US3698559A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reverse osmosis module suitable for food processing
Assignee: United States Department of the Interior
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Filing: 1971-03-01
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Granted: 1972-10-17
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Expires: 1991-03-01
Abstract
Abstract A reverse osmosis module has a pressure housing containing a number of RO elements with membrane covered outer surfaces. Inside the housing a stuffer surrounds the elements, with the interior surfaces of the stuffer spaced a uniform distance from the membranes. When liquid is passed through the module between the membranes and the stuffer, the spacing between them promotes controlled, uniform, liquid flow. The RO module is particularly suited for food processing.
Inventors
- 👤 Serop Manjikian
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 05:49
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D63/00; B01D63/06; B01D63/062; B01D63/065; B01D61/00; B01D61/02; B01D61/08; B01D2313/00; B01D2313/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
In a module, useful in systems for treatment of a liquid by reverse osmosis, comprising a pressure resistant container, a plurality of membrane elements having membrane covered outer surfaces in said container, means for introducing feed liquid under pressure into said container, means for releasing concentrated liquid, and means for collecting purified liquid from said membrane elements, the improvement comprising: a. a stuffer in said container having substantially parallel surfaces adjacent to and spaced apart from the membrane covered outer surfaces and said elements; and, b. means for introducing said feed liquid into the spaces between the surfaces of said stuffer and the membrane surfaces of said membrane elements; c. said stuffer controlling the flow of feed liquid over the membrane covered surfaces of said membrane elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
In a module, useful in systems for treatment of a liquid by reverse osmosis, comprising a pressure resistant container, a plurality of membrane elements having membrane covered outer surfaces in said container, means for introducing feed liquid under pressure into said container, means for releasing concentrated liquid, and means for collecting purified liquid from said membrane elements, the improvement comprising: a. a stuffer in said container having substantially parallel surfaces adjacent to and spaced apart from the membrane covered outer surfaces and said elements; and, b. means for introducing said feed liquid into the spaces between the surfaces of said stuffer and the membrane surfaces of said membrane elements; c. said stuffer controlling the flow of feed liquid over the membrane covered surfaces of said membrane elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A module according to claim 1 in which the substantially parallel surfaces of said stuffer are spaced apart a uniform distance from said membrane covered surfaces of said membrane elements so that said liquid may be controlled to flow uniformly over said membrane covered surfaces of said membrane elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A module according to claim 1 in which said pressure resistant container is tubular.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A module according to claim 3 in which said stuffer occupies substantially all the space inside said tubular pressure resistant container around the membrane covered surfaces of said membrane elements except the spaces between interior surfaces of said stuffer and membrane covered surfaces of said membrane elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
A module according to claim 3 in which said stuffer comprises a cylindrical body having a plurality of longitudinal bores with interior surfaces surrounding the membrane covered surfaces of said membrane elements, said bore interior surfaces being spaced apart a uniform distance from the membrane covered surfaces of said membrane elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A module according to claim 1 in which said stuffer comprises a plastic body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
82 words
A module according to claim 1 in which said means for introducing feed liquid into the spaces between the interior surfaces of said stuffer and the membrane covered surfaces of said membrane elements comprises a chamber into which said feed liquid is introduced, said chamber having a cross sectional area, where it communicates with the spaces between the surfaces of said stuffer and the membrane covered surfaces of said membrane elements, substantially greater than the total cross sectional area of said spaces.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A module according to claim 7 in which said chamber has flaring sides.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-17 | 1976-04-17 | 1976-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-17 | 1980-04-17 | 1980-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-17 | 1984-04-17 | 1984-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |