US3774771A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reverse osmosis module
Assignee: INTERIOR
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Filing: 1971-12-09
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Granted: 1973-11-27
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Expires: 1991-12-09
Abstract
Abstract A reverse osmosis module contains a number of membrane elements each having a semipermeable membrane covered outer surface, and each surrounded by a flow tube for controlling liquid flow over the membrane surface. The membrane elements are enclosed in a pressure resistant container with liquid under pressure filling the space between the outsides of the liquid flow control tubes and the interior surface of the pressure resistant container.
Inventors
- 👤 S Manjikian
- 👤 W Windle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 17:31
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D61/00; B01D61/02; B01D61/08; B01D63/00; B01D63/06; B01D63/062; B01D63/065; B01D2313/00; B01D2313/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
A module, useful in systems for treatment of a liquid by a membrane process, comprising a pressure resistant container, a plurality of membrane support elements having semipermeable membrane covered outer surfaces in side-by-side relationship in said container, means for introducing feed liquid under pressure into said container, means for releasing concentrated liquid from said container, and means for collecting purified liquid from said membrane elements, in which the improvements comprise: a. an individual flow tube supported in said container and surrounding each of said membrane elements, said flow tube having its interior surface spaced apart a substantially uniform distance from the membrane covered surface of said membrane element; b. means for introducing feed liquid into one end of the channels formed between the interior surfaces of said flow tubes and the membrane covered surfaces of said membrane elements; c. means for releasing concentrated liquid from the other end of said channels; and d. means for introducing feed liquid into the space between the outer surfaces of said flow tubes and the inner surface of said pressure resistant container, said feed liquid being so introduced into said space at substantially the same pressure as it is introduced into said channels between the interior surfaces of said flow tubes and the membrane covered surfaces of said membrane elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
A module, useful in systems for treatment of a liquid by a membrane process, comprising a pressure resistant container, a plurality of membrane support elements having semipermeable membrane covered outer surfaces in side-by-side relationship in said container, means for introducing feed liquid under pressure into said container, means for releasing concentrated liquid from said container, and means for collecting purified liquid from said membrane elements, in which the improvements comprise: a. an individual flow tube supported in said container and surrounding each of said membrane elements, said flow tube having its interior surface spaced apart a substantially uniform distance from the membrane covered surface of said membrane element; b. means for introducing feed liquid into one end of the channels formed between the interior surfaces of said flow tubes and the membrane covered surfaces of said membrane elements; c. means for releasing concentrated liquid from the other end of said channels; and d. means for introducing feed liquid into the space between the outer surfaces of said flow tubes and the inner surface of said pressure resistant container, said feed liquid being so introduced into said space at substantially the same pressure as it is introduced into said channels between the interior surfaces of said flow tubes and the membrane covered surfaces of said membrane elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A module according to claim 1 in which said interior surfaces of said flow tubes and said membrane covered surfaces of said membrane elements are spaced apart between about 0.02 and 0.10 inch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A module according to claim 2 in which the said interior surfaces of said flow tubes and said membrane covered surfaces of said membrane elements are spaced apart about 0.03 inch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
146 words
A module according to claim 1 in which: a. at least one of said flow tubes remote from the top of said pressure resistant container and close to said feed liquid introduction means has a port in its wall to permit transfer of feed liquid from its interior into the space between the outer surfaces of said flow tubes and the interior surface of said pressure resistant container; and, b. at least one of said flow tubes adjacent to the top of said pressure vessel and close to said concentrated liquid release means has a port in its upper surface for withdrawal of air; c. said port in said flow tube adjacent the top of said pressure resistant container being of cross sectional area less than the cross sectional area of the port in said flow tube remote from the top of said pressure resistant container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
A module according to claim 4 in which the cross sectional area of the port in the flow tube adjacent the top of said pressure resistant container is between one half and one twentyfifth of the cross sectional area of the port in said flow tube remote from the top of said pressure resistant container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
A module according to claim 4 in which three flow tubes remote from the top of said pressure resistant container have ports to permit transfer of feed liquid from their interior into the space between the outer surfaces of said flow tubes and the interior surfaces of said pressure resistant container, and three flow tubes adjacent the top of said pressure resistant container have ports for withdrawal of air.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
A module according to claim 4 in which a block is arranged above said port in said flow tube adjAcent the top of said pressure resistant container, said block having a bore communicating with said port in said flow tube and said bore having an opening close to the under surface of the top of said resistant container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A module according to claim 7 in which said block is formed as the top part of a spacer maintaining said flow tubes in a spaced relationship.
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) | 1976-11-26 | 1977-05-28 | 1977-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-26 | 1981-05-28 | 1981-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-26 | 1985-05-28 | 1985-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |