Patents by Inventor Thomas Kleimann
Thomas Kleimann 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).
-
Publication number: 20230390788Abstract: A self-draining separator for centrifugal separation of a suspension into a light liquid phase, a heavy solid phase, and a moderately heavy intermediate phase. The separator includes a rotatable centrifuging drum, a liquid discharge for the light liquid phase, a discontinuously active solid matter discharge opening for the heavy solid phase, to which a first actuatable discharge device is assigned, by way of which the solid matter discharge opening can be discontinuously opened and closed. The separator also includes a discontinuously active discharge opening for the intermediate phase, to which at least one second actuatable discharge device is assigned, by way of which the discharge opening for the intermediate phase can be discontinuously opened and closed again.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2021Publication date: December 7, 2023Inventors: Andreas HÖLSCHER, Andrej MICHEL, Angelika VOLTMANN, Kathrin QUITER, Thomas BATHELT, Thomas KLEIMANN
-
Patent number: 10865880Abstract: A seal arrangement for a process device or installation. A component arrangement has two components adjoining one another in sections in the area of a gap. A groove toward the gap is formed on one of the two components, which groove is L-shaped and is open toward an edge of the gap. A seal is inserted into the groove, which seal also has an L shape that corresponds to the L shape of the groove, for which purpose the seal has a first sealing limb and a second sealing limb at right angle thereto. The first sealing limb is designed so that the first sealing limb is inserted into the first limb of the groove, and the second sealing limb is designed in such a way that the second sealing limb can be inserted into the second limb of the groove and is firmly clamped there, and the first sealing limb is firmly clamped into the first limb of the groove in the manner of a sealing foot with oversize.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2017Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: GEA MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT GMBHInventors: Wilfried Mackel, Thomas Kleimann
-
Publication number: 20190049015Abstract: A seal arrangement for a process device or installation. A component arrangement has two components adjoining one another in sections in the area of a gap. A groove toward the gap is formed on one of the two components, which groove is L-shaped and is open toward an edge of the gap. A seal is inserted into the groove, which seal also has an L shape that corresponds to the L shape of the groove, for which purpose the seal has a first sealing limb and a second sealing limb at right angle thereto. The first sealing limb is designed so that the first sealing limb is inserted into the first limb of the groove, and the second sealing limb is designed in such a way that the second sealing limb can be inserted into the second limb of the groove and is firmly clamped there, and the first sealing limb is firmly clamped into the first limb of the groove in the manner of a sealing foot with oversize.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2017Publication date: February 14, 2019Inventors: Wilfried MACKEL, Thomas KLEIMANN
-
Publication number: 20170203306Abstract: A separator for the centrifugal processing of a flowable product includes a rotatable drum with a vertical rotation axis. The rotatable drum borders a centrifuge chamber and includes a clarifying arrangement in the drum for clarifying the product to be processed in the centrifugal field. The drum has a separating plane between a drum top part and a drum bottom part. A supply system and the drain system are designed on the drum. The separator also includes a housing in which the drum is arranged, the housing having floor part and a housing shell part connectable to the floor part. A separating plane is likewise designed between the floor part and the housing shell part of the housing. The two separating planes are aligned with each other or there is an offset of less than 250 mm between the two separating planes.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2015Publication date: July 20, 2017Inventors: Andreas PENKL, Kathrin QUITER, Thomas KLEIMANN, Marie-Theres SEDLER
-
Publication number: 20160030953Abstract: Disclosed is a centrifuge including a rotatable centrifugal drum and a drive spindle to drive the centrifugal drum. The drive spindle is rotatably mounted via a bearing in a housing supported elastically on a machine framework. Further included is a drive device including a drive motor to rotate the drive spindle and a lubricant system to lubricate the bearing. The lubricant system is configured to deliver lubricant from a lubricant supply tank through a lubricant channel into a region of the bearing. An injection device is arranged downstream of the lubricant-supply tank and is configured to deliver the lubricant into the region of the bearing by dispensing quantities of lubricant in temporally discrete pulses with a limited-time air stream. A method is disclosed of directing lubricant into a region of a bearing of the centrifuge as noted above.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Applicant: GEA MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT GMBHInventors: Wilfried MACKEL, Marie-Theres SEDLER, Thomas BATHELT, Thomas KLEIMANN, Andreas PENKL, Bernd TERWEY
-
Patent number: 9186686Abstract: Disclosed is a centrifuge including a rotatable centrifugal drum and a drive spindle to drive the centrifugal drum. The drive spindle is rotatably mounted via a bearing in a housing supported elastically on a machine framework. Further included is a drive device including a drive motor to rotate the drive spindle and a lubricant system to lubricate the bearing. The lubricant system is configured to deliver lubricant from a lubricant supply tank through a lubricant channel into a region of the bearing. An injection device is arranged downstream of the lubricant-supply tank and is configured to deliver the lubricant into the region of the bearing by dispensing quantities of lubricant in temporally discrete pulses with a limited-time air stream. A method is disclosed of directing lubricant into a region of a bearing of the centrifuge as noted above.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2010Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: GEA Mechanical Equiptment GmbHInventors: Wilfried Mackel, Marie-Theres Sedler, Thomas Bathelt, Thomas Kleimann, Andreas Penkl, Bernd Terwey
-
Patent number: 8845505Abstract: A separator includes a centrifugal drum having a vertical axis of rotation and a feed line for material to be centrifuged. A drive spindle for the centrifugal drum is rotatably mounted on a housing via a bearing, the housing being supported elastically on a machine frame. A drive device includes a motor housing and an electric motor having a stator and an armature which is aligned with the drive spindle. The drive device and the motor housing move with the drive spindle as co-vibrating units during an operation of the separator. The drive device is connected to the machine frame below the bearing at a lower axial end of the bearing via one or more joint elements.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2008Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: GEA Mechanical Equipment GmbHInventors: Wilfried Mackel, Thomas Bathelt, Andreas Penkl, Thomas Kleimann, Marie-Theres Sedler
-
Patent number: 8585566Abstract: A rotatable separator drum includes a vertical rotating axis of rotation and at least one flow channel having an inlet opening and an outlet opening. Also included is at least one retaining dam arranged in the at least one flow channel in a region between the inlet opening and the outlet opening. The at least one retaining dam is configured to allow an overflow of liquid over the at least one dam and to provide for an accumulation of solids in front of the at least one dam. The at least one dam includes at least one rib arranged in a transitional region between opposing wall sections and a distributor base cover and the at least one rib includes portions having differing heights.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2008Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: GEA Mechanical Equipment GmbHInventors: Wilfried Mackel, Thomas Bathelt, Ludger Thiemann, Kathrin Quiter, Andreas Penkl, Jürgen Linnemann, Thomas Kleimann, Jürgen Starke, Bärbel Helling, Stephan Helling, Tobias Helling
-
Publication number: 20120071313Abstract: Disclosed is a centrifuge including a rotatable centrifugal drum and a drive spindle to drive the centrifugal drum. The drive spindle is rotatably mounted via a bearing in a housing supported elastically on a machine framework. Further included is a drive device including a drive motor to rotate the drive spindle and a lubricant system to lubricate the bearing. The lubricant system is configured to deliver lubricant from a lubricant supply tank through a lubricant channel into a region of the bearing. An injection device is arranged downstream of the lubricant-supply tank and is configured to deliver the lubricant into the region of the bearing by dispensing quantities of lubricant in temporally discrete pulses with a limited-time air stream. A method is disclosed of directing lubricant into a region of a bearing of the centrifuge as noted above.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2010Publication date: March 22, 2012Applicant: GEA WESTFALIA SEPARATOR GMBHInventors: Wilfried Mackel, Marie-Theres Sedler, Thomas Bathelt, Thomas Kleimann, Andreas Penkl, Bernd Terwey
-
Publication number: 20110215044Abstract: A rotatable separator drum includes a vertical rotating axis of rotation and at least one flow channel having an inlet opening and an outlet opening. Also included is at least one retaining dam arranged in the at least one flow channel in a region between the inlet opening and the outlet opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2008Publication date: September 8, 2011Inventors: Wilfried MacKel, Thomas Bathelt, Ludger Thiemann, Kathrin Quiter, Andreas Penkl, Jürgen Linnemann, Thomas Kleimann, Jürgen Starke, Wilhelm Helling, Bärbel Helling, Stephan Helling, Tobias Helling
-
Publication number: 20100255976Abstract: A separator includes a centrifugal drum having a vertical axis of rotation and a feed line for material to be centrifuged. A drive spindle for the centrifugal drum is rotatably mounted on a housing via a bearing, the housing being supported elastically on a machine frame. A drive device includes a motor housing and an electric motor having a stator and an armature which is aligned with the drive spindle. The drive device and the motor housing move with the drive spindle as co-vibrating units during an operation of the separator. The drive device is connected to the machine frame below the bearing at a lower axial end of the bearing via one or more joint elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2008Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicant: GEA WESTFALIA SEPARATOR GMBHInventors: Wilfried Mackel, Thomas Bathelt, Andreas Penki, Thomas Kleimann, Marie-Theres Sedler
-
Patent number: 7588526Abstract: A centrifuge, in particular a separator, having a rotating, vertically oriented drive spindle, which is supported on a machine frame by a bearing device, which exhibits at least one step bearing or lower thrust bearing and preferably one upper collar bearing, which are arranged in a common frame and lubrication space, which in its lower region is fashioned as an oil pan, the step bearing being enclosed by a cup element having a cylindrical outer shell and one open axial end and one closed axial end, through which cup element the drive spindle passes in centric fashion, the drive spindle and the cup element being connected to each other so as to be rotationally fixed relative to each other, a fin, which rotates along with the drive spindle, serving to generate a flow of air.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2007Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: Westfalia Separator AGInventors: Thomas Kleimann, Daniel Senger, Thomas Kottenstedte
-
Publication number: 20090111676Abstract: A centrifuge, in particular a separator, having a rotating, vertically oriented drive spindle, which is supported on a machine frame by a bearing device, which exhibits at least one step bearing or lower thrust bearing and preferably one upper collar bearing, which are arranged in a common frame and lubrication space, which in its lower region is fashioned as an oil pan, the step bearing being enclosed by a cup element having a cylindrical outer shell and one open axial end and one closed axial end, through which cup element the drive spindle passes in centric fashion, the drive spindle and the cup element being connected to each other so as to be rotationally fixed relative to each other, a fin, which rotates along with the drive spindle, serving to generate a flow of air.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2007Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: WESTFALIA SEPARATOR AGInventors: Thomas Kleimann, Daniel Senger, Thomas Kottenstedte
-
Patent number: 7074173Abstract: A centrifuge including a centrifugal drum that includes a centrifugal chamber and a centrifugal chamber bottom part displaceable relative to the centrifugal drum. Also included is a piston slide axially displaceably arranged to be in and/or on the centrifugal drum. At least one seal is arranged in a surrounding groove on an outer circumference of the centrifugal drum bottom part and further arranged between the piston slide and the outer circumference of the centrifugal chamber bottom part to seal off a gap between the piston slide and the centrifugal chamber bottom part. The groove is configured to be constructed at least in sections and axially open toward the centrifugal chamber.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2003Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Westfalia Separator AGInventors: Werner Kohlstette, Willi Niemerg, Thomas Kleimann
-
Publication number: 20050143245Abstract: A centrifuge including a centrifugal drum that includes a centrifugal chamber and a centrifugal chamber bottom part displaceable relative to the centrifugal drum. Also included is a piston slide axially displaceably arranged to be in and/or on the centrifugal drum. At least one seal is arranged in a surrounding groove on an outer circumference of the centrifugal drum bottom part and further arranged between the piston slide and the outer circumference of the centrifugal chamber bottom part to seal off a gap between the piston slide and the centrifugal chamber bottom part.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2003Publication date: June 30, 2005Inventors: Werner Kohlstette, Willi Niemerg, Thomas Kleimann
-
Patent number: 6648809Abstract: The present invention relates to a centrifuge including a centrifugal drum, a supply pipe, a distributor, a displacement sleeve valve having an opening chamber and a closing chamber, a supply duct, a control gas feed in the distributor and a closing spring biasing the sleeve valve towards a closed condition during a pressure buildup in the opening chamber. The present invention also relates to a method of operating the centrifuge using a control gas to operate the sleeve valve and cleaning of control fluid paths by guiding a flushing fluid or flushing gas through the control fluid paths.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2001Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Westfalia Separator AGInventors: Wilfried Mackel, Willi Niemerg, Thomas Kleimann
-
Patent number: 6530871Abstract: A centrifuge, comprising: a centrifuge basket for separating a fed substance to be centrifuged into different constituents; a receptacle surrounding a portion of the basket; a bag insertable into the receptacle, the bag having an exterior wall and an interior for catching at least a portion of the constituents delivered by the centrifuge basket; a space surrounding the bag; and wherein the interior of the bag near an axis of rotation of the centrifuge basket is connected by a hose with the space surrounding the bag. A method of operating the centrifuge including the steps of mounting the receptacle, feeding the substance to be centrifuged, rotating the centrifuge basket and catching solids in the bag while separating the solids and liquid.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2001Date of Patent: March 11, 2003Assignee: Westfalia Separator AGInventors: Wilfried Mackel, Werner Kohlstette, Thomas Kleimann, Willi Niemerg