Patents Assigned to Claude Laval Corporation
  • Patent number: 9248456
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator includes a separation barrel with an upper end, a lower end, a central axis, and a cylindrical wall defining a separation chamber. A spin plate extends substantially across the separation chamber adjacent to the lower end thereof. A post including a central passage extends from the spin plate along the central axis of the separation barrel. The post includes at least one opening for fluid to flow from the central passage of the post to the separation chamber. An inlet in fluid communication with the separation chamber allows solids-laden fluid to flow into the separation chamber. An outlet in fluid communication with the separation chamber allows substantially-clean fluid to flow out of the separation chamber and out of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Claude Laval Corporation
    Inventors: Steven David Ford, Jeremy Benjamin Isch, Timothy Alan Raiskup
  • Patent number: 9079126
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator of the present invention comprises an upper inlet chamber and separation barrel connected thereto. The upper inlet chamber comprises an inlet through which a solids-laden fluid is introduced. An upper portion of the separation barrel extends into the upper inlet chamber below the inlet, such that the interior wall of the upper inlet chamber and the upper portion of the separation volume define a space, called the vestibular chamber. The vestibular chamber is defined at its upper end by a horizontally disposed plate larger in diameter than the separation barrel, but smaller in diameter than the internal diameter of the upper inlet chamber. The upper portion of the separation barrel comprises a plurality of generally axially-oriented slots which may penetrate through the wall of the separation barrel tangentially, so as to generally induce a tangential flow pattern to fluid entering the separation barrel from the vestibular chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Claude Laval Corporation
    Inventor: Steven David Ford
  • Patent number: 9022231
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator includes a separation barrel having a central axis, an upper end, a lower end, a bottom, and an interior wall that is an axially-extending cylindrical surface of rotation. An inlet may be provided extending through the interior wall, through which a solid/liquid mixture is injected into the upper end in a spinning motion to separate solids from the liquids by centrifugal force. A spin structure may be provided in axial adjacency to the lower end of the separation barrel. A filter may extend from the spin structure, the filter being centrally aligned within the separation barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Claude Laval Corporation
    Inventor: Steven David Ford
  • Publication number: 20140221186
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator includes a separation barrel with an upper end, a lower end, a central axis, and a cylindrical wall defining a separation chamber. A spin plate extends substantially across the separation chamber adjacent to the lower end thereof. A post including a central passage extends from the spin plate along the central axis of the separation barrel. The post includes at least one opening for fluid to flow from the central passage of the post to the separation chamber. An inlet in fluid communication with the separation chamber allows solids-laden fluid to flow into the separation chamber. An outlet in fluid communication with the separation chamber allows substantially-clean fluid to flow out of the separation chamber and out of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Claude Laval Corporation
    Inventors: Steven David Ford, Jeremy Benjamin Isch, Timothy Alan Raiskup
  • Publication number: 20140151290
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator of the present invention comprises an upper inlet chamber and separation barrel connected thereto. The upper inlet chamber comprises an inlet through which a solids-laden fluid is introduced. An upper portion of the separation barrel extends into the upper inlet chamber below the inlet, such that the interior wall of the upper inlet chamber and the upper portion of the separation volume define a space, called the vestibular chamber. The vestibular chamber is defined at its upper end by a horizontally disposed plate larger in diameter than the separation barrel, but smaller in diameter than the internal diameter of the upper inlet chamber. The upper portion of the separation barrel comprises a plurality of generally axially-oriented slots which may penetrate through the wall of the separation barrel tangentially, so as to generally induce a tangential flow pattern to fluid entering the separation barrel from the vestibular chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Claude Laval Corporation
    Inventor: Steven David Ford
  • Patent number: 8678204
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator of the present invention comprises an upper inlet chamber and separation barrel connected thereto. The upper inlet chamber comprises an inlet through which a solids-laden fluid is introduced. An upper portion of the separation barrel extends into the upper inlet chamber below the inlet, such that the interior wall of the upper inlet chamber and the upper portion of the separation volume define a space, called the vestibular chamber. The vestibular chamber is defined at its upper end by a horizontally disposed plate larger in diameter than the separation barrel, but smaller in diameter than the internal diameter of the upper inlet chamber. The upper portion of the separation barrel comprises a plurality of generally axially-oriented slots which may penetrate through the wall of the separation barrel tangentially, so as to generally induce a tangential flow pattern to fluid entering the separation barrel from the vestibular chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Claude Laval Corporation
    Inventor: Steven D. Ford
  • Patent number: 8590713
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator having a separation chamber and a collection chamber utilizes an axially-oriented structure which extends from the spin structure, or spin plate, up and into the vortex finder. The axially-oriented structure decreases turbulence within portion of the separator in axial adjacency with the spin structure, including the separation chamber in which the solids are collected. The reduction of turbulence substantially reduces the entrainment of solids in the rising stream of liquid flowing to the vortex finder, and thus increases the efficiency of the separator. The spin structure may comprise a truncated cone mounted with a portion of the truncated cone in the separation chamber and the remainder in the collection chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Claude Laval Corporation
    Inventor: Steven D. Ford
  • Patent number: 6202543
    Abstract: A system for use with a hot oil fryer of the type which cooks food porducts in hot oil, in which particulates from the food are shed into the hot oil in the fry during the cooking operation, the fryer having an inlet to receive hot oil, and an outlet for recirculation of hot oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Claude Laval Corporation
    Inventors: Emmanuel G. Moya, Steven D. Ford, Thomas Lisy
  • Patent number: 6143175
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator comprising a separation barrel with an upper end, a lower end, a central axis, and an internal circularly cylindrical axially extending wall forming a separation chamber, a collection chamber adjacent to the lower end, a spin plate extending across the separation chamber adjacent to the lower end, a solids slot adjacent to the lower end fluidly interconnecting the collection chamber and separation chamber, a closure containing the upper end having a centrally located exit port, an acceptance chamber wall surrounding the separation barrel adjacent to the upper end to form an annular acceptance chamber between the separation barrel and the acceptance chamber wall, a supply nozzle tangentially entering the annular acceptance chamber and forming a circular flow therein, and a plurality of radially spaced apart axially-extending slots passing through the wall of the separation barrel fluidly interconnecting the annular acceptance chamber and the separation chamber, entering the separation c
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Claude Laval Corporation
    Inventors: Steven D. Ford, Emmanuel G. Moya, Thomas Lisy, Robert Garcia
  • Patent number: 6090276
    Abstract: A separator for separating solids from a liquid/solid mixture. The separator has a cylindrical separation chamber in which a stream is subjected to centrifugal forces against a separation wall. An exit port near the bottom of the separation chamber passes solids and some liquid into a filter chamber where the liquid passes through the filter and in response to a negative pressure in the separation chamber the liquid is made to return the separation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Claude Laval Corporation
    Inventor: Steven D. Ford
  • Patent number: 5811006
    Abstract: A separator for separating solids from a liquid/solid stream. The separator has a cylindrical separation chamber in which the stream is subjected to centrifugal forces against a separation wall. An exit port near the bottom of the separation chamber passes solids and some liquid to a lower sump. A plurality of axially and radially extending vanes in the sump quiet the movement of the solids. Optionally the vanes can extend into a quiescent region above the exit port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Claude Laval Corporation
    Inventor: Steven D. Ford
  • Patent number: 5779887
    Abstract: A burden removal system for removing solid burden from a stream of water. A screen has an upper and a lower surface with pores extending between them. The upper surface is substantially horizontal. A drive bar with a wiper bade is cyclically bi-directionally driven with the blade pushing burden along the upper surface in one direction and rising above the burden in the opposite direction. Jet sprays discharge water against the lower surface, preferably just ahead of the wiper blade to assist the blade in moving the burden and cleaning the pores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Claude Laval Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Rector, Thomas Lisy
  • Patent number: 5653874
    Abstract: A fish-excluding, self cleaning screen forming at least part of the boundary between a body of water such as a stream, and a bay from which water is to be withdrawn. On the bay side of the screen is a hub with a plurality of rotating wands that discharge water against the bay side of the screen to flush screen apertures and provide a periodic variation in flow through the screen to discourage passage of fish. Optional brushes may periodically brush the bay side of the screen to assist in cleaning the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Claude Laval Corporation
    Inventor: Russell M. Berry, III
  • Patent number: 5622545
    Abstract: A dynamic separator for removing gases from water includes a vortex tube with an internal cylindrical wall along which a stream of water is directed in a downward helical path. A perforated separator tube extends along the center of the vortex tube and receives gases which flow toward the center. The gases rise and are released. The water is drained from the bottom. An injector nozzle injects water tangentially in an injection section from which the whirling stream enters the vortex tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Claude Laval Corporation
    Inventors: Angelo L. Mazzei, Steven D. Ford
  • Patent number: 5578203
    Abstract: A system which clarifies a solids-burdened liquid stream from a user device such as a machine tool and returning it clarified to the user device. A tank receives the burdened liquid stream in a first of two regions from which a first centrifugal separator draws. It discharges its clarified stream through an inductor into the second of said regions, said regions being continuously connected. A second centrifugal separator draws from said second region and returns its clarified liquid to the user device. Both separators discharge their solids to collectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Claude Laval Corporation
    Inventors: Steven D. Ford, Eddie Fox, Lee Haslup, Phil Pelletier
  • Patent number: 5571416
    Abstract: A centrifugal liquid/solids separator includes a cylindrical separation chamber into which a liquid/solid mixture is tangentially introduced. At least some of the solids separate and migrate to a lower collection chamber. A drain port from the collection chamber passes a thikened liquid/solid mixture. A drain conduit from the drain port has parameters such that the mixture fills the conduit and continuously passes through it at a velocity sufficient to prevent settling of solids in it and free-flowing of liquid through it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Claude Laval Corporation
    Inventors: Lee Halsup, Phil Pelletier
  • Patent number: 5425876
    Abstract: A self-cleaning gravity screen for removing particulate material from a liquid stream. The screen slopes, and beneath it a rotary wand sweeps against its lower side to keep the screen perforations open and assist movement of retained solids along the screen. The wand is driven by a rotary water wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Claude Laval Corporation
    Inventor: John L. Rector
  • Patent number: 5368735
    Abstract: A separator for separating solids from liquids in a liquid/solid mixture. The mixture is injected into a tubular separation barrel in a helical stream which flows to a spin plate. The spin plate reverses the axial direction of flow and forms a vortex whose central portion flows in the opposite axial direction. An exit port adjacent to the spin plate permits flow of solids-enriched liquid into a collection chamber. The collection chamber has a collection region below the exit port to collect solids and a quiescent zone above the exit port into which liquid relieved of much of its solids can rise. A conduit connects the quiescent region to a central point on the spin plate facing into the separation barrel to create a flow path from the quiescent zone to the separation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Claude Laval Corporation
    Inventor: Steven D. Ford
  • Patent number: 5338341
    Abstract: A separator for removing gases from water. An elongated vortex tube with an interior cylindrical wall houses a concentric separator tube of smaller diameter, leaving a vortex region between them. Perforations through the wall of the separator tube connect the interior of the separator tube to the vortex region. Water containing gas is tangentially injected into the vortex region, flowing downwardly to an exit port. Separated gases in the separator tube collect at its top and are released by a valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Claude Laval Corporation
    Inventors: Angelo L. Mazzei, Steven D. Ford