Controls of a filtration system

• US 8,354,029 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2007
• Issued: 01/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seccua GmbH
• Original Assignee: Seccua GmbH
• Inventors: Hank, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): DRODGE, JOSEPH W
• Application Number:
  US12/293,071
• Publication Number:
  US 20090218285A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,133 Days
• Field of Search: 210/90, 210/96.1, 210/96.2, 210/97, 210/100, 210/109, 210/110, 210/134, 210/137, 210/321.6, 210/637, 210/650, 210/739, 210/741, 210/767, 73/38, 73/40, 73/616.3, 73/645.5, 735/87, 964/17, 964/21, 700/266, 700/273, 702/113, 702/114, 455/414.1, 455/466
• US Class Current: 210/739
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/12 Controlling or regulating
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/22 Controlling or regulating
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 65/104 Detection of leaks in membrane apparatus or modules
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/008 Control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/444 by ultrafiltration or microfiltration
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/006 comprising a software program or a logic diagram
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/008 comprising telecommunication features, e.g. modems or antennas

Abstract

A control device for a filtration unit for filtering a fluid, the control device comprising an integrity test unit for performing an integrity test for checking the functional integrity of the filtration unit, and a reaction unit for determining a reaction based on a result of the integrity test.

Claims

1. A filtration system for filtering a fluid, wherein the filtration system comprises a filtration unit and a control device for the filtration unit, the control device arranged as an integrated circuit and comprising:

an integrity test unit for performing an integrity test for checking the functional integrity of the filtration unit; and

a reaction unit for determining a reaction based on a result of the integrity test;

wherein the integrity test unit is configured to perform the integrity test in an automatic or user-defined manner;

wherein the reaction unit generates an alarm message if the functional integrity of the filtration unit is compromised as identified by the integrity test unit, the alarm message comprising telenotification to a user performed by a mobile telephone network communication path;

wherein the control device is arranged to be bidirectionally communicative with a remotely situated user, and to inform the user through a short messaging service (“

SMS”

) or a multi-media messaging service (“

MMS”

) that the filtration unit may be malfunctioning and such that the user may send defined commands to the control device via an SMS interface so as to initiate corrective measures.

2. The filtration system according to claim 1, wherein the integrity test unit is arranged for checking the functional integrity of a filter membrane by conveying and detecting a test substance essentially impermeable to the filter membrane in the functional state of the filter membrane.

3. The filtration system according to claim 1, wherein the reaction unit switches off at least a part of the filtration unit if the functional integrity of the filtration unit is compromised as identified by the integrity test unit.

4. The filtration system according to claim 1, further comprising a restart unit arranged for identifying a restored functional integrity of the filtration unit after a malfunction and for restarting the filtration unit.

5. The filtration system according to claim 1, wherein said control device is arranged as a monolithic integrated circuit.

6. The filtration system according to claim 1, wherein said control device is configured as a retrofit kit for installation into an existing filtration unit.

7. The filtration system according to any one of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, comprising at least one filter membrane for filtering the fluid.

8. The filtration system according to claim 7, wherein the at least one filter membrane is selected from the group consisting of a fine filter membrane, a microfilter membrane, an ultrafilter membrane, and a nanofilter membrane.

9. The filtration system according to claim 7, further comprising an inlet connection for feeding the fluid to be filtered to the filter membrane.

10. The filtration system according to claim 7, further comprising a filter fluid connection for discharging the fluid filtered by the filter membrane.

11. The filtration system according to claim 7, further comprising an outlet connection for discharging fluid that has not flown through the filter membrane.

12. The filtration system according to claim 7, further comprising one or more of an inlet connection, fluid filter connection or outlet connection and at least one valve capable of adjusting the inlet connection, the fluid filter connection, or the outlet connection.

13. The filtration system according to claim 12, wherein the control device is arranged for controlling the at least one valve.

14. The filtration system according to claim 13, wherein the control device for controlling the at least one valve is arranged for adjusting an operating mode selected from the group consisting of a filtration mode for conveying the fluid from the inlet connection through the at least one filter membrane to the filter fluid connection, a membrane rinsing mode for conveying the fluid from the inlet connection along the at least one filter membrane to the outlet connection, and a reflux mode for conveying the fluid from the filter fluid connection through the at least one filter membrane to the outlet connection.

15. The filtration system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one pump for conveying the fluid through the filtration unit.

16. The filtration system according to claim 1, wherein said filtration unit is capable of disinfecting drinking water and/or service water, removing Legionellae from sanitary facilities in hospitals, schools and/or swimming pools, or for disinfecting water in swimming pools.

17. The filtration system according to claim 1, wherein the integrity test unit performs the integrity test for checking the functional integrity of a filter membrane for filtering the fluid;

and for checking the functional integrity of the filter membrane by applying a test pressure to the filter membrane and measuring time response of the test pressure at the filter membrane as indicated by a change in the test pressure over time.

18. The filtration system of claim 1, wherein the filtration unit is integrated into a home water system.

19. A method of controlling a filtration unit for filtering a fluid, the method comprising:

providing a filtration system comprising a filtration unit and providing a control device arranged as an integrated circuit installed into the filtration system;

the control device performing an integrity test with an integrity test unit in an automatic or user-defined manner;

the control device generating an alarm message comprising telenotification to a user performed by a mobile telephone network communication path, if the functional integrity of the filtration unit is compromised as identified by the integrity test unit;

the control device informing the user through a short messaging service (“

SMS”

) or a multi-media messaging service (“

MMS”

) that the filtration unit may be malfunctioning via a control device, wherein the control device is arranged to be bidirectionally communicative with a remotely situated user; and

sending defined commands via SMS by a user to an interface coupled to or part of the control device so as to initiate corrective measures.

20. A computer-readable data carrier, on which a program for controlling a filtration unit for filtering a fluid is stored, wherein said program, when executed by a processor, controls or performs the method according to claim 19.

21. A program element for controlling a filtration unit for filtering a fluid, wherein said program element, when executed by a processor, controls or performs the method according to claim 19.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the filtration unit is integrated into a home water system.