Vibrating Or Longitudinally Reciprocating Patents (Class 210/388)
  • Patent number: 6267250
    Abstract: An improved screen basket for use with a centrifuge includes two adjoining screen sections. The first screen section is formed from a wear resistant material and is located proximate to the point at which slurry is introduced into the basket. The length of the first screen section is chosen so that the majority of potential wear caused by the abrasive slurry occurs within the first section of the basket. The second screen section is preferably formed from less expensive materials, such as steel wedge wire. The second screen section smoothly joins the first screen section and provides for further dewatering or separation of the accelerated slurry so that a dry cake is produced by the centrifuge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, Incorporated
    Inventors: Wallace Woon Fong Leung, Nicholas R. Frohlich, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6251294
    Abstract: A self-regenerating filter unit having a housing which carries an ultrasonic transducer periodically energizable to dislodge caked solids from a filter element in the housing. The removed solids collect in a storage zone where they are periodically removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Judson Davis, Dan Michael Hausermann
  • Patent number: 6241101
    Abstract: An installation for separating and purifying solids from a suspension and/or for leaching out solid particles has a cylinder and a piston movable therein. A sealing part of the piston is in contact with the interior wall of the cylinder. A filter is positioned some distance away from the sealing part of the piston. A discharge chamber is located between the filter and the sealing part of the piston. A pump chamber is formed below the sealing part of the piston and a washing column chamber containing a packed bed of solid particles is formed above the filter. During a downward pump stroke of the piston, suspension is forced, via at least one connecting channel between the pump chamber and the washing column chamber, to the washing column chamber. During a compression stroke, liquid is brought via the filter to the discharge chamber and discharged via a discharge line. Solid particles, such as crystals, remain behind on the filter and are compressed against the packed bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Niro Process Technology B.V.
    Inventor: Jacobus Petrus Roodenrijs
  • Patent number: 6237780
    Abstract: A screen for a vibratory separator for screening fluid with material entrained therein introduced on the screen, the screen having, in certain aspects, a plurality of warp wires and a plurality of shute wires, the warp wires interwoven with the shute wires, the plurality of warp wires including a plurality of first warp wires and a plurality of spaced-apart support wires, the support wires having a diameter greater than a diameter of the warp wires. In another aspect, a screen for a vibratory separator for screening fluid with material entrained therein introduced on the screen, the screen having a plurality of warp wires and a plurality of shute wires, the warp wires interwoven with the shute wires, the plurality of shute wires including a plurality of first shute wires and a plurality of spaced-apart support wires, the support wires having a diameter greater than a diameter of the first shute wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Tuboscope I/P, Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Schulte
  • Patent number: 6221258
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for acoustically enhanced particle separation uses a chamber through which flows a fluid containing particles to be separated. A porous medium is disposed within the chamber. A transducer mounted on one wall of the chamber is powered to impose on the porous medium an acoustic field that is resonant to the chamber when filled with the fluid. Under the influence of the resonant acoustic field, the porous medium is able to trap particles substantially smaller than the average pore size of the medium. When the acoustic field is deactivated, the flowing fluid flushes the trapped particles from the porous medium and regenerates the medium. A collection circuit for harvesting the particles flushed from the porous medium is disclosed. Aluminum mesh, polyester foam, and unconsolidated glass beads are disclosed as porous media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Case Western Reserve University
    Inventors: Donald L. Feke, Sanjay Gupta, Zenon Mandralis
  • Patent number: 6213311
    Abstract: A filter having a device for countering the clogging of the filter for a fluid, in particular a liquid, includes a filtering element arranged in a filter cavity bounded by an outer casing, an ultrasound emitter coupled into the cavity, in the direction of the filtering element, in order to prevent the filtering element from becoming clogged during operation of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: E.I.F.
    Inventor: Philippe Coric
  • Patent number: 6195825
    Abstract: A waste-water treatment and recycling process that reduce water, energy and chemical consumption in commercial laundry operations. A portion of the warm waste water from each wash cycle is first passed through a vibrating shaker screen to remove particles larger than 70 microns and then filtered through a 1-5 micron medium in a tubular filtration unit. The clear-water filtrate is then heated to operating temperature and recycled to the wash cycle of the process through the hot-water feed system. Only unheated fresh water is used for the rinse cycle, thereby also providing make-up water to the system. For operations requiring low total dissolved solids, a nanofiltration unit is added downstream of the tubular filtration unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Wastewater Resources Inc.
    Inventor: Randall J. Jones
  • Patent number: 6177006
    Abstract: A filtering device includes a container having an inlet for introducing liquid to be treated, a screen provided in the container having an outlet for delivering out treated liquid, and flow creating means for creating, in said container, a flow of the liquid to be treated having a direction which is different from direction of a flow of the liquid to be treated into the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Inventor: Tadayoshi Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 6106727
    Abstract: An automated system for processing biological fluid includes a pressure differential generator, a biological fluid processing assembly, and an automated control arrangement coupled to at least one of the pressure differential generator and the biological fluid processing assembly. The automated system may include a porous medium, such as a red cell barrier medium, a leukocyte depletion medium, or a combination red cell barrier/leukocyte depletion medium. The automated system may also include a sensor producing a signal reflecting a parameter of fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Pall Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Krasnoff, Thomas J. Bormann, Thomas C. Gsell, Frank R. Pascale, Vlado I. Matkovich
  • Patent number: 6096210
    Abstract: A vibratory separator having a resiliently mounted housing with a vibratory drive. A screen extends across the housing and a cover is positionable over the screen. The screen includes a discharge port therethrough aligned with a discharge passage for removing material from the top of the screen from the system. Another discharge passage cooperates with a manifold plate extending across the separator beneath the screen. An access port is provided through the cover and arranged to receive a discharge plug which can selectively close the discharge hole through the screen. In operation, separating or dewatering is first accomplished, the energy level of the vibration is reduced and a vacuum is drawn above the screen. Bleed air is allowed into the separator below the screen with a restricted flow so that a vacuum can be drawn. Once the material has dried, the vibrational energy can be increased and the plug removed from the hole through the screen. The process material may then be discharged from the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Azar M. Hazrati, Bradley N. Jones, Keith J. King
  • Patent number: 6089380
    Abstract: A vibratory separator having a resiliently mounted housing with a vibratory drive. A screen extends across the housing and a cover is positionable over the screen. The screen includes a discharge port therethrough aligned with a discharge passage for removing material from the top of the screen from the system. Another discharge passage cooperates with a manifold plate extending across the separator beneath the screen. An access port is provided through the cover and arranged to receive a discharge plug which can selectively close the discharge hole through the screen. In operation, separating or dewatering is first accomplished, the energy level of the vibration is reduced and a vacuum is drawn above the screen. Bleed air is allowed into the separator below the screen with a restricted flow so that a vacuum can be drawn. Once the material has dried, the vibrational energy can be increased and the plug removed from the hole through the screen. The process material may then be discharged from the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Azar M. Hazrati, Bradley N. Jones, Keith J. King
  • Patent number: 6053332
    Abstract: A screening screen assembly for a vibratory screening machine including an apertured plate, and a subassembly of an undulating support screen and fine screening screen and finer screening screen bonded to each other by a fused plastic grid and bonded to the apertured plate. A method of fabricating a screening screen assembly for a vibratory screening machine including the steps of providing a support screen, superimposing a plastic grid onto the support screen, superimposing a finer screening screen onto the fine screening screen, applying heat and pressure to the superimposed screens to fuse the plastic grid and thereby form a flat bonded laminate subassembly by causing the fused plastic grid to permeate the fine screen and the finer screen and the support screen, forming the bonded laminate subassembly into an undulating shape, providing an apertured plate, and bonding the undulating bonded subassembly to the apertured plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Derrick Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: John J. Bakula
  • Patent number: 6053331
    Abstract: A new type of non-tensioned shaker filter for a shaker machine. The shaker filter is comprised of layers of wire cloth that are bonded together without a rigid backing and are corrugated. Left and right side edges are provided on the left and right sides of the filter, respectively, in order to protect the user from injury from sharp edges and to seal the filter to ledge provided on a non-tensioned means for securing the filter to the shaker. Front and back edges of the filter are provided with front and back lips respectively on a bottom side of the filter in order to protect the user from injury from sharp edges and to seal the filter to the non-tensioned means for securing the filter to the shaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Inventor: William M. Cravello
  • Patent number: 6042735
    Abstract: Process and device for draining a fibrous pulp suspension. The process may include positioning two surfaces to converge in a downstream direction, feeding the fibrous pulp suspension between the two converging surfaces, driving at least one of the two converging surfaces to move the suspension with a relative translational velocity, and draining the fibrous pulp suspension through each of the two surfaces. The device may include two arcuate surfaces positioned to form converging surfaces. One of the two arcuate surfaces may include a drivable, pivotable, and rotatable cylinder having an outer sleeve with openings, the other of the two arcuate surfaces may include a screen positioned to be guided around at least a portion of the outer sleeve. The screen and the openings may form drains for draining the fluid pulp suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Stoffaufbereitung GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Gommel, Herbert Holik, Josef Schneid
  • Patent number: 6000556
    Abstract: A screening screen assembly for a vibratory screening machine including an apertured plate having side edge portions with first apertured bands extending between the side edge portions and second unapertured bands alternating with the first bands, the second bands having a wider width than the borders between the apertures in the first band, and an undulating screening screen having ridges and troughs between the ridges extending crosswise to the first and second plate bands and being secured thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Derrick Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: John J. Bakula
  • Patent number: 5985160
    Abstract: A filtration process and apparatus are provided wherein feed fluid to be filtered is introduced into a small gap between two rectangular plates. At least one of the plates supports a porous filtration membrane within the gap. During filtration, at least one of the plates is oscillated to effect a continuously changing gradient of gap width between opposing surfaces of the plate. A permeate is collected and a seal is provided to prevent admixture of the permeate with either feed fluid or retentate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignees: Millipore Corporation, Atlantic Applied Research Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony J. DiLeo, Michael W. Phillips, Neal A. Brown
  • Patent number: 5968356
    Abstract: The invention resides in apparatus and methods for isolating and collecting cells from donor tissue for later use in medical procedures. The apparatus includes a sealed enclosure, at least one screening material inside the enclosure, an inlet port configured to conduct a fluid through the screening material, and an outlet port for receiving the fluid from the screening material and conducting the fluid out of the enclosure. A material to be screened is placed inside or conducted into the enclosure. Screened material is entrained in the fluid. The fluid carries bits of the material through the screening material and out of the enclosure for later separation from the fluid. Preferred embodiments include a series of screening materials of decreasing pore size, usually in the range from ten to one thousand micrometers in diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: PacFab, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugenio Morsiani, Jacek Rozga, Achilles A. Demetriou
  • Patent number: 5958236
    Abstract: A screening screen assembly for a vibratory screening machine including an apertured plate, and a subassembly of an undulating support screen and fine screening screen and finer screening screen bonded to each other by a fused plastic grid and bonded to the apertured plate. A method of fabricating a screening screen assembly for a vibratory screening machine including the steps of providing a support screen, superimposing a plastic grid onto the support screen, superimposing a finer screening screen onto the fine screening screen, applying heat and pressure to the superimposed screens to fuse the plastic grid and thereby form a flat bonded laminate subassembly by causing the fused plastic grid to permeate the fine screen and the finer screen and the support screen, forming the bonded laminate subassembly into an undulating shape, providing an apertured plate, and bonding the undulating bonded subassembly to the apertured plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Derrick Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: John J. Bakula
  • Patent number: 5951864
    Abstract: A vibratory separator having a resiliently mounted housing with a vibratory drive. A screen extends across the housing and a cover is positionable over the screen. The screen includes a discharge port therethrough aligned with a discharge passage for removing material from the top of the screen from the system. Another discharge passage cooperates with a manifold plate extending across the separator beneath the screen. An access port is provided through the cover and arranged to receive a discharge plug which can selectively close the discharge hole through the screen. In operation, separating or dewatering is first accomplished, the energy level of the vibration is reduced and a vacuum is drawn above the screen. Bleed air is allowed into the separator below the screen with a restricted flow so that a vacuum can be drawn. Once the material has dried, the vibrational energy can be increased and the plug removed from the hole through the screen. The process material may then be discharged from the unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Azar M. Hazrati, Bradley N. Jones, Keith J. King
  • Patent number: 5944993
    Abstract: A screen assembly for a vibratory screening machine including a frame in the nature of a plate having spaced apertures therein, spaced frame members on opposite sides of the apertures, a screen formed in an undulating shape having substantially parallel ridges with downwardly sloping sides, troughs formed between the downwardly sloping sides for conducting material which is being screened, undersides on the troughs, bonds for securing the undersides of the troughs to the spaced frame members which are located on opposite sides of the apertures, and channels at the sides of the plate for securing the frame to a vibratory screening machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Derrick Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: William W. Derrick, John J. Bakula
  • Patent number: 5942336
    Abstract: A method for recycling contaminated flush water from a wet electrostatic precipitator emission control system in a wood panel fabrication process. The recycled flush water containing solid byproducts from the emission control system is combined with wood products in a wood panel fabrication mix in a predetermined ratio of flush water to wood products, resulting in a finished wood panel having improved internal bond strengths and formaldehyde scavenging capacity without the need for excess binding resins and formaldehyde scavengers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Inventors: Blaine F. Sorenson, Gary A. Raemhild
  • Patent number: 5924445
    Abstract: A fuel intake device (20) for a fuel system (10) having a fuel tank (14) for containing a supply of fuel (16) and an internal fuel feed line (18) which is disposed internally of the fuel tank (14). The fuel intake device (20) is operative to provide uninterrupted fuel flow in icing conditions and is characterized by a flexible fuel filter (40) having a plurality of primary flow apertures (42) apertures therein for facilitating a primary flow P.sub.F of fuel therethrough, a bypass means (50) for providing a secondary flow S.sub.F of fuel to the internal fuel feed line (18) when an accumulation of ice (80) restricts the primary flow P.sub.F of fuel through the primary flow apertures (42), and force bias means (60) for rapidly reconfiguring the flexible fuel filter (40) for forcibly shedding the accumulation of ice (80), thereby restoring the primary flow P.sub.F of fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Gregg J. Ambrose, John A. Roncallo
  • Patent number: 5900147
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter medium particularly for filtering in a suction drier. According to the invention, the filter medium is manufactured of a material that can be made to oscillate essentially at a standard frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Outokumpu Mintec Oy
    Inventor: Bjarne Ekberg
  • Patent number: 5876552
    Abstract: A screening screen assembly for a vibratory screening machine including an apertured plate or frame, and a bonded subassembly of an undulating support screen and fine screening screen and finer screening screen bonded to each other by a fused plastic grid and bonded to the apertured plate or frame. A method of fabricating a screening screen assembly for a vibratory screening machine including the steps of providing a support screen, superimposing a plastic grid onto the support screen, superimposing a finer screening screen onto the fine screening screen, applying heat and pressure to the superimposed screens to fuse the plastic grid and thereby form a flat bonded laminate subassembly by causing the fused plastic grid to permeate the fine screen and the finer screen and the support screen, forming the bonded laminate subassembly into an undulating shape, providing an apertured plate or frame, and bonding the undulating bonded subassembly to the apertured plate or frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Derrick Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: John J. Bakula
  • Patent number: 5868925
    Abstract: A filtering assembly for separating solids suspended in a solution includes a control device closing a plurality of supply devices for the solution to be filtered and for washing liquid and opening a drain valve of an outlet of the assembly in response to a critical level of accumulation of solids on a pulp detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Inventor: Attilio Turchetti
  • Patent number: 5868929
    Abstract: A screen assembly for a vibratory screening machine including a frame in the nature of a plate having spaced apertures therein, spaced frame members on opposite sides of the apertures, a screen formed in an undulating shape having substantially parallel ridges with downwardly sloping sides, troughs formed between the downwardly sloping sides for conducting material which is being screened, undersides on the troughs, bonds for securing the undersides of the troughs to the spaced frame members which are located on opposite sides of the apertures, and channels at the sides of the plate for securing the frame to a vibratory screening machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Derrick Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: William W. Derrick, John J. Bakula
  • Patent number: 5853583
    Abstract: A multi-functional linear motion shaker includes a rectangular outer support frame with a tank, often referred to as a "possum belly", for receiving the incoming drilling fluid flow. A set of adjustable louvers and a tray is positioned on the side of the tank. The adjustable louvers and tray serve to screen out the larger and stickier drill cuttings or solids. A vibrating deck assembly is positioned within the outer support frame adjacent the tank and tray assembly. The vibrating deck assembly is of a double deck design whose upper and lower decks include cross members to support the mud screens. The upper and lower decks are vertically spaced apart and connected together into one unit by vertical structural members. A moveable plate is positioned on the upper deck adjacent the adjustable louvers and tray. This moveable plate can be positioned to direct drilling fluid flow to the upper deck or repositioned to redirect fluid flow to the lower deck and bypass the upper deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Kem-Tron Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dilipkumar P. Shah
  • Patent number: 5851391
    Abstract: The sludge dewatering treatment apparatus of the present invention is provided with a cylinder that has a large number of pipe members arranged in the axial direction and secured around its inner surface, that is divided axially into two halves so as to allow opening and closing, and that is vertically installed in a frame. A rotating pipe shaft that is capable of both rotating and moving up and down is provided in an axial direction at the center of this cylinder. The rotating pipe shaft can receive sludge at an opening in its upper end from the outlet of a sludge holding hopper installed on the frame, and discharges the received sludge into a filter from sludge outflow ports. A cylindrical filter is provided that surrounds the rotating pipe shaft, the upper end of the filter being attached to the rotating pipe shaft and the lower end of the filter being attached to an opening in the base plate of the frame. The cylindrical filter takes in the sludge from the outflow ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Cosmic Round Company
    Inventor: Keiichi Ozawa
  • Patent number: 5814218
    Abstract: A screen for use with a vibrating screening machine to filter undesired particles from a liquid uses a filter cloth having a substantially rectangular mesh suitable for separating the undesired particles from the liquid bonded in laminar relationship to a back-up having a substantially coarser mesh. The substantially rectangular mesh is formed by a lengthwise array of parallel individual wires woven with a transverse widthwise array of parallel groups of at least three wires. The individual wires are distorted from rectangular proximate the ends of the rectangles by bows in the individual wires at their area of intersection with each of the parallel groups of wires. This configuration provides improved throughput and life characteristics over known screens. A plastic grid of mesh substantially greater than the back-up mesh may be fused to the bonded lamination of the filter cloth and the back-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Inventor: William S. Cagle
  • Patent number: 5810172
    Abstract: A method for recycling contaminated flush water from a wet electrostatic precipitator emission control system in a wood panel fabrication process. The recycled flush water containing solid byproducts from the emission control system is combined with wood products in a wood panel fabrication mix in a predetermined ratio of flush water to wood products, resulting in a finished wood panel having improved internal bond strengths and formaldehyde scavenging capacity without the need for excess binding resins and formaldehyde scavengers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventors: Blaine F. Sorenson, Gary A. Raemhild
  • Patent number: 5811003
    Abstract: A separator screen installation system for a shaker separator device, including an improved wedge block and vertical screen rail which provide rapid and secure screen installation and reduced accumulation of solids on the upstream end of the wedge blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Phoenix Energy Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Grant Young, Richard Gifford
  • Patent number: 5783077
    Abstract: A screening screen assembly for a vibratory screening machine including an apertured plate, and a bonded subassembly of an undulating support screen and fine screening screen and finer screening screen bonded to each other by a fused plastic grid and bonded to the apertured plate. A method of fabricating a screening screen assembly for a vibratory screening machine including the steps of providing a support screen, superimposing a plastic grid onto the support screen, superimposing a finer screening screen onto the fine screening screen, applying heat and pressure to the superimposed screens to fuse the plastic grid and thereby form a flat bonded laminate subassembly by causing the fused plastic grid to permeate the fine screen and the finer screen and the support screen, forming the bonded laminate subassembly into an undulating shape, providing an apertured plate, and bonding the undulating bonded subassembly to the apertured plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Derrick Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: John J. Bakula
  • Patent number: 5720881
    Abstract: A screen assembly for a vibratory screening machine including a frame in the nature of a plate having spaced apertures therein, spaced frame members on opposite sides of the apertures, a screen formed in an undulating shape having substantially parallel ridges with downwardly sloping sides, troughs formed between the downwardly sloping sides for conducting material which is being screened, undersides on the troughs, bonds for securing the undersides of the troughs to the spaced frame members which are located on opposite sides of the apertures, and channels at the sides of the plate for securing the frame to a vibratory screening machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Derrick Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: William W. Derrick, John J. Bakula
  • Patent number: 5681453
    Abstract: This invention relates to a vertical vessel, particularly a continuous pulp digestion vessel, wherein fiber materials suspended in liquid pass downwardly past screens through which treatment liquid is withdrawn. The screens are reciprocated vertically up and down utilizing a piston and cylinder assembly. The piston moves downwardly on the pressure from a pump and returns upwardly on the influence of the interior digester pressure during normal digester operation. The positioning of the pistons on the inside of the screens provides many advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Kvaerner Pulping Technologies Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Johan Richter, Ole Richter
  • Patent number: 5667682
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering a fluid containing contaminants is provided whereby the apparatus includes an inlet for drawing fluid from a fluid source, a housing having attached thereto the inlet, a contaminant outlet, a clean outlet, a filtering assembly and a mechanism for agitating the filtering assembly. The filtering assembly has an upper or upstream end connected to the inlet and a lower or downstream end connected to the contaminant outlet. The filtering assembly is disposed within the housing and is connected to the contaminant outlet whereby fluid is introduced to the filter assembly at an upper end of the filtering assembly by the fluid inlet and whereby fluid is passed through the filtering assembly to provide clean, filtered fluid which is discharged via the clean outlet, and debris and other contaminants contained in the fluid are separated from the fluid and retained by the filtering assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Water Renewal Systems L.P.
    Inventor: Kenneth Edward Laird
  • Patent number: 5653889
    Abstract: A filter element surface is coated with particulate polyamide which serves as a filter aid to trap polyamide oligomers suspended in water. The particulate polyamide is preferably coated onto a surface of a bag filter so that polyamide oligomers flowing through the coated bag filter surface will adhere to the polyamide particles forming an oligomer cake thereon which encapsulates the polyamide particles. Momentarily equalling the pressure differential across, or reversing flow through, the coated bag filter surface (i.e., back-pulsing) will cause the oligomer cake and polyamide particles encapsulated thereby to break into relatively large-sized solid aggregate particles which may be easily recovered. Since the polyamide particles which are encapsulated by the oligomer cake are chemically compatible with one another, the entire particulate aggregate may be subjected to depolymerization processing so as to recover monomers from which the polyamide is formed (e.g., caprolactam).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventor: Karl H. Buchanan
  • Patent number: 5653944
    Abstract: This invention is related to a slurry filtration device and the wet lime-gypsum flue-gas desulfurization system comprising a slurry filtration device for the separation (concentration) of gypsum. The slurry filtration device comprises tank that has a slurry supply pipe at its upper part and a filtrate-drain hole at its bottom, a layer of filter sand lying on its bottom, a slurry accumulator arranged on the layer of filter sand, and a vibrator set in said slurry accumulator for vibrating the slurry. The present invention not only improves the solid-liquid separability remarkably but also saves cost and space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Taku Shimizu, Koichiro Iwashita, Yoshikazu Endo, Masakazu Onizuka, Toru Takashina
  • Patent number: 5616245
    Abstract: A separator includes a housing, a basket rotatably mounted in the housing and a movable weir member. The basket has an upstream end portion, a downstream end portion and an intermediate tubular portion that includes or forms a screen deck. The weir member is movable between a first position where a portion of the weir member extends radially inward relative to the inner surface of the downstream open end portion and a second position spaced from the first position. In this manner, the weir member forms a movable dam adjacent the downstream end portion of the basket. In operation, feed material is fed into the basket as the basket is rotated. The heavy fractions of the material pass transversely through the basket (i.e., the tubular portion that forms a screen deck) and report to a first outlet from which the heavy fractions are collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: HJS Clem AG
    Inventor: Michael C. Albrecht
  • Patent number: 5614094
    Abstract: A vibrating screen unit for dewatering dredged material. The vibrating screen unit includes a frame and a top screen deck, a middle screen deck and a bottom screen deck. The middle screen deck includes a splitter which extends across the width of the frame and comprises alternating closed channels and screen rows which alternate across the width of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Deister Machine Co., Inc.
    Inventors: E. Mark Deister, Dale A. Loshe
  • Patent number: 5582727
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning, desanding, and desilting drilling mud which contains unwanted solids utilizes an enclosure divided into a plurality of compartments connected with a system of vibratory screen shaker separators, desanders, and desilters. Drilling mud is separated by a primary vibratory shaker into coarse solids which is discarded and screened liquid mud which enters a first compartment and is further separated by a desander cyclone into a lighter liquid mud faction and a heavier liquid mud faction. The lighter faction is sent back to the first compartment and recycles, the heavier faction is further separated by a second vibratory shaker and enters a second compartment, and the solids are discarded. The liquid mud from the second compartment is further separated by manifolded desilter cyclones into a heavier faction and a lighter faction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Inventor: Mike L. Foster
  • Patent number: 5547574
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for filtering slurries of minerals or other fine particles. The apparatus includes a filter plate having an interior porous support layer and a microporous metal filtration layer overlying the support layer, the pore sizes in the filtration layer preferably being in the range of from about 0.2 to 3 microns. The side of the filtration layer non-adjacent the support layer constitutes a filter surface for the mineral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: ECC International Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Ginn, Gary L. Cobb, Lawrence E. Broxton, Kelly R. McNeely
  • Patent number: 5545338
    Abstract: A method for filtering an aqueous mineral slurry and collection of the mineral as product. The slurry is flowed through a filter plate of the type characterized by a porous support layer and an overlying microporous metal filtration layer, with flow through the filter plate during filtration being from the filtration layer side toward the base layer and being effected by establishing a fluid pressure differential across the filter plate. The filtration layer preferably comprises a sintered metal, with a relatively narrow pore size distribution, i.e. one wherein substantially all of the pores are less than 5 .mu.m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: ECC International Inc.
    Inventors: Michael W. Ginn, Gary L. Cobb, Lawrence E. Broxton, Kelly R. McNeely
  • Patent number: 5536367
    Abstract: A pulp digester having a number of screening/cleaning units mounted within the digester. Each unit has a screen member and a cleaning propeller which is mounted adjacent the inner surface of the screen member. There is for each unit a hydraulic motor which is positioned entirely within the digester housing, and which rotates the propeller. Hydraulic lines extends through sealed openings in the digester wall and power is supplied from an exterior hydraulic pump which is controlled by a valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Inventor: Reijo K. Salminen
  • Patent number: 5520822
    Abstract: An apparatus for hyperbaric filtration includes a sealable filtering vessel including an internal filtering cavity. A porous filtering plate is mounted in the vessel. The filtering plate divides the cavity into a first chamber wherein the filter cake is held by the filtering plate and a second chamber. A pressurized fluid source is connected by a delivery conduit to the filtering vessel so as to allow the delivery of pressurized fluid to the first chamber. An exhaust conduit is connected to the filtering vessel in communication with the second chamber. A rotary flow control valve in the exhaust conduit is connected to a drive motor so that fluid pressure may be released in a pulsating manner. This serves to vibrate the filter cake and filtering plate freeing moisture for removal with the passage of the pulsating pressurized fluid from the vessel. A circuit is also provided for supplying an electric current to the filter cake during filtering so as to further improve filtering efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventor: Fuhua Sun
  • Patent number: 5462673
    Abstract: A vibratory screen apparatus (10) for the separation of solids has a cleaning system to clean the screen bed (15) of adhering solids, such as matted fibrous materials. A water discharge assembly (52) includes a water dispensing tubular member (60) in which elongate slots (76, 78) are provided to discharge pressurized water in a continuous stream or curtain across the entire width of the screen bed (15). The water dispensing tubular member (60) is mounted on a movable slide (54) for back and forth movement along the length of the screen bed (15) by a sprocket chain (72). An endless belt conveyor (104) has an upper run (108) on which the solid materials are deposited enclosed within a tubular conduit (114) for protection of the solid materials being transported by the conveyer (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Triton Engineering Services Company
    Inventor: George E. Piers
  • Patent number: 5462677
    Abstract: A filter belt movement control and belt treatment means for a pressure filter apparatus. The movement control includes a marking means in or on the filter belt medium and a sensing means on the filter apparatus. The sensing means detecting the position of the marking means in or on the belt filter medium and adapted to signal a controller for control of the position of the belt filter medium within the apparatus. The treatment means including cleaning, bathing and coating means for treating the belt filter medium and vibratory means for operation with the treating means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Inventor: Steve C. Benesi
  • Patent number: 5449468
    Abstract: In a chamber filter press (11), two respective filter cloths (13), which enclose a filter plate (12) located therebetween, are fastened on said plate by means of a connecting part (18) and on the underside (19) thereof by means of lashings (14). The filter cloths (13) are free laterally with respect to the filter plates (12) and, when the chamber filter press (11) is open, they can be stretched apart from one another. The upper ends of the filter cloths (13) are provided with eyelets (20). In this arrangement, two adjacent filter cloths (13', 13") are fastened together on a series (21') of springs (21) which, for their part, are suspended on a mobile crossmember (22). The latter is supported on the chamber filter press such that it can be displaced parallel to the charging channel (17) and can move vertically. It is preferably supported on sliding guides or rails (23) which, for their part, may be supported on the chamber filter press (11) such that they can move in the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Gerhard Trummel
    Inventor: Fritz Trummel
  • Patent number: 5445738
    Abstract: A vibrating filter has a housing, a separation member, a filter, and a vibrator. The housing defines an outlet chamber and a filter chamber, and the separation member secures within the housing to separate the outlet chamber and the filter chamber. The filter secures within the filter chamber. The filter has an outlet matable with at least one hole in the separation member so that the filter is in fluid communication with the outlet chamber. The vibrator rigidly secures solely to the separation member for vibrating the separation member, thereby vibrating the filter. The vibrating filter also preferably has a cover for the outlet chamber and a vibration isolating structure secured between the separation member and the cover for dampening vibration to the cover which is imparted to the separation member by the vibrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Inventors: Darrel D. Fry, William R. Wells, Malcolm R. McDonald
  • Patent number: 5423993
    Abstract: A system for recovering fiber from sludge by-products generated in a pulp and paper mill. Initially, heavy materials are separated from a sludge flow, with the flow thereafter separated into first and second components. High grade fiber is recovered from the first component by centrifugal cleaners and also by optional fine pressure screens. The second component is forwarded to a refiner which breaks-down the second component to form a low grade pulp. In addition, after removal of the high grade fiber, remnants from the first component flow are forwarded to an additional separator such as a liquid cyclone, which removes sand, grit and ash, and thereafter the remnants of the first component can be sent to the refiner for forming a low grade pulp. Thus, the sludge is essentially separated into four components including: (1) high grade pulp; (2) low grade pulp; (3) heavy materials; and (4) sand, grit and ash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignees: John A. Boney, David E. Kelley
    Inventor: John A. Boney, Jr.
  • Patent number: RE35559
    Abstract: A unit for the dehydration of sludges, particularly for purification plants including a support structure (10) supporting a vibration causing device (24), at least a collection reservoir (11) of sludges positioned above the support structure (10) and having at least one discharge outlet (12) on the bottom, at least a bag-shaped filtering container (14) having an opening engageable to the discharge outlet (12) feeding means (25) to feed the sludges into the collection reservoir (11), collecting means (23) to collect the filtered liquids from the filtering container (14), and at least a control unit (34) to control at least the feeding means (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Inventor: Graziano Lagreca