Home water purification system with filter end of life monitor

• US 5,698,091 A
• Filed: 09/18/1996
• Issued: 12/16/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC (Alticor Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Amway Corporation (Alticor Incorporated)
• Inventors: Pippel, Bradley J., Kuennen, Roy W., Markham, Ronald C., Kool, Dennis J., Tiede, Merlin G., Kidd, Dennis E., Dykhouse, Robin M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Drodge, Joseph W.
• Application Number:
  US08/711,663
• Time in Patent Office: 454 Days
• Field of Search: 210/85, 210/87, 210/137, 210/192, 210/195.2, 210/232, 210/257.2, 210/266, 210/282, 210/143, 422/186.3, 250/435, 250/437
• US Class Current: 210/87
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/283 using coal, charred products, or inorganic mixtures containing them
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/325 Irradiation devices or lamp constructions
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/3223 Single elongated lamp located on the central axis of a turbular reactor
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/326 Lamp control systems
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/328 Having flow diverters (baffles)
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/00 Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/445 Filter life
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 9/20 Portable or detachable small-scale multistage treatment devices, e.g. point of use or laboratory water purification systems

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.

Claims

1. A point of use water treatment system for home use comprising:

a pressed carbon block filter for removing particulates and organic contaminants from water, said filter including a filter water inlet and a filter water outlet; and

a source of radiant ultraviolet energy for receiving water from said filter and killing microorganisms in said water, said source of radiant energy comprising;

(i) an elongate ultraviolet discharge lamp having an elongate central axis defining an axial direction;

(ii) a vessel defining an open chamber around said elongate ultraviolet discharge lamp, said vessel containing water flow through said source of radiant energy, said vessel including a source water inlet and a source water outlet, said source water inlet receiving water from said filter water outlet; and

(iii) directional means proximate said source water inlet for establishing plug-like spiral flow within said open chamber with a substantial axial and tangential component about said elongate ultraviolet discharge lamp, said flow extending between said source water inlet and said source water outlet;

whereby filtration, water flow, water quality and microbiological kill rates are enhanced.

2. A point of use water treatment system for home use as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

flow regulator means for automatically regulating water flow through the water treatment system under varying water source pressures.

3. A point of use water treatment system for home use as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

filter monitoring means for monitoring the amount of water flowing through the filter and providing an indication to a user when the filter has reached end-of-life.

4. A point of use water treatment system for home use as claimed in claim 3, further comprising:

filter quick-disconnect means for allowing the user to quickly and easily change said filter in response to an indication from said filter monitoring means.

5. A point of use water treatment system for home use as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

radiant energy monitor means for monitoring performance of said energy source and providing an indication when said energy source has reached end-of-life.

6. A point of use water treatment system for home use as claimed in claim 5, further comprising:

source quick-disconnect means for providing a user with the ability to change said energy source in response to an indication from said radiant energy monitor means.

7. A point of use water treatment system for home use as claimed in claim 1, wherein said filter includes:

a central axis;

an activated carbon having a narrow pore size distribution with a substantial number of pores that are 10 microns in diameter and less;

a high molecular weight low melt index polymeric binder which minimizes masking of said activated carbon; and

a radially inward flow path extending between said filter water inlet radially distal from said central axis and said filter water outlet located near said central axis.

8. A point of use water treatment system for home use comprising:

a pressed carbon block filter for removing particulates and organic contaminants from water, said filter including a central axis and comprising;

(i) an activated carbon having a narrow pore size distribution with a substantial number of pores that are 10 microns in diameter and less;

(ii) a high molecular weight low melt index polymeric binder which minimizes masking of said activated carbon; and

(iii) a radially inward flow path extending between a filter water inlet radially distal from said central axis and a filter water outlet located near said central axis;

a source of radiant ultraviolet energy for receiving water from said filter and killing microorganisms in said water, said source of radiant energy comprising;

(i) an elongate ultraviolet discharge lamp having an elongate central axis defining an axial direction; and

(ii) means for establishing plug-like spiral flow with a substantial axial and tangential component about said elongate ultraviolet discharge lamp between a source water inlet and a source water outlet, said source water inlet receiving water from said filter water outlet;

flow regulator means for regulating water flow through the water treatment system under varying water source pressures;

filter monitoring means for monitoring the amount of water flowing through the filter and providing an indication to a user when the filter has reached end-of-life;

filter quick-disconnect means for allowing the user to quickly and easily change said filter in response to an indication from said filter monitoring means; and

means for automatically reducing power supplied to said energy source in response to a signal from said filter monitoring means;

whereby filtration is optimized, ample water flow is provided, water quality is maximized and microbiological kill rates are enhanced.