Patents Examined by Linda Evans
  • Patent number: 4876016
    Abstract: A method and related apparatus are disclosed herein for controlling the quantity of oil as a contaminant being discharged with water from a hydrocyclone. The hydrocyclone comprises a conical body with an upper liquid mixture inlet, a drive fluid inlet, an overflow outlet for the separated oil and drive fluid, and an underflow outlet for the separated water. The method includes monitoring the quantity of separated oil with the discharged water and varying the quantity of the drive fluid introduced into the interior of the hydrocyclone whereby the quantity of the oil as a contaminant is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Grant A. Young, William D. Wakley, Steven L. Andrews
  • Patent number: 4851113
    Abstract: A filter has an endless filter cloth, which passes under a slurry feed and over a suction box, through which suction is applied to the cloth to remove liquid from the slurry. The cloth is driven by a roller, around which the cloth is trained, linked to a motor. The operation of the motor is controlled by a central device so that the cloth is advanced incrementally, the length of advance of an increment being predetermined and selected to satisfy operating requirements. The control device can also provide for regular acceleration and deceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Delfilt Limited
    Inventor: Stephen Evans
  • Patent number: 4818400
    Abstract: Apparatus for dewatering. The effluent to be dewatered is passed through a hydrocyclone. The underflow of the hydrocyclone is confirned by a shroud to convert horizontal components of spray into vertical components. The effluent is driven forcibly vertically onto an endless driven filter belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Russell, Roy D. Lister
  • Patent number: 4797206
    Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning spas by removing particulate debris siphons liquids from the spa so that the debris is sucked out of the spa by the fluid flow. The device includes a rigid handle portion, an upstream nozzle and a downstream hose having a discharge outlet to define a fluid passageway. Preferably, the nozzle and hose are formed of a continuous piece of thermoplastic tubing having an upstream end molded into the nozzle configuration, and the handle is a rigid thermoplastic tube telescopically receiving a portion of the hose adjacent the nozzle. A protector sleeve retards mechanical fatigue of the hose at the downstream edge of the handle. Preferably the nozzle has an ovoid inlet both canted at an acute angle to the handle's longitudinal axis and formed contiguously with an imaginary concave surface so that the inlet describes an arch when placed on a flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Inventor: James P. Lynch
  • Patent number: 4773992
    Abstract: A centrifuge system for removing impurities from metal working coolant. The centrifuge of the system includes a liquid inlet, a first liquid outlet for high density liquid, a second liquid outlet for low density liquid, a discharge means for a shoot of particulate material, and a pressure port for receiving liquid under pressure to cause the shoot. A line receives high density liquid from the first liquid outlet. The line discharges into a tank. A branch line connects the line to the pressure port. A valve in the line can stop flow to the tank. When the valve is closed, pressure at the pressure port is increased to cause the shoot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: Dietrick Sales & Service, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald P. Dietrick, Curtis C. Wuellner
  • Patent number: 4767532
    Abstract: A grit selector having an upper settling chamber and a lower grit storage chamber. The settling chamber communicates with the grit storage chamber through an opening in a transition surface therebetween. An influent flume directs influent liquid directly into a lower portion of the settling chamber. An effluent flume withdraws effluent liquid from an upper portion of the settling chamber. The influent flume and effluent flume have a common centerline with the effluent flume being positioned at an elevation above the influent flume. A baffle member extends into the settling chamber for directing the influent liquid stream outwardly towards a lower portion of the periphery of the settling chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Smith & Loveless, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank G. Weis
  • Patent number: 4762614
    Abstract: A novel apparatus is provided for removing with a treating fluid surface films that are hydrophilic in nature and comprise a less dense liquid component. The hydrophilic film is removed from non-absorbing surfaces such as metal, glass and plastics and may contain dissolved solids. The hydrophilic film is substantially immiscible in the more dense cleansing liquid. In a particular embodiment the more dense liquid is a cleansing fluid and the less dense hydrophilic component is present as a contaminant. The apparatus includes a tank (12), a separator chamber (14) and a holding chamber (16). The less dense liquid is removed from the upper part of the separator chamber 14. The configuration of separator chamber (14) effects rapid separation of overflow liquid into an upper layer of the less dense liquid and a lower layer of the more dense liquid. In another embodiment of the apparatus, a second separator chamber (89) and a second holding chamber (90) are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventors: Francis J. Figiel, Harry F. Osterman
  • Patent number: 4755292
    Abstract: A portable container providing a means for the sterilization of drinking water by ultraviolet radiation. The container has a bottom housing serving as a reservoir for holding the water and a mating top housing containing the ultraviolet source. Powered by batteries the ultraviolet source provides efficient sterilization throughout the reservoir, the reservoir preferably having ultraviolet reflecting sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Inventor: Theodore D. Merriam
  • Patent number: 4749479
    Abstract: Liquids can be separated from the solids contained in slurries, sludges, etc. by forcing a liquid-permeable fabric, downward into the slurry so that solid materials are retained below the liquid-permeable fabric and liquids can be pumped or drained from above the liquid-permeable fabric. Apparatus is provided, comprising liquid-permeable fabrics and weighting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Lew T. Gray
  • Patent number: 4735730
    Abstract: An arrangement for scraping the filtered solids build-up from the surface of a drum filter is disclosed, in which a scraper is mounted with an edge against the surface so that rotation of the drum will accomplish scraping of the surface. Clutching engagement with a rotary drive member is produced by a predetermined extent of axial shifting of the drum against the resistance of a spring bias force. The drum is also arranged to be subjected to an axial pressure force developed by flow through the filter so that clutching engagement is automatically produced upon build-up of solids to a predetermined extent to cause a level of pressure force to be developed to produce a consequent axial shifting sufficient to produce clutching engagement and rotation of the drum. A drag out conveyor moving through the tank engages a rotary sprocket which comprises the rotary drive member, and the scraper edge and drum are positioned to directly deposit the scraped solids on the conveyer to be removed from the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Inventor: Jack R. Bratten
  • Patent number: 4594166
    Abstract: An improved desludging device for basket centrifuges facilitates the automatic withdrawal of hard sludge from the centrifuge. The device includes a sludge discharge tube and a sludge re-slurrying tube, the tubes being connected in a loop, so that fluid exiting the centrifuge through the discharge tube reenters the centrifuge through the re-slurrying tube. The re-slurrying tube terminates in one or more nozzles or slots, pointed in the general direction of the discharge tube. This continual recirculation of fluid causes the hard sludge in the centrifuge to return to the form of a slurry, and the slurry is periodically withdrawn from the centrifuge. The re-slurrying effect may be enhanced by the occasional introduction of some process liquid, or other liquid, into the centrifuge. The sludge discharge tube and re-slurrying tube are mechanically linked, and are programmed to move towards the rim of the centrifuge until substantially all the sludge is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1986
    Assignee: William D. Clinton
    Inventors: William D. Clinton, Donald J. Hess
  • Patent number: 4592847
    Abstract: The filtering vessel (1) holding cartridge filter (16) is connected to a receiver (3) through a quick-opening valve. There is generated an underpressure in (3) for separating the filter cake built up on the cartridges, said underpressure being lower than the evaporation pressure of the liquid contained in the filter cake. Accordingly, there is built up an overpressure in the filtering vessel (1). An immediate opening of the valve (2) and a proportionate temperature in system (1) and (2) results in a spontaneous bursting off of the filter cake from the cartridge surface, which bursting off, in consequence of the pressure compensation between (1) and (3) still will be increased by means of the liquid contained in the filter cake evaporating in the course of a flash procedure. The relatively dry filter cake is collected in the receiver (3). The next filtration process can be started after closing valve (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1986
    Inventor: Heinz O. Schumacher
  • Patent number: 4582610
    Abstract: A well water aeration system removes volatile contaminants from well water pumped through the well pipe of a well into a building. An elongate spray conduit is spliced into the well pipe at a location below the top of the well but above the average static water level in the well. The spray conduit is formed with spray holes for spraying, aerating and recirculating a fractional portion of the well water pumped through the well pipe with the fractional portion of sprayed water falling back down the well. The spray holes are selected in number and diameter to maintain adequate pressure for continued pumping of the well water through the well pipe. A check valve at the upper end of the spray conduit stops the backflow of water from the building into the elongate spray conduit when pumping of well water through the well pipe stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Inventor: Martin Baker