# US 2004/0070201 A1 · Connector apparatus and system including connector apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2004/0070201 A1 - Document ID: US20040070201A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 10/440,459 - Filed: 2003-05-16 - Published: 2004-04-15 - Earliest claimed: 1996-07-12 - Assignees: Mykrolis Corporation - Inventors: J. Karl Niermeyer; Gaston de los Reyes - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20040070201A1 ## CPC - B01D 65/00: Accessories or auxiliary operations, in general, for separation processes or apparatus using semi-permeable membranes - B01D 35/26: Filters with built-in pumps {filters provided with a pump mounted in or on the casing (aquarium pumps or filters A01K63/04)} - B01D 35/30: Filter housing constructions - B01D 36/001: {Filters in combination with devices for the removal of gas, air purge systems} - B01D 61/20: Accessories; Auxiliary operations - B01D 2201/4023: Means for connecting filter housings to supports - B01D 2201/4046: Means for avoiding false mounting of different parts - Y10T 137/0318: Processes - 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) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A connector apparatus is provided which is configured to replace a separation module in a system for dispensing a fluid. When it is desired to purge the system of a dispensed fluid, the connector apparatus, having the same configuration of an inlet and an outlet as the separation module, replaces the separation module and a purging fluid is passed through the system. ## Claims ### Claim 8 A fluid separation module having first and second ends and being free of a dead volume comprising: a housing having; a separation element contained within said housing to divide the interior of said housing into first and second volumes, said separation element comprising a microporous or ultrafiltration membrane and a series of flow passages upstream and downstream of said membrane; an end cap bonded to said housing; first and second active connector means for a fluid feed and for a permeate located at said first end for introducing fluid feed into the interior of said housing and for removing permeate from the interior of said housing; said second end being free of an active connector means; said first end being free of an active retentate connector means; a conduit attached to said first connector means and extending longitudinally within said housing to said second end so as to direct all of the flow between said first connector and said second end; said second end being in fluid communication with said first volume; said second volume being in fluid communication with said second connector means; a gas vent means located at said first end and being in fluid communication with said first volume or said second volume; whereby a fluid feed introduced into one of said connector means is processed by said separation element to form a permeate collected at the other of said connector means. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The module of claims 8 wherein said membrane is in the form of a hollow fiber membrane. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The module of claim 9 wherein said membrane is formed from ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The module of claim 9 wherein said membrane is formed from polyethersulfone or polysulfone. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The module of claim 8 wherein said membrane is in the form of a flat sheet membrane. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The module of claim 12 wherein said flat sheet membrane is a pleated cartridge filter surrounding said central conduit. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The module of claim 8 wherein said membrane is formed from ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The module of claim 12 wherein said membrane is formed from ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The module of claim 12 wherein said membrane is formed from polyethersulfone or polysulfone. ### Claim 17 (depends on 8) The module of claims 8 wherein each of said series of flow passages are substantially unobstructed. ### Claim 18 (depends on 8) The module of claims 8 including a chamber at said second end for collecting said fluid and distributing it within said housing toward said first end. ### Claim 19 (depends on 8) The module of claim 8 wherein said membrane is formed from polyethersulfone or polysulfone. ### Claim 20 (depends on 8) The module of claim 8 wherein said membrane includes means for adsorbing certain constituents contained in said fluid. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The module of claim 20 wherein said membrane has embedded therein resin particles. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The module of claim 20 wherein said membrane is surface modified with chemical moieties. ### Claim 23 A method for filtering a liquid within a fluid separation module free of a dead volume comprising a housing fused to an end cap and a separation element contained within said housing which comprises: introducing a liquid to be filtered into one of a first connector or a second connector located at a first end of said housing for introducing liquid into the interior or said housing and removing liquid from the interior of said housing through the other of said first connector of said second connector; said separation element dividing the interior of said housing into first and second volumes; said separation element comprising a microporous or ultrafiltration membrane and a series of flow passages upstream and downstream of said membrane; a conduit attached to said first connector and extending longitudinally when said housing to said second end so as to direct all of the liquid flow between said first connector and said second connector; said second end being in fluid communication with said first volume; said second volume being in fluid communication with said second connector, whereby a liquid feed introduced into one of said connectors is processed by said separation element to form a permeate collected at the other of said connectors; a gas vent means located at said first end and being in fluid communication with said first volume or said second volume. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23 wherein said liquid feed is passed through said first connector and said permeate is passed through said second connector. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23 wherein said liquid feed is passed through said second connector and said permeate is passed through said first connector.