Flow-enclosed Radiation Source Patents (Class 250/436)
  • Patent number: 5368826
    Abstract: An ultraviolet fluid disinfection system including:one or more fluid flow passageways,one or more modules located in each passageway, each module having one or more rows of ultraviolet lamps, positioned to irradiate the fluid with ultraviolet,a lamp control assembly connected to each row of lamps to monitor data from and control operation of the lamps,a power distributor connected to the lamp control assemblies,a data interface connected to the lamp control assemblies, anda data control assemblies connected to the data interface and to the lamp control assemblies to read data from the lamp control assemblies and communicate with the data interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Infilco Degremont, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard K. Weltz, Peter Schuerch
  • Patent number: 5352359
    Abstract: An ultraviolet reactor for purifying a liquid, comprising a housing of circular or rectangular cross-sections, a multiplicity of ultraviolet lamps accommodated in the housing, an inlet and outlet for the liquid, which are provided at both ends, respectively, of the housing, and a plurality of mixing baffle plates provided inside the housing at a proper pitch along a longitudinal axis of the housing so that the liquid flows at right angles to the ultraviolet lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignees: Ebara Corporation, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nagai, Ken Nakajima, Yukio Ikeda, Noriyoshi Mashimo
  • Patent number: 5334905
    Abstract: An immersible lamp for use in a photochemical reactor has an outer bulb (10) surrounding an inner discharge tube (1) which can be cooled by a flow of inert gas such as nitrogen from a supply chamber (23) though hollow guide rods (6, 7) into a remote end (27) of the outer bulb, and back out through an outlet hole (18) and an exhaust chamber (24). In order to facilitate swapping out of the discharge tube (1) in the event of burnout or changes in output power or output spectrum requirements, without the need for welding or glassblowing expertise, the discharge tube (1) is mounted in a pair of sockets (4,5), one of which (4) is axially slidable. The socket is spring-loaded (8), and thus readily adapts to discharge tubes of differing lengths. The socket slides along guide rods (6, 7, 16) which also serve as electrical supply conductors to the sockets (4, 5). Spacer elements (11) help maintain alignment of the guide rods, sockets, and discharge tube with respect to the axis (12) of the outer bulb (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Heraeus Instruments GmbH
    Inventor: Bernt Ullrich
  • Patent number: 5332388
    Abstract: An immersible and portable module for irradiating waste fluids and capable of in situ self cleaning including a first header capable of receiving and maintaining in position a multiplicity of ultraviolet light producing lamps.The module includes a second header capable of receiving and maintaining in position said multiplicity of lamps and having an opening to receive cleaning fluids wherein the multiplicity of lamps are connected to the headers. The second header has a multiplicity of cleaning fluid exit holes proximate the lamps to permit the cleaning fluids to flow into the opening and outwardly from the holes and into contact with the lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Infilco Degremont, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Schuerch, Richard K. Weltz, Joseph E. Zuback, Mervyn W. Bowen, James DiFalco
  • Patent number: 5330722
    Abstract: A germicidal air purifier for trapping and destroying airborne microorganisms is disclosed. The air purifier includes an ultraviolet radiation source and a juxtaposed filter medium. A one of the ultraviolet radiation source and the filter medium is fixed and the other is displaceable so that at least an upstream side of the filter medium is systematically exposed to germicidal levels of radiation. In a first preferred embodiment, a fixed ultraviolet lamp irradiates a cylindrical air filter which is rotated on its longitudinal axis in close proximity to the lamp so that the upstream side of the filter is systematically irradiated. In a second preferred embodiment, a radiant lamp fixture is moved reciprocally across an upstream side of a planar filter to systematically irradiate the filter. In a third preferred embodiment, a radiant lamp fixture is rotated about an axis which is orthogonal to its longitudinal midpoint so that a circular area of a planar filter is irradiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: William E. Pick
    Inventors: William E. Pick, Kerby F. Fannin
  • Patent number: 5322569
    Abstract: Biofouling of underwater surfaces by marine organisms is prevented by irradiating the surfaces or the adjacent water with ultraviolet light and adjusting the intensity of the ultraviolet light so as to kill or temporarily stun marine organisms to prevent their attachment to the underwater surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: General Dynamics Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Titus, Bernard S. Ryskiewich
  • Patent number: 5302356
    Abstract: An ultrapure water treatment system is provided by the present invention. e system comprises a housing, a water supply means including a water inlet and a water outlet communicating with the housing and defining a path of travel of the water from said inlet to said outlet, irradiation means for irradiating water with 185 nm UV light positioned within the housing, and a catalytic filter positioned in the path of travel of the water. The catalytic filter comprises a non-polymeric porous material having a photoactive catalyst thereon. Exemplary photoactive catalysts include TiO.sub.2, ZnO, WO.sub.3, SnO.sub.2, CU.sub.2 O, and CdSe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Reagents Acting on Behalf of University of Arizona
    Inventors: Farhang F. Shadman, Robert A. Governal
  • Patent number: 5290439
    Abstract: The device for purifying a flow of liquid by means of ultraviolet radiation, includes an elongated ultraviolet lamp; a generally tubular inner casing surrounding substantially the lamp, the casing being made of a material that allows transmission of ultraviolet radiation, the casing having an aperture at each end thereof from which the electrical terminals of the lamp protrude; and a generally tubular outer casing surrounding the inner casing and forming with it a flow passage, the outer casing being provided at substantially each of its ends with inlet and outlet for the flow of liquid. Two connectors are disposed respectively at both ends of the device for securing the lamp and the inner casing with respect to the outer casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Inventor: Claus Buchwald
  • Patent number: 5288412
    Abstract: A modular gray water processing system is provided comprising a filter, an ultraviolet radiation chamber coupled to the filter and a storage tank for receiving and storing irradiated gray water from the ultraviolet radiation chamber. The filter filters gray water being provided to the gray water processing system and provides the filtered gray water to the ultraviolet radiation chamber. The ultraviolet radiation chamber comprises a plurality of ultraviolet radiation generating modules and a fluid controlling system for directing the gray water entering the ultraviolet radiation chamber to a number of the ultraviolet radiation modules in accordance with the flow rate of the filtered gray water. The irradiated gray water exiting the radiation chamber is directed to the storage tank where it is stored awaiting reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Inventors: Michael T. Voorhees, Linda M. Brown, Richard F. Schaeff
  • Patent number: 5266215
    Abstract: Water to be purified swirls about a source of ultraviolet radiation to kill any microorganisms contained therein and flows through a carbon filter cartridge mounted about the ultraviolet source to remove any chlorine and particulate matter. The outflow from the carbon filter is again subjected to ultraviolet radiation to kill any microorganisms entrained in the water emanating from the carbon filter. An ozone generator may be incorporated to entrain ozone with the inflowing water to enhance killing of any microorganisms present and to oxidize any undesirable compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Inventor: Rolf Engelhard
  • Patent number: 5262066
    Abstract: A process for treating fluids with ultraviolet radiation effective to destroy microorganisms and to prevent their regrowth is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Inventors: Charles C. Van Soye, John F. Imbalzano
  • Patent number: 5230792
    Abstract: An ultraviolet purification system in which ultraviolet radiation is generated by an ultraviolet lamp wherein the amount of ultraviolet radiation is varied in accordance with fluid flow. The intensity of the ultraviolet lamp is controlled by a circuit which is responsive to fluid flow for selectivity energizing the lamp to provide variable UV intensity output depending upon fluid flow. The circuit arrangement is such that the ultraviolet lamp is always started with a high current ballast. The selection of ultraviolet lamp intensity outputs according to fluid flow maximizes the useful life of the ultraviolet lamp and renders the system more efficient by reducing the amount of heat transmitted to the fluid being acted upon during periods of low flow or non-use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignees: Christian Sauska, George Csokneyai
    Inventors: Christian Sauska, George Csoknyai, David Packlocok
  • Patent number: 5227140
    Abstract: An oxidation chamber used for irradiating an incoming liquid containing unwanted organic pollutants has a structure that facilitates automatic self-cleaning at intervals. A modular construction is used, and three basic types of modules are employed. One of the modules is a TEFLON.RTM. lined carbon steel pipe through which a shuttling scraper is forced at intervals. The shuttling scraper includes an annular wiper that simultaneously cleans the inside surface of the surrounding tubular module as well as the outside surface of an enclosed quartz tube. The annular wiper sealingly engages the quartz tube and the tubular module so that it is driven like a piston by the full pressure of the liquid. When the shuttling scraper has reached the end of the tubular module, it parks itself in a position that causes only minimal pressure drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Peroxidation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald G. Hager, Ronald L. Peterson
  • Patent number: 5208461
    Abstract: An ultra-violet wastewater disinfection system is disclosed in which wastewater flows through a treatment chamber having a plurality of tube-type ultra-violet lamps in a parallel array supported therein at an acute angle with respect to the flow of wastewater through the treatment chamber. In this configuration, the wastewater flows through the array of lamps regardless of the depth of the water in the treatment chamber. The wet/dry configuration wherein a portion of the lamps is submerged and a portion of the lamps is not submerged provides very desirable results in terms of the kill rate of fecal coliform present in wastewater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: Simon Hydro-Aerobics, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick D. Tipton
  • Patent number: 5194740
    Abstract: The irradiation device for gaseous or liquid substances has at least one high-power radiator with a discharge chamber (4) filled with filling gas. The filling gas contained therein emits radiation under the influence of quiet electrical discharges. The discharge chamber (4) immediately adjoins a treatment chamber (6) whose walls consist throughout of non-metallic material. An electrode pair (2, 7) and an ac source (12) connected to the two electrodes serve to feed the discharge, the coupling of the discharge chamber (4) to the electrodes being performed essentially capacitively. It is even possible, in particular, to treat by means of an irradiation device of such a design corrosive media or media for which extreme degrees of purity are the aim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri Ltd.
    Inventors: Ulrich Kogelschatz, Christoph von Arx
  • Patent number: 5166527
    Abstract: An ultraviolet lamp for use in a water purifier has two pairs of terminal pins mounted on, and extending outwardly along a longitudinal axis of, one of the end caps of an arc tube. The pairs of pins are offset relative to each other along the longitudinal axis to resist electrical arcing between the pairs of pins exteriorly of the arc tube. An internal barrier wall resists electrical arcing within the one end cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: Puroflow Incorporated
    Inventor: George Solymar
  • Patent number: 5151174
    Abstract: The discharge conduit by which clarified sewage is withdrawn from a sewage clarification plant comprises a headwater conduit section and a low-water conduit section, the latter being separated from the former. The two conduit sections are connected to each other by at least one overground tube, the tube being designed as a siphon. An UV irradiation apparatus is provided for disinfecting the clarified sewage. However, the UV irradiation apparatus is not arranged in the discharge conduit, but is built in into the siphon. This solution has the advantage that the UV irradiation apparatus, which is installed overground, is less susceptible to failure and can more easily be serviced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Inventor: Rudolf Wiesmann
  • Patent number: 5134295
    Abstract: An apparatus for irradiating a substance or object is provided. The apparatus has a source of radiation that is placed in a housing, one side of which is provided with a centrally disposed receiving chamber for the source of radiation, and the other side of which is provided with an irradiation chamber for receiving a receptacle that contains the medium that is to be irradiated, with the irradiation chamber being aligned with the receiving chamber. Disposed between the receiving chamber and the irradiation chamber is a valve provided with a through-bore for the source of radiation, which can be introduced into the irradiation chamber. The valve can be arrested in various angular positions. The irradiation chamber can be closed off by a removable plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Inventor: Hans Walischmiller
  • Patent number: 5082356
    Abstract: By controlling the temperature of a glass reservoir tube attached to a closed vapor cell, the vapor pressure inside the cell can be accurately controlled. The apparatus for controlling the reservoir temperature includes an electric heater, a temperature sensor, heat straps to distribute and remove heat from the reservoir, and a clamp to hold the apparatus in close thermal contact with the exterior of the reservoir. An external control circuit energizes the reservoir heater as required. In the preferred embodiment the vapor cell functions as an optical filter when filled with a heated metallic vapor such as cesium. The reservoir tube functions as the cold spot of the cell and contains a small pool of the metal in liquid form.This invention was made with Government support under N66001-86-R-0050 awarded by the Department of the Navy. The Government has certain rights in this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Haraden, Harold L. Hough, Philip Moskowitz
  • Patent number: 5072124
    Abstract: In a disinfector system for use in disinfecting a water current into a disinfected water current, the disinfector system comprises a conduit (22) which extends along a vertical direction. The conduit has an inlet port and an outlet port and guides the water current from the inlet port to the outlet port. The water current is shaped into a water current film by a shaping section (25) which is connected to the outlet port. The water current film is irradiated by an electron beam to be disinfected into the disinfected water current. The electron beam is produced by an irradiating section (12). The disinfected water current is spurted to a discharge section (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Kondo, Yasuhiko Seike, Nobuki Ito, Teijiro Miyata, Hidehiko Arai
  • Patent number: 5059805
    Abstract: A mineral liquid producing device in which a mineral liquid is produced by flowing and circulating a liquid against an activating stone which includes radium oxide, tantalum oxide and yttrium oxide for radiating Alpha-rays, Gamma-rays and Beta-rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Toshin Technical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Shimizu
  • Patent number: 5055693
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for use in .sup.196 Hg separation and its method of operation. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a nested reactor chamber useful for .sup.196 Hg isotope separation reactions avoiding the photon starved condition commonly encountered in coaxial reactor systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventor: Mark W. Grossman
  • Patent number: 5039865
    Abstract: A sanitation apparatus of this invention is arranged such that a far-infrared ray emitting member (5) made of ceramics, metal oxide or the like is provided to emit far-infrared rays to prevent proliferation of bacteria or to sterilize objects (1, 11, 12, 15, 19) to be kept in a sanitized condition, wherein the far-infrared ray emitting member is heated to emit far-infrared rays which irradiate the object so that proliferation of bacteria is prevented or bacteria is sterilized, and in which a temperature of the far-infrared ray emitting member is kept in a range of about 30.degree. C. to 60.degree. C. so as to prevent a temperature of the object from being increased too much. Thus, the apparatus can be made compact in size and inexpensive, and heating energy can be saved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: Hoshin Kagaku Sangyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masashi Koji
  • Patent number: 5037618
    Abstract: A series of staggered baffles defines a serpentine flow path consisting of a number of segments through the oxidation chamber. Within each segment, a group of high intensity ultraviolet lamps is mounted, and a reagent inlet is provided at the upstream end of each segment, thereby permitting the processing of a liquid containing a hazardous compound through a sequence of chemical reactions carried out in the presence of intense ultraviolet radiation within the various segments of the flow path. Within each segment a different reagent may be used along with a different intensity of ultraviolet radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Peroxidation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald G. Hager
  • Patent number: 5026477
    Abstract: A water purifying device which includes a plurality of barrels connected one after another by means of thread engagements into an elongated tube having an inlet end and an outlet end. A number of the barrels are loaded with filtering materials such as cloth and charcoal for filtering out solids. One barrel contains an ultraviolet lamp device for destroying microorganisms, spores and the like contained in water to be purified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Huan Ting Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jung-Chuan Yen
  • Patent number: 5019256
    Abstract: A UV lamp rack assembly usable in an ultraviolet ray wastewater treatment system, the rack including a horizontal hanger bar. When the assembly is installed in a channel through which a stream of wastewater to be treated is conducted, the bar is then supported above the channel in the flow direction of the stream. Depending from the bar at an upstream position is a vertical rod along which sleeves are pivotally mounted at spaced points thereon whereby each sleeve can be swiveled in a horizontal plane. Depending from the bar at a downstream position is a vertical conduit along which detachable lamp couplers are mounted at corresponding points, each coupler housing a lamp socket that is connected through the conduit to a power source. Extending between each sleeve and the coupler corresponding thereto is a lamp unit formed by a transparent protective tube enclosed at its upstream end and housing an elongated UV lamp whose terminal pins are at the downstream end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: Fischer & Porter Company
    Inventors: Lee Ifill, Robert Walker, Steven Wolfe, Fiore Schena
  • Patent number: 5012106
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved photochemical reactor useful for the isotopic enrichment of a predetermined isotope of mercury, especially, .sup.196 Hg. Specifically, two axi-symmetrical flow reactors were constructed according to the teachings of the present invention. These reactors improve the mixing of the reactants during the photochemical enrichment process, affording higher yields of the desired .sup.196 Hg product. Measurements of the variation of yield (Y) and enrichment factor (E) along the flow axis of these reactors indicates very substantial improvement in process uniformity compared to previously used photochemical reactor systems. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the photoreactor system was built such that the reactor chamber was removable from the system without disturbing the location of either the photochemical lamp or the filter employed therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventor: Mark W. Grossman
  • Patent number: 5006244
    Abstract: A fluid purification device including an inverted U-shape frame whose legs support a plurality of lamp assemblies each including an ultraviolet lamp received in a protective sleeve. One of the legs is hollow and receives lead wires connected to the lamps through openings spaced along the leg. The protective sleeves at one of their ends are resiliently mounted to the hollow leg at the openings, and seals are provided to prevent fluid from entering into the hollow leg and the protective sleeve. The other ends of the protective sleeves are closed and held in receptacles in the other frame leg which is formed by two plates fixed to each other. "O" rings provided along the other leg receive the protective sleeves to provide flexible seats. An electrical ballast controlling voltage and amperage at the lamps is incorporated in the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Trojan Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jan Maarschalkerweerd
  • Patent number: 4992169
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ozone generating apparatus most suitable for use for a water quality improving apparatus by which the amount of oxygen dissolved in water is increased, and chlorine or carcinogenic noxious substances such as trihalomethanes contained in city water are decomposed.In the present invention, a ultraviolet generating means is formed in a container body, a pipe member is arranged to extend through said container body, and a part of the pipe member that is located in said container body is formed with a plurality of hole members thereby allowing the ozone generated by the ultraviolet generating means to be sucked through the hole members and to be transported.Projections for reducing the pipe cross sectional area are formed on the inner wall of the pipe member adjacent to the holes to extend in the direction from the connection of the pipe member with a gas supplying means toward the hole members, so that the sucking force of ozone can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Nippon Nature Roman Corporation Limited
    Inventor: Tooru Izumiya
  • Patent number: 4968489
    Abstract: In an oxidation chamber for treating wastewater, an ultraviolet lamp is mounted inside a quartz tube that is surrounded by the wastewater in the oxidation chamber. During operation, the quartz tube becomes quite hot and becomes coated with a film of slime that reduces transmission of the ultraviolet radiation into the wastewater. This results in gradually decreasing efficiency of operation until its becomes necessary to interrupt the operation of the chamber and to remove the quartz tube so that it can be cleaned to restore the transmission.In accordance with the present invention it has been found advantageous to apply a thin layer of fluoroethylene propylene (FEP) to the outer surface of the quartz tube. It has been found that the FEP layer is less suspectible to the deposition of slime than is the unprotected quartz tube, and that the slime is more easily removed from the FEP layer than from an unprotected quartz tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Peroxidation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald L. Peterson
  • Patent number: 4968891
    Abstract: A process of exposing a fluid medium, such as machine oil, to radiant energy and a device to carry out that process include providing at least two juxtaposed, elongated radiant energy source, such as ultraviolet germicidal radiation sources, providing a passage between the sources that is typically less than an inch thick and that has walls capable of transmitting the radiant energy, providing for fluid flow in a direction substantially parallel to the radiant energy sources, passing a fluid medium in a thin film through the passage, and simultaneously exposing the fluid medium to the radiant energy by irradiating the fluid medium with the radiant energy sources. Preferably, the passage is in the configuration of an annulus surrounding one of the radiant energy sources, and a plurality of radiant energy sources is arrayed around the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Inventors: Makhan M. Jhawar, Eugene N. Short
  • Patent number: 4963750
    Abstract: A unit for the sterilization of fluid media, for example contaminated water, the unit including a source of germicidal radiation disposed substantially centrally within a tubular structure or housing, there being provided between said source of germicidal radiation and the innermost surface of said tubular structure an annular passage constituting a flow path for the fluid media. The unit is capable of providing a lethal or "killing" dosage of germicidal radiation, in excess of 99.99% "kill", even for very large flow rates of fluid media through the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Inventor: Robert L. Wilson
  • Patent number: 4931654
    Abstract: An air sterilizing apparatus includes an enclosed housing which accommodates radiant sterilizing tubes carried by a holder capable of moving out of the housing or retracting thereinto by means of a moving mechanism. When the holder is moved out, the radiant sterilizing tubes thus exposed sterilize the external air surrounding the housing. When the holder is moved back into the housing, the radiant sterilizing tubes sterilize the air drawn into the enclosed housing through an inlet, after which the sterilized air is discharged through an outlet of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Inventor: Wen-Jenn Horng
  • Patent number: 4922114
    Abstract: A liquid purification system comprising a housing with inlet and outlet for the flow of the liquid to be purified. A source of ultraviolet is mounted within the housing surrounded by a sleeve of ultraviolet-transmissive material such as quartz. A rod mounted for reciprocal movement is mounted in the housing and extends out of the housing. On the rod is mounted wiper assemblies each one of which consists of tear-shaped plate to surround the sleeve, a washer of suitable material on the plate to make contact with the sleeve for wiping the outer surface of the sleeve as the rod is reciprocated, and a securing device to hold the washer in place. Pins with press-on nuts are employed to sandwich each wiper assembly together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Inventor: Hilary Boehme
  • Patent number: 4904874
    Abstract: A device for irradiating liquids including a hollow tube capable of transmitting selected wavelengths of light, a drive motor connected to rotate the tube at a desired speed, a support associated with the tube to permit rotation thereof, one or more elongated light producing lamps exteriorly positioned about the tube, the lamps producing light capable of transmission through the cylinder without undue attenuation, a support for the exterior lamps, one or more elongated light producing lamps interiorly positioned about the tube, and a support for the interior lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Ultraviolet Purification Systems
    Inventor: Sidney Ellner
  • Patent number: 4902411
    Abstract: A water purifier to purify drinkable water, comprising a packed filter chamber, jet type oxygen dissolution chamber, UV lamp sterilization chamber, water circulation and drainage structure, water supply structure and a control circuit. Such an arrangement removes high polymer hydrocarbon pollutants, low polymer trihalo-methane pollutants, and other soluble or insoluble pollutants such as mineral substances, metal salts or other impurities in the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Inventor: Frank W. G. Lin
  • Patent number: 4899056
    Abstract: A method of disinfecting waste water wherein ultraviolet light producing lamps are positioned in lamp modules and contained within quartz lamps jackets and wherein the modules are positioned within a flow of water including removing particulates and films for the lamp jackets wherein one or more of the modules from the flow are removed, transported and inserted into a tank containing a lamp jacket cleaning agent.The invention further includes a cleaning system for removing particulates and films from lamp jackets consisting of a channel through which waste water to be cleaned passes, one or more modules positioned in the channel, the modules containing one or more ultraviolet light producing lamps, each lamp sealed from direct contact with the water by surrounding quartz jackets, the lamps being spaced apart to permit the water to flow there between to expose the water and ultraviolet light rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: Ultraviolet Purification Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Sidney Ellner
  • Patent number: 4899057
    Abstract: A sanitary device, wherein elements (6) for emitting rays of light which can prevent proliferation of bacteria are disposed in relation to objects (1, 14, 17 and 31) which are to be maintained in a sanitary condition can make it possible, by irradiating the objects by means of the elements to prevent bacteria from proliferating, to maintain efficiently objects, which should be kept in a sanitary state, in the sanitary condition. When compared with the use of an ultraviolet lamp, this device requires less space and has better efficiency and a lifetime of more than ten times that of the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: Hoshin Kagaku Sangyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masashi Koji
  • Patent number: 4897246
    Abstract: An oxidation chamber for use in the treatment of organically contaminated water and waste liquids includes a lamp seal assembly that accommodates the thermal expansion of an ultraviolet lamp while at the same time protecting the lamp from direct contact with the liquid being treated. The lamp seal assembly facilitates replacement of burned out lamps and cleaning of the protective tube that surrounds the lamp. In another aspect of the invention, a specially designed family of baffles and distributors are provided so that the chamber can accommodate a wide range of flow rates simply by replacing one set of distributors by a different set of distributors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: Peroxidation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald L. Peterson
  • Patent number: 4892712
    Abstract: A purifier for water or air removes, reduces or detoxifies organic pollutants therefrom by causing the fluid to contact a matrix having surfaces with which a fixed anatase (TiO.sub.2) or other photoreactive metal semiconductor material is bonded, in the presence of light of a wavelength that will activate the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Assignee: Nutech Energy Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Michael K. Robertson, Robert B. Henderson
  • Patent number: 4872980
    Abstract: A fluid purification device including an inverted U-shape frame whose legs support a plurality of lamp assemblies each including an ultraviolet lamp received in a protective sleeve. One of the legs is hollow and receives lead wires connected to the lamps through openings spaced along the leg. The protective sleeves at one of their ends are resiliently mounted to the hollow leg at the openings, and seals are provided to prevent fluid from entering into the hollow leg and the protective sleeve. The other ends of the protective sleeves are closed and held in receptacles in the other frame leg which is formed by two plates fixed to each other. "O" rings provided along the other leg receive the protective sleeves to provide flexible seats. An electrical ballast controlling voltage and amperage at the lamps is incorporated in the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Assignee: Trojan Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jan Maarschalkerweerd
  • Patent number: 4839524
    Abstract: A filter for enriching the .sup.196 Hg content of mercury, including a reactor, a low pressure electric discharge lamp containing a fill of mercury and an inert gas. A filter is arranged concentrically around the lamp. The reactor is arranged around said filter, whereby radiation from said lamp passes through the filter and into said reactor. The lamp, the filter and the reactor are formed of quartz, and are transparent to ultraviolet light. The .sup.196 Hg concentration in the mercury fill is less than that which is present in naturally occurring mercury, that is less than about 0.146 atomic weight percent. Hydrogen is also included in the fill and serves as a quenching gas in the filter, the hydrogen also serving to prevent disposition of a dark coating on the interior of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventors: Mark W. Grossman, William A. George
  • Patent number: 4825083
    Abstract: An ultraviolet water treatment plant is provided in which individual ultraviolet lamp units are loosely and retractably located within frames supported in a water treatment channel. Individual frames supporting arrays of parallel lamp units may be removed from the channel, and the lamp units may be individually disengaged from the frame and disassembled for lamp replacement. The frames have unitary plug connectors to a power supply arranged so that the plug of a frame must be disengaged from the supply before that frame can be removed from the channel. The level of water in the channel is controlled according to the rate of flow, and the lamp units are selectively energized according to whether they are immersed so as to match the irradiation provided to the rate and cross section of the flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: Arlat Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest Latel, John A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4806768
    Abstract: Apparatus for the degradation and/or modification of allergenic germs, bacteria, viruses, spores and other substances existing in the air in order to combat some allergies comprises a vertical casing formed by an insulating material suitable to prevent infra-red and ultra-violet rays and heat from propagating. Infra-red lamps are located in the lower part of the casing with an air inlet in the wall of the casing at the level of the infra-red lamps. Ultra-violet lamps are located in the upper part of the casing and an air outlet is provided in the casing wall above the air inlet at an intermediate part of the casing defining an air accumulating chamber inside the casing above the air outlet. The accumulating chamber can be adjusted in size. The air outlet is adjustable downwardly to cause an increase in the accumulating chamber. Also the accumulating chamber can be increased by decreasing the distance between the air outlet and air inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Inventor: Ubirajara Keutenedjian
  • Patent number: 4800284
    Abstract: A filter for enriching the .sup.196 Hg content of mercury, including a reactor, a low pressure electric discharge lamp containing a fill of mercury and an inert gas. A filter is arranged concentrically around the lamp. The reactor is arranged around said filter, whereby radiation from said lamp passes through the filter and into said reactor. The lamp, the filter and the reactor are formed of quartz, and are transparent to ultraviolet light. The .sup.196 Hg concentration in the mercury fill is less than that which is present in naturally occurring mercury, that is less than about 0.146 atomic weight percent. Hydrogen is also included in the fill and serves as a quenching gas in the filter, the hydrogen also serving to prevent disposition of a dark coating on the interior of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventors: Mark W. Grossman, William A. George
  • Patent number: 4789784
    Abstract: An apparatus for enriching the isotopic Hg content of mercury is provided. The apparatus includes a reactor, a low pressure electric discharge lamp containing a fill including mercury and an inert gas. A filter is arranged concentrically around the lamp. In a preferred embodiment, constant mercury pressure is maintained in the filter by means of a water-cooled tube that depends from it, the tube having a drop of mercury disposed in it. The reactor is arranged around the filter, whereby radiation from said lamp passes through the filter and into said reactor. The lamp, the filter and the reactor are formed of a material which is transparent to ultraviolet light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventors: Mark W. Grossman, William A. George, Rudolph V. Marcucci
  • Patent number: 4767932
    Abstract: An ultraviolet purification device for irradiating liquids with ultraviolet radiation either in an open system or a closed system which includes a frame or vessel provided with a header plate and a spaced apart support grid for supporting therebetween a plurality of quartz jackets. Each jacket is provided with an open end which extends beyond the header plate and in which one or more ultraviolet lamps are disposed in tamdem therein. The arrangement is such that the respective lamps are disposed in rows or banks wherein the respective rows or banks can be independently energized depending upon the flow rate of the liquid. Each lamp is constructed so that the electrical contacts for the respective lamp electrodes project from a common end of the lamp, thereby permitting the lamps to be inserted from one side of the frame or vessel. An improved spacer is also provided for spacially supporting each lamp within its respective jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Ultraviolet Purification System, Inc.
    Inventor: Sidney Ellner
  • Patent number: 4766321
    Abstract: This invention discloses a combination of filters and germicidal ultraviolet lamps assembled in a symbiotic arrangement wherein the ultraviolet lamps have dual functions of sterilizing the fluid medium being filtered and preventing the filters from being clogged, while the filter enhances the germicidal effect of the ultraviolet light by creating uniform flow which evenly exposes the fluid medium to the ultraviolet light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignees: Jung G. Lew, Hyok S. Lew
    Inventors: Hyok S. Lew, Michael Stranahan
  • Patent number: 4762613
    Abstract: An ultra-violet ray water sterilizer comprising a container having two chambers connected together only adjacent the bottom internal surfaces of the chambers, one chamber containing a germicidal ultra-violet ray lamp extending up the chamber from the bottom surface thereof, the said one chamber having an outlet adjacent the top of the ultra-violet lamp, the second chamber having a water inlet. Thus, the water may be poured into the said second chamber and when this is to be dispensed upon tilting the units so that water emerges from the outlet at the top of the first chamber, all the water passes the ultra-violet ray lamp and becomes sterilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Assignee: William Still & Sons Limited
    Inventor: Malcolm R. Snowball
  • Patent number: 4757921
    Abstract: Water dispensing apparatus which is intended to dispense sterilized chilled water comprising a sterilization unit having an inlet for connection to mains water supply and having its outlet connected to a refrigeration unit, the refrigeration unit having a tap or dispensing valve. Preferably, the sterilizing unit comprises an ultra violet lamp surrounded by an outer tube and through which water flows between inlet and outlet. If desired a water reservoir may be connected to the sterilizer, the arrangement being such that water is sterilized both on entering the reservoir and on leaving the reservoir and so that make-up air is sterilized on entering the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Assignee: Wm Still & Sons Limited
    Inventor: Malcolm R. Snowball