# US 11,077,392 B2 · Modular filtration platform

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- Number: US 11,077,392 B2
- Document ID: US11077392B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/428,222
- Filed: 2019-05-31
- Published: 2019-09-19
- Granted: 2021-08-03
- Earliest claimed: 2016-03-11
- Assignees: Ecowater Systems, Inc.
- Applicants: The FINITY Division—Prince Castle LLC
- Inventors: Lori Foix; Michael J. Sherman; Steve Wilson; James B. Larson; Erik Klimpel; Richard A. Kirchner; Chad Tousley; Steven J. Haehn; Jeff Ehlers
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11077392B2

## CPC

- B01D 35/301: {Constructions of two or more housings (B01D35/12 takes precedence)}
- B01D 61/08: Apparatus therefor
- C02F 9/20: Portable or detachable small-scale multistage treatment devices, e.g. point of use or laboratory water purification systems
- B01D 2201/302: having inlet or outlet ports
- B01D 2201/4015: Bayonet connecting means
- B01D 2201/4023: Means for connecting filter housings to supports
- B01D 2201/4076: Anti-rotational means
- B01D 2201/4092: Threaded sections, e.g. screw
- B01D 2201/56: Wireless systems for monitoring the filter
- B01D 2313/02: Specific tightening or locking mechanisms
- B01D 2313/06: External membrane module supporting or fixing means
- B01D 2313/13: Specific connectors
- B01D 2313/21: Specific headers, end caps
- B01D 2313/44: Cartridge types
- C02F 1/001: {Processes for the treatment of water whereby the filtration technique is of importance (C02F1/44 takes precedence; construction of filters in general B01D24/00 - B01D41/00)}
- C02F 1/283: {using coal, charred products, or inorganic mixtures containing them}
- C02F 1/441: {by reverse osmosis}
- C02F 2201/004: Seals, connections
- C02F 2201/006: Cartridges
- C02F 2201/007: Modular design
- C02F 2209/008: comprising telecommunication features, e.g. modems or antennas
- C02F 2209/03: Pressure
- C02F 2209/05: Conductivity or salinity
- C02F 2209/40: Liquid flow rate
- B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28)
- C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes)

## Abstract

A modular filtration platform having at least one manifold head and at least one respective filter cartridge assembly. Each manifold head is connected to one another to establish a water flow in a series or parallel manner. Each filter cartridge assembly is releasably secured from rotation relative to the manifold head by a locking mechanism. An aperture on the filter cartridge assembly annular collar mates with a protruding resilient extension on either the manifold head or support bracket. Alternatively, an aperture on the filter cartridge assembly annular collar and an aperture on the manifold head annular collar mate with a protruding member from a locking ring extending through both apertures. An integrated sensor package may be integrated with the system for true managed water visible/audible indications and Wi-Fi interface to facilitate virtually instantaneous response times for filtration needs.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A modular filtration system comprising:
at least one modular filter assembly having a manifold head and a filter cartridge assembly;
said filter cartridge assembly including:
a filter housing sealingly containing a filter media, said filter housing including an annular collar for mating to said manifold head, said annular collar having at least one aperture or recessed indent facing radially outwards, and adapted to receive a protrusion or lead-in tab for securing said filter cartridge from further rotation; and
a push bar carriage having an aperture for receiving said annular collar of said filter cartridge assembly, said push bar carriage in mechanical communication with a resilient member, such that said resilient member provides an outward extraction force to said push bar carriage when said push bar carriage is pushed inwards towards a bracket back end mounting surface, said push bar carriage including said protrusion or lead-in tab such that said protrusion or lead-in tab is movably inserted within at least one aperture or recessed indent of said annular collar thereby securing said filter cartridge assembly from further rotation when said outward extraction force acts on said push bar carriage.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The modular filtration system of claim 1 including: a bracket for holding and/or supporting said manifold head and said filter cartridge assembly, said bracket having a forward end for receiving said push bar carriage, a back end mounting surface, and at least one support brace.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The modular filtration system of claim 2 wherein said push bar carriage includes at least one inwardly, radially extending arcuate segment having a radius of curvature approximately equal to a radius of curvature for said annular collar.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The modular filtration system of claim 2 wherein said push bar carriage includes a retainer for securing said resilient member, said resilient member producing said outward extraction force.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The modular filtration system of claim 4 wherein said resilient member includes a spring.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The modular filtration system of claim 4 wherein said retainer is integral with said push bar carriage.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The modular filtration system of claim 4 wherein said bracket includes a surface proximate said retainer for providing an opposing or withstanding force to said resilient member.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The modular filtration system of claim 4 wherein said protrusion or lead-in tab extends radially inwards of said push bar carriage aperture, and extends opposite said retainer.

### Claim 9 (depends on 4)

The modular filtration system of claim 4 wherein said annular collar includes a recessed portion in a partial circumferential arcuate segment to facilitate insertion of said filter cartridge assembly into said manifold head, through said aperture of said push bar carriage, without requiring said user to simultaneously move said push bar carriage during insertion of said filter cartridge assembly.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The modular filtration system of claim 1 including at least one sensor for monitoring fluid traversing through said system, said at least one sensor capable of measuring filtration fluid parameters such as flow rate, pressure, temperature, conductivity, and/or impurity concentrations.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The modular filtration system of claim 10, wherein said at last one sensor includes an integrated sensor package which is integrated with said modular filtration system for managed water visible/audible indications and Wi-Fi interface.

### Claim 12

A filter cartridge assembly comprising:
a filter housing sealingly containing a filter media; and
an annular collar for mating to a manifold head, said annular collar having a top surface, internal threads facing radially inwards, and at least one aperture therethrough positioned below said top surface, and below at least a portion of said internal threads, said at least one aperture facing radially outwards, and adapted to receive a movable protrusion for securing said filter cartridge assembly from further rotation when secured in said manifold head.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The filter cartridge assembly of claim 12 wherein said annular collar includes a recessed portion in a partial circumferential arcuate segment to facilitate insertion of said filter cartridge assembly.

### Claim 14

A modular filtration platform comprising:
at least two modular filter assemblies, each having a manifold head and a filter cartridge assembly;
said filter cartridge assembly including:
a filter housing sealingly containing a filter media, said filter housing including an annular collar for mating to said manifold head, said annular collar having a top surface, internal threads facing radially inwards, and at least one aperture or recessed indent positioned below said top surface, and below at least a portion of said internal threads, said at least one aperture or recessed indent; facing radially outwards, and adapted to receive a protrusion or lead-in tab for securing said filter cartridge from further rotation when secured in said manifold head,
wherein each of said manifold heads includes a top portion fluid access port releasably joined to an adjacent manifold head top portion fluid access port by a manifold union or conduit, which allows each manifold head to link in fluid communication to one another.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The modular filtration platform of claim 14 wherein each of said manifold heads include ingress and egress ports adapted for receiving either said manifold union or conduit to continue water flow outside the manifold head, or a conduit plug to cease water flow from a given port, or an input/output conduit for receiving fluid ingress or dispensing fluid egress.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The modular filtration platform of claim 15 wherein said manifold union or conduit, said conduit plug, and said input/output conduit are arranged on said manifold heads to allow fluid filtration in a series configuration or a parallel configuration.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The modular filtration platform of claim 14 including a locking key removably insertable within insertion holes located on said manifold head, such that when said manifold union or conduit is slideably inserted within an access port of said manifold head, said locking key placed within said insertion holes to secure said manifold union or conduit in place.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The modular filtration platform of claim 17 wherein said manifold union or conduit includes spaced ribs to secure O-rings for a watertight seal of said manifold union or conduit to said manifold head.

### Claim 19 (depends on 14)

The modular filtration platform of claim 14 wherein said top portion fluid access port slideably receives manifold union or conduits which fluidly connect one manifold head to another, and includes insertion holes for receiving a locking key, said locking key used to secure said manifold union or conduits to connect one manifold head to another in fluid communication.

### Claim 20 (depends on 14)

The manifold head of claim 14 wherein said top portion fluid access port slideably receives a manifold union or conduit to continue water flow outside the manifold head, or a conduit plug to cease water flow from a given port, or an input/output conduit for receiving fluid ingress or dispensing fluid egress.