Patents Assigned to Alfa Laval Corporate AB
  • Publication number: 20230364621
    Abstract: A modular centrifugal separator system is configured for separating a liquid feed mixture into a heavy phase and light phase. The system includes a base unit and a set of a first and a second exchangeable separation inserts. The base unit includes a stationary frame and a rotatable member. The rotatable member delimits an inner space configured for receiving at least one part of the first or second exchangeable separation insert therein. Each of the first and second exchangeable separation inserts includes a rotor casing forming a separation space and separation discs arranged in the separation space. The discs of the first exchangeable separation insert have a first area equivalent and the discs of the second exchangeable separation insert have a second area equivalent, which differs from the first area equivalent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventor: Peter THORWID
  • Patent number: 11807839
    Abstract: A process for obtaining clear must from grape berries includes feeding grape berries into a plant, controlled addition of adjuvant and/or clarifying substances to said grape berries while the grape berries are still at least partially intact, centrifuging said grape berries, in such a way as to separate the liquid phase or must from the solid phase with at least one centrifugal separator device, extracting and collecting the solid phase in a respective storage container and settling and/or flotation of the liquid phase or must so that the liquid phase of said must and the solid residue are separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Roberto Ferrarini, Carole Rapilly, Marco Franzoso
  • Patent number: 11801460
    Abstract: A filtering unit includes a filtering component having a pre-filter chamber circumferentially compartmented in sectors, a filtering medium and a post-filtering chamber, a divider arranged coaxially with the filtering component and having distinct distribution columns, a cover and a rotary backwashing distributor having a shutter provided with a discharge opening. The rotary backwashing distributor is mounted to rotate so that the discharge opening is periodically and selectively put into communication with each distribution column. Each distribution column periodically and selectively establishes communication between the discharge opening and respective ones of the sectors. The filtering unit further includes a dividing plate arranged between the cover and the rotary backwashing distributor, the dividing plate being detachably secured with respect to the cover and having apertures opening into the distribution columns. The shutter abuts the dividing plate at least around the discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignees: ALFA LAVAL MOATTI SAS, ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventor: Adrien Nicolle
  • Publication number: 20230332846
    Abstract: A heat transfer plate comprises upper, center and lower end portions, the latter adjoining the center portion along an upper borderline and comprising first and second portholes and a distribution area having a distribution pattern. The distribution pattern comprises distribution ridges, a respective top portion of which extends in a plane and has rounded first, second, third and fourth corners. The distribution ridges extend along plural separated imaginary ridge lines from the upper borderline towards the first porthole. For each of a number of the distribution ridges extending along a top ridge line closest to the second porthole, the first corner’s curvature radius is larger than the second corner’s curvature radius, the first/second corners are on opposite sides of the top ridge line, the second corner is closer to the second porthole than the first corner, and the first/third corners are on the same side of the top ridge line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2021
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventor: Magnus HEDBERG
  • Patent number: 11774191
    Abstract: A heat transfer plate comprises first, third and fourth guiding sections. The first and fourth guiding sections each comprise, as seen from a first side of the heat transfer plate, a male projection to engage the first adjacent heat transfer plate for aligning the plate and the first adjacent heat transfer plate, and, as seen from a second side of the heat transfer plate, a female recess to engage the second adjacent heat transfer plate for aligning the plate and the second adjacent heat transfer plate. The third guiding section comprises, as seen from the second side of the plate, a male projection to engage the second adjacent heat transfer plate for aligning the plate and the second adjacent plate, and, as seen from the first side of the plate, a female recess to engage the first adjacent heat transfer plate for aligning the plate and the first adjacent plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Johan Nilsson, Magnus Hedberg
  • Patent number: 11761707
    Abstract: A wet surface air cooler (WSAC), including an evaporative spiral heat exchanger for flowing a process medium therethrough, a spray system for spraying a cooling medium directly onto the spiral heat exchanger and a fan for causing air to flow through the evaporative spiral heat exchanger, the combination of the sprayed cooling medium onto the evaporative spiral heat exchanger and the air flowing therethrough causes the cooling medium to at least partially evaporate to lower the temperature of the process medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Kevin Shahrpass, Christian Pawlak, Christian Andersson
  • Patent number: 11738414
    Abstract: A method for joining a first metal part with a second metal part, the metal parts having a solidus temperature above 1100° C., includes applying a melting depressant composition on a surface of the first metal part, the melting depressant composition including a melting depressant component that includes at least 25 wt % boron and silicon for decreasing a melting temperature of the first metal part; bringing the second metal part into contact with the melting depressant composition at a contact point on said surface; heating the first and second metal parts to a temperature above 1100° C.; and allowing a melted metal layer of the first metal component to solidify, such that a joint is obtained at the contact point. The boron at least partly originates from a boron compound selected from any of the following compounds: boric acid, borax, titanium diboride and boron nitride. The melting depressant composition and related products are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Per Sjödin, Kristian Walter, Axel Knutsson
  • Patent number: 11725677
    Abstract: A valve controller for a valve that comprises an actuator mechanically coupled to at least one flow controlling element. The valve controller comprises at least one pilot valve for controlling the position of the flow controlling element(s) by the actuator. The valve controller comprises a position sensor for obtaining a position signal indicative of the position of one of said at least one flow controlling element. The valve controller is configured to execute a configuration phase comprising establishing a pilot valve integer corresponding to number of pilot valves, and determining a tolerance criterion for the position signal based on the pilot valve integer. A valve arrangement comprising the valve controller and a valve. A method of controlling a valve comprising the configuration phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Thomas Priisholm, Karsten Schack Madsen
  • Patent number: 11709025
    Abstract: A method of making an end-piece for a plate heat exchanger, wherein the end-piece includes a frame part having inner and outer portions, and an intermediate portion arranged between the inner and outer portions, with the outer wall surface of the inner portion being arranged to face a first surface of a package of heat transfer plates comprising the plate heat exchanger, and the first surface having a center portion and a peripheral portion encircling the center portion. The method includes extruding the frame part with plural cavities in the intermediate portion of the frame part that extend in the extrusion direction of the frame part and that are parallel to the frame part axis, with outer dimensions of the outer wall surface of the inner portion configured to be at least as large as outer dimensions of the center portion of the first surface heat transfer plate package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Anders Nyander, Klas Bertilsson, Clemens Wictor
  • Publication number: 20230168044
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a plate heat exchanger comprising a plate package and a manifold both made of metal. The plate package comprises a plurality of heat exchanger plates stacked between end plates. The heat exchanger plates being sealed to each other and form alternating first plate interspaces for a first medium and second plate interspaces for a second medium. The plate package defines at least two port channels communicating with the first plate interspaces. At least one of the end plates define connection ports communicating with a respective port channel. The manifold defines a port opening, a distant opening and a flow passage extending between the port opening and the distant opening. The manifold being fixedly attached to one of the end plates such that the port opening of the manifold covers one of the connection ports. The manifold being made by additive manufacturing, moulding or casting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Anders NYANDER, Joakim ÖHLIN
  • Patent number: 11660614
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a heavy phase liquid discharge element, a centrifugal separator comprising the element and to a method of separating two liquid phases. The heavy phase liquid discharge element comprises at least one inlet opening on a first side of the heavy phase liquid discharge element, the at least one inlet opening being adapted to face an interior of the centrifugal separator, and at least two separate outlet channels defining an outlet on the second side of the heavy phase liquid discharge element, wherein at least a portion of each of the outlet channels overlaps with the at least one inlet opening, thereby forming a liquid pathway between the at least one inlet opening and the outlet defined by the at least two outlet channels through which the liquid can pass. By this design, pressure losses in the heavy phase liquid outlets can be decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventor: Bent Madsen
  • Patent number: 11660607
    Abstract: A separation disc for a centrifugal separator is adapted to be included in a stack of separation discs inside a centrifugal rotor for separating a fluid mixture. The separation disc has a truncated conical shape with an inner surface and an outer surface and a plurality of spacing members extending from at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface. The spot-formed spacing members are for providing interspaces between mutually adjacent separation discs in a stack of separation discs. The separation disc further includes at least one elongated rib extending from the inner surface to a height (h) that is less than the height (H) to which the plurality of spacing members extend. Further, at least one elongated rib extends from first position on the inner surface to a second position on the inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Klas Hilding, Sven-Åke Nilsson, Peter Thorwid
  • Patent number: 11660613
    Abstract: A separation disc for a centrifugal separator is adapted to be included in a stack of separation discs inside a centrifugal rotor for separating a fluid mixture. The separation disc has a truncated conical shape with an inner surface and an outer surface and a plurality of spot-formed spacing members extending from at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface. The spot-formed spacing members are for providing interspaces between mutually adjacent separation discs in a stack of separation discs, and the plurality of spot-formed spacing members are tip-shaped and taper from a base at the surface of the separation disc towards a tip extending a height from the surface. A stack of separation discs, a centrifugal separator and a method for separating at least two components of a fluid mixture are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Sven-Åke Nilsson, Peter Thorwid
  • Publication number: 20230160644
    Abstract: A gasket arrangement for a plate heat exchanger, a method of manufacturing such a gasket arrangement, and an assembly comprising such a gasket arrangement are provided. The gasket arrangement comprises a gasket positionable between first and second aligned heat transfer plates of the plate heat exchanger with a lower side of the gasket abutting the first heat transfer plate and an opposing upper side of the gasket abutting the second heat transfer plate. The gasket arrangement further comprises a projection projecting from an outside of the gasket. The projection comprises an outer part having a length extension and being arranged to extend outside the first and second heat transfer plates, and a first connection part, connecting the gasket and the outer part of the projection. The gasket arrangement further comprises an RFID tag which at least partly is embedded in at least the outer part of the projection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Anders NYANDER, Hélen GUSTAFSSON, Klas BERTILSSON
  • Publication number: 20230160642
    Abstract: A heat transfer plate includes a heat transfer area provided with a heat transfer pattern comprising elongate alternately arranged heat transfer ridges and valleys, a respective top portion of the ridges extending in a top plane and a respective bottom portion of the valleys extending in a bottom plane. The heat transfer ridges comprise ridge contact areas within which the ridges are arranged to abut an adjacent first heat transfer plate. Within at least half of the heat transfer area, the top portions of the ridges have a first width w1, and the bottom portions of the valleys have a second width w2, w1?w2. The top portion of a number of first heat transfer ridges of the heat transfer ridges, within a respective first ridge contact area of the ridge contact areas, has a third width w3, wherein, if w1>w2 then w3<w1, and, if w1<w2 then w3>w1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventor: Mattias NORÉN
  • Publication number: 20230142185
    Abstract: A mechanical seal device for a centrifugal separator includes a first seal ring including a first seal surface and a second seal ring including a second seal surface. The first and second seal surfaces are configured to face each other to form a seal, and at least one channel for a cooling fluid is arranged in the first seal ring. The at least one channel includes an inlet and an outlet. The outlet of the at least one channel is arranged at the first seal surface of the first seal ring. A centrifugal separator includes the mechanical seal device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventor: Johan FORSSLUND
  • Patent number: 11643349
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment system and a wastewater treatment process, fluidly combining a one or more SBR (sequencing batch reactor) module/s, in which nitrification and denitrification of the wastewater are performed in sequences and one or more MBR (membrane bioreactor) module/s.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventor: Nicolas Heinen
  • Publication number: 20230138342
    Abstract: A rotary positive displacement pump includes a main body rotationally supporting two parallel, axially extending, shafts with gears in constant mesh condition, such that the shafts rotate in opposite directions. A rotor case body is connected to a front side of the main body and has a stationary interior pumping cavity, fluid product inlet and outlet openings, and two cylindrical rotor case hubs each receiving internally one of the shafts. A pair of rotors each have a rotor wing and a rotor drive element that is mounted torque proof on a rotor seat at an end region of one of the shafts. Each rotor seat pair has an axial abutment surface and a mounting surface. The pump also includes fasteners each engaging a mating section of one of the shafts and exerting an axial clamping force on one of the rotor drive elements against one of the axial abutment surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventor: Simon CARGILL
  • Patent number: 11639829
    Abstract: A plate heat exchanger gasket includes an elongate body and a first number of elongate projections projecting from an upper side of the body and extending along the gasket's longitudinal extension. Each projection is defined by a top and two opposing flanks extending from the top. Referring to a cross section perpendicular to the gasket longitudinal extension, for each of a second number of unsymmetrical projections of the projections, a first area defined by an outer flank of the flanks, the body upper side and a normal of the body upper side extending through the top of the unsymmetrical projection, is smaller than a second area defined by an inner flank of the flanks, the body upper side and the normal of the body upper side extending through the top of the unsymmetrical projection. This normal is displaced from a center normal of the body upper side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventor: Martin Sandgren
  • Publication number: 20230128374
    Abstract: A separation system for separating a liquid mixture includes a centrifugal separator. The centrifugal separator includes a stationary frame, a rotatable assembly and a drive unit for rotating the rotatable assembly relative the frame around an axis of rotation. The separator further includes a feed inlet for receiving a liquid mixture to be separated, a first liquid outlet for discharge of a separated liquid light phase and a second liquid outlet for discharge of a liquid heavy phase having a density that is higher than said liquid light phase. The rotatable assembly, includes a rotor casing enclosing a separation space in which a stack of separation discs is arranged to rotate around a vertical axis of rotation. The separation space is arranged for receiving liquid mixture from said feed inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Applicant: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventor: Per-Gustaf LARSSON