Patents by Inventor Peter Thorwid

Peter Thorwid 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).

  • Publication number: 20200346225
    Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifugal separator comprising a casing which delimits and seals off a space in which a rotor is arranged. The rotor forms a separation space which is sealed or isolated from the space, and in which separation space centrifugal separation of a higher density and a lower density component from a fluid takes place. An inlet extends into the rotor for introducing fluid to the separation space, and a first outlet extends from the rotor for discharge of a component separated from the fluid. The space is connected to a pump device which is arranged to remove gas, thereby maintaining negative pressure in said space. The rotor comprises at least one second outlet extending from the separation space to the space for discharge of at least one higher density component separated from the fluid. The invention also relates to a method in such a centrifugal separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Peter Thorwid, Roland Isaksson, Peter Hagqvist, Carl Häggmark, Lars Hillström
  • Patent number: 10710101
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator and a method for separation of particles from a gas stream is disclosed. The separator includes a frame, a gas inlet and a gas outlet. A centrifugal rotor is arranged to be rotatable in the frame around a rotational axis and includes a plurality of separation plates defining separation passages between the plates. A central gas chamber in the rotor communicates with a radially inner portion of the separation passages and the gas outlet. A space surrounding the rotor communicates with a radially outer portion of the separation passages and the gas inlet. A device is configured to bring the gas stream in rotation upstream of the rotor. The centrifugal rotor is configured such that the rotational flow of the gas mixture drives the rotation of the centrifugal rotor for separating particles from the same gas stream being conducted from the space surrounding the rotor, through the separation passages between the plates and towards the central gas chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Per Fonser, Peter Hagqvist, Lars Hillström, Carl Häggmark, Roland Isaksson, Tom Manelius, Jan Skoog, Peter Thorwid, Olle Törnblom, Martin Hansson
  • Publication number: 20200016610
    Abstract: A seal assembly for providing a seal between a first zone and a second zone includes a rotatable sealing member including a first sealing ring, a stationary sealing member including a second sealing ring and a device for bringing the first and second sealing rings into engagement with each other. The first and second sealing rings are arranged so that a double contact seal having at least one chamber arranged at a radial plane is formed upon engagement between the first and second sealing rings. The seal assembly further includes at least one fluid connection to the chamber. A centrifugal separator includes such a seal assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Klas HILDING, Jouko PITKÄMÄKI, Peter THORWID, Anders EKSTRÖM
  • Patent number: 10514066
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator includes a frame and a drive member configured to rotate a rotating part in relation to the frame around an axis of rotation. The rotating part includes a centrifuge rotor enclosing a separation space. The centrifuge rotor is adjoined to a hollow spindle supported by the frame by at least one bearing device. The interior of the hollow spindle is in thermal contact with the at least one bearing device and further includes a thermal transfer medium inlet for supplying a thermal transfer medium to said interior and a thermal transfer medium outlet for withdrawing the thermal transfer medium from the interior; and directing mechanism for directing thermal transfer medium from the thermal transfer medium inlet to the thermal transfer medium outlet in a first direction along the length of the spindle and in a second direction along the length of the spindle. The second direction is opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Kasper Höglund, Peter Thorwid
  • Patent number: 10427171
    Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifugal separator comprising a casing which delimits and seals off a space in which a rotor is arranged. The rotor forms a separation space which is sealed or isolated from the space, and in which separation space centrifugal separation of a higher density and a lower density component from a fluid takes place. An inlet extends into the rotor for introducing fluid to the separation space, and a first outlet extends from the rotor for discharge of a component separated from the fluid. The space is connected to a pump device which is arranged to remove gas, thereby maintaining negative pressure in said space. The rotor comprises at least one second outlet extending from the separation space to the space for discharge of at least one higher density component separated from the fluid. The invention also relates to a method in such a centrifugal separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Peter Thorwid, Roland Isaksson, Peter Hagqvist, Carl Häggmark, Lars Hillström
  • Publication number: 20190262843
    Abstract: The present invention provides a centrifugal separator (14) for separation of at least two components of a fluid mixture which are of different densities. The centrifugal separator (14) comprises a stationary frame (15), a spindle (16) rotatably supported by the frame, a centrifuge rotor 17 mounted to a first end of the spindle to rotate together with the spindle around an axis (X2) of rotation, wherein the centrifuge rotor comprises a rotor casing enclosing a separation space (18) in which a stack (10) of separation discs (1) is arranged to rotate coaxially with the centrifuge rotor, a separator inlet (29) extending into said separation space for supply of the fluid mixture to be separated, a first separator outlet (33) for discharging a first separated phase from said separation space, a second separator outlet (34) for discharging a second separated phase from said separation space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Sven-Åke NILSSON, Peter THORWID
  • Publication number: 20190247866
    Abstract: A stack of separation discs is adapted to be included inside a centrifugal rotor for separating a liquid including a plurality of axially aligned separation discs having a truncated conical shape with an inner surface and an outer surface and a plurality of spot-formed spacing members extending from a base from at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface for providing interspaces between mutually adjacent separation discs in the stack of separation discs. The plurality of separation discs having spot-formed spacing members are arranged so that a majority of said spot-formed spacing members of a disc are displaced compared to the spot-formed spacing members of an adjacent disc. A centrifugal separator including such a stack of separation discs is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Sven-Åke NILSSON, Peter THORWID
  • Publication number: 20190247865
    Abstract: A separation disc for a centrifugal separator is adapted to be included in a stack of separation discs inside a centrifugal rotor for separating a fluid mixture. The separation disc has a truncated conical shape with an inner surface and an outer surface and a plurality of spot-formed spacing members extending from at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface. The spot-formed spacing members are for providing interspaces between mutually adjacent separation discs in a stack of separation discs, and the plurality of spot-formed spacing members are tip-shaped and taper from a base at the surface of the separation disc towards a tip extending a height from the surface. A stack of separation discs, a centrifugal separator and a method for separating at least two components of a fluid mixture are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Sven-Åke NILSSON, Peter THORWID
  • Patent number: 10357787
    Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifugal separator comprising a casing which delimits and seals off a space in which a rotor is arranged. The rotor forms a separation space which is sealed or isolated from the space, and in which separation space centrifugal separation of a higher density and a lower density component from a fluid takes place. An inlet extends into the rotor for introducing fluid to the separation space, and a first outlet extends from the rotor for discharge of a component separated from the fluid. The space is connected to a pump device which is arranged to remove gas, thereby maintaining negative pressure in said space. The rotor comprises at least one second outlet extending from the separation space to the space for discharge of at least one higher density component separated from the fluid. The invention also relates to a method in such a centrifugal separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Peter Thorwid, Roland Isaksson, Peter Hagqvist, Carl Häggmark, Lars Hillström
  • Patent number: 10086384
    Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifugal separator having a separation space with a set of separation plates, an inlet configured to feed a fluid product to be separated into the separation space, the inlet and the separation space being connected in a pressure mediating manner, a first and a second outlet extending from the separation space for discharge of a two phases of the product. A discharge control system is configured to trigger the opening of the second outlet upon a trigger condition, wherein the discharge control system comprises a sensor arranged to determine the inlet pressure and/or the inlet flow of fluid product, and the trigger condtion is associated with a decrease in inlet flow in relation to inlet pressure, indicating an increasing flow resistance downstream of the inlet. The invention further relates to a discharge control system and a method of controlling the intermittent discharge of a centrifugal separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Peter Thorwid, Roland Isaksson, Hans Moberg, Carl Häggmark, Göran Krook
  • Publication number: 20180147580
    Abstract: A separation disc for a centrifugal separator and a method for manufacturing the separation disc are disclosed. The separation disc is of metal material and adapted to be compressed in a stack of separation discs inside a centrifugal rotor for separating a liquid mixture. The separation disc has a truncated conical shape with an inner surface and an outer surface and a plurality of spacing members extending a certain height above at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface for providing interspaces between mutually adjacent separation discs in the stack. The spacing members are of such small size that each one of them has a width which is less than 2 mm along the surface of the separation disc. The surface of the separation disc is configured with a distribution pattern of the small-sized spacing members, in such a way as to provide equidistant interspaces in the compressed disc stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Sven-Ake NILSSON, Peter THORWID
  • Patent number: 9975127
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator for separating a fluid mixture into components, including a non-rotating part, a rotor which is attached to a shaft which is rotatably supported in the non-rotating part around a rotational axis, which rotor forms within itself a separation space delimited by a rotor wall. The separator includes an inlet extending into the rotor for supply of a fluid mixture to be separated in the separation space, at least one sensor measuring unbalance conditions in the frame; a level determining arrangement including two or more space defining elements of arbitrary form arranged on the interior surface of, or close to, the rotor wall, where each space defining element defines a space which communicates with the separation space or another of the space defining elements through at least one inlet opening arranged at a certain radius from the rotational axis and not outside that radius and where that certain radii of the space defining elements are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Lars Hillström, Hans Moberg, Finn Rundström, Peter Thorwid, Roland Isaksson, Jan Skoog
  • Publication number: 20180117601
    Abstract: Methods of supervising and controlling an E-line position in a centrifugal separator are disclosed herein. Further a centrifugal separator is disclosed herein. The E-line positon is continuously calculating based on inter alfa, monitored density of light and heavy liquid phases, monitored pressure at outlet side of light and/or heavy liquid outlet passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Leonard BORGSTRÖM, Peter THORWID
  • Patent number: 9931646
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator includes a frame and a rotating part including a spindle and a centrifuge rotor enclosing a separation space. An inlet channel provides fluid communication into the separation space and includes a rotary channel part, a frame channel part, and a first seal at the interface between the rotary and frame channel parts. An outlet channel provides fluid communication out from the separation space and includes a rotary channel part, a frame channel part, and a second seal at the interface between the rotary and frame channel parts. The inlet and outlet channels are arranged concentrically with each other. A forcing device is provided to generate a leak flow through one of the first and second seals in a first direction from the outlet channel to the inlet channel and to counteract leakage in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Roland Isaksson, Peter Thorwid
  • Publication number: 20180087577
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator includes a frame and a drive member configured to rotate a rotating part in relation to the frame around an axis of rotation. The rotating part includes a centrifuge rotor enclosing a separation space. The centrifuge rotor is adjoined to a hollow spindle supported by the frame by at least one bearing device. The interior of the hollow spindle is in thermal contact with the at least one bearing device and further includes a thermal transfer medium inlet for supplying a thermal transfer medium to said interior and a thermal transfer medium outlet for withdrawing the thermal transfer medium from the interior; and directing mechanism for directing thermal transfer medium from the thermal transfer medium inlet to the thermal transfer medium outlet in a first direction along the length of the spindle and in a second direction along the length of the spindle. The second direction is opposite the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Kasper HÖGLUND, Peter THORWID
  • Patent number: 9914138
    Abstract: A separation disc for a centrifugal separator and a method for manufacturing the separation disc are disclosed. The separation disc is of metal material and adapted to be compressed in a stack of separation discs inside a centrifugal rotor for separating a liquid mixture. The separation disc has a truncated conical shape with an inner surface and an outer surface and a plurality of spacing members extending a certain height above at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface for providing interspaces between mutually adjacent separation discs in the stack. The spacing members are of such small size that each one of them has a width which is less than 2 mm along the surface of the separation disc. The surface of the separation disc is configured with a distribution pattern of the small-sized spacing members, in such a way as to provide equidistant interspaces in the compressed disc stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Sven-Åke Nilsson, Peter Thorwid
  • Patent number: 9884327
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator for separation of particles from a gas stream is disclosed. The centrifugal separator includes a self-supporting frame for mounting inside an existing vessel for guiding the gas stream. The frame comprises a holder configured to hold the frame at a position inside the vessel, and a first partition for dividing the vessel into a first section and a second section. The first section is upstream of the second section. The separator includes a gas inlet communicating with the first section, and a gas outlet communicating with the second section. A centrifugal rotor is arranged to be rotatably supported in the frame around a rotational axis, the rotor having a first and a second end portion and including a plurality of separation plates defining separation passages between the plates. The centrifugal separator is configured such that the first and second sections communicate via the separation passages of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Per Fonser, Peter Hagqvist, Martin Hansson, Lars Hillström, Roland Isaksson, Carl Häggmark, Tom Manelius, Jan Skoog, Peter Thorwid, Olle Törnblom
  • Patent number: 9616430
    Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifugal separator for separation of at least two components of a fluid mixture which have different densities. The centrifugal separator comprises a rotor arranged for rotation about a vertical axis of rotation (R) and having a rotor wall which surrounds a separating chamber within the rotor, with an inlet adapted to feeding the fluid mixture into the rotor's separating chamber, and at least one outlet adapted to discharging outwardly from the rotor a component separated from the fluid mixture. A rotor shaft supports the rotor and is drivably connected to a motor (M) for rotation of the rotor about the axis of rotation (R). A hub is provided outside the rotor, and the hub and the rotor shaft are arranged to be connected together from the outside of the rotor by means of a lockable and releasable fastening which is configured to lock the rotor shaft relative to the hub in both a torque-transmitting and an axial force-transmitting way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Roland Isaksson, Peter Thorwid
  • Publication number: 20160074881
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator for separating a fluid mixture into components, including a non-rotating part, a rotor which is attached to a shaft which is rotatably supported in the non-rotating part around a rotational axis, which rotor forms within itself a separation space delimited by a rotor wall. The separator includes an inlet extending into the rotor for supply of a fluid mixture to be separated in the separation space, at least one sensor measuring unbalance conditions in the frame; a level determining arrangement including two or more space defining elements of arbitrary form arranged on the interior surface of, or close to, the rotor wall, where each space defining element defines a space which communicates with the separation space or another of the space defining elements through at least one inlet opening arranged at a certain radius from the rotational axis and not outside that radius and where that certain radii of the space defining elements are different.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Lars HILLSTRÖM, Hans MOBERG, Finn RUNDSTRÖM, Peter THORWID, Roland ISAKSSON, Jan SKOOG
  • Publication number: 20160074880
    Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifugal separator comprising a casing which delimits and seals off a space in which a rotor is arranged. The rotor forms a separation space which is sealed or isolated from the space, and in which separation space centrifugal separation of a higher density and a lower density component from a fluid takes place. An inlet extends into the rotor for introducing fluid to the separation space, and a first outlet extends from the rotor for discharge of a component separated from the fluid. The space is connected to a pump device which is arranged to remove gas, thereby maintaining negative pressure in said space. The rotor comprises at least one second outlet extending from the separation space to the space for discharge of at least one higher density component separated from the fluid. The invention also relates to a method in such a centrifugal separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Peter Thorwid, Roland Isaksson, Peter Hagqvist, Carl Häggmark, Lars Hillström