Tangential Flow, Spiral Or Convolute Baffle Patents (Class 210/304)
  • Patent number: 11446592
    Abstract: Filter devices with a flow director surrounded by a filter element providing a large filter surface area and low fluid volumes for efficient filtration and high recovery of sample fluids. The filter device can be configured with dimensions and sealing surfaces to functionally interact as a pre-filter for common usage disposable filter flasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Inventor: Peter Florez
  • Patent number: 11338259
    Abstract: The present technology provides a technology that liquid in round-bottom vessels is efficiently agitated. There is provided a vessel rack at least including a holder having a plurality of through-holes into which round-bottom vessels each having a closed-bottom tube shape are inserted, and a support having a plurality of supporting holes that are arranged facing to the through-holes and support bottoms of the round-bottom vessels, the bottoms of the supporting holes each having a bulge such that liquid in the round-bottom vessels forms a vortex at a time of agitation of the liquid. Also, there is provided an agitator of agitating liquid in round-bottom vessels at least including the vessel rack, a mounting unit that mounts the vessel rack, and a rocking unit that rocks the mounting unit, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shoji Akiyama, Takeshi Yamasaki, Shinichi Hasegawa, Makoto Sato
  • Patent number: 11161079
    Abstract: The purpose of this invention is to provide a filtration membrane module with which is possible to improve the centrifugal separation effect of the primary-side flowpath during filtration, and the centrifugal separation effect of the area following the outer peripheral surface of the flowpath membrane element of the outer ring-shaped flowpath during backwash, and improve filtration efficiency and cleaning efficiency while curbing the accumulation of deposits on the membrane surface during filtration and during backwash. This filtration membrane module comprises: a membrane element equipped with a primary-side flowpath on the outside of a hollow cylindrical filtration surface; and a cylindrical housing positioned on the outside thereof. A flow adjuster is positioned inside the primary-side flowpath. A flow adjuster for backwash is positioned inside the secondary-side flowpath, which is an outer ring-shaped flowpath between the membrane element and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: M. TECHNIQUE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masakazu Enomura, Mai Yoshizumi
  • Patent number: 10697410
    Abstract: A marine propulsion system includes an internal combustion engine; a fuel reservoir; a pump that pumps fuel from the fuel reservoir to the internal combustion engine; and a fuel filter that filters the fuel. The fuel filter includes a canister and a fuel inlet that conveys the fuel adjacent to cylindrical sidewalls of the canister so that the fuel immediately spirally flows around and down the cylindrical sidewalls under centrifugal force and under force of gravity, and then is drawn radially inwardly through a filter element by the pump. A fuel outlet extends at least partially along a center axis of the canister and discharges the fuel from the canister. A drain is located at the bottom of the canister and configured to drain water that separates from the fuel as the fuel flows around and down the cylindrical sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Torgerud, Pankaj Ankush Jagadale, Amir Abou-Zeid, Ronald M. Holinka
  • Patent number: 10471824
    Abstract: A container including sealed walls for containing a liquid, one of the walls forming a container bottom, the container bottom including a plurality of partitions defining therebetween areas contained consecutively inside one another, each of the areas communicating with an adjacent contained area via a passage including a threshold. The threshold of the passage between one area and an adjacent contained area is a low point of the area and a high point of the adjacent contained area, for any given area. The passage between the given area and the area in which the given area is contained, and the passage between the given area and the area contained within the given area are arranged in angular sectors defined by imaginary geometric angles opposed at the vertex thereof, the vertex being located in line with a lower-level area of the container, the angles having a size of less than 45°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Plastic Omnium Advanced Innovation and Research
    Inventors: Franck Dhaussy, Gwereg Paolini
  • Patent number: 10369499
    Abstract: A filter device, especially intended for incorporation into a fluid reservoir tank, has at least one, preferably exchangeable, filter element (18) having element material (20) through which a fluid can flow from the inside outward, viewed in radial direction, and encompassed by a support tube (36) with passage orifices. The support tube is surrounded with a fluid flow space defined by a housing wall of a housing and has a plurality of passage sites. At least some of the passage orifices in the support tube (36) of the filter element (18) have a flow-directing device (80) that impart a flow direction other than the radial flow direction to the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: RT-FILTERTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Uwe Fries, Carsten Grobe
  • Patent number: 10330131
    Abstract: A hydraulic fluid de-aeration device for a hydraulically actuated variable valve actuation system is provided. The device includes a bridge and a de-aeration chamber having an upper chamber, a lower chamber, and a central axis. A vent pipe is arranged along the central axis of the de-aeration chamber and can include at least one vent hole. The bridge is arranged such that hydraulic fluid flowing from the bridge is directed towards an outer wall of a top portion of the lower chamber. The device includes a cover that integrates the upper chamber with a vent hole for air that is expelled from the hydraulic fluid. An optional gasket or plate configured with at least one vent hole can be arranged between the upper and lower chamber. The vent pipe can be arranged within the cover and extend through the upper chamber to the lower chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: John Stallmann
  • Patent number: 10245535
    Abstract: A fluid filter apparatus includes a first surrounding sidewall, a co-axial second surrounding sidewall, a co-axial third surrounding sidewall, and a co-axial fourth surrounding sidewall, an outer annulus as between the first and third surrounding sidewalls, and a domed end on the fourth sidewall, wherein a first interior is formed between the second and the fourth sidewalls. Also, a ported head body that includes two pairs of opposing inlet and outlet apertures and inlet and outlet chambers, wherein the body is adjacent to the first and third sidewalls and a filter media disposed within the first sidewall. Operationally, a dirty fluid enters therethrough the inlet aperture to the inlet chamber into the outer annulus, to the first interior, and through the dome and communicates onward therethrough the filter media and outward to the outlet chamber and to the outlet aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Inventors: Jeffrey G. McLane, Michael G. Abruzzo, Sr.
  • Patent number: 10150067
    Abstract: A filter cartridge includes a filter medium disposed within an interior volume of a casing. A leak director is positioned on the casing above an RFID tag. The leak director has a trough that extends about a sidewall of the casing. The trough of the leak director has an outlet positioned for directing liquid in the trough to the RFID tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Sergeevich Chernov, Andrew Reinhard Krause
  • Patent number: 10087900
    Abstract: A fuel filter used with a supply of liquid fuel and with an engine has a housing formed with a filter chamber, with inlet and outlet ports respective connected to the supply and to the engine and opening into the chamber, and with a throughgoing return passage juxtaposed with the filter chamber and extending between a return-fuel inlet connected to the engine and a return-fuel outlet connected to the tank. A filter element is in the chamber between the inlet and outlet ports. Fuel moves in a circuit from the supply to the inlet port, then through the filter element in the chamber, then out the outlet port to the engine where a portion of the fuel is consumed and a portion of it is heated and flowed back to the return-fuel inlet, and then through the passage and out the return-fuel outlet to the supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: WILLIBRORD LOESING FILTERPRODUKTION GMBH
    Inventor: Ingeborg Loesing
  • Patent number: 9849411
    Abstract: A scavenge filter system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a first scavenge pump stage positioned in a first flow path downstream of a first bearing compartment of a spool and a second scavenge pump stage positioned in a second flow path downstream of a second bearing compartment. The second bearing compartment houses a geared architecture mechanically coupled to the spool. A first scavenge filter fluidly couples the first scavenge pump stage to at least one oil reservoir. A second scavenge filter fluidly couples the second scavenge pump stage to the at least one oil reservoir. The first and second scavenge filters are separate and distinct. A method of filtering debris is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: William G. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 9827777
    Abstract: A liquid management system for supplying or receiving liquid at a controlled pressure, comprising: a closed reservoir having an inlet for receiving liquid from a first remote location and an outlet for supplying liquid to a second remote location; and a pumped outlet disposed in the reservoir and arranged to remove liquid and gas contained within the reservoir, the pumped outlet being disposed such that the level of liquid in the reservoir can be maintained at a constant height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: The Technology Partners, PIC.
    Inventors: Stuart Hatfield, Peter James Brown, Andrew Victor Polijanczuk
  • Patent number: 9782701
    Abstract: A centrifugal-force separator for separating particles from a fluid has a housing having an inflow opening and an outflow opening. An axial core and a plurality of guide blades connected to the axial core are provided, wherein the axial core and the guide blades are disposed in the housing. The guide blades generate a turbulent flow of a fluid flowing in through the inlet opening into the housing in an inflow direction. The guide blades extend radially between a first helical line at the axial core and a second helical line at a housing wall of the housing. A first pitch of the first helical line is greater than a second pitch of the second helical line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GMBH
    Inventors: Steffen Ackermann, Volker Greif, Michael Kraxner, Ulrich Muschelknautz
  • Patent number: 9486812
    Abstract: Fluidic structures for facilitating particle separation in curved or spiral devices are provided. The contemplated systems relate to various fluidic structures, implementations and selected fabrication techniques to realize construction of fluidic separation structures that are of a stacked and/or parallel configuration. These contemplated systems provide for efficient input of fluid to be processed, improved throughput, and, in some variations, adjustable and efficient treatment of output fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Meng H. Lean, Jeonggi Seo, Ashutosh Kole, Armin R. Volkel
  • Patent number: 9068337
    Abstract: A system for separating waste materials from a flowing stream of surface water comprises a vertical cylindrical vessel and a vertical structure within the cylindrical vessel. The vertical structure comprises stacked filtering elements and weirs sized to accommodate normal and increased fluid flow for abnormally high surface water flow conditions. The flowing stream containing waste material under normal flow conditions enters the vessel and passes through a filtering wall portion in a lower section of the vertical structure and exits through and effluent pipe. Under higher flow conditions the water flows through an overflow structure mounted on top of a lower cylindrical structure The over flow structure comprises one or more upwardly extending filtering structures and weirs sized to accommodate the excess flow conditions, filter at least a portion of the waste material from said excess flow and direct such excess flow to the effluent pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: WDD ENGINEERING, LLC
    Inventor: Walter G. Stein
  • Patent number: 9056158
    Abstract: A waste collection manifold assembly 10 has a housing 13 and a strainer 80. The housing 13 has at least one input port 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D for receiving waste collection products 1 through a vacuum line 4. The housing 13 includes an interior chamber 11 for receiving the waste collection products 1 and a fluid discharge port 14 for passing fluids 6 into a waste collection unit 2. The strainer 80 is located in the chamber 11 and above the fluid discharge port 14. The at least one inlet port 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D is positioned to open alongside an interior chamber wall 13A of the housing 13 above the strainer 80 to direct the flow of the waste collection products 1 in a downward swirl along the interior chamber wall 13 A toward the strainer 80.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Denali Medical Concepts, LLC
    Inventors: William Gavlak, Roger Wessels
  • Patent number: 9022230
    Abstract: An oil separation device having an outer cylinder that extends in an axial direction; an inner cylinder that passes through the interior of the outer cylinder in the axial direction; a pair of end plates provided at both ends of the outer cylinder in the axial direction; an inlet port connected to the outer cylinder near one of the end plates and that introduces an oil-containing fluid discharged from a compressor into a space formed between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder so as to swirl about the axis; an outlet port connected to the outer cylinder near the other end plate and that expels the fluid, from which the oil has been centrifugally separated, out of the space; and an oil discharge port, provided in the outer cylinder, for discharging the separated oil out of the space. A partition plate that extends over at least part of a cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction to partition the space in the axial direction is provided in the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Matsukura, Tatsuru Nagai
  • Patent number: 9005434
    Abstract: A water filter including a housing, at least one cylindrical filter component disposed within the housing, an inflow pipe extending through, and parallel to a longitudinal axis of, the at least one cylindrical filter component, the inflow pipe including a series of openings arranged along the length of the inflow pipe so as to cause a cyclonic motion of the contaminated water out of the inflow pipe and into contact with the at least one cylindrical filter component, a first outflow pipe that delivers filtered water from the at least one cylindrical filter component, and a second outflow pipe that delivers contaminants from the at least one cylindrical filter component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Cedar Creek Filters, LLLP
    Inventors: Scott Olson, Robert A. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8960450
    Abstract: Filter assemblies and fluid flow inhibitors that are particularly well suited for use in centrifugal separation enhanced filtration devices are described. Moreover extensible filter assemblies are described. In one aspect of the invention, extensible filtration assemblies can be used to operate in circulating fluid filtration devices. Such extensible filter elements can use fluid manifold to reduce the effects of fluid circulation inside filter elements and to reduce reverse flow problems in such filters. Additionally, indexable filter elements and invertable filtration elements can be used to extend filter life in filtration in filtration devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: George D. Caffell, Steven E. O'Reilly, John H. Mallard
  • Patent number: 8936722
    Abstract: A method for assembling turbomachinery having combined particle separation device and flow regulating device is provided. The turbomachinery includes a casing; a compressor attached to an inside of the casing, the compressor having a shaft supported by bearings; and a cooling system mounted inside the casing and configured to cool the bearings of the compressor with a cooling fluid. The cooling system includes a particle separation device configured to separate particles from the cooling fluid, and a flow regulation device that fluidly communicates with the particle separation device without contacting the particle separation device. The flow regulation device is disposed adjacent to the particle separation device within a wall of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Nuovo Pignone S.p.A.
    Inventors: Massimiliano Cirri, Luciano Mei
  • Patent number: 8900448
    Abstract: A treatment device for stormwater is provided that comprises a container which in use contains a growing medium and a hydrodynamic separator located within the container. The hydrodynamic separator comprises a separation chamber, an inlet duct extending from the outside of the container to the separation chamber, a solids outlet; and a liquid outlet that opens into the container. In use, liquid flow containing solids enters the separation chamber through the inlet duct and is caused to swirl within the separation chamber, thereby causing solids to exit the separation chamber through the solids outlet and liquid to exit the separation chamber through the liquid outlet and to flow into the growing medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Hydro International PLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Fink, Andrew Pearson Nancollis, Robert Yaw Gyamfi Andoh, Keith Garry Hutchings
  • Patent number: 8882999
    Abstract: Cleaning assemblies and particulate tolerant fluid bearings that are particularly well suited for use in centrifugal separation enhanced filtration devices are described. In one aspect of the invention, at least one bearing is arranged to carry a circulating cleaning assembly such that the cleaning assembly can rotate around a filter membrane during filtering operation of the filtration device. The bearing is preferably arranged to maintain the circulating cleaning assembly in a substantially coaxial alignment with the filter membrane and in a substantially stable longitudinal position relative to the filter membrane as the circulating cleaning assembly is rotated around the filter membrane. In another aspect of the invention a variety of particulate tolerant bearings are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: David J. Levitt, George D. Caffell, John H. Mallard, Steven E. O'Reilly
  • Patent number: 8858795
    Abstract: A fluid filter apparatus includes a first surrounding sidewall having inlet and outlet apertures, with first and second end portions, a cover attached to the second end portion and a domed end attached to the first end portion. Also included is a second surrounding sidewall with primary and secondary end portions, being co-axially disposed within the first surrounding sidewall, with a first environment interior disposed therebetween, a second environmental interior disposed within the second surrounding sidewall, and a third environmental interior disposed within said first surrounding sidewall. Further included is a primary strainer disposed between the first and second environments, a vane forming a helical channel within the first environmental adding a centrifugal velocity to the fluid to separate heavier fluids and particulates. Also, a secondary strainer is between the second and third environments, and a filter media is in a third environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventor: Jeffrey G McLane
  • Patent number: 8778192
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for dewatering a mixture of granulate and water are disclosed. In accordance with one example of the system described herein, the apparatus includes a casing as well as hollow sieve body with side walls formed as a sieve, the sieve body being arranged in the casing and suspended thereto. The sieve body tapers towards the bottom, and a clearance is formed between the casing and sieve body. For delivering the granulate-water mixture an inlet is arranged in the upper part of the sieve body. A corresponding outlet for the dewatered granulate is located at the bottom of the sieve body. The inlet is arranged in the sieve body and the sieve is formed such that the water laterally escapes through the sieve into the clearance due to centrifugal and gravitational forces when passing through the sieve body from top to bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: ECON GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Hehenberger, Werner Haan
  • Patent number: 8746463
    Abstract: A liquid separation system and related method for retaining floating and non-floating particulates within a storage chamber of a treatment tank. The tank may or may not include a bypass to allow a portion of liquid coming into the tank to bypass the storage chamber. The storage chamber includes an inlet and an outlet. The outlet may be positioned within the storage chamber to cause minimal disruption of the primary and secondary liquid flow patterns within the storage chamber. A circular or rotational flow pattern may be created within the storage chamber and an outlet port of the storage chamber may be centered on an axis of the circular flow pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Contech Engineered Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Daniel P. Cobb, Christopher S. Hersey, John E. Richardson
  • Patent number: 8746464
    Abstract: A fluid separator includes a casing and a tubular main body disposed in the casing and having a central axis, inlet and outlet ends spaced along the axis, inner and outer circumferential surfaces; and drain passage(s) extending radially between the inner and outer surfaces. A collection chamber is defined between the outer surface and the casing and the inner surface defines a central flow passage, such that liquid contacting the inner surface flows through the drain passage(s) and into the collection chamber. A deflector disposed within the flow passage includes a hub located on the central axis with a bore and a plurality of vanes extending radially between the hub and the main body inner surface. Each vane has a first channeling surface facing toward the body inlet and a second channeling surface facing away from the inlet. Recirculation members fluidly connect the collection chamber with the hub bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: William C. Maier
  • Patent number: 8747679
    Abstract: A separation system for separating a fluid mixture includes a uniaxial cyclonic separator (2) having a first inlet (16) for receiving a fluid mixture, a separation chamber (18) for separating the fluid mixture by cyclonic action into a dense first fluid and a less dense second fluid, a first outlet (22) for the first fluid and a second outlet (26) for the second fluid. The system further includes a reverse flow cyclonic separator (32) having a second inlet (30) for receiving the first fluid from the first outlet (22), a separation chamber for separating the first fluid by cyclonic action into a dense third fluid and a less dense fourth fluid, a third outlet (34) for the third fluid and a fourth outlet (36) for the fourth fluid. A method for the bulk separation of water from an oil/water mixture is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Caltec Limited
    Inventors: Mir Mahmood Sarshar, Mirza Najam Ali Beg, Carl Wordsworth
  • Patent number: 8715512
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating components of a fluid mixture. The apparatus includes a vortex generation zone shaped as an inverse truncated cone, a solids collection zone, a separation zone, one or more fluid inlets, one or more gas inlets, one or more fluid outlets, and one or more gas outlets. Gas is introduced into fluid in the vortex separation zone to facilitate the separation of components of the fluid mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Howdeshell, Edward J. Godeaux, Asadollah Hayatdavoudi, Curtis D. Cooley
  • Patent number: 8701896
    Abstract: A variety of improved hydroclone based fluid filtering systems are described. The hydroclones generally include a tank having an internal chamber and a filter (preferably a surface filter) that is positioned within the internal chamber. The filter defines a filtered fluid chamber within the internal chamber of the tank. The hydroclone may be operated such that a vortex of flowing fluid is formed between the chamber wall and the filter with the filter being located in the center of the vortex. With this arrangement, the filter acts as a cross-flow filter. In one aspect of the invention, a circulating cleaning assembly is provided in the hydroclone region. In yet another aspect of the invention, improved hydroclone intake structures are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: David J. Levitt, Frank Dutro
  • Patent number: 8663472
    Abstract: A hydrocyclone (10) having a tank (12) including a fluid inlet (14), a filtered fluid outlet (16), an effluent outlet (18), a process fluid outlet (20) and an inner peripheral wall (22) enclosing three vertically aligned chambers (24, 30, 32) including a vortex chamber (24) in fluid communication with the fluid inlet through a fluid pathway (28) adapted for receiving an incoming fluid flow and generating a vortex fluid flow about a filter assembly (26) which is located within the vortex chamber which encloses a filtrate chamber (66) which is in fluid communication with the filtered fluid outlet (16). An effluent separation chamber (30) is located bellow the vortex chamber and is in fluid communication with the vortex chamber and the effluent outlet. A process fluid chamber is located bellow the effluent separation chamber and is in fluid communication with the effluent separation chamber and the process fluid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: John H. Mallard, Eugene A. Mckay, Steven E. O'Reilly, Scott T. Burr
  • Patent number: 8647479
    Abstract: Provided is a standalone integrated water treatment system for a distributed water supply. A filter input receives water to be treated. A coagulation system is in operative connection with the filter input, wherein the water which has been filtered is subjected to a coagulation process performed by the coagulation system to create pin floc from suspensions in the water. A maturation buffer tank is in operative connection with the coagulation system, wherein floc is aggregated in size within the water. A spiral separator is in operative connection with the maturation buffer tank, and the water is separated into two water streams, a first stream of water having most of the floc removed, and a second stream of water which includes a concentrated amount of the floc. An optional filtration system is in operative connection with the spiral separator and is configured to receive the first stream of water and to perform a filtration operation on the first stream of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Meng H. Lean, Armin R. Volkel, Scott A. Elrod, Nitin S. Parekh
  • Patent number: 8631947
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a cyclone separator for a vacuum toilet system, with a casing; an input-side swirl generator, whose input openings impart a swirl to the inflowing fluid; a separating wall arranged in the casing, which encloses the fluid stream in the cyclone separator ring-like and whose interior cross section tapers downstream; and a collection tank in the casing for receiving and accumulating constituents separated out of the fluid. In addition, the invention relates to a wastewater tank and vacuum toilet system having such a cyclone separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Wilhelm Lutzer
  • Patent number: 8596469
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a cyclone separator for a vacuum toilet system, with a casing; an input-side swirl generator, whose input openings impart a swirl to the inflowing fluid; a separating wall arranged in the casing, which encloses the fluid stream in the cyclone separator ring-like and whose interior cross section tapers downstream; and a collection tank in the casing for receiving and accumulating constituents separated out of the fluid. In addition, the invention relates to a wastewater tank and vacuum toilet system having such a cyclone separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Wilhelm Lutzer
  • Patent number: 8585893
    Abstract: A particle collector for a dynamic cyclone placed on the ocean bottom for separation of particles in a fluid is described, where the dynamic cyclone comprises a tank (2) which is equipped with an upper inlet opening (25) and an upper and lower outlet opening (26, 32) for outflow of fluid and particles, respectively. Furthermore, the tank comprises a shaft (5) which is equipped with a number of vanes or blades (6) and which is arranged to be driven by an adjoining motor (1), where a centrally placed piece of pipe (4) with a number of slits is arranged around the shaft (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: AGR Subsea AS
    Inventor: Anders Mathias Arefjord
  • Publication number: 20130220888
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for removing one or more sulfur-containing hydrocarbons. The process can include sending a stream including one or more alkaline compounds, one or more hydrocarbons, and one or more sulfur compounds to a stack of a disulfide separator, and sending a fluid downstream of a distributor to a vortex contacting device for providing a gas having no more than about 100 ppm, by weight, sulfur. Often, the stack includes one or more walls surrounding a void and the distributor positioned within the void, and is adapted to receive the stream having one or more phases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: UOP, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Andrew Tertel, Jasna Karagic
  • Patent number: 8517182
    Abstract: A reflux backwashing mechanism for automatic fluid filtration, includes a hollow shaft sleeve (12) is located inside of the fluid inversion chamber (2); a blade (11) and a baffle plate (10) are connected with the hollow shaft sleeve (12) which is provided with an opening (9) at a position of the lower part of the baffle plate (10); a hollow core shaft (13) with an upward opening is located inside of the hollow shaft sleeve (12); and the shaft wall of the hollow core shaft (13) is distributed with through holes (14); and the hollow core shaft (13) is installed on an upper baffle plate (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Inventors: Ye Zheng, Peng Zheng
  • Patent number: 8512565
    Abstract: A solid-liquid separator prevents wear of a self-priming liquid pump connected to a cyclone mechanism and a solid-liquid mixture can be purified at low cost. The separator separates sludge in the liquid by a cyclone in a separation portion directly or indirectly connected to a suction of the upstream side of the pump. The separation portion has a first and second cyclones with the first cyclone disposed in said second cyclone coaxially. A tank disposed under the cyclones collects separated from the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: World Chemical Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Yoji Mori, Yoji Karasawa, Yasuichi Haga, Koji Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20130146536
    Abstract: A separation system includes at least a hydrocyclone and one or more membranes. In another aspect, a separation system includes a membrane having graduated and/or asymmetrical pore sizes. A further aspect of a separation system includes an inner membrane, an outer membrane and a hydrocyclonic flow between the membranes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Volodymyr Tarabara, Wenqian Shan
  • Publication number: 20130140247
    Abstract: A sand check filter for preventing solids from reentering into a pump. The filter is designed to mount atop a conventional rod pump. The filter allows well fluid, that contains high solids, to pass through the pump under normal operation while eliminating the solids from being swept back into the pump barrel. The filter includes a sleeve that has radial flutes that allows the sleeve from hanging up, sticking to or wedging itself to the valve rod. The sleeve is rotated on the valve rod to create a valve effect atop the filter. This prevents the fluid from passing through the inner diameter of the screen and forces solids within the fluid to be redirected to the outer diameter of the filter. This allows the fluid to be filtered before reentering the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Brent Ford
  • Patent number: 8439858
    Abstract: An arterial line blood filter for use in extracorporeal blood circuits during heart bypass surgery has, among other components, a housing with a cap portion, a base portion, and a generally cylindrical wall portion. The blood filter has a filter element disposed within the housing. An inlet is positioned at an upward angle with respect to the housing and includes an opening in the generally cylindrical wall portion in fluid communication with the inlet chamber. In some embodiments the position of the inlet limits the pressure drop and prime volume of the filter. According to one embodiment, the cap portion has an upwardly sloping inner surface and there is a vent in the cap portion. The inner surface of the cap portion can have a projection proximate the vent configured to limit immobilization of gaseous microemboli within the inlet chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor C. Huang, Alford L. McLevish, Joseph L. Kalscheuer, Roderick E. Briscoe
  • Patent number: 8354031
    Abstract: A filtering system for water and other liquids includes different filtering stages in the same element, with its cleaning being done automatically by a new procedure. The filtering system includes a cylindrical outer casing with the pipe of the water to be filtered penetrating tangentially through its base, using centrifugal force in the first filtering stage to separate the particles with greater density. Then the liquid takes a helicoidal path and passes through different filtering devices, such as mesh or rings with the filtered and, therefore, clean water finally being collected in an appropriately perforated central pipe that comes out of the filter through the center of its lower base. The system is used for the cleaning of liquids, basically water, in agriculture for localized irrigation, in industry, or the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Universidad Politecnica de Madrid
    Inventor: Alfonso Cobos De La Fuente
  • Patent number: 8287726
    Abstract: A system for removing sediment from water is disclosed. The exemplary embodiments described herein disclose a system comprising a filter chamber, having a deck positioned inside to divide it into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The deck may have a plurality of holes to hold filtration elements and also may have a ridge or a skirt or both. An inlet line may be tangentially connected to the filter chamber and introduce influent liquid into the filter chamber below the deck and outside of the skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Monteco Ltd
    Inventors: Gregory Williams, Roland Dubois, Scott Perry, Joel Garbon, Bob Gallucci
  • Patent number: 8287613
    Abstract: Gas-solids separator comprises a tubular housing, an inlet for introducing a gas-solids mixture at one end of said housing, which inlet is executed such that it imparts a swirl to the gas-solids mixture, a solids outlet opening at the opposite end of said housing, and a co-axially positioned tubular gas outlet conduit placed at an end of said housing, which separator further comprises a vortex stabilizer, comprising a pin placed on a stabilizing plate, in which separator the pin runs along the axis of the tubular housing and in which a passageway is provided through the stabilizer plate and the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Ye-Mon Chen, Hubertus Wilhelmus Albertus Dries, Kee-Khoon Foo
  • Patent number: 8277655
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for fluid filtering with contaminant removal, such as removing water from the surface of a top loading-type fuel filter element, includes a housing containing a cavity, a fluid flow inlet leading into the cavity, a filter element disposed in the cavity, and a flow director configured to direct the flow of fluid against the filter element such that contaminant collected on the surface of the filter element is sloughed off. The flow director may be configured to direct the fluid flow at least partially parallel to the filter element. The flow director may further be configured as one or more holes in a filter element housing disposed around the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark T. Wieczorek
  • Publication number: 20120241369
    Abstract: A fluid filter apparatus includes a first surrounding sidewall having inlet and outlet apertures, with first and second end portions, a cover attached to the second end portion and a domed end attached to the first end portion. Also included is a second surrounding sidewall with primary and secondary end portions, being co-axially disposed within the first surrounding sidewall, with a first environment interior disposed therebetween, a second environmental interior disposed within the second surrounding sidewall, and a third environmental interior disposed within said first surrounding sidewall. Further included is a primary strainer disposed between the first and second environments, a vane forming a helical channel within the first environmental adding a centrifugal velocity to the fluid to separate heavier fluids and particulates. Also, a secondary strainer is between the second and third environments, and a filter media is in a third environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: Jeffrey G. McLane
  • Patent number: 8257588
    Abstract: An oil-water separator with a self-priming pump of high oil-water separation ability enables a mixed liquid to be introduced into the oil-water separator without causing emulsification. A separator portion separating a mixed liquid includes a rough cyclone separation portion. A main separation portion downstream of the rough separation portion performs main separation according to specific gravity. A water discharge portion connected to the main separation portion discharges water. An oil storage tank stores the oil separated from the water and overflowing the main separation portion. A self-priming liquid pump connected downstream of the separator portion and connected to the water discharge portion sucks the mixed liquid from an exterior to enable venting and discharging of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: World Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoji Mori, Yasuichi Haga, Yuji Ikehara
  • Patent number: 8241507
    Abstract: A method and a device for separation of a fluid in the liquid state comprising two liquids that are not mutually miscible, with different densities, wherein a first liquid is to be cleansed from a second liquid, whereby the fluid in the liquid state is conducted through a rotor where centrifugal separation of the second liquid from the first liquid takes place, and is then conducted into a tank, with the proportion of the second liquid being reduced to less than 5%, and by conducting the fluid, after centrifugal separation, through a restriction, whereby the pressure of the fluid in the liquid state is reduced, which causes portions of the fluid in the liquid state to evaporate so that further portions of the second liquid escape in the form of a gas which is conducted away, thereby further reducing the proportion of the second liquid in the outgoing fluid in the liquid state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Alfa-Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Claes-Göran Carlsson, Leonard Borgström, Carl Häggmark, Hans Moberg, Jan Skoog
  • Patent number: 8226822
    Abstract: A cyclone separator includes a wall, a first passage, a second passage, and an oil debris monitor. The wall defines a cyclone cavity. The first passage has a first passage inlet positioned in the cyclone cavity and a first passage outlet at an exterior of the cyclone separator. The second passage has a second passage inlet positioned in the cyclone cavity and a second passage outlet at the first passage. The oil debris monitor detects debris flowing through the second passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce Paradise
  • Patent number: 8201697
    Abstract: A variety of improved hydroclone based fluid filtering systems are described. The hydroclones generally include a tank having an internal chamber and a filter (preferably a surface filter) that is positioned within the internal chamber. The filter defines a filtered fluid chamber within the internal chamber of the tank. The hydroclone may be operated such that a vortex of flowing fluid is formed between the chamber wall and the filter with the filter being located in the center of the vortex. With this arrangement, the filter acts as a cross-flow filter. In one aspect of the invention, the filter is a stepped filter. In another aspect of the invention, the filter is an surface filter, as for example, an electroformed metal surface filter. In some preferred embodiments, the openings in the filter are arranged as slots that extend substantially vertically so that they are oriented substantially perpendicular to the flow path of fluid flowing in the adjacent portion of the vortex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: David J. Levitt, Frank Dutro
  • 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