Abstract:
A pressure vessel having an outer shell and a flexible inner liner. The outer shell and inner liner are configured so that the water passing through the water treatment system engages the inner liner, and not the outer shell. The inner liner is blow molded from a material that does not leach undesirable substances into the water flowing through the water treatment systems. The inner liner may include a receptacle portion to house one or more water treatment components. The receptacle portion may be flexible under the anticipated range of internal pressures. The receptacle portion may be disposed in the outer shell with the outer shell concealing expansion/contraction of the inner liner and providing the pressure vessel dimensional stability. The inner liner may include a rigid neck portion mounted to the outer shell. The outer shell and/or inner liner may include internal ribs configured to maintain spacing therebetween.
Abstract:
A water treatment system having a water treatment engine including a pressure vessel, electronics module and optionally replaceable shrouds. The water treatment engine may include a tether and a single connection point for water and power lines. The tether may have a release that is accessible only when the electronic module is removed. The water treatment engine may be circular and the water and power lines may be arranged within a region bounded by tangent lines that square the circular shape. The electronics module may be configured to receive one of a variety of alternative interchangeable displays. The electronics module may have a single display port that provides power and data that can be utilized by a plurality of different types of displays. The system may include a replaceable cartridge with soft end caps that include an integral seal and are shaped to self-center within the pressure vessel.
Abstract:
A dielectric barrier discharge lamp assembly for a fluid treatment system. The lamp assembly can include an inductive secondary, first and second electrodes coupled to the inductive secondary, and a lamp including a dielectric barrier interposed between the first and second electrodes. The dielectric barrier can define a discharge chamber including a discharge gas, and one of the first and second electrodes can extend within the discharge chamber. The inductive secondary can be adapted to receive power from a nearby inductive primary to promote a dielectric barrier discharge in the discharge chamber. The resulting dielectric barrier discharge can generate ultraviolet light for the treatment of air or water, or for other applications.
Abstract:
A valve system enables use of a standard single line faucet with a water treatment system, protects water treatment systems and other fluid flow devices from unnecessary fluid pressure, and regulates or prevents fluid flow to a dispenser or outlet in response to a particular event, such as a leak. The valve system includes a housing having ports for: (1) receiving a supply fluid, (2) supplying the fluid to a device, such as a water treatment system, (3) receiving the fluid from the device and (4) supplying fluid to a dispenser. The valve system also includes an automatic shutoff device within the housing that prevents water from flowing into the housing and the water treatment system when the dispensing outlet is closed and that allows water to flow through the housing and into the water treatment system when the outlet is open. The valve system may also include a second actuator connected to the automatic shutoff that is capable of moving the automatic shutoff to a partially or fully closed position.
Abstract:
A flux concentrator and method for manufacturing a flux concentrator is provided. The method can include combining powdered soft magnetic material, a binder, a solvent, a internal lubricant; mixing the materials to create a mixture, evaporating the solvent from the mixture, molding the mixture to form a flux concentrator, and curing the flux concentrator. The flux concentrator may be laminated and broken into multiple pieces, which makes the flux concentrator more flexible. Breaking the flux concentrator does not significantly affect the magnetic properties. Since the permeability of the binder is very similar to that of air, adding tiny air gaps between the fractions is not significantly different than adding more binder.
Abstract:
A water heating system is provided. The water heating system includes an inlet connectable to a supply of untreated water, supply and return lines connectable to a point-of-use water treatment system, and an output for dispensing a supply of treated and optionally heated water. An internal heating element is adapted to heat the treated water to one of a plurality of pre-selected temperature settings. Temperature control can be achieved by cycling the power applied to the heating element and/or controlling the flow rate of treated water through the heating element. The water heating system includes additional improvements in electrical compatibility, energy consumption, and remote failure detection.
Abstract:
A method for product information retrieval with a mailable item. The method includes providing a mailable item with a communication system and memory, transferring product usage information from the product to the mailable item, and mailing the mailable item to a recipient who can retrieve and analyze the product information. Incentives can be offered to entice a user to obtain the mailable item and/or to return the mailable item.
Abstract:
A valve system (10) enables use of a standard single line faucet with a water treatment system. The valve system may include a housing (12) having ports (14,16,20,22) for receiving untreated supply water, supplying water to a water treatment system, receiving treated water from the water treatment system and supplying treated water to a dispenser. The valve system includes an automatic shutoff device (24) that prevents water from flowing into the water treatment system when the dispensing faucet is closed and allows water to flow into the water treatment system when the faucet is open. The valve system may include a pressure relief mechanism (100) that removes pressure from the water treatment system when the faucet is closed and a check valve (25) for maintaining a desired amount of pressure within the valve system.