Patents by Inventor Andrew L Samways

Andrew L Samways has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6424067
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator comprises a housing through which extends a spindle on which is mounted a centrifuge rotor. The rotor is mounted on journal bearing bushes that are lubricated by the liquid supplied at pressure to the rotor and the weight of the liquid-filled rotor is carried by magnetic repulsion thrust bearing comprising permanent magnets secured one each to the housing and rotor. The spaced magnets run without contact noise and frictional losses, improving rotational speed available from the supply pressure, and lateral (radial) instability that is inherent between repelling magnets and normally disliked puts a radial bias on the journal bearings which may result in quieter running by inhibiting vibration, particularly when the journal bushes are starved of liquid supply during wind-down. Alternatively or additionally, supply pressure induced lift of the rotor may be borne by a magnetic repulsion thrust bearing. The magnets may be permanent and/or electromagnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Engineering Limited
    Inventor: Andrew L Samways
  • Patent number: 6238331
    Abstract: A self-powered centrifugal separator for removing particulate contaminants from engine lubricant includes a rotor canister which is spun at high speed about a vertical axle by ejection of the lubricant supplied to the canister at elevated pressure by way of apertures in a bearing tube near the upper end of the canister. The canister is separated into upper separation chamber and lower outflow chamber by an annular partition wall which defines a transfer aperture between the chambers by its radially inner edge. The edge of the partition wall also supports concentrically within the separation chamber a separation funnel arrangement having an inclined surface supporting alternate separation ribs and scavenging apertures. Liquid entering the separation chamber is directed radially outwardly and under pressure gradient moves inwardly along the inclined surface. The ribs stand up sharply and create eddies which effect separation of particulate contaminants and their deposition at the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Filterwerk Mann + Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Ian M Cox, Andrew L Samways
  • Patent number: 6234949
    Abstract: A centrifugal separtor for non-cohesive particulates, such as are found in transmission oils and hydraulic liquids, rather than the cohesive combustion products found within internal combustion engine lubricants, consists of a housing enclosing a vertical spindle on which spins a liquid reaction driven rotor container. The container is divided internally by inwardly extending partition wall into separate outflow chambers. Non-cohesive particulates which separate from the liquid, and are held against the peripheral side wall by centrigual force during rotation, slump therefrom in the absence of rotation and risk forming a slurry that gets carried to the outflow chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Engineering Limited
    Inventors: Ian M Cox, Andrew L Samways
  • Patent number: RE38855
    Abstract: A centrifugal separtor for non-cohesive particulates, such as are found in transmission oils and hydraulic liquids, rather than the cohesive combustion products found within internal combustion engine lubricants, consists of a housing enclosing a vertical spindle on which spins a liquid reaction driven rotor container. The container is divided internally by inwardly extending partition wall into separate outflow chambers. Non-cohesive particulates which separate from the liquid, and are held against the peripheral side wall by centrigual force during rotation, slump therefrom in the absence of rotation and risk forming a slurry that gets carried to the outflow chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Filterwerk Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Ian M. Cox, Andrew L. Samways