Recovery Engineering, Inc.

The Procter Gamble Company

Richard D Hembree

David E Carmein

James L Lund

Brian F Sullivan

David James Emmons

William E Stumpf

Jeffrey A Weber

Donald Stephen Bretl

Kenneth C Hou

A filter for removing microorganisms from a fluid is provided by the invention. The filter includes a substrate having a reactive surface, and a polymer covalently bonded to the reactive surface of the substrate. The polymer includes a plurality of cationic groups for attracting microorganisms. Faucet mounted filters and pour through filters containing the polymer coated substrate are provided. Also disclosed are methods for using and manufacturing filters for removing microorganisms from a fluid.

Microorganism filter and method for removing microorganism from water

A water filter cartridge including an outer shell, an inlet opening proximate a first end, an outlet opening and a cam extending axially from the first end. Cam is constructed and arranged so as to reset a mechanical flow totalization mechanism in a water treatment device. A channel and notch in the first end of the cartridge provide fluid communication to a chamber of a water treatment device.

Filter cartridge for water treatment device

An apparatus for use with a water treatment unit that indicates the end of life of the unit. The apparatus comprises a housing with at least one opening for the passage of liquid to a chamber, formed by the interior of the housing and the water treatment unit. The chamber includes a support member mounted to the housing. A float is rotationally mounted on the support member. The support member limits float movement to a predetermined distance upon each rotation of the float, resulting from each cycle of the water treatment unit. Once the float has made a specific number of rotations and has travelled the complete distance of the support member as water fills and drains from the chamber, the float rests in a position where it is visible through an opening in the housing, indicative of the end of life of the water treatment unit.

End of life mechanism for water treatment cartridge

Water filter cartridge

An apparatus for use with a water treatment unit and in particular, those having a treatment cartridge, that indicates the end of life of the unit. The apparatus comprises a housing with at least one opening for the passage of liquid to a chamber, formed by the interior of the housing and the water treatment unit. The chamber includes a support member mounted to the housing. A float is rotationally mounted on the support member. The support member limits float movement to a predetermined distance upon each rotation of the float, resulting from each cycle (use) of the water treatment unit. Once the float has made a specific number of rotations and has travelled the complete distance of the support member (as water fills and drains from the chamber), the float rests in a position where it is visible through an opening in the housing, indicative of the end of life of the water treatment unit.

A water treatment device including an arrangement having mechanisms for mechanically totaling the volume of water filtered and for indicating when the replaceable filter cartridge has reached the end of its useful life. End-of-life indication is provided by a valve mechanism for stopping flow after a predetermined volume has been filtered. The arrangement includes a novel mechanism for resetting the flow totalization mechanism. The preferred water treatment device is faucet mounted and also includes a novel flow bypass design.

Water treatment device with volume totalization valve

Faucet mounted water treatment device

A manually operable water purification system which includes (i) a first container having an open end and an outlet orifice, (ii) a filter operably positioned within the first container for filtering contaminated water placed within the first container as the contaminated water is forced toward the outlet orifice in the first container, (iii) a porous body of biocidally effective material operably positioned within the first container for disinfecting the filtered water as the filtered water is forced toward the outlet orifice in the first container, (iv) a plunger sealably receivable within the first container through the open end for forcing contaminated water retained within the first container through the filter and the porous body of biocidally effective material, and (v) a passageway through the plunger provided with a check valve for abating formation of a vacuum within the first container as the plunger is withdrawn from the first container.

Portable water purification system

A water purification system including both a filter and a body of biocidally active material for microbiologically purifying biologically contaminated water. The system provides for the production of microbiologically purified water during both upstroke and downstroke of the plunger and includes a brush which can be reciprocated within the system for cleaning the filter.

Portable water purification system including a filter cleaning mechanism

Motor apparatus which converts hydraulic energy and change of state heat energy to mechanical energy. The motor includes a main chamber divided by a piston into first and second portions. During a first half cycle or hydraulic power stroke, a valve places the first portion of the chamber in fluid communication with a source of pressurized, saturated liquid and the second portion of the chamber in fluid communication with a drain port. A switch senses the end of the hydraulic power stroke and causes the valve to move to a second position wherein the first and second portions of the chamber are placed in fluid communication with one another to form a common motor chamber and drive the piston in an expansion power stroke. Power is derived from the working fluid during the piston stroke in each direction. The motor finds particular application for energy recovery in an absorption refrigeration system.

Differential-area piston type mixed-phase motors

An energy recovery pump-motor including an energy recovery pump and a mixed-phase motor for replacing conventional valves in fluid circuits such as an absorption refrigeration system. The energy recovery pump pressurizes a first liquid by recovering flow work energy from a second liquid. The mixed-phase motor recovers flow work energy and expansion energy from a high pressure, saturated third liquid and transfers the energy along a shaft to the pump to aid in pressurizing the first liquid. The energy recovery pump is shown in a single effect absorption refrigeration system, while the pump-motor is shown in both single effect and double effect systems.

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Edina, MN, United States of America

Richard D Hembree