System for automating trimmer setting adjustment

Abstract

A system for automating setting adjustments for a trimmer for trimming reverse osmosis elements is disclosed. The system comprises: a barcode scanner for scanning a barcode disposed on a reverse osmosis element; a user operated trimmer for trimming the reverse osmosis element; and a computing device coupled to each of the barcode scanner and the trimmer. A computing device includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores computer readable instructions executable by the processor. When executed, the computer readable instructions configure the processor to: receive a model identification signal from the barcode scanner; identifying the model of the reverse osmosis element based on the received model identification signal; selecting a computer readable trimmer setup protocol associated with the identified model; and transmit one or more commands associated with the selected trimmer setup protocol to the trimmer instructing the trimmer to apply the selected trimmer setup protocol.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The teachings disclosed herein generally relate to spiral wound reverse osmosis elements that can be used in a variety of different water treatment applications. More specifically, the teachings disclosed herein are directed to a system that automates the adjustment of operating settings for a trimmer used to trim a reverse osmosis element. Background Art

[0002] Reverse osmosis elements are known and used in a wide range of water treatment applications, such as removing salts and organics from water, concentrating and demineralizing organics, purifying and recycling process streams, etc. Reverse osmosis elements include a membrane, a feed spacer, and a permeate spacer arranged in a series of layers.

[0003] In use, the reverse osmosis element is wound around a perforated central tube. The feed solution enters at one end of the wound element and travels tangentially through the length of the element via flow channels provided by feed spacers positioned between adjacent membrane layers. Permeate below the membrane's molecular weight cut-off passes through the membrane surface and into the permeate spacers, where it is carried along the permeate spacers and into the perforated central tube. As a result, the remainder of the feed solution is concentrated at the other end of the wound element.

[0004] The feed solution passes through the reverse osmosis element at high speed. The impact of the high-speed feed solution on the spiral-wound reverse osmosis element often causes the spiral-wound reverse osmosis element to expand and contract along the perforated center tube. To prevent this expansion and contraction, anti-expansion devices are attached to the perforated center tube at both ends of the spiral-wound reverse osmosis element. Before installation, the reverse osmosis element is trimmed so that it fits between the anti-expansion devices.

[0005] A user-operated trimmer is used to trim reverse osmosis elements so that they fit between the anti-telescoping devices. Many different models of reverse osmosis elements are available. Specifications of different models may differ, for example, in length, diameter, membrane type, etc. Consequently, when the reverse osmosis element to be trimmed differs from previously trimmed elements, trimmer settings may need to be adjusted. Manually adjusting trimmer settings is a known method. The operator of the trimmer identifies the specific model of reverse osmosis element they are about to trim. The operator then manually enters the trimmer settings associated with the identified model using the trimmer's user interface. Manual entry of trimmer settings is time-consuming and / or prone to input errors. Incorrectly entered trimmer settings can cause defects. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The following summary is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the applicant's teachings and is not intended to limit any invention.

[0007] In one aspect, a system for automating trimmer setting adjustments is disclosed. The system includes: a) a barcode scanner for scanning a barcode disposed on a reverse osmosis element; b) a user-operated trimmer for trimming the reverse osmosis element; and c) a computing device coupled to each of the barcode scanner and the trimmer. The computing device includes one or more processors and a memory coupled to at least one of the processors. The memory stores computer-readable instructions executable by the one or more processors. When executed, the computer-readable instructions configure the one or more processors to collectively: i) receiving a model identification signal from a bar code scanner in response to the bar code scanner scanning a bar code provided on the reverse osmosis element; ii) identifying the model of the reverse osmosis element based on the received model identification signal; iii) selecting a computer-readable trimmer setting protocol associated with the identified model of reverse osmosis element; and iv) transmitting one or more commands associated with the selected trimmer setting protocol to the trimmer, instructing the trimmer to apply the selected trimmer setting protocol.

[0008] In some examples, the model identification signal includes a serial number associated with a bar code disposed on the reverse osmosis element.

[0009] In some examples, the memory stores a plurality of reverse osmosis element serial numbers, and to identify the model of the reverse osmosis element, the one or more processors are further configured to collectively: The serial number in the received model identification signal is matched with a corresponding one of a plurality of reverse osmosis element serial numbers stored in a memory.

[0010] In some examples, each of the reverse osmosis element serial numbers is associated with a corresponding one of a plurality of trimmer setting protocols, and to select the trimmer setting protocol associated with the identified model of reverse osmosis element, the one or more processors are further configured to collectively: A corresponding one of a plurality of trimmer setting protocols associated with the reverse osmosis element serial number that matches the serial number in the received model identification signal is selected.

[0011] In some examples, the trimmer settings protocol is stored in memory.

[0012] In some examples, each of the trimmer setting protocols includes one or more preset operating settings for the trimmer.

[0013] In some examples, the one or more preset operational settings include at least one of an initial blade position, a feed speed, a feed duration, and a feed position.

[0014] In some examples, the one or more commands transmitted to the trimmer instruct the trimmer to apply one or more preset operating settings of the selected trimmer setting protocol. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] For a better understanding of the described examples and to show more clearly how they may be implemented, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a perforated center tube having an anti-telescoping device attached at each end;

[0017] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a system for automating trimmer setting adjustments according to aspects of the teachings disclosed herein;

[0018] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a barcode scanner scanning a barcode set on a reverse osmosis element;

[0019] Figure 4 is available for Figure 2 A photographic image of an exemplary trimmer in the system;

[0020] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing that a scanned serial number matches a serial number stored in memory; and

[0021] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of an example trimmer setup protocol. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be apparent that the embodiments described are only some embodiments of the present invention, rather than all embodiments. All other embodiments made by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative work are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.

[0023] See Figure 1 , the perforated tube 12 has anti-telescoping devices 14a and 14b connected at each end. In use, the reverse osmosis element 10 ( Figure 3 ) is wrapped around a perforated tube 12. Feed solution passes through one end of the wrapped reverse osmosis element 10 at high speed. The impact of the high-speed feed solution on the wound reverse osmosis element causes it to expand and contract along the perforated tube 12. Anti-expansion devices 14a, 14b are attached to the perforated tube 12 to prevent this expansion and contraction. During assembly, expansion devices 14a, 14b abut against opposing edges of the wound reverse osmosis element and thereby inhibit axial movement of the element 10 along the perforated tube 12.

[0024] The reverse osmosis elements are trimmed so that they will fit between the anti-telescoping devices 14a, 14b. Figure 1 The reverse osmosis elements are trimmed so that their length corresponds to the pipe length 16 between the anti-telescoping devices 14a, 14b. If the reverse osmosis elements are too long, they will not fit between the anti-telescoping devices 14a, 14b. If the reverse osmosis elements are not long enough, they may telescope when impacted by the high-speed feed solution (i.e., because the edges of the elements do not reach the anti-telescoping devices).

[0025] See Figure 2 , a schematic diagram of a system 100 for automating trimmer setting adjustments includes a barcode scanner 102, a user-operated trimmer 104, and a computing device 106 coupled to each of the barcode scanner 102 and the trimmer 104. The computing device 106 may be connected to the user via a wireless network (e.g., a wireless access network, a Bluetooth , etc.) and / or are communicatively connected to the barcode scanner 102 and the trimmer 104 via a wired connection. These connections may allow the computing device 106 to communicate with the barcode scanner 102 and the trimmer 104 and / or relay signals.

[0026] See Figure 3 The reverse osmosis element 10 is provided with a barcode 18 at a position accessible to a barcode scanner 102. The barcode scanner 102 may be any type of scanner capable of reading a barcode (e.g., a laser scanner, an image scanner, a CCD scanner, etc.). In some examples, the barcode scanner 102 includes a decoder that converts the scanned barcode into text (i.e., a serial number). The barcode scanner 102 is connected to a wireless network (e.g., a wireless access network, a Bluetooth , etc.) and / or be communicatively connected to the computing device 106 via a wired connection. These connections can allow the bar code scanner 102 to communicate with the computing device 106 and / or relay signals.

[0027] See Figure 4 The trimmer 104 includes a pair of longitudinally spaced blades 116a, 116b and a control panel 118 for controlling the operation of the blades 116a, 116b. In the illustrated example, the barcode scanner 102 is positioned above the gap between the blades 116a, 116b. This arrangement can simplify trimming operations. In other examples, the barcode scanner 102 can be located in a different position relative to the trimmer 104. For example, the barcode scanner 102 can be located outside the trimmer 104. In this case, the operator would use the barcode scanner 102 to scan the barcode 18 provided on the reverse osmosis element 10 before installing the element 10 into the trimmer 104.

[0028] Many different models of reverse osmosis elements are available. The specifications of the different models may differ, for example, such as length, diameter, membrane type, etc. As a result, when the reverse osmosis element to be trimmed is different from the element trimmed previously, the trimmer settings need to be adjusted.

[0029] As described in greater detail below, the system 100 automatically adjusts one or more trimmer settings based on the specific reverse osmosis element being trimmed. When the barcode 18 is scanned, the computing device 106 identifies the model of the reverse osmosis element 10 and transmits a trimmer settings protocol associated with the identified model. The trimmer settings protocol includes one or more operational trimmer settings, such as initial blade position, feed rate, feed duration, etc. Automatically implementing trimmer settings specific to the model of reverse osmosis element being trimmed helps avoid trimmer setting errors caused by operator input errors, saves time manually adjusting trimmer settings, and improves production efficiency.

[0030] Without the system 100, the operator of the trimmer must identify the specific model of reverse osmosis element they are about to trim. The operator then uses the trimmer's control panel 118 ( Figure 4 ) Manually enter the trimmer settings associated with the identified model. Manual entry of trimmer settings is time-consuming and / or prone to input errors. Incorrectly entering trimmer settings can cause defects.

[0031] See again Figure 2 , computing device 106 includes a processor 108, a memory 110, and an input device 112. Each of memory 110 and input device 112 is communicatively coupled, directly or indirectly, to processor 108. In some examples, computing device 106 includes multiple copies of any one or more of processor 108, memory 110, and input device 112. In some examples, computing device 106 does not include one or more of memory 110 and input device 112. For example, computing device 106 may not include memory 110, and / or may not include input device 112.

[0032] In some examples, computing device 106 is a single, unitary device that houses all of its subcomponents (processor 108, memory 110, etc.). In other examples, computing device 106 is comprised of two or more separate sub-devices communicatively coupled to each other that collectively comprise all of the sub-components of computing device 106 (processor 108, memory 110, etc.) and collectively provide the functionality described herein. In a specific example, a computer terminal and a programmable logic controller (PLC) collectively comprise all of the sub-components of computing device 106.

[0033] Memory 110 may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), or similar types of memory. Additionally, in some examples, memory 110 stores one or more application programs for execution by processor 108. The application programs correspond to software modules that include computer-executable instructions to perform processing for the functions described below. In some examples, some or all of memory 110 may be integrated with processor 108. For example, processor 108 may be a microcontroller (e.g., a Microchip) with onboard volatile and / or nonvolatile memory. TM AVR、Microchip TM PIC or ARM TM microcontroller).

[0034] Computing device 106 may store information in a remote storage device (such as remote storage 114) that is accessible via a network (such as a wireless network or another suitable network). In some examples, computing device 106 stores information distributed across multiple storage devices (such as memory 110 and remote storage 114) (i.e., each of the multiple storage devices stores a portion of the information, and the multiple storage devices collectively store all of the information). Therefore, as used herein, storing data on a storage device means storing data in a local storage device, storing data in a remote storage device, or storing data distributed across multiple storage devices, each of which may be local or remote.

[0035] Generally, the processor 108 can execute computer-readable instructions (also referred to as applications or programs). For example, the computer-readable instructions can be stored in the memory 110 or can be received from a remote storage 114 accessible via an Internet network. When executed, the computer-readable instructions can configure the processor 108 (or multiple processors 108 collectively) to perform the actions described herein.

[0036] The input device 112 may include any device for inputting information into the computing device 106. For example, the input device 112 may be a keyboard, a keypad, buttons, switches, a cursor control device, a touch screen, or a microphone. The input device 112 may also include an input port and / or a radio (e.g., Bluetooth or 802.11x) for establishing wired and wireless connections with external devices (e.g., for inputting information such as trimmer settings for a new reverse osmosis element).

[0037] When executed, the computer-readable instructions configure the processor 108 to: i) receiving a model identification signal from the bar code scanner 102 in response to the bar code scanner 102 scanning the bar code 18 provided on the reverse osmosis element 10, ii) identifying the model of the reverse osmosis element 10 based on the received model identification signal, iii) selecting the computer-readable trimmer setup protocol 126 associated with the identified model of reverse osmosis element; and iv) transmitting one or more commands associated with the selected trimmer settings protocol 126 to the trimmer 104 , instructing the trimmer 104 to apply the selected trimmer settings protocol 126 .

[0038] See Figure 3 and Figure 5 , the model identification signal includes a serial number 120 associated with a bar code 18 disposed on the reverse osmosis element 10. The bar code scanner 102 may include a decoder that converts the scanned bar code 18 into text (ie, the serial number 120).

[0039] See Figure 5 , the memory 110 stores a plurality of reverse osmosis element serial numbers 122. These reverse osmosis element serial numbers can be input into the memory 110 using the input device 112. To identify the model of the reverse osmosis element, the processor 108 is configured to: The serial number 120 in the received model identification signal is matched with a corresponding one of a plurality of reverse osmosis element serial numbers 122 stored in the memory 110 .

[0040] As an example, box 124 indicates that serial number 5400141902389 (the serial number of the model identification signal) has been matched with serial number 5400141902389 (one of the serial numbers stored in memory 110). Serial number 5400141902389 corresponds to model SR-5000. In some examples, reverse osmosis element serial number 122 is stored in remote memory 114.

[0041] Each of the reverse osmosis element serial numbers 122 is associated with a corresponding one of a plurality of computer-readable trimmer setting protocols. The trimmer setting protocols 126 may be stored in the memory 110 and / or the remote storage 114. For example, the memory 110 may store a plurality (e.g., fifty) different computer-readable trimmer setting protocols. Each of these trimmer setting protocols may be associated with a specific reverse osmosis element model (i.e., a total of fifty element models). These trimmer setting protocols may be input into the memory 110 and / or the remote storage 114 using the input device 112.

[0042] Each of the trimmer setting protocols includes one or more preset operating settings for the trimmer. For example, the preset operating settings may include one or more of an initial blade position, a feed speed, a feed duration, and a feed position. Figure 6As listed in , the trimmer setting protocol 126 includes preset operating settings 128, which include initial blade position, feed speed, feed duration, and feed position.

[0043] To select the trimmer setting protocol associated with the identified model of reverse osmosis element, the processor 108 is configured to: A corresponding one of a plurality of trimmer setting protocols 126 associated with the reverse osmosis element serial number 122 that matches the serial number 120 in the received model identification signal is selected.

[0044] The memory 110 and / or the remote storage 114 may also store a plurality of commands. Each command may be associated with one or more trimmer setting protocols. The one or more commands associated with the selected trimmer setting protocol may be transmitted to the trimmer 104 to instruct the trimmer 104 to apply one or more preset operating settings 128 of the selected trimmer setting protocol 126. As an example, the associated commands may instruct the trimmer 104 to set the feed speed to 0.5 m / s and the feed duration to 25 seconds. Once the trimmer 104 ( Figure 4 ) having implemented the selected trimmer setting protocol, the trimmer 104 may be operated to trim the reverse osmosis element 10 using the trimmer settings corresponding to the specific model of reverse osmosis element being trimmed. Figure 3 ).

[0045] While examples of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations may be made thereto without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A system for automating trimmer setting adjustments, the system comprising: a) a barcode scanner for scanning a barcode provided on a reverse osmosis element; b) a user-operated trimmer for trimming the reverse osmosis element; as well as c) a computing device coupled to each of the barcode scanner and the trimmer, the computing device comprising: one or more processors; and a memory coupled to at least one of the processors, the memory storing computer-readable instructions executable by the one or more processors, wherein the computer-readable instructions, when executed, configure the one or more processors to collectively: receiving a model identification signal from the barcode scanner in response to the barcode scanner scanning a barcode provided on the reverse osmosis element; identifying the model of the reverse osmosis element based on the received model identification signal; selecting a computer-readable trimmer setup protocol associated with the identified model of reverse osmosis element; and One or more commands associated with the selected trimmer settings protocol are transmitted to the trimmer, instructing the trimmer to apply the selected trimmer settings protocol.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The model identification signal includes a serial number associated with a bar code disposed on the reverse osmosis element.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein: The memory stores a plurality of reverse osmosis element serial numbers, and to identify the model of the reverse osmosis element, the one or more processors are further configured to collectively: The serial number in the received model identification signal is matched with a corresponding one of a plurality of reverse osmosis element serial numbers stored in the memory.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein: Each of the reverse osmosis element serial numbers is associated with a corresponding one of a plurality of trimmer setting protocols, and to select the trimmer setting protocol associated with the identified model of reverse osmosis element, the one or more processors are further configured to collectively: A corresponding one of a plurality of trimmer setting protocols associated with the reverse osmosis element serial number that matches the serial number in the received model identification signal is selected.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein: The trimmer setting protocol is stored in the memory.

6. The system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: Each of the trimmer setting protocols comprises one or more preset operating settings for the trimmer.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein: The one or more preset operational settings include at least one of an initial blade position, a feed speed, a feed duration, and a feed position.

8. The system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein: The one or more commands transmitted to the trimmer instruct the trimmer to apply one or more preset operating settings of a selected trimmer settings protocol.

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