Between Gas Flow Path Wall And Central Core Patents (Class 55/457)
  • Publication number: 20070234691
    Abstract: A cyclone and a cyclone air purifier include a device with an inlet port structure such that a suction area through which a fluid is suctioned into the cyclone is increased, pressure loss is reduced, and a centrifugal force applied to the fluid is increased, to improve performance of air purification and to reduce noise. The cyclone includes a cylinder into which a fluid is suctioned, a guide extended from the cylinder, an outlet pipe provided in a center of the cylinder to guide a fluid that inversely rises to be discharged, and a vortex induction member provided between the cylinder and the outlet pipe to form vortex channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Oh Han, Jai Kwon Lee, Jin Yong Mo
  • Patent number: 7279020
    Abstract: Axial flow demisting cyclone for separation of a mixture of gas and liquid including an inlet 30 for gas containing liquid droplets and an outlet 31 for substantially dry gas, including a mainly cylindrical cyclone tube 16 with at least one path of slots or perforations 19 allowing a part of the fluid, including separated liquid, to flow out of the cyclone tube 16. The demisting cyclone also includes a swirl inducing device 17, 18 to set the entering fluid in rotation. This swirl-inducing device is formed from a cascade of vanes 18 attached to a concentric core body 17, preferably cylindrical in shape, which extends towards the wall of the cyclone tube 16, the vanes 18 being in the longitudinal direction of the vanes from their leading edge 23 to their trailing edge 24.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: ConSept A/S
    Inventors: Bjorn Christiansen, Knut Sveberg, Inge Hjelkrem, Dag Kvamsdal
  • Publication number: 20070220850
    Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for collecting vapor gas generated by an oil-containing material within a production tank. The devices and associated methods result in produced oil having a reduced level of dissolved hydrocarbons and recovery of vapor gas for resale. The devices include vapor recovery units connected to conventional oil-production units so that a conventional unit is converted to a low emission unit. In an embodiment, the device is a column separator comprising a perforated, packed spiral baffle with one end that receives vapor gas and a second end for removing gas that has traversed the length of the column separator. Also provided are methods for converting an oil-production unit into a low-emission oil production unit using any of the devices disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Applicant: LEED FABRICATION SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Delbert Thompson
  • Patent number: 7273513
    Abstract: The use of turbulent contactors to simultaneously absorb selected acid gas components from a gas stream and flash off hydrocarbons entrained in a liquid stream which include a solvent or reagent for the selected gas component. In particular, the method comprises feeding the gas stream and liquid stream into a first contactor where they are contacted co-currently and subjected to turbulent mixing conditions, and passing the multi-phase flow from the first contactor to a second contactor. The multi-phase flow from the second contactor is subsequently separated into a gas phase and a liquid phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Statoil ASA
    Inventors: Harald Linga, Inge Sverre Lund Nilsen, Finn Patrick Nilsen, Trond Olav Høyland
  • Patent number: 7258713
    Abstract: A centrifugal particle separator includes a first vane assembly and a second vane assembly. The first vane assembly includes a centrally positioned hub, a collar encircling the hub and a plurality of first vanes. Each first vane can have an inner end connected to the hub and an outer end connected to the collar, wherein a trailing edge of at least one of the plurality of first vanes can extend past an edge of the collar. The second vane assembly includes a centrally positioned hub, a collar encircling the hub and a plurality of second vanes circumferentially disposed about the hub. Each second vane can have an inner end connected to the hub and an outer end connected to the collar, wherein a leading edge of at least one of the plurality of second vanes can extend past an edge of the collar. When the first and second vane assemblies are secured together, at least one of the plurality of first vanes protrudes into the second vane assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Dreison International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerry E. Eubank, Robert Dingess
  • Patent number: 7258727
    Abstract: A separating apparatus which enables particles to be separated from a flowing medium by a preliminary separator which avoids the undesirably high pressure losses due to the flow resistance of known preliminary separators. The separating apparatus has a housing with an inlet and an outlet, in which a flow of air at the inlet end is caused to rotate by an inlet guide device, and is redirected again at the outlet end by an outlet guide device into a linear flow. The pressure recovery is achieved by a defined curvature and arrangement of the guide elements. The guide element curvature has an inlet contour, a retarding contour and a stabilizing contour. Preliminary separators of this type are used primarily in the air intake tracts of internal combustion engines exposed to heavy contamination, such as engines in farm machinery or construction machinery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Greif, Jens Haehn
  • Patent number: 7252703
    Abstract: The direct contact liquid air contaminant control system and method to revitalize air by removal of carbon dioxide and other trace gas contaminants use a direct contact air, liquid scrubber element and stripper element. The scrubber element has two rotor elements rotatably mounted in a housing first for centrifugal separation of an air flow and liquid absorbent mixture which liquid absorbent has absorbed carbon dioxide and trace gas contaminants. Then second for centrifugal separation of an air flow and acid water wash mixture which acid water wash has liquid absorbent and other contaminants. The processed air is then passed through a charcoal bed filter for further removal of contaminants. A rotary contact processor may also be used to reprocess contaminated liquid absorbent for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Al MacKnight
  • Patent number: 7244282
    Abstract: A separator device, particularly a separator for separating particles from an air stream, which includes a first stage having at least one centrifugal separator through which the fluid flows along a first axial path. The centrifugal separator has a guide device for generating a spiral movement of the fluid. A second stage is directly downstream from the first stage and has an essentially cylindrical housing. A dust discharge is provided in the area of the fluid outlet, and a central pipe which is arranged concentrically and has a truncated conical shape is provided in the second stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Greif, Guenther Kissel, Jan Zink
  • Patent number: 7182803
    Abstract: A cyclone separator includes a body having a side entry fluid inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet both aligned substantially transverse to the fluid inlet, and has the first and second outlets opposing each other. A cyclone tube assembly is positioned within the body having at least a portion of the cyclone tube assembly positioned in a direct unobstructed alignment path with the fluid inlet. The cyclone tube assembly includes a plurality of cyclone tubes, each including a first tube section and a second tube section partially positioned within the first tube section. A ceramic material forms at least a portion of the second tube section of each cyclone tube. A first tube connection plate supports the first tube section of each of the cyclone tubes. A second tube connection plate supports the second tube section of each of the cyclone tubes. The first tube connection plate is angularly offset from the second tube connection plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Albert E Stewart, Jeffrey A Mays, Kenneth M Sprouse
  • Patent number: 7163626
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for treating a gas/liquid mixture, comprising: an inlet opening for the mixture; an outlet for the mixture located downstream; rotating means arranged in the tube for setting the mixture into rotating movement; one or more outlet openings arranged downstream relative to the rotating means for allowing a part of the mixture to flow laterally out of the tube; a return conduit arranged in axial direction through the rotating means for reintroducing into the tube the flow which has exited via the outlet openings; and divergence means arranged close to the outlet opening of the return conduit for allowing the reintroduced flow to diverge laterally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignees: Spark Technologies and Innovations N.V., Koch-Glitsch N.V.
    Inventors: Cindy Thérèse Cornelia Cuypers, David Ian Stanbridge
  • Patent number: 7160345
    Abstract: This invention relates in general to a guard(s)/cap(s) and/or screen(s) apparatus (single and/or multiple formation) for the nacelle/air inlet for numerous jets, turbojet, turboprop and turboshaft engines—(Helicopters and other VTOL/VSTOL aircraft) such as power plants or the like. This apparatus contains the rotational system(s) as well as the engine shaft attached apparatus and/or pole that allows the mechanism to function by auto induced movement, without limiting engine thrust. Additional security measures have been introduced to the guard(s)/cap(s) and/or screen(s) apparatus, which includes a centrifuge chamber/manifold for particle collector without limiting engine thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Marina Ellen Marinella Pavlatos
  • Patent number: 7156889
    Abstract: A dust collection assembly includes a primary collection assembly and a secondary collection assembly and may be connected to a source of gas having dust entrained therein. The primary collection assembly includes a primary duct having an inlet end and an outlet end. A first apparatus is mounted within the primary duct imparts a swirling motion to the gas which enters through the inlet end of the duct. A second apparatus is located downstream of the first apparatus for removing a portion of the dust entrained in the gas. The secondary collection assembly is in fluid communication with the outlet end of the primary collection assembly, and it includes a plurality of filter bags. The dust collection assembly also includes a fan that is in fluid communication with the secondary collection assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Astec, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm Swanson, Andrew Hobbs
  • Patent number: 7144437
    Abstract: A vertically oriented separator for separating liquid from a gas stream, where the incoming fluid enters the separator through an inlet nozzle arranged mainly perpendicular to the center axis of the separator and communicates with a circular swirl-inducing inlet device which is outwardly limited by the separator wall, inwardly limited by a mainly centrally arranged pipe and upwardly limited by a sealed top cover. The separator includes a first separation compartment arranged below the pipe and a second separator compartment arranged above the pipe, so the incoming fluid successively and under continuous swirl is forced to pass from the circular swirl-inducing inlet device to the first separator compartment and further through the pipe to the second separator compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Inventors: Bjorn Christiansen, Knur Sveberg, Inge Hjelkrem, Dag Kvamsdal
  • Patent number: 7070637
    Abstract: A particle separation device for removing particles from a fluid. An embodiment of the device includes a particle separation chamber with an annular tunnel. A plurality of inlet vanes extend within the annular tunnel for imparting a helical fluid flow by deflecting the fluid at an discharge angle. The vanes are shaped so that a deflection angle of the fluid moving along a surface of the inlet vanes varies smoothly from an initial axial direction as the fluid enters the vanes to the discharge angle as the fluid exits the vanes. A particle separation system includes a plurality of particle separation modules arranged in an array. A multi-annular particle separation apparatus includes a plurality of concentric particle separation devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventor: Yuanhui Zhang
  • Patent number: 7066987
    Abstract: A separating cyclone for at least partially separating a mixture of fluids of different density into a light fraction with a relatively low density and a heavy fraction with a relatively high density, comprising a flow body in a flow space between the flow body and casing around the flow body wherein at least one bypass channel is provided in the distal part of the flow body, via which channels a part of the mixture flowing along the flow body in the flow space can be guided. Also, a method for separating the above stated mixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: CDS Engineering B.V.
    Inventor: David Stanbridge
  • Patent number: 7056368
    Abstract: A powered air cleaning system (1) and air cleaning method are disclosed. The system has a flow path (22) extending through the system from an air inlet (4) to a clean air outlet (5). A motor-driven fan (24) located along the flow path draws particulate debris laden air into the inlet and rotates it about an axis (A—A) to form a rotating flow that stratifies the debris laden air with the heaviest particles in the outermost orbits of the rotating flow. An ejector port (25) is provided for ejecting particulate debris laden air from the stratified rotating flow in the system to the environment. An air filter (9) located within the rotating flow and across the flow path upstream of the outlet filters air from the innermost orbits of the stratified rotating flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Sy-Klone Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Moredock, Eric L. Ehrenberg
  • Patent number: 7004987
    Abstract: A pre-cleaner for an air induction system of an internal combustion engine including a housing enclosing an upper chamber and an aspirator port chamber, the upper chamber containing a plurality of particulate separator tubes for removing particles from air flowing through the tubes en route to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventors: Derryn W. Pikesh, Randy Carlz
  • Patent number: 7001440
    Abstract: An air filter element includes an annular filter media having an end cap with an elongated sleeve portion having a unitary array of canted fins and a unitary annular disk partially closing one end. The end cap is preferably made of high impact polypropylene. An annular gasket made of foam rubber or polyurethane is adhered to the unitary annular disk portion, preferably by a two shot molding step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Wix Filtration Corp.
    Inventor: Donald Troy Chilton
  • Patent number: 7001448
    Abstract: A system for separating an entrained liquid component from a gas stream employing at least one vortex tube having a liquid outlet end and a wet gas inlet tangential to its sidewall and arranged so that wet gas rotates within the vortex tube to cause the liquid components to be forced against the interior wall surface by centrifugal action. An orifice plate closes the vortex tube first end and has a concentric gas outlet opening therein. A vortex finder tube extends concentrically within the vortex tube providing an annular area between itself and the vortex tube internal wall. A gas deflector is positioned within the annular area and has a downwardly spiraled surface that diverts wet gas downwardly away from the wet gas inlet. In one embodiment, an outlet tube is affixed to the orifice plate central opening and is configured to divert outlet gas downwardly. In another embodiment, an energy absorbing housing surrounds the vortex tube liquid outlet end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: National Tank Company
    Inventor: Hugh M. West
  • Patent number: 6958083
    Abstract: An air cleaner is provided with a reduced restriction precleaner cooperating with a tangential inlet and centering and locating an annular filter element, and reducing inlet restriction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Kelly R. Schmitz, Jeffrey A. Rech
  • Patent number: 6932849
    Abstract: A vortex-type filter assembly comprising a housing, a removable inlet module, and a removable outlet module. The housing comprises an inlet portion, a filtration chamber, and an outlet portion. The inlet module separates the inlet portion from the filtration chamber, and has one or more vortex generating inlet passages. The outlet module separates the filtration chamber from the outlet portion, and has one or more outlet passages. There is one outlet passage cooperating with every one inlet passage for filtering debris from the fluid. One or both of inlet module and the outlet module may be removed to facilitate servicing of the filter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Alan David Sheidler, Benjamin Max Lovett, Yong Ho Park
  • Patent number: 6921424
    Abstract: A pre-separator removes contaminants from dirty air and an air intake system of an automobile engine. The pre-separator includes a central body connected to a plurality of vanes, the central body including a leading nose-cone portion and a trailing nose-cone portion. An exit tube defines an outlet that is sized and positioned relative to the central body. The pre-separator is capable of easy packaging within the air intake system, while minimizing the restriction and maximizing horsepower of the engine. In one embodiment, the separation efficiency, the restriction, and acoustic tuning may be selectively controlled for the particular application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Neville J. Bugli, James J. Kempf, William C. Montgomery, Charles B. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6902593
    Abstract: A multi-cyclone gas/solids separator with reduced solids re-entrainment is disclosed. The separator uses a plurality of cyclones spaced horizontally apart from adjacent cyclones to process flue gas containing residual catalyst fines. Each cyclone has a body that has a feed inlet end for admitting gas and entrained solids into an annular space defined by a sidewall of the cyclone body and a cylindrical gas outlet tube axially aligned with the cyclone body. A solids outlet at an opposing end of the cyclone body has a tangential outlet for solids and a minor amount of gas through a sidewall of the cyclone body. A gas reflux opening is axially aligned with the outlet tube. The plurality of cyclones share both a common catch chamber for solids discharged from the solids outlet, and a common manifold for gas and entrained solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown and Root, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard B. Miller, Eusebius Gbordzoe, Yong-Lin Yang, Suisheng M. Dou, David Lee Johnson
  • Patent number: 6863703
    Abstract: A circulating fluidized bed (CFB) unit utilizing a mechanical dust collector located in a vertical flue above at least one heat exchange surface, and at least partially underneath the floor of a non-vertical flue, includes a plurality of individual collection elements each having a downward bottom outlet for a flow of cleaned gas conveyed through the collection elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Mikhail Maryamchik, Felix Belin, David J. Walker, Donald L. Wietzke
  • Patent number: 6860915
    Abstract: The invention concerns an oil separator (2) for crankcase gases of an internal combustion engine, comprising a preliminary separator (28), a cyclone separator (30), a fine separator (32) and, if necessary, a valve device (36) that are provided in a cascade arrangement on a cylinder-head cover (4) of the internal combustion engine; in order to create an oil separator for use in various engines having different quantities of crankcase gas, said oil separator is designed so that, as an option, helixes (48) having different radial depths of the flow path can be inserted in a housing section for the cyclone separator (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Stegmaier, Bruno Hezel, Dietmar Uhlenbrock
  • Patent number: 6818034
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for separating dirt and debris in flowing media by making use of centrifugal forces, said device comprising a separation chamber (1), and a dirt collection chamber (3) connected with said separation chamber (1) by at least one dirt discharge opening (2). Arranged in the region of dirt discharge opening (2) within dirt collection chamber (3) are one or more flow guide elements (4, 5, 6), which make the backflow of dirt and debris into separation chamber (1) difficult. In the present device the danger of backflow of dirt and debris particles from the dirt collection chamber into the separation chamber is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Alstom Technology LTD
    Inventors: Gordon Anderson, Joergen Ferber
  • Patent number: 6811586
    Abstract: The invention concerns an oil separator (2) for crankcase gases of an internal combustion engine, comprising a preliminary separator (28), a cyclone separator (30), a fine separator (32) and, if necessary, a valve device (36) that are provided in a cascade arrangement on a cylinder-head cover (4) of the internal combustion engine; in order to reduce the mutual interference of flowing crankcase gas and separated fluid, an oil drain opening (44) is provided upstream from the cyclone separator (30) in the flow or cascade direction, through which oil separated in the preliminary separator can be returned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Stegmaier, Bruno Hezel, Dietmar Uhlenbrock
  • Patent number: 6797026
    Abstract: A novel cyclone is disclosed that is effective for separating, from a contaminated gas stream, solid particulates having diameters as low as 4 to 5 microns. When multiple cyclones of the present invention are affixed between upper and lower tube sheets in a separator device, fine particle removal is possible to the extent required 1) by stringent regulations governing particulate emissions into the atmosphere, or 2) to prevent damage to turbine blades in downstream power recovery equipment. The cyclones are especially relevant to the problem of removing catalyst fines from refinery effluents, most notably fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) regenerator flue gas. The cyclone separation efficiency is enhanced through the use of 1) a uni-directional flow of gas from the contaminated gas inlet to the clean gas outlet and 2) discharge openings on the surface of the cyclone body that allow ejection of solid particulates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. Sechrist, Brian W. Hedrick
  • Patent number: 6752845
    Abstract: An apparatus for separation of a liquid from a multi-phase fluid flow flowing through a pipeline, wherein the fluid flow is set in rotation so that it is separated into a central zone (5) essentially containing gas, and an outer annular zone (6) essentially containing liquid, and from which the gas and the liquid in the two-zones are discharged via respective outlet means (10, 16). The apparatus comprises an essentially tubular casing (1) arranged to constitute a part of the actual pipeline, a spin element (4) for rotation of the fluid flow being located at the upstream end of the casing (1). The outlet means for the gas comprises an outlet element (10) arranged at the downstream end of the casing (1) and having a central, axially extending passage (11) for the gas, and an outer surface which, together with the inner surface of the casing (1), forms an annulus (12) for the inflow of liquid, a barrier (15) for the liquid being formed at the downstream end of the element (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Statoil ASA
    Inventor: Trygve Haland
  • Patent number: 6712869
    Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment device has a diffuser upstream of an aftertreatment element such as a catalyst element or a filter element such as a diesel particulate filter. The diffuser de-focuses centralized velocity force flow against the aftertreatment element from the inlet in a space efficient and flow efficient construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Raymond Cheng, Z. Gerald Liu, Randolph G. Zoran
  • Patent number: 6702877
    Abstract: Disclosed device for separating a mixture of gas with liquid and/or solid, which comprises a gravity separation vessel and a processing vessel which can be mounted in the gravity separation vessel. The processing vessel comprises a flow body which is provided with one or more swirl elements which set the feed mixture into rotation. The processing vessel also comprises a resistance element which is positioned between an outlet for the heavier fraction of the mixture and the flow body. The processing vessel may also comprise counter-swirl elements which are positioned in the discharge channel for the lighter fraction of the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignees: Spark Technologies and Innovations N.V., Koch-Glitsch N.V.
    Inventor: Rombout Adriaan Swanborn
  • Patent number: 6699300
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for drying compressed air comprising a substantially cylindrical, innerly hollow, container (19), provided, above, with an inlet hole (2) for the compressed air and with an outlet hole (24) for the compressed air, and at the bottom, with a chamber (21) for collecting condensed air and with means for extracting the same, at least an expansion chamber (3), communicating with said inlet hole (2), at least a laminating flange (4, 5), provided, downward said expansion chamber (3), with holes (6) for the passage of the compressed air, at least a spiral conical expander (10), provided with fins, and an inner canalization (23) for the rising of the compressed dehumidificated air toward the outlet hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Seco Engineering Srl
    Inventor: Marco Bocale
  • Patent number: 6673133
    Abstract: A novel cyclone is disclosed that is effective for separating, from a contaminated gas stream, solid particulates having diameters as low as 4-5 microns. When multiple cyclones of the present invention are affixed between upper and lower tube sheets in a separator device, fine particle removal is possible to the extent required 1) by stringent regulations governing particulate emissions into the atmosphere, or 2) to prevent damage to turbine blades in downstream power recovery equipment. The cyclones are especially relevant to the problem of removing catalyst fines from refinery effluents, most notably fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) regenerator flue gas. The cyclone separation efficiency is enhanced through the use of 1) a uni-directional flow of gas from the contaminated gas inlet to the clean gas outlet and 2) discharge openings on the surface of the cyclone body that allow ejection of solid particulates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. Sechrist, Brian W. Hedrick
  • Publication number: 20030182910
    Abstract: A pre-cleaner for an air induction system of an internal combustion engine including a housing enclosing an upper chamber and an aspirator port chamber, the upper chamber containing a plurality of particulate separator tubes for removing particles from air flowing through the tubes en route to the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Derryn W. Pikesh, Randy Carlz
  • Patent number: 6613129
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a container having an inlet for dirty air, an outlet for clean air, a coarse dust chamber and a fine dust chamber. The coarse dust chamber includes a filtering tube disposed within a rotary cylinder. The fine dust chamber includes a rotary cone. Air containing dust is drawn into the coarse dust chamber and supplied into the gap between the cylinder's inner surface and the filtering tube's outer surface. The air is rotated within the coarse dust chamber to force coarse dust to travel away from the chamber's center and air containing only fine dust travels through the filtering tube. This air is supplied into the rotary cone within the fine dust chamber and is rotated to force fine dust away from the chamber's center. Dust free air, which is travelling in the center of the rotary cone, is supplied out of the filter as clean air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Euro-Pro Corporation
    Inventor: Ni Zu Gen
  • Patent number: 6610115
    Abstract: The preliminary cleaning stage for a dust extraction installation for blast furnace gas is comprised of a large-sized cyclone which comprises a vertical pressurized tank. A gas furnace gas line arriving from the blast furnace is connected to an axial delivery device situated at the upper end of the pressurized tank. The delivery device is configured such that it introduces the blast furnace gas into the pressurized tank in an axial direction. A swirl device with guide vanes is positioned below the axial delivery device and causes the blast furnace gas which is axially introduced into the pressurized tank to swirl about the axis of the pressurized tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Paul Wurth S.A.
    Inventors: Karl-Rudolf Hegemann, Paul Goedert, Emile Lonardi, Ken Edward, Francis Pott, Guy Thillen
  • Patent number: 6576031
    Abstract: The invention relates to a droplet separator for separating liquid droplets as well as the solid matter and condensate associated therewith from a gas flow (a) brought into rotary motion. The droplet separator (1) comprises a gas flow duct (11, 13, 15) and a droplet separation tube (12) surrounding it. The gas flow duct is formed of three successive parts placed at a distance from one another in the direction of flow, which parts are a flow tube (11), a cone part (13) tapering in the direction of flow, and a continuation tube (15). The diameter of the front end of the cone part (13) is smaller than the diameter of the flow tube (11) and the rear end thereof is at a suitable distance from the continuation tube (15). Flow gaps are formed between said successive parts (11, 13, 15) of the flow duct, which gaps provide an open flow connection between the flow duct and the droplet separation tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Inventor: Viljo Järvenp{umlaut over (aa)}
  • Patent number: 6576029
    Abstract: A system for separating an entrained immiscible liquid component from a gas stream employing a vessel having a wet gas inlet, a gas outlet and a liquid outlet. At least one vortex tube is supported within the vessel and has a liquid outlet end and a wet gas inlet tangential to its sidewall and arranged so that wet gas rotates within the vortex tube to cause the liquid components to be forced against the interior wall surface by centrifugal action. An orifice plate closes the vortex tube first end and has a concentric gas outlet opening therein. A vortex finder tube is affixed to the orifice plate in communication with the gas outlet opening and extends concentrically within the vortex tube, the vortex finder tube providing an annular area between itself and the vortex tube internal wall. A gas deflector positioned within the annular area, the gas deflector having a downwardly spiraled surface that diverts wet gas downwardly away from the wet gas inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: National Tank Company
    Inventor: Hugh M. West
  • Patent number: 6562108
    Abstract: A method of removing a liquid entrained in a gas moving at a velocity in an upward direction from a base to a top of a stack comprising the steps of imparting a swirling direction to the velocity of the gas adjacent the base of the stack and then recovering at least some of the liquid adjacent the top of the stack. Also disclosed is an apparatus for removing a liquid entrained in a gas in a stack having a base and a top comprising at least one duct having a longitudinal axis entering the stack adjacent said base and at least one vertical vane disposed at and angled to the longitudinal axis of the duct and a collector adjacent the top of the stack for recovering liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: AEP Emtech, LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. Durner, Scott J. Kutzley
  • Patent number: 6554879
    Abstract: A trap apparatus includes a discharge path for evacuating a hermetically sealed chamber through a vacuum pump, a hermetically sealed trap container extended across the discharge path and a regeneration path disposed adjacent to the discharge path, a trap unit disposed in the trap container for attaching a product in a discharged gas thereon and removing the product form the discharged gas, the trap unit being selectively located at the discharge path or the regeneration path, a valve element disposed on both sides of the trap unit and being movable integrally with the trap unit, and a sealing material mounted on an outer circumferential surface of the valve element so as to slide over an inner circumferential surface of the trap container when the trap unit is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventor: Norihiko Nomura
  • Publication number: 20030074870
    Abstract: An air/oil separation tank for installation in a circuit for the production of compressed air, the circuit including an intake regulator (1) which intercepts external air and sends the air to an oil bath spin compressor (2) which is activated by an electric motor (3). The pressurized air/oil mixture produced by the compressor, passes through conduit (4) to enter separation tank (5) in which the separation of the oil from the air occurs. The air under pressure passes through radiator (6) and fills accumulation tank (7) waiting to be used, while the oil (8) deposited at the bottom of the separator, is picked up by conduit (9) and passes through radiator (10) to be brought again to compressor (2). This separation tank is characterized by the fact that the entry port of the air/oil mixture is placed on the upper wall or cover of the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventor: Mietto Virgilio
  • Patent number: 6540917
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for the cyclonic inertial separation of particles from a fluid stream, wherein a generator and an outlet tube are disposed within a housing, a scavenge port is disposed about the housing, and the outlet tube has a plurality of slots disposed about its outer diameter. Second and third pluralities of slots are preferably disposed about the outer diameter of the outlet tube, downstream of the first plurality of slots. The number of the first plurality of slots is preferably greater than the number of the second plurality of slots. The number of the second plurality of slots is preferably greater than the number of the third plurality of slots. The pluralities of slots are preferably ramped and circumferentially disposed about the outer diameter of the outlet tube. The outlet tube preferably has an upstream end with a conical surface shaped at an angle. The generator preferably has vanes that are helical and tapered at an angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Purolator Facet Inc.
    Inventors: David Lee Rachels, Joshua Wilson Russell Kersey
  • Patent number: 6540802
    Abstract: The invention relates to an intake system for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle for separating entrained water droplets. The intake system has an untreated air intake (10), an untreated air pipe (11) connected to said untreated air intake (10), and a water separator (12) adjoining said untreated air pipe (11). Inside the untreated air pipe (11) a swirl is produced to cause the aspirated air to rotate inside the untreated air pipe (11). The untreated air pipe (11) communicates with the internal combustion engine. The water separator (12) has an inner pipe (13) and an outer pipe (14), which are arranged coaxially to one another. The inner pipe (13) protrudes into the outer pipe (14), which is provided with a water outlet (20). Due to the coaxial construction of the water separator (12), the intake air flows into the downstream components without being diverted, so that no appreciable pressure losses are caused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Filterwerk Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Pius Trautmann, Andreas Weber
  • Patent number: 6533844
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for separating materials of two different phases from one another and an assembly for implementing the method. According to one embodiment of the invention, the second phase having the material in suspended or dispersed form is separated from the first phase by centrifugal force. At least one separator comprises a multiport cyclone into which the material flow is passed via an infeed nozzle having an annular cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Fortum Oil and Gas Oy
    Inventors: Jyrki Hiltunen, Isto Eilos, Vesa Niemi
  • Patent number: 6524373
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting water droplets from a water-laden airstream includes introducing the airstream into an extractor duct, imparting a swirling motion to the airstream at a first axial location in the duct, removing water droplets from the airstream that have been thrown to the inner surface of the duct at a second axial location downstream of the first location, and at a third axial location downstream of the second location removing water droplets not removed at the second location. The water removal mechanism at the second location includes a first collection chamber and a first array of apertures circumferentially positioned about the duct and communicating the interior of the duct with the first collection chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: George N. Afeiche, Michael B. Faust
  • Patent number: 6521205
    Abstract: The invention provides processes and apparatus for producing hydrogen from water, including the steps of heating water to a water dissociating temperature to form a dissociated water reaction mixture comprising hydrogen gas and oxygen gas. A vortex is formed of the reaction mixture to subject the reaction mixture to a centrifugal force about a longitudinal axis of an interior space of a vortex tube reactor, so that there is radial stratification of the hydrogen gas and the oxygen gas in the interior space of the vortex tube reactor. Hydrogen or oxygen is preferentially extracted from the reaction mixture at spaced apart points along the length of the interior space of the vortex tube reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: SHEC Labs—Solar Hydrogen Energy Corporation
    Inventor: J. Thomas Beck
  • Patent number: 6514322
    Abstract: A system for separating an entrained immiscible liquid component from a wet gas stream, the system including a vessel having an interior in communication with a wet gas inlet, a gas outlet and a liquid outlet, at least one vortex tube supported within the vessel interior, the vortex tube having an inlet end and an outlet end and a tubular wall having an internal wall surface through which fluids pass as the gas flows between the vessel wet gas inlet and gas outlet, a vortex generator supported within the vortex tube near the inlet end, the vortex generator causing gas within the vortex tube to rotate to thereby cause at least some of the liquid component to be forced against the interior wall surface of the vortex tube by centrifugal action, a circumferentially positioned liquid outlet in the vortex tube downstream of the vortex generator configured to strip liquid and bypass gas from the stream flowing through said vortex tube, stripped liquid and bypass gas entering a central chamber of the vessel and a rec
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: National Tank Company
    Inventor: Hugh M. West
  • Patent number: 6485536
    Abstract: The invention is a particle separator which separates entrained particulates from a fluid. The particle separator utilizes an auger enclosed within a cylinder to form a cyclonic chamber, through which air is propelled. The centrifugal motion of particles within the air causes the particles to exit the cyclonic chamber through ducts, and the particles are separated in collection chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Proteam, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven E. Masters
  • Patent number: 6482245
    Abstract: A device for separating a gas from a flow of the gas and particulate matter. The device has a chamber defined by a receiving surface. The device has a gas inlet conduit and a gas outlet conduit. The gas inlet conduit is positioned to deliver the flow of the gas and the particulate matter to the chamber. The gas outlet conduit is positioned to exhaust the flow of the gas from the chamber. The device includes a stationary impeller positioned within the chamber and having an upstream surface and a downstream surface. The impeller is configured to deflect the flow of the particulate matter and the gas to a radially outward flow of the particulate matter and the gas in a direction toward the receiving surface of the chamber. The device includes a gas exhaust port positioned in the gas outlet conduit and downstream of the gas inlet conduit and the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Armstrong International
    Inventor: Stephane Brilmaker
  • Patent number: 6468321
    Abstract: A blade and skirt assembly for a directional gas cleaning and drying system which is typically installed in a gas pipeline for removing solid and liquid impurities from steam or a process gas such as natural gas in the pipeline. The directional gas cleaning and drying system is typically characterized by a vertical, cylindrical gas vessel having an annular interior adsorption surface. In a preferred embodiment, the blade and skirt assembly of this invention includes multiple, angled vortex blades extending horizontally outwardly from a central cone-shaped blade hub, with the edges of the vortex blades attached to the adsorption surface. A cone-shaped dispersal skirt of the blade and skirt assembly is typically fitted with multiple, radially-extending gas flow vanes and typically attached to the blade hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Inventor: John W. Kinsel