Modular fluid purification system and components thereof

Abstract

This invention relates to a modular purification system having a disposable sump assembly and an improved flow distribution plate. The system is readily adaptable to a variety of configurations without the need for repiping or replumbing of the installation, and lends itself to the use of multiple purification techniques.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A purification system comprising:
 a disposable sump comprising:   a longitudinal side wall;   a distal bottom portion integral with the longitudinal side wall; a disposable purification media cartridge disposed within the sump, displaced from the longitudinal side wall to create a gap through which unfiltered fluid can flow, and having a longitudinal central opening through which filtered fluid can flow;   a purification head assembly detachably connected to the sump, comprising: an inlet in fluid communication with the gap;   an outlet in fluid communication with the longitudinal central opening; a flow dispersal plate disposed between the inlet and the gap comprising flow diversion elements that direct fluid flow longitudinally along the gap, circumferentially around the gap, or both.   
     
     
         2 . The purification system of  claim 1 , further comprising a mounting bracket comprising:
 a mounting surface that substantially corresponds to a surface supporting the purification system, and   a support ring rigidly attached to the mounting surface and extending therefrom at an angle to the mounting surface, wherein the support ring comprises an opening therein adapted to receive the purification head assembly, wherein the purification head assembly can be rotated within the support ring to different circumferential positions.   
     
     
         3 . A flow dispersal plate for distributing fluid to an outer annular opening and returning fluid from an inner opening, comprising
 a substantially planar flow distribution portion having a circumferential outer edge;   a plurality of flow diverting members adapted to direct fluid flow longitudinally away from the flow dispersal plate and optionally provide a circumferential velocity component to the fluid;   a central opening and conduit that is not in direct fluid communication with the substantially planar flow distribution portion.   
     
     
         4 . The flow dispersal plate of  claim 3 , wherein the flow diverting members comprise a plurality of radial angled vanes circumferentially spaced on the circumferential outer edge of the substantially planar flow distribution portion. 
     
     
         5 . The flow dispersal plate of  claim 3 , wherein the flow diverting members comprise a plurality of angled holes through the substantially planar flow distribution portion, circumferentially spaced near the circumferential outer edge of the substantially planar flow distribution portion. 
     
     
         6 . A sump assembly for a fluid purification system, comprising:
 the flow dispersal plate of  claim 3 ;   a fluid purification media cartridge having an outer surface and a central inner opening, wherein the outer surface is in fluid communication with the substantially planar flow distribution portion of the flow dispersal plate, and wherein the central inner opening is in fluid communication with the central opening and conduit of the flow dispersal plate;   a sump housing disposed around the sides and bottom of the fluid purification media cartridge, and along with the outer surface thereof, defining a gap in fluid communication with the substantially planar flow distribution portion of the flow dispersal plate;   a housing end cap adapted to form a water tight seal with the sump housing, and comprising a central opening adapted to receive untreated fluid flowing toward the substantially planar flow distribution portion of the flow dispersal plate and to receive the central opening and conduit of the flow dispersal plate.   
     
     
         7 . The sump assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the fluid purification media cartridge comprises activated carbon. 
     
     
         8 . The sump assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the activated carbon is immobilized by a polymeric binder resin. 
     
     
         9 . The sump assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the fluid purification media cartridge comprises a zeolite. 
     
     
         10 . The sump assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the fluid purification media cartridge comprises a reverse osmosis membrane. 
     
     
         11 . The sump assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the fluid purification media cartridge comprises a titanium oxide. 
     
     
         12 . The sump assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the fluid purification media cartridge comprises alumina. 
     
     
         13 . The sump assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the fluid purification media cartridge comprises silica. 
     
     
         14 . The sump assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the sump assembly is made of disposable materials. 
     
     
         15 . A purification apparatus comprising:
 the sump assembly of  claim 6 ;   a purification head assembly detachably connected to the sump assembly, and comprising:   an inlet opening in fluid communication with the housing end cap and substantially planar flow distribution portion of the flow dispersal plate;
 an outlet opening in fluid communication with the central opening and conduit of the flow dispersal plate. 
   
     
     
         16 . A purification system comprising:
 at least two purification apparatuses of  claim 15  connected in series.   
     
     
         17 . A purification system comprising:
 at least two purification apparatuses of  claim 15  connected in parallel.   
     
     
         18 . A clip for securing flow conduits to a device, comprising:
 a main body section having two end portions and a middle portion; a pair of flexible extending sections extending from each of the end portions of the main body section substantially normal thereto;   a central extending section extending from the middle portion of the main body section substantially normal thereto;   wherein each of the flexible extending sections and the central extending section define an opening adapted to receive an outer surface of a conduit.   
     
     
         19 . The clip of  claim 18 , wherein the flexible extending sections are longer than the central extending section.