US3836781A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Irradiator for water purification
Assignee: Water Purification Corp
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Filing: 1972-08-01
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Granted: 1974-09-17
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Expires: 1992-08-01
Abstract
Abstract An irradiator for sterilizing fluids, particularly contaminated effluents such as sewage. A housing is provided with a plurality of tubular partitions defining a flow path for causing sewage and the like to flow, alternately, back and forth past a series of source tubes containing radioactive material whereby the sewage provides shield means surrounding the radioactive source and becomes sterilized as it passes into and out of the housing.
Inventors
- 👤 C Ellison
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 19:08
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21K; G21K5/00; G21K5/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
Apparatus for irradiating fluids containing solids, said apparatus comprising a sealed housing having an inlet port and an outlet port for allowing flow of fluid into and out of said housing, shielding means enclosing said housing, said shielding means including a pool of water overlying said housing with said housing being viewable therethrough, said housing including a top wall readily accessible through said pool, said top wall having a plurality of openings therethrough, removable closures closing said openings, and a source of radioactive material carried by at least certain of said closures and positioned within said housing for irradiating fluid flowing through said housing, said removable plugs defining means for effecting the individual removal and replacement of said sources of radioactive material during the operation of the apparatus and while being shielded by said pool.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
Apparatus for irradiating fluids containing solids, said apparatus comprising a sealed housing having an inlet port and an outlet port for allowing flow of fluid into and out of said housing, shielding means enclosing said housing, said shielding means including a pool of water overlying said housing with said housing being viewable therethrough, said housing including a top wall readily accessible through said pool, said top wall having a plurality of openings therethrough, removable closures closing said openings, and a source of radioactive material carried by at least certain of said closures and positioned within said housing for irradiating fluid flowing through said housing, said removable plugs defining means for effecting the individual removal and replacement of said sources of radioactive material during the operation of the apparatus and while being shielded by said pool.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each opening is aligned with a source tube connected to said top wall and sealed relative to the interior of said housing, and each source of radioactive material is disposed within one of said source tubes and shielded from fluid within said housing thereby.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each sourcE of radioactive material is depended from an associated one of said closures and is suspended in spaced relation to walls of said housing thereby.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each source of radioactive material is in the form of a capsule, a seat is suspended from an associated closure, and said capsule is seated on said seat for ease of removal and replacement within said pool.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein cable means suspends each seat from a respective closure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing therein has a plurality of baffles therein defining a predetermined flow path between said inlet port and said outlet port, said sources of radioactive material being disposed within said flow path for uniformly acting on all fluids passing thereby.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein fluid flow through said housing is solely gravitational flow.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein fluid flow through said housing is solely gravitational flow with there being a supply reservoir connected to said inlet port and a collection reservoir connected to said outlet port.
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) | 1977-09-16 | 1978-03-18 | 1978-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-16 | 1982-03-18 | 1982-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-16 | 1986-03-18 | 1986-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |