Patents by Inventor Curtis Kirker

Curtis Kirker 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).

  • Publication number: 20030034314
    Abstract: A system and method for receptacle wall vibration in a centrifuge is disclosed. A centrifuge for removing more dense material from a fluid medium includes a vibratory device associated with the receptacle wall to create a vibratory force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: Phase Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis Kirker, Berkeley F. Fuller
  • Publication number: 20020158008
    Abstract: A centrifuge with specific wall and opening shapes for receptacles is disclosed. A centrifuge may include a fluid separation wall aligned substantially parallel to an axis of rotation and include an inner surface, a void area, and an outer surface. The inner surface may be placed in contact with the fluid medium. The inner surface may include at least one receptacle. The receptacle may aid in separation of the more dense particles from the fluid medium. The centrifuge may further include at least one fluid flow path extending through the separation wall from the inner surface to the outer surface. The fluid flow path may transport the more dense particles to the containment zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: Phase Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis Kirker, Berkeley F. Fuller
  • Patent number: 6312610
    Abstract: A method for segregating and transporting heavy particles thrown by centrifugal force from a flowing, spinning column of liquid or gas, whereby an outer cylinder whose inner walls present or face the center core with horizontal, circular bands of pyramidal or conical shaped voids, which bands can be vertically stacked to surround a device of any length, and the voids of which present to the heavy particles being thrown from the fluid a receiving surface consisting entirely of outward sloping surfaces, all of which sloped-surface voids accept, accumulate and gravitationally guide said heavy particles towards exit orifices or nozzles, which nozzles penetrate the outer cylinder and together with the sloped voids, permit the continuous, non-mechanically assisted accumulation and ejection of said heavy particles along the entirety of a centrifugal device of any length and thus for any desired duration (or residence time) of fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Phase Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis Kirker, Berkeley F. Fuller
  • Patent number: 6033564
    Abstract: A method for combining three different means of constructing the concentric layers of the outer collecting wall for industrial size centrifuges, whereby treating the inward-facing elements of easily cast or stamped materials using processes such as Physical Vapor Deposition, Chemical Vapor Deposition or metal plating, transforms them into an innermost member with superior hardness and durability, and whereby said wear surface member or deposited layer is physically supported by a middle composite layer made up of one or more investment castings designed to optimally transfer centrifugally-induced compression loads from the innermost wear surface toward the outer surface of the composite wall, such castings being of ceramic, metals or other materials, and whereby the outer surface of said composite wall is comprised of a filament-wound hoop strength reinforcement layer, using aramid, graphic, carbon or such fibers mixed and embedded in resin, such that all highly desirable characteristics for a centrifuge oute
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Phase, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis Kirker, Berkeley F. Fuller