Abstract

An apparatus and method for holding a membrane, screen or other flexible planar body in tension, while providing a conduit for water or other liquid to flow to the membrane being held. The membrane extends from inside a manifold body that carries the liquid, and the manifold body supports the membrane at one edge while the membrane is pulled in tension. Liquid pressure builds up inside the manifold body, preferably by entering a pressure chamber at the top of the manifold body. At a feeding pressure in the pressure chamber the liquid is distributed to the membrane for microbe growth. The liquid can be elevated to a higher, microbe-harvesting pressure by increasing the pressure in the pressure chamber, thereby deflecting a shim separating the pressure chamber from the membrane. The change in pressure is carried out by manually or automatically opening and closing a conventional water valve.

Department(s)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Comments

Assignee: Ohio University

Patent Application Number

12599722

Patent Number

US 8,703,478 B2

Document Type

Patent

Document Version

Final Version

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Publication Date

22 Apr 2014

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