US3904363A - Automatic tube cleaner for ultraviolet fluid (water) sterilizer - Google Patents

Automatic tube cleaner for ultraviolet fluid (water) sterilizer Download PDF

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US3904363A
US3904363A US404927A US40492773A US3904363A US 3904363 A US3904363 A US 3904363A US 404927 A US404927 A US 404927A US 40492773 A US40492773 A US 40492773A US 3904363 A US3904363 A US 3904363A
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ultraviolet
ring
flexible
cleaning device
chamber
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David Free
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Naturvard Research Canada Ltd
NATURVARD RES CA Ltd
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NATURVARD RES CA Ltd
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/30—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by irradiation
    • C02F1/32—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by irradiation with ultraviolet light
    • C02F1/325—Irradiation devices or lamp constructions
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2201/00—Apparatus for treatment of water, waste water or sewage
    • C02F2201/32—Details relating to UV-irradiation devices
    • C02F2201/324—Lamp cleaning installations, e.g. brushes

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a cleaning de vice for cleaning the outside surface of a protective sheath of a radiation tubeof an ultraviolet radiation water sterilizer or the like, wherein the sterilizer employs a longitudinal ultraviolet radiation tube as a source of ultraviolet radiation or flux.
  • I v Water sterilizers may employ ultraviolet .radiation tubes as a source of flux for the creation of ultraviolet radiation, and usually have a longitudinal ultraviolet tube,"suspended coaxially along the axis of a cylindrical sterilization chamber.
  • the water which is to be sterilized flows from one end of the cylinder (usually the bottom) in a vortex-like manner, to the other end of the cylinder (usually the top) such that a mean capture time of the fluid within the chamber is sufficient, in relation to the magnitude of the flux created by the ultraviolet radiation source, that a bacteria stat fluid is obtained at the outflow of the sterilization cylinder.
  • a kill is saidto have'been imparted to the bacteria suspended in the fluid; that is, all the bacteria is killed.
  • the bacteria stat condition can be achieved fora fluid and in particular water, when the same is subjected to a minimum ultraviolet flux dose at a certain frequency, as those skilled in the art will know. It is also known that the mean resident time of a fluid within the sterilization chamber must be increased-to maintain a bacteria stat dose of flux as a result of mineral deposits forming on the outside surface of the ultraviolet radiation source tube, ormoreaccurately, the eircumscribing protective sheath thereof, when a sheath is employed; as mineral deposits have a tendency to absorb the ultraviolet radiation.
  • a scraping device may be employed to scrape mineral deposits off the sheath, but such prior art devices suffer from such disadvantages as they have to be humanally activated with the appended result that a human may forget to do the same and that fluid does not obtain the bacteria stat dose; or, further that such prior art devices are not sufficiently efficient to significaiitly 'clea n themincral deposits-away to sustain the high flux intensity of the radiation penetrating through the sheath and hence into the fluid to be sterilized.
  • the invention contemplates an efficicnt cleaning device to scrape mineral and other deposits from the surrounding'protcctive surface of an ultraviolet radiation tube. the device being activated by'the combined effect of the fluid flowthrough the chamber cleaning device itself. when flow stops.
  • the cleaning device also contemplates providing a tight piston-type arrangement in the sterilizer between the outer sterilization wall and the inner protective sheath so as to ensure adequate scraping of the deposits from the protective surface of the sheath, whereupon high flux intensities into the fluid can be sustained with minimum resident time of the fluid in the sterilizer for akill.
  • the invention contemplates in combination a liquid sterilization cylinder having an inner wall whichdefines a chamber and positioned in said chamher a coaxially-longitudinal located source of ultraviolet 'radiation' disposed behind an ultraviolet transmissive cylindrical sheath protective, a cleaning device adapted to pass to and fro within the chamber, during flow and non-flow of the liquid to be sterilized, characterized in that the cleaning device comprises:
  • a flexible inner member attached to and disposed radially inward of the first ring-like member with a segment of its inner margin disposed on the locus of their circumference of a circle having a radius less than the exterior diameter of said sheath such that the segment biasingly urges againstthe said ultraviolet transmissive cylindrical sheath;
  • a flexible resilient outer member attached to and disposed radially outward of the first ring-like member and having its outer circumference biasly urged against the inner wall of the sterilization cylinder whereby the weight of the cleaning device, during nonfiow of the fluid, causes the cleaning device to fall whence the inner member scrapes the ultraviolet transmissive cylindrical sheath again to clean said sheath, and wherein during such flow orifice in said first ringlike member permits fluid to pass from one side of the cleaning device to the other and hence through the said chamber.
  • P16. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a particularily, a water sterilization chamber the embodiments of the invention.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 are longitudinal sections for explanation, showing the profile of the cleaning device during flow and non-flow fluid conditions.
  • FIG. 4 is a plan view of the cleaning device.
  • FIG. 5 is a section along lines V-V of FIG. 4.
  • FIG. 6 is an expanded section along lines Vl-Vl of FIG. 4.
  • steril-. ization chamber I0 includes a hollow cylindrical chamber 11 disposing coaxially to its inner longitudinal axis a protective exterior surface 52 of a circumseribing fused silica glass sheath 53 within which is disposed a longitudinal radiation source such as an ultra-violet lamp (not shown).
  • a longitudinal radiation source such as an ultra-violet lamp (not shown).
  • the sheath of silica glass permits transmission of ultra-violet radiation into the region between the sheath s3 and the interior wall of the chamsterilized, for
  • the metalring 13 preferably is in two halves, 13a-and 13b, referring to FIG. 5, joined together by appropriate. means (not shown) sandwiching the membranes 14 and 15 betweenthem; Small holes or;orifices 16 are drilled through the metal annulus 13 symmetrically about .to. allow the passage of water 54 across the cleaner throughthese. holes.
  • the materials of construction of the-two membranes 14 and 15 and of the metal ring 13 all require careful choice as the effective weight of the cleaner 12 is important as is the flex. characteristics of the membrane 15 as will now be described.
  • the fluids54 which is to be sterilized flows. into; the bottom of the chamber 11 at. 22.and up in a vortex-like fashion through the cylinder to be discharged off. the top (not shown) as those skilled in the artwill know.
  • the cleaner 12 provides a reasonably good seal across the water' flow region (only imperfections around the periphery of the membranes l4 and 15 and the plurality of holes 16 in the metal annulus 13 permittingwater-to b'y-pass the cleaner) pressure'builds upunderneath the cleaner"(FIG. 2) and .produces' a force, F attempting tolift the cleanerupward.
  • the seepage loss, L reduces the forceto an actual force, F Resisting the rise of the cleaner 12 are the weight, W, of the cleaner and the frictional force of cylindrical wall f and of the protective surface 52', f If -F is greater that these opposing forces the cleaner will rise and in doing so will scrape the protective surface .52 thus cleansing it.
  • Gareful choice of the inner membrane 15 will determine the cleaningefficiency. It has been found that a brush-like textured membrane ofcomposite or plastic material is satisfactory.
  • the cleaner 12 may be made to rise strongly despite the losses L and the frictional forces, f,, andfl, and the-cleaner weight, W.
  • the cleaner l2 will have the force F removed (the only force holding the cleaner 12 at the top of the sterilizer when the cleaner is stationary) and the weight, W (see FIG. 3) will tend to pull the cleaner 12 to the bottom of the sterilizer 110.
  • the forces resisting this movement are the fri'cti'onal'forces of the membranes l4 and on thecylindrical,.wall 11,f,,, and. on the protective surface 52, f together with .the water trapped beneath the cleaner 12.
  • Flexible membrane 1'4 [inner diameter 2 inches (6.350 cm.) outer diameter 3% inches (7.937 cm.)]. 7 v 7 Diameter. of orifices 16 l/16 inches (0.159 cm.).
  • Weight (W) of thecleaning device 12 approximatelyMa pound (226.8 gms.)
  • a liquid sterilization system comprising: a cylinder having liquid inlet and outlet means and having an inner wall which defines a chamber and positioned in said chamber a coaxially-longitudinallylocated source of ultraviolet radiation comprising a protective ult-raviolet-transmissive, cylindrical sheath containing an ultraviolet-radiation generating means, and, a cleaning device adapted to pass to and fro within the chamber, during-flow and non-flow of theliquid to be sterilized, characterized in that the cleaning device comprises:
  • a first-ring-like member having an orifice, therein through which a liquid may flow
  • a flexible resilient outer-member attached to and disposed radially outward of the first ring-like member andl hav ing the outer circumference of "said outer member biasly urged against the inner "wall of the sterilization cylinder whereby, during a liquid flow conditio'n, the cleaning device is forced to rise within said chamber, and, during a non-flow condition of theliquid the weight of the cleaning device causes the device to fall and whence, during each condition; the inner member scrapes the ultraviolet-transmissive, cylindrical sheath, and thereby cleans said sheath, and wherein during such flow conditions the orifice in said first ring-v 7 like member permits liquid to pa'ssfrom one side of the cleaningdevice to the other and hence through R the said chamber.
  • member is a metal annulus.
  • the flexible resilient outer member is a solid annulus composed of a semi-rigid rubber.

Abstract

A circular cleaning device which scours the external surface of an ultraviolet radiation tube, which acts as a radiation source for bacteria kill in ultraviolet radiation fluid sterilizers, removes deposits, which precipitate out of the sterilizable fluid, from the external surface of the ultraviolet radiation tube, or its surrounding shield, and thereby sustains the emanation of high intensity radiation flux from the tube into the fluid which is to be sterilized.

Description

United States Patent Free Sept. 9, 1975 [54] AUTOMATIC TUBE CLEANER FOR 3,336,099 8/1967 Czulak ct al. 21/102 R ULTRAVIOLET FLUID (WATER) 3,456,107 7/1969 Robertson 21/102 R 3,462,597 8/1969 Young 21/102 R STERILIZER 3,562,520 2/1971 Hippen 21/102 R V2 v [75] Inventor 22: 1? West mower FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,065,985 9/1959 German 21/102 R [73] Assignee: Naturvard Research (Canada) Ltd., y
Vancouver Canada Primary ExaminerBarry S. Richman [22] Filed: Oct. 10, 1973 Assistant ExaminerBradley R. Garris Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Finnegan, Henderson, [211 App! 404927 Farabow & Garrett [30] Foreign Application Priority Data 57 ABSTRACT Nov. 20, 1972 Canada 156920 A circular cleaning device which ou the e t nal surface of an ultraviolet radiation tube, which acts as [52] Cl 21/102 21/5.4 22254 a radiation source for bacteria kill in ultraviolet radia- 2 tion fluid sterilizers, removes deposits, which precipig A6hlL 5 g g g i g? tate out of the sterilizable fluid, from the external surl 0 mm 43 face of the ultraviolet radiation tube, or its surrounding shield, and thereby sustains the emanation of high intensity radiation flux from the tube into the fluid [56] UNITE S S TZ F ES SZiENTS which is to be sterilized. 3,061,721 10/1962 Brcnncr 21/102 R 6 Drawing Figures -...-o00o o o o q o .uutilOOOO 1 0000 INFLOW PATENTED SE? 975 sum 2 0f 2 AUTOMATIC TUBE CLEANER FOR ULTRAVIOLET FLUID (WATER) STERILIZER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention v This invention relates to a cleaning device for fluid, particularily, water sterilizers. Q
More particularly, the present invention relates to a cleaning de vice for cleaning the outside surface of a protective sheath of a radiation tubeof an ultraviolet radiation water sterilizer or the like, wherein the sterilizer employs a longitudinal ultraviolet radiation tube as a source of ultraviolet radiation or flux.
2. Description of the Prior Art I v Water sterilizers may employ ultraviolet .radiation tubes as a source of flux for the creation of ultraviolet radiation, and usually have a longitudinal ultraviolet tube,"suspended coaxially along the axis of a cylindrical sterilization chamber. The water which is to be sterilized flows from one end of the cylinder (usually the bottom) in a vortex-like manner, to the other end of the cylinder (usually the top) such that a mean capture time of the fluid within the chamber is sufficient, in relation to the magnitude of the flux created by the ultraviolet radiation source, that a bacteria stat fluid is obtained at the outflow of the sterilization cylinder. When this bacteria stat condition is achieved, a kill is saidto have'been imparted to the bacteria suspended in the fluid; that is, all the bacteria is killed.
It is knownthat the bacteria stat condition can be achieved fora fluid and in particular water, when the same is subjected to a minimum ultraviolet flux dose at a certain frequency, as those skilled in the art will know. It is also known that the mean resident time of a fluid within the sterilization chamber must be increased-to maintain a bacteria stat dose of flux as a result of mineral deposits forming on the outside surface of the ultraviolet radiation source tube, ormoreaccurately, the eircumscribing protective sheath thereof, when a sheath is employed; as mineral deposits have a tendency to absorb the ultraviolet radiation. It is further known that a scraping device may be employed to scrape mineral deposits off the sheath, but such prior art devices suffer from such disadvantages as they have to be humanally activated with the appended result that a human may forget to do the same and that fluid does not obtain the bacteria stat dose; or, further that such prior art devices are not sufficiently efficient to significaiitly 'clea n themincral deposits-away to sustain the high flux intensity of the radiation penetrating through the sheath and hence into the fluid to be sterilized.
These deficiencies of the prior art have been avoided somewhat by' increasing the mean resident time of the fluid flowing through the sterilization chamber, but this reduces the-rate or the volume of fluid flow and hence decreases the sterilization efficiency of the sterilizer as well as having its effect on increase manufacturing and operating costs. e
. SUMMARYOF THE lNVENTlON v The invention,' therefore, contemplates an efficicnt cleaning device to scrape mineral and other deposits from the surrounding'protcctive surface of an ultraviolet radiation tube. the device being activated by'the combined effect of the fluid flowthrough the chamber cleaning device itself. when flow stops.
The cleaning device also contemplates providing a tight piston-type arrangement in the sterilizer between the outer sterilization wall and the inner protective sheath so as to ensure adequate scraping of the deposits from the protective surface of the sheath, whereupon high flux intensities into the fluid can be sustained with minimum resident time of the fluid in the sterilizer for akill.
. The invention, therefore, contemplates in combination a liquid sterilization cylinder having an inner wall whichdefines a chamber and positioned in said chamher a coaxially-longitudinal located source of ultraviolet 'radiation' disposed behind an ultraviolet transmissive cylindrical sheath protective, a cleaning device adapted to pass to and fro within the chamber, during flow and non-flow of the liquid to be sterilized, characterized in that the cleaning device comprises:
a. a first ring-like member having an orifice therein through which a liquid may flow; 1 Y
b. a flexible inner member attached to and disposed radially inward of the first ring-like member with a segment of its inner margin disposed on the locus of their circumference of a circle having a radius less than the exterior diameter of said sheath such that the segment biasingly urges againstthe said ultraviolet transmissive cylindrical sheath;
c. a flexible resilient outer member attached to and disposed radially outward of the first ring-like member and having its outer circumference biasly urged against the inner wall of the sterilization cylinder whereby the weight of the cleaning device, during nonfiow of the fluid, causes the cleaning device to fall whence the inner member scrapes the ultraviolet transmissive cylindrical sheath again to clean said sheath, and wherein during such flow orifice in said first ringlike member permits fluid to pass from one side of the cleaning device to the other and hence through the said chamber.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the embodiment to the accompanying drawing in which:
P16. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a particularily, a water sterilization chamber the embodiments of the invention.
FIGS. 2 and 3 are longitudinal sections for explanation, showing the profile of the cleaning device during flow and non-flow fluid conditions.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the cleaning device.
FIG. 5 is a section along lines V-V of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is an expanded section along lines Vl-Vl of FIG. 4.
fluid, employing DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODlMENT Referring to FlG. 1 afluid, particularily water, steril-. ization chamber I0 includes a hollow cylindrical chamber 11 disposing coaxially to its inner longitudinal axis a protective exterior surface 52 of a circumseribing fused silica glass sheath 53 within which is disposed a longitudinal radiation source such as an ultra-violet lamp (not shown). The sheath of silica glass permits transmission of ultra-violet radiation into the region between the sheath s3 and the interior wall of the chamsterilized, for
flexible metal membrane 15, also'radiation resistent,
and'capable; of providing a scraping action against the protective surface 52"while at thesame time retaining a reasonably good water tight seal between-the metal ring 13 and surface 52.-The metalring 13 preferably is in two halves, 13a-and 13b, referring to FIG. 5, joined together by appropriate. means (not shown) sandwiching the membranes 14 and 15 betweenthem; Small holes or;orifices 16 are drilled through the metal annulus 13 symmetrically about .to. allow the passage of water 54 across the cleaner throughthese. holes. The materials of construction of the-two membranes 14 and 15 and of the metal ring 13 all require careful choice as the effective weight of the cleaner 12 is important as is the flex. characteristics of the membrane 15 as will now be described. t"
In operation the fluids54 which is to be sterilized flows. into; the bottom of the chamber 11 at. 22.and up in a vortex-like fashion through the cylinder to be discharged off. the top (not shown) as those skilled in the artwill know. With the water 54 flowing, since the cleaner 12 provides a reasonably good seal across the water' flow region (only imperfections around the periphery of the membranes l4 and 15 and the plurality of holes 16 in the metal annulus 13 permittingwater-to b'y-pass the cleaner) pressure'builds upunderneath the cleaner"(FIG. 2) and .produces' a force, F attempting tolift the cleanerupward. The seepage loss, L, reduces the forceto an actual force, F Resisting the rise of the cleaner 12 are the weight, W, of the cleaner and the frictional force of cylindrical wall f and of the protective surface 52', f If -F is greater that these opposing forces the cleaner will rise and in doing so will scrape the protective surface .52 thus cleansing it. Gareful choice of the inner membrane 15 will determine the cleaningefficiency. It has been found that a brush-like textured membrane ofcomposite or plastic material is satisfactory. The cleaner 12 may be made to rise strongly despite the losses L and the frictional forces, f,, andfl, and the-cleaner weight, W.
'whiies the water 54 is flowing the cleaner 12-will be held at the top of the sterilizer 10. Assoon as the flow stops the cleaner l2will have the force F removed (the only force holding the cleaner 12 at the top of the sterilizer when the cleaner is stationary) and the weight, W (see FIG. 3) will tend to pull the cleaner 12 to the bottom of the sterilizer 110. The forces resisting this movement are the fri'cti'onal'forces of the membranes l4 and on thecylindrical,.wall 11,f,,, and. on the protective surface 52, f together with .the water trapped beneath the cleaner 12. However, the holes 16 through the metal annulus 13. will allow the water below the cleaner to seep through the cleaner 12 on its downward travel providing the Weight,v W, is great enough to overcome the frictional forces andresistance caused by the water 'flow..t hrough the holes 16;; the cleaning device 12 will move boldly downward'arid the membrane l-5 .will flex and agair'rscrape the protective When a sterilization chamber-havingan inner diameter of three inches(7.62 cm.) with a protective sheath 53 having an outer diameter of one inch (2.54 cm.) was used'it has'been found that the cleaning device cleaner 12 could have the following dimensions.
Metal annulus '13 [innerdiameter 1 /2 inches (3.675
' cm.) outer'diameter 2 /2 inches (6.350 cm.)].
I Flexible annular membrane 15 [inner diameter Ma inch (2.225'Cmf) outer diameter 1 /2 inches (3.675
cm.)].. i. Q.
Flexible membrane 1'4 [inner diameter 2 inches (6.350 cm.) outer diameter 3% inches (7.937 cm.)]. 7 v 7 Diameter. of orifices 16 l/16 inches (0.159 cm.).
Weight (W) of thecleaning device 12 approximatelyMa pound (226.8 gms.)
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclu sive property or privilege is claimedare defined as follows: v
l. A liquid sterilization system comprising: a cylinder having liquid inlet and outlet means and having an inner wall which defines a chamber and positioned in said chamber a coaxially-longitudinallylocated source of ultraviolet radiation comprising a protective ult-raviolet-transmissive, cylindrical sheath containing an ultraviolet-radiation generating means, and, a cleaning device adapted to pass to and fro within the chamber, during-flow and non-flow of theliquid to be sterilized, characterized in that the cleaning device comprises:
- a. a first-ring-like member having an orifice, therein through which a liquid may flow;
a flexible inner member attached to and disposed radially inward of the first ring-like member with the inner periphery of said-innermember biasly urged against the said ultraviolet-transmissive, cy-
lindricalsheath;
c. a flexible resilient outer-member attached to and disposed radially outward of the first ring-like member andl hav ing the outer circumference of "said outer member biasly urged against the inner "wall of the sterilization cylinder whereby, during a liquid flow conditio'n, the cleaning device is forced to rise within said chamber, and, during a non-flow condition of theliquid the weight of the cleaning device causes the device to fall and whence, during each condition; the inner member scrapes the ultraviolet-transmissive, cylindrical sheath, and thereby cleans said sheath, and wherein during such flow conditions the orifice in said first ring-v 7 like member permits liquid to pa'ssfrom one side of the cleaningdevice to the other and hence through R the said chamber.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first ring-like member is a metal annulus.
3. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the flexible resilient outer member is asolidannulus composed, of a semirigid. rubber.. I
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the flexible inner member is a semi-rigid; plastic, ultraviolet-radiation resistant membrane.
5. The system-of claim 1 wherein the flexible inner member is composed of a-flexible sheet of metal.
member is a metal annulus.
11. The system of claim 9 wherein the flexible resilient outer member is a solid annulus composed of a semi-rigid rubber.
12. The system of claim 9 wherein the flexible inner member is a semi-rigid, plastic, ultraviolet-radiationresistant membrane.
13. The system of claim 2 wherein the flexible inner member is composed of a flexible sheet of metal.

Claims (13)

1. A LIQUID STERILIZATION SYSTEM COMPRISING: A CYLINDER HAVING LIQUID INLET AND OUTLET MEANS AND HAVING AN INNER WALL WHICH DEFINES A CHAMBER AN POSITIONED IN SAID CHAMBER A COAXIALLYLONGITUDINALLY LOCATED SOURCE OF ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION COMPRISING A PROTECTIVE ULTRAVIOLET-TRANSMISSIVE, CYLINDRICAL SHEATH CONTAINING AN ULTRAVIOLET-RADIATION GENERATING MEANS, AND, A CLEANING DEVICE ADAPTED TO PASS TO AND FRO WITHIN THE CHAMBER, DURING FLOW AND NON-FLOW OF THE LIQID TO BE SERILIZED, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT THE CLEANING DEVICE COMPRISES: A. A FIRST RING-LIKE MEMBER HAVING AN ORIFICE, THEREIN THROUGH WHICH A LIQUID MAY FLOW, B. A FLEXIBLE INNER MEMBER ATTACHED TO AND DISPOSED RADIALLY INWARD OF THE FIRST RING-LIKE MEMBER WITH THE INNER PERIPHERY OF SAID INNER MEMBER BIASLY URGED AGAINST THE SAID ULTRAVIOLET-TRANSMISSIVE, CYLINDRICAL SHEATH, C. A FLEXIBLE RESILIENT OUTER MEMBER ATTACHED TO AND DISPOSED RADIALLY OUTWARD OF THE FIRST RING-LIKE MEMBER AND HAVING THE OUTER CIRCUMFERENCE OF SAID OUTER MEMBER BIASLY URGED AGAINST THE INNER WALL OF THE STERILIZATION CYLINDER WHEREBY, DURING A LIQUID FLOW CONDITION, THE CLEANING DEVICE IS FORCED TO RISE WITHIN SAID CHAMBER, AND, DURING A NON-FLOLW CONDITION OF THE LIQUID, THE WEIGHT OF THE CLEANING DEVICE CAUSES THE DEVICE TO FALL AND WHENCE, DURING EACH CONDITION, THE INNER MEMBER SCRAPES THE ULTRAVIOLET-TRANSMISSIVE, CYLINDRICAL SHEATH, AND THEREBY CLEANS SAID SHEATH, AND WHEREIN DURING SUCH FLOW CONDITIONS THE ORIFICE IN SAID FIRST RING-LIKE MEMBER PERMITS LIQUID TO PASS FROM ONE SIDE OF THE CLEANING DEVICE TO THE OTHER AND HENCE THROUGH THE SAID CHAMBER.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first ring-like member is a metal annulus.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the flexible resilient outer member is a solid annulus composed of a semi-rigid rubber.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the flexible inner member is a semi-rigid, plastic, ultraviolet-radiation resistant membrane.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the flexible inner member is composed of a flexible sheet of metal.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the flexible inner member is an annulus with an inner diameter nominally less than the outer diameter of said sheath.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein the first ring-like member has a plurality of orifices circumferentially positioned in said ring-like member.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein the flexible inner member is composed of a flexible sheet of metal.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein the first ring-like member has a plurality of orifices disposed therein.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the first ring-like member is a metal annulus.
11. The system of claim 9 wherein the flexible resilient outer member is a solid annulus composed of a semi-rigid rubber.
12. The system of claim 9 wherein the flexible inner member is a semi-rigid, plastic, ultraviolet-radiation-resistant membrane.
13. The system of claim 2 wherein the flexible inner member is composed of a flexible sheet of metal.
US404927A 1972-11-20 1973-10-10 Automatic tube cleaner for ultraviolet fluid (water) sterilizer Expired - Lifetime US3904363A (en)

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CA156,920A CA966608A (en) 1972-11-20 1972-11-20 Automatic tube cleaner for water sterilizer

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US4922114A (en) * 1989-06-01 1990-05-01 Hilary Boehme Wiper mechanism
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WO1993002790A1 (en) * 1991-08-02 1993-02-18 Peroxidation Systems, Incorporated Self-cleaning mechanism for oxidation chamber
US5266280A (en) * 1991-06-17 1993-11-30 Solarchem Enterprises, Inc. UV lamp transmittance controller
US5372781A (en) * 1992-02-18 1994-12-13 Solarchem Enterprises Inc. UV reactor assembly with improved lamp cooling means
US5501843A (en) * 1994-10-14 1996-03-26 Vulcan Peroxidation Systems, Inc. Wiper cartridge
US5505912A (en) * 1992-02-18 1996-04-09 Cryptonics Corporation Lamp cooling for a UV lamp reactor assembly
US5625194A (en) * 1995-10-20 1997-04-29 Phillips Petroleum Company Continuous cleaning of lamp wells for ultraviolet (UV) light producing lamps
EP1051355A1 (en) * 1998-02-03 2000-11-15 Kenneth Ray Bryer An apparatus for treating a liquid
US20020096648A1 (en) * 2000-11-13 2002-07-25 Klaus Kaiser Apparatus for irradiating liquids
US6432213B2 (en) 2000-04-20 2002-08-13 Photoscience Japan Corporation Tube scraper
US6570167B1 (en) * 1998-01-29 2003-05-27 Kenneth Ray Bryer Apparatus for treating a liquid
US6649917B2 (en) 2001-05-30 2003-11-18 Ondeo Degremont Cleaning system for UV disinfection module/reactor
US20040140434A1 (en) * 2003-01-17 2004-07-22 Trojan Technologies, Inc. Cleaning apparatus
EP1714944A1 (en) * 2005-04-13 2006-10-25 Malcolm Robert Snowball Fluid disinfection apparatus and system
US20140158905A1 (en) * 2012-12-11 2014-06-12 Caldesso, Llc Compact uv water treatment device for spas
US20140346370A1 (en) * 2013-05-23 2014-11-27 Sensor Electronic Technology, Inc. Reflective Transparent Optical Chamber
US20150090660A1 (en) * 2013-09-30 2015-04-02 University of Alaska Anchorage Light-Assisted Membrane Treatment and Cleaning
US10118839B2 (en) * 2014-07-18 2018-11-06 Nestec S.A. Irradiation assembly for liquid purification assembly, purification assembly and beverage dispenser
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US4002918A (en) * 1975-04-10 1977-01-11 Alfred Graentzel Apparatus for the irradiation of fluids
US4102645A (en) * 1976-06-23 1978-07-25 Refreshment Machinery Incorporated Sterilization apparatus
US4116630A (en) * 1976-06-23 1978-09-26 Refreshment Machinery Incorporated Sterilization method
US4922114A (en) * 1989-06-01 1990-05-01 Hilary Boehme Wiper mechanism
US5227140A (en) * 1990-04-13 1993-07-13 Peroxidation Systems, Inc. Modular self-cleaning oxidation chamber
US5266280A (en) * 1991-06-17 1993-11-30 Solarchem Enterprises, Inc. UV lamp transmittance controller
US5133945A (en) * 1991-06-17 1992-07-28 Solarchem Enterprises Inc. UV lamp transmittance controller
WO1993002790A1 (en) * 1991-08-02 1993-02-18 Peroxidation Systems, Incorporated Self-cleaning mechanism for oxidation chamber
AU647313B2 (en) * 1991-08-02 1994-03-17 Peroxidation Systems, Incorporated Self-cleaning mechanism for oxidation chamber
US5372781A (en) * 1992-02-18 1994-12-13 Solarchem Enterprises Inc. UV reactor assembly with improved lamp cooling means
US5505912A (en) * 1992-02-18 1996-04-09 Cryptonics Corporation Lamp cooling for a UV lamp reactor assembly
US5501843A (en) * 1994-10-14 1996-03-26 Vulcan Peroxidation Systems, Inc. Wiper cartridge
WO1996011881A1 (en) * 1994-10-14 1996-04-25 Vulcan Peroxidation Systems, Inc. Wiper cartridge
US5625194A (en) * 1995-10-20 1997-04-29 Phillips Petroleum Company Continuous cleaning of lamp wells for ultraviolet (UV) light producing lamps
US6570167B1 (en) * 1998-01-29 2003-05-27 Kenneth Ray Bryer Apparatus for treating a liquid
EP1051355A1 (en) * 1998-02-03 2000-11-15 Kenneth Ray Bryer An apparatus for treating a liquid
EP1051355A4 (en) * 1998-02-03 2001-03-28 Kenneth Ray Bryer An apparatus for treating a liquid
US6432213B2 (en) 2000-04-20 2002-08-13 Photoscience Japan Corporation Tube scraper
US7651660B2 (en) * 2000-11-13 2010-01-26 Bayer Aktiengesellschaft Apparatus for irradiating liquids
US20020096648A1 (en) * 2000-11-13 2002-07-25 Klaus Kaiser Apparatus for irradiating liquids
US6649917B2 (en) 2001-05-30 2003-11-18 Ondeo Degremont Cleaning system for UV disinfection module/reactor
US20040140434A1 (en) * 2003-01-17 2004-07-22 Trojan Technologies, Inc. Cleaning apparatus
US6872954B2 (en) * 2003-01-17 2005-03-29 Trojan Technologies Inc. Cleaning apparatus
EP1714944A1 (en) * 2005-04-13 2006-10-25 Malcolm Robert Snowball Fluid disinfection apparatus and system
US20140158905A1 (en) * 2012-12-11 2014-06-12 Caldesso, Llc Compact uv water treatment device for spas
US20140346370A1 (en) * 2013-05-23 2014-11-27 Sensor Electronic Technology, Inc. Reflective Transparent Optical Chamber
US9415126B2 (en) * 2013-05-23 2016-08-16 Sensor Electronic Technology, Inc. Reflective transparent optical chamber
US20150090660A1 (en) * 2013-09-30 2015-04-02 University of Alaska Anchorage Light-Assisted Membrane Treatment and Cleaning
US10118839B2 (en) * 2014-07-18 2018-11-06 Nestec S.A. Irradiation assembly for liquid purification assembly, purification assembly and beverage dispenser
US11001510B2 (en) * 2017-02-17 2021-05-11 Wallenius Water Innovation Ab Liquid treatment system

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EG10715A (en) 1976-07-31
AU6128673A (en) 1975-04-17
IL43444A (en) 1977-03-31
FR2206978A1 (en) 1974-06-14
CH568075A5 (en) 1975-10-31
AU469042B2 (en) 1976-01-29
BE806588A (en) 1974-02-15
ZA737789B (en) 1974-08-28
DE2357396A1 (en) 1974-05-22
MX3123E (en) 1980-04-24
BR7308525D0 (en) 1974-09-05
IT1001857B (en) 1976-04-30
DE2357396B2 (en) 1977-04-21
JPS5019249A (en) 1975-02-28
GB1409384A (en) 1975-10-08
AR196554A1 (en) 1974-02-06
JPS5136945B2 (en) 1976-10-13
SE390817B (en) 1977-01-24
IL43444A0 (en) 1975-08-31
SU578837A3 (en) 1977-10-30
DE7341105U (en) 1975-12-18
CA966608A (en) 1975-04-29
NL7315226A (en) 1974-05-22
IN138827B (en) 1976-04-03

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