US3695446A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Membrane module assembly
Assignee: Culligan International Co
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Filing: 1970-10-15
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Granted: 1972-10-03
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Expires: 1990-10-15
Abstract
Abstract A reverse osmosis membrane module assembly that provides a high degree of adaptability to various locations and positions as well as economical manufacture and efficient maintenance comprises a closed receptacle having a detachable first end closure through which pass all plumbing connections to the interior chamber. Membrane module means are removably supported in the receptacle chamber on an inlet tube connected to the first end closure. The membrane module means may include one or a plurality of modules each comprising a body member having a hollow tubular member extending beyond both ends of the body member. The end portions of the tubular member have connection means thereon that allows quick and simple attachment of the modules to the closure means and to each other in series. A product water passageway that provides for the removal of product water from the membrane module means is formed between the inside diameter of the membrane module tubular member and the outer diameter of the inlet tube. In operation feed water flows in through the first end closure means, through the inlet tube past the membrane in a first direction, enters the chamber at a point remote from the closure means, reverses direction to flow back through the chamber and through the membrane module means where product water passes through the membrane under a pressure differential and waste water flows past the membrane. Both the product water and the waste water then pass out of the chamber through the first end closure means.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles E Lyall
- 👤 Stanley F Rak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 09:19
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D63/00; B01D63/10; B01D63/101; B01D61/00; B01D61/02; B01D61/08; B01D61/10; B01D63/12; B01D2313/00; B01D2313/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A reverse osmosis membrane module assembly comprising a receptacle having a detachable closure means, said receptacle and closure means defining a chamber, a membrane module means in said chamber, said chamber having a feed water inlet means, a product water outlet means and a waste water outlet means in communication therewith through said closure means, said feed water inlet means including an elongated inlet tube having a first end connected with said closure means and a second outlet end extending into said chamber whereby said feed water enters said chamber at a point remote from said closure means, said inlet tube providing a mounting means for said membrane module means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A reverse osmosis membrane module assembly comprising a receptacle having a detachable closure means, said receptacle and closure means defining a chamber, a membrane module means in said chamber, said chamber having a feed water inlet means, a product water outlet means and a waste water outlet means in communication therewith through said closure means, said feed water inlet means including an elongated inlet tube having a first end connected with said closure means and a second outlet end extending into said chamber whereby said feed water enters said chamber at a point remote from said closure means, said inlet tube providing a mounting means for said membrane module means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
79 words
A reverse osmosis membrane module assembly according to claim 1 wherein said chamber is generally cylindrical and said membrane module means have a generally cylindrical configuration, said membrane module means having an outside diameter less than the inside diameter of said chamber, said closure means so that said module means may be easily moved into and out of said chamber, and a seal means between said outside diameter of said membrane module and said inside diameter of said chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
117 words
A reverse osmosis membrane module assembly according to claim 1 wherein said membrane module means includes a hollow tubular member extending therethrough, said inlet tube extending through said tubular member when said module is mounted on said inlet tube, said inside configuration of said module tubular member being slightly larger than said outside configuration of said inlet tube to leave a space therebetween, said space forming a product water passageway, said membrane module means separating product water from feed water and conducting said product water through said hollow tubular member into said product water passageway, said product water passageway being connected to said product water outlet means whereby product water may be removed separately from the chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
A reverse osmosis membrane module assembly according to claim 3 wherein said inlet tube extends beyond said membrane module tubular member, a tubular member end closure being connected with said tubular member and about said inlet tube means to close said product water passageway and to prevent movement of said modules on said tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A reverse osmosis membrane module assembly according to claim 1 wherein said membrane module means includes a plurality of modules mounted in series on said inlet tube, and a closed product water passageway extending through said modules to said product water outlet means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
117 words
A reverse osmosis membrane module assembly according to claim 1 wherein said membrane module means includes first and second modules each having a body portion and a hollow tubular member extending through said body portion, said tubular members receiving said inlet tube therethrough, said tubular members having a first end extending beyond said body portion in one direction and a second end extending beyond said body portion in an opposite direction, said first end portion of said first module being connected to said closure means, said first end portion of said second module being connected to said second end portion of said first module, said second end portion of said second module having an end closure thereon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
120 words
A reverse osmosis membrane module assembly comprising a receptacle having a detachable closure means, said receptacle and closure means defining a chamber, membrane module means in said chamber, said chamber having a feed water inlet means, a product water outlet means and a waste water outlet means in communication therewith through said closure means whereby feed water enters said feed water inlet means through said closure means, is conducted in a first direction through said chamber past said membrane module means, outlets into said chamber, flows in a second generally opposite direction back through said membrane module means, is separated into product water and waste water by said module means, and, thus separated, leaves said chamber through said closure means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
120 words
A reverse osmosis membrane module assembly comprising a receptacle having a detachable closure means, said receptacle and closure means defining a chamber, membrane module means in said chamber, said chamber having a feed water inlet means, a product water outlet means and a waste water outlet means in communication therewith through said closure means whereby feed water enters said feed water inlet means through said closure means, is conducted in a first direction through said chamber past said membrane module means, outlets into said chamber, flows in a second generally opposite direction back through said membrane module means, is separated into product water and waste water by said module means, and, thus separated, leaves said chamber through said closure means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3542203A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-03 | 1976-04-03 | 1976-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-03 | 1980-04-03 | 1980-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-03 | 1984-04-03 | 1984-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |