Abstract: Systems and methods for achieving filtration are provided that utilize agglomerates or granules of nanoparticles. The agglomerates or granules of nanoparticles may be used as and/or incorporated into a HEPA filtration system to remove solid or liquid submicron-sized particles, e.g., MPPS, in an efficient and efficacious manner. The filtration systems and methods are provided that utilize agglomerates or granules in a size range of about 100-500 microns. The agglomerates or granules of nanoparticles exhibit a hierarchical fractal structure. In the case of agglomerates of nanoparticles, porosities of 0.9 or greater are generally employed, and for granules of nanoparticles, porosities that are smaller than 0.9 may be employed. Filter media formed from the agglomerates or granules may be formed from materials such as carbon black and fumed silica, and may be employed in baffled or non-baffled filtration apparatus.

Abstract: A filter arrangement includes a filter element, a frame construction secured to the filter element, and a handle member secured to the filter element. In preferred embodiments, the handle member is secured to the frame construction. Preferably, the filter element includes a central core member, wherein fluted filter media is coiled around the central core member. Preferably, the central core member includes a plurality of corrugations, wherein the corrugations mateably engage at least some flutes. Preferably, the handle member is integral with the central core member, and also includes a fastening member for connection to a frame construction on the filter element. Methods for cleaning air and servicing an air cleaner preferably include constructions as described herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide low-profile surface mount filters. One embodiment of the present invention includes a filter housing adapted to mount on a substrate block having a plurality of flow paths and a filter cavity defined therein. The filter cavity is defined to extend in a generally horizontal direction when the low-profile filter is in use. A first flow passage is defined to connect an inlet of the filter housing to a first section of the filter cavity and a second flow passage is defined to connect a second section of the filter cavity to an outlet of the filter housing. A filter assembly is disposed in the filter cavity and sealed to the surface of the filter cavity separating the filter cavity into adjacent sections including the first section of the filter cavity and second section of the filter cavity.

Abstract: A multi-cyclone dust separating apparatus includes: a multi-cyclone unit including a first cyclone chamber body having a first cyclone chamber and at least one protection chamber formed around at least a portion of an outer circumference of the first cyclone chamber, and at least one secondary cyclone chamber body disposed in the protection chamber, each secondary cyclone chamber body having at least one secondary cyclone chamber; a cover unit connecting an upper end of the multi-cyclone unit and guiding air discharged from the first cyclone chamber to the at least one secondary cyclone chamber; a dirt collecting unit adapted to connect to a lower end of the multi-cyclone unit and configured to collect dirt separated from the air in the first and secondary cyclone chambers; and an air discharge duct configured to discharge air that has passed through the multi-cyclone unit.

Abstract: A rigid or semi-rigid demister pad is positioned between an air turbine and an inertial water removal device such as extractor in an air conditioning system for an aircraft. The demister pad comprises packed fibers or strands whose diameter typically ranges from approximately 10 or fewer microns to approximately 280 microns. The demister is capable of catching very small droplets discharged from the air turbine that coalesce into larger droplets that exit the demister pad and enter an adjacent water removal device downstream from the pad to separate the larger water droplets from the stream of air. This avoids using a water separator containing a coalescer bag that requires frequent maintenance and is sensitive to dirt and freezing. The demister can operate at freezing temperature, is not dirt-sensitive and requires no maintenance.

Abstract: An inertial gas-liquid separator has a variable flow actuator movable to open and close a variable number of accelerating flow nozzles.

Abstract: A separator device (1) for separating particles contained in an air stream comprises a cyclone separator (2) and a filter (3). The cyclone separator (2) comprises a casing (20) having a substantially conical portion (4). The casing (20) is at least partially surrounded by the filter (3), and the filter (3) and the cyclone separator (2) are arranged in a common housing (5). The device (1) is arranged such that particles collected by the cyclone separator (2) and particles collected by the filter (3), during operation, can be continuously deposited in a common collecting bag. A method for separating for separating particles contained in an air stream is also disclosed.

Abstract: A filtration system for a particulate-laden stream of gas utilizes a group of fabric bags within the upper chamber of a housing as the means by which particulate matter is filtered out of the gas. The gas inlet into a lower chamber of the housing is provided with an inlet guide that directs the incoming gas against the lower side of a porous diffuser located below the group of bags and spanning at least most of the separation zone defined by the bags. Passages through the diffuser are configured to present an array of nozzles so that the gas is subjected to a pressure drop across the diffuser before flowing to the bags. The nozzle effect causes the particulate-laden gas to spread out evenly on the lower, upstream side of the diffuser and pass through the diffuser at substantially equal velocity at all passages, thereby smoothing the flow and distributing it evenly to all bags.

Abstract: Separation device for separating a liquid/gas mixture in a heavy fraction mainly containing liquid and a light fraction mainly containing gas, comprising:—a separation vessel comprising at least one inlet, at least a first outlet for the discharge of the heavy fraction and at least a second outlet for the discharge of the light fraction,—separator for separating the mixture into the heavy and light fraction;—a vane type inlet device connected to the inlet for admitting the gas/liquid mixture to the vessel en for distributing the admitted gas/liquid mixture in the vessel, the inlet device comprising: an elongated support structure; is—a plurality of curved guiding vanes placed one behind the other and attached to the support structure, the guiding vanes being arranged so as intercept and deflect the admitted gas/liquid mixture sideways;—at least an agglomerator arranged close to the guiding vanes for agglomerating the liquid in the gas/liquid mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for treating a gas/liquid mixture, comprising: —an upright vessel (1) with a lower and upper compartment; —an inlet (2) for admitting the flow of mixture into the lower compartment; —an agglomerating unit (10) placed between the lower and upper compartment for enlarging the liquid droplets in the mixture; —a lower outlet (4) for discharging the substantially liquid-containing mixture part from the lower compartment; —an upper outlet (5) for discharging the substantially gas-containing mixture part from the upper compartment; characterized by —collecting means (11) for collecting on the downstream side of the agglomerating unit liquid droplets which have broken through the agglomerating unit; —recycling means (12) for recycling the collected liquid to the lower compartment from the collecting means.

Abstract: An air filtering unit for a factory includes: an entry duct; a flow expander section fluidly connected with the entry duct, the flow expander section including a flow distribution unit and a flow velocity reduction unit; a filter unit fluidly connected with the flow expander section, the filter unit having a plurality of filter bags, the filter bags being suspended from a tube sheet; and an exit duct fluidly connected with the filter unit. The flow distribution unit comprises a series of flow distribution members positioned along a flow path, the flow distribution unit located and configured to substantially equally distribute an airstream along the length of the flow axis into a plurality of divided substreams. The flow velocity reduction unit includes a plurality of flow reduction members, each of the flow reduction members positioned and configured to confront at least one of the divided substreams and reduce the flow velocity thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are modular filter assemblies having a plurality of stacked filter plates formed from a porous material. The filter plate can comprise a planar base portion from which a convoluted ridge wall, having a ridge outer side surface, a ridge inner surface, and a top ridge surface extends. A plurality of fluid inlet troughs and a plurality if fluid outlet troughs are defined by the ridge wall. Adjoining filter plates form a plurality of fluid inlet cavities defined by the fluid inlet trough of one filter plate and a portion of the bottom surface of the adjoining filter plate; and a plurality of fluid outlet cavities defined by the fluid outlet trough of the one filter plate and a portion of the bottom surface of the adjoining filter plate. In use, the plurality of fluid inlet cavities are in filtered communication with the plurality of fluid outlet cavities.

Abstract: Fluted filter media includes filter material having a plurality of flutes formed therein having alternating ends of adjacent flutes closed to force fluid through filter material. A first embodiment of the filter media includes tapered flutes which have the open ends of the flutes larger in cross-section than the closed flutes, wherein the upstream open flutes converge toward the downstream end and the upstream closed end flutes diverge toward the downstream end. A second embodiment includes filter media which is asymmetric formed with dissimilar upstream and downstream flute cross-sections with larger flute openings to the upstream side of the filter. A third embodiment includes filter media with an upstream edge crushed to improve flow at the upstream edge. A fourth embodiment includes filter media with the upstream sealing material recessed from the upstream edge for reducing effects from blockages at the upstream edge of the filter.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a rotary pulse type filter dust collector, which can maintain excellent de-dusting efficiency of a low pressure pulse type filter dust collector, reduce the number of required components in order to reduce manufacturing costs, maintenance fees, and lower defect factors to provide higher reliability. The dust collector includes: a dust collector body, a number of filter bags, a moving compressed air tank, nozzles, diaphragm valves, mechanical 3-way valves, protrusions, a reduction motor and a mechanical device for driving the compressed air tank, and an inverter controller.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for removing a contaminant, such as a vaporous trace metal contaminant like mercury, from a gas stream. In one embodiment, a primary particulate collection device that removes particulate matter is used. In this embodiment, a sorbent filter is placed within the housing of the primary particulate collection device, such as an electrostatic precipitator or a baghouse, to adsorb the contaminant of interest. In another embodiment, a sorbent filter is placed within a scrubber, such as a wet scrubber, to adsorb the contaminant of interest. In some embodiments, the invention provides methods and apparatuses that can advantageously be retrofit into existing particulate collection equipment. In some embodiments, the invention provides methods and apparatuses that in addition to removal of a contaminant additionally remove particulate matter from a gas stream.

Abstract: A pipe trap comprising a body, a disc filter, a pipe and a plurality of mesh filter suitable for filtering gases is provided. The pipe trap body has a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The disc filter and the mesh filters are enclosed inside the pipe trap body. One end of the pipe connects with the disc filter and the other end of the pipe connects with the gas outlet. The mesh filters are enclosed inside the pipe. Using a multi-stage filtering method, liquid matter separates out first and then gaseous particles are filtered according to the particle size so that the pipe trap has a high filtering efficiency.

Abstract: Methods of separating fluids using capillary forces and/or improved conditions for are disclosed. The improved methods may include control of the ratio of gas and liquid Reynolds numbers relative to the Suratman number. Also disclosed are wick-containing, laminated devices that are capable of separating fluids.

Abstract: Disclosed is a two or three phase separator including a centrifugal separator, a demister (if a three phase separator), and a filter contained within a housing. The filter uses an outside-in flow principle. The filter includes an inner layer or a center core that defines a hollow interior. An outer layer is positioned adjacent and surrounding the inner layer. The outer layer includes a re-enforcement layer, a first particle filter layer, a coalescer layer, and a second particle filter layer. An access cover of the separator includes a cover plug, an actuator cam, a plurality of idler cam plates, and a plurality of mechanisms. The access cover cooperates with an opening and an annular groove in the housing to close off and seal the separator.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a motor-driven blower for drawing air and a dust-catching unit for separating dust from the air drawn by the blower and catching the dust separated from the air. A receptacle is located between the blower and the dust-catching unit and holds a filter for filtering the air that has passed through the dust-catching unit. An airflow control device is arranged between the filter and the blower. The airflow control device generates a first airflow, which passes through the dust-catching unit and the filter and goes toward the motor-driven blower. The airflow control device generates a second airflow, too, which bypasses the filter, passes through at least a part of the dust-catching unit, and goes toward the motor-driven blower. The part of the dust-catching unit is located downstream of the receptacle, with respect to a direction in which the second airflow goes.

Abstract: Catalyst losses are prevented in riser reactor systems by using a low inlet velocity for the first cyclone separator in each multi-stage cyclone separator in the reactor. Catalyst particles not separated from the product output flow in an oxygenate-to-olefin reactor are also recaptured by cooling the product output flow and passing the flow through an electrostatic precipitator.

Abstract: An auxiliary dust collection system can be interposed between a sander or other dust producing tool and a vacuum source, e.g., shop vacuum. This auxiliary system has a cyclonic separator connected by a flexible hose to the tool and by another hose to the vacuum source. The cone of the separator is mounted onto the lid of a drum into which the dust precipitates. For a tool that has its own blower, the vacuum source can be omitted, and the air leaving the outlet duct of the separator can be filtered and returned to the ambient. A drop in silencer formed of a sleeve or tube of acoustic foam can be positioned into the inlet side of a filter cartridge following a cyclonic separator. The silencer absorbs a significant fraction of the process noise.

Abstract: The separator has a vane assembly made up of a number of corrugated vanes that provide serpentine paths for the gas stream therethrough. As the gas stream flows through the serpentine paths, it changes direction and liquid in the gas stream impacts the surfaces of the vanes. The upstream section of the vane assembly has roughened surfaces to decrease the surface tension of the liquid, thereby causing the liquid to coalesce. The downstream section of the vane assembly has smooth surfaces so as to increase the surface tension of the liquid. The vane assembly is followed by filters, which capture the liquid that passes through the vane assembly. The vane assembly coalesces the liquid to enable the filters to operate more effectively.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for mounting a filtration housing for solid filtration media. One aspect of the invention includes a method for mounting an air circulation component to an air circulation system, wherein the air circulation component includes a center of gravity. The method includes providing a notch associated with an air circulation component wherein the notch includes a contact surface; providing a guide associated with the air circulation system, wherein the guide includes a load bearing surface; and positioning the air circulation component with respect to the air circulation system such that a portion of the contact surface is adjacent to a portion of the load bearing surface, wherein the adjacent surfaces comprise a contact angle that is substantially coplanar with a center of gravity of the air circulation component, and wherein a portion of the weight of the air circulation component transferred between the surfaces causes a sealing pressure against a portion of the air circulation system.

Abstract: A filter assembly is disclosed for use in connection with the filtration of products transported via pipelines, including high pressure gas pipelines. The disclosed filter assembly is comprised of a plurality of filter modules, a series of valves, inlet and outlet ports, connective piping, and spool pieces. The filter assembly will temporarily redirect flow from the pipeline, through one or more filter assemblies, and back into the original pipeline a short distance downstream from the original takeout point. If flanged connections are not readily available for a particular section of pipeline, the filter assembly can be connected to virtually any section of pipe through “hot tapping” technology, which allows a valve to be placed on an active and pressurized section of pipeline.

Abstract: Device for the ventilation of a transmission case (11) that is normally intended to hold liquid lubricant for transmission components and includes a residual internal volume of air inside the transmission case that is connected to the atmospheric pressure by way of a passage. With the aim of reducing the quantity of dirt particles than can get into the transmission case by way of the said passage, the passage includes a first section (27) with a certain flow area and a second section (26) with, by comparison, an at least approximately 50% larger flow area. The first section (27) is situated between the atmosphere and the second section (26). A compressed air source (18) is connected to the passage between the internal volume of the transmission case (11) and the first section (27).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing clean air to an environment. Incoming air, which may be contaminated with chemical, nuclear or biological contamination is initially cooled and water is removed from the cooled air by a first cooler, a first water separator, a second cooler and a second water separator. The cooled air is passed through a regenerative pressure swing absorption system which removes the contaminants. The resulting, cleaned, air is expanded by an expander. The expanded, cleaned air is provided to the environment, after being used in the second cooler to clean the incoming air.

Abstract: A filter system for filtering intake air for a combustion engine, in particular an air filter for a commercial vehicle, having a tubular housing, an inlet situated in the housing through which unfiltered air to be cleaned can be supplied, an outlet situated in the housing through which cleaned air can be discharged, an arrangement of filters situated in the housing between the inlet and outlet which form a seal such that air from the inlet must flow through the filter arrangement to reach the outlet, the housing having an opening for replacement of the filter which can be closed and sealed by a housing cover, and in which at least one prefilter, one main filter and one secondary filter are situated in the housing in axial succession one after the other in the direction of air flow through the filter system.

Abstract: A blood conditioning device having a housing with a helical blood acceleration section which includes a helical flow path for impressing centrifugal forces on the entrained bubbles in the blood to concentrate them towards the center of the flow path, a bubble pick off tube aligned with the centerline of the acceleration section which collects and recirculates the bubbles to the cardiotomy reservoir upstream of the device during operation, and a blood filtration section to intercept the flow of particles in the blood.

Abstract: A gas and liquid phase separator apparatus and an apparatus for energy production based on fuel cells within the phase separator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for separating dust from flue gases from combustion plants, especially solid fuel combustion plants, comprising at least one dust filter via which the flue gases are guided, and by means of which the dust from the flue gases can be filtered out as it passes through the dust filter. In order to produce a device which separates dust in a highly efficient manner and which can be operated in a highly reliable manner and be used to heat combustion air for the combustion plant, the at least one dust filter is embodied as a bulk material filter in whose bulk material heat from the flue gases can be collected when the bulk material is cross-flown by the flue gases and by means of whose bulk material heat collected from the flue gases when the combustion air of the combustion plant flows through the bulk material filter can be given off to said combustion air.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to the detection of harmful agents, known or previously unknown, using a biosensor. The biosensor makes use of non-living biological or biochemical sensor molecules for detecting and classifying chemicals, poisons, particles, vira, and bacteria in fluids. In a preferred embodiment, the bioreceptor comprises sensor molecules packaged in a collection device and treated to evoke an optical response to the presence of harmful agents, allowing for photocell detection and signal processing. The sensor molecules are selected from the group of biological molecules consisting of aptamers, single-chain nucleic acids, double-chain nucleic acids, hybridized chemicals incorporating these molecules and combinations thereof that bind with harmful agents. The harmful agents can also be collected in this manner for further analysis, and antibodies produced by the apparatus.

Abstract: In a vehicle air is compressed for being used in the brake system of the vehicle, for instance. In the compressor, used for the compression, the air is contaminated with oil and solid particles. In order to be relieved from these particles, before the air is conveyed through a drying filter, the compressed is brought to rotation by means of a rotating member in a centrifugal separator. The rotating member may advantageously include a pile of conical separation discs forming flow passages between each other for the compressed air to be cleaned. By means of an efficient cleaning of the compressed air from particles the life time of the drying filter may be increased.

Abstract: A filter element, a safety element and fluid cleaner assembly. The fluid cleaner assembly generally includes a housing having a cover and a primary fluid cleaner section. The element generally includes a z-filter media, arranged in a straight through configuration, and an axial seal gasket positioned to extend continuously around an outer perimeter of the straight through flow construction. The fluid cleaner assembly can have a precleaner positioned therein. Methods of assembly and use are provided.

Abstract: A two stage air purification system is provided for the removal of airborne impurities from an airflow prior to the airflow entering a building's ductwork. In particular, a primary air filter is mounted within the hood of, for example, a cooking area and operable to receive grease-laden air and remove a portion of the impurities. The air is then sent to a secondary filter, also mounted within the hood, that removes additional impurities. The air is then sent through the building's ductwork and eventually out the building.

Abstract: A method for avoiding the spontaneous ignition of combustible dusts in process off-gases, wherein during the process the dusts are retained, without adversely affecting the process parameters, at least one sintered filter element which is arranged in a pressure vessel and is able to withstand temperatures of up to at least 250° C. and after the process has ended the dusts are inerted by blasting oxygen-containing gas back into the pressure vessel, and to a device for carrying out the method.

Abstract: An arrangement used for filtering out conveying air when supplying fiber material to a processing machine is provided. The arrangement has an essentially vertical filling chute for the fiber material, the chute having an upper intake opening and a lower exit opening, a device with pneumatic fiber feed at the upper intake opening, and a floccule-forming device at the lower exit opening including a system of draw-in rolls and a fast-rotating opening roll. The chute includes at least one air-permeable surface for separating the fiber material from the conveying air. An evacuating device evacuates the filtered out conveying air. An exhaust air device is coupled to the evacuating device and has an air stream regulator which is connected to a control and regulating device. The conveying air stream is guided along the opening roll, and a partial air stream of the filtered out conveying air is guided into the exhaust air device.

Abstract: A dirt collecting system for a vacuum cleaner includes a dirt cup formed from a cylindrical sidewall having a disc shaped member separating the dirt cup into an upper portion and a lower portion. The dirty airstream flows past the disc shaped member from the upper portion to the lower portion through a small gap between the outer periphery of the disc shaped member and the sidewall of the dirt cup. The disc shaped member is supported on a centrally located conduit which has apertured walls located both above and below the disc shaped member. The apertured walls allows the airstream to flow into the conduit for further filtering or exiting the dirt cup. The apertured wall located above the disc shaped member improves sustained performance by enabling the airstream to continue to flow through the dirt cup as the lower portion of the dirt cup fills with large dirt particles and the apertured wall located beneath the disc shaped member becomes increasingly restricted.

Abstract: Methods of separating fluids using capillary forces and/or improved conditions for are disclosed. The improved methods may include control of the ratio of gas and liquid Reynolds numbers relative to the Suratman number. Also disclosed are wick-containing, laminated devices that are capable of separating fluids.

Abstract: A microchannel contactor and methods of contacting substances in microchannel apparatus are described. Some preferred embodiments are combined with microchannel heat exchange.

Abstract: A filtration vessel is shown for use with a rotary screw compressor which receives a compressed liquid/gas mixture from the compressor. The vessel utilizes a first stage vortex knockout region to remove bulk liquids through a circular motion which imposes centrifugal forces on the gas and liquid mixture. A coalescer region located above the vortex knockout region receives the relatively lighter fluids and separates any remaining entrained liquids from the fluids. The discharge from the filtration unit is an essentially liquid free compressed gas. The liquid discharge, in the case of lube oil can be recirculated to the compressor for another cycle.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a conical filter element sealingly clamped to a cylindrical base. A conical housing is releasably clamped to the base with spring clips in surrounding relation with the filter element to allow for efficient installation and removal of the filter element in the housing. The filter element includes a cap having a plurality of integral turbine blades forming a plurality of channels angularly displaced from the longitudinal axis of the filter element. The channels accelerate the flow of air into the filter assembly and through the filter element. The filter element is mounted on the base to dampen vibration and abate the resultant noise generated by the flow of air through the filter assembly.

Abstract: A filter system for filtering intake air for a combustion engine, in particular an air filter for a commercial vehicle, having a tubular housing, an inlet situated in the housing through which unfiltered air to be cleaned can be supplied, an outlet situated in the housing through which cleaned air can be discharged, an arrangement of filters situated in the housing between the inlet and outlet which form a seal such that air from the inlet must flow through the filter arrangement to reach the outlet, the housing having an opening for replacement of the filter which can be closed and sealed by a housing cover, and in which at least one prefilter, one main filter and one secondary filter are situated in the housing in axial succession one after the other in the direction of air flow through the filter system.

Abstract: A material return system of a material collection system and appertaining method permits fine material collected in a fine material collector to be returned to a main debris tank by taking advantage of the venturi effect, thus permitting a relatively trouble-free operation of the material collection system.

Abstract: A mechanism configured to interact with air, which has been sucked through a device that imparts turbulence to the air, causes a redistribution of components (e.g., oxygen and nitrogen) in the air so that when the air arrives at a location where the oxygen is to be consumed there is an enriched supply of oxygen available. The effects of a first stage of turbulence of the induced air is reduced, resulting in a higher density supply to the atomization point and to the combustion chamber, in the case of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A two stage air purification system is provided for the removal of airborne impurities from an airflow prior to the airflow entering a building's ductwork. In particular, a primary air filter is mounted within the hood of, for example, a cooking area and operable to receive grease-laden air and remove a portion of the impurities. The air is then sent to a secondary filter, also mounted within the hood, that removes additional impurities. The air is then sent through the building's ductwork and eventually out the building.

Abstract: A two stage air purification system is provided for the removal of airborne impurities from an airflow prior to the airflow entering a building's ductwork. In particular, a primary air filter is mounted within the hood of, for example, a cooking area and operable to receive grease-laden air and remove a portion of the impurities. The air is then sent to a secondary filter, also mounted within the hood, that removes additional impurities. The air is then sent through the building's ductwork and eventually out the building.

Abstract: A new system for holding HEPA filters in an air duct. In the present invention, the filters are mounted parallel to the direction of air flow. This allows a filter assembly with essentially unlimited surface area to be installed without increasing the outside dimensions of the duct. This system also allow for easy and convenient replacement of filters.

Abstract: An assembly for removing aerosol from crankcase gasses being returned to an air intake manifold is generally shown at and includes a housing having a housing wall defining a top portion and a base with at least one drain. An inlet line extends through the housing wall communicating with a crankcase. An outlet line extends through the top portion for communicating with an air intake manifold. An inertial separator generally shown at is attached to the inlet line and has a screen through which the crankcase gasses pass and an impacter plate for obstructing aerosol suspended in the gasses. A sheet wound in spaced convolutions to define a spiraled path from the exterior to a central space conveys gasses from the inertial separator to the central space. A thermal interception tube located in the central space receives gasses and has a tube wall for gasses to pass therethrough and an opening at one end for egress of gasses.

Abstract: A filtration vessel is shown for use with a rotary screw compressor which receives a compressed liquid/gas mixture from the compressor. The vessel utilizes a first stage vortex knockout region to remove bulk liquids through a circular motion which imposes centrifugal forces on the gas and liquid mixture. A coalescer region located above the vortex knockout region receives the relatively lighter fluids and separates any remaining entrained liquids from the fluids. The discharge from the filtration unit is an essentially liquid free compressed gas. The liquid discharge, in the case of lube oil can be recirculated to the compressor for another cycle.

Abstract: A vehicle air cleaner system 10 includes a cyclone chamber 14 and a variable inlet 30. The variable inlet 30 communicates airflow to the cyclone chamber 14 at a relatively constant velocity by varying an opening 32 in response to airflow which enters the inlet 12. During a relatively low airflow condition the variable inlet 30 directs airflow closer to a center of the cyclone chamber 14 which increase the angular velocity of the airflow by directing airflow toward smaller radii 42s within the cyclone chamber. During a relatively high airflow condition the variable inlet directs airflow toward the outer diameter of the cyclone chamber 14 and larger radii 42 L to assure an angular speed sufficient to separate out undesirable particles yet prevent an undesirable pressure drop across the air cleaner system 10. By varying communication of airflow to particular radii within the cyclone chamber 14, a relatively constant pressure drop across the air cleaner system 10 is provided regardless of airflow velocity.