Abstract: An extended area filter is provided that is useful in polymer melt spin pack assemblies. The filter is a uniform porous body that is made, for example, of sintered powder metal, and contains multiple opposing spaced apart inlet and outlet cavities. The filter has substantially uniform pore structure and density, and is substantially free from polymer binder decomposition products, allowing for more uniform flow with improved throughput and filtration life.

Abstract: Methods are provided for making a porous filter that is useful in polymer melt spinning. The methods include pressing particles, such as a metal powder, to form a filter having a filter body integrally formed with a top cap and a bottom cap. The filter body and caps are formed as a single component or, alternatively, are formed as two or three separate parts that are fitted and pressed together to form a single component having blind inlet and outlet cavities. After pressing, the component is sintered to form the porous filter. The particles are pressed and cohere to form the caps and filter body without the use of a polymeric binder, and the inlet and outlet cavities are formed substantially without machining.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the rate of fluid flow. A flow restrictor having known pressure drop and flow rate characteristics provided in a passage through which the fluid, preferably a gas, flows. An upstream pressure sensor determines the pressure of fluid in the flow passage upstream of the flow restrictor. A downstream pressure sensor determines the pressure of fluid in the flow passage downstream of said flow restrictor. A pressure regulator adjusts the pressure of fluid upstream or downstream of the flow restrictor based on the pressure drop across the flow restrictor so that the actual pressure drop across the flow restrictor closely corresponds to the pressure drop associated with a desired rate of fluid flow.

Abstract: A composite porous media for either gas or liquid flow is strong and efficient, and can readily be formed in or into a wide range of different shapes and configurations. In particular, the porous media is a composite of a metal, aerogel or ceramic foam (i.e., a reticulated inter-cellular structure in which the interior cells are interconnected to provide a multiplicity of pores passing through the volume of the structure, the walls of the cells themselves being substantially continuous and non-porous, and the volume of the cells relative to that of the material forming the cell walls being such that the overall density of the intercellular structure is less than about 30 percent theoretical density) the through pores of which are impregnated with a sintered powder or aerogel. The thickness, density, porosity and porous characteristics of the final composite porous media can be varied to conform with what is demanded by the intended use.

Abstract: A composite porous media for either gas or liquid flow is strong and efficient, and can readily be formed in or into a wide range of different shapes and configurations. In particular, the porous media is a composite of a metal, aerogel or ceramic foam (i.e., a reticulated inter-cellular structure in which the interior cells are interconnected to provide a multiplicity of pores passing through the volume of the structure, the walls of the cells themselves being substantially continuous and non-porous, and the volume of the cells relative to that of the material forming the cell walls being such that the overall density of the intercellular structure is less than about 30 percent theoretical density) the through pores of which are impregnated with a sintered powder or aerogel. The thickness, density, porosity and porous characteristics of the final composite porous media can be varied to conform with what is demanded by the intended use.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the rate of fluid flow. A flow restrictor having known pressure drop and flow rate characteristics provided in a passage through which the fluid, preferably a gas, flows. An upstream pressure sensor determines the pressure of fluid in the flow passage upstream of the flow restrictor. A downstream pressure sensor determines the pressure of fluid in the flow passage downstream of said flow restrictor. A pressure regulator adjusts the pressure of fluid upstream or downstream of the flow restrictor based on the pressure drop across the flow restrictor so that the actual pressure drop across the flow restrictor closely corresponds to the pressure drop associated with a desired rate of fluid flow.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the rate of fluid flow. A flow restrictor having known pressure drop and flow rate characteristics provided in a passage through which the fluid, preferably a gas, flows. An upstream pressure sensor determines the pressure of fluid in the flow passage upstream of the flow restrictor. A downstream pressure sensor determines the pressure of fluid in the flow passage downstream of said flow restrictor. A pressure regulator adjusts the pressure of fluid upstream or downstream of the flow restrictor based on the pressure drop across the flow restrictor so that the actual pressure drop across the flow restrictor closely corresponds to the pressure drop associated with a desired rate of fluid flow.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the rate of fluid flow. A flow restrictor having known pressure drop and flow rate characteristics provided in a passage through which the fluid, preferably a gas, flows. An upstream pressure sensor determines the pressure of fluid in the flow passage upstream of the flow restrictor. A downstream pressure sensor determines the pressure of fluid in the flow passage downstream of said flow restrictor. A pressure regulator adjusts the pressure of fluid upstream or downstream of the flow restrictor based on the pressure drop across the flow restrictor so that the actual pressure drop across the flow restrictor closely corresponds to the pressure drop associated with a desired rate of fluid flow.

Abstract: A composite porous media for either gas or liquid flow is strong and efficient, and can readily be formed in or into a wide range of different shapes and configurations. In particular, the porous media is a composite of a metal, aerogel or ceramic foam (i.e., a reticulated inter-cellular structure in which the interior cells are interconnected to provide a multiplicity of pores passing through the volume of the structure, the walls of the cells themselves being substantially continuous and non-porous, and the volume of the cells relative to that of the material forming the cell walls being such that the overall density of the intercellular structure is less than about 30 percent theoretical density) the through pores of which are impregnated with a sintered powder or aerogel. The thickness, density, porosity and porous characteristics of the final composite porous media can be varied to conform with what is demanded by the intended use.

Abstract: A cup-shaped sintered metal ultra-high efficiency filter which is capable of achieving of at least 99.9999999% efficiency at a most penetrating particle size at the maximum rated flow is produced using a metal powder with particles of less than 20 micrometers in diameter in a mold having a cylindrical cavity with an end closure at one end and a removable cap at its other end. A core rod is seated in the end closure and extends coaxially within the cavity with its upper end disposed at a predetermined distance from the open end of the mold. The mold is oriented vertically with the open other end disposed upwardly, and metal powder is introduced into the cavity while vibrating the mold to achieve substantially uniform packing of the metal powder to a level above the core rod.

Abstract: An inline ultra-high efficiency filter comprising a housing having a chamber extending the length thereof, an inlet and an outlet providing flow passages into and from the chamber. Seated in the chamber is a porous sintered metal filter element having a tubular body open at its end adjacent the inlet and an end wall at its other end adjacent the outlet, and the filter element provides an internal flow passage extending therein from the inlet to the end wall. A sealing weldment provides an air tight seal between the periphery of the filter element and the housing adjacent the inlet. The filter element is spaced from the wall of the chamber to provide a plenum space thereabout, and a gas stream entering the inlet end of the filter passes into the internal flow passage of the filter element and outwardly of the body of the filter element into the plenum space and thence outwardly of the outlet end of the filter.

Abstract: A bubble injection system for forming and distributing micron size gas bubbles in a body of liquid at the point of use of the bubble distribution comprising an axially extending inner fluid conduit forming an axially extending liquid flow channel and a concentric outer fluid conduit extending axially along the inner conduit and spaced therefrom. An outer gas channel is defined by the conduits and includes a plurality of porous outlets extending thereacross from the inner conduit to the outer conduit. The porous outlets terminate in outlet jet ports spaced along the outer conduit whereby gas flowing through the gas channel will penetrate the porous tubular outlets to form gas bubbles and liquid floring through the liquid conduit and outlets will sweep the gas bubbles from the surface of the outlets toward and out of said jet ports for immediate dispersion of the body of liquid.

Abstract: An ultra-high efficiency particulate air filter for use in the microelectronics manufacturing industry is formed as a fully homogeneous sintered metal filter that exhibits an efficiency substantially in excess of a 6 log reduction and preferably equal to or exceeding a 9 log reduction (an efficiency of 99.9999999%). The filter can be used as a process gas in-line filter in state of the art gas supply systems. The porous metal filter exhibits long term stability relative to mechanical or thermal stress and operates within the desired ultra-high efficiency levels even under high pressure conditions. It does not exhibit an outgassing problem and there is no particle shedding. These features are provided within a unit no larger than those conventionally employed heretofore with organic membranes and under substantially identical operating conditions.

Abstract: A repeatably rejuvenating filtration system of the pneumatic hydro-pulse type is disclosed as including the feeding of a solid/fluid feed slurry to be filtered into operative engagement with the interior porous wall surfaces of a plurality of open ended tubular filter elements so that filtrate passes outwardly through the walls of the filter elements and the solids are collected as a cake on the interior wall surface. The cake of solids on the interior wall surface is subjected to an axial discharge fluid flow through the interior of the filter elements along the length of the cake for removal of the cake axially along the interior of the filter elements. The system includes an arrangement for providing a pressure actuated pulse of fluid that may operate through the cylindrical walls toward the axial bore of the filter tubes to dislodge the filtered material, and may operate substantially simultaneously with the axial discharge flow for conducting the dislodged filtered material from the open ended bores.