Self-powered miniature liquid treatment system

• US 7,462,945 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Issued: 12/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC (Alticor Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC (Alticor Incorporated)
• Inventors: Baarman, David W., Houghton, Christopher B., McPhilliamy, Stephen J., Lautzenheiser, Terry Lee, Leppien, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg; Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mohandesi; Iraj A
• Application Number:
  US11/981,094
• Publication Number:
  US 20080067813A1
• Time in Patent Office: 405 Days
• Field of Search: 290/43, 290/52, 290/54
• US Class Current: 290/43
• 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 1/008 Control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/283 using coal, charred products, or inorganic mixtures containing them
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/32 with ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/325 Irradiation devices or lamp constructions
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/009 Apparatus with independent power supply, e.g. solar cells, windpower, fuel cells for electrolysis apparatus C02F2201/46165
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/3222 Units using UV-light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/326 Lamp control systems
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/005 Processes using a programmable logic controller [PLC]
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/006 comprising a software program or a logic diagram
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2307/06 Mounted on or being part of a faucet, shower handle or showerhead
• 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: E03C 1/08 Jet regulators or jet guides, e.g. anti-splash devices
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 2201/40 Arrangement of water treatment devices in domestic plumbing installations
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 1/00 Engines of impulse type, i.e. turbines with jets of high-velocity liquid impinging on blades or like rotors, e.g. Pelton wheels; Parts or details peculiar thereto
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/00 Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus if the apparatus aspects are predominant, see the relevant subclasses for such apparatus, e.g. H02K7/18; Power stations or aggregates incorporating only machines or engines of positive-displacement type F03C; hydraulic engineering aspects E02B; combinations with wind energy converters F03D9/008
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2220/602 with energy recovery turbines
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/2411 Pelton type
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1823 structurally associated with turbines or similar engines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/212 Solar-powered wastewater sewage treatment, e.g. spray evaporation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/50 : Hydropower in dwellings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/20 : Hydro energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/30 : Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 : Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49009 : Dynamoelectric machine
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49229 : Prime mover or fluid pump making

Abstract

A liquid treatment system that may be self-powered includes a filter and a hydro-generator. A flow of liquid may be filtered with the filter and used to rotate the hydro-generator to generate electric power. The liquid treatment system may include a first liquid flow path that provides treated liquid, and a second liquid flow path that provides untreated liquid. The filter and the hydro-power generator are included in the first liquid flow path so that electric power is generated by the hydro-power generator when liquid flows through the first liquid flow path.

Claims

1. A liquid treatment system, comprising:

a first liquid flow path that provides treated liquid and a second liquid flow path that provides untreated liquid;

a filter configured to be part of the first liquid flow path; and

a power generation module configured to include a first passage that is a portion of the first liquid flow path and a second passage that is a portion of the second liquid flow path,

wherein electric power is generated by the power generation module only upon a flow of liquid through the first liquid flow path a first outlet from the first liquid flow path to discharge treated liquid and a second outlet from the second liquid flow path that is independent of the first outlet to discharge untreated liquid.

2. The liquid treatment system of claim 1, further comprising a processor configured to monitor the electric power generated by the power generation module, the processor configured to determine a flow rate of liquid through the first liquid flow path as a function of the electric power generated.

3. The liquid treatment system of claim 1, wherein the power generation module comprises a nozzle and a hydro-generator, wherein the hydro-generator rotates within the first liquid flow path in response to the flow of liquid in the first liquid flow path being extruded as a stream of liquid from the nozzle.

4. The liquid treatment system of claim 1, further comprising an ultraviolet dosing system configured to be part of the first liquid flow path, the electric power generated by the power generation module supplied to the ultraviolet dosing system.

5. The liquid treatment system of claim 4, wherein the power generation module comprises a hydro-generator rotationally disposed in the first liquid flow path and the processor is configured to determine a rotational speed of the hydro-generator as a function of the electric power generated and energize the ultraviolet dosing system with the electric power when the rotational speed of the hydro-generator is within a determined range.

7. The liquid treatment system of claim 1, wherein the power generation module includes a rotor and a stator disposed in the first passage, the rotor rotatable around the stator to generate electric power in response to an extruded stream of the flow of liquid within the first passage.

8. The liquid treatment system of claim 1, further comprising a switch mechanism, the switch mechanism configured to toggle between the first and second liquid flow paths.

9. The liquid treatment system of claim 1, wherein the first passage is formed inside an outer housing included in the power generation module and the second passage is formed outside the outer housing.

11. The liquid treatment system of claim 1, wherein the filter comprises activated carbon.

6. A liquid treatment system, comprising:

a first liquid flow path that provides treated liquid and a second liquid flow path that provides untreated liquid;

a filter configured to be part of the first liquid flow path; and

a power generation module configured to include a first passage that is a portion of the first liquid flow path and a second passage that is a portion of the second liquid flow path, wherein electric power is generated by the power generation module only upon a flow of liquid through the first liquid flow path and a processor configured to monitor the electric power generated by the power generation module, the Processor configured to determine a flow rate of liquid through the first liquid flow path as a function of the electric power generated, wherein the processor is configured to track usage of the filter as a function of the electric power generated.

10. A liquid treatment system, comprising:

a first liquid flow path that provides treated liquid and a second liquid flow path that provides untreated liquid;

a filter configured to be part of the first liquid flow path; and

a power generation module configured to include a first passage that is a portion of the first liquid flow path and a second passage that is a portion of the second liquid flow path, wherein electric power is generated by the power generation module only upon a flow of liquid through the first liquid flow path and a lever and a valve core, the valve core having a first cavity forming part of the first liquid flow path and a second cavity forming part of the second liquid flow path, wherein the first and second cavities are separate and independent liquid flow paths that are selectable with the lever.