Grading Deposition Patents (Class 209/142)
  • Patent number: 6619484
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a filter device, especially for a fluidized bed system and particularly for use in the pharmaceutical industry, for separating particles larger than a separating grain from an amount of particles in a fluid flow. The filter device includes a housing and at least one filter portion. A part of the housing is mounted for rotational movement, and the filter portion is provided in the housing, whereby the filter portion is movable upon rotation of the housing. The present invention also relates to a method for separating particles using such a filter device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: AstraZeneca AB
    Inventor: HÃ¥kan Glad
  • Publication number: 20030000869
    Abstract: An article including: a disk or vortex ring with a circular opening in the center of the disk; and a fastener adapted to concentrically attach the disk to the particle outlet opening of a classifier wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Juan A. Morales Tirado, Samir Kumar, Judith M. Vandewinckel, Fumii Higuchi
  • Patent number: 6398035
    Abstract: A gravity separator with improved efficiency comprising a gravity table with pins at the feed area and a flow channeler. The pins create space in the bed of material to be separated which increases stratification of the weight fractions. The flow channeler creates flow paths of the fractions which do not cross and therefore the fractions do not slow each other from feed to discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Cimbria Heid GmbH
    Inventor: Erich Vojtisek
  • Patent number: 6383263
    Abstract: A process for separation of solid particles of wide grain size distribution present in a turbulent gas stream includes, first, removal of the coarser particles in a separation chamber (1) with a high efficiency, then removal, with a high efficiency, of the remaining finer particles in a precipitation device (20). An assembly intended for separation of solid particles of wide grain size distribution present in a turbulent gas stream includes a separation chamber (1) intended to receive the solid particles in suspension and to remove from the stream the major part of the coarser particles, and a precipitation device (20) intended to separate the finer particles from the stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignees: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventor: Francis A. L. Dullien
  • Publication number: 20020014442
    Abstract: A self-cleaning separator is described for cohesive or adhesive solids from a fluidborne stream of solids on the basis of a cyclonelike separation. The separator consists at least of a cylindrical upper section (8) having a separating chamber (3), a product inlet (2), a fluid outlet (5), and of a conical lower section (6) having a solids outlet (7) adjoining below the lower section (6), at least the side wall (4) of the upper section (8) being produced from an elastic material, in particular an elastomeric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventors: JOCHEN MAHRENHOLTZ, JORG-RAINER SCHMITZ, KLAUS-MICHAEL ZEYEN, OLIVER FLESCHENTRAGER
  • Patent number: 6318561
    Abstract: This invention relates to an air classifier for the separation of granular material into three fractions, whereby each individual fraction is very precisely separated in a single housing. The classifier incorporates motor-driven separator/classifying wheels each of which is provided with a tangential separating-air supply at the level of the respective wheel, a fixed guide vane ring positioned at a radial distance from the circumference of the respective separating wheel, and at least one bulk-product feeder system as well as discharge provisions for fine, intermediate and coarse material, respectively. The wheels are provided with a closed cover disk at their respective first axial end and with fine and, respectively, medium fraction discharge port at their respective second axial end. The closed cover disks of the wheels form a free-flow gap in the space between the two stages of the classifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Hosokawa Alpine Aktiengesellschaft & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Stefano Zampini, Marcus Adam, Georg Konetzka
  • Patent number: 6283301
    Abstract: A device and method for its use for separating particulate matter into fractional components. The device is characterized as being in the shape of a substantially vertical column having a feed port for feeding the particulate matter thereto. A top is provided for removing a light fraction of the particulate matter and a bottom for collecting a heavy fraction of the particulate matter and a longitudinal axis between the top and bottom portions of the column. Provision is made for drawing current of fluid such as air through the column which contains a channel characterized as having a series of angular bends with respect to the longitudinal axis, the bends being more acute to the longitudinal axis as the distance increases from the feed port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Dantec Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Leo Pedersen
  • Patent number: 6269955
    Abstract: The object of the classifier of the present invention is to reduce the classification point for classifying powder. The classifier includes a classifying cover having a conical bottom surface, a classifying plate provided under the classifying cover and having a conical top surface opposite the conical bottom surface of the classifying cover, and a plurality of louvers provided annularly around a classifying chamber defined between the conical bottom surface and the conical top surface to define passages for secondary air therebween. The conical bottom surface is inclined at a larger angle than the conical top surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Nippon Pneumatic Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Morimoto, Nozomu Oda, Hiromu Terada
  • Patent number: 6264038
    Abstract: To separate light organic fractions from waste which has undergone pretreatment consisting of precomminution, ferrous-metal separation, postcomminution, further ferrous-metal separation, drying and nonferrous-metal separation, multiple, preferably so-called zigzag air classifiers are arranged in cascading stages and are passed through sequentially by the material stream to be separated. The upward-stream speed of the air is adjusted in stages in the individual air classifiers such that the first air classifier receives the smallest and the last air-classifier the highest air speed. As a result, first the fine, then the medium and lastly the large organic light fractions are discharged to the top in sequence from each air-classifier stage. The separated organic light fractions represent fuel components of high calorific value. The remaining bottom-discharge from the air classifier group consists of a mixture of heavy organic fractions and minerals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: R.S.T. Luxembourg SA
    Inventor: Hans Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6260708
    Abstract: The method for air classification of toner used to develop electrostatic images, whereby a toner product consisting of a powder with a wide particle size distribution is converted into a higher-quality toner product with a narrow particle size distribution in that the residence time of the toner product is controlled by means of components, components which in the upper section of the classifying chamber quickly introduce the toner product in a homogeneous state into the classifying chamber, which in the central section of the classifying chamber permit a longer residence time of the toner product, and which in the bottom section of the classifying chamber permit rapid discharge of the toner product from the classifying chamber, all of which makes it possible to produce a toner end product with an extremely narrow particle size distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Hosokawa Alpine Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Marcus Adam, Stefano Zampini, Bodo Furc Hner
  • Patent number: 6253923
    Abstract: An apparatus including ductwork with an inlet duct having an inlet port for receiving a cotton/trash mix discharged by a cotton gin, a lint cotton outlet duct having a lint cotton outlet port for allowing lint cotton to exit therethrough, and a trash outlet port intermediate the inlet port of the inlet duct and the lint cotton outlet port of the lint cotton outlet duct for allowing trash to exit therethrough; the inlet duct having an interior passageway, at least a portion of the interior passageway of the inlet duct having a contour with a variable cross-sectional area; the lint cotton outlet duct having an interior passageway, at least a portion of the interior passageway of the lint cotton outlet duct having a contour with a variable cross-sectional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Inventor: Roger C. Felkins
  • Patent number: 6213307
    Abstract: A first stage chamber has upwardly diverging walls so that an upward airstream has different air velocities at different heights in the chamber. When particles such as seeds are fed homogeneously along the chamber top length, they reach equilibrium at different heights depending on their weights and volatilities. The particles suspended and classified at different heights are conveyed by a horizontal airstream in parallel horizontal channels toward a chamber side wall, where they are removed by suction. Ribbed sections adjacent to the channels divide the chamber into deviating cascaded pathways, where the upward air velocity is homogenized and an opposite horizontal airstream conveys falling particles toward the side wall opposite to that on which the particles are removed, to thereby homogenize the spread of particles in the chamber. Light trash is removed through a convergent top section toward a cyclone. Heavy particles not suspended in the chamber are collected and removed at the chamber bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Grana Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Stein
  • Patent number: 6186334
    Abstract: In a method of screening bulk material, a gas is conducted in counterflow to a direction of movement of bulk material for separating the bulk material into a fraction of coarse particles and a fraction of fine particles. In order to limit the amount of coarse particles in the outgoing fraction of fine particles, the amount of coarse particles contained in the fraction of fine particles is measured and compared with a desired value. When encountering a deviation of the measured the amount of coarse particles contained in the fraction of fine particles form the desired value, the energy of gas is so controlled as to match the amount of coarse particles contained in the fraction of fine particles with the desired value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Waeschle GmbH
    Inventors: Heinrich Dohmann, Hans-Heinrich Westendarp
  • Patent number: 6152310
    Abstract: A powder supply system including a powder replenishment device as a powder source, a suction device and a plurality of powder supply units connected in series. Each of the powder supply units sprinkles powders toward an object mounted on each processing device. An upstream end powder supply unit is fluidly connected to the powder replenishment device, and a downstream end powder supply unit is fluidly connected to the suction device. A suction force generated by the suction device sucks powders from the powder replenishment device through the powder supply units, and powders are successively accumulated in the powder supply units in the order from the upstream end powder supply unit to the downstream end powder supply unit. A powder sensor is provided between the rearmost powder supply unit and the suction device. If all powder supply units are filled with powders, residual powders are discharged out of the downstream end powder supply unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Rheon Automatic Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Sakai, Masao Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 6145666
    Abstract: There is described a process for cleansing contaminants, such as oil, PCB, PAH, heavy metals and the like, from a heterogeneous material, such as sand, gravel, earth, oil gravel, asphalt, drill borings ("kaks") and the like. More specifically the invention relates to a process comprising the steps: i) that a sorption agent is added to the material, and that the material and the sorption agent are mixed/kneade sufficiently for a considerable portion of the contamination to be extracted from the material and absorbed by the sorption agent, and that ii) thereafter the sorption agent is separated from the material on the basis of specific gravity/particle size by means of an applied flow of gas, so that the sorption agent is led with the flow and can be collected in a separate fraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Sphagnum A/S
    Inventor: Oyvind Bones
  • Patent number: 6089378
    Abstract: A device and process for separating impurities from textile fibers during horizontal pneumatic transport is provided. The device includes a hollow parallelepiped separator of rectangular cross-section for the passage of transport fluids, such as air, therethrough. The passage section is subdivided into an upper part, for the cleaned fluid, and a lower part, for the separation of the impurities (i.e., foreign materials) in a hopper intercepted by an extractor having a seal. This subdivision is regulated by a deflector knife which induces an S-shaped motion of the transport fluid 4 and separates the impurities (i.e., foreign materials) by centrifugal force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Marzoli S.p.A.
    Inventors: Mario Mascheretti, Giovanni Battista Pasini
  • Patent number: 5984105
    Abstract: In order to separate two classifiable materials, a material classifying apparatus includes a vibratory conveyor for conveying a fluidizable material from a material to be separated therefrom from an inlet end through a material separation section to an outlet end located downstream of the material separation section. A plenum chamber directs air upwardly through the fluidizable material and the material to be separated therefrom in the material separation section of the vibratory conveyor to cause fluidization of the fluidizable material and separation of the material to be separated therefrom by forming the material separation section to include a fluidizing deck for supporting the two classifiable materials while accommodating passage of air upwardly from the plenum chamber therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: General Kinematics Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel T. Lease, Steve Massman, Steven C. Wiechmann
  • Patent number: 5967333
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating a mixed granular material into granules of different specific gravities or ranges of specific gravity using a powered air flow is described. A divider plate is located below the air flow path within the apparatus to separate the two material flows from each other. The divider plate can be rotated about an axis and can also be translated or displaced within the apparatus in order to precisely define the separation point between the material flows. Hoppers are used to collect and discharge the separated granular materials, and a conveyor belt is provided within the apparatus to transport one of the separated granular materials to the corresponding hopper. The conveyor belt reduces clogging of the separated granular material and also allows a greater degree of separation to be maintained between the hoppers, thereby allowing standard conveyors to be placed beneath the hopper discharge openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Marcor Management, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark C. Smith
  • Patent number: 5938045
    Abstract: A classifying device including an upper, dispersing chamber for dispersing solid particles supplied thereto together with a carrier gas, and a lower, classifying chamber directly connected to a lower end of the dispersing chamber for centrifugally classifying the solid particles, supplied from the dispersing chamber to the classifying chamber, into relatively fine particles and relatively coarse particles. The dispersing chamber is provided with a rotor for swirling the solid particles in the dispersing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyasu Makino, Kenichi Uehara, Keiko Watanabe, Satoshi Okano, Kazuyuki Matsui, Eisuke Sugisawa
  • Patent number: 5938046
    Abstract: The invention relates to a grader which employs an air separation principle. The grader includes a rotor rotatably supported in a housing. The rotor includes a pair of rotor disks on its outer boundaries extending radially substantially to the housing. A plurality of blades are disposed on the rotor between the rotor disks. A circumferential channel is formed by the rotor disks, the housing and the plurality of blades. The bladed rotor functions as a vertical sink in order to grade a solid which is fed into the circumferential channel via a tangential passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Hosokawa MikroPul GmbH
    Inventor: Galk Joachim
  • Patent number: 5927510
    Abstract: An apparatus for the classification of solid particulates entrained in a fluid, comprising: a housing provided with a feed inlet, a fine fraction outlet, and a coarse fraction outlet; and a classifier wheel having an upper and lower surface, and a plurality of blade vanes connecting the upper surface to the lower surface at the peripheral edges of the upper and lower surfaces, and wherein the wheel has a constant cut point geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Gerardo Leute, Lewis S. Smith
  • Patent number: 5915565
    Abstract: A system for processing wastewood. The system may be mounted on a towable chassis. The wastewood is received at one end of the system and metal contaminants are removed from the wastewood. The wastewood is then separated according to size wherein a first size of wastewood is further processed by the system and a second size is removed from the system for subsequent re-processing. Unwanted paper and plastic contaminants are removed from the wastewood, and the wastewood of the first size is subjected to a further separating step wherein it is again separated according to size into usable end products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Fuel Harvesters Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: L. Powell Clinton
  • Patent number: 5878892
    Abstract: A separating device precipitates solid particles from a gas flow of a circulating fluidized-bed or CFB reactor, wherein the particles are carried along in the gas flow. A device is provided which influences the gas flow in such a way that centrifugal and gravitational forces that are greater than entraining forces of the gas flow act on the solid particles and thus permit particles of a specific minimum size to be separated from the gas flow. A particularly compact construction of a CFB system is achieved when the gas flow emerging from the CFB reactor reaches a flow channel which directs it from top to bottom along a circular arc around a horizontally disposed cyclone axis. The gas flow is fed from there to a take-over channel suitable for passing it on. The flow channel merges in a vertical direction and correspondingly expands downward into a separating chamber in which the precipitated solid particles sink down to a floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Wladyslaw Lewandowski, Henrik Schirner, Frank Steege, Axel Schulle
  • Patent number: 5871103
    Abstract: The device (10) includes a cylindrical guiding channel (16) communicating with a lower container (17) formed with two parallel planar walls (21) separated by a distance smaller than the maximum width of the guiding channel. The device is further provided with a motion generator (24) arranged to generate a substantially laminar fluid flow in the guiding channel for conveying particles to the guiding channel. The particles introduced in the guiding channel (16) receive the kinetic energy of the fluid flow, fall in the lower container (17) and are recovered at positions which depend of the mass and the kinetic energy received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Inventor: Laurent Durst
  • Patent number: 5695069
    Abstract: A mobile vehicle containing fluorescent lamp separation apparatus is transported to the site of a facility which uses fluorescent lamps and collects used lamps for processing. The lamps are loaded into a bin in the vehicle, the bin is closed to enclose the apparatus from the atmosphere, and the apparatus is then operated to crush the lamps and separate the crushed lamp debris into solid particular matter and dust which can be carried by airflow. The particulate matter which is substantially cleansed of mercury and phosphor powder is discharged into a first receptacle outside the vehicle, and the dust entrained in the air is trapped in a dust filter and discharged into a second receptacle which primarily contains the more hazardous dust materials. The air drawn through the dust filter is further passed through a charcoal filter to filter out mercury and other potentially hazardous vapors from the air before it is discharged to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Budget Lamp Reclaimers, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon P. Mortrud
  • Patent number: 5685434
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vertical drop, multi-pass cleaner comprising a housing and first and second panels defining a separation plenum therebetween through which the product drops substantially vertically through an upwardly directed air flow and a plurality of cross air flows. The panels are mounted on tracks within the housing and are separately removable from the housing as desired by the operator for cleaning or repair. The present invention may also includes a velocity control module having metering vanes to control the air flow through individual ones of the plurality of cross flow air passages, the vanes being either manually or automatically adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Inventor: Kyle D. Ackerman
  • Patent number: 5645171
    Abstract: Apparatus for sorting a plurality of seeds or other objects includes a plurality of separate vertically oriented collection chambers arranged side-by-side. A vacuum source induces an airflow through a vertical column disposed at one side of the plurality of collection chambers and over the open tops of the collection chambers. Discrete objects entrained in the airflow will be apportioned based on one or more characteristics thereof by falling into the collection chambers under the influence of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Inventor: Richard W. Felden
  • Patent number: 5607061
    Abstract: A system for sorting seeds or other discrete objects in which the discrete objects are successively passed through adjacent vertical chambers. Upwardly directed air flows are created in the chambers directing some of the discrete objects to exit openings. Discrete objects not passing through the exit opening leading from a chamber will be directed to an adjacent chamber by a tilted screen leading to a passageway between the adjacent chambers. The air flows within the chambers are separately controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Inventor: Richard W. Felden
  • Patent number: 5494171
    Abstract: Fine particles which electrostatically adhere to synthetic resin pellets are separated from the pellets by bringing the pellets/fine particles mixture into contact with an ionized gas. The ionized gas eliminates the electrostatic adhesion between the synthetic resin pellets and the fine particles. The resulting fine particles may thereafter be readily separated from the pellets and the freed fine particles may be withdrawn in a gas stream. Removal of the fine particles to less than 40 ppm is possible. Apparatus for carrying out the method is also described as is a system for stocking synthetic resin pellets using the described apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Teijin Chemicals Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Kazamoto, Yoshiaki Oishi
  • Patent number: 5464100
    Abstract: A sorting apparatus for a solid waste sorting system has a first set of three belt conveyors, for conveying solid waste at a first speed, and a second set of three belt conveyors, each of the latter disposed with one end connected to the downstream end of a corresponding one of the first three belt conveyors, for conveying solid waste at a second speed which is greater than the first speed. The first three belt conveyors extend transversely into a feed-out path of a storage section in such a way that the conveyor lying successively furthest away from the storage section along the feed-out path is of successively longest upstream-end extension. The solid waste is sorted manually on the second set of three belt conveyors and is then supplied to a draft-sorting machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Okasan Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Oka
  • Patent number: 5411142
    Abstract: An improved article separator in which the particles are separated through the use of an vertical air-flow permitting heavier particles to fall while entraining the lighter particles and storing them in a hopper. The air flow is automatically controlled using a microprocessor or similar apparatus which checks the air-flow/speed within the vertical channel or tubing. Using this data, the controller adjusts a dampener at the end of the channel. The dampener, restricts the flow of air through it so that the overall air-flow within the channel is adjusted. Using a dust collector to create the air-flow, a plurality of vertical columns are used to separate varying sizes of particles. In this manner, the debris is simply swept or shoveled into a hopper and the particles are automatically separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Abbott, Patrick J. Lyons, Richard M. Satariano
  • Patent number: 5407079
    Abstract: A dry washer for separating small high density particles such as gold from a mixture of high and low density material. A rotatable impeller in a cylindrical chamber draws in air and mixed particles, such as sand, and fractures the larger particles. The mixture of air and particles passes to a helical conduit having a perforated partition spaced from the outer wall so that high density particles pass through the wall under centrifugal forces. The particles are passed from the helical conduit to an inclined upper trough including an air permeable floor and riffles or the like to retain the high density particles. Air flow from the helical conduit is directed to a lower trough below the trough. A damper at the end of the lower trough causes air to pass through the air permeable floor and blow away fine low density particles. Dust and air from the trough assembly is passed to an elongated cover to collect the fine, low density, particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Inventor: Victor Rancourt
  • Patent number: 5377843
    Abstract: A classifying wheel for a centrifugal-wheel air classifier, through which the classifying air flows from outside to the inside against its centrifugal action. The wheel has blades arranged in a ring extending parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel. The blades are positioned between a circular disc carrying the classifying wheel hub and an annular cover disc. The classifying wheel is entirely made in one piece and of a wear-resistant sintered material. The flow channels of the classifying wheel are formed by the surfaces of the classifying wheel blades extending parallel to each other and in direction of the axis of rotation of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Hosokawa Alpine Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Georg Schumacher
  • Patent number: 5365640
    Abstract: An apparatus for sorting fibers and separating them into fractions with desirable and undesirable properties comprises a housing provided with a first chamber; a device for introducing fibers to be sorted into the first chamber; a rotary element revolvably supported in the first chamber and provided with a mechanism for receiving the fibers and applying a fast rotary movement thereto; a multiplicity of material-receiving channels leading from the first chamber, a first one of which is provided with a first window adjacent to the rotary element for the reception of trash of relatively greater mass than the remaining material, a second one of which is provided with a second window for the reception of nep and undesirable fibers of intermediate mass and one of which is provided with a third window adjacent to the rotary element for the reception of desired fibers; the channels being in fluid communication with an air pressure source; wherein the fast rotary movement results in a centrifugal force, which in combi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Inventor: Shlomo Sterin
  • Patent number: 5366094
    Abstract: A chamber has upwardly diverging walls so that an upward airstream has different air speeds at different heights in the chamber. When particles such as seeds are put into the chamber, they reach equilibrium at different heights depending on their weights. A horizontal conveyor airstream, much less in magnitude than the upward airstream, directs the classified-by-height particles to a side wall of the chamber, where they are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Grana, Inc
    Inventor: Peter Stein
  • Patent number: 5351832
    Abstract: A system for cleaning or separating particles that uses a controller or computer to precisely control the cleaning or separating process. By carefully monitoring and controlling the separating process, an improved degree of separation is achieved. In the preferred embodiment, the invention controls a particle separating machine which uses upward airflow in a channel to separate less dense particles from heavier or more dense particles. Upward airflow is induced in the channel by an airflow means. A wind speed sensor measures the air velocity in the channel and communicates this data to a controller. An operator inputs targeted or desired upward air velocity to the controller. The controller commands the airflow means to increase or decrease airflow in the channel so that upward air velocity in the channel remains comparable to the targeted upward air velocity input from the operator. Particles entering the channel are separated to a high degree because of the precisely controlled airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Stripping Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Abbott, Patrick J. Lyons
  • Patent number: 5281278
    Abstract: A chamber has upwardly diverging walls so that an upward airstream has different air speeds at different heights in the chamber. When particles such as seeds are put into the chamber, they reach equilibrium at different heights depending on their weights. A horizontal conveyor airstream, much less in magnitude than the upward airstream, directs the classified-by-height particles to a side wall of the chamber, where they are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: Grana, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Stein
  • Patent number: 5184730
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for blending a material feed and/or separating debris from a material feed is disclosed in which a feed separator is used with a blender and/or debris separator. The feed separator separates a feed from the conveying air flow which conveys the feed and the conveying air flow, devoid of feed, is then used to blend the conveyed feed and/or separate debris therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: Fuller Company
    Inventor: Kermit D. Paul
  • Patent number: 5152604
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for separating debris from a material product by recirculating the product in a product chamber with a fluid flow and using the fluid flow to entrain and remove debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: Fuller Company
    Inventor: Kermit D. Paul
  • Patent number: 5120431
    Abstract: A pneumatic centrifugal separator comprises guide vanes disposed along the generatrices of a fictitious cylinder having a vertical axis, the guide vanes being adapted to impart to a gas stream entering the fictitious cylinder a rotary motion about the vertical cylinder axis, and a rotor coaxially positioned in the interior of the fictitious cylinder, the rotor being equipped with a first set of vertical blades distributed uniformly along the periphery of the fictitious cylinder and a second set of blades disposed between the blades of the first set and the cylinder axis. A gas stream and particulate material to be sorted is introduced between the guide vanes and the rotor, and the gas stream charged with particles of dimensions smaller than predetermined dimensions and sorted out of the particulate material is drawn out of a central outlet. The second set of blades is arranged to guide the streams of gas coming through channels between adjacent vertical blades of the first set to the central outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: FCB
    Inventor: Alain Cordonnier
  • Patent number: 4971518
    Abstract: In a radial fan suitable in particular for traction vehicles, 10-15% of the conveyed air quantity is diverted radially from the cooling-air path by guide devices (10) which at the same time serve as a separator; the main proportion passes to the coolers after a 90.degree. deflection. In this way, dirt particles such as dust, snow, spray water, etc, are effectively kept away from the coolers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri Ltd.
    Inventor: Christian Florin
  • Patent number: 4933072
    Abstract: An elongated, horizontal and at least partially closed air jet dispersion and air jet entrained material deceleration zone is provided and one end of the zone includes at least skewed velocity distribution nozzle of the circular Coanda surface-type opening inwardly along the zone toward the other end thereof. The zone includes discharge structure defining a plurality of downwardly opening gravity-type outlets spaced longitudinally along the zone and duct structure for flowing air and airflow entrained solids therethrough at high velocity is provided. The duct structure includes an outlet end opening into the nozzle and an inlet end open to the ambient atmosphere and positioned to receive gravity discharged solid materials from the outlet spaced one outlet from the aforementioned one end of the zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Inventor: Victor A. Beisel
  • Patent number: 4853112
    Abstract: Apparatus for separating heavy from light constituents in coarse comminuted municipal waste having a relatively small inlet duct connecting to a much larger air classifying chamber. A by-pass duct is disposed alongside the chamber, and connects thereto at its upstream and at its downstream end. Dameprs are provided to adjust the velocity of airflow through the chamber and by-pass duct depending upon the density of the light weight constituents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Inventor: Victor Brown
  • Patent number: 4851110
    Abstract: A device and method for separating particles by mass is provided in which the particles are entrained in an airstream and are ejected into a collection zone where they will fall under the influence of gravity, but will separate longitudinally by mass with the most massive particles traveling the farthest. As an enhancement to the separation, an apparatus for forming at least one air curtain perpendicular to the ejection direction is provided which causes the falling particles to separate into discrete groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: T.D.J. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Rolle, David J. Nebel, John L. Shulan, William P. Liljestrom
  • Patent number: 4834544
    Abstract: A blender for solid particulate material such as plastic pellets which includes an apparatus for separating a fine fraction of material from the plastic pellets. This is accomplished by a separator shell which surrounds a vertical lift pipe in the blender. Gas under pressure is utilized to circulate material through the lift pipe from the bottom of the vessel to the top of the vessel to blend the material. As material is discharged from the vertical lift pipe, the air supplied through the lift pipe for lifting material flows through material dispersed within the separation zone to entrain the fine material and convey it through a vent to a high efficiency dust collector. A by-pass conduit and by-pass control valve are provided to control the velocity of gas through the separation zone to control the size particle of the fine fraction which is separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Fuller Company
    Inventor: Kermit D. Paul
  • Patent number: 4574045
    Abstract: Substance particulate in the general size range of minus 30 Mesh U.S. Standard to about 1 micron is separated into portions based on the densities of those components making up the total by drying to about 1% moisture and air conveying the substance through a duct in which the material assumes a stratified arrangement dictated by particle density. Means are provided by air duct configuration and partial flow diversion to remove appropriate laminar segments of the air-solids mixture.Light, medium and heavy ash and pyritic Sulfur in substantial percentages can be removed from bituminous coal fines embodying this principle in a negative air atmosphere. After beneficiation of bituminous coal fines any undesired pyritic or organic Sulfur can be contained by intimately mixing calcium hydroxide with the coal in the amount of 2.24 parts of calcium hydroxide to one (1) part of Sulfur by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Inventor: Edward Y. Crossmore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4465194
    Abstract: A high efficiency tobacco separator for separating lighter particles such as leaf or lamina from heavier particles such as stem in a tobacco mixture have a primary and a secondary air separation chamber. Two winnowers are provided in the primary chamber for tossing tobacco mixture back and forth across the chamber. A generally upward air flow is established in both the primary chamber and the secondary chamber, and the air flow, combined with inertial and gravitational effects, functions to separate lighter particles from heavier particles by entraining the lighter particles in the upward air flow. A conveyor assembly is positioned across the bottom of a primary chamber and extending into and projecting into the secondary chamber. The conveyor arrangement accumulates heavier particles which fall to the bottom of the primary chamber and projects them into the secondary chamber where additional air flow separation occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Assignee: Universal Leaf Tobacco Co.
    Inventor: G. A. John Coleman
  • Patent number: 4312748
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for classifying desirable particles of powder metal by size and removing particles of undesirable material of a different density than the metal particles. There is included a housing defining a closed flow path for a recirculated stream of protective gas different than ambient air. A particle supply device introduces particles into the housing at a controlled rate in a downwardly falling stream. A plurality of receptacle trays are disposed in the housing generally vertically below the particle supply device with each tray having a forward lip positioned forwardly in the direction of the gas flow of the trays thereabove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1982
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventor: Walter J. Rozmus
  • Patent number: 4288317
    Abstract: A method and system for separating an aqueous suspension containing fibrous particles into fractions of different average characteristics. The suspension to be separated is supplied to a separator disc rotating in a horizontal plane in the upper part of a chamber, in which collecting means are arranged in different zones to receive material dispersed from the disc. The method and system are effective for the separation of paper pulp suspensions such as groundwood pulp, chemical pulp, sediment or waste paper pulp into fractions of different fibre size and for the cleaning of paper pulp suspensions for impurity particles such as sand, shives and splinters. Another field of application is the separation of mineral wool suspensions into fractions consisting mainly of fibrous and spherical particles, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1981
    Assignee: A/S Niro Atomizer
    Inventors: Alfonso de Ruvo, Bo Norman, Geoffrey G. Duffy, Klaus Moller, Karl E. Hansen, Karsten S. Felsvang, Erik Liborius
  • Patent number: 4235707
    Abstract: Solid Municipal Waste is loaded, or loaded and compacted, into a pressure vessel which has means for very fast opening for discharging the contents. The pressure vessel is pressurized, with steam, or a compressed gas such as compressed air. The pressure vessel can be fitted with a breech and a quick release muzzle cover and at the discharge end (muzzle) thereof is fitted with an orifice whose purpose is to promote a powerful turbulence and shock wave, through which the exiting solid material must pass to maintain pressure within the vessel during discharge, and to control the rate of discharge. The disruptive forces produced at the orifice, which can be either a sub-sonic, sonic, or supersonic flow orifice, are a function of the strength of the shock wave or the turbulence. The discharged material is then gravity separated in the wet or dry conditions and the separated materials are then employed in additional processes, or employed as landfill depending on its chemical and physical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1980
    Assignee: Burke, Davoud & Associates
    Inventor: Jerry A. Burke, Jr.