Method of minimizing scale buildup in a water filtration system

Abstract

A method for filtering water to reduce fouling is disclosed herein. The method includes determining that a pump has been inactive for a threshold period of time. The method also includes closing a first valve to a filtered drinking water tank and opening a second valve to a source water tank based on determining that the pump has been inactive for the threshold period of time. The method further includes activating the pump for a period of time to circulate water from the source water tank through a filter system and back to the source water tank based on the first valve being closed and the second valve being open.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority and benefit to U.S. Application No. 16 / 842,845, filed April 8, 2020, the full text of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Background Technology

[0003] Water filtration has become commonplace in many homes due to increased toxicity caused by chemicals found in water supply systems. Point-of-use (POU) water treatment units are designed to treat small amounts of drinking water for use within the home. These units can be placed on a countertop, attached to a faucet, or installed under the sink. They differ from point-of-entry (POE) units, which are installed on the water pipes that enter the house and treat all water within the building.

[0004] Many homes now have reverse osmosis (RO) units installed. RO units are typically installed under the sink, with the tap water connection directly perpendicular to the sink's cold water supply line, and the wastewater discharge line directly connected to the sink's P-well. These units use diaphragms that filter out chemicals such as chlorides and sulfates, as well as most other contaminants found in today's water supply systems. RO systems can remove particles down to 1 angstrom. However, a POU RO system can waste up to 3 to 4 gallons of water for every gallon processed. This is attributed to the need for a continuous flow of water across the diaphragm surface to remove contaminants and prevent clogging.

[0005] Furthermore, scaling can occur if the POU RO system is not properly maintained. Scaling occurs when the water contains high levels of minerals such as calcium carbonate, which can accumulate on surfaces and inside the filter. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Specific embodiments are illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference numerals may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments may utilize elements and / or components different from those shown in the drawings, and some elements and / or components may be absent in various embodiments. Elements and / or components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Throughout this disclosure, singular and plural terms are used interchangeably depending on the context.

[0007] Figure 1 A water filtration system according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is schematically depicted.

[0008] Figure 2 This is a flowchart depicting an illustrative water filtration method according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0009] Figure 1A water filtration system 100 (and individual components of the water filtration system 100) according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is schematically depicted. In some examples, the water filtration system 100 may include a countertop reverse osmosis water filtration system. That is, the size and shape of the water filtration system 100 may be configured to fit on a countertop and / or inside a refrigerator. The water filtration system 100 may be any suitable size and shape. The water filtration system 100 may operate independently of any water source and / or drainage system. That is, the water filtration system 100 may not have external connections. Furthermore, the water filtration system 100 may produce very little or no wastewater. An example countertop water filtration system is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 9,517,958.

[0010] like Figure 1 As depicted, the water filtration system 100 may include a first container 104, which may be detachably mounted on a support base or the like. The first container 104 may be configured to store water therein. For example, a user may pour water (e.g., tap water) into the first container 104, or a user may remove the first container 104 from the support base 102 and fill the first container with water (e.g., tap water). The first container 104 may include an outlet port 130 and an inlet port 132. In some examples, water exits the first container 104 via the outlet port 130. Water may also enter the first container 104 via the inlet port 132.

[0011] The water filtration system 100 may include a second container 134. The second container 134 may be detachably mounted on a support base. The second container 134 may be configured to store water supply (e.g., filtered drinking water) therein. The second container 134 may include an inlet port 150.

[0012] The water filtration system 100 may include a filter system 154. The filter system 154 may include an inlet port 158, a first outlet port 160, and a second outlet port 162. In some examples, when the first container 104 and the second container 134 are attached to a support substrate, the outlet port 130 of the first container 104 may be configured to be in fluid communication with the inlet port 158 ​​of the filter system 154. Furthermore, the first outlet port 160 of the filter system 154 may be configured to be in fluid communication with the inlet port 132 of the first container 104. Additionally, the second outlet port 162 of the filter system 154 may be configured to be in fluid communication with the inlet port 150 of the second container 134.

[0013] In some embodiments, the filter system 154 may include a first filter 164, a second filter 166, and a third filter 168. Additional or fewer filters may be used. The first filter 164 may be configured and positioned to receive water from the inlet port 158 ​​of the filter system 154, filter the water, and deliver the first-filtered water to the second filter 166. In some examples, the first filter 164 may be a sediment filter or a combination of a sediment filter and a carbon filter. The first filter 164 may include any suitable filter. In some examples, an additional filter may be located upstream of the first filter 164.

[0014] The second filter 166 may be configured and arranged to receive first-filtered water from the first filter 164 and deliver a first portion of the first-filtered water to a first outlet port 160 of the filter system 154. In this manner, the first portion of the first-filtered water may include wastewater 170 that is delivered back to the first container 104. Furthermore, the second filter 166 may be configured to filter and deliver a second portion of the first-filtered water to a third filter 168. The second portion of the first-filtered water may include water that has undergone a second filtration. In some examples, the second filter 166 may be a reverse osmosis diaphragm filter. The second filter 166 may be any suitable filter.

[0015] The third filter 168 may be configured and arranged to receive water that has undergone a second filtration from the second filter 166, and to filter and deliver the water that has undergone a third filtration to the second outlet port 162 of the filter system 154. In this way, the water that has undergone a third filtration may include the supply water 172 delivered to the second container 134. In some examples, the third filter 168 may be a carbon filter. The third filter 168 may be any suitable filter. In other examples, the third filter 168 may be omitted. In such examples, the second filter 166 may be configured to filter and deliver a second portion of the water that has undergone a first filtration to the second container 134. In still other examples, an additional filter may be located downstream of the third filter 168 and before the second container 134.

[0016] In some embodiments, approximately 100% of the water entering the first filter 164 can pass through to the second filter 166. In another embodiment, less than 100% of the water entering the second filter 166 can pass through to the third filter 168. For example, approximately 1% to approximately 30% of the water entering the second filter 166 can pass through to the third filter 168, with the remaining water constituting wastewater 170 that is delivered back to the first container 104. In yet another embodiment, approximately 100% of the water entering the third filter 168 can pass through to the second container 134. This process is repeated as needed.

[0017] The water filtration system 100 may include a flow restrictor 174. The flow restrictor 174 may be located and in fluid communication with a first outlet port 160 of the filter system 154 and an inlet port 132 of the first container 104. The flow restrictor 174 may be configured to create back pressure in a second filter 166 (e.g., on a reverse osmosis membrane). The back pressure allows a second portion of the water filtered in the first stage to pass through the reverse osmosis membrane to produce water filtered in the second stage. Furthermore, a backflow check valve 176 may be located and in fluid communication with the flow restrictor 174 and the inlet port 132 of the first container 104. The backflow check valve 176 may be configured to prevent water from flowing from the first container 104 to the filter system 154.

[0018] In some embodiments, a forward check valve 178 may be located and in fluid communication with the second outlet port 162 of the filter system 154 and the inlet port 150 of the second container 134. The forward check valve 178 may be configured to prevent water from flowing from the second container 134 into the filter system 154.

[0019] The filtration system 100 may include a pump 180 disposed between and in fluid communication with the outlet port 130 of the first container 104 and the inlet port 158 ​​of the filter system 154. In some examples, the pump 180 may be automatically primed by a flow of fluid from the outlet port 130 of the first container 104. For example, water supplied to the pump 180 may be gravity-fed from the outlet port 130 of the first container 104. The pump 180 may be the sole channel for generating hydraulic pressure to facilitate the flow of fluid from the first container 104 through the filter system 154 to the second container 134. In some examples, the pump 180 may facilitate the flow of fluid from the first container 104 through only a portion of the filter system 154 and back to the first container 104 via a flow restrictor 174.

[0020] In a particular embodiment, the water filtration system 100 may include a power supply 182, an electronic controller 184, a first sensor 186 disposed and configured to sense the water level in a first container 104, and a second sensor 188 disposed and configured to sense the water level in a second container 134. The electronic controller 184 may be configured to signal in communication with the power supply 182, the first sensor 186, the second sensor 188, and the pump 180. In some examples, the electronic controller 184 may be configured to sense, via the first sensor 186, that the water level in the first container 104 is sufficient to activate the pump 180. The electronic controller 184 may also be configured to sense, via the second sensor 188, that the water level in the second container 134 is insufficient to activate the pump 180. Furthermore, the electronic controller 184 may be configured to activate or deactivate the pump 180 based on the corresponding water levels in the first container 104 and the second container 134. In other examples, the power supply 182 and / or the electrical controller 184 may communicate with one or more of the filter system 154, the current limiter 174, the backflow check valve 176, and / or the forward check valve 178.

[0021] Power supply 182 may include wires that can be connected to an alternating current (AC) line voltage. In some examples, the AC line voltage may be 120VAC. In other examples, power supply 182 may include at least one direct current (DC) battery. The at least one DC battery may be configured to provide 12VDC or 24VDC. Power supply 182 may include an electrical input port configured to receive DC voltage.

[0022] Figure 2 A flowchart is provided illustrating an illustrative water filtration method 200 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Method 200 may be implemented by one or more controllers, such as an electronic controller 184.

[0023] Method 200 can promote the reduction of scaling in the water filtration system 100. At block 202, the method can determine a threshold time period during which pump 180 has been inactive. In some examples, the threshold time period is approximately 60 minutes. The threshold time period can be any suitable time. For example, the threshold time period can be 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 and / or 120 minutes, or any suitable time in between. In other examples, the threshold time period can be half a day, once a day, once a week, once a month, etc. Once the threshold time period during which pump 180 has been inactive has been determined, method 200 may include closing the forward check valve 178 to the filtered drinking water tank 134 at step 204. Similarly, at step 206, method 200 may include opening the reverse check valve 176 to the water source tank 104 based on the determined threshold time period during which pump 180 has been inactive.

[0024] At step 208, once the forward check valve 178 is closed or determined to be closed and the reverse check valve 176 is open or determined to be open, pump 180 can be activated for a certain time period to circulate water from water tank 104 through filter system 154 and back to water tank 104. In some examples, the time period is approximately 2 minutes. The time period can be any suitable time. For example, the time period can be 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60, and / or 120 seconds, or any suitable time in between. In other examples, the time period can be 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60, and / or 120 minutes, or any suitable time in between.

[0025] In some examples, pump 180 can be activated in a burst manner to create pressure and flow changes within at least a portion of the loop formed by pump 180, filter system 154, and water tank 104. In some examples, pump 180 can be activated and deactivated in increments of equal timing and intervals. In other examples, the time between activating and deactivating pump 180 can vary. For example, pump 180 can be activated and deactivated periodically in a burst manner, with gradually shortening increments between bursts. Each burst can be the same or different. That is, alternatively, pump 180 can be periodically turned on and off in bursts of varying durations, with gradually shortening or lengthening increments between bursts. In some examples, pump 180 can be periodically turned on and off in a burst manner, initially with gradually shortening increments between bursts, and then with gradually lengthening increments between subsequent bursts, and vice versa.

[0026] In one example embodiment, after pump 180 has been inactive for 60 minutes, it can be turned on for 2 minutes, during which time the forward check valve 178 closes and the reverse check valve 176 opens. This configuration allows system 100 to flush water from source tank 104 through pump 180 and the RO diaphragm of filter system 154 back into source tank 104. This agitation of the water makes it less likely for calcium to form and to form scale on the individual filters of filter system 154, inside pump 180, and on the inner surfaces of the pipes connecting all these components in the closed loop.

[0027] In some embodiments, it can be determined via the first sensor 186 that the water tank 104 is empty and below a threshold water level. In this case, method 200 can be terminated. That is, if the water tank 104 is determined to be empty or contains water below the threshold, method 200 for promoting scale reduction in the water filtration system 100 may not be initiated, or the method may be terminated if it is already in progress.

[0028] At step 210, in some examples, method 200 may include periodically opening and closing the backflow check valve 176 in bursts, while activating pump 180 to create pressure and flow changes within at least a portion of the loop formed by pump 180, filter system 154, and water tank 104. In some examples, the backflow check valve 176 may be opened and closed in increments of equal timing and intervals. In other examples, the opening time of the backflow check valve 176 and the time between opening and closing the backflow check valve 176 may vary. For example, the backflow check valve 176 may be periodically opened and closed in bursts, with gradually shortening increments between bursts. Each burst may be the same or different. That is, alternatively, the backflow check valve 176 may be periodically opened and closed in bursts of varying durations, with gradually shortening or lengthening increments between bursts. In some cases, the backflow check valve 176 can be opened and closed periodically in bursts, initially with gradually shortening increments between bursts, and then with gradually lengthening increments between subsequent bursts, and vice versa.

[0029] In one example embodiment, after pump 180 has been inactive for 60 minutes, pump 180 may be turned on for 2 minutes, during which time forward check valve 178 is closed and back check valve 176 is open. During the 2-minute activity of pump 180, back check valve 176 may be closed briefly to create pressure and flow changes. In some examples, back check valve 176 may be opened and closed intermittently to create pressure and flow changes, making it more difficult for calcium to form and to form scale on the various filters of filter system 154 and within pump 180 and on the inner surfaces of the pipes connecting all these components in the closed loop. For example, an example sequence of opening and closing back check valve 176 may include opening back check valve 176 for 30 seconds, closing it for 3 seconds, opening it for 27 seconds, closing it for 3 seconds, opening it for 2 seconds, closing it for 3 seconds, opening it for 2 seconds, closing it for 3 seconds, and opening it for 47 seconds. This sequence allows water to be flushed from the source tank 104 through the RO diaphragm of pump 180 and filter system 154 and back into the source tank 104. This agitation makes it more difficult for calcium to form and instead cause scale buildup on the individual filters of filter system 154, inside pump 180, and on the inner surfaces of the pipes connecting all these components in the closed loop. Furthermore, opening and closing the backflow check valve 176 creates a water hammer (rapid change in water flow), which shears calcium scale from various surfaces.

[0030] Although the reverse check valve 176 is disclosed to open and close periodically in a burst manner, the forward check valve 178 may also open and close periodically in a burst manner in a similar manner as described above with reference to the reverse check valve 176.

[0031] In some embodiments, the steps described in blocks 202-210 of method 200 may be performed in any order. The steps described in blocks 202-210 of method 200 are merely one example of several embodiments. For instance, some steps may be omitted while others may be added.

[0032] In another embodiment, the backflow check valve 176 may be omitted. In this case, once the forward check valve 178 is closed or determined to be closed, the pump 180 may be activated and / or deactivated (e.g., in a burst) for a period of time as discussed above to circulate water from the water tank 104 through the filter system 154 and back to the water tank 104.

[0033] Although specific embodiments of this disclosure have been described, numerous other modifications and alternative embodiments are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, any functionality described according to a particular device or component can be performed by another device or component. Furthermore, while specific device features have been described, embodiments of this disclosure may relate to a wide range of other device features. Although embodiments have been described using language specific to the actions of structural features and / or methodologies, it should be understood that this disclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific features or actions described. In fact, specific features and actions are disclosed as illustrative forms for implementing the embodiments. Unless otherwise specifically stated, or otherwise understood in the context used, conditional language (e.g., “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” and others) is generally intended to convey that some embodiments may include certain features, elements, and / or steps, while other embodiments may not include certain features, elements, and / or steps. Therefore, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that one or more embodiments require these features, elements, and / or steps in any way.

Claims

1. A method for reducing scaling in a water filtration system, the method comprising: Determine the threshold time period during which the pump has been inactive; Based on the determination that the pump has been inactive for the threshold time period, it is determined that the first valve of the filtered drinking water tank will be closed. Based on the determination that the pump has been inactive for the threshold time period, it is determined that the second valve of the water source tank is open; as well as With the first valve closed and the second valve open, the pump is activated for a certain period of time to circulate water from the water source tank through the filter system and back to the water source tank.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising periodically opening and closing the second valve in a burst manner, while activating the pump to create pressure and flow changes in at least a portion of the loop formed by the pump, the filter system, and the water tank.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein periodically opening and closing the second valve in a burst manner comprises opening and closing the second valve in progressively shorter increments.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the threshold time period is greater than 60 minutes.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the time period is 2 minutes.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first valve comprises a forward check valve.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second valve comprises a check valve.

8. A water filtration system comprising: The controller is configured to: Determine the threshold time period during which the pump has been inactive; Based on the determination that the pump has been inactive for the threshold time period, the first valve to the filtered drinking water tank is closed. Based on the determination that the pump has been inactive for the threshold time period, the second valve to the water tank is opened; as well as With the first valve closed and the second valve open, the pump is activated for a certain period of time to circulate water from the water source tank through the filter system and back to the water source tank.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising periodically opening and closing the second valve in a burst manner, while activating the pump to create pressure and flow changes in at least a portion of the loop formed by the pump, the filter system, and the water tank.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein periodically opening and closing the second valve in a burst manner comprises opening and closing the second valve in progressively shorter increments.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the threshold time period is 60 minutes.

12. The system according to claim 8, wherein the time period is 2 minutes.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the first valve comprises a forward check valve.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the second valve comprises a check valve.

15. A method for reducing scaling in a water filtration system, the method comprising: Determine the threshold time period during which the pump has been inactive; Based on the determination that the pump has been inactive for the threshold time period, it is determined that the first valve of the filtered drinking water tank will be closed. Based on the closure of the first valve, the pump is activated for a certain period of time to circulate water from the water source tank through the filter system and back to the water source tank.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the pump is periodically activated and deactivated in a burst manner.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the threshold time period is greater than 60 minutes.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the time period is 2 minutes.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the first valve comprises a forward check valve.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein periodically activating and deactivating the pump in bursts comprises activating and deactivating the pump in progressively shorter increments.

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