Curved Deflector Surface Patents (Class 366/338)
  • Patent number: 8240135
    Abstract: A mixing device comprises a circular disc of fin sections positioned so as to create openings in the inner and outer regions of the mixing device that generate oppositely rotating flows of exhaust gas. Each fin section may be identical, and may be created by a stamping process. The smooth surface of each fin section reduces creases, and thus, is less prone to urea buildup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Xiaogang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20120104128
    Abstract: A method and a mix box for mixing oil sand and water to form a substantially uniformly mixed oil sand slurry is provided. The mix box has an open top end for receiving pre-crushed oil sand and water and a sloped bottom end having a discharge outlet and includes a plurality of profiled shelves positioned within the mix box. The substantially uniformly mixed oil sand has a substantially uniform flow distribution and therefore, when screened, reduces uneven wear on the screens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: SYNCRUDE CANADA LTD. in trust for the owners of the Syncrude Project
    Inventors: BARRY BARA, ALAN FERRE, CHRIS MOONEY, JOHN DIEP, DARWIN KIEL, CHAD LARSON, WALDEMAR MACIEJEWSKI
  • Patent number: 8147124
    Abstract: A static mixing device for mounting or other attachment within a hollow tubular conduit including a plurality of vanes generally equally spaced therein and each including a generally oblong plate radially inwardly extending from the conduit internal wall surface and wherein each of said plates is provided with a generally wing-shaped cap that downwardly, rearwardly and inwardly bends from the top of the plate to said conduit wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Robert W Glanville
  • Patent number: 8147121
    Abstract: A pre-mixing apparatus for a turbine engine includes a main body having an inlet portion, an outlet portion and an exterior wall that collectively establish at least one fluid delivery plenum, and a plurality of fluid delivery tubes extending through at least a portion of the at least one fluid delivery plenum. Each of the plurality of fluid delivery tubes includes at least one fluid delivery opening fluidly connected to the at least one fluid delivery plenum. With this arrangement, a first fluid is selectively delivered to the at least one fluid delivery plenum, passed through the at least one fluid delivery opening and mixed with a second fluid flowing through the plurality of fluid delivery tubes prior to being combusted in a combustion chamber of a turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Benjamin Paul Lacy, Balachandar Varatharajan, Willy Steve Ziminsky, Gilbert Otto Kraemer, Ertan Yilmaz, Patrick Benedict Melton, Baifang Zuo, Christian Xavier Stevenson, David Kenton Felling, Jong Ho Uhm
  • Patent number: 8119083
    Abstract: This invention relates to a multiphase reactor which is especially suitable for desulfurization of flue gas. A rotary build-in member comprising a axisymmetric body and an annular axisymmetric body is fixed on the shell of the reactor. The shell is cylindrical, and its surface is smooth or waved. The maximum diameter of the axisymmetric body is no less than the inner diameter of the annular axisymmetric body. The axisymmetric body is installed on the annular axisymmetric body coaxially. One rotary build-in member and its corresponding shell constitute an unit, and the reactor may have one or more such units. The multiphase reactor can effectively improve the flow pattern of the fluid and the contact of gas-liquid-solid three-phase of the reactants, speed up the mass transfer, and prevent deposition of the solid phase. The reactor is simple in structure and convenient for use. It can be used in the fields such as environmental protection, chemical engineering, metallurgy, and architectural industries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventor: Hanxiang Shi
  • Publication number: 20120033524
    Abstract: Scalable compact static mixer comprising a rotationally symmetrical cascaded mixing structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: Ehrfeld Mikrotechnik BTS GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Herbstritt
  • Patent number: 8083156
    Abstract: A dispersion apparatus for dispersing a treating agent into a fluid treatment system that includes a flow duct in which a fluid stream flowing through the duct is mixed with the treating agent. The apparatus is based on a multi-pipe lance positioned in the stream flow, where each pipe supplies a minimum of feed discharge nozzles (typically one to four), and the individual pipes branch off from the same location. Use of the multi-pipe lance, in combination with a suitable baffle, results in better overall dispersion/distribution of the injected medium by surface area. By improving the surface area distribution, better utilization of the injected sorbent can be achieved. The baffle acts to generate a low pressure zone on its downstream side and creates a high-intensity turbulence plume in the fluid. The orifices of the pipe are located to inject the treating agent into the turbulence plume to better distribute and intermix the injected treating agent into the surrounding fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: URS Corporation
    Inventors: Scott D. Miller, Mark A. Denlinger
  • Patent number: 8083100
    Abstract: A beverage dispenser provides numerous inventive features in its refrigeration system, diluent delivery system, concentrate delivery system, mixing and dispensing system, and control system. The refrigeration system employs a plate heat exchanger to provide on demand refrigeration of an intermittent water flow. The diluent delivery system includes a flowmeter/solenoid/check-valve assembly. The concentrate delivery system employs a positive displacement pump. The mixing and dispensing system includes a mixing nozzle that has a locking feature such that an elevated blocking surface directly faces the inlet of pressurized diluent to create turbulence. The control system receives package-specific information from a scanner and diluent flow rate information from the flowmeter, and then determines the pump speed in order to set a desired mix ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: James J. Minard, Mark E. Bush, Peter F. McNamee
  • Patent number: 8042989
    Abstract: A method for processing a fluidic mixture in a multi-stage hydrodynamic cavitation device is disclosed. The fluidic mixture is introduced to an inlet and passed through a flowpath having at least ten cavitation zones. The fluidic mixture is exposed to cavitation inducing features in each of the at least ten cavitation zones to induce cavitation bubbles, which bubbles are then collapsed between every two adjacent of the at least ten cavitation zones. The multi-stage hydrodynamic cavitation device for processing the fluidic mixture has a generally cylindrical housing with an inlet, an outlet, a flowpath therebetween, and a plurality of cavitation zones along the flowpath. Two or more of the cavitation zones along the flowpath comprise a disk multi-jet nozzle having a plurality of through channels disposed across the surface thereof, wherein each channel includes expansions and contractions of its cross-sectional area along its length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Cavitation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Roman Gordon, Igor Gorodnitsky, Maxim Promtov
  • Patent number: 8011601
    Abstract: A dispersion lance is for use in combination with a fluid treatment system of the type which includes a flow duct in which a fluid stream is mixed with a treating agent. The dispersion lance includes a pipe mounted in the duct with its axis approximately transverse to the direction of the fluid stream flow, the pipe having a series of openings along its length for injecting a treating agent into the fluid stream. A baffle extends lengthwise along the pipe, the baffle having a cross-section the central portion of which is V-shaped, with the apex of the V facing upstream of the fluid stream flow, and with generally flattened wing portions extending from the legs of the V beyond the sides of the pipe in a direction where they transversely intersect the stream flow. The baffle acts to generate a low pressure zone on its downstream side which enhances turbulence in the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: URS Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Denlinger, Jim Noblett, Scott D. Miller
  • Publication number: 20110158852
    Abstract: Static mixers and fluid systems incorporating one or more of the static mixers. The static mixers include one or more channels that provide a fluid path through a body, wherein fluid flowing through each channel defines a downstream direction through the channel. The channel includes two or more sets of concatenated mixing elements arranged adjacent to each other across the width of the channel, wherein two sets of the mixing elements are offset from each other along the downstream direction of the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Gustavo H. Castro, Paul J. Cobian
  • Publication number: 20110152386
    Abstract: A method and a system for phase inversion of a dispersion are disclosed, the dispersion comprising a first fluid, said first fluid forming a disperse phase and a second fluid, said second fluid forming a continuous phase. The dispersion is supplied in a fluid supply device to a phase inversion means. Thereby the first fluid is transformed from the disperse phase into the continuous phase and the second fluid is transformed from the continuous phase into the disperse phase. The phase inversion means comprises an element providing a fluid contacting surface for coalescence in a direction of flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Ansor Gäbler, Sven Glüer
  • Patent number: 7954514
    Abstract: An air-admitting guide member comprises an inflow end; an outflow end disposed on an inlet of a mechanical device; an elongated straight flow hole defined between the inflow and outflow ends; a plurality of rotational flow holes spaced apart respectively and each being defined between the inflow end and the outflow end, a diameter of the rotational flow hole being more than that of the straight flow hole and a bottom end thereof flushing with an end surface of the outflow end, the outflow end including a plurality of annular bores arranged on the end surface thereof and formed in a swirl shape toward the inflow end, an inner wall of the inflow end being formed in a tilted arc shape and including a stream-line sector end portion, the rotational flow hole including two openings arranged on two ends thereof individually, and projected shadows of the openings overlapping each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Inventors: Chun-Shuo Tung, Hsien-Chih Wang
  • Patent number: 7897121
    Abstract: A fluid reactor for facilitating mixing and/or chemical reaction and including an elongated cylindrical flow chamber having a first for receiving a flow of a first fluid, a second flow inlet through which a relatively low mass flow of a second fluid may be admitted to the chamber; and a cone-pi element disposed downstream of the second flow inlet and having an upstream conical portion with a leading apex generally facing the first flow inlet, an intervening cylindrical portion, and a downstream conical portion with a trailing apex generally facing the flow outlet, the cone-pi element being operable to produce cavitation and/or vortical flow within the flow stream to effectuate mixing and/or chemical interaction of the first fluid and the second fluid, and to deliver a mixed and/or reacted fluid from the flow outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Fluid Energy Conversion, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel Hughes, Leon Shaw
  • Patent number: 7891861
    Abstract: A mixer in a solution casting system mixes liquid additive with polymer dope fed through a flow line and constituted by cellulose ester as polymer and solvent. A mixer housing is in the flow line for passing the polymer dope through to be mixed. A supply conduit causes flow of the liquid additive for addition to the polymer dope. A distribution channel is formed with the supply conduit, positioned in the flow line, for spreading the liquid additive in a transverse direction of a flow passage in the flow line, to eject the liquid additive. A rotor hub is shaped with a decreasing diameter, contained in the mixer housing, opposed to the distribution channel, and directs the polymer dope in a ring shape after addition of the liquid additive. The flow line collects the polymer dope in a position downstream from the rotor hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Daisaku Abiru
  • Patent number: 7841765
    Abstract: The static mixer comprises mixing elements for separating material to be mixed into a plurality of streams and a mechanism for the layered junction of the same, a transversal edge and guide walls that extend at an angle to said transversal edge, as well as deflecting elements arranged at an angle to the longitudinal axis and provided with openings. The mixer includes mixing elements comprising a transversal edge and a following transversal guide wall and at least two guide walls with lateral end sections and at least one bottom section disposed between said guide walls, thereby defining at least one opening on one side of said transversal edge and at least two openings on the other side of said transversal edge. In addition to a high mixing efficiency and a low pressure drop, a mixer of this kind provides reduced dead volumes and is thus more effective than mixers of the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Sulzer Mixpac AG
    Inventor: Wilhelm A. Keller
  • Patent number: 7829039
    Abstract: A mixer system for mixing at least two fluids includes a plurality of micromixers that are fluidically connected in parallel. The micromixers are integrated into a guide matrix and are fluidically connected via feed lines for the fluids to be mixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Schubert, Manfred Kraut, Lothar Bohn, Achim Wenka
  • Patent number: 7824470
    Abstract: A fuel system for an energy conversion device includes a deoxygenator system with a multitude of flow impingement elements which are interleaved to provide a fuel channel with intricate two-dimensional flow characteristics. The flow impingement elements break up the boundary layers and enhance the transport of oxygen from the core of the of the fuel flow within the fuel channel to the oxygen permeable membrane surfaces by directing the fuel flow in a direction normal to the oxygen permeable membrane. The rapid mixing of the relatively rich oxygen core of the fuel with the relatively oxygen-poor flow near the oxygen permeable membrane enhances the overall removal rate of oxygen from the fuel. Because this process can be accomplished in fuel channels of relatively larger flow areas while maintaining laminar flow, the pressure drop sustained is relatively low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Louis Chiappetta, Louis J. Spadaccini, He Huang, Mallika Gummalla, Dochul Choi
  • Patent number: 7798367
    Abstract: A beverage dispenser provides numerous inventive features in its refrigeration system, diluent delivery system, concentrate delivery system, mixing and dispensing system, and control system. For example, the mixing and dispensing system includes a mixing nozzle that has several novel aspects. Such novel aspects include an elevated blocking surface that directly faces the inlet of a pressurized diluent in order to create turbulence for the mixing, and novel constructions of a depressurizing section together with a funnel-shaped passageway that reduces splashing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: James J. Minard, Mark E. Bush, Peter F. McNamee
  • Publication number: 20100144972
    Abstract: A polymer composition containing two kinds of polymers and having a difference in its glass transition temperature of 3° C. or lower between before and after heat-treatment by getting it through a space between two parallel faces in a molten state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Yasuo Kurachi
  • Patent number: 7690833
    Abstract: A heat exchanger is disclosed which includes an elongate fluid duct having a series of openings and an outer sleeve disposed outside and extending along the duct to cover the openings. A drive motor is provided for imparting relative motion between the duct and the sleeve so that the sleeve moves across the openings in the peripheral wall of the duct. A temperature control device which may include an outer jacket arranged about the sleeve to define a chamber for receiving a heat exchange fluid, an electric heating element for supplying current to the outer sleeve or duct to heat the outer sleeve or duct, a series of burners for heating the outer surface of the sleeve, or a heating element incorporated in one of the duct and sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
    Inventors: Guy Parker Metcalfe, III, Murray Rudman
  • Publication number: 20090245017
    Abstract: A micromixer device has at least one fluid inlet channel and at least one fluid outlet channel. A plurality of pathways extend between the fluid inlet channel and the fluid outlet channel. The width of at least some of the plurality of pathways varies in a substantially parabolic manner along at least one dimension of the micromixer device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Brian Kevin Paul, Anna Evelyn Garrison
  • Patent number: 7534347
    Abstract: A method for purifying a fluid such as an exhaust gas and waste water, which comprises providing one or more of static mixers on the flow path of the fluid, and mixing and reacting the fluid with a depurative such as ozone in the static mixer to purify the fluid. The method for purifying a fluid allows the purification of a fluid such as an exhaust gas and waste water with significantly good efficiency, and also allows the simplification of an apparatus for use in the purification and the markedly reduction of the cost required for the purification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Inventor: Hikoroku Sugiura
  • Publication number: 20090103393
    Abstract: The static mixer (1) includes at least one vane pair (2; 2a, 2b) for the generation of a flow swirl (300) in the direction (30) of a passage flow (3). Edges of the vanes at the front at the leading side are perpendicular to the passage flow and parallel to a height of the passage (10). Onflow surfaces following downstream are bent out in a concave manner and in opposite senses. Each vane (2a, 2b) is formed as an aerodynamically designed body which includes an end wall (20), a convex side wall (21) and a concave side wall (22). The end wall has a convex shape or a shape of a leading edge. The vane cross-sections perpendicular to the side walls in particular have similar shapes to cross-sections of aeroplane wings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Felix Moser, Sabine Sulzer Worlitschek, Joachim Schoeck
  • Patent number: 7510688
    Abstract: A stack type reactor that can adjust a length of channel (reaction time) to react raw substances with each other for a sufficient time and mix completely raw substances to maximize the reaction efficiency. The stack type reactor comprises an upper block with at least two inlets that introduce different kinds of raw substances and a lower channel fluidly connected to the inlets and formed at a lower surface thereof; a unit block including an upper channel corresponding to the lower channel of the upper block and formed on an upper surface thereof, the unit block including a lower channel formed at a lower surface thereof and fluidly connected with the upper channel via a connecting flow passage. The upper block and unit block form a flow path for the raw substances by connecting to the lower channel of the upper block to the upper channel of the unit block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Hoon Choe, Jung Uk Choi, Young Woon Kwon, Kwang Cheon Park, Jung Hyun Seo, Jun Yeon Cho, Yoo Seok Kim, Kwang Ho Song
  • Publication number: 20090022008
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for mixing at least one gaseous fluid stream with a large gas stream flowing in a gas duct, especially for introducing a reducing agent into a flue gas containing nitrogen oxides. The gas stream is directed against at least one disk-shaped mixer element on an inlet side that is inclined at an angle counter to the direction of flow of the gas stream, wherein eddy-type whirls form at the mixer element. The gaseous fluid stream is guided essentially to the center of an impact surface associated with the discharge side of the mixer element and is admixed with a gas stream downstream of the mixer element and is guided essentially perpendicularly onto the center of the impact surface on the discharge side such that the gaseous fluid is distributed over the entire discharge side from the center thereof and is incorporated across the entire whirl system formed at the peripheral edge of the mixer element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Gerd Beckmann, Wolfram Engelking, Ulrich Priesmeier
  • Publication number: 20080279041
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the disclosure, a fluid mixing device comprises a flow duct, with a wall having an inner surface defining a fluid flow path for a primary flow, and at least one deployable and retractable projection. The projection is adapted to controllably generate at least one secondary flow adjacent the inner surface. In other embodiments, methods are provided of controllably mixing at least one fluid within a fluid mixing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: CHAD M. WINKLER, MATTHEW J. WRIGHT, MORI MANI
  • Publication number: 20080232191
    Abstract: The static mixer comprises mixing elements for separating material to be mixed into a plurality of streams and a mechanism for the layered junction of the same, a transversal edge and guide walls that extend at an angle to said transversal edge, as well as deflecting elements arranged at an angle to the longitudinal axis and provided with openings. The mixer includes mixing elements comprising a transversal edge and a following transversal guide wall and at least two guide walls with lateral end sections and at least one bottom section disposed between said guide walls, thereby defining at least one opening on one side of said transversal edge and at least two openings on the other side of said transversal edge. In addition to a high mixing efficiency and a low pressure drop, a mixer of this kind provides reduced dead volumes and is thus more effective than mixers of the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Wilhelm A. Keller
  • Patent number: 7416404
    Abstract: A feed injector for use in a gasification apparatus comprising plural concentric tubes converging at an outlet tip, at least one interior tube of the plural concentric tubes having a plurality of static, helically-twisted mixing elements fixed to an exterior surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Henry Choisun Chan
  • Patent number: 7322740
    Abstract: The static mixer is used for a curing mixed product of flowable components that react to form a solidifying mass on mixing. The mixer has mixing chambers that are arranged behind one another and next to one another along a tube axis. Each mixing chamber is delineated by longitudinal walls oriented in the direction of the tube axis and by transverse walls standing transversely to the tube axis. Openings in the longitudinal walls and in the floor of each mixing chamber establish inlets and outlets for the mixed product. The corner of at least some of the mixing chambers upstream of an outlet in the longitudinal walls is filled in to form a concave surface for directing the flowable components towards the outlet. The transverse wall at an inlet to at least some of the mixing chambers is also formed with a concave surface for directing the flowable components through the inlet into the mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AG
    Inventors: Rolf Heusser, Sandro Martino
  • Patent number: 7318883
    Abstract: The invention concerns an equipment and a method in a paper or board machine for mixing fresh stock (M) with water (V) used for dilution of the fresh stock. At the point of mixing (K) of the dilution water (V) and the fresh stock (M) passed from the pipe (13), there is at least one such pipe portion as comprises a wave-shaped form in its connection in the cross section of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Jouni Rahkomaa, Sakari Soini
  • Patent number: 7314060
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fluid flow conducting module comprising two or more inlets, one or more outlets, and a chamber that has a first and second blocks therein. Further, the chamber has a gradually wider section in the middle, and two convergent ends. One convergent end is connected to the inlets, and the other convergent end is connected to the outlets. The first block has an acute angle in the front, and is placed close to the first convergent end and the inlets. The second block has a convex surface in the front, and is placed close to the second convergent end. The fluids are injected into the chamber through the inlets, flow through the chamber, and conducted towards one or more outlets for further collection and analysis. This fluid flow conducting module has a wide range of flow speed and a simple structure. It can be used in a wide range of applications, such as cell culture, cell reaction to medicine or bio-chemical detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Jyh-Jain Chen, Jhy-Wen Wu
  • Patent number: 7291194
    Abstract: A thermal mixer reduces the temperature of flue gas supplied to a fabric filter. Two spray dry absorbers are operable to cool flue gas. A housing of the mixer has first and second inlet passages for gas from the absorbers, an outlet passage for gas to the fabric filter, and a mixing passage. A set of damper vanes extends in the mixing passage and has a mixing position for mixing the flue gases from the inlet passages to supply mixed gas to the outlet passage at relatively high pressure drop but lower temperature if one of the absorbers in not operating. They have a non-mixing position for passage of gases without mixing and at low pressure drop when both absorbers are operating. The invention can also be used to improve mixing of combined gas streams initially having different chemical compositions or amounts of particle loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: Robert E. Snyder
  • Patent number: 7288128
    Abstract: A thermal mixer reduces the temperature of flue gas supplied to a fabric filter. Two spray dry absorbers are operable to cool flue gas. A housing of the mixer has first and second inlet passages for gas from the absorbers, an outlet passage for gas to the fabric filter, and a mixing passage. A set of damper vanes extends in the mixing passage and has a mixing position for mixing the flue gases from the inlet passages to supply mixed gas to the outlet passage at relatively high pressure drop but lower temperature if one of the absorbers in not operating. They have a non-mixing position for passage of gases without mixing and at low pressure drop when both absorbers are operating. The invention can also be used to improve mixing of combined gas streams initially having different chemical compositions or amounts of particle loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: Robert E. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20070204751
    Abstract: The invention relates to a static mixer for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. The mixer has a wall structure that is arranged across the directional of flow in a pipe and has several layers of a corrugated sheeting material laying across one another in the direction of flow. The cells through which the flow can pass in the direction of flow are provided between the sheeting material of neighboring layers. The sheeting material has baffles for all or several of the cells. The baffles are arranged on the sheeting material so that they are arranged on their outgoing flow side in the case of said cells and extend in the direction of flow and across it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Georg Wirth, Felix Neumann
  • Patent number: 7160024
    Abstract: In embodiments of the invention, a vortex chamber tool in a conduit includes: an outer barrel; an inner barrel that is concentric with the outer barrel; and a corkscrew deflector coupled to an inside wall of the outer barrel and an outside wall of the inner barrel to organize the flow of a fluid in the vortex chamber tool. The vortex chamber tool operates to convert a turbulent flow from an input portion of the conduit into a non-turbulent laminar flow at a downstream portion of the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Ecotechnology, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Dougherty, Sr., Bradley J. Fehn, Thomas B. Smith
  • Patent number: 7121714
    Abstract: A fluid mixer including an inner fluid flow (11) duct having a cylindrical wall (14) provided with the window openings (13) and an outer tubular sleeve (12) disposed outside and extending along the duct (11) to cover the openings (13). Fluids to be mixed are admitted to one end of duct (11) through an inlet (25) and the mixture flows out through outlet (32). Duct (11) is statically mounted in pedestals (15) fixed to a base platform (17). Sleeve (12) is mounted for rotation in further pedestals (16) and driven by motor (23) and drive belt (22) to rotate concentrically about duct (11) such that parts of the sleeve move across the window openings (13) to create viscous drag on fluid flowing through the duct and transverse flows of fluid in the regions of the openings to promote mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
    Inventors: Guy Parker Metcalfe, III, Murray Rudman
  • Patent number: 7121535
    Abstract: The present invention includes a horizontal foam fractionation protein skimmer for removing organic waste material (dissolved organic compounds) from organic loaded water. The protein skimmer includes a horizontal reaction chamber connected to a foam collection chamber in which protein-loaded foam containing organic waste material is collected. The reaction chamber is comprised of a series of horizontally-directed, nested, concentric tubes for increasing the number and decreasing the size of bubbles to facilitate efficient removal of dissolved organic compounds. Each horizontal tube has either one or several small openings that are offset from the openings on the adjacent tube at a small angle, typically 10°. The openings are formed by either a single slit that runs along the length of each tube, or by a series of holes that runs along the length of each tube. Organic-loaded water is pumped through tubing into the reaction chamber. As water moves through the tubing, gas (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Mote Marine Laboratory
    Inventors: Richard Kevin Curlee, Richard H. Paetsch
  • Patent number: 7077561
    Abstract: A static mixer (10) is provided with a first grid (14) having one or more crossing elements (16) and one or more slots and a second grid (14) having one or more crossing elements (16) and one or more slots. The crossing elements (16) of the first grid (14) are arranged at intersecting angles to the crossing elements (16) of the second grid (14). At least one elongated connector (18) is positioned between and secured to adjacent crossing elements (16) of the first grid (14) and crossing elements (16) of the second grid (14). The grids may further be arranged such that each crossing element of one grid intersects a slot in the other grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AG
    Inventors: Felix A. Streiff, Robert E. McMillen
  • Patent number: 7001576
    Abstract: A device for the emulsification and separation of small amounts of immiscible liquid phases has essentially a cover plate (2), which can be tightly connected to a base plate (1), where microchannels (4,4a,5,6,6a) in the form of grooves are cut out on the inner surface (3,3a) of the base plate (1) and/or cover plate (2). In a mixing zone, two microchannels (4,4a) run in a wave shape crossing one another a number of times. In a subsequent separation zone, they run essentially straight combined in a common microchannel (5). The otherwise tightly sealed-off microchannels (4,4a,5,6,6a) can be filled and emptied again via inlet apertures (8,8a) and outlet apertures (9,9a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Hohmann, Michael Schmelz, Günter Brenner, Hanns Wurziger, Norbert Schwesinger
  • Patent number: 6997214
    Abstract: An intake tubing includes a tubular member having a number of helical protuberances and a number of helical grooves formed in an inner peripheral surface, an inlet end for receiving fluid, and an outlet end for coupling to an engine. The helical protuberances and the helical grooves of the tubular member may guide the fluid to flow through the tubular member in great speed and to increase power of the engine when the fluid flows quickly toward the inlet end of the tubular member, and to generate eddy current and to lower the flowing speed of the fluid when the fluid flows slowly toward the inlet end of the tubular member, in order to economize fuel or fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Lin Lin Kuo
  • Patent number: 6849189
    Abstract: The present invention includes a horizontal foam fractionation protein skimmer for removing organic waste material (dissolved organic compounds) from organic loaded water. The protein skimmer includes a horizontal reaction chamber connected to a foam collection chamber in which protein-loaded foam containing organic waste material is collected. The reaction chamber is comprised of a series of horizontally-directed, nested, concentric tubes for increasing the number and decreasing the size of bubbles to facilitate efficient removal of dissolved organic compounds. Each horizontal tube has either one or several small openings that are offset from the openings on the adjacent tube at a small angle, typically 10°. The openings are formed by either a single slit that runs along the length of each tube, or by a series of holes that runs along the length of each tube. Organic-loaded water is pumped through tubing into the reaction chamber. As water moves through the tubing, gas (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Mote Marine Laboratory
    Inventors: Richard Kevin Curlee, Richard H. Paetsch
  • Patent number: 6840281
    Abstract: A pressure reducer is configured for use in a liquid delivery system that requires its liquid contents to be pressurized to a first, relatively high pressure but also requires that the liquid be delivered to a downstream location such as a faucet at a second, relatively low pressure. The pressure reducer reduces the pressure of the flowing liquid by repeatedly imparting directional changes to the liquid. Preferably, the pressure reducer comprises a stationary restrictor having multiple aligned segments, each of which is configured to divide the liquid into two or more diverging streams and to recombine the streams at the end of the segment. Each segment preferably comprises a curved blade having opposed generally toroidal surfaces that border one of two divided liquid streams. The device may be located either remote from or adjacent to the faucet or other terminal point of the system and can include either a single passage or multiple parallel passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Vent-Matic Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradford G. Amidzich
  • Publication number: 20040252584
    Abstract: Microfluidics mixing apparatus and methods of using same are disclosed for mixing fluids using increasing centrifugal force as the fluids being mixed traverse a mixing channel. One inventive apparatus comprises a generally planar substrate having a top major surface and a bottom major surface generally parallel to the top major surface, and a cover plate over the top major surface. The substrate has at least one inlet port that routes fluid to the top major surface, and at least one outlet port for mixed fluid. The substrate comprises a mixing channel having a depth measured from the top surface and a width, the mixing channel adapted to route fluids to be mixed therein in laminar flow and in a substantially spiral flow pattern that is parallel to the top surface. Apparatus of the invention can mix fluids flowing serially, or two or more fluids entering the device from different feed channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicants: Agency for Science, Technology and Research, National University of Singapore
    Inventors: Hongmiao Ji, Victor Samper
  • Patent number: 6797181
    Abstract: To optimally mix treatment additives to a contaminated liquid, treatment additives are selected. A mixing energy requirement of the contaminated liquid and treatment additives is then determined by mixing the treatment additives over a range of time and mixing speeds, and measuring turbidity to determine the mixing time and speed which results in the lowest turbidity. A low mixing energy requirement requires a lower mixing time and mixing speed than a higher mixing energy requirement. The contaminated liquid and selected treatment additives are then directed into a mixing system including at least one hydrocyclone. Each hydrocyclone has an inlet aspect ratio, a barrel length and diameter selected based upon the mixing energy requirement determination. Altering the aspect ratio, diameter, and length of the hydrocyclone results in different mixing speeds and mixing time, which can be optimized for the given contaminated liquid and treatment additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventors: Dwain E. Morse, Wade O. Morse, Thomas G. Matherly
  • Patent number: 6793964
    Abstract: An apparatus for bitumen coating particulate material comprises a chamber (2) having baffles or deflectors (4), a particulate material inlet (8) and a particulate material outlet (10). In use, a foamed bituminus formulation is directed into the chamber via an outlet (12) and an air stream is directed from an inlet (14) towards the bituminous formulation, to atomise the formulation. The atomised formulation then contacts particulate material which passes in a convoluted path through the chamber via inlet (8). Prior to contact with the atomised bituminous formulation, heated air which passes into the chamber via a second gas inlet (16) heats the surface of the stone. After the particulate material has been coated it is discharged via outlet (10) for subsequent use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Totalfinaelf Bitumen Limited
    Inventor: Leslie Hoad
  • Publication number: 20040159971
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a an apparatus for processing various materials, the apparatus including at least two annular feed gaps placed one within the other. The beginning of each feed gap is provided with a grinding section (5), which is followed in the apparatus by a mixing section (10). The materials are processed in the grinding section (5), whereafter they are mixed in the mixing section (10), and the mixture is extruded into a product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventor: Kari Kirjavainen
  • Patent number: 6763947
    Abstract: An improved flotation separation apparatus for separating and classifying diverse, liquid-suspended solids having a plurality of high volume air bubble infusers. Each infuser includes a circular cavity defined by an interior circumferential wall. A plurality of stationary impinging plates projecting from the interior circumferential wall into the circular cavity and equally spaced circumferentially in series therealong. An injecting stream of water and air impinges upon the impinging plates in series to repeatedly create, divide and subdivide air bubbles as the injection stream transverses the series of impinging plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: George C. Brooks
  • Publication number: 20040125691
    Abstract: A static mixer (10) is provided with a first grid (14) having one or more crossing elements (16) and one or more slots and a second grid (14) having one or more crossing elements (16) and one or more slots. The crossing elements (16) of the first grid (14) are arranged at intersecting angles to the crossing elements (16) of the second grid (14). At least one elongated connector (18) is positioned between and secured to adjacent crossing elements (16) of the first grid (14) and crossing elements (16) of the second grid (14). The grids may further be arranged such that each crossing element of one grid intersects a slot in the other grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Felix A. Streiff, Robert E. McMillen
  • Patent number: RE40407
    Abstract: A method for entraining and mixing gas with liquids within a conduit or drop structure, comprising the channeling of one or more liquid flows into spiral flows of predetermined radius (radii), reducing the predetermined radius (radii) to increase the centrifugal forces acting upon the spiral flow(s) as the spiral flow(s) enter the conduit, and allowing gas access to the conduit to mix with and entrain within the spiral flow within the conduit or drop structure. The method can facilitate the mixing of gas with one or more fluid flows and/or reduce the release of gas emissions from the fluid(s) into the surrounding environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Vortex Flow, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene M. Natarius