Patents by Inventor Michael Kopper

Michael Kopper 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: 9321058
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a centrifugal liquid separation machine and in particular to a screw type centrifugal liquid separation machine that lifts grit and other solids from the bowl wall in a radially inward manner and resuspends the grit and other solids into the heavy phase discharge flow. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the machine has an outer bowl and a conveyor. The bowl and conveyor are coaxial, and a back drive assembly causes these components to rotate at different speeds to allow the conveyor to mechanically sweep heavy phase materials within a separation region of the machine. Grit is conveyed radially inward along a plow and tumbled into the heavy phase discharge flow, wherein it is resuspended and exits the machine with that flow. Wipers can also be provided for preventing blockage of heavy phase flow under the solids baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: CENTRISYS CORP.
    Inventors: Michael Kopper, Robert Havrin
  • Patent number: 9044762
    Abstract: A screw type centrifugal liquid separation machine having a continuous decanter and using pressurized air to promote solids transport is provided. The machine has an outer bowl and a conveyor, which are coaxial. A back drive assembly is provided to maintain a difference in speed between the bowl and conveyor so that the conveyor has a mechanical sweeping action within a separation region of the machine. Air is introduced into the machine through the back drive assembly, and is injected into the heavy phase discharge path. In one location, the air acts as a turbulence inducer that at least partially re-suspends grits within the heavy phase material. The air is also injected through lift injectors radially spaced about the solids baffle to provide a uniform solid phase driving force. A flow control is also provided for controlling the discharge rate of the heavy phase material through a discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Centrisys Corp.
    Inventors: Michael Kopper, Robert Havrin
  • Publication number: 20120004088
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a centrifugal liquid separation machine and in particular to a screw type centrifugal liquid separation machine that lifts grit and other solids from the bowl wall in a radially inward manner and resuspends the grit and other solids into the heavy phase discharge flow. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the machine has an outer bowl and a conveyor. The bowl and conveyor are coaxial, and a back drive assembly causes these components to rotate at different speeds to allow the conveyor to mechanically sweep heavy phase materials within a separation region of the machine. Grit is conveyed radially inward along a plow and tumbled into the heavy phase discharge flow, wherein it is resuspended and exits the machine with that flow. Wipers can also be provided for preventing blockage of heavy phase flow under the solids baffle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Kopper, Robert Havrin
  • Publication number: 20110306485
    Abstract: A screw type centrifugal liquid separation machine having a continuous decanter and using pressurized air to promote solids transport is provided. The machine has an outer bowl and a conveyor, which are coaxial. A back drive assembly is provided to maintain a difference in speed between the bowl and conveyor so that the conveyor has a mechanical sweeping action within a separation region of the machine. Air is introduced into the machine through the back drive assembly, and is injected into the heavy phase discharge path. In one location, the air acts as a turbulence inducer that at least partially re-suspends grits within the heavy phase material. The air is also injected through lift injectors radially spaced about the solids baffle to provide a uniform solid phase driving force. A flow control is also provided for controlling the discharge rate of the heavy phase material through a discharge port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Michael Kopper, Robert Havrin
  • Patent number: 4826608
    Abstract: In known worm centrifuges comprising a solid bowl and a sieve bowl, a cleaning and predewatering of the solids/liquid mixture occurs in the solid bowl when dewatering solids/liquid mixtures and an after-dewatering of the solids occurs in the following sieve bowl. In general, a relatively good cleaning and dewatering effect is achieved with such previously-known worm centrifuges comprising a solid bowl. According to the invention, the after-dewatering effect in the sieve bowl can be quite substantially increased in that the conveyor worm is provided with agitator elements in the region of the sieve bowl, the agitator elements immersing into the solids layer. As a result thereof, in particularly, a circulation of the solids layer is achieved in the sieve bowl in a very advantageous manner and, as a result thereof, the after-dewatering of the solids before discharge from the worm centrifuge is very substantially improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Klockner-Humboldt-Deutz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael Kopper