With Deposition Patents (Class 209/135)
  • Patent number: 11192122
    Abstract: A cyclonic air treatment member comprises a cyclone and a dirt collection chamber external to the cyclone chamber. The cyclone chamber extends longitudinally in an axial direction between a cyclone first end and a cyclone second end. The cyclone chamber includes an axially extending dirt outlet. A removable dirt outlet insert member may be removably receivable by a portion of the dirt outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 11186488
    Abstract: The disclosed method includes a separation step wherein composite particles are transferred to a vicinity of an inlet of a fibrous carbon nanostructure path configured to recover fibrous carbon nanostructures by allowing the fibrous carbon nanostructures to pass therethrough, and a fluid flowing toward the inlet of the path and an external force including a component of a direction opposite to the direction in which the fluid flows are applied to the composite particles to separate the fibrous carbon nanostructures and a particulate ceramic support substrate; and a recovery step wherein the separated fibrous carbon nanostructures are transferred to an interior of the path for recovery by a flow of the fluid, with the separated substrate transferred away from the fibrous carbon nanostructure path for recovery, wherein, in the separation step, the external force applied to the substrate is greater than that applied to the fibrous carbon nanostructures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: ZEON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takayoshi Hongo
  • Patent number: 11013384
    Abstract: A cyclonic air treatment member comprises a cyclone and a dirt collection chamber external to the cyclone chamber. The dirt collection chamber has first and second discrete dirt outlet regions, each dirt outlet region extending around a portion of the perimeter of the cyclone chamber. The second dirt outlet region is positioned proximate the cyclone second end, and the first dirt outlet region is positioned toward the cyclone first end relative to the second dirt outlet region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 11006799
    Abstract: A cyclonic air treatment member comprises a cyclone and a dirt collection chamber external to the cyclone chamber. The cyclone chamber extends longitudinally in an axial direction between a cyclone first end and a cyclone second end. The dirt outlet comprises a plurality of discrete dirt outlet regions, each of which extends at an angle to the cyclone longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 10807125
    Abstract: The group of inventions can be used in agriculture as well as the food, chemical, mining, metallurgical and construction industries for the fractional separation of bulk mixtures. The group of inventions consists of a method of impeller-driven injection of gas in aerodynamic separator, wherein the gas flow is directed at an angle required for the separation process by tilting the impeller axis. Then the flow of gas is divided into inner and outer flows by an internal conical ring 5. After that the inner and outer flows are straightened by directing them through profiled blades of the inner and outer sections 6 of the stator 4. The slowdown of the flow in the center is eliminated by an exhaust cone 7. Finally, the sectional shape of the flow is changed from round to square or rectangular by passing the flow through supply channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Inventors: Vadym Volodymyrovych Burukin, Andriy Volodymyrovych Burukin, Oleksandr Ihorovych Skladannyi
  • Patent number: 10361606
    Abstract: Antivibration device comprising two frames and an elastomer body interconnecting said frames and delimiting a first hydraulic chamber linked to a second deformable hydraulic chamber via a throttle passage. A microturbine is rotatably mounted in the throttle passage and is coupled to a generator. The microturbine is configured to be always driven in the same rotational direction by the fluid when the fluid reciprocates along opposing first and second paths within the throttle passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: HUTCHINSON
    Inventors: Pascal Sautier, GĂ©rard Tavin, Alain Bellamy, Gabriel Lemaire
  • Patent number: 10343189
    Abstract: An assembly for cleaning material from a flowable product includes multiple stages of air cleaning for a product. Each air cleaning stage includes a vertical air column, an air knife, and at least one airlock. After introducing a product into the air column, the air knife disturbs material from the product and the material is carried away by the vertical air column. The airlock prevents significant disturbance of the vertical air column during operation. The cleaned product is delivered after a single cycle through the assembly having passed through several stages of cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: GARABEDIAN BROS., INC.
    Inventors: Michael Garabedian, Michael Emerzian
  • Patent number: 10245539
    Abstract: A filter system and method use a filter housing that defines an interior chamber and that includes an inlet opening extending into the interior chamber. The outer air flow housing has an outlet conduit through which a flow of air having particles is directed toward the inlet opening of the filter housing along a flow direction toward the interior chamber of the filter housing. The outer air flow housing engages the filter housing such that the filter housing is separated from the outer air flow housing along the flow direction to permit at least some of the air to pass around an exterior of the filter housing and exit the outer air flow housing while the particles in the at least some of the air pass into the interior chamber of the filter housing through the inlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William Collins Vining, Robert Francis Manning, Victor Hugo Silva Correia, Corey Bourassa, Jared Peter Buhler, Hojjat Nasr
  • Patent number: 10201836
    Abstract: The powder classifying apparatus classifies raw material powder having a particle size distribution into fine powder and coarse powder and includes a disk-like centrifuge chamber formed as a space between two facing members, a plurality of air nozzles for supplying gas into the centrifuge chamber to generate a whirling stream, a raw material ejecting nozzle for supplying the raw material powder to the whirling stream generated in the centrifuge chamber, a fine powder collecting tube disposed in a central portion of one of the two facing members and communicating with the centrifuge chamber to discharge the gas including the fine powder separated in the centrifuge chamber to the outside, a cylindrical first wall disposed at an opening portion formed of the fine powder collecting tube, and a cylindrical second wall disposed on the other one of the two facing members and facing the first wall with a given interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Nisshin Seifun Group Inc.
    Inventors: Kenji Jikihara, Masaru Kyugo, Akihiko Ema, Hiroomi Uehara
  • Patent number: 10173160
    Abstract: An effluent removal system comprising, a vacuum plenum to receive, at an inlet of the vacuum plenum, an effluent mixture comprising a gas and a liquid, a droplet separator having an inlet coupled to an outlet of the vacuum plenum, the droplet separator to substantially remove the liquid from the effluent mixture and a blower having an inlet coupled to a gas outlet of the droplet separator, the inlet of the blower to receive the gas of the effluent mixture after the liquid has been substantially removed from the effluent mixture by the droplet separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: HEINZEN, LLC
    Inventors: Erick Arthur Davidson, Rudi Groppe
  • Patent number: 10131507
    Abstract: An ejection hood apparatus includes a transfer conduit and a hood. The transfer conduit includes a downwardly concave control shell. An inlet end portion of the transfer conduit receives an upwardly directed transfer air stream including ejected material with at least a partially upward trajectory. The hood defines an ejection chamber including a lower chamber portion and an upper chamber portion. The lower chamber portion receives the transfer air stream from an outlet end portion of the transfer conduit with at least a partially downward trajectory. The hood includes at least one air outlet passage communicated with the upper chamber portion for exhausting at least a portion of the transfer air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: MSS, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur G. Doak
  • Patent number: 10022690
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for mixing at least two fluids is provided. The method involves using means for providing a spiral stream of a first fluid and a second fluid is injected directly inside the first fluid to achieve effective mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: NESTE OYJ
    Inventors: Anders Riska, Sumela Joona, Johanna Vaittinen
  • Patent number: 9597712
    Abstract: A powder classifying apparatus for classifying powder that has a granularity distribution and recovering fine powder has: a casing provided with two disc-shaped members and a surrounding wall member, a disc-shaped hollow section for classifying powder using a spinning airflow in the interior thereof being formed on the inner side of the casing; at least one powder supply opening for supplying powder into the disc-shaped hollow section; a discharge section for discharging air including fine powder discharged from the disc-shaped hollow section; a recovery unit formed in the thickness-wise center of the surrounding wall member of the casing and provided with a slit-shaped opening for recovering coarse powder discharged from the disc-shaped hollow section; and two air introduction units provided with a plurality of air introduction devices for introducing air into the disc-shaped hollow section in order to form the rotational airflow inside the disc-shaped hollow section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: NISSHIN SEIFUN GROUP INC.
    Inventors: Kazumi Kozawa, Kenji Jikihara, Shunsuke Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9592587
    Abstract: A method and method for processing grit used for abrasive blasting may include receiving grit blasted onto a surface, where the grit includes moisture content. Air in which the grit being recycled is being processed may be heated. The moisture content may be evaporated from the grit using the heated air to produce dry recycled grit. The dried recycled grit may be stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Ronald C. Benson
  • Patent number: 9527112
    Abstract: A dynamic separator for pulverulent materials, such as cement, lime or raw materials, comprising: a primary rotor which can rotate about a vertical axis and is provided with primary selection blades arranged about its periphery in such a way as to sweep a hollow circular cylinder during the rotation of the primary rotor, a secondary rotor provided with secondary selection blades arranged around its periphery, and guide valves located on the outside of the aforementioned cylinder such as to form a primary selection chamber between the guide valves and the primary selection blades. At least part of the secondary selection blades is located inside the cylinder, such as to form a secondary selection chamber between the primary selection blades and the secondary selection blades. A separation method using a separator is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: PA TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventor: Michel Brulefert
  • Patent number: 9415421
    Abstract: A powder classifying device includes a plurality of powder classifiers that impart a whirling motion to powder with whirling gas streams to classify the powder into coarse powder and fine powder, a gas supply source that supplies the plurality of powder classifiers with gas for generating the whirling gas stream, a powder supplier that supplies the plurality of powder classifiers with powder having a particle size distribution, a fine powder collecting section that collects fine powder classified by each of the plurality of powder classifiers, a coarse powder recovery section that recovers coarse powder classified by each of the plurality of powder classifiers, and a controller that controls flow rates of gases supplied to the plurality of powder classifiers so that a classification point is substantially equal among the plurality of powder classifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: NISSHIN SEIFUN GROUP INC.
    Inventors: Kazumi Kozawa, Kosuke Ando, Harutoshi Tominaga, Masaru Kyugo, Daisuke Sato
  • Patent number: 9149842
    Abstract: A system and method for classification of materials employing a material fall path that is intersected by an air flow path, a first materials output located below the material fall path and a second materials output located distally of the first materials output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: JWR, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Wolf
  • Patent number: 9085014
    Abstract: A vertical grain cleaner having an intake manifold modified to reduce the formation of vortexes and pressure imbalances based on the flow of aspiration air through the cleaner. An intake manifold with a louver defining one or more apertures that allows air to pass through the louver. Methods of operating vertical grain cleaners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Carter Day International, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew J. Ernst
  • Patent number: 8668090
    Abstract: The powder classifying device classifies powder having a particle size distribution and collects the classified powder. The device includes a disc-like cavity to which the powder is supplied and where the supplied powder is classified, a powder supply port for supplying the powder to the cavity, guide vanes arranged so as to extend from an outer periphery of the cavity in an inner direction at a predetermined angle, a discharge unit for air streams including fine particles discharged from the cavity, a collection unit for coarse particles discharged from the cavity and air nozzles arranged below the guide vanes on an outer peripheral wall of the cavity along a tangential direction of the outer peripheral wall and blow compressed air into an inside of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Nisshin Seifun Group Inc.
    Inventors: Kenji Taketomi, Kazumi Kozawa, Masaru Kyugo
  • Patent number: 8517178
    Abstract: A separation arrangement is provided for separating between particles of different materials having different densities and comprised in a mixture of fine particles. The arrangement comprises: a solid particles feed ingress means, a solid particles pushing/pulling means and at least one mesh adapted to stop particles of the lighter material. The particles comprised in the mixture are allowed to free fall within the separation arrangement, and particles of the lighter material are being extracted away from the free falling particles by the solid particles pushing/pulling means and conveyed towards the at least one mesh. The particles of the heavier material are allowed to complete their free fall and to reach the lower part of the separation arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Ecotech Recycling Ltd.
    Inventors: Mekhti Logunov, Alexander Katz, Oleg Golobrodsky, Gideon Drori
  • Patent number: 8353408
    Abstract: A centrifugal air classifier, in which a relation between an area S1 of a side surface of a cylinder or a truncated cone circumscribed about the rotor blades, an axis of the cylinder or a truncated cone being the rotor rotational shaft, and a calculation average value D of a diameter of a circle orthogonal to the rotor rotational shaft and circumscribed about the rotor blades is S1/D2=0.9 to 1.6, and with the S1, a relation between a cross sectional area S2 of inflow of the air for classification and the D is S2/D2=0.8 to 1.4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Taiheiyo Cement Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Ito
  • Patent number: 8307987
    Abstract: A separation system includes an air separator that, in one embodiment, primarily receives Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) containing a mixture of relatively light MSW recyclable materials such as plastic, paper, cardboard, plastic containers, and/or metal containers and relatively heavy MSW such as textiles, food waste, yard debris, etc. The air separator blows the relatively light MSW recyclable materials up though a chamber and onto a first conveyor while the other relatively heavy MSW material drops down a chute onto a second conveyor. A separation screen receives the relatively light MSW recyclable materials from the air separator and separates the relatively flat fiber and plastic film materials from the other paper, plastic and metal containers. In another separation stage, an electrostatic emitter is positioned adjacent to a conveyor for applying an electrostatic charge to faciliate separation of the MSW recyclable materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Emerging Acquisitions, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Miller, Roy Miller, Dane Campbell
  • Patent number: 8292085
    Abstract: A solids separation system and methods for use; the system having a barrel rotatably mounted in a substantially horizontal arrangement, a carriage on which the barrel is mounted and inclined so as to elevate the coal exit end of the barrel in relation to the rock exit end, a motor to rotate the barrel, a blower, a blower motor, a blade affixed to and helically wound along the interior surface of said barrel, and barriers between the turns of the blades to force the contents up into a stream of air supplied by a blower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventor: Harold L. Bingham
  • Patent number: 8226019
    Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing recyclable material recovery from automobile shredder residue. Embodiments include substantially isotropic quantization separation of automobile shredder residue such as a wind tunnel system and even substantially horizontal laminar air flow and can be used with or without out other traditional automobile shredder residue sorting systems perhaps creating additional recyclable quantities and even better separated results such as with zorba and zurik and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Dean Andersen Trust
    Inventor: Dean R. Andersen
  • Patent number: 8215491
    Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for determining and recording characteristics of particulate material in a batch of such material comprising a separator chamber having an inlet, means for reading an identifier on a batch of particulate material supplied to the inlet and providing the identifier as a digital output, means for causing a flow of gas in the separator chamber to separate the particulate material into a first fraction and a second fraction, first counting means, second counting means, means for weighing the first fraction and providing the result as a digital output, and means for integrating the digital outputs and for transferring them to a computer programmed to store data in prescribed format in a database, from which it may be manipulated to afford comparison of characteristics of batches of particulate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: CropDesign N.V.
    Inventors: Frederik Leyns, Willy Dillen, Marcin Olik
  • Patent number: 8118170
    Abstract: Particulates called nanoparticles (principally having a diameter of 10 nm or less) are reliably and easily according to size with high throughput. An impactor includes a particulate size classifying chamber provided with an exhaust port for particulates, a nozzle ejecting to the inside of the particulate size classifying chamber a carrier gas containing particulates to be classified, and a trapping plate as particulate trapping unit provided in the particulate size classifying chamber and selectively trapping particulates ejected from the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Shintaro Sato
  • Publication number: 20110203974
    Abstract: A separation arrangement is provided for separating between particles of different materials having different densities and comprised in a mixture of fine particles. The arrangement comprises: a solid particles feed ingress means, a solid particles pushing/pulling means and at least one mesh adapted to stop particles of the lighter material. The particles comprised in the mixture are allowed to free fall within the separation arrangement, and particles of the lighter material are being extracted away from the free falling particles by the solid particles pushing/pulling means and conveyed towards the at least one mesh. The particles of the heavier material are allowed to complete their free fall and to reach the lower part of the separation arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Mekhti Logunov, Alexander Katz, Oleg Golobrodsky, Gideon Drori
  • Publication number: 20110168606
    Abstract: A solids separation system and methods for use; the system having a barrel rotatably mounted in a substantially horizontal arrangement, a carriage on which the barrel is mounted and inclined so as to elevate the coal exit end of the barrel in relation to the rock exit end, a motor to rotate the barrel, a blower, a blower motor, a blade affixed to and helically wound along the interior surface of said barrel, and barriers between the turns of the blades to force the contents up into a stream of air supplied by a blower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: Harold Bingham
  • Patent number: 7900779
    Abstract: Particle classifier (2) for separating solid particles in a flow of gas and particles (1) into two fractions depending on size by means of gravitation force, air resistance force and applied centripetal force. A mixture of gas and particles is charged well dispersed to a classifier inlet zone (3) from which the mixture is brought into contact with a rotor (6) in a first separation zone (5) having the form of a free rotor chamber. Gas and fine particles are allowed to escape through an upper outlet (9) while the coarse fraction of the particles is forced to pass through a second separation zone and subsequently to leave through a lower outlet (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Comex AS
    Inventor: Jacek Kolacz
  • Patent number: 7540386
    Abstract: A classifier for classifying particulates entrained in a flowing stream of gas is configured such that a change of direction of gas flow causes particles to impinge upon a target, heavier particles being trapped in a downwardly extending fluidized trap. The classifier is easily constructed, has no moving parts, and can take the place of sifters and other equipment traditionally used for classifying such product streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Lawrence Carvagno, William L. Cook, Ronald Keith Dailey, Jacob Anthony Southerland
  • Publication number: 20090032443
    Abstract: The powder classifying device classifies powder having a particle size distribution and collects the classified powder. The device includes a disc-like cavity to which the powder is supplied and where the supplied powder is classified, a powder supply port for supplying the powder to the cavity, guide vanes arranged so as to extend from an outer periphery of the cavity in an inner direction at a predetermined angle, a discharge unit for air streams including fine particles discharged from the cavity, a collection unit for coarse particles discharged from the cavity and air nozzles arranged below the guide vanes on an outer peripheral wall of the cavity along a tangential direction of the outer peripheral wall and blow compressed air into an inside of the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Kenji Taketomi, Kazumi Kozawa, Masaru Kyugo
  • Publication number: 20080149356
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed that pick up and clean landscape rock using air under vacuum pressure. This apparatus provides a means for cleaning and reusing rock that has become aesthetically unattractive instead of removing the old landscape rock and replacing it with new rock. The invention also includes a device for separating debris from the vacuum airstream. This device may be used in combination with the device for picking up and cleaning landscape rock or may be used independently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Richard L. Miller
  • Patent number: 7367458
    Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for determining and recording characteristics of particulate material in a batch of such material comprising a separator chamber having an inlet, means for reading an identifier on a batch of particulate material supplied to the inlet and providing the identifier as a digital output, means for causing a flow of gas in the separator chamber to separate the particulate material into a first fraction and a second fraction, first counting means, second counting means, means for weighing the first fraction and providing the result as a digital output, and means for integrating the digital outputs and for transferring them to a computer programmed to store data in prescribed format in a database, from which it may be manipulated to afford comparison of characteristics of batches of particulate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: CropDesign, N.V.
    Inventors: Frederik Leyns, Willy Dillen, Marcin Olik
  • Patent number: 7299929
    Abstract: A grain dropping passage constituted below a husking unit(D) serves as a winnowing room(A). A winnowed grain conveyor(1) is provided as the sole conveyor below the winnowing room(A). A winnowing wind blown by a winnowing fan(F) through a blowing room(B) passes through below the winnowed grain conveyor(1) and then rises in the winnowing room(A). The grains mixed with hulls and others are winnowed in the winnowing room(A) so as to be sorted into two kinds: winnowed grains to be received by the winnowed conveyor(1), and the other including hulls to be received by a hull conveyor(2) arranged oppositely to the winnowed grain conveyor(1) with respect to the winnowing fan(F). In this manner, powerful separation can be executed by means of winnowing wind having a large amount and large speed so as to improve a winnowing ability remarkably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignees: Seirei Industry Co., Ltd., Yanmar Agricultural Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Yokota, Tadashi Hamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7267233
    Abstract: A classifier for classifying particulates entrained in a flowing stream of gas is configured such that a change of direction of gas flow causes particles to impinge upon a target, heavier particles being trapped in a downwardly extending fluidized trap. The classifier is easily constructed, has no moving parts, and can take the place of sifters and other equipment traditionally used for classifying such product streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Lawrence Carvagno, William L. Cook, Ronald Keith Dailey, Jacob Anthony Southerland
  • Patent number: 7028844
    Abstract: An improved dried lavender processing apparatus and method comprises a multi-module system comprising a first de-stemmer unit that receives the dried lavender in bundles, separates the buds (corollas/calyxes) from the stems and leaves, collects the stems and leaves as waste, and provides the buds to a second separator/classifier unit. The second, separator/classifier unit employs air or vacuum transport to convey, separate and classify the final bud product from the minor stem, leaves and minor debris and to exhaust and remove the hazardous dust and organic particulates. The system may include a third unit comprising a dust collector system. The final product flower buds are collected in an output hopper in clean condition for immediate bagging as a potpourri or sachet product, or may be further processed for the essential oils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Inventor: Robert D. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6889843
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for separating particulate material into relatively fine and relatively coarse particles wherein such particulate material is introduced to a separating zone through which a gas stream flows at such volume and velocity as to entrain fine particles and convey them from the separating zone to grinding or other facilities and wherein the fineness of entrained particles may be adjusted by diverting a selected portion of the gas stream from the separating zone to a bypass passageway followed by recombining the diverted portion of such gas stream with the gas containing the entrained particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Polysius Corp.
    Inventors: Donald A. Longhurst, Franz-Josef Zurhove
  • Patent number: 6848582
    Abstract: A longitudinal micrometric separator for the classification of solid particulate materials comprising an outer casing having an inflow opening and an outflow opening for the particulate material, a collection chamber at the bottom, as well as a sliding support for the particulate material extending substantially along a longitudinal drawing axis, in which the material is conveyed in the direction of the aforesaid longitudinal axis by a forced fluid flow. The sliding support comprises at least one first inclined wall, lying in a plane parallel to the drawing axis, and at least one dropping channel with axis parallel to the drawing axis and connected to a side end of the same inclined wall, the other side end of the inclined wall being set at a distance from the internal surfaces of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: DDS Technologies USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Umberto Manola
  • Patent number: 6845867
    Abstract: A static V-classifier or cascade classifier having a stairway cascade (13) and oppositely arranged classifying flues (15) with upward extending and adjustable guide vanes (21) at their upper ends for altering the cut point of the classifier by controlling the classifying gas velocity in the several classifying ducts lying between the classifying flues (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: KHD Humboldt Wedag AG
    Inventors: Albert Sussegger, Alexander Hagedorn, Immo Behrndt
  • Publication number: 20040112798
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for separating materials, in which a mixture of materials is guided through a channel in a direction of flow that extends at least approximately parallel to the gravitational field. By means of a wash fluid conveyed through the channel in a direction transverse to the direction of flow of the mixture of materials at least one material component of the mixture of materials that is to be separated is displaced from the mixture of materials and removed from the channel. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device that is particularly suitable for carrying out the said method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Werner H. Stahl, Bernhard Hoffner
  • Patent number: 6712215
    Abstract: A method of solvent recovery from oil sand extraction plant tailings, using 180 degree opposing steam-assisted accelerating nozzles, impacting on each other's high velocity jets, thus creating an impact area at the point of collision, creating an exceedingly large number of small droplets having a very large surface area exposed to the depressurized environment inside the vessel in which the nozzles are mounted. The diluent thus escaping from the tiny droplets is collected from the vessel space and recovered by condensation in a surface condensor and returned to the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventor: Adolf Frederik Scheybeler
  • Patent number: 6644478
    Abstract: In a separating wheel for an air separator the radially outside ends of the separating wheel blades are tilted backwards in the direction of rotation of the separating wheel. In the area of the radially outside end of the separating wheel blades the front wall of the separating wheel blades which is viewed in the direction of rotation is tilted to the radial direction at a greater angle than the rear blade wall. Very good separating behavior is achieved by the dramatically inclined front wall of the separating wheel blades. The smaller tilt of the rear wall of the separating wheel blades with respect to the radial furthermore prevents the separated material from attaching to the rear wall of the separating wheel blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: Josef Keuschnigg
  • Patent number: 6631808
    Abstract: An air classifier with enhanced air flow which maybe used for the simultaneous recovery of two or more distinct grades of foundry quality sand from a single sand stream. The air classifier exhibits improved performance by drawing into the classification chamber, through the use of suction, incoming air through a honeycomb followed by a screen section having two or more screens. The honeycomb removes swirl in the air and the screens slow down the fast moving air more than the slow moving air. After passing through the screens, the velocity profile of the air in the chamber is flat across the inlet flow path and, as a result, improved classification performance is achieved. Classification performance may be further enhanced through the use of a vibrating screen feeder for spreading the incoming particle stream before entrainment in the air flow within the classifier and through upward flowing air in one or more product receiver sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Particle and Coating Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Sparks
  • Publication number: 20030075486
    Abstract: A static V-classifier or cascade classifier having a stairway cascade (13) and oppositely arranged classifying flues (15) with upward extending and adjustable guide vanes (21) at their upper ends for altering the cut point of the classifier by controlling the classifying gas velocity in the several classifying ducts lying between the classifying flues (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Albert Sussegger, Alexander Hagedorn, Immo Behrndt
  • Publication number: 20030057138
    Abstract: An air classifier with enhanced air flow which maybe used for the simultaneous recovery of two or more distinct grades of foundry quality sand from a single sand stream. The air classifier exhibits improved performance by drawing into the classification chamber, through the use of suction, incoming air through a honeycomb followed by a screen section having two or more screens. The honeycomb removes swirl in the air and the screens slow down the fast moving air more than the slow moving air. After passing through the screens, the velocity profile of the air in the chamber is flat across the inlet flow path and, as a result, improved classification performance is achieved. Classification performance may be further enhanced through the use of a vibrating screen feeder for spreading the incoming particle stream before entrainment in the air flow within the classifier and through upward flowing air in one or more product receiver sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventor: Robert E. Sparks
  • Publication number: 20020157993
    Abstract: The present invention employs a virtual impactor to separate a flow of fluid into a major flow and a minor flow, such that the minor flow contains a higher concentration of particulates of a desired size. The minor flow is directed toward an archival surface, causing the particulates to impact against and be deposited on the archival surface. Over time, the archival surface and the virtual impactor are moved relative to one another such that particulates collected at different times are deposited as spaced-apart spots on different portions of the archival surface. The particulates are stored on the archival surface until analysis of the particulates is required. The archival surface can be coated with a material that enhances the deposition and retention of the particulates and can further be coated with materials that sustain the life of biological organism particulates deposited on the archival surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: MesoSystems Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles J. Call, Patrick T. Call, Vanessa M. Kenning, Andrew Kamholz
  • Patent number: 6454098
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for conditioning and/or classifying seed is disclosed. The apparatus includes a seed conditioning/classification unit having an acceleration conduit and a convexly curved Coanda surface provided adjacent to the conduit at its outlet, curving upwardly therefrom. As the crude particulate feed stream is discharged from the outlet, it is conditioned by the Coanda effect into a first outlet stream of entraining gas and lightweight extraneous materials, which is channeled approximately along or parallel to the Coanda surface, and a second stream of relatively heavier materials such as seeds, which is expelled approximately parallel to the central axis of the conduit at the outlet. Seeds which are expelled from the conduit are also classified by momentum discrimination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture, Aaron's Engineering
    Inventors: Chester L. Dewald, Victor A. Beisel
  • Patent number: 6383263
    Abstract: A process for separation of solid particles of wide grain size distribution present in a turbulent gas stream includes, first, removal of the coarser particles in a separation chamber (1) with a high efficiency, then removal, with a high efficiency, of the remaining finer particles in a precipitation device (20). An assembly intended for separation of solid particles of wide grain size distribution present in a turbulent gas stream includes a separation chamber (1) intended to receive the solid particles in suspension and to remove from the stream the major part of the coarser particles, and a precipitation device (20) intended to separate the finer particles from the stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignees: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventor: Francis A. L. Dullien
  • Patent number: 6202854
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for removing fine particles from sand and other particulate material. The apparatus is generally an air classifier (10) that combines gravitational and aerodynamic forces to classify sand at 10 mesh and finer. According to this invention, the classifier (10) is configured to have a vertical passage (16) centrally located at the vertical axis of an annular-shaped passage (12). The vertical passage (16) is defined by a plurality of inclined vanes (20) that are vertically separated by gaps (28). The sand or other particulate matter is introduced through an inlet (18) at or near the top of the annular-shaped passage (12), and then flows downwardly through the annular-shaped passage (12) around the vertical passage (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Marsulex Environmental Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Clarence Krieser, James Miller
  • Patent number: 6109448
    Abstract: A vertical-axis air classifier having a central product feed, a drive shaft, a tangential classifying air supply inlet located on a level with the rotor, a stationary guide vane ring arranged at a radial distance around the periphery of the rotor, a deflector-wheel rotor with one-sided bearing as well as a housing with fine material and coarse material discharge. The drive shaft, an annular-shaped fines discharge chamber arranged coaxially to the drive shaft, an annular-shaped coarse material discharge chamber arranged coaxially to the drive shaft and the bearing for the rotor are arranged on the same side and beneath the rotor to permit ease of cleaning and dismantling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Hosokawa Alpine Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Georg Konetzka, Marcus Alex Heinrich Adam, Stefano Zampini