OBJECTS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to the field of water purification. In particular, the present invention relates to a receiving and delivery apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to the removal of semipermeable membranes from reverse osmosis pressure vessels and replacement thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Industrial water purification plants utilize reverse osmosis to pressure-force unpurified water through appropriate semipermeable membranes. This removes salts and effluents in order to obtain fresher water suitable for, e.g. watering agriculture, drinking, etc. The membranes used are nonporous membranes, or nanofiltration membranes having pore sizes of 0.001 microns.

When sea water is desalinated for use, pretreatment of the seawater is necessary prior to contact with the membranes to prevent fouling of the membranes by solid components, which would lead to reduction in capacity.

The semipermeable membranes need to be periodically removed from their pressure vessels for inspection, chemical cleaning and replacement, followed by their reinsertion into the pressure vessels.

Typically, removal of a membrane from its pressure vessel is accomplished by directing a high-pressure fluid stream toward the membrane at the back end of the pressure vessel to flush the membrane out of its pressure vessel. The membrane is grasped mid-air by personnel at the plant and is lowered to the ground for dealing with as required.

Each membrane may weigh 15-40 kg, therefore lifting of the membranes is physically challenging and hazardous to personnel handling the unwieldy membranes. Racks of pressure vessels may be stacked at floor-to-ceiling heights and handling accidents may result in lengthy periods of incapacitation of highly trained personnel that are hard to replace. Moreover, accidentally dropping a membrane from a height might result in damaging the membrane, rendering it unusable and resulting in monetary losses.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for receiving and delivering elongated objects that overcomes the difficulties and drawbacks associated with the prior art procedures as described in part herein above. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for receiving and delivering elongated objects that significantly reduces the hazards to personnel associated with lifting and handling elongated objects.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for receiving and delivering elongated objects that is automated and requires minimal human input in order to operate.

Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for receiving and delivering elongated objects comprises a platform having a cradle for receiving at least one of the elongated objects, an elevation mechanism for raising and lowering the platform, a delivering arm for driving the at least one elongated object from the cradle, a base for maneuvering the apparatus across a surface and a user control device for activating at least one of the elevation mechanism and the delivering arm.

The elongated object is preferably a semipermeable membrane. Preferably, the cradle is an integral part of, or affixed to the platform. Optionally, the platform has more than one cradle, wherein each cradle receives at least one of the elongated objects.

Preferably, the cradle comprises a transverse cross-section having larger inner dimensions than the outer dimensions of the cross-section of the elongated object. The cradle further preferably comprises an edge end and a platform end, whereby the elongated object is insertable into the cradle in the direction going from the edge end to the platform end, and the elongated object is delivered from the cradle in the direction going from the platform end to the edge end.

Preferably, the platform is capable of supporting a load of up to 500kg.

Optionally, the cradle is a storage cradle for holding multiple elongated objects.

The elevation mechanism preferably comprises a scissor lift mechanism. The scissor lift mechanism preferably comprises at least one hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor, a hydraulic fluid reservoir and a power source.

The power source optionally consists of any one of hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, mechanical, electro-mechanical and diesel. The delivering arm preferably comprises a driving piston positioned at the platform end of the cradle, aligned longitudinally along the center line of the cradle, for delivering the elongated object from the cradle in the direction from the platform end to the edge end.

The driving piston is optionally a hydraulic driving piston.

Preferably, the piston comprises a first position for receiving the elongated object in the cradle, and a second position for delivering the elongated object from the cradle in the direction from the platform end to the edge end. The first position is a retracted position and the second position is an extended position.

Optionally, the base comprises a plurality of wheels for maneuvering the apparatus across a surface. Further optionally, the base comprises a hydraulic propelling mechanism for driving the apparatus across a surface.

Preferably, the user control device comprises an input electrically connected to a processor and electrical relays, for activating and controlling at least one of the elevation mechanism and the delivering arm. The user control device controls preferably the hydraulic propelling mechanism.

The apparatus is preferably pre-programmed to maneuver with minimal human input.

To accomplish the above and related objects, the invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the figures in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the attached figures making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1 shows an isometric view of the apparatus of the present invention in a raised position with the elevation mechanism expanded, and the driving piston in an extended position;

Fig. 2 shows a plurality of semipermeable membranes positioned on the floor oriented vertically next to horizontally oriented racks of pressure vessels; Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of a storage cradle in a wireframe front view, holding multiple elongated objects;

Figs. 4a and 4b show the apparatus of the present invention in a lowered position with the elevation mechanism collapsed, in a perspective view (Fig. 4a) and a side view (4b);

Fig. 5 shows a picture of the apparatus in the view as seen in Fig. 1, positioned facing a stack of osmosis membrane pressure vessels, with the delivery arm in a retracted position; and,

Fig. 6 shows the apparatus of the present invention with the delivery arm driving the membrane out of the cradle and into a pressure vessel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Fig. 1, a first preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention for receiving and delivering elongated objects, is shown in an isometric view designated generally by numeral (10), comprising a platform (12) having a cradle (14), an elevation mechanism (18) for raising and lowering platform (12), a delivering arm (20), and a base (22) for maneuvering apparatus (10) across a surface.

As best seen in Fig. 4b, an elongated object (16) is positioned within cradle (14). When extended (as seen in Fig. 1), delivering arm (20) drives elongated object (16) from cradle (14), as described in greater detail herein below.

Apparatus (10) also comprises a user control device (24) (see also Fig. 4a) for activating at least one of elevation mechanism (18), delivering arm (20) and additional components as described herein below.

Although apparatus (10) of the present invention is suitable for use in any circumstance in which elongated objects are required to be received and delivered, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention elongated object (16) consists of a semipermeable membrane utilized in a reverse osmosis process as described herein above and shown in the figures.

As such, Fig. 2 shows a plurality of membranes (16) that have been removed from one of the membrane pressure vessels (26) for disposal after prolonged use, oriented vertically next to stacks of horizontally oriented membrane pressure vessels (26). When in use, multiple membranes are inserted lengthwise into each pressure vessel (26) for use in the reverse osmosis process. The delivery of membranes (16) into pressure vessels (26) and removal therefrom will be described in greater detail herein below. For the purpose of avoiding limitation of the present invention, the semipermeable membranes shown in the figures will be referred to generally and mainly as elongated objects (16), but is understood to be interchangeable with the term membrane in the description herein, referring to the semipermeable membranes used in the reverse osmosis process.

Referring again to Fig. 1, cradle (14) is shown in the figures affixed to the upper surface (28) of platform (12), however it is understood that in some preferred embodiments (not shown) cradle (14) is formed as an integral part of platform (12). As seen in Fig. 4b, cradle (14) comprises a transverse cross-section having inner dimensions larger than the outer dimensions of the transverse cross-section of elongated object (16) such that elongated object (16) fits securely within cradle (14).

Referring to Fig. 1 along with Fig. 4b, cradle (14) comprises an edge end (30) and a platform end (32), whereby elongated object (16) is typically inserted into cradle (14) from a pressure vessel in the direction going from edge end (30) to platform end (32). Elongated object (16) is delivered from cradle (14) into a pressure vessel (26) in the direction going from platform end (32) to edge end (30) as described in greater detail herein below.

In a preferred embodiment, platform (12) is capable of supporting a load of up to 500kg, including multiple elongated objects (16) as well as other additional necessary cargo that would be useful for operation of apparatus (10). It is nevertheless understood that in other embodiments the supporting load of platform (12) may be greater than 500kg as required.

Only one cradle (14) is shown in the figures for the purposes of clarity, however in alternative preferred embodiments (not shown) multiple cradles are present whereby each cradle receives at least one elongated object.

Additionally or alternatively, according to one preferred embodiment, apparatus (10) comprises a storage cradle (14’), shown independently of the apparatus in Fig. 3, in a wireframe front view. Longitudinal wall (15) of storage cradle (14’) is extended at an angle for holding multiple additional elongated objects (16’) therein. Typically, an arrangement of stoppers and springs (not shown) are positioned along longitudinal wall (15) to maintain a separation between the stored elongated objects (16’) and the elongated object (16) resting in storage cradle (14’). Upon delivery of the lowest elongated object (16) from storage cradle (14’) into a pressure vessel, the stopper is released and a stored elongated object (16’) rolls into place in storage cradle (14’), ready for delivery. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) both of the longitudinal walls of the storage cradle are extended essentially vertically whereby the stored elongated objects are stacked vertically between the elongated longitudinal walls, but still arranged horizontally and in parallel with the elongated object resting in the storage cradle similar to the arrangement shown in Fig. 3. In yet another alternative embodiment (not shown), stored elongated objects are still arranged horizontally and in parallel with the elongated object situated in the storage cradle, however the stored elongated objects are positioned essentially parallel to the apparatus platform. Use of storage cradle (14’) avoids the need to raise and lower the apparatus multiple times when loading multiple elongated objects into pressure vessels, as well as minimizes the need for human intervention in the pressure vessel loading process. Although three elongated objects are shown in Fig. 3, in a preferred embodiment, elongated cradle (14’) holds eight elongated objects.

In Fig. 1, apparatus (10) is shown in a raised position with elevation mechanism (18) expanded. Apparatus (10) is shown in a lowered position with elevation mechanism (18) collapsed, in Fig. 4a in an isometric view and in Fig. 4b in a side view. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, elevation mechanism (18) comprises a scissor lift mechanism, although alternative elevation mechanisms capable of raising platform (12) to a plurality of heights are contemplated in other preferred embodiments of the present invention.

Scissor lift elevation mechanism (18) is shown in Fig. 4b comprising a housing (42) containing at least one hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor and a hydraulic fluid reservoir, which are standard components of common scissor lift mechanisms known in the art. Although the present invention shows the scissor lift mechanism operation based on a hydraulic system, non- hydraulic systems are contemplated, mutatis mutandis.

The power source of the scissor lift mechanism consists of any one of hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, mechanical, electro-mechanical and diesel.

Referring again to Fig. 1 along with Fig. 4b, delivering arm (20) comprises a driving piston positioned at platform end (32) of cradle (14), aligned longitudinally along the center line of cradle (14), for delivering elongated object (16) from cradle (14) in the direction going from platform end (32) to edge end (30). According to a preferred embodiment, delivering arm (20) is a hydraulic driving piston, although alternative driving piston mechanisms are contemplated.

Delivering arm (20) is shown in Figs. 4a and 4b with the driving piston in a first, retracted position for allowing elongated object (16) to be received in cradle (14), and in Fig. 1 the driving piston is shown in a second, extended position after delivering the elongated object from cradle (14) in the direction going from platform end (32) to edge end (30). According to onenon-limiting example, the driving piston exerts a continuous one stroke force of 200 kg toward elongated object (16) when situated within cradle (14). Base (22) shown in the figures such as Fig. 1, comprises a plurality of wheels (not shown) for maneuvering apparatus (10) across a surface, such as the floor of a water purification plant. With reference to Fig. 4a, according to a preferred embodiment, a hydraulic propelling mechanism (34) is used for propelling apparatus (10) across a surface to a desired location, although alternative methods known in the art are contemplated as well. Guide tracks (36) are situated across the floor of the plant for guiding apparatus (10) along a desired path.

In an alternative embodiment, apparatus (10) is programmed to maneuver automatically across a surface and requires little or no human input in order to operate. Additionally or alternatively, wheels transport apparatus (10) across a surface without guide tracks.

As best seen in Fig. 4a, user control device (24) comprises an input unit electrically connected to a central processor and electrical relays, for activating a series of hydraulic valves (not shown) using internal solenoid switches, in order to control at least one of elevation mechanism (18), delivering arm (20) and hydraulic propelling mechanism (34) for maneuvering apparatus (10) across a surface. Power cord (38) is utilized to connect to the electrical grid power source. In a preferred embodiment (not shown), the apparatus of the present invention is powered by a battery pack for performing controlling and maneuvering operations, instead of via a cable. In an alternative embodiment, a wireless joystick is present instead of wired control device (24).

With reference to Fig. 5, in operation according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, apparatus (10) is positioned opposite a stack of osmosis membrane pressure vessels (26) in a desalination plant. Elevation mechanism (18) is expanded to raise platform (12) to a height suitable for receiving an elongated object (not shown) from pressure vessels (26), and cradle (not seen in Fig. 5) is aligned with the open end (40) of the top pressure vessel (26). Depending on the number of stacked pressure vessels, which varies from one desalination plant to another, typically heights of 5 - 7 meters may be reached. A high-pressure fluid stream (not shown) is directed toward the membrane at the back end of a pressure vessel to flush the membranes out of their pressure vessel. Delivering arm (20) is in a retracted position ready to receive an elongated object in cradle (14).

Now referring to Fig. 6, when ready to deliver the membrane into a pressure vessel (26), delivering arm (20) is aligned with the pressure vessel (26) is an extended for driving the membrane out of the cradle and into pressure vessel (26).

The apparatus of the present invention is typically operated in a damp or wet environment, so waterproofing is typically at the International standard of IPx4 to protect internal components from water damage. According to one preferred embodiment the components of apparatus (10) of the present invention include an elevation mechanism comprised of a scissor lift, Model EHP.3/05- 29, manufactured by Onder Lift Cclik, of Instanbul, Turkey. The scissor lift has lifting capacity of 500 kg, a lifting height of 3.5 m, a stroke of 2900 mm, and a Support Platform Table of 1.7 m (length) x 1 m (width). The maximal hydraulic pressure measured is 180 Bar, the hydraulic fluid tank holds 20 L and the hydraulic motor outputs a power of 2.2 KW. Hydraulic components include a hydraulic fluid tank, suction filter, motor, pump, overflow valve, non return valve, check valve, lowering valve, hose burst valve and cylinder, as are known in the art. It is understood that the above description of the embodiments of the present invention are for illustrative purposes only and is not meant to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form or forms disclosed, as many modifications and variations are possible. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the accompanying claims.