Radio frequency identification system for a fluid treatment system

• US 20030015478A1
• Filed: 06/18/2002
• Published: 01/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC (Alticor Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC (Alticor Incorporated)
• Inventors: Baarman, David W., Lautzenheiser, Terry L., Mollema, Scott A., Kuennen, Roy W., Markham, Ronald C.
• Granted Patent: US 6,673,250 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/748
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/001 Processes for the treatment of water whereby the filtration technique is of importance C02F1/44 takes precedence; construction of filters in general B01D24/00 - B01D41/00
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/008 Control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/325 Irradiation devices or lamp constructions
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/3228 Units having reflectors, e.g. coatings, baffles, plates, mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/326 Lamp control systems
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/005 Processes using a programmable logic controller [PLC]
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/008 comprising telecommunication features, e.g. modems or antennas
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/40 Liquid flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 9/20 Portable or detachable small-scale multistage treatment devices, e.g. point of use or laboratory water purification systems
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 41/36 Controlling
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/19 via wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/20 Responsive to malfunctions or to light source life; for protection
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/28 Circuit arrangements for protecting against abnormal temperature

Abstract

A fluid treatment system is disclosed that includes a control unit that controls the overall operation of the fluid treatment system. A ballast circuit is coupled with an electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly. In the preferred fluid treatment system, the ballast circuit is inductively coupled with the electromagnetic radiation assembly. The inductively coupled ballast circuit inductively energizes an electromagnetic radiation emitting device that is located in the electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly in response to a predetermined electric signal from the control unit. In addition, the fluid treatment system includes a radio frequency identification system that is used to monitor various functional and operational aspects of the electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly and a filter assembly used in the fluid treatment system.

Claims

1. A fluid treatment system with a radio frequency identification system, comprising:

a control unit positioned in a fluid treatment system housing;

a replaceable electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly positioned in said fluid treatment system housing;

a base station located in said fluid treatment system housing and electrically connected to a coil and said control unit, wherein said coil is capable of transmitting and receiving radio signals in response to a predetermined set of control signals from said base station; and

a radio frequency identification transponder positioned in said electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly that is in radio communication with said base station.

2. The fluid treatment system of claim 1, wherein said radio frequency identification transponder includes a responder antenna and a read/write chip.

3. The fluid treatment system of claim 1, wherein said radio frequency identification transponder is capable of transmitting an electromagnetic radiation emitting device serial number to said base station for use by said control unit.

4. The fluid treatment system of claim 1, wherein said radio frequency identification transponder is capable of transmitting an electromagnetic radiation emitting device start limit to said base station for use by said control unit.

5. The fluid treatment system of claim 1, wherein said radio frequency identification transponder is capable of transmitting an electromagnetic radiation emitting device on-time limit to said base station for use by said control unit.

6. The fluid treatment system of claim 1, wherein said radio frequency identification transponder is capable of transmitting an electromagnetic radiation emitting device install time limit to said base station for use by said control unit.

7. The fluid treatment system of claim 1, wherein said radio frequency identification transponder is capable of transmitting an electromagnetic radiation emitting device cycle on-time to said base station for use by said control unit.

8. The fluid treatment system of claim 1, wherein said radio frequency identification transponder is capable of transmitting a cycle mode low temperature to said base station for use by said control unit.

9. The fluid treatment system of claim 1, wherein said radio frequency identification transponder is capable of transmitting a minimum electromagnetic radiation emitting device on time to said base station for use by said control unit.

10. The fluid treatment system of claim 1, wherein said radio frequency identification transponder is capable of transmitting an electromagnetic radiation emitting device high-mode time to said base station for use by said control unit.

11. The fluid treatment system of claim 1, wherein said radio frequency identification transponder is capable of transmitting an electromagnetic radiation emitting device preheat time to said base station for use by said control unit.

12. The fluid treatment system of claim 1, wherein said radio frequency identification transponder allows said control unit to keep track of electromagnetic radiation emitting device install time.

13. The fluid treatment system of claim 1, wherein said radio frequency identification transponder allows said control unit to keep track of electromagnetic radiation emitting device powered time.

14. The fluid treatment system of claim 1, wherein said radio frequency identification transponder allows said control unit to keep track of electromagnetic radiation emitting device starts.

15. The fluid treatment system of claim 1, wherein said radio frequency identification transponder allows said control unit to keep track of electromagnetic radiation emitting device cold starts.

17. The fluid treatment system of claim 16, wherein said radio frequency identification transponder includes a responder antenna and a read/write chip.

18. The fluid treatment system of claim 16, wherein said radio frequency identification transponder is capable of transmitting a filter unit serial number to said base station for use by said control unit.

19. The fluid treatment system of claim 16, wherein said radio frequency identification transponder is capable of transmitting a filter assembly volume limit to said base station for use by said control unit.

20. The fluid treatment system of claim 16, wherein said radio frequency identification transponder is capable of transmitting a filter assembly install time limit to said base station for use by said control unit.

21. The fluid treatment system of claim 16, wherein said radio frequency identification transponder is capable of transmitting a plugged filter threshold percentage to said base station for use by said control unit.

22. The fluid treatment system of claim 16, wherein said radio frequency identification transponder allows said control unit to keep track the filter assembly install time.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly includes an ultraviolet lamp.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein said electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly includes a pulsed white light lamp.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein said electromagnetic radiation emitting device is a dielectric barrier discharge lamp.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein said electromagnetic radiation emitting radio frequency identification transponder includes a responder antenna and a read/write chip.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein said electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly information signal contains an electromagnetic radiation emitting device serial number.

29. The method of claim 23, wherein said electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly information signal contains an electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly start limit.

30. The method of claim 23, wherein said electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly information signal contains an electromagnetic radiation emitting on-time limit.

31. The method of claim 23, wherein said electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly information signal contains an electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly install time limit.

32. The method of claim 23, wherein said electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly information signal contains an electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly cycle on-time.

33. The method of claim 23, wherein said electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly information signal contains a cycle mode low temperature.

34. The method of claim 23, wherein said electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly information signal contains a minimum electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly on time.

35. The method of claim 23, wherein said electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly information signal contains an electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly high-mode time.

36. The method of claim 23, wherein said electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly information signal contains an electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly preheat time.

37. The method of claim 23, wherein said electromagnetic radiation emitting radio frequency identification transponder allows said control unit to keep track of electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly install time.

38. The method of claim 23, wherein said electromagnetic radiation emitting radio frequency identification transponder allows said control unit to keep track of electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly powered time.

39. The method of claim 23, wherein said radio frequency identification transponder allows said control unit to keep track of electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly starts.

40. The method of claim 23, wherein said radio frequency identification transponder allows said control unit to keep track of electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly cold starts.

16. A fluid treatment system with a radio frequency identification system, comprising:

a control unit positioned in a fluid treatment system housing;

a replaceable filter assembly positioned in said fluid treatment system housing;

a base station positioned in said fluid treatment system housing and electrically connected to a coil and said control unit, wherein said coil is capable of transmitting and receiving radio signals in response to a predetermined set of control signals from said base station; and

a radio frequency identification transponder positioned in said filter assembly that is in radio communication with said base station.

23. A method of monitoring electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly information in a fluid treatment system, comprising the steps of:

providing a replaceable electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly for use in said fluid treatment system;

generating an electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly information signal with an electromagnetic radiation emitting identification transponder located in said replaceable electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly;

transmitting said electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly information signal to a coil connected to a base station in said fluid treatment system; and

directing said electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly information signal to a control unit.

41. A method of monitoring filter assembly information in a fluid treatment system, comprising the steps of:

providing a replaceable filter assembly for use in said fluid treatment system;

generating a filter assembly information signal with a filter assembly radio frequency identification transponder located in said replaceable filter assembly;

transmitting said filter assembly information signal to a coil connected to a base station located in said fluid treatment system; and

directing said filter assembly information signal to a control unit.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein said filter assembly information signal contains a filter unit serial number.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein said filter assembly information signal contains a filter assembly volume limit.

44. The method of claim 41, wherein said filter assembly information signal contains a filter assembly install time limit.

45. The method of claim 41, wherein said filter assembly information signal contains a plugged filter threshold percentage.

46. The method of claim 41, wherein said filter assembly radio frequency identification transponder allows said control unit to keep track the filter assembly install time.

47. A fluid treatment system with a radio frequency identification system, comprising:

a control unit positioned in a fluid treatment system housing;

a replaceable electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly positioned in said fluid treatment system housing;

a base station located in said fluid treatment system housing and electrically connected to said control unit, wherein said base station is capable of transmitting and receiving radio signals in response to a predetermined set of control signals from said control unit; and

a radio frequency identification transponder positioned in said electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly that is in radio communication with said base station.

48. A fluid treatment system with a radio frequency identification system, comprising:

a control unit positioned in a fluid treatment system housing;

a replaceable filter assembly positioned in said fluid treatment system housing;

a base station positioned in said fluid treatment system housing and electrically connected to said control unit, wherein said base station is capable of transmitting and receiving radio signals in response to a predetermined set of control signals from said control unit; and

a radio frequency identification transponder positioned in said filter assembly that is in radio communication with said base station.