Noncarburetor Patents (Class 261/79.2)
  • Patent number: 8146893
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for generating and tracing vortices include an actuator that is moved through a fluid is such a fashion as to produce a difference in pressure between two faces, so that the fluid is drawn from an area of higher pressure into an area of lower pressure around an edge of the actuator, thereby producing a vortex. A vortex generator produces vortices in air or other fluid, without an external chamber being required. The rotational velocity of such a vortex is greater than the rotational velocity of the actuator. The shape, size, and strength of the vortices can be controlled by varying one or more of the size, shape, and speed of the apparatus' actuator including its leading and trailing edges, height of the actuator above the surface, and the angles between the plane of the actuator and the motion through the fluid. A vortex may be visualized easily using a tracing material which is introduced into the vortex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Timothy Allen Zapalski
  • Patent number: 8128741
    Abstract: A dissolving apparatus has a cylindrical tubular container closed at both ends with its center axis being inclined to the horizon. A center of an interface between a gas and a liquid in the container is positioned at a center in a lengthwise direction of a side wall of the container. Two inner spaces of the container above and below the interface are referred to as a gas section and a liquid section. An injection inlet for injecting a gas-liquid mixed fluid into the container is provided at a level corresponding to, or lower than, the interface. A liquid outlet for discharging the liquid is provided near a bottom of the liquid section of the container. Since the container is inclined, the interface can have an area large enough to promote dissolution of the gas into the liquid. Since the depth of the liquid in the liquid section is sufficiently deep, the liquid can be prevented from being discharged through the liquid outlet with large gas bubbles being present therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasunari Maeda, Shigeyuki Yamaguchi, Kazumasa Rokushima, Naoki Shibata, Hitoshi Kitamura, Noriyuki Kitachi, Yoshihiro Itou, Takaya Niu
  • Publication number: 20120032358
    Abstract: A device for the injection and mixing of steam into a fluid stream. The device is intended to be used in a substantially cylindrically-shaped primary conduit having a longitudinal axis and circular cross-section for carrying the fluid stream. The primary conduit is provided with an inlet for accepting the fluid stream and an outlet for discharging the fluid stream along the longitudinal axis. A secondary conduit is joined to the primary conduit for discharging steam within the fluid stream along the longitudinal axis. A biscuit element is provided of sintered tungsten having upstream and downstream circular faces sized to fit within the primary conduit along its interior wall having a geometric center coincident with the longitudinal axis and having a plurality of openings, each having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the primary conduit. Each opening is provided with a mixing element that induces a rotational angular velocity to the fluid stream passing therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Robert S. Smith
  • Publication number: 20110309535
    Abstract: A packed column includes a regular packing (8) and a liquid distribution plate (5). The regular packing (8) is constructed by combining two or more hollow columns, and the hollow columns each have a cross section of circular shape, hexagonal shape or other shapes. The liquid distribution plate (5) has small holes under which liquid guide tubes (4) are connected. The liquid guide tubes (4) lead to all hollow columns of the packing (8). The liquid distribution plate (5) is horizontally installed above the regular packing (8) in a column body (2). Each gas guide plate (11) is made by rotating and twisting a rectangular plate and has several protrusions (12) on its side. The gas guide plates (11) are installed in the hollow columns of the regular packing (8) with the height slightly smaller than that of the hollow columns. A gas outlet (3) is located between the regular packing (8) and the liquid distribution plate (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: NANJING COLLEGE OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Jinlin Ji, Lixin Tang
  • Patent number: 7997563
    Abstract: There is provided a micro-bubble generator including a swirling-flow generating vane nozzle and vortex breakdown nozzle connected coaxially to each other. The swirling flow generating vane nozzle produces a swirling flow of a liquid having a gas introduced to the center thereof from a gas feeding unit. The swirling flow is supplied to a flow constricting section included in the vortex breakdown nozzle to provide micro bubbles from a vortex breakdown section also included in the vortex breakdown nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: National University Corporation University of Tsukuba
    Inventors: Harumichi Abe, Kazuo Matsuuchi, Minoru Iidaka
  • Patent number: 7975991
    Abstract: Disclosed is a gas-liquid contact system. The system includes a vessel arranged approximately perpendicular to the ground in a longitudinal direction, a static fluid mixer in the vessel having a passage tube and a spiral blade provided in the passage tube, a gas supplier supplying gas having foreign substances to the static fluid mixer from a lower end of the vessel, a gas discharger discharging the gas passed through the static fluid mixer from an upper end of the vessel, a first liquid supplier supplying liquid to the static fluid mixer, and a liquid discharger discharging the liquid supplied from the first liquid supplier outside of the vessel. In the system, the gas supplier includes a gas generator generating gas, a pipe connecting the gas generator with the vessel, a blowing device provided in the pipe, and a second liquid supplier supplying liquid to the pipe between the gas generator and the blowing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Anemos Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisao Kojima
  • Publication number: 20110127682
    Abstract: The device is of the frustum dispersion type having a housing forming a conical cavity, sealed at its large end, tapering to a discharge orifice at the other end. There is a fluid inlet, which tangential to the cavity near the sealed end. There is a hollow, tapered helix cut cone shape in the center of the cavity, affixed to the sealed end, with the point thereof axially aligned with the discharge orifice to help enable the continuous swirling motion of the contained fluid and to act as a gas inlet port to start the formation of a gas vortex. As fluid in the cavity approaches the discharge orifice, it is accelerated because of the reduction of area inside the cavity as it tapers. The change in specific gravities between the fluid and the gas causes a swirling centrifugal force on the liquid and a centripetal inner swirling of the gas. The result is at the point of discharge, the fluid is heavily loaded with small bubbles of gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: BLUE PLANET ENVIRONMENTAL INC.
    Inventors: David Burns, Jason Yeo, Richard Lonetto
  • Publication number: 20110110181
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for mixing and/or blending fluids in a pressurized container, where fluids flow through an elongated blunt ended stinger and/or an inwardly chamfered ended stinger within the container, where under controlled pressure the fluids are substantially mixed or blended within the container. An optional diffuser plate adjacent the stinger end may be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Peter Douglas Jack, Nels Robert Ladouceur
  • Patent number: 7874547
    Abstract: Reduced size evaporative cooling apparatus utilizes a convex flare at the outlet of the apparatus to control air flow exiting the apparatus and cause air to flow along a helical path that produces an updraft off the ground below the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Inventors: Larry R. Gordon, Jon E. Jelen
  • Patent number: 7841585
    Abstract: A separation tray, suitable for mounting in a vertical column, for separating liquid/gas mixtures. The separation tray has horizontal upper and lower walls and a plurality of primary separation devices for separating a fluid into a primary gas and a liquid-enriched secondary gas. The invention is characterized by a secondary separation zone located in the inner free space between the upper and lower walls and the primary separation devices. Liquid-enriched secondary gas is removed through outlets in the primary separation devices and guided downwardly by return skirts into the inner free space, whereupon the entrained liquid in the liquid-enriched secondary gas is substantially removed from the secondary gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Gerrit Konijn
  • Patent number: 7832028
    Abstract: A fine-bubble generator is capable of supplying a fluid mixed with a large quantity of fine bubbles into a fluid without causing an unnecessary liquid flow and turbulent flow in the objective fluid. The fine-bubble generator is constructed by arranging two fine-bubble generating sections in a rectangular parallelepiped casing with spouts of the fine-bubble generating sections facing each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignees: Tashizen Techno Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Yayama, Hisatsune Nashiki, Ichiro Teshiba, Tatsuhiko Takase, Hironori Tanaka, Takaaki Iwasaki
  • Publication number: 20100258427
    Abstract: Vapor-liquid contacting apparatuses, for example reactors and distillation columns (as well as reactive distillation apparatuses), comprising a vessel with one or more vortex contacting stages, are described. The one or more stages provide high interfacial area for the effective contacting of the different phases, in addition to the effective disengagement of these phases after contacting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventor: Gavin P. TOWLER
  • Patent number: 7780151
    Abstract: A mixer assembly and a method for forming a fuel-air mixture is combinable with a burner system of a heat engine, especially a gas turbine plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard Carroni
  • Publication number: 20100193445
    Abstract: Methods and systems for processing of liquids using compressed gases or compressed air are disclosed. In addition, methods and systems for mixing of liquids are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: David Livshits, Lester Teichner
  • Patent number: 7744070
    Abstract: An external gas humidifier for fuel cell transfers recycled high-temperature waste heat produced by the fuel cell to a reactant gas, such as hydrogen or air, which is guided into the external gas humidifier. The heated reactant gas is treated in the external gas humidifier to effectively increase the moisture content of the reactant gas within a shortened time. When the humidified reactant gas enters into the fuel cell, it enables a polymeric membrane in the fuel cell to be well humidified to thereby enhance the power generation efficiency and service life of the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Lung-Yu Sung, Jar-Lu Huang
  • Patent number: 7744067
    Abstract: A mass and/or heat transfer column is provided with a multiphase vapor distributor with distributes a vapor stream about the inner periphery of the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Stone & Webster Process Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sabah A. Kurukchi, Joseph M. Gondolfe, John A. Stippick, Kenneth J. Fewel, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7731163
    Abstract: An eductor including an inlet channel, a mixing channel, and a flowpath, designed for the improved mixing of a relatively large volume of water with gas while utilizing a relatively small amount of power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Laurent Olivier
  • Patent number: 7703752
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and equipment for dissolving a gas or a gas mixture in a liquid. The liquid is introduced into a chamber (6) via an inlet (2), in connection with which an eddy movement is created in the chamber for mixing the gas and liquid. The gas may be introduced into the liquid before the liquid is introduced into the chamber and/or the gas may be introduced directly into the chamber. The liquid with the dissolved gas is removed via an outlet (4). The gas is dissolved in the liquid by the eddy rotating about a mainly horizontal axis. With the present invention, satisfactory dissolution can be achieved with minimal energy consumption. The present invention is particularly well suited to oxygenating salt water, for example in connection with fish farming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Yara International ASA
    Inventors: Morten Emilsen, Svein Bekken, Roger Abrahamsen
  • Patent number: 7694944
    Abstract: A nozzle for atomizing a liquid using a gas. The nozzle includes a mixing chamber (1), one or more liquid inlets (6c) and at least one tangential gas inlet (5) to the mixing chamber. An outlet (4) is positioned at the downstream end of the mixing chamber (1). A center body (2) having a generally converging configuration, seen in the flow direction, is provided in the mixing chamber (1). The liquid inlet (6c) or inlets is/are positioned at or near the upstream end (3a) of the mixing chamber (1) and in the upstream direction with respect to the gas inlet (5) or inlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Niro A/S
    Inventors: Niels Gottlieb, Per Bo Sørensen, Heinz Wullschleger
  • Patent number: 7673856
    Abstract: A vaporizer has gas passage formed inside of main body of a dispersion part, a gas inlet opening to introduce pressurized carrier gas into gas passage, a part to supply raw materials solution to carrier gas passing gas passage, a gas outlet to send carrier gas including dispersed raw material solution to vaporization part, a dispersion part to flow through gas passage having a part to cool, a vaporization pipe connected with a reaction part and gas outlet of dispersion part of the device, and a heater to heat vaporization pipe is provided, a vaporization part to heat and vaporizes the carrier gas where raw materials solution is dispersed is provided, and a radiation prevention portion having small hole for the outside of gas outlet is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Watanabe Shoko
    Inventors: Masayuki Toda, Masaki Kusuhara, Masaru Umeda, Mitsuru Fukagawa
  • Patent number: 7669837
    Abstract: A process for producing carbonated water having a high concentration, inexpensively and easily, involves using a static mixer having 20 to 100 elements so as to provide a value Re×N of 100,000 to 2,000,000, in with Re represents a Reynolds number, when a mixture of water and carbonic acid gas flow in the static mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken Ooyachi, Hiroki Sakakibara, Satoshi Suzuki, Hiroshi Tasaka, Masaaki Satou
  • Patent number: 7651074
    Abstract: This invention concerns an apparatus and a method for producing carbonated water capable of obtaining high concentration carbonated water effectively. Carbon dioxide gas is passed through a first carbon dioxide gas dissolver composed of a membrane module to be dissolved in water and the carbonated water passing through the first carbon dioxide gas dissolver is passed through a static mixer, which is a second carbon dioxide gas dissolver. Consequently, a high concentration carbonated water can be obtained remarkably, effectively and easily with a simpler structure than conventionally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Rayon Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken Ooyachi, Hiroki Sakakibara, Hiroshi Tasaka, Masaaki Satou, Masanori Itakura, Katsuya Sanai
  • Patent number: 7628924
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for more effectively dissolving a gas into a liquid stream. A gas is introduced into a liquid stream, at atmospheric pressure, to create a mixed/dissolved stream. The mixed/dissolved stream is then pressurized to an elevated pressure and directed into a hydrocyclone where the gas is further dissolved and more thoroughly distributed in the liquid thereby creating a more intimately mixed/dissolved stream. The intimately mixed/dissolved stream is then directed to a pressure retention vessel where the liquid is held at a predetermined pressure for a predetermined time period for effectively treating, disinfecting and/or clarifying said intimately mixed/dissolved stream. The treated intimately mixed/dissolved stream can then be directed to further processing steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Inventors: Nels Robert Ladouceur, Peter Douglas Jack
  • Patent number: 7624970
    Abstract: A process for producing a solution of a gas in a liquid in which the gas is soluble, the solution having a predetermined concentration up to saturation. The gas and the liquid are brought together under controlled supply in a proportion corresponding to the predetermined concentration of the solution, and the gas and the liquid are caused to form a stream passing through a common conduit. The gas and the liquid in the stream are caused to intermix under the action of gravity, and the intermixing is repeated before the gas and the liquid have separated, so that the gas is substantially absorbed in the liquid, forming a gas-liquid solution of the predetermined concentration. The stream may be brought into turbulence for intensifying the intermixing of the gas and the liquid. An apparatus for performing the process includes a conduit including a continuous tubular coil formed with a plurality of upwardly and downwardly directed sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Robert Johansson, Yngve Lundgren, Sam Marklund
  • Patent number: 7624969
    Abstract: A compact, improved injector-mixer for injecting and thoroughly mixing fine bubbles of air into a contaminated water stream from a fish tank is disclosed. Water is pumped down through an injection section of the present invention where air is injected into the stream by an improved Venturi construction. The mixture then flows into an improved mixing section, vertically disposed within a protein skimmer chamber, where it is thoroughly mixed such that the plethora of small air bubbles have a greater chance to bond with the contaminants of the water, the contaminants becoming buoyant as a result. Upon introduction of the mixture into the protein skimmer chamber, the bubbles of air and contaminants attached thereto rise to the top of the protein skimmer column to be contained, while the filtered and oxygenated water is returned to the tank through a base of the protein skimmer chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventors: Justin Schletz, Maribel Arroyo
  • Patent number: 7618025
    Abstract: A mixing device for mixing air and water in a water purifier includes a water inlet pipe (2) and an air inlet pipe (3). The air inlet pipe (3) extends coaxially within the water inlet pipe (2) and defines therewith an annular gap (4) for providing an annular water jet. Downstream of the annular gap (4) there is provided a mixing member (6) for mixing water and air. The mixing member (6) includes a water flow disturbing device (7) which is provided to be hit by the annular water jet. At least those parts (2a) of the water inlet pipe (2) and/or those parts (3a) of the air inlet pipe (3) which define the annular gap (4), are made of plastic material. The water flow disturbing device (7) includes at least one helical member (8) which extends along the inner side of the mixing member (6) around through-flow portions (6a) thereof within the helical member (8) such that helical movements are imparted to the annular jet of water when it flows downwards through the through-flow portions (6a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Anlager Svenska AB
    Inventor: Kurt Andersson
  • Patent number: 7597747
    Abstract: Gases containing smoke, pollutants and volatile organic compounds (VOC's) and a mixing liquid are blended in a swirling vortex into a liquid/gas mixture. Motive air and biological and/or chemical degradation material are introduced through a plurality of spiral jet fluid mixers into the liquid/gas mixture to create a turbulent fluid flow pattern to cause aeration of the liquid/gas mixture, reduce its chemical oxygen demand (COD), and entrain the biological and/or chemical degradation material in the mixture. The biological and/or chemical degradation material significantly reduces or eliminates the pollutants and volatile organic compounds (VOC's) in the aerated liquid/gas mixture to produce a non-volatile liquid, which flows into a reservoir, holding pond or vegetated pond. A portion of the aerated non-volatile liquid may be conducted to a pond containing vegetative growth to complete carbon dioxide conversion via photosynthesis, and vegetative growth from the pond may be harvested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Inventor: Carole Nagel
  • Publication number: 20090213684
    Abstract: A mixing system includes a disc with a plurality of openings combined with a mixer located below the disc with the disc and mixer positioned with respect to one another such that gas exiting openings in the mixer may rise to contact the openings in the disc to sheer the gas into fine bubbles in order to enhance aeration of the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Midan Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Jody Michael Bell
  • Patent number: 7568681
    Abstract: An apparatus for injecting gas into a metallurgical vessel is disclosed. The apparatus includes a gas flow duct, an elongate central tubular structure extending within the gas flow duct, a plurality of flow directing swirl vanes disposed about the central tubular structure, and cooling water passages within the central tubular structure. The forward end of the central structure has a nose portion that includes a domed outer shell, an inner component disposed within the outer shell and formed with an internal nozzle to receive water from the cooling water passages and to direct that water in a jet against the inner surface of the outer shell to produce an outwardly and backwardly fanning flow of water around the inner surface of the outer shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Technology Resources Pty. Limited
    Inventors: Eric Tierney, George Cingle, III, Michael Mattich, Todd Smith
  • Publication number: 20090166900
    Abstract: The invention relates to a high efficiency self-impacting dust remover for gas comprising a dust tower and a matched cyclone settlement tower, wherein the dust tower includes a gas inlet pipe, a gas outlet pipe, an upper airflow guide plate and a lower airflow guide plate, the lower guide plate takes a curve shape, a front part of the lower guide plate submerged into cleaning liquid in the dust tower, wherein the cyclone settlement tower includes a tangential gas inlet connecting the gas outlet pipe of the dust tower, its inside space is divided into a lower cyclone area and an upper settlement area by a ring-shaped baffle board. Endowed with such advantages as low investment, high cleaning efficiency, relatively long service life, low water consumption and low operation cost, this dust remover is mainly used in gas cleaning and purifying in industry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: Haisibote ( Beijing ) science and technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Guangliang Chen
  • Patent number: 7547002
    Abstract: Systems and methods for injecting and mixing a liquid hydrocarbon fuel to provide a uniform, homogenous fuel vapor mixture for introduction into a fuel reformer for use with a fuel cell are disclosed. Preferably, the system includes a fuel injector that generates and aspirate a liquid fuel in the presence of an atomizing gas stream; a diverging-converging mixing chamber, into which the atomized fuel and a secondary fluid stream are introduced, to enhance the mixing of the fuel and the added heated gas or steam; and a mixer/swirler, which can be centrally located in the mixing chamber between the upper and lower chambers, to stabilize the fuel vapor mixture further for greater uniformity and homogeneity. More preferably, grooves and/or brazed wires can be provided on the surfaces of the mixing chamber and/or mixer/swirler to channel any accumulated fuel so as to provide sufficient time to evaporate the accumulated fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Delavan Inc
    Inventors: Chien-Pei Mao, John Short
  • Patent number: 7513489
    Abstract: Apparatus sealably incorporating a fuel metering device and fuel processing device [200, 200a, 200b] for producing a stabilized fog of fuel droplets sized 50 microns and less that when mixed with combustion air burn completely, reduce or eliminate detonation (knock) in internal combustion engines and reduce fuel octane requirements. The apparatus [200, 200a, 200b] may include a carrier gas reservoir [216, 216a] closed to external carrier gasses. A heater [205] may be employed to flash into vapor a portion of the liquid fuel to develop a carrier gas. In embodiments for jet or turbine engines, bleed gas from the engine may be used to provide carrier gas through a fuel processor [254], or the fuel may be heated-by-heater [260] to flash some of the fuel into vapor to provide carrier gas through the fuel processor to produce the stabilized fog of fuel droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Inventor: Gilles L. DeLisle
  • Patent number: 7510172
    Abstract: A mixing element, which is produced at low cost, has high mixture agitation effectiveness, and is easily made large, and a static fluid mixer using the mixing element are provided. Further, a gas-liquid treatment apparatus with high treatment ability is provided. A mixing element 1 includes: a cylindrical passage tube 2 trough which fluid flows; a plurality of spiral rightward rotation type first blades 3 formed of a perforated object, which are provided in the passage tube 2; a first inner cylindrical tube 5 shaped like a cylinder and disposed inside the blades 3; a plurality of spiral rightward rotation type blades 6 provided in the inner cylindrical tube 5; and an opening 9 formed in the axial center portion of the blades 6. A static fluid mixer is formed by using at least one mixing, element 1 mentioned above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Anemos Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisao Kojima
  • Publication number: 20090078792
    Abstract: An aqueous scream is pumped through a vortex cylinder. The aqueous stream is rotated in a downwardly moving spiral stream within the vortex cylinder at a high downward velocity. The downward velocity of the aqueous stream increases as it flows through a discharge conduit concentrically located within a mixing chamber of the vortex cylinder. An adjustable air inlet tube open to atmospheric pressure extends through the vortex chamber and into the discharge conduit. A negative pressure zone is created at the discharge end of the discharge conduit for drawing air into the aqueous stream for mixing therewith and dissolving oxygen in the aqueous solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: LANNY VLASAK
  • Patent number: 7472893
    Abstract: The swirling type micro-bubble generating system according to the present invention possesses a container main unit having a cylindrical space with bottom or a frusto conically shaped space, a liquid inlet provided in tangential direction on a part of circumferential surface of inner wall of the space, a gas introducing hole provided on the bottom of the cylindrical space or opening of the frusto conically shaped space, and a swirling gas-liquid mixture outlet arranged at the top of the cylindrical space or opening of the frusto conically shaped space. According to this system, it is possible to readily generate micro-bubbles in industrial scale, and the system is relatively small in size and has simple structure and can be easily manufactured. The system can be used in the applications such as purification of water quality in ponds, lakes, marshes, man-made lakes, rivers, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Inventor: Hirofumi Ohnari
  • Patent number: 7458564
    Abstract: The invention relates to equipment for use in the removal of relatively fine particulates from a first substance, using a second substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Mittal Steel South Africa Limited
    Inventors: Richard George Paxton, Michael Fellows-Smith, Friedrich Michael Mindszenty, Christian Alexander Mindszenty
  • Patent number: 7445197
    Abstract: This invention concerns an apparatus and a method for producing carbonated water capable of obtaining high concentration carbonated water effectively. Carbon dioxide gas is passed through a first carbon dioxide gas dissolver (7) composed of a membrane module to be dissolved in water and the carbonated water passing through the first carbon dioxide gas dissolver (7) is passed through a static mixer (13), which is a second carbon dioxide gas dissolver. Consequently, a high concentration carbonated water can be obtained remarkably, effectively and easily with a simpler structure than conventionally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Rayon Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken Ooyachi, Hiroki Sakakibara, Hiroshi Tasaka, Masaaki Satou, Masanori Itakura, Katsuya Sanai
  • Patent number: 7374156
    Abstract: A process for producing carbonated water having a high concentration, inexpensively and easily, involves using a static mixer having 20 to 100 elements so as to provide a value Re×N of 100,000 to 2,000,000, in with Re represents a Reynolds number, when a mixture of water and carbonic acid gas flow in the static mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken Ooyachi, Hiroki Sakakibara, Satoshi Suzuki, Hiroshi Tasaka, Masaaki Satou
  • Patent number: 7350773
    Abstract: A humidifier which creates a visually entertaining helical flow of mist generally includes a base unit defining a reservoir for holding a quantity of water, a water tank supported on the base unit for supplying water to the reservoir, a humidification device, such as an ultrasonic transducer, in communication with the reservoir for vaporizing the water held in the reservoir to produce a mist, a vortex unit supported on the base unit and a nozzle and a vortex creator positioned in the vortex unit. The vortex unit has an opening disposed above the base unit reservoir to permit the mist produced by the humidification device to rise upwardly into the vortex unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon French, Johnson Hsu
  • Publication number: 20080048348
    Abstract: A circulation water vortex bubble generation device is emerged in culture water of an aquaculture pond. The device includes a barrel having a central bore and front and rear open ends, a cover attached to the rear end of the barrel, and a nozzle mounted to the front end of the barrel. A water supply pipe is connected to the barrel in an off-center manner to supply water into the central bore. An air pipe is connected to the cover and in fluid communication with an air chamber defined inside the cover. An air guide tube in fluid communication with the air chamber extends from the cover through the central bore of the barrel. The nozzle forms a rearward-diverging conic water guide opening in a rear portion thereof, and in communication with the central bore. The nozzle also forms a water discharge opening in a front portion thereof and a water passage connecting between the water guide opening and the water discharge opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventor: Shung-Chi Kung
  • Patent number: 7318581
    Abstract: A carbonating apparatus includes an elongated carbonation chamber defining a longitudinal axis and having an inlet end and an outlet end. A manifold assembly is provided at the inlet end of the carbonation chamber. The manifold assembly includes a manifold body having an outlet end connected to the inlet end of the carbonation chamber and an inlet end. A liquid passage and a carbon dioxide passage extend in a direction between the inlet and outlet ends of the manifold body in communication with the inlet end of the carbonation chamber. At least one check valve is disposed inside the liquid passage within the manifold body. At least one check valve is disposed inside the carbon dioxide passage within the manifold body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Natural Choice Corporation
    Inventors: Chester F. Robards, Jr., George W. Knoll
  • Patent number: 7311765
    Abstract: A liquid separator configured to separate liquid from a fluid stream. The separator includes a housing, a separation chamber disposed within the housing, a drain having a drain passageway for draining liquid from the separation chamber, an inlet chamber configured to receive the fluid stream, an inlet channel configured to communicate the fluid stream from the inlet chamber to the separation chamber, a swirler disposed within the inlet channel, and an outlet channel configured to communicate the fluid stream from a first outlet end positioned proximate the second inlet end, to a second outlet end remote from the separation chamber. Preferably, the separator also includes a separator mounting face proximate the inlet chamber, the mounting face configured for mounting the separator to a humidifier. The housing preferably includes a base and a cap which is removably mountable to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Hydrogenics Corporation
    Inventor: Ricardo Bazzarella
  • Publication number: 20070278702
    Abstract: A humidifier which creates a visually entertaining helical flow of mist generally includes a base unit defining a reservoir for holding a quantity of water, a water tank supported on the base unit for supplying water to the reservoir, a humidification device, such as an ultrasonic transducer, in communication with the reservoir for vaporizing the water held in the reservoir to produce a mist, a vortex unit supported on the base unit and a nozzle and a vortex creator positioned in the vortex unit. The vortex unit has an opening disposed above the base unit reservoir to permit the mist produced by the humidification device to rise upwardly into the vortex unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Jon French, Johnson Hsu
  • Patent number: 7300040
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are described that allows for the production of vortex-ring bubbles in a liquid. The device is an inverted cup with a short nozzle protruding through the center of its end face such that the nozzle lower opening is at a higher level than the open end of the inverted cup. When the immersed cup is pressurized with an inflow of gas, the liquid level of the confined gas in the cup will fall, and peel away from the nozzle open end. The gas will enter the nozzle when the pressure has built up within the cup sufficiently to break the liquid surface tension at the nozzle opening. The gas then self accelerates up through the nozzle and self organizes into a gas-filled vortex ring at the nozzle exit. The liquid level in the cup rises back up and re-enters the nozzle in a unique self-siphoning action shutting off further gas flow out the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventor: Andrew Sydney Withiel Thomas
  • Patent number: 7281702
    Abstract: A flow distribution device (100) has a vane distributor (111) at least partially disposed within a cartridge (102) and is operationally coupled to a second distributing device (112) that receives output from the vane distributor (111) Especially preferred flow distribution devices (100) are disposed within a vessel containing a contact bed, and may include at least a second vane distributor (112) within the cartridge (102), wherein the vane distributors (111, 112) are preferably swirl-inducing vane distributors (111, 112).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Garry E. Jacobs, Steven W. Stupin, Gerald Zeininger, Nathan Barber
  • Patent number: 7264231
    Abstract: An aeration apparatus including a cylindrical passage tube, a static mixer positioned in the passage tube adjacent an upper end of the tube and including a plurality of perforated blades and an opening between the blades along a central axis of the tube, a pneumatic line extending to the passage tube and connectable to a gas source, a gas blowoff portion positioned adjacent a lower end of the passage tube and connected to the pneumatic line for supplying gas from the gas source to the passage tube, and a liquid-introducing portion adjacent the lower end of the passage tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Anemos Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisao Kojima
  • Patent number: 7261283
    Abstract: The swirling type micro-bubble generating system according to the present invention possesses a container main unit having a cylindrical space with bottom or a frusto-conically shaped space, a liquid inlet provided in a tangential direction on a part of a circumferential surface of an inner wall of said space, a gas introducing hole provided on the bottom of said cylindrical space or opening of said frusto-conically shaped space, and a swirling gas-liquid mixture outlet arranged at the opposite end of said cylindrical space or opening of said frusto-conically shaped space. According to this system, it is possible to readily generate micro-bubbles in an industrial scale, and the system is relatively small in size and has simple structure and can be easily manufactured. The system can be used in applications such as purification of water quality in ponds, lakes, marshes, man-made lakes, rivers, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Inventor: Hirofumi Ohnari
  • Patent number: 7243910
    Abstract: A cone system to produce super-oxygenated and structured water is provided. The cone system includes a source of oxygen, and a plurality of cones in communication with the source of oxygen and configured to receive preconditioned water and spin the preconditioned water to combine it with oxygen received from the source. The system may be used with a system and method for producing and tuning super-oxygenated and structured water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: David Bagley
  • Patent number: 7240897
    Abstract: Mixing apparatus is disclosed suitable for the mixing and/or aeration of large bodies of water e.g. lakes or reservoirs. One particular use is in causing controlled destratification. Another area of use is in the aeration or oxygenation of liquid waste. The mixing apparatus has a draft tube (1) with an open interior, and gas injectors (6) to drive an upward flow of liquid through the draft tube (1). An arrangement of angled vanes (4) at the intake of the draft tube imposes swirl on the flow, which then rises unobstructed through the draft tube (1). No moving parts are involved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Inventor: Anthony G. Wynes
  • Patent number: 7237768
    Abstract: A fuel injector is coupled to a fuel source. A vortex generator is coupled with the injector and a gas source and has a passageway there through. A portion of the passageway has a generally tapered configuration. At least one manifold tube has a generally hollow tubular configuration. A throttle body is coupled with the manifold tubes. A head adapter has a plurality of holes there through. The holes are located and configured to mate with the intake ports of the head of an internal combustion engine. The head adapter is configured to couple the throttle body to the internal combustion engine head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Inventor: David Scott