Kenneth L Conrad

US Patent:

6368504, Apr 9, 2002

Filed:

Nov 6, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/706973

Inventors:

Roy W. Kuennen - Caledonia MI
Karen J. VanderKooi - Grand Rapids MI
Kenneth E. Conrad - Ada MI

Assignee:

Alticor Inc. - Ada MI

International Classification:

B01D 3916

US Classification:

210315, 210489, 2105021, 210506, 2105101, 210496, 502416, 264122

Abstract:

An activated carbon block filter including a unique bonded carbon mixture. The carbon mixture preferably includes a mean particle diameter in the range of about 60 microns to about 80 microns and a particle size distribution having less than 10% by weight of particles larger than 140 mesh and less than 10% by weight of particles smaller than 500 mesh. More preferably, the carbon mixture includes a mean particle diameter in the range of about 65 microns to about 75 microns. Even more preferably, the carbon mixture includes a mean particle diameter of about 70 microns and a particle size distribution having less than 7% by weight of particles larger than 140 mesh and less than 7. 5% by weight of particles smaller than 500 mesh.

US Patent:

6451202, Sep 17, 2002

Filed:

Jun 12, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/596416

Inventors:

Roy W. Kuennen - Caledonia MI
Eric K. Bartkus - Ada MI
David W. Baarman - Fennville MI
Kenneth E. Conrad - Ada MI
Terry L. Lautzenheiser - Nunica MI
Greg Synder - Novato CA
Scott A. Mollema - Grand Rapids MI

Assignee:

Access Business Group International LLC - Ada MI

International Classification:

C02F 132

US Classification:

210136, 210192, 210234, 210235, 210295, 210315, 422 24, 250436

Abstract:

A water treatment system for filtering and treating contaminants in water includes a UV lamp assembly coaxially received within a filter assembly. A valve system prevents water from being spilled from the filter assembly when the filter assembly is removed from the base unit and the lamp assembly so that the lamp and filter assemblies are independently replaceable. The valve system includes a check valve controlling flow between the lamp and filter assemblies.

US Patent:

6491868, Dec 10, 2002

Filed:

Sep 24, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/961906

Inventors:

Roy W. Kuennen - Caledonia MI
Eric K. Bartkus - Ada MI
David W. Baarman - Fenville MI
Kenneth E. Conrad - Ada MI
Terry L. Lautzenheiser - Nunica MI
Scott A. Mollema - Grand Rapids MI

Assignee:

Access Business Group International LLC - Ada MI

International Classification:

C02F 132

US Classification:

422 24, 210 94, 210745, 210748, 250436, 250472, 250473

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a point-of-use water treatment system (WTS) unit ( ) for filtering and treating contaminants in water. WTS unit ( ) may include a first primary coil ( ) located in a base unit ( ) which inductively power a secondary treatment device such as a UV lamp assembly ( ). Secondary treatment device ( ) may be a lamp assembly ( ) which includes a condensing element ( ) to condense mercury in a bulb in the arc path between filaments ( ). Maintaining the condensed mercury between filaments ( ) serves to reduce the time needed for lamp assembly ( ) to produce light emissions of a predetermined intensity upon subsequent energization as compared to allowing the mercury to condense outside the arc path. A reflector assembly ( ) may be used in lamp assembly ( ) to focus radiation upon conduits ( ) carrying water therethrough and away from returning to a bulb assembly ( ) from which the radiation was originally emitted. An outer enclosure or housing ( ) surrounds the bulb and reflector assemblies ( ) such that lamp assembly ( ) becomes a generally closed pressure vessel.

US Patent:

6514420, Feb 4, 2003

Filed:

Sep 24, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/961728

Inventors:

Roy W. Kuennen - Caledonia MI
Eric K. Bartkus - Ada MI
David W. Baarman - Fennville MI
Kenneth E. Conrad - Ada MI
Scott A. Mollema - Grand Rapids MI

Assignee:

Access Business Group International LLC - Ada MI

International Classification:

C02F 132

US Classification:

210748, 210192, 250435, 422 24, 4221863, 313341, 313642

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a lamp assembly for use in a point-of-use water treatment system or other device. The lamp assembly includes a condensing element to condense mercury in a bulb within the arc path of opposing filaments when the bulb is de-energized. In one embodiment, the time required for the lamp assembly to produce light upon subsequent re-energization of the bulb is significantly reduced because the mercury is in the intermediate portion of the bulb, within the filament arc path.

US Patent:

6569319, May 27, 2003

Filed:

Jun 26, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/180769

Inventors:

Roy W. Kuennen - Caledonia MI
Eric K. Bartkus - Ada MI
David W. Baarman - Fennville MI
Kenneth E. Conrad - Ada MI
Terry L. Lautzenheiser - Nunica MI
Scott A. Mollema - Grand Rapids MI

Assignee:

Access Business Group International LLC - Ada MI

International Classification:

C02F 132

US Classification:

210 85, 210192, 356 51, 2504741

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a light monitoring system used in a water treatment system. The monitoring system includes a light pipe and a light intensity detector. The light pipe is impregenated with a florescent dye that converts ultraviolet light into visible light. The light pipe includes a plurality of internal facets that focus light incident on the light pipe toward the light intensity detector. The light intensity detector monitors the visible light transmitted to the detector by the light pipe and determines the relative ultraviolet light output intensity of a lamp assembly within the water treatment system based on the monitored visible light.

US Patent:

6793817, Sep 21, 2004

Filed:

Jul 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/207528

Inventors:

Roy W. Kuennen - Caledonia MI
Eric K. Bartkus - Ada MI
David W. Baarman - Fennville MI
Kenneth E. Conrad - Ada MI
Terry L. Lautzenheiser - Nunica MI
Greg Snyder - Novato CA
Scott A. Mollema - Grand Rapids MI

Assignee:

Access Business Group International LLC - Ada MI

International Classification:

C02F 132

US Classification:

210232, 210190, 210294, 210315, 4221863, 250435

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a replaceable lamp assembly for a point-of-use water treatment system (WTS). The lamp assembly includes first and second ends with respective sealed inlet and outlet openings associated with the ends. One or more conduits extend between the openings. A bulb assembly is positioned adjacent the conduit to irradiate liquid transferred in the conduit. A reflector assembly in the lamp assembly focuses radiation on the conduit. An enclosure surrounds the bulb and reflector assemblies such that lamp assembly becomes a generally closed pressure vessel.

US Patent:

6984320, Jan 10, 2006

Filed:

Feb 18, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/368673

Inventors:

Eric K. Bartkus - Ada MI, US
Kenneth E. Conrad - Ada MI, US
David J. Dekker - Holland MI, US

Assignee:

Access Business Group International LLC - Ada MI

International Classification:

B01D 35/30
C02F 1/32
C02F 9/12

US Classification:

210238, 2101981, 210748, 210443, 210450, 220315, 220318, 220756, 220765

Abstract:

The present invention provides a WTS closure assembly that is easily and quickly secured to and removed from the filter chamber of a WTS. The closure assembly of the present invention provides a bail handle attached to the closure and which utilizes a mechanical advantage, preferably in the form of a pivoting handle which presses a plurality of cams onto the WTS housing, thereby breaking a seal between the closure assembly and the WTS filter chamber, and lifting the closure away from the filter chamber.

US Patent:

7252763, Aug 7, 2007

Filed:

Jan 29, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/767035

Inventors:

Roy W. Kuennen - Caledonia MI, US
Eric K. Bartkus - Ada MI, US
David W. Baarman - Fennville MI, US
Kenneth E. Conrad - Ada MI, US
Terry L. Lautzenheiser - Numica MI, US
Greg Snyder - Novato CA, US
Scott A. Mollema - Grand Rapids MI, US

Assignee:

Access Business Group Interational LLC - Ada MI

International Classification:

C02F 1/32

US Classification:

210192, 4221863, 250435

Abstract:

A lamp assembly for use in a water treatment system. The lamp assembly includes a bulb assembly, a reflector assembly and a conduit carring liquid, such as water, through the lamp assembly. The reflector assembly is configured to reflect and focus light emitted from the bulb assembly on the conduit, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the lamp assembly. The reflector assembly can include reflectors including one or more diminishing radii of curvature, which terminate and form a peak near a bulb of the bulb assembly and/or conduit.