# US 11,305,238 B2 · Methods and apparatus for preventing damage by a reverse osmosis filtration system having a leak

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- Number: US 11,305,238 B2
- Document ID: US11305238B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/874,765
- Filed: 2018-01-18
- Published: 2018-12-06
- Granted: 2022-04-19
- Earliest claimed: 2017-06-02
- Assignees: Topper Manufacturing Corporation
- Applicants: Topper Manufacturing Corporation
- Inventors: Timothy Allen Beall
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11305238B2

## CPC

- B01D 65/102: {Detection of leaks in membranes}
- B01D 61/08: Apparatus therefor
- B01D 65/104: {Detection of leaks in membrane apparatus or modules}
- B01D 61/025: {Reverse osmosis; Hyperfiltration}
- B01D 61/10: Accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B01D 61/12: Controlling or regulating
- B01D 2311/14: Pressure control
- B01D 2313/18: Specific valves
- 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)

## Abstract

Reverse osmosis filter apparatus having a reverse osmosis filter system, a pan connected to the reverse osmosis filter system and located at the bottom thereof to collect water that leaks from the reverse osmosis filter system and a water sensing shut-off valve connected to the pan, the water sensing shut-off valve being coupled between a raw water input and the reverse osmosis filter system, the water sensing shut-off valve being connected to the pan at a location to sense the presence of water collecting in the pan and to disconnect the reverse osmosis filter system from the raw water input when the presence of water is sensed. Various features and embodiments are disclosed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

Reverse osmosis filter apparatus comprising:
a reverse osmosis filter system;
a pan connected to the reverse osmosis filter system and located at the bottom of the reverse osmosis filter system to collect water that leaks from the reverse osmosis filter system;
a non-electrical, water sensing shut-off valve connected to the pan and having a water sensing pellet, the water sensing shut-off valve being coupled between a raw water input and the reverse osmosis filter system, to sense presence of water collecting in the pan;
wherein when the presence of water collected in the pan is sensed, the water sensing pellet swells to urge the non-electrical, water sensing shut-off valve toward a closed position that closes the non-electrical, water sensing shut-off valve to disconnect the reverse osmosis filter system from the raw water input.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the reverse osmosis filter system includes a pressure regulator to regulate the pressure of the raw water input to the reverse osmosis system.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the raw water input is coupled to the pressure regulator and the pressure regulator is coupled to the water sensing shut-off valve.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the raw water input is coupled to the water sensing shut-off valve and the water sensing shut-off valve is coupled to the pressure regulator.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pan is sized to at least collect water that leaks from the reverse osmosis filter system and runs down the reverse osmosis filter system to the pan.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pan is sized to collect water that drips from the reverse osmosis filter system.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the reverse osmosis system is a hydraulically operated system, thereby not having and not requiring a connection to an electrical power supply.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the water sensing shut-off valve is a mechanical water sensing shut-off valve, also thereby not having and not requiring a connection to an electrical power supply.