Melvin R Hemp

US Patent:

D3552411, Feb 7, 1995

Filed:

Oct 6, 1993

Appl. No.:

D/013923

Inventors:

Russell Zylstra - Bellevue WA
John T. Dailey - Kirkland WA
Peter Chermak - Sun Prairie WI
Robert Clack - Sun Prairie WI
Dan Klein - Middleton WI
Melvin Hemp - Lodi WI
George Ricci - Monterey Park CA
John P. Green - Chandler AZ

Assignee:

Rena-Ware Distributors, Inc. - Redmond WA

US Classification:

D23209

US Patent:

53892607, Feb 14, 1995

Filed:

Apr 2, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/041542

Inventors:

Melvin R. Hemp - Lodi WI
Daniel A. Klein - Middleton WI

Assignee:

Clack Corporation - Windsor WI

International Classification:

B01D 6108

US Classification:

210652

Abstract:

A filter assembly is provided for a manifolded water filtration system and includes a filter element, a brine seal located at the top of the filter element and engaging a boss depending from the system manifold. The brine seal isolates a rinse water discharge port, communicating with a an outlet of the filter element, from an untreated water inlet port formed in the boss so as to ensure that the water to be treated passes through the filter membrane as opposed to directly out of the rinse water discharge port. This configuration eliminates the need for an exterior feed line, thus simplifying the system and preventing vibration during system start-up. The brine seal also structurally reenforces the filter element, facilitates assembly of the filter, increases the capacity of the assembly, and reduces the chances of failure and leakage.

US Patent:

60511443, Apr 18, 2000

Filed:

Feb 26, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/031180

Inventors:

Robert A. Clack - Sun Prairie WI
Melvin R. Hemp - Lodi WI
Richard E. Clack - Windsor WI
W. Roger McPherson - Otsego MI

Assignee:

Clack Corporation - Windsor WI

International Classification:

B01D 1712
B01D 3543

US Classification:

210739

Abstract:

A filter cartridge is capable of at least one-way communication with the base of a filtration system so as to confirm that the filter cartridge is properly configured for installation and use in the filtration system. Transmission and receipt of a filter presence confirmation signal can enhance the effectiveness of the filtration system, e. g. , by disabling one or more operational characteristics of the system in the absence of a confirmation signal, and/or by automatically resetting one or more counters of a capacity indicator of the system upon receipt of the confirmation signal. The filter cartridge is particularly well-adapted for use in a filtration system having a flow meter which monitors the flow of liquid through the system. In this case, the filter cartridge is operative to transmit signals to a detector on the associated base, and the operation of the flow meter and of the associated capacity indicator vary depending upon whether or not a filter presence confirmation signal is acquired by the detector.

US Patent:

50026640, Mar 26, 1991

Filed:

Mar 15, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/494155

Inventors:

Robert A. Clack - Madison WI
Richard E. Clack - Windsor WI
Melvin R. Hemp - Lodi WI

Assignee:

Clack Corporation - Windsor WI

International Classification:

B01D 6108

US Classification:

210251

Abstract:

Provided in a reverse osmosis system (R. O. ) is a fluid flow control device including an elongate unitary thermoplastic body having a generally rectangular configuration defined between spaced and opposed upper and lower major surfaces, a plurality of filter module-receiving socket formations extending normally from said lower surface at spaced apart locations along the length thereof, each socket formation including coaxially aligned radially inner and radially outer spaced apart tubular projections, and inner recess defined within said inner tubular projection and an outer annular recess defined between said inner and outer tubular projections, and aperture defined in said lower surface disposed with each said inner and outer recess; a plurality of discrete fluid flow passages defined in said body connecting certain ones of said socket apertures, female input/output connector means disposed at one end of said body, said female connector including a plurality of channel means for connecting selected ones of said passages to said system tap water source, said introducing means and said conveying means, respectively, said female connector means being adapted to polarizedly matingly sealingly and lockingly engage a complimentary male I/O connector; and a like plurality of filter modules matingly and sealingly engaged in said socket formations.

US Patent:

51280353, Jul 7, 1992

Filed:

Feb 8, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/653040

Inventors:

Robert A. Clack - Madison WI
Richard E. Clack - Windsor WI
Melvin R. Hemp - Lodi WI

Assignee:

Clack Corporation - Windsor WI

International Classification:

B01D 6108

US Classification:

210251

Abstract:

New and improved filtration purification or water treatment systems for providing improved purified drinking water at a point of use are provided in a substantially leak-free fluid flow control device to which the other filtration purification system elements may be matedly engaged. Other system elements may include various filters or filter modules, as well as, system leads for conveying incoming tap water in, outgoing waste water out to drain and purified water from the filter section to a storage tank until desired for use. The fluid flow control device is preferably a unitary thermoplastic body having a number of discrete fluid flow passages extending therein. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid flow control device includes integrally formed input/output connector features, filter-receiving socket portions and an automatic shut off valve disposed in fluid flow communication with certain ones of the passages.

US Patent:

RE352527, May 28, 1996

Filed:

Dec 16, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/168472

Inventors:

Robert A. Clack - Sun Prairie WI
Richard E. Clack - Windsor WI
Melvin R. Hemp - Lodi WI

Assignee:

Clack Corporation - Windsor WI

International Classification:

B01D 6108

US Classification:

210251

Abstract:

New and improved filtration purification or water treatment systems for providing improved purified drinking water at a point of use are provided in a substantially leak-free fluid flow control device to which the other filtration purification system elements may be matedly engaged. Other system elements may include various filters or filter modules, as well as. [. ,. ]. system leads for conveying incoming tap water in, outgoing waste water out to drain and purified water from the filter section to a storage tank until desired for use. The fluid flow control device is preferably a unitary thermoplastic body having a number of discrete fluid flow passages extending therein. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid flow control device includes integrally formed input/output connector features, filter-receiving socket portions and an automatic shut off valve disposed in fluid flow communication with certain ones of the passages.

US Patent:

58766103, Mar 2, 1999

Filed:

Mar 19, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/820139

Inventors:

Robert A. Clack - Sun Prairie WI
Melvin R. Hemp - Lodi WI
W. Roger McPherson - Otsego MI

Assignee:

Clack Corporation - Windsor WI

International Classification:

B01D 1712
G01F 110
G01F 1115

US Classification:

210739

Abstract:

A liquid flow meter is designed to monitor the flow of a liquid through an enclosed stream such as through the tubes or internal passageways of a device such as a filtration system. The liquid flow meter includes an axial-flow magnetic turbine and a detector such as a reed switch that monitors turbine rotation by counting pulses. The counted pulses are then used to determine the aggregate volume of liquid that has flowed through the flow meter. When the liquid flow meter is used in a domestic potable water filtration system or in a similar application, the counted pulses can also be used in conjunction with a timer to determine liquid flow rate as well as the remaining useful life of a filter cartridge of the filtration system and/or of the remaining volumetric filtration capacity of the filter cartridge. The liquid flow meter exhibits high linearity or consistency of flow measurement over a wide range of liquid flow rates--even at very low pressures and low flow rates. The liquid flow meter also exhibits a very small pressure drop thereacross, requires minimal electrical power for operation, and is also compact and versatile so as to be usable with minimal modification to existing filter assembly designs.