U.S. patent application number 09/845493 was filed with the patent office on 2002-11-07 for ultraviolet radiated water treatment tank.
Invention is credited to Reed, Ryan M..
Application Number | 20020162969 09/845493 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25295357 |
Filed Date | 2002-11-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020162969 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Reed, Ryan M. |
November 7, 2002 |
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATED WATER TREATMENT TANK
Abstract
An ultraviolet radiation water treatment device for a water
cooler machine having an ultraviolet lamp housed inside a
transparent inner sleeve which is itself disposed inside an outer
transparent sleeve. The upper ends of the two sleeves are housed in
a short pipe having a peripheral flange which abuts the sides of
the cooler's water tank. A water inlet tube enters the top of the
tank and passes between the two sleeves to feed water proximate the
tank bottom to circulate the influent water up between the two
sleeves and down outside the outer sleeve into the reservoir water
to accomplish three exposure passes to the bactericidal ultraviolet
radiation.
Inventors: |
Reed, Ryan M.; (Chatsworth,
GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Richard C. Litman
LITMAN LAW OFFICES, LTD.
P.O. Box 15035
Arlington
VA
22215
US
|
Family ID: |
25295357 |
Appl. No.: |
09/845493 |
Filed: |
May 1, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
250/432R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61L 2/10 20130101; C02F
1/325 20130101; C02F 2201/3223 20130101; C02F 2303/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
250/432.00R |
International
Class: |
G01N 021/01 |
Claims
I claim:
1. An ultraviolet radiation water treatment device for a water
cooler tank comprising: a shield plate having a disk shape adapted
for attachment to a side wall of a water cooler tank; a shield pipe
extending through the center of said shield plate, the pipe having
an upper end, the pipe being adapted for extending through a top
wall of a water cooler tank, said shield pipe being made from a
material opaque to UV radiation; a circular cap attached to the
upper end of said shield pipe, the cap having an aperture defined
therein; an outer, cylindrical, transparent sleeve having a closed,
dome-shaped lower end and an open upper end disposed in said shield
pipe, said outer sleeve and said shield pipe defining an outer
annular flow channel; a cylindrical, transparent inner sleeve
disposed within said outer sleeve and having a closed, dome-shaped
lower end and an upper end extending above said outer sleeve, said
inner sleeve and said outer sleeve defining an inner annular flow
channel; an ultraviolet lamp emitting ultraviolet light at a
frequency having germicidal effect disposed within said inner
sleeve; and a translucent water inlet tube extending through the
aperture defined in said cap, the water inlet tube extending
between said outer sleeve and said inner sleeve, the water inlet
tube having a discharge opening proximate the lower end of said
outer sleeve; wherein influent water enters the water treatment
device through said water inlet tube, is discharged proximate the
lower end of said outer sleeve, flows upward through said inner
annular flow channel, then downward through said outer annular flow
channel into a water cooler tank in order to effect at least three
passes proximate the ultraviolet ray lamp, whereby influent water
is exposed to germicidal ultraviolet radiation for an extended
time.
2. The ultraviolet radiation water treatment device according to
claim 1, wherein said shield pipe has a plurality of vents defined
therein above said shield plate for exhausting heat.
3. The ultraviolet radiation water treatment device according to
claim 1, further comprising a liquid level sensor device disposable
on the cylindrical upper wall of the tank to regulate a quantity of
water above the lower end of said shield pipe.
4. The ultraviolet radiation water treatment device according to
claim 3, wherein the liquid level sensor device is a float
switch.
5. The ultraviolet radiation water treatment device according to
claim 3, wherein the liquid level sensor device is a liquid level
control probe.
6. The ultraviolet radiation water treatment device according to
claim 1, further comprising at least one effluent pipe adapted for
attachment to the bottom wall of the tank outside the radius of
said outer sleeve.
7. The ultraviolet radiation water treatment device according to
claim 1, wherein said water inlet tube is made of
polytetrafluoroethylene.
8. The ultraviolet radiation water treatment device according to
claim 1, wherein said inner and outer sleeves are made from
quartz.
9. The ultraviolet water radiation treatment device according to
claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet ray resistant shield and shield
pipe are made of stainless steel.
10. The ultraviolet radiation water treatment device according to
claim 1, further comprising a normally closed solenoid valve
inserted in said water inlet tube.
11. The ultraviolet radiation water treatment device according to
claim 1, further comprising a timer device connected to said
ultraviolet lamp for controlling the illumination period of said
ultraviolet ray lamp.
12. The ultraviolet radiation water treatment device according to
claim 1, further comprising an optical sensor device attached to
said inner sleeve, the optical sensor being disposed to sense
ultraviolet light emitted by said ultraviolet lamp and for sensing
when said ultraviolet ray lamp has malfunctioned.
13. The ultraviolet radiation water treatment device according to
claim 1, further comprising a water cooler tank having a top wall,
the water treatment device being disposed within the water cooler
tank with said shield pipe extending through the top wall, the
upper end of the shield pipe being disposed above the top wall.
14. The ultraviolet radiation water treatment device according to
claim 13, wherein said water cooler tank has an inner surface
coated with a ceramic composition.
15. The ultraviolet radiation water treatment device according to
claim 13, wherein said water cooler tank is made of stainless
steel.
16. The ultraviolet radiation water treatment device according to
claim 13, wherein said water cooler tank is made of an ultraviolet
radiation resistant material.
17. The ultraviolet radiation water treatment device according to
claim 1, wherein said water inlet tube and said inner and outer
sleeves are made from a material having a high transmittance to UV
radiation.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to water purifying
devices. More specifically, the invention is an ultraviolet
radiated water purifier device for a water cooler reservoir.
[0003] 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0004] The related art of interest describes various water
purifying devices, but none describes the present invention. There
is a need for a water purifying device installable in a water
cooler tank which will be fully effective without producing a burnt
water taste. The related art will be discussed in the order of
perceived relevance to the present invention.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,099,799 issued on Aug. 8, 2000 for Ellis D.
Anderson, describes an apparatus for ultraviolet disinfection of
water comprising the treatment of untreated and treated water in
separate streams in the apparatus, in which the streams separately
enter and exit the apparatus. An ultraviolet lamp inside a first
sleeve emits rays through first and second ultraviolet transparent
sleeves having an annular space therebetween to form an inner flow
channel and an annular space between the second sleeve and an
ultraviolet resistant pressure vessel. The apparatus is
distinguishable for structure required for treating both treated
and untreated water in separate streams.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,322,291, issued on Mar. 30, 1982 for
Kuo-Sheng Ho, describes a hot water dispenser with a water purifier
and an ultraviolet tank controlled by a synchronous valve system.
The ultraviolet tank receives filtered water from the purifier
tank, which filtered water passes through four vertical concentric
transparent plates irradiated by the ultraviolet lamp in a
protecting tube emitting light at a wavelength of 2537 Angstroms
and positioned horizontally to traverse the tank. The ultraviolet
tank system is distinguishable for its structural arrangement of
the lamp and the transparent plates.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 2,738,427, issued on Mar. 13, 1956 for William
N. Wagnon, describes a water purifier apparatus comprising a
cylindrical casing having a highly reflective inner surface, an
ultraviolet ray tube along the axis of the casing, and a water
conduit having a plurality of transparent quartz portions parallel
to the tube. The apparatus is distinguishable for its serpentine
pipe system within the casing.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,302,356, issued on Apr. 12, 1994 for Farhang
F. Shadman et al., describes an ultrapure water treatment system
for producing water for cleaning integrated circuit chips
comprising a vertical tank containing a vertically oriented
ultraviolet lamp emitting a wavelength of 180-190 nanometers. Water
enters and exits through catalytic filters containing photoactive
catalysts such as the oxides of titanium, zinc, tungsten, tin,
copper and cadmium sulfide or selenide on porous substrates such as
stainless steel, glass, and the like. The system is distinguishable
for requiring catalysts.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,179, issued on Aug. 15, 1995 for Stephen
A. Marsh, describes an ultraviolet disinfecting device installed in
a water cooler holding tank. A bottle positioning collar having a
transparent window incorporates an ultraviolet lamp which
periodically exposes the water in the holding tank. The device is
distinguishable for its collar structure.
[0010] U.K. Patent Application No. 2,022,979 A, published on Dec.
19, 1979, describes the purification of water from a water cooler
container by adding an annular ultraviolet lamp around or below the
neck of the inverted water bottle. The apparatus is distinguishable
for being limited to one location where water flows from the
reservoir.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,744,028, issued on Apr. 28, 1998 for
Nobutaka Goto et al., describes a water treating apparatus
comprising an electrolytic cell including an anode, a cathode and a
three-dimensional carbon electrode in between. The electrolytic
cell is provided downstream of a water tank. The apparatus is
distinguishable for requiring electrolytic treatment.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 6,077,427, issued on Jun. 20, 2000 for Bruce
D. Burrows, describes a water vending machine provided with a water
purification system including a purification unit containing an
ultraviolet lamp generating ozone gas which is directed on an
intermittent or continuous basis against a dispenser nozzle. The
water purification system is distinguishable for its limitation to
an ultraviolet lamp in a tank.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,991, issued on Nov. 13, 1990 for Gerardo
M. Valadez, describes a vending system for providing purified water
comprising a microbial sterilizer utilizing ultraviolet radiation
and other purification systems such as an activated carbon filter,
an ion exchange resin bed, and a reverse osmosis filter. The
vending system is distinguishable for its recirculating system
involving sundry purification techniques.
[0014] Gt. Britain Patent Application No. 1,459,395, published on
Dec. 22, 1976 for John E. Hunt et al., describes an ultraviolet
sterilizer device comprising a mercury vapor discharge lamp for
forming ultraviolet radiation and employing a solenoid valve for
water flow control in the system. The sterilizing process involves
the emission of ultraviolet light through a quartz safety jacket to
radiate the flowing turbulent water in the metal jacket. The
radiation impinges also on a layer of magnesium fluoro germinate to
convert the emitted wavelength of light to red light. A silicon
photo sensor cell converts the red light into a D.C. voltage to
provide current for other electronic devices. The sterilizer device
is distinguishable for its required manifold electronic
devices.
[0015] Japan Patent Application No. 9-128641, published on May 16,
1997, describes an automatic sterilizing apparatus comprising a
water tank containing a vertical ultraviolet lamp projecting
downward from the lid, a push plate on the lid connected to a
float, a protect switch on the lid, a high water level switch, a
low water level switch, an internal overflow conduit, a water
intake on the lid, and a water outlet on the bottom of the tank. A
radiation level of 200 to 300 nanometers wavelength is used. The
apparatus is distinguishable for its unprotected ultraviolet
lamp.
[0016] Japan Patent Application No. 10-337567, published on Dec.
12, 1998, describes an ultraviolet lamp in a water cooler outside
the water dispenser body for purifying water flowing in a U-shaped
pipeline. The lamp is vertically located between a U-shaped
transparent resin pipeline. The device is distinguishable for its
simplified structure.
[0017] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either
singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant
invention as claimed. Thus, a ultraviolet water treatment solving
the aforementioned problem of eliminating a burnt taste is
desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The present invention is directed to an ultraviolet (UV)
radiated water purifier device for a water cooler reservoir and the
like. The purifier device operates inside a conventional cooler
reservoir tank. A vertical pipe is centered in a horizontal flange
or shield and contains air passage vents proximate its upper end to
radiate any generated heat by the use of the UV lamp. The pipe and
shield are made of an UV resistant material such as stainless steel
to protect any non-ultraviolet resistant components that may
degrade under exposure to UV light. The edge of the circular
horizontal shield abuts the wall of the water reservoir or tank. A
transparent outer tubular sleeve made of quartz in the shape of a
test tube is contained within the pipe section of the shield and
extends down into the cooler reservoir.
[0019] Contained within the outer transparent sleeve is a
transparent inner tubular test tube shaped sleeve which extends
beyond the mouth of the outer sleeve and contains the purifying UV
lamp. The shield is above the normal water level to prevent
stagnant air from contacting the water and the UV lamp, and
prevents the air from transferring a burnt taste to the water.
[0020] A thin translucent water inlet tube made of a material such
as polytetrafluoroethylene feeds water into the purifier and
extends downward between the outer and inner sleeves. The water
flows downward in the water inlet tube past the ultraviolet lamp
for a first exposure pass and up between the two sleeves for a
second exposure pass. The water overflows the outer sleeve and
flows downward for a third exposure pass. Water inside the
reservoir outside the sleeves is constantly exposed to an
ultraviolet radiation passing through the translucent inlet tube
and the two transparent sleeves.
[0021] The outer translucent sleeve retains much of the heat
generated by the emitted ultraviolet light as an advantage to
shorten the time period before the UV lamp becomes effective for
killing any bacteria present such as heterotrophic bacteria,
because the UV lamp must reach a specific temperature before it can
effectively inactivate any bacteria present. A benefit in
dissipating residual generated heat is a result of having the air
vents in the pipe to conduct away the heat. The outer translucent
sleeve helps to insulate the water in the cooler reservoir from the
heat generated by the ultraviolet lamp, and thus aiding to protect
the cooling mechanism. This heat mitigating effect results in an
advantage in increasing the life of the conventional refrigeration
components of a cooler apparatus.
[0022] Float switches or liquid level control probes are means
included in the apparatus to control the water level within the
cooler tank by a solenoid in the water inlet line. When the water
level in the tank drops due to cooler water use, the normally
closed solenoid is energized by the float switch or liquid level
control probes to open and allow water to enter the treatment
tank.
[0023] The water level monitoring devices also activate a timer
which controls the ultraviolet lamp. Once activated the timer will
illuminate the ultraviolet lamp for a preset period of time. The
status of the ultraviolet lamp is monitored by an optical sensor in
that in the event of a failure an audible alarm will sound or a
light alarm will signal. The cooler reservoir container can also be
coated with a material to inhibit the deleterious effects of
ultraviolet radiation.
[0024] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to
provide a water purification system for a conventional water cooler
machine having a water reservoir and a refrigeration system.
[0025] It is another object of the invention to provide a water
purification system within a water cooler reservoir.
[0026] It is a further object of the invention to provide a water
purification system utilizing an ultraviolet lamp within two
transparent test tube sleeves inside the water cooler
reservoir.
[0027] Still another object of the invention is to provide a water
purification system having a shield structure for dissipating heat
generated by the irradiation system.
[0028] It is an object of the invention to provide improved
elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which
is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its
intended purposes.
[0029] These and other objects of the present invention will become
readily apparent upon further review of the following specification
and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0030] The sole Figure is a partially broken away, perspective view
of an ultraviolet radiation water treatment tank according to the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] The present invention, as shown in the sole Figure, is
directed to an ultraviolet radiation water treatment apparatus 10.
The apparatus 10 works inside a conventional water cooler reservoir
18 with a pipe connection 12 for influent water and a pipe
connection 14 for effluent water. An apertured circular ultraviolet
radiation resistant shield 16 made of a material opaque to UV
radiation such as stainless steel plate is disposed horizontally in
the tank or reservoir 18 (shown in shadow as being not part of the
invention) with its periphery abutting an inside surface of the
sidewall and proximate an upper wall 20 of tank 18.
[0032] A short vertical pipe 22, also made of UV opaque material
such as stainless steel plate, extends through a centered aperture
24 of the shield 16 and the upper wall 20 of the tank 18 with a cap
54 sealing the top end of the pipe 22. The bottom half of the pipe
22 is submerged in water in order to prevent stagnant air from
being exposed to both water and the ultraviolet lamp. This is a
critical point in the present invention, since this prevents the
air above the water level in the reservoir 18 from being burnt by
the UV radiation imparting a burnt taste to the circulating treated
water in the reservoir 18.
[0033] A vertical transparent cylindrical outer sleeve 26 in the
shape of a test tube and made of quartz has a top edge 28 proximate
the level of the shield 16, and the domed bottom end 29 abuts a
bottom surface or wall 30 of the tank 18, and is centered within
the shield pipe 22. A vertical transparent cylindrical inner sleeve
32 having a similar domed end 33, which may also be made of quartz,
is centered within the outer sleeve 26 and defines an annular flow
channel. The inner sleeve 32 has a top edge extending above the
shield 16 and the domed bottom end 33 is proximate the domed bottom
end 29 of outer sleeve 26 allowing for flow between the two bottom
ends 29 and 33.
[0034] A cylindrical ultraviolet lamp 34 is energized to radiate
germicidal rays and is housed within the inner sleeve 32. The
wiring (shown in dashed lines) for the UV lamp 34 passes upward
inside the sleeve 32 and out the aperture 58 in the cap 54. A
narrow cylindrical translucent water inlet tube 36 made of
Teflon.RTM. (polytetrafluoroethylene) enters the cap 54 of the tank
10 through aperture 56 feeding influent water 38 into the reservoir
and extends downward in the annular space between the outer sleeve
26 and the inner sleeve 32 to discharge influent water 38 proximate
the bottom domed end 29 of the outer sleeve 26.
[0035] A water effluent pipe 44 feeding a hot water tank
conventionally provided and another effluent pipe 46 feeding a cold
water tank conventionally provided in the cooler apparatus pass
through the bottom wall 30 of the tank 18. The influent water 38
enters the tank 18 via the water inlet tube 36 and circulates
upward in the annular flow channel between the transparent outer
sleeve 26 and inner sleeve 32 and downward between the outer sleeve
26 and the shield pipe 22 into the reservoir 18 to effect at least
three passes proximate the ultraviolet lamp 34 in order to expose
any harmful microorganisms in the water to the germicidal effects
of UV radiation.
[0036] The shield pipe 22 has a plurality of equally spaced vents
40 above the shield 16 for exhausting heat from the purifier
apparatus 10. A liquid level sensor device 42 is located on an
outside surface of the tank 18 to regulate the quantity of water in
order to keep the water level above the bottom end of the shield
pipe 22 and to cut off the flow of influent water 38 when the water
level exceeds a predetermined level. The liquid level sensor device
42 can be a conventional float switch or a liquid level control
probe. A normally closed solenoid valve 48 is inserted in the
influent pipe 12 to open to replace water being depleted as
indicated by the liquid level sensor device 42. When the water
level rises to the predetermined level, the level control sensor
device 42 de-energizes the solenoid valve 48 to the normally closed
state to cut off the inflow of water.
[0037] The sensor device 42 also activates a timer 50 to illuminate
the lamp 34 for a preset time period. The lamp's operating time is
an independent function activated by the sensor device 42. Once the
timing cycle of the lamp 34 is activated, the lamp will light for
the preset time period. Reactivation of the sensor device 42 due to
water being dispensed from the cooler reservoir within the preset
period of lamp operation will only result in activation of the
solenoid 48, and not affect the lamp 34.
[0038] The status of the ultraviolet lamp 34 inside the tank 18 is
monitored by an optical sensor 52 mounted on the inner sleeve 32,
which sensor will either sound an alarm or illuminate a warning
lamp to indicate when the lamp 34 fails to illuminate when required
to by the liquid level sensor device 42.
[0039] An effluent pipe 44 is located below the reservoir outside
the radius of outer sleeve 26. It is also contemplated that the
inner surface of tank 18 can be coated with any material which
would inhibit the effects of the ultraviolet lamp 34 such as a
ceramic, or alternatively, the tank 18 can be made of stainless
steel.
[0040] Thus, an effective water treatment tank can be incorporated
in a water cooler apparatus to ensure the purification of drinking
water without the burnt taste of the prior art devices by
circulating the influent water to repeated exposure to the bacteria
killing rays of a ultraviolet ray lamp. Control devices inside or
attached to the treatment tank regulate safe operation of the water
treatment tank.
[0041] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *