Self-powered miniature liquid treatment system with multiple liquid flow paths

• US 7,067,936 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2005
• Issued: 06/27/2006
• 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:
  US11/110,628
• Publication Number:
  US 20050189770A1
• Time in Patent Office: 433 Days
• Field of Search: 290/40, 290/43, 290/54, 290/52
• 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, an ultraviolet light source and a hydro-generator in a first flow path. The first flow path may provide treated liquid at a first outlet of the liquid treatment system. A second flow path included in the liquid treatment system may provide untreated liquid at a second outlet of the liquid treatment system. The first and second flow paths may be included in a housing, and may be selectable with a switching mechanism by a user of the liquid treatment system. The housing may be mounted at the end of a faucet. The hydro-generator may generate electric power for use by the ultraviolet light source and a processor. The processor may monitor the electric power and energize the ultraviolet light source with the electric power when the rotational speed of the hydro-generator enters a determined range.

Claims

1. A liquid treatment system, comprising:

a housing that includes a first compartment and a second compartment both configured to be in liquid communication with a flow of liquid through the housing, and a third compartment configured to remain substantially dry;

a filter disposed within the first compartment, wherein the filter is configured to remove particulate from the flow of liquid through the first compartment;

an ultraviolet dosing system disposed within the third compartment, wherein the ultraviolet dosing system is configured to treat the flow of liquid;

a hydropower generation system configured to operate within the second compartment, wherein the hydropower generation system includes a nozzle and is configured to generate power in response to the flow of liquid being extruded from the nozzle as a stream of liquid into the second compartment; and

only one manifold disposed between the first and second compartments, the manifold comprising a plurality of separate passageways formed in the manifold to channel the flow of liquid to the first and second compartments.

2. The liquid treatment system of claim 1, wherein the manifold comprises a first passageway configured to channel the flow of liquid to the filter and a second passageway configured to channel the flow of liquid between the filter and the ultraviolet dosing system.

3. The liquid treatment system of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to be mounted at the end of a faucet.

4. The liquid treatment system of claim 1, wherein the only one manifold comprises a nozzle keeper configured to engage the nozzle.

5. The liquid treatment system of claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet dosing system comprises a reactor vessel and an ultraviolet light source, the reactor vessel comprises an inlet and an outlet both positioned at one end of the reactor vessel to couple with the manifold and the nozzle, respectively.

6. The liquid treatment system of claim 5, wherein the ultraviolet dosing system further comprises a socket coupled with the ultraviolet light source, and the manifold comprises a lamp seat to engage the end of the ultraviolet light source opposite the socket.

7. The liquid treatment system of claim 5, wherein the reactor vessel comprises a straight tube and a helical tube, the straight tube includes the inlet and extends through the helical tube to be coupled with the helical tube at an opposite end of the reactor vessel, wherein the helical tube includes the outlet.

8. The liquid treatment system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a cylindrically shaped portion, and the filter, the ultraviolet dosing system and the manifold are concentrically positioned within the cylindrically shaped portion so that the manifold is positioned between the filter and the ultraviolet dosing system.

9. The liquid treatment system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a cylindrically shaped portion and a spherical shaped portion, the filter, the ultraviolet dosing system and the manifold are positioned in the cylindrical shaped portion and the hydropower generation system is disposed in the spherical shaped portion.

10. The liquid treatment system of claim 1, further comprising a switch mechanism configured to detachably couple the housing with the end of a faucet and allow selection of one of a treated and an untreated flow of liquid from the housing.

11. A liquid treatment system, comprising:

a single manifold comprising a first passageway and a second passageway;

a first compartment configured to receive a flow of liquid from the first passageway and discharge the flow of liquid into the second passageway, wherein the first compartment includes a filter configured to remove particulate from the flow of liquid through the first compartment; and

a second compartment configured to receive the flow of liquid that has flowed through the second passageway,

wherein the second compartment comprises a nozzle configured to discharge the flow of liquid as a stream into the second compartment, and a hydro-generator configured to be rotated within the second compartment when struck by the stream of liquid.

12. The liquid treatment system of claim 11, further comprising a third compartment that includes an ultraviolet dosing system, the ultraviolet dosing system having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet is configured to receive the flow of liquid from the second passageway, and the outlet is configured to provide the flow of liquid to the nozzle.

13. The liquid treatment system of claim 12, wherein the third compartment is configured to remain substantially dry.

14. The liquid treatment system of claim 12, wherein the inlet and the outlet are positioned at one end of the ultraviolet dosing system so that the inlet is direct coupled with the second passageway, and the outlet is direct coupled with the nozzle.

15. The liquid treatment system of claim 11, wherein the second compartment includes a treated liquid outlet and the hydro-generator is positioned in an airspace in the second compartment so that liquid that strikes the hydro-generator will fall by gravity and be channeled out of the second compartment through the treated liquid outlet.

16. The liquid treatment system of claim 11, wherein the manifold is disposed between the first and second compartments, and the first passageway is direct coupled with the first compartment.

17. The liquid treatment system of claim 11, wherein the manifold further comprises a nozzle keeper configured to engage the nozzle.

18. The liquid treatment system of claim 11, wherein the first passageway surrounds the second passageway, so that the second passageway is disposed inside the first passageway.

19. The liquid treatment system of claim 11, wherein the first compartment is configured to be flooded by the flow of liquid to enable the flow of liquid through the filter to the second passageway.

20. A liquid treatment system, comprising:

a housing that includes a first compartment and a second compartment both configured to be in liquid communication with a flow of liquid through the housing, and a third compartment configured to remain substantially dry;

a filter disposed within the first compartment, wherein the filter is configured to remove particulate from the flow of liquid through the first compartment;

an ultraviolet dosing system disposed within the third compartment, wherein the ultraviolet dosing system is configured to treat the flow of liquid; and

a hydropower generation system configured to operate within the second compartment, wherein the hydropower generation system includes a nozzle and is configured to generate power for the ultraviolet dosing system in response to the flow of liquid being extruded from the nozzle as a stream of liquid into the second compartment.

21. The liquid treatment system of claim 20, further comprising only one manifold disposed between the first and second compartments, the manifold comprising a nozzle keeper to engage the nozzle, and a plurality of separate passageways formed in the manifold to channel the flow of liquid to the first and second compartments.

22. The liquid treatment system of claim 20, further comprising an electronics module powered by the hydropower generation system, wherein the electronics module is configured to monitor operational parameters of the liquid treatment system.

23. The liquid treatment system of claim 22, wherein the electronics module comprises a processor coupled with a display and a sensor, the sensor configured to sense an operational parameter, and the processor configured to drive the display to display an indication related to the operational parameter.

24. The liquid treatment system of claim 20, wherein the filter is further configured to be replaceable by an end user of the liquid treatment system by access to an interior cavity of the first compartment.

25. The liquid treatment system of claim 20, wherein the ultraviolet dosing system includes an ultraviolet light source, and the ultraviolet light source is accessible in the third compartment to enable replacement of the ultraviolet light source by an end user of the liquid treatment system.

26. A method of treating liquid with a liquid treatment system, the method comprising:

receiving a flow of liquid in a first passageway included in a single manifold;

channeling the flow of liquid to a first compartment with the first passageway;

filtering the flow of liquid within the first compartment;

channeling the filtered flow of liquid to an ultraviolet dosing system with a second passage included in the single manifold;

channeling the flow of liquid from the ultraviolet dosing system through a nozzle;

extruding a stream of liquid from the nozzle into a second compartment; and

striking with the extruded stream of liquid a rotatable hydro generator that is operable to be rotated within the second compartment by the extruded stream of liquid to produce electric power.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein filtering the flow of liquid comprises filling the portion of the first compartment surrounding a filter included in the first compartment with the flow of liquid, and passing the flow of liquid through the filter.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein channeling the filtered flow of liquid to an ultraviolet dosing system comprises channeling the filtered flow of liquid through a straight section and a helical section of a reactor vessel to subject the flow of liquid to an ultraviolet light source.

29. The method of claim 26, further comprising maintaining an airspace around the rotatable hydro generator by channeling the liquid that has struck the rotatable hydro generator out of the second compartment by gravity.