plasma processing apparatus including: a power supply unit for generating pulse power; at least one discharge unit for discharging the pulse power generated in the power supply unit to a water surface including an air layer or to water including air bubbles; and a plasma processing unit for removing underwater microorganisms through plasma generated by the at least one discharge device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Han-Seong Ryu, Yeon-Chul Ha, Dong-Hyeok Seo, Dong-Eun Kim
  • Publication number: 20100126937
    Abstract: A system and method for the treatment of process streams. A catalyst mediates a wet oxidation process at elevated temperatures and pressures for treating at least one undesirable constituent in an aqueous mixture. The aqueous mixture may be contacted with a catalyst and an oxidizing agent at an elevated temperature and a superatmospheric pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventor: Chad L. Felch
  • Publication number: 20100119438
    Abstract: Methods for recovering iodine from an aqueous solution containing sodium chloride and iodide are disclosed. In particular, sodium hypochlorite is generated from the aqueous solution itself, and the sodium hypochlorite is used to oxidize the iodide into iodine. The iodine is then recovered from the aqueous solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas M. Becker, Martin S. Heineke, Charles A. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20100108581
    Abstract: A water treatment cartridge comprises an additive channel arranged so that only some of the water passing through the cartridge passes through it. The additive channel comprises means for automatically releasing an additive into the water in the channel. The additive channel is arranged to control the additive dose. The cartridge may also contain a water treatment or filter medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: STRIX LIMITED
    Inventors: Simon Richard Johnston, David John Owen Parkes
  • Patent number: 7708879
    Abstract: For diesel internal combustion engines, an improved filter unit comprising an outer casing the interior of which is separated by a filtering baffle into two separate chambers to which a fuel inlet conduit and a fuel outlet conduit are connected respectively, with said casing there being associated a device provided with sensors for measuring certain characteristic parameters for correct engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: URI Filters S. p. A.
    Inventor: Giorgio Girondi
  • Publication number: 20100101984
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel filter (1) with a device for separating water from the fuel. This device comprises at least one filter screen element (6) placed in a filter housing (2) which is located downstream a filter element (3) for the filtration of particles from the fuel, a tank (15) located under the filter screen element (6) at the filter housing (2) in which the separated water droplets are collected, and a device for deviating the fuel between the filter element (3) and the filter screen element (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: MANN+HUMMEL GMBH
    Inventors: Andre Roesgen, Martin Klein
  • Publication number: 20100102005
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device, for dewatering dredged material with a dry substance rate below 15%, comprising a tank (2) which is arranged with at least one inlet (5) for dredged material, a first outlet (8) for cleaned water and a second outlet (9) for sludge; the tank further comprises a mixing chamber (3), to which the inlet (5) for dredged masses leads, and a sedimentation chamber (4) in which the first (8) and the second outlet (9) are arranged. The mixing chamber (3) and the sedimentation chamber (4) are in fluid communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventor: Torbjörn Wold
  • Patent number: 7704400
    Abstract: A system for washing contaminated sand comprises a plurality of reactors arranged in a sequence from a first to a last reactor. The first reactor is configured to receive contaminated sand. Each reactor comprises a funnel portion in a lower section thereof for accumulating a sand layer and a sand conveying device for removing sand through an aperture defined near a bottom of the funnel portion. Each reactor except the first reactor receives sand removed from a previous reactor. The system also comprises a steam supply system for providing each reactor with steam for washing the sand, a water supply system for providing the last reactor with clean water for rinsing the sand, and a fluid outlet associated with each reactor for removing fluid and providing the fluid to a separator for separating the fluid into first and second portions respectively containing relatively low and high proportions of hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventor: Paul Costinel
  • Patent number: 7704382
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gravity fiber filter, comprising: a filter tank placed in a portion of a large amount of running water; at least one unit filter disposed in the filter tank; a filtered water collecting tank disposed in a lower portion of the filter tank; a discharging pipe extended from the filtered water collecting tank to the height lower than a influent inlet of the filter tank, so that the height of the extended discharging pipe is defined as a height of starting filtration; a sensor; a air inflow pipe through which a backwash air flows in from outside to a lower portion of the filter tank; a control means controlling the operation of filtering and backwashing; and backwash water discharging pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Sungshin Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young Bae Kang, Gyu Tae Kim, Tae Gyu Park
  • Publication number: 20100096304
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel filter (1) with a filter element (2) for separating particles and water out of a fuel flow flowing through the fuel filter (1), a collecting space (6) for collecting the separated water (7), and a dewatering device (3) for discharging the separated water (7) out of the fuel filter (1). Here, it is essential to the invention that the dewatering device (3) has a hydrocarbon adsorber (9) for adsorbing hydrocarbon components which are entrained in the separated water (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Matthias Gänswein, Peter Koppi, Pia Küsgens, Sven Siegle
  • Publication number: 20100096335
    Abstract: A method for treating wastewater using a ballasted flocculation technique includes continuously measuring the concentration of suspended solids, organic matter or other impurities in the water to be treated prior to directing the water to be treated to a flocculation tank. Based on this measurement, the amount of ballast necessary to obtain treated water of a predetermined quality is then calculated. In the flocculation tank, ballast and a flocculating reagent are added to the water to form a water-floc mixture. The water-floc mixture is directed to a settling tank where a sludge-ballast mixture is settled. The sludge-ballast mixture is directed to a mixing tank and then to a separator to separate the ballast from the sludge. The separated ballast is directed to the flocculation tank. The separated sludge is directed to the mixing tank when the level of sludge-ballast mixture in the mixing tank is lower than a predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: OTV SA
    Inventors: Philippe Sauvignet, Claus Dahl, Valey Ursel, Celine Levecq, Jean-Francois Beaudet
  • Publication number: 20100096339
    Abstract: The described implementations relate to water denitrification. One method obtains nitrate levels in influent and effluent of a moving bed media filter and determines carbon levels in the effluent. The method also doses carbon feedstock into the influent based on both the nitrate levels and the carbon levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Rememberance Newcombe, Mark S. Lopp
  • Publication number: 20100096303
    Abstract: A separator for use in ships' bilges capable of physical and chemical separation of both free and emulsified hydrocarbons from a water stream that includes two separation units, the first one being a gravimetric separation unit that utilizes coalescent plates to separate free hydrocarbon in the mixture of water/hydrocarbons and a pump which recirculates the water emulsified hydrocarbon mixture through the self-filtration unit and also sends the separated hydrocarbons in the gravimetric unit to the corresponding deposit of free hydrocarbons collecting tank, and the second separation unit being a membrane ultrafiltration apparatus to separate the emulsified hydrocarbons from the water stream, the separator also including a control panel that controls the operation of all elements and devices of the separator, and a phase detector which determines the quantity of accumulated hydrocarbons at the top part of the gravimetric unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Camilo Vazquez Perez, Jose Saavedra Pereira
  • Publication number: 20100096305
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment apparatus (10) includes one or more treatment tanks (12, 14). Each treatment tank (12, 14) has an associated oxygenation treatment circuit (18) including a gas and liquid mixing chamber (20), a gas injector (22) upstream of the mixing chamber (20) and one of an oxygen generator (24) or an ozone generator (26) supplying gas to the gas injector (22), and a pump (28, 29) for pumping wastewater from the treatment tank (12, 14) through the mixing chamber (20) and back to the treatment tank (28, 29).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: SEAIR INC.
    Inventors: Harold Kinasewich, Chris Kinasewich
  • Publication number: 20100089805
    Abstract: An improved water sensor and method for retaining a water sensor to a filter housing are described herein. A snap-fit connection is utilized to secure the water sensor to the filter housing. In one embodiment, the snap-fit connection is achieved using non-metallic components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: CUMMINS FILTRATION IP INC.
    Inventors: Kevin C. South, Charles W. Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20100089797
    Abstract: This invention relates to devices and processes for removing asphaltenes and/or metals from crude oil to increase refinery processing of heavy materials. The desalters of this invention reduce and/or remove at least a portion of asphaltenes and/or metals form the crude oil. The separation occurs by mixing water with the crude oil to result in an aqueous phase having water and water soluble salts, an interface phase having asphaltenes and/or metals along with water, and a hydrocarbon phase having desalted, deasphalted and/or reduced metal crude oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Sudhakar Chakka, Steve E. Orwig, Joachim Voelkening
  • Publication number: 20100078367
    Abstract: A reservoir and a septic system are provided. The reservoir can have a wall having a top end and a bottom end, an opening at the top end of the wall, a floor at the bottom end of the wall, an internal cavity defined by the wall and the floor and an inlet passing into the internal cavity above the floor. The septic system can comprise a septic tank, at least one liquid permeable leaching channel connected to the septic tank and at least one of the reservoirs. The reservoir positioned partially in the ground such that the top end of the reservoir is positioned above the ground and the bottom end of the reservoir is positioned below the ground with the inlet of the reservoir connected to the at least one leaching channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: ROBERT RONALD OROM, DALE WESLEY MASON
  • Patent number: 7678282
    Abstract: A method of determination of the conditions of exhaustion of a filtering cartridge for filtering carafes with replaceable cartridges is described, in which an initial identification of impedance of the water to be filtered is provided for in order to consequently calculate an important parameter for definition of the efficient lifespan on the filtering cartridge. Furthermore a carafe operating in compliance with such method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: LAICA S.p.A.
    Inventor: Maurizio Moretto
  • Publication number: 20100059421
    Abstract: A floating dispenser is provided for dispensing a solid, dissolvable water treatment chemical into ambient water. The dispenser includes a bucket having top and bottom ends, a top wall covering the top end, an opening for admitting ambient water into the bucket interior, and a floatation ring that keeps only the top end above water such that the interior is water filled when the dispenser floats. A basket is disposed in the interior of the bucket for carrying a solid, dissolvable water treatment chemical, such as calcium hypochlorite. The basket is buoyant and movable vertically toward the top wall of the bucket. The dispenser includes a refill indicator that indicates when most of a full load of said chemical has dissolved. The refill indicator includes a pair of tabs that are connected to the basket and slidably mounted in slots in the top wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: CHEMTURA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher Reed, Nidhi Rawat, Melissa Hickman, Jeffrey N. Smith, Jerry Foster, Matthew Gabriel, Greg Harding, H. Shaw Strothers, IV, Allison Guyton, Noah McNeely
  • Publication number: 20100044285
    Abstract: An activated carbon adder adds activated carbon to raw water before flocculating sedimentation, to adsorb suspended matter contained in raw water, a liquid cyclone is adapted to separate activated carbon with suspended matter adsorbed thereon, from raw water containing activated carbon, an inflow line is connected with the liquid cyclone so as to cause raw water containing activated carbon before flocculating sedimentation to flow into the liquid cyclone and swirl therein, an activated carbon discharge line discharges activated carbon spun down out of raw water containing activated carbon in the liquid cyclone, from the liquid cyclone, and a pretreated water discharge line discharges raw water having got rid of activated carbon as pretreated water from the liquid cyclone, allowing for a reduced amount of chemicals to be used, with production of a reduced amount of sludge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Mii FUKUDA, Takashi Menju, Yasushi Yamamoto, Kazuyoshi Aoki, Takeshi Matsushiro, Ryoichi Arimura, Norimitsu Abe, Futoshi Kurokawa, Atsushi Yukawa, Tokusuke Hayami
  • Patent number: 7662277
    Abstract: An improved wastewater treatment apparatus is provided. The waste treatment apparatus illustratively follows a primary treatment system such as, for example, a septic tank, a primary clarifier, a lagoon, or an activated sludge process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventor: Kevin R Chaffee
  • Publication number: 20100032353
    Abstract: Liquid dispenser or water purification unit with a housing and a mouthpiece configured for contact with the mouth of a person, wherein at least part of the housing or part of the mouthpiece or parts of both have an antimicrobial surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventor: Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen
  • Publication number: 20100032380
    Abstract: A liquid surface level control method for an ion-exchange resin tower according to the present invention comprises steps of determining an operation signal (S18, S28, S38) of a discharge device of liquid (6) to be discharged from the ion-exchange resin tower (2a, 2b, 2c), based on a liquid surface level PID operation signal obtained by calculating a liquid surface level signal (S12) in a PID way and a supply flow rate signal (S10, S18, S28) supplied to the ion-exchange resin tower (2a, 2b, 2c), and moving the liquid surface level (6a) close to the target liquid surface level. Preferably, the interface level (4a) is detected by means of an interface level sensor (52), and the target liquid surface level is increased or decreased according to the increase/decrease of the interface level (4a). The interface level sensor (52) includes a plurality of light emitting parts and a plurality of light receiving parts which are opposite to each other in a one-to-one relation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: AJINOMOTO CO., INC.
    Inventors: Yuji TOKITA, Ken YAMAMOTO, Takeshi MIKI, Atsuo SHIRAISHI
  • Patent number: 7658839
    Abstract: A device for purifying liquid in a reservoir and including a vacuum chamber (1) having an inflow opening (2) and an outflow opening (3) adapted to communicate with the liquid in the reservoir through a feed conduit (4) and a return conduit (5), respectively. The return conduit (5) is provided with a pump (6) and the vacuum chamber is connected with a vacuum pump (7). The device further includes a filter cartridge (8) provided with a plurality of filter elements, each having a flow side communicating with a central passage (26) and a flow side opening into the periphery of the filter cartridge (8). The filter cartridge (8) is arranged inside the vacuum chamber, the central passage (26) of the filter cartridge communicating with the inflow opening (2) of the vacuum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: C.C. Jensen A/S
    Inventor: Carl Aage Jensen
  • Publication number: 20100022019
    Abstract: A method of monitoring breakthrough of an adsorbent bed consisting for example of ion-exchange resins, used during a stage of purification of an ester stream containing glycerin, obtained for example in a vegetable or animal oil and aliphatic monoalcohol transesterification process, permits the instantaneous detection of the presence of glycerol (glycerin) in the ester stream by arranging a turbidimeter at the adsorbent bed outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: IFP
    Inventors: Abdelhakim Koudil, Karin Barthelet, Laurent Bournay
  • Publication number: 20100018911
    Abstract: The teachings presented herein provide a water distribution manifold assembly for distribution of water for mixed indoor and outdoor usage. The assembly finds direct application in water reclamation and conservation in that it allows for the use of runoff and gray water. The assembly integrates in-line filtration in a convenient, readily accessible way. In one or more embodiments, the assembly includes: a supply inlet and an associated check valve and pressure release valve; a filter unit connected to a second check valve; a pressure gauge; one or more outlets, each of which may be connected to a check valve; and a manifold or connecting pipe that interconnects the inlet, filter unit, and one or more outlets. The assembly also may include a controller, which in one or more embodiments provides control, monitoring, and communications for the assembly and/or associated water distribution systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas L. VanZeeland
  • Publication number: 20100018927
    Abstract: One possible embodiment of the invention could be a water ionizer faucet comprising of a body supporting a first spout, a second spout, and a water control valve, the body being adapted to be attached to a sink having a drain; each spout having an open tip continuously connected to an waterline attachment with the first spout having its open tip being located further away from the body than the other spout tip; and the water control valve that can closeably connect a water supply to a water ionizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: Geoff Poole
  • Publication number: 20100012557
    Abstract: A simple and improved septic tank wastewater treatment system is needed to improve effluent quality and reduce conventional onsite system failures such as hydraulic overloading and formation of a clogging biomat in the soil treatment area. One illustrative embodiment of the septic tank system (10, 100, 122) disclosed includes a septic tank system having a primary treatment compartment (28, 116) for settling solids and floating fats, oils and grease, and a second treatment compartment (34, 141) adapted to provide an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) process for providing additional treatment of the wastewater prior to discharge to soil treatment areas. Another illustrative embodiment of the septic tank system includes separate primary (100) and UASB tanks (122) coupled in series.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventor: Kevin R. Chaffee
  • Publication number: 20100012585
    Abstract: A membrane filtration system (5) including: a feed containing vessel (7); a membrane module (6) including one or more hollow permeable membranes (8) for filtering feed liquid, located in the feed containing vessel (7); means for applying a pressure differential across walls of the membranes (8) to induce filtration therethrough; a feed liquid reservoir (9) in fluid communication with the membrane module (6) to supply feed liquid thereto; a source of feed liquid (12); a source of gas (10) and means (11) for selectively producing a flow of gas from the gas source (10) and feed liquid from the feed liquid source (12) through the membrane module (6) and into the feed liquid reservoir (9). The flow of gas producing gas bubbles within the feed liquid to clean the membranes (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Fufang Zha, Dean Osman Cameron, Alex Nygard, Warren Thomas Johnson
  • Publication number: 20100006484
    Abstract: A Vehicle Water Flow Level System with Display and Memory Controllers has an external unit with inner and outer chambers which can be easily attached to the exterior of the vehicle while the Display and Memory Controllers can be within the interior. The overall shape of the external unit can be vertical. The inner chamber can contain the float meter while the outer chamber can support the water flow meter at the bottom. Also at the bottom could be a screen adapter for a replaceable screen screw that acts as a filter, preventing debris from entering the inner chamber affecting the float meter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Charles Alvin Goodman, Maxiann Theodora Moncur
  • Patent number: 7640759
    Abstract: An air conditioning system condensate collection pan or water leak containment pan electrical control switch includes a housing or frame for supporting a switch unit which includes an elongated actuator arm. The housing includes a slot disposed adjacent a distal end of the actuator arm for receiving a water soluble tablet engageable with the actuator arm to bias the arm into a predetermined position of the switch. Abnormal accumulation of condensate or leaking water dissolves the tablet and allows the actuator arm to move to a position to effect actuation of the switch. The switch may be connected to a control unit, a thermostat and/or to an alarm generator including a self-contained unit having battery powered audio and/or visual alarm devices, an on-off switch and a circuit test switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: Joe D. Robinson
  • Patent number: 7638043
    Abstract: A grit chamber for a wastewater treatment plant. A vertical floodgate is installed on a partitioning wall and is driven in a vertical direction to be opened downwardly from a top toward a bottom. A floodgate driving motor is coupled to one end of the vertical floodgate to directly drive the vertical floodgate. An inflow amount measurement sensor functions to stepwisely measure a flow amount of wastewater which passes through a wastewater tank. A control section is connected to the floodgate driving motor and the inflow amount measurement sensor to control the floodgate driving motor in response to a measurement result of the inflow amount measurement sensor. A wastewater level is adjusted within a predetermined range through operation of the vertical floodgate to maintain a constant flow velocity of wastewater which passes through a sand sedimentation zone, thereby preventing organic material which is contained in the wastewater and is other than sand, from sedimenting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Blue Whale Screen Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung In Park, Doo Yun Hwang
  • Publication number: 20090314722
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided that enable the control of a screening operation based on a calculated screen blockage percentage and the velocity throughput of the screen. The apparatus includes an upstream level detector, a downstream level detector and a flow determining device which determines the volumetric flow through the screen. The apparatus may further include a blockage determination unit which determines the percent screen blockage based on the flow level upstream of the screen, the flow level downstream of the screen and the volumetric flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: JWC Environmental
    Inventors: Scott Kelly, Kenneth Oyler, James Burke
  • Publication number: 20090308815
    Abstract: A method for treating water in a ballasted flocculation system comprises directing water into a ballasted flocculation zone and adding ballast and a flocculation reagent to the water to form a water-floc mixture. The water-floc mixture is directed into a settling zone to form treated water and sludge containing ballast. The ballast is then directed to a recirculation line where the ballast is recirculated to the ballasted flocculation zone. The method further includes determining the ballast concentration and comparing the ballast concentration with a predetermined threshold value. The rate at which ballast is recirculated to the ballasted flocculation zone is adjusted based on the determined ballast concentration and the predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: OTV SA
    Inventors: Philippe Sauvignet, Jean-Francois Beaudet, Sonia Guillot, Valery Ursel
  • Patent number: 7632397
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated portable water purifier for purifying water, by filtration through adsorption media to remove harmful chemicals followed by ultraviolet treatment to disinfect the water. The water purifier effectively removes the contaminants found in drinking water. The integrated portable water purifier includes a water chamber (1) for receiving water to be purified and a treated water chamber (2) for receiving treated water through a filter cartridge (20). The water purifier is provided with a microprocessor based controller (6) for controlling the operation of the purification system. A UV lamp (8) is provided in the treated water chamber (2) for microbiological treatment of the filtered water in the treated water chamber (2) and a sensor (7) for sensing the conductivity of the treated water and the level of the water in the treated water chamber (2). A power source (18) is provided for supplying power to the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Inventor: Gangadhar Bathula
  • Publication number: 20090301966
    Abstract: Wastewater can be purified in a device, which includes a cup-shaped vessel, having a wastewater inlet tube for the water at a certain level and an outlet tube at a lower level than the inlet tube, and a horizontal distribution disc, which vertically divides the vessel, has at least one opening and is provided with a substantially vertical distribution tube for receiving the water from the inlet tube. Water above the distribution disc is pumped through a filter head with a filter. Filtered water is let out through the outlet tube, whereas unfiltered water is transferred back to the distribution tube. Flocculation agent is added to the unfiltered water before reaching the distribution tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: B G Consulting HB
    Inventor: Bert Gustafsson
  • Publication number: 20090294381
    Abstract: The invention relates to the control of pH in water where hydroxyl ions are being produced by adding to the water an amount of transition metal salt sufficient to bind with hydroxyl into a slightly soluble or insoluble reaction product, thereby removing sufficient hydroxyl ion from the water to lower the pH thereof. This technique is particularly suitable for pH control in pool or spa water that is sanitized using chemical or electrolytic chlorination, where the sanitation process causes the pH in the water to rise. The invention also relates to apparatus for dispensing water treatment materials to water, and to methods for controlling phosphate levels and algae in water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: ZODIAC POOL CARE, INC.
    Inventors: Richard T. COFFEY, Robert HARNDEN
  • Publication number: 20090288998
    Abstract: A water separating fuel filter is provided with a sensor at its bottom portion which is not removable in a direction away from the housing structure of the filter mechanism. In other words, if the sensor is removable at all, it must be removed in a direction which requires the sensor to move through the cavity of the housing structure of the filter while preventing an internal end of the sensor from passing in a direction away from the cavity and through a portion of the wall of the housing structure through which the sensor extends during operation. This eliminates the likelihood of a sensor being inadvertently removed from the housing structure and not properly replaced prior to subsequent operation of a fuel system of an internal combustion engine. This, in turn, prevents the condition wherein an opening at the bottom portion of the fuel filter housing structure can allow liquid fuel to flow from the fuel system into the bilge of a watercraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: Matthew W. Jaeger, Kyle A. Stein
  • Patent number: 7622036
    Abstract: A system is disclosed herein for treating wastewater liquid by utilizing aerobic biological species. The contaminated wastewater stream is pretreated in a dissolved air flotation system to remove suspended solid waste, including large particles such as fats, grease, and physically emulsified oils. The purified wastewater containing dissolved waste is thereafter oxygenated and further decontaminated in a bioreactor tank. Biological species in the bioreactor tank consume oxygen and perform bodily functions that converts dissolved waste into easily removable carbon dioxide and suspend solids. Oxygen consumed by the biological species is replenished by pumping the wastewater though a liquid-oxygen mixer. A controller regulates the speed of the pump based on real-time oxygen concentration measurements provided by a corresponding oxygen probe disposed within the wastewater in the bioreactor tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: World Water Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Dwain E Morse
  • Publication number: 20090283457
    Abstract: A system and method for increasing overall efficiency of a waste water system and increasing working efficiency of individual pump stations by implementing an overflow management system. The individual pump station facilitates delaying a discharge of fluid and stores waste water when a down stream pump station has reached a threshold level, thereby delaying or eliminating an overflow situation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Kevin L. Buchanan, Edwin W. Neely
  • Patent number: 7618542
    Abstract: A blood purifying apparatus particularly suitable for continuous blood purification, and a method of controlling the same whereby the weight of body fluid removed from a patient and a feed weight to the patient can be more accurately controlled. A blood purifying apparatus 50 adapted for the continuous blood purification includes a drain C, a dialysate feed A, and a replacement fluid feed B, which are equipped with transfer pumps 5, 6, 7, respectively, reservoir containers 8, 9, and 10, respectively, that are capable of storing a predetermined volume, and fluid level sensors 11, 12, and 13, respectively. The blood purifying apparatus further includes a single weightmeter 20 capable of measuring the reservoir containers 8, 9, and 10 all at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Medical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Soichirou Okazaki
  • Publication number: 20090261044
    Abstract: An environmental monitoring and control system and method are provided for preventing overflow of fluid from a compartment continuous with a settling tank. The system includes an improved pump configuration to minimize pump failure and maintenance, as well as monitoring of fluid volume within the compartment and adjustment of pumping rate as necessary to maintain an appropriate fluid volume. Operators on or off-site may be notified of compartment fluid volume to provide further redundancy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Scott GODLIEN, Gary Russell