Water filter abstract
A water filter assembly allowing for uniform placement in refrigerators
at the point of refrigerator manufacture, includes a self-contained
unit, including a filter component, inlet and outlet connections,
and water storage means all housed in one unit for placement, in
its entirety, in the refrigerator during manufacture thereof with
only a single point of inlet coupling to a refrigeration system
of the refrigerator, the single point of coupling being to an internal
refrigerator water supply. A method for uniform placement of a water
filter assembly in refrigerators at the point of refrigerator manufacture
is further included.
Water filter claims
What is claimed is:
1. A filtration system comprising a manifold, a filter attached
to the manifold and a control unit that disables the filtration
system if a selected criterion is outside of acceptable levels.
2. The filtration system of claim 1 wherein the manifold has a
single outlet.
3. The filtration system of claim 1 wherein the manifold has two
outlets with a valve controlling flow from the two outlets.
4. The filtration system of claim 1 further comprising a bar code
reader and wherein the filter comprises a bar code that is positioned
for evaluation by the bar code reader when the filter is attached
to the manifold.
5. The filtration system of claim 4 wherein the bar code conveys
information about the date of manufacture and wherein the selected
criterion is the date of manufacture.
6. The filtration system of claim 4 wherein the bar code conveys
information about the flow capacity and wherein the selected criterion
is the total flow and the acceptable level is the flow capacity
from the bar code.
7. The filtration system of claim 1 further comprising a flow sensor
and wherein the control unit monitors total flow through a valve.
8. The filtration system of claim 1 wherein the filter is sealed
within a cartridge that is rotatably connected to or slidably connected
with the manifold.
9. The filtration system of claim 1 further comprising a support
structure wherein the manifold, filter and control unit are connected
to the support structure as a self-contained unit.
10. An appliance comprising and the filtration system of claim
1 connected to a water supply.
11. The applicant of claim 10 wherein the appliance is a refrigerator.
12. A method for controlling a water filtration system, the method
comprising disabling the filtration system if a selected criterion
is outside of acceptable levels.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the selected criterion is the
date of manufacture.
14. The method of claim 12 wherein the selected criterion is the
total flow through the filter.
15. The method of claim 12 further comprising sensing a bar code
on a filter element using a bar code reader.
16. The method of claim 12 further comprising evaluating total
flow through a filter using a flow sensor.
17. The method of claim 12 further comprising evaluating conductivity
of filtered water.
18. The method of claim 12 wherein the water filtration system
comprises a filter cartridge releasably connected to a manifold.
19. A method for evaluating a filter cartridge attached to a filtration
system comprising a control unit, the method comprising using the
control unit of the filtration system to evaluate filter life based
on the manufacture date.
20. The method of claim 19 further comprising reading the manufacture
date from a bar code on the filter using a bar code reader.
21. The method of claim 19 further comprising disabling the filtration
system if the manufacture date is outside of acceptable ranges.
22. The method of claim 19 wherein the filter cartridge comprises
a filter medium sealed within the filter cartridge.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein the filter cartridge is releasably
connected to a manifold with the connection and release of the filter
with the manifold induced by rotational motion of the filter cartridge.
24. A filtration system comprising a sensor, a manifold, and a
replaceable filter element connected of the manifold, wherein the
filter element comprises a bar code indicating the date of manufacture
and wherein the sensor reads the bar code to give the date of manufacture
from the filter.
25. The filtration system of claim 24 further comprising a control
unit and a display.
26. The filtration system of claim 25 wherein the display shows
the status of the system and wherein the status is based on the
date of manufacture of the filter.
27. The filtration system of claim 24 wherein filter element is
releasably connected to the manifold through a rotational connection
or a slidable connection.
28. An appliance comprising the filtration system of claim 24 connected
to a water supply.
29. The appliance of claim 29 wherein the appliance is a refrigerator.
Water filter description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of copending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/445372 to Fritze et al., filed on
May 23 2003 entitled "Water Filter Assembly," which
claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 60/383187 filed
May 23 2002 both of which are incorporated herein in their entirety
by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of
water filtration systems mounted in a refrigerator. More specifically,
the present invention relates to a self-contained water filtration
apparatus adapted for quick and leak-free installation in a refrigerator.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Water filtration apparatuses are well known in the art.
The necessity of water filtration for domestic use is increasing
as population densities increase. Many municipal water supplies
are contaminated with industrial and domestic pollutants that can
adversely affect test or even render the water nonpotable. Further,
in many rural areas, groundwater contains materials such as minerals
giving the water an unpleasant appearance, taste and/or odor.
[0004] Many portable filtration apparatuses such as U.S. Pat. No.
3950253 to Stern exist. The '253 apparatus is designed to be portable
and is commercially used mainly on countertops. This type of system
requires the user to continually refill the apparatus as the water
reservoir only holds a finite amount of water and is not connected
directly to a water supply.
[0005] Refrigerator mounted filter systems connected directly to
a water supply exist. For example, Whirlpool.RTM. uses water filtration
systems in their refrigerators. These systems can be as simple as
individual filters placed on a water line, wherever the manufacturer
can find space for them. This type of system is cumbersome for manufacturers
to install. It requires water lines and components to be placed
piecemeal throughput the refrigerator. Further, the components of
the apparatus (i.e. filter, water reservoir, inlet/outlet valves)
are fitted separately and in different locations throughout the
refrigerator resulting in longer installations and an increased
number of potential leak points.
[0006] These piecemeal systems must be assembled differently for
each model and size of refrigerator. A self-contained unit that
could be placed in a uniform position in any refrigerator would
greatly improve upon the current filtration systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In one aspect, the water filter assembly of the present
invention is a self-contained unit, allowing for uniform placement
in appliances, most typically refrigerators, at the point of manufacture.
The water filter assembly of the present invention includes a filter
component, inlet and outlet connections, and water storage means
all housed in one unit. This unit can then be placed, in its entirety,
in the refrigerator during manufacture.
[0008] The filter component may have multiple filtering configurations.
One embodiment of the filter could be designed to only use granular
activated carbon as the filter media. Another embodiment could use
a series of pretreatment and post treatment filter media in conjunction
with the granular activated carbon. Still other embodiments could
involve garnet, anthracite, greensand, birm, calcite, softening
resins, ion exchange media, microfabric, polymers, ceramics, zeolyte,
rhyolite or any other suitable filter media.
[0009] The inlet portion is in fluid communication with the refrigerator's
water supply connection. The outlet portion may contain one or more
outlet routes, one outlet may deliver drinking water, and another
may supply water to an icemaker. The water filter assembly may contain
a distribution manifold having valve controls to divert water to
a particular outlet.
[0010] The water filter assembly may also include a flow sensor
coupled to sensor electronics that measure flow.
[0011] The water storage means may be a simple tank. It may also
be a predetermined length of tubing that holds a predetermined volume
of water. This tubing system may act as a heat exchange system,
for chilling water prior to dispensing.
[0012] In a further aspect, the present invention is a water filter
assembly allowing for uniform placement in refrigerators at the
point of refrigerator manufacture is a self-contained unit, including
a filter component, inlet and outlet connections, and water storage
means all housed in one unit for placement, in its entirety, in
the refrigerator during manufacture thereof with only a single point
of inlet coupling to a refrigeration system of the refrigerator,
the single point of coupling being to a refrigerator's water supply
connection. The present invention is further a method for uniform
placement of a water filter assembly in refrigerators at the point
of refrigerator manufacture.
[0013] In one embodiment, the present invention is a water filter
assembly that is easily placed within a refrigerator. The water
filter assembly comprises a support structure containing components
such as a filter component, inlet and outlet connections and a water
storage vessel, all components in fluid communication with one another.
[0014] In another embodiment, the present invention is a method
for assembling a self-contained water filter assembly designed for
uniform placement in a refrigerator. The water filter assembly typically
comprises a filter component, inlet and outlet connections and a
water storage vessel. The water filter assembly is designed to be
installed as a single unit within the refrigerator.
[0015] In an additional aspect, the invention pertains to a filtration
system comprising a manifold, a filter attached to the manifold
and a control system. The control system disables the filtration
system if a selected criterion is outside of acceptable levels.
[0016] In another aspect, the invention pertains to a method for
controlling a water filtration system in which the method comprises
disabling the filtration system if a selected criterion is outside
of acceptable levels.
[0017] Furthermore, the invention pertains to a filtration system
comprising a sensor, a manifold, and a replaceable filter element
connected of the manifold. The filter element comprises a bar code
indicating the date of manufacture and wherein the sensor reads
the bar code to give the date of manufacture from the filter.
[0018] In addition, the invention pertains to a method for evaluating
a filter cartridge attached to a filtration system comprising a
control system. The method comprises using the control system of
the filtration system to evaluate filter life based on the manufacture
date.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic of an embodiment of the water filter
assembly of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the water filter
assembly of FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of
a water filter assembly.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of an alternate embodiment
having a plurality of cascaded filter elements.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of
a water filter assembly.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of
a water filter assembly.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of
a water filter assembly.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of
a water filter assembly.
[0027] FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of
a water filter assembly.
[0028] FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of
a water filter assembly.
[0029] FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of
a water filter assembly.
[0030] FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of
a water filter assembly.
[0031] FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of
a water filter assembly.
[0032] FIG. 14 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of
a water filter assembly.
[0033] FIG. 15 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of
a water filter assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] FIGS. 1 and 2 depict an embodiment of the water filter assembly
10. FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of assembly 10 shown in
more detail in FIG. 1. Water filter assembly 10 comprises a support
structure 11 onto which other components are assembled. Support
structure 11 can be a housing, a rigid frame, or a flexible interconnection.
Support structure 11 can provide for convenient attachment of a
water filter assemble 10 into an appliance such as a refrigerator
or the like. A housing can comprise a fully closed, box style assembly,
an open frame assembly or the like while generally providing access
for the replacement of spent, damaged or broken components. Other
support structure 11 designs similarly maintain other components
of water filter assembly 10 together as a unit. Support structure
11 can include a mounting surface for coupling the water filter
assembly 10 within a refrigerator.
[0035] Water filter assembly 10 further comprises a water inlet
12 that connects to a water supply 13. Water inlet 12 typically
comprises a length of plastic tubing for example tubing constructed
of polypropyle, polyethylene, nylon and other suitable polymers.
Water inlet 12 is in fluid communication with a water storage means
14. The water storage means 14 may have many configurations typically
serving as a heat exchanger for supplying chilled, filtered water
upon request. Water storage means 14 may be a tank or tanks. Water
storage means 14 may also be a length of tubing which may or may
not be serpentine or coiled to increase tubing length thus increasing
retention volume. Water storage means 14 may include baffles, as
shown in FIG. 1 to reduce or eliminate any water flow dead spots.
Water storage means 14 can be constructed of metals such as aluminum
or steel as well as plastic polymers such as polypropylene, polyethylene,
nylon and other suitable polymers. The water storage means 14 is
in fluid communication with an inlet side of a filter manifold 15.
[0036] Filter manifold 15 is connected to a filter element 16.
Filter manifold 15 and filter element 16 can be rotatably connectable
as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6027644 and U.S. patent application
Ser. Nos. 09/618686 09/929920 10/196340 10/202290 and 10/406637
or the connection can be slidably insertable as disclosed in U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/210890 all of which are commonly
assigned to the assignee of the current invention and are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entirety. Filter manifold can
be an integral part of water storage means 14 for instance via a
molding process or may be directly attachable to the exterior of
water storage means 14. The filter element 16 may include any one
or a combination of the following filter media: granular activated
carbon, block activated carbon, garnet, anthracite, greensand, birm,
calcite, softening resins, perforated absolute membrane or microfabric
sheet, spun blown, ion exchange resins, polymers, ceramics, zeolyte,
rhyolite or any other suitable filter media. Filter manifold 15
may include a flow sensor 18 on either an inlet or outlet side of
the filter manifold 15 or integrally molded within filter manifold
15. As shown in FIG. 3 water filter assembly 10 can be constructed
without flow sensor 18.
[0037] In addition or alternative to flow sensor 18 water filter
assembly 10 may comprise various other sensors such as conductivity/resistivity,
pH and temperature. A suitable sensor could include a bar code sensor
to interface with a bar coding supplied with filter element 16
such that certain information such as date of manufacture or flow
capacities can be determined. Flow sensor 18 can be wired to an
electronics unit 19 an external unit such as a component of the
refrigerator. Electronics unit 19 can be integral to water filter
assembly 10 or can be an external unit such as a component of the
refrigerator. Typically, electronics unit 19 comprises a microprocessor
capable of interfacing with flow sensor 18. Electronics unit 19
can include a variety of performance and troubleshooting programs
utilizing flow information supplied by flow sensor 18. Examples
of these programs could including total flow, replacement schedules
and current system status. Display unit 23 can include a liquid
crystal display or similar display capable of displaying text messages
regarding system status. Alternatively, display unit 23 can include
a light or variety of lights for indicating status or required service.
Water filter assembly 10 can also include a distribution manifold
20 for directing filtered water to desired point of use such as
a drinking water dispenser or an icemaker through a plurality of
water outlets 22a, 22b which can be two or more outlets. Distribution
manifold 20 can include a plurality of solenoid valves 21a, 21b
which open and close based upon an input from the points of use.
In alternative embodiments, distribution manifold 20 can include
a single outlet with flow controlled by a single valve, such as
a solenoid valve. In other embodiments, solenoid valves 21a, 21b
may be wired to electronics unit 19 allowing for filter assembly
10 to be disabled if certain criteria, such as those monitored by
flow sensor 18 such as total flow, water quality standards or filter
life based on the manufacturing date, are outside acceptable levels.
[0038] An alternate water filter assembly 15 is depicted in FIG.
4. Water filter assembly 15 makes uses of a filter element 16 having
a plurality of replaceable filter elements 16a-16d. The filter elements
16a-16d are physically aligned and fluidly coupled in cascade, so
that water flow passes sequentially through filter elements 16a-16d.
The media of filter elements 16a-16d may be selected from the list
above, as desired. The filter elements 16a-16d may be replaced one
at a time or all together, as desired, by sliding each filter element
16a-16d out of and into the filter element housing 16. Element 16b
may comprise the activated carbon with a plurality of pre and post
filtering elements 16a and 16c, 16d, as desired.
[0039] While FIGS. 1 2 3 and 4 depict convenient configurations
of the assembly components, the components can be configured with
alternative arrangements within the assembly. For example, FIGS.
5 and 6 depict alternative water filter assemblies 26 and 28 having
different configurations of components. Each water filter assembly
includes a support structure 11 and at least one water inlet 12
and outlets, such as outlets 22a, 22b. Water filter assembly 28
includes a sensor 18. FIGS. 7 and 8 depict alternative water filter
assemblies 30 and 32 with a valve upstream from a storage tank.
Each water filter assembly includes a support structure 11 and at
least one water inlet 12 and outlets, such as outlets 22a, 22b.
Water filter assembly 32 includes a sensor 18. FIGS. 9 and 10 depict
alternative water filter assemblies 34 and 36 including an upstream
storage tank that is not part of the assemblies. Each water filter
assembly includes a support structure 11 and at least one water
inlet 12 and outlets, such as outlets 22a, 22b. Water filter assembly
36 includes a sensor 18. FIGS. 11 and 12 depict alternative water
filter assemblies 38 and 40 including a downstream storage tank
that is not part of the assemblies. Each water filter assembly includes
a support structure 11 and at least one water inlet 12 and outlets,
such as outlets 22a, 22b. Water filter assembly 40 includes a sensor
18. FIGS. 13 and 14 depict alternative water filter assemblies 42
and 44. Water filter assemblies 42 and 44 include a valve that is
not part of the assemblies and include a supply inlet 46 and a distribution
inlet 48 as well as filtered outlet 50 and as well as outlet 22b.
Water filter assembly 44 includes a sensor 18. Water filter assemblies
26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 and 44 are representative of
the types of modifications that can be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0040] In FIG. 15 water filter assembly 52 includes a valve assembly
54 upstream of a filter assembly 56. From filter assembly 56 water
flows to tank 58 into which outlets 22a, 22b are attached. Outlet
22a can be plumbed directly to an ice maker while outlet 22b can
deliver filtered water to a drinking water dispenser or other points
of use.
[0041] With respected to the embodiments shown and describe, additional
configurations including multiple filter elements providing multiple
filtering steps can be arranged in various sequential and non-sequential
arrangements in the water filter assembly to achieve certain desired
filtering levels such as the removal of chlorine, organics, total
dissolve solids and the like.
[0042] In practice, the water filter assemblies of the present
invention are assembled and tested prior to installation by the
refrigerator manufacturer. When received by the manufacturer, water
filter assembly 10 is positioned and support structure 11 is fixedly
attached to the refrigerator. Attachment can be accomplished by
a variety of means including screws, snap fittings, brackets and
other suitable attachment means. Once support structure 11 is installed,
all that generally is left for the refrigerator manufacturer is
to attach inlet 12 to refrigerator water supply 13 and outlets 22a,
22b to the points of use. Replaceable components such as the filter
element 16 and the like can be attached by the refrigerator manufacturer
or the end user.
[0043] In actual use, water flows into the water filter assembly
10 through inlet 12. Water flows into storage means 14 where it
may be prechilled prior to filtration and use. When either solenoid
valve 21a or 21b opens based upon an input from the points of use,
water begins flowing from storage means 14 and into filter element
16. Once filtered, the water exits the filter element 16 and passes
over the flow sensor 18. The flow sensor 18 may be a paddle wheel,
a turbine, a gear pump or any other suitable configuration to measure
totality of water usage and/or flow rate. The sensor 18 is in communication
with electronic unit 19 for receiving an output from the sensor
18. The electronics unit 19 can then transmit an output to display
device 23 for alerting a user of current status and any actions
that are required, such as changing the filter element 16. The filtered
water then flows into the distribution manifold 20 and to point
of use through outlet 22a or 22b.
[0044] While various embodiments of the present invention have
been disclosed, it will be obvious to one skilled in the art that
these embodiments are readily combinable and numerous water filter
assembly embodiments are achievable. |