GB2419589A - Device to filter fluid and treat with ultraviolet light - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for treating water or a fluid comprising one chamber 3 for the addition of brackish water or fluid with an aperture at which point filtering membranes 8 can be put it place and water is forced through these by compressed air to remove varying types of contaminants as water travels to the second chamber (15, Fig. 2) . The membranes may be removed for cleaning or replacement. The second chamber is used to sterilise the water or fluid with the use of ultraviolet irradiation source (18, Fig. 2) powered by manually generated or clockwork power (20, Fig. 2). Access to the fluid from the second chamber is prevented until sterilisation of the fluid therein is completed. The device comprises an automated or magnetic latching valve powered by a capacitor or a manual valve operation of which, when the device is in use, is effected after a time lapse sufficient for the sterilisation of the fluid to be completed.

Description

A DEVICE TO FILTER AND TREAT WATER OR FUJI]) This invention relates to a

device for filtering and sterilising brackish and contaminated water or fluid that, under air pressure is forced through an osmosis or other filtering membrane/media, and then the said water or fluid is sterilised by using ultraviolet radiation for which the electric power to operate such a device is developed by manual manpowered generator or clockwork generator and with additional solar back-up power means.

It is well known that bacteria and other micro-organisms can be killed by the use of electromagnetic radiation such as ultraviolet radiation. In particular ultraviolet radiation may be used to sterilise water by passing the water near to a source of ultraviolet radiation for a sufficient time for any micro-organisms to be killed.

It is well known that water or fluid requiring sterilisatIon should be reasonably clear of sediment and particulate matter or other water contaminants prior to sterilisaijon for the sterilisation to be successful, and varying types of filter media available may be used to remove varying contaminants from the water or fluid prior to sterilisation.

One particular use for such a water or fluid sterilisation device is for drinking water, especially in developing countries where brackish water is often drunk with no treatment being at first completed upon it. If water is infected with the many water-borne bacteria that are present in the water supplies of such places, or if it is contaminated from other means such as minerals & metals in solution, and if this infected water or fluid is drunk or ingested it can have fatal results or cause severe illness.

There exist various water sterilisation devices, but these require power supplies of differing means that are too costly for people in developing countries to afford or are just not available and do not combine this technology as a whole small portable unit that actually works, this leaves them no choice other than to drink infected supplies. If they had the means to power a cost effective sterilisation device themselves, by a self generated power unit, it would mean they could have a wholesome supply of water to drink.

It is therefore apparent that there exists a need for a pre-filtering, self powered sterilisation device for water and fluid.

This device combmes the various means of filtering and sterilisation of water or fluid, along with combining this with self generated compressed air and self generated or clockwork power with additional solar backup, in one small unit The invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1: is a cross section of the device, when the brackish water or fluid has been added to the first chamber, prior to compressed air being added.

Figure 2: is a cross section of the device, when the compressed air has been added and the now filtered water has been forced through the filter media into the second chamber, ready for sterilisation.

Figure 3: is a cross section of the device showing the first chamber with an air pump mechanism driven by geared means, and along with this are two wires that could be in place of the geared method that would be feeding an electric air pump.

Figure 4: is a cross section of the device, showing the device with the solar panel fitted at the most efficient angle to catch solar rays.

Turning to figure 1, Preferably the water or fluid can be added to a measured level (2) in the first chamber (3) and this chamber can be sealed and then have compressed air added to it.

Conveniently the first chamber has a removable / replaceable screw top (4) where water or fluid can be added and then sealed so that compressed air can be added.

Advantageously the device comprises means to supply this compressed air to the chamber by means of a hand pumped, up and down motion air pump (5). Or an air pump which is powered by a geared camshaft (fig 3,24) or an electric air pump (fig 3,23). Both of the latter methods having air/power generated by the turning of the handle. With air drawn in via a filtered air inlet (fig 3, 25), and outlet into unit (fig 3, 26).

Preferably the compressed air pressure cannot go to such a pressure that could be dangerous to the user if overfilled with compressed air.

Conveniently the vessel has a pressure relieflsafety valve (6) which relieves pressure if overfihled or can be manually operated to relieve pressure when required.

Advantageously the pressure added to the chamber is naturally relieved by forcing the water to the bottom of the chamber past a flow director (7) and through the filter membrane (8) at the bottom of the chamber, with air in the second chamber being expelled through an air relief space or valve (9).

Preferably the filter membrane (8) can be removed for cleaning purposes and replacement, or for utilising the many different types of filter media available for use in different circumstances.

Conveniently the filter media is in the form of a removable cartridge with a screwed seal (10) for easy replacement.

Advantageously this filter outlet (11) can be used for cleaning out of the chamber.

Preferably the filter cartridge can be shielded from the ultraviolet light that may be detrimental to the filter media.

Conveniently there is a shield (12) in place in the second chamber to prevent the filter media being exposed to ultraviolet light and also from harmful ultraviolet radiation being seen externally from the second chamber.

Advantageously there is space (13) under each shield to allow the filtered water through to the second chamber.

Preferably the user will wait until the second chamber is full of water or fluid before commencing with the next process.

Conveniently there is a level indicator (14) that externally shows that the second chamber is full with water or fluid.

Moving on to figure 2: Advantageously the next process is prevented from being started until the second chamber (15) is full of water or fluid, by means of a float device (16) that only allows next process to continue once the second chamber is full, by the float being pushed up by the rising water level and pushing a stopper into the outlet hole to prevent untreated water coming out and pressing a release mechanism (17) for the winding handle, and this mechanism doubles as a preventative device that will not allow the winding mechanism to be rotated or allow the power unit to operate if the power unit (20) is separated from the second chamber (15), this prevents the user being exposed to the ultraviolet radiation source.

Preferably once the second chamber is full, the water or fluid filling it can be sterilised to remove any bacteria that may be present.

Conveniently there is a source of ultraviolet light (18) present that has enough ultra violet radiation power available to kill any bacteria that may be present.

Advantageously the ultraviolet power source is contained within a quartz housing (19) to allow Ultraviolet radiation through but prevent direct contact between water or fluid and the ultraviolet source.

Preferably the power to the ultraviolet source is generated by means of self generated power or clockwork power unit (20) which is gained by turning of a handle (21) or other turning method which in turn would turn a motor housed within (20) to achieve a power supply, or a back-up additional method of charging would be the solar panel (fig4, 27).

Conveniently the direct current power required for this, can be generated from this turning action and then converted to a higher power by utilising a step up transformer or inverter or to store the power generated from the winding motion or solar power in an ultra capacitor or other power storage device also housed within (20).

Advantageously this winding motion can generate enough power to directly activate the ultraviolet source or enough power to charge up the ultra capacitor or other power storage device, with both means having or storing enough power to activate the ultraviolet source which will sterilise the water or fluid present.

Preferably the water or fluid cannot be removed from the second chamber until enough time has been allowed for the ultraviolet radiation to have been effective in killing any bacteria present.

Conveniently there is a lock out device housed within (20) which prevents water or fluid being removed, this lock out device is in the form of a magnetic latching valve or similar timer activated valve or manually operated valve that has a locking mechanism which could be operated by a capacitor, and this would also be keeping the float mechanism (16) in the closed position.

Advantageously the lock out device will only activate or be allowed to be opened, once that a long enough time period has elapsed to have killed all bacteria present with the ultraviolet source being operational or when enough turns of the handle have been achieved.

Preferably the ultraviolet source will not activate until there is enough water in the second chamber and will remain on for a long enough period to be effective in killing bacteria.

Conveniently the unit has two earth probes (22) that activate the ultraviolet source once that the water level reaches them and makes contact between them, and this will allow sterilisation to start and set the timer period running.

Advantageously the water will not be allowed to exit the unit until this process is complete, and a light activates to show that the sterilisation time period had been successfully long enough.

Claims (10)

1. A device for treating a fluid, the device comprising a first chamber for the addition of a fluid to be treated and a second chamber for the collection and further treatment of the fluid from the first chamber, the device also comprising an aperture between said first and second chambers, a filtering membrane located in said aperture and pressure applying means by which, when the device is in use, the fluid in the first chamber is forced through the membrane to remove contaminants from the fluid as the fluid passes from the first chamber into the second chamber, the second chamber being provided with a source of ultraviolet radiation for sterilising the fluid therein, wherein the source of ultraviolet radiation is powered by a hand cranked wind-up clockwork generator or by generators.

2. A device according to Claim 1 wherein fluid is added through an inlet on the first chamber and closed by a removable stopper.

3. A device according to either one of Claims 1 and 2 wherein the pressure applying means is provided by a pump for compressed air.

4. A device according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the membrane is chosen in accordance with the type of contaminants that are to be removed thereby, one membrane being removable to allow the cleaning thereof and the replacement thereof by a membrane of different filtering capacity.

5. A device according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein, when the device is in use, the ultraviolet radiation is used to sterilise the fluid and exposed parts of the second chamber.

6. A device according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the source of the ultraviolet radiation is housed within a quartz sleeve.

7. A device according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein access to the fluid from the second chamber is prevented until sterilisation of the fluid therein is completed, the device comprising an automated or magnetic latching valve powered by a capacitor or a manual valve operation of which, when the device is in use, is effected after a time lapse sufficient for the sterilisation of the fluid to be completed.

8. A device according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the fluid is contaminated water that is potable after treatment in the device.

9. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. A method of filtering and sterilising a fluid as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the drawings.