Patents by Inventor Lawrence L. Macaluso

Lawrence L. Macaluso 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: 8137255
    Abstract: Centrifugal separator devices, systems and related methods are described. More particularly, fluid transfer connections for a centrifugal separator system having support assemblies with a movable member coupled to a connection tube and coupled to a fixed member, such that the movable member is constrained to movement along a fixed path relative to the fixed member are described. Also, centrifugal separator systems including such fluid transfer connections are described. Additionally, methods of installing, removing and/or replacing centrifugal separators from centrifugal separator systems are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: David H. Meikrantz, Jack D. Law, Troy G. Garn, Terry A. Todd, Lawrence L. Macaluso
  • Patent number: 8128548
    Abstract: Centrifugal separators and related methods and devices are described. More particularly, centrifugal separators comprising a first fluid supply fitting configured to deliver fluid into a longitudinal fluid passage of a rotor shaft and a second fluid supply fitting sized and configured to sealingly couple with the first fluid supply fitting are described. Also, centrifugal separator systems comprising a manifold having a drain fitting and a cleaning fluid supply fitting are described, wherein the manifold is coupled to a movable member of a support assembly. Additionally, methods of cleaning centrifugal separators are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: David H. Meikrantz, Jack D. Law, Troy G. Garn, Lawrence L. Macaluso, Terry A. Todd
  • Publication number: 20100160133
    Abstract: Centrifugal separator devices, systems and to related methods are described. More particularly, fluid transfer connections for a centrifugal separator system having support assemblies with a movable member coupled to a connection tube and coupled to a fixed member, such that the movable member is constrained to movement along a fixed path relative to the fixed member are described. Also, centrifugal separator systems including such fluid transfer connections are described. Additionally, methods of installing, removing and/or replacing centrifugal separators from centrifugal separator systems are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: David H. Meikrantz, Jack D. Law, Troy G. Gam, Terry A. Todd, Lawrence L. Macaluso
  • Publication number: 20100160136
    Abstract: Centrifugal separators and related methods and devices are described. More particularly, centrifugal separators comprising a first fluid supply fitting configured to deliver fluid into a longitudinal fluid passage of a rotor shaft and a second fluid supply fitting sized and configured to sealingly couple with the first fluid supply fitting are described. Also, centrifugal separator systems comprising a manifold having a drain fitting and a cleaning fluid supply fitting are described, wherein the manifold is coupled to a movable member of a support assembly. Additionally, methods of cleaning centrifugal separators are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: David H. Meikrantz, Jack D. Law, Troy G. Gam, Lawrence L. Macaluso, Terry A. Todd
  • Patent number: 6363611
    Abstract: A five-part rotor assembly is easily disassembled for cleaning and/or sterilization. The five parts comprise a rotor sleeve, a rotor head, a weir plate, a rotor cover and an internal vane package. Each of these parts is machined as a unitary piece or otherwise fabricated without weldments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Costner Industries Nevada, Inc.
    Inventors: Bret V. Sheldon, William D. Flim, Gilbert Mendoza, Lawrence L. Macaluso
  • Patent number: 5908376
    Abstract: A self-cleaning rotor assembly for a centrifugal separator can be thoroughly cleaned of accumulated solids without disassembly of the separator. The rotor assembly comprises a fully welded, enclosed rotor body. The rotor assembly has a double-ended, hollow axial shaft. The bottom end of the axial shaft extends through the separator housing and has a high pressure fluid coupling. A plurality of spray nozzles are fitted to the axial shaft within the rotor body. The spray nozzles are arranged to spray a washing fluid radially onto the interior surfaces of the rotor. The interior volume of the rotor is divided into a plurality of chambers by a corresponding plurality of axial vanes. At least one nozzle is disposed within each of the chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Costner Industries Nevada, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence L. Macaluso, David H. Meikrantz
  • Patent number: 5762800
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator has a housing with a generally cylindrical inner surface defining an inner chamber. A hollow rotor is disposed within the chamber for rotation therein. At least one inlet is provided for introducing a liquid mixture into the annular volume between the rotor and the housing, where it is then directed into the rotor. An upper rotor assembly separates the liquid mixture by phase densities with the disparate components directed to respective outlets. In one embodiment of the invention, the upper rotor assembly includes an easily removable weir ring to facilitate "tuning" of the separation process. The rotor of the separator is mounted on a unitary rotor shaft that extends axially through the separation chamber to upper and lower bearing assemblies in the separator housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Costner Industries Nevada, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Meikrantz, Lawrence L. Macaluso, H. William Sams, III, Charles H. Schardin, Jr., Alfred G. Federici
  • Patent number: 5591340
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator has a housing with a generally cylindrical inner surface defining an inner chamber. A hollow rotor is disposed within the chamber for rotation therein. At least one inlet is provided for introducing a liquid mixture into the annular volume between the rotor and the housing, where it is then directed into the rotor. An upper rotor assembly separates the liquid mixture by phase densities with the disparate components directed to respective outlets. In one embodiment of the invention, the upper rotor assembly includes an easily removable weir ring to facilitate "tuning" of the separation process. The rotor of the separator is mounted on a unitary rotor shaft that extends axially through the separation chamber to upper and lower bearing assemblies in the separator housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Costner Industries Nevada, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Meikrantz, Lawrence L. Macaluso, H. William Sams, III, Charles H. Schardin, Jr., Alfred G. Federici
  • Patent number: 5571070
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator includes a rotor sleeve which reduces the fine scale mixing of liquid components. The rotor sleeve in the annular mixing zone minimizes liquid-liquid shear, but does not adversely affect the pumping action of the rotor. The separator comprises a housing having a generally cylindrical inner surface defining an interior chamber. A hollow rotor is disposed within the chamber for rotation therein, the rotor having upper and lower openings and a generally cylindrical rotor wall with an inner and outer surface. The outer surface of the rotor wall is spaced apart from the inner surface of the housing and thereby defines the annular mixing zone. The rotor sleeve comprises a cylinder only slightly larger than the rotor. The sleeve is fixed relative to the housing, thereby preventing liquid within the annular mixing zone from contacting the rotating outer surface of the rotor. The reduction in mixing action dramatically increases the separation efficiency for shear-sensitive liquid mixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Costner Industries Nevada, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Meikrantz, Alfred G. Federici, Lawrence L. Macaluso, Peter J. Harris, H. William Sams, III
  • Patent number: D303106
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Inventor: Lawrence L. Macaluso