Water purification system having multi-pass ultraviolet radiation and reverse osmosis chambers

• US 5,653,877 A
• Filed: 09/18/1995
• Issued: 08/05/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FM Mark Electronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: FM Mark Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Mark, Farvell M.
• Primary Examiner(s): McCarthy, Neil
• Application Number:
  US08/529,623
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 210/259, 210/748, 258/436, 258/438, 258/435
• US Class Current: 210/259
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/24 Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/08 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/325 Irradiation devices or lamp constructions
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/3221 Lamps suspended above a water surface or pipe

Abstract

A water purification system is disclosed comprising a reverse osmosis chamber coupled to a multi-pass ultraviolet chamber for irradiating water with ultraviolet light radiation both before and after the water passes through the reverse osmosis chamber. The multi-pass ultraviolet chamber provides a plurality of water conveying tubes in proximity to an ultraviolet light radiation source. The diameter of the conveying tubes is substantially larger than the diameter of conduits feeding the tubes. Accordingly, the water flow through the tubes decelerates, thereby increasing the duration of ultraviolet light radiation exposure to the water in the tubes. Additionally, a removable cover is located above the ultraviolet light bulb in order to facilitate easy replacement of the bulb.

Claims

1. A water purification system comprising, in combination:

reverse osmosis means for filtering a fluid passing therethrough;

multi-pass ultraviolet chamber means coupled to said reverse osmosis means for irradiating said fluid with ultraviolet light radiation both before and after said fluid passes through said reverse osmosis means;

said multi-pass ultraviolet chamber means comprising;

a housing;

a pair of support members coupled to opposing inner surface wall portions of said housing;

ultraviolet light radiation means coupled between said pair of support members for irradiating said fluid passing through said multi-pass ultraviolet chamber means;

first tube means coupled between said pair of support members for conveying said fluid past said ultraviolet light radiation means prior to said fluid entering said reverse osmosis means;

second tube means coupled between said pair of support members for conveying said fluid past said ultraviolet light radiation means after said fluid has departed from said reverse osmosis means;

each of said support means having conduit means in fluid communication with said first and said second tube means for conveying said fluid therethrough;

diameters of said first and said second tube means being substantially larger than diameters of corresponding conduit means; and

a removable cover located above said ultraviolet light radiation means, said first tube means, and said second tube means.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising first filter means coupled to an inlet supply of said fluid for filtering said fluid prior to supplying to said first tube means.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein an outlet of said first tube means is coupled to an inlet of said reverse osmosis means.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said reverse osmosis means provides a first and second output flow of said fluid.

5. The system of claim 4 further comprising permeate pump means driven by said first output flow of said fluid from said reverse osmosis means for pumping said second output flow of said fluid from said reverse osmosis means.

6. The system of claim 5 further comprising air gap faucet means coupled to said first flow from said permeate pump for conveying said first flow to a drain.

7. The system of claim 6 further including air-loaded storage tank means coupled to said second flow from said permeate pump for storing said fluid and for supplying said fluid to a header.

8. The system of claim 7 further including second filter means coupled to said header for filtering said fluid from said permeate pump and from said air-loaded storage tank means.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein a discharge from said second filter means is coupled to an input of said second tube means.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein a discharge of said second tube means is coupled to said air gap faucet means.

11. A water purification system comprising, in combination:

reverse osmosis means for filtering a fluid passing therethrough;

multi-pass ultraviolet chamber means coupled to said reverse osmosis means for irradiating said fluid with ultraviolet light radiation both before and after said fluid passes through said reverse osmosis means;

said multi-pass ultraviolet chamber means comprising;

a housing;

a pair of support members coupled to opposing inner surface wall portions of said housing;

ultraviolet light radiation means coupled between said pair of support members for irradiating said fluid passing through said multi-pass ultraviolet chamber means;

first tube means coupled between said pair of support members for conveying said fluid past said ultraviolet light radiation means prior to said fluid entering said reverse osmosis means;

second tube means coupled between said pair of support members for conveying said fluid past said ultraviolet light radiation means after said fluid has departed from said reverse osmosis means;

each of said support means having conduit means in fluid communication with said first and said second tube means for conveying said fluid therethrough;

diameters of said first and said second tube means being substantially larger than diameters of corresponding conduit means; and

a removable cover located above said ultraviolet light radiation means, said first tube means, and said second tube means;

said system further comprising first filter means coupled to an inlet supply of said fluid for filtering said fluid prior to supplying to said first tube means;

wherein an outlet of said first tube means is coupled to an inlet of said reverse osmosis means;

wherein said reverse osmosis means provides a first and second output flow of said fluid;

permeate pump means driven by said first output flow of said fluid from said reverse osmosis means for pumping said second output flow of said fluid from said reverse osmosis means;

air gap faucet means coupled to said first flow from said permeate pump for conveying said first flow to a drain;

air-loaded storage tank means coupled to said second flow from said permeate pump for storing said fluid and for supplying said fluid to a header;

second filter means coupled to said header for filtering said fluid from said permeate pump and from said air-loaded storage tank means;

wherein a discharge from said second filter means is coupled to an input of said second tube means; and

wherein a discharge of said second tube means is coupled to said air gap faucet means.