Filtration devices with embedded radio frequency identification (RFID) tags

• US 20050194317A1
• Filed: 03/05/2004
• Published: 09/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hydranautics (Nitto Denko Corporation), Nitto Denko Corporation
• Original Assignee: Hydranautics (Nitto Denko Corporation), Nitto Denko Corporation
• Inventors: Ikeyama, Norio, Wilf, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 7,481,917 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/652
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/52 Filter identification means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/56 Wireless systems for monitoring the filter
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/143 Filter condition indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/10 Accessories; Auxiliary operations
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/12 Controlling or regulating
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/107 Specific properties of the central tube or the permeate channel
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/12 comprising multiple spiral-wound assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 65/00 Accessories or auxiliary operations, in general, for separation processes or apparatus using semi-permeable membranes

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention comprise reverse osmosis filters and systems comprising embedded radio frequency identification (RFID) tags for storing and retrieving data. The RFID tags can be preferably embedded under a filtration device'"'"'s protective outer shell. Information can be easily stored onto and retrieved from the embedded RFID tags. The ability to easily store and retrieve data from the embedded RFID devices facilitates the creation of loading maps, monitoring, addition, and replacement of fluid filtration devices.

Claims

1. A spiral wound membrane filtration device comprising:

a) a central porous core tube;

b) at least one pair of membrane sheets attached at one end to, and wound to spiral outwardly about the central porous core tube;

c) a protective outer shell; and

d) a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag embedded under or within said protective outer shell.

2. The filtration device of claim 1, wherein the embedded RFID tag is capable of storing and emitting data.

3. The filtration device of claim 1, wherein the embedded RFID tag is not directly exposed to fluids.

4. The filtration device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of embedded RFID tags.

5. The filtration device of claim 1, further comprising permeate spacer sheets secured between a pair of membrane sheets.

6. The filtration device of claim 1, further comprising feed spacer sheets.

7. The filtration device of claim 1, further comprising anti-telescoping devices.

8. The filtration device of claim 13, wherein the feed spacer sheet is attached to a membrane sheet to define at least one permeate channel.

9. The filtration device of claim 13, wherein the protective outer shell comprises fiber reinforced plastic.

10. The filtration device of claim 9, wherein the fiber of the protective outer shell comprises glass fiber.

11. The filtration device of claim 9, wherein the plastic of the protective outer shell comprises epoxy.

12. A method of making a reverse osmosis filtration device according to any one of the foregoing claims, comprising:

a) attaching the pair of membrane sheets to the core tube, wherein the membrane sheets are wound to spiral outwardly about the central porous core tube;

b) covering the membrane sheets with an outer wrap;

c) attaching an RFID tag to the outer wrap; and

d) covering the outer wrap and RFID tag with the protective outer shell.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the protective outer shell comprises epoxy.

14. A method of loading a plurality of filtration devices having different performance characteristics, each of said devices comprising at least one RFID tag, said method comprising:

a) inputting data indicative of the performance characteristics of each filtration device into the device'"'"'s RFID tag; and

b) grouping membrane filtration devices together to achieve groups characterized by at least a minimal performance standard.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising inputting said filter'"'"'s location among said groups.

18. The method of any one of claims 14, 16, or 17, wherein said inputted data comprises said filters'"'"' output over time versus rejection data.

20. The method of any one of claims 14, 16, or 17, wherein said inputted data comprises said filter'"'"'s performance history.

21. The method of any one of claims 14, 16, or 17, wherein said inputted data comprises said filter'"'"'s manufacturing history.

22. The method of any one of claims 14, 16, or 17, wherein said inputted data comprises said filter'"'"'s inspection data.

23. The method of any one of claims 14, 16, or 17, wherein said inputted data is used by a computer to configure a filter loading map.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said inputted data comprises said filter'"'"'s loading map data.

25. The method of any one of claims 14, 16, or 17, wherein the RFID tags are protected from exposure to fluids.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the RFID tags are encased within a fluid impervious material which is attached to said filter device.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said impervious encasing comprises a plastic container.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein said impervious encasing comprises a glass container.

29. The method of any one of claims 14, 16, or 17, further comprising periodically adding information to said RFID tags.

30. The method of any one of claims 14, 16, or 17, further comprising periodically retrieving information from said RFID tags.

31. The method of any one of claims 14, 16, or 17, further comprising using said inputted data to determine when to replace said RFID-tagged filtration devices.

32. The method of any one of claims 14, 16, or 17, further comprising retrieving information from said RFID tags to monitor the performance of said filtration devices.

16. A method of monitoring a plurality of filtration devices having different performance characteristics over time, each of said devices comprising at least one RFID tag, said method comprising:

a) inputting data indicative of the performance characteristics of each filtration device into the device'"'"'s RFID tag;

b) inputting data into the device'"'"'s RFID tag at a later time; and

c) periodically reviewing said data.

19. The method of either claims 16 or 17, further comprising inputting said filter'"'"'s location.

17. A method of removing or replacing a plurality of filtration devices having different performance characteristics over time, each of said devices comprising at least one RFID tag, said method comprising:

a) inputting data indicative of the performance characteristics of each filtration device into the devices'"'"' RFID tag; and

b) removing or replacing said RFID-tagged filtration devices if and when the data on its RFID tag meets a defined characterization.