Water purification system utilizing a plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes

• US 7,544,291 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2004
• Issued: 06/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robertshaw US Holding Corp.
• Original Assignee: Ranco Incorporated of Delaware (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Ehlers, Gregory Allen Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Savage; Matthew O
• Application Number:
  US10/905,200
• Publication Number:
  US 20060131246A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,631 Days
• Field of Search: 210/198.1, 210/192, 210/243, 210/748, 250/432.R, 250/435, 422/24, 422/186.3, 362/545
• US Class Current: 210/198.1
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/325 Irradiation devices or lamp constructions
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/3222 Units using UV-light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/3227 Units with two or more lamps
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/008 comprising telecommunication features, e.g. modems or antennas

Abstract

A water purification system utilizing a plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes and associated method of use is disclosed. This includes an inlet, an ultraviolet radiation chamber, and an outlet, wherein the inlet is connected in fluid relationship to the ultraviolet radiation chamber and the outlet is connected in fluid relationship to the ultraviolet radiation chamber to allow water to flow between the inlet and the outlet through the ultraviolet radiation chamber, wherein the ultraviolet radiation chamber is positioned adjacent to a plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes. The plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes may be mounted on a flexible electrical circuit board and/or in the form of an array. Moreover, the ultraviolet radiation chamber can be a transparent tube with the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes positioned on the outside of the transparent tube or positioned within the transparent jacket.

Claims

1. A water purification system comprising:

an inlet;

an ultraviolet radiation chamber, the ultraviolet radiation chamber being made of a transparent material; and

an outlet, wherein the inlet is connected in fluid relationship to the ultraviolet radiation chamber and the outlet is connected in fluid relationship to the ultraviolet radiation chamber to allow water to flow between the inlet and the outlet through the ultraviolet radiation chamber, wherein the ultraviolet radiation chamber has inner and outer surfaces, wherein water flowing through the ultraviolet radiation chamber is in contact with the inner surface thereof, wherein a plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes are molded directly into the outer surface of the ultraviolet radiation chamber making said light emitting diodes an integral part of the ultraviolet radiation chamber and wherein the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes are electrically connected to a flexible electrical circuit board that at least partially surrounds the ultraviolet radiation chamber.

2. The water purification system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes are in an array.

3. The water purification system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the flexible electrical circuit board surrounds the ultraviolet radiation chamber.

4. The water purification system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the ultraviolet radiation chamber is an outside surface of a transparent tube, and wherein the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes is integrated with the outside surface of the transparent tube.

5. The water purification system as set forth in claim 4, wherein the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes are in an array.

6. A water purification system comprising:

an inlet;

an ultraviolet radiation chamber that is made of a transparent material; and

an outlet, wherein the inlet is connected in fluid relationship to the ultraviolet radiation chamber and the outlet is connected in fluid relationship to the ultraviolet radiation chamber to allow water to flow between the inlet and the outlet through the ultraviolet radiation chamber, wherein the ultraviolet radiation chamber has inner and outer surfaces, wherein water flowing through the ultraviolet radiation chamber is in contact with the inner surface thereof, wherein a plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes at least partially surround the ultraviolet radiation chamber and are molded directly into the outer surface of the ultraviolet radiation chamber making said light emitting diodes an integral part of the ultraviolet radiation chamber, and wherein the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes are mounted on a flexible electrical circuit board and positioned in an array.

7. A water purification system, comprising:

an array of light emitting diodes;

a transparent tube having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface being in contact with a fluid flowing through the fluid conduit; and

a flexible electrical circuit board that is electrically connected to each of the plurality of light emitting diodes;

wherein the array of light emitting diodes includes a plurality of light emitting diodes, each of the plurality of light emitting diodes being integrated with the transparent tube such that each of the plurality of light emitting diodes is molded into the outer surface of the transparent tube.

8. A fluid conduit for a water purification system, comprising:

a flexible electrical circuit board having an inner side;

a plurality of light emitting diodes electrically arranged in an array and disposed on the inner side of the flexible electrical circuit board, each of the plurality of light emitting diodes electrically connected to the flexible electrical circuit board;

a transparent tube forming a central bore and having an inner surface and an outer surface, the transparent tube disposed within the flexible electrical circuit board such that the outer surface of the transparent tube is molded around each of the plurality of light emitting diodes, which makes the plurality of light emitting diodes an integral part of the transparent tube;

wherein the central bore defines an ultraviolet radiation chamber, and wherein water flowing through the ultraviolet radiation chamber is in contact with the inner surface.