公开(公告)号：US11953487B2

公开(公告)日：2024-04-09

申请号：US17841228

申请日：2022-06-15

Applicant: Ecowater Systems LLC

Inventor： Malcolm Kahn ,  Robert Astle ,  Jeffrey Zimmerman ,  Ravi Meruva

IPC: G01N33/18 ,  C02F1/42 ,  G01N27/333

CPC classification number: G01N33/1853 ,  C02F1/42 ,  G01N27/333 ,  G01N33/1813 ,  G01N33/1893 ,  C02F2209/055 ,  C02F2303/16

Abstract: An apparatus for determining total hardness in a fluid stream utilizing a first and second sodium ion selective electrode (ISE). The ion selective electrodes are in electrical communication with one another, having first and second reference electrodes, respectively, with a salt bridge therebetween, where the first ISE receives hard water and the second ISE receives soft water. A least one drain receives outflow from effluent fluid from the first and second sodium ISE sensors.

公开(公告)号：US11016074B2

公开(公告)日：2021-05-25

申请号：US16369925

申请日：2019-03-29

Applicant: Ecowater Systems LLC

Inventor： Malcolm Kahn ,  Robert Astle ,  Jeffrey Zimmerman ,  Ravi Meruva

IPC: G01N33/18 ,  G01N27/333 ,  C02F1/42

Abstract: An apparatus for determining total hardness in a fluid stream utilizing an ion exchange column in a monovalent cationic form having an inlet and an outlet, where one or more monovalent ion selective electrodes are positioned either at an inlet, outlet, or at both locations simultaneously. The monovalent cation selective electrodes are in electrical communication with one another, and in fluid communication with one or more valves incorporated within a fluid path in order to introduce feed water/softened water to the monovalent cation selective electrodes. Additionally, one blending valve may be incorporated in the ion exchange column to allow a fraction of the feed (hard) water to mix with a fraction of the softened water. In this manner, the blending valve may be utilized to adjust the hardness of the water at the output.

公开(公告)号：US20190302086A1

公开(公告)日：2019-10-03

申请号：US16369682

申请日：2019-03-29

Applicant: Ecowater Systems LLC

Inventor： Malcolm Kahn ,  Robert Astle ,  Jeffrey Zimmerman

IPC: G01N33/18 ,  G01N27/333 ,  C02F1/42

Abstract: A method of application to provide a workable solution for tracking the hardness of water utilizing an ion selective electrode by tracking the relative hardness of water at the outflow or egress of an ion exchange column. A monovalent cation exchange membrane (ion selective electrode) distinguishes hard water and softened water in a water flow stream. A voltage is applied across the membrane, facilitating the movement of sodium though the membrane (such that anions and divalent ions are excluded), and the current is measured. The change in current (delta current) is used to determine the hard water concentration or level of hardness in an influent stream. A second application estimates or detects the exhaustion of an ion exchanger, and/or determines the regeneration time/cycle of the ion exchanger through the use of an ion selective membrane. Blending of the influent hard water and effluent soft water allows a user to control hardness levels of the effluent.

公开(公告)号：US11209413B2

公开(公告)日：2021-12-28

申请号：US16369682

申请日：2019-03-29

Applicant: Ecowater Systems LLC

Inventor： Malcolm Kahn ,  Robert Astle ,  Jeffrey Zimmerman

IPC: G01N33/18 ,  G01N27/333 ,  C02F1/42

Abstract: A method of application to provide a workable solution for tracking the hardness of water utilizing an ion selective electrode by tracking the relative hardness of water at the outflow or egress of an ion exchange column. A monovalent cation exchange membrane (ion selective electrode) distinguishes hard water and softened water in a water flow stream. A voltage is applied across the membrane, facilitating the movement of sodium though the membrane (such that anions and divalent ions are excluded), and the current is measured. The change in current (delta current) is used to determine the hard water concentration or level of hardness in an influent stream. A second application estimates or detects the exhaustion of an ion exchanger, and/or determines the regeneration time/cycle of the ion exchanger through the use of an ion selective membrane. Blending of the influent hard water and effluent soft water allows a user to control hardness levels of the effluent.

公开(公告)号：US20220317105A1

公开(公告)日：2022-10-06

申请号：US17841228

申请日：2022-06-15

Applicant: Ecowater Systems LLC

Inventor： Malcolm Kahn ,  Robert Astle ,  Jeffrey Zimmerman ,  Ravi Meruva

IPC: G01N33/18 ,  G01N27/333 ,  C02F1/42

Abstract: An apparatus for determining total hardness in a fluid stream utilizing an ion exchange column in a monovalent cationic form having an inlet and an outlet, where one or more monovalent ion selective electrodes are positioned either at an inlet, outlet, or at both locations simultaneously. The monovalent cation selective electrodes are in electrical communication with one another, and in fluid communication with one or more valves incorporated within a fluid path in order to introduce feed water/softened water to the monovalent cation selective electrodes. Additionally, one blending valve may be incorporated in the ion exchange column to allow a fraction of the feed (hard) water to mix with a fraction of the softened water. In this manner, the blending valve may be utilized to adjust the hardness of the water at the output.

公开(公告)号：US20210239673A1

公开(公告)日：2021-08-05

申请号：US17235136

申请日：2021-04-20

Applicant: Ecowater Systems LLC

Inventor： Malcolm Kahn ,  Robert Astle ,  Jeffrey Zimmerman ,  Ravi Meruva

IPC: G01N33/18 ,  G01N27/333 ,  C02F1/42

Abstract: An apparatus for determining total hardness in a fluid stream utilizing an ion exchange column in a monovalent cationic form having an inlet and an outlet, where one or more monovalent ion selective electrodes are positioned either at an inlet, outlet, or at both locations simultaneously. The monovalent cation selective electrodes are in electrical communication with one another, and in fluid communication with one or more valves incorporated within a fluid path in order to introduce feed water/softened water to the monovalent cation selective electrodes. Additionally, one blending valve may be incorporated in the ion exchange column to allow a fraction of the feed (hard) water to mix with a fraction of the softened water. In this manner, the blending valve may be utilized to adjust the hardness of the water at the output.

公开(公告)号：US20190302087A1

公开(公告)日：2019-10-03

申请号：US16369925

申请日：2019-03-29

Applicant: Ecowater Systems LLC

Inventor： Malcolm Kahn ,  Robert Astle ,  Jeffrey Zimmerman ,  Ravi Meruva

IPC: G01N33/18 ,  G01N27/333

Abstract: An apparatus for determining total hardness in a fluid stream utilizing an ion exchange column in a monovalent cationic form having an inlet and an outlet, where one or more monovalent ion selective electrodes are positioned either at an inlet, outlet, or at both locations simultaneously. The monovalent cation selective electrodes are in electrical communication with one another, and in fluid communication with one or more valves incorporated within a fluid path in order to introduce feed water/softened water to the monovalent cation selective electrodes. Additionally, one blending valve may be incorporated in the ion exchange column to allow a fraction of the feed (hard) water to mix with a fraction of the softened water. In this manner, the blending valve may be utilized to adjust the hardness of the water at the output.

公开(公告)号：US20160229704A1

公开(公告)日：2016-08-11

申请号：US14961562

申请日：2015-12-07

Applicant: EcoWater Systems LLC

Inventor： David Bardwell ,  Keith Johnson ,  Richard Kirchner ,  Vladislav Komlev ,  Jeffrey Zimmerman

IPC: C02F1/00 ,  G05B15/02 ,  H04L29/08 ,  C02F1/42

CPC classification number: C02F1/008 ,  C02F1/42 ,  C02F2201/005 ,  C02F2209/008 ,  C02F2209/40 ,  C02F2301/043 ,  C02F2303/16 ,  G05B23/027 ,  H04L67/02 ,  H04L67/125

Abstract: A water treatment system, such as a water softener, is remotely operated and a method of remotely controlling a water treatment system. In a first embodiment, a method of detecting abnormal water usage within a water system associated with a water treatment system is provided. The method includes the steps of monitoring water usage associated with the water treatment system, determining whether the current water usage is above an alarm value, and sending an alarm notice in the event the current water usage is above the alarm value, and automatically taking predetermined action.

Abstract translation: 水处理系统如软水器是远程操作的，并且是一种远程控制水处理系统的方法。 在第一实施例中，提供了一种在与水处理系统相关联的水系统内检测异常用水的方法。 该方法包括以下步骤：监测与水处理系统相关的用水量，确定当前用水量是否高于报警值，并在当前用水量高于报警值的情况下发送报警通知，并自动采取预定 行动。