Field of the Invention
In one of its aspects, the present invention relates to a radiation source assembly. In another of its aspects, the present invention relates to a radiation source module comprising a plurality of radiation source assemblies. Other aspects of the invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the present specification.
Description of the Prior Art
Fluid treatment systems are known generally in the art.
For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,482,809, 4,872,980 and 5,006,244 [all in the name of Maarschalkerweerd and hereinafter referred to as the Maarschalkerweerd Patents] all describe gravity fed fluid treatment systems which employ ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Such systems include an array of UV lamp frames which include several UV lamps each of which are mounted within sleeves which extend between and are supported by a pair of legs which are attached to a cross-piece. The so-supported sleeves (containing the UV lamps) are immersed into a fluid to be treated which is then irradiated as required. The amount of radiation to which the fluid is exposed is determined by the proximity of the fluid to the lamps, the output wattage of the lamps and the fluid's flow rate past the lamps. Typically, one or more UV sensors may be employed to monitor the UV output of the lamps and the fluid level is typically controlled, to some extent, downstream of the treatment device by means of level gates or the like.
In recent years, there has been interest in the so-called “transverse-to-flow” fluid treatment systems. In these systems, the radiation source is disposed in the fluid to be treated in a manner such that the longitudinal axis of the radiation source is in a transverse (e.g., substantially orthogonal or vertical orientation of the radiation sources) relationship with respect to the direction of fluid flow past the radiation source. See, for example, any one of:
International Publication Number WO 2004/000735 [Traubenberg et al.];
International Publication Number WO 2008/055344 [Ma et al.];
International Publication Number WO 2008/019490 [Traubenberg et al.];
U.S. Pat. No. 7,408,174 [From et al.];
U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/193,686 [Penhale et al.], filed Dec. 16, 2008; and
U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/202,576 [Penhale et al.], filed Mar. 13, 2009.
Conventionally, when radiation source assemblies were used in a vertical configuration in a fluid treatment system, it has been known to use springs, stoppers, spacers and other support elements to receive the bottom portion of the radiation source in the assemblies for the purpose of supporting the radiation source and positioning it properly within the protective sleeve. The conventional radiation sources would have electrical pins that would be received by a module plug which would then be connected to an electrical supply (e.g., a ballast or similar power supply)—see, for example, the Maarschalkerweerd Patents referred to above.
When it becomes necessary to service the lamp (e.g., to replace it after its service life has been or is about to be exceeded), it is commonly necessary to remove the radiation source assembly from the fluid treatment system and effectively disassemble it to access the various components. This is cumbersome and increases maintenance costs for the fluid treatment system. This is especially so given that many of these radiation sources are three feet (or longer) in length and significant care must be exercised to avoid breakage of one or both of the radiation source and the protective sleeve in which it is disposed.
In addition, conventional radiation sources used in the fluid treatment systems typically contain a metal-containing amalgam composition. The temperature of this metal-containing amalgam composition is important to maintain optimal operation of the radiation source. The prior art has not specifically addressed the issue of appropriate temperature control for metal-containing amalgam compositions for radiation sources that are disposed in a vertical orientation in a fluid treatment system.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a radiation source assembly that obviates or mitigates at least one of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.
It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel radiation source assembly.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel radiation source module.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel fluid treatment system.
Accordingly, in one of its aspects, the present invention provides a radiation source assembly comprising:
(i) an elongate radiation transparent protective sleeve;
(ii) an elongate radiation source disposed in the protective sleeve;
(iii) a positioning element connected to a proximal portion of the elongate radiation source;
(iv) a connecting portion secured to a proximal portion of the positioning element; and
(v) a support element configured to receive the connecting portion to maintain a distal portion of the elongate radiation source in a cantilevered position with respect to a distal portion of the protective sleeve.
The invention also relates to a radiation source module and to a fluid treatment system incorporating this radiation source assembly.
In another of its aspects, the present invention provides a radiation source assembly comprising:
(i) an elongate radiation source;
(ii) a positioning element connected to a proximal portion of the elongate radiation source; and
(iii) a connecting portion secured to a proximal portion of the positioning element and configured to engage a support element to maintain a distal portion of the elongate radiation source in a cantilevered position.
Thus, the present inventors have developed a novel radiation source assembly which obviate or mitigates one or more of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. Specifically, the present radiation source assembly is configured such that the distal portion of the radiation source is cantilevered with the respect to the distal portion of the protective sleeve in which it is disposed. This feature obviates the need to use spacers, stops, springs and the like in a distal portion of the protective sleeve to maintain correct position of the radiation source within the protective sleeve. Further, the present radiation source assembly is advantageous in that it allows for withdrawal of the radiation source from the radiation source assembly without the need to disengage all of the components. Thus, it is possible to replace a single radiation source by removing it from the protective sleeve during operation of the fluid treatment system. This operation can be accomplished quickly without the need to shut down the fluid treatment system or otherwise compensate for the fact that one of the radiation sources is being serviced.
The provision of a positioning element movably connected to a proximal portion of the radiation source prevents the creation of a large moment being placed on the radiation source. This obviates or mitigates bending or cracking of the radiation source and/or the protective sleeve in which it is disposed.
Further, the present inventors have developed an approach to optimize the temperature of the metal containing amalgam composition by locating this composition and an appropriate control system at a distal portion of the radiation source.
Further, the present radiation source assembly obviates or mitigates the need to use relatively expensive modular plug elements connection the radiation source to the power supply.
Other advantages of the invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the present specification.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like parts, and in which:
In one of its aspects, the present invention relates to a radiation source assembly comprising: (i) an elongate radiation transparent protective sleeve; (ii) an elongate radiation source disposed in the protective sleeve; (iii) a positioning element connected to a proximal portion of the elongate radiation source; (iv) a connecting portion secured to a proximal portion of the positioning element; and (v) a support element configured to receive the connecting portion to maintain a distal portion of the elongate radiation source in a cantilevered position with respect to a distal portion of the protective sleeve. Preferred embodiments of this radiation source assembly may include any one or a combination of any two or more of any of the following features:
Another aspect of the present invention relates to radiation source module comprising a support element for securing the module in a fluid treatment system and at least one radiation source assembly (preferably a plurality) as defined above.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to a fluid treatment system comprising a fluid treatment zone for receiving a flow of fluid and at least one radiation source module defined in the previous paragraph, wherein the at least one radiation source module is configured such that the radiation source assembly is disposed in the fluid treatment zone. Preferred embodiments of this fluid treatment system may include any one or a combination of any two or more of any of the following features:
In one of its aspects, the present invention relates to a radiation source assembly comprising: (i) an elongate radiation source; (ii) a positioning element connected to a proximal portion of the elongate radiation source; and (iii) a connecting portion secured to a proximal portion of the positioning element and configured to engage a support element to maintain a distal portion of the elongate radiation source in a cantilevered position. Preferred embodiments of this radiation source assembly may include any one or a combination of any two or more of any of the following features:
With reference to
Disposed at the distal portion of radiation source 105 is an amalgam reservoir 115 which contains a metal-containing amalgam composition (e.g., a mercury-containing amalgam composition). Also disposed in the distal portion of radiation source 105 is an amalgam end base 120.
Amalgam end base 120 is configured to have an aperture 125 which receives a portion of amalgam reservoir 115. As shown particularly in
With reference to
With reference to
As will be understood, the connection of positioning rod 145 to end base element 140 allows for pivoting of these two elements with respect to one another. This facilitates placement and removal of radiation source assembly 100 in a protective sleeve thereby reducing the risk of increasing a bending moment on radiation source 105 and/or the protective sleeve minimizing the risk that either of these elements will be broken during servicing of radiation source 105.
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
A second pair of looms 170a,175a are provided near the proximal portion of positioning rod 145 to receive electrical leads 130 and 160, respectively. As shown, electrical leads 130 and 160 are received in an electrical connector 180 which is conventional. The use of a conventional connector 180 allows for illumination of the need to use expensive molded-type connectors, for example, as shown in the Maarschalkerweerd Patents discussed above.
Positioning rod 145 further comprises a radiation block 185 which has a slot 190 for receiving electrical leads 130 and 160. Radiation block 185 serves to block radiation emanating upward and posing a potential occupation health risk to operators of the fluid treatment system.
The proximal portion of positioning rod 145 comprises a handle 195 in the form of a cross piece connection to positioning rod 145.
With reference to
Cartridge element 200 illustrated in
With further reference to
The connection of the protective sleeve (not shown) in which radiation source 105 is disposed to cartridge element 200 is conventional—see, for example, the teachings of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/193,686 [Penhale et al.], filed Dec. 16, 2008.
When it is desired to service radiation source 105, electrical connector 180 is disengaged and handle 195 is lifted from support elements 205,210 thereby lifting radiation source 105 out of the protective sleeve (not shown). As end base element 140 emanates from cartridge element 200, the pivoting movement of positioning rod 145 with respect to radiation source 105 allows simpler withdrawal of radiation source 105 from the protective sleeve. This avoids conferring a bending moment to radiation source 105 and/or the protective sleeve (not shown), thereby obviating or mitigating breakage of these components. Of particular note, the protective sleeve may be left in place while radiation source 105 is being serviced.
With reference to
While this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments and examples, the description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Thus, various modifications of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to this description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments.
All publications, patents and patent applications referred to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety.
This application is a national stage of PCT/CA2010/001003, filed on Jun. 30, 2010, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/213,685, filed on Jul. 2, 2009. Each of these documents is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/CA2010/001003 | 6/30/2010 | WO | 00 | 2/27/2012 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO2011/000091 | 1/6/2011 | WO | A |
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20090065413 | Fraser | Mar 2009 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
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101415486 | Jan 2006 | CN |
Entry |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20120153183 A1 | Jun 2012 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61213685 | Jul 2009 | US |