Patent · US Expired

Monolithically-molded subassemblies for retrofitting existing RO systems to zero waste

US6524472B2 · kind B2 · utility

16Cited by
45References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 12, 2001
Grant dateFeb 25, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 12, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/9029
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Monolithically-molded subassemblies (1, 2, 3) are used to retrofit existing reverse osmosis systems into zero waste RO systems. The subassemblies reduce the number of connections necessary such that the retrofitting may be accomplished by unskilled labor. The subassemblies may be integrally packaged together on a backboard 45 and are placed in-line in the inlet to the RO unit and in each of the outlets from the RO unit. For example, the first subassembly 1 (FIG. 9) includes an input port 10 for connecting to source of water to be purified, an first portal 103 communicating with a pressure switch, a second portal 102 communicating with a pressure gauge and an output port 12 communicating with the RO unit inlet. Using the subassemblies, the retrofit most typically requires only six connections thereby simplifying system installation, improving system reliability, and extending system longevity.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.