Fluid Pressure Responsive Patents (Class 210/90)
  • Publication number: 20110220560
    Abstract: A process, system, and component configuration are described that discourages customer acceptance/use of will-fit, reconditioned, and counterfeit product components, by determining whether or not a serviceable product component is genuine. If a component is determined to not be genuine, then appropriate action may be taken to warn operators and document such findings. For example, one or more markers are disposed or otherwise put on the subject serviceable product component and serves as a targeted feature, and/or a particular characteristic of the filter itself is identified as the targeted feature. A sensor is used to detect the targeted feature and obtain information unique to the serviceable product component. The targeted feature(s) identifies the particular serviceable component as genuine and forms the basis for determining whether a genuine component has been installed. In some circumstances, a fluid filter product is the component that is the subject detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: CUMMINS FILTRATION IP, INC.
    Inventors: Barry M. Verdegan, John T. Carroll, III, Matthew L. Schneider, Michael T Zuroski, Nathan A. Whitaker, James L. Walls
  • Patent number: 7981182
    Abstract: A labyrinth box can include a housing that has an open end, a closed end, and defines two cavities. A cover is configured to cover the opening and can include a divider that extends into one of the two cavities of the housing to define first and second chamber passageways in that cavity. An inlet port is located in the bottom closed end of one of the cavities and an outlet port is located in the other of the cavities. The surfaces that define the chambers can be configured such that the box can be oriented in different positions and still work, namely, in horizontal and vertical positions. When in the vertical position, the divider can include surfaces that are angled off of the horizontal plane and towards the inlet port such that water and debris will return to the inlet port via gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Scott Jeffrey Volchko
  • Patent number: 7981279
    Abstract: An oil filter assembly has a bypass valve and a cover formed with an orifice. In order to provide a simple contamination indicator for the oil filter, there is provided a deflection device that deflects an oil jet emerging through the orifice when the bypass valve is open on the outside of the cover. The oil jet can thus be deflected into a region observable through a filling orifice. A contaminated oil filter can therefore be reliably detected on occasion of a quick visual check, by observing the deflected oil jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
    Inventor: Thomas Pabst
  • Publication number: 20110168608
    Abstract: A water treatment apparatus having a vessel defining a chamber adapted to contain a water treatment chemical over which a dosing liquid can flow from an inlet to form a dosing reservoir at the bottom of the vessel. A supply of dosing liquid is connected to the inlet. The interior of the vessel communicates with a conduit along which an entraining pressurized flow of water can be fed for treatment and via an opening in the conduit that is connected to a bottom outlet of the vessel. A venturi is located in the conduit adjacent the opening so that the velocity of the pressurized water is increased as it passes over the opening and entrains a dosing stream from the dosing reservoir into the pressurized flow. The venturi also applies suction to the interior of the vessel, which draws dosing liquid into the vessel from the supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: GAFFEY TECHNICAL SERVICES LIMITED
    Inventor: Philip Gaffey
  • Patent number: 7967978
    Abstract: An apparatus for preconditioning a filter media includes a reservoir containing a liquid; a pump operatively connected and in fluid communication with the reservoir; a filter housing operatively connected and in fluid communication with the reservoir and the pump, and having a filter media disposed therein; a control unit operatively connected to the pump; and wherein the pump is operable to circulate the liquid through the filter media to wet and remove air from the filter media prior to installation of the filter media in a processing application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Bright, George L. Mack, Michael J. Schade
  • Publication number: 20110138936
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a liquid purification system for purifying a liquid and delivering purified liquid to external downstream equipment includes a source of liquid to be purified and a filter device that is operatively coupled to and selectively in communication with the source of liquid. The filter device includes a filter element. The system also includes a controller and a means for performing a filter integrity test on the filter element, whereby the controller is configured to detect when purified liquid is being used by the downstream equipment and coordinate the initiation of the filter integrity test at time when conducting the filter integrity test does not adversely effect the operation of the downstream equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: Nephros, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Collins, James Summerton
  • Publication number: 20110132816
    Abstract: The invention concerns a filtering assembly comprising, firstly, a housing consisting of a case (2) and a lid or filter head (3) sealingly assembled together, secondly, a removable filtering element (4) sealingly connected at one of its ends to the housing, said filtering element (4) consisting of a resistance structure (6) and a filtering material (5) supported on said structure, two cups (7) and (8) being arranged at the ends of said resistance structure, and thirdly, at least one foolproof device comprising a rod (9) integral with the housing (1) and a gap which is provided in the filtering material (6) wherein said rod (9) penetrates (9) when the filtering element (4) is mounted, into at least one cup (7) or (8) an orifice (11) being provided for allowing through said rod (9). The invention is characterized in that it comprises a clogging indicator. The invention is applicable in the field of filtration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Dan Vasilescu
  • Publication number: 20110132817
    Abstract: A system associated with straining media in a pipeline includes a perforated plate with perforations that are configured to remove debris from media. The perforations include an inlet edge that is chamfered. The inlet edge is an upstream edge with respect to a flow direction of the media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Eric Rankin Gardner, Daniel C. Pappone, Jin Yan, Heh-Lin Hwang
  • Publication number: 20110127203
    Abstract: Tangential flow filtration device is provided wherein liners are provided between the filtration element and the top and bottom holders or manifolds. The liners incorporate the flow channels and inlet and outlet ports, as well as a sensor mount. The liners are made of an inexpensive material and therefore are disposable after a single use, making it more cost effective to dispose of them than to clean the conventional manifolds. The sensor mount accommodates a removable sensor, and isolates it from the fluid path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: MILLIPORE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Martin Morrissey, Dennis Wong
  • Patent number: 7947181
    Abstract: An apparatus for purifying water according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a feed line fluidically connected to a reverse osmosis module containing a semipermeable membrane. The semipermeable membrane produces purified water and a concentrate. A drain line is also connected to the reverse osmosis module configured to transport concentrate. A product line is connected to the reverse osmosis module for transporting purified water. Operatively associated with the product line and drain line is a shut-off mechanism containing a pressure sensor operatively associated with an appliance configured to activate the shut-off mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: The Good Water Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Cartwright
  • Patent number: 7947180
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the air-free filling of the blood side of a hemodialysis apparatus with a physiological electrolyte solution and for the venting of the blood side of a hemodialysis apparatus during operation includes using a chamber in a blood-removing line system. The blood-removing line system, including the chamber arranged therein, is filled with a physiological electrolyte solution, with a valve arranged above the chamber and connected thereto being opened to fill the chamber completely with the physiological electrolyte solution until it comes into contact with a hydrophobic filter arranged above the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Joern Apel, Max Fischer
  • Patent number: 7938971
    Abstract: Particular aspects of the inventive technology may, in embodiments, relate to a fluid filter apparatus that includes a filtered fluid conduit that has a length that is at least three times a characteristic diameter; and a plurality of holes, wherein at least one of said holes has a first shape and engages an end cap during fluid filter operation, and wherein at least one other of said holes has said first shape and passes filtered fluid from outside of said filtered fluid conduit to a conduit interior during fluid filter operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Harvard Corporation
    Inventors: Otto Knottnerus, Larry Langmeier, Mark Berger
  • Publication number: 20110094951
    Abstract: The present invention describes a system and method for accurately measuring the pressure within a filter housing. A pressure sensor and a communications device are coupled so as to be able to measure and transmit the pressure within the filter housing while in use. This system can comprise a single component, integrating both the communication device and the pressure sensor. Alternatively, the system can comprise separate sensor and transmitter components, in communication with one another. In yet another embodiment, a storage element can be added to the system, thereby allowing the device to store a set of pressure values. The use of this device is beneficial to many applications. For example, the ability to read pressure values in situ allows integrity tests to be performed without additional equipment. In addition, integrity testing for individual filters within multi-filter configurations is possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: MILLIPORE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anthony DiLeo, John Dana Hubbard
  • Publication number: 20110089091
    Abstract: A filter device having a filter element received in a filter housing, the filter housing has an inlet and an outlet. The filter element separates a crude chamber that communicates with the inlet from a pure chamber that communicates with the outlet. The filter element has an axially and eccentrically projecting plug, which in an inserted state, is plugged into a plug receptacle formed within the filter housing, and wherein at least one signal generator recognizes at least one of a presence and an absence of the plug in the plug receptacle, generating at least one signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Uwe Grass, Mike Schmid, Andreas Widmaier
  • Publication number: 20110084416
    Abstract: A system for mixing and mixing processes and structures are disclosed. In addition a nozzle used for mixing is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventors: Robert Elliott Locklair, Theodore K. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 7922914
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for measuring pressure drop through a filter in the flow path and then using the measured pressure drop, possibly at a normalized state and in conjunction with time and/or other data from the system, to estimate characteristics of the fluid, the filter, and/or a working component supplied with the filtered fluid. Such characteristics could include an operating condition of the filter, the remaining useful life of the filter, the relative contaminant concentration in the fluid, and/or the remaining useful life of a working component supplied with the filtered fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry M. Verdegan, David P. Genter, Michael T. Zuroski
  • Publication number: 20110068062
    Abstract: Suspended solids are removed from a circulation line extending between an oil storage tank and a water reservoir. A filter is positioned between the storage tank and a circulation tank for collecting suspended solids carried by a circulated water stream from the storage tank. A pressure sensor and a transducer is mounted in a control unit positioned upstream from the pump and downstream of the filter to detect and out-of-range pressure condition and send a signal to the pump power supply for de-activating the pump. An alarm signal is generated alerting an operator of the low oil level in the storage tank or clogged filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventor: John O. McClelland
  • Publication number: 20110062061
    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 mounting member for fluid communication between an interior and an exterior of the filter element. An interface structure is connected to cover of the upright housing and is removably engageable with the mounting member of the filter element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: DAVCO TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventor: Zdzislaw Chajec
  • Publication number: 20110049059
    Abstract: A system for controlling water quality of a reservoir including one or more covers that at least partially cover a reservoir, one or more water quality sensors that sense physical, chemical, and biological water quality characteristics of water in the reservoir, a mixer for circulating/mixing water layers of the reservoir, and a controller in communication with the water quality sensors that processes input from the sensors to circulate/mix water layers of the reservoir that are exposed to an uncovered surface of the reservoir so as to control water quality characteristics of water in the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventor: Barak Yekutiely
  • Publication number: 20110054811
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for monitoring a filter (3) used for filtering a fluid (5) in an aircraft engine (7), including: pressure measurement means (27) for acquiring over time a differential pressure of the fluid (5) through the filter (3); computing means (11) for computing a normalized differential pressure under reference conditions by normalizing the measured differential pressure according to conditions for exploiting the fluid (5); storage means (13) for storing in memory a predetermined reference clogging curve (Cr) describing a time-dependent change of the normalized differential pressure depending on a pollutant mass injected into the filter (3); computing means (11) for estimating the pollutant mass injected into the filter (3) by projecting a current value of said normalized differential pressure onto said reference clogging curve (Cr); and computing means (11) for generating from said estimated pollutant mass a set of signatures defining the condition and the time-dependent change of
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Pascal Christophe Contini, Xavier Flandrois, Maxime Forte, David Hadida
  • Patent number: 7896168
    Abstract: A filter block may comprise activated carbon filter particles without metallic biocides. The activated carbon filter particles may have a median particle size of less than or equal to about 90 microns and having a particle span of less than or equal to about 1.7. The filter block may have a permeability of greater than about 3.0×10?9 cm2 and a Filter Viruses Log Removal of greater than about 2 logs. A portion of the activated carbon filter particles may be coated with a cationic polymer. Another filter block may comprise mesoporous activated carbon filter particles without metallic biocides, wherein the mesoporous activated carbon filter particles may have a median particle size of less than or equal to about 104 ?m and a particle span of less than or equal to about 2.05, and wherein at least a portion of the filter particles may be coated with a cationic polymer. The filter block may have a permeability of greater than about 2.0×10?9 cm2 and a Filter Viruses Log Removal of greater than about 2 logs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Dimitris Ioannis Collias, Stephen Allen Goldman, Michael Donovan Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20110036773
    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: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Ulrich Moissl, Paul Chamney, Peter Wabel
  • Patent number: 7887696
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a commercial/industrial remineralizer designed to be added to a purification system that raises the pH by non-chemical methodology while replacing important electrolytes to the water that were extracted along with the toxic, non-essential minerals from the water. The remineralizer can be designed for heavy commercial continuous production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: CWP Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Paul L. Simmons
  • Patent number: 7879227
    Abstract: An apparatus for the condition checking of a screen cloth in a vibrating screen for drilling fluid, comprising a pump for drawing a drilling fluid sample from the bottom tray of the vibrating screen into the apparatus, a filter for filtering the drilling fluid sample, and a pressure gauge for measuring the pressure difference across the filter. A method for the condition checking of a screen cloth in a vibrating screen, comprising drawing a drilling fluid sample from the bottom tray of the vibrating screen, filtering the drilling fluid sample through a filter, and measuring the pressure difference across the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: 2K Tech AS
    Inventors: Ketil Botnmark, Kjell Mikalsen
  • Patent number: 7875169
    Abstract: A leakage indicator is provided for a filter element of a filter press, in which the filter element has at least one membrane that can be impinged by a pressure medium. In order to create a leakage indicator that is constructed in a particularly simple manner, an indicator body is freely movable in a flow chamber. Any change in position of the indicator body, which is caused by inflowing or outflowing pressure medium, can be monitored visually or through the use of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: JVK Filtration Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Kiessling, Manfred Hermann
  • Patent number: 7870964
    Abstract: A system and method for integrating microfluidic components in a microfluidic system enables the microfluidic system to perform a selected microfluidic function. A capping module includes a microfluidic element for performing a microfluidic function. The capping module is stacked on a microfluidic substrate having microfluidic plumbing to incorporate the microfluidic function into the system. An infusion pump for delivering a fluid from a fluid source may be integrated in a microfluidic chip using a capping module having pumping components formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Cytonome / St, LLC
    Inventors: John R. Gilbert, Manish Deshpande
  • Publication number: 20110009800
    Abstract: A dialysis system that includes a dialysis machine, a tube connected to the dialysis machine, and a sensor system. The sensor system includes a head having a slot configured to receive the tube and a plurality of sensors secured to the head adjacent the slot. At least one of the plurality of sensors includes a light emitting element configured to transmit light through the tube when the tube is disposed in the slot and a light receiving element configured to receive the light emitted by the light emitting element after the light passes trough the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Naim Dam, Martin Joseph Crnkovich, Roland Levin
  • Patent number: 7862784
    Abstract: A flow through aqueous liquid sterilization apparatus which employs substantially fixed temperatures and pressures and variable flow rates through the apparatus for controllably processing aqueous liquids to achieve predetermined values of SALs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventor: John Guy Bowen
  • Patent number: 7862714
    Abstract: The present invention is a reclamation unit (1) for a liquid comprising a housing (4) with a detachable upper (2) and lower (3) part in which the lower part (3) is connected with a base part (13). The lower part (3) comprises at least one heating unit (17) and inlets (14) and outlets (15,34). The upper part (2) encloses at least one filter unit (8). The lower part (3) and the base part (13) form an evaporation chamber (27), wherein the connection between the lower part (3) and the base part (13) includes a separator plate (19) which guides the liquid from the filter unit (8) onto side walls (37) of the evaporator chamber (27). The heating unit (17) protrudes into the evaporator chamber (27) with no conductive contact to the side walls (37).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Greenoil Standard APS
    Inventors: Lars Brejnbjerg, Bjarne Egelind
  • Patent number: 7850856
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring the supply of substitution liquid during an extracorporeal blood treatment and to an extracorporeal blood treatment unit equipped with a device for monitoring the supply of substitution liquid. The monitoring of the supply of substitution liquid is based on the measurement of pressure waves, which are generated by the substitution liquid pump, in the extracorporeal blood circulation system. A disturbance in the supply of substitution liquid is inferred when the amplitude of the pressure waves exceeds a predetermined limit value. The amplitude of the pressure waves is preferably monitored in the venous blood line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Wei Zhang, Ralf Wamsiedler
  • Publication number: 20100300980
    Abstract: An automatic filtering system for filtering a cooking medium in a 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: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Douglas A. BURKETT, Thomas Lee GORT, Gary L. MERCER
  • Publication number: 20100282651
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring an underdrain in a filter system for filtering water or wastewater. At least one diagnostic condition relating to the performance of the underdrain is monitored to determine if the underdrain is operating in an acceptable manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventor: R. Lee Roberts
  • Publication number: 20100276346
    Abstract: The invention concerns a filter element (1), in particular of a fuel filter for motor vehicles. The filter element (1) is provided for exchangeable use in a filter housing (2) and comprises a filter body (3) with a filter material (5) that is arranged in folds (4). Between two folds (4) a heating element (6) for the fuel is arranged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Mann+Hummel GMBH
    Inventor: Andre Roesgen
  • Patent number: 7824544
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device which is used to continuously filter material mixtures, in particular for separating impurities from plastic melts. The device includes a hollow cylindrically-shaped filter element (2) which is arranged inside a housing (1), an annular chamber (22) which is defined from the outside of the filter element (2) and an inner wall of the housing, and at least one stripper (23) which can be pressed onto the filter body by an adjusting device. The stripper is used to remove the impurities detained on the filter element (2) due to a relative movement of the filter element (2) and the stripper (23). The adjusting device contains a pressure sensor (42, 53) which is used to detect the pressure of the material mixture upstream from the filter body and an actuator (43) which is connected to the pressure sensor, the actuator being used to adjust the pressure of the stripper (23) according to the pressure detected by the pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Ettlinger Kunststoffmaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Roderich Ettlinger
  • Publication number: 20100270242
    Abstract: A cyclone separator includes a wall, a first passage, a second passage, and an oil debris monitor. The wall defines a cyclone cavity. The first passage has a first passage inlet positioned in the cyclone cavity and a first passage outlet at an exterior of the cyclone separator. The second passage has a second passage inlet positioned in the cyclone cavity and a second passage outlet at the first passage. The oil debris monitor detects debris flowing through the second passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bruce Paradise
  • Publication number: 20100264071
    Abstract: A lubricant filtration assembly is provided for quick attachment with a lubricant reservoir, for pre-filtering lubricant and pumping the lubricant into its intended machinery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Jay Wilson
  • Publication number: 20100234787
    Abstract: Provided is a hemodialyzer for preventing beforehand any medical accident such as air inclusion or blood loss during a medical treatment by detecting even a minute connection failure, if any.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: JMS CO.
    Inventor: Katsunori Masaoka
  • Patent number: 7796011
    Abstract: A water treatment apparatus programmable pass key comprising a data carrier programmed with one or more predetermined codes, each code relating to an operation in or of the water treatment apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: OTV SA
    Inventors: Lee Underwood, Jonathan Fleisig
  • Patent number: 7780618
    Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and method for controlling a fluid separation system, preferably a blood apheresis system, by sensing fluid pressure and comparing the sensed fluid pressure to a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Caridian BCT, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Felt, Marlene Adele Bainbridge
  • Patent number: 7776209
    Abstract: A modular water treatment system includes a plurality of water treatment components including selected from a group of a particulate filter component, a taste and odor filter component, a lead and mercury filter component, a water softener component, and a water disinfection component. A plurality of interfaces are provided for coupling to the selected water treatment components. Plumbing lines provide flow communication between the selected water treatment components, and the plumbing lines include a system water inlet and a system water outlet. A controller is configured to control the flow of water through the system, and a sensor is configured to transmit a signal to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Samuel Vincent Duplessis, Kyran P. Hoff, Craig R. Vitan, Laurence H. Fish, Jonathan D. Nelson, John Steven Holmes, Almir Begovich, Erik J. Matusek, Timothy G. Hooker, Dennis J. Dicken
  • Patent number: 7754089
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring an underdrain in a filter system for filtering water or wastewater. At least one diagnostic condition relating to the performance of the underdrain is monitored to determine if the underdrain is operating in an acceptable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: RG Delaware, Inc.
    Inventor: R. Lee Roberts
  • Patent number: 7754069
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a filter for trapping foreign matter in which a filtration element can trap foreign matter that is admixed to a fluid present inside the filter with good reliability and a comparatively high trapping ratio. Hydraulic oil that has flown from an opening portion into a guide space of a first flow path guide is guided downward by the first flow path guide and directed toward a second flow path guide. As a result, the oil passes through a very narrow gap, that is, a gap with a cross sectional area of the flow path narrowed so as to increase the flow velocity of the hydraulic oil, a rising flow of the hydraulic oil is formed, and this flow is spouted up by the second flow path guide and guided by the first flow path guide toward a filter element. Foreign matter admixed to the hydraulic oil rises with good intensity together with the hydraulic oil and is moved by the hydraulic oil toward the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Shoji, Nobumi Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20100133189
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dialysis liquid circuit with conduits for conducting dialysis liquid and with means for detecting air in the dialysis liquid, wherein the means comprise at least one gas sensor traversed continuously by the dialysis liquid, which is configured such that it measures at least one property of the dialysis liquid which depends on the presence of air bubbles in the dialysis liquid, and which is arranged downstream of a region to be monitored of the dialysis liquid circuit, in which during operation of the dialysis liquid circuit a negative pressure exists with respect to atmospheric pressure, wherein the means comprise an evaluation unit which is connected with the gas sensor and which is configured such that the property measured by means of the gas sensor is evaluated with regard to the presence of air bubbles in the dialysis liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Andreas Maierhofer, Alfred Gagel, Malte Gross
  • Patent number: 7727176
    Abstract: The invention relates to support element (4) comprising a main body (6) having a front wall (25) and a peripheral wall (32) projecting away from the front wall. The front wall and the peripheral wall define a housing compartment (33) designed to receive a fluid distribution circuitry cooperating with a treatment unit for defining an integrated blood treatment module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Claudio Tonelli, Vincenzo Baraldi, Massimo Zaccarelli, Annalisa Delnevo, Francesco Ribolzi, Jacques Chevallet, Jacques Duchamp, Aziz Aberkane, Gabriel Meyssonnier, Dominique Pouchoulin
  • Publication number: 20100102008
    Abstract: This disclosure describes an implementation of a backpressure regulator (BPR) device which is a generally required system component to accomplish supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC). This particular BPR embodiment utilizes a magnetostrictive or piezo-stack displacement transducer to modulate a variable restriction orifice to maintain constant upstream pressure. Also, an example is provided of a repurposed commercially available common rail fuel injector from the automotive industry to serve as the variable restriction element of the BPR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventor: Herbert J. Hedberg
  • Patent number: 7699976
    Abstract: An upflow bioreactor includes a vessel having an inlet and an outlet configured for upflow operation. A septum is positioned within the vessel and defines a lower chamber and an upper chamber. The septum includes an aperture that provides fluid communication between the upper chamber and lower chamber. The bioreactor also includes means for releasing pressure buildup in the lower chamber. In one configuration, the septum includes a releasable portion having an open position and a closed position. The releasable portion is configured to move to the open position in response to pressure buildup in the lower chamber. In the open position fluid communication between the lower chamber and the upper chamber is increased. Alternatively the lower chamber can include a pressure release line that is selectively actuated by pressure buildup. The pressure release mechanism can prevent the bioreactor from plugging and/or prevent catastrophic damage to the bioreactor caused by high pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Utah State University
    Inventors: Conly L. Hansen, Carl S. Hansen, Kevin Pack, John Milligan, Bradley C. Benefiel, C. Wayne Tolman, Kenneth W. Tolman
  • Publication number: 20100089806
    Abstract: An extracorporeal blood therapy control unit housing has a first and second manually mounted panels and spring loaded components configured for releasably engaging and tensioning the said panels against a side of said housing. The first and second panels have arch-shaped tubing segments mounted on the interior side of said respective panels. Each of the tubing segments are held in operational engagement with a different peristaltic pump rotor by the panel engaging and tensioning components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: TRANSVIVO INC.
    Inventors: Harold Peters, Adam Heintzelman, Jacob Kearns, Tommy Cooper
  • Publication number: 20100083730
    Abstract: A multi-sensing device is provided which includes a first sensor for sensing a temperature of the fluid flowing through the filter element, a second sensor for sensing a pressure generated by the fluid flowing through the filter element; and an indicator for indicating a condition of the filter system, and a microcontroller operatively coupled to the first and second sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: LURACO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin D. Le, Jeffrey J. Tooley
  • Publication number: 20100078368
    Abstract: A device for treating of ballast water with aqueous acrolein solution is characterized in that the ballast water is pumped through a water jet pump (Z) by means of a pressure rising pump (VP), and that the negative pressure zone of the water jet pump is hydraulically connected with a non-circular, closed reaction container through a control valve (SV) which reaction container contains an eccentrically arranged intensive stirring unit (T) as well as separate supply ports for acrolein acetal (AC), acid (HX) and hydrolysis water (W) provided at the outside thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventor: Holger Blum
  • Patent number: RE41761
    Abstract: A gray-water recycling system for reclaiming gray-water for use in toilets and lawn care. The system includes a reservoir adapted to treat gray-water and includes an intake pipe, an outlet pipe and an overflow pipe. An inlet coupled to the intake pipe supplies gray-water to the reservoir. A filter is fluidly coupled to the outlet pipe for filtering gray-water to define processed gray-water. A pump is fluidly coupled to the by a pipe. A first valve (24) controls flow of the processed gray-water from the pump. The first valve is fluidly coupled to the pump, a fresh water inlet and a processed gray-water outlet. The first valve is adapted to open the fresh water if the water pressure from the processed gray-water falls. Also included is a pressure valve (52) adapted to manually adjust the pressure of the processed gray-water outlet and to allow a flow of fresh water in the event the solenoid of the first valve fails to operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Inventors: Cecil A. Wiseman, Christopher Wiseman