Patents by Inventor Philip J. Bailes

Philip J. Bailes 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).

  • Resolution of emulsions
    Patent number: 5580464
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating the components of an emulsion comprising an electrically conductive component dispersed in a continuous phase of a substantially electrically insulating component, for instance, a water-in-oil emulsion. The method includes the steps of introducing bubbles of an electrically insulating gas into the emulsion, whilst simultaneously applying an electric or electrostatic field across the emulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Bradford University
    Inventor: Philip J. Bailes
  • Separation of the components of liquid dispersions
    Patent number: 5352343
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of separating the components of a liquid/liquid dispersion or emulsion, comprising the step of applying simultaneously to the dispersion or emulsion both an electric field and an aligned centrifugal force, in such a way as to set up a bulk interface at right angles to the direction of the electric field and centrifugal force, the bulk interface being located within the electric field between the dispersion or emulsion and one separated component thereof. The combined effects of the electric field and centrifugal force break the liquid emulsion, preventing the formation of a sponge layer at the interface and hence allowing more effective separation of the components than has previously been possible. The invention also provides apparatus for carrying out the claimed method of separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: The University of Bradford
    Inventors: Philip J. Bailes, Martin Watson
  • Liquid-liquid contacting
    Patent number: 4747921
    Abstract: A method for effecting enhanced contact between two immiscible liquid of different electrical conductivities comprises applying both intense mechanical agitation (1) and, in an immediately adjacent zone, a varying electrostatic field (2), in order to effect rapid change of their liquid-liquid interfaces but maintaining droplet size of a desirably high magnitude at least outside the zone of the intense agitation. The method may be applied to, for instance, liquid-liquid extraction. Apparatus is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Assignee: University of Bradford
    Inventors: Philip J. Bailes, Edmund H. Stitt
  • Settling of liquid dispersions
    Patent number: 4601834
    Abstract: Apparatus for aiding the separation of the components of a liquid dispersion comprises at least one pair of electrodes, arranged so as to be able to apply a unidirectional, varying electric field across at least a portion of a flow path 5a of the dispersion, at least one of the or each pair of electrodes being separated from the dispersion by a layer of electrically insulating material.A method for aiding the separation of the components of a liquid dispersion is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Assignee: University of Bradford
    Inventors: Philip J. Bailes, Samuel K. L. Larkai