By Liquid Accumulation Responsive Float Patents (Class 96/409)
  • Patent number: 10717024
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a gas liquid separator that includes a chamber, a fluid mixture inlet, a solvent outlet and a gas outlet. The gas liquid separator can include a phase-change inducing mechanism disposed in or proximate to the fluid mixture inlet. Exemplary methods of improving separation of a fluid mixture in a gas liquid separator and CO2-based chromatography flow systems including a gas liquid separator are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Waters Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Joshua A. Shreve
  • Patent number: 9216372
    Abstract: A sulfur trap provides separation of elemental molten sulfur from a process stream comprising a mixture of sulfur and associated tail-gases. The sulfur trap comprises a vertically-oriented cylindrical wall having a chamber for receiving the process stream, a float positioned in the chamber, the float attached to a float end of a lever, a nozzle insert attached to the distal end of the lever, and a lever fulcrum positioned intermediate the lever float end and the lever nozzle insert end. The float, lever, nozzle insert and outlet are constructed to allow the float position to control nozzle insert engagement of the outlet, particularly to close the outlet when the float is elevated by molten sulfur and to disengage from the outlet to allow discharge flow of liquid sulfur at a determined level of sulfur within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Inventor: Strom W. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150143997
    Abstract: Apparatus for conditioning of gases, particularly sealing gas, comprising a separator unit (3), particularly for separating liquids and/or particles from the gas flowing through the apparatus, and a collecting container (1) for the trapped substances, said apparatus being characterized in that the separator unit (3) has a cyclone separator (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Manfred Deutschmeyer, Bernhard Schlichter, Sergej Zeller
  • Patent number: 8663436
    Abstract: A water electrolysis system includes a high-pressure water electrolysis apparatus and a gas-liquid separation device. The gas-liquid separation device includes a block member which includes a gas-liquid separation opening and a water-level detection opening. The gas-liquid separation opening and the water-level detection opening extend substantially vertically and includes respective bottom portions which integrally communicate with a discharge pipe. The discharge pipe is disposed at a lower side portion of the block member. The water-level detection opening includes a top portion and a top water-level detection section. The block member further includes an inlet hole in which the hydrogen is introduced from the high-pressure water electrolysis device. The inlet hole is disposed at an upper side portion of the block member. The inlet hole is positioned above the top water-level detection section of the water-level detection opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Taruya, Koji Nakazawa, Hisashi Nagaoka, Daisuke Kurashina
  • Patent number: 8551225
    Abstract: The invention is a separator designed to separate an incoming stream of liquid, gas, and some particulate matter into a separate gas stream, and a separate liquid stream containing the particulate matter. This is achieved through cyclonic action and the use of a float to operate internal valves within the cyclone. The float is mounted on a shaft which is rotated by the motion of the incoming fluid stream and this motion is used to agitate the solids in the liquid so as to prevent the outlet port from becoming jammed. The outlet port also has an auger contained therein that removes particulate matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventor: Ian Gray
  • Publication number: 20120000643
    Abstract: The gas-liquid separator separates a variable multi-phase flow of gas and liquid in a gas dominated flow and a liquid dominated flow. The separator includes a housing which encloses a separation chamber, an inlet port for feeding the multi-phase flow into the separation chamber, a liquid outlet port for discharging the liquid dominated flow from the separation chamber and a gas outlet port provided at a position above both the inlet port and the liquid outlet port for discharging the gas dominated flow from the separation chamber. Both the inlet port and the liquid outlet port are positioned adjacent to an elongated lower bottom wall of the housing and define a flow direction into the and out of the separation chamber approximately aligned along the bottom wall, wherein the separation chamber extends above the bottom wall in between the inlet port and the liquid outlet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: STATOIL ASA
    Inventors: Tor Bruun, Torbjørn Fiveland, Bjørnar Werswick
  • Patent number: 7909922
    Abstract: A dehumidifier is provided. A dehumidifier includes a cabinet defining an outer appearance, a barrier installed in the cabinet to collect condensed water removed from air, a bucket assembly for storing the condensed water directed from the barrier, and a condensed water detecting unit for detecting an amount or level of the condensed water stored in the bucket assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Duck-Yong Jang, Chi-Wao Kim
  • Patent number: 7850754
    Abstract: A device for separating a gas-liquid mixture, wherein a liquid part is in the form of small particles by separating and coagulating the liquid particles in a separation surface including, at least one region of an inner wall surface of a cyclone, the separation surface comprised of the at least one region; at least one fibre lining material that is formed as one of a knitted fibre and a non-woven fibre with a fibre thickness between about 5 and 500 ?m and a porosity between about 60% and about 90% applied to the inner wall; and a plurality of narrow flow chicanes formed by the at least one lining, wherein at least a portion of the inner wall surface of the cyclone passed by the gas-liquid mixture rotating around a cylinder axis comprises the plurality of narrow flow chicanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Ruppel, Yakup Özkaya
  • Publication number: 20100242732
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for removing water from gases produced from a hydrocarbon reservoir penetrated by a well, the apparatus comprising: a first conduit extending through the well for producing gases; a second conduit extending through the well for producing liquid hydrocarbons; a pump connected to pump liquid hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon reservoir through the second conduit; and a gas dehydrator located in the first conduit below a ground surface for removing water from produced gases flowing through the first conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventor: Codey Alan Saville
  • Patent number: 7637977
    Abstract: An integrated unit for air treatment in pneumatic systems comprises a box-shaped body provided with an inlet for the air to be treated and at least one outlet for the treated air and holds devices for treatment and regulation of the air flow between the inlet and outlet. The devices consist of at least one filter device, one pressure regulator and one progressive-starting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Metal Work S.p.A.
    Inventor: Marco Lucidera
  • Publication number: 20090064865
    Abstract: An integrated unit for air treatment in pneumatic systems comprises a box-shaped body provided with an inlet for the air to be treated and at least one outlet for the treated air and holds devices for treatment and regulation of the air flow between the inlet and outlet. The devices consist of at least one filter device, one pressure regulator and one progressive-starting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventor: Marco Lucidera
  • 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: 7198659
    Abstract: A containment apparatus for collecting liquids including oil and water emitted from a gas buster exhaust stack. The containment includes baffling and a liquid float and discharge line for returning the liquids to a reservoir. Multiple containments may be connected to contain potentially greater discharges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Inventor: Robert Paul Fanguy
  • Patent number: 7112308
    Abstract: A sealing device for a sulfur trap includes a float, a counterweight, and a cleaning rod. The density of the sealing device allows flotation of the device in molten sulfur. The counterweight includes a surface to mate with an upwardly extending hollow cylinder in the sulfur trap through which molten sulfur may flow. The sealing device engages the upwardly extending cylinder in a first position and floats in the molten sulfur contained in an upper chamber of the sulfur trap in a second position. The cleaning rod and counterweight contact the sides of the upwardly extending cylinder to prevent buildup of solid sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Inventor: Strom W. Smith
  • Patent number: 6287370
    Abstract: Disclosed is a drain discharge apparatus comprising a float provided displaceably in response to drain stored at the inside of a filter case, a handle formed with a drain discharge port for discharging the drain stored in the filter case to the outside, and a swinging mechanism for operating a valve plug for opening and closing the drain discharge port by the aid of a lever linked to displacement of the float.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takehiko Kanazawa
  • Patent number: 6168647
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for separating liquids and solids from a gas stream and simultaneously coalescing liquids from the gas stream. The apparatus includes a closed vessel having a longitudinally extending length, an initially open interior, an input port at an extent and an output port at an opposite extent thereof. There is a partition located within the vessel interior that divides the vessel interior into a first stage and a second stage. There is at least one opening in the partition. A separator/coalescer filter element is disposed within the vessel to sealingly extend from within the first stage through the opening into the second stage. There is a chevron-type seal or an O-ring seal between the filter element and the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Perry Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Marney Dunman Perry, Jr., Stephen A. von Phul, John A. Krogue, David J. Burns
  • Patent number: 5958108
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for separating fluids of differing specific gravities are discussed. More specifically, apparatus and methods for separating a high volume flow mixture of air and water into an essentially dry air component and a pure water component are discussed. The separator is high volume and is structured around three physical elements which are defined as an input, a water chamber and an air separator chamber. A composite flow enters the input where most of the heavier water component separates, under the force of gravity, and flows into the water chamber. The remaining fluid, which is air and water in the form of vapor, mist, or droplets, is drawn into the air separator chamber using a vacuum pump, and subsequently flows through a condensate sub chamber which physically is an element of the air separator chamber. Any moisture in this flow is condensed within, and drained from, the condensate chamber such that dry air is discharged from the air separator chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Thomas J. Minihan
  • Patent number: 5919284
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for separating liquids and solids from a gas stream and simultaneously coalescing liquids from the gas stream. The apparatus includes a closed vessel having a longitudinally extending length, an initially open interior, an input port at an extent and an output port at an opposite extent thereof. There is a partition located within the vessel interior that divides the vessel interior into a first stage and a second stage. There is at least one opening in the partition. A separator/coalescer filter element is disposed within the vessel to sealingly extend from within the first stage through the opening into the second stage. There is a chevron-type seal or an O-ring seal between the filter element and the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Inventors: Marney Dunman Perry, Jr., Stephen A. von Phul, John A. Krogue, David J. Burns
  • Patent number: 5824135
    Abstract: This invention consists of apparatus and methods for separating fluids of differing specific gravities, and more particularly apparatus and methods for separating a high volume flow of fluid comprising a mixture of air and water into an essentially dry air component and a pure water component. The separator is high volume and is structured around three physical elements which are defined as an input, a water chamber and an air separator chamber. A composite flow enters the input where most of and flows into the water chamber. The remaining fluid, which is air and water in the form of vapors mist, or droplets, is drawn into the air separator chamber using a vacuum pump, and subsequently flows through a condensate sub chamber which physically is an element of the air separator chamber. Any moisture in this flow is condensed within, and drained from, the condensate chamber such that dry air is discharged from the air separator chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Inventor: Thomas J. Minihan