Point-of-use water treatment system

Abstract

A water treatment system having a water treatment engine including a pressure vessel, electronics module and optionally replaceable shrouds. The water treatment engine may include a tether and a single connection point for water and power lines. The tether may have a release that is accessible only when the electronic module is removed. The water treatment engine may be circular and the water and power lines may be arranged within a region bounded by tangent lines that square the circular shape. The electronics module may be configured to receive one of a variety of alternative interchangeable displays. The electronics module may have a single display port that provides power and data that can be utilized by a plurality of different types of displays. The system may include a replaceable cartridge with soft end caps that include an integral seal and are shaped to self-center within the pressure vessel.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A replaceable water treatment cartridge comprising:
 a first circular end cap;   a second circular end cap spaced axially apart from said first circular end cap; and   a first water treatment component disposed between joined to said first circular end cap and said second circular end cap;   wherein said first circular end cap has an annular seal extending axially from said first circular end cap in a direction opposite said second circular end cap, said first circular end cap manufactured from a material of sufficient resiliency to create a leaktight seal when engaged with a filter housing.   
     
     
         2 . The replaceable water treatment cartridge of  claim 1  wherein said first water treatment component is a filter, said filter having a circumferential outer surface, a circumferential inner surface and a water flow path extending between said circumferential outer surface and said circumferential inner surface. 
     
     
         3 . The replaceable water treatment cartridge of  claim 2  wherein said first circular end cap includes a central opening providing an axial water flow path through said first circular end cap. 
     
     
         4 . The replaceable water treatment cartridge of  claim 3  comprising a second water treatment component disposed radially inwardly from said filter. 
     
     
         5 . The replaceable water treatment cartridge of  claim 4  wherein said second water treatment component includes a UV lamp, said UV lamp having a first end supported by said first circular end cap and a second end supported by said second circular end cap. 
     
     
         6 . The replaceable water treatment cartridge of  claim 5  wherein said UV lamp includes a lamp sleeve having a closed end, said closed end of said lamp sleeve fitted into a seat in said second circular end cap. 
     
     
         7 . The replaceable water treatment cartridge of  claim 6  including a reflector disposed between said filter and said UV lamp. 
     
     
         8 . The replaceable water treatment cartridge of  claim 7  wherein said reflector has a first end secured to said first circular end cap and a second end spaced apart from said second circular end cap to define a radial flow path between said filter and said UV lamp. 
     
     
         9 . The replaceable water treatment cartridge of  claim 8  wherein said first circular end cap includes an annular neck extending axially from said first circular end cap toward said second circular end cap, said reflector being fitted over and support by said annular neck. 
     
     
         10 . The replaceable water treatment cartridge of  claim 9  wherein said annular neck and said reflector include at least one tab and at least one opening, said at least one tab being fitted into said at least one opening to intersecure said reflector and said annular neck. 
     
     
         11 . The replaceable water treatment cartridge of  claim 8  including:
 a lamp end fixed to said first end of said UV lamp, said lamp end supporting lamp electronics; and 
 a lamp cover fitted over said lamp end and said lamp electronics. 
 
     
     
         12 . The replaceable water treatment cartridge of  claim 11  wherein said lamp cover includes a lamp sleeve opening, said lamp sleeve fitted into said lamp sleeve opening. 
     
     
         13 . The replaceable water treatment cartridge of  claim 12  wherein said lamp cover is manufactured from a material of sufficient resiliency to create a leaktight seal between said lamp cover and said lamp sleeve. 
     
     
         14 . The replaceable water treatment cartridge of  claim 11  including a collar disposed between said first circular end cap and said lamp cover. 
     
     
         15 . The replaceable water treatment cartridge of  claim 14  wherein said collar defines at least one aperture to create a water flow path through said collar. 
     
     
         16 . The replaceable water treatment cartridge of  claim 14  wherein said collar is ring-shaped and defines a plurality of radially extending slots to create a water flow path through said collar. 
     
     
         17 . The replaceable water treatment cartridge of  claim 16  wherein said collar is manufactured from a material that is transparent or translucent to visible light, whereby visible light emitted by said UV lamp can pass. 
     
     
         18 . The replaceable water treatment cartridge of  claim 16  wherein said first circular end cap includes a flange defining a radially inwardly opening channel, said collar having an outer edge fitted into said radially inwardly opening channel. 
     
     
         19 . The replaceable water treatment cartridge of  claim 18  wherein said lamp cover defines an outwardly opening recess, said collar having an inner edge fitted into said outwardly opening recess. 
     
     
         20 . The replaceable water treatment cartridge of  claim 19  wherein said lamp cover and said first circular end cap are manufactured from a material of sufficient resiliency to create a leaktight seal with said collar. 
     
     
         21 . The replaceable water treatment cartridge of  claim 8  wherein said second circular end cap includes an annular trough aligned with and spaced apart from said second end of said reflector. 
     
     
         22 . The replaceable water treatment cartridge of  claim 21  wherein said second circular end cap includes an annular rib extending axially from said second circular end cap toward said first circular end cap, said annular rib closely surrounding an outer circumferential surface of said filter. 
     
     
         23 . The replaceable water treatment cartridge of  claim 22  wherein said second circular end cap includes a circumferential shelf extending radially outward beyond said annular rib; and
 including a prefilter disposed about said filter, said prefilter supported upon said circumferential shelf. 
 
     
     
         24 . The replaceable water treatment cartridge of  claim 23  wherein said second circular end cap includes a plurality of radially extending fins extending axially from said second circular end cap in a direction opposite said first circular end cap. 
     
     
         25 . The replaceable water treatment cartridge of  claim 22  including a prefilter disposed about said filter, said prefilter having a first prefilter end cap and a second prefilter end cap, said first prefilter end cap engaged with said first circular end cap, said second prefilter end cap engaged with said second circular end cap, wherein said first and second prefilter end caps and said first and second circular end caps are manufactured from materials of sufficient resiliency to create a leaktight seal between said first prefilter end cap and said first circular end cap and between said second prefilter end cap and said second circular end cap. 
     
     
         26 . The replaceable water treatment cartridge of  claim 22  wherein said second circular end cap includes an annular sleeve extending axially from said second circular end cap in a direction opposite said first circular end cap.