Flow, Fluid Pressure Or Material Level, Responsive Patents (Class 210/97)
  • Publication number: 20080217221
    Abstract: A dispensing device for dispensing media and disinfectant includes a media housing, a disinfectant housing, a media input port formed on the media housing for accepting media fluid, a disinfectant input port formed on the disinfected housing for accepting disinfectant fluid, a disinfectant mixer for mixing the media fluid and the disinfectant fluid, and a float valve for the disinfectant mixer to dispense the mixed media fluid and disinfectant fluid. The media valve is controlled by a media regulator, and the media housing includes a media drain valve. The media housing includes a top section and a bottom section which is detachable connected to the top section, and the disinfectant housing includes a upper section and a lower section which is detachably connected to the upper section. The disinfectant housing includes a control valve for controlling the disinfectant fluid, and the disinfectant housing includes a disinfectant regulator to control the disinfectant control valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventor: Gary Reeves
  • Patent number: 7416661
    Abstract: A mechanical vessel may effectively and simultaneously displace a first undesired gas from within water with a second desired gas, and remove at least one alkaline species and oily matter from the water. The vessel raises the pH of the water and reduces the lime requirement for subsequent lime softening. The vessel receives the water containing the first gas and passes the water through a series of gasification chambers. Each gasification chamber may have a mechanism that ingests and mixes a second gas into the water thereby physically displacing at least a portion of the first gas into a vapor space at the top of each gasification chamber from which it is subsequently removed. There is an absence of communication between the vapor spaces of adjacent chambers. An acid is added to remove the alkaline species, where the first gas is an optional by-product that is also removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Petreco International Inc.
    Inventors: James C. T. Chen, Shaya Movafaghian
  • Patent number: 7413665
    Abstract: A system for separating a composite fluid into component parts thereof, including: a centrifuge having a rotor with a separation space and at least two valve members disposed thereon and a container set having a separation container adapted to be disposed in the separation space of the rotor and first and second collection containers connected to the separation container by a first and a second tubes. The tubes are adapted to be disposed in operative relationship with the valve members so that flow through the tubes may be controlled thereby. Three components of the composite fluid may be separated therefrom by the present system and two components may be moved to the collection containers. The container set may further include a third collection container connected to the separation container by a tube, and a third component may thus be moved to this third container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Gambro BCT, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Holmes, Johan-Petter Hagström, Per-Olov Lundberg, Geert Van Waeg, Peter Nordgren
  • Patent number: 7410568
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating sludge, comprises a press for dewatering the sludge, a compaction device for receiving and compacting sludge dewatered by the press, a shredder for receiving and shredding sludge compacted by the compaction device, and a tube conveyor for conveying shredded sludge from the shredder. The press is controlled to vary the flow rate of the sludge in response to at least one sensed operational parameter of the press, such as the momentary power for operating the press, pressure in the sludge in the press, sludge concentration in the press, sludge feed flow to the press or separated water flow from the press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Nordic Water Products AB
    Inventor: Jesper Christopherson
  • Patent number: 7410587
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for high-precision separation of pharmaceutical or biotechnology liquids. The separation can be in accordance with direct flow filtration, tangential flow filtration or preparative chromatography. Movement of the pharmaceutical or biotechnology liquid within a flow path is controlled according to a selected pattern. Selected patterns include automatically and progressively increasing the flow rate within the unit, automatically and progressively increasing the pressure within the unit or initially proceeding according to a relatively high constant flow rate and switching to a relatively high constant pressure at a time when a given parameter is attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Scilog, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl G. Schick
  • Patent number: 7402249
    Abstract: A blood purification method that purifies blood taken from a body by blood dialysis or by hemodiafiltration includes the step of changing an osmotic pressure of the blood to an increasing condition until a blood volume (BV level) attains a standard blood volume, in a former part of a blood purification process and the step of maintaining a standard blood volume and periodically changing the osmotic pressure of the blood in a later part of the blood purification process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: JMS Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7396451
    Abstract: A system for separating a composite fluid into component parts thereof, including: a centrifuge having a rotor with a separation space and at least two valve members disposed thereon and a container set having a separation container adapted to be disposed in the separation space of the rotor and first and second collection containers connected to the separation container by a first and a second tubes. The tubes are adapted to be disposed in operative relationship with the valve members so that flow through the tubes may be controlled thereby. Three components of the composite fluid may be separated therefrom by the present system and two components may be moved to the collection containers. The container set may further include a third collection container connected to the separation container by a tube, and a third component may thus be moved to this third container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Gambo BCI, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Holmes, Johan-Petter Hagström, Per-Olov Lundberg, Geert Van Waeg, Peter Nordgren
  • Patent number: 7396452
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises an inlet to convey a first fluid comprising first and second components having different density into a rotating chamber such that an interface forms between at least portions of such components at a first location. At least one outlet removes at least one of the first and second components. A controller is adapted to introduce the first fluid and is operable to move the interface from the first location to a second location and to move the interface from the second location in a direction toward the first location and to return the interface to the second location. The controller is operable to determine a flow rate of the first or second component based, at least in part, on the time interval between when the interface moves from and returns to the second location. At least one sensing assembly is adapted to sense the location of the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Fenwal, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyungyoon Min, Richard I. Brown
  • Publication number: 20080149562
    Abstract: Systems and methods for injecting a fluid into a system are disclosed. The systems include a capillary tube having an inlet and an exit. The capillary tube being configured to release the fluid from a bladder when there exists a pressure difference between the inlet of the capillary tube and the exit of the capillary tube. The pressure difference being caused by a redirection attachment. The methods include causing a pressure differential within a first container. The pressure differential applies pressure to a bladder forcing the fluid to flow from the bladder through a capillary tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Ronald Scott Tarr, Timothy Worthington, Derek Lee Watkins
  • Patent number: 7387722
    Abstract: An automatic system for treating water, which consists of two treatment tanks adapted to be operated alternately. The tanks are interconnected with each other by a unique isolation valving system that permits one tank to be in use while the other is on standby. They are also connected to a single brine tank and alternate by being controlled with a novel, photo/electric water sensor, which reacts to a predetermined flow of water through the tanks. This system is very environmentally friendly by reducing the amount of water and salt used in the regeneration of the minerals compared with other systems operating today.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Inventors: Robert G Varner, Daniel G. Varner
  • Patent number: 7384543
    Abstract: A circuit is disclosed for extracorporeal blood treatment in which a flow-inverting device is interposed between a blood treatment unit and a blood pump placed on an artery branch connected with a vascular access of a patient. The flow-inverting device allows the blood flow within the filtering unit to be kept unchanged even following an inverted circulation in the patient-side artery and vein branches controlled by the blood pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Lennart Jonsson, Mattias Holmer, Per Hansson
  • Patent number: 7381335
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for continuous filtering of particles out of a contaminated liquid by means of a number of separate filtering units (14) in order continuously to feed purified liquid to a consumer. Each filtering unit (14) comprises a rotatable, perforated drum (16) with a particle-catching filter means (18) on the outer surface of the drum. A first predetermined degree of coating with particles is created on the filter means of the drums, and purified liquid inside all the drums of the filtering units (14) except at least one, which is kept inactive in a standby state by shutting off the associated pump (26), is then fed to a consumer. The feed of purified liquid from a drum to the consumer is interrupted when a second predetermined, higher degree of coating with particles has been reached on the filter means on an individual drum, at least one filtering unit kept in standby state being activated as replacement for the filtering unit(s) from which the feed of purified liquid has been interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Inventor: Hyosong M. Lee
  • Patent number: 7381336
    Abstract: An automated method for controlling a solids inventory in a continuous backwashing upflow sand filter system treating a liquid inflow having impurities therein, includes the steps of: monitoring an influent inflow pressure and controlling the air pressure in an air lift pump to maintain a target ratio range between the size of a solids inventory of the system and the size of the sand bed of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: MM Filtration Company
    Inventor: Ken M. Stedman
  • Publication number: 20080099383
    Abstract: A skimmer assembly has an upper housing and a lower housing. The lower housing contains a removable filter cartridge and the upper housing contains a floating cylindrical weir and a floating rotatable member atop the floating weir. The walls of the upper housing are curved and the water entrance includes a vertical slot which allows water to enter in a column, hit the curved wall and cause a whirlpool which causes the rotatable member to spin. The preferred embodiment includes a disposable annular filter disc removably attached to the rotatable member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: W. John Gardenier, George M. Kessler
  • Patent number: 7354510
    Abstract: A mechanism for introducing pressurized air into an extracting cartridge comprises an air pump, an on-off valve, and a pressure sensor for detecting an internal pressure within the extracting cartridge. The on-off valve is turned on in order to introduce the pressurized air into the extracting cartridge. When the internal pressure detected by the pressure sensor has become equal to a predetermined pressure range for a pressurization upper limit, the on-off valve is turned off in order to confine the area within the extracting cartridge in the pressurized state, the pressure being thereby exerted upon a sample liquid, a washing liquid, or a recovery liquid having been injected into the extracting cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Fujimoto, Nobuyuki Torisawa
  • Patent number: 7350961
    Abstract: Dissolution of a raw material, fusion of a raw material, or treatment for enhancing the fluidity of a raw material is completed in a short time by an agitation mixer 10 comprising a casing 20 in which a flow channel allowing the passage of fluid is mounted inside, an agitator body 40 mounted inside the casing and connected to a vibration source 46, a material inlet 12 mounted on the lowermost part of the casing 20 to feed the raw material into the casing 20, and a steam feeder 30 for injecting steam into the inside of the casing 20. Agitation chambers 26 divided by partition plates 24 are formed in the casing 20. A pressure gage 32 for measuring injection pressure of the steam is attached to the steam feeder 30. An outlet 14 is mounted on the uppermost part of the casing 20 to eject the raw material after the raw material is treated. Further, one of the agitation chambers 26 to which the outlet 14 is mounted includes a filter 50 placed so as to surround the agitator body 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Reika Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toru Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 7344636
    Abstract: A separator comprises a gully chamber 2 having inlet and outlet ducts 10, 12. Inlet and outlet housings 20, 22 are disposed within the separator and are connected by a bypass duct 24 which extends around the wall of the chamber 2. Flow enters the chamber through an inlet which is oriented to create a circulating flow. Flow exits from the chamber through an outlet opening provided in the outlet housing 22. The outlet opening is oriented in the direction of the circulating flow so that liquid has to reverse from that flow to pass through the outlet opening. The inlet and outlet housings 20, 22 are made from identical mouldings in which appropriate openings are formed. The bypass duct can be cut to length to position the inlet and outlet housings 20, 22 opposite existing inlet and outlet ducts 10, 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Hydro International PLC
    Inventors: Michael Guy Faram, Mark Richard Bowditch, Paul Lecornu, Pam J. Deahl, Jeremy Fink, Mark P. Wogaman, Robert Yaw Gwamfi Andoh
  • Patent number: 7314554
    Abstract: The invention relates to an extracorporeal blood treatment machine in which a blood circuit (3) is equipped with an inlet line leading to a filtration unit (2) and with an outlet line (3b) from the filtration unit; a fluid circuit comprises an inlet line (4a) leading to the filtration unit and an outlet line (4b) from the filtration unit so as to allow a fluid taken from a primary container (5) to circulate within the filtration unit, thus enabling the treatment of the patient's blood. There is further an infusion line (6) acting on the outlet line of the blood circuit, which is supplied by an auxiliary fluid container (7). The inlet line of the fluid circuit is equipped with at least an infusion branch (8) acting on the outlet line of the blood circuit so as to enable the intensive therapy machine to manage therapies with large exchange of fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Annalisa Delnevo, Francesco Ribolzi, Claudio Tonelli, Vincenzo Baraldi, Massimo Zaccarelli, Jacques Chevallet, Jacques Duchamp, Aziz Aberkane, Gabriel Meyssonnier, Dominique Pouchoulin
  • Publication number: 20070295650
    Abstract: The present invention provides a membrane filtration system (1) including: a filtering membrane portion (3) for removing impurities in feed water; a drain line (16) for draining a part of concentrate from the filtering membrane portion (3) to an exterior of a system; a concentrate return line (17) for returning a remainder of the concentrate from the filtering membrane portion (3) to an upstream side of the filtering membrane portion (3); a return flow rate adjusting portion (28) for concentrate provided in the concentrate return line (17); and a control portion (30) controlling the return flow rate adjusting portion (28) based on a drain flow rate of the concentrate or a flow rate of product water from the filtering membrane portion (3). With this construction, it is possible to suppress wasteful power consumption in a feed pump (7) for feeding water to the filtering membrane portion (3) and to prevent clogging in the filtering membrane in the filtering membrane portion (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Yoneda, Atsuyuki Manabe
  • Publication number: 20070289905
    Abstract: A system is useful for reconstituting cleaning solution of the type comprising a solution of a cleaning agent and water intended for cleaning fermentation tanks in an ethanol production facility. The cleaning solution is pumped into a fermentation tank after the fermentation liquids resulting from completion of a fermentation stage are removed, and before a new fermentation stage begins. The system comprises a tank for holding cleaning solution. The tank has a cleaning solution inlet port and an outlet port. A pump has an inlet port and an outlet port, with the inlet port in fluid communication with the tank's outlet port. A filter has an inlet port in fluid communication with the pump's outlet port, and an outlet port in fluid communication with the tank's cleaning solution inlet port. A sensor element is in fluid communication with the filter's outlet port. The sensor providing a condition signal indicating the concentration of the cleaning agent in the cleaning solution at the filter's outlet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventor: Sidney D. Sondag
  • Patent number: 7309432
    Abstract: A system and method for the treatment and reduction of sludge via ozonation in a wastewater treatment process is disclosed. The sludge treatment system comprises: a sludge ozonation reactor coupled to an activated sludge treatment basin and adapted to receive a liquid stream of sludge containing biosolids from the activated sludge treatment basin. The sludge treatment system also includes an ozone-enriched gas injection system operatively coupled to the reactor and adapted to inject ozone-enriched gas into the liquid stream at or upstream of the sludge ozonation reactor. The sludge ozonation reactor is configured to allow effective gas-liquid contacting between the ozone-enriched gas and the liquid stream so as to oxidize the biosolids in the liquid stream and initiate bacterial cell lysis thereby reducing the biosolids. Upon reduction of the biosolids, the liquid stream is returned via a return line to the activated sludge basin or other discharge point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm Ezekiel Fabiyi, Richard A. Novak
  • Patent number: 7306736
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for preventing retrograde flow of fluid, e.g., blood products, into a source of sterile substitution fluid (50). The apparatus of the present invention includes a controllable pinch valve member (110) that is placed on a section of a conduit (90) which carries sterile substitution fluid to an extracorporeal circuit (30). In one embodiment, control over the valve member (110) is based on a control unit (120) using fluid pressures that are sensed upstream and downstream of the valve member (110) by upstream sensor (121) and downstream pressure (122) respectively. The valve member (110) is preferably opened only when the upstream pressure is greater than the downstream pressure. This assures that the substitution fluid flows only in a single direction when the pinch valve member (110) completely occludes the conduit (90) when in a closed position. Therefor, blood will not contaminate the sterile fluid by being drawn into the conduit (90) due to pressure differences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Nephros, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory R Collins, James Summerton, Edward Spence
  • Patent number: 7303665
    Abstract: An aquarium drainage system having a filter, funnel, clear tube, sensor housing, light sensor, light beam generator, waste indicator light, primary valve, secondary/safety valve, safety cap and safety switch, as well as the other components shown in the drawings, wherein the filter comprises a vented plate that is placed under the gravel at the bottom of the tank to allow the waste to travel downward under the force of gravity to the funnel where waste is directed to the clear tube connected to the bottom of the funnel. The sensor sends a signal to the waste indicator light when blocked causing the special primary valve to open allowing the waste to drop and be collected in a bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Inventor: Pedro A. Claudio-Alvarado
  • Patent number: 7303667
    Abstract: A hemodialysis apparatus that carries out hemodialysis treatment by controlling dialysis conditions, wherein the hemodialysis treatment is carried out under dialysis conditions determined by defining the course of said chronological target blood indication level as a target control line, measuring the blood indication level at each measurement point (controlling point) in said chronological course, calculating the dialysis conditions with the use of said measured blood indication level and the target blood indication level at the next measurement point (controlling point) of said measurement point (controlling point) in the hemodialysis apparatus carrying out hemodialysis treatment by controlling dialysis conditions with the use of blood volume (BV level) or blood volume change as an indication level (hereinafter also referred to as blood indication level), to attain the target blood indication level at the next measurement point (controlling point).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: JMS Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7297268
    Abstract: Improvements in product water throughput from a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane achieved by thinner feed spacers in the RO element (22), enhanced recovery (ratio of permeate to feed), pressure recovery of the retentate fluid pressure opposing the feed water pressure, and fluid pulsing of the RO element feed stream. These features are preferably combined to optimize the performance and cost per unit volume of water produced. The system of the invention preferably comprises a dual head reciprocating pump (20), an RO element (22) with a housing, and a differential pressure activated (“DPA”) valve (24). The DPA valve (24), in combination with offsetting fluid pressures on the two pump heads (28, 30), generate energy recovery. The frequency and amplitude of the reciprocating pump (20) create a pulse wave in the RO element (22) that improves permeate quality and throughput.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: MIOX Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney E. Herrington, Frank R. Hand
  • Patent number: 7293909
    Abstract: An apparatus for agitation mixing comprises a casing including a flow channel through which fluid passes, an agitation body consisting of a shaft installed in the casing and connected to a motor and an agitation blade mounted on the perimeter of the shaft, a powder inlet attached to the casing to feed a powder into the casing, a liquid inlet attached to the casing in the vicinity of the powder inlet to feed a liquid into the casing, a powder inlet duct connected to the powder inlet, and an introducer placed in the powder inlet duct and connected to a motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Reika Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toru Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 7291269
    Abstract: A device and method for an extracorporeal blood treatment is described. The device comprising at least one exchanger equipped with at least one first inlet for the blood to be treated, a first fluid outlet and a second fluid outlet, an input line for blood to be treated connected to the first inlet of the exchanger, a blood output line (or venous line) connected to the first outlet of the exchanger, at least one treatment unit comprising at least one first fluid inlet and at least one first fluid outlet, the second outlet of the exchanger being in fluid communication with the first inlet of the treatment unit, where the first outlet from the treatment unit is in fluid communication with the input line and the second outlet of the treatment unit is in fluid communication with a first waste liquid discharge line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventors: Jacques Chevallet, Guy Mercier, Hiram Rada, Mehran Monchi
  • Patent number: 7288202
    Abstract: A separator and method according to which substances having relatively high densities are separated from a pressurized flow stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: William C. Maier
  • Patent number: 7288185
    Abstract: A magnetic energy wave device has a winding spiral pipe, a magnetic conductive metal layer, a hollow coil holder, and a circuit board. A magnetic switch is assembled at a water inlet of the winding spiral pipe. The magnetic conductive metal layer is sleeved outside the winding spiral pipe. The winding spiral pipe and the magnetic conductive metal layer are assembled in the hollow coil holder. A coil is wound around the hollow coil holder. The circuit board is connected to an external power source, and is electrically connected to the magnetic switch and the coil. When water passes through the water inlet, the magnetic switch connects the power source and the coil. The coil and the magnetic conductive metal layer therefore produce dynamic magnetic fields to magnetize fully water in the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Inventor: Chien-Ku Hung
  • Patent number: 7282142
    Abstract: A fluid strainer device is disclosed. The device includes a housing which defines an open chamber, the chamber having both at least one fluid input port and at least one fluid outlet port. A plurality of spaced strainer baskets are disposed within the chamber. Each basket has a pair of spaced perforated side panels, a perforated rear panel, a perforated top panel and an open front portion in fluid communication with the chamber fluid input port. Finally, each strainer basket is aligned within the chamber for fluid flow from the chamber input port into the basket's open front portion and out through the perforations thereof to filter debris from the fluid while preventing substantial fluid pressure drop between the input and outlet ports substantially independent of debris buildup within the baskets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Inventor: Wayne J. Kraft
  • Patent number: 7279107
    Abstract: A system and method are used in connection with processing of blood components. The processing of blood components may involve centrifugal separation and/or filtering of the blood components. In some examples, at least some blood components are centrifugally separated in a chamber and then filtered via a filter rotating along with a centrifuge rotor, wherein the filter is located closer than the chamber to an axis of rotation of the rotor. The filter may include a porous filtration medium configured to filter leukocytes, platelets, and/or red blood cells. Some examples include a pressure sensor sensing pressure of pumped blood components. The sensed pressure may be used in connection with controlling the pumping of the blood products and/or in connection with determining the location of an interface associated with the blood products. Other uses of the sensed pressure are also possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Gambro, Inc.
    Inventors: Niclas Högberg, Emanuel Hällgren, Peter Pihlstedt, Brian M. Holmes, Lars Persson, Lars Strandberg, Geert Van Waeg, Frank Corbin, III
  • Patent number: 7273560
    Abstract: An apparatus for recycling the stripper solutions with higher recycling rate is disclosed. The apparatus includes a stripper condenser; a first buffer tank; a second buffer tank connecting to said stripper condenser by a first pipe and connecting to said first buffer tank by a second pipe; a recycling device connecting to said first buffer tank by a fourth pipe; a first pump mounted on said first pipe; a second pump mounted on said second pipe; a concentration detector mounted in said stripper condenser; and a controller electrically connected to said concentration detector, said flow meter, and said liquid level sensor for receiving the signals therefrom, and electrically connected to said first pump and said second pump for sending on-off messages to said second pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Ta Sen Su, Chien Chou, Ji Luen Chen
  • Publication number: 20070215557
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a grease processing unit for wastewater treatment. An embodiment of a grease processing unit includes a tank to hold influent. The tank has a top, a bottom, and one or more sides, and the influent is a mixture of grease and water. There is a first inlet in a side of the tank to allow influent to be pumped into the tank, and a second inlet in a side of the tank to allow water into the tank. The tank has an outlet in a side of the tank, where the outlet allows effluent to be released out of the tank. The grease separation unit also includes a control unit, the control unit to control the operation of the grease processing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventors: Kevin L. Gallegos, Michael J. Kruckenberg, Larry Dean Brown, Ronald Hill, Daniel Tonello, Jack Beach, Timothy Morse, Edwin Tankersley, Charles Bosshardt, Timothy Boyles, S. Bret Guillory
  • Patent number: 7250111
    Abstract: A water disinfection delivery treatment system first filters the supply by a particle and then a carbon filter. The partially treated flow is split in two and a first part passes through a first cutoff valve and is fed into a disinfection (iodine) chamber, filter or feeder via a flow restricter. The chamber output passes through a second solenoid driven cutoff valve. The second part is fed to a third cutoff valve and this valve's output is summed with the second valve's output and then fed into a holding tank. The tank retain's a volume such that the water remains therein for at least a period sufficient to permit a minimum 3 log reduction of pathogenic microbes. A final carbon filter is downstream of the tank as is a meter and dispenser. A method is also provided for delivering potable drinking water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Pure H20 Bio-Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Doxey, Dennis Bordeaux, Mark E. Jones
  • Patent number: 7244357
    Abstract: Improvements in product water throughput from a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane filter achieved by thinner feed spacers in the RO element, enhanced recovery (ratio of permeate to feed), pressure recovery of the retentate fluid pressure opposing the feed water pressure, and fluid pulsing of the RO element feed stream. The system of the invention preferably comprises a dual head reciprocating pump, an RO element, and a differential pressure activated (“DPA”) valve. The DPA valve, in combination with connecting the two pump heads to reduce required pump pressures, generates energy recovery. The frequency and amplitude of the reciprocating pump create a pulse wave in the RO element that improves permeate quality and throughput. A control system preferably monitors system parameters to optimize the reciprocating pump speed and amplitude in order to obtain maximum throughput and permeate quality from any given RO element configuration. Also a highly compact, portable RO system comprising a piston and a DPA valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: MIOX Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney E. Herrington, Frank R. Hand
  • Patent number: 7241281
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for collecting whole blood and then separating it into components for subsequent use or storage. A self-contained bag set is used to collect the sample, which may then be placed into container adapted to fit into a centrifuge for separation of components. Each component is then sequentially extracted according to density, with a sensor present in the container to control the operation of valves directing the collection of each component. Each component may then be separated into its own storage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: ThermoGenesis Corporation
    Inventors: Philip H. Coelho, Eric Sommer, Richard Klosinski, Jim Hobbs
  • Patent number: 7241378
    Abstract: A hemodialysis apparatus includes means for measuring or calculating a blood volume or a blood volume change as a blood index level, a hemodialysis means, and a controlling means that controls hemodialysis conditions of the hemodialysis means according to the blood index level. The controlling means controls the hemodialysis means so that hemodialysis operation is carried out without performing water removal at the time of the initiation of the hemodialysis operation until the blood volume stabilizes. The hemodialysis operation is carried out by performing water removal after the blood volume is stabilized by the hemodialysis operation without performing water removal, and that is a constitution so that it is possible to calculate the primary blood volume (BV0) of each patient according to the following formula (I), from % ?BV of hemodialysis operation which has been carried out before the blood volume is stabilized, and the increased blood volume circulating outside the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: JMS Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Ikeda
  • Publication number: 20070144951
    Abstract: An apparatus for dissolving filth treatment bags formed by hot water soluble films in a dissolving tub is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pipe for inputting hot water for dissolving the filth bag storing filth by stirring action of the hot water therefrom, a pipe for outputting vapor including odor generated by a mixture of the filth and the hot water in the dissolving tub, the vapor being generated on a shifting process from a state where the film is divided and collapsed to a stage where the film is dissolved, and a mechanism for cooling the heated wastewater including the dissolved filth bag and the hot water in the dissolving tub and outputting the wastewater into a sewer pipe from the dissolving tub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventors: Masachika Kono, Kenta Matsuoka, Takayuki Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 7186231
    Abstract: An object is to provide a blood component collection system capable of collecting a desired blood component of high quality. A blood component collection system 1 comprises a centrifugal separator 20 centrifuging blood into a plurality of components, first line 21 for feeding the blood to the centrifugal separator 20, a second line 22 for releasing the blood component from the centrifugal separator 20, a temporary reservoir bag 26? for temporarily reserving the platelet concentrate, a leukoreduction filter 261 for separating and reducing leukocyte from the platelet concentrate, and a platelet collection bag 26 for reserving the platelet concentrate having passed through the leukoreduction filter 261.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiki Takagi, Shigeyuki Kimura
  • Patent number: 7186331
    Abstract: The invention concerns a monitoring unit [10] for monitoring the condition of a semi-permeable membrane [24] in a water purification system, and particularly the condition of spiral membrane in a reverse osmosis water purification system. The monitoring unit [10] comprises a flow chamber [12] that includes an inlet for permitting ingress of a feed fluid into the flow chamber [12], and a feed fluid outlet [22] for permitting at least partial through-flow of the feed fluid through the flow chamber [12] such that cross-flow conditions apply in the flow chamber [12]. The semi-permeable membrane [24] is at least partly supported in the flow chamber [12]. The monitoring unit [10] further comprises at least one fluid outlet [18] arranged in fluid communication with the flow chamber [12] for permitting egress of fluid from the monitoring unit [10] after having passed through the membrane [24]; and an inspection window [20] for permitting visual inspection of the semi-permeable membrane [24].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Sasol Technology (Pty) Limited
    Inventors: André Maartens, Edmund Petrus Jacobz, Douglas Peet, Petronella Maria Augustyn
  • Patent number: 7182856
    Abstract: A system is provided for treating runoff water in which there is a separator and a filter for cleaning the water. A reservoir is provided to hold large quantities of water during prolonged rainstorms. The output of the reservoir is fed to the filter. The rate of flow from the reservoir to the filter is controlled and limited to flow rates at which the filter can efficiently clean the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas E. Pank
  • Patent number: 7182857
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a pressure limiting valve for preventing transmission of elevated pressure to components downstream of the apparatus. Preferably, the pressure limiting valve is used in combination with a flow regulating device that maintains a substantially steady flow rate through the apparatus even when subject to a wide range of applied pressure. The apparatus of the present invention is preferably suitable for use with filter systems wherein the pressure limiting valve is placed upstream of filter components that have limited burst and fatigue life capabilities. By isolating the downstream filter components from pressures that are greater than the target pressure range for a given application, the filter components can be designed to operate at much lower pressure, can be produced at a smaller size, and at a reduced cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: KX Industries L.P.
    Inventors: Evan E. Koslow, Donald J. Baumgarten, Blake E. Savoy
  • Patent number: 7182854
    Abstract: A sanitation system comprising of a first tank for receiving waste water fluid typically comprising solids, a maceration pump for pulling waste water fluid from the first tank, a cross flow filter comprising of media for receiving the sheared fluid forming unfiltered waste water and product water, a second tank for receiving the product water from a product water manifold connected to the second segment, a vented loop in communication with the second tank for receiving raw water and displacing product water from the second tank, a macerating water jet adapted to pull product water into the vented loop and on demand further macerate the product water, then into a third tank for receiving water from the vented loop and raw water for de-chlorinating the product water, and a control panel comprising a microprocessor to optimize the operation of the sanitation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Headhunter, Inc.
    Inventors: John Kroesser, Paul Mellinger, Mark Mellinger, Lynn Wallace, Art Smith, Randy Lego, Scott Hudson, Melvyn Wayne Mellinger
  • Patent number: 7175757
    Abstract: In a treatment liquid supply system that supplies treatment liquid used for coating industrial objects for film formation including a semiconductor substrate, a display substrate, a glass and the like, a nozzle connected to a treatment liquid tank vacuum-sucks and injects the treatment liquid from the treatment liquid tank due to a negative pressure occurring in the nozzle, wherein supply control of a small flow amount of the treatment liquid to the nozzle can be performed due to a difference pressure between pressure in the treatment liquid tank and the negative pressure occurring in the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Fujimori Technical Laboratory Inc.
    Inventors: Yuki Hamada, Kay Fujimori
  • Patent number: 7175758
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for recycling a wash solution used in powder coating which uses filters. The invention also relates to methods and apparatuses for recycling wash solutions used in spray washing, steam cleaning or car washes using filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: Robert L. Miller
  • Patent number: 7169886
    Abstract: A method for controlling the viscoelastic properties of a polymer comprising the steps of feeding a polymer melt into a first and optional subsequent means for applying a strain rate, each means for applying a strain rate being underfed or overfed according to the relative volumetric flow rates into the out of each means for applying a strain rate. The method further comprises subjecting the polymer melt in the means for applying a strain rate to a total shear rate that comprises contributions selected from the group consisting of pressure flow through an orifice, rotational flow about an axis that is parallel to the direction of flow of the melt, vibration in the transverse or longitudinal direction relative to the flow direction of the melt, and any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventor: Jean Pierre Ibar
  • Patent number: 7160370
    Abstract: A fluid-borne (e.g., water, air) biological and chemical hazard detection and treatment system can include sensors (e.g., flow rate, contaminant detectors), treatment using ultraviolet laser-emitted light, can be microprocessor controlled and can communicate and be controlled over data networks. Treatment and detection systems can be deployed at various stages along a fluid distribution system, allowing for protection coverage and redundancy. During treatment, fluid enters into and/or passes through a “treatment area” wherein the fluid is subjected to light emanating from a laser at wavelengths within the ultraviolet range. DNA for microorganisms contained within fluid (including blood) are reactive to laser light as they pass through treatment areas and are rendered un-infective. Treatment systems can be staged in close proximity, providing more than one treatment area and associated light sources to a fluid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: SalTech Corporation
    Inventors: A. Michael Baca, Luis M. Ortiz, Thomas A. Crow, Donald W. Wichers
  • Patent number: 7160440
    Abstract: A storm water separator system having side walls constructed from sheet piling to enable installation within a small footprint and in poor soil conditions. The separator system has an upper bypass chamber and a lower treatment chamber with a diffuser directing inflowing water down into the lower chamber. A flow control orifice between the two chambers near an outlet orifice in the side wall controls the quantity of flow through the lower chamber. Excess flow bypasses treatment and passes through the upper chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Sameng Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald W. Samide, David Martz
  • Patent number: 7153428
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved systems and processes for performing sequential batch anaerobic composting (SEBAC) on high solids content wastes. In particular, the present invention provides improved flooded SEBAC systems that function more efficiently (i.e., higher conversion kinetics) at lower temperatures than conventional SEBAC systems. Further, the improved flooded SEBAC systems and processes of the subject invention enable efficient anaerobic digestion operation at a smaller reactor volume ratio as compared to conventional SEBAC systems, without the displacement of leachate and clogging as a result of entrapped biogas or an increased pressure drop (hydraulic). Further, the improved flooded SEBAC systems of the invention overcome concerns associated with leachate displacement as well as excessive pressure drops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Chynoweth, Arthur A. Teixeira, John M. Owens, Patrick J. Haley
  • Patent number: 7153416
    Abstract: A method and related apparatus for monitoring and eliminating gas build-up in an anion exchange column comprised of an anion exchange material placed within a vessel and a liquid layer comprising water contaminated by at least antimony passing through said vessel, which method comprises maintaining said anion exchange material within said liquid layer by allowing gases produced by a reaction of said liquid layer with said anion exchange material to be released from said anion exchange vessel though a valve or other gas release mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Inventors: Luis M. Penafiel, Pedro M. Buarque de Macedo