Fluid treatment system with UV sensor and intelligent driver
First Claim
1. An ultraviolet (UV) fluid treatment system for small enterprise and consumer use, comprising:
- a fluid treatment zone having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet;
a UV emitter mounted within the fluid treatment zone;
a sensor unit disposed within the fluid treatment zone, the sensor unit including at least fluid flow sensing means to sense fluid flow within the fluid treatment zone and UV sensing means to sense UV light levels;
an intelligent driver for receiving a fluid flow indication and a UV light level indication from the sensor unit, and for controlling operation of the UV emitter in response to at least one of the fluid flow indication and the UV light level indication; and
an indicator in communication with the intelligent driver for providing a user with information related to operation of the fluid treatment system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid treatment system in which the fluid to be treated is irradiated with ultraviolet light (UV). The system includes a sensor with capabilities for detecting multiple fluid treatment parameters, such as UV intensity level and fluid flow. The sensor contains a combination of a UV sensing means such as a photodiode, a flow sensing means such as a vibration sensitive microphone, and associated electronics for processing and transmitting data pertaining to the fluid treatment parameters. The system can also include or alternatively include an intelligent driver that powers a UV lamp and has the novel capabilities to receive, process, respond to, and display multiple fluid treatment parameter signals from one or more sensors without the need for additional signal processing and/or control devices. Specifically, in a preferred embodiment, the power being delivered to the UV lamp will be adjusted as warranted by the intelligent driver'"'"'s analysis of at least one fluid treatment parameter, such as flow condition.
82 Citations
27 Claims
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1. An ultraviolet (UV) fluid treatment system for small enterprise and consumer use, comprising:
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a fluid treatment zone having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet;
a UV emitter mounted within the fluid treatment zone;
a sensor unit disposed within the fluid treatment zone, the sensor unit including at least fluid flow sensing means to sense fluid flow within the fluid treatment zone and UV sensing means to sense UV light levels;
an intelligent driver for receiving a fluid flow indication and a UV light level indication from the sensor unit, and for controlling operation of the UV emitter in response to at least one of the fluid flow indication and the UV light level indication; and
an indicator in communication with the intelligent driver for providing a user with information related to operation of the fluid treatment system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A sensor unit for an ultraviolet (UV) fluid treatment system for small enterprise and consumer use, comprising:
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a plurality of sensing means contained within a housing, the housing permitting the plurality of sensing means to be mounted within a fluid treatment zone of the UV fluid treatment system; and
a sensor microprocessor, contained within the housing, for reading and processing information received from the plurality of sensing means to provide operational parameters to an intelligent driver controlling a UV emitter disposed within the fluid treatment zone. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A intelligent driver for an ultraviolet (UV) emitter in a fluid treatment system for small enterprise and consumer use, comprising:
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a ballast microprocessor for receiving a plurality of fluid condition indications from a sensor unit, and for controlling operation of the UV emitter in response to at least one of the fluid condition indications; and
an indicator in communication with the ballast microprocessor for providing a user with information related to operation of the fluid treatment system. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification