JP5518144B2 - Fluid processing apparatus and method of operating fluid processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluid processing apparatus and a method for operating the fluid processing apparatus. More particularly, apparatus and methods embodying the present invention can include a fluid treatment assembly and a manifold assembly that directs fluid to and / or from the fluid treatment assembly. The fluid can be a gas, liquid, or a mixture of gas, liquid, and / or solid, and the fluid treatment assembly can be used to treat the fluid in any of a wide variety of ways.

  In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a fluid treatment apparatus can include a fluid treatment assembly, a manifold assembly, a hollow connector, and an actuator assembly. The fluid treatment assembly has at least one connector that can be an inlet connector or an outlet connector. The manifold assembly also has at least one connector. The actuator assembly is associated with at least one of the fluid treatment assembly, the manifold assembly, and the coupler and is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position of the actuator assembly, the coupler is disconnected from at least one of the fluid treatment assembly and manifold assembly connectors. In the second position of the actuator assembly, the coupler sealably connects the fluid treatment assembly and manifold assembly connectors to allow fluid to flow between the connectors.

  In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of operating a fluid treatment device can include moving an actuator assembly between a first position and a second position. In the first position of the actuator assembly, the coupler does not sealingly connect the fluid treatment assembly connector and the manifold assembly connector. By moving the actuator assembly to the second position, the coupling sealably connects the fluid treatment assembly and manifold assembly connectors so that fluid can flow between the connectors.

  Apparatus and methods implementing these aspects of the invention have many advantages. For example, these embodiments are less expensive and more flexible. Since the connector connects the connector in a sealing manner, the connector can be manufactured with less demanding tolerances, reducing the cost of the fluid treatment assembly and the manifold assembly. In addition, since the coupling connects the connectors in a sealing manner, different types of connectors can be used, including compatible or incompatible connectors. Accordingly, many different types of fluid treatment assemblies can be used in a single manifold assembly, and vice versa.

  In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a fluid treatment apparatus can include a fluid treatment assembly, a support, and a manifold assembly. The fluid treatment assembly includes at least one connector. The manifold assembly also includes at least one connector that is removably attached to the support. The fluid treatment assembly and manifold assembly connectors are arranged to be connected to each other and disconnected from each other.

  In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of operating a fluid treatment apparatus comprises the steps of disconnecting a manifold assembly connector and a fluid treatment assembly connector, and then removing the manifold assembly connector from a support. it can. The removed connector can then be subjected to any of a variety of procedures, including a cleaning procedure. The method further includes the step of reattaching the connector to the support and connecting the reattached connector of the manifold assembly and the connector of the fluid treatment assembly.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of operating a fluid treatment apparatus includes disconnecting a manifold assembly first connector and a fluid treatment assembly connector, and then removing the manifold assembly first connector from a support. A removing step can be included. The method further includes attaching a second connector of the manifold assembly to the support and connecting the second connector of the manifold assembly and the connector of the fluid treatment assembly.

  Apparatus and methods implementing these aspects of the invention also have many advantages. For example, these embodiments are more efficient as well as more flexible. As the material in the fluid flowing through the connector settles and condenses in the connector flow path, one or more connectors of the manifold assembly may become occluded. Since the connectors can be removably attached to the support, they can be quickly removed, inspected, and cleaned or replaced if desired. This reduces downtime of the fluid treatment device, increases performance and increases throughput. In addition, a fluid treatment assembly having many different types of connectors can be removed by simply removing the manifold assembly connector that is not compatible with the fluid treatment assembly connector from the support and re-attaching the compatible connector to the support. By attaching it, it can be used for one manifold assembly.

  In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a fluid treatment device can include a fluid treatment assembly, a manifold assembly, and an actuator assembly. The fluid treatment assembly can include first and second opposing ends. A first connector can be associated with the first end of the fluid treatment assembly and a second connector can be associated with the second end of the fluid treatment assembly. The manifold assembly can also include first and second connectors. The actuator assembly can be cooperatively disposed with the at least one fluid treatment assembly and the manifold assembly to be movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position of the actuator assembly, the first connector of the fluid treatment assembly and the first connector of the manifold assembly are not sealingly connected to each other, and the second connector of the fluid treatment assembly and the manifold assembly The second connector is also not connected in a sealing manner. In the second position of the actuator assembly, the first connection of the fluid treatment assembly and the manifold assembly are sealingly connected to each other, and the second connection of the fluid treatment assembly and the manifold assembly are also sealingly connected to each other; Fluid can flow between the first connector and the second connector.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of operating a fluid treatment device includes moving an actuator assembly between a first position and a second position. In the first position of the actuator assembly, the first connector at one end of the fluid treatment assembly and the first connector of the manifold assembly are not sealingly connected to each other, and at the opposite end of the fluid treatment assembly. However, the second connector and the second connector of the manifold assembly are not sealingly connected to each other. Moving the actuator assembly to the second position sealably connects the first connector of the fluid treatment assembly and manifold assembly, and also sealably connects the second connector of the fluid treatment assembly and manifold assembly. And allowing fluid to flow between the first connector and the second connector.
Apparatus and methods implementing these aspects of the invention also have many advantages. For example, these embodiments can be more efficient. A new fluid treatment assembly can be installed very quickly. By simply moving the actuator assembly to the second position, for example, at or near the same time, the connectors at both ends of the fluid treatment assembly are connected to the manifold assembly connectors. This reduces downtime and thus increases throughput.

1 is an elevational view of a fluid treatment apparatus without a fluid treatment assembly. FIG. 1 is a side view of a fluid treatment device without a fluid treatment assembly. FIG. 1 is a top view of a fluid treatment apparatus without a fluid treatment assembly. FIG. FIG. 3 is an elevational cross-sectional view of a fluid treatment apparatus with manifold assembly connectors disconnected from fluid treatment assembly connectors. FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of a fluid treatment device with manifold assembly connectors disconnected from fluid treatment assembly connectors. FIG. 6 is a top view of a fluid treatment apparatus with manifold assembly connectors disconnected from fluid treatment assembly connectors. FIG. 3 is an elevational cross-sectional view of a fluid treatment device with a manifold assembly and a fluid treatment assembly connector sealingly connected together. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a fluid treatment device with a manifold assembly and a fluid treatment assembly connector sealingly connected to each other. FIG. 2 is a top view of a fluid treatment apparatus with manifold assembly and fluid treatment assembly fittings connected in a sealing manner to each other. It is an elevational sectional view of a pair of connectors and corresponding support portions. It is a plane sectional view of a pair of connecting tools and a corresponding support part. It is an elevational sectional view of a pair of couplers and corresponding support portions. It is a plane sectional view of a pair of connecting tools and a corresponding support part. It is elevation surface sectional drawing of a coupling tool and a connection tool. It is elevation surface sectional drawing of a coupling tool and a connection tool. It is elevation surface sectional drawing of a coupling tool and a connection tool. FIG. 3 is an elevational cross-sectional view of a fluid treatment apparatus with manifold assembly connectors disconnected from fluid treatment assembly connectors. FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of a fluid treatment device with manifold assembly connectors disconnected from fluid treatment assembly connectors. FIG. 6 is a top view of a fluid treatment apparatus with manifold assembly connectors disconnected from fluid treatment assembly connectors. FIG. 3 is an elevational cross-sectional view of a fluid treatment device with manifold assembly connectors and fluid treatment assembly connectors connected together. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a fluid treatment device with manifold assembly connectors and fluid treatment assembly connectors connected together. FIG. 6 is a top view of a fluid treatment device with manifold assembly connectors and fluid treatment assembly connectors connected together. 2 is an elevational cross-sectional view of a pair of fluid treatment devices coupled in parallel. FIG.

  A fluid treatment apparatus implementing one or more aspects of the present invention can be configured in a wide variety of ways. One of many examples of fluid treatment device 10 is shown in FIGS. The illustrated fluid processing apparatus 10 generally includes a fluid processing assembly 11, a manifold assembly 12, a hollow connector 13, and an actuator assembly 14.

  The fluid treatment assembly can be configured in any number of ways and can have any regular or irregular shape. For example, the fluid treatment assembly 11 can include a housing 20 and a fluid treatment medium 21 that is permanently or removably disposed within the housing 20 for treating fluid flowing through the housing 20. The housing has one or more connectors. For example, the housing 20 can have an inlet connector 22 and at least one outlet connector 23 that define a fluid flow path through the fluid treatment assembly 11. The inlet and outlet connectors 22, 23 can be located at opposite ends of the housing 20, as shown in the illustrated embodiment. Alternatively, the inlet and outlet connectors can be located at various locations on the housing. For example, all connectors can be placed at one end of the housing. An example of a fluid treatment assembly having a connector at one end of the housing is disclosed in WO 01/95993 A2, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. In addition to the inlet and outlet connectors, the fluid treatment assembly can include another connector, such as another outlet connector (not shown) or exhaust connector 24 or drainage connector 25.

  The fluid treatment assembly can be used to treat fluid in any of a number of ways. In many embodiments, the fluid treatment assembly can be used in a separation process that separates one or more substances from a fluid. For example, the separation process can include particle filtration that allows particles of a predetermined size to be removed from the fluid by a fluid treatment medium. The fluid treatment medium can then include any suitable porous filtration medium such as microfiltration, ultrafiltration, or nanofiltration media. Alternatively, the separation process can include a chemical separation in which one or more ions or charged or uncharged chemical compounds containing molecules are removed from or concentrated in a fluid by a fluid treatment medium. The fluid treatment medium can then include, for example, any suitable permeable or non-permeable membrane that physically or chemically detects ions or compounds, or any suitable capture medium.

  The fluid treatment assembly can be configured in any desired fluid flow mode. For example, the fluid treatment assembly 11 can be configured in a dead end flow mode in which the fluid treatment medium 23 is disposed across the fluid flow path through the housing 20. The fluid guided into the inlet connector 21 passes through the fluid treatment medium 23 along the fluid flow path and reaches the outlet connector 22.

  Alternatively, the fluid treatment assembly is configured in a cross flow mode in which the housing has an inlet connector and first and second outlet connectors and defines first and second fluid flow passages. You can also The first fluid flow path extends tangentially from the inlet connection along the fluid treatment medium to the first outlet connection, and the second fluid flow path passes through the fluid treatment medium from the first fluid flow path and is second. Extends to the outlet fitting. The fluid that is directed into the inlet fitting passes along the first fluid flow path. A portion of the fluid, i.e. filtration fluid or osmotic fluid, passes along the second fluid flow path through the fluid treatment medium to the second outlet fitting. The remainder of the fluid, ie concentrated water or concentrate, continues to flow along the first fluid flow path to the first outlet fitting.

  Manifold assembly 12 includes one or more connectors that are arranged to connect with some or all of the connectors of the fluid treatment assembly. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the manifold assembly 11 includes four connectors: a supply connector 30, a filtration fluid connector 31, an exhaust connector 32, and a drainage connector 33, each of the fluid treatment assembly 11. It can be connected to the inlet connector 22, the outlet connector 23, the exhaust connector 24, and the drainage connector 25. The fluid treatment assembly may be held on a carriage that aligns the fluid treatment assembly fittings with the appropriate fittings on the manifold assembly. The carriage can be variously configured and can be stationary or movable relative to the manifold assembly. In the illustrated embodiment, the carriage 26 is attached to the manifold assembly 12 and includes opposing plates 27, 28 disposed near the end of the fluid treatment assembly 11. The alignment mechanism ensures that the connectors 22-25 of the fluid treatment device 11 are aligned with the connectors 30-33 of the manifold assembly 12. This alignment mechanism can be variously configured. In the illustrated embodiment, the alignment mechanism includes a notch 29 in which the connectors 22-25 of the fluid treatment assembly 11 can be placed.

  The manifold assembly 12 can direct fluid to and / or from the fluid treatment assembly 11 and serve as an interface between the fluid treatment assembly 11 and the remainder of the fluid system (not shown). The manifold assembly can be constructed in a wide variety of ways. For example, the manifold assembly can include a housing that has any regular or irregular shape and can include an internal fluid passage that is connected to a manifold assembly connector. However, in many embodiments, the housing 34 of the manifold assembly 12 can simply comprise a bracket 35 and the outer fluid conduit 36 can be connected to the fittings 30, 31, 32, and 33.

  The manifold assembly connector, as well as the fluid treatment assembly connector, can be variously configured. In many embodiments, the connector can have a hollow, generally elongated body 40 having a fluid passage 41 extending through the body 40 and the nozzle 42 or a receptacle 43 that receives the nozzle 42 at one end of the body 40. Different types of nozzles and receptacles can have different shapes, some of which are disclosed in WO 01/95993 A2. Both ends of the connector body 40 can include a joint 44, such as a threaded joint or a swage lock joint that can be connected to a fluid conduit (not shown).

  The manifold assembly connector and housing can be configured in any manner compatible with the fluid treatment assembly connector. For example, the manifold assembly connector and housing may be arranged to be disposed only at one end of the fluid treatment assembly when all of the fluid treatment assembly connectors are at one end. In the illustrated embodiment, the connectors 30-33 and the housing 34 of the manifold assembly 12 are prepared to be disposed at both ends of the fluid treatment assembly 11 to fit the connectors 22-25 at both ends. For example, the housing 34 can extend beyond both ends of the fluid treatment assembly 11 and the manifold connectors 30-33 can be aligned with corresponding connectors 22-25 at each end of the fluid treatment assembly 11.

  The manifold assembly connector can be attached to the housing of the manifold assembly. For example, some or all of the connectors can be permanently attached to the housing, or semi-permanently, i.e., to remove the connectors so that considerable effort and / or special tools are required. . However, in many embodiments, some or all of the connectors are detachable, i.e., the removal of the connectors is relatively easy or requires the use of conventional tools such as a screwdriver or a wrench at most. Can be attached to the housing. The connector can be detachable directly from the housing, i.e. it can even be removed without the use of any tools.

  The manifold assembly connector can be attached in various ways that can be detachable or directly removable. For example, the connector can be attached with any number of snap-on devices. An example of the snap type device is shown in FIGS. The housing 34 of the manifold assembly 12 can include a support 50 at one or both ends of the bracket 35. The support 50 extends from the base 51 of the bracket 35 and can be fixed thereto. The support 50 may have one or more notches 53 therein, for example, an outer edge 52 in which a generally C-shaped notch is formed. Each C-shaped notch 53 may have a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the connector body 40 intended to occupy the notch. Furthermore, the notch 53 can surround slightly more than 180 °, which will result in an opening 54 at the outer edge 52 that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the notch 53. Alternatively, the notch can be surrounded by 180 ° or less, in which case the connector can be attached to the notch without a snap-on device.

  In order to fit into the notch 53, the main body 40 of the connection tools 30 to 33 can include a portion having an outer diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the notch 53. For example, the groove 60 can be formed on the outer periphery of the connector body 40, the width of the groove 60 corresponds to the thickness of the support portion 50 at the notch 53, and the depth of the groove 60 has an appropriate diameter. Bring. Alternatively, the outer perimeter of the connector body can be formed with a suitable diameter and spaced parallel flanges can extend outwardly from the body to form a groove therebetween. The distance between the flanges can correspond to the thickness of the support at the notch 53.

  To attach the connectors 30-33 of the manifold assembly 11 to the support 50, for example, to attach the connectors 30-33 directly, simply place the edge of the support 50 in the groove 60 of the connectors 30-33. The connecting tools 30 to 33 can be slid into the C-shaped cutout portion 53. The connectors 30-33 can have a somewhat larger diameter within the groove 60 than the opening 54 of the outer edge 52 of the support 50, and then the connectors 30-33 slide through the narrower opening 54. , "Snap" in place, and maintained laterally in place by a narrower opening 54. By connecting the edge of the support portion 50 in the groove 60 of the connection tools 30 to 33, the connection tools 30 to 33 are also fixed to the support portion 50 at appropriate positions in the axial direction. A fluid conduit (not shown) may be connected to the end of the connectors 30-33 at the joint 44 before or after the connectors 30-33 are snapped into the notch 53.

  In order to remove the connectors 30 to 33 from the support 50, for example, to remove the connectors 30 to 33 directly, the connectors 30 to 33 are simply at the outer edge 52 of the support 50 by hand, for example. The opening 54 can be forcibly passed in the lateral direction. Before or after the connectors 30-33 are removed from the notch 53, the fluid conduit (not shown) can be disconnected from the joint 44 at the ends of the connectors 30-33.

  The hollow coupler 13 can be arranged to provide a fluid passage between the manifold assembly and the fluid connector assembly aligning connector, and the connector aligning with the coupler is sealingly connected and disconnected. An actuator assembly 14 can be arranged for this purpose. This connector can be configured in various ways. For example, the connector can comprise a hollow elongate body. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the elongate body can include a generally cylindrical sleeve 61, which has a flow path extending between opposite tapered ends 63 of the sleeve 61. There may be a straight hole 62 defining. The inner diameter of the bore 62 corresponds to the outer diameter of the body of the fittings 22-25, 30-33 in alignment of the fluid treatment assembly 11 and manifold assembly 12. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the body of each pair of aligned connectors 22-25, 30-33 has a substantially equal outer diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the bore 62 of the sleeve 61. The sleeve 61 and one or both connector bodies 40 move relative to and coaxial with the coupler 13 sliding along the outside of the body 40 to connect or disconnect the bodies of the aligned connector pairs. Can be arranged. One or more seal rings 64 may be disposed between the connector body 40 and the sleeve 61 to seal the sleeve 61 to any connector with a hole 62 in the sleeve 61. Many different types of connectors having many different types of nozzles or receptacles can be accommodated by the same connector, for example, where the outer diameter of all connector bodies corresponds to the inner diameter of the connector.

  Various examples of couplers and connectors that are configured differently are shown in FIGS. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the elongated body of connector 13 has channels with different inner diameters to fit at each end to an aligned connector pair having a body 40 with different outer diameters. be able to. The coupler 13 and one or both connector bodies 40 move relatively coaxially with the coupler 13 sliding along the outside of the body 40 to connect or disconnect the aligned connector pairs. Can be arranged.

  As shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the coupler 13 can be arranged to fit within the interior of the pair of aligned connector bodies 40 rather than outside. The coupler 13 can have the same outer diameter at each end as shown in FIG. 6B, or it can have a different outer diameter at each end as shown in FIG. 6C. The coupler 13 and one or both connector bodies 40 move coaxially relative to the coupler 13 sliding along the inside of the body 40 to connect or disconnect the aligned connector pairs. Can be arranged.

  Actuator assembly 14 can be configured in a wide variety of ways and includes one or more fluid treatment assemblies, manifold assemblies, and / or couplings for connecting or disconnecting fluid treatment assemblies and manifold assembly connectors. Can be related. In many embodiments, the coupler and connector, or only the connector, can be moved relative to each other by the actuator assembly in a substantially coaxial direction along most or all of the range of movement. The manifold assembly, the actuator assembly, and the carriage may be, for example, one or both of a coupling and fluid treatment assembly and a manifold assembly, the coupling is stationary and the coupling is moved, the coupling is stationary and the coupling is moved. Can be arranged in any manner so that the connectors can be moved, or the connectors can be removed and one or both of the fluid treatment assembly and the manifold assembly can be moved.

  Various actuator assemblies can be used to effect this movement. For example, the actuator assembly can be configured as a screw mechanism that causes this movement by rotating the screw between first and second angular positions. The actuator assembly can also be configured as a cam mechanism that can rotate the lever between the first and second angular positions to effect this movement. As another example, the actuator assembly can be configured as a sliding mechanism in which the handle moves linearly between first and second angular positions to effect this movement.

  In many embodiments, the actuator assembly 14 moves between first and second positions to effect relative coaxial linear movement of the connectors 22-25, 30-33 and / or the coupler 13. It can be configured as a pivot mechanism in which the handle 70 pivots. The pivot mechanism can be configured in various ways, an example of which is shown in FIGS. In addition to the handle 70, the pivot mechanism of the actuator assembly 14 can include one or more pivot pins 71 and a linkage 72 coupled to the handle 70. This linking device can be configured in many different ways, for example depending on whether the connector is only at one end of the fluid treatment assembly or at both ends. An example of a link device 72 that connects the sliding plate 73 of the actuator assembly 14 to the lever 70 at both ends of the fluid processing assembly 11 is shown in FIGS. This linkage 72 is generally relative to the axes of the connectors 22-25, 30-33 and / or the coupler 13 in response to the pivotal movement of a significant number of links 80, pins 81, and / or handles 70. A rail 82 for causing the sliding plate 73 to move linearly in a parallel direction can be included.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the connectors 22-25, 30-33 of the fluid treatment assembly 11 and the manifold assembly 12 are stationary while the connector 13 is between the connectors 22-25, 30-33. Can be attached to the actuator assembly 14, for example, the sliding plate 73. The connector 13 can be attached to the actuator assembly permanently, semi-permanently, removably, or directly removably in a number of ways. In many embodiments, the coupler 13 can be detachably attached to the sliding plate 73, for example, directly detachable with a snap-type device. For example, the connector 13 can be attached to the sliding plate 73 in the same manner that the connectors 30-33 of the manifold assembly 12 are attached to the support 50. Accordingly, each sliding plate 73 can include a notch 83, eg, a C-shaped notch, at the outer edge 84 of the plate. The notch part 83 of the sliding plate 73, the notch part 53 of the support part 50, and the notch part 29 of the end plates 27 and 28 align the coupling tool 13 and the connecting tools 22-25 and 30-33 coaxially. Can be arranged as follows. The notch 83 of the sliding plate 73 can also surround a little more than 180 °, and an opening 85 smaller than the inner diameter of the notch 83 is defined at the outer edge 84. The notch part 83 of the sliding plates 73 and 74 and the notch part 53 of the support part 50 can be arranged so that the connection tools 30 to 33 and the corresponding coupling tool 13 are aligned coaxially. Similarly, the connector 13 includes a groove 90 on the outer periphery of the sleeve 61 corresponding to the inner diameter of the notch 83 but having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the size of the opening 85 at the outer edge 84 of the plate 73. be able to. The width of the groove 90 can correspond to the thickness of the edge of the plate 73. Thus, the coupler 13 snaps with the sliding plates 73, 74 in the same manner that the connectors 30-33 of the manifold assembly 12 can snap into and disengage from the support 50. Engage and disengage. After the coupling tool 13 is engaged with the notch 83 of the sliding plate 73, the coupling tool 13 is fixed in the axial direction with respect to the sliding plate 73 and moves in the axial direction together with the sliding plate 73.

  The fluid treatment device can be used in many different modes of operation. For example, in one mode of operation, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the fluid treatment assembly 11 can be placed on the carriage 26 with the corresponding connectors 30-33 and the connectors 22-25 of the manifold assembly 12 aligned. . The manifold assembly connectors 30 to 33 can be disposed on the support 50, and the coupler 13 can be attached only along the main body 40 of the manifold assembly connectors 30 to 33 and disposed on the sliding plate 73. The actuator assembly 14 can then be moved between a first position and a second position. For example, the handle 70 can pivot between a first position and a second position, eg, a raised position shown in FIG. 2B and a lowered position shown in FIG. 3B.

  In the first position of the actuator assembly 14, the coupler 13 is connected to at least one of the connectors 22-25 of the fluid treatment assembly 11 and the connectors 30-33 of the manifold assembly 12, for example, the fluid treatment assembly connector 22. Can be removed from ~ 25. Further, in the first position of the actuator assembly, the connectors 22, 24 at one end of the fluid treatment assembly 11 can be removed from the corresponding connectors 30, 32 of the manifold assembly 12, and the other end of the fluid treatment assembly 11. However, the connectors 23, 25 can be removed from the corresponding connectors 31, 33 of the manifold assembly 12.

  By moving the actuator assembly 14 to the second position, the connector 13 sealably connects the fluid treatment assembly 11 and the connectors 22-25, 30-33 of the manifold assembly 12. Further, the connectors 22-25 at opposite ends of the fluid treatment assembly 11 are sealingly connected to the corresponding connectors 30-33 of the manifold assembly 12 substantially simultaneously or immediately after each other. For example, as the handle 70 pivots about the pivot pin 71 to a second position, the linkage 72 can move the sliding plate 73 linearly toward the end of the fluid treatment assembly 11. The sliding plate 73 can then force the sleeve 61 to slide along the body 40 of the manifold assembly connectors 30-33 while the support 50 holds the connectors 30-33 in place. . As the sliding plate 73 continues to move toward the end of the fluid treatment assembly 11, one end of each sleeve 61 slides out of the body 40 of each manifold assembly connector 30-33 and corresponds. It can be moved onto the body 40 of the fluid treatment assembly connector 22-25. The tapered end 63 of the sleeve 61 facilitates insertion of the fluid treatment assembly connectors 22-25 into the bore 62 of the sleeve 61. After the handle 70 reaches the second position, each sleeve 61 engages both the body 40 and the seal ring 64 of the aligning fittings 22-25, 30-33, and thereby all aligning connections. The tools 22-25, 30-33 are sealingly connected substantially simultaneously or immediately after each other.

  After the connectors 22-25, 30-33 of the fluid treatment assembly 11 and the manifold assembly 12 are sealingly connected, a fluid, such as a gas, liquid, or a mixture of gas, liquid, and / or solid, is connected to the connectors 22- 25, 30-33. For example, the liquid to be treated can be directed through a supply conduit (not shown) through the supply connector 30 of the manifold assembly 12 and into the inlet connector 22 of the fluid treatment assembly 11. The drainage conduit (not shown) can be closed so that no fluid passes through the drainage fittings 25, 33. When liquid enters the housing 20 and fills the housing 20 through the fluid treatment medium 21, the gas that was originally in the housing 20 precedes the liquid through the exhaust connectors 24, 32 and the exhaust conduit (not shown). 20 can be led out. After all the gas has been evacuated, the exhaust conduit can be closed so that no fluid flows through the exhaust fittings 24,32. The liquid flow then flows over a period of time from the inlet connector 22 of the fluid treatment assembly 11 through the fluid treatment section 21 to the outlet connector 23, and beyond, the filtration fluid connector 31 and the filtration fluid conduit of the manifold assembly 12 (FIG. (Not shown).

  To remove the fluid treatment assembly 11, the flow through the supply line is stopped, the drainage line is opened, and the fluid treatment assembly 11 can be emptied via the drainage connectors 25, 33. All conduits can then be closed.

  In order to disconnect the connectors 22-25, 30-33 of the fluid treatment assembly 11 and the manifold assembly 12, the actuator assembly 14 can be moved between a second position and a first position. A handle or thumb rest 91 can be fixedly attached to the bracket 35 to facilitate lifting of the pivotable handle 70. For example, the handle 70 can be pivoted from a lowered position to a raised position. When the handle 70 is pivoted about the pivot pin 71 to the first position, the linkage 72 can linearly move the sliding plate 73 away from the end of the fluid treatment assembly 11. The sliding plate 73 can then be forced to slide away from the end of the fluid treatment assembly 11 along the body 40 of the connectors 22-25, 30-33 aligning the sleeve 61. As the sliding plate 73 continues to move away from the end of the fluid treatment assembly 11, each sleeve 61 slides away from the corresponding connector 22-25 of the fluid treatment assembly 11. After the handle 70 is returned to the raised position, the sleeve 61 is only disposed along the body 40 of the manifold assembly connector 30-33. When the connector 13 is disconnected from the connectors 22-25 of the fluid processing assembly 11, the used fluid processing assembly 11 can be removed from the carriage 26. A new or cleaned fluid treatment assembly can then be incorporated as previously described.

  In many embodiments, including the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the coupler 13 may be used to connect the fluid treatment assembly 11 and the manifold assembly 12 without any engagement between the aligned connectors 22-25, 30-33. The connecting tools 22 to 25 and 30 to 33 can be connected in a sealing manner. Although embodiments of fluid treatment devices can be configured to engage aligned fittings, the lack of engagement has many advantages. For example, since the connectors do not engage each other, they can be manufactured with much less demanding tolerances and without a complex such as, for example, a leak preventer, nozzle or receptacle. This reduces cost and improves reliability. Furthermore, since the connector can sealingly connect the connector without engaging the connector, the connector body has an outer (or inner) diameter corresponding to the inner (or outer) diameter of the connector. Insofar as many different types of connectors, even connectors with incompatible nozzles and / or receptacles can be used. This greatly increases the flexibility of the fluid treatment device.

  Further, in many embodiments, including the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the connectors 22, 24, 23, 25 at both ends of the fluid treatment assembly 11 are second from the first position of the actuator assembly 14. A single movement into position can provide a sealing connection with the corresponding manifold assembly connector 30, 32, 31 and 33. The connectors at both ends can similarly be disconnected with a single movement of the actuator assembly from the second position to the first position. While fluid treatment devices can be configured without this feature, connecting and disconnecting connectors at both ends has several advantages. For example, a used fluid treatment assembly can be replaced very quickly with a new or cleaned fluid treatment assembly. By simply moving the actuator assembly from the second position to the first position, the connectors at both ends of the fluid treatment assembly are disconnected from the corresponding manifold assembly connectors, and the used fluid treatment assembly can be quickly removed. it can. Similarly, after a new or cleaned fluid treatment assembly is placed on the carriage, the connectors at both ends of the fluid treatment assembly simply move the actuator from the first position to the second position to the corresponding manifold assembly connector. It can be quickly connected by moving. The ability to quickly replace the fluid treatment assembly reduces downtime and thus increases system throughput.

  Further, in many embodiments, including the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the connectors 30-33 of the manifold assembly 12 can be removably attached to the support 50. Similarly, the connector 13 can be detachably attached to the sliding plate 73. Although the fluid treatment device can be configured with manifold assembly connectors and connectors that can be permanently or semi-permanently attached, removably attaching the connectors and / or connectors has many advantages. . For example, removably attaching connectors and / or couplers allows them to be easily and completely cleaned, repaired, and reused. Many fluids, including colored dispersions and suspended dispersions such as photoresists, contain substances that can settle and condense in flow paths and gaps in connectors and couplers and plug them. The manifold assembly connectors 30-33 can be disconnected from the fluid conduit of the manifold assembly 12 at the joint 44. The connecting members 30 to 33 and / or the connecting member 13 are also detached, for example, by passing the openings 54 and 85 by hand and forcibly separating them from the notches 53 and 83, the support portion 50 and the sliding plate 73. Can be directly desorbed from. The connectors 30-33 and connector 13 can then be disassembled and cleaned. Damaged pieces, such as the seal ring 64, the sleeve 61, or the connector body 40 can be replaced. The connectors 30-33 and the coupler 13 are then reassembled and reattached to the support 53 and sliding plate 83, for example directly by forcing them into the notches 53, 83 by hand. Can be reassembled. The connectors 30-33 of the manifold assembly 12 are then reconnected to the fluid conduit at the joint 44. The ability to easily, quickly and completely clean or replace connectors and couplers reduces fluid treatment equipment downtime, increases performance and increases throughput.

  Removably attaching the connector and / or coupler significantly increases the flexibility of the fluid treatment device. For example, a fluid treatment assembly having many different types of connectors may be simply removed from the support and / or sliding plate, eg, directly removed, incompatible connectors and / or connectors, and fluids in the manifold assembly It can be used in one manifold assembly by disconnecting the connector from the conduit. The connectors and / or couplers compatible with the fluid treatment assembly connectors can then be reattached, eg, directly attached, to the support and / or sliding plate. The connector can be connected to the fluid conduit of the manifold assembly, and then a new manifold assembly connector or connector can be connected to the connector of the fluid treatment assembly. This feature also reduces the inventory of parts maintained for the manifold assembly.

  While various aspects of the invention have been described and illustrated above, the invention is not limited to these embodiments. For example, one or more features of these embodiments may be deleted without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, one end of the fluid treatment assembly, eg, the fluid treatment device and manifold assembly connector at the lower end of FIGS. 1-3, can be removed, and the remaining connector attached to one end of the fluid treatment assembly, eg, the upper end. Can only be placed. The lower part of the bracket, the lower support part, the lower sliding plate and the part of the link device associated with the lower sliding plate can also be deleted.

  Furthermore, one or more features of one embodiment can be combined with one or more features of other embodiments and / or one or more features of one embodiment are within the scope of the invention. Modifications can be made without departing. For example, actuator devices, such as linkages and sliding plates, place the coupler only on the fluid treatment assembly connector when the actuator assembly is in the first position and the aligning connectors are disconnected from each other. It can be modified so that it can be installed. Moving the actuator assembly to a second position then moves the sliding plate linearly away from the end of the fluid treatment assembly and slides the connector onto the body of the manifold assembly connector for alignment. Including sealingly connecting the connector.

  Furthermore, embodiments having different features may still be within the scope of the present invention. For example, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the fluid treatment device 10 may be similar to the fluid treatment device 10 shown in FIGS. (Similar features of both embodiments are indicated by the same reference numerals.) However, in the fluid treatment device 10 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the actuator assembly 14 is aligned without any couplings 22-25, Connect 30-33 and disconnect. For example, the connectors 30-33 of the manifold assembly 12 include the sliding plate 73 of the actuator assembly 14 and can be attached to the actuator assembly 14. The sliding plate 73 then serves as a support for the connectors 30-33 of the manifold assembly 12. The manifold assembly connectors 30-33 can be permanently, semi-permanently, detachably or directly detachably attached to the actuator assembly 14, eg, the sliding plate 73. For example, the manifold assembly connectors 30 to 33 can be attached to the sliding plate 73 with the same snap-type attachment device as described for the connectors 30 to 33 and the support 50 in FIGS.

  The actuator assembly 14 of the fluid treatment device 10 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 can be moved between a first position and a second position to connect the aligned connectors 22-25, 30-33, And it can be moved between the second position and the first position in order to disconnect the connecting tools 22-25, 30-33 in alignment. The movement of the actuator assembly 14 in FIGS. 7 and 8 can be similar to the movement of the actuator assembly 14 in FIGS. However, in the fluid treatment apparatus 10 of FIGS. 7 and 8, the aligned connectors 22-25, 30-33 engage the connectors 22-25 of the fluid treatment assembly 11 with the corresponding connectors 30-33 of the manifold assembly 12. Connect them together in a sealing manner. For example, the nozzle 42 of one connector that aligns can engage the corresponding receptacle 43 of another connector that aligns. Disconnecting the aligning connectors includes disengaging the connectors.

  The fluid treatment device 10 includes a manifold assembly 12 having connectors 30, 31 permanently attached to the support 50, as shown in FIG. 9 where a pair of fluid treatment devices 10 are coupled in parallel. it can. Alternatively, the pairs can be connected in series (not shown). Each fluid treatment device 10 may be similar to the fluid treatment device 10 shown in FIGS. (Similar features in both embodiments are identified with the same reference number.) However, in each fluid treatment element 10 shown in FIG. 9, the two connectors 30, 31 of the manifold assembly 12 are permanently attached to the support 50. For example, it can attach with the welding part 92. FIG. The operation of the fluid treatment device 10 of FIG. 9 can be similar to the operation of the fluid treatment device 10 of FIGS. 1-3 except that the two connectors 30, 31 of the manifold assembly 12 are attachable and not removable.

  Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described and illustrated, but includes all embodiments and each modification that may be included within the scope of the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Fluid processing apparatus, 11 ... Fluid processing assembly, 12 ... Manifold assembly, 13 ... Connector, 14 ... Actuator assembly, 20 ... Housing, 21 ... Fluid processing medium , 22-25 ... fluid treatment assembly connector, 22 ... inlet connector, 23 ... outlet connector, 24 ... exhaust connector, 25 ... drainage connector, 26 ... Carriage, 27, 28 ... End plate, 29 ... Notch, 30-33 ... Manifold assembly connector, 30 ... Supply connector, 31 ... Excess fluid connector, 32 ... Exhaust connector, 33 ... drainage connector, 34 ... housing, 35 ... bracket, 36 ... outer fluid conduit, 40 ... connector body, 41 ... fluid passage, 42 ..Nozzles, 43 ... receptacles, 44 ..Joint portion, 50 ... support portion, 51 ... base portion, 52 ... outer edge, 53 ... notch portion, 54 ... opening portion, 60 ... groove, 61 ... Sleeve, 62 ... hole, 63 ... end, 64 ... seal ring, 70 ... handle, 71 ... pivot pin, 72 ... link device, 73 ... sliding plate , 80 ... link, 81 ... pin, 82 ... rail, 83 ... notch, 84 ... outer edge, 85 ... opening, 90 ... groove, 92 ... ·welded part.

Claims (8)

A fluid treatment assembly having at least one connector;
A manifold assembly having at least one connector;
A hollow connector;
An actuator assembly associated with at least one of the fluid treatment assembly, the manifold assembly, and the connector, wherein the actuator assembly is a connector of the fluid treatment assembly and a connector of the manifold assembly. A second position that is disconnected from at least one and the coupling sealably connects the connection of the fluid treatment assembly and the connection of the manifold assembly, thereby allowing fluid to flow between the connections; Bei example an actuator assembly is movable between a position, a
Each coupling device has a hollow main body, and moves along the outside or the inside of the connection device to connect or disconnect the connection devices.   The fluid treatment apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a carriage that holds the fluid treatment assembly with the at least one connector of the fluid treatment assembly aligned with the at least one connector of the manifold assembly. . The at least one connector of the fluid treatment assembly includes a first connector and a second connector;
The at least one connector of the manifold assembly includes a first connector and a second connector;
The hollow connector includes a first hollow connector,
The fluid treatment apparatus further includes a second hollow connector,
The actuator assembly has a first connector disconnected from at least one of the first connector of the fluid processing assembly and the first connector of the manifold assembly, and the second connector is a fluid processing assembly. A first position disconnected from at least one of the second connector and the second connector of the manifold assembly; the first connector sealingly connects the first connectors; and The fluid processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second coupling tool is movable between a second position where the second connecting tools are connected in a sealing manner. The actuator assembly comprises a pivotable handle;
Each connector is attached to a sliding plate connected to the handle,
The sliding plate moves linearly in response to pivoting between a first position and a second position of the handle;
The fluid processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connector moves in the axial direction together with the sliding plate.   The fluid processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first connector and the second connector of the fluid processing assembly are disposed at both ends of the fluid processing assembly. A first position where the coupler is disconnected from at least one of the fluid treatment assembly connector and the manifold assembly connector; and the coupler sealably connects the fluid treatment assembly connector and the manifold assembly connector; connect, it viewed including the step of moving the actuator assembly between the thereby and a second position to allow fluid to flow between fitting,
Moving the actuator assembly includes pivoting a handle between a first position and a second position;
The method of operating the fluid processing apparatus , wherein the step of pivoting the handle includes a step of moving a connecting plate in the axial direction by moving a sliding plate to which each connecting device is attached in the axial direction . The method of claim 6 , wherein moving the actuator assembly includes moving the coupler and connector relative to connect and disconnect the connectors. 8. The method of claim 6 or 7 , further comprising positioning the fluid treatment assembly on a carriage with the at least one connector of the fluid treatment assembly aligned with the at least one connector of the manifold assembly.

Images