Patents Examined by Theodore A. Granger
  • Patent number: 4362619
    Abstract: An improved continuous centrifugal machine includes a rigid base structure, a bearing housing, a normally vertical basket shaft journalled for rotation on bearings in the bearing housing, an upwardly open frusto-conical centrifugal basket secured to the upper end of the basket shaft for rotation therewith, a stationary curb wall mounted on the base structure and surrounding the basket, buffering assemblies for resiliently mounting the bearing housing on the base structure to permit gyration of the basket, and a motor mounted to one side of the curb wall and connected by an improved system to the lower end of the shaft for rotating the basket. The system for connecting the motor to the basket shaft comprises a support shaft mounted in a fixed position beneath and substantially aligned with the basket shaft. A belt pulley is supported for rotation on a bearing carried on the support shaft and a driving belt connects the belt pulley with a second pulley driven by the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1982
    Assignee: The Western States Machine Company
    Inventor: Joseph B. Bange
  • Patent number: 4343707
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating out solids suspended in flowing, substantially pure water systems such as those systems found in steam power plants. The apparatus includes a helical conduit which directs the water and suspended solids in a helical flow path that subjects the solids to a centrifugal force. The apparatus further includes magnets mounted around the helical conduit for subjecting the solids suspended in the water to a magnetic force. The magnetic force and the centrifugal force co-act to direct the suspended solids out of one of two outlet nozzles. The remaining water with the suspended solids removed flows out of the other outlet nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1982
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Lucas
  • Patent number: 4338337
    Abstract: A method for recovering and recycling animal waste materials permits the separation of the solids with a desired moisture content from the remaining liquids and finer solid particles and wherein the liquids and finer solid particles are converted into a high quality single cell protein by means of aerobic digestion so as to maximize the value and percentage of total solids reclaimed as well as to maintain excellent sanitation and minimize odors from anaerobic decomposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1982
    Inventor: Gerald P. Frankl
  • Patent number: 4337790
    Abstract: Disclosed is a filter for use in a faucet of the type having a removable cartridge member receivable in an underbody member, the cartridge member carrying a cam member, at least one cam follower member and a valve member actuated by the cam follower member upon movement of the cam to control fluid communication between a spout and a source of water. The filter member is removably attached to a projection on the valve member and moves with it within a passage in the underbody member through which water flows from the source. By this means, large particles are prevented by the filter from entering the faucet. The filter comprises an inner annular member, an outer annular ring member, and a plurality of flat web connecting members extending radially between the inner and outer annular members. The inner annular member has a through hole which tapers from a first diameter to a second diameter so that the inner annular member can be forced over a head portion on the projection whereafter it is latched thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1982
    Assignee: Waltec, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel C. Buchner
  • Patent number: 4337136
    Abstract: A pair of electrodes formed of silver-copper alloy depend from the bottom wall of a floating container. The latter is arranged to float on the surface of a body of water to be treated and contains a battery which is connected in circuit with the electrodes through a timer switch and a current reversing switch. Passage of a direct current across the electrodes ionizes the water and the silver and copper ions destroy and prevent the growth of bacteria and algae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1982
    Inventor: Vincent M. F. Dahlgren
  • Patent number: 4336138
    Abstract: A permeation separation apparatus furnished with an assembly consisting essentially of a multiplicity of continuously hollow fibers which have a selective permeability to fluid, said hollow fibers being arranged on the surface of a core so as to constitute multiple layers of the hollow fiber lines wherein the hollow fiber lines are disposed in mutually and up- and downwardly intersecting relations and are crossed two or more layers, said each layer having a thickness equal to the diameter of a piece of hollow fiber, with a resin wall or resin walls provided at one terminal or at both terminals of said hollow fiber layers, each of said hollow fiber lines thrusting through at least one of said resin walls in a fluid-sealing condition to provide an opening outward, and said hollow fiber being disposed so as to satisfy the formula:.pi.D/10L.ltoreq.tan B.ltoreq.3.pi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1982
    Assignee: Toyobo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsukasa Taniyama, Masaaki Sekino, Michimasa Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 4333829
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with an apparatus for removing foreign matter from the top surface of water, for use with aquaria, which comprises a discharge tube stationarily disposed in the aquarium and having its upper opening rim below the water surface, in which tube is disposed another tube open at the top and bottom and provided with a float in the upper end region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Inventor: Gerhard Walther
  • Patent number: 4332682
    Abstract: A system for collecting products dumped on the surface of a mass of water includes cages to be arranged at the sides of a tanker. Each cage is preferably prismatic in shape. The height of the cages is such that when the tanker is at ballast, the lower parts of the cages will be submerged while the upper parts will be above the maximum loading line of the tanker. The cages are fastened to the sides of the tanker by freely rotating connection points. In the interiors of the cages is housed a series of floating suction pump inlet members or housings, likewise prismatic in shape, having appropriate dimensions to permit a great sensitivity to the least fluctuating movements of the liquid surface. The complete face of each suction pump inlet member, which is oriented in the direction of travel of the tanker, is provided with an opening which has a height such that the lower edge thereof will be positioned below the floating line of the suction pumps at an approximate depth of 0.01 meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1982
    Inventor: Francisco-Javier Jauregui Carro
  • Patent number: 4331189
    Abstract: A stock/sauce skimmer device that separates oil from liquids having a ewer, a valve, a base and a collecting cup and when placed in storage the base becomes a lid and a sealing device is placed in the well of the lid and the spout of the collecting cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1982
    Inventor: Auvin H. Joyner
  • Patent number: 4330402
    Abstract: Apparatus for sampling and disposing of water which has been separated from a water polluting element, the latter being lighter than the water. The apparatus includes an elongated upright caisson or pile which is disposed in a body of water, and which is adapted to contain a quantity of the water as well as the pollutant element. A submerged sampling apparatus is positioned at the lower end of the caisson and is actuated by gas pressure controlled from the water's surface to periodically withdraw a measured sample of the pollutant free water to assure its purity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1982
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Harry P. LeBoeuf
  • Patent number: 4330412
    Abstract: A hydrotherapy device, such as a spa, whirlpool or jet stream exerciser is connected to a closed water circulation loop having a drain, a pump, a heater, a filter, a valve controlled filter bypass and injection nozzles. The pump is equipped with a close-coupled drive motor having two sets of stator windings for allowing the selection of one of two motor speeds to achieve improved operation and greater efficiency of the hydrotherapy device. A low motor speed is selected during periods of non-use, at which time the filter device is connected into the circulation loop so that a low water circulation rate is provided in order to maintain purity of the water. During periods of use, a higher motor speed is selected and the filter is bypassed to provide a high water circulation rate and high velocity water injection into the hydrotherapy device. Reduced motor speed during periods of non-use results in substantial energy savings and a reduction in the noise generated by the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1982
    Assignee: International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation
    Inventor: Stanley H. Frederick
  • Patent number: 4325826
    Abstract: Oil sweeper method and apparatus including an elongated structural framework adapted to be towed transversely across the surface of water bearing an oil film contaminant, the framework supporting a pair of longitudinally extending, parallel vertical screens, wherein the forwardmost screen relative to the direction of sweeping motion is constituted of multiple panels pivotally attached to the framework for swinging movement about vertical swinging axes, and the rearward screen is water impervious. When the panels of the forwardmost screen are pivoted they define channels therebetween for diverting surface water and floating contamination such as oil in a lateral direction towards a skimmer disposed at one end of the sweeper apparatus. The rearward screen assists in further deflecting the water and oil towards the skimmer after they have traversed the channels between the pivotable panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1982
    Assignee: Hydrovak Systems (Holland) B.V.
    Inventors: Peik J. van Waveren, Ary de Vrij
  • Patent number: 4324659
    Abstract: A lime sludge press unit comprising at least two pairs of press rolls, the lime sludge web passing, supported by an endless wire, through their press nips and moisture escaping from the lime sludge therein. After the first pair of rolls is located a lime sludge treatment screw transversal to the lime sludge web and which breaks up the pressed lime sludge web and carrying helical threads starting at its ends and opposite in direction so that these both transport the lime sludge from the margin of the web towards its center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1982
    Assignee: Enso-Gutzeit Osakehito
    Inventor: Juha Titoff
  • Patent number: 4323456
    Abstract: A corner sweep mechanism for a square shaped settling tank and which mechanism is pivotally connected to the end of a main rotary rake structure and comprises a lightweight buoyant frame structure which includes a rake or sweep arm adapted to be extended into the corner areas of the tank bottom under the control of a tension spring without the use of counterweights during rotation of the main rake structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1982
    Assignee: Dorr-Oliver Incorporated
    Inventor: John Olear
  • Patent number: 4322294
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for removing oil, floating debris, and other waste matter floating on the surface of a body of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1982
    Inventor: Larry D. Price
  • Patent number: 4320008
    Abstract: An apparatus for moving solid material and liquid from a floor into a solid material tank and a liquid tank. The floor has longitudinal sections that slope downwardly to a longitudinal slit open to a chamber located below the floor. A scraper pivotally connected to a frame moves solid material from the floor into the solid material tank when the frame is moved toward the solid material tank. A vertical plate attached to the frame extends through the slit into the chamber. A plate pivotally attached to the vertical plate pushes liquid in the chamber into the liquid tank when the frame is moved toward the liquid tank. A winch and rope attached to a connecting fitting located in a mount on the frame selectively moves the frame in opposite directions over the floor. The fitting has limited movement relative to the frame and engages the scraper to raise the scraper above the floor when the frame is moved toward the liquid tank whereby solid material is not moved when the scraper is raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1982
    Inventor: Fumiyuki Kokubo
  • Patent number: 4320007
    Abstract: A centrifuge filter has a sieve drum normally rotated about its axis and normally fed internally with a filtrand that is separated when the drum rotates into solids lying on the inner surface of the drum and a filtrate that passes radially outwardly through the drum. A pusher plate is axially displaceable in the drum and has an outer edge closely juxtaposed with the drum's inner surface so that it can scrape solids from the surface. A cylinder is rotationally fixed to the drum and has a cylinder chamber that is axially subdivided by a piston into a front compartment and a rear compartment. This piston is jointly axially displaceable with the pusher plate and is axially biased backward. A liquid is introduced into one compartment to fill it as it rotates so that the liquid will be forced radially outward by centrifugal force and will urge the piston axially forward. This liquid is periodically drained off so that the force it exerts is less than that of the biasing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1982
    Assignee: Krauss-Maffei Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gunther Hultsch, Helmut Wilkesmann
  • Patent number: 4318814
    Abstract: An improved continuous centrifugal machine includes a rigid base structure, a bearing housing, a normally vertical basket shaft journalled for rotation on bearings in the bearing housing, an upwardly open frusto-conical centrifugal basket secured to the upper end of the basket shaft for rotation therewith, a stationary curb wall mounted on the base structure and surrounding the basket, buffering assemblies for resiliently mounting the bearing housing on the base structure to permit gyration of the basket, and a motor mounted to one side of the curb wall and connected by an improved system to the lower end of the shaft for rotating the basket. In accordance with improvements in the machine an annular support ring is mounted on the base structure within the curb wall and has an upwardly facing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1982
    Assignee: The Western States Machine Company
    Inventor: Donald L. Hurley
  • Patent number: 4317727
    Abstract: An insert for placement between concentric cylindrical filter elements comprises in a one-piece construction a tubular cylindrical body and pairs of parallel slits in the body each forming therebetween a strip of material connected to the remainder of the body at the ends of the strip. The strips are bowed inwardly away from the remainder of the body between their ends to form protrusions extending transversely from the remainder of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1982
    Assignee: Meissner Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul J. Meissner
  • Patent number: 4317724
    Abstract: The feeding device includes elastically deformable material which is deformed when compressed. Upon release of the compression, the material returns to its original shape thereby releasing potential energy to dislodge any cake tending to stick to the bottom of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1982
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: Donald E. Bardsley