Home water purification system with automatic disconnecting of radiant energy source
DCFirst Claim
1. A point of use water treatment system for home use comprising:
- a housing;
a filter, arranged in said housing, for removing contaminants from water;
a source of radiant energy, arranged in said housing, for killing microorganisms in the water;
a filter monitor operable for monitoring the amount of water flowing through said filter and providing an indication when said filter has reached end-of-life;
a radiant energy monitor operable for monitoring the performance of said source of radiant energy and providing an indication when said source has reached end-of-life;
a filter quick-disconnect constructed and arranged for providing a user with the ability to change said filter in response to an indication from said filter monitor;
a source quick-disconnect constructed and arranged for providing a user with the ability to change said source of radiant energy in response to an indication from said radiant energy monitor; and
interlock means constructed and arranged for automatically disconnecting said source of radiant energy from a power supply when a user accesses said housing.
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Litigations
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Accused Products
Abstract
A point of use water purification system for home use is provided comprising a carbon block filter housed in a self-contained disposable pressure vessel for removing particulates and organic contaminants from water. The filter is provided with a pore-size distribution, a binder and a flow path which optimizes filtration performance and enhances microbiological kill rates obtained in a source of radiant energy which is used to kill microorganisms in the filtered water. The source of radiant energy comprises an ultraviolet discharge lamp having an elongate central axis and a diverter for providing a spiral plug flow of water about the discharge lamp. A flow regulator adjusts flow through the system for varying line pressure conditions to ensure adequate exposure of microorganisms to ultraviolet energy. A lamp control circuit conserves power and optimizes ultraviolet output. A diagnostic system includes a filter monitor which provides an automatic indication to the user when the filter has reached its end of life. The diagnostic system includes a radiation source monitor which provides an automatic indication to the user when the UV discharge bulb has malfunctioned. A filter quick-disconnect, a radiation source quick-disconnect and associated power safety interlocks protect the user and facilitate the safe and easy replacement of the disposable filter cartridge and ultraviolet discharge bulb.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A point of use water treatment system for home use comprising:
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a housing; a filter, arranged in said housing, for removing contaminants from water; a source of radiant energy, arranged in said housing, for killing microorganisms in the water; a filter monitor operable for monitoring the amount of water flowing through said filter and providing an indication when said filter has reached end-of-life; a radiant energy monitor operable for monitoring the performance of said source of radiant energy and providing an indication when said source has reached end-of-life; a filter quick-disconnect constructed and arranged for providing a user with the ability to change said filter in response to an indication from said filter monitor; a source quick-disconnect constructed and arranged for providing a user with the ability to change said source of radiant energy in response to an indication from said radiant energy monitor; and interlock means constructed and arranged for automatically disconnecting said source of radiant energy from a power supply when a user accesses said housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A point of use water treatment system for home use comprising:
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a filter for removing contaminants from water; a source of radiant energy for killing microorganisms in the water; a filter monitor operable for monitoring the amount of water flowing through said filter and providing an indication when said filter has reached end-of-life; a radiant energy monitor operable for monitoring the performance of said source of radiant energy and providing an indication when said source has reached end-of-life; a filter quick-disconnect constructed and arranged for providing a user with the ability to change said filter in response to an indication from said filter monitor; a source quick-disconnect constructed and arranged for providing a user with the ability to change said source of radiant energy in response to an indication from said radiant energy monitor; a base, said filter and said source of radiant energy being disposed on said base; a shroud covering said base; and an interlock constructed and arranged for automatically disconnecting said source of radiant energy from a power supply when said shroud is moved from said base to access said filter and said source. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A point of use water treatment system for home use comprising:
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a filter for removing contaminants from water; a source of radiant energy for killing microorganisms in the water; a filter monitor operable for monitoring the amount of water flowing through said filter and providing an indication when said filter has reached end-of-life; a radiant energy monitor operable for monitoring the performance of said source of radiant energy and providing an indication when said source has reached end-of-life; a filter quick-disconnect constructed and arranged for providing a user with the ability to change said filter in response to an indication from said filter monitor; a source quick-disconnect constructed and arranged for providing a user with the ability to change said source of radiant energy in response to an indication from said radiant energy monitor; a diverter valve particularly adapted for mounting on a water outlet of a household water faucet said diverter valve further comprising a regulator for regulating the flow of water through the water treatment system under variable pressure conditions in an untreated water source and interlock means constructed and arranged for automatically disconnecting said source of radiant energy from a power supply when a user accesses said housing. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A point of use water treatment system for home use comprising:
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a filter for removing contaminants from water; a source of radiant energy for killing microorganisms in the water; a filter monitor operable for monitoring the amount of water flowing through said filter and providing an indication when said filter has reached end-of-life; a radiant energy monitor operable for monitoring the performance of said source of radiant energy and providing an indication when said source has reached end-of-life; a filter quick-disconnect constructed and arranged for providing a user with the ability to change said filter in response to an indication from said filter monitor; a source quick-disconnect for providing a user with the ability to change said source of radiant energy in response to an indication from said radiant energy monitor; a base, said filter and said source of radiant energy being disposed on said base, said base being particularly adapted for supporting the water treatment system on a household countertop next to a source of water and a sink; said base being provided with a base water inlet and a base water outlet on the bottom thereof; and said base water inlet and said base water outlet each being provided with an elbow connector that is rotatably connected to said base to provide for mounting of said water treatment system on one of the left and the right side of a sink.
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23. A point of use water treatment system for home use comprising:
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a filter for removing contaminants from water; a source of radiant energy for killing microorganisms in the water; a filter monitor operable for monitoring the amount of water flowing through said filter and providing an indication when said filter has reached end-of-life; a radiant energy monitor operable for monitoring the performance of said source of radiant energy and providing an indication when said source has reached end-of-life; a filter quick-disconnect constructed and arranged for providing a user with the ability to change said filter in response to an indication from said filter monitor; a source quick-disconnect for providing a user with the ability to change said source of radiant energy in response to an indication from said radiant energy monitor; and an appliance leakage current interrupter for automatically disconnecting said source of radiant energy from a power supply when electrical leakage is present in the water treatment system.
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24. A point of use water treatment system for home use comprising:
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a housing; a pressed carbon block filter, arranged in said housing, for removing particulates and organic contaminants from water, said filter comprising an activated carbon having a pore size distribution that includes a substantial number of micropores and said filter being provided with a radially inward flow path for optimizing filtration performance, providing ample water flow, maximizing water quality and enhancing microbiological kill rates; a source of radiant ultraviolet energy, arranged in said housing, for receiving filtered water and killing microorganisms in the water, said source comprising an ultraviolet discharge lamp having an elongate central axis and means for providing a plug flow about said discharge lamp for maximizing the exposure of microorganisms to ultraviolet energy and enhancing microbiological kill rates; a filter monitoring means for monitoring the amount of water flowing through said filter and providing an indication when said filter has reached end-of-life; a radiant energy monitoring means for monitoring the performance of said source of radiant energy and providing an indication when said source has reached end-of-life; a filter quick-disconnect means for providing a user with the ability to change said filter in response to an indication from said filter monitoring means; a source quick-disconnect means for providing a user with the ability to change said source of radiant energy in response to an indication from said radiant energy monitoring means; and an interlock means constructed and arranged for automatically disconnecting said source of radiant energy from a power supply when a user accesses said housing.
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25. A point of use water treatment system for home use comprising:
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a housing; a pressed carbon block filter, arranged in said housing, for removing particulates and organic contaminants from water, said filter comprising an activated carbon having a pore size distribution that includes a substantial number of micropores and said filter being provided with a radially inward flow path for optimizing filtration performance, providing ample water flow, maximizing water quality and enhancing microbiological kill rates; a source of radiant ultraviolet energy, arranged in said housing, for receiving filtered water and killing microorganisms in the water, said source comprising an ultraviolet discharge lamp having an elongate central axis and means for providing a plug flow about said discharge lamp for maximizing the exposure of microorganisms to ultraviolet energy and enhancing microbiological kill rates; a flow control means for regulating the flow of water through the water treatment system under varying pressure conditions in an untreated water source thus ensuring adequate exposure time of microorganisms to ultraviolet energy and enhancing microbiological kill rates; a filter monitoring means for monitoring the amount of water flowing through said filter and providing an indication when said filter has reached end-of-life; a radiant energy monitoring means for monitoring the performance of said source of radiant energy and providing an indication when said source has reached end-of-life; a filter quick-disconnect means for providing a user with the ability to change said filter in response to an indication from said filter monitoring means; a source quick-disconnect means for providing a user with the ability to change said source of radiant energy in response to an indication from said radiant energy monitoring means; and an interlock means constructed and arranged for automatically disconnecting said source of radiant energy from a power supply when a user accesses said housing.
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26. A point of use water treatment system for home use comprising:
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a housing; a pressed carbon block filter, arranged in said housing, for removing particulates and organic contaminants from water, said filter comprising an activated carbon having a pore size distribution that includes a substantial number of micropores and said filter being provided with a radially inward flow path for optimizing filtration performance, providing ample water flow, maximizing water quality and enhancing microbiological kill rates; a source of radiant ultraviolet energy, arranged in said housing, for receiving filtered water and killing microorganisms in the water, said source comprising an ultraviolet discharge lamp having an elongate central axis and means for providing a plug flow about said discharge lamp for maximizing the exposure of microorganisms to ultraviolet energy and enhancing microbiological kill rates; a flow regulator for regulating the flow of water through the water treatment system under varying pressure conditions in an untreated water source thus ensuring adequate exposure time of microorganisms to ultraviolet energy and enhancing microbiological kill rates; a filter monitor operable for monitoring the amount of water flowing through said filter and providing an indication when said filter has reached end-of-life; a radiant energy monitor operable for monitoring the performance of said source of radiant energy and providing an indication when said source has reached end-of-life; a filter quick-disconnect constructed and arranged for providing a user with the ability to change said filter in response to an indication from said filter monitor; a source quick-disconnect constructed and arranged for providing a user with the ability to change said source of radiant energy in response to an indication from said radiant energy monitor; and interlock means constructed and arranged for automatically disconnecting said source of radiant energy from a power supply when a user accesses said housing.
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Specification