US3819056A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Membrane assemblies for reverse osmosis apparatus
Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
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Filing: 1972-10-10
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Granted: 1974-06-25
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Expires: 1992-10-10
Abstract
Abstract The membrane assembly comprises a grooved rod covered with a permeable sheath upon which is deposited a reverse osmosis membrane.
Inventors
- 👤 I Aitken
- 👤 R Gayler
- 👤 J Grover
- 👤 R Spencer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:56
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D63/00; B01D63/06; B01D63/061; B01D61/00; B01D61/02; B01D61/08; B01D63/062; B01D63/065; B01D2313/00; B01D2313/04; B01D2313/041
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of manufacturing a membrane assembly for reverse osmosis apparatus, which method comprises the steps of forming a rod with at least one longitudinally extending groove therein, feeding said rod continuously through a machine for covering the rod with a fibrous permeable substrate in the form of a sleeve, feeding said covered rod continuously through a casting head whereby said covered rod is coated with a reverse osmosis membrane coating solution, continuously treating the coating as it emerges from the casting head to remove the solvent therein and provide a hardened reverse osmosis membrane, and cutting the continuously emerging covered and membraned rod into lengths for assembly into reverse osmosis apparatus.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of manufacturing a membrane assembly for reverse osmosis apparatus, which method comprises the steps of forming a rod with at least one longitudinally extending groove therein, feeding said rod continuously through a machine for covering the rod with a fibrous permeable substrate in the form of a sleeve, feeding said covered rod continuously through a casting head whereby said covered rod is coated with a reverse osmosis membrane coating solution, continuously treating the coating as it emerges from the casting head to remove the solvent therein and provide a hardened reverse osmosis membrane, and cutting the continuously emerging covered and membraned rod into lengths for assembly into reverse osmosis apparatus.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of manufacturing a membrane assembly for reverse osmosis apparatus, which method comprises the steps of extruding plastic material to form a rod with at least one longitudinally extending groove therein, feeding said rod continuously through a braiding machine for covering the rod with a sleeve of braided fibre, feeding said covered rod continuously through a casting head whereby said covered rod is coated with a reverse osmosis membrane coating solution, passing the coated covered and membraned rod continuously from the casting head into a cold leaching bath to remove the solvent in said coating and provide a hardened reverse osmosis membrane, and cutting the continuously emerging covered and membraned rod into lengths for assembly into reverse osmosis apparatus.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of manufacturing a membrane assembly for reverse osmosis apparatus, which method comprises the steps of extruding plastic material to form a rod with at least one longitudinally extending groove therein, feeding said rod continuously through a braiding machine for covering the rod with a sleeve of braided fibre, feeding said covered rod continuously through a casting head whereby said covered rod is coated with a reverse osmosis membrane coating solution, passing the coated covered and membraned rod continuously from the casting head into a cold leaching bath to remove the solvent in said coating and provide a hardened reverse osmosis membrane, and cutting the continuously emerging covered and membraned rod into lengths for assembly into reverse osmosis apparatus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein a plurality of said lengths and a locating disc having a corresponding plurality of channels extending therethrough are mounted with one end of each said length extending through a respective channel in the locating disc, and providing elastomeric sealing means for effecting a seal between each length of rod and the locating disc.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
109 words
A membrane assembly for reverse osmosis apparatus, which assembly comprises a plurality of similar lengths of rod having at least one longitudinally extending groove therein, a permeable substrate in the form of a sleeve covering the lengths of rod, a reverse osmosis membrane coated on the permeable substrate, there being an opening providing for direct communication with the groove in each said length of rod, a locating disc having a plurality of channels extending therethrough, each length of rod being mounted with one end extending through a channel in the locating disc, and elastomeric sealing means for effecting a seal between each length of rod and the locating disc.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
109 words
A membrane assembly for reverse osmosis apparatus, which assembly comprises a plurality of similar lengths of rod having at least one longitudinally extending groove therein, a permeable substrate in the form of a sleeve covering the lengths of rod, a reverse osmosis membrane coated on the permeable substrate, there being an opening providing for direct communication with the groove in each said length of rod, a locating disc having a plurality of channels extending therethrough, each length of rod being mounted with one end extending through a channel in the locating disc, and elastomeric sealing means for effecting a seal between each length of rod and the locating disc.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A membrane assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the elastomeric sealing means comprises a moulded elastomeric material of design matching that of the locating disc.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A membrane assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the elastomeric sealing means comprises elastomeric material moulded around the lengths of rod in situ so as to penetrate into the spaces between the lengths of rods and the locating disc.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
73 words
A membrane assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein an end fitting is provided comprising a cylindrical member having a first bore in which is received the combination of said lengths of rod, said locating disc and moulded elastomeric seal sealingly engaging the wall of the bore, which communicates with a second bore providing an outlet for product water, or other product liquid, from the assembly when in use in reverse osmosis apparatus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
68 words
A membrane assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the end fitting is provided with a thrust support member against which abut the ends of the lengths of rod projecting through the locating disc, the thrust support member being channelled to provide a passageway for product liquid to pass from where it emerges from the ends of the lengths of rod into the said outlet for product liquid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2864506A
Cited
GB846457A
Cited
US3246764A
Cited
US3498909A
Cited
US3563889A
Cited
US3578175A
Cited
US3612282A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-24 | 1977-12-24 | 1978-06-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-24 | 1981-12-24 | 1982-06-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-24 | 1985-12-24 | 1986-06-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |