US 12,263,445 B2
Filter membrane with bi-directional flow enhancing features
Jeremy S. Walker, Oakland, MI (US)
Assigned to US Government as represented by the Secretary of the Army, Washington, DC (US)
Filed by U.S. GOVERNMENT AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY, Washington, DC (US)
Filed on Aug. 13, 2018, as Appl. No. 16/101,747.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/545,099, filed on Aug. 14, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2019/0151799 A1, May 23, 2019
Int. Cl. B01D 61/08 (2006.01); B01D 63/10 (2006.01); B01D 65/02 (2006.01); B01D 65/08 (2006.01); B01D 69/06 (2006.01); C02F 1/44 (2023.01); C02F 103/08 (2006.01)
CPC B01D 61/08 (2013.01) [B01D 63/10 (2013.01); B01D 65/02 (2013.01); B01D 65/08 (2013.01); B01D 69/06 (2013.01); C02F 1/441 (2013.01); B01D 2321/02 (2013.01); B01D 2321/04 (2013.01); B01D 2321/18 (2013.01); B01D 2321/2058 (2013.01); B01D 2321/2083 (2013.01); B01D 2325/06 (2013.01); B01D 2325/08 (2013.01); C02F 2103/08 (2013.01); C02F 2303/16 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A filter media comprising:
a first membrane portion having a first surface and a second surface opposite said first surface; and
a plurality of raised features formed in a uniform two-dimensional array on at least said first surface of said first membrane portion, said plurality of raised features being formed in a predetermined configuration defining a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns; and wherein
each successive row of said plurality of rows is offset with respect to a preceding row;
each of said plurality of raised features comprises an apex joining two legs of substantially equal length;
each of said legs of each of said plurality of raised features has a same predetermined leg length;
each of said plurality of raised features has a maximum width measured in a row direction;
said plurality of raised features includes a first raised feature disposed in a first row of said array;
said plurality of raised features includes a second raised feature disposed in a second row of said array, said second row of said array being disposed immediately adjacent to said first row of said array;
said plurality of raised features includes a third raised feature disposed in said first row of said array, said third feature being disposed immediately adjacent to said first raised feature;
a shortest diagonal distance between a distal end of one of said legs of said first feature and the apex of said second feature is greater than said same predetermined leg length;
a narrowest distance between said first feature and said third feature is greater than said maximum width;
said first membrane portion is wound around a collection tube defining an axis;
said plurality of raised features defines a spiral feed channel around said collection tube and parallel to said axis, said feed channel having an inlet side to receive feed solution near a first end of said collection tube and an outlet side to expel reject feed solution near a second end of said collection tube; and
said apex of each of said plurality of raised features points toward said first end of said collection tube.