Baffle Preceding Or Within Sediment Trap Patents (Class 210/305)
  • Patent number: 6524473
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic gravitational separator and an attending drainwater filtration section positionable within a horizontal flow passage of a drainage system utilizes a circular-walled collection cavity into which drainwater is directed so that a swirling motion is imparted to the drainwater collected within the collection cavity. Furthermore, a baffle plate is supported within the collection cavity adjacent the exit opening thereof to isolate the exit opening from the swirling motion of the drainwater collected within the cavity. The filtration section includes a filter disposed downstream of the exit opening of the collection cavity so that drainwater which exits the collection cavity is subsequently routed through the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventor: J. Kelly Williamson
  • Patent number: 6517719
    Abstract: A storage tank includes an oil and water separator in which the frontal area of the coalescers is increased relative to known arrangements of coalescers in oil and water separators. By arranging the coalescers such that the surface area of the coalescers is increased, the efficiency of the coalescers is increased. In some preferred embodiments, the coalescers are arranged in a bank with free flow fluid paths between the coalescers in the bank, each of the paths being closed by a baffle on one end and open on an opposite end, and the baffles are arranged such that the open and closed ends of paths alternate. In other preferred embodiments, the coalescers are arranged in a tubular fashion and fluid flows from the outside surface of the tube through the coalescers and out a central path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Xerxes Corporation
    Inventor: John Burwell
  • Patent number: 6428692
    Abstract: An in-line storm water drain filter and baffle box is installed within a storm water drain pipe to direct storm water runoff through the storm water drain pipe and through the filter and baffle box prior to the storm water drain water passing through an outfall into a lake, pond or retention area. The filter system includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet and a plurality of chambers formed therein. A housing cover allows for access into the housing and a plurality of filter screens are mounted over each of the plurality of housing chambers for collecting trash from the storm water passing therethrough. The housing has a generally arcuate bottom. The filter system also has inlet and outlet cover frames for holding removably mounted blocker dampers for blocking the ingress and egress of storm drain water during cleaning of the filter system. An oil collection boom is removably mounted in the housing adjacent the inlet for collecting oil in the drain water entering the housing inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: Henry Happel
  • Patent number: 6350379
    Abstract: A filter for filtering a fluid, such as lubricating oil for an engine, has a full flow filter element and a bypass filter element stacked on the full flow filter element. A flow-deflecting element is disposed between the full flow filter element and bypass filter element to provide a spinning motion to oil flowing from the bypass element as that oil joins oil which is passed through the full flow filter element. The spinning motion of the oil from the bypass filter element encourages mixing of the oil from the bypass filter element with the oil filtered by the full filter element. During operation of the engine this arrangement tends to provide cleaner lubricating oil and therefore reduces engine wear while increasing the time interval between scheduled maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Allen Roll, Gregory Keith Rhyne, Willie Luther Stamey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6337016
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in known apparatus for removing or separating certain contaminants and debris from drainage water. The known device has a tank defining a chamber with an inlet and a pair of vertically spaced outlets. A bulkhead with openings is spaced opposite the inlet and extends from the base of the chamber. A baffle is located between the bulkhead and the outlets and extends from the top of the chamber to near the bottom. An orifice plate or plates is adjustable mounted in series with the outlets and controls the rate of flow therethrough. The system thus has four sections, namely a non-floating particulate containment chamber; a floating particulate containment chamber; a flow control chamber; and an outlet chamber. In accordance with the invention, a fluid-previous media is provided at the interior of said apparatus in or abounding the flow path of the drain water proceeding between said inlet and outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Mycelx Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Haluk Alper
  • Patent number: 6299764
    Abstract: An improved floor drain assembly (10) is provided which includes an upright inlet section (12) presenting a waste inlet (30) and an outlet section (14) terminating in a discharge end (16). The assembly (10) includes an oblique first wall (26b) below the inlet (30) for diverting waste materials towards the end (16); a second oblique wall (82) spaced from the wall (26b) and a third wall (28a) intermediate the walls (26b, 82) complete an in-line trap (18). The inlet (30) is equipped with a grate (46) and a perforate filter (50). The wall (26b) serves to forcefully divert waste material through the assembly (10) to minimize clogging problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Stainless Steel Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. White, Gregory A. Roepka
  • Patent number: 6296765
    Abstract: A centrifuge oil filter includes a centrifuge filter housing and a replaceable centrifuge cartridge. The centrifuge oil filter is adapted to remove soot from oil in engine applications. The centrifuge filter housing can be mounted directly on the frame of a vehicle for support and provides top access for a mechanic to service and replace the cartridge from the top of the filter. The centrifuge housing includes a lid at the top which can be removed to allow top access to the cartridge. The lid carries a bearing support and bearings upon which the upper end of a drive shaft is journalled to facilitate rotation of the cartridge. In the lower end of the housing another bearing assembly is provided with at least one set of bearings upon which the lower end of the drive shaft is journalled and an electrical motor which drives the drive shaft and therefore the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Baldwin Filters, Inc.
    Inventors: Gene W. Brown, Steven J. Merritt, Farrell F. Calcaterra
  • Patent number: 6276936
    Abstract: For separating off solids from a solid/liquid mixture occurring in a dental treatment station, a housing has a sedimentation tank, in which two sedimentation zones are disposed one above the other. Both the mixture inlet and the liquid outlet are disposed above a predetermined sedimentation height, and the liquid outlet is provided on a tube that leads through the sedimentation tank into an outlet chamber disposed below it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Inventors: Michael Forster, Bruno Pregenzer, Alfred Konzett
  • Patent number: 6261455
    Abstract: A centrifuge oil filter includes a centrifuge filter housing and a replaceable centrifuge cartridge. The centrifuge oil filter is adapted to remove soot from oil in engine applications. The centrifuge filter housing can be mounted directly on the frame of a vehicle for support and provides top access for a mechanic to service and replace the cartridge from the top of the filter. The centrifuge housing includes a lid at the top which can be removed to allow top access to the cartridge. The lid carries a bearing support and bearings upon which the upper end of a drive shaft is journalled to facilitate rotation of the cartridge. In the lower end of the housing another bearing assembly is provided with at least one set of bearings upon which the lower end of the drive shaft is journalled and an electrical motor which drives the drive shaft and therefore the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Baldwin Filters, Inc.
    Inventors: Gene W. Brown, Steven J. Merritt, Farrell F. Calcaterra
  • Patent number: 6203698
    Abstract: The fuel filter assembly for filtering and removing water from a fuel under pressure includes an outerhousing, an inner sleeve member, an annular space between the outerhousing and the inner sleeve member, and a filter for filtering the fuel. The filter is positioned within the sleeve member. The fuel inlet is at the upper end of the outer housing and provides fluid flow between the outer housing and the inner sleeve. The fuel inlet and annular space are positioned and dimensioned to provide a downward, non-circumferential, substantially laminar flow in the annular space. The inner sleeve member extends downwardly to a position below the bottom of the filter. The downwardly flowing fuel and contaminants must turn 180 degrees and flow upward through the filter media to the outlet. The slow moving denser components settle out in the accumulation chamber. The accumulation chamber is the region within the lower end of the outerhousing, below the filter media and the annular sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventor: David Paul Goodrich
  • Patent number: 6197190
    Abstract: Described herein is an improved water treatment process for separating particulate contaminants from raw water. The process is performed by introducing, into a single tank, raw water injected with a coagulating agent for neutralizing charges on the particles and a flocculating agent for agglomerating the neutralized particles; mixing, in the mixing area of said tank, the neutralized and agglomerated particles with a granular medium to increase the size and weight of the particles; directing the particles and water from the mixing area of said tank to a baffled quiescent zone for settling; further directing said water, free of settlement, in said quiescent zone through a buoyant medium to entrap unsettled particles; and wherein the improvement is characterized by conducting tapered flocculation in the mixing area of said tank with a turbine mixer having a plurality of radial blades of varying surface areas, said blades tapered in decreasing areas as the distance from the point of influent increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventor: Patrick Hanlon
  • Patent number: 6190545
    Abstract: A drainwater treatment system positionable within a horizontal flow passage of a drainage system utilizes a partition which divides the flow passage into an upstream chamber and a downstream chamber. In addition, a mid-panel is supported within the upstream chamber for dividing the interior of the upstream chamber into an upper section and a lower section so that the drainwater enters the upper section before entering the lower section through a first opening provided in the mid-panel. A conduit is also joined between a second opening provided in the mid-panel and the opening of the partition for conducting drainwater from the lower section of the upstream chamber to the downstream chamber so that the drainwater which enters the upper section and then into the lower section is decelerated to flow conditions at which debris and suspended are permitted to separate and settle from the drainwater before being conducted from the lower section and into the downstream chamber through the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Remedial Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Kelly Williamson
  • Patent number: 6187185
    Abstract: The dirt holding capacity of the filter is increased by providing one or more areas for the particles to settle and remain out of suspension on the filter so that the particles are not carried through a filter media disposed in the filter. The areas may be provided by recessed pockets, chambers or downwardly sloping floors which end in gutters. This arrangement is useful in transmissions and engine lubricating arrangements wherein oil is accumulated in and recirculates from an oil pan. With these arrangements, the filter is in the form of a panel having an opening therethrough, wherein the panel is disposed within an oil pan in spaced relation to the bottom of the oil pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Brian Thomas Lee
  • Patent number: 6183633
    Abstract: A separator for separating material from a fluid which includes an inlet, a separating chamber in fluid communication with the inlet, a holding chamber, a deflector for deflecting material entrained in or moving with fluid entering the separating chamber from the inlet towards the holding chamber, and an outlet for permitting flow of fluid from which the material has been removed from the separating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Swinburne University of Technology
    Inventor: Donald Ian Phillips
  • Patent number: 6171483
    Abstract: A subsea raw water injector including a pump which is connected to an injection string and a filter connected to an inlet of the pump to remove particulates from the surrounding sea water. The filter is in the form of an inclined tube settler disposed such that particulates separated from sea water flowing through it are discharged to the seabed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignees: Capcis Limited, McDermott Marine Construction Limited
    Inventors: Robert David Eden, Budiono Kurniawan Saputra, Anthony Robert Cousins
  • Patent number: 6143173
    Abstract: The present invention provides an economical and efficient means for removing grease and other contaminants from restaurant wastewater. There is a need for an easily removable drain filter. The present invention meets this need, as it is a low-cost, disposable, and efficient means for removing these contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Inventors: Dan Luo, Yan-Yan Liu
  • Patent number: 6083391
    Abstract: For separating solids from a mixture of liquid and solids arising at a dental treatment site, a housing (1) has a solids separator chamber (12) in which there are sedimentation dishes (14) which are arranged coaxially above one another and through which the mixture flows from the bottom upward. Both the mixture outlet and the liquid outlet (24) are arranged above the submerged sedimentation dish (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventors: Bruno Pregenzer, Alfred Konzett
  • Patent number: 6042722
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating water contaminants from a fuel which has a specific gravity which is lower than that of water. Contaminated fuel is drawn from a bottom of a tank and passed into a separator. The water stays at the bottom of the separator and is drained off. The fuel is forced upwardly from which any droplets of water flow along collector plates and fall to the bottom of the separator. The fuel is passed through a filter which removes any particles of matter then the fuel is directed back to the tanks. The process can be repeated for as many times as necessary to cleanse the fuel of water and contaminates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventor: Ronald L. Lenz
  • Patent number: 6027658
    Abstract: An in process fluid delivery reservoir and method is disclosed for continuously filtering particulate matter and oils from industrial fluids, such as coolants, oils, aqueous emulsions, etc., which are necessary in the operation of machine tools. The reservoir utilizes a primary containment area with a primary chip screen and a first baffle to trap much of the particulate matter and contain tramp oil. The reservoir also contains secondary and tertiary containment areas which utilize upper and bottom baffles to further trap the particulate matter and tramp oils, when said reservoir is utilized with aqueous emulsion. The industrial fluid remaining in the tertiary containment area is ready to be delivered to the machine tool for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Xonex Corporation
    Inventors: Richard M. Soble, George V. Strapko
  • Patent number: 5997739
    Abstract: A spin-on element includes a cylindrical housing, a tap plate at one end of the housing, and an adapter ring supported by and bounding the other end of the housing. A collection bowl can be threadably attached to the adapter ring. An imperforate inner support tube in the housing fluidly separates a central opening in the tap plate from peripheral openings. The inner tube has an inner surface defining a central chamber in fluid communication with the central opening. A perforated outer support tube surrounds the inner support tube, and has an outer surface defining a peripheral chamber in the housing. The inner and outer support tubes together define an intermediate chamber, in fluid communication with the peripheral openings in the tap plate. A nylon water coalescing mesh surrounds the outer support tube, and is curled over the ends of the outer tube. A first end cap comprising a foam gasket with openings to allow fluid to enter the intermediate chamber is disposed at one end of the support tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Clausen, Kenneth R. Duncan
  • Patent number: 5951862
    Abstract: A filter comprises a filter cartridge located within a housing. Fuel flows through a filter medium of the cartridge, in use, from an outer chamber to an inner chamber. From the inner chamber, the fuel flows over and around a sedimentation baffle located within a sedimentation chamber. Fuel exits the sedimentation chamber through an outlet passage, an air collection chamber being arranged to collect air from the flow of fuel. Air exits the air collection chamber via openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Lucas Industries plc
    Inventor: Peter Francis Bradford
  • Patent number: 5925242
    Abstract: A sand trap and flow controller mechanism for a bathtub includes an outer housing defined by an externally threaded peripheral wall having an upper outwardly directed peripheral flange and a lower inwardly directed peripheral flange with a pair of diametrically opposite openings, an inner sand trap housing defined by an outer peripheral wall, an inner peripheral wall and an annular wall therebetween collectively defining a sand trap chamber, and a flow controller mechanism having diametrically oppositely directed wings which are received in channels for guiding a valve of the flow controller toward, in sealing engagement upon and away from an upper peripheral edge of the inner peripheral wall of the inner sand trap housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Inventor: John D. McGhee
  • Patent number: 5916442
    Abstract: The fuel filter assembly for filtering and removing water from a fuel under pressure includes an outerhousing, an inner sleeve member, an annular space between the outerhousing and the inner sleeve member, and filtering media for filtering the fuel. The filtering media is positioned within the sleeve member. The fuel inlet is at the upper end of the outer housing and provides fluid flow between the outer housing and the inner sleeve. The fuel inlet and annular space are positioned and dimensioned to provide a downward, non-circumferential, substantially laminar flow in the annular space. The inner sleeve member extends downwardly to a position below the bottom of the filtering media. The downwardly flowing fuel and contaminants must turn 180 degrees and flow upward through the filter media to the outlet. The slow moving denser components settle out in the accumulation chamber. The accumulation chamber is the region within the lower end of the outerhousing, below the filter media and the annular sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Inventor: David Paul Goodrich
  • Patent number: 5879545
    Abstract: A compact cyclonic filter assembly used for separating unwanted debris from a fluid. The cyclonic filter assembly uses the centrifugal forces to separate large pieces of debris from the fluid and a filter to separate the remaining unwanted debris from the fluid. The present invention can be contained in a compact single housing which may be disassembled for easy cleaning and replacement of parts. The cyclonic filter assembly of the present invention has a vertically oriented cylindrical tube which receives a tangential injection of the debris laden fluid. The tangential injection causes the fluid to circulate around a cylindrical vortex finder which is inside of and coaxial with the tube. The centrifugal forces acting on the debris causes the debris to move outward away from the center of the vortex. The vortex finder has an opening which pulls in the relatively clean fluid near the center of the vortex while the debris laden fluid settles into a collection chamber below the cylindrical tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: Gregory S. Antoun
  • Patent number: 5843313
    Abstract: A fuel filter element includes an outer casing within which is located an annular filter medium which surrounds an inner tube. The filter medium is supported by upper and lower annular support plates. The upper support plate is provided with apertures to allow fuel flow and the lower support plate has a series of apertures which are located adjacent the outer peripheral edge of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventor: Peter Francis Bradford
  • Patent number: 5830371
    Abstract: A fluid filter which comprises a canister having an open end and a closed end, the canister sealing to an adapter body to prevent leakage between the canister and the adapter body, the adapter body having a plurality of angled fluid inlet ports extending through the adapter assembly body into the cavity formed by the canister and the adapter body assembly, a threaded fluid outlet port extending through the adapter body, a threaded ring adapter for adapting the outlet port to a variety of filter receptacles, a multistage wire mesh filter element having a weave which is designed to prevent fluid contaminants from passing through the filter element while inhibiting the contaminant particles from becoming lodged in the filter mesh, the fluid inlet ports in the adapter body being formed at an angle to create a tornado type turbine fluid motion within the canister to suspend contaminants which are blocked from passage through the screen in the fluid and allow such contaminants to settle in the canister out of the f
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Inventors: Gerald F. Smith, William J. Ellis
  • Patent number: 5827425
    Abstract: A grease recovery system includes a basin with an inlet port to connect the system to a waste disposal network, e.g., a sink in a restaurant, and to an outlet port for draining substantially grease-free water into a sewer network. A grease outlet port provides for recovering grease from the system. The basin holds waste water to a level corresponding to the height of the outlet port above a floor of the basin. The inlet port is above that level so that incoming waste water drains into the basin. An inlet baffle is arranged within the basin and adjacent to the inlet port to force waste water entering the inlet port downwards toward the floor. A first blocking baffle, mounted to the floor, reduces waste water flow along the floor after the waste water passes through the inlet baffle, so that grease rises to the water level downstream of the inlet baffle. A motorized belt sub-system is mounted within the basin to rotate a belt which attracts grease to the belt's surface and along the water level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Inventor: Nick McKinnon
  • Patent number: 5810999
    Abstract: A water-purifying device has both a strainer and water purification materials, as well as an inlet and outlet. In the preferred embodiment, the water purification materials are contained within a separable purifier housing, and a deflector extending from a support plate into a strainer housing deflects incoming water to the purification materials. The device has particular application to claimed methods of purifying water for swimming pools, spas, cooling towers, fountains and the like. The purifier housing may be an attachment to existing pump inlet strainer basket housings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Fountainhead Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven P. Bachand, Raymond P. Denkewicz, Jr., Mark A. Bollinger, Francis M. Lubrano
  • Patent number: 5783076
    Abstract: A fuel filter having improved communication with a contaminant container employs a body with a fuel inlet and fuel outlet having a housing connected at its upper end to the body, the housing having a bottom opening therethrough. A filter element is retained within the housing, the filter element having a bottom end. An interior passageway is provided in the filter element in communication with the body fuel outlet, the exterior of the filter element being in communication with the body fuel inlet. A support plate is positioned within the lower end portion of the housing on which the filter bottom end rests. A contaminant container is supported to the housing bottom. The support plate has a spiral fluid passageway providing communication between the interior of the housing and the contaminant container, the passageway permitting liquid contaminant, such as water, to flow from the interior of the housing into the contaminant container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Purolator Products Company
    Inventor: David G. Albers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5738782
    Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning fluids, especially cooling lubricants of machine tools. The apparatus includes a tank having a partition subdividing it into a sedimentation chamber and a clean chamber and having an inlet for the contaminated cooling lubricant and a discharge device for the cleaned cooling lubricant. A filter is mounted between the sedimentation chamber and the clean chamber and a conveyor device is mounted in the sedimentation chamber for removing sedimented particles from the tank. An environmentally safe and low-maintenance cleaning apparatus according to this invention is created by the fact that the sedimentation chamber is subdivided by a partition into an inlet area and a preliminary cleaning area that are connected to each other by a passage in the lower area of the partition. The filter is an edge filter mounted in the partition between the preliminary cleaning area and the clean chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Deckel Maho GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Schafer, Alfred Geissler
  • Patent number: 5690813
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating contaminated waste water into a substantially uncontaminated homogeneous extract water portion and into a heterogeneous raffinate fluid portion. Upon being subjected to sufficient circular flow, in an environment emulating the action of a centrifuge, the heavier liquid and solid components are caused to gravitate out of the waste water. This apparatus is constructed with an elongated housing means which is preferably disposed between a water storage tank and fluid contaminant discharge device. Contained longitudinally within the elongated housing is a separator chamber having a portion of a frustoconically shaped centrifugation surface which directs the incoming waste water into a turbulent and circular pattern. As the waste water gains momentum during this centrifuge-like flow pattern, it abruptly strikes a substantially vertical impact plate which precipitates the forced separation of the impurities and contaminants from the waste water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Inventor: Christopher Frank Coale
  • Patent number: 5665230
    Abstract: A fuel filter element includes an annular filter medium which is supported on a lower support plate. Fuel flows downwardly through the medium and then through apertures at the outer periphery of the support plate. The support plate is provided with depending annular baffles, the outer one being adjacent the apertures but inwardly thereof. The baffles and support plate form an air collection chamber from which air escapes at a controlled rate through an orifice into a central outlet tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventor: Peter Francis Bradford
  • Patent number: 5637215
    Abstract: A fuel filter having improved communication with a contaminant container employs a body with a fuel inlet and fuel outlet having a housing connected at its upper end to the body, the housing having a bottom opening therethrough. A filter element is retained within the housing, the filter element having a bottom end. An interior passageway is provided in the filter element in communication with the body fuel outlet, the exterior of the filter element being in communication with the body fuel inlet. A support plate is positioned within the lower end portion of the housing on which the filter bottom end rests. A contaminant container is supported to the housing bottom. The support plate has a spiral fluid passageway providing communication between the interior of the housing and the contaminant container, the passageway permitting liquid contaminant, such as water, to flow from the interior of the housing into the contaminant container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Purolator Products Company
    Inventor: David G. Albers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5575909
    Abstract: A separator including an assembly of a first vessel and an upwardly elongate unit including a helical baffle forming a spiral passage in the unit. The first vessel includes a sump. An inlet is provided to convey a mixture to be separated into the assembly and at least two outlets are provided through which the separated components are removed from the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Inventor: William W. Foster
  • Patent number: 5569373
    Abstract: A fluid filter which comprises a canister having an open end and a closed end, the canister sealing to an adapter body to prevent leakage between the canister and the adapter body, the adapter body having a plurality of angled fluid inlet ports extending through the adapter assembly body into the cavity formed by the canister and the adapter body assembly, a threaded fluid outlet port extending through the adapter body, a threaded ring adapter for adapting the outlet port to a variety of filter receptacles, a multistage wire mesh filter element having a weave which is designed to prevent fluid contaminants from passing through the filter element while inhibiting the contaminant particles from becoming lodged in the filter mesh, the fluid inlet ports in the adapter body being formed at an angle to create a tornado type turbine fluid motion within the canister to suspend contaminants which are blocked from passage through the screen in the fluid and allow such contaminants to settle in the canister out of the f
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Inventors: Gerald F. Smith, William J. Ellis
  • Patent number: 5554277
    Abstract: An in-line leaf trap captures the leaves and debris that are gathered by a manual or automatic suction-type swimming pool cleaner before they can enter the swimming pool's water filtering system. The leaf trap is placed in-line with the flexible hose that conducts the leaves and debris between the pool cleaner and the poolside suction connection. The in-line leaf trap is a two-piece closed container having inside a removable or integrated perforated or mesh screen debris basket. The body of the trap has two cylindrical tapered openings to mate with commonly used swimming pool cleaner hoses. The openings are oriented to ensure proper flow direction through the trap. The device floats in the pool with its top section just above the water line. The flexible hose is held floating just under the top surface of the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Inventors: Dieter J. Rief, Herman E. Frentzel
  • Patent number: 5547569
    Abstract: A sloped plate water clarifier is provided with multiple clarifying stages. Slurry enters a feeding and mixing passageway that contains chemical flocculant in the form of polymer gel logs. Agitating drums in the passageway provide controlled mixing of the slurry with the flocculant. At the end of the passageway the slurry flows over a static screen that separates the useable process product from solid refuse. The slurry passing through the screen flows into a settling tank containing sloped plates arranged in three ascending stages, with the plates in the uppermost stage being angularly adjustable. As the slurry rises inside the tank, the sloped plates allow the suspended solids in the slurry to settle and eventually accumulate on the tank bottom for periodic removal, including as an alternative by a venturi pump. The clarified water exits a spillway at the top of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Hinkle Contracting Corporation
    Inventor: Donald R. Spencer
  • Patent number: 5534138
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating a contaminated liquid diesel fuel and the like into a substantially uncontaminated homogeneous raffinate fuel portion and into a heterogeneous extract portion. Upon being subjected to sufficient circular flow, in an environment emulating the action of a centrifuge, the heavier liquid and solid components are caused to gravitate out of the diesel fluid and the like. This apparatus is constructed with an elongated housing means which is preferably disposed between the fuel tank and fuel filter of a diesel engine and the like. Contained longitudinally within the elongated housing is a separator chamber having a portion of a frustoconically shaped centrifugation surface which directs the incoming impure and contaminated fuel mixture into a turbulent and circular pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Inventor: Christopher F. Coale
  • Patent number: 5531888
    Abstract: An arrangement for the separation of pollutants and, as the case may be, bulky solids, i.e. coarse matter, in separating structures, such as rainwater relief structures for the protection of bodies of water. The rainwater or combined water exceeding a critical combined water outflow is diverted to another part of a sewer system or to a channel leading to a receiving body of water by flowing over a relief weir, and being freed of coarse matter by means of an interceptor prior to its overflow into the channel. The interceptor (20) is fashioned of a plurality of bar elements (21) arranged with preferably equidistant mutual spacing on the overflow side of the relief weir (20), and a separate pollutant channel (22) receives the coarse matter retained by the interceptor (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: VSB VOGELSBERGER Umwelttechnischer Anlagenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Geiger, Erwin Ruhl
  • Patent number: 5468385
    Abstract: An electric field is applied to a coalescer type filter element in which the mesh size decreases in a step-like manner toward its outside. A subject liquid is passed through the filter from its inside to outside. A primary processed liquid discharged from the filter is introduced into an oil-water separating space provided outside the filter which space has an elongated path and to which space an electric field is applied. While the primary processed liquid passes through the oil-water separating space, rise of separated oil and fall of separated water are facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Inventor: Noboru Inoue
  • Patent number: 5433845
    Abstract: In combination, a flow control bypass basin for receiving rainfall runoff water from a surface, an immiscible liquids separator downstream of the bypass basin, and a drain. The bypass basin passes the initial, dirty and oily, portion of the rainfall runoff to the separator and bypasses subsequent runoff water instead to the drain. The bypass basin includes a tank, an inlet in communication with the tank's interior, a primary outlet from the bypass basin to the separator, and a bypass outlet from the bypass basin to the drain, with the bypass outlet being located a substantial height above the primary outlet. Interposed between the bypass outlet and the interior of the tank is a riser tube having a mouth disposed in the lower portion of the tank and an upper end closed to the interior of the tank but open to the bypass outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Newberry Tanks & Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Boyd B. Greene, Naji J. Nassif
  • Patent number: 5378358
    Abstract: A fuel processing unit can dewater and heat fuel before delivery to a filter. The unit has a housing with a settling chamber and an inlet communicating with the chamber. The housing has a filter connection adapted to connect the filter in series with the chamber. The unit also has a heater cable with a predetermined length. The heater cable extends from the chamber through the inlet and outside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Inventor: Robert Park
  • Patent number: 5372718
    Abstract: A housing including an inlet conduit and an outlet, carrying a reservoir for collecting filtered liquid. The reservoir is secured within the housing by a lid. A separator assembly is carried by the reservoir and includes a strainer assembly for removing materials from a liquid inflowing from the inlet conduit, an inner container and an outer container. The outer container is covered by a lid having an opening for sealably receiving the inlet conduit. The inner and outer container cooperate to hinder the flow of liquid, giving materials more dense than the fluid time to settle, and materials less dense than the liquid time to rise to and be contained by the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Ghassan W. Zebian
  • Patent number: 5354465
    Abstract: A large capacity filter assembly A comprising of a housing B, a filter chamber C, and a horizontal trap chamber D. Water flowing from industrial drain line 10 enters housing B, flows through filter chamber C, ingress horizontal trap chamber D and exits housing B. Horizontal trap chamber D is disposed within housing interior 12 for trapping noxious odors stemming from the drain line and preventing the noxious odors from permeating through housing inlets 16. Horizontal trap chamber D includes horizontal baffle plate 28, first vertical trap channel opening 32, first vertical trap channel 38, first horizontal trap channel 36, second vertical trap channel 44, second horizontal trap channel 42, and airspace 46.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Inventor: John W. Tollison
  • Patent number: 5266191
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing articles of a first liquid from a second liquid using law, the first liquid, such as oil, having a greater buoyancy than the second, such as water, with both liquids being immiscibly combined into a flowing fluid mixture. Surges in the mixture's flow are dampened, and the mixture is constrained to have a limited horizontal flow velocity through the tank of the apparatus. A separator chamber with a plurality of parallel subchannels formed by spaced vertical plates has a geometry that reduces and controls the Reynolds number of the subchannels and controls the velocity through the subchannels, causing the flow therethrough to be substantially non-turbulent. A first gate inhibits the flow of sediment into the separator chamber. The flow path length through the separator chamber is such that the particles will have sufficient time to rise above a downstream exit, near the bottom of the separator chamber, and into a holding chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Newberry Tanks & Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Boyd B. Greene, Naji J. Nassif, Anderson Scott, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5240593
    Abstract: A purification method and device for purifying industrial liquid such as oil from contaminates including first container housing for receiving the industrial liquid in bulk and separating liquid and particulate contaminates therefrom by reversing a flow direction of the received liquid. The thus processed liquid is transferred to a second container and is subjected to a further filtration by forcing the liquid under high pressure through at least one filter element accommodated in the second container. The high pressure on the at least one filter element results in a compression of the at least one filter element thereby precluding the liquid being processed from bypassing the filter element. A further filter barrier seal element may be provided above the at least one filter element and serves as a final filtration prior to a discharge of the liquid from the second container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Inventor: James G. Moredock
  • Patent number: 5234589
    Abstract: A filter assembly for filtering contaminants from liquid. A housing has a filtering chamber and an inlet port and an outlet port communicating with the chamber for flow of liquid therethrough. Filter media is located in the filtering chamber for filtering contaminants from liquid flowing through the filter media to the outlet port. A sump region is provided in the filtering chamber at the bottom thereof below the inlet port. Contaminants in the liquid entering the chamber from the inlet port tend to gravitate toward the sump region for collection. A separator member is located in the filtering chamber below the inlet port. This separator member substantially separates the filter media and sump region, and gravitating contaminants gravitate from the inlet port to the separator member. The separator member provides for communication of the gravitated contaminants into the sump region but tends to trap those contaminants in the sump region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Kagisho Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Marino R. Sussich, Paul J. Sussich
  • Patent number: 5227061
    Abstract: A fuel/contaminant separator (10) designed to separate water and contaminants out of fuels used for products for combustion. The contaminated fuel (12) enters the fuel/contaminant separator (10) via the inlet pipe (14) located in the upper portion of the fuel/contaminant separator (10). A curved nozzle assembly (16) located at the periphery of the fuel/contaminant separator (10) cause a centrifugal effect to take place making separation similar to that achieved by elaborate mechanical centrifuges. In the collection section (26), minute particles of water and solid contaminants collect at the perforations of the perforated cone filter (28 or 38) where they accumulate and fall to the bottom of the collection section (26). The lighter fuel particles remain in suspension and flow up the center of the fuel/contaminant separator (10) to the outlet pipe (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Inventor: Robert D. Bedsole
  • Patent number: 5190651
    Abstract: The invention is an improvement in a known cylindrical, annular fluid filter cartridge of the type having a lower end cap supporting spaced, concentric filter elements. The spaced elements define an effluent path therebetween. In known cartridges of the foregoing type, the inner and outer perimeters of the end cap (or either of them) have a significant circumferential "Perimeter of engagement" which seats into a pocket with friction fit. As a result, significant force is required to remove a cartridge, especially a large cartridge, from the housing. The improvement comprises a channel (either a tube-like riser or a manifold) and a discharge port for receiving effluent, e.g., filtered water, from the effluent path. The discharge port (with its relatively small perimeter of engagement) is configured and arranged for attachment to and detachment from an outlet vent located near the bottom of the cartridge housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Sta-Rite Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Terrel F. Spencer, Gary L. Brooks
  • Patent number: 5118411
    Abstract: A system for the filtering of liquids with suspended particles in which the settling tank is divided into a first and a second tank (9.sub.1), (9.sub.2) with communication (41) between them at a low level, the washing/rinsing pipe (42) delivering to the first tank (9.sub.1) which in turn communicates with the dirty liquid tank (7), with a fork (13') in the clean liquid pipe (13) being provided at the outlet from the valve assembly (6) and leading to the dirty liquid tank (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Inventor: Fernando Martinez-Mugica