US5151250A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic purge method for ozone generators
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-03-21
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Granted: 1992-09-29
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Expires: 2010-03-21
Abstract
Abstract A negative pressure flow regulation and automatic purge method which provides an improved ozone delivery system for use with ozone generators using venturi devices or other negative-pressure ozone injection schemes, such as in ozone water purification systems. The system comprises four components in a particular arrangement: a first check valve and a needle valve or orifice in the ozone line immediately following the ozone generator, a second check valve at or near the venturi end of the ozone line, and a vacuum reservoir volume consisting of the combined volume of a vacuum bottle and the length of ozone line between the needle valve and the second check valve. The system maintains a near-ambient pressure in the ozone generator during operation, and after shutdown it provides an automatic purge of the ozone generator, prevents back-diffusion of ozone into the gas supply line and firmly seats the safety check valve in the ozone delivery line.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard H. Conrad
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 02:22
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01J; B01J4/00; B01J4/008; A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/16; A61L2/20; A61L2/202; A61L2/24; C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/72; C02F1/78; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/87571; Y10T137/87587; Y10T137/87619; Y10T137/87627; Y10T137/87643; Y10T137/87917; Y10T137/88054
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
An apparatus for regulating flow in an ozone generation system, and for automatically purging residual ozone upon shutdown of said ozone generation system, said apparatus comprising: an ozone generator; a negative pressure ozone injector device connected by a fluid flow line to said ozone generator; a first check valve member interposed in said fluid flow line between said ozone generator and said negative pressure ozone injector device; a vacuum reservoir interposed in said fluid flow line between said first check valve member and said negative pressure ozone injector device; a second check valve member interposed in said fluid flow line between said vacuum reservoir and said negative pressure ozone injector device; and a restrictive orifice member interposed in said fluid flow line between said ozone generator and said vacuum reservoir; wherein while said negative pressure ozone injector device is in operation, a pressure differential exists across said restrictive orifice, with a lower pressure in said vacuum reservoir and a higher pressure in said ozone generator; and upon shutdown of said ozone generator and said negative pressure ozone injector device, said lower pressure causes said second check valve to close, and said pressure differential causes said residual ozone to be drawn from said ozone generator into said vacuum reservoir until said pressure differential becomes nearly equalized, whereupon said first check valve automatically closes.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
222 words
An apparatus for regulating flow in an ozone generation system, and for automatically purging residual ozone upon shutdown of said ozone generation system, said apparatus comprising: an ozone generator; a negative pressure ozone injector device connected by a fluid flow line to said ozone generator; a first check valve member interposed in said fluid flow line between said ozone generator and said negative pressure ozone injector device; a vacuum reservoir interposed in said fluid flow line between said first check valve member and said negative pressure ozone injector device; a second check valve member interposed in said fluid flow line between said vacuum reservoir and said negative pressure ozone injector device; and a restrictive orifice member interposed in said fluid flow line between said ozone generator and said vacuum reservoir; wherein while said negative pressure ozone injector device is in operation, a pressure differential exists across said restrictive orifice, with a lower pressure in said vacuum reservoir and a higher pressure in said ozone generator; and upon shutdown of said ozone generator and said negative pressure ozone injector device, said lower pressure causes said second check valve to close, and said pressure differential causes said residual ozone to be drawn from said ozone generator into said vacuum reservoir until said pressure differential becomes nearly equalized, whereupon said first check valve automatically closes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first check valve member comprises said restrictive orifice member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said restrictive orifice member comprises a valve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said restrictive orifice member is interposed in said fluid flow line between said first check valve member and said vacuum reservoir.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said restrictive orifice member is interposed in said fluid flow line between said ozone generator and said first check valve member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said vacuum reservoir comprises a vacuum bottle and the length of said fluid flow line between said restrictive orifice member and said second check valve member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said vacuum bottle has a single opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said vacuum bottle has a separate entrance and exit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first check valve member, restrictive orifice member, vacuum reservoir, and second check valve member are each constructed of an ozone inert material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said negative pressure ozone injector device comprises a venturi.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
231 words
A method for regulating flow in an ozone generation system, and for automatically purging residual ozone upon shutdown of said ozone generation system, said method comprising: providing an ozone generator; providing a negative pressure ozone injector device connected by a fluid flow line to said ozone generator; providing a first check valve member in said fluid flow line between said ozone generator and said negative pressure ozone injector device; providing a vacuum reservoir in said fluid flow line between said first check valve member and said negative pressure ozone injector device; providing a second check valve member in said fluid flow line between said vacuum reservoir and said negative pressure ozone injector device; and providing a restrictive orifice member in said fluid flow line between said ozone generator and said vacuum reservoir; such that while said negative pressure ozone injector device is operating, a pressure differential is created across said restrictive orifice, with a lower pressure in said vacuum reservoir, and a higher pressure in said ozone generator; and upon shutdown of said ozone generator and said negative pressure ozone injector device, said second check valve closes, and said pressure differential causes said residual ozone to be drawn from said ozone generator into said vacuum reservoir until said pressure differential becomes generally equalized, whereupon said first check valve automatically closes, thereby preventing back-flow of said residual ozone into said ozone generator.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
231 words
A method for regulating flow in an ozone generation system, and for automatically purging residual ozone upon shutdown of said ozone generation system, said method comprising: providing an ozone generator; providing a negative pressure ozone injector device connected by a fluid flow line to said ozone generator; providing a first check valve member in said fluid flow line between said ozone generator and said negative pressure ozone injector device; providing a vacuum reservoir in said fluid flow line between said first check valve member and said negative pressure ozone injector device; providing a second check valve member in said fluid flow line between said vacuum reservoir and said negative pressure ozone injector device; and providing a restrictive orifice member in said fluid flow line between said ozone generator and said vacuum reservoir; such that while said negative pressure ozone injector device is operating, a pressure differential is created across said restrictive orifice, with a lower pressure in said vacuum reservoir, and a higher pressure in said ozone generator; and upon shutdown of said ozone generator and said negative pressure ozone injector device, said second check valve closes, and said pressure differential causes said residual ozone to be drawn from said ozone generator into said vacuum reservoir until said pressure differential becomes generally equalized, whereupon said first check valve automatically closes, thereby preventing back-flow of said residual ozone into said ozone generator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said first check valve member comprises said restrictive orifice member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said restrictive orifice member comprises a valve.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 13 including adjusting said valve to adjust the flow of ozone.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 11 including providing said restrictive orifice member in said fluid flow line between said first check valve member and said vacuum reservoir.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 11 including providing said restrictive orifice member in said fluid flow line between said ozone generator and said first check valve member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said vacuum reservoir comprises a vacuum bottle and the length of said fluid flow line between said restrictive orifice member and said second check valve member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said first check valve member, restrictive orifice member, vacuum reservoir, and second check valve member are each constructed of an ozone inert material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said negative pressure ozone injector device comprises a venturi.
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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) | 1995-09-29 | 1996-03-30 | 1996-09-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-09-29 | 2000-03-30 | 2000-09-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-09-29 | 2004-03-30 | 2004-09-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |