Involving Mixture Containing One Or More Gases Patents (Class 494/900)
  • Patent number: 11925888
    Abstract: A component for a centrifugal degasser for an air/oil mixture of a turbomachine is disclosed. The degasser rotates about an axis of symmetry, forming an annular chamber for centrifugal separation of the mixture. The chamber forms a fluid passage duct, one inlet of which is oriented axially for supplying the chamber with the mixture, and a first outlet of which is oriented radially inwards for discharging the deoiled air separated from the mixture. The chamber also includes at least one second oil outlet oriented radially outwards and intended to discharge the oil separated from the mixture to the outside of the degasser. The chamber has longitudinal walls passing radially therethrough, at least one of the surfaces of the longitudinal walls having surface structures and/or corrugations arranged to form obstacles to a flow of the mixture along the surface of the longitudinal walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: SAFRAN HELICOPTER ENGINES
    Inventors: Arnaud Georges Nifenecker, Benjamin Nicolas Fulleringer, Nicolas Maurice Marcel Herran
  • Patent number: 11690473
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for aerating a liquid food product, wherein the system includes a bubble generator (5) for generating bubbles in a liquid food product flow. The bubble generator (5) includes a wall (23) having gas transmissive pores, which wall separates an air supply space (24) from the liquid food product flow, wherein an air supply (4) is provided for supplying air to the air supply space (24). The air supply (4) includes an air drying device (7) for drying air, preferably dehumidifying air, to be supplied to the air supply space (24) and/or a container (8) containing pre-dried air, said container (8) being arranged for supplying dried air to the air supply space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: FRIESLANDCAMPINA NEDERLAND B.V.
    Inventors: Wiebe Nicolaas Van Druten, Maarten Botman
  • Patent number: 11660614
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a heavy phase liquid discharge element, a centrifugal separator comprising the element and to a method of separating two liquid phases. The heavy phase liquid discharge element comprises at least one inlet opening on a first side of the heavy phase liquid discharge element, the at least one inlet opening being adapted to face an interior of the centrifugal separator, and at least two separate outlet channels defining an outlet on the second side of the heavy phase liquid discharge element, wherein at least a portion of each of the outlet channels overlaps with the at least one inlet opening, thereby forming a liquid pathway between the at least one inlet opening and the outlet defined by the at least two outlet channels through which the liquid can pass. By this design, pressure losses in the heavy phase liquid outlets can be decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventor: Bent Madsen
  • Patent number: 8128731
    Abstract: A method for separating and enriching isotopes in an efficient and low-cost manner from a condensation-system (liquid or/and solid) material including two or more different isotopes by taking advantage of the sedimentation of atoms through an acceleration field by ultra-high speed rotation. The condensation-system material is placed in a sedimentation tank which is then housed in a supercentrifuge. The supercentrifuge in its rotor is rotation driven by an ultra-high speed rotation power source, and an acceleration field of energy of 100000 G to 1500000 G, i.e., about 100 to 800 m/s in terms of peripheral velocity, is applied to the above condensed (liquid or/and solid) material under such a temperature that is specified by an isotope material to be enriched. In this case, a difference in centrifugal force applied is provided between the isotopes in the condensed (liquid or/and solid) material comprising the at least two isotopes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignees: National University Corporation Kumamoto University, Maruwa Electronic Inc.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Mashimo, Masao Ono, Xinsheng Huang, Yusuke Iguchi, Satoru Okayasu, Hiroshi Yasuoka, Koji Shibasaki, Masanori Sueyoshi
  • Patent number: 6936122
    Abstract: An assembly for supporting a fiber optic termination or connector in a centrifuge and comprising a cylindrical body member having a top portion adapted to receive the ferrule body portion of a fiber optic termination or connector and a bottom portion for receiving a cylindrical piston/sealing unit. The piston portion of the piston/sealing unit includes a compressible tip which is adapted to a butt up against the outer end of the ferrule body portion of the fiber optic termination or connector. A cylindrical end cap fits over the upper end of the body member for holding the fiber optic termination in place on the body member and causing a seal to be formed between the termination or connector and the upper portion of the body member adjacent the compressible tip of the plunger. The parts, when fitted together, are placed in a centrifuge which is operated for a predetermined spin cycle, so as to cause any bubbles in the uncured liquid adhesive to be vented outwardly from the termination through the end cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: John R. Kolasinski
  • Patent number: 6287404
    Abstract: An assembly for supporting a fiber optic termination or connector in a centrifuge and comprising a cylindrical body member having a top portion adapted to receive the ferrule body portion of a fiber optic termination or connector and a bottom portion for receiving a cylindrical piston/sealing unit. The piston portion of the piston/sealing unit includes a compressible tip which is adapted to a butt up against the outer end of the ferrule body portion of the fiber optic termination or connector. A cylindrical end cap fits over the upper end of the body member for holding the fiber optic termination in place on the body member and causing a seal to be formed between the termination or connector and the upper portion of the body member adjacent the compressible tip of the plunger. The parts, when fitted together, are placed in a centrifuge which is operated for a predetermined spin cycle, so as to cause any bubbles in the uncured liquid adhesive to be vented outwardly from the termination through the end cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: John R. Kolasinski
  • Patent number: 6162162
    Abstract: A process for extracting a component from liquids using dense phase gases or supercritical fluids (dense phase solvent). The process contacts a liquid and the dense phase solvent in a rotating mixer to dissolve a desired fraction into the dense phase solvent to form a loaded solvent. Furthermore, the mixer separates the loaded solvent from the remaining raffinate. Then the rotating mixer discharges the loaded solvent and raffinate. Decreasing pressure on the loaded solvent converts the loaded solvent into a gas and the desired fraction to liberate the desired fraction from the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond John Robey
  • Patent number: 6102843
    Abstract: A one-pass centrifuge separator for mixtures of two liquids which may also contain gas. The centrifuge uses separation zones on a rotor's inner wall to improve separation efficiency and minimize turbulent mixing. The zones consist of surface and interface vanes, and baffle plates to control flow at the fluid interface. The zones also retain an open concept to facilitate washing by cleaning fluids which are provided by nozzles installed on a stationary feedpipe mounted along the rotational axis of the centrifuge. A fluid accelerator gradually accelerates the fluid from the feedpipe to the inner wall of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Lonny R. Kelley, Mark E. Ehrhardt, Mukhtiar S. Purewal, Jeffrey W. Frederick, Houston G. Wood, III, James P. Johnston
  • Patent number: 6063019
    Abstract: A centrifuge including a non-rotatable containment vessel, a rotatable centrifuge tube within said vessel, an inlet assembly for dirty gas, an outlet assembly for clean gas, and an outlet assembly for dirty gas, said inlet assembly for the dirty gas and said outlet assembly for the dirty gas being located in close mutual proximity and at or towards one end of the centrifuge tube, the outlet for the clean gas being located at the opposite end of the centrufuge tube, the flow of gas entering the centrifuge tube being reversed within the centrifuge tube so as to increase the residence time of the dirty gas within said centrifuge tube. The centrifuge tube is supported on spaced foil bearings located at predetermined spacings relative to each other and to the ends and center of the centfrifuge tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventor: Brian Wade
  • Patent number: 6036630
    Abstract: A process for extracting a component from liquids using dense phase gases or supercritical fluids (dense phase solvent). The process contacts a liquid and the dense phase solvent in a rotating mixer to dissolve a desired fraction into the dense phase solvent to form a loaded solvent. Furthermore, the mixer separates the loaded solvent from the remaining raffinate. Then the rotating mixer discharges the loaded solvent and raffinate. Decreasing pressure on the loaded solvent converts the loaded solvent into a gas and the desired fraction to liberate the desired fraction from the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond John Robey
  • Patent number: 5904836
    Abstract: High-vacuum oil refinery systems and process are disclosed in this invention. The systems and process enables to carry out vaporization and distillation of oils under the condition of 1-10.sup.-4 Torr of high vacuum and at the temperature of not higher than 360.degree. C. and thereby removing possibility of thermal cracking while heating to be vaporized and easily produces high quality oil. The vaporized gases are centrifugally separated and liquefied by specific gravity using high-vacuum gas specific gravity centrifugal separators and thereby producing high purity oil of uniform quality. The process also carries out vaporization and distillation of the oil at the temperature of not higher than 360.degree. C. so that the process prevents vaporization of sulfur components of the oil, but simply drains the sulfur components along with the concentrated sludge oil and thereby distilling and desulfurizing the crude or heavy oil at the same time without using expensive conventional desulfurizing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Dae Sung Lee
    Inventors: Dae Sung Lee, Ho Keun Shin
  • Patent number: 5902224
    Abstract: A gas separation centrifuge is provided with a housing having a top, a bottom and a plurality of joined side walls parallel to an axis and forming a predetermined regular polygon cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axis. A rotor is mounted for coaxial rotation within the housing, including a plurality of inverted truncated pyramid plates forming the predetermined regular polygon shape at an outer periphery, and forming the predetermined regular polygon shape at an interior edge. The plurality of inverted truncated pyramid plates are stacked coaxially and are axially spaced apart to form planar channels therebetween and define an interior annular volume with openings therefrom into the planar channels. There are also openings through the outer periphery. A first plurality of stationary concentric input tubes extends into the interior annular volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Fuge Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Bloom
  • Patent number: 5861052
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for pumping a fluid mixture of a gas and a liquid and for separating said gas and liquid from each other, said apparatus having a fluid inlet (14) at one end (18) and at the opposite end (22) a pump housing (16) with a liquid outlet (28) and, between said inlet (14) and said pump housing (16), a hollow elongated gas separation part (30) of an essentially circular cross section with a generally central outlet (26) for separated gas. Said gas separation part (30) is provided by a hollow rotor (12) between said inlet (14) and said pump housing (16), the inner wall of said rotor (12) providing a large rotatable gas separation surface (32). The diameter of said rotor (12) increases at said opposite end (22) of the apparatus to form a larger diameter pumping zone (17) extending into said pump housing (16). Said rotor (12) is provided with a blade wheel (24) extending into said pump housing (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: POM Technology Oy AB
    Inventor: Paul Olof Meinander
  • Patent number: 5622621
    Abstract: A rotating drum divided in axial spaced compartments with one of the compartments includes paddles and coalescing material to separate the fluid from the liquid and the other compartment includes a stationary third pump and a stationary water pump for effectively separating fluid such as oil or gas from liquid such a water. Another embodiment includes a simplified version of the fluid/liquid separator adapted for zero gravity environment and includes a device for purging the lines from air prior to pumping the liquid. An electrical sensing circuit including conductivity sensors or an electronic controller including pressure sensors serve to control the rate of removal of the separated component or controlling the purging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Robert W. Kramer
  • Patent number: 5428220
    Abstract: An aerosol mass spectrometer and method for classifying aerosol particles according to specific mass wherein an outer cylinder (1) and an inner cylinder (14) are concentrically and radially spaced relative to each other to provide an annular operating space (24) between the cylinders for the passage therethrough of the sample aerosol. Outer cylinder 1 is mounted on rotor 2 to be rotatably driven thereby and has a bearing (6) at the upper end for supporting an aerosol inlet tube (8). The inner cylinder has upper and lower bearings (20, 22) in the upper and lower ends thereof for supporting an aerosol outlet tube (38). A voltage source (28) is connected between the inner and outer cylinders via brushes (30, 32) to produce a radially inward electrostatic force across the annular gap (24) to oppose centrifugal force on the particles during rotation of the cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Commerce
    Inventor: Kensei Ehara
  • Patent number: 5387278
    Abstract: A system for separating an air-liquid mixture in a low gravity environment is disclosed having a high speed separator to initially process the air-liquid mixture. A second, low-speed separator has its inlet connected to the liquid discharge outlet of the high speed separator in order to remove the entrained air bubbles from the liquid discharge of the high speed separator. The low speed separator has a stationary housing enclosing a rotating, paddle-type separator. The housing defines a liquid collector portion which communicates directly with a liquid discharge outlet. Air removed by the low speed separator may be vented to the ambient atmosphere, or may be returned to the air-liquid mixture inlet of the high speed separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Grumman Aerospace Corporation
    Inventor: John K. Mangialardi
  • Patent number: 5195939
    Abstract: A three phase centrifugal separator for separating the components of a fluid mixture of oil, water and gas, consisting of a cylindrical drum rotatably mounted within a pressure vessel. Two liquid phase holding tanks connected to the pressure vessel are also maintained under pressure. The drum has an initial separation chamber which separates gaseous phase fluids from liquid phase fluids. Water is forced to the outer circumference of the drum by centrifugal force and forms a water zone within the confines of a first and a second annular weirs. The first annular weir is lower than the second annular weir such that water is retained in the water zone until the level of the first annular weir is attached, thereafter any additional water entering the water zone results in a migration of water between the drum and the first annular weir to a water phase outlet. Oil is forced into a water/oil interface on top of the water zone by centrifugal force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Inventor: Earl Gingras
  • Patent number: 5190515
    Abstract: An apparatus for degassing a continuously flowing liquid stream comprising an air-tight housing, in which is mounted for rotation a centrifuge bowl of circular cross-section and having an inner surface for spreading centrifugally impelled liquid to be degassed and an annular peripheral trough for retaining centrifugally impelled degassed liquid. The liquid stream is fed into the bowl and the degassed liquid is withdrawn through a tube extending from an exit line outside the housing to an open end of elongate cross-section which is positioned within the trough of the bowl and is immersible in the degassed liquid. The apparatus further provides for measuring the pressure of the exiting degassed liquid, the pressure measurement being used to regulate the flow of liquid into the bowl so as to maintain a substantially constant level of liquid therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Donald E. Eaton, Errol S. Francis, Eric L. Dillenbeck, Lawrence D. Meston, Walter Johannes
  • Patent number: 5041076
    Abstract: A multi-stage rotary inertial device and method in which rotary inertial thermodynamic impedance is used in the separation of materials according to their diferences in mass. Thus, an input flow composed of substances having two different masses is separated into two output flows having preferred concentrations, respectively, according to their different masses. Rotary inertial thermodynamic pumping is used for operation of intermediate separator stages. This can be controlled from outside the rotating device by selectively supplying heat to the rotating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Inventor: Frederick W. Kantor
  • Patent number: 5024741
    Abstract: A method of yielding selectively a desired enrichment in a specific isotope including the steps of inputting into a spinning chamber a gas from which a scavenger, radiating the gas with a wave length or frequency characteristic of the absorption of a particular isotope of the atomic or molecular gas, thereby inducing a photochemical reaction between the scavenger, and collecting the specific isotope-containing chemical by using a recombination surface or by a scooping apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventor: Jakob Maya
  • Patent number: 4978370
    Abstract: In connection with reduction of the pressure of newly produced oil, i.e. a mixture of hydrocarbon compounds, this conventionally is performed stepwise, a momentary pressure drop occurring at each stage.According to the invention it is suggested that oil is caused to flow radially inward in a chamber (12), which is formed by a rotating vessel (1) and which is only partly filled with rotating oil, whereby the pressure drop in the oil can occur relatively slowly. A free liquid surface is maintained in the chamber (12), and a certain gas pressure is maintained in the liquid free part thereof, while evaporated hydrocarbon compounds are removed through a central gas outlet (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: Alfa-Laval Separation AB
    Inventor: Kjell Klintenstedt
  • Patent number: 4800138
    Abstract: A fuel cell power system for use in a weightless environment, such as in space, includes a device for removing water from a water-hydrogen mixture condensed from the exhaust from the fuel cell power section of the system. Water is removed from the mixture in a centrifugal separator, and is fed into a holding, pressure operated water discharge valve via a Pitot tube. Entrained nondissolved hydrogen is removed from the Pitot tube by a bleed orifice in the Pitot tube before the water reaches the water discharge valve. Water discharged from the valve thus has a substantially reduced hydrogen content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Assignee: International Fuel Cells Corporation
    Inventors: William E. Romanowski, George T. Suljak
  • Patent number: 4721505
    Abstract: In a centrifuge having a rotor, an inlet structure has a stack of annular discs and a conduit supplying liquid to a receiving chamber formed centrally in the disc stack. The liquid mixture to be separated is caused to flow in thin layers in the passages between the discs, and by friction with the discs is accelerated to the rotational speed of the rotor. Liquid is supplied to the receiving chamber in such a way that a continuous liquid phase is maintained between the mixture in the supply conduit and in the receiving chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Assignee: Alfa-Laval Separation AB
    Inventors: Claes Inge, Torgny Lagerstedt, Leonard Borgstroem, Claes-Goeran Carlsson, Sven-Olof Naebo, Hans Moberg, Peter Franzen
  • Patent number: 4443213
    Abstract: A decanting type centrifuge having a main bowl which is adapted to be rotated about its longitudinal axis and which contains a helical scroll conveyor which is arranged to rotate about the main bowl axis at a slightly different speed to the main bowl for scrolling separated solids to a solids discharge end of the bowl. The centrifuge includes a means which acts to isolate a gas volume radially inwardly of the inner liquid surface within the bowl and also a passage arrangement which enables gas to be extracted continuously from the isolated gas volume to a location external to the main bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1984
    Assignee: Thomas Broadbent & Sons Limited
    Inventors: Geoffrey L. Grimwood, John Wright