Port arrangement, a purified water producing apparatus comprising the port arrangement and a method for performing port cleaning of a purified water producing apparatus
Inventors
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12285551-B2
Publication Date
2025-04-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method for performing port cleaning of an apparatus having a casing, a fluid circuit enclosed inside the casing, and a port arrangement. The method includes producing a cleaning fluid with the fluid circuit; passing the cleaning fluid through a first port via a first tube of the first port to a first circumferential space, from the first circumferential space via a bypass channel to a second circumferential space, and thereafter to a second tube of a second port; and passing the cleaning fluid from the second tube to a drain.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a purified water producing apparatus with a dedicated port arrangement configured for port cleaning. The apparatus includes a casing and a fluid circuit enclosed inside the casing, where the fluid circuit produces purified water from a source of water and transports used fluid to a drain. The port arrangement includes a first port, a second port, and a door, with the door and front ends of the first and second ports accessible from outside of the apparatus to receive first and second connectors.
For cleaning, the fluid circuit produces a cleaning fluid and passes the cleaning fluid through the first port via a first tube into a first circumferential space. The cleaning fluid then flows from the first circumferential space through a bypass channel to a second circumferential space and thereafter to a second tube of the second port, before passing the cleaning fluid from the second tube to the drain. The bypass channel connects circumferential spaces associated with the first and second ports.
In embodiments described, the apparatus includes control and sensing for cleaning sequencing associated with the door. A sensor arrangement detects a door closed position and generates a door position signal, and a control unit controls cleaning-fluid flow based on the door position. The cleaning fluid may be heated and may meet a cleaning criterion, and the structural bypass-channel and sealing features enable cleaning of both inner flow paths and outer port sides while draining in a single one-way run.
Claims Coverage
The document provides three independent claims covering a method for port cleaning, a purified water producing apparatus with a port-and-door arrangement, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium that performs operations to carry out the same port-cleaning fluid routing. Across the independent claims, the main inventive features are the two-port arrangement with an exterior-access door and the specific cleaning-fluid routing through first and second circumferential spaces connected by a bypass channel, ending at the drain.
Port cleaning with bypass channel connecting circumferential spaces
A method for performing port cleaning wherein a cleaning fluid produced with the fluid circuit is passed through the first port via a first tube to a first circumferential space, from the first circumferential space via a bypass channel to a second circumferential space, and thereafter to a second tube of the second port, and then passing the cleaning fluid from the second tube to the drain.
Purified water producing apparatus with exterior-access door and two ports
A purified water producing apparatus comprising a casing, a fluid circuit enclosed inside the casing arranged to produce purified water from a source of water and to transport used fluid to a drain, and a port arrangement including a first port, a second port, and a door such that the door, a front end of the first port, and a front end of the second port are accessible from outside of the apparatus to receive first and second connectors, with back ends of the first and second ports fluidly connected to the fluid circuit.
Computer-readable medium performing port-cleaning fluid routing
A non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor of an apparatus including a casing, a fluid circuit enclosed inside the casing, and a port arrangement with first and second ports and a door accessible from outside for first and second connectors, cause the processor to produce a cleaning fluid with the fluid circuit and pass the cleaning fluid through the first port via a first tube to a first circumferential space, from the first circumferential space via a bypass channel to a second circumferential space, and thereafter to a second tube of the second port, and then pass the cleaning fluid from the second tube to the drain.
Claim coverage centers on a two-port, door-accessible port arrangement and a cleaning fluid routing path that connects first and second circumferential spaces via a bypass channel, with the cleaning fluid ultimately reaching the drain. The independent apparatus claim defines the exterior-access port structure, while the independent method and medium claims define producing cleaning fluid and passing it through the bypass-connected circumferential spaces through both ports.
Stated Advantages
Enables port cleaning in which cleaning fluid is routed through the first port to a first circumferential space, through a bypass channel to a second circumferential space, and through the second port to the drain.
Allows port cleaning of both inner flow paths and outer port sides while draining in a single one-way run.
Uses a door position signal and control logic to start/stop cleaning based on door closure.
Uses cleaning fluid that may be heated and meets a cleaning criterion.
Documented Applications
Home dialysis water purification (background context).
Addressing prior disinfection-manifold limitations where ports are not thoroughly cleaned (background context).
Interested in licensing this patent?