System for monitoring the performance of fluid treatment cartridges

• US 20060060512A1
• Filed: 11/04/2005
• Published: 03/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Meadwestvaco Calmar (WestRock Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Astle, Robert E., Patel, Hemang, Patel, Mahesh Z., Holler, Thomas, Fritze, Karl
• Granted Patent: US 7,638,042 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/85
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/4023 Means for connecting filter housings to supports
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/4046 Means for avoiding false mounting of different parts
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/52 Filter identification means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/54 Computerised or programmable systems
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2201/56 Wireless systems for monitoring the filter
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 27/101 Filter condition indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/606 by pressure measuring
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 35/143 Filter condition indicators
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/006 Cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/008 comprising telecommunication features, e.g. modems or antennas
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/40 Liquid flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/42 Liquid level
• 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 fluid treatment system is provided, the system including a fluid treatment cartridge for treating fluid passing therethrough. The cartridge has an inlet through which untreated fluid enters the cartridge and an outlet from which treated fluid exits the cartridge. The cartridge also has a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag for storing data. The fluid treatment system also includes a connection manifold configured to detachably support the fluid treatment cartridge. The connection manifold has an inlet flow path for directing untreated fluid to the inlet of the cartridge and an outlet flow path for directing treated fluid from the outlet of the cartridge, and a data sensor for reading data stored on the RFID tag. The fluid treatment system further includes means for evaluating the data stored on the RFID tag and read by the data sensor, as well as means for deterring fluid treatment system use based upon the evaluation of the data stored on the RFID tag and read by the data sensor.

Claims

1. A fluid treatment system comprising:

a) a fluid treatment cartridge for treating fluid passing therethrough, the cartridge having an inlet through which untreated fluid enters the cartridge and an outlet from which treated fluid exits the cartridge, the cartridge having a RFID tag for storing data;

b) a connection manifold configured to detachably support the fluid treatment cartridge, the connection manifold having an inlet flow path for directing untreated fluid to the inlet of the cartridge and an outlet flow path for directing treated fluid from the outlet of the cartridge, and a data sensor for reading data stored on the RFID tag;

c) means for evaluating the data stored on the RFID tag and read by the data sensor; and

d) means for deterring fluid treatment system use based upon the evaluation of the data stored on the RFID tag and read by the data sensor.

2. A fluid treatment system as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for evaluating the data stored on the RFID tag and read by the data sensor includes a processor and a memory in communication with the data sensor, the memory containing predetermined parameter ranges for comparison to the data stored on the RFID tag and the processor comparing the data received from the RFID tag via the data sensor to the predetermined parameter ranges stored in the memory.

3. A fluid treatment system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a fluid characteristic sensor, and wherein the means for evaluating the data stored on the RFID tag and read by the data sensor includes a processor in communication with the fluid characteristic sensor and the data sensor, the processor comparing data received from the fluid characteristic sensor to the data received from RFID tag via the data sensor.

4. A fluid treatment system as recited in claim 3, wherein the fluid characteristic sensor is selected from the group consisting of a pressure transducer, a flow meter, a pH sensor, a resistivity sensor, a chemical analysis sensor, a fluid pH meter, a turbidity sensor, a timer, and a thermocouple.

5. A fluid treatment system as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for deterring fluid treatment system use includes means for preventing the flow of fluid through the fluid treatment cartridge.

6. A fluid treatment system as recited in claim 5, wherein the means for preventing the flow of fluid through the fluid treatment cartridge is operatively associated with the connection manifold.

7. A fluid treatment system as recited in claim 5, wherein the means for preventing the flow of fluid through the fluid treatment cartridge is operatively associated with the fluid treatment cartridge.

8. A fluid treatment system as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for deterring fluid treatment system use includes a structure operatively associated with the means for evaluating the data stored on the RFID tag and adapted for movement into a blocking position in response to a signal from the data evaluation means, such that the structure can selectively prevent mounting of the cartridge in the connection manifold.

9. A fluid treatment system as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for deterring fluid treatment system use includes an alarm operatively associated with the means for evaluating the data stored on the RFID tag and activated in response to a signal from the data evaluation means.

10. A fluid treatment system as recited in claim 1, wherein the data stored on the RFID tag includes system performance data.

11. A fluid treatment system as recited in claim 10, wherein the subject of the performance data is selected from the group consisting of maximum allowable time in use data, expiration date data, fluid treatment capacity limit data, upper and lower acceptable limits for pressure drop across the cartridge data, upper and lower acceptable limits for fluid flow rate through the cartridge data, and upper and lower acceptable limits for turbidity.

12. A fluid treatment system as recited in claim 1, wherein the data stored on the RFID tag includes cartridge identification data.

13. A fluid treatment system as recited in claim 12, wherein the subject of the cartridge identification data is selected from the group consisting of fluid treatment cartridge identification data, manufacturer identification data, and manufacturing date data.

14. A fluid treatment system as recited in claim 1, wherein the fluid treatment cartridge includes means for dispensing an additive into fluid flowing through the cartridge.

15. A fluid treatment system as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for evaluating the data stored on the RFID tag and read by the sensor is incorporated into the connection manifold.

16. A fluid treatment system comprising:

a) a detachable fluid treatment cartridge for treating fluid passing therethrough, the cartridge having an inlet through which untreated fluid enters the cartridge, an outlet from which treated fluid exits the cartridge, and an RFID tag for storing data;

b) a connection manifold configured to detachably support the fluid treatment cartridge, the connection manifold having an inlet flow path for directing untreated fluid to the inlet of the cartridge and an outlet flow path for directing treated fluid from the outlet of the cartridge;

c) a data sensor for reading data stored on the RFID tag;

d) means for evaluating the data stored on the RFID tag and read by the sensor; and

e) means for inhibiting fluid treatment system use based upon the evaluation of such data, and

wherein the data sensor reads the data stored on the RFID tag when the fluid treatment cartridge is brought into proximity with the data sensor such that the data evaluation means can evaluate the data stored on the RFID tag before the cartridge is mounted onto the connection manifold.

17. A fluid treatment system as recited in claim 16, wherein the data stored on the RFID tag includes cartridge identification data.

18. A fluid treatment system as recited in claim 17, wherein the subject of the cartridge identification data is selected from the group consisting of fluid treatment cartridge identification data, manufacturer identification data, and manufacturing date data.

19. A fluid treatment system as recited in claim 16, wherein the means for inhibiting fluid treatment system use includes a structure operatively associated with the means for evaluating the data stored on the RFID tag and adapted for movement into a blocking position in response to a signal from the data evaluation means, such that the structure can selectively prevent mounting of the cartridge in the connection manifold.

20. A fluid treatment system as recited in claim 19, wherein:

the data stored on the RFID tag includes cartridge identification data,

the means for evaluating the data stored on the RFID tag and read by the data sensor includes a processor and a memory in communication with the data sensor, the memory containing authorized cartridge identification information, and

the processor compares the cartridge identification data received from the RFID tag via the data sensor to the authorized cartridge identification information stored in the memory and sends a signal to cause the blocking structure to move into a blocking position when the RFID tag data is inconsistent with the data stored in the memory.

21. A fluid treatment system as recited in claim 16, wherein the means for evaluating the data stored on the RFID tag and read by the sensor is incorporated into the connection manifold.

22. A fluid treatment system comprising:

a) a conduit for carrying fluid;

b) a fluid treatment device in fluid communication with the conduit, the fluid treatment device having a RFID tag for storing data;

c) means for evaluating the data stored on the RFID tag; and

d) means for selectively deterring fluid treatment system use based upon the evaluation of the data stored on the RFID tag.

23. A fluid treatment system as recited in claim 22, wherein the means for selectively deterring fluid treatment system use includes means for selectively inhibiting fluid communication between the conduit and the fluid treatment device.

24. A fluid treatment system as recited in claim 23, wherein the means for selectively inhibiting fluid communication between the conduit and the fluid treatment device is a solenoid valve separating the fluid treatment device and the conduit and operatively connected to the means for evaluating the data stored on the RFID tag.

25. A fluid treatment system as recited in claim 22, wherein the fluid treatment device is an additive dispensing apparatus that contains an additive and includes means for releasing the additive into the fluid moving through the conduit.

26. A fluid treatment system as recited in claim 25, wherein the means for releasing the additive into the fluid is maintaining the additive contained in the additive dispensing apparatus at a pressure greater than a pressure of the fluid in the conduit, such that the difference in pressure acts to force additive into the fluid in the conduit when the fluid treatment device is in fluid communication with the conduit.

27. A fluid treatment system as recited in claim 26, wherein the difference in pressure between the additive and the fluid of the conduit is at least partially caused by the reduction in fluid pressure due to the velocity of the fluid in the conduit.

28. A fluid treatment system as recited in claim 22, further comprising a fluid characteristic sensor for monitoring the fluid of the conduit, the fluid characteristic sensor being operatively connected to the means for evaluating data stored on the RFID tag such that data stored on the RFID tag can be compared to data collected by the fluid characteristic sensor.

29. A cartridge for a fluid treatment system, the fluid treatment system including means for reading data stored on a RFID tag and means for evaluating fluid treatment system performance, the cartridge comprising:

a) means for connecting to a fluid system to enable fluid communication between the cartridge and the fluid system such that fluid of the fluid system flows through the cartridge;

b) means for treating fluid flowing through the cartridge; and

c) a RFID tag for storing data, and

wherein the data stored on the RFID tag can be compared to fluid treatment system performance.

30. A manifold for a fluid treatment system, the manifold comprising:

means for detachably supporting a fluid treatment cartridge such that the fluid treatment cartridge is in fluid communication with the fluid treatment system when the fluid treatment cartridge is supported by the manifold; and

means for reading data stored on a RFID tag.