Reduced pressure water filtration system

• US 20050103721A1
• Filed: 09/23/2004
• Published: 05/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Fritze, Karl
• Application Number:
  US10/948,081
• Publication Number:
  US 20050103721A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/744
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/0001 for liquid
• 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 1/003 using household-type filters for producing potable water, e.g. pitchers, bottles, faucet mounted devices C02F9/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/004 using large scale industrial sized filters
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/008 Control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/28 by sorption using ion-exchange C02F1/42; sorbent compositions B01J
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/281 using inorganic sorbents
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/283 using coal, charred products, or inorganic mixtures containing them
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/285 using synthetic organic sorbents
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/42 by ion-exchange ion-exchange in general B01J
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/006 Cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/005 Processes using a programmable logic controller [PLC]
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/03 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/42 Liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2301/063 Underpressure, vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2301/08 Multistage treatments, e.g. repetition of the same process step under different conditions
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2307/04 as part of a pitcher or jug
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 9/00 Multistage treatment of water, waste water or sewage
• 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: F25D 23/126 Water cooler
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2323/121 : the refrigerator is characterised by a water filter for the water/ice dispenser

Abstract

A reduced pressure water filtration system provides for water filtration at a pressure lower than line pressure while preventing exposure of the reduced pressure water filtration system to potentially damaging static pressures such that the system and components are exposed to significantly less water pressure. The reduced pressure water filtration system can comprise a distribution module, at least one filter element, a filtered water storage module and a control unit. The filtered water storage module and the control unit may or may not be physically connected with the distribution manifold and/or filter element. A downstream side of the reduced pressure water filtration system is vented to atmosphere such that closing an inlet valve to the reduced pressure water filtration system in a non-flow mode results in any static pressure being vented.

Claims

1. A reduced pressure water filtration system comprising:

an inlet valve;

a manifold having an inlet, a flow channel and an outlet, the flow channel comprising at least one filter connection; and

at least one cartridge filter comprising a housing, an enclosed filtration media and a filter connector,

wherein the filter connector sealingly engages the filter connection to define a fluid circuit fluidly connecting the inlet and the outlet,

wherein the inlet valve is configured to control flow to the inlet, and

wherein the outlet is open to atmosphere in modes of operation when the inlet valve is open.

2. The reduced pressure water filtration system of claim 1, wherein the flow channel comprises at least two filter connections fluidly connected to at least two cartridge filters.

3. The reduced pressure water filtration system of claim 2, wherein the flow channel directs the supply flow through the at least two cartridge filters in a series flow configuration.

4. The reduced pressure water filtration system of claim 2 wherein the flow channel directs the supply flow through the at least two cartridge filters in a parallel flow configuration.

5. The reduced pressure water filtration system of claim 1, wherein the inlet valve comprises a flow orifice for reducing a supply pressure and a supply rate.

6. The reduced pressure water filtration system of claim 1, wherein the at least one cartridge filter is adapted for rotatable interconnection with the filter connector.

7. The reduced pressure water filtration system of claim 1, comprising a control unit operably connected to the inlet valve, the control unit selectively opening and closing the inlet valve based on a system input to the control unit.

8. The reduced pressure water filtration system of claim 7, wherein the system input comprises a manual input or an automated input.

9. The reduced pressure water filtration system of claim 7, wherein the outlet comprises a diverter valve operably connected to the control unit, the diverter valve defining at least two outlet flow paths wherein at least one of the outlet paths is open to atmosphere and wherein the control unit selectively directs a filtered water flow through the outlet flow paths.

10. The reduced pressure water filtration system of claim 7, wherein the outlet is fluidly connected to an upper portion of a storage tank, the storage tank comprising a storage volume for storing filtered water and a dispensing circuit for selectively dispensing the filtered water, the storage tank further comprising a level sensor operably connected to the control unit such that inlet valve selectively opens and closes based upon a tank level.

11. The reduced pressure water filtration system of claim 9, wherein the storage tank comprises a proximity sensor operably connected to the control unit such that the control unit prevents water flow to the storage tank if the storage tank is removably detached from the reduced pressure water filtration system.

12. The reduced pressure water filtration system of claim 10, wherein the storage tank comprises a removable pitcher.

13. The reduced pressure water filtration system of claim 7, wherein the outlet is fluidly connected to an icemaker.

14. The reduced pressure water filtration system of claim 1, wherein the enclosed filtration media comprises powdered and granular activated carbon media, ceramic filtration media, powdered polymeric filtration media, manganese greensand, ion exchange media, cross flow filtration media, polymeric barrier filtration or media, mineral-based fibers, granules and powders.

15. An appliance comprising a cooling compartment and the reduced pressure water filtration system of claim 1.

16. The appliance of claim 15, wherein the at least one cartridge filter is mounted outside of the cooling compartment.

17. A method for eliminating a static pressure condition within a water filtration system comprising:

venting a downstream side of the water filtration system to atmosphere such that a water flow pressure within the water filtration system is dissipated upon the closure of an upstream supply valve.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

positioning the upstream supply valve in a flow configuration or a non-flow configuration based upon a demand input to the water filtration system.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein venting the downstream side of the water filtration system comprises selectively positioning a downstream diverter valve to direct a water flow through a distribution circuit based upon the demand input.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

directing the water flow through the distribution circuit to a removable pitcher such that the removable pitcher is filled with filtered water to a desired storage level.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

dispensing the filtered water in the removable pitcher by detaching the removable pitcher from the distribution circuit and pouring the filtered water from the removable pitcher.

22. A reduced pressure water filtration system comprising:

an inlet valve;

a manifold having an inlet, a flow channel and an outlet, the flow channel comprising at least one filter connection;

at least one cartridge filter comprising a housing, an enclosed filtration media and a filter connector, and

a storage tank fluidly connected to the outlet;

wherein the filter connector sealingly engages the filter connection to define a fluid circuit fluidly connecting the inlet and the outlet,

wherein the inlet valve is configured to control flow to the inlet, and

wherein the outlet is open to atmosphere in modes of operation when the inlet valve is open.

23. An appliance comprising a cooling compartment and a water filtration system, the water filtration system comprising:

a manifold having an inlet, a flow channel and an outlet, the flow channel comprising at least one filter connection;

at least one cartridge filter comprising a housing, an enclosed filtration media and a filter connector;

a flow control valve operably connected to the manifold to control flow through the manifold; and

a removable fluid reservoir fluidly connected to the outlet and in thermal contact with the cooling compartment;

wherein the filter connector sealingly engages the filter connection to define a fluid circuit fluidly connecting the inlet and the outlet.