GB1603052A - Creation of Inventions and Patents with Artificial Intelligence

GB1603052A – Membrane devices
– Google Patents

GB1603052A – Membrane devices
– Google Patents
Membrane devices

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Publication number
GB1603052A

GB1603052A
GB1389478A
GB1389478A
GB1603052A
GB 1603052 A
GB1603052 A
GB 1603052A
GB 1389478 A
GB1389478 A
GB 1389478A
GB 1389478 A
GB1389478 A
GB 1389478A
GB 1603052 A
GB1603052 A
GB 1603052A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
membrane
pressure
boundary layer
liquid
air
Prior art date
1978-04-10
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)

Expired

Application number
GB1389478A
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Individual

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Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
1978-04-10
Filing date
1978-04-10
Publication date
1981-11-18

1978-04-10
Application filed by Individual
filed
Critical
Individual

1978-04-10
Priority to GB1389478A
priority
Critical
patent/GB1603052A/en

1981-11-18
Publication of GB1603052A
publication
Critical
patent/GB1603052A/en

1986-03-27
Priority to HK23086A
priority
patent/HK23086A/en

Status
Expired
legal-status
Critical
Current

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Classifications

B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL

B01D—SEPARATION

B01D61/00—Processes of separation using semi-permeable membranes, e.g. dialysis, osmosis or ultrafiltration; Apparatus, accessories or auxiliary operations specially adapted therefor

B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL

B01D—SEPARATION

B01D65/00—Accessories or auxiliary operations, in general, for separation processes or apparatus using semi-permeable membranes

B01D65/08—Prevention of membrane fouling or of concentration polarisation

B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT

B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS

B63C11/00—Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects

B63C11/02—Divers’ equipment

B63C11/18—Air supply

B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT

B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS

B63C11/00—Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects

B63C11/02—Divers’ equipment

B63C11/18—Air supply

B63C11/184—Artificial gills

E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS

E04—BUILDING

E04D—ROOF COVERINGS; SKY-LIGHTS; GUTTERS; ROOF-WORKING TOOLS

E04D5/00—Roof covering by making use of flexible material, e.g. supplied in roll form

E04D5/12—Roof covering by making use of flexible material, e.g. supplied in roll form specially modified, e.g. perforated, with granulated surface, with attached pads

F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING

F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING

F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING

F24F6/00—Air-humidification, e.g. cooling by humidification

B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL

B01D—SEPARATION

B01D2321/00—Details relating to membrane cleaning, regeneration, sterilization or to the prevention of fouling

B01D2321/18—Use of gases

B01D2321/185—Aeration

Description

MEMBRANE DEVICES
(71) I, ROY SINCLAIR HOPKINS of 72 Northmoor Way, Northmoor Park,
Wareham, Dorset of British Nationality, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:
This invention relates to devices incorporating membranes. According to the present invention there is provided a device comprising a membrane of the type claimed in my
British Pat.No. 1228825, and further comprising controllable means for actively applying a differential pressure across the said membrane.
Furthermore the said membrane surface area can be subdivided out into interconnecting units.
This control is achieved by artificially and intentionally providing a variable but controllable means by which the thickness of the boundary layers can be modified to suit the requirements of the user.
The boundary layer of liquid and/or gas is controlled by affecting equal or unequal pressures from one or more sides of a porous membrane of type British Patent No. 1228825, by using various vacuum or negative pressure, and positive pressure sources and equipment. These sources can be themselves activated by manual or electrical means.
Until now the formation of boundary layers on firm surfaces mostly inhibit the design capabilities of a system affected by them for example “still air” layer over aeroplane wing surfaces causing drag, or “still” water layer increasing friction on a boat’s underwater planing surfaces.
The problem is even worse when gaseous or liquid interchange is required through a porous membrane surface as the same boundary layer formation prevents efficient diffusion. The boundary layer can form on either side of the membrane surface especially where movement or flow of the media such as gas to gas, gas to liquid, or liquid to liquid interchange occur.
In order to explain the claims more clearly various points are itemised as follows:- a) STRUCTURE OF MEMBRANE (across which boundary layer control is achieved).
b) TYPE OF PRESSURE SOURCES AND THEIR CONTROL.
c) DIRECTION OF CONTROL and external effects.
d) NATURE OF BOUNDARY LAYER INTERACTION (controlled using the porous membrane) e) SINGLE AND MULTIPLE MEMBRANE INCORPORATED MODULES (whether or not fluid or gas contents are circulated) and the various applications of this boundary layer control.
a) STRUCTURE OF MEMBRANE (across which boundary layer control is achieved.
The porous membrane Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is preferably to be rigid or semi rigid and of sintered or porous glass, metal, ceramic or plastic construction capable of allowing free liquid and gaseous interchange through to the surfaces of its structure.
The membrane used is that described fully in British Patent No. 1228825 but basically formed by modifying a porous structure by partially filling the pores by impregnation with solid material in articulate form, whilst one surface or more of this impregnated porous support is coated with an hydrophobic material.
A non limiting example of solid particulate material used to impregnate the porous support is calcium sulphate (Plaster of Paris).
A non limiting example of hydrophobic coating material is “Red Label Transpet”.
(Registered Trade Mark).
A non limiting example of range of membrane thicknesses would be up to 4mm whilst non limiting example of range of pore sizes of membrane would be up to 50 microns.
The membrane material can also be welded or bonded to form just the base or part only of a base of a container as in Fig.3 (5) or can form a single sheet flat or domed, or be made to form part of or whole of the wall of a structure. It can also form more than one wall of a structure.
The membrane can be welded to form a tube Fig. 2 and itself be filled with liquid or gas, whether or not these contents are circulated.
It is desirable that the porous membrane incorporated system is capable when required to, of achieving total equilibrium Fig. 3, and should not leak when in a position such as horizontal or near horizontal even if the media contents are being circulated at the same time.
This modifier unit concept Fig. 3 comprises a multiporous membrane Fig. 3 (5) welded or bonded into a suitable shaped unit Fig. (3) provided with medium Fig. 3 (4) and a partial vacuum Fig. 3 (2) which maintains equilibrium and a potential controlling power source represented diagrammatically by Fig. 3 (1) and Fig. 11 (1) and other examples depicted by this symbol: such power sources ultimately controlled by manual or electrical means.
b) TYPE OF PRESSURE SOURCES AND THEIR CONTROL
In Fig. 4 it can be seen that where the atmospheric pressure is allowed to press down on the surface of the liquid i.e. through a hole or completely open unit the liquid will leak uncontrollably through the membrane.
Other forms of pressure source such as vacuum, compressed air, pumped liquids as non limiting examples are for convenience and simplicity diagramatically represented by the symbol of a syringe as in Fig. 3 (1)
These pressure sources may themselves be controlled by manual or electromechanical means. Non limiting examples can include using the electrical signal produced from a microphone or transducer affected by the presence of bubbles entering through the membrane into the valve unit Fig. 3 (7) in order to control a power source e.g. Fig. 3 (1) or to provide audible monitoring of the system.
Another non limiting example is the use of a float used to intercept a beam of light and photoelectric receptor switch, Fig. 13 (14) A float can also be used to activate a proximity capacitance switch or if the float is magnetic activate reed switches.
Operation of the power sources can also include by way of a non limiting example the use of a light source Fig. 13 (13), bent tube or rod to convey the light beam Fig 13 (14), and photoelectric light receptor switch Fig. 13(15).
Another non limiting example is the use of a reflected light source Fig. 3 8) Fig. 5 (11)
Fig. 13 (11 Fig. 14 (9) and light receptor switch Fig. 3 (9) Fig. 5 (12) Fig. 13 (15 Fig. 14 (10).
Yet another non limiting example of a switch capable of operating the pressure sources is by using electrical resistance across the membrane surface.
With the membrane particularly type British Patent No. 1228825 and where an equalising partial vacuum is allowed to form, or where an equalising positive pressure Fig. 5 (5) is introduced below the membrane Fig. 5 (3) supporting the medium Fig. 5 (9) the medium supported will not leak, even when the said media is circulated or agitated within the cavity as in non limiting examples Fig. 14 and Fig. 15.
As referred to in British Patent 1228825 it is possible for a mass of liquid to be pushed around a closed circuit porous structure by a circulatory pump without the energy created by the pump pushing the liquid through the pores of the porous structure. However active means to alter this passive balance are described further.
The sources of power that modify the partial vacuum held in the unit Fig. 3 (2) Fig. 12 (2)
Fig. 14 (2) can include positive and negative pressures such as compressed air or vacuum pumps respectively, capable of continuous operation as in electric pump or limited such as gentle positive or negative pressure using for example a syringe.
These negative and positive pressure sources can be operated manually or electromechanically and include the non limiting examples already mentioned viz. interception of light beams and photoelectric receptor switches, reflected light beam and photoelectric receptor switches, sound sensitive transducer or microphone for audio monitoring or switch operation.
For the ski as a non limiting example a small electric air pump or compressed air capsule would be very suitable as a pressure source. Liquids and gases can be used to create the pressure.
c) DIRECTION OF CONTROL and external effects.
The quantity of lubricating fluid being dispensed out over the surface area of the porous membrane Fig. 13 (4) would be equal to the quantity injected via Fig. 13 (1). Immediately the power source is stopped the remaining contents Fig. 13 (3) will again be supported via the porous membrane by the partial vacuum Fig. 13(2 and gravity balance thus restoring equalibrium, with no further leaking or emission.
Referring to Fig. 10 by slightly pressurising the incoming air Fig. 10 (1) entering the room or cavity which has incorporated in its roof or wall the aforementioned porous membrane
Fig. 10 (2) the air passes slowly through the pores pushing the boundary layer Fig. 10 (3) of rainwater for non limiting example further out on the outer surface thus causing it to break up into globules on the hydrophobic surface thus preventing it from seeping through the pores of the porous membrane under the influence of gravity.
The influence for control then comes from extraneous sources such as, positive and negative pressures. Directions can be also from a) within, b) from outside or c) from both sides of the membrane surface.
From within Reference Fig. 3 by pushing gently on the syringe Fig. 3(1) creating positive pressure which has access to the inside of the cavity it is possible to increase the thickness of the boundary layer Fig. 3 (6) on the outside of the porous membrane wall Fig. 3 (5) and conversely by withdrawing slightly the syringe or creating negative pressure or slight vacuum, it is possible to decrease the thickness of the boundary layer on the outside of the membrane wall. This is important when using the system for liquid or gaseous interaction
Fig. 14 and Fig. 15.
If this positive pressure is continued the boundary layer Fig. 13 (5) will increase in thickness until the weight causes it to part from the surface of the membrane Fig. 13 (4) and drop away under the influence of gravity. This is important for non limiting examples Fig.
12 and Fig. 13 whilst a suitable control mechanism by way of a non limiting example to control the boundary layer thickness is the reflected light beam control method Fig. /3 (8) (9) Fig. 5 (11) (12), Fig. 13 (11) (12), and Fig. 14 (9) (10).
From without Reference Fig. 5 if the adjacent cavity Fig. 5 (6) to the porous membrane incorporated cavity Fig. 5 (2) is supplied with a means to inJect or extract from Fig. 5 (2) the boundary layer Fig. 5 (7) formed on the underside of the membrane can be thickened even to precipitation if negative pressure via Fig. 5 (5) is applied or boundary layer thinned even to zero thickness with positive pressure injected, or applied. If this positive pressure at Fig.
5 (5) is intensified then the boundary layer in an extreme case can be pushed through the membrane to the inner surface in cavity Fig. 5 (2). Liquids or gases can be circulated preferably but not essentially in cavities or extended cavities such as Fig. 5 (2) and Fig. 5 (6).
From both sides: Referring to Fig. 5 even finer balance is possible by using positive and negative pressure facilities in both adjacent cavities with the porous membrane as common to both. Both cavity contents gas or liquid may be circulated or only one. Two other applications representing non limiting examples are Fig. 14 and Fig. 15.
d) NATURE OF BOUNDARY LAYER INTERFACES (controlled using the porous membrane)
Various liquids and gases can be used both as static or circulated media within the system or injected or otherwise able to condition the system e.g. water, blood, mineral and all soluble salt solutions, soaps, emulsions, polymers, oxygen, carbon dioxide being some of the non limiting examples.
Adjoining cavities with common porous membrane partition can be filled with gas or liquid or a mixture of both, whilst the units will have some means such as a bung hole or stopper or port by which their contents can be replenished. Non limiting examples of Fig. 13 (6), Fig. 13 (8).
For example if gas is injected into a membrane incorporated cavity Fig. 13 (2) via port
Fig. 13 (1), the cavity containing liquid, then the same amount of liquid will be pushed through the membrane Fig. 13 (4) whilst the liquid level Fig. 13 (3) will actually drop by this same amount.
If liquid however is injected via Fig. 13 (1) into a membrane incorporated cavity Fig. 13 (2) the same amount will be pushed through the porous membrane but this time the liquid level Fig. 13 (3) will remain at its original level prior to the injection.
In addition to the above non limiting examples it may be desirable as Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 to allow two circulating media to pass over the two surfaces of the porous membrane even in opposite directions at the same time, thus providing a liquid to liquid, gas to gas or liquid to gas interphase. At the same time as these media are being circulated, by injecting or extracting pressure into or from the cavities of circulating media it is possible to adjust the boundary layer thickness and therefore the effectiveness of gaseous interchange between both sides of the porous membrane interconnecting the two.
If for non limiting example Fig. 13 a self lubricating or variable controlled thickness Fig.
13 (5) of lubricating fluid is required to be maintained or renewed on the underside running surfaces of a sleigh or skid, or ski some or all of which running surfaces are fitted with a porous membrane surface whilst it slides over for example grass covered surface; the lubricant in this non limiting example is silicone emulsion being controlled by the non limiting example of injection of air into the cavity fig. 13 (1) e) SINGLE AND MULTIPLE MEMBRANE INCORPORATED MODULES) whether or not the contents are circulated) and the various applications of this boundary layer control being non limiting examples.
It should be added that storage tanks of the various media can be integral with one porous membrane incorporated structure or connected to modules of any number i.e. the total membrane surface area can be subdivided into interconnecting units as Fig. 13, and
Fig. 14.
SELF LUBRICATING SURFACES AND SURFACE SKIMMERS.
Non limiting examples are aeroplane skids, sleighs, skis, land yachts, sailsurfers, and boats.
One of these non limiting examples is described in more detail:
THE SKI
The basic non limiting example of construction is diagrammatically provided by Fig. 12.
The partial vacuum formed Fig. 12 (2) in the ski cavity is created by the liquid contents Fig.
12 (3 trying to fall through the porous membrane Fig. 12 (4) under the influence of gravity.
This partial vacuum or negative pressure is modified by the addition of positive pressure, suitably but not essentially air or carbon dioxide injected via Fig. 12 (1) by a wide choice of methods including battery operated miniature air pump or compressed air capsule or carbon dioxide capsule.
By varying the inflow of positive pressure (even atmospheric pressure would provide a limited control) through port Fig. 12 (1) the thickness of the boundary layer of lubricant on the underside of the ski Fig. 12 (6) can be controlled to a considerable degree.
Non limiting examples of suitable lubricants are resins, emulsions, soap liquids, which may or may not be circulated by artificial means within the ski.
Pressure ports e.g. Fig. 12 (1) may be operated remotely. If more than one chamber is interconnected such as in Fig. 13 it may be more convenient to use the storage liquid Fig. 13 (9) injecting it via port Fig. 13 (8) as the power source instead of compressed air or gas through port Fig. 13 (1).
The control or pressure conveying ports can be operated by remote control or even foot operated devices.
HUMIDIFIERS & IRRIGATION APPLICATIONS.
Both of these applications can be diagramatically represented by Fig. 3 showing state of equilibrium whilst Fig. 13 shows the result of pressure injected via Fig. 13 (1) into the porous membrane incorporated pipe or cavity causing the liquid boundary layer Fig. 13 (5) to form into droplets and fall away under gravity. Thus a reliable humidification or a reliable irrigation emitter system is possible even if water is circulating at the same time within the system e.g. by circulatory pump Fig. 13 (7).
It is even possible that having adjusted the boundary layer to the optimum thickness it can then be maintained with suitable control equipment (already mentioned) at this thickness. For humidifiers for example two non limiting examples for the control of the power sources are the reflected light beam Fig. 13 (11) and light beam photoelectric receptor switch Fig. 13 (12) and the bubble sound sensitive transducer or microphone operated switch Fig. 13 (10).
In the case of humidifiers positive control is probably best provided by air pump such as a small fish tank aerator. It is this aspect of totally variable yet controllable output that this application differs from humidifier claims British Patent No.1,448 216 and Canadian Patent
No. 1025765 where the system is totally passive relying only on contact with capillary padding to draw out the liquid, having no further control ability of its own.
With regard to irrigation as a non limiting example the irrigated liquid output from one or more inter connected modules can be initiated by the presence of bubbles entering the module to modify the partial vacuum, but in so doing the presence of these bubbles’ operate via non limiting example the sound transducer or microphone a switching circuit and solenoid valve Fig. 13 (1) allowing the entry of gas pressure for example, then faster rates of liquid output from the system Fig. 13 (5) could be achieved by injecting further energy in the form of air pressure or liquid inflow, from a pump via Fig. 13 (1) or (8). The invention further provides that if required this same electronic signal initiated by the presence of bubbles can be used to activate other electrically receptive devices non limiting example a solenoid valve in a separate irrigation system, thus it would be acting as a switch able to sense capilllary attraction and able to switch on the irrigation system connected to it.
AQUALUNG
Unlike brief reference to a lung application example cited in British Patent No. 1228825 with passive membrane system using inner linings and resin to modify boundary layer thickness it is now possible to actively adjust the thickness of the boundary layer to enable more efficient gaseous exchange. Liquid to air Fig. 5, Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, liquid to liquid e.g.
Fig. 7, Fig. 14 and Fig. 15, air to air or gas to gas Fig. 14 and Fig. 15.
It is preferable but not essential that at least one of the two interface media in contact with each other via the porous membrane material e.g. Fig. 5 (3) and Fig. 14 (3) should be travelling at preferably minimum one mile per hour pushed along for example via circulatory pumps Fig. 14 (6) and (8) and Fig. 15 (3) and (6).
By the use of positive pressure injected into the media or negative pressure extracted from the media preference can be given to the boundary layer formed on one membrane surface as against a boundary layer thickness formed on the other or opposite membrane surface, should this facility be required; non limiting examples Fig. 14 and Fig. 15.
For the control of these pressure sources and thus the control of the partial vacuum and therefore the boundary layers a non limiting example would include the reflected light source Fig. 14 (9) and photoelectric receptor switch Fig. 14 (10) which could be connected to Fig. 14 (1) or (5) or both.
Oxygenated liquid can be passed through a membrane incorporated structure e.g. Fig. 14 (2) and Fig. 15 (2) and by the adjustment of the boundary layer forming on either or both membrane surfaces the diffusion is possible through the membrane Fig. 14 (3) and Fig. 15 (2) to the less oxygenated media on the other side Fig. 14 (4) and Fig. 15 (4) whether it be other liquids or gases.
Oxygen deficient liquid can be passed through a membrane incorporated structure such as non limiting examples Fig. 14 (4) and Fig. 15 (2) and with adjustment of the boundary layer oxygen diffusion is possible through the membrane in the opposite direction viz. from a more oxygen laden medium to a lesser oxygenated medium of liquid or gaseous form.
Gases of various densities and make-up can be passed through a membrane incorporated structure such as non limiting examples Fig. 14 (4) and Fig. 15 (2) and with adjustment of the boundary layer gaseous diffusion is possible through the membrane in the opposite directions from an imbalance on either side of the membrane surface even to complete balance on either side of the membrane surface.
ROOF OR WALLED STRUCTURE (open to atmosphere)
A porous membrane incorporated structure Fig. 10 when used as a roof or wall to enable the passage of air through but keep the rain out can be open to atmosphere provided that the cavity it surrounds is slightly pressurised.
By slightly pressurising the incoming air Fig. 10 (1) entering the room or cavity Fig. 10 4 which has incorporated in its roof or wall the aforementioned porous membrane Fig. 102 the air passes slowly through the pores pushing the boundary layers Fig. 10 (3) of rainwater for example further out on the outer surface of the porous membrane thus causing it to break up into globules on the hydrophobic surface thus preventing it from seeping through the porous membrane under the influence of gravity. Gaseous diffusion could also be encouraged by running of liquid media over the outer porous membrane surface.
ROOF OR WALLED STRUCTURE (not open to atmosphere)
As in non limiting examples Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 air is circulated around and within a room or cavity Fig. 8 (3) and Fig. 9 (3) whilst liquid Fig. 8 (2) and Fig. 9 (2) is in contact on the other side of the porous membrane Fig. 8 (4) and Fig. 9 (4).
The boundary layer is therefore adjusted by manipulation of air pressure inside the cavity
Fig. 8 (3) and Fig. 9 (3) injected into or extracted from the cavity via ports Fig. 8 (1) and
Fig. 9 (1) by methods already described but including compressed air.
In order to encourage the best diffusion and gaseous exchange carbon dioxide diffusing out and oxygen diffusing in to the cavity then either or both the outer media and the inner media should be passed across the porous membrane surface at preferably but not essentially not less than one mile per hour.
WHAT I CLAIM IS:
1. A device incorporating one or more porous multicellular membranes as claimed in my British Pat. No. 1228825, forming part or the whole of an enclosure capable of containing fluids or gases or both, and comprising means to enable said enclosure to be replenished with fluid or gas or both, and controllable means to actively apply a differential pressure across the said membrane.
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said differential pressure causes variation in thickness of the fluid boundary layer over the surface of the membrane, or causes production of bubbles these are used to provide control of said differential pressure.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (21)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. solenoid valve in a separate irrigation system, thus it would be acting as a switch able to sense capilllary attraction and able to switch on the irrigation system connected to it. AQUALUNG Unlike brief reference to a lung application example cited in British Patent No. 1228825 with passive membrane system using inner linings and resin to modify boundary layer thickness it is now possible to actively adjust the thickness of the boundary layer to enable more efficient gaseous exchange. Liquid to air Fig. 5, Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, liquid to liquid e.g. Fig. 7, Fig. 14 and Fig. 15, air to air or gas to gas Fig. 14 and Fig. 15. It is preferable but not essential that at least one of the two interface media in contact with each other via the porous membrane material e.g. Fig. 5 (3) and Fig. 14 (3) should be travelling at preferably minimum one mile per hour pushed along for example via circulatory pumps Fig. 14 (6) and (8) and Fig. 15 (3) and (6). By the use of positive pressure injected into the media or negative pressure extracted from the media preference can be given to the boundary layer formed on one membrane surface as against a boundary layer thickness formed on the other or opposite membrane surface, should this facility be required; non limiting examples Fig. 14 and Fig. 15. For the control of these pressure sources and thus the control of the partial vacuum and therefore the boundary layers a non limiting example would include the reflected light source Fig. 14 (9) and photoelectric receptor switch Fig. 14 (10) which could be connected to Fig. 14 (1) or (5) or both. Oxygenated liquid can be passed through a membrane incorporated structure e.g. Fig. 14 (2) and Fig. 15 (2) and by the adjustment of the boundary layer forming on either or both membrane surfaces the diffusion is possible through the membrane Fig. 14 (3) and Fig. 15 (2) to the less oxygenated media on the other side Fig. 14 (4) and Fig. 15 (4) whether it be other liquids or gases. Oxygen deficient liquid can be passed through a membrane incorporated structure such as non limiting examples Fig. 14 (4) and Fig. 15 (2) and with adjustment of the boundary layer oxygen diffusion is possible through the membrane in the opposite direction viz. from a more oxygen laden medium to a lesser oxygenated medium of liquid or gaseous form. Gases of various densities and make-up can be passed through a membrane incorporated structure such as non limiting examples Fig. 14 (4) and Fig. 15 (2) and with adjustment of the boundary layer gaseous diffusion is possible through the membrane in the opposite directions from an imbalance on either side of the membrane surface even to complete balance on either side of the membrane surface. ROOF OR WALLED STRUCTURE (open to atmosphere) A porous membrane incorporated structure Fig. 10 when used as a roof or wall to enable the passage of air through but keep the rain out can be open to atmosphere provided that the cavity it surrounds is slightly pressurised. By slightly pressurising the incoming air Fig. 10 (1) entering the room or cavity Fig. 10 4 which has incorporated in its roof or wall the aforementioned porous membrane Fig. 102 the air passes slowly through the pores pushing the boundary layers Fig. 10 (3) of rainwater for example further out on the outer surface of the porous membrane thus causing it to break up into globules on the hydrophobic surface thus preventing it from seeping through the porous membrane under the influence of gravity. Gaseous diffusion could also be encouraged by running of liquid media over the outer porous membrane surface. ROOF OR WALLED STRUCTURE (not open to atmosphere) As in non limiting examples Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 air is circulated around and within a room or cavity Fig. 8 (3) and Fig. 9 (3) whilst liquid Fig. 8 (2) and Fig. 9 (2) is in contact on the other side of the porous membrane Fig. 8 (4) and Fig. 9 (4). The boundary layer is therefore adjusted by manipulation of air pressure inside the cavity Fig. 8 (3) and Fig. 9 (3) injected into or extracted from the cavity via ports Fig. 8 (1) and Fig. 9 (1) by methods already described but including compressed air. In order to encourage the best diffusion and gaseous exchange carbon dioxide diffusing out and oxygen diffusing in to the cavity then either or both the outer media and the inner media should be passed across the porous membrane surface at preferably but not essentially not less than one mile per hour. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A device incorporating one or more porous multicellular membranes as claimed in my British Pat. No. 1228825, forming part or the whole of an enclosure capable of containing fluids or gases or both, and comprising means to enable said enclosure to be replenished with fluid or gas or both, and controllable means to actively apply a differential pressure across the said membrane.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said differential pressure causes variation in thickness of the fluid boundary layer over the surface of the membrane, or causes production of bubbles these are used to provide control of said differential pressure.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the membrane surface area is sub divided into
interconnecting units.

4. A method of controlling the movement of fluid through the membranes referred to in claim 1 which comprises applying a differential pressure across said membrane.

5. A device or method according to any of claims 1 to 4 in which positive pressure is applied to cause fluid to move through the membranes.

6. A device or method according to any of claims 1 to 4 in which negative pressure is applied to cause fluid to move through the membranes.

7. A device or method according to any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the pressure source referred to is one or a combination of gas pressure, fluid pressure and vacuum pressure.

8. A device or method according to any of claims 1 to 7 wherein the pressure applying means is controlled by manual or electromechanical means, to be positioned internally or externally to the membrane cavity or a combinaton of both.

9. A means according to any of claims 1 to 8 wherein pressure is applied to prevent ingress of rain or water through a roof partly or wholly constructed of said membrane.

10. A device or method according to any of claims 1 to 5, 7 or 8 when applied to self-lubricating surface; such as surface skimmers including the ski.

11. A surface skimmer such as a ski in which at least part of the running surface comprises a membrane as referred to in claim 1 and further comprising a supply of lubricant which is arranged to pass through said membrane under atmospheric pressure or applied pressure.

12. Apparatus comprising a device according to claim 1 wherein the monitoring controls use the level of the contents of the device by using a float.

13. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8 or 10 comprising a fluid level monitoring device consisting of a light source, bent tube or rod, and a photoelectric receptor switch.

14. A device or method according to any of the claims 1 to 9 wherein differential pressure causes the alteration in thickness of the boundary layer at the membrane surface thus affecting reflectivity of directed light, and this is used to control the differential pressure.

15. A device or method according to claim 14 wherein the thickness of the boundary layer of for example an aqualung is monitored by using a light emitter and receptor device.

16. A device or method according to any of claims 1 to 15 wherein the entire boundary layer modifying unit with its monitoring controls with electrical signal output is connected directly or indirectly with another electrically receptive device such as those operating separate systems.

17. A device or method according to any of claims 1 to 8 wherein the control means use the presence of bubbles to activate said control means.

18. Apparatus comprising a device according to any of claims 1 to 3, 5 to 8, 16 or 17 and including bubble counting means wherein the presence of bubbles is also used to control additional elements.

19. Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the device and the additional elements form part of an irrigation system.

20. Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the device and the additional elements form part of an air conditioning system such as an humidification system.

21. Membrane devices according to any of the previous claims substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

GB1389478A
1978-04-10
1978-04-10
Membrane devices

Expired

GB1603052A
(en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number
Priority Date
Filing Date
Title

GB1389478A

GB1603052A
(en)

1978-04-10
1978-04-10
Membrane devices

HK23086A

HK23086A
(en)

1978-04-10
1986-03-27
Membrane devices

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number
Priority Date
Filing Date
Title

GB1389478A

GB1603052A
(en)

1978-04-10
1978-04-10
Membrane devices

Publications (1)

Publication Number
Publication Date

GB1603052A
true

GB1603052A
(en)

1981-11-18

Family
ID=10031317
Family Applications (1)

Application Number
Title
Priority Date
Filing Date

GB1389478A
Expired

GB1603052A
(en)

1978-04-10
1978-04-10
Membrane devices

Country Status (2)

Country
Link

GB
(1)

GB1603052A
(en)

HK
(1)

HK23086A
(en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party

Publication number
Priority date
Publication date
Assignee
Title

EP0337631A1
(en)

1988-04-07
1989-10-18
Junkosha Co. Ltd.
Underwater breathing apparatus

1978

1978-04-10
GB
GB1389478A
patent/GB1603052A/en
not_active
Expired

1986

1986-03-27
HK
HK23086A
patent/HK23086A/en
not_active
IP Right Cessation

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party

Publication number
Priority date
Publication date
Assignee
Title

EP0337631A1
(en)

1988-04-07
1989-10-18
Junkosha Co. Ltd.
Underwater breathing apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number
Publication date

HK23086A
(en)

1986-04-04

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