Including Specific Overflow Discharge Feature (e.g., Adjustable Vortex Finder, Shape, Size, Etc.) Patents (Class 209/732)
  • Patent number: 11806731
    Abstract: A cyclonic separator (10) comprises a separation chamber (14), a feed inlet (16) leading into the separation chamber and an underflow discharge (18) leading from the separation chamber. The cyclonic separator further comprises a vortex finder which has an inlet end positioned in the separation chamber, an outlet end defining an overflow discharge, and a bleed opening (48) defined by the inlet and outlet ends of the vortex finder and through which a portion of an overflow stream can be bled from the vortex finder to remove oversized particles from the overflow stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Inventors: Chandranath Banerjee, Eduardo Cepeda, Niyam Balacharya Joshi, Amith Thirumale Muralidhara
  • Patent number: 10751734
    Abstract: A hydrocyclone for separation solid particles from a liquid is disclosed. The hydrocyclone includes a ceramic cyclone head, a ceramic cyclone main body, and a metal enclosure. The metal enclosure includes at least an upper metallic enclosure part and a main metallic enclosure part. A lower section of the upper metallic enclosure part includes mateable circumferential threads and an upper section of the main metallic enclosure part includes mateable circumferential threads. The mateable circumferential threads of the upper metallic enclosure part and the mateable circumferential threads of the main metallic enclosure part are mateable with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: NOV PROCESS & FLOW TECHNOLOGIES AS
    Inventors: John Kingsbury, James Vanjo-Carnell, Tarig Mukthar Abdalla
  • Patent number: 10052569
    Abstract: A de-aerator for removing dissolved gasses from water in a water heating system and a water heating system comprising such a de-aerator are disclosed. The de-aerator includes a vessel defining a chamber for receiving water which has been heated by a primary water heater, an inlet through which water can be supplied into the chamber and an outlet through which the water can exit the chamber; and a vent through which gas can exit the chamber. A diameter of the chamber decreases in a direction from the inlet towards the outlet. The chamber side wall being curved and having a non-constant radius of curvature, the radius of curvature being smaller near the outlet than near the inlet, so that water supplied into the chamber is accelerated as it flows from the inlet towards the outlet, to thereby promote de-aeration of the water. De-aeration gasses exit the chamber through the vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventors: Stanley Whetstone, Robert Harris
  • Patent number: 9821257
    Abstract: A dynamic particle separator is described for cyclone separation of sand from a gas stream in connection with petroleum related production of oil and gas, where the separator comprises a housing (14) containing as cyclone tank (4) that is equipped with an upper inlet opening (1) for the gas stream and an upper and a lower outlet opening (2,12) for export of gas and particles, respectively, from the tank (4). The cyclone tank (4) is formed, at least in an internal area around the inlet opening (1), with an upper and downwardly directed conical shape (4a) that increases in diameter, and where the upper conical shape (4a) thereafter has a transition into an inverse, lower conical shape (4b) that converges towards the lower outlet opening (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: Anders Mathias Arefjord
  • Patent number: 9714561
    Abstract: A method of separating a multiphase fluid, the fluid including a relatively high density component and a relatively low density component, that includes introducing the fluid into a separation region; imparting a rotational movement into the multiphase fluid; forming an outer annular region of rotating fluid of predetermined thickness within the separation region; and forming and maintaining a core of fluid in an inner region. Fluid entering the separation vessel is directed into the outer annular region and the thickness of the outer annular region is such that the high density component is concentrated and substantially contained within this region, the low density component being concentrated in the rotating core. A separation system employing the method is also provided. The method and system are particularly suitable for the separation of solid debris from the fluids produced by a subterranean oil or gas well at wellhead flow pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Hans Paul Hopper
  • Patent number: 8951418
    Abstract: A method of operating hydrocyclone comprising a separation chamber which in use is arranged to generate an internal air core for affecting a material separation process, comprises measuring both a vibrational parameter of the separation chamber and a stability parameter of the internal air core during operation of the hydrocyclone. The measurements are compared against predefined corresponding parameters which are indicative of a stable operation of the hydrocyclone and an operational parameter of the hydrocyclone is adjusted dependent on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Vulco S.A.
    Inventor: Eduardo Francisco Olivares Castro
  • Patent number: 8627963
    Abstract: A reject port of a hydrocyclone has an orifice that is treated or coated to prevent blockage thereof when materials pass therethrough, such as produced water, asphaltenes, waxes, “schmoo” or other materials having high potential for scaling. Such surfaces may include, but are not necessarily limited to, superhydrophobic surfaces and/or superoleophobic surfaces such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), tungsten disulfide (WS2), siloxanes, nanomaterials, surfaces created by diffusion of carbon into a stainless steel without forming chromium carbides (e.g. KOLSTERISING®), anti-scale treatment materials, and combinations thereof. The treated orifice may optionally be removable from the reject port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Ian Durdin, Nigel Abraham
  • Patent number: 8617405
    Abstract: A method of separating a multiphase fluid, the fluid including a relatively high density component and a relatively low density component, that includes introducing the fluid into a separation region; imparting a rotational movement into the multiphase fluid; forming an outer annular region of rotating fluid of predetermined thickness within the separation region; and forming and maintaining a core of fluid in an inner region. Fluid entering the separation vessel is directed into the outer annular region and the thickness of the outer annular region is such that the high density component is concentrated and substantially contained within this region, the low density component being concentrated in the rotating core. A separation system employing the method is also provided. The method and system are particularly suitable for the separation of solid debris from the fluids produced by a subterranean oil or gas well at wellhead flow pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Hans Paul Hopper
  • Patent number: 8439206
    Abstract: A cyclone apparatus for separating a mixture containing at least one fluid and a further constituent based on the densities of the mixture constituents. The apparatus includes a first hollow pressure vessel having an overflow plate positioned at an overflow end of the first hollow pressure vessel and an end plate for sealing the overflow plate. The cyclone apparatus also comprises an underflow plate positioned at an under-flow end of the first hollow pressure vessel and a hollow pressure vessel with one end being sealed against the under-flow plate and another end being closed. The overflow plate and the end plate are shaped such that when they are brought together they form separate adjacent overflow compartments between them. The underflow plate and the second hollow pressure vessel are shaped such that when they are brought together they form separate adjacent under-flow compartments between them which correspond to the overflow compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Merpro Tortek Limited
    Inventors: Stephen Beedie, Mark Wolf
  • Patent number: 8353411
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a separating cyclone for separating a mixture of liquids into a heavy fraction, the cyclone comprising:—a cyclone tube (2) in which a flow space is defined, wherein the cyclone tube is provided with an inlet for infeed of a mixture of at least two different liquids, a heavy fraction outlet for discharging the heavy fraction separated from the mixture and a light fraction outlet for discharging the light fraction separated from the mixture;—a rotation generating unit (8) for setting into rotation the mixture fed in via the inlet;—a flow body (6) arranged substantially concentrically in the cyclone tube, in which body is provided a light fraction discharge channel (12) connected to the light fraction discharge, wherein the discharge channel has in flow direction a cross-section substantially decreasing along at least a portion of the length thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: FMC Technologies C.V.
    Inventor: Robert Schook
  • Patent number: 8252187
    Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for separating magnetic and non-magnetic particles from water in a domestic central heating system is disclosed. A magnet (60) is located in the housing and the inlet and the outlet are arranged so that, in use, water flows through the apparatus in a cyclonic motion from the inlet downwardly proximate the walls of the housing, and then upwardly within the downwardly flowing water, to the outlet. Particles entrained within the water separate out by vortex separation as the water flows downwardly. Also, magnetic particles entrained within the water are collected on the magnet as the water flows upwardly. The apparatus also comprises a sleeve (30) located within the housing such that an outer circulation channel (31) is defined between the housing and the sleeve. The magnet is located within the sleeve such that an inner circulation channel (61) is defined between the sleeve and the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Alpha Fry Limited
    Inventors: Mukash Jassal, Neil Watson
  • Patent number: 8182684
    Abstract: A hydrocyclone separator includes a separator body having an upper body part and a lower body part narrower than the upper body part in diameter; a feeder connected helically to the upper body part from a lateral side for feeding in a raw liquid; an upstream outlet disposed axially within the separator body, having an upper part projecting upward and axially from the upper body part and a lower part extending into the lower body part; a downstream outlet attached axially to the lower body part in spatially communication therewith; and a filtering unit disposed axially within an inner wall confining the upstream outlet. The filtering unit has an upper part projecting upwardly and outwardly from a top end of the upstream outlet and a lower part extending into the downstream outlet. The filtering unit consists of a filtering membrane having an inner wall confining the filtering member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Tamkang University Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering
    Inventor: Rome-Ming Wu
  • Patent number: 8104622
    Abstract: A cyclone structured for separating feed material having mixtures of differently sized material, the cyclone having a separating section and an inlet head having a feed inlet zone, wherein the feed inlet zone has a volute axis and adjacent sectors in which the volute axis progressively decreases relative to and in the direction of the central axis through subsequent sectors extending downstream from the inlet port of the inlet head. The inlet head is also structured with a vortex finder extending into the feed chamber a distance L1, and an inlet port formed in the inlet head which extends a vertical distance H1, such that the ratio of L1 to H1 is less than one (L1:H1=0.0 to 0.95).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Vulco, S.A.
    Inventor: Oscar Castro Soto
  • Publication number: 20110240532
    Abstract: A reject port of a hydrocyclone has an orifice that is treated or coated to prevent blockage thereof when materials pass therethrough, such as produced water, asphaltenes, waxes, “schmoo” or other materials having high potential for scaling. Such surfaces may include, but are not necessarily limited to, superhydrophobic surfaces and/or superoleophobic surfaces such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), tungsten disulfide (WS2), siloxanes, nanomaterials, surfaces created by diffusion of carbon into a stainless steel without forming chromium carbides (e.g. KOLSTERISING®), anti-scale treatment materials, and combinations thereof. The treated orifice may optionally be removable from the reject port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Ian Durdin, Nigel Abraham
  • Publication number: 20100326895
    Abstract: This invention relates to a cyclone for dense medium separation that includes an inverted conical shaped cyclone body which provides an interior space having an inner wall surface a vortex finder including a lower end that extends longitudinally into an upper region of the interior space of the cyclone body an overflow outlet associated with an upper end of the vortex finder a feed inlet that is in fluid communication with the upper region of the interior space of the cyclone body an outlet associated with a lower region of the interior space and the inner wall surface of the interior space curves inwardly and downwardly from the upper region curves inwardly and downwardly from the upper region of the interior space to the lower region of the interior space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: TATA STEEL LIMITED
    Inventors: Narasimha Mongadoddy, Pradip Kumar Banerjee, Debashish Bhattacharjee, T. Mukherjee, Peter Holtham, Matthew Brennan
  • Patent number: 7841477
    Abstract: Described is a cyclone separator comprising a cyclone housing (1), a discharge duct (5) and a central tube (3) for diverting gases, said central tube (3) extends axially into the cyclone housing (1) and being composed by a number of segments (3a) which are suspended on a supporting element (15) provided in the area between the cyclone housing (1) and the discharge duct (5). The cyclone separator is peculiar in that it comprises a number of carrying means (17) which are evenly distributed and fixed to the inner side of the cyclone housing (1) and/or the discharge duct (5), and in that the supporting element (15) comprises an annular disc which is loosely fitted on top of the carrying means (17) and having an outer diameter which is smaller than the inner diameter of the cyclone housing (1) and/or the discharge duct (5) so that a clearance (18) is provided between the annular disc (15) and the cyclone housing (1) and/or the discharge duct (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Flsmidth A/S
    Inventor: Morten Kaare Hansen
  • Patent number: 7819257
    Abstract: Device and method for removing heavy contaminants from an apparatus for treating a fibrous suspension. The device includes at least one connection part being coupleable to a heavy contaminants outlet of the apparatus. The at least one connection part includes an inner surface having a polygonal cross section and at least one heavy contaminants outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Roman Bart, Juergen Futterer, Michael Piper
  • Patent number: 7434696
    Abstract: An inlet head for a cyclone, the inlet head including a feed chamber therein having an inner side wall, an end wall at one end of the side wall, an open end at the other end of the side wall, the open end being of circular cross-section with a central axis. The inlet head further includes an inlet port adjacent the end wall for delivering material to be separated to the feed chamber, the inlet port having a feed height dimension H1 in the direction of the central axis, an overflow outlet in the end wall which is coaxial with the central axis, a vortex finder at the end wall or extending into the feed chamber in the direction of the central axis a distance L1 from the end wall, and a feed inlet zone in the inner side wall of the feed chamber having an upstream end adjacent the inlet port and a downstream end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Vulco, S.A.
    Inventor: Oscar Castro Soto
  • Patent number: 7306730
    Abstract: A cyclone-type separator comprises a hollow cylindrical main body in to which liquid containing foreign matter is introduced, a clean room provided in an upper end of the main body, a communication pipe which connects the clean room to an interior of the main body, and a porous separating pipe arranged in the clean room. As the liquid swirls in the main body, an eddy stream is generated. A columnar air layer and a clean liquid layer are formed, both aligned with the centerline of the eddy stream. The air layer and the liquid layer are guided via the communication pipe into the separating pipe. At the bottom of the clean room, there are provided a first reservoir for storing the liquid coming through the separating pipe, a second reservoir for storing the liquid flowing from the first reservoir, and a coolant outlet port for discharging the clean liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Bunri Incorporated
    Inventors: Minoru Tashiro, Makoto Tashiro
  • Patent number: 7267232
    Abstract: An apparatus for froth flotation including a flotation vessel including a side wall and a bottom wall that includes a fluid drain, and a mixing eductor inside the vessel disposed to impart net rotational force to contents of the vessel about an axis; and a method of separating a desired constituent (e.g., coal) from a mixture of particulate matter, including the steps of conditioning a liquid mixture of particulate matter including a desired constituent with a frothing agent to create a pulp, and injecting the pulp into a vessel to impart net rotational movement of pulp in the vessel, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of The University of Illinois
    Inventors: Latif Khan, Christopher R. Manrique
  • Patent number: 7255790
    Abstract: A hydrocyclone which includes a main body having a chamber therein, the chamber including an inlet section, and a separating section, the separating section having an inner side wall which tapers inwardly away from the inlet section, the hydrocyclone further including a feed inlet feeding a particle bearing slurry mixture into the inlet section of the chamber, an overflow outlet at one end of the chamber adjacent the inlet section thereof, and an underflow outlet at the other end of the chamber remote from the inlet section of the chamber. The hydrocyclone further includes an overflow outlet control chamber adjacent the inlet section of the chamber of the hydrocyclone and in communication therewith via the overflow outlet, the overflow outlet control chamber including a tangentially located discharge outlet and a centrally located air core stabilising orifice which is remote from the overflow outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Weir Warman Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian Leslie Rogers, Kerry John Lawrence, Oscar Miguel Castro, Paul Martin Yexley, Anthony Ronald Przybylek
  • Patent number: 7214257
    Abstract: Plant and process for cleaning and degassing a fibrous suspension. The plant includes a plurality of hydrocyclones, in which each hydrocyclone includes an intake connection, an accepts connection, and a rejects connection and at least two supply lines for feeding liquids into the plurality of hydrocyclones. At least two accepts lines, coupled to the accepts connections of the plurality of hydrocyclones, are structured and arranged to combine liquids cleaned of contaminants in the plurality of hydrocyclones, and at least one accepts draining pipe coupled to the at least two accepts lines is structured and arranged to open directly into a further line downstream. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Mannes
  • Patent number: 7108136
    Abstract: A separating device (10) especially for use in a pneumatic flotation system comprises an annular channel (18), at least one nozzle (16) for introducing aerated pulp substantially horizontally and tangentially into the annular channel (18), froth extraction means (26) for the removal of separated froth from the annular channel (18), and pulp extraction means (24) for the removal of separated pulp from the annular channel (18), the at least one nozzle (16) being configured so that the aerated pulp introduced into the annular channel (18) rotates therein with centrifugal forces of between 5 and 20 ms?2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Inventor: Rainer Imhof
  • Patent number: 6918494
    Abstract: An arrangement of hydrocyclones, resulting in a greater density of hydrocyclones packaged in a given volume. One or more overflow extensions is secured to the overflow portions of one or more hydrocyclones to permit individual hydrocyclones to be placed into an axially staggered arrangement with respect to each other. By keeping the larger hydrocyclone heads from being directly adjacent that of a neighbor's, the maximum diameter of the hydrocyclones no longer becomes a limitation on the proximity of one hydrocyclone to another. The inlet section of one of a group of hydrocyclones is disposed to be adjacent either the separation portion of an adjacent hydrocyclone or an overflow extension, thereby permitting denser packaging. In another aspect, groups of axially staggered hydrocyclones are axially offset from and intermeshed with one another, permitting greater density in packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Petreco International, Ltd.
    Inventor: Keith J. Girdler
  • Patent number: 6596169
    Abstract: Disclosed is dense medium cyclone for separating particles of varying sizes from within a fluid stream. The particles to be separated are entrained within the fluid stream. The fluid stream is then introduced into a cyclone that includes a body and a side wall comprising an upper wall portion and adjacent lower wall portion tapering inwardly in a direction away from the upper wall portion. The cyclone further includes a vortex finder projecting substantially axially into the interior space through the upper end of the body and terminating at an internal end positioned below an inlet, the vortex finder defining an overflow outlet which removes the remaining fluid and entrained particles from the cyclone. The vortex finder and the upper wall portion are configured to define a feed zone of decreasing cross sectional area from the inlet to the internal end of the vortex finder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: University of Queensland
    Inventors: Rui Xuan Richard Rong, Timothy John Napier-Munn
  • Patent number: 6530484
    Abstract: The invention provides a cyclone adapted for use in a dense medium separation process comprising an inlet chamber having a tangential raw material feed inlet, a vortex finder extending into the inlet chamber, and defining a low gravity fraction outlet for a low gravity fraction of separated material, a conical section opposed to the vortex finder extending and converging in a direction away from the inlet chamber, an outlet chamber extending co-axially with the conical section and in a direction opposed to the inlet chamber and providing an unobstructed flow path to a high gravity fraction outlet for a high gravity fraction of separated material being disposed generally tangentially relative to the outlet chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Multotec Process Equipment (Proprietary) Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeremy Brett Bosman
  • Patent number: 6461499
    Abstract: A hydrocyclone has an inlet head, one or more chambers located beneath the inlet head and terminating in an underflow outlet, a vortex finder located within the inlet head, and an overflow outlet connected to the vortex finder. The overflow outlet has a peripheral annular zone therein that receives coarse particles in the overflow issuing from the vortex finder, and a secondary outlet communicates with the annular zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Multotec Process Equipment (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventor: Jeremy Brett Bosman
  • Patent number: 6398969
    Abstract: Hydrocyclone and process for removing foreign substances from a liquid to be cleaned. The hydrocyclone includes at least one inlet for the liquid to be cleaned, at least one accepted stock outlet for the cleaned liquid, and at least one reject opening for foreign substances removed from the liquid to be cleaned. The at least one reject opening includes at least one stoppage-hazard zone, and a color layer is coupled to an exterior wall of the hydrocyclone. The color layer changes appearance in accordance with different temperatures. The process includes introducing the liquid to be cleaned into a hydrocyclone through at least one inlet, discharging cleaned liquid from the hydrocyclone through at least one accepted stock outlet, and discharging the foreign substances from the hydrocyclone through at least one reject opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Rolf Hartmann
  • Patent number: 6398973
    Abstract: A cyclone separator has an inlet chamber 52 and an outlet chamber 53, means 51 for introducing a fluid mixture into the inlet chamber so that it swirls around the chamber and passes to the outlet chamber in which it swirls about an outlet chamber axis, the outlet chamber being provided with means 62 for conducting heavier phase fluids from the outlet chamber at a relatively large distance from the outlet chamber axis and an outlet 63 for lighter phase fluids at a relatively small distance from the outlet chamber axis 55. The flow through the separator and the efficiency of separation are improved by forming at least one of the chambers 52, 53 as involute shaped, the corresponding one 51, 62 of said means being defined by the curved wall of the involute of maximum radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: B.H.R. Group Limited
    Inventors: David Henry Saunders, Emil Gyorgy Arato, Owen Matthew Davies
  • Patent number: 6190543
    Abstract: A cyclonic separator for separating fluids of differing densities comprises a first chamber having a vortex finder and a core member. The vane is arranged co-axial with and adjacent the internal surface of the vortex finder to increase the rotational velocity component of fluids passing through the vortex finder by translating the axial velocity component of the fluids into a rotational velocity component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Kvaerner Process Systems A.S.
    Inventor: Bjørn Christiansen
  • Patent number: 6129217
    Abstract: Hydrocyclones for use in separator assemblies, which have stationary wall members or at least one removable wall member and contain a plurality of hydrocyclones, include a tubular body having an under flow end and an overflow end. The hydrocyclone has an interior defined by an axially-extending frusto-conical separating chamber which extends from an inlet chamber nearer the overflow end to an underflow outlet opening at the underflow end. The body also has a rectangular tangential inlet to the inlet chamber. The hydrocyclone further includes a tubular vortex-finder member which fits through the overflow end of the body into a cooperating seat therein. The vortex-finder member is seated in a predetermined position in which a portion thereof extends through the inlet chamber to define the axial overflow outlet from the separating chamber. The portion has a helical guide surface to guide the inlet flow from the tangential inlet towards the separating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Corn Products International, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Trickey, Geoffrey J. Childs
  • Patent number: 6036028
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating out light materials from mineral raw materials is provided. The apparatus includes a charging device that has a charging tube provided with an eccentrically arranged inlet for tangential introduction of raw material. The apparatus also has an inner chamber for separating out coarse sand received from the charging tube, and an outer chamber that serves for sorting out fine sand pursuant to the fluidized bed process. The outer chamber communicates with an overflow chute of the charging tube via an inclined overflow surface. An impingement body is centrally disposed in the inner chamber while leaving free an outer annular gap. The charging tube opens out centrally above the impingement body. A perforated basket, for adjusting flow resistance, is disposed so as to be displaceable in the axis of the charging tube and bridges a space between the impingement body and the end of the charging tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Allmineral Aufbereitungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Jungmann, Walter Strangalies, Thomas Neumann
  • Patent number: 6024874
    Abstract: A hydrocyclone separator (10) has an outer housing (12) including an upper housing portion (14) and a lower housing portion (16). Upper housing portion (14) has a cylindrical chamber (22) and an involuted entrance (20) to cylindrical chamber (22). A vortex finder tube (24) has a flaring lower end portion (29). A solid core (34) is mounted within finder tube (24) and extends downwardly from finder tube (24) a distance at least equal to 11/2% times the inner diameter of the entrance orifice or opening (30) of finder tube (24). The outer peripheral surface (40) of solid core (34) tapers downwardly and is generally parallel to the inner peripheral surface (44) of lower tapered chamber (46). A strong interface (48) is formed between the downwardly extending outer vortex and the upwardly extending inner vortex with minimal turbulence and intermingling of particles between the inner and outer vortices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Inventor: W. Gerald Lott
  • Patent number: 5980639
    Abstract: Hydrocyclones and separator assemblies a wherein the hydrocyclones installed in the separator assemblies by a push fit and are under no lateral tensile or compressive stress. The body has an interior defined by an axially-extending frusto-conical separating chamber which extends from an inlet chamber nearer an overflow end to an underflow outlet opening at an underflow end. The body also has a tangential inlet to the inlet chamber. A tubular vortex finder member fits through the overflow end of the body into a cooperating seat therein and is snap fitted in the body. The vortex-finder member is seated in a predetermined position in which a portion thereof extends through the inlet chamber to define the axial overflow outlet from the separating chamber, said portion having a helical guide surface to guide the inlet flow from the tangential inlet towards the separating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignees: Richard Mozley Limited, Corn Products International, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Trickey, Geoffrey J. Childs
  • Patent number: 5938926
    Abstract: A reverse hydrocyclone cleaner (10) for the centrifugal separation of lightweight contaminants contained in a suspension of papermaking fibers is formed with an elongated hollow body (12) of circular cross section which converges uniformly from a first inlet end to a second apex end, in which the ratio of the length of the conical body to its largest diameter is at least approximately 20 to 1 and defines an included angle of less than 3 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Thermo Black Clawson
    Inventor: Christopher E. McCarthy
  • Patent number: 5858237
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cyclone separator for separating oil and water and removing suspended solids. It comprises a generally cylindrical first portion with an open end and a closed end. A generally axial overflow outlet is provided in the closed end and a moveable member is associated with this closed end having a plurality of orifices of progressively smaller diameter than the overflow outlet. This moveable member may be moved such that any selected one of the plurality of orifices may be axially aligned with the overflow outlet. The separator includes at least two radially balanced feed injection ports in the cylindrical first portion adjacent to the closed end thereof. A converging tapered second section with open ends is axially flow connected to the open end of the cylindrical first portion and a converging tapered third portion with open ends is axially flow connected to the tapered second portion. A fourth generally cylindrical portion is axially flow connected to the third tapered portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Natural Resources Canada
    Inventors: Khalid A. Hashmi, Hassan A. Hamza, Wally I. Friesen, Kanti L. Kar, Martin T. Thew
  • Patent number: 5855769
    Abstract: Hydrophobic material is selectively separated from an aqueous feed by forming gas bubbles in a flow of the feed, forming hydrophobic material/gas bubbles aggregates by motionless mixing and separating the aggregates as a froth by use of centrifugal action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
    Inventors: Bruce Andrew Firth, Philip Kwadwo Ofori
  • Patent number: 5819955
    Abstract: A hydrocyclone separator and components for use in such separator. The hydrocyclone separator includes an axial feed inlet (1). The feed inlet (1) may further contain an outlet orifice (4) surrounded by a plurality of flexible sectors (5) which are, in turn, composed of resilient material. When relaxed, the sectors extend across a portion of the overflow outlet. The separator may include a separating chamber (14) composed of a flexible resilient material. The separating chamber may further contain riffles or grooves (13, 13a, 13b, 210).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: International Fluid Separation Pty Linited
    Inventor: Neville Clarke
  • Patent number: 5728262
    Abstract: An asymmetric hydrocyclone is modified and controlled so as to effectively remove contaminants of substantially neutral buoyancy from a paper cellulosic pulp. More specifically, a method includes prepositioning a substantially frusto-conically-shaped separation chamber of the hydrocyclone at an oblique angle to a vertical axis, and introducing a cellulosic pulp through an inlet and into the separation chamber for separation processing. As is known, the pulp composition forms a downwardly-directed helical path, which in turn establishes an opposingly directed, upward helical air core. Centrifugal forces motivate heavier particles toward the sidewalls of the separation chamber and lighter particles are urged toward the air core, with particles of substantially neutral buoyancy circumferentially collected in an intermediate region, but in relatively close proximity to the air core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, S.A.
    Inventors: Charles S. Moss, Randolph S. Butler
  • Patent number: 5693225
    Abstract: A downhole fluid separation system is used with submergible pumping systems to separate downhole fluids into different density fluids, recover the lighter fluids to the earth's surface, and dispose the heavier fluids downhole. The fluid separation system includes a plurality of housings connectable one to another, each housing having one or more fluid separators, such as hydrocyclones, therein with an inlet of each fluid separator in communication with an inlet conduit, an overflow of each fluid separator in communication with an overflow conduit, and an underflow of each fluid separator in communication with an underflow conduit. The fluid separation system can be configured for parallel flow where the conduits conveying fluids downstream of a first housing have a greater cross-sectional flow area than corresponding conduits in an adjacent second housing. Also, the fluid separation system can be configured for series flow, for either the separated lighter or the separated heavier fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Camco International Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence Che-Keung Lee
  • Patent number: 5667687
    Abstract: A cyclone having a deblocking device comprising a rod relatively moveable into or out of an orifice to dislodge any solid matter therein. The rod may be provided with a formation to enhance the dislodgement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Serck Baker Limited
    Inventor: Neville E. Lange
  • Patent number: 5587078
    Abstract: A centrifugal cleaner is constructed so that its efficiency is less sensitive to consistency changes of the feed slurry, and so that it can operate at a higher consistency than conventional cleaners, yet optimizes separation efficiency. This is accomplished by disposing a turbulence generator in the tangential inlet to the cleaner, the turbulence generator comprising an abrupt cross-sectional area reduction (e.g. a cross-sectional area of about 0.1-0.3 times as large as the cross-sectional area of the inlet) so as to break up fiber flocs and prevent reformation of the flocs. Existing centrifugal cleaners can easily be retrofit by the method of the invention to achieve the invention's advantages by inserting a turbulence generator into the inlet of an existing centrifugal cleaner. The tangential inlet leads to a hollow main body which includes a vortex finder located in the body top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Ahlstrom Machinery Corporation
    Inventor: Peter LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 5478484
    Abstract: A separator comprises a cyclone for removing more dense particles e.g. sand and a filter for removing less dense particles e.g. organic material from a liquid e.g. water. The arrangement is such that the filter experiences a shearing/scouring force which assists in preventing blockage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Serck Baker Limited
    Inventor: Peter G. Michaluk
  • Patent number: 5466372
    Abstract: A wet cyclone having a slender body with a truncated cone at an end thereof includes a heavy fraction outlet at an apex of the truncated cone and an immersion tube on the other end of the body. The immersion tube is cylindrical for withdrawal of a light non-gaseous fraction. A diffuser within the immersion tube deflects the flow within the tube for recovery of pressure head. The diffuser is disposed at a distance from the inlet end of the immersion tube of at least about half the inside diameter of the immersion tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: J. M. Voith GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Jerabek, Wolfgang Ruf, Thomas Martin
  • Patent number: 5336410
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrocyclone apparatus which is simple in design, more space efficient, and easier to maintain than prior art designs. The invention comprises a three chamber vessel wherein the inlet chamber is between the outlet and overflow chambers. Therefore, the inlets to the liners are between the plates dividing the vessel into separate chambers and the outlets from the liners extend directly into the end chambers the labyrinth of passages and conduits for the overflow liquid. The present invention includes a no bolt securing arrangement for securing the liners in the vessel. In particular, the liner includes a shoulder portion which abuts one of the dividing plates and an end cap which closes the open end of the vessel being in close proximity to the ends of the liners thereby securing the liners in the opening in the dividing plates. The shoulder further includes lobes to limit rotation of the shoulders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Conoco Specialty Products Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. O'Brien, Pete A. Thompson, Stephen T. McCoy