With Pressure Sensing Means Patents (Class 96/174)
  • Publication number: 20100064892
    Abstract: A gas liquid separator system for a hydrogen generating apparatus includes a collection area for collecting liquid from the generated gases. To empty the collection area occasionally so that liquid does not build up and become entrained again in the dried gas, a vent solenoid is provided in communication with the collection area and a pump is used to create a vacuum periodically on the electrolysis cells. Such arrangement is used to open the liquid gas filter and possibly just the sump to atmosphere occasionally and vacuum generated to draw the liquid from the sump back to the electrolysis cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: HY-DRIVE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventor: Andrew Harland Linsday
  • Publication number: 20090193972
    Abstract: A dual stage coalescer includes a separator in a separator chamber separating gas and liquid by inertial impaction, and a coalescer filter element in a coalescer chamber separating gas and liquid by coalescence. A transfer tube extends between the separator chamber and a downstream subchamber in the coalescer chamber at the downstream face of the coalescer filter element, and supplies pre-separated liquid from the separator chamber through the transfer tube to the noted downstream subchamber as driven by pressure differential between the separator chamber and the downstream subchamber, to eliminate a dedicated housing drain outlet from the separator chamber. The coalescer may provide a crankcase ventilation filter for an internal combustion engine having blowby gas containing an air-oil mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Brian W. Schwandt, Christopher E. Holm, Mark V. Holzmann, Michael J. Connor
  • Publication number: 20090188391
    Abstract: A system and a method for solvent purification is provided. The system includes a solvent storage tank and a filter coupled to the tank for filtering out moisture from the solvent. The method includes providing a tank to hold the solvent being purified, providing a filter coupled to the tank, and repeatedly providing solvent from the tank to the filter, and filtering the solvent to remove moisture and returning the filtered solvent to the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Dmitry Vernik, Ron Hood
  • Publication number: 20090165653
    Abstract: To provide an apparatus for gasifying and separating a liquid medium, which is of an automatic type and which can be increased in size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: Techno Sigma Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Torii, Kouichi Miki, Katsumi Koretomo
  • Publication number: 20090126574
    Abstract: A hygroscopic moisture separating and heating apparatus (20) comprises a main body container (1) having a cylindrical shape, a partition plate (5) provided to define a space together with an inner circumferential face of the main body container (1) and configured to divide the internal space of the main body container (1) into a lower temperature area (30) and a higher temperature area (31), a steam inlet (6) provided to the lower temperature area (30) of the main body container (1), a steam outlet (7) provided to the higher temperature area (31) of the main body container (1), a hygroscopic moisture separator (8) located in the lower temperature area (30) of the main body container (1), and a U-shaped pipe (2) through which heated steam for heating the steam to be heated is fed. The U-shaped pipe includes an advancing part (21), a retracting part (22), and a U-shaped part (23) connecting the advancing part (21) with the retracting part (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Shunji Kawano, Koichi Yoshimura, Takafumi Kamada, Tatsuya Okihara, Hiroshi Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20090120296
    Abstract: A bubble separator is a cyclone-type bubble separator having a cooling mechanism (oil cooler) connected downstream thereof, and is provided with a relief mechanism that operates when the interior pressure in a main body increases. The fluid inside the main body escapes downstream of the cooling mechanism due to the operation of the cooling mechanism. In particular, preferably the relief mechanism is provided in a gas discharge portion that is connected to the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuhiro SAITO
  • Publication number: 20090064863
    Abstract: A tempering device for tempering a consumption device comprises a tempering circuit in which a tempering liquid can be circulated by a pump P, and a ventilation device which is disposed in the tempering circuit, by means of which a gas contained in the tempering liquid can be separated therefrom. In order to degas the tempering liquid as quickly as possible, the ventilation device comprises a flow divider in the form of a gravity separator which is disposed in the tempering circuit upstream of the pump, and a ventilation tank which is connected to the gravity separator via a ventilation line. A partial flow of the tempering liquid that flows in the tempering circuit is supplied to the ventilation tank via the ventilation line, wherein a feedback line is additionally provided between the ventilation tank and the tempering circuit, through which tempering liquid that collects in the ventilation tank is returned to the tempering circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventor: Franz-Josef Elsland
  • Patent number: 7481867
    Abstract: A vacuum system for extracting a stream of a multi-phase fluid from a photolithography tool comprises a pumping arrangement for drawing the fluid from the tool, and an extraction tank located upstream from the pumping arrangement for separating the fluid drawn from the tool into gas and liquid phases. The pumping arrangement comprises a first pump for extracting gas from the tank, and a second pump for extracting liquid from the tank. In order to minimize any pressure fluctuations transmitted from the vacuum system back to the fluid within the tool, a pressure control system maintains a substantially constant pressure in the tank by regulating the amounts of liquid and gas within the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Edwards Limited
    Inventors: Andrew John Harpham, Paul John Shechter, Paul Alan Stockman
  • Patent number: 7384451
    Abstract: When a reaction liquid is passed through a gas-liquid separation pipe having a larger volume per unit length than the volume per unit length of a pipe, a headspace part into which gas can be released is formed above the gas-liquid separation pipe, and the byproduct gas generated by the reaction changes into bubbles, moves upward in the reaction liquid, and is continuously released from a gas-liquid interface into the headspace part. While the gas is removed in the gas-liquid separation pipe, the pressure of the headspace part is controlled so as to be constant by a pressure adjustment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Fumiko Shiraishi, Yasunori Ichikawa, Seiji Sugiyama, Koukichi Waki
  • Patent number: 7326282
    Abstract: The control device for a separator includes: a drainage pump powered by a first electric motor and an aspiration pump powered by a second electric motor. It further includes: sensor elements of known type for detecting operating parameters of the separator, such as pressure of liquid in outlet, ambient temperature, motor temperature, and for providing command signals which are proportional to the operating parameters and which command the inverters which upon receiving the command signals modify a frequency of the electrical supply current to the first electric motor and to the second electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Cattani S.p.A.
    Inventor: Ennio Cattani
  • Patent number: 7314509
    Abstract: A gas/liquid phase separator includes a fluid inlet, a vapor outlet, a liquid outlet, and first and second valves disposed in fluid communication with the liquid outlet. Both valves are controllable in response to a fluid level in the gas/liquid phase separator. Both valves are further disposed in parallel fluid communication with each other. A method of controlling a liquid level in the phase separator includes sensing an amount of liquid in the phase separator, sensing a system pressure, and selectively opening a valve disposed in fluid communication with the phase separator to drain the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Proton Energy System, Inc.
    Inventors: A. John Speranza, Andrzej E. Stanek, Angelo A. Morson, Justin D. Baltrucki
  • Patent number: 7141100
    Abstract: A low flow rotary separator includes a housing that defines a separator chamber and a liquid/gas mixture inlet. A shaft driven by a motor includes a plurality of disks in frictional contact with the mixture to drive the liquid outward against an inner wall of the separator and displace gas to a central region about the shaft. The liquid exits through a liquid outlet valve into a high-pressure storage container. The pressure of the liquid is increased to allow flow into the high-pressure storage container by a pump driven by the shaft. A level control valve closes in response to a predetermined pressure differential between liquid in the feed line and liquid within the separator chamber to allow liquid flow through an outlet check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand
    Inventor: W. Clark Dean
  • Patent number: 6910339
    Abstract: A system for extracting including a cooled condenser apparatus in contact with the volume of pressurized air being dehumidified, the condensed water being transferred into collection areas by means of capillary attraction; an evaporation chamber in thermal contact with the condenser apparatus having an inlet connected to the collection areas by means of a first valve device and an outlet connected by means of a second valve device to a space wherein the pressure is lower than that of the volume of pressurized air; and a control device for controlling the valve devices in order to carry out a control cycle with a first phase for placing the evaporation chamber under negative pressure in relation to the volume of pressurized air, and a second phase for suctioning the condensed water in the collection areas towards the decompression chamber, until the pressure in the decompression chamber reaches a predefined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Agence Spatiale Europeenne
    Inventors: Robert Laine, Primo Tamburini
  • Publication number: 20040222152
    Abstract: A system for removing and purifying a carbon dioxide-containing stream from a batch process tool is provided. A multi-phase contaminated stream containing at least carbon dioxide and one or more co-solvent is removed from a process tool and conveyed to at least one intermediate pressure separator. The contaminant- containing stream is separated into an intermediate pressure carbon dioxide-enriched vapor stream and an intermediate pressure solvent and contaminant-enriched stream in the intermediate pressure separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: John Fredric Billingham, Thomas John Bergman, Richard Martin Kelly, Kenneth Leroy Burgers, William Thoru Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6716268
    Abstract: A method of controlling occurrence of slugging in a riser of a pipeline arrangement including a riser base and pipeline conveying a multiphase fluid system in which the gas phase may be natural gas. The upper end of riser is connected to a separator vessel. The gas phase of the multiphase fluid system is separated from the liquid phase so that the separated gas leaves through gas outlet pipe controlled by a first valve, and the liquid leaves through an outlet pipe controlled by a first valve. The first valve regulates the velocity of gas along the pipeline towards the riser. A pressure sensor observes the gas pressure in the riser base, and if the observed pressure exceeds a predetermined control pressure value a three term pressure indication control causes the first valve to be operated to pen to an extent that increases the gas outflow through the pipe, and thus increases the velocity of gas in the pipeline to avoid occurrence of severe slugging in the riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Lattice Intellectual Property Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter David Molyneux, John Paul Kinvig
  • Patent number: 6547862
    Abstract: A rotary phase separator includes an accumulator and a liquid outlet valve to separate the phases of a liquid/gas mixture. The separator includes a housing defining a radial accumulator chamber and supporting a shaft, and a motor to drive the shaft for rotation about a longitudinal axis. A plurality of disks and cylinders are attached to the shaft to create frictional contact with the mixture to drive the liquid outward against an inner wall of the separator, thereby displacing the gas to a central region about the shaft. A liquid outlet on the inner wall includes a valve seal held closed by a control springs until a predetermined differential pressure is reached. The gas exits through an opening in the hollow shaft to a gas outlet tube. A valve member actuated by a solenoid seals the gas outlet tube until sufficient gas has accumulated to allow separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand
    Inventor: W. Clark Dean
  • Patent number: 6423124
    Abstract: The device for regulating a flow rate of an air-liquid centrifuge separator includes a gas outlet pipe, an outlet pipe for separated liquids and an inlet pipe through which a fluid to be separated enters the separator. The device includes a by-pass pipe, arranged between the liquid outlet pipe and the fluid inlet pipe, which removes liquid from the liquid outlet pipe and transfers it to the fluid inlet pipe when a pressure of the liquid in the liquid outlet pipe exceeds a predetermined level. The device is particularly useful in separators for dental aspiration plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Cattani S.p.A.
    Inventor: Ennio Cattani
  • Patent number: 6413297
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating pressurized drilling fluid returns from a well having a returns outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Northland Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Theodore Allen Morgan, David Speed, Carel Willem Jan Hoyer
  • Patent number: 6395064
    Abstract: Provided is a novel system for vaporizing and purifying a gas to produce ultrapure chemical gases employed at a semiconductor processing facility. The system includes a liquified gas source, a vaporization purification bed, and a buffer tank. The liquefied gas source is in communication with the vaporization purification bed to provide a liquefied gas to the bed with an ultra-pure chemical gas generated in the purification bed. The purified gas is subsequently routed to a buffer tank and to a point of use therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: American Air Liquide, INC
    Inventors: Mindi Xu, Richard Udischas, Carol Schnepper, Joseph Paganessi
  • Patent number: 6171368
    Abstract: Apparatus and an associated method of operation are disclosed for removal of gaseous contaminants, particularly oxygen, from closed containers. The apparatus is economical, simple to install and operate, of convenient size, and highly effective. A gas extractor communicates with a container for a gas-sensitive product. A high gas concentration in the container causes operation of the extractor until the gas concentration is reduced to a desired low level, when the extractor operation stops. Separate sensors and controllers responsive to concentrations can be present, or the extractor can be self-actuated by use as a power source of a battery which operates on gas generated by operation of the extractor. The system preferably is used for oxygen extraction from containers holding oxygen-sensitive contents. The preferred extractor includes an electrochemical cell which has a ion-permeable membrane disposed between two electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Med-E-Cell
    Inventors: Henri J. R. Maget, Robert J. Rosati
  • Patent number: 6149407
    Abstract: When a hot water supply line has to be filled with hot water at all times it requires that the contents of the hot water supply line has to be returned to the hot water heater by a circulator pump. When gas-bubbles form in the hot water supply line, they tend to form a bubble in the suction area of the pump impeller, which leads to an interruption of the flow. In order to prevent this, a circulator pump is used which has a calming chamber in which some of the gases separate, the rest of the air is moved into the spiral channel around the impeller due to an eccentricity of the vortex inside of the impeller. Finally also this gas stream flows into the calming chamber from where the gases leave through a venting valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Karsten Laing
  • Patent number: 6004385
    Abstract: A gas/oil separation system for monitoring the performance of a compact, gas/oil separator apparatus which utilizes at least one pair of centrifugal force primary and secondary separators for separating a wellhead fluid containing crude oil, produced water, and hydrocarbon gas from a hydrocarbon production system into its gas and liquid parts employs relatively simple differential pressure instrumentation for producing real-time signals representative of the compact, gas/oil separator apparatus' liquid carryover performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Hudson Products Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel P. Birmingham
  • Patent number: 5843212
    Abstract: An apparatus reduces the pressure in a fuel tank ullage including a first conduit for connection to the fuel tank ullage, a vapor extractor, a pressure sensor to detect the pressure in the fuel tank ullage, a separation module having an inlet connected to the first conduit, a separation membrane, a permeate outlet separated from the inlet by the separation membrane, and a retentate outlet, a second conduit connected to the permeate outlet for connection to the fuel tank, a vapor pump associated with the second conduit for creating a low pressure in the separation module near the permeate outlet as to induce selected vapors to pass through the separation membrane, a vent associated with the retentate outlet to vent retentate to atmosphere, a hydrocarbon detector to detect hydrocarbon concentrations in the vent, and a controller to receive inputs from the pressure sensor and the hydrocarbon detector and output control signals to the vapor extractor and the vapor pump to pull vapor from the ullage when the press
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventor: Seifollah S. Nanaji
  • Patent number: 5810037
    Abstract: There is disclosed an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus in which the amount of gas dissolved in a cleaning liquid in a cleaning vessel is reduced, thereby enabling a cleaning operation efficiently. The cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning vessel, cleans articles, immersed therein, by a cavitation phenomenon caused by an ultrasonic vibrator. The cleaning liquid is fed to a degassing vessel by a discharge pump through a discharge pipe, and is returned to the cleaning vessel by a supply pump through a supply pipe. Thus, the cleaning liquid is circulated between the two vessels. Gas, dissolved in the cleaning liquid in the degassing vessel, makes bubbles since the degassing vessel is kept to a vacuum, so that the cleaning liquid containing a reduced amount of dissolved gas is stored in the cleaning vessel. Therefore, bubbles are less produced by the ultrasonic vibrator, and the cleaning operation can be carried out efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Daido Metal Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayoshi Sasaki, Kotaro Kashiyama
  • Patent number: 5693125
    Abstract: An improved liquid/gas separator is disclosed for separating liquid and gas from a mixture that is mostly gas, within a zero gravity or variable gravity working environment. The separator includes a main housing that defines a pre-swirl chamber for receiving a liquid/gas mixture and an adjacent cylindrical separator chamber for containing liquid and gas separated from the mixture. A main shaft is rotationally secured along an interior longitudinal axis of the main housing and includes a hub portion defining exhaust slots in fluid communication with an exhaust duct within the hub for passing gas out of the separator chamber. A plurality of apertured coalescing disks are secured to the hub portion of the main shaft within the separator chamber for rotationally impacting liquid droplets and directing any droplets, bubbles or sheets of liquid formed on the disks away from the shaft toward and into a rotating liquid ring formed adjacent an interior circumference of the separator chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: W. Clark Dean
  • Patent number: 5593890
    Abstract: An improved apparatus for conducting gas-liquid reactions, comprising a vessel having at least one ascending flow chamber and at least one descending flow chamber. The vessel is especially useful in conducting high cell density fermentation processes, for maintaining a predetermined and relatively high gas holdup within the vessel and simultaneously preventing foaming through hydrodynamics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Centro de Investigaci on y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Polit ecnico Nacional
    Inventors: Luis B. Flores-Cotera, Sergio Garc ia-Salas
  • Patent number: 5571310
    Abstract: An apparatus reduces the pressure in a volatile chemical tank ullage including a first conduit for connection to the volatile chemical tank ullage, a vapor extractor, a pressure sensor to detect the pressure in the volatile chemical tank ullage, a separation module having an inlet connected to the first conduit, a separation membrane, a permeate outlet separated from the inlet by the separation membrane, and a retentate outlet, a second conduit connected to the permeate outlet for connection to the volatile chemical tank, a vapor pump associated with the second conduit for creating a low pressure in the separation module near the permeate outlet as to induce selected vapors to pass through the separation membrane, a vent associated with the retentate outlet to vent retentate to atmosphere, a VOC detector to detect VOC concentrations in the vent, and a controller to receive inputs from the pressure sensor and the VOC detector and output control signals to the vapor extractor and the vapor pump to pull vapor fr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventor: Seifollah S. Nanaji
  • Patent number: 5510019
    Abstract: A vortical flow type bubble separating apparatus comprises a container defining a substantially cone-shaped vortical flow chamber having a lower larger diameter end with a plurality of holes, an outer casing for receiving a liquid discharged from the vortical flow chamber through the holes, a center conduit pipe with a plurality of orifices for removing bubble containing fraction from the vortical flow chamber for discharging, an annular preliminary vortical flow passage extending at least approximately entire circumference of the larger diameter end portion of the container, a single opening defined through the peripheral wall of the vortical flow chamber and communicating the vortical flow chamber and the preliminary vortical flow passage, the opening being designed for introducing the liquid into the vortical flow chamber from the preliminary vortical flow passage in substantially tangential direction to the vortical flow chamber, and a flow guide member provided at the end of the preliminary vortical flow
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Oil Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junsuke Yabumoto, Masanori Hirose
  • Patent number: 5405435
    Abstract: An economical deaerator unit for use in boiler feedwater systems for eliminating non-condensible gases, the unit having a containment vessel with a divided internal chamber with an upper scrubbing section and a lower heating and deaerating section with gases flowing from the lower section to the upper section for venting, and with water flowing from the upper section to the lower section for supply to a boiler system with water circulation in the deaerator unit being accomplished by gravity without a transfer pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Inventor: Martin Bekedam
  • Patent number: 5387278
    Abstract: A system for separating an air-liquid mixture in a low gravity environment is disclosed having a high speed separator to initially process the air-liquid mixture. A second, low-speed separator has its inlet connected to the liquid discharge outlet of the high speed separator in order to remove the entrained air bubbles from the liquid discharge of the high speed separator. The low speed separator has a stationary housing enclosing a rotating, paddle-type separator. The housing defines a liquid collector portion which communicates directly with a liquid discharge outlet. Air removed by the low speed separator may be vented to the ambient atmosphere, or may be returned to the air-liquid mixture inlet of the high speed separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Grumman Aerospace Corporation
    Inventor: John K. Mangialardi
  • Patent number: 5326386
    Abstract: A reservoir for use in a hydraulic circuit is disclosed which includes a passive gas separating medium to separate gas from the hydraulic fluid as it circulates through the reservoir. The gas separating medium, which may be a membrane-type diffuser, is permeable to air, but not hydraulic fluid. This allows entrained air to diffuse through the membrane element after which it may be expelled to the atmosphere. The membrane diffuser is located within the reservoir housing in a low-pressure portion of the hydraulic circuit in a space between spaced apart double walls of the reservoir such that hydraulic fluid returning to the reservoir must first pass through the membrane. The membrane may have several concentric or spiral layers, depending upon the capacity of the circuit. Gas separated from the hydraulic fluid is withdrawn from the membrane diffuser structure and may be vented to atmosphere through a valve associated with the reservoir housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Grumman Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Leung Lee, James J. Pavlica
  • Patent number: 5291922
    Abstract: A vacuum assisted system for loading a liquid product containing vapor into a tank comprising apparatus for loading the liquid product under pressure into the tank, and a system for disposing of vapor recovered from the tank during loading. The system also includes conduit for interconnecting the tank and the vapor disposal, and a blower in the conduit for applying a predetermined vacuum to the tank. The loading apparatus pressure and the blower vacuum act to move vapor from the tank to the vapor disposal. A by-pass conduit is formed about and between the outlet and the inlet sides of the blower, and a valve is provided in the by-pass conduit which is responsive to the vacuum at the inlet side of the blower for progressively opening to permit by-pass flow of vapor from the outlet side to the inlet side of the blower. The valve provides maximum by-pass when the vacuum approaches a predetermined maximum level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: David N. Martin, Michael C. McCreery
  • Patent number: 5256171
    Abstract: Oil and gas well production flow is gathered in field common line manifolds and conducted through a separator to make a coarse separation of gas from liquid and minimize slug flow in the conduits leading from the manifolds to further separation, treatment and pumping facilities. A liquid level signal transmitter provides a signal to a valve controller which controls separate liquid and gas discharge flow control valves or a variable speed pump to maintain a set point level of liquid in the separator. Liquid level control is accomplished automatically by varying the flow from the fluid discharge conduit which is connected to the lower pressure flow line, which is usually the gas flow line. Manifold pressures may be sensed to prevent exceeding a predetermined pressure in the manifolds and the well flow lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventor: Richard L. Payne
  • Patent number: 5244479
    Abstract: The liquid/gas separator for soapy water consists of a fixed cylindrical housing defining a fixed chamber for supporting a rotating shaft supported about the longitudinal axis. A preswirl chamber communicating with the main chamber in which are disposed parallelly spaced annular coalescing disks supported to the rotating shaft, serves, with the preswirl chamber, to rotate the centrifuged water to form a water ring adjacent the outer wall of the chamber and flows the gas through a central passage formed in the shaft along the longitudinal axis to be vented in response to a control valve located at the open end of the shaft remote from the preswirl chamber. Control means responsive to the differential of the static pressure of the water ring and the gas pressure, control the venting of the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Walter C. Dean, II, Arthur M. Leclair
  • Patent number: 5240593
    Abstract: A purification method and device for purifying industrial liquid such as oil from contaminates including first container housing for receiving the industrial liquid in bulk and separating liquid and particulate contaminates therefrom by reversing a flow direction of the received liquid. The thus processed liquid is transferred to a second container and is subjected to a further filtration by forcing the liquid under high pressure through at least one filter element accommodated in the second container. The high pressure on the at least one filter element results in a compression of the at least one filter element thereby precluding the liquid being processed from bypassing the filter element. A further filter barrier seal element may be provided above the at least one filter element and serves as a final filtration prior to a discharge of the liquid from the second container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Inventor: James G. Moredock