US5068030A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water filtering sterilizing and heating apparatus
Assignee: OXFORD SCIENCE INDUSTRIAL Co Ltd RD
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Filing: 1990-11-09
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Granted: 1991-11-26
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Expires: 2010-11-09
Abstract
Abstract A water filtering, sterilizing and heating apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes filter tank provided with activated carbon therein, to filter bacteria, miscellaneous impurities and odor in water. The output of the filter is coupled to a microwave oscillator to vibrate and churn the water coming from the filter tank. The water from the microwave oscillator is coupled to an ultraviolet light sterilizing tank having an ultraviolet lamp disposed vertically in the center thereof. A storage tank is provided to receive and store the water coming from the ultraviolet light sterilzing tank. The fluid level in the storage tank is maintained by automatically controlling the passage of water thereto by means of an electromagnetic valve actuated by a micro switch responsive to displacement of a float. The temperature of the stored water being kept at a preset temperature by means of a heater and a temperature sensor.
Inventors
- 👤 Chi-Min Chen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:14
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F9/00; C02F9/20; C02F1/00; C02F1/02; C02F1/28; C02F1/283; C02F1/30; C02F1/302; C02F1/32; C02F1/34; C02F2209/00; C02F2209/02; C02F2209/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
332 words
A water filtering, sterilizing and heating apparatus for coupling to a source of tap water, comprising: a housing; a filter tank disposed within said housing coupled to said source of water, said filter tank including activated carbon for removing odors and impurities from water passing therethrough; a microwave oscillator disposed within said housing having an inlet coupled to an outlet of said filter tank for vibrating and churning water passing therethrough; a vertically directed sterilizing tank disposed within said housing having a cylindrically shaped outer wall and an inlet disposed at a lower portion of said sterilizing tank, said sterilizing tank inlet being coupled to an outlet of said microwave oscillator, said sterilizing tank including (1) an ultra-violet lamp positionally located centrally therein and extending in said vertical direction, (2) a ridge member helically formed on in inner surface of said outer wall for directing the flow of water through said sterilizing tank to an outlet disposed at an upper portion of said sterilizing tank, and (3) a deflection member disposed adjacent said inlet of said sterilizing tank for directing water entering said sterilizing tank to said helical ridge member, whereby water flowing through said sterilizing tank spirals about said ultra-violet lamp; cold water discharge means coupled to said outlet of said sterilizing tank for supplying substantially unheated water from said sterilizing tank, said cold water discharge means including a first faucet coupled to said outlet of said sterilizing tank; and, hot water discharge means coupled in parallel comunication with said cold water discharge means for supplying heated water from said sterilizing tank, said hot water discharge means including (1) a storage tank disposed within said housing being fluidly coupled to said outlet of said sterilizing tank, (2) valve means for controlling the flow of water into said storage tank responsive to a fluid level therein, (3) means for heating water within said storage tank to a predetermined temperature, and (4) a second faucet coupled to an outlet of said storage tank.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
332 words
A water filtering, sterilizing and heating apparatus for coupling to a source of tap water, comprising: a housing; a filter tank disposed within said housing coupled to said source of water, said filter tank including activated carbon for removing odors and impurities from water passing therethrough; a microwave oscillator disposed within said housing having an inlet coupled to an outlet of said filter tank for vibrating and churning water passing therethrough; a vertically directed sterilizing tank disposed within said housing having a cylindrically shaped outer wall and an inlet disposed at a lower portion of said sterilizing tank, said sterilizing tank inlet being coupled to an outlet of said microwave oscillator, said sterilizing tank including (1) an ultra-violet lamp positionally located centrally therein and extending in said vertical direction, (2) a ridge member helically formed on in inner surface of said outer wall for directing the flow of water through said sterilizing tank to an outlet disposed at an upper portion of said sterilizing tank, and (3) a deflection member disposed adjacent said inlet of said sterilizing tank for directing water entering said sterilizing tank to said helical ridge member, whereby water flowing through said sterilizing tank spirals about said ultra-violet lamp; cold water discharge means coupled to said outlet of said sterilizing tank for supplying substantially unheated water from said sterilizing tank, said cold water discharge means including a first faucet coupled to said outlet of said sterilizing tank; and, hot water discharge means coupled in parallel comunication with said cold water discharge means for supplying heated water from said sterilizing tank, said hot water discharge means including (1) a storage tank disposed within said housing being fluidly coupled to said outlet of said sterilizing tank, (2) valve means for controlling the flow of water into said storage tank responsive to a fluid level therein, (3) means for heating water within said storage tank to a predetermined temperature, and (4) a second faucet coupled to an outlet of said storage tank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
84 words
The filtering, sterilizing and heating apparatus as recited in claim 1 where said valve means includes (1) an electromagnetic valve fluidly coupled to said outlet of said sterilizing tank for controlling fluid flow to said storage tank, (2) a micro switch electrically coupled to said electromagnetic valve, and (3) a float coupled to said micro switch, whereby said micro switch operates said electromagnetic valve responsive to said float being displaced to a predetermined position by a change in water level within said storage tank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The filtering, sterilizing and heating apparatus as recited in claim 1 where said heating means includes an electric heater controlled by a sensor coupled to an inner wall surface of said storage tank.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The filtering, sterilizing and heating apparatus as recited in claim 1 where said housing includes a transparent window for viewing said filter tank, said window having a color standard coupled thereto for comparison with filtered water in said filter tank.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The filtering, sterilizing and heating apparatus as recited in claim 1 further includes a pair of support members releasably coupled to said housing on opposing sides thereof.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-11-25 | 1995-05-27 | 1995-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-11-25 | 1999-05-27 | 1999-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-11-25 | 2003-05-27 | 2003-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |