Patents by Inventor Michael L. Vastola

Michael L. Vastola has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Clean-in-place decanter centrifuge
    Patent number: 8021289
    Abstract: A clean-in-place decanter centrifuge for processing a combined liquid and solid material to separate the solid material from the liquid. The centrifuge is designed for use in the food processing industry, particularly for dairy products, and therefore has fluid injectors for cleaning all surfaces within the centrifuge including the opposed mating surfaces which function as non-contacting seal mechanisms. The centrifuge has no metal-to-metal contact areas within the interior of the bowl and scroll assembly. In one embodiment, the outer wall of the bowl and scroll assembly comprises a plurality of drain lines located in the rear wall section of the bowl to allow essentially all liquid to drain from the bowl and scroll assembly. In another embodiment, the bowl hub comprises at least one drain line to allow lubrication oil to drain into said cavity and prevent ingress of lubrication oil into said bowl and scroll assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: TEMA Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Vastola, Pawel K. Krawczyk, Michael T. Mullins
  • CLEAN-IN-PLACE DECANTER CENTRIFUGE
    Publication number: 20100216623
    Abstract: A clean-in-place decanter centrifuge for processing a combined liquid and solid material to separate the solid material from the liquid. The centrifuge is designed for use in the food processing industry, particularly for dairy products, and therefore has fluid injectors for cleaning all surfaces within the centrifuge including the opposed mating surfaces which function as non-contacting seal mechanisms. The centrifuge has no metal-to-metal contact areas within the interior of the bowl and scroll assembly. In one embodiment, the outer wall of the bowl and scroll assembly comprises a plurality of drain lines located in the rear wall section of the bowl to allow essentially all liquid to drain from the bowl and scroll assembly. In another embodiment, the bowl hub comprises at least one drain line to allow lubrication oil to drain into said cavity and prevent ingress of lubrication oil into said bowl and scroll assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Michael L. VASTOLA, Pawel K. Krawczyk, Michael T. Mullins
  • Self-cleaning scroll and screen centrifuge
    Patent number: 5397471
    Abstract: A self-cleaning scroll and screen centrifuge for processing a combined liquid and solid material to separate the solid material from the liquid. The centrifuge is designed for use in the food processing industry and therefore has fluid injectors for cleaning all surfaces within the centrifuge including opposed mating surfaces which function as noncontacting seal mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Tema Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Rodebush, Michael T. Mullins, Michael L. Vastola