초록 ▼

An economical and commercially practical reverse-osmosis water purifier system which has no back pressure acting against the semipermeable membrane, so that the filtering rate is maximized. Furthermore, the supply of tap water to the system is shut off automatically as soon as the pure water storage

An economical and commercially practical reverse-osmosis water purifier system which has no back pressure acting against the semipermeable membrane, so that the filtering rate is maximized. Furthermore, the supply of tap water to the system is shut off automatically as soon as the pure water storage tank is full, use of water thus being greatly reduced. These, and other major advantages, are achieved despite the fact that there is only a single tube extending to the faucet, automatic ice-maker, refrigerated drinking fountain or other point of use. The system uses rugged, long-lasting and economical diaphragm valves, which eliminates the need for sliding seals. Thus, it becomes highly practical to injection-mold the valves of plastic. The long-standing major problem of plugging or fouling of the constricted outlet for waste water is eliminated at low cost and with very little use of water. What water is used provides not only cleaning of the constriction region but also a partial flushing of the filter membrane. These results are achieved by means of a self-cleaning constrictor valve having a predetermined flow area which may be made as small as the manufacturer desires. In one embodiment, a valve is provided to automatically stop the outflow of squeeze water while the faucet is in open condition. This saves additional water and also makes it possible to build up a relatively high pure-water pressure even when the inlet pressure is less than average.

대표청구항 ▼

A reverse-osmosis water purification system, which comprises: (a) a reverse-osmosis filter element, (b) a storage tank having movable means therein to separate said tank into a pure water chamber and a squeeze chamber, (c) means to conduct tap water under pressure to said filter element and to cause

A reverse-osmosis water purification system, which comprises: (a) a reverse-osmosis filter element, (b) a storage tank having movable means therein to separate said tank into a pure water chamber and a squeeze chamber, (c) means to conduct tap water under pressure to said filter element and to cause water to flow through said filter element into said pure water chamber, (d) means to conduct waste water from said filter element to a drain, said means (d) including proportioning means to determine the ratio of said waste water to pure water, (e) a single water conduit connected at one end to said pure water chamber, and adapted to be connected at the other end to an outlet valve which controls discharge of purified water to a point of use, said water conduit being the sole conduit between the water purification system and the region of said outlet valve, (f) means, including a squeeze-control valve to conduct water under pressure to said squeeze chamber, whereby to move said movable means and thus expel purified water from said pure water chamber through said single conduit to said outlet valve, (g) means to reduce greatly the water pressure in said squeeze chamber after closing of said squeeze-control valve, whereby to create a large pressure drop across said filter element, with consequent increased rate of filtration, (h) means to maintain substantial water pressure in said single conduit after said reduction in water pressure in said squeeze chamber, so that purified water will flow immediately out said outlet valve upon opening thereof, (i) means, responsive to the pressure reduction caused by said opening of said outlet valve and consequent reduction in the water pressure in said single conduit, to open said squeeze-control valve and thus effect expulsion of purified water through said single conduit to a point of use, and (j) means, responsive to filling of said storage tank with a predetermined quantity of purified water, to prevent flow of water through said proportioning means to said drain, whereby to prevent loss of water after a desired amount of purified water is present.