Patents by Inventor Rolf Ridderstrale

Rolf Ridderstrale 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: 9943861
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator for separating solid particles from a liquid mixture includes a rotor body. The rotor body has a separation chamber with an inlet for the liquid mixture, one or more liquid outlets for a liquid separated from the liquid mixture, a sludge outlet for the separated solid particles, a screw conveyor adapted to rotate in the rotor body, at a speed differing from the rotational speed of the rotor body, for transporting the separated solid particles in the separation chamber towards and out of the sludge outlet, a drive arrangement adapted to rotate the rotor body and the screw conveyor at their respective speeds, and a control unit which is adapted to control the drive arrangement to rotate the rotor body at a first speed during a separation phase and at a second speed, which is lower than the first speed, during a particle discharge phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Tomas Oldebäck, Rolf Ridderstråle, Robert Geiding, Per Fonser
  • Patent number: 8790233
    Abstract: A method for purifying a fluid from contaminating particles in a centrifugal separator with use of a separation aid which is of higher density than the fluid and which binds said particles, the centrifugal separator having a rotor body that rotates about an axis of rotation. The fluid to be purified is led via an inlet into a separation chamber delimited by the rotor body. Separated particles are discharged via a first outlet and clarified fluid cleared is discharged via a second outlet. The fluid being mixed with an amount of separation aid, supplied to the separation chamber. The pollutant particles are bound to the separation aid, which is forced out by the rotation of the rotor body to the periphery thereof. A small flow of separation aid and particles bound thereto are discharged from the separation chamber via the first outlet, and a flow of purified fluid is discharged from the separation chamber via the second outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Rolf Ridderstrale, Claes Wase
  • Publication number: 20130210601
    Abstract: A centrifugal separator includes a rotor which is rotatable around an axis of rotation. The rotor includes a separation chamber with an inlet for a liquid mixture containing solid particles, at least one liquid outlet for a separated liquid from the liquid mixture, and a solids outlet for the separated solid particles. A screw conveyor is arranged to rotate inside the rotor around the axis of rotation, at a different speed than the rotor. The screw conveyor has at least one conveyor flight for transporting the separated solid particles in the separation chamber towards and out of the solids outlet. The conveyor flight is provided with wear resistant elements arranged along its edge and the wear resistant elements are spaced apart with an interspace between mutually adjacent wear resistant elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Jie Zheng, Claes Wase, Rolf Ridderstråle
  • Publication number: 20120267303
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a centrifugal separator for separating solid particles from a liquid mixture, said centrifugal separator comprising a rotor body which is rotatable around an axis of rotation, the rotor body having a separation chamber with an inlet for the liquid mixture, at least one liquid outlet for a separated liquid from the liquid mixture, a sludge outlet for the separated solid particles, a screw conveyor adapted to rotate in the rotor body around the axis of rotation, at a speed differing from the rotational speed of the rotor body, for transporting the separated solid particles in the separation chamber towards and out of the sludge outlet, a drive arrangement adapted to rotate the rotor body and the screw conveyor at their respective speeds, and a control unit which is adapted to control the drive arrangement to rotate the rotor body at a first speed during a separation phase and at a second speed, which is lower than the first speed, during a particle discharge phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Tomas Oldebäck, Rolf Ridderstråle, Robert Geiding, Per Fonser
  • Publication number: 20120040443
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for isolation of oils from a micro organism slurry or an algae slurry comprising feeding the slurry into a three phase centrifugal separator having a stack of separating discs and operating under force of at least 4500 G, preferably under a force of at least 5000 G, obtaining three phases: one oil phase, one liquid phase and one bio-organic phase. The present invention relates also to use of the process for production of bio-diesel or bio-fuels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Claes Wase, Rolf Riddersträle
  • Patent number: 7824459
    Abstract: In a centrifugal separator for cleaning a gas containing liquid impurities, a stationary casing encloses a separation space having an inner wall surface. An inlet is provided. A rotating member is provided in the separation space downstream the inlet rotates in a direction of rotation around an axis of rotation. The rotating member brings the gas to rotation in the direction of rotation for separation of liquid impurities from the gas. A gas outlet is provided downstream the rotating member for discharge of the cleaned gas. A first liquid outlet is provided upstream the gas outlet and downstream the rotating member for discharge of separated liquid impurities and comprises an outlet hole. A surrounding ring groove extends outwardly from the inner wall surface in the stationary casing and has a surrounding bottom surface, wherein the outlet hole extends outwardly from the bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Leonard Borgström, Claes-Göran Carlsson, Jan Skoog, Rolf Ridderstråle
  • Patent number: 7824458
    Abstract: The invention refers to a centrifugal separator for cleaning of a gas containing liquid impurities. The centrifugal separator comprises a stationary casing, which encloses a separation space and has an inner wall surface. A rotating member is provided in the separation space and arranged to rotate in a direction of rotation around an axis (x) of rotation. The rotating member brings the gas to rotation for separation of the liquid impurities from the gas. A gas outlet is provided for discharge of the cleaned gas. A first liquid outlet is provided downstream the rotating member for discharge of separated liquid impurities. The separation space comprises an annular surface which extends between the rotating member and the inner wall surface. The annular surface is configured to transport liquid impurities radially outwardly to the first liquid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Leonard Borgström, Claes-Göran Carlsson, Jan Skoog, Rolf Ridderstråle
  • Patent number: 7811347
    Abstract: In a centrifugal separator for cleaning a gas comprising liquid impurities, a stationary casing encloses a separation space having an inner wall surface. The separator comprises an inlet for the gas. A rotating member rotates around and brings the gas to rotation for separation of at least a main part of the liquid impurities from the gas. A gas outlet is provided downstream the rotating member for discharge of the cleaned gas. A first liquid outlet discharges the liquid impurities and comprises an outlet hole. An annular surface extends inwardly from the wall surface and is located downstream the outlet hole. The first liquid outlet comprises an annular shield element extending from the annular surface at a distance and radially inside the outlet hole. The shield element and the annular surface form an annular groove radially inside the outlet hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Claes-Göran Carlsson, Jan Skoog, Tommy Myrvang, Rolf Ridderstråle
  • Publication number: 20100144508
    Abstract: A method for purifying a fluid from contaminating particles in a centrifugal separator by means of a separation aid which is of higher density than the fluid and which binds said particles, the centrifugal separator having a rotor body that rotates about an axis of rotation. The fluid to be purified is led via an inlet into a separation chamber delimited by the rotor body. Separated particles are discharged via a first outlet and clarified fluid cleared is discharged via a second outlet. The fluid being mixed with an amount of separation aid, supplied to the separation chamber. The pollutant particles are bound to the separation aid, which is forced out by the rotation of the rotor body to the periphery thereof. A small flow of separation aid and particles bound thereto are discharged from the separation chamber via the first outlet, and a flow of purified fluid is discharged from the separation chamber via the second outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Rolf Ridderstrale, Claes Wase
  • Publication number: 20090025563
    Abstract: In a centrifugal separator for cleaning a gas containing liquid impurities, a stationary casing encloses a separation space having an inner wall surface. An inlet is provided. A rotating member is provided in the separation space downstream the inlet rotates in a direction of rotation around an axis of rotation. The rotating member brings the gas to rotation in the direction of rotation for separation of liquid impurities from the gas. A gas outlet is provided downstream the rotating member for discharge of the cleaned gas. A first liquid outlet is provided upstream the gas outlet and downstream the rotating member for discharge of separated liquid impurities and comprises an outlet hole. A surrounding ring groove extends outwardly from the inner wall surface in the stationary casing and has a surrounding bottom surface, wherein the outlet hole extends outwardly from the bottom surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Leonard Borgstrom, Claes-Goran Carlsson, Jan Skoog, Rolf Ridderstrale
  • Publication number: 20090013658
    Abstract: The invention refers to a centrifugal separator for cleaning of a gas containing liquid impurities. The centrifugal separator comprises a stationary casing, which encloses a separation space and has an inner wall surface. A rotating member is provided in the separation space and arranged to rotate in a direction of rotation around an axis (x) of rotation. The rotating member brings the gas to rotation for separation of the liquid impurities from the gas. A gas outlet is provided for discharge of the cleaned gas. A first liquid outlet is provided downstream the rotating member for discharge of separated liquid impurities. The separation space comprises an annular surface which extends between the rotating member and the inner wall surface. The annular surface is configured to transport liquid impurities radially outwardly to the first liquid outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Leonard Borgstrom, Claes-Goran Carlsson, Jan Skoog, Rolf Ridderstrale
  • Publication number: 20090000258
    Abstract: In a centrifugal separator for cleaning a gas comprising liquid impurities, a stationary casing encloses a separation space having an inner wall surface. The separator comprises an inlet for the gas. A rotating member rotates around and brings the gas to rotation for separation of at least a main part of the liquid impurities from the gas. A gas outlet is provided downstream the rotating member for discharge of the cleaned gas. A first liquid outlet discharges the liquid impurities and comprises an outlet hole. An annular surface extends inwardly from the wall surface and is located downstream the outlet hole. The first liquid outlet comprises an annular shield element extending from the annular surface at a distance and radially inside the outlet hole. The shield element and the annular surface form an annular groove radially inside the outlet hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Claes-Goran Carlsson, Jan Skoog, Tommy Myrvang, Rolf Ridderstrale
  • Patent number: 7229399
    Abstract: A screw conveyor intended and formed for use in a decanter centrifuge for separation of solid particles from a fluid compound, comprising a central body, at least one conveyor thread and at least one baffle bridging a flow path formed between different parts of the conveyor thread. The screw conveyor has at least two originally separate parts, each of which comprises a portion of said conveyor thread and which are kept together axially. The baffle constitutes a separate member arranged to be kept in place between said parts of the screw conveyor, when these parts are kept together axially, and has a portion which forms a part of the conveyor thread in an area where the conveyor thread intersects with and extends past the baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Klaus Hans Dieter Stroucken, Rolf Ridderstrale, Robert Geiding, Kasper Höglund
  • Publication number: 20070049480
    Abstract: A screw conveyor intended and formed for use in a decanter centrifuge for separation of solid particles from a fluid compound, comprising a central body, at least one conveyor thread and at least one baffle bridging a flow path formed between different parts of the conveyor thread. The screw conveyor has at least two originally separate parts, each of which comprises a portion of said conveyor thread and which are kept together axially. The baffle constitutes a separate member arranged to be kept in place between said parts of the screw conveyor, when these parts are kept together axially, and has a portion which forms a part of the conveyor thread in an area where the conveyor thread intersects with and extends past the baffle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Klaus Stroucken, Rolf Ridderstrale, Robert Geiding, Kasper Hoglund
  • Patent number: 7152589
    Abstract: Upon cleaning of crankcase gas generated during operation of an internal combustion engine in its crankcase, a centrifugal separator is used, which includes a rotor arranged for rotation by means of a driving motor and arranged by its rotation suck crankcase gas from the crankcase through a conduit to the centrifugal separator. During operation of the combustion engine a parameter, e.g. a measurement of the load on the combustion engine is sensed, the magnitude of said parameter being related to the amount of crankcase gas generated per unit of time in the crankcase. Depending upon a sensed change of the sensed parameter the rotational speed of the rotor of the centrifugal separator is changed in a way such that the gas pressure in the crankcase is maintained at a predetermined value, or within a predetermined pressure interval, during the operation of the combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Mats Ekeroth, Claes-Goran Carlsson, Rolf Ridderstrale, Jan Skoog, Goran Strom, Claes Wase
  • Publication number: 20060048761
    Abstract: Upon cleaning of crankcase gas generated during operation of an internal combustion engine in its crankcase, a centrifugal separator is used, which includes a rotor arranged for rotation by means of a driving motor and arranged by its rotation suck crankcase gas from the crankcase through a conduit to the centrifugal separator. During operation of the combustion engine a parameter, e.g. a measurement of the load on the combustion engine is sensed, the magnitude of said parameter being related to the amount of crankcase gas generated per unit of time in the crankcase. Depending upon a sensed change of the sensed parameter the rotational speed of the rotor of the centrifugal separator is changed in a way such that the gas pressure in the crankcase is maintained at a predetermined value, or within a predetermined pressure interval, during the operation of the combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Applicant: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Mats Ekeroth, Claes-Goran Carlsson, Rolf Ridderstrale, Jan Skoog, Goran Strom, Claes Wase
  • Patent number: 6955637
    Abstract: In a separation device for separating particles from a liquid, which is present in a container, a centrifugal rotor is rotatable around a vertical rotational axis. The centrifugal rotor has a tubular inlet member, which extends down into liquid to be treated and which upon rotation of the centrifugal rotor forms a pumping member adapted to pump liquid upwardly and into the centrifugal rotor. The rotatable inlet member is surrounded by a non-rotatable wall, a sealing device being adapted to seal between the rotatable inlet member and the non-rotatable wall. Thereby is avoided that liquid is pumped upwardly on the outside of the inlet member. Furthermore, a smallest possible part of the outside of the inlet member can be in contact with liquid, independent of the level of the liquid surface in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Alfa Laval AB
    Inventors: Jesus Montano, Rolf Ridderstrale, Klaus Hans Dieter Stroucken
  • Patent number: 6716153
    Abstract: In a decanter centrifuge having a rotor and a screw conveyor the rotor is suspended only at its one end, the rotational axis of the rotor extending vertically. The inlet of the rotor for a sludge containing liquid to be separated as well as the rotor outlet for liquid having been freed from sludge are situated at the upper end of the rotor, whereas a sludge outlet for separated sludge is situated at the lower end of the rotor. The rotor as well as the screw conveyor are adapted to be driven through shafts situated at the upper end of the rotor. By the invention it becomes possible by simple implementation to adapt the decanter centrifuge for different separation duties, since the location of the sludge outlet can be chosen freely without other parts of the decanter centrifuge preventing this.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Alfa Laval AB
    Inventors: Klaus Stroucken, Rolf Riddersträle
  • Patent number: 6712751
    Abstract: In a decanter centrifuge having a rotor and a screw conveyor the rotor is suspended only at its one end, the rotational axis of the rotor extending vertically. The inlet of the rotor for a sludge containing liquid to be separated as well as the rotor outlet for liquid having been freed from sludge are situated at the upper end of the rotor, whereas a sludge outlet for separated sludge is situated at the lower end of the rotor. The rotor as well as the screw conveyor are adapted to be driven through shafts situated at the upper end of the rotor. By the invention it becomes possible by simple implementation to adapt the decanter centrifuge for different separation duties, since the location of the sludge outlet can be chosen freely without other parts of the decanter centrifuge preventing this.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Alfa Laval AB
    Inventors: Klaus Stroucken, Rolf Ridderstråle
  • Patent number: 6537191
    Abstract: In a centrifugal separator for separating solids from a liquid mixture in which the solids in the form particles are suspended in a liquid having a density less than that of the particles the centrifugal separator includes a rotor rotatable at a first speed. A screw conveyor is arranged in and coaxial with the rotor and rotates at a second speed differing from the first speed. A drive device is adapted for rotation of the rotor at the first speed and the screw conveyor at the second speed. The rotor is totally supported at one end only through a rotor shaft that is arranged so that the rotor central axis extends substantially vertically. The rotor includes an inlet for the mixture, in the form of at least one inlet channel which extends into the rotor at one end and a liquid outlet for separated liquid, in the form of at least one outlet channel which extends out of the rotor at one end, and a sludge outlet for separated solids situated at an opposite end of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Alfa Laval AB
    Inventors: Klaus Stroucken, Rolf Ridderstråle