Patents by Inventor John W. Caldwell

John W. Caldwell 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: 6589154
    Abstract: A decanter centrifuge is disclosed for separating a liquid feed mixture into constituent parts. The decanter centrifuge includes a bowl assembly mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis. Opposite ends of the bowl assembly are rotatably supported by first and second bearings. A motor is engaged with one end of the bowl assembly for rotating the bowl about the longitudinal axis. A screw conveyor is coaxially mounted within the bowl with a conveyor shaft attached thereto. A gear box is located between the second bearing and the bowl and includes a transmission engaged to the shaft. The transmission rotates the conveyor at a relative speed with respect to the bowl. A plurality of circumferentially spaced posts mount the gear box to the bowl, spacing the gear box apart from the bowl. Effluent discharge ports on the bowl discharge effluent into the space between the bowl and the gear box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 6572524
    Abstract: A decanter centrifuge is defined for separating a heavy phase material from a liquid within a feed mixture. The decanter centrifuge includes a bowl rotatable about its longitudinal axis for separation of the heavy phase material from the liquid feed mixture due to centrifugal force. The bowl typically includes a cylindrical portion and a frusto-conical portion at one end. A solids discharge is provided in the restricted end of the frusto-conical bowl portion. A screw conveyor is coaxially mounted for rotation within the bowl, having a spiraled conveyor flight extending radially outwardly to a position adjacent the inside wall of the bowl. The conveyor is adapted to rotate at a relative speed with respect to the bowl for conveying separated heavy phase material toward the heavy phase discharge. A baffle in the form of a disc extends radially outwardly from the conveyor hub and is adapted to project into the separated heavy phase material being conveyed along the bowl wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 6561965
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a mist pump for a conveyor of a decanter centrifuge. The mist pump is incorporated into the feed chamber and prevents mist from leaving the feed zone and building up a layer of feed in the conveyor hub. The mist pump includes a plurality of vanes attached to, extending radially inward from and spaced about an interior surface of the sidewall of the feed chamber. The mist pump also includes a ring positioned coaxially about the longitudinal axis, attached to each of the pump vanes and spaced radially inward from the sidewall to provide a plurality of return openings defined by the ring and the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Corner-Walker, John W. Caldwell
  • Publication number: 20020183186
    Abstract: A decanter centrifuge is disclosed for separating a liquid feed mixture into constituent parts. The decanter centrifuge includes a bowl assembly mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis. Opposite ends of the bowl assembly are rotatably supported by first and second bearings. A motor is engaged with one end of the bowl assembly for rotating the bowl about the longitudinal axis. A screw conveyor is coaxially mounted within the bowl with a conveyor shaft attached thereto. A gear box is located between the second bearing and the bowl and includes a transmission engaged to the shaft. The transmission rotates the conveyor at a relative speed with respect to the bowl. A plurality of circumferentially spaced posts mount the gear box to the bowl, spacing the gear box apart from the bowl. Effluent discharge ports on the bowl discharge effluent into the space between the bowl and the gear box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventor: John W. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 6427879
    Abstract: Containers having improved ability to deliver materials, especially comestibles into restricted containers are provided. Such containers, preferably of the type normally denominated as “measuring cups” preferably comprise elongated snouts projecting upwardly and outwardly from their top and side surfaces so as to facilitate such transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: John W. Caldwell
  • Patent number: D446957
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: John W. Caldwell
  • Patent number: D448188
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventor: John W. Caldwell
  • Patent number: D448194
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventor: John W. Caldwell
  • Patent number: D448195
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventor: John W. Caldwell
  • Patent number: D449681
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Inventor: John W. Caldwell
  • Patent number: D450468
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: John W. Caldwell
  • Patent number: D464421
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Inventor: John W. Caldwell
  • Patent number: D464422
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Inventor: John W. Caldwell
  • Patent number: D465023
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Inventor: John W. Caldwell
  • Patent number: D465681
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Inventor: John W. Caldwell
  • Patent number: D465950
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventor: John W. Caldwell
  • Patent number: D465951
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventor: John W. Caldwell
  • Patent number: D466341
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventor: John W. Caldwell
  • Patent number: D466342
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventor: John W. Caldwell
  • Patent number: D469616
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventor: John W. Caldwell