Between Gas Flow Path Wall And Central Core Patents (Class 55/457)
  • Publication number: 20020144599
    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: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Applicant: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: George N. Afeiche, Michael B. Faust
  • Publication number: 20020139097
    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 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: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventor: Stephane Brilmaker
  • Patent number: 6432173
    Abstract: Methods and systems for recovering paint include utilizing a plurality of centrifugal separator modules downstream of a paint booth. Each of the centrifugal separator modules includes a plurality of centrifugal separators. Each of the centrifugal separators separates at least a portion of the paint particles from an air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James Edward Johnson, James Michael Browning, Timothy Camiel Buyck, Michael Joseph Thies
  • Patent number: 6428589
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing and a nozzle in fluid communication with the housing. A suction source is held by the housing. The nozzle is in fluid communication with the suction source. A dust cup is selectively secured to the housing. The dust cup includes an inlet in fluid communication with the nozzle and a first inertial dust separation stage positioned downstream from the inlet. A first dust containing chamber is located adjacent the first inertial dust separation stage for holding the dust separated by the first inertial dust separation stage. A second inertial dust separation stage is located downstream from the first inertial dust separation stage. A second dust containing chamber is located adjacent the second inertial dust separation stage for holding dust separated by the second inertial dust separation stage. An outlet is located downstream from the second inertial dust separation stage. The dust cup can be selectively removed from the housing for emptying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Bair, Victor R. Younger
  • Patent number: 6425943
    Abstract: A powered low restriction air precleaner device and method for centrifugally ejecting heavier-than-air particulate debris from debris laden air for providing for a combustion engine air intake, an engine air cooling system, or a cab air intake system, for example. The device employs a fan located in the device for drawing debris laden air into the air precleaner device. The debris laden air is spun in the air precleaner device to form a rotating flow pattern that stratifies the debris laden air with the most massive particles of debris in the outermost orbits of the rotating flow pattern of debris laden air. Debris from the rotating flow pattern is ejected from the device for cleaning the air, which is flowed to an air outlet of the device for supplying the cleaned air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Sy-Klone Compny, Inc.
    Inventor: James G. Moredock
  • Patent number: 6406506
    Abstract: An air cleaner for centrifugally ejecting heavier-than-air particulate debris from an air stream. A housing encloses a fan for drawing debris-laden air into a forward portion of the housing and rotating the air so as to form a rotating flow pattern that stratifies the debris-laden air, with the heavier particles of debris in the outermost orbits of the rotating flow pattern. The thus rotating air passes through an annulus to a rear portion of the housing in which the air flow is caused to back up. As a consequence, some solid debris in the forward housing portion moves into a forward isolation region from which that debris is ejected through a forward exit orifice. Other solid debris in the rear housing portion enters a rear isolation region from which it is ejected through a rear exit orifice. The thus-cleaned air passes through an exit gap to an air outlet from which it exits the air cleaner for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Sy-Klone Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Moredock, Eric L. Ehrenberg
  • Patent number: 6376732
    Abstract: A centrifugal vapor/liquid separator separates the vapor and liquid in a flash of hydrocarbon and steam mixture, such that only the vapor stream is fed and processed further downstream. The design of the separator ensures that all partially wetted surfaces in the separator, except at the vapor outlet pipe, are well-wetted and washed by the non-vaporized liquid portion of the feed or by injection of external liquid thus ensuring that no coke deposition occurs inside the separator. The flash temperature in the separator therefore can be increased beyond the typical limit thus achieving a deeper cut into the feed and recovering a larger fraction of the feed as vapor for further downstream processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Daniel Yuk-Kwan Ngan, Richard Addison Sanborn, Louis Edward Stein, Raul Jasso Garcia, Sr., Vance Jordan Grieshop
  • Patent number: 6364940
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating a wellhead fluid mixture containing oil and gas phases obtained from hydrocarbon production systems into its constituent parts employs a pressure vessel having an inlet for entry of the wellhead fluids mixture and an outlet for exit of a separated gas referred to as export gas. A primary centrifugal separator is provided in the pressure vessel for centrifugally separating a first portion of the oil from the wellhead fluids mixture to produce a wet gas containing some remaining oil. A second centrifugal separator is also provided in the vessel and performs a second centrifugal separation operation on the wet gas to remove substantially all of the remaining oil from the wet gas to produce the export gas which is conveyed out of the pressure vessel. The oil and remaining oil separated from the wellhead fluids mixture is conveyed from the pressure vessel via another outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: McDermott Technology Inc.
    Inventors: William Paul Prueter, Daniel Patrick Birmingham, Matthew James Reed
  • Patent number: 6338745
    Abstract: An air cleaner for centrifugally ejecting heavier-than-air particulate debris from an air stream. A housing encloses a fan for drawing debris-laden air into a forward portion of the housing and rotating the air so as to form a rotating flow pattern that stratifies the debris-laden air, with the heavier particles of debris in the outermost orbits of the rotating flow pattern. The thus rotating air passes through an annulus to a rear portion of the housing in which the air flow is caused to back up. As a consequence, some solid debris in the forward housing portion moves into a forward isolation region from which that debris is ejected through a forward exit orifice. Other solid debris in the rear housing portion enters a rear isolation region from which it is ejected through a rear exit orifice. The thus-cleaned air passes through an exit gap to an air outlet from which it exits the air cleaner for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Sy-Klone Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Moredock, Eric L. Ehrenberg
  • Patent number: 6319304
    Abstract: A powered low restriction air precleaner device and method for centrifugally ejecting heavier-than-air particulate debris from debris laden air for providing for a combustion engine air intake, an engine air cooling system, or a cab air intake system, for example. The device employs a fan located in the device for drawing debris laden air into the air precleaner device. The debris laden air is spun in the air precleaner device to form a rotating flow pattern that stratifies the debris laden air with the most massive particles of debris in the outermost orbits of the rotating flow pattern of debris laden air. Debris from the rotating flow pattern is ejected from the device for cleaning the air, which is flowed to an air outlet of the device for supplying the cleaned air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Sy-Klone Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James G. Moredock
  • Patent number: 6264712
    Abstract: An air precleaner includes a base assembly, a hood mounted to the base assembly and spaced from the base assembly to define a circumferential gap, and a rotor assembly mounted for rotation within the air space between the hood and base assembly. The base assembly has an outlet port that is connectable to an engine intake. Inlet ports may be formed between web supports connecting an outer circumferential wall to an inner circumferential wall of the base assembly. A series of vanes are mounted in the gap between the hood and base assembly at an angle between radial and tangential to define channels between them through which air is directed into the air space between the hood and base assembly with both an inward and tangential component of velocity. The air drawn in through the channels between the vanes provides a strong tangential component of air velocity impacting upon the rotor to maintain high efficiency of particulate removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: American Farm Implement & Specialty, Inc.
    Inventor: William K. Decker
  • Publication number: 20010003892
    Abstract: The present invention has an object to improve the efficiency of collection of solidification constituents and solids in exhaust gas and to prevent early blockage of the filter without damaging the vacuum pump. In an exhaust path 48a, a vacuum pump and exhaust gas filtration device are provided. This exhaust gas filtration device is constituted by a trap device, pre-filter and filter. The pre-filter reduces the exhaust gas flow rate flowing through the interior of the exhaust path by controlling the exhaust gas flow path in the vessel. The aforesaid exhaust path is constituted by connecting this vacuum pump, trap device, pre-filter and filter which are arranged in this order from the side of airtight vessel and connected through piping if required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Publication date: June 21, 2001
    Applicant: ANELVA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshihiro Rikyuu, Keisuke Nagakura
  • Patent number: 6190438
    Abstract: Improved mist eliminator for use in pulp washers and the like, and method of use of such is disclosed. A cyclonic gas/liquid separator for a gas/liquid mixture flowing vertically upward therethrough includes a cylindrical housing, a top wall having a gas outlet, a gas/liquid inlet, and a cyclonic-flow-inducing vane assembly spanning the inlet. The improvement includes an annular wall transverse to the vane assembly positioned between the vane assembly and the housing. The annular wall, in combination with the vane assembly and housing, defines an annular volume wherein separated liquid may drain downwardly toward the annular wall substantially without resistance from the gas/liquid flow. A drain carries the separated liquid directly to a liquid reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Thermo Black Clawson Inc.
    Inventor: Clinton R. Parks
  • Patent number: 6176900
    Abstract: Method and device for treating a gas/liquid mixture, the device comprising: an inlet for infeed of the mixture; a flow element placed in the line of the inlet and having one or more swirling members to cause turbulence of the mixture; an outlet placed in the line of the flow element for outfeed of the gas flow having liquid at least partially removed; one or more feedback lines for discharge of the separated liquid and a part of the gas flow, wherein the feedback lines are connected onto a channel arranged centrally in the flow element; and anti-creep flow means for preventing creep flow along the flow element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Inventor: Rombout Adriaan Swanborn
  • Patent number: 6161627
    Abstract: A particle separator and a pneumatic tool incorporating the same for separating particles from a fluid passed therethrough. The particle separator includes an inlet passageway having an upstream end and a downstream end and an inlet which is in fluid communication with the downstream end of the inlet passageway. A separation passageway is connected to the downstream end of the inlet passageway and connected via a substantially "U"-shaped passageway to a chamber. The inlet passageway, separation passageway, and substantially "U"-shaped passageway are connected in fluid communication to provide a flow path to the chamber. In one embodiment, the chamber of the particle includes a removable plug. In another embodiment, the chamber is vented to provide a bleed-path from the separator passageway to and out of the chamber. Preferably, the bleed-path comprises a labyrinth seal which in a preferred embodiment includes a plug having threads disposed within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Warren A. Seith, Louis J. Colangelo, III, Thomas Mancuso
  • Patent number: 6158412
    Abstract: The device is utilized to create swirling, turbulent flow to the air entering an internal combustion engine, and to the exhaust gases therefrom prior to the gases entering an air pollution system. The device utilizes multiple curved and radially angled vanes to force the air into a predetermined turbulent, swirling pattern. For carbureted engines, the device is positioned between the air filter and the inlet to the carburetor and on fuel injection engines, the device is positioned at the inlet port of the intake manifold. 100% of the air which will enter the engine will have been forced into a swirling and turbulent flow by the device for maximum combustion efficiency. Within the exhaust system, the device is positioned within the exhaust tube(s) just upstream of the catalytic converter to force the gases into a swirling and turbulent flow, thereby permitting a more efficient utilization of the catalytic converter process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventor: Jay S. Kim
  • Patent number: 6129775
    Abstract: A terminal insert for a cyclone separator for separating a material from a fluid. The terminal insert has a distinct member positioned within the cyclone separator to impinge upon at least a portion of the fluid as it rotates within the cyclone separator to destructively interfere with the rotational motion of the fluid within the cyclone separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: G.B.D. Corp.
    Inventors: Wayne Ernest Conrad, Helmut Gerhard Conrad, Ted Szylowiec
  • Patent number: 6110246
    Abstract: An air precleaner for centrifugally ejecting heavier than air particulates from an airstream for use in an apparatus having an air intake includes a hood having an opening through which air enters the precleaner. A vane assembly includes a centrally positioned dome, a collar encircling the dome and a plurality of vanes each being connected at an inner end to the dome and at an outer end to the collar. Each vane is angled in relation to a horizontal plane. The vane assembly further includes a horizontal wall extending radially outward from the collar. An impeller assembly is rotatably mounted to the vane assembly. Also provided is a base on which the vane assembly is supported via the horizontal wall. The hood, the vane assembly and the base are secured to each other and the air exits the precleaner through the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Dreison International, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerry E. Eubank
  • Patent number: 6083291
    Abstract: A gas transfer pipe arrangement includes a pipe in which gas containing droplets flows. A centrifugal force type separation unit is provided in the pipe for applying a radial centrifugal force to the gas flowing in the pipe so that the droplets in the gas adhere to an inner periphery of the pipe to be separated from the gas. A liquid collecting unit is annularly provided on the inner periphery of the pipe at a position downstream of the centrifugal force type separation unit for collecting a liquid from the droplets separated by the centrifugal force type separation unit. A discharge unit is provided at a lower side of the pipe for discharging the liquid collected by the liquid collecting unit to the exterior of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: JGC Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Okada, Yasuo Suzuki, Syoichi Yamada, Kenji Tamura
  • Patent number: 6071331
    Abstract: Gas is separated from fluent material, particularly a liquid or a cellulose fiber suspension having a consistency of about 8-18%, utilizing a closed separation apparatus having a spiral housing with a central axis, a fluent material inlet channel, a fluent material outlet, and a gas outlet. A pressure differential is maintained between the inlet channel and the spiral housing, and the pressure differential is converted to kinetic energy of the fluent material by causing the fluent material to flow through one or more spiral flow paths through the inlet channel toward the spiral housing. In the spiral housing a rotor is rotated to impart a strong centrifugal force to the fluent material to cause gas to separate and collect adjacent the central axis of the spiral housing, from which the gas is removed. The strong centrifugal force caused by the rotating rotor discharges the fluent material through the outlet. The spiral flow paths rotate with the rotor in the spiral housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Ahlstrom Machinery Corporation
    Inventors: Toivo Niskanen, Kari Peltonen
  • Patent number: 5904756
    Abstract: In a mist recovering apparatus for recovering a mist contained in a gas, provided with a filter having pores of pore size increasing from a gas inlet side toward a gas outlet side, the gas containing the mist is passed from the gas inlet side of the filter, through the filter toward the gas outlet side of the filter. The mist is trapped by the filter and grows into droplets as the gas containing the mist flows through the filter, and the droplets drip down along the gas outlet surface of the filter and are collected under the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignees: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Sadao Fujii, Hideki Ito, Takashi Takata, Toshihiro Umeoka, Masahiko Kiyota, Masahiro Murai
  • Patent number: 5902378
    Abstract: The efficiency of progressing cavity pumps is drastically reduced if the liquid being pumped contains large volumes of gas. To alleviate this problem a gas separator is provided which can be attached to the suction of a downhole pump to remove gas from the liquid being pumped prior to the liquid entering the pump inlet. The separator has an elongate housing having an annular chamber with guides which direct the liquid gas mixture to flow in an annular path from the inlet to the outlet end. During this flow centrifugal forces act to displace the gas content to the central region from which it is removed via a separate central gas outlet so that liquid delivered to the pump inlet is greatly reduced in its gas content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Inventor: Marcel Obrejanu
  • Patent number: 5857326
    Abstract: An exhaust poison trap for protection of catalytic converters in automotive exhaust systems includes a tubular housing having open ends and a peripheral wall internally defining an exhaust chamber, a helical wall longitudinally dividing the exhaust chamber into at least two longitudinally extending helical passages for exhaust gas flow and porous means substantially covering the interior of the peripheral wall and forming an outer periphery of each of said helical passages, whereby exhaust gas passing through the exhaust chamber is directed in a helical path through the helical passages, causing particulate matter in the gas to be accelerated outwardly by centrifugal force and trapped in the porous means, thus protecting a downstream catalytic converter from trapped catalyst poisoning particles such as zinc and phosphorous. The porous means may be coated to improve trapping or to aid catalytic reactions in the exhaust gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Scott Christopher Blanchet
  • Patent number: 5853443
    Abstract: A moisture separator including a separator tank that defines a separation chamber, the separator tank having an inlet; and a separation element located at the separator tank inlet, the separation element including an outer ring having a first side and a second side, the outer ring defining a flow opening; a hub located in the flow opening; and a plurality of flow directing elements, each flow directing element including a rib joining the outer ring and the hub, and a first guide vane made integral with the rib and located along the first side of the outer ring, and a second guide vane made integral with the rib and located along the second side of the outer ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Robert C. Rodgers, Lance S. Hathcock
  • Patent number: 5746795
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cyclonic air cleaning device having a self cleaning, replaceable cartridge filter. The device essentially includes a barrel having a vortex tube concentrically positioned therein and a cylindrical, pleated filter cartridge concentrically positioned within the vortex tube, and a cone portion removably attached to and extending downwardly from the bottom of the barrel. The cone funnels debris to a collection receptacle securely attached to the bottom thereof. The filter is held in place by an upper plate fixedly secured to the vortex tube, a lower plate, and a T-bar extending centrally through the two plates and filter. A wing nut engages the bottom end of the T-bar in abutting relation to the bottom plate to hold the filter in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Inventor: Robert Witter
  • Patent number: 5743926
    Abstract: A portion of the feed line to a distilling column/flasher (or the like apparatus) is used as a flow-through cyclone to separate vapor and liquid components of the feed. Vortex flow is induced in the flasher feed line with a swirl vane assembly having drainage slots in the bottommost portion thereof for preventing entrapment of liquids therein. A shave-off device at the discharge end of the flasher feed line minimizes re-entrainment. The shave-off device includes a short cylinder, slightly smaller in diameter than the feed line and arranged coaxially therewith to form an annulus, which leads to a circular liquid collection chamber and collection chute draining into the flasher unit. Covers are removable for cleaning. The purpose of the shave-off device is to remove the liquids from the wall of the transfer (flasher feed) line in such a way that re-entrainment of liquids is minimized. The non-intrusive nature of the shave-off device minimizes vapor phase pressure drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Robert Patrick Bannon, deceased, Louis Edward Stein, William David Kief, Krishna Rangraj Kaushik, Pui-Yuen Jeffrey Chan
  • Patent number: 5735937
    Abstract: A gas contaminant separator includes a pressure tube and a concentric and axially aligned down pipe mounted within the pressure tube. The pressure tube and down pipe define an annular space having a helical rib extending therein. A plurality of magnets are mounted to the down pipe above the helical rib adjacent a perforated plate. A spiral induction plate is mounted within the down pipe for imparting rotation on a gas stream after the gas stream moves through the magnetic field created by the magnets, and through the perforated plate. A gas inlet admits gas into the annular space, and a gas outlet removes gas from the down pipe after it has passed through the annular space, across the magnetic field, through the perforated plate, and through the spiral induction plate mounted in the down pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Inventor: Alan W. Dingfelder
  • Patent number: 5656047
    Abstract: An improved wet scrubber for removing airborne particulates and absorbing water-soluble gases from an airstream includes an outer shell and a continuous spiral flight within the outer shell. A first bank of scrubber nozzles spray water and/or chemical through the airstream as it enters the scrubber through an air intake. The airstream increases in velocity as it moves through the tapered helix formed by the continuous spiral flight. A second bank of scrubber nozzles mounted on a sidewall of the outer shell sprays water and/or chemical through the airstream as it moves up the spiral flight. An inner shell provides a downward path for the airstream after it has ascended the spiral flight and traversed an abrupt direction change in which water/chemical precipitates from the airstream. The inner shell extends downward into a reservoir, forming a seal with precipitated water that has collected there.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Product Engineered Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Horace L. Odom, Kenneth A. Odom
  • Patent number: 5634964
    Abstract: An air mixer, with a water collector, is disclosed for supplying recirculated cabin air in aircraft. In the preferred embodiment: used cabin air flows over pipes of colder fresh air to cool the used air and condense out most of the moisture contained in it; the fresh air and used air are passed over opposite faces of a ring of stator vanes, thereby imparting swirls to both types of airstreams; and the streams meet at the trailing tips of the stator vanes, where they corkscrew together to throw remaining coalesced moisture against a collection trough, from where it is discharged. The airstreams can now be injected into the cabin without droplets raining down on the passengers, nor ice clogging any pipes for the fresh air, which is typically supplied at below-freezing temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Army, Jr., George E. Wilmot, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5575615
    Abstract: Apparatus for the treatment of a multiphase fluid, comprises a pretreatment stage (60) upstream of a treatment stage, the pretreatment stage being arranged to cause an incoming flow of multiphase fluid to concentrate fluids of greater and lesser specific gravity into respective flow paths for subsequent treatment in the treatment stage and the pretreatment stage comprising a cyclonic separator device (60) concentrating fluid or fluids of greater specific gravity into an outer annular flow path around an inner flow path for fluid or fluids of lesser specific gravity. The treatment stage comprises a centrifuge having a separator drum (65) rotatable about the axis (66) thereof with an inlet end portion next to the cyclonic separator device (60) comprising concentric inner and outer walls (76, 70) and helical vanes (75) between the walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Framo Developments (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Frank Mohn
  • Patent number: 5570744
    Abstract: Hydrocarbon fluid production wells and similar process flowstreams have a spiral baffle-type separator interposed in a surface flowline for separating fluids of different densities, such as gas from oil or gas from oil and from water, for example. Particulate solids may also be separated from the fluid flowstream. The separator includes a spiral baffle of single or multiple diameters interposed in an elongated cylindrical casing connected at its opposite ends to suitable fittings whereby the separator may be connected to conventional fluid flowlines on the surface just downstream of a wellhead or otherwise in a process flowstream. Multiple spiral baffle separators may be connected in series to provide multiple stages for separation of fluids of different densities. The separator is particularly compact, mechanically uncomplicated and may be easily adapted to be interposed in well production fluid flowlines or conduits for process flowstreams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: Jean S. Weingarten, Miroslav M. Kolpak, Scott A. Mattison, Ronald G. Oba, M. Jane Williamson
  • Patent number: 5554209
    Abstract: A gas contaminant separator includes a pressure tube and a concentric and axially aligned down pipe mounted within the pressure tube. The pressure tube and down pipe define an annular space having a helical rib extending therein. A plurality of magnets are mounted to the down pipe above the helical rib adjacent a perforated plate. A spiral induction plate is mounted within the down pipe for imparting rotation on a gas stream after the gas stream moves through the magnetic field created by the magnets, and through the perforated plate. A gas inlet admits gas into the annular space, and a gas outlet removes gas from the down pipe after it has passed through the annular space, across the magnetic field, through the perforated plate, and through the spiral induction plate mounted in the down pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Inventor: Alan W. Dingfelder
  • Patent number: 5496394
    Abstract: A cyclone separator has with a separation chamber in a spiral housing fitted with an inlet for the material to be separated in parallel to a tangent to the separator housing, a separate tangential inlet for a separator gas, and a longitudinal outlet arranged concentrically about the separator axis to allow the gas and fine particulate matter to pass out of the separation chamber. The separator further has a ring of vanes located in the spiral housing between the separation chamber, which is arranged coaxially to the outlet, and an outer annular space, the material inlet feeding into the separation chamber and the gas inlet feeding into the outer annular space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Inventor: Roland Nied
  • Patent number: 5489320
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to an air separator with a stationary housing, which forms a helix when viewed in the axial direction, with a blade ring arranged stationarily in the housing with adjustable blades, and with a bladed separation wheel, which is arranged coaxially within the blade ring and rotatable around the axis of the housing. A raw material inlet opens tangentially into the annular space between the separation wheel and the blade ring, and the separation gas inlet, which is directed in parallel to the crude gas inlet, opens into the annular space between the blade ring and the helical housing. Finally, a raw material outlet is provided in the end zone of the flow in the annular space between the blade ring and the separation wheel. A coarse material outlet is arranged offset in relation to the separation gas outlet in the axial direction of the helical housing, as a result of which the helical housing has the three-dimensional shape of a worm with at least one revolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Inventor: Roland Nied
  • Patent number: 5466272
    Abstract: A steam separator including a tube which houses a blade arrangement consisting of a set of curved blades serving to rotate a mixture of steam and water in order to cause the water to form a film on the inside of the tube. The tube wall has a plurality of perforations through which the water can escape while the steam leaves through a special outlet tube. The individual blade of the blade arrangement has an axial extension at least twice as large as the largest width of the blade, as well as a curvature at least so pronounced that a trailing edge of an optional blade is angularly offset past an imaginary radial plane in the axial extension of a leading edge of an adjacent blade. The total area of the perforations amounts to 50-65% of the cross-sectional area of the separator tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Vattenfall Utveckling AB
    Inventors: Rolf L. Karlsson, Hernan Tinoco, Mats E. Henriksson
  • Patent number: 5462585
    Abstract: Gas is separated from fluent material, particularly a liquid or a cellulose fiber suspension having a consistency of about 8-18%, utilizing a closed separation apparatus having a spiral housing with a central axis, a fluent material inlet channel, a fluent material outlet, and a gas outlet. A pressure differential is maintained between the inlet channel and the spiral housing, and the pressure differential is converted to kinetic energy of the fluent material by causing the fluent material to flow through one or more spiral flow paths through the inlet channel toward the spiral housing. In the spiral housing a rotor is rotated to impart a strong centrifugal force to the fluent material to cause gas to separate and collect adjacent the central axis of the spiral housing, from which the gas is removed. The strong centrifugal force caused by the rotating rotor discharges the fluent material through the outlet. The spiral flow paths may be stationary or may rotate with the rotor in the spiral housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: A. Ahlstrom Corporation
    Inventors: Toivo Niskanen, Kari Peltonen
  • Patent number: 5262046
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for separating solids from a mixture of solids and gases. An in-line cyclone separator cyclonically swirls the mixture as it exits a conduit concentrically located within a radially symmetric separation chamber. In some embodiments, stripping gas apertures direct stripping gas into the chamber to help maintain the angular momentum of the solids cyclonically swirling within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Forgac, Mark S. Camp
  • Patent number: 5224976
    Abstract: A device for separating liquids and/or solids from a high-pressure gas stream having a cylindrical vessel fitted with a top compartment into which the gas stream is fed, a middle compartment having a number of blades set helicoidally around the axis of the vessel, and a bottom compartment for separating the gas and the liquid and/or solids. A coaxial gas discharge pipe projects upwardly from the bottom compartment through the middle and top compartments, around which helicoidal blades have been fixed, each helicoidal blade being composed of a bottom section with a constant pitch and a section with a gradually increasing pitch. Vertical baffles are fitted between the helicoidal blades which, viewed in the flow direction of the gas, extend from the discharge pipe in the direction of the inner wall of the vessel. Conical sleeve sections are provided in the separation section of the device, at the outer wall of the gas discharge pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie
    Inventor: Leendert Oranje
  • Patent number: 5215553
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved mechanical separator which is capable of continuous operation without clogging, which is capable of efficiently separating particulate material from a gaseous medium such as air in such a manner that the collected particulate material may be salvaged, and which apparatus is environmentally friendly in that it cleans gases such as air in a highly efficient manner while at the same time saving potentially valuable products which would otherwise be mainly lost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: Blowhard Pneumatic Services Inc.
    Inventors: Alvin Herman, Rubien Herman, Ken Bokor
  • Patent number: 5186836
    Abstract: A co-current separator is provided which makes it possible to separate a light phase contained in a mixture from a dense phase. Disposed downstream in the direction of circulation of the dense phase is an internal output opening of an interior enclosure. Fins are provided on the interior enclosure for limiting the progression of the light phase to the outside of the interior enclosure. The mixture is introduced tangentially into an inlet, and the dense phase is recovered at one outlet with the light phase recovered at another outlet. This makes it possible to rapidly separate the dense phase from the light phase, providing an apparatus useful for separating, for example, a solid from a gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Thierry Gauthier, Maurice Bergougnou, Cedric Briens, Pierre Galtier
  • Patent number: 5178656
    Abstract: A device for the separation of solid particles from a gas flow that is loaded with solid particles, particularly for the separation of coarsely grained solid particles, includes a housing through which the gas flow to be cleaned has to pass and a discharge opening for the solid particles. A generally dynamically balanced guidance and torsion element is disposed within the housing a specifiable distance from the inner wall of the housing. A submerged tube is disposed on the discharge end of the housing. The torsion element has at least one spiral-shaped helical element on its outer side which imparts a rotational directionality to the gas flow that is loaded with solid particles about a symmetry axis of the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Kuettner GmbH & Co. K.G.
    Inventor: Hans-Klaus Schott
  • Patent number: 5171557
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for collecting reaction product solids entrained in a gaseous outflow from a reaction situs, wherein the gaseous outflow includes a condensable vapor. A condensate is formed of the condensable vapor on static mixer surfaces within a static mixer heat exchanger. The entrained reaction product solids are captured in the condensate which can be collected for further processing, such as return to the reaction situs. In production of silicon imide, optionally integrated into a production process for making silicon nitride caramic, wherein reactant feed gas comprising silicon halide and substantially inert carrier gas is reacted with liquid ammonia in a reaction vessel, silicon imide reaction product solids entrained in a gaseous outflow comprising residual carrier gas and vaporized ammonia can be captured by forming a condensate of the ammonia vapor on static mixer surfaces of a static mixer heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Gary M. Crosbie, Ronald L. Predmesky, John M. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 5149341
    Abstract: Deaeration apparatus for removing entrained air from liquid paper coating and method includes a cylindrical vortex tube which has an inlet end with a vortex generator insert formed with helical flighting surrounding a solid center shaft. The flighting has an outer diameter which is proportioned to be received in the tube inlet and causes a vortex flow to the coating material. A rejects conduit is positioned in the outlet end of the vortex tube with an opening which faces the vortex generator insert and which is positioned on the axial center of the tube and spaced from the vortex generator. The entrained gas forms as bubbles on the vortex generator shaft and form a column immediately downstream of the insert so that the base of the column is at the inner end of the generator shaft and extends toward and into the rejects conduit. The very small bubbles are also carried by the mass flow of the coating toward the outlet end of the tube and into the open end of the reject conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Inventors: John A. Taylor, Paul J. Caryk
  • Patent number: 5129124
    Abstract: A cleaning machine includes a frame having wheels, a suction blower having an air inlet and an air outlet and mounted on the frame, an intake opening communicating with the air inlet of the suction blower for sucking dirt containing relatively large dirt such as fallen leaves and relatively small dirt such as dust together with air by the sucking force generated by the suction blower, a dirt separator communicating with the air outlet of the suction blower by means of a duct for separating the dirt from the air blown out from the suction blower, and a dirt receptable for collecting the relatively large dirt separated by the dirt separator, and the dirt receptacle detachably attached under the main separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Komatsu Zenoah Company
    Inventors: Akira Gamou, Shoji Sakai, Yoshiaki Kanoh, Kenichi Osonoe, Akio Terai, Masayoshi Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 5129931
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the improved separation of liquids and/or solids from a gas stream which includes a cylindrical vessel in which the gas stream is rotated by helicoidal blades for separating the liquid and/or solids from the gas stream. The separated gas is discharged through an upwardly projecting pipe. At least one plate is provided under the gas discharge pipe and at least one diametrical baffle is provided beneath the bottom plate to stop the rotation of the separated liquids and/or solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie
    Inventor: Leendert Oranje
  • Patent number: 5129930
    Abstract: A co-current cyclone mixer-separator which makes it possible to separae a light phase L1 contained in a mixture M1 which also contains a dense phase D1 from the dense phase and to mix this phase L1 with a dense phase or with a mixture containing this phase and a light phase. The mixture M1 is introduced at and the phase D1 is recovered at. The dense phase of a mixture is introduced at and enters a second inner enclosure at, at least a part of the phase likewise entering the latter enclosure. A mixture comprising the phases, if it has been introduced, is obtained at. Preferably, the apparatus comprises blades which make it possible to limit the progress of the vortex into the outlet. This apparatus permits of a rapid heat exchange, for exmple the hardening, of a phase by a phase or a mixture. It can also be used for the rapid replacement of a phase contained in a mixture also containing a phase by a phase other than.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Thierry Gauthier, Maurice Bergougnou, Cedric Briens, Pierre Galtier
  • Patent number: 5120335
    Abstract: A separator to separate products finely ground in a mill from a gas current consists of a housing which can be attached to the mill discharge site, having a tubular cylindrical insert which extends into the housing. The gas current is led into this tube and returned along its outer side. By sharply deflecting the gas current at the outlet of the tube, the product is separated and collected. In order to improve the efficiency of separation, the insert is designed so as to be formed by an inner tube and an outer tube, which form an annular space which serves to return the gas. A plate shapes the annular space as a spiral flow channel. There are slits in the outer tube located at the height of the bottom of the flow channel formed by the plate. As a result of centrifugal and inertial forces, through these slits, the particles which are still unseparated reach the space between the outer tube and the housing, and settle there.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: Messer Griesheim
    Inventors: Uwe Gorlich, Gunther Weyermanns, Stefan Zerwas
  • Patent number: 5113671
    Abstract: A device for separating oil from a gas is provided which includes a housing forming a peripheral wall with an inlet at a top end of the housing for receiving an oil/gas mixture, a gas outlet formed by a conduit extending through the top end of the housing and an oil outlet at a bottom end of the housing. Within the housing there is a helical wall extending between the gas outlet conduit and the peripheral wall to cause the oil/gas mixture to flow in a largely circumferential path along the peripheral wall. Between the helical wall and the peripheral wall there is provided a mesh screen for collecting and separating the oil from the oil/gas mixture. The collected oil drips from the screen to a baffle with apertures therein which directs the oil therethrough for receipt in an oil collection zone below the baffle. The gas outlet conduit has an opening above the baffle for permitting relatively oil-free gas to exit the oil separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: AC&R Components Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary W. Westermeyer
  • Patent number: 5035730
    Abstract: A mist recovery apparatus recovers a mist of water, oil and the like from an exhaust gas produced in the rolling operation of aluminum plates. The apparatus has a shell provided with upper and lower pipe plates and a plurality of exhaust passing pipes extending between the upper and lower pipe plates and, each pipe having a twisted strip therein. The shell has an upper casing and a lower casing, which are respectively placed above the upper plate and beneath the lower plate. The exhaust gas containing a mist flows through the upper casing, exhaust passing pipes, and the lower casing sequentially. These exhaust passing pipes are cooled by a coolant passing around the pipes, so that the mist is removed from the exhaust gas and recovered. The experimentally suitable ratio of the length (L) of the exhaust passing pipe to the twisting half pitch (P) of the twisting strip is from 8-35.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: Sumitomo Light Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayasu Kisaragi, Yuichi Shirasaka
  • Patent number: 5017203
    Abstract: Scrubbing apparatus for effecting contact between polluted air and a scrubbing liquid may define a serpentine path mounted on a rooftop, an upright tank having a central depending outlet conduit or an upright tank in which contact between the polluted gas and the scrubbing liquid is effected by projecting the scrubbing liquid onto a rotating propeller to effect atomization of the scrubbing liquid. Purification of the scrubbing air is enhanced by producing turbulence in the air carrying the scrubbing liquid by passing the air carrying the scrubbing liquid between closely adjacent, flexible, vibrating sheets disposed parallel to the gas flow. The vibrating characteristics of the flexible sheets can be altered by stretching such sheets and/or by placing such sheets alongside a hard surface struck by the flexible sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Inventors: James P. Cox, Kelly K. Cox