Abstract: An orbital separator for separating denser and lighter components of a mixture employing a separation container having an inlet end and an outlet end. An inlet tube is secured to the separation container inlet end and communicates between the exterior and interior of the separation container. In like manner, an outlet tube is secured to the separation container outlet end and communicates between the exterior and interior of the separation container. The inlet and outlet tubes are coaxial and each are rotationally supported to thereby rotationally support the separation container. Formed in the outlet end of the separation container and surrounding the outlet tube is an annular denser component discharge opening. Positioned externally of the separation container outlet end is a closure member that can be moved towards and away from the discharge opening to thereby vary the area of the discharge opening, so that thereby the performance characteristics of the separator can be varied.

Abstract: An orbital separator for separating lighter and heavier components of a mixture including a rotatable cylindrical separation container with an opening in the bottom, an upper inlet tube coaxial with the separation container for discharging a mixture into the separation container, a tubular outlet member communicating with the opening in the separation container bottom and extending coaxially upwardly in the separation container defining a moat area within the separation container lower portion, and a removable liner within the separation container moat area for collecting the heavier components of a mixture, the lighter components flowing out through the tubular outlet member.

Abstract: A frontal separator method and apparatus for separating particles from fluids, such as microorganisms from juice, and for providing a sample of juice having a concentrated number of microorganisms therein for ease of detection thereof, comprising a hollow, rotatable, perforated, cylindrical rotor mounted inside of a spaced-apart outer case with an annular separation chamber therebetween. The fluid with particles to be separated therefrom is fed into the separation chamber, the fluid flows through the holes in the rotor and exits through an outlet port while the particles exit from a waste port of the separation chamber. The outer casing preferably also rotates with the rotor, and the holes, which have a diameter substantially greater than that of the particles, are preferably at an angle to a radius of the rotor.

Abstract: An orbital separator for separating the components of a mixture by introducing a flow of the mixture into a container which has therein an axial mounted member for directing the flow of the mixture to the periphery of the container and which allows removal of the separated components of the mixture.

Abstract: An element which serves as the terminal or end point for a control system which uses a controllable plant to interface the environment, the plant is controlled by an actuating signal generated within the terminal element by three distinct algorithmic process; a real time plant simulator, a true-to-life output adjuster and a control signal processor.